With beautiful artwork, a compelling story with fleshed-out characters, and an original soundtrack, the few foibles and a shorter-than-you'll-want playthrough time shouldn't stop you from checking this title out.

Your Star isn’t intended to be a relaxing, casual game to be enjoyed between other, bigger things. It is ideal for gamers that love a challenge and who thrive under pressure.

If you’ve ever pictured yourself fighting corruption with an arsenal of shotguns in a loopy environment that’s reminiscent of a NyQuil hallucination, then High Hell is for you. Fast-paced, sick beats, shiny graphics, unlimited ammo, arcade shooter… need I say more?

Despite the control issues and short playthrough length, the relaxing ambiance, charming story, and beautiful artwork make this an adventure title well worth playing.

Elena is a promising idea cut off too soon. The music is soothing, the gameplay is entertaining, and the mystery is compelling. If the story had a second chapter to look forward to, I would be excited to play it, but as it is, Elena feels too incomplete to live up to its promise.

Well written and beautifully crafted, Yes, Your Grace provides a compelling visual novel experience that doesn’t overstay its welcome.

Fans and veterans of the 40k universe will no doubt enjoy Battlefleet Gothic: Armada 2, while it’s certainly still worth a look for newcomers interested in spaceship warfare.

Create exactly the motorcycle you want, then ride it on an impressive number of tracks, with great visuals and awesome sounds for an experience that feels realistic.

The smoothness of play and the multitude of fighters from which to choose provide a near excellent time. But, unless a friend’s available for a local versus match, or you’re willing to play online, the initial excitement diminishes after the fourth- or fifth-dozenth round — though this not atypical for the genre. Regardless, fighter-gamers amongst us will walk away satisfied from The King of Fighters XIV.

Bomber Crew is a rich strategy sim that gets you into the action quickly. The low poly art style will make more bearable the tremendous death of your crew’s airmen, as your plane falls to pieces around them. As for the repetitive nature of missions, it will either become old hat, or, a necessary grind to get the most out of your plane and deal head on with the game's growing difficulty.

The story builds and builds as you progress, and increasingly becomes more intricate and scary. The puzzles integrated within the story are excellent and cover the whole spectrum of puzzles from hidden objects to codes to jigsaw puzzles. Blue Tear combines all the great puzzles classics and is a true delight for any puzzle seeker.

A solid puzzle game with an interesting hook, though it lacks that special something to make it truly transcend the genre.

The principal concept of We Were Here Too — having to communicate carefully with a partner — is a fantastic addition to a puzzle title. The in-game chat works excellently and limiting the walkie-talkie to half-duplex forces one player to speak at a time, which can make for incredibly hectic situations. The title is well thought through, but even an initial run is relatively short. However, puzzle fans will be entertained.

This mostly-stable title is an excellent release for fast-paced fun. Online and offline modes have plenty to offer fans of the fighting genre, including an exciting and funny story.

King Lucas is a straight-forward, fun platformer that brings a lot of old-school fun with it. The options between single and multiplayer is a great boon, and I love that the individually-designed castle rooms are always in different combinations – something that lends well to replay value.

A Robot Named Fight truly makes a name for itself with everything it does. While not an overly plot-driven title, the story behind it all is a fascinating and fun take on a classic, which is then delivered in such a beautifully retro vessel that it is hard to believe you are playing it on a PC in your own room and not a coin-operated console at your local penny arcade. A Robot Named Fight is fast fun, a perfect way to spend five minutes or an hour and a half, and a perfect staple for anyone’s gaming library.

Though you might miss some of the newer mechanics of the series in this PC port, the polish, intriguing cast of characters, and milestones to look forward to make this title worth picking up.

With the implementation of seasons and a new location, this installment in the series make for a wonderful, fulfilling racing experience, although it has a few minor bugs that need fixing.

Indie Game Sim is worth getting, especially for fans of platformer and/or simulation style titles, but a couple of things could be tweaked to allow for a more realistic experience.

A paradoxically relaxing and overwhelming game, Before We Leave is a cute city builder with a lot of depth.

