Starcraft 2 - Nova Covert Ops Mission Pack 1 is not a great package because of the limited number of missions that gamers get access to, but that will not make too much of a difference for the most determined fans of the franchise.

If not for the interesting cast of characters and beautiful cyberpunk world, Soul Hackers 2 would truly be just a poor man’s Persona game. If you hate grinding in JRPGs, stay away from this one, but if you absolutely love fusing Personas … uh Demons until you find the perfect party, Soul Hackers 2 is quite serviceable in that aspect.

Deep Space Reflections is one of the games that shows the way indie companies can offer a new take on some familiar ideas and those who play the title should also vote for it on Greenlight so that it can get a proper Steam release.

If you're a dedicated fan of the Shadowrun setting and enjoy your games a little on the complex side, you will be disappointed in the lack of depth in Shadowrun Chronicles. If, however, you enjoy turn-based tactical action and cooperative multiplayer, you might have a blast with the game.

At the end of the day, maybe Gungrave isn’t necessarily the best game of the year, but on the other hand, it’s not the worst either. Playing it is fun, and for fans of the series, it’s a great way to get a taste of what the original iteration of the series was all about.

Marvel’s Avengers has buried in it an excellent story and single-player experience. But all the good it does is overshadowed by technical issues and corporate greed. In its current state is more similar to a beta, rather than a fully polished AAA game. The main campaign of the game is truly delicious and is worth experiencing by every fan of action games. The several climaxes masterfully weaved into it manage to make you feel like a part of the Avengers. But even these moments cannot make me forget about the technical issues, and the sacrifices made to turn the game into a live service.

Grand Emprise 2: Portals Apart is an ambitious game, but one that clearly tried to bit off more than it can chew. It’s a game that wants you to survive through dangerous, yet engaging worlds, some of which have more polish than the others. It’s definitely a game that oozes creativity, but the lack of resources is clear here. Yet if you get past that, I think Grand Emprise 2: Portals Apart is a pretty interesting experience, especially considering it costs around $10. It won’t be your go-to survival game, but if you’re into a more curated survival experience with portals and creative worlds, you’ll get your money’s worth. Just don’t expect the ultimate level of polish, stellar graphics or exceptional animations, because you won’t find them here.

If you are a Duke Nukem fan (or any other classic shooter which does not bother with iron sights) Ion Fury is a must-try experience. It will take you back in time, make you feel young and happy again. But, if you prefer modern shooters like Call of Duty skip this game because most likely you will not appreciate its corks.

Is it flawless? Not quite. The new weapons are hit-or-miss, the flashbacks drag, and the performance issues are a blemish on an otherwise polished expansion. But in those moments when you’re stomping down a fluorescent-lit corridor, Auto 9 roaring, as RoboCop delivers a dry one-liner before blasting a goon’s head clean off—it’s pure, unfiltered nostalgia. For anyone who found themselves unexpectedly hooked by Teyon’s take on RoboCop the first time around, Unfinished Business is a worthwhile detour. It doesn’t aim to revolutionize the formula, but it doesn’t need to. It’s not a bold new chapter—it’s a brutal encore. And for fans of chrome-plated justice, that’s more than enough.

If you’re a veteran of soulslike games, you’ll find Thymesia enjoyable, yet frustrating at times due to some unfair mechanics. Unfortunately, this is not a welcoming game for newcomers to the genre, so you’ll want to skip this one if you’re finding games like Sekiro and Bloodborne too difficult.

Heavenly Bodies is not your average cup of coffee, not even for indie games. It has a very specific audience it set its target on and delivers on its promise of challenging players through the control system. Visually and atmosphere wise it is clearly inspired by the classic, realistic sci-fi movies. The game itself is pretty short, but due to the control scheme, you will spend quite a lot of time even on the simplest tasks. Heavenly Bodies is not for everyone, but those who enjoy this kind of games will have a blast with it.

Ultimately, Deliver Us Mars is a walking simulator that wants to be more than it is and does not understand that small changes are not enough to reinvent the wheel. Despite that, it remains a pleasant enough experience that players can finish in about 8 hours, yet one that does not beckon you back for more.

Gods Will Be Watching is the sort of love it or hate it video game affair that only transformative titles that push the boundaries of their genre can present. It’s not trying to make you kick puppies, it’s not trying to make you hold hands and sing Kumbaya, it’s about finding a mixture of the two that leads to your survival and doesn’t give you too many nightmares afterward.

