Plan B: Terraform offers an automation and terraforming experience that doesn’t overwhelm. The complexity level increases gradually as more products are needed by the cities and the quest to create an atmosphere and oceans. The mechanics allow players to create quick and dirty solutions while also making it simple to go back and rebuild entire systems in the name of optimization. Unfortunately, the core design will struggle to draw in players who don’t love the automation and supply chain genre. Extra lore elements, or maybe a chance to interact with citizens in the cities, could have helped. Plan B: Terraform is complex but relaxed and will offer tens of hours of optimization action for anyone who likes the idea.

For a game that tells a fictional story, Hell is Us feels unusually familiar. My only comfort throughout the game was the fact that I managed to save a few NPCs from a horrible death, everything else was incredibly bleak. This is a mature game that treats serious topics like war, hate, violence, torture, politics extremely well. Aside from the fact that you’re facing strange creatures, little else is fictional about this game, and that’s very scary. That said, Hell is Us was one of my most anticipated games of the year, and after finishing it three times, I strongly believe it was well worth the wait. It’s an experience that you don’t want to miss.

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.

Space Adventure Cobra - The Awakening takes a mostly forgotten fictional universe and builds a good game around it. The narrative is directly drawn from the anime based on the manga, while the mechanics competently use the action platformer template. The Psychogun’s guided attack is a unique mechanic that makes combat, especially boss engagements, more exciting. Play cooperatively, if possible, and don’t skip the cutscenes, even if they seem cheesy. The protagonist’s relatively imprecise movement could lead some players to quit playing, but Space Adventure Cobra - The Awakening compensates with retro charm and a cool hand cannon that can stop time.

Herdling is a great experience for any players who enjoyed the two Far titles created by Okomotive. When the Calicorns stampede across a lush meadow, plowing through flowers, with the mountains close, as the music enhances immersion, the game manages to create some unique and emotional moments. Guiding the herd around through puzzles is also pretty fun. But I never cared about the Calicorns, even as I made sure that they were healthy, and the title’s limited narrative means it’s hard to engage with its mechanics. Herdling has a solid core idea and creates impressive moments, but struggles to make the moment-to-moment gameplay engaging.

Yield! Fall of Rome takes familiar gameplay ideas and a well-known historical setting and distills them down into an approachable strategy experience. The entire design emphasizes quick play, with scenarios that can be completed in one sitting. The presentation doesn’t impress, but it also doesn’t hinder gameplay. I would have liked a clearer connection to the historical era and maybe a bigger focus on the leaders and diplomacy. Yield! Fall of Rome is a solid entry point for gamers who do not have much experience with turn-based strategy or want to engage in quick multiplayer sessions with a group of friends.

Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound is a love letter to the platform games of the 90s, and at the same time, it also feels fresh. I don’t know how they did it, but this game is a masterpiece of the genre, and it stays true to the Ninja Gaiden universe. The level design is spectacular, and they did an amazing job at maintaining a high level of detail throughout the entire experience. It’s also nice to see that the two characters in the game seamlessly complement each other, and you need each character’s expertise/skills in order to move onward in the game. Also, boss battles are very cool, they manage to surpass expectations by adding sophisticated gameplay ideas, while still keeping everything engaging and very interesting. Whether you are a fan of Ninja Gaiden, platform games or want to speedrun a game, I think Ragebound delivers everything you’re looking for and much more. Yes, there are some frustrating levels, you might need to restart sections a few times, but that’s the nature of the beast.

Grand Emprise 2: Portals Apart is an ambitious game, but one that clearly tried to bit off more than it can chew. It’s a game that wants you to survive through dangerous, yet engaging worlds, some of which have more polish than the others. It’s definitely a game that oozes creativity, but the lack of resources is clear here. Yet if you get past that, I think Grand Emprise 2: Portals Apart is a pretty interesting experience, especially considering it costs around $10. It won’t be your go-to survival game, but if you’re into a more curated survival experience with portals and creative worlds, you’ll get your money’s worth. Just don’t expect the ultimate level of polish, stellar graphics or exceptional animations, because you won’t find them here.

