The Farm 51 has created an atmospheric and challenging game that mixes plenty of inspirations in a cool new way. More variety in terms of locations and more options for combat would have made Chernobylite an instant classic.

Resident Evil Revelations 2 is a pretty good entry in the series from Capcom. While the actual horror elements, barring some jump scares, aren't that common, you'll still feel a bit spooked out in various moments of the story. For those that want action, however, the Raid mode is by far the star of the package.

Need for Speed Hot Pursuit Remaster is fair game, that will be fun for a while, but it is an anachronic production. It feels stuck in 2010 and refuses to see all the evolution that happened to car racing games since then. Those who have played it have no real reason to buy it again, since nothing new has been added, and the graphic update is not breathtaking.This leaves those who have never played it as a potential audience. But honestly, they are better off with newer games than Need for Speed Hot Pursuit Remaster, since this is a remaster only in title, stuck in 2010 practices.

Worth the investment for its stellar story. Bear in mind that the combat and the camera issues are still present.

Although it doesn’t reinvent the wheel, Showgunners adds its own twist on the formula, and I think it works pretty well. If you’re an XCOM fan, this is a no-brainer.

In Sheep's Clothing is by far one of the most engaging in the series, managing to bring together the many plot threads spun and finally setting the stage for the final chapter in the adventure series.

Game of Thrones Episode 1 acts more or less as a prologue by setting the stage for the many events that will happen in the next five chapters. It delivers a decent experience in terms of dialog but falls short when it comes to action sequences or impactful choices. The visuals in particular weigh it down, so let's hope some improvement can be made with the next few episodes.

All in all, The Medium is a good game, but not revolutionary and certainly not the new king of the genre. The story and atmosphere will stay with you long after finishing it, but the gameplay has a lot of room for improvement. If you prioritize a good story and a masterfully crafted atmosphere The Medium will not disappoint.

Coridden has a great core idea. I like how the combat system requires players to constantly shift between human and monster forms to deal with increasingly challenging enemy groups and capable bosses. The entire concept is even better if players manage to bring at least a friend into the game for cooperative action. The world of Heera mixes science-fiction and fantasy elements pretty well but the story and characters fail to stand out. Coridden is worth checking out for the shapeshifting alone and I hope the team at Aftnareld gets a chance to expand on it in a sequel.

Layers of Fear is an excellent remake, adding quite a few hours of new content that fits the original story like a glove. It is scarry, depressing and marvelously dark, and it is a must for all the fans of the genre, no matter if they played the original game or not. The bugs are extremely annoying, and they break the immersion, but they can easily be fixed through a patch. The over 12 hours of total gameplay and the replay value granted by multiple playthroughs needed in order to figure out the multiple endings more than justify the price of the game. The new Layers of Fear is a well thought out horror game, that with the mandatory facelift manages to be more impressive and memorable than the original one.

The enticing story and solid characters are definitely the main highlights of Omensight, so if you're looking for a game that has both, Spearhead Games' new title will deliver. On the flip side, the repetitive nature of the time-travel mechanic is one of the game's main downsides, but if you can get passed it, you'll find that Omensight is actually a wonderful gem.

South of the Circle is barely a video game and would have probably worked better as a movie. Players who don’t quickly become engaged with the story will have a tough time finding reasons to push on. And even for those who want to see how the narrative ends, some sequences drag on with limited payoff. Titles in the walking simulator space can make for impressive video games but they need to establish a solid emotional connection quickly. South of the Circle does have great moments and narrative threads that coalesce in an interesting way. But the development team at State of Play needs to work on pacing to make sure that players stay engaged.

Ironcast is a small game that manages to integrate some very cool mechanics in engaging ways and the fact that, at its core, it embraces the impact of dying associated with rogue-like titles makes each campaign unique.

With this new fantasy themed title, and the previous science fiction themed Galactic Civilizations III Stardock has managed to corner the market when it comes to turn-based strategy, delivering a solid mix of both classic and innovative mechanics.

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

Pirates Outlaws is very well put together game that relies too much on luck. It can be just as satisfying as it can be frustrating. You never really feel in control and even the best laid plans can be brought hurling down by the randomness that governs every game mechanic. If you are not discouraged by the unpredictable odds, you will discover plenty of content for an indie title that can keep you entertained for long hours. On the other hand, if you feel the need to be in control all the time, Pirates Outlaws will not be your cup of tea.

