One of the most accessible and most fun multiplayer online battle arena titles out there. Sure, it lacks the complexity of Dota 2 or League of Legends, but the short length of matches (around 20 minutes) and the polish that's characteristic of a Blizzard product make it stand out.

Even though its roguelike recipe feels flawed, Returnal's exhilarating gunplay, clever story, and mesmerizing atmosphere elevate it to a higher than average rank. Its addictive gameplay loop, gorgeous visuals, and amazing 3D sound create an immersive atmosphere that is difficult to imitate.

OlliOlli 2: Welcome to Olliwood is a solid sequel that manages to provide quite a bit of innovation through its Manual system, while bringing more varied layouts and a slightly smoother difficulty curve. However, it still requires a lot of practice and can prove to be rather confusing when the level and visual design aren't that clear.

Wax Heads is an impressive achievement. It delivers a great mix of varied music, great record graphical design, exquisite fictional critical texts, and narrative. The universe built around Repeater Records is a lovely one, filled with cool customers and interesting co-workers. Make sure to unlock and play all the songs that were specifically recorded for the game. While the core gameplay loop of using a short prompt to find the best record for each character is great, it can become somewhat repetitive. Playing two or, at most, three days in one session is the go-to move. Wax Heads is a great example of how a two-person team can deliver a great game, infused with passion and packing great songs.

Mortal Kombat X is the best release in the series so far, not just because it respects the roots of the series, but also because it innovates through things like character variations and living towers.

Cairn is a game that came out of nowhere and immediately grabbed my attention with its gripping story, engaging climbing and numerous threats or challenges found along the way. It’s the type of game that you think of the entire day, trying to figure out what to do next and what route you need to take. It’s a climbing game, as it is a puzzle and exploration-focused experience. It’s nice that the game runs smoothly, there’s no pressure and it’s more about your skills and determination. Cairn mimics real life when it comes to climbing, but it also keeps some interesting ideas, and it continues to be incredibly fun. Yes, it will take a while to get used to the controls, but once you get past that, you will see it’s a very solid, albeit challenging experience. It will give you around 10-15 hours of excitement and fun, along with a reason to always come back and see all the side content or secrets.

For those who love the genre, Codemasters has created a great way to interact with the world of rally racing, and this is a game that will allow them to spend tens of hours tweaking setups, choosing their favorite car and competing with friends in the multiplayer events.

Although I would have liked to see some visual changes too, there’s nothing wrong in using the same assets if they proved to be so popular among players. Fuga: Melodies of Steel series remains an indie gem that has yet to receive the attention it deserves. If you love turn-based strategy games with serious themes, I can’t recommend this enough.

Inscryption is another great experience from Daniel Mullins and his studio. Their take on the already very crowded card game and rogue combination is a unique but recognizable one. I liked the combat, the level of complexity, the challenge posed by the bosses. And I loved the way it integrates with the wider world of the game and the story it tells. I would like to see more use for the sacrifice mechanic and some extra ways to cheat the rules. But self-aware creatures, cards that immortalize failed runs, and general creepiness add a lot to the core concepts. Inscryption has all the necessary ingredients to set a new standard of quality for its genre and keep fans engaged for tens of hours.

Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope is the perfect Switch exclusive. The game marvelously captures the playful spirit of the Mario universe, while offering some serious tactical strategy options for those looking for fix for their XCOM addiction. All aspects of the game have been improved over the predecessor, including visuals, combat mechanics, exploration, and soundtrack. Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope is double the fun, thrice the charm!

The Talos Principle is a delightful puzzle experience that spurs the curiosity of players both in terms of solutions to the challenges and to the philosophical nature of our existence.

Cities: Skylines is the best experience for a gamer who wants to play a modern city builder that has a solid set of mechanics and manages to avoid all the traps that have sunk the reboot of SimCity that Maxis and Electronic Arts created.

Still the new art direction will not be to everyone’s liking, and it remains one of the compromises made by the developers to ensure that Return to Monkey Island is relevant for 2022. And they managed to accomplish so much more, by developing a great game. It works both as a fan service for the point & click aficionados and also as a modern-day adventure game for newcomers. It has some minor shortcomings, but overall, it is once more a shiny standard of how good adventures should play and feel.

Astrea: Six-Sided Oracles is a complex and engaging dice builder. The universe is interesting, even if the lore is mostly expressed via gameplay and presentation. There are a ton of dice to choose from as players build their own playstyle around their favorite hero. Any combat encounter delivers interesting tactical situations, and the boss fights are suitably difficult. There’s innovation in the dice system and the Corruption and Purification mechanics but I feel the rogue-lite elements are a little classic. Astrea: Six-Sided Oracles has variety, and depth, and will give fans of this genre tens of hours of dice-driven fun.