The Biggleboss Incident might not have the marketing muscle of major studios or the ambition of sprawling indie epics, but what it offers is something many games forget: heart. It's a reminder that games can be clever, personal, and genuinely funny without being grandiose. For fans of Monkey Island, Grim Fandango, or even Dilbert, this game will feel like coming home. Whether you’re an aging gamer looking for a hit of nostalgia or just someone in search of a good laugh and a short escape from reality, The Biggleboss Incident is worth your time. It's an ode to creativity, a small triumph of storytelling and design — and a testament to what a single dedicated creator can achieve when driven by passion and a deep love for the medium.

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

Fretless - The Wrath of Riffson is one of those games that might seem weird to some, but as soon as you start playing, it will get you hooked. The vibrant, stunning pixel art will grab you into this weird, yet beautiful world, and you’ll stay in there for the creative combat and grueling combo attacks. Even more so, the game is continually offering you new ways to play with all kinds of guitar types, and it’s not afraid to take chances. I am a huge fan of the boss battles they added here and there, but make no mistake, all the other enemies are fun to tackle, even if the game can feel quite easy especially in the beginning. But as a whole, Fretless - The Wrath of Riffson feels like a complete RPG experience, with amazing music and fun quests to boot. I didn’t know what to expect from Fretless - The Wrath of Riffson, but I am glad I played it, as it was a great ride.

There are lots of great things to be had in Primal Planet. The time period they base the game on is something we rarely explore in games. On top of that, the pixelated world design is stunning, and I think the world itself looks incredible. The combat is also very good, although sometimes it does enter soulslike territory. And yes, there’s the map design that could get some improvements here and there. Did that deter me from playing? Not at all, I liked the fact that you can start crafting stuff, exploring the map and finding items/resources is always cool, and the animations/small cutscenes they have truly add a lot of character and personality to the game. Yes, there will be some frustration here and there, but in the end, the game is extremely fun, although it can take a bit to get used to some of its elements.

I enjoyed my time with Through the Nightmares, even if it came with lots of level restarts and challenges. The game’s world is charming, visually impressive, and they do an excellent job at introducing new ideas and mechanics very often. I will say some of the levels, especially in the beginning, tend to feel very similar. But that thing slowly wears off as you enter the latter part of the first world, and as you delve into the other 2 worlds. If you’re new to platformers, maybe Through the Nightmares is not for you. I found this game is better for those grizzled veterans that are always on the lookout for a challenge. The overarching story is great, the gameplay is immersive, albeit frustrating at times. But as a complete package, Through the Nightmares is a wonderful experience and you’ll have a blast going through all these handcrafted levels. However, you need to arm yourself with a lot of patience.

Without a Dawn is all about offering us a chilling, psychological title in the form of a visual novel. I think it works extremely well, it manages to showcase the depth of human philosophy, while also showing us how easy it is for people to manipulate their own mind. At the same time, Without a Dawn shows us how troublesome depression and anxiety can be, if we just live with them and don’t tackle the core issues behind them. For me, Without a Dawn was a great game, despite being on the short side. Its visuals are incredible, I rarely see ASCII art used in games, let alone at this level. They have great atmospheric music, eerie visuals and the fact you get horror elements without cheap jump scares is a major plus for me. It’s an excellent, albeit short game, but it delves deeply into the human psyche, and you truly feel for the character and her journey. It even makes you question your sanity at times, and that’s definitely the sign of a good game.

Bygone Dreams is an interesting project from Bygone Dreams and a very exciting romp in the fantasy action-adventure genre. The RPG elements feel undercooked at times, and the game could use a map, along with other quality of life features. But don’t let that push you away. The combat is great, and the music, as well as boss fights are standouts, at least for me. Sure, it feels like a budget game at first, but as you progress, you’ll find yourself enjoying the gameplay mechanics, visual style and bosses. It might seem like a weird game at first, but Bygone Dreams slowly unveils a creative, beautiful soulslike experience in a fantasy setting. Plus, you even have some time trials and no-damage boss challenges to prove your might, so even if you beat the game, there are reasons to continue playing.