AI LIMIT does an excellent job when it comes to focusing on exploration and exhilarating, visually appealing battles. Its game world is excellently made, and the story, while not incredible, is serviceable. Throughout playing AI LIMIT, I always felt a part of this post-apocalyptic world and found myself in Arrisa’s shoes, trying to survive. If you like soulslike games, you’ll find this one to be very interesting, especially since it offers a fresh take on the genre with its sync rate and innovative bosses. You can’t go wrong with it, even if the game isn’t as long as others in the genre, as you’ll find mostly everything in roughly 30 hours. It has a great art style, and it comes with some explosives battles that make it well worth a shot!

Augmented Empire is a decent experience that doesn’t innovate enough to become truly engaging. The universe, with its noir and science-fiction ideas, is well-designed, with solid character interactions and voice actors that breathe life into them. The tactical combat system works well but combat spaces are too small to make the engagements interesting. The game is forced to make its QTEs more difficult to make sure players have to actually use healing or special character abilities. The graphics do not impress. Augmented Empire needed bigger combat spaces and more enemy variety to make an impression on fans of the turn-based strategy genre.

Last Round is a good re-release of the original experience on the PS4. It manages to keep the trademark low barrier of entry and complexity, but it still offers plenty of depth for fighting game fans. Even if it advertises its DLC a lot, and the titillating physics aren't to everyone's taste, you can have a lot of fun with the new title.

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

Overall, while it’s still mostly the same as previous titles in the Lego series, Lego DC Super-Villains offers some much needed twist in terms of story, shining a light on the life of the bad guys and girls in the comic book universe. Add in the superb voice acting, the many different powers that you get to wield as the villains, as well as the huge amount of activities scattered throughout its open world and you’re bound to have a good time being bad.

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

Reigns: The Witcher is a good, small, smart, and often funny game that remixes Geralt’s adventures in interesting ways. It’s a nice way to revisit the universe for anyone who has played at least one of the titles in the franchise and wants to experience it in a new way. But those unfamiliar with this fantasy world should stay away. It’s easy to understand the mechanics and quickly play a few sessions, pushing to meet one of the goals and trying to find new ways for the hero to die. The game is best enjoyed in short bursts. Stop when the action becomes repetitive or if the same death pops up twice. Reigns: The Witcher would have been better if it tweaked the series’ core mechanic a little to give players more control. It's still fun to see what tales Dandelion will spin.

If you've ever had more than enough time for a movie, but not enough to finish a season of your favorite TV show, then you know the pleasure of watching a mini-series. That's precisely the feeling that Bladed Fury will give you, as it will charm you with the fluid, fast-paced combat, tease you with the beautiful and surreal art-style, and then leave you wanting for more at the end of the short campaign.

A worthwhile remake of the classic Sierra point-and-click adventure game. However, big-time fans of the original will most likely dislike some aspects of the newer incarnation.

The combat system has a lot of potential, what with the synergies between all the characters you can switch on the fly and the ability to teleport to an alternate dimension, but unfortunately, at the mechanical level, the controls simply don't feel fluid enough.

Titan Souls can be repetitive, difficult and frustrating, but it can also be the kind of video game in which one solid arrow shot can make a player happy for half an hour.

Loopmancer is a good game for gamers who want a very specific experience: a mix of action and rogue ideas that tells a cyberpunk-themed detective story. The combat mechanics require time to master and there are solid challenges to engage with. The rogue aspects are a little underdeveloped and it feels like unlocking weapons requires too much money. But the game never tries to innovate in any of the spaces it is working in. It has no ambition other than to deliver a good mix of ideas that can keep players engaged. I wanted to see a cool twist on the cyberpunk future or combat mechanics that expands genres. Loopmancer is a solid experience that never becomes more than its parts.

Foretales manages to be both innovative in its gameplay and deliver an engaging story, a rare combination in the world of card-driven video games. It’s fast-paced, asks players to think about actions and consequences, and deals with the fate of the world and with more personal relationships. The combination of systems might be a little overwhelming initially, but it only takes about an hour before the game reveals its depth and variety. The developers at Alkemi have created a deep game that encourages players to think outside the box and minimize casualties as much as possible. Foretales will reward players for giving it their time and energy.

