The system does not feel oppressive, and Ubisoft clearly hopes that most gamers will spend actual currency at some point during their career, but for some fans, its very existence is a problem, given that they already have to pay full price for the core package.

Civilization VII is a great 4X experience and every gamer interested in the genre should give it a try. The turn-based mechanics support a wide variety of playstyles and there’s a ton of diversity in leader and civ combinations. The eras system comes across as limited at first, but it basically allows players to play three potentially very different games of Civ in one campaign. A few systems, like religion and internal politics, are limited but will probably get fleshed out in expansions. The end-of-era crisis moments aren’t challenging enough, even on the higher difficulty levels, especially if players pay attention and min-max their cities. Civilization VII changes the formula of the series in interesting ways, although it needs balancing and a better user interface as quickly as possible.

Thanks to Battle for Azeroth, World of Warcraft doesn't feel like an obsolete MMORPG any longer, on the contrary, it's fresh, fun, surprising, and … addictive. Of course, the new expansion is not without its problems, but the overall feeling is that World of Warcraft is on the right path. And for those sitting on the fence about whether or not to jump into the action again, there's only one thing I can say: Battle for Azeroth is the perfect opportunity to come back to World of Warcraft. I have to give the folks at Blizzard credit for pouring their hearts and souls into the game once again, it definitely shows.

Druidstone is pretty great but not without flaws. Fortunately, the unforgiving strategic combat, charming art style and light puzzles sprinkled in between the fights, far exceed the balancing issues. You just need to keep playing it beyond the first 5-6 missions, you'll find that Druidstone is a hidden gem.

The Knight Witch is a good game with well-executed familiar mechanics. Combat, especially in the bigger and more open areas, is a joy, even when it’s against a tough boss with some dirty tricks up his mechanical sleeve. The narrative is interesting enough, even if some of the fourth-wall-breaking might be hit or miss, and the game looks impressive. Play it in short sessions, with a clear goal in mind and a willingness to tweak approaches on failure (don’t forget about the cheat options). The Knight Witch offers a good mix of action and exploration, even for players who have little experience with the genre.

MechWarrior 5: Clans brings the series’ mech combat formula closer to perfection. Players have access to a wide range of Smoke Jaguar mechs to customize and take into battle as they take on Inner Sphere tanks, complete lances, SOKOLs, and even a dropship. The action looks and sounds good and even the story, built around Jayden and his four comrades, is solid. Gamers who can find four friends can tackle the entire campaign in coop. MechWarrior 5: Clans could use some extra encounter variety but it nails the tension and excitement of pitting a Timber Wolf against an Atlas.

The action feels satisfying, combat is fun, and there are also a few nice surprises when it comes to gameplay, both as far as boss fights are concerned and in the presence of puzzles, particularly in the levels involving Athena, making the whole package even more attractive.

Zen Pinball 2 - Balls of Glory is a solid collection of tables for Zen Pinball 2 that can deliver tens of hours of gameplay for a gamer who is a fan of all the featured television animated series included.

Obliteracers is one of the most fun combat racing experiences I’ve had in years. It’s hectic, fluid, a blast to play and a treat for the eyes. The fact that it can easily support unusual control inputs, as well as the online multiplayer makes it even easier to recommend.

Rarely have I ever played a JRPG that was so faithful to the source material you felt like watching an anime with brief moments of gameplay. You get to relive the same epic story that has yet to be finished, but this time you see it from the point of view of someone who was actually there, and not just a spectator. As such, if you’re a hardcore Attack on Titan fan, or you want to play something that will ease your introduction into the series, then I recommend Attack on Titan 2 wholeheartedly.

The soundtrack is still quite good and the voice acting is impressive for almost all characters.

If I were to make a list of games that people should play, the remake of System Shock would definitely be on that list. The folks at Nightdive Studios did an excellent job at breathing new life into the cult game, so if you’ve been holding back from playing System Shock due to outdated graphics, check out the remake. Despite the fact that some mechanics have been modernized, I believe that the presentation, new visuals, as well as the quality-of-life improvements fully make up for it. The blend of modern and retro graphics in the cutscenes and some of the environments are absolutely gorgeous.

Metal Slug Tactics is a tight turn-based tactics video game that gives players a lot of toys to play with and asks them to carefully plan and execute battleplans. Sync moves are cool, especially once the three-man team picks up some solid upgrades, and the Adrenaline mechanic encourages players to move and find efficient combos. Fans of the franchise will probably connect more with the story bits, which can seem a little under-baked. But I like the pixel-driven look and the booming announcer. Metal Slug Tactics successfully delivers the “just one more run” feeling of a good rogue-lite and solid tactical engagements.

Rough Justice ‘84 has a very good core idea and impresses in terms of atmosphere. The music, the character portraits, and the design of the cases, all work together to immerse players and keep their interest level up. I would love to see a TV series that uses some of the featured agents. Unfortunately, the gameplay mechanics let the rest of the experience down. The elements that are centered on dice, clever use of energy, and good choice of items can be fun, even if they become repetitive. The mini-games are the big problem. Rough Justice ‘84 is worth trying out as long as you love the boardgame-inspired action and the setting but I hope incoming updates improve gameplay.

The game admirably blends dark Warhammer motifs and a wide array of tactical and strategic decisions on the battlefield. Although Warhammer 40,000: Mechanicus is not without faults, it's one of the few games in the Warhammer sci-fi setting that I wish it had a sequel. The high amount of customization, the appealing story and narrative, as well as the deep turn-based strategy elements make Mechanicus a must-play title for all Warhammer and TBS genre fans.

Star Wars Jedi: Survivor is an amazing game. I had a lot of fun with the new stances and the story is enthralling. If not for the performance issues, this game could have been easily among the best released this year.

Bleak Sword DX is dedicated to anyone who wants a Dark Souls-like experience in 2D, delivered in small chunks, with good mechanics, hard difficulty, and a grimdark setting and presentation. Fights are very quick, which means it’s easy to play a few in a session just to decompress, without the pressure to make progress or explore some complicated narrative thread. The two new modes added to the game's PC version are good, offering a challenge to anyone who manages to complete the full campaign. But I still believe that any modern video game that emphasizes combat should offer the options to draw in more than just dedicated genre fans. Bleak Sword DX impresses with its minimalist, bite-sized combat but all its other elements could be improved.

Overall, Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown is an awesome game and a must-have for any Ace Combat fan, as well as a great game for players who enjoy fast-paced, adrenaline-fueled thrill rides in short doses.

Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name might be the shortest game in the series, a playthrough clocking in around 18 hours. But it does deliver on every promise of the series with a story full of twists, plenty of combat, countless side activities and as a bonus, a lot of familiar faces recognizable by the fans. It is a great game, but does not manage to stand out, and it feels like a great effort to have a proper send-off to the old formula before reconcentrating on the main games and the next Lost Judgement. It is the weakest episode of a very strong series, making it a good game.

Those who’ve been playing the recent releases will find NBA 2K23 more of an update to the previous version rather than a completely new iteration of a popular franchise. And they wouldn’t be wrong. 2K has tried to polish the best parts of the game, while also reducing the focus on the ones that don’t seem to be praised as much as others. Eventually, NBA 2K23 is a game that will still keep you entertained for some time, though the lack of a more massive overhaul will probably upset way too many fans of the franchise.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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