Civilization VI: Gathering Storm is the only game in existence that can keep me awake all night. I’ve been playing games for more than two decades, and very few games managed to rob me of my sleep. Civilization is definitely one of them. While I do love the game and I enjoyed the expansion, I also must be fair and critique the fact that Civilization VI now feels more cluttered than ever. The religion aspect is way out of proportion, barbarians spawning tanks are annoying, and some of the environmental disasters seem out of place or triggered randomly. Civilization VI: Gathering Storm is not perfect, but it made Civilization VI better overall, and that’s pretty much what people want from an expansion.

Expeditions: Rome knows how to make history exciting and engaging. The tactical engagements offer variety and challenge. Controlling a legion is makes the player feel powerful. Interacting with the likes of Mithridates through dialogue will appeal to history lovers but you don’t have to know the period to enjoy the narrative. I spend 40 hours with the game and plan on going back to try other ideas and other tactical setups. I would have liked to see a little more innovation in the tactical combat and, maybe, more mechanics for the legion side of the game. Expeditions: Rome needs a few hours to get going but once that’s done it has a lot of fun and cool historical moments for its fans.

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.

Wildfrost takes the core ideas of the very popular card-driven genre and makes enough changes to add freshness to it. It does take some time to unlock all the town buildings and the three tribes that can provide leaders and cards. But once that happens, the game offers a wide range of tactical options and it’s fun to discover how various combinations will perform against the capable bosses. The game’s presentation also stands out, with a good level of detail and a strong connection to the theme. Wildfrost features some tough challenges but also offers a constant sense of progression. Playing a few runs every day is a great way to sharpen tactical thinking.

Remnant II brings so many improvements over the first game that I’m tempted to ask Gunslinger to remake Remnant: From the Ashes with all the systems they’ve put into the sequel. I’ve rarely been pleasantly surprised by a game like Remnant II. The feeling after managing to kill a boss, discovering a secret area or solving a puzzle and getting rewarded for it, is indescribable. It’s how all the games should be, or at least strive to be. Thanks to solid gunplay and progression systems, as well as amazing boss fights and tons of secrets and puzzles to discover, Remnant II is very close to being a masterpiece. This is one game that you don’t want to skip, regardless of whether or not you like shooters.

Overall Superliminal is a great puzzle experience, and you feel throughout it that the developers had fun putting it together. This is a dream therapy that actually works, being funny and creative at the same time.

Is Wrath of the Righteous a natural 20? Almost. Knowing the care that the developers invested in the previous game, I am pretty sure that the new Pathfinder will shed its initial issues and will be filed down until there are no more annoying edges, just a smooth experience. It is a dream come true for any classical RPG fans that want to be lost in an epic world, going through heroic adventures, while also exploring fulfilling side quests with quirky, yet charming companions. It has a high replay value, and you need at least two playthroughs to experience most of the content. It is a modern take on classical roleplaying that does not disappoint and manages to be newbie friendly as well.

Monorail Stories is a small game with one big narrative idea. I finished my first run in a little more than one hour and there’s enough mystery left that I might try another one, simply to learn more about the setting and about the elements that influence the protagonists' fates. But the actual mechanics are limited enough that many players might not feel the need to return to simply walk the cars again and talk with the many characters. Monorail Stories will be a great experience for anyone who likes slice-of-life experiences and is not too concerned with the gameplay.

Rhythm Sprout is a good take on the rhythm game adventure genre, with decent mechanics and a world that gives players reasons to push through and master songs. I like the variety of possible tweaks for any level and the Beginner mode. But the music-driven mechanics do not offer too much variety and the difficulty curve ramps up pretty quickly. The entire experience is a good way of introducing players to the rhythm genre, especially if they skew younger. And the game would have benefited greatly from a cooperative mode that allowed a more experienced player to guide a new one. Rhythm Sprout is competent and colorful but never attempts to significantly tweak a familiar formula.