Street Fighter V is a solid base for the new fighting experience from Capcom. Unfortunately, with the missing features and the problematic servers, it feels more like an Early Access game than a full-fledged one that’s available for full price. Lots of modes, content, and goodies are promised by Capcom in the future, so, unless you really can’t wait, you can pass on the game right now.

For fans of the originals, this is a chance to revisit a beloved classic in HD. For newcomers, it’s an opportunity to explore a piece of gaming history that continues to inspire and captivate. If you’re prepared to brave the depths of Nosgoth and confront its haunting mysteries, while curbing your expectations somewhat, the Soul Reaver remasters are an experience you won’t regret.

All in all, Wartile is a fair indie game: it is different, well-executed and humble. If you like tabletop games or if you are just looking for something different, tactical and fun, you will not regret the 15 hours spent moving the Vikings from hexagon to hexagon.

Astria Ascending is a gorgeous, very ambitious and at the same time flawed experience. It has deep mechanics, but their implementation could have used some more attention. The graphics are as gorgeous as some tracks are memorable, but sometimes they are out of sync. The background story is rich, yet the game fails to use it, making you do to the very same actions in different locations. If you like old school JRPGs you will overlook the shortcomings and have a good time with the game. If you never had a soft spot for the game best represented by Final Fantasy, Astria Ascending will not make you fall in love with the genre.

Overall, Metamorphosis does a tremendous job in bringing to life the atmosphere characteristic to the works of Kafka, toning somewhat down the depressive and trying to put some fun into it. It is an adventure which substitutes the drama with a more light-hearted, but still surreal self-discovery walkabout. But it feels more like a quite short interactive experience, rather than a videogame. Metamorphosis lacks variety and cohesive gameplay, focusing too much on the story and the atmosphere. As such even the current price may seem a bit high for this unusual game. It is a surreal experiment which despite its intriguing source material, will never become a classic due to its dull inner workings.

At first, I had no idea what to expect from Dreams of Another, as screenshots and trailers don’t make it justice. It seems like a generic, pixelated shooter, although the game is much more than that. It’s a game that focuses on creating a great, different experience, and it mostly sticks the landing in my opinion. Yes, it’s not flawless, nor does it try to be. These days, most people want to play titles like Call of Duty or Battlefield, just to blow off some steam. Dreams of Another manages to bring us an entirely different experience, where we question our meaning on this planet, and it becomes very meditative at times. I don’t think Dreams of Another is for everyone, it won’t fit the backlog of action-focused gamers. But if you like puzzles, philosophy and exploration, it’s certainly a title that you should play.

Deadstone is a decent title that manages to deliver a survival-oriented action tower defense experience that's pretty intense and can be supported by a serious or amusing story (or even no plot whatsoever). Unfortunately, while its gameplay may be decent and feature plenty of RPG mechanics, the outdated visuals, the awkward soundtrack, and the many design issues weigh it down.

The Forest Cathedral is an interesting experience but does not fully work as a video game. The narrative it is telling is based on a real-world person but introduces many elements that are anachronistic to the period and to her life. Maybe the main character should have been named something else and her story should have only hinted at the real-world scandal surrounding DDT and other pesticides.

Magic 2015 provides a neat and polished experience for those who are new to the entire concept, but unfortunately does not have enough of its big brother’s allure to warrant attention from more serious Planeswalkers.

The basic strategy element of Battleplan: American Civil War relies on one core mechanic, that of runners who influence how orders are delivered to units, and it fails to accurately represent many other elements that determined the outcome of an engagement.

History buffs with an appreciation of the complexity of naval combat will find plenty to love in the Custom Game mode, recreating classic engagements and variations based on them, but for other players the title can quickly became repetitive and frustrating.

The sense of exploration is the main draw, although the downtime between action sequences might be a little annoying to many.

If you want to bring a piece of ancient Rome into the 21st century, and live out your fantasies as a grand strategist, I find it hard to recommend any other game than this.

Unfortunately, the slow and unnerving pace at which you walk will leave you with ample time to wonder what could have been if the writing were more meaty, leaving one with an overall taste of unrealized potential. In any case, not bad for a first effort.

