Last year’s Madden release was one of the best in recent memory, so - at least in my eyes - Madden 21 had a lot to live up to. For the most part, it did so. Madden traditionalists will enjoy familiar game modes (which are all par for the course in their own right) with improved control mechanics, while The Yard adds an exciting element for those looking for something new. The Yard still has room to improve, but, personally, I’m excited to see where the game mode goes and how its long-term placement in the game (and competitive esports scene) plays out.

Bookbound Brigade is an interesting game that will appeal to fans who are looking for a challenging Metroidvania that tries out some new things, so long as the player is willing to endure some issues along the way.

Fashion Dreamer was never going to be a Game of the Year candidate, however it did have the tools to be a favourite game for many. On a purely technical level it runs smoothly (as smoothly as games ever do on Switch), but with its aimless story, lack of depth, oddly colourless world, and misguided focus on influencer culture means it finds itself as one of 2023's worst dressed instead.

The best thing that Overpass has going for it is the fact that its niche uniqueness within the racing genre. Not too many racing games feature the complex, raw realness that Overpass offers, setting it apart from other titles. Unfortunately, that is also its biggest downfall, since, for most racing genre fans, it’s just not that much fun. While the game succeeds in its mission to simulate the more complex nature of racing that avid offroad fans will likely enjoy, it doesn’t really have much appeal to the masses, making Overpass a title that is probably worth passing over.

I wanted to love Destruction AllStars. I still do. There’s just not enough there to make it worth my while right now. A couple of times, I ran into a weird technical issue where I would jump into a brand-new car, but it just wouldn’t move. I think that issues like this can certainly be fixed in a future patch, though. I also know that the development team of Lucid Games has a year’s-worth of content planned for the game. As such, although I can’t recommend playing Destruction AllStars right now, I do have high hopes for the future of the game. Especially since the car combat genre is ripe for the taking with no new Twisted Metal in sight.

It doesn’t have a tidal wave of fans supporting it, and it isn’t free to try out or available with any subscription service, so it has a lot of work to do in order to make the effort of playing it worthwhile. Whether that be through trial periods, new modes not before seen in the genre, or even a boost from Secret Level when it airs months from now, but as a middle-of-the-road hero shooter, it can’t rely on any one of these things alone. Concord is good, but it’s not in a good place, and there’s a lot of work that needs to be done to not only keep it afloat, but to get the motor running.

House of Golf doesn’t necessarily do much to stand out as a must-own golfing title on the Switch, but it does have enough content to make it worth grabbing if you’re ever in need of a satisfyingly calm game.

Monster Menu is a competent game at best. It emulates the Rogue experience decently and does something very interesting with its food-based mechanics, but it doesn’t stretch far. There’s enjoyment to be had in the high-difficulty and grindy aspects- if that’s your thing, but you won’t find much depth or complexity here. More McDonalds than Michelin, you’ll wish that you’d opted for something more flavourful.

As of right now, Bleeding Edge has some positive qualities, but it's certainly not on the bleeding edge of the multiplayer scene.

Kingdom Under Fire 2 has some really cool ideas, but it would seem there's just too much baggage built up over the years.

Lost Soul Aside is not good, but it does serve as a vehicle for exciting, fast-paced boss fights and an entertaining, in-depth combat system. If you can stomach some truly abysmal writing, unlikable characters, and a painfully generic sci-fi/fantasy setting, then you could get something out of it, but for the most part, Lost Soul Aside is nowhere near the savior of the hack ‘n’ slash genre that I was really hoping it would be.

Tools Up! isn’t necessarily groundbreaking as a party co-op title. However, even with its issues, there’s a lot of fun couch co-op to be had (and fun extras to enjoy in the late-game).

Perish could’ve brought Hexen and Heretic’s medieval boomer shooter vibes kicking and screaming into the 21st century to the tune of howling metal riffs, topped off with a roguelite twist. However, it offers little to incentivise you to go back for replays. Every death feels like starting the whole game over from scratch, with so little changing that each run turns into a chore. The striking set-pieces, like the twisted Herculean monster, with a cage of heads for a, well… head, crumbling the moon just to beat you, are fantastic, but they’re too few and far between to justify Perish making you start from scratch and slogging through shallow mechanics to reach those exciting moments.

