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

If you’re into quirky, weird and comedic stories, then Hank: Drowning on Dry Land is your cup of tea. It’s one of those games that not only ends up making you think, but it’s exciting, engaging and it continues to bring interesting, new ideas into the mix. Being able to rewind time is a nifty feature, and it adds a lot of value to the game experience. It’s cleverly added to the point where it’s not overused, yet vital to the gameplay. Hank: Drowning on Dry Land is a short game, but a well-made one. It knows what it wants to be and it definitely doesn’t overstay its welcome. The focus is on sharing a great, relatable story and one that only gets better as you play. Granted, you can finish it in 30 minutes, but it ends up being a very fulfilling, albeit sometimes frustrating game that you will remember for quite some time.

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.

Lunchbreak Tactics is a smart and fast auto-battler that plays to the genre’s strengths. A complete winning 12-battle run can take under 20 minutes once gamers understand the mechanics and know the type of team they want to create. The fast speed, with its cool rock soundtrack, condenses a battle to under one minute. The game looks good, and developing a team during the shop phase involves a balance of long-term thinking and luck. The only issue I have with the mechanics is that the meta-progression feels a little slow. The world-building is a little limited, but it doesn’t matter much given the engrossing gameplay loop. Lunchbreak Tactics is easy to learn, quick to play, and gets more fun as players understand it more and unlock new heroes and clans.

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

HELL OF FEAR: Mind Breach successfully manages to bring us the intensity of survival games, along with the horror expected from titles like Dead Space. While it’s clearly an indie game, it delivers a nicely polished experience where you always try to stay alive and fulfill the different missions that appear along the way. The story here is great, but also contained to the base, so you won’t see a variety of environments or anything like that. Despite some minor shortcomings, HELL OF FEAR: Mind Breach is still a great game to play, especially if you are a fan of the horror genre. The survival elements sprinkled in are exciting and won’t deter the experience. The game is adequately priced for what it offers as well, just make sure that you go in with the right expectations.

REPLACED is a beautiful, narrative driven experience, and that’s where the game is at its best. It tells a very interesting, gripping story, and I found myself fascinated with the great locations, mesmerizing backgrounds, but also the intricate characters found within the game. Sad Cat Studios hit it out of the park here, the game is not only visually impressive with its pixelated art style, but also the well-written story. REPLACED also brings excellent social commentary, making us think twice about our society and its path forward. It’s certainly not without its small issues, like combat being repetitive and platforming not shining that much. But it’s definitely one of those games that will make you pause and look at the scenery often, while pondering about your life and your role in society. Plus, if you are a completionist, there’s plenty of lore and extra info to be found here. All in all, it’s a delightful game, but keep in mind that it’s all about the story rather than action.

Tombwater is very good at mixing two very different inspirations into a coherent experience. Bloodborne, moved into two dimensions, supplies the core combat mechanics, the feeling of eerie transformation, the magic system, and the fire. The Wild West brings in the characters, the dusty town, and the taciturn main character. Anyone who loves both will have a lot of fun exploring this world, discovering its past, conquering its many challenges, and developing their combat abilities. It helps that players have the option to make the game easier in the Settings menu once they start their adventure. Tombwater can be frustrating at times, but its core combination of ideas is very good.

Minos continues the long-term video game trend of finding new mechanics that work well with a rogue-lite structure. Scanning a new labyrinth layout, evaluating enemy ingress routes, deciding which traps will work best on the enemies, and then watching as they die before reaching Asterion is satisfying. The extensive array of traps and challenges helps keep things fresh. But the game fails to find anything new and innovative to do with the rogue elements. And as the difficulty ramps up, it can take half an hour to puzzle out the best way to deal with one enemy wave. Minos’ trap and labyrinth shaping mechanics are solid, but the title sometimes struggles to keep players engaged with them.

Second Sun is one of those games that tries to combine multiple genres, and it does a very good job at that. The moment-to-moment FPS gameplay is very slick and engaging, and the RPG elements are also great, without feeling overwhelmed. It’s important to treat Second Sun as an indie game and time your expectations. It’s not going to be the ultimate game in the genre. However, it has a very interesting story and world. I like how Second Sun knows what it is and it manages to do all the core things right. The NPCs are interesting, the combat is very good, and the loot-based progression will keep you going even when things get repetitive. Granted, the game has a shallow narrative, and its visuals are not the best, but the gameplay stays interesting until the end. Plus, the game is not very expensive, it’s priced correctly for what it is, and it offers a good time for the 8-10 hours you need to go through all of its content.

When I started playing Constance, I had no idea what to expect. Releasing a metroidvania so close to Silksong was a gamble, but I think it paid off. Constance might not be the 30+ hour juggernaut that game is, but it has a heartwarming story and its platforming is excellent. The narrative is amazing, and the unique painting mechanic adds risk, but also rewards strategic thinking, too. You’re also rewarded if you explore, which is important for this type of game. Constance has its caveats, like limited fast travel or the main character not speaking at all during the game. However, those things are by design, and they tie into the game’s approach towards stress and mental health. This is a type of game that can help you rethink some of your choices in life, while also giving you 4-5 hours of intense platforming goodness, and it’s a breath of fresh air for the genre.

Dice with Death creates an engaging combination of dice rolling and player choice. There’s no way to control the rolls entirely and eliminate the frustration caused by the lack of luck. But killing Death using just the right mix of character, relics, and dice faces is very satisfying. It helps that the old-school presentation allows gamers to focus on thinking about their rolls, the potential combinations, and the moment when risking it all is worth it. Dice With Death doesn’t transform the Balatro-like game category, but it creates tense runs and rewards players who are unafraid to take risks.

WAR RATS is by no means perfect. It definitely has its flaws, but it does a great job at hiding them. Minor issues aren’t in your face, and you will rarely encounter them. Also, the dev team is committed to upgrading the game, and they are looking to add new gear, your own customizable nest, harder enemies and so on. So even if you played WAR RATS already, there’s definitely even more new content on the horizon. It’s clear that the developers are putting the work into creating an unforgettable experience. Plus, the sheer premise of controlling rates in battle is amazing, and it feels very satisfying to defeat your rat brethren.