StarVaders starts off a little slow and it seems that enemies are much too numerous for one robot equipped with a hand of cards to deal with. After a few runs, it becomes clear that it has depth and variety, as well as a ton of style. Combat is fast and tense, with plenty of surprises. The narrative isn’t very original, but the promise of new cards and enemies is enough to start another run. StarVaders is one of the best run-based video games I’ve played recently, one that rewards planning and careful choices while also creating plenty of delightful chaotic moments.

A great improvement over the original, a fantastic journey with a distinct old-school vibe, with a lot of heart and with a glossy modern veneer. Even if you haven’t played the first one, it’s a proper standalone, self-contained experience.

The biggest criticism that can be leveled at the title is that it is a little too conservative in its approach to the role-playing and action genres and fails to introduce something entirely new...At the same time, the developers have managed to carefully polish the core tenets of Dragon Age and fans of the series will be happy to discover how easy it is to tailor Inquisition to their own play style.

Frostpunk 2 blends classic city development ideas with an interesting take on political horse-trading. The need to secure votes will push player outside of their comfort zone. I like the extra tension, but the two sides of the game sometimes feel disconnected from one another, especially when factions act irrationally as the survival of New London is in play. 11 bit studios has taken a risk by creating a sequel that is too different in terms of mechanics for some fans of the original. Frostpunk 2 isn’t as personal or granular but the political aspect is a good innovation and enhances the more traditional exploration and city building.

Those who want precision and control should stay away, but Chaos Reborn will be a good fit for players who appreciate planning but also want to be surprised during a battle.

The compelling story and incredibly well done combat system, along with the amazing art style and deep characterization turn Control into a trippy experience full of surprises and lots of mind-bending, Inception-like moments.

Solium Infernum is an exquisite gamer, with carefully honed mechanics and a lot of freedom. Dominating Hell involves both careful plans and smart reactions to unforeseen events and surprises created by adversaries. The game does ask players to invest time and energy to learn all its mechanics and how they interact with each other. The single player is fun by itself but a willingness to engage in multiplayer unlocks more of the title’s potential. Solium Infernum is a must-have for turn-based fans who want to rule Hell using deceit and strength.

Meg’s Monster is an emotional journey with a lot of depth, a twisty narrative, and some great character moments. I loved spending time with Meg, Roy, and Golan. Combat isn’t very challenging but still generates tension. I actually wished that the game offered more to do because I wanted more time in its universe, even if I think it’s perfectly paced to deliver its payload of feelings. Some fans of the role-playing genre might be disappointed with the relatively thin mechanics. Others might find some situations a little manipulative. Every player should give this game a try, regardless of whether they have a connection to its genre or not. Meg’s Monster is a perfect example of how video games can be great vehicles for stories because of their interactivity.

The Cosmic Wheel Sisterhood is a unique game. It starts with a Faustian bargain and constantly adds fun and surprising ideas. I liked all the many witches I encountered and their stories, as well as the larger ethical questions gamers have to engage with. Crafting cards is a surprisingly fun process with a lot of variety. The pace of the game's final, more political section felt a little off. But the main narrative is very good, with complex choices and some tense divination moments. I liked how The Cosmic Wheel Sisterhood created immersion, explored relationships, and forced me to make some tough decisions.

Jusant is a bit hard to be included in a genre, but truth to be told it does not really need to. It is a breath of fresh air, an artistic production that is not scared to break away from the norm and the standard to walk its own path. It has its challenges, and the gameplay is simple yet interesting enough to keep you hooked. Jusant’s mysteries are never completely revealed, thus joining a select club of games that stir up an emotional response from their players.

Technotopia is an atypical city builder that understands what makes the genre appealing. It is turn-based and built around cards, but it manages to give players freedom while making it clear the pressures of constant development. The narrative framing is good, although the characters do not shine, and the presentation is impressive. Its run-based structure keeps things interesting, although I would have liked a slightly faster pace of unlock for new buildings. A clear list of everything players can get and hints about how they can reach their aims is also needed. Despite these small issues, Technotopia is a very good game that should attract a wide audience.

I’ve had a lot of fun exploring Silent Hill F’s stunning town and story, and I am glad to say that this is by far my favorite Silent Hill game to date. After playing the Silent Hill 2 remake, I thought that would be the epitome of the series, but this new one is even better. It retains the aura and style of the series, while adding more combat to it, and exploring an entirely new location. It’s not a very long game, but it’s intense and visceral at times, not to mention profound and extremely immersive.

Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector is a great game for anyone who appreciates a complex science-fiction universe, well-rounded characters, and existential musings. The new Sleeper is a great protagonist and the rest of the cast, even those with small roles, are well-written. The dice-focused gameplay has been enhanced with new mechanics, some designed to increase the challenge level, that sometimes feel unnecessary. Players annoyed by the dice rolls and the peril associated with them should play on easy and enjoy the narrative. The game, especially when players aren’t focused on one of the major drives, uniquely mixes story, tension, and a sense of discovery. Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector doesn’t offer massive innovation but perfects an already effective combination of narrative and gameplay.