Terraformers is an engaging game that can deliver that “one more turn” feeling that strategy fans crave. The interplay between resources, cards, leaders, and terraforming efforts requires careful thinking and asks players to make difficult choices. There’s a lot of variety both when it comes to scenario objectives and the planet setup. The card flow might be too random for some players but I find the uncertainty it creates a good way to keep tension and difficulty up. After a while, there’s also a sense that leader abilities repeat a little too often. But these are minor issues with a very good strategy and resource management game. Terraformers captures and translates into gameplay the lofty ideals of Mars-focused science fiction.

Hunt the Night has good core mechanics and an interesting universe to explore. But this is the kind of experience that will cause frustration and players need to be ready to deal with that. A big time and energy investment are needed to master combat scenarios, especially when bosses are involved. Both the world and the presentation are good enough to keep players interested. There's also nothing better than finally winning a fight you've previously lost tens of times. Hunt the Night could have used a few extra concessions for newcomers but it's one of the best top-down combat-focused experiences for players who want to be challenged.

If you’re looking for a card battler that looks gorgeous and has a captivating story, Ash of Gods: The Way is a must play. Just make sure you have graduated with a master’s degree in strategic turn-based battles and puzzle-solving.

This Bed We Made is a pleasant crime mystery game, maybe a bit short and not as polished as it could be, but a solid experience overall. The atmosphere and the story are great, and I encourage every fan of adventure games to try it. It is refreshing to see that we can still meet story driven games that do not get complacent offering a walking experience with minimum puzzle content. And this time around you can see the real outcome of your choices, without reaching the same inevitable conclusion.

Trinity Fusion is built around a combat system that’s easy to understand but hard to master. I like the focus on picking the best mix of weapons and Amplifiers, creating synergies that make handling both groups and individuals easy. The rogue-lite elements are not very deep, but they offer players extra options to tweak their playstyle. Choice matters and there’s plenty of space for experimentation. The narrative is just interesting enough to keep players engaged in the long term. The apocalyptic theme should have been used to increase the weirdness level of both worlds and enemies. Trinity Fusion has good mechanics and i8t will welcome both newcomers, thanks to the Hyper system, and veterans.

Inkbound is mechanically impressive. Despite its depth and the complexity of its engagements, the game is snappy and rarely feels stuffy. The featured classes play very differently and there’s a ton of variety, making it easy for players to test out strategies and find one that fully fits their approach. The rogue elements are familiar, and the fantasy world offers plenty of lore but lacks a strong hook. But the turn-based combat is good enough that I can see myself spending tens of hours with one class, trying out ideas to find the build that suits me best. Inkbound’s mix of tactical puzzles and power and upgrade variety makes it a worthy successor to Monster Train.

Edge of Sanity features an interesting mix of ideas that will appeal to players who like management and appreciate careful planning and execution. The story has a good mix of personal drama and Lovecraft-inspired terror, enhanced by the art design and voice acting. I felt tense as I sneaked around the creatures, considering whether I wanted to risk and get more rations or if I should get out as quickly as possible. The camp job system is not very deep, and some character conversations feel unnecessary. The core loop can also become repetitive and frustrating. Edge of Sanity has great ideas but struggles to make them shine.

Nordhold takes the core ideas of the tower defense genre and executes them with care and attention. The game doesn’t aim to innovate but its core loop is rock solid and will be engaging for anyone who likes the concept. Even better, the developers at StunForge have a clear idea of how they plan to expand their game and looking for extra input from the community. The management side of the game has plenty of depth but doesn’t overshadow the combat. The game successfully creates a “just one more run” feeling that basically makes time disappear. Nordhold doesn’t revolutionize its genre but its rock-solid gameplay will appeal to both newcomers and long-term fans of tower defense.

The Royal Writ takes a few familiar ideas and puts a unique spin on them. Exploiting characters, the lanes, movement, keywords, and more to hit high damage numbers is fun, and the game reveals extra layers of complexity as the runs get longer and the challenge level increases. It offers enough characters and relics to make each attempt feel unique. The action is enhanced by the game’s unique world and its beautiful presentation. The character designs are great, and the music enhances immersion. The Royal Writ might be a little hard for newcomers to get into, but it will bring joy to fans of classics like Balatro or Slay the Spire.