Possessor(s) is a bit of a departure from the developer’s signature style, but the gameplay is great and the entire experience is very polished. It’s not overstaying its welcome, and the story they share here is quite interesting, albeit short in my opinion. I wish we spent even more time in this world, but in the end, this is a very polished, high-quality game that everyone will enjoy checking out, especially if you are a fan of metroidvania titles. Not every moment in Possessor(s) is intense, there are sometimes when you unwind and relax, and also explore the world rather than engage in constant battles. Additionally, there were a few bugs at launch, but those were solved by a few, subsequent patches. At the time of this writing, the game runs great, and I didn’t experience any crash. I wish the map was easier to manage and you had more guidance, but overall, it’s an interesting platformer with nice twists, and it stays creative without burdening players with a complex story. Instead, it seamlessly blends good story with fast-paced action, making it a solid experience even if you don’t really play this genre.

Pure Pool Pro is a good pool game, and maybe one of the better releases in the genre for the past few years. It’s not trying to be the be-all, end-all of pool, and it does lack some pool types like one-pocket, bank pool, blackball, bumper pool and so on. However, it sticks with the most popular pool types, and it succeeds in offering a realistic, challenging, yet fun depiction of pool for those who want to play at home. It has great visuals, the gameplay is very engaging with a great dose of realism, and there are also plenty of people to play against in the online world. But even if you like to play on your own, there’s a hefty campaign mode where you can grind stars in each level and unlock cues or balls. The lack of key pool types forced open mic and AI that feels overwhelming at times will cause some issues. But once you get past that, you’ll have a wonderful pool game with plenty of content.

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.

Xenonauts 2 is a great modern take on the ideas of classic X-COM, made popular, focused on complex systems, solid tactical battles, and an escalating challenge. Players will handle shadowy political influence campaigns, research and manufacturing, base building, aerial interception, and, of course, tactical battles. The game is mechanically sound, tense, and rewards good planning and careful execution. Each turn-based engagement, whether against humans or aliens, is engaging and tense. Xenonauts 2 isn’t accessible or dynamic enough to bring in new fans, but it will satisfy anyone who loved the first X-COM or the Long War mod for modern XCOM.

If you always wanted a fun WWII-themed tank game, then Sherman Commander is definitely right up your alley. Sure, it’s more of a simulation and crew/team command game rather than an arcade tank title, but it works well and it has amazing destructible environments. I enjoyed the campaigns, the open-ended nature of these maps and the tactical freedom that comes from this game. On top of that, the atmosphere is very immersive, and it pulls you in. Of course, no game is perfect, and Sherman Commander certainly has some detractors. It has some visual issues, especially with aliasing making it difficult to identify targets, and its voice acting for friendlies is not the best. However, those things were not a major deterrent, at least in my case. I enjoyed blowing up other tanks, destroying buildings, while also refreshing my WWII knowledge during these campaigns. It’s a fun game for tank enthusiasts and history buffs, even if it does need a bit more polish and it focuses too much on micromanagement sometimes.

Screamer is an exciting arcade game that likes taking risks, and for the most part, it succeeds in what it tries to achieve. The driving system, albeit annoying at first, grows on you, and eventually you feel like you’re one with your car. The game world is beautifully made, and the anime parts of the game are nicely done, too. Moreover, the game’s performance is great, I never experienced any major frame drops, crashes or something that would impede the gameplay. However, Screamer has a few issues. The story mode has forgettable characters and it’s not the strongest part of the game. Also, I felt that the sound design was not ideal. But as a complete package, Screamer is definitely an arcade racer that everyone needs to try out. The sense of speed is there, being able to attack others and work to load up your skills, that feels very satisfying. The game is very rewarding to play, and you will soon get past any of its mishaps.

Project Songbird will divide gamers, but it’s worth playing. The story premise is well-worn, but it works, and Dakota is a cool character to work with. The narrative goes some weird places, even if the final third doesn’t deliver on the initial promise. The atmosphere is great, especially when players get to run through Dakota's record collection as she delivers her critical evaluation. I wish the experience leaned more on these elements, including the nature sound recording and the photos. The nighttime puzzle sequences and the creature avoidance fail to be as engaging. These sequences, apart from a few jump scares, also don’t deliver on the promise of some solid horror. Project Songbird is worth playing for the story and the vinyl records, as long as players are willing to overlook some clunky gameplay elements.

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.

Aether & Iron is one of the most atmospheric video games I've played in recent memory. Even characters who show up for a scene or two seem to have an inner life, and the aether-powered New York is an excellent example of alternate history. After a while, I started playing in shorter sessions, completing only two or three quests at a time, to extend my time with the game. Car combat is a good gameplay system, adding variety and tension, but the mechanics do not match the storytelling. The vehicle customization is a little fiddly, while the idea of environmental dangers for flying cars is a little incongruous. These are minor issues for Aether & Iron, which is impressive in its ability to marry a cool world and strong characters with decent, if not innovative, gameplay.

Legacy of Kain: Ascendance does a great job at bringing us more Legacy of Kain lore, a new character and some interesting mechanics. After the Defiance remaster, I was not expecting to see yet another Legacy of Kain game being released, especially one that’s new. I think this is a great addition to the series, and the game does an excellent job at introducing Elaleth, along with some other characters. The story will be very familiar to fans of the series, and it certainly adds some nuanced stuff I did not expect to see. Moreover, the gameplay is very fast paced, engaging, even if at times it can become frustrating if you opt for a higher difficulty level. If you want to acquire all achievements, you will get quite a bit more gameplay out of the game, as it can take you 7-10 hours depending on the play style. Even if the game’s story is short, I found it very fun, and I am looking forward to replaying on a higher difficulty level, to spot any lore that I missed along the way.

GreedFall: The Dying World has a strong combat system, more versatile and expansive when compared to the previous game. It feels more tactical, and you have to consider different weapon types, status conditions, team composition and so on. Granted, the enemies can feel generic, but you have an expansive skill tree to ensure that you mix things up as you go along. I also enjoyed the great world building, and bosses were a highlight for this experience. The team at Spiders surpassed themselves by creating an even better game than the first GreedFall, although this title has shortcomings. There are pacing issues with the story, the romance arcs are weak, and some areas/character arcs felt unfinished. It takes a bit to pick up and feel great, but once it does, you will find yourself spending many hours in this interesting world.