Valkyria Chronicles is an interesting title that certainly takes some of the core ideas of the Japanese role-playing game genre and twists them in innovative ways, but the whole package has not managed to fully capture my attention.

There’s no doubt that Nioh 3 is the best game in the series. Even though everything has been streamlined and made easier and more fun, it’s hard to make a Nioh game easy for a newcomer to the series. There are two things that will help new players from having an easier time in Nioh 3. One of them is reading each of the dedicated tutorials in the game. The second one is simply practicing everything that the game teaches you. If you’re on the fence about the game’s difficulty, don’t be. Nioh 3 offers so many ways of defeating every challenge in the game that it would be a pity to lose on so much fun just because of a misconception. Nioh 3 has everything that a fan of the franchise had dreamed of and more. I don’t think I need to recommend this to those who loved the previous titles, but as fan who developed an obsession for the series, let me just say that Nioh 3 absolutely blew my mind.

Despite some shortcomings, Octopath Traveler II is one of the best JRPGs of the year. It’s nice to know that developers have took all feedback to heart and addressed the main issues with the original game, while adding new mechanics and improvements across the board. The semi-open world is alive as long as you spend most of the time in cities, whereas the wilderness and dungeons feel rather empty. Also, even though the pacing is better than in the first game, Octopath Traveler II is still a little too slow by today’s standards. I wholeheartedly recommend Octopath Traveler II to anyone who is even just mildly interested in JRPGs. It’s very close to the masterpiece status and you don’t even have to play the original. In fact, I would strongly suggest you skip the first game and play this one instead.

Zenzizenzic is a fantastic bullet hell experience that manages not only to delight longtime genre fans, through its Classic mode, but also to add innovation with its Macro experience.

Football Manager 2022 is a great take on the most popular sport of the world. It provides ways for both casual and obsessive fans to get more involved with their favorite club or almost any other team they want. The new animation system changes the experience quite a lot, both visually and tactically. Some transfer action might feel a little unreal and the game still generates new players that sometimes make little sense. But this is a solid game with a lot of options and plenty of incredible moments.

Torn Away is a narrative-focused game that explores some very difficult historical moments through the eyes of a child. Asya is a strong protagonist and the game works hard to give her interesting things to do from a gameplay perspective. Neither the platforming nor the puzzles sequences are hard to complete and most of the mechanics are familiar. Players need to be sure that they are ready to deal with some troubling and difficult moments before they engage with the game. After playing, it might be time to donate to a charity that helps children in danger. Torn Away is a good example of how video games can engage with complex themes and bring a level of engagement that other mediums cannot deliver.

Death’s Door has good core mechanics but does not introduce the one big innovation that could make it stand out. I enjoy the battles, especially the bigger ones, but I feel that the puzzles are average, as is the exploration. Some players might draw comparisons to Hades but this is a very different experience that does not aim for the same narrative depth. It’s linear, there are no rogue elements, and the variety in encounters is more limited.

Although Destiny 2 requires quite a lot of grinding, the whole process doesn't really feel like a chore since there are so many varied activities that you'll rarely do the same thing twice in a month (unless it's a weekly activity, or you really want to). First and foremost, Destiny 2 does not frustrate players by placing parts of the end game under hard to achieve power level requirements. There's plenty of loot to gain and, more importantly, you're actually having fun while obtaining it.

The Forgotten City would have been a good game, if the developers would have remained in the lane of adventure games. The action scenes are more of a miss, since the whole game was built on the idea of observing and solving puzzles. Although you have other means at your disposal, the strongest suit of The Forgotten City remains its slower gameplay focused on problem solving. For a small group of people, putting together The Forgotten City is no small feat, and they deserve the praise.

The Alters brings you an amazing story, interesting survival mechanics, and stunning visuals. 11-Bit Studios did a masterful job creating this game, since it truly is a breath of fresh air. Anyone that enjoys sci-fi media will have a blast exploring this world they created, making choices and dealing with the consequences of their own actions. I think the main appeal for the game stems from creating alters, learning their stories and making you think about what choices you would change in their lives. There are some enemies you face on the planet, but combat is light and certainly not the game’s forte. Instead, The Alters shines when it comes to its world, great characters and the pressure that comes from pleasing your team and moving onto this planet, which can easily become your resting place.

Pro Evolution Soccer 2016 is a big step forward for the series and manages to show the complexity and the beauty of football while also emphasizing the hard work that's required from a team looking to put together a string of victories.