This light-hearted puzzle adventure is one you can enjoy with a friend. It has unique graphics, a fun storyline, and decent replayability. If you like two-player titles or solving puzzles, then 39 Days to Mars is worth playing.

Be warned: you will need to invest a lot of time into each match but each win you can truly feel, while each loss hits you right in the gut. Fans of Space Hulk and Warhammer 40k alike should find themselves fully at home in the fresh take on the series.

The goal of Maize is simply to make you laugh. It is refreshingly hilarious and provides a randomly unique movie-quality storyline that you can’t get anywhere else. If you need a break from life, or from other serious games, this is just the laugh that you need. You will enter a world of idiots, where you reign supreme.

For new-comers and veterans of side-scrolling, bullet-hell, shoot ‘em ups, Bleed 2 brings forward a fluid and action-packed adventure. Its solid gameplay and stylized visuals improve upon the original title of 2012, but its $10 price tag, considering how quick a playthrough is, might only be worth it to those competitive players who regularly top leaderboards and are casually crowned, “Greatest Heroes of All Time.”

You might be disappointed if you were hoping for certain aspects from the first two titles in the trilogy to be present, such as Life Points, an open world, a time limit, mastering specific items, etc. Still, Atelier Lydie and Suelle is an enjoyable and relaxing experience that is worthwhile in its own right.

A beautiful and well-crafted visual novel, 7'scarlet excels at storytelling and manages to create a compelling mystery full of shocking twists and turns. While it does suffer from a few frustrating technical issues and a lack of gameplay elements, it is redeemed by its many choices and is a must have for mystery and visual novel lovers.

Earthworms isn’t groundbreaking but fans of Point-and-Click owe it to themselves to give it a whirl. It’s easy to play, flows nicely, puzzles are just challenging enough, and the art and music work in beautiful harmony to create a living, breathing world. If you can forgive some poor translation errors, Earthworms is well worth the price and time spent.

Even though combat is a tad repetitive and the freedom to explore and deviate from the linear progression lacking, WORLD OF FINAL FANTASY remains enjoyable. The multitude of mirages to collect and features like "stacking" add much value to gameplay, with the Coliseum and Tearoom going a step further by providing additional battles to tackle. If you’re a fan of JRPGs or of the Final Fantasy series, consider getting this one.

There are plenty of things Semblance does well: It adds new mechanics as you progress, forcing you to strategize attempts to reach an Essence; it maintains an overall a casual experience while gradually increasing the difficulty; and it has a great atmospheric visual style. A great pick if you’re looking for a quick, neat platforming fix.

With bursts of pressure, ethereal atmosphere, and engaging soundtrack, Blink brings style and originality to your standard design in puzzle-platforming. If you’re a fan of the genre and are equipped with a controller, its cheaper price point makes it worth a buy.

A tightly designed, fast-paced, top-down roguelite, Synthetik will no doubt entertain for hours. With the release of the new Legion Rising free update, there’s even more to enjoy.

The updated graphics and physics engine are sure to bring enjoyment and laughs. Road Redemption builds on a relatively simple concept that has worked in the past, repackages it, and allows the unpredictability of other players a large selection of tracks, bikes, and riders in online death races to round out a uniquely enjoyable experience.

Mainlining puts you in the shoes (and at the desktop) of an agent for the government spy directorate MI7. Occasionally irksome gameplay is balanced with rich aesthetics and an engaging story, making Mainlining a fine choice for fans of the point-and-click genre.

Paradigm is proof that quality isn’t the sole domain of big names and hefty budgets. Although the puzzles are a bit lackluster, the overall experience of the game makes it a must-have for fans of the genre. Players that enjoy absurdity and thrill at the idea geeky humor and internet memes brought to life will love Paradigm in all its weird and wonderful glory.

Though not without flaws, if you want to experience the original magic of Sonic without having to dig out an old Sega Genesis console (yet also be treated to a dash of newness) this is definitely a title to pick up.

