I would put Sword Legacy: Omen in the missed opportunity type of games since there are many inconsistencies between various parts like visuals, story, and sound. While I loved the idea of going back in time to visit Britain in the early Middle Age, let alone experience the events happening before King Arthur's time, I felt that the journey was pretty dull and uninteresting till near the end.

Black Clover: Quartet Knights is definitely not the sleeper hit of 2018, and I’m not even sure if the fans of the original manga series are among the people playing the game. It’s not a bad title, but I’m pretty sure that the studio overstated just how many people are going to play it.

The only thing that I don’t like about the game is the DLC policy, meaning that a lot of the interesting stuff can be bought through DLCs, including two entire maps. Otherwise, if I had the time, I would probably lose entire days hunting virtual animals, and having an inexplicable feeling of accomplishment.

The combination of melancholy, frustration, and joy Rival Megagun brings to players mustn’t be underestimated. It’s an almost perfect blend of genres that just might spawn some fantastic sequels.

Rastakhan's Rumble radically changes the metagame, but not by bringing into focus more classes. Instead, the expansion simply empowers a single class and forces those who don't want to play the hunter class to build decks that counter them or simply choose to have fun playing OTK decks. Once again, Blizzard hasn't found a way to shake things up or bring some innovation to the game. Rastakhan's Rumble isn't something to be excited for, but the real problem is that it's a step backwards when it comes to changing the metagame.

Retribution is definitely worth playing and if you heavily invested in the game, you'll most likely find some enjoyment revisiting the Galactic Civilizations universe, just don't expect too many great things, and certainly nothing revolutionary.

Dungeon Stars is like that movie title that gets 30% approval from the critics and over 70% approval from the audience, mainly because it has no deeprooted substance to it, but it sure is fun. Overall, the game is well suited for an era where people don't always have time to spare for long story arcs and missions that need hours to finish, instead focusing on dungeon runs which they can be done within a few minutes. However, why a game with such a simplistic and automatic playstyle is available on any platform that isn't portable is way beyond comprehension.

You’ll laugh, cry and want to know as much as possible about the various characters that join your city, and you may feel an inner sense of satisfaction when you increase your friendship level with certain NPCs. The story will capture you and you’ll be loving, crying, hating or rooting for pretty much everyone at one point or another. But in the end, if all you’re interested in is the crafting system and making in-game profit, those aspects are so well-developed that even the most avid fans of the city-builder genre will feel satisfied.

Hearthstone: Rise of Shadows doesn't reinvent the wheel, but it does bring some fun to those looking for some single-player action. I had fun trying out many new decks, especially the Thief Rogue archetype, but playing against the same decks on ladder becomes boring after several weeks.

Muse Dash is what you would describe as “crazy fun”, as it is the type of game you can pretty much play anytime in any state of mind. You can try it when you’re sad so it can cheer you up, or you can try it when you’re happy so you can get even happier. Although the game may not be resource-intensive at all and some may wonder what justified a PC release, you’ll be forgetting all about that just a few songs later. All in all, if you love good music, are quick with your fingers and are a fan of cutesy anime visuals, then Muse Dash is definitely something that will keep you busy for a long, long time.

Bear With Me - The Complete Collection is one of those titles that you'll either love or hate, depending if you're a fan of the Point and Click or noir genres. The Complete Collection doesn't actually bring anything new to the table besides having all episodes made available from a single main menu, which is only a bonus if you're a fan of the series. All in all, it is a game series that will definitely feel memorable, even if it doesn't appeal to such a wide audience like other genres.

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.

If you are looking for an RPG that dares to implement change and has a novel approach to the genre, Tower of Time has lots of potentials, but wait until all the issues are fixed.

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.

Just like its characters, Wintermoor Tactics Club has a lot of soul. It is not perfect by any means, but the turn-based combat proves to be fun, the RPG elements are well integrated, while the story is compelling and thoroughly enjoyable. Still, there is no real challenge in the game, no replay value and despite the producer’s best efforts, the encounters can feel somewhat repetitive. WintermoorTcatics Club is an indie game as all indie games should be: it is not flashy, overcomplicated, or very long, but manages to be fun and exciting without the AAA budget. It is a single-player experience that any RPG fan should experience.

Little Big Workshop should be a tremendously fun and immersive experience when the countless bugs are fixed. Currently, the console experience will be just as worthy of your time as the PC version is. Fortunately, the producers seem to be aware of the countless issues, and they are working on fixing them (several patches have already been deployed). Still, the state of the game at launch remains inexcusable, and even after several patches, some major issues continue to plague the game's complex mechanics. If you have picked up Little Big Workshop right after release and got turned down by the technical issues, then wait for a few more patches and give it another chance. If you're considering the game, wait for a discount since Little Big Workshop might be fixed by then.

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.

