As someone who usually doesn't enjoy meditative gaming experiences, I must admit that FAR: Changing Tides completely captivated me.

It may not be the deepest RPG but The Cruel King and the Great Hero is certainly one of the most heartwarming. In fact, I adored its story and cast of characters so much that I highly recommend it to anyone with a soft spot for unconventional lighthearted tales.

Chocobo GP made me realise how great of a game Chocobo Racing is. The new graphics and online component are indeed cool but 1999's racer is simply more fun with its challenging gameplay, unique tracks, and tighter controls. In fact, I think I'll boot it up now.

Legend of Ixtona is a solid SRPG that genre newcomers and nostalgic old farts like me can equally enjoy. From its simple yet satisfying battles to its interesting equipment acquisition mechanics, there's certainly a lot to keep you entertained.

Time Loader is a wonderful game that's set in a beautifully-presented miniature world. It may have some gameplay issues later in its campaign but the amount of fun that you'll have unraveling the story as you solve puzzles still makes for a good time overall.

I found Voice of Cards: The Forsaken Maiden's story to be stronger than the first's yet when it comes to gameplay; it doesn't do much to make it feel fresh. It has me wondering how many of these titles there will be and how well future installments will hold up.

Triangle Strategy masterfully accomplishes its blend of rewarding SRPG gameplay and engaging choice-driven story. If you're a fan of narrative-heavy games and tactical grid-based battles then it's a must-have game.

I didn't expect to love GetsuFumaDen: Undying Moon as much as I did. As a revival of an old game that not many folks are aware of, it does an excellent job of offering a modern and challenging roguelike experience. I hope to see many more games like this.

Moto Roader MC is one super-fun hidden gem from the TurboGrafx library and it's fantastic that more chums can enjoy this classic racer on modern consoles. Keep in mind, though, that it isn't quite as fun while playing solo as it is racing with friends.

Although I still find the original Dark Souls to be FromSoftware's magnum opus, Elden Ring is an undeniably amazing game. At the end of the day, it's sure to delight most Souls veterans but it probably won't convert many non-fans.

Even as a huge fan of the series, I'm still in disbelief how incredible of a game Atelier Sophie 2: The Alchemist of the Mysterious Dream is. It's so jam-packed with outstanding gameplay and irresistible charm that it has single-handedly become the new gold standard for JRPGs.

Zombie Rollerz: Pinball Heroes is the best indie surprise of the year so far. Its combination of pinball action, strategic roguelike structure, and cartoony goofiness is just great for anyone who loves having fun with their video games.

If you enjoy trial and error puzzles with deceptively minimalist gameplay then you'll have a solid time mastering every stage in INVERT.

Fluffy Cubed may be one of the most basic puzzlers ever made but it's still undeniably relaxing to play, especially after a rough day.

Swapping tiles as you gradually build paths with coloured yarn is a hypnotising formula that Kittens and Yarn accomplishes just right.

Who knew that eating fruit as a snake could be as much fun as it is in Upaon: A Snake's Journey? It's one intuitive and enjoyable puzzler.

With lots of levels to master and clever complexities that get introduced along the way, Treasure Temples is quite a fulfilling puzzle game.

I'm happy that Hatsune Miku is keeping her puzzle game offerings strong as Connecting Puzzle TAMAGOTORI is surely one to check out.

Aloy's journey through the Forbidden West is a grand one complete with awe-inspiring environments as you take down new machines with an expanded arsenal. Although the story is lacking the personal touch of the first game, if you're looking for an action-filled adventure with thoroughly enjoyable gameplay then you certainly can't go wrong with Horizon Forbidden West.

Super Toy Cars Offroad is a delightful racer that's unexpectedly albeit impressively challenging. Even though it can be frustrating at times for various reasons, the variety of events and detailed tracks will keep you entertained for hours of miniature racing fun.

Infernax is an authentic retro experience and for that, I commend it. However, it could have gone from good to great if more work went into fleshing out its game world, tweaking its stiff controls, and ironing out its severe technical issues.