Caravan SandWitch is a solid casual game, with a very atmospheric world and a fun gameplay loop. Sadly, even though the game is meant to be easy to complete, the plethora of bugs makes the experience quite frustrating. Once these issues are ironed out, I’m pretty sure Caravan SandWitch will become the hidden gem it aspires to be – an indie game that has some good ideas and memorable moments. Until then, it’s just a lot of potential waiting to be fulfilled.

A decent multiplayer mobile experience that manages to combine the domination mechanic with more traditional MOBA systems. As of right now, it still needs quite a bit of work in terms of the movement and online lag, but quite a few updates have already been rolled out, so things might get improved soon.

Trinity Trigger feels like a safest approach for a JRPG. The game certainly has its charm thanks to the cartoonish art style, but it doesn’t introduce any new mechanics in the world or JRPGs. The combat has been stripped of any complexity to make room for an in-depth weapon customization system that pretty much carries this entire aspect. It’s unfortunate that just about every location in the game is very low populated and that dungeons are almost the same, but Trinity Trigger makes up for it by providing players with a compelling narrative experience. Although it’s not really a “must play,” Trinity Trigger is definitely worth exploring.

Ancestory has an interesting core idea, but the game in its current state fails to deliver enough variety or keep gamers interested in the long-run.

The unique look, atmospheric sound, and everything else come together to create an experience that, in the end, is more than the sum of its parts, and makes trying out the game worthwhile, especially if you're a fan of old horror games.

Unfortunately, limited player involvement is much clearer on the PC. I liked the concept, I liked the setup, and I was looking forward to seeing what the hollow Earth had to offer. But I never felt involved in the action and failed to connect with the universe. Little Orpheus has solid production values but needed more and better gameplay to link player and character, to drive a feeling of accomplishment into the experience.

Alone in the Dark checks all the boxes when it comes to gameplay elements you would expect in a modern survival horror, but these seem to be stuck in the past. It feels like a project made with passion but enough budget to hit the AAA expectations. The archaic mechanics do not involve a pleasant nostalgia, rather make the entire game feel outdated. Overall, it is not a bad game, but it does not have enough oomph to make it compete with the best games out there, let alone reconquer the throne of the genre. With a hefty discount it can become an interesting choice for the fans of the genre, a period that should also give time to the developers to fix the bugs that are still present.

Terrifier: The ARTcade Game tries to bring the Terrifier movie series to life in videogame format, and it’s a decent beat’em’up. While it’s not going to be the ultimate game in the genre, it’s interesting, both when it comes to its gameplay and music. Its visuals are an acquired taste, and not everyone might find the visuals appealing. However, the core gameplay is reminiscent to those old-school brawlers, and that will keep you going over the multiple missions available. Unfortunately, Terrifier: The ARTcade Game has its quirks as well. There aren’t a lot of combo options, you will encounter collision detection issues, and the fact that you need to do a QTE whenever you get hit can slow down the enjoyment you have. Even so, I think that Terrifier: The ARTcade Game is worth a shot, if you’re a fan of the series and you want to see a videogame representation of this dangerous clown. The same thing is valid for brawler fans. Otherwise, if you just want to play a retro game, there are other options that might be a better fit.

Unwording is a short experience with a small number of puzzles and a barely sketched-out narrative. Tom is entirely unlike other video game protagonists, uninterested in most things around him and unexceptional. I’m not sure if he is depressed or if the spartan nature of his existence simply signifies his disgust with the modern world and its demands. The two types of puzzles are initially interesting but after solving two or three of them they become busy work. The game needed either a bigger world, with more variety in terms of puzzle design, or extra focus on mechanical innovation. I wanted to like Unwording more but its core ideas are limited and the story is too simple.

As a complete package, Aphelion mostly lands, especially when it comes to the story. There are plenty of twists and turns to keep you engaged, and it’s one of those games whose story cleverly combines a variety of emotions. You will be scared, happy, and also curious to see where everything goes. I enjoyed the game’s ending, but I can see some people will dislike where we leave these characters. The planet Persephone was amazing to explore, although the linearity of the story does bring the game down a little bit. It also doesn’t help that the climbing feels outdated at times, and the stealth parts don’t land, or they just get downright boring towards the end of the game. I still enjoyed my time with the game and felt satisfied with the story and overall experience. Plus, as someone who enjoyed all games from Don’t Nod, especially Vampyr and Banishers, I am excited to see them attempt new things. Yes, not everything sticks, but Aphelion is a journey worth embarking on.