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.

As a package, Rebel Engine does a great job at offering you intense, fast-paced FPS gameplay. The game has a lot of heart poured into it, and you can see that from the visual style to the overall design, music and intense gameplay. They did a great job when it comes to the enemy variety as well, along with the boss design. It’s one of those experiences that can feel cringe at times, but it also pushes the boundaries when it comes to gameplay intensity and attention to detail. Although it’s by no means perfect and it has its fair share of minor issues, I think everyone who loves FPS games should try Rebel Engine. It’s an ode to a long-lost era, it’s a great, albeit short experience, and the game continually pushes the boundaries with even crazier boss battles and encounters. Yes, it might not be very long, and it has its downsides, but for the most part it does its job as intended, and you will have a blast with it, which is what matters the most.

Valor of Man creates a winning combination of turn-based tactics and rogue elements. The four heroes are well-chosen and have a ton of variety to keep engagements fresh. Solid design for normal enemies, elite, and bosses helps. Pick a tactical approach, build up the squad to emphasize their strengths, and have fun solving a variety of tactical puzzles. After my second run, I no longer paid much attention to the narrative interludes, which suggests a certain narrative weakness. The node map is also disappointingly standard. Valor of Man’s combat is good enough to compensate for other weak points, as long as players are already interested in turn-based combat.

We’ve seen a lot of horror remakes recently, for Silent Hill or Resident Evil, and it was expected that Fatal Frame will see its remakes at some point. I am very glad that they chose Fatal Frame II, and while I was not accustomed to the series and its gameplay, it certainly managed to grow on me as I played. It’s also nice that the remake is more of a reimagining of the original and not just a remaster. Plus, the great thing is that Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly Remake performs very well, there were no crashes or major bugs. It’s a great release, and the fact that new horror fans get to experience this classic with all these bells and whistles is exciting. The best part is that they added some much-needed quality of life features and new story content, so even veterans will be compelled to try it. Sure, it will take a bit to get used to combat and lore, but it’s a journey worth embarking on.

In Their Shoes is a great experience, even if it doesn’t fully deliver as a video game. The seven characters and the situations they have to deal with are beautifully constructed to be both relatable and interesting. The problems they have to deal with will resonate with anyone living in a big modern city, even if they’ve never set foot in Milan or Italy. I like that each moment is relatively short and that each encourages players to replay the previous ones. But there’s nothing complex about the gameplay, which involves paying attention and making dialogue choices. In Their Shoes will appeal to players who love great characters and solid narrative work.

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.

The Ratline challenges players to find Nazi criminals using nothing more than their own brainpower, limited starting information, and the ability to chat up people and search an archive. Its mysteries are inspired by history, with plenty of details that will probably lead some to learn more about World War II and the real ratline but also have plenty of solid fictional twists and turns. The investigation action is decent but limited by the genre’s core ideas. The phone conversations add a little variety, but this is still a game about reading, re-reading, and thinking while looking at photos. The Ratline is designed for fans of titles like The Roottrees Are Dead or The Golden Idol who are looking for more puzzles to crack open.

Investigating a 20-year-old murder wasn’t something I expected to do when playing this game, but I am impressed with the game’s intriguing premise and how it all unfolds. The fact that you get to be a detective during the 40s is a highlight too, along with some of the puzzles you encounter. It’s not meant to be a very long game, however I wish it was longer, because there are many points where the gameplay feels very satisfying and intriguing. Then again, The Last Case of John Morley is not without its faults. Its mechanics are very simple, which leads to a lack of diversity when it comes to puzzles and challenges you encounter. The use of AI assets is also a downside that me and some of the playerbase won’t appreciate, either. I also wish the game had more leeway when it comes to how you solve the case, instead of feeling so linear. So yes, it’s not perfect by any means, but it’s a satisfying detective game that doesn’t overstay its welcome.

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

Clue: Murder By Death will disappoint those looking for a direct adaptation of the very popular boardgame. It will also fail to deliver the level of humor and kitsch of the movie. But, with its simple mechanics and extensive storytelling, it does deliver a pretty cool murder mystery that starts off pretty slow and then delivers plenty of surprises. The presentation will be the biggest obstacle for detective game aficionados. Put on a crime-focused podcast and take breaks when the simple graphics start to grate. Clue: Murder By Death’s more than 100 rooms don’t all pack surprises, but they create a fictional universe with a ton of storytelling potential.

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.

Railroad Corporation 2 has a lot of interesting ideas, and as a package, I think it delivers on its promise. As a tycoon game, it has enough content to satisfy players in the long run, along with the scenario editor that can give you endless different maps to go through. The mechanics are solid, and while the tasks you’ll do become repetitive pretty fast, the game always throws some new ideas and mechanics in front of you, and you have to figure out how to make the most out of them. What’s interesting is that Railroad Corporation 2 has a great coop/multiplayer experience, and one where your allies can use your own tracks, which I found quite different to many other games in the genre. Playing multiplayer was fun, but single-player is just as engaging, albeit rather buggy a lot of the time. It’s a viable option for those that have already played Railway Tycoon 3 or Transport Fever and want a different style of gameplay, which is just as satisfying and focused on management and innovation.

When you play a game like Banished Stone with its rather old school graphics and style, you either love it or you hate it. As someone who enjoys the old school visuals, I still think that Banished Stone could look better, especially when it comes to animations and backgrounds. However, if you get accustomed to the gameplay loop, it’s pretty solid, it just takes some getting used to. Banished Stone was an interesting game for me, but I found it very repetitive and the lack of enemy variation on each level ended up leading to boredom at times. However, I appreciate the fact that they went with the side scrolling approach, the music is quite good, and the gameplay gets better as you play. I think the game’s beginning is a bit of a rough patch, but if you get past the first hour and its shortcomings, you’ll have over 20 hours worth of fun here.