The Wild Eternal is a touching, meaningful tale, and the Himalayan wild has much to teach players about the splendor of nature, the value of life experiences, and the wisdom that can be gained from quiet reflection. The challenges are mild, and there is little to fear in the various landscapes, but those who embark on the journey can expect to be greeted with beauty, mysticism, and a healthy dose of customizable abilities. The Wild Eternal might be an acquired taste for some players, given its spiritual undertones and mystical themes, but the witty dialog and gripping plot combine with the scenic milieus to make it a solid recommendation for fans of the genre.

Seemingly an anomaly on the Steam store, Baobabs Mausoleum Ep. 1 Ovnifagos Don’t Eat Flamingos is a weird but worthwhile play. It presents a unique and twisted world and a story with a considerable extent of both human imagination and sanity. Each puzzle and problem is different and engaging, providing an innovative experience. As the first installment in the series, we have hopeful anticipation for a successor, to see how the developers will continue to polish what they have here.

The neon-clad, Japanese-themed platformer Slime-san is a cute 2D puzzler with simplistic yet endearing design. Requiring all of the skills and reflexes of Super Meat Boy, Slime-san is not a challenge to take lightly. While the intricate levels and fast-paced gameplay have an initial appeal for speedrunners, Slime-san lacks enough substance to keep the player’s attention for long.

Semispheres runs very smoothly. The controls are simple and intuitive, the design is beautiful, and the music only adds to the overall meditative aesthetic. Sadly, it's over just as it begins, providing a pleasant but fleeting challenge to the player.

FHM 3 is a feature-rich, immersive, expansive simulator which succeeds in putting you in the shoes of a manager and coach, and gives you a sense of pride for success and growth and fear of failure and what that entails. A great title for fans of sports simulators and hockey alike.

For a game the size of a jelly bean, Umiro enchants and delights well beyond its dimensional limitations. Its beautiful art makes every stage a delight to encounter, just as its delicious puzzling makes every stage a delight to conquer. Umiro is a diamond in the rough that’s imprisoned only by its occasionally overbearing simplicity.

Darkest Dungeon: The Color of Madness is a fine addition to an already great game. The Endless Harvest mode adds perpetual, challenging content fit for veterans, and builds up across a playthrough well enough to entice novices as well. While the comet’s presence doesn’t loom quite as large over the Hamlet as the Crimson Court vampires did, there’s more than enough reason to traverse the tainted soil of the Farmstead, seeking gold and glory.

Strong mechanics, fun combat, and replay value are brought down by graphics and a convoluted story, yet you’ll still have fun mowing down scores of enemies.

Vampyr takes the humorously ironic situation of a hematologist-turned-vampire and spins it into a compelling and poetic tragedy with a focus on both combat and decision-making.

A great expansion if you love college life and enjoy the original game, Skylines lets you get into the finer details of higher education and how they influence your city’s success or failure. And if you love sports, you can’t pass up this expansion... This one's for you.

A delightful blend of well-done modern and classic elements will appeal to many RPG enthusiasts, with the few impediments being less-than-stellar graphics, a few trivial bugs, and a world where — literally — not every door is open to you.

Tropico 6 involves a huge time investment and a steep learning curve, but it is a solid entry in the management/sim genre.

A refinement of battle royale, Apex Legends is great fun — but there's still room for improvement.

The Crew 2 is an ambitious title, and when judged solely by what was expected of it—a car racing game—it’s superb. Unfortunately, judged by the sum of its parts, The Crew 2 tries to do too much at once, and could have put less time into designing its many different types of vehicles and more time into AI, optimization, and world-building.

No stuttering, no frame drops, no crashes: SOULCALIBUR VI is rather polished. The story modes are intriguing, and Libra of Soul is likely to hold your interest through its entirety. Perhaps even beyond that, especially if you enjoy RPG elements added to a fighting game. A release to check out, for sure.

A beautiful, mysterious adventure and an artistic take on the rural scenery of South Africa, Among the Innocent: A Stricken Tale is a thriller for lovers of the point-and-click genre. Its good story and the great twist that ends it, coupled with immersive visual design, soundtrack, and sound effects, make its lack of a challenge its only weakness, but not one damaging enough to take away from the overall experience.