Space Colony: Steam Edition is clearly reaching out from a time way back when video game design used to be more forgiving. It's got a lot of flaws, but it also has a ton of personality, and it offers a pretty solid space colony management experience, albeit one a little on the light side.

The combat becomes a little repetitive, the driving and flying feel incomplete, and the story has almost no hooks for the player but the feelings of freedom and empowerment that the title offers are great, especially for gamers who have an active imagination and find new ways to exploit the offered world.

Total War: PHARAOH is a very good strategy experience that explores one of the periods that the genre rarely engages with. After playing a few campaigns, I wanted to know more about the Sea Peoples, the way the Hittites organized their kingdom and the ways armies were mustered during the Bronze Age. I was also willing to spend time understanding the unique approach that each ruler brings to a campaign and how traditions and gods can enhance an advantage or cover a weakness. I’ll certainly simulate many of the battles while enjoying the crucial ones. Total War: PHARAOH is immersive and varied, a good entry in the series for both veterans and new players.

Once I started playing Dragon is Dead, I got hooked. The game has a very satisfying gameplay loop, and it comes with an extraordinary visual style. In addition, they added a ton of loot, and you can easily swap between weapons at your own pace. The ability system is not very complex, yet it manages to deliver great depth and it’s just a joy to experiment with. When it comes to controls, I think it’s much better to play this title with a controller. That being said, even keyboard controls are fine, although the layout takes some getting used to. Games like Dragon is Dead don’t come by that often. This combination of platformers and roguelikes, with Diablo-like looting and inventory is rare, but it works extremely well. Granted, the game has its shortcomings, yet that didn’t deter me from trying out multiple runs, experimenting with loot and creating a very powerful build. It’s up there when it comes to great roguelikes, although it will need a tad more polishing and better music.

Blackguards 2 takes the formula of the initial release and expands upon it, but there’s nothing truly innovative, apart from the origin story of Cassia and her frequent moments of near madness.

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

GRIP: Combat Racing promises to fall into the first category, bringing justice to an old series of games that have become cult classics themselves. The graphics and physics engine aren't just there just to give the series a facelift, they take what it advertised as its strong point, speed and death-defying acrobatics, and crank them up to eleven!

Nine Years of Shadows is a good Metroidvania with an impressive presentation and intriguing world. Gameplay mechanics will be instantly familiar to any genre fans and easy to understand for newcomers. There aren’t too many surprises in the narrative but it is imbued with a sense of optimism that kept me engaged. I wanted more variety for combat encounters and a smoother difficulty curve for the bosses. The game also has a weird tendency to put its save rooms just outside of the way enough that it’s easy to forget about them and lose progress. But otherwise, Nine Years of Shadows execute a good idea well and its look allows it to distinguish itself from competitors.

Hotline Miami 2: Wrong Number is a great sequel. It innovates just enough to feel fresh but, unfortunately, takes a bit of player freedom away through its fixed characters.

Guns, Gore and Cannoli is quite an entertaining side-scrolling shooter platformer. The 1920s mob theme, the undead, and the simple yet solid mechanics make it quite enjoyable and you'll have a blast going through the story either alone or with friends locally.

Few games manage to capture the feeling of claustrophobia, the fear of the dark, of the open waters or of death better than Sunless Sea: Zubmariner Edition, and you'll be up surprised at how a seemingly unimpressive 2D game can send chills down your spine. While the horror may not come in the form of gore or jump scares, sometimes the ever-present feeling of dread and fear of the unknown can be the thing to keep you on the edge of your seat the most. If that doesn't impress you, then the fear of losing a few hours' worth of progress will surely do.

A Fold Apart is an indie game with heart and soul, which ingeniously tells a human story. Alternating the perspectives of the two characters conveys the intention of the producers of presenting the hardships of both parties involved in a long-distance relationship. Of course, the scenario dreamt up by the developers is an idyllic one, which assumes both persons have only the best intentions. Unfortunately, taking into account the length of the game, and the lack of any replayability even the low price is too much for this indie game. Maybe an online coop would have justified it, but as it is A Fold Apart is a tremendous creative exercise, but way too short to offer a lasting experience.

Newcomers to the franchise will find Battle Brothers very hard to pick up, especially due to the lack of a proper tutorial. I do love those games that don't hold your hand, but I think Battle Brothers is in a league of its own and some more complex aspects should be made more clear. Although the learning curve is quite steep, once you get the hang of it, Battle Brothers is actually a very enjoyable experience. I strongly recommend those looking for a challenging turn-based RPG to give Battle Brothers a try, not just for the complexity of building the perfect company of brothers, but also for its stunning soundtrack and art style.