Planet of Lana II is designed to improve on the original’s ideas and give fans more of what they loved. The game’s core, both in terms of story and gameplay, still lies in the connection between Lana, adventurous as ever, and Mui, now capable of engaging with puzzles in new ways. The game is well-balanced, with only a few situations where it was hard to intuit how to advance. The title’s voice acting is impressive, and I appreciate the effort to offer more biome variety, even if Lana’s animations aren’t always great. Anyone who loves the protagonists and the immersive use of an alien language should play the sequel. Planet of Lana II: Children of the Leaf is a good sequel that still impresses with its atmosphere, even as some of its new gameplay ideas don’t fully deliver.

I was excited to see how a port management and simulation game would look like, and I think that Docked successfully manages to balance both sides of the experience. Adding a narrative into the mix made things even better, because it’s all glued together extremely well, and the experience feels more organic this way. They also manage to add lots of tasks and varied missions for you, so there’s always something to do...Naturally, some tasks will be repetitive, but that’s by design when you play a simulator like this. I was happy to see that you can also manage your port’s finances, upgrade the port and do all kinds of things that other games in the genre don’t cover. There are tons of menus, lots of machines for you to own and use, but also plenty of managerial tasks that you need to check out.

The Perfect Pencil is a great video game for anyone who likes the mechanical mix of the Metroidvania genre. The balance tilts toward exploration, which is a good choice given the weirdness of the universe and the beauty of its biomes. Scanning is a nice little additional idea that feels a little underused. The ability to heal through combat is solid, even if the more complex set-pieces and the boss battles move too fast for it. A balance pass for checkpoints is also needed. I like The Perfect Pencil’s originality and found it best enjoyed in sessions just long enough to get to a new save point.

Legacy of Kain: Defiance Remastered is the definitive edition of a seminal platformer, and my personal favorite from this series. Seeing this game’s new HD graphics, refined controls and great camera update made me very happy, because this is the best way to play an amazing classic. It’s also great that they added photo mode, alternative skins and lost levels from the original. As a complete package, Legacy of Kain: Defiance Remastered is worth considering for everyone who enjoys 3D platformers or who played the originals. Newcomers to the series will find some elements like platforming or swimming to be a tad difficult. Then again, the game is backed by an amazing story and exceptional lore, so it’s worth enduring those mishaps.

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

Having 2 main protagonists with such a different game style was a bold choice, but Capcom nailed it. Resident Evil Requiem feels not only a refreshing take on the Resident Evil series, but it also manages to add some interesting lore, along with offering us a great blend of horror and action. There are plenty of jaw-dropping moments, along with fan service and two endings that will certainly make you think what will happen next. And although I played every Resident Evil until Requiem, I didn’t know how Grace would fit in, considering how expansive the series had become. She is a stellar addition to the series, and having Leon back was definitely a blast. All in all, Resident Evil Requiem is an excellent game, a stunning entry for the series and it will keep you glued to the screen no matter if you’re killing enemies as Leon or experiencing true survival horror as Grace.

Cozy Caravan offers a very fun time, especially if you like slower, cozy gameplay. Not only is the experience charming and very cute, but the gameplay is deep enough and interesting to keep you going for hours. You can easily spend 10-15 hours in the game, exploring the world and crafting stuff or upgrading your caravan. However, Cozy Caravan’s gameplay is not meant to be very complex or too challenging. That makes it great for kids or people who just want to unwind and relax. The downside is that any player who wants a challenge might find the game too easy. It’s one of those games that you can easily get back to, spend a few hours chilling and relaxing, and then move on to more complex games. But rest assured, every minute is going to be worth it.

Fate’s Theater has rock-solid, yet simple to understand, mechanics and one unique narrative twist. While Fortune and Misfortune are battling using humans as pawns, small stories emerge directly from the player’s actions. Each duel between the two forces of destiny, livened by the direct intervention of Fate itself, becomes a sort of slightly absurd, disjointed improv show. Play the game with another human, if possible, and try to only communicate using the generated stories. Against the computer, the repetitive nature of the rounds can be annoying. Fate’s Theater is a unique experience, and the developers need to find a way to evolve its mix of gameplay and narrative for a sequel or spiritual successor.

I’ve always wanted to play a tactical Viking-focused game, and NORSE: Oath of Blood manages to bring that idea to life. Creating a Viking settlement, embarking on missions and slowly expanding the story are all things that the game does very well. The same thing is valid when it comes to combat. The battles are engaging, there’s plenty of tactical depth, and you also have enemy variety as well. It’s not as long as many other turn-based titles, and it’s more story-focused, which can be a great upside for many players. Unfortunately, at least at launch, NORSE: Oath of Blood suffers from performance problems, including cutscene stuttering and issues like pop-in. Hopefully, these issues will be fixed soon, because the game shows a lot of promise.

Anima Gate of Memories: I & II Remastered is the ultimate way of experiencing these 2 games, and it’s definitely a great idea to get them, especially if you enjoy anime content and RPGs. The highlight of these games is certainly their combat, but the story is also serviceable, and the RPG elements enrich the overall experience. It’s also great to see that the game doesn’t require a lot of resources on PC either, so even if you have an older computer, you should be more than ok playing it. If you’re into Nier-style games and want an excuse to spend a few dozen hours in a wonderful fantasy world with quirky bosses and enemies, this is definitely something to consider. It’s more of an indie action RPG, but one with a lot of heart, excellent combat and engaging RPG elements. I enjoyed the game world, the characters, interactions, but also enemy encounters and bosses. Yes, it has some caveats, but if you want to experience these now-classics, the remastered pack is the best way to do it.

Star Trek: Voyager - Across the Unknown was a positive surprise for me. Few of the latest Star Trek games were great, but this one is very exciting to play, and it uses the sense of exploration to its benefit. It remains faithful to the source material, while also allowing you to nurture, level up characters and manage the ship to your liking. The gameplay doesn’t get stale, and exploring planets always feels very satisfying. It's also nice to see that the story has some great, unexpected twists and turns. Star Trek: Voyager - Across the Unknown also encourages you to make different choices, and those will affect your gameplay. The combat is engaging, the ship management part of the game is rewarding, and you always feel that you’re progressing in some way. The developers are also committed to solving core issues like saving problems, so that’s a good sign. Star Trek: Voyager - Across the Unknown is a hidden gem for sci-fi fans, and you will find yourself pouring a few dozen hours into this, as you explore planets, follow the story and embark on treacherous missions.

Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties manages to revitalize one of the weaker entries in the franchise. It brings transformative improvements to combat, which leads to more fluid battles. There are also excellent visual upgrades, along with restructured segments that help deepen the emotional investment you have in these characters. Granted, some of the pacing issues and story habits are retained, but the main campaign feels stronger than the original, thanks to these updates. However, additions like Bad Boy Dragon feel repetitive, whereas Dark Ties is short and rather limited in scope. Survival Hell was a surprise for me, because it adds to the innovative aspect we know and love in the Yakuza world. It has its shortcomings, sure, but Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties is a good entry in this franchise, with a very engaging story and interesting additions that help boost your play time. It’s not as great as the newer, turn-based focused games from the franchise, but if you want to experience the older story with some innovative ideas, it’s certainly worth your time.

Sanatorium is a very compelling, easy-to-play game that puts you in a very distinct role. It’s definitely unlike a lot of other games I played, but also an interesting experience that you will find yourself coming back to quite often. Granted, the gameplay can feel repetitive, but the freshness brought by each patient and their situation will make things feel more interesting as you play. It also helps that the staff and the institution as a whole have their own weirdness and quirkiness, which you will try to navigate as you reach your goal. Although Sanatorium might not be the most complex or the longest game out there, I think this is a worthwhile experience. The charming graphics, disturbing location, art deco visuals and odd staff all add up to creating a very compelling, yet exciting and beautiful game world for you to explore. Yes, the game does have a few bugs, and its core loop might feel unappealing at times, but the more you play, the more compelling the story becomes. And for me, this is a game I will gladly go back to dozens of times, just trying to help more patients and figure out how to treat them. It’s very engaging and treating people feels satisfying.

As someone who loves tinkering with car parts in real life, I had a fun time with this part of Underground Garage. You have multiple cars to work on, and they did manage to provide a great level of detail for these vehicles and their parts. With that in mind, the game doesn’t feel ready for a 1.0 release, because it still has a lot of bugs and some of the title’s features feel undercooked. I encountered a lot of small bugs, but also some progress-breaking bugs that ended up being quite frustrating. Additionally, Underground Garage relies quite a lot on the use of AI-generated assets and tools, which might end up rubbing some players the wrong way. It’s clear that the game’s scope was grandiose, and some shortcuts like using AI had to be used in order to achieve that goal. Was it worth it? It depends on what you expect from Underground Garage. I like the work you do in the garage, when you tinker with vehicles and parts. However, the racing side and performance need heavy improvements, which hopefully the game will get, eventually.

Code Vein II is the best example of a game that looks amazing on paper but in reality, fails to be stellar in any aspect. This isn’t necessarily a bad game, but it’s strange to have a sequel that has a lot more mechanics, characters, and story bits than the original, and fail to surpass it. The open-world aspect should have helped Code Vein II elevate it from the typical corridor-like soulslike, but it doesn’t. It’s nice to freely roam a world like the one Bandai Namco built for Code Vein, but not if it’s completely empty. One other major issue with Code Vein II is performance, which is, once again, all over the place. When it rains outside, your frames drop considerably, so combat is a nightmare. Things look good in dungeons, but the moment you step outside, everything seems half-baked. If you’re itching for a soulslike and consider Code Vein II, I would recommend playing the first one instead. Even if that would mean playing it a second time.

When I started playing Reanimal, I was unsure where this experience would go. However, I found the game to be very surprising, not only when it comes to its story, but also the overall presentation and great sense of immersion. It retains Tarsier’s signature style, while adding some clever, new elements into the mix. Reanimal doesn’t rely on jumpscares, instead its focus is on psychological horror and a sense of uneasiness that follows you from beginning until the end. It's also nice to see that the game’s performance is outstanding, and the co-op aspect is one of the highlights. Yes, it’s not a very long game, but it tells a very refreshing story that we can easily connect with challenging moments in our lives. Plus, mechanics like scuba diving or driving break the mold, while offering yet another way to experience this troublesome, yet beautiful world they created.

Abra-Cooking-Dabra is a fantastic deckbuilder with a wonderful spin on the genre. If you enjoy cooking, you’ll find this game quite therapeutic. It’s easy to learn how to play, and while some tasks can get tedious, it certainly feels fulfilling to help customers, complete recipes and so on. Yes, it can get quite challenging at times, but overall, it’s one of those games that will keep you happy for a long time. While there were some minor bugs here and there, Abra-Cooking-Dabra had great performance overall, it looks great, and it truly makes you think like a chef in a major restaurant. There will be times when you forget about ingredients, but also times when you’re pressured by multiple clients to prepare all kinds of dishes. It mimics real life, while also adding some interesting twists and a cute, albeit judgmental cat to sweeten the experience. As a whole, I think it brings some great ideas to the table, it encapsulates what we all love in deckbuilders, but in a new, fresh package.

ANTHEM#9’s combat innovates in some interesting ways, taking some cues from match-3 and some from turn-based role-playing battles to create something new, fast, and mostly fun. I like how the two decks, their skills, the blessings, and unique character traits interact to allow players to deal huge amounts of damage and cancel out incoming attacks, if everything goes right. The world-building is limited, and there’s not much in the way of story to uncover as players push through the mission. And the presentation seems to be directly aimed at bringing in gamers who like the Persona franchise. Players who pick ANTHEM#9 looking for good tactical puzzles and strong core mechanics, will not be disappointed.

UFOPHILIA is a good experience for players who like the wider investigation genre and have grown bored with its focus on the supernatural. Sure, the alien types might as well be types of ghosts or other spirits. But at least there’s an attempt to make the player feel like a veteran alien hunter, with a unique set of tools. The main gameplay loop is good, with plenty of ways for players to identify the extraterrestrial they have to photograph and some decent scares. Unfortunately, the narrative elements are pretty limited, and the presentation does not impress. UFOPHILIA is recommended for hardcore fans of first-person horror with a touch of detective work, but will struggle to bring in newcomers.

