Not everyone will appreciate Skul: The Hero Slayer's high degree of challenge but I absolutely loved learning the ins and outs of its world.

Playing Skeletal Avenger is a great deal of fun, especially via multiplayer and it has plenty of nifty perks to discover along the way.

Gamers who enjoy practical puzzle games as you swap between characters will absolutely love what Tandem: A Tale of Shadows offers.

Gamers who enjoy classic puzzle-filled point-and-click adventure games may get a kick out of Creepy Tale 2 but it's not anything special.

Depending on how willing you are to decipher how to progress, Corpse Party can range from a frustrating to a thrilling experience.

If its controls were tweaked and there was a bit more guidance, Wraith: The Oblivion - Afterlife would be a top-notch VR horror game.

If you don't mind reloading over and over again whenever you're trying to outrun a spirit, Shadow Corridor can be a viable horror game.

FATAL FRAME: Maiden of Black Water blends its haunting world with rewarding gameplay to craft one outstanding horror experience.

No matter how you slice it, Neptunia x SENRAN KAGURA: Ninja Wars is a great deal of fun, especially with its hilarious dialogue scenes and cheeky cast of characters. It could have been a lot more enjoyable with some sort of multiplayer component, though.

Toy Soldiers is an excellent game and even though this HD iteration isn't a huge improvement over the original, it's still sure to provide hours upon hours of tower defense fun for fans of the genre. Plus, its multiplayer modes can be a genuine blast

I wouldn't say Evertried is a difficult game but it will challenge you to hone your strategic abilities more and more until you can tear through its many tricky floors like a champion. For that, it's a wonderful game but it still lacks in content and variety.

Alan Wake Remastered is basically the same game that came out in 2010 with its pros and cons remaining intact. If you're a fan or want more context as to what Control's AWE DLC was all about, it might be worthwhile. Otherwise, it's best saved for an on-sale pickup.

Although I was impressed by how solid its gameplay is, Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl still feels like a hollow experience that could have been elevated to new heights if it featured additional modes and a more fleshed-out presentation complete with voice acting.

Lego Marvel Super Heroes is a classic entry in the long-running licensed Lego game franchise that provides solid fun with a friend. With that being said, many of its successors have since surpassed its level of quality so it feels a bit dated in comparison.

It's amazing that there's a Puzzle Bobble VR game, never mind a 3D one so if you're a fan of the franchise then you definitely have to play it. With that in mind, Vacation Odyssey could have gone a bit further to make it a more well-rounded and intuitive experience.

ConnecTank is one of those games that will easily fly under many gamers' radars even though it's a ridiculous amount of fun, especially if you play it with a friend. So, if you enjoy frantic co-op formulas then this is a definite must-play.

Gley Lancer is one of those obscure shoot 'em ups that has aged impressively well despite its occasional annoying moment. Plus, the fact that it's been modernized in clever ways and you can even play it as a twin-stick shooter is just radical, dude.

Circuit Superstars is a lovely-looking old-school racer that'll appeal to those who are wanting to hone their skills within an intuitive yet deceptively challenging formula. With that in mind, it feels like the overall package is missing a few too many elements.

The Lightbringer is a beautiful game that'll appeal to anyone who enjoys 3D platforming with elaborate puzzle-filled stages. I wish that it was a bit more forgiving with its continue system, though, as playing through a lengthy stage again can be a huge pain in the tuchus.

The Riftbreaker is one of the most rewarding games that I've ever played. With that in mind, that sense of accomplishment will come after many stressful moments and heartbreaking failures which could have been alleviated with some more intuitive mechanics.

It definitely has its issues but I thoroughly enjoyed my time with Phoenix Point: Behemoth Edition. From its clever battle mechanics to its depiction of a world at the brink of utter annihilation; it's one immersive and exceptionally rewarding SRPG.

UnMetal is a hilarious spoof of the Metal Gear series that manages to forge its own identity through clever inventory-based puzzles. With that in mind, it's hard not to get frustrated whenever you bite the dust due to some unexpected shenanigans.