There's something just so fun and satisfying about being able to take the reins and make a team in your own image, getting realistic answers to those “what if” questions that you have sitting around the TV with your friends watching the real-world counterparts of these games. In that, FHM 4 definitely succeeds, and is better than its predecessors, and I feel confident in saying that OOTPD is creating the best, deepest and most responsive sports sims that have yet been created. That said, these games still have a lot of progress to make, particularly in presenting the actual matches and, a less-solvable but still-real issue, in being approachable and not exhausting.

Nights of Azure 2 offers players a rich story with tension and intrigue, but there are mechanics in place, such as freezing time limits and retaining XP and loot even after death, which still protect an enjoyable playthrough. Without straying too much from the Atelier playbook, Azure 2 results in a fresh yet familiar, classic JRPG experience.

Charming and twisted, DARQ is a fantastic and immersive experience that doesn’t overstay its welcome.

Despite its brutal third act, Metal Wolf Chaos XD is big, loud, and silly in all the best ways.

Hover: Revolt of Gamers is a solid, open-world MMORPG that livens up the genre by honing in on what made its inspirations so great, and fusing these qualities together, culminating in an exciting world full of vibrant personality. While there is room for some refinement, Fusty Game and Midgar Studio have created an impressive action parkour game which promises to overload the senses.

The expertise of HB Studios in sports titles shines through in the overall experience and swing mechanics of The Golf Club 2. However, that experience, along with the high-quality graphics of each hole and the smooth animations of the character get washed out by poor modeling of the on-course spectators, bland water rendering, and lower-quality background textures, even on ultra settings. Once you take the time to get a solid handle on the controls, the course creator gives you endless possibilities for gamers passionate about golf. Though, with only slightly updated graphics and the inclusion of the swing temp mechanic, is it worth the upgrade from the original The Golf Club title?

With updated graphics, Tales of Vesperia: Definitive Edition brings a beloved entry into modernity, and while it's as simple as ever, it goes far toward meeting the expectations of the modern player.

The Journey Down: Chapter Three is the sort of title that leaves me saddened by its completion, but eager to see what the crew at SkyGoblin will do next. The Journey Down feels like a love letter to the genre, and its legacy – there are elements of LucasArts, Sierra On-Line, and other industry giants present here. But it manages to stand alone as a memorable trilogy that only improved with each new chapter. It is a worthy addition to any puzzle-loving, soundtrack-blasting, humor-embracing point-&-click fan's library, and Chapter Three is a conclusion to the tale that's just what the doctor ordered.

With a few quality-of-life improvements, Two Point Hospital would be a fantastic entry-- as it stands, it’s still a charming and hilarious buy for fans of the management genre.

At the end of it all, yes. There were quite a few things in this installment that could have driven me batty — had I allowed them to do so. Will I play it again? Maybe not, but know knows? I might change my mind once I have played the first and second installments. The beautiful reality of Syberia 3 is that I didn’t need to know what happened beforehand in the franchise. If you play for release, for freedom that you don’t have in a normal, boring life — and if you can look past some rough handling -- Syberia 3 is for you.

Another good, content-laden addition to Total War: Three Kingdoms.

After nearly three decades since the original release comes Wonder Boy: The Dragon’s Trap, a worthy remake. Developer Lizardcube created an engaging universe, partly thanks to beautifully hand-drawn graphics and a fleshed out storyline. If you’re a fan of the timeless classics, this one is a worthy addition to your library: Wonder Boy stays true to its predecessor but successfully takes the title into the modern era of indie gaming.

Rather than try and make a quick buck out of cheap thrills, Dynamic Pixels and tinyBuild took the popular trope of hide-and-seek horror and twisted it into something new and creative. There is a great game buried here, as long as the development studio fixes the problems currently plaguing it... And if they can manage to really polish it, then the horror genre has much innovation to offer.

A short, but fun and interesting glimpse into the beautifully-drawn world of Whateverland.

Genetic Disaster is a great action-packed multiplayer that generates enough maps and monsters to keep you and your friends entertained as you accidentally kill each other. You can play as single player, but with its strategic depth the real fun comes from players battling it out.

Stars in Shadow is relatively simple and inviting for newcomers to the 4X strategy genre, but also features original mechanics to intrigue 4X veterans, and everything is brought together with a fun, cartoonish art style that complements the fantastical races and nature of this space exploration strategy game.

