LEGO Voyagers is one of those perfect games that you can play with a friend when you’re done dealing with shooters, MMOs or more serious titles. It has the perfect visual style that engulfs you into the world, but also plenty of brain teasers and puzzles. Even if some of them can be frustrating at first, the solution is never too difficult. That allows you to continually play, explore the game and try out new things. That’s why it comes as highly recommended, because it’s a fun game with creative gameplay and innovative features. While LEGO Voyagers is a game geared towards children, I think everyone should try it out, be it with a friend, their significant other or a colleague. It tells a raw, emotional story, and let’s face it, we all love LEGO in one way or another. Plus, I think LEGO Voyagers seamlessly captures the beauty and freedom provided by LEGO, all while offering us a stunning world, quirky puzzles and some very creative music. It’s a great journey to be a part of, and the best part is that this is not overly long, either. It has perfect length, crispy gameplay and it’s definitely a great time for you and a friend.

Even though it draws inspiration from X-COM, Mutant Year Zero felt quite unique to me. The mix of real-time exploration and turn-based strategy elements, as well as the tactical decisions concerning each stalker's loadout, makes Mutant Year Zero one of the best games in the genre launched this year. The solid combat system, interesting setting and great voice acting, merge into an appealing formula that the alchemists at The Bearded Ladies unexpectedly discovered while experimenting with various concoctions.

Although its theme is skateboarding, it's got nothing in common with the old high-profile skating games. Instead of being able to roll off and mess around with stuff or just experiment, jumping over bums, you are constantly struggling, ever so slightly improving, tested by the game's demanding and unforgiving systems.

Star Renegades although borrows many elements from other games, manages to feel fresh and entertaining. It offers plenty of content, and though you will have to go through several attempts to crack it, the game manages to avoid feeling repetitive. The deep combat system, the different heroes, the procedurally generated maps, the different difficulty levels all contribute to the high replay value of the game. Star Renegades builds on the nostalgic factor and is targeting mainly the fans of TBT, but it proves to be enjoyable by anyone who decides to try it.

Radiolight is an interesting game, certainly great for anyone who enjoys compact, creative and very engaging stories. If you liked Firewatch and other similar games, but you wanted a horror component, I think Radiolight fits right in. The radio mechanics are unique, and they actually matter in the game’s world. Not only that, but the fact that this game is made by a solo developer raises things up to the next level. It certainly feels like a game made by a small team, that’s for sure. Aside from the story and atmosphere, I am also a fan of how cohesive the dialog is, and the fact that you have plenty of stuff to explore. When we talk about solo-dev games, a lot of the time they need to cut corners due to a lack of resources. It doesn’t seem to be the case here. You do get to have someone to connect with as you play, the story is fun enough to keep you entertained and interested, but at the same time, there are spooky moments as well. It’s a nice change of pace from regular walking sims, while retaining the great atmosphere and gameplay that these titles are known for.

The game is incredibly enjoyable, and if it weren't for the difficulty, I swear I’d probably give it another try.

Eriksholm: The Stolen Dream is a good game that works within the confines of the stealth genre and doesn’t aim to innovate much. The city itself is well-designed and fun to explore, but the mechanics don’t evolve much and can become frustrating if players aren’t interested in the story. The cutscenes and the voice work contribute to immersion and create emotional connections with the characters. Eriksholm: The Stolen Dream will not challenge stealth veterans but creates a balanced mix of gameplay and narrative with a few great moments.

I wish that the game could have created a better shell for the entire experience. I like the look of the characters and the world, but it does need a little more variety. And the fantasy-driven story feels a little undercooked. The gameplay in Unbound: Worlds Apart is good enough to keep fans of the genre entertained, especially if they love the occasional challenge. But future titles from Alien Pixel Studios need a little more when it comes to narrative to deliver a truly great gaming experience.

Overall, Atelier Lulua: The Scion of Arland does great justice to the Arland trilogy, as well as the Atelier series as a whole, becoming a great game in itself.

Return to Grace is an immersive narrative experience that shines when it comes to character interactions. The cast of Artificial Intelligence constructs is varied, fun, and challenges players to re-evaluate their approach and priorities. They are also beautifully voiced, as is the main character Adie. The story is also captivating, although some sections toward the conclusion feel rushed. Gameplay strives for variety but most of the featured mechanics feel shallow. It would have been better for the developers to focus on just one core idea and execute it with more complexity and a higher difficulty level. Despite this limitation, Return to Grace is one of the most interesting science fiction adventures I’ve played recently, and as many players as possible need to experience the banter of its A.I. companions.

Hand of Fate is an interesting game that will certainly appeal to those who want to see how the card-based approach could be expanded in meaningful ways in the coming years.

Overall, it's among the best indie role-playing game experiences ever crafted, and if low-fi visuals and reading don't scare you, it's well worth the purchase, especially since there is just so much content to enjoy, as well as added value through replayability.