I grew quite fond of Endzone 2 and its world, the building design, but also the innate feeling of helplessness that the game brings at times. It’s definitely one of the go-to titles in the strategy-survival genre for me, alongside Frostpunk and Banished.

Icewind Dale isn’t a perfect game, but it’s one of the best RPGs of all times. Obviously, the Enhanced Edition is also among the best in the genre, but it only brings minor improvements into the mix.

Nikoderiko: The Magical World is a reminder that indie games can achieve greatness even without the resources of big studios. With its endearing characters, beautiful visuals, and inventive level design, it offers a well-rounded platforming experience that will appeal to both longtime fans of the genre and newcomers. There are a few rough edges, but overall, the game is brimming with charm, creativity, and a sense of nostalgia that makes it hard to put down. With a few refinements in future updates or installments, this game has the potential to grow into a beloved indie franchise.

Broken Arrow is the game for anyone who wants good RTS mechanics focused on modern-day military hardware. Combat, while centered around the classic concept of point control, is fast and fun, with plenty of tactical options. Players get a lot of choices when building their unique force for multiplayer or skirmishes against the computer. The campaign has some great missions with unique setups but also suffers because of its cast of characters and inability to save during a battle. Broken Arrow is a great experience for players who want to engage in multiplayer with a group of friends and aren’t too annoyed at having some limitations when other game modes are involved.

I’ve had a lot of fun with Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves and the game certainly has a lot of charm. It revises the Fatal Fury series, brings back a lot of cool characters, and you can also improve your fighting skills quite a bit. There’s also plenty of variety when it comes to the game modes, with the story mode being my favorite. It can take a little bit to master a character, and sometimes the game doesn’t always explain how to perform all the moves. But in a game like Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves, it always comes down to discovering stuff for yourself and trying things out. All in all, this is an excellent way to revive Fatal Fury and breathe new life into the series, while introducing it to modern audiences. If you have the itch for a good fighting game, I am sure you’ll find a lot to like in Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves, I surely did!

Amerzone: The Explorer’s Legacy is a remake with real heart, showcasing the care and passion put into revitalizing this classic. Far from a cash grab, it’s a project aimed at polishing a forgotten gem, giving it a new life while preserving its original charm. This is the kind of remake that will resonate with both veteran players who fondly remember the original and newcomers discovering its adventure for the first time. I can’t recommend this game highly enough. It’s a shining example of classic adventure games, perfectly blending exploration with creative problem-solving. A true stroll down memory lane, Amerzone: The Explorer’s Legacy offers beautiful visuals and modernized gameplay mechanics that enhance the experience without losing its nostalgic charm.

Planet of Lana is sure to capture players'attention with its visuals and music, which are on par with those of modern big studio animation movies. The game’s world is shrouded in mystery and players will have to work to find all the shrines to get a full picture of what’s happening. At times, finding a kidnapped friend seems too flimsy a motivation for Lana to continue her adventure. But gameplay is good enough, with limited reasons for frustration and some very clever puzzles, to keep players engaged. Planet of Lana has heart and engaging gameplay sequences, although these could have used extra variety.

The Division is an ambitious game when it comes to the world it creates and its mechanics, for both cooperative play and Player versus Player, are solid and engaging but much of its future will depend on how Ubisoft caters to the needs of the community and to the unique ways in which players come to enjoy this beautiful and derelict world of New York.

Ghostrunner 2 managed to evolve while keeping all the fan favorites in place. It is not perfect, and it is not for everyone, but those who can get through the extremely fast paced action will have a very good time parkouring and fighting along the cyberpunk themed levels. It is a must play for fans, and the best way to start the series for those who are curious about the game but were turned down by the high difficulty. search Ghostrunner 2 is just as hard as the original, but at the same time it is more accessible and most of the quirks have been ironed out.

The game engine is clearly improved and the defensive options are working almost too well for both the player and the Artificial Intelligence, which can create more tense matches and new challenges for fans to overcome.