You can keep your AAA games like Far Cry and Grand Theft Auto because even with their ludicrous budgets, they'll never kick as much ass as a good old action-packed rail shooter. Thankfully, ExZeus is one such game that'll rock your socks off and then some.

For a detective game, Lost Judgment presents an intriguingly complex story and a decent variety of gameplay and gadgets. However, it takes a long time to get interesting and the actual detective work is a bit too linear for hardcore mystery fans like me.

Metroid Dread is one of the best Metroidvania games out there with its awesome collection of abilities and its action-packed E.M.M.I. areas. It may not provide as much challenge as old-school fans would expect but it's still an undeniably incredible adventure.

If you enjoyed the previous entries then you'll absolutely love Mary Skelter Finale. It's so jam-packed with content, cleverly designed scenarios, and incredible characters that you'll find it hard to put down even after hours of bloody good dungeon crawling.

Asdivine Saga is certainly a solid retro-inspired RPG that features rewarding character growth mechanics and enjoyable skills that make outsmarting the tougher bosses a treat. It may get bogged down at times but as a whole, you're sure to love this old-school gem.

Couch co-op games often get compared to Overcooked but KeyWe is such an excellent example of the genre that from now on, games should be compared to it. If there's one co-op game that you play this year, make sure it's KeyWe.

UNSIGHTED does a lot of things and it does them extremely well. So, if you enjoy the classic Zelda formula, Metroidvania exploration, twin-stick shooting, and reaction-based combat then you'll love your time with this gem of an indie.

Steel Assault is an incredible retro-inspired game but unfortunately, its credits will roll once you really start vibing with its action-packed campaign. It's a prime example of how sometimes; great gameplay alone isn't quite enough.

Hot Wheels Unleashed is an okay racing game at best. If you want a much more enjoyable arcade-style racer with your favourite childhood toys then check out Beach Buggy Racing 2: Island Adventure which has its very own Hot Wheels Booster Pack DLC.

If you enjoy fast-paced 2D action games where you try to complete levels as quickly as possible then you'll absolutely love everything that Aeon Drive has to offer. In fact, as it stands, it's one of the best indie games that I've played in a very long time.

Centipede: Recharged does a wonderful job of bringing Atari's classic static shooter to the modern age. With super-fun co-op play and oodles of challenges to master, you'll gladly pick it up whenever you want a quick fix of arcade action.

G-Darius is a top-of-the-line shoot 'em up and this HD iteration is a fairly nifty updated version of the classic albeit with minimal additions. That being said, when a game is this good, bells and whistles don't really add up to much.

Super Monkey Ball Banana Mania is essentially a good-looking remake of Super Monkey Ball Deluxe with some nifty extras which is cool because that's an excellent game to bring back. So, if you're itching to master tricky levels then this package is sure to scratch.

If you enjoy Metroidvania games even a little bit then picking up Castlevania Advance Collection should be a no-brainer. The included titles have held up beautifully and they're each jam-packed with monster-slaying good times. Here's hoping for Castlevania DS Collection.

Despite its simplicity, I enjoyed my time with Crisis Wing as it brought me back to the 16-bit days when I'd rent a shmup from the video store and even if it wasn't particularly special, I still had fun trying to beat my own high scores.

After playing a couple of great AAA 3D platformers earlier this year, I'm absolutely blown away that I enjoyed Kena: Bridge of Spirits even more. With thoroughly challenging fast-paced combat, rewarding puzzles, and a breathtaking world; it's one phenomenal game.

Even with its faults, there's simply no denying just how special of a game Lost in Random is. From its awe-inspiring world to its ingenious gameplay, there's a lot to love in this incredible and memorable albeit often-frustrating adventure.

Staxel delivers a mediocre mix of block-building, farming, and foraging without providing any substantial drive or reward for your efforts. In other words, you'll be better off picking up one of the many games that Staxel was inspired by instead.

Is Aragami 2 rough around the edges? You bet. Does it lack challenge? Unfortunately. But, that doesn't mean that it isn't a heck of a lot of fun. In fact, its arcade-style approach to stealth gameplay had me hooked and I'm looking forward to more sneaky action.