October Night Games has a cool premise but suffers a bit when it comes to executions. The mix of Lovecraftian horrors, rituals, alchemy, and spooky characters works well in the context. But the game needs to have more information available to players, especially when they play against the A.I., to allow them to make clear decisions and reach their goals. The team at Octobear Knight Games is promising tutorials and manuals are coming, which is great. In the meantime, gamers need to be armed with quite a bit of patience to navigate the world and learn all the mechanics. Make sure to play the tutorial campaign at least once. The deduction, dice-based combat, horror powered rituals, and weirdness at the core of October Night Games work well in single player and would be even more engaging with friends.

In the end, Mars Horizon turns out to be quite a simple game, despite the initial complex impression. Because of the repetitive gameplay, although the game has replay value, most players will be rather bothered by the end they finish the race to Mars and will not be tempted to try again. It is worth a try if you are a fan of space exploration, but curb your enthusiasm regarding the fun the game can provide.

Phoenix Point: Year One Edition is what the game should have been when it was first launched more than one year ago. The development team at Snapshot has listened to the community, delivered a whole lot of free patches, and has managed to create a great strategic experience and a solid tactical one. It’s a shame that many people will not play this new package because of the problems that the title originally had. Phoenix Point is a deeper experience than the new XCOM and a drier one. It rewards careful strategic planning, strictly by the rules tactical executions, and a lack of attachment to individual units. The best way to enjoy the game is in short sessions, maybe two missions at a time, to allow for time to mentally explore possibilities and forget some of the frustrations.

The Dark Eye: Memoria is the best reason to play Chains of Satinav, not just to fully comprehend the story, but also to appreciate the evolution of the series. With memorable characters, interesting gameplay elements, and attention to detail turns Memoria into a pretty good adventure game. Yes, in some places the story feels a bit rushed and Geron is just as gray as ever, but the adventures of Sadja bring life into the game. The ending feels right and the fact that you have a choice finally plays into the overall theme of breaking free from the chains of faith.

The Dark Eye: Chains of Stainav despite the best efforts of Daedalic Entertainment was and remains a mediocre adventure game. It is not completely bad, but it is not remarkable either. The story has quite a few gaps, and the gameplay can be frustrating due to the interactive objects that play no part in solving the puzzles. If you are a point and click adventure fan going through a dry spell, it may be worth picking up Chains of Satinav to fill a winter weekend, when you would just rather stay inside. If you just discover this videogame genre there are far better options out there to immerse yourself in.

Hot Brass is an intriguing game that restricts its ability to keep players engaged. The SWAT fantasy is well transferred into mechanics but the overall look of the game makes it hard to fully enjoy. The missions are designed for multiple approaches but different ways of engaging with the title do not deliver a variety of thrills or failures. The focus on real-time action is probably the biggest drawback because it undermines the importance of planning. While the pressure and tension work well the top-down action title is too confusing at times. Trying for an objective, again and again, becomes frustrating.

Signs of the Sojourner presents itself as a contemporary art piece, where the truth and the beauty are in the eye of the beholder. It is carefully put together, it conveys a series of messages and it is based on an original concept. Unfortunately, it fails to create harmony between the gameplay and the story, so the result feels fractured. The story is too slow, the card play is not engaging enough, and the gap between the two elements is never actually bridged. Signs of the Sojourner remains a bizarre experiment, that had potential, but where the artists stumbled being tripped by their own feet.

Legends of Ellaria is one example of how too much ambition can lead to a hard to enjoy the final product. There’s simply too much here to have fun. The transitions are too long. The strategic layer does not add any sort of fun. The management can be enjoyable but does not mesh well with the rest of the experience.

Poker Club is fully functional, but a totally bland experience. You have many gamification elements implemented on top of the actual poker game, like the customization options and the clubs. But these do not bring added value, since they do not have real effects on the gameplay experience. Having fixed most of the technical and visual bugs that plagued the initial release, Poker Club cannot overcome the issues that haunt all the poker simulators. The unpredictability of the human element brings tediousness and a slow pace, without being able to replicate the thrills of playing face to face with another human being.

Academia: School Simulator is a medium commitment simulation experience, meaning that it’s engrossing without overwhelming. Gamers do not have to worry about coming tweaks or the introduction of entirely new mechanics because the game is content complete. The title also has a very extensive set of mods that can introduce variety when a player feels like a master of the core experience.

Realpolitiks II is a good grand strategy experience. It has plenty of mechanics to engage with and cool ways to push the player to try new things depending on the nation he chooses. The international system is underdeveloped but the project concept is an innovation that works well. The development team at Jujubee has also focused on the modern world, a period that not many titles in the genre try to tackle (Paradox has not yet moved much beyond World War II). Realpolitiks II might seem complex for newcomers but its mix of ideas and execution will work well for anyone who has even a little experience with the grand strategy space.

Anna’s Quest is a solid adventure game, that fails to become memorable. Both the puzzles and the story are just too generic, the characters are lacking emotion, and once finished, most probably you will never feel the need to spin it up again. The dialogues are plain and the pace of the story is way too slow, with only a few moments you could actually call funny. The simple graphics do not bring justice to the fairy tale theme of the game, and overall Anna’s Quest is far from the level we come to expect from Daedalic.