I always found city builders to be a very relaxing game genre, and ISLANDERS: New Shores is no exception. Granted, you can’t build the city of your dreams, instead you try to create small establishments on lost/forgotten islands. But it’s a lot of fun, and I am sure tons of people will strive to get the highest scores they can. And they should, because the game is engaging, but it can also be something you play on the side, as you wait in queue for your MMO’s dungeon crawls. I think ISLANDERS: New Shores’s main appeal is that it adds a whole lot of new stuff when compared to its predecessor. And it shows, the gameplay has evolved, the boons system is creative and enjoyable, and the sandbox system is exceptional for creatives that want no barriers. It’s the type of game you can enter, play for a few minutes or an hour and never get bored. Plus, the minimalist aesthetic and beautiful graphics serve the game, as it differentiates itself from the predecessor, while also adding some creative elements that make it a worthwhile city builder.

Despite a few bumps along the way, Become the Moon is a standout entry in 2025’s crowded deckbuilding scene. Feldspar Games has taken a bold swing by fusing roguelike mechanics with auto-battler gameplay, and while it doesn’t always stick the landing, the game’s charm, strategic depth, and addictive loop more than make up for its flaws. With a generous selection of cards, meaningful leader choices, and a streamlined interface, Become the Moon is perfect for short bursts or hours-long marathons. It may not dethrone genre titans like Slay the Spire or Balatro, but it absolutely deserves a spot in any card-game fan’s library.

Wuchang: Fallen Feathers sets itself apart from other soulslike games through some unique features like the weapon upgrading system. Thanks to a very solid combat system and smooth traversal between areas, Wuchang: Fallen Feathers makes the journey more entertaining than usual. Not tying players to a single weapon for an entire playthrough and letting them choose which weapon to use when facing a specific boss is not only a bold design decision, but also one that elevates Wuchang: Fallen Feathers above some of the best games in the genre.

Achilles: Survivor adopts a relatively safe approach, adopting most elements of the survival action genre with no tweaks and adding one big new concept. The idea of gathering stone to set up turrets is interesting and creates some cool tactical possibilities. Depending on their chosen hero, players can create a variety of builds and then deploy turrets to keep the monster hordes at bay. But this new idea isn’t enough to make the rest of the mechanics less repetitive. It doesn’t help that the fictional universe doesn’t do anything interesting with its Greek inspiration. Achilles: Survivor will give fans of its genre hours of combat fun, but might struggle to appeal to anyone who hasn’t played Vampire Survivors or its many clones.

I found Clutchtime to be an interesting, fun deckbuilder that successfully implements the idea of having a sports-themed card game. Yes, it does take a little bit to figure out how to use some of the cards and how to play, but once you get the ball rolling, this title is a lot of fun. I do see the game becoming very repetitive in the long run, since it only has 2 main game modes. But if you like the game loop, I am sure you will get a lot of fun out of it. Clutchtime might not appeal to everyone, but if you’re into card games and sports, it’s totally worth considering. The gameplay is addicting, and I found myself spending a couple of hours in the game, not knowing when the time has passed. Yes, it’s not the most visually impressive game, nor does it have a Grammy-worthy soundtrack. But as a package, it’s one of those timewasters that are worth a short, who knows, maybe you can become the next Jordan.

When I started playing Antro, I didn’t have any idea what to expect from it. Antro certainly feels like a weird indie game, but as you follow the story and get engaged into its marvelous gameplay, its beauty unravels. I found myself playing it without wanting to stop, just seeing what challenges are onward and whether I can pass each level during my first try. Sure, it’s not a long game, nor does it need to be. Antro manages to tell its story in a way that’s memorable, with amazing Spanish music that seamlessly integrates with the gameplay. The game is innovative, while also bringing us the tried-and-tested speedrunning mechanics for a platformer. It’s quirky and weird, but in a good way.