Astor: Blade of the Monolith is a project that clearly has potential, and it shows that it was developed with dedication, but it feels like more attention was invested in how the game looks rather than how it plays. The combat system and the game mechanics feel a tad archaic and too repetitive. By no means is the game a bad one, but it cannot be called remarkable. It offers fun moments, stylish visuals and an interesting story, but the repetitive gameplay makes it best played in limited doses.

To End All Wars is a complex experience designed for an audience that has played AGEOD titles before and is familiar with the intricacies of warfare during World War I, and it can deliver some very satisfying variations on the real outcome of the conflict.

Deathloop is far from being the sum of my worst fears, but it went into a direction that does turn it into a mixed experience. There are some good ideas in the game, but repetition kills most of the fun. Still, it is not a bad game. If you have the patience to put together the story you will find it quite appealing, the level design is as brilliant as ever, but on the other hand the maps are really small, and the combat system is half baked. Overall if you expect another Prey or Dishonored you will be disappointed, but if you are looking for an action game that is quirky and different you might have fun with it.

Chariot is a pretty decent puzzle platformer with stellar visuals but it could've been much more, had it not been for the annoying enemies and the rather difficult task of escorting the coffin through the many different caves. Its design is sound but its pace is grueling and filled with trial and error. Playing with a friend alleviates this somewhat, so bring a buddy if you want to go through the game.

Resident Evil Zero HD Remaster represents a piece of gaming history, and it's nice to see it offered on modern hardware but playing it is only fun for those who already know what to expect and appreciate nostalgia.

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.

Hatred is a good twin-stick shooter that manages to offer an interesting experience only through the actual theme. Besides that, however, it's not something outstanding. Developer Destructive Creations could have transformed its targets into zombies or civilians and escape the controversy, but it stuck to its initial idea, and while it's not executed all that well in terms of story, it deserves recognition.

Lords of the Fallen is a decent role-playing experience with some innovative features but it's weighed down by the balancing problems and the technical issues. After a few updates, it might become a good and challenging RPG, but for now, it falls short.

Sniper Elite 3 is a relatively fun niche shooter experience that improves some of the faults seen in its predecessors, particularly in regards to mission design and the open nature of levels. It's still weighed down by bugs, erratic AI, and a shoddy story, but it will certainly entertain fans of the franchise and those looking for a thinking man's shooter experience.

Dyscourse is a short and approachable game, offering a replayable experience featuring a branching narrative and a ton of meaningful choices to make, putting you in charge of a group of survivors stranded on a desert island.

Its design is uninspired and it feels pretty repetitive, like it was rushed instead of given time to grow into something good, but if you’re a big fan of the Autobots versus Decepticons conflict, there’s a good chance you’ll enjoy it.

The Park is an interesting attempt to offer a spin-off experience for those who love The Secret World and to deliver some Halloween appropriate content for gamers who are interested in psychological horror.

Overall, if you're an adrenaline junkie but lack the money to afford a monster truck, or the life insurance to cover you in case of accidents, then Monster Jam: Steel Titans is pretty much the next best thing.

Harold Halibut is an adventure game that although reminds us of a walking simulator due to its simplistic gameplay, thanks to its atmosphere and unique visual style manages to become a memorable title. It is a slow burning adventure that prioritizes the story and presents it through engaging dialogues and plenty of details hidden in plain sight. Despite the leisurely pace, the game remains pretty short and has no real replay value. It is an intense and almost poetic experience that holds up a mirror to both the individual and society, making it a worthwhile experience for the fans of the genre and for those looking for a great story.

If you're looking for a turn-based strategy game set in a dystopian world where you won't feel attached by your characters and don't need to pay attention to the story, Deep Sky Derelicts has a lot to offer. Keep in mind though that while it's easy to pick up, Snowhound Games' title is hard to master.

Bricktales finally delivers the ability to piece together Lego bricks in order to build various things, but also shows why the videogames have shied away from this mechanic. Although it sounds good in theory, controlling the bricks in digital space does not really feel natural or comfortable. The camera, although functional, does not actually help with the endeavor of figuring out 3D builds in a 2D representation. We also have to mention that the game is fairly short, even if you aim to collect all the items. In barely 5 hours you have done everything you could have. It is far from a flawless experience, but it can be a fun activity for the family.