The Dungeon of Naheulbeuk: The Amulet of Chaos on paper has all the right ingredients. Unfortunately, they are not implemented as you would expect them to be, and the game ends up as a bad parody of itself rather than of the fantasy genre. The coarse and uninspired humor does not work as the developers have intended, and in the long run, it becomes annoying. The Dungeon of Naheulbeuk: The Amulet of Chaos has a lot of untapped potentials, unfortunately, due to the countless technical issues it is hard to recommend the console version to any players.

The developer clearly is a fan of some classic experiences and knows how to take their spirit and bring it to the present. The challenge is to update the core mechanics interestingly and choose the right concepts for the world he is building. Guild of Darksteel is ultimately a shallow experience that does not offer much more than its demo but I am curious what Sandman can create in the future.

The Procession to Calvary is short, does not have much gameplay, is not really a challenge but it is truly brilliant. It is a game that is fun due to the humor of Joe Richardson and it makes you laugh and entertains you without trying too hard. Most jokes are over the top and should not exist in a politically correct world. Thank God this game is light years away from that tendency and manages to walk its own path. If you have played Four Last Things, The Procession to Calvary is mandatory. But even if you have not played Richardson’s previous game, this one is worth every minute of the roughly four hours you will need to finish it. It does not care if it offends, as long as it entertains.

The idea of creating a game world built around knowledge is a good one. But the developers at Souris-Lab should try to better define their mechanics if they expand on the world of Hemeide and to make clear what kind of players they target. Their puzzle design ability is solid, A Tale of Synapse is a good debut title, and it will be interesting to see what kind of experience they can create next.

Pile Up! Box by Box is not a bad family game, but it is a completely forgettable one. Despite the nice visuals and friendly artistic style, the level design and the puzzles do not live up to the promise. The control is not always the best, since the camera often plays tricks with your depth perception making jumping from shelf to shelf, somewhat annoying. The lack of danger and challenge, makes the game kid friendly, but the lack of online co-op is hurting the entire package.

Star Dynasties is a good mix of ideas, setting, and complexity. The character-driven experience delivers unexpected thrills, weird situations, nice stories, and impressive catastrophes. Players need to invest a little of their imagination to get the best out of the game, but the overall experience is worth it.

Residual has a good main idea, but I found that there’s too little around it to make the experience compelling in the long run. I liked the world and the exploration, but I was less impressed with the crafting or the puzzle design. I wished for a stronger narrative hook to give me a clear reason to get somewhere or mine minerals or find more vines. Orange Pixel has been engaging with players in the Steam forums and patches quickly arrive to eliminate bugs and add functionality. A healthy community and more content are signs that the game is finding an audience that finds its mix of mechanics attractive. Residual is a great example of what a carefully crafted indie title can offer to fans.

Sure, art of rally is about the fun of rallying, but if it does put the focus on car handling and other sim-inspired elements, it should further refine the corner-cutting system too. It’s not cheating, it’s just a way to improve your racing times. Other than that, there’s no doubt, the PS5 version of art of rally only makes the game more enjoyable. There’s not much you’ll be getting in terms of graphics, especially since the low-poly system that it uses, but the aforementioned mix makes it an enjoyable way to get a taste of historical racing.

The outstanding art style is complemented by an audio part, building an atmosphere that invites you to explore and get lost in the game world. The apparently simple gameplay can be misleading and even a small mistake can cost you dearly. If you are not put off by the lack of action or combat, you will enjoy this game for an afternoon or two.

A Little Golf Journey is a solid little puzzle experience that needs a little more narrative or immersion to keep players interested. The puzzle element works well, especially given the assists available to prevent frustration. I liked the mechanics best when I focused on doing as well as possible on two or three holes in one sitting, before giving my brain some space to think about other ideas to try out in the future. The developer understands what makes a physics-driven puzzle experience work for players. But they need to find more ways to draw gamers into the worlds they create. A Little Golf Journey is a great snack of a video game that is just a little too happy to push players to replay holes.

Punk Wars offers a very classic take on the turn-based strategy space. The four corporations have personality and their own deranged charm but there’s not enough here to make the setting truly compelling. The tactical combat is solid but favors the defensive so much that battles never feel exciting, with too little space to execute complex plans. There’s pleasure in methodically moving forward, expanding the base slowly, putting more units in the field, chocking the adversary, gaining a tech edge that helps with the final assault. But the developers at Strategy Forge need to be a little more adventurous with their mechanics if they want to make Punk Wars an actually exciting game to play.

Transient Extended Edition is a great concept, but the implementation is flawed on every level. The art style is stunning, but the graphical engine can’t keep the pace. The game world is truly different, but there is not too much to do in it. The puzzles are too simple and feel like a filler so you wouldn’t call the game just a walking simulator. Also, this new edition does not make the game more user friendly. Yes, some of the previous issues have been fixed, but there are plenty of new ones. Even with the new ending, Transient remains a mystery that will make you wonder what exactly happened – if you are curious or masochistic enough to brave through the countless crashes.