Nelly Cootalot remains the same jolly sailor, and she will deliver the same point and click experience fans fell in love with years ago, and she never fails to deliver the laughs whenever you need her. That being said, as long as you remember to use the Switch's touchscreen instead of the joysticks, and given how popular the title was when it was first launched on PC, I see now reason why it should fare just as well now. With that being said, get ready to get a few laughs and prepare to push your brain gears into overdrive because you 'll be in for some fun couple of hours.

The King's Dilemma: Chronicles manages to create a sense of place using a limited set of tools. The game does require quite a bit of reading but it rewards gamers with a deep narrative, a lot of artfully constructed events, and many complicated choices. The political simulation element is engaging and fun. If modding is possible it can deliver a great A Song of Ice and Fire experience. I do feel like the narrative is trying to juggle a few too many big ideas at the same time. The universe, which delivers a lot of names and concepts quickly, can be overwhelming. But immersion in King’s Dilemma: Chronicles will reveal a complex and intriguing narrative and plenty of tough choices. Be wary of anyone promising quick and painless immortality.

Sure, the story is nothing impressive. There are moments when the generated levels do not make too much sense. Progress sometimes hinges on the placement of one health chest or one group of enemies. But, despite the randomness, Jupiter Hell feels fair and there’s a lot of depth to discover in this surprising mix.

Inkulinati is impressive in its ability to marry theme, mechanics, and presentation. The ink-driven combat is exciting and tense, rewarding experimentation and good use of gestures and abilities. The world, inspired by the marginalia of Medieval manuscripts, is beautiful and immersive. The campaign is strong but playing against another human, in local multiplayer, is even more fun, especially if both involved players have learned a few tricks while facing the computer. Inkulinati is incredibly inventive visually and features engaging combat mechanics.

For the most part, Tropico 6 is an almost perfect experience. It’s not too bold, but it’s not rehashing older concepts. It stands on its own and sets up for something expected from a new developer. Tropico 6 is a bridge between the glorious past of games like Caesar IV and Sim City and the future. I can’t wait to return to those beautiful islands, and that’s everything I want from a game.

A pretty fun racing title, but in the pursuit of addressing every bit of feedback after Grid 2, Codemasters hasn't delivered the most cohesive experience. You still need to endure some of the disciplines that you may not like in order to progress through the career, and the two cockpit cameras feel more like a fan-made mod than something devised by the developer itself. Throw in the erratic AI and you might get annoyed quite a few times while playing Autosport.

As a complete package, Tormented Souls 2 has a lot of things going for it. The atmosphere it creates is great, and the visuals are fit to the world’s unique ideas and challenges. That being said, the fact that they chose to go with limited saves does make the game feel more high stakes, but it can get frustrating at times because of it as well. It’s nice that you don’t have to play the first one to understand this game, and it’s definitely one of the better horror games made in the past few years. Yes, it doesn’t have the AAA flair and all the bells and whistles, but the self-contained story is very well-made, shared in a creative way, and the game itself doesn’t shy away from being very fun. It’s an easy recommendation for horror fans, but even if you never dabbled into the genre before, it’s a good starting point.

Probably the bleakest episode in the new series so far, but this isn't a bad thing. The dialogue and conversations are top-notch and there are lots of decisions that need to be taken by players and Clementine, whether they like it or not.

Assassin's Creed Syndicate is a game for the fans of the series, a step forward when compared to Unity, but not the great comeback that many loyalists were expecting.

Fury Unleashed is fun if you are a fan of games like Binding of Isaac. It offers non-stop action and challenges you to become better after each failure. The randomly generated levels keep you on your toes, while the different weapons, cosmetical items, and then mix and match the style of level design will make you keep coming back for more. You will thoroughly enjoy this game and you will love it even when it will frustrate you. On the other end of the scale are those who would not touch games like Dead Cells despite its gorgeous visuals. Those will consider Fury Unleashed a waste of time and not even the easier game mode might convince them otherwise.

DOG WITCH has a unique dice-rolling combat system that is both challenging and varied. Players need to play quite a bit to see all the more than 100 magical artifacts they can work with and discover how they can mix and match their abilities, if lucky, to abuse the mechanics and make their canine wizard unstoppable. The title’s gameplay successfully generates the “one more run” feeling. But players will have to deal with the lack of narrative elements and the limited visual appeal. DOG WITCH is best enjoyed in sessions of two or three runs, which allow the game to show off its tactical appeal without becoming repetitive.

The Operator will attract anyone who likes a good mystery with some very contemporary themes and does not care too much about complex gameplay. The story moves at a good pace, the characters have personalities, and the general atmosphere of paranoia works well. But the mechanics are built around a computer screen, a few apps, and plenty of reading. It can become repetitive, even with its cleverly designed puzzles. But the game nails the atmosphere, the heady mix of paranoia and dark secrets, and will capture the attention of players willing to suspend their disbelief at the start. The Operator does a lot with limited resources and creates a good level of immersion while delivering a strong story.