Runers offers a truly enjoyable experience, with a good marriage of standard roguelike mechanics expanded by the real-time top-down shooter gameplay dynamic and by the spell crafting system.

Sixty Four mixes idle and automation mechanics and will capture the attention of players who like the two genres with its focus on digging deep as efficiently as possible. The core design is clean and makes it easy for players to plan expansion or upgrades. Some might even be interested in the weird dialogue that anchors the limited narrative. But the game doesn’t do much with its premise and gameplay becomes repetitive pretty fast once players reach the green cubes. Alt-tabbing to wait for resources to accumulate is not fun. The entire concept is better suited for mobile phones. Sixty Four has some clever ideas but does not engage with the limitations of its genre.

Just Cause 4 is the perfect example of a game built around a concept or engine, which makes for a fun experience, without offering any depth or expectations.

Reveil is a walking simulator, but it is a remarkable one. Yes, the puzzles are simple, but they are balanced by the game world full of things to explore and find. There is no monotonous pace, and the stealth and chase sections are more than just tense or strained, featuring a few truly scary moments. It may be short, but the story with its unexpected twists, the multiple settings and the constant questioning of what is real and what can you believe from what you go through, makes it a worthwhile experience for all the fans of adventure and horror games.

Evolve is a novel take on the cooperative and competitive multiplayer genre. The game is packed with interesting ideas but some work better than others. The fact that characters are locked at the beginning weighs it down by a wide margin and the erratic matchmaking also puts a damper on the whole thing.

Styx: Master of Shadows is not a great game and the timing of its launch is somewhat unfortunate as many gamers are probably still enjoying the stealth approach in Shadow of Mordor, but for old school fans of the genre it does offer a solid experience with some nice level design and cool character abilities.

In New Tales from Borderlands the freedom of choice is just an illusion, but unlike in case of other representatives of the genre, here I actually enjoyed being fooled by that illusion. That is until I wanted to see the different endings. The developers trying to extend artificially the time we spend with their game is downright annoying. It is like they did their best to distract us from something they felt they needed to hide. And it is a shame really, since the game, leaving aside all the unnecessary distractions, is not bad at all. It is worth exactly one playthrough, more risking to be a waste of time.

Radical Roach is a simple and relatively fun game. It's really challenging and requires a lot of patience due to repetitive songs and erratic mechanics, like the shield one. The animation could also use some work and, while it does have its own style, the quality of the visuals leaves much to be desired.

All in all, Unheard – Voices of Crime can be a pleasant distraction on a rainy afternoon, but nothing more. If you're craving for a detective game that focuses on the audio aspect, this will definitely quench your thirst for a little bit.

Overall Shadowgate is another solid offering for puzzle-solving and adventuring enthusiasts, one that comes with a pedigree and a healthy dose of retro charm.

Road To Devadatta is a relatively short and very story-focused game. Its narrative thread is pretty interesting at first but fails to maintain pace once fully supernatural elements are introduced. The levels are relatively small and the puzzles are pretty good, designed to challenge players without frustrating them. There are some interesting attempts to integrate aspects of Buddhism into the story.

Quest for Infamy is an archaic game, that was not adapted well to modern consoles. It has several design and gameplay issues, yet after finishing it I had to admit that I had fun with it. It may be just the nostalgia for the games I played in my teenage years, but Quest for Infamy managed to engage me in its world and story. The humor and dialogues are just as ambivalent as the rest of the design, but the game has its moments when it can make you chuckle if not laugh. It is recommended for those who miss the games from the 90’s or for those who are curious about what fun meant back then.

What Lies in the Multiverse is a short, but intense experience. Unfortunately, the fun is overshadowed by the loose control scheme and the fact that not even the latest patch fixes the issues of the corrupt save file. It is too bad, especially since the character design and the dialogues are quite inspired. If you prefer games that focus more on reflexes than puzzles, What Lies in the Multiverse can be an interesting option after a few more patches. If you are hoping for a puzzle heavy game, not even the story will make you consider this title twice.

The clunky controls, the camera control of the alien ship, the overcomplicated UI along with the already mentioned shortcomings are the heritage of a long-gone era. Destroy All Humans! to be considered truly a remake would have needed updated gameplay, not just graphics. Despite these issues, Destroy All Humans! keeps its charm and unique appeal. If you can overlook the obsolete mechanics and level design, the adventures of Crypto are actually fun. Thanks to the budget-friendly price tag, the game can be recommended to those who finished games like Maneater and are looking to a new dose of mayhem.