I'm quite happy that we finally have an official port of this 16-bit beat 'em up gem. Although River City Girls Zero isn't as fun as River City Ransom or its modern sequels, it's still an exciting brawler with a rather engaging story to boot.

I thoroughly enjoyed OlliOlli World, especially the fact that its gameplay remains instinctual yet challenging which allows anyone to have fun whether you merely want to skate or aim for the top of the leaderboards. Plus, its trippy visuals and music are spot-on.

Rise of the Third Power is an excellent old-school RPG that manages to feel fresh and exciting. Intermittent pacing issues aside, this is one adventure that you'll thoroughly enjoy so grab a bottle of booze, kidnap a princess, and save the land from an encroaching war.

I love Grapple Dog so much that I hope to see Pablo come back for many more swingin' adventures. From its fantastic 2D platforming action to its rewarding collectibles and its adorable world to its quirky cast of characters; this delightful dog has it goin' on.

As far as indie 2D platformers go, Super Onion Boy 2 is certainly one of the better ones with its simple yet varied gameplay and adorable game world. If it were less linear and included a run button, I'd consider it to be an excellent game.

I can easily say that Breakout: Recharged is my favourite Atari Recharged game so far. From its tried-and-true core gameplay that has been duplicated countless times over the decades to its clever modernizations, it's a must-have for anyone who loves breaking bricks.

Those who relish the simplicity of retro RPGs will love what Ambition Record has to offer, especially with its spot-on early 3D aesthetics. Sure, it could have done more to flesh out its gameplay systems and dungeons but what's here still makes for a good time.

Pokemon Legends: Arceus definitely provides a great experience with a novel take on the classic franchise but I still feel that grinding is not needed in a Pokemon game which I've always felt should primarily be about simply having fun in a laidback world.

If you really want to flex your gaming skills then COGEN: Sword of Rewind will completely blow you away with its super-tough challenges and clever gameplay that'll keep you coming back for more. It may be short but it's jam-packed with greatness.

Gunvolt Chronicles: Luminous Avenger iX 2 is a phenomenal follow-up to the modern 2D action game masterpiece that feels like a genuine sequel when it comes to both its story and gameplay. So, if you enjoyed the original then you'll absolutely love this, too.

It may sound heretical to some but I actually enjoy Vagante more than Spelunky. With its variety of character classes and equipment along with full cooperative multiplayer support, this indie gem is easily one of my new favourite games. See you online!

Fans wanting an excuse to re-play the two most recent Uncharted titles on a current-gen console finally have incentive to do so. The breathtaking scenery looks awesome on PS5 and I thoroughly enjoyed playing through these memorable adventures again.

Shadow Man Remastered is a tough game to pin down because it features a brilliant game world that remains as immersive as it is sinister but it's also full of old-school baggage which makes it difficult to wholeheartedly enjoy in contemporary times.

As a long-time fan of SRPGs, I've never played anything quite like Reverie Knights Tactics before and I'm glad that I did. It can be a punishing and trying experience at times but once your strategies pay off; holy hot darn, is it rewarding stuff.

Guntech 2 is an indie hidden gem that deserves a lot of attention so if you enjoy physics-based twin-stick shooting in space then you'll love everything that it has to offer. Just play it with eye protection on because its many explosions may singe your corneas.

Cannibal Cuisine is definitely a fun and irreverent couch co-op game that'll appeal to anyone with a sick sense of humour. With that in mind, it's a disappointingly short experience and it plays it rather safe by being a little too similar to Overcooked.

If you enjoy classic challenging 2D platformers then you'll certainly have fun with Jack 'n' Hat. Even though some parts will make you want to rip your hair out, completing the levels in their entirety is a rewarding task for anyone who relishes difficult platforming.

RPGolf Legends provides a solid golf-filled adventure set in a lighthearted game world that's a joy to explore. Although its combat could use some major tweaks, you'll still have a fun time unlocking holes and completing quests as you save the sport of golf.

Genre newcomers will relish the intuitive gameplay of Eschatos with its simple scoring mechanics that make the relentless shooting action even more satisfying. Plus, the fact that a couple of charming bonus retro games are included is a treat.

