Age of Wonders 4 is a very strong entry in the overwhelming miasma that is the turn-based 4X market. It implements fantasy elements naturally rather than giving traditional mechanics a mystical lick of paint, and the sheer depth of customisation options, even without unlocking anything, is to be applauded. With the Pantheon system for unlocking things, it’s an ever-growing and changing experience with a heavy emphasis on player agency.

There are rough parts to Summer Memories, to be sure. Its visuals aren't the prettiest, its translation is awkward in places, and that crouching mechanic really does suck. Yet the experience of this game, the raw, primal thrill of being swept up in a whirlwind of danger and given the choice to either work with people or piss them off is unlike anything else on the market. It's a game that lives and dies on its interactions with the world and its inhabitants alone, and those interactions alone are worth the price of admission.

Planet of Lana 2: Children of the Leaf builds on the delightful world that the first game whisked us away to and delivers yet another beautiful and touching tale. It raises the bar when it comes to puzzles and challenges, while giving us some much-anticipated answers as to where Mui came from and the more technologically advanced society that existed in the ancient past. Lana is more grown-up here, and so the darker story feels right at home as we continue this journey with her, and I’m now left in anticipation of her next chapter.

Though flawed in areas and certainly a victim of the limitations endemic to virtual reality, The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners is an admirable attempt at maturing the medium and modernizing an all-too-stagnant gaming space. It’s a warts-and-all sort of experience which, at the moment, can only really be appreciated by VR veterans, but, even for casual players, Saints & Sinners is a worthwhile undertaking which stands head-and-shoulders above the complacent competition.

It’s highly ambitious and one of the most intriguing triple-A games I’ve played in years, but I wish so many parts of the whole weren’t inherently flawed. Now my journey in Pywel has come to an end, I’ll be leaving this one on the shelf for a while.

Sumire mostly accomplishes what it sets out to do through its remarkable visuals and emotion-evoking narrative. It somehow manages to be both thought-provoking and soothing, despite some shortcomings with the dialogue options.

Beyond its unique art style, Need for Speed Unbound doesn’t do anything to reinvent the steering wheel, but it doesn’t need to. This is Need for Speed, so you know what you’re here for - fast races, cop chases, and more cars than you know what to do with. Unbound is all of that packaged in the series’ most stylish entry to date.

Dead Space is a triumphant remake that draws strength from familiarity instead of allowing its archaic origins to become a vice. This is now the definitive version of Isaac Clarke’s first chapter, one that doesn’t aim to reinvent his character, but to outfit him with a more relatable and nuanced arc that will likely set the stage for other games to come. Improved performance, a greater incentive to explore, and a crux of combat and scares combine to turn what was once a horror classic into a modern gem. Shame it’s a bit too easy, though.

At its core, The Solitaire Conspiracy isn't much more than a gussied up version of Solitaire. Still, the work done in creating an intriguing narrative and piecing it together with an amazing style makes this little venture worth picking up. With the team not opposed to doing some DLC down the line, it could also become a much more substantial game in the future.

FIFA 21 is not FIFA 20: Part 2. It isn't a complete reboot of the franchise either, and nor does it need to be. EA has also done more than "just enough" to set itself apart from last year's game. This is something developers of games that release annually can be guilty of. It feels different, and for anyone who doesn't agree with that, Volta feels like a whole new game within the main game for a completely fresh experience this year. Yes, it might be a stepping stone, but it's just the stepping stone FIFA needs to bridge the gap between this generation and the next.

That's why I mostly love Fast & Furious Crossroads. I do think there's something questionable about it being a full-price release, and I do think the engaging multiplayer content (which I'll detail in a separate feature) will likely die on the vine thanks to that. But what's here is a sumptuous feast for franchise fans and adrenaline junkies alike - more than enough to whet your appetite for next year's F9.

Even if these minor issues prevent Rakugaki from fully filling the hole in my heart that the equally colourful Hi-Fi Rush left, its incredible style and fast-paced platforming make it one of the year’s best hidden gems and a strong entry into the genre that shows that its heart is still beating strong.

There’s a lot to take in and comprehend when you first start Treasures of the Aegean. It’s never frustrating or off putting, though. In fact, with every new run (whether it was successful or not), I found myself just wanting to know more about the lore of this mysterious ancient city and what exactly the time loop was all about. For lore buffs, puzzle solvers, and platforming fans, Treasures of the Aegean is right up your alley.

Miniatures is a game I’m going to ruminate over for a long time. It’s beautiful, melancholy, and purposefully weird, and I really appreciate that. In an industry that so often plays it safe, it’s invigorating to play something so creative and so intent on doing its own thing. Miniatures is beyond comparison, a game to be experienced for yourself above all else.