A relaxing and beautiful experience, marred only by the occasional technical issue.

Mothergunship is an absolute blast in short bursts, but risks becoming repetitive in extended sessions. If you like the thought of crafting the most outrageous weapons possible, it’s definitely worth your time.

High on challenge and low on graphics intensity, this old-school remaster is well worth a look for RPG fans who either haven't experienced this trilogy yet, or who want to experience it again.

A great Ace Combat title that follows its past formula too closely, giving you the great flight simulator you expect and no more.

Narborion Saga is a wonderful melding of multiple genres, merging High Fantasy RPGs, Visual Novels á la Choose Your Own Adventure, and Dice Rolling games reminiscent of the good ol’ D&D days. Dungeon crawling, open maps to explore, treasures to find, enemies to fight, skill points to use… The list goes on and on. Narborion Saga offers something for almost everyone, and it’s easy to lose yourself for hours on end.

Not all efforts in nostalgia end in success, but with Nex Machina, Housemarque has crafted a fast and fun twin-stick shooter with crisp visuals and challenging gameplay. Flawed only by a problematic mouse adaptation, Nex Machina is a solid execution of a gaming genre staple that promises long nights with guns blazing (instead of sleep).

Because Frank Rising improves on many aspects laid out by Dead Rising 4, I recommend it to those who already own and might have felt disappointed by the original game. At the very least, the DLC brings replayability back into the game, all while making better use of Willamette’s open environment. And if that isn’t enough, then consider playing as Zombie Frank a welcomed novelty.

Ultimately, Mandate of Heaven is more Total War goodness. If you enjoyed the base game, the added elements provided in this DLC are enough reason to pick it up and play again.

Multiple endings and a cool feature for statistics translate into hours of entertainment. With beautiful graphics, an intense, fluid soundtrack, and relatively straightforward gameplay, Conarium is a different horror title.

Ever wish XCOM 2 had a love child with Dungeons & Dragons? No? Well XCOM: Chimera Squad is here, anyway.

Vostok Inc. is as addictive as any other incremental game – in fact, it’s one of the better incremental games to come out; it has a lot more polish and character, along with humor, great artwork, and music. It’s nigh impossible to stop playing (because, what happens when you reach the last number there is?), but once you do, you wonder what the point of it all was.

Hob is made for gamers who love to explore, tinker, and problem-solve. Combat is present, but not as a central element. Gameplay consists, by a considerable margin more, of looking for ways to inventively raise, lower, move, open up, or interact with the environment. While, some puzzles are clumsy puzzles, each has a logical solution – though it reaching this point might require a temporal investment.

Side-scrolling, door-booting, and criminal-annihilating, Door Kickers: Action Squad is sure to fill the “I haven’t blown anything up today” hole that is burning through your chest. With couch and online co-op, you and your partner can blast through terrorist-filled house after drug-lord-filled house together. Just don’t expect anything deeper than east to west shooting.

Pictopix is a fun and relaxing game that anyone can play. It lets you relax while working your brain in an entertaining way. If you're the creative type but can’t draw to save your life, if you have $6 to spare, then consider buying this game. Chances are, you won't regret it.

The Infectious Madness of Doctor Dekker delivers a fresh, memorable, and intricately woven tale of psychological horror. The developer's experience in crafting murder mysteries shows, although investigation of the titular Doctor Dekker's death overwhelms the simulation's promised psychotherapy aspect. Smart, provocative, and a masterclass in acting, this full motion video release falters in its user interface, but the narrative compels you to power through all the same.

While it doesn’t break the mold, Half-Life: Alyx provides a polished, AAA VR experience.

Rebellion’s new co-op shooter is overall solid and enjoyable, although the fun doesn’t always come from what you may expect – collecting rare figurines and even Hathor’s Ladle (yes, that’s an artifact!) can be more gratifying than shooting hordes of the dead. The game is definitely a league apart from similar titles, and its unique and distinctive 1930's feel contributes to making it fun for anyone.