The amount of characters in SNK Vs. Capcom: Card Fighters' Clash is absurd and when you consider just how fun its battles are, you're left with a winning formula. Some aspects are a bit rough nowadays such as the cumbersome interface but it's still a good time.

I thoroughly enjoyed my time with DYSMANTLE and am looking forward to exploring even more of its expansive zombie-infested world. If you take pleasure in crafting things while smashing up everything in sight, I highly recommend grabbing your crowbar and giving it a go.

Blackwind is an enjoyable twin-stick shooter that features intuitive gameplay and a wealth of satisfying moves. That being said, if its campaign was structured in a more comprehensible manner then it would be a much more fulfilling adventure.

Nobody Saves the World does exploration and variety exceptionally well. At the same time, its heavy flow of rewards with very little challenge involved often makes it feel like you're mindlessly and unskillfully pressing buttons just to get another quick dopamine hit.

Heaven Dust 2 is perhaps the most amount of fun that I've had with a survival horror game in decades. Its retro sensibilities are absolutely spot-on. Plus, the rewarding campaign structure and intuitive combat that requires some strategy make it truly stand out.

It may be simple but QuickSpot is a clever spot-the-difference experience that contains much more variety than you'd imagine. Throw in a solid multiplayer component and plenty of Namco references and you're looking at one nifty little game.

Demoniaca: Everlasting Night provides a rocking good time via clever combat-focused Metroidvania gameplay. It may be rough around the edges with many frustrating moments but there's still a lot of fun to be had within its demonic boob-filled heavy metal world.

There's no denying that White Shadows' atmosphere and visuals are the stars of the show so I sincerely want to see the developers make a second game that hopefully offers a lot more substantial gameplay and perhaps a narrative that's open to some interpretation.

Nova-111 is quite a treat of an indie and I'm happy that it's finally available for Switch. Exploring its alien worlds as you outsmart all sorts of tricky foes and progress past seemingly impossible situations makes for some rewarding Mystery Dungeon-like gameplay.

Sword of Elpisia provides some good old-school RPG entertainment and its cute pets really liven up its intuitive battle system. Plus, there's a memorable cast of characters and upgrading your gear is always a treat so check it out if you enjoy RPGs from the good old days.

Konami has an incredible library of classic arcade shoot 'em ups and Arcade Archives: ORIUS is definitely on the more obscure side of the equation. Its R-Type-inspired gameplay is a blast but it's also a diamond in the rough with issues that often get in the way of the fun.

Chorus provides both solid space dogfights with intuitive controls and a distinctly presented story that remains engaging throughout. It may have its maddening moments that hold it back from greatness but it's still an impressively promising original IP.

I enjoyed my time with Windlands 2, especially with its sense of speed as you fling yourself across huge locales which is an absolute treat. Even though it's a tedious experience at times and frequent unexpected falls can be annoying, I still recommend checking it out.

If you can look past the issues with pacing and the odd graphical stutter, Grow: Song of The Evertree is a thoroughly enjoyable adventure with rewarding exploration as well as tons of fun things to create and collect within its large and colourful game world.

Rubber Bandits is one of the best competitive multiplayer games out there. Whether you want to challenge your friends locally or steal loot online, you're bound to have a blast with its wide range of silly scenarios and wacky weapons.

Timelie is an exceptionally clever puzzler that'll have you strategically dodging robot guards with a feline friend. If that sounds like your kind of game then definitely check it out but just make sure you have plenty of patience before diving in.

Dungeon Munchies is a clunky and repetitive game that will oddly get its hooks in you once you begin to understand its unconventional gameplay. It's still an irritating experience, though, but one that is somewhat endearing with its off-the-wall humour.

After playing Horatio Goes Snowboarding for hours, I must say that I'm impressed with its intuitive albeit challenging gameplay as it keeps pushing you to achieve higher scores. In fact, I had so much fun that I hope to see a sequel; hopefully featuring much more content.

Although it may be difficult to wholeheartedly enjoy when you're all grown up, there's no denying that Disney Magical World 2: Enchanted Edition will be a special game for any kid with a hearty sense of wonder, especially if they're a Disney fan.