Predator: Hunting Grounds delivers on its premise and is a fantastic game. There are certain issues that should be addressed, but they do not overshadow the great-looking graphics, intuitive gameplay, and overall great job done by Illfonic. This one is an absolute buy.

Kaiserpunk is awesomely ambitious, and I respect the game a lot for what it’s attempting to do. Fans of both the series it draws from will find aspects of Kaiserpunk they’ll enjoy. However, I just feel like I’d rather play either Anno or Hearts Of Iron - both games that are available on Steam often for the price of less than a pint. I hope that work on Kaiserpunk continues and the developers flesh out some of the systems, rework the UI, and work on both key aspects of the game (city building and regional management) to add more detail. There’s a lot of potential here, but Kaiserpunk’s just not quite ready for war.

The Complex has some good ideas and solid acting, but for an interactive movie, there's not enough going on here that makes it more worthwhile than just watching something on Netflix.

A Gummy’s Life is solid for what it is. It definitely feels like a game that belongs on the Switch, even more than it belongs on PC. The overall experience is great for younger players, but can be equally as fun as an option for family game night. Nice and juicy.

At a glance, Tannenberg might appear like a dated first-person shooter, but playing in the authentic world that M2H and Blackmill Games has recreated is an experience that history buffs and fans of the genre will enjoy and appreciate. The game plays as well as other shooters on the PlayStation 4, so long as you’re willing to get down to the bleak grittiness and utter chaos that defined the First World War.

what is currently available feels like a prototype for something better. If the campaign were just longer, tighter, more refined, then Hellbound would be an easy recommendation. Saibot created something that feels solid in the hands but doesn't quite stick the landing. You can only play the campaign so many times before you've seen it all and Hellbound simply doesn't deliver much else.

There is still some fun to be had in the game’s single-player challenge modes, including things like controlling two characters in a race at once with the two separate Joy-Cons, which is far more difficult than it sounds. Must Dash Amigos is a good enough family game for those with younger players. But ultimately, Must Dash Amigos is likely not one of the games that will fall into my regular rotation of weekend couch party games.

With a clear design meant to accommodate players of all ages, Tilt Pack feels like a great addition to any player’s library and is a great choice for playing with friends. Although the objective of each round is the same - to be the last rectangular block standing - the dangers faced in each different arena and the power ups that can be obtained keep the game exciting. There may not be much to do after a while, but Tilt Pack feels fresh every time a group dives in, making it a perfect choice for short, frequent games.

Neon City Riders isn’t a bad game by any means. It is just severely hampered by some puzzling mechanics and design flaws. While the titular city itself may be oozing with personality and neon allure, wading through the game’s main quest feels far too cumbersome. It could, by all means, be a fun time for the ridiculously skilled or incredibly patient, but we can’t help but feel that a majority of gamers won’t put the time in to overcome the early-game difficulty curve.

Godfall is the quintessential launch game. This gilded PS5 exclusive shows off the power of the new hardware with its intricate, reflective halls of gold and obsidian, bioluminescent plant life, and enemies who explode in a shower of particles. “Next-gen is here,” it shouts, in a scream that’s barely perceptible over the whistle of high-speed steel. Underneath all of that sheen and noise, though, there’s nothing new at all.

Broken Roads is an ode to the cRPGs of old, but it’s also a step forward for the genre, showing that the ‘90s approach still has a place today. The turn-based combat is punchy and responsive, the art style is gorgeous, and the roleplaying capabilities brought about by its revolutionary morality system lift Broken Roads out of the shadows of its inspirations and into its own spotlight.

Thanks to uneven difficulty, grating writing, and a general lack of polish in every other area, its appeal is only skin-deep, and quickly outstayed its welcome.

Tour de France 2020 is just fun to play. While the game is best suited for competitive cycling fans, Tour de France 2020 does a surprisingly fantastic job of introducing newcomers to the sport.

What Happened won’t appeal to the masses, but the game does well to convey its message of the internal struggles that so many face on a daily basis. It’s a dark, gruesome, and treacherous trek through some incredibly difficult subject matter that is worth experiencing for those who gravitate towards games surrounding themes of mental health.

As is always the case with these types of things, install and play Delta Force at your own discretion. For a free-to-play shooter, it’s a solid game, but nothing too special. Worth trying out for the sake of a new shooter, but it probably won't tempt you away if you're happy with your current multiplayer game or if you object to kernel-level anti-cheats. [Review in Progress]