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

Escape from Ever After is colorful, traditional, and provides surprisingly interesting commentary on the power of stories. Flynt isn’t the most interesting protagonist, but he has cool companions, and his story of battling a corporation is relatable. The combat system and the presentation are both heavily inspired by Paper Mario. Players unfamiliar with that series might find it hard to love the turn-based combat, mainly because of the repetition. Exploration and environmental puzzles only partially compensate for it. Escape from Ever After has a strong core narrative idea that should be paired with more innovative gameplay for wider appeal.

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.

I enjoyed Storage Hunter Simulator and its crazy gameplay. The idea of starting off in a trailer park, going to auctions with a few hundred bucks and hoping for the best is really cool, and it opens up many opportunities. It’s a very interesting business idea, and like in any business, sometimes you will lose, other times you win big. However, not knowing how much some items are worth, having to repair things or getting things appraised, that adds to the experience quite a lot. Not everyone plays simulation-focused games, but I think that Storage Hunter Simulator is accessible for anyone, regardless of their age. The gameplay loop is exciting, you always look forward to the next auction and what it could bring, and there’s always stuff to unlock and new ways to progress in the game. Overall, it’s a refreshing take on the simulation genre that’s getting stale these days, and a game that’s worth a look even if you’re not a fan of this niche.

TR-49 is delightful, a game that takes an interesting core concept and builds an intriguing and complex story around it. The two parallel narratives unfold slowly, while the atmosphere remains dark and mysterious. The voice acting, both for the protagonists and the people whose writing was fed into the machine, is impressive. Sure, the core gameplay loop of inputting codes to move from page to page will become repetitive for many players. Thankfully, the players do a lot of thinking, and the game’s puzzles are constructed with care. TR-49 is one of the best mysteries of the past few years and is best enjoyed in short sessions to make it last.

Kentum is a blend of different genres, and it shines in most areas. The base building and crafting aspects are excellent, and then we also have the beautiful world that we explore and gather resources from. I wish combat was better, but even so, it’s competent and not that frequent to be a major drag. The platforming aspect is excellent, and the map is also very well designed. There are secrets to find, although they are quite easy to find most of the time. You can easily spend dozens of hours in the game, especially if you want to play in creative or sandbox modes. You have lots of great things to find in Kentum, from the automation and crafting system to the wonderful exploration, and that’s why this is a must-play for survival enthusiasts.

Pathologic 3 is the most approachable title in the series, offering a good mix of narrative, carefully crafted atmosphere, management elements, and tense infected district sections. Players need to diagnose patients correctly to stand a chance of keeping the population alive, which in turn earns the time needed to discover all the town’s secrets. Still, individual quest chains can be confusing, and running through miasma-affected districts can become a chore. Gamers should always conserve resources and look for good trades. Pathologic 3 can frustrate at times, but it will reward players with great story moments and well-crafted interactions.

Armored Brigade II is a solid, carefully researched, and varied military simulation strategy title that demands quite a bit of time and attention from its players. Battles are complex, offer plenty of tactical options, and the computer-controlled opponent is competent, if conservative. To fully enjoy them, gamers need to be familiar with the featured forces and learn how to read the battlefield. Newcomers should start off small, generating a scenario with a smaller number of units, while those who played the first title in the series can jump right into the campaigns. Armored Brigade II shows that military strategy experiences do not need to sacrifice depth to be accessible and pure fun.

I enjoyed my time with Clawpunk, because it’s the type of game where you shut your brain off and just start shooting. It’s fast-paced, it has amazing boss battles, and it does a great job at bringing those classic 90’s titles like Metal Slug back to life. Yes, it might not be perfect, nor does it have to be. Instead, it’s meant to offer us a healthy dose of nostalgia, while also testing our skills over and over. I like a lot of ideas that they added here. The great characters they included and the ability to switch between them as you need to, that came in handy more times than I realized. And not only that but slashing through dozens of enemies felt very satisfying. As you go into boss battles, things become even more hectic, and just as fulfilling. Clawpunk might seem like a weird game at first glance, but it’s one of those indie games that you need to experience for yourself to see how fun it can be.

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

Wall World 2 does an excellent job on improving various mechanics from its predecessor. What you get here is a very fun roguelike experience that’s engaging, and which doesn’t feel repetitive. That’s something a lot of games in the genre tend to have a problem with, but Wall World 2 manages to get past that. Yes, there are some issues with long-term variation and content depth, but the overall gameplay is incredibly rewarding. Once you start playing Wall World 2, it’s very hard to put down. You always want to enter more caverns, find great stuff and grab those relics, when you can find them. Yes, there were a couple of freezes and problems with pacing, but overall, Wall World 2 is very good, an excellent and creative game which I will gladly come back to over and over again for one more run.

Confidential Killings - A Detective Game is a well-plotted experience with murder cases that grow in complexity at just the right pace. The first few can be solved quickly, basically while looking for the words needed to fill in the solution. Then the number of characters and clues grows significantly, and it takes time to identify everyone and discover exactly what actually happened. The writing is solid, if sometimes designed to deliver clues rather than enhance the atmosphere. The mechanic of picking up words is accessible, while the lack of any hint system is regrettable. Play Confidential Killings - A Detective Game one case at a time and savor its quirky characters and carefully constructed mysteries.

Even if it’s a very short game, Neon Inferno is memorable and it brings one of the best side-scrolling shooting experiences in recent times. Zenovia Interactive has improved on the already good Steel Assault core gameplay. Their new game, Neon Inferno, feels more polished, and despite its shorter length, it brings a great story and wonderful moment-to-moment gameplay. Neon Inferno is an ode to the games of a golden era, and an excellent introduction to arcade shooters for those that never played one. It’s a must-have for any fan of action shooters, and a great way to take a break from demanding, challenging games.

Retrace the Light is a beautiful game, with a rich story and a clever combat system. The thing that shines the most here is certainly the retrace system, but also the fact that you can easily customize your play style with the use of modules. It leaves a lot of room for experimenting and testing things out, while also bringing you a great world to explore. A lot of care and attention went into creating the game, and you can easily see that. Delving into the AI world and showing what AI could do to our society and how it could be either good or bad, that’s also quite interesting. Yet, at the same time, the game continues to bring us great lessons in regard to friendship, betrayal and valuing yourself. All in all, it’s a wonderful 2.5D indie title with some cool mechanics that make it a standout for the genre.