Imagine Earth is a very good title for both fans and newcomers to the building and management genre. I loved the likes of Pharaoh (when much younger) and Cities: Skylines (more recently) and really appreciate both the foundations and the quirks this game has to offer. For someone who is exploring this gaming space for the first time the difficulty ramps up gently and there is plenty of info on how to engage with the mechanics. There are times when the title seems to deliver more core ideas than it has to, possibly to add more challenge even if it does not need to. But most of the time the game from Serious Bros is both engaging and enchanting. Imagine Earth shines in both campaign and free play and I cannot wait to see how the team expands on its core mechanics.

For a game that tells a fictional story, Hell is Us feels unusually familiar. My only comfort throughout the game was the fact that I managed to save a few NPCs from a horrible death, everything else was incredibly bleak. This is a mature game that treats serious topics like war, hate, violence, torture, politics extremely well. Aside from the fact that you’re facing strange creatures, little else is fictional about this game, and that’s very scary. That said, Hell is Us was one of my most anticipated games of the year, and after finishing it three times, I strongly believe it was well worth the wait. It’s an experience that you don’t want to miss.

Darksiders II remains a fantastic action RPG experience with a distinctive dark fantasy feel. It offers a rich, multi-layered gameplay experience with a unique protagonist, beautiful art direction, and a mix of combat and puzzle-solving mechanics that will keep you engaged for hours. The Deathinitive Edition, while not perfect, is still worth playing, especially for those who missed it the first time around or want to relive the adventure with a bit of extra polish and added content. With its discounted price and bundled DLC, it’s a great way to experience Death’s journey, even if the road isn’t entirely smooth.

Even if we ignore the ridiculous quantity of content, and we focus only on the main storyline, we still get an amazing experience. Far Cry 5 is not the game we expected, but it’s exactly what we should have wanted in the first place.

Pepper Grinder has a very good core idea and builds fun platforming levels and puzzles around its big drill. The four worlds introduce new ideas and challenges, as well as boss fights. The pixel art makes the world come alive more than the narrative. The focus on replaying levels and collectibles isn’t up my alley but the design is good and will satisfy gamers interested in it. Pepper Grinder is fast and tense, with plenty of variety, a steady increase in difficulty, and has the potential to reverse grinding’s bad reputation.

Galak-Z is clearly designed for players who enjoy a challenge, and it offers an impressive mix of frantic combat, long-term planning, tactical planning and anime-inspired looks that will appeal to a lot of fans of the rogue-like genre.

Per Aspera is a very good science fiction driven management and building game. The story will keep fans of the genre engaged and mixes well with the core mechanics. Once that’s no longer interesting a Sandbox mode introduces the freedom to build-up Mars however one wants. The twin challenges of expanding and re-building for greater efficiency are carefully balanced and truly engrossing. Just make sure to take tour time and explore as much as possible before moving through the checkpoints of the campaign. And spend as much time as possible running at the slowest speed, watching how mars can be changed from inhospitable wasteland to a new cradle of humanity. Just don’t forget to ponder whether it’s actually worth it, just as the protagonist A.I. does.

Headquarters: World War II features tense engagements and nice tactical scenarios, despite the familiarity of the Overlord campaign. The three factions feel suitably different in terms of units and approach. Players will be challenged by a wide range of combat scenarios. The game also gives players the tools to create their own battles, both against the computer and other humans, and has a good editor. I hope Starni Games uses the same system to cover less well-known World War II operations. Headquarters: World War II is a compact and engaging wargame with plenty of attention to detail.

I enjoyed my time with The Crazy Hyper-Dungeon Chronicles, it’s a very fun game that you can play as you take a break from multiplayer games or very serious RPGs. The story is fun, and the gameplay is rather unique, especially when it comes to combat. Granted, it won’t surpass the genre’s greats, but it’s an enjoyable dungeon crawler with interesting twists. It’s worth considering if you want to test your skills exploring dungeons, finding amazing loot, and testing your skills against surprisingly powerful enemies. It’s also priced surprisingly fair, which makes for an accessible RPG.

Roguebook is a competent game, both a good and a bad thing to be in the crowded rogue and card game spaces. For a newcomer, this is a solid entry-point, with engaging battles, a good long-term progression, and an interesting way to explore. For someone who has played the obvious inspirations the ink-linked ideas are not innovative enough. The team at Abrakam was too conservative in its approach. The game needs more weirdness and more tweaks to the battle formula to stand out. If they get the chance to create another Roguebook experience they need to take the good bones of this game and then push the entire genre forward in some way.

In the end, the mixture of combat and storytelling is what makes Joe Dever’s Lone Wolf different from other games.

Tales from the Borderlands Episode 2: Atlas Mugged is the best in the series so far and a high point in recent Telltale experiences. It shines both through its story, its action sequences, its clever dialog, and the pretty impressive scenes scattered through its plot.

It's a pity that all these great changes are overshadowing the core content of the Shadowkeep expansion, but I can't say I'm surprised. For newcomers to the universe, Destiny 2 will be quite overwhelming, while veterans of the series might not find enough reasons to buy the new Shadowkeep expansion unless they really want to check out the new raid and all the gear it drops. But I'm leaning towards “wait for sale.”