After enjoying it for hours, Bonfire Peaks is easily one my favourite practical puzzle games of all time. From its distinctly presented world to its unconventional premise and its wealth of tricky puzzles to its variety of mechanics; it has everything you'd want from the genre.

Playing Horizon Zero Dawn on PlayStation 5 is such an excellent experience that it made me excited for the upcoming Forbidden West and keep in mind; I rarely get excited for upcoming games. If you still haven't played it yet, I wholeheartedly recommend it.

King's Bounty 2 features fun tactical battles while telling a memorable story as it immerses you in its high fantasy world. But, boy oh boy, prepare for a barrage of ridiculously long loading screens and plenty of other unstreamlined elements.

Flynn: Son of Crimson is one of the best 2D action platformers out there so if you love the genre as much as I do then I highly recommend giving it a go. From its gorgeous presentation to its tight controls and rewarding upgrades, it's one satisfying adventure.

SkateBIRD is a silly little indie game that does quite an impressive job of adapting familiar skateboarding gameplay to a bird-sized world. Completing its missions and finding its collectibles may be rewarding but you'd wish there was much more to it than that.

Sonic Colors: Ultimate does a decent job of bringing back a good game for modern audiences. Although I have fond memories of the original, this remake made me realise that my memory can't always be trusted when it comes to how well certain games will hold up.

Cruis'n Blast presents an arcade racing formula that's exciting at first but quickly wears thin due to its lack of challenge or need for skill. That being said, it can still be enjoyable for a few rounds of old-school racing entertainment with friends.

WarioWare: Get It Together is as random and frantic as you would expect a character-driven entry in the long-running series to be. However, you may not expect just how fun it is to play with a friend and that's where its gameplay shines brightest.

I was so impressed with my time playing Traffic Jams that it quickly became one of my favourite PlayStation VR games. The spot-on humour and frantic gameplay combine beautifully into one fun VR experience and I wholeheartedly recommend it to any PSVR owner.

I'm a very happy shmup fan now that Espgaluda II is finally available for console in the west. With challenging action and complex mechanics that are rewarding to learn and master, its core gameplay has everything that genre enthusiasts would want.

Baldo The guardian owls is the sort of game that you'd dig out of a bargain bin but that's not necessarily a bad thing because some of my fondest gaming memories came from such bins. In other words, it may be clunky but you'll still appreciate what it has to offer.

Spelunky is considered a classic roguelike for good reason. Its hazard-filled structure will have you constantly learning new tricks as you continue to progress further and further. In fact, it even remains superior to its recent sequel so I highly recommend giving it a go.

It's rare to come across a puzzler as enjoyable and challenging as Sokobond, especially considering the fact that it's educational albeit in a subtle way. With lots of puzzles to solve, you'll gladly combine elements for hours within its campaign that's full of variety.

Life is Strange: True Colors presents a tale of empathy as you witness a town struggle to deal with a tragic event. I enjoyed my time in Haven, especially when seeing the world through the eyes of different characters and the ending presented an interesting twist. However, it's all over quickly and the mystery-solving portion is lackluster but it's an ultimately rewarding experience.

Tales of Arise is a masterpiece with a deep story and endearing cast that will keep you hooked as you fight for freedom from tyrants. Meanwhile, the action-intense battles are great fun as you plan your moves to take down enemies as efficiently as possible. Exploring the dungeons and overworld is a joy, too, especially with new map abilities that make traversal engaging. It's the best Tales yet.

If you love trains or puzzle games then playing Cosmic Express is a must with its brilliant collection of stages and adorable presentation. In fact, its variety of puzzles will have you laying tracks for hours while you happily watch the cute little train chug along.

I enjoyed my time with A Good Snowman is Hard to Build despite its brevity and the fact that I got stuck quite regularly. It's bursting with so much charm and lovely aesthetics that you'll roll snowballs with a smile on your face for as long as it lasts.

Lake is a short and enjoyable story-driven game with interesting mail delivery gameplay that drives you to get to know the townsfolk. The story and interactions provide much lighthearted fun so if you can get past the graphical issues and bugs, there's plenty to make you play Lake over and over so you can see how your decisions influence the people of Providence Oaks.