Chef Life: A Restaurant Simulator has a good idea and some decent gameplay mechanics. It’s somewhat fun to discover the techniques associated with a new dish and then aim to create a perfect take on it, complete with a radical and interesting plating that will revolutionize the fine-dining world. The entire experience suffers because of its highly repetitive nature and uninspired presentation. The finished dishes need to look spectacular and they do not. Cooking the same thing over and over again becomes annoying. Chef Life: A Restaurant Simulator might try to capture the frantic nature of a commercial kitchen but those who like what it has to offer might be better served by cooking some fun real-world dishes that can actually satisfy their hunger.

KAKU: Ancient Seal is a decent representative of the third-person action genre that doesn’t find ways to innovate in interesting ways. The core mechanics are decent, and the world is at times impressive. There’s plenty of depth to combat. But the narrative stalls after a few hours and fighting will become repetitive despite the wealth of new moves players can learn. Fans of the open-world action structure will enjoy the four continents and the unique content associated with each. But the entire experience would have benefited from being more focused, with a smaller number of mechanics and more innovation. KAKU: Ancient Seal is a solid game that fails to find a unique hook.

Insurmountable gains a new gameplay layer with the 2.0 update, which gives the experience a clearer structure and players more clear goals to aim for. Climbing peaks, with limited resources and careful planning, continues to be compelling. There are plenty of strategies to try out, many events to deal with, some mysteries to untangle. The problem is that there’s not enough variety, even with the newly added campaign structure. After 5 or 6 climbs, nothing is surprising. The player can try new synergies or new ideas, but the mountains remain largely the same. Insurmountable has a great concept and some solid mechanics but can struggle to entice players to reach more than one summit.

Mail Time is a delightful experience, filled with interesting characters and almost no conflict. All the different quests are fun to engage with and the game offers a nice sense of discovery. I love being helpful and trying to make this small patch of forest a better place for everyone. The party at the end is also a great reward for all the exploration. The gameplay is relatively limited and the title is short. It can serve as a great way to introduce younger players to platforming and a bright and colorful open world. It can also warm the heart of jaded veterans of the genre. Mail Time is nice and fun enough that I wished there was more of this world to explore and really hope the developers are thinking about a sequel.

SteamWorld Build initially looks like a classic city builder with a cute theme and robots instead of humans. But the mine management, especially when they reach the third underground level, has solid new ideas, especially during the frantic moments when you’re dealing with a big enemy assault. Finding and getting all the rocket parts is not easy, mainly because the scientist class gobbles up so many hard to produce products. I like the gradual ramp up in complexity that SteamWorld Build delivers and the game provides an engaging experience for both fans of the franchise and newcomers.

Persona 5 is less an action RPG, and rather a well-executed tactical turn-based game. The gameplay is well thought out with complex systems, the design and visual style follows the legacy of the series with some minor changes to keep things fresh, and as per usual the polis of the game is spotless. Yet somewhere along the way the focus shifted too much towards the battle and had a somewhat negative impact on the pacing, the atmosphere and the player engagement in general. Persona 5 is the most repetitive and monotonous iteration released by Atlus so far.

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

Zombie Vikings is a solid title for those who love the core concepts that power it and have good memories of Streets of Rage or Golden Axe and also offers a good entry point for those who want to see what a modern take on the brawler looks and plays like.

Cricket Through the Ages is a simple game, played using just one button, that works best for two players who are ready to have some dumb fun for about half an hour. Any longer than that and it becomes clear how limited and repetitive it all really is. Play against the computer and all the silliness isn’t worth very much. The developers understand how to make awkward physics work, but the game really needs more variety in terms of equipment and conditions. Cricket Through the Ages will draw some laughs but is best enjoyed in short bursts before its repetitive mechanic becomes frustrating.

Bloomtown: A different story is a wonderful JRPG, with western inspired themes, beautiful pixel art graphics and a challenging yet immersive gameplay. Sometimes it can become overwhelming, but the diabolical black humor tends to give you the necessary jolt to continue. It might not be as polished as a Persona game, but it is coherent and exciting, being a great choice for the fans of RPGs that you can lose yourself in. There are some weak points, where I wish the game could have been a bit more mature, but overall, it is great fun.