FIFA 22 is undoubtedly a step forward for the franchise, and the new Hypermotion engine on new-gen consoles is totally worth it, though it’s pretty clear it’s not everybody’s cup of tea. EA clearly has a lot of things to polish in FIFA 22, and the first update that is already live on PC is the living proof the company is very committed to doing this in the short term.

Dungelot: Shattered Lands features an interesting mix of gameplay mechanics and pulls them off, offering a fun experience. The RPG mechanics are surprisingly complex, and you can sink a lot of time into its myriad of dungeons.

Gunborg: Dark Matters is in many ways a fun game not only for those who have already fallen in love with platformers but also for those who are new to this genre. In many, it’s a fun yet extremely challenging side scroller whose only shortcoming appears to be the very short story and the weird control system that takes some time to get used to. However, Gunborg is the kind of game that more or less grows on you as you give it more time. You may not be too impressed at first if you’re already a diehard platformer gamer but the more you play it, the more you discover its exciting side.

fault – StP – Lightkravte feels more like a side story that happens before the first two fault games rather than a full-fledged prequel. Revisiting the fault universe just to tell the story of an unremarkable boy who desperately wants to be a painted feels a bit forced, but it’s probably a decent waiting room for those who can’t wait to play the sequel to fault – milestone games coming later this year (or when it's ready). Do I recommend Lighkravte to those who didn’t play the first two fault – milestone games? Absolutely not. I suspect you’ll have a much more enjoyable experience playing those games first because you’ll better understand the setting and some of the characters would be more relatable. Lightkravte is not interesting enough as a side story, but it’s certainly an important piece of the puzzle in the fault universe.

I enjoyed my time with Through the Nightmares, even if it came with lots of level restarts and challenges. The game’s world is charming, visually impressive, and they do an excellent job at introducing new ideas and mechanics very often. I will say some of the levels, especially in the beginning, tend to feel very similar. But that thing slowly wears off as you enter the latter part of the first world, and as you delve into the other 2 worlds. If you’re new to platformers, maybe Through the Nightmares is not for you. I found this game is better for those grizzled veterans that are always on the lookout for a challenge. The overarching story is great, the gameplay is immersive, albeit frustrating at times. But as a complete package, Through the Nightmares is a wonderful experience and you’ll have a blast going through all these handcrafted levels. However, you need to arm yourself with a lot of patience.

MotoGP 26 continues to refine the series, and it has some notable additions. It’s more of an incremental upgrade rather than a massive new entry, but that’s fine. You get the latest tracks and riders from the real MotoGP, along with a great career mode, the exciting arcade control system and even Ride Off, which I found to be quite fun to mess around with. With that in mind, the fact that you’re only getting a new track when compared to the MotoGP 25 version might keep some people away. However, with yearly releases, you always want to have the latest riders and teams, so this is the superior version from that perspective. The best way to get into MotoGP 26 is to expect it as a yearly update of the roster and a new track, along with great visuals. Also, I think this is the better version for people who are into arcade racing, while also respecting veterans and offering them a pro-level control system, too.

Even though it’s not a flawless game, Deathtrap has the potential to redefine the tower defense genre and make it more addictive than ever. The combat feels smooth and the multitude of choices you have to take during each scenario keeps you interesting more than other tower defense games.

The game has a compelling atmosphere and very good writing, and although there are some slight technical issues that pop up from time to time, they are easily cast aside by the immersive quality of the experience.

At the end of the day, Unbound is one of the best racing games this year, and the return of Criterion has proved to be the winning card for EA. It’s a fun game to play, there’s no doubt about it, and proper support for new-gen consoles means it could stay around for quite a long time.

Sherlock Holmes: Crimes and Punishment isn't anything groundbreaking, but it's probably one of the best narrative-focused mystery games on the market. It's definitely a polished experience and may very well be the best Sherlock Holmes video game ever created, with a tense atmosphere, satisfying cases, and varied mini-games and puzzles.

Distant Worlds 2 is a rich space-based, real-time strategy experience that can provide hundreds of hours of fun to a dedicated fan. The writing and narrative aren’t interesting enough but the mechanics more than make-up for this weakness. The automation options are deep and make it easier to focus on certain aspects of the 4X concept, delegating the rest to a decent computer algorithm. But before anyone jumps into Distant Worlds 2, they should set aside time and patience. Make extensive use of the in-game help, read forums if you need to, delegate a lot at first, and only engage with what you like. Code Force has delivered a solid strategy package, which means updates and DLC can only improve it and add accessibility and fun.

I like Primal the most when it's many systems interact in interesting ways and when it forces me to think of new ways to deal with a powerful predator or a powerful group of enemies, but there are also moments when the entire experience feels to close to both Far Cry 4 and 3.

Without a doubt, Back 4 Dead is all about the co-op gameplay and mixed with the newly introduced card system. If you combine the two, killing those ugly creatures is extremely fun, though be warned, it’s also extremely challenging as well. On the other hand, if you’re not the biggest fan of co-op multiplayer and would rather stick with the solo mode, this isn’t as exciting as it should be. Though, as I said, even the co-op multiplayer has a bad side, as the overall experience depends on your team and their way of playing the game.

Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider is a traditionalist game in a genre that has been getting a lot of modern takes recently. A lot of players might feel like there’s not enough here, in terms of both variety and innovation. But there’s value in giving modern players a game that understands the classics and offers both a universe and a set of mechanics that recall the best that they had to offer.

But the gameplay seems too limited after one episode and the story has failed to deliver anything truly engaging, other than a vision of a tornado, which I still hope is metaphorical rather than real.

Dying Light 2 is bigger and better than the first game. It improves on the original in every aspect while keeping the same formula. It’s a grindy game that can take either hundreds of hours to complete, or just a regular open-world action-adventure that you can finish in about 25-30 hours if you’re just interested in the main story. My main quarrel with Dying Light 2 is that it promises so much at the beginning, yet it fails miserably to deliver on that promise. If not for the exceptional combat and parkour mechanics, this might have been just a mediocre title, so this alone redeems it from among the mass of unremarkable triple A titles that are more show than substance.

Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire is an exceptional RPG, which respects its classic origins, without being afraid to adapt modern mechanisms. With a fresh combat system and a story worthy of the most famous D&D games, it is highly addictive for the fans of the genre, while being a friendly companion to those who prepare to embark on their first quest. If the issue with the way too long and frequent loading times will be fixed, it will be a must-play game.

I can easily see myself spending hundreds of hours playing Humankind but not before it gets at least a round of updates to deal with crashes and some performance issues. The core of the 4X gameplay is easy to understand but hard to master, with a very big possibility space. The main selling point, moving through civilizations as history progresses, creates plenty of potential for cool stories, overpowered empires, and surprising twists. But the overall experience sometimes feels like less than the sum of its parts. Amplitude has such a reputation for creating unique civilizations and mechanics that I expected more.

It’s rare these days for a survival game to put narrative and resource management mechanics on the same level, and do both very well. Overall, I think The Pale Beyond tells a captivating story while torturing players into finding the best solutions for keeping their crew alive. The first playthroughs will always be frustrating, but that’s because the game doesn’t prepare players for what’s coming. When all is said and done, The Pale Beyond is an enjoyable experience if you love survival games, but if you’re looking for a purely narrative experience, look elsewhere.

Gloomy Eyes isn’t very complex in terms of puzzle design or too innovative in its storytelling. But the mechanics and the universe boost each other, while the two main characters are cute enough to keep players engaged. The game is relaxing and fun, even if the story doesn’t offer too many surprises. The Tim Burton-derived presentation enhances gameplay at first but becomes tiring after a while. Gloomy Eyes doesn’t fully deliver on its potential but offers a solid set of puzzles built around a charming pair of heroes.

Observer System Redux is a better game than the original and manages to convey the thought-provoking story in a more structured fashion, with added details. It does not offer just a graphical upgrade but also manages to better portray the surrounding moral and physical decay, improving the atmosphere and the overall experience. The bugs are annoying, but can easily be fixed. Those who did not try the game yet, should go ahead and dive into this adventure, they will not regret it. Thanks to the added extra content, Observer System Redux can be also recommended to those who already unveiled Dan’s story. Still, it feels that it would have been more appropriate to offer System Redux as a free upgrade to those who already own the game, instead of charging extra money for it.

Projected Dreams is a good puzzle game with a unique take on the genre. The shadow work starts off pretty easy, but the developers find ways to add variety and increase the challenge level. The rooms where shadows are projected are also fun to interact with, especially when hunting for a new cassette to play. The story and graphics are pleasant enough but don’t stand out. The shadow puzzles are the main reason to engage with Projected Dreams, especially for players who are interested in looking for multiple solutions for each album photo. The entire experience is even more interesting when playing with a kid who hasn’t yet had the experience of shadow play in the real world.

Solasta: Crown of the Magister is a great entry point for those looking to play a D&D-inspired game. The streamlined ruleset makes everything easy to understand and you don’t even have to spend hours creating your character (unless you really, really like to roll your stats until you get certain values). The only thing that I couldn’t get past are the character models, which look absolutely terrible. However, the dungeons, which are designed both horizontally and vertically, as well as some of the ground locations are beautiful and immersive for a D&D campaign. The voice acting is also top-notch most of time, and the same goes for the soundtrack.

Despite being a bit tedious, Blasphemous offers many satisfying moments like being able to find a shortcut or a shrine when you most need it. Some of the quests are really interesting and even if they're not mandatory to finish the game, I would strongly recommend trying to finish as many of them as possible. The way the story is told (or rather discovered), the amazing artwork, and the fast-paced combat are aspects of the game that grabbed me throughout my playthrough. You'll indeed have to do a lot of backtracking if you want to complete as much as the game as possible, but the rewards are worth it.

World-building is pretty good, and the presentation adds to it with its striking black-and-white. Only the combat can sometimes feel like a chore, especially when enemies with long names start showing up. I never got tired of listening closely for bug sounds but some players might. Cryptmaster is a perfect example of how wonderful an indie title with a strong innovative mechanic can be and it should find as wide an audience as possible.