NIS Classics Volume 1 is bursting with SRPG goodness from a few generations ago. Although these games look dated, they're both still great fun to play with their own unique approaches to gameplay, story, and humour. Thanks for bringing them back, Prinny!

The way that The Medium brings trauma to life in various ways is awe-inspiring. At the same time, it's not all that good of a video game.

Weapon of Choice DX is a blend of old-school action and modern psychedelic presentation that'll have you blasting aliens with a smile on your face. The experience may be quite a short one but you'll have a great time for as long as it lasts.

I had an impressively excellent time with Mickey Storm and the Cursed Mask. As a matter of fact, it handles co-op gameplay so well that I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys playing silly games with their gaming chum.

The unconventional structure of Instant Sports Paradise makes it fun to both cooperate and compete with chums within the same multiplayer session. In fact, I wish more party games would follow a similar structure because it's genuinely quite clever.

Fracked is a promising cover-and-shoot VR FPS for PS4. If it featured a longer campaign and smoothed-out difficulty then I'd consider it a must-have for the platform. For now, I hope to eventually play a sequel that expands on this very epic formula in such a manner.

Kitaria Fables is an adorable feline-filled action-adventure RPG with an enjoyable battle system, detailed scenery, and lovely character art. However, multiple quality of life issues prevent this good game from being a great one.

Twelve Minutes plays like an escape room on extra hard difficulty and with higher stakes. As an intriguing albeit small-scale thriller with many twists and turns that can sometimes be frustrating, ending the time loop is ultimately somewhat worth the effort.

Not everyone will appreciate the mind-numbing effect that comes with playing Islanders: Console Edition but if you're in the market for a game that'll put you to sleep then I recommend checking it out. Those looking for a challenge won't find one here, though.

If you're a pixel enthusiast and enjoy classic games like the Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, you're sure to love Arietta of Spirits. It has an awesome heartwarming story and tries to be like a classic SNES adventure game and it succeeds well at doing so.

If you still haven't played Ghost of Tsushima then this Director's Cut is the perfect excuse to finally experience this masterpiece. With a stunning core experience, super-fun online modes, and a brand new campaign, you're in for one outstanding package.

Murder Mystery Machine is a solid whodunit with an engaging storyline and a campaign that puts you in charge of solving 8 interconnected cases. Having said that, it's ultimately quite linear which makes the gameplay feel a little inconsequential at times.

Star Hunter DX is an excellent shoot 'em up at its core with a motivating premise and thoroughly challenging gameplay. The fact that it's lacking in the content department makes me hope that a more fleshed-out sequel will arrive down the road.

As far as 3D platformers go, you certainly can't get much more consistently varied than Psychonauts 2 with its trippy environments and nifty psychic abilities. Throw in an excellent cast of characters and a memorable story and you're left with one heck of an adventure.

If you're looking for yet another game to add to your multiplayer playlist then Super Hiking League DX is definitely one to get. With its cute retro aesthetic, tight gameplay, and surprisingly tense matches, you and a chum will have a lovely time ascending to victory.

If you're looking for a chill albeit tricky puzzler with an excellent sense of humour then I highly recommend playing A Monster's Expedition. Its blend of exploration and clever puzzles makes for one stand-out tree-toppling experience.

Dodgeball Academia's campaign that's full of distinct characters and rewarding RPG elements is quite a treat to progress through. With that in mind, I thought the core dodgeball gameplay was too needlessly limiting to provide consistently engaging gameplay.

It's not the best multiplayer 3D platformer that has you play as a cardboard box out there but Pile Up! Box by Box is still a solid game for friends who want to cooperate while enjoying an adorable and laidback puzzle-filled adventure together.

It may not feature every classic game in the series but Space Invaders Invincible Collection is still bursting with retro fun. Whether you're enjoying the original, trying out the modern titles, or competing with a friend in Space Invaders DX; you're bound to have a blast.