Greak: Memories of Azur despite its strong points in the end fells short due to the flaws od the concept on which is based. The collaboration between the siblings is the worst part of the game, due to the severely lacking AI and the control system chosen by the developers. If you can get past that, you will find a charming game, that visually is a masterpiece. The puzzles and platforming elements may not be revolutionary, but they work well enough. The atmosphere of the game is undeniable, but it is affected by the combat that often feels unbalanced. If it would have given the option for couch or online co-op Greak: Memories of Azur would have been a true gem.

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.

Exodus Borealis is a good mix of genres. It creates tensions by asking gamers to constantly balance priorities and work with limited resources. It introduces quite a bit of complexity with its gems and challenges the player to create a solid tower system that will take down enemies and can be easily expanded. I, personally, didn’t love the choice to make monsters only attack targets in the village, rather than the actual towers. But I understand how it helps balance the experience while increasing the danger level. The main ideas of Exodus Borealis are good and it will be interesting to see whether Smug Marmot Studios will expand on them using the Vupfox or if they plan to use new protagonists for their next project.

Lacuna is not very long, but it has really high replay value and it checks the correct boxes of an adventure game. But what makes Lacuna really memorable are the atmosphere and the fact that it focuses on consequences rather than morality. The pixel-art graphics and spot-on soundtrack complement the experience and make from Lacuna an experience that all adventure game fans should experience. The detailed scenario, intelligent story delivery, relatable characters and political intrigue make Lacuna a memorable experience.

Time Master is one entry in a crowded genre that manages to stand out thanks to its unique mechanics. The fact that the game has a demo makes it easy for anyone to play it and see how they like the time manipulation concept. I, for one, appreciate the way players need to think about two timelines and coordinate their actions to move through levels as quickly as possible. The problem is that the unique time mechanic is the only thing about the title that really stands out. The narrative and characters are just sketches, with nothing to make them interesting. The presentation is almost the definition of average. Time Master is part of a big group of games that have one cool unique idea to show off but its developers at MorpheusZ need to deliver more to make their next title really stand out.

Nobody Saves the World is a fun game, where the story, the quests and every other gameplay element are in the service of the character and evolution system. There are no armours or weapons or potions, it all comes down to the forms that work as classes and mixing their abilities. Sure, it can become a tad repetitive, and the humour has its ups and downs just as the level design, but overall, the experience is a memorable and enjoyable one. Nobody Saves the World has a lot of soul and quite a few flickers of originality, worth to be experienced since it is part of the Game Pass Ultimate catalogue.

Dealer’s Life 2 is a niche game that’s best enjoyed in short sessions over a longer time frame. The haggling mechanics balances revealed info and hunches well and the special events add some needed variety. But after around one week of in-game time, I start to get annoyed at the randomness of the objects and the very rare items I lack the money to try and get. The game makes no attempt to reflect on the predatory elements of the pawnshop culture (newspaper articles could provide a decent outlet), although it lightly satirizes the many television shows based on it. The developers at Abyte Entertainment have a solid lock on their favorite game formula but Dealer’s Life 2 needs more variety to keep players engaged for a long time.

Zombie Rollerz: Pinball Heroes has a solid core gameplay loop but lacks any extra elements that can keep players engaged for a long while. The narrative is almost non-existent, characters are bland. Even the rogue elements seem like an afterthought, a good way to justify multiple runs but nothing more. But the pinball and undead mix is just good enough to justify playing Zombie Rollers for more than just an hour or so. I think players should try at least six or seven runs to see whether they like the gameplay or not. The puzzles and the boss fights are the best moments, especially once one becomes familiar with the special attacks. Zing Games knows how to mash two classic concepts together and, even if Pinball Heroes lacks polish, I really want to see what they plan to combine next.

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.

République is proof that mobile games can have depth and can be as complex as their PC or console counterparts. Despite the many improvements it brings, the Anniversary Edition cannot shed its touch screen heritage and the control on the gamepad is still cumbersome. The possibility to control Hope directly subtracts from the initial innovative experience, without offering a real added benefit. The five chapters offer around 15 hours of mixed experience, where fun will alternate with frustration. République: Anniversary Edition is a game that can thoroughly enjoyed only by the fans of older stealth games, like the classic Metal Gear Solid.

35mm tries hard to be more than just a walking simulator. It stumbles in this endeavor and forgets that a good walking simulator can still be a pretty entertaining experience. The game falls short of the experience offered by popular titles in the same genre like Everybody’s Gone to the Rapture or What Remains of Edith Finch. If you find yourself on a rainy weekend, looking for some brooding, short and not exactly challenging experience, 35mm might be worth a try thanks to its atmosphere. Otherwise, there are much more enjoyable and memorable walking simulators out there.