There are lots of great things to be had in Primal Planet. The time period they base the game on is something we rarely explore in games. On top of that, the pixelated world design is stunning, and I think the world itself looks incredible. The combat is also very good, although sometimes it does enter soulslike territory. And yes, there’s the map design that could get some improvements here and there. Did that deter me from playing? Not at all, I liked the fact that you can start crafting stuff, exploring the map and finding items/resources is always cool, and the animations/small cutscenes they have truly add a lot of character and personality to the game. Yes, there will be some frustration here and there, but in the end, the game is extremely fun, although it can take a bit to get used to some of its elements.

#IDARB is a fun experience when it comes to local co-op play, offering enough wacky elements to keep its general premise as interesting as possible. Unfortunately, control issues, poor online matches, and a few other problems keep it from really impressing.

The biggest asset and problem that the game has is its difficulty level, because it does create that feeling of challenge that every good rogue-like needs and can produce moments of small but enchanting triumph, but it also tends to limit access to the story a little too much.

The Mega Man Star Force Legacy Collection is an excellent package featuring 7 fun games that will eat up many hours of your time. Capcom is very respectful to the source material, and the updates they made, like better visuals and remixed soundtrack are tasteful. Plus, you can always revert to the original versions, if you want. The games have a fun story overall, but there are some pacing moments and weaker villains at times. However, they do a great job with the combat, which is very compelling and you will find it extremely enjoyable. The addition of multiplayer is also exciting, because playing against other people helps you improve your skills, while also learning from mistakes. Even for someone new to the Star Force series, this collection was a lot of fun to play, and it has that hook which keeps you playing for hours. I am confident that fans of the originals will have a blast with this game as well.

It takes the overall story to some interesting new areas, but some aspects, such as the Rodrik sequences, tend to feel repetitive and uninspired.

Warhammer 40,000: Shootas, Blood & Teef is a great action game, designed from the group up for chaos and surprising moments. The mechanics and the presentation are well integrated, and the combat mechanics are top notch. I would have liked a chance to kill members of all the races of the science fiction Warhammer universe in the game. And I hope that the team at Rogueside takes the design of Shootas, Blood & Teef and expands them to give me and other players that experience.

There are many things that I wish Airship Syndicate would have done differently, but Darksiders: Genesis is definitely a title worth picking up. It's no Darksiders 4 and lacks the polish of any of the previous Darksiders games, but it's got the flavor, the pace and the combat mechanics that made the franchise popular among gamers. There's a compelling story underneath all the hacking and slashing, with interesting characters and extremely well-done level design. The puzzles are very clever, something that I would expect from a Darksiders game, and there's simply a lot of content to enjoy throughout a nearly 15-hour playthrough.

Some of the physics could have been better, but overall, it’s going to probably be one of the most beautiful games in 2018. It would be interesting to see where the story goes from here. Shadow of the Tomb Raider is the highlight of the series, and topping it will be difficult.

Olija is a god game built for a specific audience. If you loved classic exploration and combat titles on the PC from the ’80s, then this experience has plenty to offer. The graphical style will be charming, the gameplay challenging enough but not impossible to master. The narrative is not too engaging but it will keep players interested. Unfortunately, there’s little to bring in those who simply lack those gaming memories. The pixelated look can easily be judged as hard to understand, stifling experimentation and making it hard to enjoy the exploration. The harpoon mechanics are solid but they cannot sustain the game on their own. More care to make it accessible for a wider range of players would have made the entire experience more attractive.

Aeon Drive delivers a very focused experience for anyone who loves classic platformer action and wants to test their skills against other players on constantly updated leaderboards. There are a lot of cities to get through and plenty of paths to master using the teledagger. But the game would be much more engaging if it dropped the 30-second limit. It could have attracted hardcore players with achievements and collectibles while making itself more accessible for those with reduced reflexes.

SpellForce: Conquest of Eo has an interesting structure and does a great job of mixing map-driven strategy and tactical engagements. Each of the three wizard archetypes plays very differently and there’s a ton of content to engage with. The world of Eo is beautifully represented, although it’s pretty standard when it comes to fantasy universes. I would have liked for the three core wizard types to offer even more variety in strategic and tactical situations. But campaigns offer a lot of variety, especially if players are ready to try out new approaches. SpellForce: Conquest of Eo is a solid entry in the franchise that should have aimed for more innovative mechanics.

The Smurfs Dreams is the perfect game to enjoy alongside family, or alone, as a nostalgic trip down memory lane. Thanks to its charming art direction, clever mechanics, and endearing characters it is a memorable experience, that offers plenty of replay value for completionists. It is a platformer that appeals to both nostalgic fans of the Smurfs and a younger generation of players, and arguably one of the best jump-n-run games published by Microids so far. I believe The Smurfs – Dreams is a nice surprise, which thanks to its friendly price tag can be an excellent gift for the holidays.