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.

Aris Arcanum is one of those games that’s not going to be for everyone. It’s designed to offer a new take on roguelikes, and its innovative spellcrafting system, along with the beautiful world they make, is quite engaging and exhilarating at times. However, it’s not without flaws. The character movement takes some getting used to, and the game itself is quite short. And then there’s the AI-asset usage, which could be misunderstood or not appreciated by some players. However, once you get past the mishaps, you will see that Aris Arcanum is a competent rogue-like, albeit one that’s more suitable for people that enjoy a slower-paced game. It’s one of those games that, if you offer enough time, you’ll become engulfed with fun moments, and every boss/enemy you defeat feels very fulfilling.

Flashpoint Campaigns: Cold War is one of the best World War III strategy simulations, mainly because of how it simulates command and control. Players have to take into account unit capabilities and employ a classic combined arms approach when possible, with simultaneous action and command cycles adding unpredictability and tension. Streamlined postures for all units and more options for the Standard Operating Procedure sections make it easier to try and execute complex plans. The presentation is pretty classic, which might make it hard for newcomers to engage. Flashpoint Campaigns: Cold War expands on all the cool ideas of Southern Storm (a discount is offered for owners of that title), and its variety of campaigns and scenarios is impressive.

Night Swarm takes a familiar set of mechanics and adds just enough innovation to make them feel engaging again. The actual missions are quick, with quests thrown in to add variety and plenty of abilities to mix and match. The randomized runs cannot fully compensate for the repetitive action gameplay, but they come close. The title’s biggest weakness is that it gives players a few too many resources to juggle. Boss battles also fail to shine. Night Swarm is a good Vampire Survivors-like that shows there’s still plenty of space for the genre to try out new ideas.

As a fan of the cartoon and someone who already played Cosmic Shake, the Patrick Star game and the other previous 3D games in the series, I was looking forward to SpongeBob SquarePants: Titans of the Tide. And the game does not disappoint. It delivers the best platforming gameplay in the series until this point, and the world design is excellent. That SpongeBob SquarePants music is very memorable, too, and it’s stuck in my head already. While the game’s story has an awkward pacing at times and some cutscenes feel forced, that didn’t deter me from the overall experience. The game promises great platforming and a funny story, and for me, it delivered on those fronts. You can also unlock a lot of costumes and even find lots of collectibles. It might be on the shorter side, but SpongeBob SquarePants: Titans of the Tide is an excellent 3D platformer, especially for kids or families.

RENNSPORT knows very well what it wants to be, and it goes all-in on the simulation aspect. I think that’s where the game truly shines. It has very realistic driving mechanics, the visual design is astounding, and they do a stellar job of keeping things engaging with every race. However, the game also has stability problems, bugs, crashes, and it’s very light on content. It’s definitely not something up to par with a game like Grand Turismo 7, however if you like simulation racing, it’s worth a shot, thankfully it has a free version where you can test it out. I wish they had more content, and the stability issues would not be there.

UNBEATABLE is a labor of love, a game that celebrates music and wants players to love its tunes and vibe with them. The story is not always entirely coherent, but all the characters are lovely to interact with. The visual style is clearly anime-inspired but has unique touches, even if the world can seem a little empty. The game’s music is so good that even the menu tracks are bangers. Play the Arcade mode to unlock all its songs and steadily push the difficulty level up. But don’t forget to get through the story, even if it requires turning on the assist mode to get through some rhythm sequences. UNBEATABLE is a great experience for anyone who loves music and a ton of challenging fun for rhythm game enthusiasts.

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.

MARVEL Cosmic Invasion is a very interesting beat’em’up that’s short, but sweet. It has a wonderful story, one that seems to be taken right out of the comic books. But it’s something new, refreshing, and it allows us to control iconic Marvel characters, along with lesser-known ones. As a complete package, MARVEL Cosmic Invasion is a delightful return to the golden era of beat’em’ups. It feels great to play, the combat is very intuitive, and the character selection is outstanding. The game’s visuals and soundtrack are also up to par with expectations, with some levels being very impressive. Whether you are a child of the 90s, or a child today, the game is a delight to play, and it’s certainly going to push you towards reading more comics.

Demeo x Dungeons & Dragons: Battlemarked brings a great D&D theme to the already popular Demeo experience, and it shines in coop. The 2 campaigns available at launch are great, fun to play, but also frustrating at times due to overpowered enemies you encounter along the way. It does become very chaotic in multiplayer, while playing single-player offers a more tactical experience. For me, Demeo x Dungeons & Dragons: Battlemarked was a great way to delve back into D&D and it felt great to play. The battles are very fast-paced for a turn-based title, you still get to focus on tactics and strategy, while also enjoying great quests and very good voice-overs. If you want to make the most out of it, going the VR or co-op route is the best idea. But regardless, it’s a good entry in the Demeo universe, especially if you’re new to tactics and turn based games.

Lumines Arise is one of those games that will automatically make a great impression, thanks to its visuals and music, but also the engaging gameplay. This iteration of Lumines Arise might be its Ultimate version, since you get to enjoy those amazing levels with a brand-new presentation along with a variety of game modes for you to check out. There’s also VR support, which I didn’t get to try, but many players already consider that the best way to play the game for excellent immersion. Even without playing in VR, it’s clear that a lot of care and attention went into creating this modern version of Lumines. Visuals are exceptional, the soundtrack is along one of the best I’ve listened to in recent times, and the gameplay is great, albeit a tad repetitive as you get towards the latter part of the Journey. Still, if you have even the slightest interest in Tetris, Lumines or similar games, this is a must-play.

RuneQuest: Warlords is a good turn-based strategy experience that will mainly appeal to those who love this fantasy universe or had a great time playing Battlesector. Engagements, especially once the player controls a dozen units, are complex and require careful planning and on-the-spot improvisation to win with minimal losses. The game’s computer opponent can be a little dumb at times, but multiplayer, including using hotseat, is offered for those interested in challenging another human. I would have liked some extra story emphasis on what makes the RuneQuest setting special. Warlords’ core ideas are solid, but it needs more army variety and a few extra weird scenarios to bring in players who aren’t interested in the narrative.