All in all, Gibbous - A Cthulhu Adventure is a game that no self-proclaimed point-and -click fan should overlook, as it will definitely find a place in your gaming library, comedy movie collection, and finally, your heart.

Earth Must Die is dedicated to fans of classic adventure video games. It is also accessible enough for players who want to see what the genre has to offer. The story feels like a fun and weird science fiction short story, more focused on launching joke salvos than being entirely coherent. The characters and the associated voice work make it worth seeing through. The mechanics are easy to pick up, while the puzzles aren’t egregiously illogical. This is an experience best enjoyed in sessions of around two hours, or shorter if the puzzles become annoying. Earth Must Die is proof that decent writing paired with classic gameplay is still a good combination for modern adventure games.

Mordheim: City of the Damned is the kind of game that can occupy tens of hours for a player who quickly understands its core mechanics and is prepared to accept that missed attacks, failed battles, and bankrupt mercenary companies are just temporary obstacles in the quest for wyrdstones and greatness.

Oceanhorn: Master of Uncharted Seas is a pretty enjoyable action adventure experience. Yes, it's a Zelda clone, but it pulls it off very well and, while some aspects, like the sea fairing mechanic, weigh it down, it's still quite a treat to play.

WRC Generations is unfortunately a game that leaves a lot to be desired, and in many ways, this will disappoint quite a lot of fans of the franchise out there. While it does come with intriguing improvements, such as the addition of hybrid cars, it fails to impress in the areas that you’d expect it to shine, such as the graphics. The DualSense integration feels nice, but this should no longer be something to praise a game for given it’s already 2022 and the PlayStation 5 has been around for a while. Should you buy WRC Generations? This depends on your expectations. If you’re a WRC fan like I am, you’ll probably end up having some fun with it, but otherwise, you’ll notice every little shortcoming from the moment you fire it up the first time.

Despite some repetitive missions and cutscenes, there's a massive and complex plot waiting to be discovered in Phantom Doctrine. Although it might not feel that way at first, the game offers a mix of tactical and strategic decisions way more complex than any of the XCOM games. I also think the game perfectly catches the Cold War atmosphere of the early 80s, and delivers it in the form of a tactical stealth turn-based formula. Phantom Doctrine tackles a sensible but fascinating subject, the Cold War, and does a damn good job at it.

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

Lego Batman 3: Beyond Gotham is a fun experience but it would've benefited more if it had embraced the whole Justice League theme. What's more, its puzzles need a bit of tuning, as some are really tricky to figure out, which can grow frustrating even for experienced Lego fans. Still, you'll find quite a lot of amusing moments and a pretty fun story, once you get past the opening stages.

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

Another aspect that might not fly well is the fact that the game is overly reliant on peer approval, making it seem like more of a Kim Kardashian fan club than a crowdsourced mystery investigation from time to time, where everyone is saying something just to be a part of the discussions.

Galactic Civilizations IV: Supernova takes the best elements of the initial Epic release and adds plenty of new mechanics. It’s a great space and turn-based strategy experience that will please any fan of the series. All the featured civilizations are interesting and AlienGPT can quickly create more driven by player prompts. It might be a little too complex at first for newcomers but even failure, up to a point, is enjoyable. Don’t be afraid to experiment with galaxy creation and the number of rivals to get very different scenarios. Galactic Civilizations IV: Supernova is a strategy game that can deliver hundreds of hours of fun to those willing to invest energy to learn all its systems.

Ceres has plenty of potential, but the development team at Jotunn needs to continue to deliver updates for it to make sure that all the core features work as they should and do not push players to abandon the experience because of frustration.

The Cub fits in well with the rest of the games developed by Demagog to showcase the Great Climate Catastrophe story arc. Once again it is a game that carries a deep message, while not failing to entertain as a videogame. The shift in perspective between Golf Club: Nostalgia and The Cub is a fascinating way to present the same story but as two sides of the same coin. The challenge is not trivial, yet not painstaking either, the game being entertaining for newcomers and veterans alike.