Circle Empires Tactics is an interesting take on strategy, with a focus on small engagements and careful preparation. I like the fact that the options to restart an engagement is always available, allowing players to try out ideas and push for success. The repetitive nature of the entire experience can only succeed if the price for failure is small and the developers understand this. The problem with the game is that, apart from love of its mechanics, there’s nothing to keep gamers engaged with the singleplayer. The lore is limited and there’s not enough variety. The game is more interesting in multiplayer, where humans can deliver some cool tactical moments. Circle Empires Tactics has some good ideas but needs more depth to appeal to modern strategy lovers.

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.

orbit.industries is a good management experience that will appeal to anyone who has ever sketched a space station in a notebook or thought about the complexities of building in orbit. Its three core systems might not seem too deep, taken individually, but they interact to create satisfying complexity. It is hard but cool to put together a space station that functions as close to optimal as possible and also looks suitably sci-fi. But the game doesn’t seem to aim to expand to audiences that don't already loves this genre. The presentation is functional but never pushes past that. There’s little world-building to create a sense of immersion. orbit.industries is a clear sign that LAB132 know their mechanics but they need to work on their ability to create a sense of wonder to attract a wider slate of players.

Despite all the frustration, REDO! can be quite satisfying. In theory, you can finish the game in 5 to 6 hours. In reality, it will take you a lot longer, due to some of the flaws of the concept on which it is based. Despite the high-level challenge and numerous moments of frustrations, this game has a magnetic effect. If you are a Metroidvania fan this is a must try. The same goes for soulslike fans looking for a different kind of challenge. REDO! is a retro platformer that keeps you engaged no matter how mad it drives you.

Strategic Command: American Civil War is a video game for fans of turn-based wargames who also have a love for the conflict that defined the XIX century for the United States of America. It requires patience, careful analysis, and knowledge of history. The core mechanics are familiar but solid and can deliver pretty interesting results both if trying to replicate history or change it. But getting to the point where everything clicks requires time, patience, and reading. The title offers a bigger map, more detailed mechanics, and increased control. But it never attempts anything truly revolutionary. Strategic Command: American Civil War might not attract new fans to the genre but it will deliver a lot of hours of engagements for those already immersed in it.

Krut: The Mythic Wings is a competent game that never manages to become more than the sum of its parts. The gameplay loop is decent but fails to develop in any interesting way. The narrative is solid enough to push players forward but never impresses. The game does look good, especially during boss engagements. But the decision to use the same currency to get upgrades and unlocks checkpoints adds a layer of difficulty that was not required (always go for the save point). And the combat fails to grow in complexity or coolness as the game progresses. Krut: The Mythic Wings is worth playing for fans of the action platformer space but does not manage to innovate in any significant way.

It’s hard to judge NHRA Speed for All based purely on the gameplay experience, pretty much because this would make it one of the most disappointing releases of the year. So while the gameplay leaves a lot to be desired, let’s applaud the well-built career, which aside from the lack of an option to skip the dialogues, actually comes with lots of tutorials to introduce beginners into the world of NHRA. But at the end of the day, NHRA Speed for All feels like a half-baked game that’s still in development, and which is currently out for beta testers only. Well, it’s not, and if you want the PS5 version, you need to pay $79.99 for the Ultimate Edition.

Oakenfold is a clever game that makes great use of the TimeScrubber and the ability to play around with time and try out ideas. The story is not original, and the core concepts are not entirely new. But the gameplay is solid and the tactical puzzles are engaging. There’s a part of a gamer’s brain that will seek to optimize and the developers know how to activate it. The issue with a competent implementation of familiar ideas is that there’s little push for innovation. I like the three aspects of Aisha and the Timebank but the rest is derivative. Oakenfold will scratch the Into the Breach itch for fans but it needs to do more to attract new fans to its genre.

Simulacra 3 is a good horror-themed mystery game and will certainly appeal to those who are familiar with the series’ previous installments and like what they deliver. For newcomers, the lack of actual exploration will be a minus, but the game works hard to compensate with its videos, images, and maps. Try to treat the experience as a psychologically-driven TV series, engage with it in installments, and you will likely have a decent time.

Live by the Sword: Tactics will be a great experience for gamers who fell in love with the role-playing tactics titles of their youth and are susceptible to the draw of nostalgia. The story mode has solid battles, although the narrative does not impress. Adventure mode puts an interesting new spin on the core mechanics. But the game is unlikely to draw in players who don’t already like what it has to offer. It needs a stronger narrative hook or more innovation and accessibility. Live by the Sword: Tactics is a nice project for a small development team and fulfills its core promise of delivering a good classic tactics RPG experience.