The Rise of the Golden Idol is a great sequel and will give all fans of the original plenty of new interesting and violent scenarios to solve. The game’s mechanics are easy to pick up, even for newcomers, with a solid raft of quality-of-life improvements to make it easier to gather clues and find solutions. It would be lovely if the various windows could be resized. The title can cause some frustration when it comes to the big end of the chapter narratives, mainly because of wording that lacks a certain precision. When that happens, do not hesitate to breathe in and out and use the hint system. The Rise of the Golden Idol is good enough that it makes sense to play one or two scenes per session, savoring the many details and the joy associated with some clever deductions.

As someone that loved Platypus and its sequel, I was not sure what to expect from the Platypus Reclayed version. But now that I played and finished it, I am happy to say that this is the definitive version for all Platypus players. It has enough improvements that even the older players will play this one many times to get that high score. Yet at the same time, they also added some new weapons and updated the visuals. The new power-ups don’t appear very often, but when they do, they feel like a game-changer. Also, the music is excellent, as always, and the visuals make it feel like an entirely new game. I think the 4K update is excellent, and the game didn’t have any glitches or technical problems while I was playing, either. Platypus always had great variety when it came to levels and combining that with mod support makes Platypus Reclayed the best version of this title. I am eagerly waiting for new Platypus Reclayed content from the devs, while also looking forward to new levels, weapons and other wacky stuff that the community will come up with.

Worldless shines when players enter battle with a new opponent for the first time, discovering its moves and weaknesses. It’s fun to watch for patterns and create attack combos, with plenty of tension added when trying to perform the Absorption move. Platforming isn’t as complex as combat but adds variety. The mostly abstract world and limited story will be the biggest stumbling block for most players. The game often comes close to pretentiousness without crossing that line. Worldless is not as poetic as it aims to be but offers a carefully crafted set of mechanics that work very well together.

Europa Universalis V is big, varied, and engrossing. Playing France is very different from starting as the Golden Horde, which poses a whole other set of challenges than guiding a Native American tribe or China through history. The game’s systems constantly challenge players to make big choices, even when they don’t engage with a dynamic events chain or ponder how to get out of a disaster. Simply managing internal politics and economics, from developing provinces to balancing the demands of the estates, is a game in itself. Diplomacy, trading, and warfare add layers of possibility and challenge. Europa Universalis V will give grand strategy fans hundreds of hours of fun, but might be difficult for newcomers to fully enjoy at first.

Geometry Wars 3: Dimensions is a great new entry in the series. It offers plenty of things for all players, as the Adventure mode draws in new fans, the Classic mode appeals to veterans, and the leaderboards manage to fuel their competitive natures.

Ratchet & Clank is not an entirely new video game, but it is neither part of the epidemic of remasters for older titles that fail to add anything interesting to the package. Insomniac Games has done a great job of taking the best elements of the original while upgrading both the gameplay and the graphics in order to appeal to modern players.

Football Manager 2021 is a very good management game. It offers more options than before, takes up more time than ever, delivers such an accurate take on the real-world sport that it is sometimes unnerving. It also makes it a little harder to create truly alternate worlds, like one where Wrexhman wins the Premier League. For those who want something that moves faster and is more focused on just tactics, the Touch version of the game is a better choice. I love the depth that the series has been adding and I don’t mind playing at the most 3 or 4 seasons in one run. But for those who want 20 year-long attempts at greatness, with plenty of regens and takeovers, delegation and quick matches are the right way to go. Football Manager 2021 is a game best enjoyed a few virtual matches a night, preferably with some real-world football in the background, wondering whether you can get Fulham out of that bind (maybe, in a season or three) or if you can be the one to lead 1. FC Koln to greatness (it might take a decade).

An exquisite combination of deep storytelling and refined card game combat mechanics, Thronebreaker delivers an exceptional RPG experience that not many developers can achieve these days. It's a pity that Geralt's saga has ended after just three games, but Thronebreaker is definitely going to quench your thirst for anything The Witcher related, at least for a while.

Far Cry 4 is a stunning iteration in the series that manages to bring forth great gameplay, superb visuals, and a pretty good story with a fabulous villain. While the competitive multiplayer may not feel all that great and there are some lackluster story missions, overall you'll have a great time with the first-person shooter.

Shadow Gambit: The Cursed Crew is a complex and very open game that will mainly appeal to players who loved Mimimi’s previous entries in the stealth action genre. All the mechanics are refined, and character choices open up a ton of options for each mission. Success requires patience and good planning, but improvisation often creates more memorable moments. The title tries hard to be accessible to newcomers, offering bespoke introductions for each character and solid tutorial missions. But success and progress require careful thinking, good planning, and cautious executions. It takes time and patience to master Shadow Gambit: The Cursed Crew and the game offers impressive set-pieces and a great sense of accomplishment in return.