Herdling is a great experience for any players who enjoyed the two Far titles created by Okomotive. When the Calicorns stampede across a lush meadow, plowing through flowers, with the mountains close, as the music enhances immersion, the game manages to create some unique and emotional moments. Guiding the herd around through puzzles is also pretty fun. But I never cared about the Calicorns, even as I made sure that they were healthy, and the title’s limited narrative means it’s hard to engage with its mechanics. Herdling has a solid core idea and creates impressive moments, but struggles to make the moment-to-moment gameplay engaging.

Puzzle Quest: Immortal Edition is a solid package that feels designed to bring a classic experience to a new generation of gamers. The three titles and their unique combat system can provide tens of hours of tactical fun as players move through the world, find the best combination of powers and equipment, and engage with both normal enemies and bosses. Repeatedly failing to make progress will become frustrating, so lower the difficulty after the first loss. The game also fails to impress when it comes to writing or graphics. But the match-3 system is solid enough that Puzzle Quest: Immortal Edition is worth playing, even for those who don’t feel any kind of nostalgia toward the series.

The Spirit Lift is a joyous and easy-to-play mix of runs and card combat. It uses familiar mechanics well, giving players multiple ways to engage with a solid group of enemies with unique designs. Its characters and their unique sets of cards can be mixed and matched in varied ways while players uncover more of the narrative. The exploration elements don’t add much, and the game needs more events and choices. But the characters and the atmosphere fit well with most of the gameplay. The Spirit Lift doesn’t try to revolutionize the genre but finds smart ways to stand out.

Riders Republic is an action-packed game that’s not only exciting to play but also very fun to discover, pretty much because depending on the route you choose, everything feels new and fresh even if you’re not playing it for the first time.

The gameplay is addictive and innovative, while the controls are simple and tight. Perhaps the game needed a few more tunes, but the pixel art is very well done. There’s no voice-acting, but there’s a little bit of an unconventional story to discover if you’re a fan of mysteries. The only downside is that Nuclear Blaze ends very fast. It’s like a very short SCP novel that you read while commuting. It took me less than two hours to finish it, but I had a lot of fun. Get this if you’re looking for a good platformer.

Crimson Desert is one of those games that manages to seamlessly combine elements from our favorite RPGs and open world games. While you can see some of its original MMO roots in the quest design and side activities, it’s clearly meant to be a wonderful, immersive and engaging action RPG focused on exploration and with a good, emotional story to boot. The game features satisfying combat that rewards mastery, but which can be very punishing, especially when it comes to bosses. And it has so many great activities and side content that, along with the main game, it will take you over 200 hours to complete everything, especially if you want 100% achievements. Crimson Desert makes the most out of its massive scope and even if a few of its parts are undercooked, it’s still one of the most impressive open world experiences released in recent years.

Fabledomis a relaxed city builder that doesn’t introduce revolutionary new mechanics but executes classic ideas very well. I loved spending time zoomed in, looking at my peasants and commoners as they worked and walked. It’s equally fun to find the way to another ruler’s heart by sending truckloads of tulips and running missions. The laid-back nature means the challenge level isn’t very high, even when some of the more annoying random events pop up. And the military aspect feels like a weird fit for an experience where making sure that everyone is happy and getting along is the natural approach. Fabledom’s gameplay and setting work well together and will satisfy any city-builder fan who likes a fantasy setting.

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.

Wuchang: Fallen Feathers sets itself apart from other soulslike games through some unique features like the weapon upgrading system. Thanks to a very solid combat system and smooth traversal between areas, Wuchang: Fallen Feathers makes the journey more entertaining than usual. Not tying players to a single weapon for an entire playthrough and letting them choose which weapon to use when facing a specific boss is not only a bold design decision, but also one that elevates Wuchang: Fallen Feathers above some of the best games in the genre.

The tactical squad-based combat is engaging and has plenty of depth, although there are moments when it also feels a little too long and the various human soldiers seem much too dumb to be the first line of defense against an alien invasion.

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.

The Ascent is far from perfect. It has so many issues that normally I would not give it a second look. Despite all the issues and the fact that the gameplay is pretty basic, the story completely forgettable and it lacks any depth, I had fun with it and once I started playing it I was lost to the rest of the world. It is more a twin stick shooter adorned tackily with superfluous RPG elements. It is raw, unrefined and basic, but the atmosphere and the overall experience recommends The Ascent as a game that is worth a shot after a few patches and a serious discount.

When I started playing MakeRoom, I had no idea what to expect from it. The sandbox nature of the game might seem difficult to deal with at first. But rest assured, the game doesn’t add a lot of pressure, it’s very fun to play, and you’ll find yourself enjoying the experience all the time. You can spend 10 minutes or 10 hours on a build, if you want. And, of course, you can easily save it and even share it with other people online. I was excited to get back to MakeRoom and play many times, just because I know the game is something special. The fact that it allows my creativity to run wild on a blank canvas and I am able to create anything I want is always fun. Granted, it can feel overwhelming for a newcomer. Thankfully, the tools and items provided are easy to understand, and there’s always the trial-and-error approach. Regardless, if you want to decorate a room, boat or van in any way you want, you may want to test MakeRoom’s excellent toolkit.