Ultimately, Gex Trilogy feels like a product designed more to honor the past than to ignite a new future for the franchise. It’s a loving archival effort that will undoubtedly please those who grew up with the sarcastic lizard, but it’s unlikely to convert new fans unfamiliar with his antics. With platforming having evolved significantly since Gex’s heyday, these titles feel more like relics — albeit entertaining ones — than evergreen classics. Gex Trilogy isn’t a reinvention; it’s a digital museum exhibit. Polished just enough to be playable by today’s standards, it offers a fun — if dated — experience for retro enthusiasts and collectors. But outside of nostalgia, its appeal is limited. A charming preservation effort, not a platforming revival.

Neverwinter Nights 2: Enhanced Edition is not for everyone. It doesn’t offer flashy graphics, casual mechanics, or streamlined progression. What it does offer is a dense, narrative-driven, choice-heavy RPG grounded in the rules and spirit of Dungeons & Dragons. For those who love complex characters, meaningful choices, and tactical gameplay, it delivers an experience that’s hard to find in today’s market. If you’re a fan of the D&D universe, have the patience to wrestle with some old-school quirks, and value narrative depth over visual fidelity, then this is a must-play. Whether you’re returning for nostalgia or discovering it for the first time, Neverwinter Nights 2: Enhanced Edition is still one of the finest examples of what classic RPGs can offer—warts and all.

Stronghold Crusader: Definitive Edition is a good update for a classic real-time strategy experience. Players can experience an updated take on the core content as well as new campaigns and trails, all designed to appeal mainly to those who already know and love the core gameplay. The game offers a variety of modes and plenty of challenges to master. The game looks good, given it’s 20 years old at this point, and the historical campaigns are good jumping-off points to learn more about the period. Stronghold Crusader: Definitive Edition is a great package for fans who want to play the best version of a classic and a good one for newcomers who like real-time strategy. It also shows that the series needs a modern installment with new approaches to its classic ideas, a better user interface, and improved graphics.

Let Them Trade has quickly become a favorite of mine when it comes to city builders. It’s a lot of fun to play, and you can easily try it in sandbox mode or in excellent campaign mode. With that in mind, trading is what sets it apart from other city builders, along with its minimalist aesthetic. All of that blends together very beautifully, and it provides a compelling, enjoyable trading experience. As someone that likes city builders, I enjoyed Let Them Trade and its gameplay. It’s easy to get into and it also has plenty of depth for strategy game enjoyers. Yes, it might not be the largest and most expansive strategy game out there, but it definitely has a lot of heart, and you feel right at home in this minimalist, yet stunningly designed world.

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

Crown Gambit is one of the rare video games that effectively combines a gripping story and engaging gameplay. The premise is a little familiar but the title, while borrowing from popular culture, focuses on three very likable characters and spins plenty of narrative threads smartly. Choices matter and replaying to test different paths is viable. The card-focused battles are fast and varied. The many boss engagements and the artifact fights ask players to carefully consider each hero’s abilities and when to dip into artifact use. Crown Gambit has only one slightly annoying idea, the chases, but all its other ideas work together beautifully to tell a good story using solid mechanics.

I had an excellent time playing Hell Clock, especially as a fan of Diablo, Titan Quest and other ARPGs. The fact that it also has a Hades-like gameplay makes it even more interesting, and the Brazilian-focused story and characters certainly help the game stand out. It’s definitely a one-of-a-kind roguelike, and one where you want to continue progressing through the story as much as possible. Aside from that, the gameplay is intense, and the level-tiered system where you have a boss every 3 major levels is incredibly addicting. Plus, you can start collecting gear and artifacts, which for me was a delight. It’s certainly a lot of fun, especially if you like the ARPG loop. I always wanted a good combination between Diablo and roguelikes, and I think Hell Clock nails that. It’s fun, intense, you have tons of loot, great music and an interesting story, so for me, it feels like the complete package, if you’re into this genre.