I can’t understand the point of StarCraft: Remastered. I see that it’s much prettier, and people with high-res displays will be able to run it in all its glory. The problem is that there is no real glory, and the one that’s left exists only in the minds of the people that played the original. It’s not a particularly bad remastering of a cult game, but it’s almost futile.

Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time is classic and actual at the same time. The new ideas and additions only enhance the typical Crash experience and they for perfectly with the original recipe. The downside is that you have no real surprise and you do not see something truly unexpected. However, the game is a lot of fun, featuring a lot of variety on every level. Also, it breathes a very pleasant and, in some places, a humorous atmosphere, which always keeps you on your toes. Unfortunately, the difficulty will turn away many potential players, and that’s a shame because the developers put a tremendous amount of detail and love into this game. Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time is not a perfect game by far, it is not revolutionary in any way, but it remains true to its platformer legacy.

Ni no Kuni II is one of those games that delivers a positive vibe not just through gameplay, but deeper stories, solid characters, as well as outstanding visuals and soundtrack. Moreover, it comes with fresh ideas that make it more engaging and fun, something that we rarely get these days from major franchises.

Anno 117: Pax Romana is a solid installment in the franchise. It tweaks gameplay just enough to give veterans something new to engage with, while also being accessible for anyone new. Mastering production chains and finding the right ways to boost income and production is satisfying. Albion, with its conflicting cultures, is the cooler biome, and it would have been interesting for the game to explore something like Syria or Gaul rather than Latium. Unfortunately, the title’s campaign, while posing some interesting challenges, features twists that make little sense. Voice acting cannot bring to life characters that exist only to advance the story. The game also features solid multiplayer, including cooperative options, via Ubisoft Connect. Anno 117: Pax Romana is thoroughly enjoyable when dealing with building, production chain, trade, and bonuses, and a disappointment when warfare is involved.

Immortality requires patience, plenty of it, and an inquisitive mind. It does not offer instant gratification through frags or victory screens, rather a slow burning mystery that requires you to have the focus of a detective like Poirot. The game refuses to follow current trends and chooses to be an homage to the movie industry by showcasing what is hidden from the viewers. It is not for everyone, especially due to the limited gameplay mechanics it can become monotonous. Yet, there is something fascinating in uncovering what happened to Marissa Marcel.

BALL x PIT is impressive in its ability to build an entire experience around one core idea. Players will launch balls at enemies during their runs and will then use the same mechanic to unlock new heroes and gather resources. Variety, starting with heroes and continuing with ball powers and character perks, means every run is different and there’s plenty of space to experiment. Wisely, the game asks players to beat levels with more than one hero to progress. The settlement development suffers from limited options, but the combat is exciting enough to compensate. BALL x PIT is fast and fun, a clear sign that there are still new and cool things to do with action survival.

If you’re hoping for a breezy summer gaming experience, look elsewhere. This is a dense, challenging, and often unforgiving title that demands focus and patience. It’s not casual, it’s not streamlined, and it certainly doesn’t care whether you’re having a good time—at least not in the conventional sense. Ultimately, System Shock 2 remains what it has always been: a brilliant, brutal relic from an era when games weren’t afraid to be obtuse, ambitious, and just a little bit cruel. The remaster doesn’t change that. It merely ensures that SHODAN’s terrifying voice can continue echoing through the speakers of a new generation.

Hearthstone still offers the unlikely kind of blend of strategy and accessibility that made it a hit, and now it's even better, with more fun interactions to take advantage of.

The Case of the Golden Idol is a tight adventure with good mechanics, excellent design for all the scenes, and great presentation. Players should try to play a sequence at a time, savor the clues and avoid relying on the hint system as much as possible. Playing with a group of people will probably make the entire experience, with or without hints, even more enjoyable. The Case of the Golden Idol shows what Color Gray Games can do with a solid premise and carefully designed scenarios and I would love to see their set of skills applied to other settings.

Zombie Rollerz: The Last Ship is one of those games that a lot of people will enjoy playing, mainly because it de-stresses you and makes it easy to unwind. At least in the beginning, though. As you ramp up the difficulty and start playing against more challenging opponents, things will become more challenging, and they will require your full attention. There are lots of maps, tons of upgrades, not to mention characters and awards you can unlock. You’ll find yourself playing this for hours and hours, without even noticing.

Ska Studios clearly loves Dark Souls and Salt and Sanctuary is a very effective love letter that can appeal both to long-term fans of that series and to players who simply want to feel challenge in a world that’s filled with mystery and clever opponents.

Despite its shortcomings, Dark Souls Remastered is a welcome release that will hopefully breathe new life into the community and multiplayer activity with both new and old players. It may also be the last souls game release for quite some time, given From Software’s latest endeavours.

Tales from the Borderlands Episode 1: Zer0 Sum sets the stage for another amazing adventure experience from Telltale Games.

