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

Decisive Campaigns: Barbarossa is an innovative take on the wargame genre because it shifts the focus towards the humans that decided the course of the war and the way their relationships can influence what divisions do in the field.

Dread Templar is a fun first-person shooter that will appeal to anyone who enjoyed the classic titles in the genre or the recent 2016 Doom reboot. It delivers over-the-top violence and classic combat sequences but also introduces more modern ideas, like the ability to slow down time when swamped by a ton of opponents. The old-school look and the thumping soundtrack create the perfect atmosphere for demonic culling. The levels are also pretty good, giving players space for a variety of approaches to combat without creating a maze. The developers understand the universe they are working in and make Dread Templar one of the best examples of the recent boomer shooter wave.

The Boomsday Project could be one of the most important Hearthstone expansions released in a while, but not because it bring very powerful cards and interesting gameplay mechanics. I believe The Boomsday Project is exceptionally well-balanced and very fun to play. It's got a little bit for every type of player, be it hardcore or casuals looking for pure entertainment.

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.

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.

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.

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.

DIG - Deep In Galaxies is a fast and fun experience that emphasizes freedom and variety. It does not have much in the way of narrative but the mechanics mix in an interesting way. Take on missions to deal with the Overlord’s minions or simply move from planet to planet and explore, it’s all engaging and tense. The game works best in short sessions with clear goals. The rogue elements need to be expanded the various unlocks should be a little more approachable. But DIG - Deep In Galaxies does not suffer too much because of these issues and will satisfy any player who loves exploration, fast-paced action, and a little chaos.

The Cosmic Wheel Sisterhood is a unique game. It starts with a Faustian bargain and constantly adds fun and surprising ideas. I liked all the many witches I encountered and their stories, as well as the larger ethical questions gamers have to engage with. Crafting cards is a surprisingly fun process with a lot of variety. The pace of the game's final, more political section felt a little off. But the main narrative is very good, with complex choices and some tense divination moments. I liked how The Cosmic Wheel Sisterhood created immersion, explored relationships, and forced me to make some tough decisions.

God of War is definitely good, but some aspects lack a certain depth that will make them interesting enough to turn it into a great game. There's a very meaningful armor and weapon upgrade system that allows you to increase your power level to make fights easier, but many of the skills you unlock throughout your journey feel absolutely useless.

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.

Concierge is a unique video game with some great ideas. The atmosphere is impressive, especially early on, when players do not know much about their character or the hotel. The mini-games aren’t very deep, and some don’t fully deliver, but they are surprising. The game rewards patience and a willingness to use the camcorder to discover as many mysteries as possible. The hint system helps eliminate frustration, although the need for gold coins doesn’t make it as easy to use as it should. The story might also be a little too convoluted for some players. Concierge shows what a small team can create when they trust their ideas, and I look forward to playing KODINO’s next game.

No Place for Bravery offers an interesting mix of tough combat and exotic presentation. Some players might be driven away by the pixel art (the weird legs of the characters still annoy me) or the difficulty level. But the story and the gameplay have the quality required to keep players engaged. Given the clear love that the team at Glitch Factory has for the souls-like genre, I wanted the game to innovate more, to find ways to make the 2D top-down perspective add something to it. But No Place for Bravery plays it too safe and misses a chance to deliver a truly innovative gameplay loop rather than stick close to the classics.

Ronin is a good, engaging and often difficult game that will certainly appeal to those who are intrigued by the mix of stealth, sword killing, and impressive jumps.

Dust & Neon is fast, exciting, and often challenging. There are a ton of weapons to constantly compare and equip, enabling variety when it comes to the playstyle. The rogue side of the game does not offer a ton of depth but has plenty of reasons to try again when death comes for the cowboy. The game’s universe is a little too conservative and does not embrace the potential weirdness of the cowboy and robots mix. Boss battles can also sometimes feel unfair. But I like Dust & Neon combat and players who want solid twin-stick shooter action should give it a look.

Silent Hill 2 Remake is at least as good as the Resident Evil 2 Remake and that says a lot. They explore the horror genre from different angles but offer the same immersive results. Konami seems to have learned a lot from Capcom, and they manage to offer their fans exactly what they expect. Silent Hill 2 Remake is not just the best remake of the year, but also one of the best games released in 2024. If you have fond memories of the original you will love this new release, and if you did not play it before you no longer have excuses to avoid it.

All in all, Harmony: The Fall of Reverie is a game that encourages reflection by tackling philosophical and moral issues, while making you question each decision you made. It’s an experience that carries you, only asking to let yourself be engulfed by the emotions it breathes.

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.

Ori and the Blind Forest shows how relatively classic platforming mechanics can be enhanced by the addition of an understated but impactful story and by offering a gorgeous world that gamers can take in as they uncover more of the story.

Ninja Pizza Girl is a great experience due in equal parts to its great story and its good gameplay mechanics that encourage replayability and offer enough incentives to explore the pretty big levels. Some moments might not be up to par, but for the most part, you'll have a blast blazing across the rooftops and delivering pizza to others.

Although I would have liked to see some visual changes too, there’s nothing wrong in using the same assets if they proved to be so popular among players. Fuga: Melodies of Steel series remains an indie gem that has yet to receive the attention it deserves. If you love turn-based strategy games with serious themes, I can’t recommend this enough.

When it comes to the sound of Massive Chalice the voice acting for the huge piece of silverware itself is great, both funny and sat, and the music itself manages to underline the tense moments of combat and to illustrate the way time influences the world of the game.

The adventures through the Kingdom of Glenbrook provide a compelling experience, more so for those who love choice-based games that involve intriguing plots and tactical combat. Triangle Strategy is one of the few games where making decisions that matter is harder than actually winning battles. This is one of those games that could leave a mark on an entire gerne if Square Enix decides to turn it into a franchise.

Floppy Knights has a clear mechanical core and executes it well. The tactical and card puzzles of the levels are well-designed, with plenty of scope for experimentation and moments of surprise. Making progress can be surprisingly hard, given its cute presentation, for players who don’t examine enemy capabilities and prepare potential moves at least one turn in advance. But the core concepts are not innovative in any meaningful ways. The narrative space does what it can to add reasons to move forward but, despite their bubbly nature, Phoebe and Carlton don’t have much depth. Rose City Games understands the mix of genres it is working with but needs to take more risks to stand out in an already crowded space.

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

Mare Nostrum is one of the good but not extraordinary expansions for Europa Universalis IV, and the most refreshing change that it makes is the way it uses spy networks, claim creation, and the espionage idea group to place more limits on reckless expansion and force players to plan their long-term moves.

The Precinct might fashion itself as an homage to the classics of the cop movie genre but seems to struggle to calibrate its mix of action, tedium, and humor. There’s a variety of police work to tackle, with a focus on direct interaction with citizens, but all of it becomes repetitive after a few shifts, and the special big events aren’t enough to compensate. The car chases, ludicrous as they might be in terms of collateral damage, are the most engaging part of the experience. Issuing parking tickets became boring in under five minutes. The Precinct has decent ideas and some fun moments but it will only appeal to those who already like open-world top-down action with a hint of chaos.