Age of Darkness: Final Stand has solid mechanics that will appeal to gamers who are looking for an experience similar to They Are Billions. It is fun to juggle the dual needs of building a thriving settlement to get all the resources needed to outfit a capable military and build up fortifications that can stand up to hundreds of monsters. There are plenty of heroes and associated strategies for players to mold their playstyle around. The title’s biggest problems are the limited world-building and the drab campaign. Age of Darkness: Final Stand rewards preparation and risk-taking and will satisfy gamers looking for massive and tense battles.

Still Wakes the Deep has an interesting premise for a walking simulator mixing the mundane and ugly with the supernatural and deadly beautiful. Unfortunately, the whole project just creaks at the joints and fails to deliver a memorable experience. The linear gameplay is not counterbalanced but the story, rather they go hand in hand towards a very simplistic approach. The entire game lacks coherence and that “something” that would turn the originality of the basic idea into an outstanding game.

Forgive Me Father is a good first-person shooter that, despite embracing the retro concept, does not rely on nostalgia to draw players in. I played it relatively cautiously, conserving ammo when I could, and I didn’t feel like the madness system worked against me. But the game is at its best in the big arena fights, with big groups of enemies, a shredding soundtrack, and no option but to take the fight to them. The limited narrative works well for it, mostly because players can focus on the combat and on how they can improve their performance. The game should deliver more combat arenas and fewer jumping puzzles, but overall Forgive Me Father is one of the best retro FPS experiences of the moment.

If you like 80’s horror movies there are high chances that you will enjoy The Quarry. But, if you have played Until Dawn and you start this game with the same expectations chances are you will be disappointed. It rises up to the promise of a summer flick, but it is far from the best production of Supermassive Games. The replay value is affected by the structure of the game, The Quarry coming across as a needy teen that fails to captivate you after you given them the attention they seek. It can be a breezy and light experience for a hot summer weekend.

Lost Words: Beyond the Page is a great story with minimalistic gameplay. It feels that through the entire game the developers focused mainly on the diary, Estoria being more of an afterthought. Still, overall, the magic is there and the game is worth a playthrough especially by young adults. There are some original and innovative ideas in the game, but in the end, is a very casual experience. Those who love a good story will love Lost Words: Beyond the Page. But those who are looking for deep gameplay, have nothing to see here.

It's not running for the game of the year, but it's fun to play and will bring you back to the golden times of gaming.

John Wick Hex feels like an action flick starring a voiceless Keanu Reeves. It may not go as deep as the movies story-wise, but it's a great adaptation of a successful franchise. I admit that the first few hours were a bit frustrating since the game doesn't tell you to be careful with the bandages, but John Wick Hex is the kind of game that you want to keep playing even when it punishes your every mistake. I admire some of the design choices made by the developer, such as turning John Wick Hex into a strategy game rather than a pure top-down shooter. Even though it's far from being a perfect game, I had a lot of fun playing John Wick Hex.

As a prequel to the upcoming Eiyuden Chronicle – Hundred Heroes, Rising does a really good job at introducing players to the universe. Its simple, tight combat mechanics and smart level design elevate it from other side-scrolling action-adventure games. Although exploration is quite limited and combat is very basic (at least in the beginning), Eiyuden Chronicle: Rising stands on its own despite the fact that it was released as a prequel to one of the most anticipated JRPGs of 2023. I strongly recommend playing this if you’re into side-scrolling action-adventure games, even if you don’t plan to pick up Rabbit & Bear Studios’ Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes next year.

Children of Silentown applies the same formula to the traditional point & click adventure genre but augments it with some interesting elements like a unique art style and some really interesting puzzles. Although it does manage to be intriguing and keep you engaged till the end, it fails to deliver the conclusion of an otherwise enjoyable journey. Ultimately, there’s enough content to keep you entertained for 8-10 hours and fans of the genre will find the journey a fulfilling one. The characters, soundtrack, story and clever puzzles make Children of Silentown a compelling adventure well worth the time.

Game of Thrones Episode 5: A Nest of Vipers does a pretty good job of giving players a set of satisfying experience with the main characters, while alternating pretty well between intense conversations and hectic fight scenes.

Despite being short, Darwin's Paradox is a game that has a lot of heart. It’s very fun to play, intense at times, and very emotional. The traversal options and various octopus’ abilities are very exciting to use, and the best part is that you have a plethora of different platforming challenges and puzzles along the way. The game’s ending was a standout for me, but the entire experience feels great and it’s really well polished. I’ve always enjoyed cinematic platform games, and Darwin's Paradox is certainly one of the standouts in this genre. It’s very well-made, it has excellent attention to detail, and the environmental comedy is strong in this one, too. Hopefully we’ll see more of Darwin, because this story feels like the beginning of a potentially long series of adventures. I’m in if that’s the case, because I like the world and characters, and I want to see more of it.