Togges is one of the happiest video games I have played recently. It is focused on giving the player freedom to explore, then learn from his mistakes, and finally find innovative ways to deal with obstacles. Despite the easy-to-understand concepts, the experience also offers a lot of depth, especially for someone who wants to see everything in each world. Steam offers a demo for the game, for players who are intrigued by its ideas. I liked dropping a trail of living cubes, covering the world, having fun, and seeing secrets before finding ways to reach them. Togges mixes platformer and puzzle concepts in a unique way and is an excellent entry point for anyone who wants to explore these types of mechanics.

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.

Flashpoint Campaigns: Southern Storm is one of the best-organized and most accessible titles in the wargaming space. It still asks gamers to invest quite a bit of time to understand all the mechanics and the historical period it is portraying. But the reward is a gripping Cold War alternate history game that creates a lot of choice-driven narratives. Start off with the tutorials and the associated PDFs. Then pick one scenario and try to really master it, making sure to understand why everything happens and what strategies work without relying on luck. I hope Flashpoint Campaigns: Southern Storm attracts both veterans of the genre and newcomers, allowing it to establish itself as the hex-driven strategy title for the late Cold War period.

Kainga: Seeds of Civilization has an interesting core idea, with its mix of classic city builder and rogue-lite structure. It offers an entirely new way of looking at simple actions, like picking techs or thinking about victory conditions. The game also has a well-defined style and is welcoming to newcomers. Make sure to consult the encyclopedia to see all the unlocks and how they can fit into different strategies. But I like its ideas more than their implementation. I love city building when it’s big, complex, time-consuming and Kainga: Seeds of Civilization simply has too many limitations to keep me engaged. But its short episodes and focus on opening up new areas and new thinkers will certainly appeal to gamers who want a new take on a classic genre.

Terracotta is a game for players who can appreciate its mix of tough puzzles, unique universe, and two-dimensional mechanics. The game slowly adds more complexity, which is a good thing given its overall difficulty level. It’s not recommended for newcomers but will appeal to anyone who needs a tough action exploration experience. My biggest issue is that there’s no way to deal with the frustration of failure. There’s no choice of difficulty levels and constant death is not a great teaching tool. Terracotta’s gameplay innovations are good but players will need to invest time and energy if they want to experience everything that it has to offer.

Sail Forth might appear a little too simple at first, but it has mechanical depth. It is hard but satisfying to put together a solid fleet with varied capabilities and find ways to constantly improve its effectiveness. The game offers quite a few narrative threads to pull on. Even if the story and characters are not its best element, the sailing and management more than make up for them. Players who expect a full-on open-world experience might be disappointed. But the smaller areas deliver extra meaning for each encounter, regardless of whether it is another pirate fight or a race, or something else. Sail Forth doesn’t deliver on all its mechanics but it nails the sense of freedom and exploration.

Somber is a cute and small experience with good presentation and mechanics. It constantly adds movement options and delivers some interesting puzzles to then engage with. But there’s nothing entirely new in terms of gameplay and the beauty of the world can feel a little empty. This is especially weird given that the game is also pretty short. This is a game that’s best suited for newcomers to the action platforming genre or for younger gamers who are discovering its ideas. Somber has good quality for a title created by a team of three and I am interested in seeing if their next experience can be more innovative when it comes to mechanic

Artist Life Simulator is one of the most evocative titles I have played in the past few years. It does not try to re-create a historical period but manages to talk about art, inspiration, pain, and more. The gameplay has clearly defined rules that offer variety of interactions and outcomes. Even if you never create a masterpiece, make sure to at least try and unlock all the emotions. The title takes a subject that can be dry and boring and infuses it with humanity and fun moments. Despite the heavy themes and uncertain results, it also manages to be relaxing, a good way to cap a night of gaming. Artist Life Simulator is a fun video game that will make plenty of players think about how they can explore their own creative side.

We Are the Caretakers is unique in terms of fictional universe and themes. I know of no other video game that pits players against poachers and puts the preservation of a species so front and center. The experience offers a sense of discovery that I found delightful. The problem lies with the execution, which is affected by limited resources. Presentation never manages to do the world justice. The core mechanics are decent but they tend to become repetitive. We Are the Caretakers is a good strategy and role-playing mix that had the potential for so much more.

All in all, Across the Obelisk is a lot of fun, but only after understanding its core mechanics and making peace with the fact that you’ll need a LOT of runs to be able to build and upgrade a decent deck. If you’re ok with that, I can’t recommend Across the Obelisk enough.

Despite the focus on fun, the push and pull mechanics, linked to both gloves and throwing balls, are solid and power some decent puzzles. The game could have used a little more variety and, maybe, some more alternate exploration paths. Whalien – Unexpected Guests should also have had a cooperative mode, maybe with one small alien that could help Ernest. Otherwise, the game delivers a good mix of puzzles and platforming, with a side of charm, and I really want to see how the universe can be developed to support more experiences.

There are some good ideas hidden under the contrived combat system and very basic RPG elements, but Broken Lines fails to be enjoyable. It will probably scratch a certain itch, but I expected a lot more based on how it’s advertised.