These are solid remasters of excellent games, and fans of the series will thoroughly enjoy the experience. It’s part nostalgia, part respect for its legacy, and part truth when I say Tomb Raider 2 is a perfect game for its era, and the titles either side of it aren’t bad either. I hope newcomers give it a chance, but it does feel like the remaster could do more to help that happen.

Nintendo was never going to remake Super Mario Galaxy 1+2, nor do I think it ever should unless it wants to risk diluting two undeniable classics. Despite that, this sadly doesn’t feel like the remastered effort you’d expect for such a steep asking price, with myriad flaws from a bygone era holding it back from true greatness. This is now the definitive means to experience two of the best platformers ever made, it’s just unfortunate that the package is prohibitively expensive and borderline insulting to those who want to enjoy it most.

Without spoiling things, Star Ocean eventually devolves into schlocky cliché territory, but by that point, you’re firmly on board, ticket purchased and ready to see its journey through to the end. Star Ocean: The Second Story got the remake treatment for a reason - it’s a classic of the genre with compelling characters, wonderful storytelling, and oodles of satisfying mechanics. R goes to great lengths to streamline the Star Ocean experience and make it more beautiful (the new arranged soundtrack is glorious), and while it might have sustained a bit of the difficulty that made the original a triumph to overcome, it still squarely sticks the landing.

AWE's greatest strength is in how cleverly it merges Alan Wake and Control into a singular experience. I wouldn't begrudge Remedy for divulging in a bit of low-brow fanservice for the second expansion of a critically acclaimed game, but they really went the extra mile in delivering a cohesive experience that fits cleanly into both worlds.

While I had a blast embarking on this journey to Persephone with Ariane and Thomas, I do wish it were on the longer side. Even at seven hours long, there seemed to be room for the narrative to venture to deeper, more interesting places. Who knows, perhaps we’ll see that in the future. For now, though, this is a sci-fi epic well worth your time.

Urban Myth Dissolution Center is a fantastic game for those who appreciate short story collections that encompass all things weird and creepy. I played it on my Steam Deck, curled up in bed with it much like I would with one of my folklore books. Just don’t forget to check under your bed before you get into it.

Although I prefer more responsiveness, quicker movement, and greater control than the new RTS has to offer – Iron Harvest strongly delivers in its own way. It’s an absolute must-buy for fans of Company of Heroes or steam-punk aesthetic lovers. Even if you’re just a moderate fan of RTS games, Iron Harvest is a tough experience to pass up.

When you fail a Trial of Fire, you learn and you move on. The thing about this game is that every single run is better than the last one, even if it’s decidedly more short-lived. In fact, that’s actually a blessing in disguise - more time for another go before bed, eh?

Bear and Breakfast is an in-depth management sim that is all too easy to enjoy for hours on end. There’s plenty of quirky humour alongside an unfolding story filled with mysterious undertones, gorgeous 2D graphics, and classic genre goodness.

Despite its uninteresting story and occasional jankiness, Ghostrunner 2 still manages to be a great successor by understanding why the first game was such a success, sharpening nearly every mechanic, and building upon them with the addition of the bike and wingsuit. It might not be the most innovative sequel in the world, but considering how great the original Ghostrunner already was, that’s no bad thing.

With a welcoming difficulty curve and paced introduction of mechanics, various modes to practice and play with friends, and an extensive world of interesting characters and factions, Songs of Conquest is a golden example of turn-based strategy games done right, with everything you could want included.

Anodyne 2: Return to Dust is a surreal experience, simply put. I think that it has the ability to make its players try and find the deeper meaning of the game, even if there’s not necessarily one to be found. One other nice thing about the game is that you don’t have to have played the first Anodyne to know what’s going on in Anodyne 2, this note coming directly from the developer. The game certainly doesn’t appeal to everyone, especially with its grandiose nature. But if you’re looking for a unique gaming experience this weekend, look no further than Anodyne 2: Return to Dust.

By the end, it felt like Resident Evil Requiem had marked the end of a new era that began almost a decade ago. It’s reached a point where anxiety-inducing horror and over the top explosive action can exist in tandem rather than cannibalising one another into tragic irrelevance. Leon Kennedy and Grace Ashcroft engage in a delicate dance where all of their complicated steps work together in relative harmony despite some minor missteps.

Steamworld Build is a great addition to the series, providing a unique but refined take on the city builder genre. Anyone looking for a more complicated, hardcore experience might find it a touch underwhelming, at least until the game really starts to find its feet. Even so, its forgiving nature and slow but consistent feed of gameplay mechanics make it especially appealing to more casual players or folks new to the genre.