Everdream Valley tries to walk its own path, one that is not very different from other games of the same genre. There are some odd game design choices and a couple of bugs, but nothing that affects the fun of the overall experience. However, after about 10 hours, the time it takes to completely finish it, I can’t help but feel like that’s something still missing. The game feels a bit rushed, as some features seem to not have been fully implemented probably to release the game faster. Luckily, all these issues can be fixed easily, but even with those Everdream Valley is still an enjoyable, cozy experience.

I feel that it’s repetitive and that the loot is out of balance, but I also see that it has a good core. Maybe it’s a remnant of the original game, or perhaps it’s enough to build on. What I can tell you for sure is that it not a proper $60 game that’s been in development for six years.

It's challenging to find something worthy of mentioning, and that in itself is bad. I like the fast-paced gameplay, the voice acting, and the somewhat crazy story that makes no sense. It's the best anyone could extract. Now even the inclusion of a cooperative mode doesn't save it. The stale gameplay is probably the biggest issue. Not much has changed, and the concept feels old. The graphics are forgettable, the weapons are not interesting, the animations are not great, and the overall quality leaves to be desired. Playing on our melancholy can only go so far.

It is a combination of gameplay elements borrowed from different genres and mashed together to form a feel-good experience. Moonglow Bay is not just a fishing adventure, a time management game or a skill-based cooking game. It is a glimpse into the life of a virtual community and a lesson of how each member plays an essential role to make it thrive. It is worth experiencing for any fans of casual games looking to get lost in an optimistic narrative.

All in all, Rage 2 is a good way to pass the time, especially since this summer is going to be a long one and there aren’t major releases planned. The story itself can be finished quickly if you ignore the sidequests, but if you want to do everything, you’re going to spend at least double that.

Of Ash and Steel is one of those RPGs that are the clear definition of the “eurojank” genre. It has a lot of ambition, both when it comes to the world’s size and scope, but also in regard to the story. It does lots of things right, like creating a very compelling and long experience which you will enjoy for dozens of hours. However, the game is also marred by technical issues, at least at launch. I didn’t have major stability issues, aside from a few hiccups as the game loads different areas. However, the game is filled with bugs, and some things like the battle or facial animations lower the overall appeal of the experience. It’s certainly a love letter to the old-school RPGs with a modern coat, but it’s definitely one that needs a bit more time in the oven. I hope they will solve these technical problems, because Of Ash and Steel is a promising RPG. It’s just not in the best state at launch.

The best feature of the entire experience is the skirmish mode and the way it allows players to customize the coming battle to their expectations.

VoidExpanse isn't a two-dimensional version of Elite: Dangerous or Star Citizen, not by a long shot. If you want an immersive space opera adventure that you can lose yourself in, you won't find that experience here...Instead, it offers a much simpler and lighthearted journey through space, focused on action, with some narrative fluff to act as padding, and with a couple of more fleshed-out quest lines to follow when you feel like progressing to the next stage.

Overall, SpongeBob Squarepants Battle for Bikini Bottom Rehydrated is a zesty and refreshing remake of a classic. It is no masterpiece by any standards, and some parts of it still feel superfluous, but it offers a fun single-player experience. The atmosphere of the game is great, mainly because the developers seem to have understood the universe which the game is based on, paying extra attention to fan favorites. The length of the game is more than fair and the new additions, except the co-op, enhance the overall experience. The return of most of the original voice actors is also a bonus, making SpongeBob Squarepants Battle for Bikini Bottom Rehydrated a fair remaster and a fun summer-y experience.

The premise of GUG is very interesting, at least for people that love creature collecting or turn based battles. The idea that you can write anything and create a creature is amazing, and they do have some impressive creatures. However, it all comes down to experimenting, figuring out what words give you the best results and immerse yourself in the experience more and more. GUG has its drawbacks for sure, it’s not perfect. But if you like turn based gameplay and the idea of creating creatures at your leisure, then it’s worth a shot. The lack of a proper tutorial does hurt the game, and the fact that you can spam certain keywords to basically cheat and create overpowered creatures is definitely something to keep in mind. I think despite that, GUG is worth checking out, as its core framework is great. I do hope that the devs can improve upon it if they make any sequels or similar games.