I loved Destiny 2: Forsaken and I liked Destiny 2. Now that the floodgates are open, I am really interested in seeing what Bungie is planning next. In any case, if you're having any kind of doubts about Destiny 2, that you won’t like it or that it might not be for you, Forsaken should dispel them.

What I really liked about Knights of the Frozen Throne is that the cards introduced allow for so much synergy that the result is extremely funny in many cases. Every day I discover new effects that I didn't think could be possible, which is Knights of the Frozen Throne's main quality. With each new Hearthstone expansion, Blizzard has outdone itself, and Knights of the Frozen Throne is no exception to the rule. I can't wait to see what's next for Hearthstone and its very strong community.

If you never liked the larger-than-life humor of the series, the often dry and dark jokes, or you grew up watching South Park there is nothing here for you. Sam and Max Save the World Remastered is a reminder of a different era, and what was in your face 15 years ago, not will feel outdated or childish. Still the remaster offers a very warm and cozy trip back to the golden age of point and click adventure games.

Zen Studios seems to have an almost uncanny ability to understand what makes big franchises tick and appeal to large numbers of gamers, and then take the concepts and create impressive tables based around them.

The Grand Tournament brings exactly what Hearthstone needs - new mechanics and tons of fun - while keeping the game balanced. The addition of new rewards for Ranked Play is another positive aspect, even though it's not related to The Grand Tournament expansion.

Wealth of Nations adds quite a bit of both major and minor changes to the grand strategy experience and can make the game feel fresh for even the most experienced long-term fan, which makes it a worthwhile investment, especially for those who have already sunk around 100 hours into the game.

Chicken Police is not the most innovative or complex adventure game, but it is one of the most atmospheric ones. It is immersive and fun, with an excellent soundtrack and stellar voice acting. The puzzles are a bit simple and limited in number, but you will not miss them so much thanks to the excellent story and well-written dialogues. The noir atmosphere is the most important element of the recipe, Chicken Police charming you from the very first minutes and guiding you gently to the end by fueling your sense of accomplishment with new discoveries. It is not perfect, but it is an experience you will not regret.

Infernax uses retro elements very well, but this is not an experience that simply appeals because of nostalgia. The core mechanics are very good, the action is fun, the level of difficulty can be tweaked to suit both veterans and newcomers. This is how modern developers should approach old ideas. The game could use more info for the on-screen map and maybe a little more in the way of a narrative hook. But for anyone who has played and enjoyed its inspiration Infernax is a great experience and Berzerk should expand on it while keeping between this kind of balance between old and new.

Deathless. Tales of Old Rus is a carefully constructed experience that gives players variety when it comes to heroes, cards, relics, opponents, and more. Battles require both planning and on-the-spot improvisation, successfully creating that one-more-run feeling. The presentation and fictional universe are somewhat limited by the genre, but the soundtrack is very good. Deathless. Tales of Old Rus does not revolutionize its genre but strong execution and one interesting new idea make it a good choice for fans looking for a new way to test their skills.

Frostpunk says that’s it’s a city building game, but it’s much more that. It’s a test and to pass it you must fail somewhere. Save a few and sacrifice many, or let them all die, but your conscience is clear. I can only hope that players won’t be discouraged by the insanely difficult learning curve because I promise you, on the other end is a beautiful game that everyone has to experience.

The Lost Legacy is the perfect swan song for the Uncharted series.

Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound is a love letter to the platform games of the 90s, and at the same time, it also feels fresh. I don’t know how they did it, but this game is a masterpiece of the genre, and it stays true to the Ninja Gaiden universe. The level design is spectacular, and they did an amazing job at maintaining a high level of detail throughout the entire experience. It’s also nice to see that the two characters in the game seamlessly complement each other, and you need each character’s expertise/skills in order to move onward in the game. Also, boss battles are very cool, they manage to surpass expectations by adding sophisticated gameplay ideas, while still keeping everything engaging and very interesting. Whether you are a fan of Ninja Gaiden, platform games or want to speedrun a game, I think Ragebound delivers everything you’re looking for and much more. Yes, there are some frustrating levels, you might need to restart sections a few times, but that’s the nature of the beast.

Gordian Quest is focused on mechanics to both its advantage and detriment. For a player who has not explored the card and tactics space a lot, this is a perfect experience both as an introduction and for long-term engagement. For someone who has tried out a lot of titles in the genre, this game is a little too by the book for its own good. I like choosing a hero, seeing his cards, and finding out how I can tweak his arsenal via equipment or upgrades. I like to make a quick run, see what new enemies come my way, and how I can create new cool combos. But the limited appeal of the universe and lack of major innovations to the gameplay means that Gordian Quest might never convince me to finish its campaign.

Sure, it can get rather hectic at times, but that’s the nature of the beast, after all. Yes, it can take a bit to learn all of its elements and figure out how to create an excellent build. But once you do, you’ll become unstoppable, as you rush through enemies. Shape of Dreams feels very satisfying to play, there’s never a dull moment, and you’ll always feel the itch for one more run.