Shovel Knight Pocket Dungeon is a superb puzzle game that's much more enjoyable than it has any right being. Plus, no matter which kind of puzzle gameplay you prefer, the wide variety of options will allow you to enjoy it at whichever pace you prefer.

Jurassic World Evolution 2 isn't exactly a bad game but it's not one that I would call fun. Sure, it's a compelling experience and the joy of being able to play with dinosaurs is unique but the bugs are a massive hindrance that make it far more frustrating than it should be.

Record of Lodoss War -Deedlit in Wonder Labyrinth- is a great Metroidvania that any genre fan will love. The adventure may be over well before you'd like it to be but it's sure to satisfy from start to finish with its unique gameplay elements and memorable game world.

Asteroids: Recharged is up there with the best of Atari's Recharged releases and it's even more fun with a friend. So, if you have fond memories of the 1979 arcade classic or just want to play some simple static shooting, you'll definitely enjoy this spacefaring blastfest.

Danganronpa S: Ultimate Summer Camp is a welcome game for those who'd like to see how characters from the franchise would get along if they were trapped together on a tropical island. However, the gameplay is a bit too simplistic so unless you're really into grinding and collecting, you probably won't play it for long before wanting to play something more substantial from the main series.

Solar Ash does fast-paced platforming brilliantly and it features a super-exciting formula to boot. At the same time, that's really all it has going for it so with some much-needed additional variety, it could have been an even greater experience.

Justice Chronicles is a superb retro-style RPG with a clever game world and rewarding systems that work together seamlessly. It does have its drawbacks, though, but if work went into remedying them then this would easily be one of my favourite games in the genre.

I'm happy to say that Big Brain Academy: Brain vs. Brain is super-fun whether you're playing by yourself or with friends. It may not have much long-lasting appeal but it's certainly worth adding to your multiplayer playlist, especially if you enjoy mini-games.

Beyond a Steel Sky is an impressive adventure game with an intriguing story and a fun hacking system that adds a layer of challenge. As you play, you'll constantly wonder what situation you'll face next and what chain of events you'll have to complete while you're there.

There's no denying how wonderful it is that a long-lost arcade gem was completed and released nearly 30 years later and Clockwork Aquario certainly provides enough frantic fun that you'll come back whenever you want a quick fix of over-the-top retro action.

When it comes to great shoot 'em ups, DoDonPachi Resurrection is one of the best with challenging yet easily digestible gameplay and stylish eye-popping visuals. Plus, the fact that it's jam-packed with modes and content makes it one complete package.

I'm thoroughly impressed at how much better of a game Blue Reflection: Second Light is when you compare it to the first game. In fact, it's so good that I kind of feel mean for disliking the original as much as I did. Here's hoping for a Third Light!

Marsupilami: Hoobadventure is one of those games that has no right to be as good as it is. Even after over 30 years of playing 2D platformers, it really took me back to why I love the genre with its intuitive and rewarding gameplay and cheerful presentation.

If you love party games and don't care much for game boards, My Singing Monsters Playground is a great choice as it's bursting with so many fun-filled mini-games that it makes for one enjoyable multiplayer hootenanny.

Space Moth Lunar Edition is a challenging shoot 'em up with a satisfying scoring system and that alone adds up to one must-have arcade shooter. However, its lack of multiplayer, extra modes, and power-ups makes it feel like a somewhat hollow experience.

Although it's genuinely rewarding and unique, Epic Chef can sometimes be an annoying game to play for various reasons. With that said, the core gameplay loop is handled so well that I'm looking forward to a sequel which will hopefully address its issues.

Iron Harvest Complete Edition is one of those games that I wanted to love but only ended up liking it. Although it features an undeniably clever setting and rewarding gameplay, it's also quite a struggle to fully enjoy at times.

If you're a Pokemon fan and haven't played the original Diamond, Pearl, or Platinum then you're missing out. The Sinnoh region is an absolute joy to explore and it's super-fun trying to catch as many Pokémon as you can. Plus, Pokemon Shining Pearl lets you use the Nintendo Switch's network features in a way that you might not have had the opportunity to with the original DS games.