Vultures - Scavengers of Death is a throwback, a game that’s does not shy from telling players that both its universe and its gameplay are inspired by Resident Evil. The shift to a turn-based combat system adds to the complexity, while limited ammo and health create a solid challenge level. The narrative and world-building are forgettable. The presentation plays on nostalgia, but the PlayStation 1 era graphics made it harder for me to enjoy combat. Vultures - Scavengers of Death will deliver great fun for a very specific audience and will struggle to appeal to a wider set of players.

King Arthur: Knight’s Tale is a clear departure from the King Arthur titles that Neocore Games is known for. It’s not just the new setting, but also the combat mechanics and the management aspect of your base of operations that makes the game very engaging. Although I’d hoped King Arthur: Knight’s Tale would be something different than what we’re used to, I certainly didn’t expect it to be so good. If you’re a fan of turn-based strategy games and love a compelling, yet dark story, I can’t recommend King Arthur: Knight’s Tale enough, it’s an exceptional game.

Hard West II, just like the predecessor, is the living proof that there’s life after XCOM too. Although the game could do with a bit more weapons, in between the multiple abilities and poker cards system, it offers enough variation to warrant a full playthrough. If you’re a fan of turn-based strategy games, Hard West II is a no brainer. The game does what it sets out to do, despite lacking deeper RPG elements and some balancing issues. I also loved the voice-acting and the overall presentation of the game. I’d like to see more of the latter in small budget titles, it shouldn’t be that hard to achieve. Play this if you love XCOM, but don’t play it like XCOM!

Despite coming with its very own set of cons, Sniper Elite 5 is still brilliantly glorious. It’s indeed repetitive if you want to always take the fastest route to complete a mission, but at the end of the day, the more time you spend doing everything right, the more Sniper Elite impresses. Rebellion has clearly improved the parts that fans have been asking for, so you’re getting not only larger maps, but also more varied levels, better equipment, more troops, more vehicles, more weapon customization options, and so on. The new invasion mode also makes missions more challenging by allowing human players to enter your game and take the role of an Axis sniper, though you can obviously disable this mode if you just want to stick with single-player action. So overall, Sniper Elite 5 has a little bit of everything, eventually creating one of the most solid gameplays of the year so far.

Game of Thrones Episode 4 starts putting the series on the final straight in terms of action and packs quite a few interesting situations. There are a few of glitches and some choices end up with a game over screen but it's still a pretty enjoyable experience.

Souldiers has interesting core mechanics and the sort of art style that will certainly attract fans of the Metroidvania genre or those looking to activate their nostalgia. But the story is mostly there as a reason for the action and combat can quickly become overwhelming in terms of difficulty. The game also has significant problems with the camera and there are plenty of reports of corrupted saves. The developers at Retro Forge are promising to deliver fixes but anyone interested in the title should wait and check back later to see if they deal with the reported problems. And even then, the combat means that the title is best suited for someone who likes a stiff challenge. Souldiers is a good game for anyone willing to engage with it on its terms and doesn’t mind slow progress.

Overall the game is a great indie production and one that will enchant the people who are into games revolving around questions about the meaning of our existence. It is a beautifully crafted walking simulator, with a unique atmosphere and some memorable moments, but no replay value at all.

Bungie has managed to craft plenty of great mechanics for the new game, as well as allow for player expression through the RPG skills and customization system...However, don't expect a touching story and be prepared to endure plenty of repetition in the story missions. The co-op strikes and the random operations break this tedious feel, but you should still expect some lengthy loading screens and a fair amount of unbalanced missions or strikes.

Backpack Hero has a unique core mechanic that works. I liked constantly thinking of what I wanted to pick up and how I could create combos by placing items just right. There are a ton of possibilities, even if combat itself often feels limited and repetitive. Story mode adds an interesting twist with town building and management, although the story hooks aren’t that strong. The game is best enjoyed in short sessions, exploring just enough to put down a new building or reach another milestone. Backpack Hero succeeds at creating a fun gameplay loop for a very specific audience.

Tamarak Trail’s unique idea is to give players dice to roll while also allowing them to choose exactly what action is on each face. This creates opportunities for interesting interactions, enhanced by the random way the dice bump into each other when thrown. Artifacts that can be slotted into die add to their power. As engaging as combat can be, the rest of the experience is too close to the genre’s standards to be compelling, especially the node structure. The game might also want to be somewhat more generous with its currency. Tamarak Trail does offer something new to veterans of the combat rogue-lite mix but for me, it became too repetitive too quickly.

Tchia has heart, a beautiful world, and some cool gameplay concepts. The story is filled with emotion but also grounded. Exploration is easy and rewarding, with a lot of great sights to see and interesting characters to interact with. Even the ukulele mini-game associated with musical numbers works. I liked this New Caledonia-inspired universe enough that I actually wanted more of it, a few extra islands, a few chests hidden for me to discover. The developers' commitment to making it all as accessible as possible is also worth praising. Get Tchia and then spent time seeing the world and make sure to pet then take over all the animals you encounter.