Armed Emeth is the kind of RPG that you'll start playing and not realise how much time has passed considering how consistently rewarding and enjoyable it is. Its battle system may not be all that thrilling but everything else is spot-on for retro RPG fun.

People like to call games the Dark Souls of whatever but Dark Souls is the Spelunker of action RPGs. With gratifying gameplay that constantly makes you stay on your toes, I'm very happy that this classic is back and it's more fully-featured than ever before.

Greak: Memories of Azur is one of the most beautiful games out there with its captivating visuals and immersive audio. However, its gameplay is riddled with issues such as vague progression clues and clunky combat which make the experience frequently frustrating.

Button City is one of those games that I really wanted to love but ended up displeased by its clunky setup and subpar mini-games. There is still a good time to be had in its cute world, though, especially if you don't mind taking the bad with the good.

Piczle Puzzle & Watch Collection does an impressive job of offering 3 games that feel like authentic long-lost Game & Watch titles. The games themselves may not be as impressive as their aesthetics but there's still some fun to be had here for sure.

Picross S Genesis & Master System Edition is a solid offering with a welcome layer of nostalgia. However, the amount of missed opportunities is hard to overlook, especially weighing the fact that there are far superior unofficial Picross titles for Switch.

Next time people tell me that I have to play a certain game; I'll ignore them because this new flight simulator is a steaming pile of crap.

Doomsday Vault is a lovely puzzler that wonderfully combines the laidback fun of its campaign with exciting leaderboard-based challenges. However, it can also be a bit awkward to control at times and re-playing levels to master them is rather tedious.

The Forgotten City is a thoroughly enjoyable and engaging murder mystery where the decisions that you make actually matter. Exploring the beautifully rendered city is a treat and I look forward to whatever the developers create next.

There are many excellent indie games recently and you can definitely add Dreamscaper to the list. With its pitch-perfect game world, highly rewarding gameplay loop, imaginative premise, and personal boss fights; you'll regret sleeping on this one.

Take it from someone who doesn't usually enjoy unchallenging laidback adventures; OMNO is undoubtedly a wonderful experience. From its stylish visuals to its consistently rewarding collectibles and sense of progression, it really is the cat's pajamas.

Cris Tales is a colourful RPG with a neat time travel mechanic that's used throughout the story as well as in battles. Although this sounds promising, it struggles to reach the heights of genre greats and its lack of fine-tuning often made me frustrated or bored.

It's not what I expected from an expansion but Flames of the Nether managed to impress me with its variety of levels and top-notch gear. In fact, I enjoyed it so much that it's my favourite of the 6 expansions so if you'll excuse me, I'll go roast some Piglins.

Echoing Void may start with tedious treks through already completed levels but it ends up being quite an awesome final chapter.

Hidden Depths features some cool gear and an epic boss battle but its reliance on recovering oxygen definitely takes away from the fun.

SkyDrift Infinity is such a fun and challenging racer that it makes me wonder why there aren't more games like it. I'm very happy that they resurrected it from the PlayStation 3 graveyard and hope to see more gems from that era resurface.

B.ARK definitely looks like a promising shmup with its cartoon visuals and variety of animal chums but it falls apart at the seams when you compare it to its genre predecessors. It's still kind of fun at times, though, especially with its 4 player co-op component.

As prolific game reviewer A.J. Maciejewski once said: "Give a witch a gun and she'll shoot for a day; teach a witch to shoot and she'll pulverize forest creatures for a lifetime." In other words, Trigger Witch is a ridiculously fun game that manages to remain enjoyable for hours upon hours due to its reliance on satisfying gameplay, colourful well-animated visuals, and rewarding upgrades.

Orcs Must Die 3 provides excellent orc-killing mayhem. With many imaginative traps and weapons, tower defense fans are sure to find something that catches their fancy. Plus, its gameplay is similar to the original so you enjoyed that, you're sure to love this, too.

Blaster Master Zero 3 is a rewarding and memorable conclusion to an epic trilogy of incredible games. So, if you're bored with the recent wave of hand-holding AAA titles, you'll definitely enjoy its old-school level of challenge that's set in one amazingly intricate world.