The Red Solstice offers a solid combination of mechanics and some impressive battle moments and can be a title that cooperative enthusiasts with solid friend lists will embrace in the long run.

The game can be frustrating when it takes 2 hours and 20 reloads to take care of a group of 4 enemies that were blocking access to an objective. Experimentation and observation are engaging initially but it’s hard to remain enthusiastic when just one bad move scuttles a whole plan. This is an issue with the entire stealth-action genre that no title has entirely solved. Despite this Partisans 1941 has good mission design, a nice synergy between characters, and the outside the mission variety that makes it a good recommendation for those who like this style of game and the World War II setting.

BioWare has simply significantly increased the level of hitpoints on them all (a powerful Ogre has as much health as one of the first dragons in the core game) and at times that means many engagements turn into simple slugfests, with the player party and the enemies trading blows with limited tactical input until one of them losses all health.

The core achievement of the game, that it offers a map of the United States that gamers can explore and exploit however they see fit, remains impressive and racing game lovers should try the core package before seeing whether they are interested in what Wild Run has to offer.

NBA 2K20 feels like a turning point for 2K, and not in the right way. The publisher got too greedy, and it's going to show, in the next year's earnings. It's actually detracting from a good game, turning into a casino experience. What makes it worse, is that there's literally a roulette wheel implemented, which only underlines what 2K had in mind. It's a shame, become the highlight of the NBA 2K20, like the addition of the WNBA, the improved ball control, and the multitude of other smaller changes are buried under a pile of microtransactions that make people wonder what they are actually playing. The only mode that seems to have escaped, somewhat, the microtransactions plague, is the story, which is almost good enough to keep the game upright by itself. But it's almost good enough.

Wall World offers a competent mix of ideas. Mining is pretty boring but combat sequences are exciting and tense, with a big ramp-up when the boss shows up. The rogue-lite structure works but the prices on most things are high enough that pure grinding is required. The narrative has an interesting premise but it’s too slow to build on it. The entire experience works best in short sessions, one or two runs at a time, to limit the impact of its repetitive elements. Wall World’s core is good and it would benefit from some tweaked values and expanded variety.

Game of Thrones Episode 2: The Lost Lords is a decent entry in Telltale's series, and while it takes the story to interesting directions, it still doesn't really pull off the whole presentation and still suffers from shoddy choices and poor visuals.

Severed Steel will be a massive video game for a narrow group of gamers. If you love perfecting a plan and then spending as much time as needed to both car3efully and quickly execute it, you will love this experience. Running on a wall, diving through a window, all the time dodging enemy attacks, only to then slide and kill two enemies before finding a safe space is a fun time. But the game can also frustrate and annoy. The levels could be a little bigger and more varied. I like the restrictions on weapon use, but some players will hate it. But the development team at Greylock knows that the first-person shooter needs to evolve to be interesting and they have some good ideas about whether the genre should go. Even if you don’t love Severed Steel keep an eye out for what they work on next.

Volgarr the Viking II is designed to appeal to players who liked the first installment, with its mix of difficulty and reward. The Norse-themed universe does not offer much in the way of story, but it has tight gameplay and plenty of challenges for players to face. Accept the fact that you’ll end up as a zombie at one point and get ready to delete saves to try again. The game’s presentation captures what made action platformers stand out in arcades in the ‘90s. Anyone who hung out in those will like it, others might have trouble connecting with it. Volgarr the Viking II is a throwback that tests players’ skills and is not afraid to frustrate them.

The Deadly Tower of Monsters is an interactive love letter to MST3K but also to those who love the old sci-fi movies that were featured on the show. You’ll have a blast not only playing the title but also listening to the commentary or trying to spot from where all the different elements originate.

Aragami: Shadow Edition is a welcome addition to any Switch owner's library thanks to the great gameplay opportunities it offers, as well as the DLC included in the package. You get to move around the environment undetected, or go all out and kill your enemies in so many ways it is almost impossible to keep count. However, if you want to experience the game in all of its visual majesty, you should greatly consider buying it on any of the other available platforms because, at least from a visual point of view, the Switch version seems like a shadow of its former self (pun intended).