Becastled is a very fun city builder and survival game. It manages to seamlessly blend the two genres, while also conveying its own unique challenges. Yes, it’s very fun to play as well, and it’s one of those games where you will find yourself playing for hours and hours without stopping. You can also change the difficulty to continually challenge yourself, if you want. But the thing that I like the most about Becastled is how they allow you to expand all the time, while also testing you at every corner. The upgrade path is great, and the game doesn’t shy away from showing that you need to improve as a player. And that’s what matters, it’s exciting to play, yet you continue finding new ways to test your skills. It certainly has a lot of longevity, especially with variety of map styles and enemies, and it’s already getting many updates even after launch.

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

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.

Nicktoons & The Dice of Destiny is a fun, simple action RPG with a great heart. It features a wonderful story, and the fact that you can play as one of 9 different Nicktoons characters is great. There are various skills you can access, tons of loot, and the game doesn’t shy away from bringing all kinds of interesting worlds and enemies in front of you. With that in mind, variety is limited, yet what’s there is very well-made, and it makes you want to play more and more in this creative world. Sure, you won’t have the build variety of something like Diablo, but if you want a more casual action RPG with a colorful world and a great heart, this is definitely something you want to play.

Xenopurge is a solid, tense, tight experience that manages to walk the fine line between challenging and frustrating without stumbling. The game is at its best during the final sector mission, when players have to achieve three difficult objectives but can also rely on the abilities of their equipped and upgraded squad. The graphics aren’t complex, but, alongside the solid sound design, they create atmosphere even as the narrative moves through some familiar moments. Finding the path through the nodes that boosts a tactical approach is fun. Xenopurge is adept at creating tension and dread, while constantly giving players new objectives to aim for.

PowerWash Simulator 2 is a game that’s definitely suitable for those who want a soothing, relaxing time when playing games. It’s colorful, it’s fun to play, and it gives you a way to unwind after a long day. It doesn’t have challenging gameplay, tons of monsters or a plethora of quests, like many other games do. But don’t get us wrong, it knows very well what it wants to be, and it caters to the right audience for that. The visuals are great, the multiplayer aspect they have here is exceptional, and the game continues to offer interesting places and items for you to clean. It’s, overall, a mesmerizing, very enjoyable and downright fun experience that everyone should try out for themselves. Yes, it might not be for everyone, but those chill gamers looking to unwind will find this their go-to. I can see people spending dozens or even hundreds of hours cleaning stuff, just because PowerWash Simulator 2 is so fulfilling and rewarding.

I didn’t expect to revisit/replay Syberia in 2025, but I am happy I did. The game’s story is unaltered in the remaster, and it’s just as charming as it once was. What changed with the Syberia – Remastered version, however, is the overall presentation, collectibles, puzzles and a whole lot of other things. There are still improvements to be made, but as a whole, Syberia – Remastered is certainly worth exploring once again, especially if you love this amazing world and always wanted a reason to come back.

I had a great time playing Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 and at first, I felt quite overwhelmed by the huge amount of content that it provided. The game’s campaign is not the best out there, but it’s worth playing for the creative story, new-to-COD elements, and the unlocks you get towards your multiplayer experience. Speaking of multiplayer, I still think that’s where Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 manages to shine the most. The new game mode Skirmish will be an acquired taste, but generally, it’s pretty immersive and enjoyable. And of course, the Zombies mode is one of the top highlights, it has a great campaign and with 4 different game modes there as well, you have lots of content just to play that side of the game. As a complete package, I think that Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 has a lot to offer, and everyone will certainly have its favorites. It’s a great game for casuals that want to get into an FPS, and hardcore COD players will surely enjoy unlocking weapons, attachments and mastering the weapons they like the most.

Godbreakers was a great game for me, even if it’s quite short. Provided that you have a good team, it will take you 3 hours or so to do a full run as you beat the final boss. However, there’s tons of content to unlock, along with countless runs to unlock everything. That being said, if you’re ok with repetitive gameplay that’s normal for roguelites, I think Godbreakers will be right up your alley. The game worlds feel very immersive and rewarding. And the game continues to impress with the visual style and incredible attention to detail. I do wish there was more content beyond the 6 worlds, and hopefully they add more content in future updates and DLCs. But even for what’s there, Godbreakers delivers on its promise, and it’s a very rewarding experience, not to mention it feels great while playing, which is the most important thing.

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

Dicealot clearly aims to do for dice throwing what Balatro did for poker. The game mostly succeeds, giving players a simple combat system built around rolling dice that can be broken in a wide variety of ways through store purchases. Luck does play a bigger role than I would like, delivering the worst possible results at the worst moments. Gamers who fall in love with the core loop will have plenty of motivation to try out strategies and unlock new content. Others might struggle because the narrative universe is limited. Dicealot has a solid, unique idea and plenty of variety for those who want to discover the best ways to avoid a Farkle.

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

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

As a complete package, Lumo 2 is quite interesting, and one of the few games these days that tries to innovate. The fact that it adds certain rooms/elements featuring side scrolling, even some FPS inspiration and other similar things, that sets it apart from many modern games. And the cool thing is that it’s actually a part of the experience, and it fits the overall narrative. But in the end, you will find yourself enjoying Lumo 2 for what it is, and the great things that it provides. It doesn’t overstay its welcome, as it will take you roughly 10 hours to complete, even way less if you like speedrunning things. I enjoyed taking my time to play the game, scouring the world, searching every nook and cranny, and guess what, it was rewarding to do that. Yes, it definitely has its shortcomings. But in the end, Lumo 2 is a great game, and if you’re willing to take your time and go on this ride, it will pay off and be rather rewarding.

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

Tokyo Underground Killer benefits from the cyberpunk setting and its visceral combat, but it’s also really interesting to play and you are bound to find it very enjoyable. Yes, it can take a bit to get used to the blood powers and combat, but once it gets the ball rolling, you don’t want to stop playing. Yes, it’s quite short, but then again, this is a very intense and rather fun experience. You can focus on completing the story, getting the most creative kills or the highest scores, that’s totally up to you. Tokyo Underground Killer brings lots of ways to play, and it always feels very satisfying and fun.