Super Sami Roll is a cute and fiendishly difficult platformer that genre fans who love a challenge will relish. On the other hand, if you're looking for a more casual and laidback collect-a-thon then you'll likely end up feeling too defeated to continue playing it.

Wings of Wor; oops, I mean Gynoug... is a solid shoot 'em up from the golden age of the genre with a clever magic system, stand-out bosses, and there are now interesting cheats to help modernize it all. So, if you enjoy shmups then give it a go, why not?

To my delight, YUKI is my favourite VR game of 2021 so if you enjoy arcade-like experiences set in a roguelike structure then you should definitely give it a go. It's challenging, unique, action-packed, and its unlockables are hearty rewards; what more could you want?

Sherlock Holmes Chapter One is a masterpiece of a detective game as it manages to deliver a thoroughly enjoyable open-world adventure with an interesting cast, stunning environmental visuals, and highly immersive and engaging sleuthing gameplay. The fact that I was having such an awesome time made dealing with the odd progression issue worth it as I loved taking in all of the sights and stories.

Where Cards Fall is a worthwhile puzzle game that genre enthusiasts should definitely add to their gaming library. With clever mechanics, a lovely and slightly abstract setting, and well-done learning curve; it's quite a swell experience.

Shin Megami Tensei V is a solid evolution of the series with updated graphics and a thoroughly enjoyable overworld traversal system that rewards exploration although the battle system and monster recruiting remain a little too familiar.

Voice of Cards: The Isle Dragon Roars is the sort of game that you'll play when you want a slow-paced and relaxing adventure; for that, it's an excellent experience. However, it can sometimes be bogged down by its gameplay's own indulgent vapidness.

I thoroughly enjoyed my time with Ghost Sync and if you love retro RPGs, I'm sure you will, too. With its intriguing premise, appealing female lead, and clever monster-possessing mechanic; this is one lovely little game.

Forza Horizon 5 introduces a larger, more varied map with even more weather effects and interesting challenges. The same enjoyable gameplay hasn't lost its momentum and there's enough to do that will keep you hooked for hours on end.

Guardian Force may not be as charming as Cotton but it offers one heck of an enjoyable shoot 'em up formula that's sure to impress.

Cotton Boomerang takes the delightful Cotton 2 and reinterprets it into a much more action-packed experience that's a ton of fun.

Cotton 2 is much more than a sequel as its clever gameplay mechanics and striking visuals make it stand out as one unique shoot 'em up.

Panorama Cotton is more of a retro curiosity than it is a long-lost treasure but there's still no denying how charming its trippy world is.

For a console shmup from 1994, Cotton 100% has held up exceptionally well with its distinct style and enjoyable magic-based gameplay.

I can't believe that more people aren't talking about Monomals as it's clearly one of the best indie games on the Switch eShop. From its challenging and unconventional gameplay to its nifty music creation tool, it really is the bee's knees.

Black Widow has been around since the origins of twin-stick shooting and this Recharged iteration does a decent job of modernizing the arcade classic but it could have done more to make it hold its own among its genre contemporaries. Insert obligatory spider pun here.

Demon Turf is one of the best 3D platformers in recent years and it even rivals recent AAA attempts at the genre. With spectacular gameplay, a huge campaign that's brimming with replay value, clever gadgets, and a gorgeous presentation; it's the whole package.

Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy leaves an outstanding first impression but after playing it for a handful of hours, you'll realise that it doesn't really offer enough exciting gameplay to last its entire campaign. It's still a wonderful game to watch, though.

Undernauts: Labyrinth of Yomi is up there with Stranger of Sword City, Wizardry: Labyrinth of Lost Souls, and Demon Gaze on my short list of favourite dungeon crawlers of all time. It may be gruesome and occasionally perplexing but holy hot damn, is it rewarding.

2021's Jackbox Party Pack makes me hope the company will take a year off in 2022, go back to the drawing board, and return with a stellar collection of games in 2023 that takes players back to why they loved the first Party Pack as much as they did back in 2014.

Mario Party Superstars contains tons of super-fun mini-games and a handful of beautifully recreated classic boards from the N64 era. You really can't go wrong with that so grab a few friends and party on, chums!