Mafia: The Old Country tells a traditional mob story without pushing the formula further, and that’s perfectly fine. Split into chapters, the tale of the fictional Torrisi crime family is both bleak and heartening. Even though the story lacks any plot twists, it’s serviceable enough to keep the player interested from start to finish. Although it’s been stripped of important gameplay features like character progression system, side quests and other activities, Mafia: The Old Country remains an enjoyable ride for both newcomers and veterans of the series. Despite the fact that it doesn’t bring anything new to the table, Mafia: The Old Country is a valuable entry in the series, mostly thanks to the way the story is told and how it conveys its tropes.

For the most part, Far Cry New Dawn is fun, and that’s the only thing that matters. There is more than enough content to never feel that you’re grinding (although you are), and it fulfills one of the weirdest human fascinations, and that’s the life after a world-encompassing cataclysm. And best of all, the entirety of the game can be played in co-op mode.

Sons of Valhalla is fun but can become repetitive. Thorald is a good fighter, and the game makes him powerful enough, especially with a well-chosen set of runes on his belt, to tangle solo with big enemy groups. But teamwork and good use of the shield wall are crucial when taking on opponents hiding behind fortifications. But combat never evolves beyond that and the settlement development system is equally limited. The getting-back-the-kidnapped-princess narrative is decent but doesn’t do anything new. Sons of Valhalla is pleasant in short bursts but greater depth for all its mechanics are needed to make it engaging for long periods.

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

Battlefield V changes the way historical FPS games are told, as it puts the human psyche ahead of glory, fame, and frags, or at least it does so until you join a multiplayer match.

After the disappointing Cold War, Vanguard was the game that many fans have put their faith in. But due to rocky start, the countless bugs the completely unbalanced multiplayer and the incomplete zombies mode, this year’s Call of Duty is just another nail in the coffin of once great franchise. Shaken by various scandals on every front, it is clear that Activision does not care about anything else just cashing in the yearly checks. It is sad that the collaboration between Sledgehammer, Treyarch, Raven Software, Beenox and Highmoon cannot produce something more than Vanguard. The first Warzone season might improve things starting with 2nd of December, but I will not hold my breath.

Punch Club is yet another example of how small teams that focus on gameplay that's engaging can offer interesting long-term experiences even if they do not feature impressive graphics or stories.

Call of the Sea is a beautiful adventure, and the first thing that will draw you in is undeniably the gorgeous visuals. The gameplay may not be perfect and the story may be a one-time experience, but the game still is worth a playthrough. The atmosphere of the game is an engaging one, though it will make you feel as safe as a baby in a cradle. If you are a fan of the Lovecraftian universe though, you might leave disappointed. The game lacks all the heavy and tormenting atmosphere that made famous the works of the American author. Call of the Sea remains an adventure game that will be enjoyed by the fans of this genre.

This is the kind of experience where gamers will often know how to get to the base but will struggle mightily to remake the environment or defeat enemies while keeping all the darsanauts in line and alive. Moons Of Darsalon is clearly a labor of love and I like much of what it’s trying to do, even if I think the effort should have been spent on another core gameplay loop.

Eternal Threads has an intriguing idea at its core and its small scope means that it can introduce a lot of detail to a situation, challenging players to find out everything they can before making choices. It will be interesting to see if gamers actually connect with the characters as written or if they don’t bother to get the best outcomes for the entire cast. The biggest issue with the game is that it asks for an investment of time and emotion that the narrative might be unable to support. Gameplay is both limited and repetitive, which means that the universe needs to carry all the weight of engagement. Eternal Threads has potential in terms of storytelling but it does need a little more than a solid premise to keep players watching.

Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun is a good game if administered in small doses. Unfortunately, after a couple of hours, it becomes tiresome due to the repetitive design. Taking breaks will put it in a different perspective and chances are that you’ll find your way back to it for another short session. There's some replayability in this, since you can go back and to try and complete the levels on higher difficulty, as well as unearth any secrets that you might have missed in your previous playthrough. More importantly, the atmosphere is catchy and almost rises up to the expectations created by the trailers. Well, almost, but not entirely. Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun feels like a pretty good start for something bigger. Hopefully, Auroch Digital’s take on the retro FPS genre will get a sequel that will bring exciting new mechanics and more varied content.