If you’re a fan of JRPGs, there’s a lot of fun to be had in Fuga: Melodies of Steel. The series deserves more games like this and a lot more people to play them. It’s not a masterpiece, but it’s a very interesting take on the turn-based strategy genre.

Despite a few downsides like the annoying loading times when you open a door or lack of enemy variety, Hogwarts Legacy is truly a great game that cast its spell on me from the very first few minutes.

Resident Evil Village is one of the best entries in the series, hands down. It has some minor issues, but nothing to interfere with the overall experience. There are tons of extras and plenty of replay value from new levels of difficulty, to new weapons, challenges to the new Mercenary mode. You will have to discover this for yourself, along with the story, since we do not want to cross into spoiler territory. You can rest assured that although the innovations are not as obvious as in the case of Biohazard, Village refines the gameplay experience and fixes the shortcomings and critics of the previous episode. We highly recommend Resident Evil Village to all fans of video games.

Door Kickers 2: Task Force North is the kind of game that fans can easily put more than a hundred hours in without seeing all the content it has to offer. The core mechanics are accessible and quickly explained by the tutorials. And then the game delivers a wide variety of carefully built tactical challenges to solve, even before the Campaigns enter the picture. The top-down view will not be engaging for everyone, even with the more varied and colorful combat areas. The game’s fiction is limited and there’s little in the way of narrative, even in the campaign mode. Door Kickers 2: Task Force North is a great pausable real-time tactical simulation that can get even better if coming updates add extra mechanics to its campaigns.

Whether you’re a veteran who still remembers the hiss of a CRT monitor, or a newcomer curious about where fantasy shooters began, Heretic + Hexen Remastered is essential. It’s the return of true dark sorcery, two ancient spells, perfectly recast for a new age.

If you’re new to the game, Tom Clancy's The Division 2 will fill a void. The fact that it’s a PvE game shouldn’t be a reason not to play, even if only for the single player part. You’ll find it entertaining, and who knows, maybe you’ll also make some new friends. If you’re a Division veteran, that you’ll love Tom Clancy's The Division 2 for all the new stuff it brings, and for the way it fixed the gameplay from the first game. It never feels like a chore to go look for some better gear, and that’s pretty much the highlight of any loot shooter. Tom Clancy's The Division 2 is a winner for Ubisoft and proof that smart things can be done with loot shooters if they are handled the right way.

Aces & Adventures has strong deck building and an inspired twist on the card-driven combat concept. There are enough abilities that players can develop strategies and perform cool moves but poker combinations are random enough that the results are never guaranteed. The heroes cater to a variety of play styles and there’s a lot of content to explore using each of them. The campaign structure is a little familiar but a lot of effort has been put into the presentation. Aces & Adventures is sharp, tense, and has a solid grasp on what makes a deck battler sing.

Anomaly Agent is a great retro-inspired side-scrolling action title. The combat system has depth and delivers some frantic engagements. Surviving a big fight with just a sliver of health feels great. The presentation is solid, with a special mention for the music, and the narrative, despite its familiar beats, is engaging. There’s one mission that involves kicking someone around that will annoy some players and the platforming has some difficult moments. But the game is inventive and imbued with a sense of coolness. Anomaly Agent is accessible to newcomers but also has plenty of challenges for hardcore fans.

Fallout 4 is a deep and broad video game that can easily occupy more than 100 hours of a gamer's life, as long as they don’t become bored of some of the core mechanics of the open-world genre and want to explore the universe past the core narrative...Combat is the most disappointing element of the entire experience, especially outside of VATS, but the complexity of the world and the many small adventures that it includes are solid compensation for the occasional frustration.

Episode 5 delivers a stellar conclusion to the adventures of Bigby Wolf. There are great conflicts in terms of dialog and combat, so players will be solicited in all sorts of ways. It also displays Bigby in all his big bad wolf glory and leaves a fair amount of possibilities for a likely second season of series.

Considered on its own, with no space for nostalgia or positive past experiences, Crow Country isn’t a great game. The presentation is limited, and the gameplay never tries to do anything new. The puzzle design is good and the story, while starting off slowly, does have some great moments and one big strong twist. This sounds like a game that dedicated survival horror fans would like but not love. Fortunately, there are plenty of gamers who idealize the first few installments of Resident Evil or Silent Hill. Crow Country is designed to make them smile and give them a cool new narrative with classic mechanics that they will enjoy every second of.

News Tower is an innovative management video game that uses the journalism theme well. The 1930s setting is a great choice, as is the fact that many of the bigger stories players will report are based on real-world events. The editor role, focused on deciding which stories to chase based on what can attract the most readers and create a solid newspaper profile, means gamers constantly make choices and quickly see their results. The building and employee management systems don’t have much depth but serve the concept. News Tower won’t teach players about journalism, but it delivers fun and tense weeks of management and printing.