Nevertheless, the game can be enjoyable for someone who has a passing interest in the exploration of space and in management, but it requires more tutorials, better information delivery, and more depth in order to appeal to a wider audience.

What Daemon X Machina gets right is the feeling that you're in control of a huge mech and wrecks havoc on the battlefield, and that's certainly no small feat. Unfortunately, developers seem to have focused on refining the combat mechanics to perfection but forgot that the game does have other parts that need their attention too. If you can get past all the negatives, Daemon X Machina is a very refined mecha game that truly catches the spirit of the genre but falls flat when it comes to narrative and characterization.

Faraday Protocol checks the most important checkboxes of the genre: easy to learn mechanics, puzzles that become harder and harder, stylish art style and a few collectibles. Still, you cannot help but wonder why you have the feeling that the game is a bit empty. Despite the AI and your limited interaction with it, most of the time you will feel alone, in a world that is so focused on puzzles that it feels synthetic. If you like puzzle games Faraday Protocol is one you do not want to miss. If you are a newcomer to the genre better start somewhere else and circle back later to this game, when you already have some experience.

If you like horror adventure games, DARQ Complete Edition is definitely worth trying. If you played the game already, you can now replay it in its complete form with better framerates. If this is your first contact with DARQ, the Complete Edition offers the best experience possible. Still, it is hard to forgive the length, the lack of the story, and the fact that after you played or, replayed it once more, there is nothing more to do here. The atmosphere is special, the puzzles are well thought out, and the environment is very detailed, but each player has to decide for themselves how 2-3 hours of fun should translate into a price tag.

If not for the solid core gameplay, Warhammer 40,000: Darktide would be just another cash grab. There are so many things unfinished in this game that you can’t help but wonder if this is another case of “publisher forces developer to launch the game.” With Fatshark’s pedigree, this could have been an amazing game, especially if everything that was promised prior to release would actually be in the game. It feels like developers planned to add many of the missing features after release, but it might already be too late. Players pool is already dwindling, so by the time the game is fixed, there might not be too many people to play it. That’s such a shame because Warhammer 40,000: Darktide had so much potential.

Royal Frontier is a simple game that can serve as an introduction to the rogue space but does not have the unique or interesting elements of the best of its genre. Combat is interesting at first but becomes rote very quickly. Unlocking new blessings does not feel important or cool enough to keep players engaged. But this could still be a slightly fun rogue and combat experience if it weren’t for the QTEs. They cannot be avoided, add little to the gameplay, and make everything take a lot more time than it should. Rogue Frontier understands what makes its chosen genre interesting for players but fails to introduce any unique mechanics of its own.

It's true that the weird combination of first-person shooter and strategy elements do work quite well in Disintegration, they're not as fun as one would expect (if anyone can expect that). Instead of having the best of both worlds, Disintegration puts itself in the position of potentially being hated by fans of both genres. Yes, the hybrid approach does work, but it's not entertaining enough to warrant a full playthrough. Here is hoping for a better sequel though.

Neighbours Back From Hell is fun but misses quite a few opportunities. The veterans would have loved to get the three absent levels, for the newcomers it would have been a tremendous help to see the tutorials and a leader board would have added replay value and would have extended the short gameplay time. As it stands, Neighbours Back From Hell feels like a hastily put together package that with a bit more attention could have been the remaster we did not know that we needed, but we really enjoyed, instead of the remaster no one asked for and no one will remember.

Skull and Bones spent seven years in development, but still feels like an unfinished beta version that was released way before it’s time. And while many expect this kind of patchwork from Ubisoft, it is still a reprehensible industry practice that is in no way fair to the players, who despite all the warning signs have waited and hoped for the game’s release. Just as another live service game recently released based on the DC universe, Skull and Bones feels like a cash grab attempt that maybe fixable in the future with many patches and updates but even in its ideal form is far from an AAA title. At best it could be a relaxing and engaging, albeit repetitive activity, but in its current form is a beta version sold at full price.

Although it starts as a walking simulator, Maid of Sker turns quickly into a horror game that will remind you either of Silent Hills or Resident Evil or maybe of Outlast or Amnesia. No matter what your experience is with horror games, you will find their influence on Maid of Sker, which is not great, not terrible. It is a lukewarm experience, which rather frustrates than scares, and which due to its length and content can be recommended only after a serious discount.