Waves of Steel is not a simulation and does not want to be one. This is an arcade experience through and through, designed to give gamers a lot of options and keep their adrenaline levels up at all times. The ship design element adds to the core loop, offering space for every player to think up and then try to implement their perfect approach for each mission. Make sure to use the unlock all option in the designer to see the kinds of ships that one can put together. The biggest issue is the presentation. Some players will never get past the limited graphics. For those who do, Waves of Steel will be a fun and varied naval combat game that understands why an arcade approach is often more interesting than a devotion to realism.

Although at first glance GRUNND presents players with an interesting mystery to solve, the game’s narrative suffers from lack of cohesion. Despite its intriguing plot and eerie atmosphere, the game fails to convey a clear message. GRUNND is trying to tell a Kafka-esque story under the disguise of a philosophical journey, but fails to make itself enjoyable in the process. The eerie atmosphere and top-notch soundtrack are not enough to make the journey interesting. Not to mention the ending feels rushed and leaves a lot of questions unanswered.

Pinball FX offers a great virtual experience of real world activity, with a focus on delivering tables that might not work outside of the video game space. Gamers can choose to invest in a monthly Pinball Pass to play the majority of the offered content or they can simply browse the extensive DLC list and outright buy the ones they love best. It would have been a better idea to have individual tables as purchases rather than bundles. The Borderlands table is the standout from the new content, designed to draw in the franchise's fans. The package that brings together tables built around the original Star Wars trilogy is also impressive from both a gameplay and fan service point of view. Pinball FX might induce some analysis paralysis in players with its variety but it plays great. Simply choose a universe and get lost in the quest for a high score.

In so many ways, calling this new release a “definitive edition” creates expectations that could eventually lead to more frustration from diehard Shadow Warrior fans. If anything, getting the definitive edition is something that first-time Shadow Warrior 3 players should do, as otherwise, the new title doesn’t bring too many exciting upgrades. The replayability barely exists, and if you’ve already completed the campaign, it’s hard to believe you’d ever start it again. Maybe the hardcore difficulty could make things a little bit more challenging, especially for those who fell in love with Shadow Warrior. But when it comes to missions and content, I can’t help but end this review in the same exact same way I started it. This new release has me hoping for more.

Journey To The Savage Planet would definitely use a longer story, but even so, it’s one of the few titles that make a single thing like world exploration surprisingly rewarding.

Basements n' Basilisks: Storms of Sorcery is a short and fun adventure. It’s not a full role-playing game but it’s not just a visual novel. It understands the RPG genre and critiques its many issues but the team at eNVy softworks uses its title as a way to show it might be improved. The experience centers relationships and shows how a small group can work together to embody a fictional universe with a certain magic. The title’s biggest problem is that it doesn’t fully use its universe. A few extra combat encounters, perhaps to underline how they can be handled creatively, and a few more nights around the campfire were needed. Basements n' Basilisks: Storms of Sorcery is a good proof-of-concept and I hope that its developers get a chance to revisit this universe and expand on their good ideas.

Deck 'Em! succeeds at offering a solitaire take on a boxing-driven card game. The blocking mechanic is just complex enough to create tension and force some tough decisions, without asking players to understand a deep system with a lot of action verbs. Taking on the unnamed champ is pretty hard and the betting only adds stakes to each round. The big problem is that there’s not enough of it to keep anyone engaged in the long term. All the mechanics are clear after a few matches and after beating the champion a few times there’s no incentive to keep playing, other than maybe accumulating more money than a friend. Deck 'Em! needs to have more of everything and I think the developers at Frosty Pop should take its solid core and see how it can be expanded into a bigger experience because it has the potential to be a leader in the very popular deck builder genre.

Trigon: Space Story does not add much to the formula that FTL pioneered. When that title launched its mechanics and ideas felt fresh, with the pressure of the constantly chasing fleet adding tension and urgency to the gameplay. But for a new game to have the same impact it needs to introduce at least one big new idea and then make sure it integrates well with the rest. Battles do deliver tense moments and I love the tension that developers as players evaluate whether it’s a good idea to flee or whether a victory is still achievable, with some losses. I also appreciate the depth of possibilities offered by the sector map. Trigon: Space Story has good core mechanics but never does anything interesting with them for anyone who has played FTL.

Goblins of Elderstone is a good mix of city building and strategy experience. It takes time and effort to create an efficient village, constantly checking where resources are needed and who is best suited to working in certain buildings. It’s also a pleasure to see the goblin tribe prosper and interact with the world. The strategic layer, with its raids and trade elements, adds an interesting dimension to the game but could be enhanced to make it more interesting. The narrative elements also need more variety. But otherwise, Goblins of Elderstone has solid mechanics and will satisfy any player who loves developing a city and running an economy in a fantasy universe.

I am pretty sure that the developers had the best intentions, but the end result cannot be even recommended as educational neither for the animal care part, nor for the business simulation. Ultimately, Animal Shelter Simulator is just a bad game that you should not waste your time playing. There are dozens of similar titles that are much more worthy of your attention if you’re a fan of animal simulator games.