Football Manager 2024 is a great experience for anyone who has played the series in the past 10 years. It refines all the core gameplay, adds some interesting new ideas, and gives players a lot of freedom to engage with the mechanics they like and delegate the rest.

If anything, Pro Evolution Soccer 2018 is on par with this year’s FIFA 18, and it even surpasses it in some aspects. The game is more than just an evolution over the previous year, it’s more of a revolution for the PES franchise. I can’t recommend it enough, and I urge everyone to give it a try because it’s the kind of title that can provide a lot of fun, even if you are a fan of other similar football sims. And you can’t get better praise than that.

DOOM: The Dark Ages is a masterclass in how to evolve a classic franchise without losing its identity. It’s still the frenzied demon-slaying bloodbath fans adore, but now it’s wrapped in a darker, more atmospheric package that respects both gameplay and story. With creative new weapons, a cinematic presentation, massive set pieces, and deeper lore, this is more than just another DOOM game—it’s a celebration of everything the franchise can be. Whether you’re a long-time fan or new to the series, if you crave high-octane action, heavy metal carnage, and just the right touch of fantasy madness, The Dark Ages demands your attention. DOOM has once again reinvented itself—and somehow, it still rips and tears.

Even though the DX versions of the three Atelier Ryza games included in the Deluxe Pack aren’t reinventing the wheel, nor bring major changes, they’re definitely worth the money if you don’t own them yet. The package doesn’t just come with all the DLC but adds new stories with some of the supporting characters who weren’t playable in the original games, as well as a lot a quality-of-life improvements and UI/UX enhancements. Atelier Ryza is one of the most streamlined trilogies in the franchise, so it makes it even more worthy for those who have never touched the series yet. Unfortunately, if you already own all three Atelier Ryza games, I don’t see why you’d want to buy the Deluxe Pack, unless you really are a hardcore fan who enjoys every bit of his favorite games.

The combat feels rather clunky and slow at times, while some of the puzzles are completely unintuitive letting you needlessly wonder the maps in search of your next main objective. Despite its shortcomings, Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night stays true to the traditional Metroidvania genre, not altering the original recipe, but not improving it either. If you're a Metroidvania fan, this is definitely a 10/10 title, but newcomers to the series will probably not find the same joy in Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night.

Obviously, Galactic Civilizations III: Intrigue is now without its flaws, but it appears that Stardock managed to considerably reduce the number to just a few. Although almost every aspect of the base game has been improved, I feel that some of the newly added features need a bit of balancing or tweaking.

Luto is definitely a great spiritual successor to P.T. and a solid horror game, all in all. Not only does it cover some incredible topics, and it can get very scary, but at the same time, it’s beautifully made and without any performance issues, at least in my experience. I am a fan of the world design, the story they are showcasing, and how weird the game manages to become sometimes. The fact that they blatantly cover serious topics like anxiety, life, depression or grief is great, and it all seamlessly connects into the story. I will be honest, I did not expect the game to end this way, and for the story to be so gripping. Also, it’s great that the game is not very long, either, since you can see the conclusion in just half a dozen hours of gameplay, at most. Luto manages to nail the emotional roller-coaster that they embark us on, while also maintaining a sense of gravitas and a visual style that’s unlike anything you will find out there. It might be a debut title, sure, but it’s an excellent one, and I am looking forward to see what Broken Bird Games will come up with next time.

The game as a whole looks great, it is funny, it is frustrating to lose at it (figures) and it is an overall great experience that any player, young or old, should try.

While not a fan of the racing genre in general, I do have my moments when I would like to just smash into someone else’s car (in a totally victim-free virtual environment, of course), and Wreckfest hits the spot perfectly. By comparison with what other games attempted in the past, I have to say that it is a true masterpiece and has pretty much taken the crown as the best title in a rather unexplored game sub-genre. So, gear up, tune up your car, rev your engines and try to make it to the finish line with a number of wheels that is higher than 1!

Life Is Strange is an imperfect video game and the actual mechanics of playing it, including the time rewind, can become annoying of frustrating, especially when the development team tries to borrow from another genre. But the game makes it easy to create a connection with Max and to care about her choices and trials, a rare feat, and that means any fan of narrative-driven experiences should try it out to see how he deals with the feelings of the protagonist and the impact they have on Arcadia Bay.

Kingdom Hearts III may be a hack and slash, with a few RPG elements sprinkled in, but at its heart, it’s a weird adventure like nothing that you’ve ever played. It makes no sense, but once you’re in the groove things start to get into focus. When the game is over, you’re left with a strange feeling of completions and melancholy, and that should be proof enough that you’ve experienced something worthwhile.