Hidden Through Time 2: Myths & Magic may be a casual game, but it offers a hardcore experience for the fans of the hidden-objects genre. It is a puzzle game that has a catchy visual style, it is full of details and offers many hours of fun. The lack of replay value of the basic levels is balanced out by the level editor, that hopefully will be embraced by the community. All in all, Hidden Through Time 2 is a good example of how to implement a simple concept in an engaging way.

I desperately wanted The Callisto Protocol to be a success so that we can have another Dead Space-like franchise to look forward to, but as it stands, I can’t recommend this game, especially until its issues are fixed in a future patch. I do hope that if there’s a sequel, developers will come up with something fresh to make us forget about the first game.

It will take quite a bit of time to learn the controls and get used to the visual style this game has. But, once you do, you will find yourself trying to finish the game. It’s not going to be a game for everyone, especially due to its weirdness and strange story. But it’s an artistic game, and one that brings a sense of self-expression, while also embracing horror in a way that I think is quite satisfying. Yes, it needs more polish and guidance when it comes to the lore and story, however it's a solid effort, especially as a first release from the studio.

The game is deceptively fun and captivating, in spite of its seemingly basic interactions.

Mosaica: Arboreal is one of those games that you want to try out after a challenging day at work or a serious day/night of gaming. It’s meant to be relaxing, enjoyable and a way to chill out after all the stress you had until then. And for the most part, I think it succeeds. Its puzzles vary in difficulty, and there’s always something new to uncover. Plus, elements such as loot help expand the experience, while still keeping it very rewarding. It's clear that Mosaica: Arboreal won’t appeal to everyone, especially when it comes to its use of AI art. However, the puzzle-solving side of the game carries it through, and it can become very fulfilling the more you play. Don’t expect a lot of depth and keep your expectations in check when it comes to AI usage. But as a whole, the game delivers if what you want is some great puzzle-solving, if you are willing to get past a few shortcomings.

Edge of Eternity oozes the enthusiasm and passion of its developers. The exploration is mostly rewarding, the combat system is engaging, but the lack of focus when it comes to gameplay elements and the uninspiring story make it ultimately unremarkable. It is a big achievement for a small team, but it is not a game I can whole heartedly recommend. If you are a JRPG fan you already saw everything this game has to offer in other places with a superior implementation. Edge of Eternity offers plenty of content, but it feels like it was released at least a decade too late for its own good.

King’s Bounty II feels like a half-baked game that’s missing a lot of the features that made the series so popular among players. Even the content that does share similarities with the previous games seems rushed and unpolished. Although I commend the developers’ wish to bring something fresh on the table, I believe King’s Bounty II is a missed opportunity. Even though many of the issues the game had at launch may be fixed in future patches, there are many design choices that are impossible to address. Janky in all aspects, King’s Bounty II can be a worthy new entry for long-time fans or a terrible idea. If you’re considering this, just keep in mind that it’s rough around the edges.

The Feast is more of an interesting experiment than a full-fleshed video game. I don’t have a problem with the short duration of its story or the small number of endings. The atmosphere and some of the emotional moments are very well put together. But gameplay is limited and the player is too much of a blank slate to motivate players. A little more context would have helped in this area. How players react to the entire experience will depend on their love for dark stories, absurdity, and creepy moments. The Feast shows the developers at Sever have a good grasp of their ability to create narrative and atmosphere, but they need to work on their approach to gameplay.

Combat Monsters does have some good ideas and mixes genres well, but the move from mobiles to the PC should have brought some updates and changes that have not been implemented, and the experience is poorer because of that.

Saints Row raises mixed emotions: on the one hand it has its moments when it is fun and manages to engage you in its criminal empire building fantasy. But for each high you have at least one low, that turns the game into a technical mess and makes you feel like you are playing a not so pretty GTA clone. The new direction, both visually and gameplay wise show a lot of promise, but the execution is severely lacking. With the so necessary bug fixes and some quality-of-live improvements, the new Saints Row can be a nice experience that won't innovate upon the formula, but at least it will offer fun moments.

The main problem with The Occupation is that it hides all the good things (i.e. great concept, strong narrative) under a layer of wrong design decision, bugs, glitches and awkward controls. I had high hopes for this one, but in this state I would not recommend The Occupation to just anyone.