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.

Tiny Troopers: Global Ops has easy-to-understand mechanics and delivers some solid combat moments, especially when playing with other humans. But there’s little depth to the core experience and the campaigns themselves are uninspired and filled with attempts at humor that rarely work. I wanted the tiny troopers to go on weirder adventures, not on some warmed-over ideas taken from action movies. There’s also a big disconnect between the tone of the game and the actual gameplay. These seem like children engaged in war, which is weird and not in a good way. Tiny Troopers: Global Ops has a few good ideas but is unable to create an interesting universe or deliver varied encounters.

Total Tank Generals is more than just a modern Panzer General, it’s the best way to immerse yourself in the history of World War II and learn how some of the greatest military leaders have become famous.

Anyaroth: The Queen's Tyranny is part of a big wave of action-oriented experiences that seek to evoke the titles that define childhood or early adolescence for many now-mature gamers. It succeeds in doing that while introducing a few modern ideas and refining the core gameplay. The story is nothing special but there are some fun character moments. I like the free aim system and appreciate that the game never aims to punish the player with difficulty spikes. I am disappointed that there’s no attempt to integrate at least one big innovation with the nostalgia. Anyaroth: The Queen's Tyranny is a fun action platformer that acknowledges the limits of its nostalgic approach but never pushes past them.

Escape From The Red Planet isn’t the most complex tower defense hybrid experience. The story is thin and the gameplay is easy to learn. Mastering might take more time but failure is linked to limitations like the slow aim rather than the tactical complexity. The Martians themselves are a failure of design. The entire experience mostly works as a streamlined introduction to the tower defense genre. The first-person combat moments add some extra excitement but don’t feel like a big innovation. Escape From The Red Planet is a decent game for someone who wants to see what the genre can offer but there are plenty of better alternatives for more experienced players.

Despite the relative lack of graphical imagery, I can understand why some players might be turned off by the premise and the way it is implemented. The humor helps, as does that its mechanics are not focused on actual dismemberment but on choices and optimization. I like the weird mix of premise and gameplay of Organs Please and the feeling of accomplishment mixed with slight terror it can deliver.

Shardpunk: Verminfall feels like an indie gem crafted for those who love turn-based combat, resource management and steampunk settings. The survivors are varied enough to offer players multiple choices when creating their crews, although many of the characters can only be unlocked by using team-based skill points. This means that you won’t be able to unlock them all in one playthrough, which is an ingenious way to increase replayability. Although I wasn’t particularly in love with the stress mechanic, at least the developer added many ways to remove it during or after a mission, so few of my characters ended up with negative perks. All in all, I think Shardpunk: Verminfall is a well-crafted tactical turn-based game with a charming, pixelated art style and a pretty decent soundtrack that makes fights a bit more exhilarating.

YOLKED – The Egg Game is quite a challenging experience that manages to keep frustration relatively low via the solid placing of checkpoints. It is extremely easy to understand the dual-hand movement mechanics but very hard to master them. And the world is interesting enough to keep players engaged when playing the same sequence again and again. Endless mode adds even more difficulty and is well-suited for competitive players. Experimentation is rewarded but the game could have used a few extra narrative beats. YOLKED is extra fun with an audience that’s ready to cheer on daring leaps and fast reflexes. But it can also be a relaxing way to end a gaming session when ingested in small doses.

Murderous Muses is a rare full-motion video-driven video game that uses the concept in interesting ways. The central mystery is compelling and it’s worth exploring the weirdness of the island where everything takes place. There are plenty of videos to unlock and investigate and some decent extra puzzles to solve. The gameplay is relatively limited, especially when it comes to hunting down that last keyword required to unlock a police interview. The presentation, the acting, and the plot are strong enough to keep players moving and thinking. Murderous Muse's quality should attract new players to the FMV genre while satisfying long-term fans.

The Library of Babel has a solid setup and some nice narrative moments. It’s well presented and the central quest is good enough to keep players engaged. The title’s problem is that it struggles to make gameplay fun or varied. Stealth is never very interesting while the platforming sections can become frustrating, despite the good placement of save points. This is the type of game that would really benefit from an option to simply skip a gameplay segment. The Library of Babel should tweak character movement and item interactions via patches if it wants to appeal to a wider audience.

Meatgrinder manages the difficult task of mixing the first-person view with platforming and shooting in equally exciting parts. I died plenty more times from touching from failing to secure a platform but enemies are more than speed bumps and can take out the player if his focus is only on movement. The difficulty level is high but the game rewards good reflexes and solid use of its many special abilities. The lack of story will make it harder for many players to deal with failure and push forward (the game thankfully has difficulty levels) but I like the focus on non-stop action, with nothing else getting in the way. For players who want a first-person shooter with a well-executed twist, Meatgrinder is fast, tough, and rewards quick thinking.

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.

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.