Faithful to the franchise, PSYCHO-PASS: Mandatory Happiness manages to involve the player into speculative science-fiction that poses fundamental questions about the human condition. While the graphics rely on still images and, at times, follow dialogue to an extent that feels tedious, the storyline creates a gripping experience on crime and mystery that leaves one pondering their own views on happiness and self-determination.

Cultist Simulator is the kind of game where “Just one more turn,” easily becomes “Four hours later…” It’s addicting even when it’s difficult and frustrating, and extremely satisfying when things finally start going right for you. If you’re even slightly interested in it, the price is right to try something that’s completely original and unlike anything else out right now.

The Sexy Brutale is a lush, deliciously dark game that’s part murder mystery, part puzzle-adventure.Taken individually, the components of the gameplay in The Sexy Brutale are not groundbreaking: time reversal, stealth, and puzzle-solving are fun, but not innovative, elements. How they’re combined in this game, however, is fresh and unusual. The fantastic art and flawless execution of the game make this one must-have for fans of the genre.

Senran Kagura Estival Versus shows that developers (Tamsoft and Marvelous Inc) can make a title without restrictions on censorship, and pull off one of the more enjoyable games of the genre, without making me use my brain too much. It doesn’t take itself seriously, and that’s not a bad thing: the humor and gameplay are solid and entertaining, carrying the title on their own merits. If you’re looking for beautiful shinobi girls and fast paced combat, look no further. Don’t forget: the jiggle is real!

With a great soundtrack and addictive level design, Bug Academy is a joy to play.

Copoka very much is a visually gratifying, and while you could complete the story in about an hour or so, it’s still worth checking out. After a busy and stressful day, I welcome the chance to spread my wings and relax, flying through the streets of Copoka On a final note, Copoka very much is a visually pleasing experience.

A remaster of the PS2 classic that adds improvements from the original, landing it in the solid-but-not-impressive category.

River City Ransom: Underground is fantastic in how it truly captures the feel of retro games, and it’s clear from the experience that Conatus Creative provides the desire and requisite talent. On top of the original beat-em-up feel, additional features round out the title quite nicely, such as RPG leveling aspects and a fighting engine that packs a punch. The art style, sound, and humor capture the look, feel, and nostalgia of the franchise. Though River City may not have enough to warrant many hours on the game, it’s worth a playthrough, and all but guarantees enjoyment to newcomers and fond memories to franchise veterans.

Despite minor hiccups, Unforeseen Incidents is a great experience. From the tasteful soundtrack to the aesthetically-pleasing visuals, this point-and-click shines.

Mages of Mystralia is for gamers looking for more than hack-and-slash action RPGs. It has a unique magic crafting system, puzzles, and challenges that compel you to play more, unlock more spell customization options, and grow stronger. Designed for the Steam Controller, Xbox One, and PlayStation 4, you’ll master your magic and empower your destiny as you save the world of magic users.

Throne of Lies is yet another addition to the very specific social deduction genre, requiring time and patience to get the best experience. For those who don’t mind doing a little bit of homework before starting a game, Throne is a great experience which raises the bar for the genre.

Neofeud's futuristic, Bladerunner-like world, its thoughtful dialogue that's entirely voice acted, and its fresh point-and-click puzzles make it a title worth trying — as long as you're aware that it has some annoying flaws along the way. After a slow start, Neofeud develops into a complex tale that approaches profound ideas about what it means to be sentient, what it means to care about someone who may or may not be alive, and how it could be a big problem our society could face someday soon.

With many weapons, unlocks, and even co-op play, The Walking Vegetables has a high chance you will replay it over, and over... and over. It’s a great game all-around, especially if you are interested in a cheap alternative to therapy because your mom forced you to eat her vegetable casserole, even though you told her you hated carrots. The Walking Vegetables takes the best aspects of any top-down shooter, and gives it the 80s-cocaine-treatment that it needed.

The experience of The Norwood Suite is incredibly unique, each design choice, be it of the musical or visual arts, very much reflects Cosmo D's style. The world in which you play feels well developed and full, but not cluttered, keeping you on the path of the game, but not on rails. The Norwood Suite — along with their first release, Off-Peak — are two games worth the effort and confusion.