If you're a new player looking for your next strategy game fix, you definitely can't go wrong with Sid Meier's Civilization VII. However, other than the ages system, I'm hard-pressed to think of what I'm excited about in this new entry when I could just play the previous installment.

I had a lovely time with Two Point Museum and it's clearly the best, most refined, and unique game in the series so far. It's so great that I'm super-excited to see what's next and how it could possibly top the exhibits on display here.

Lost Records: Bloom & Rage - Tape 1 is a fun nostalgic trip back to the '90s and the mechanic of making short clips on Swann's camcorder is a clever gameplay element that adds another welcoming layer to the mostly narrative experience.

Starting as a simple shooter then slowly evolving into something mind-blowing, I think it's safe to say that Genome Guardian is epic stuff.

I had a lot of fun traversing room after room as I shot adversaries with my ever-expanding arsenal so I'm sure you'll enjoy Star of Providence.

Piczle Cross: Rune Factory is my new favourite nonogram game next to Piczle Cross Adventure so definitely play it for some puzzle fun.

It's challenging, cute, old-school, and has a lot of variety so if you're looking for an arcade-style game then you're sure to love Freddy Farmer.

As one of the cutest and most laidback Metroidvanias I've played, I can easily recommend Jumper Jon to anyone looking for a breezy time.

As far as simple Metroidvanias go, Guns of Fury is a solid one that's definitely worth playing as long as you don't mind a little monotony.

Destructure: Among Debris is an incredibly fun and challenging brick-breaker that unfortunately suffers from some truly irritating bugs.

With explosive combat, rewarding exploration, and old-school lighthearted vibes, there's a lot to love about METAL SUITS: Counter-attack.

Smashing your opponent around destructible stages can be quite entertaining but this quick-time-based brawlfest doesn't have much longevity.

X-Out: Resurfaced is one of the easiest shoot 'em ups that I've ever played but its ship customisation is so fun that it's still a solid game.

As a fan of the first game, I'm very happy that Snezhinka exists as it's an improved iteration of an already great shooting formula.

After the gameplay really sunk in, I ended up having a blast with WARRIORS: Abyss but it definitely won't be everyone's cup of tea.

While Desvelado's protagonist was happy to make it back to their beloved coffin, I was kind of sad for it meant my time with them was already over. That's really the only bad thing I can say so that speaks volumes. A puzzle platformer with solid level design that looks good and controls well is one I can recommend to any fan of the genre.

I'm very happy to now have remastered editions of the first 6 Tomb Raider games even if those included in this collection aren't of the same level of quality as the iconic first 3. The poor lighting and lack of extras doesn't help but they're still highly enjoyable games overall.

It may be a unique game and strategising can be fun but the randomness of Luck be a Landlord makes it more mindless than it could be.

It might be weird to say but Mineral reminded me of Death Stranding because it manages to be both boring and irritating at the same time.

Panel de Pon games don't get much better than Spirit Swap: Lofi Beats to Match-3 To which will have you gaily tapping your toes for hours.

Momodora: Moonlit Farewell is a great Metroidvania that nails the basics of the genre while offering an unforgettably stylish world.

I love indies that offer hilarity and Tiny Terry's Turbo Trip is one such game that'll have you laughing so much that your face will catch fire.

With a more gameplay-focused and varied campaign as well as a phenomenally unforgettable cast of stand-out characters, The Legend of Heroes: Trails through Daybreak II really scratched a lot of itches for me that I didn't even know I had. Or was that Nadia's needles?

It's true that MACROSS -Shooting Insight- is very been-there-done-that but at the same time, the sense of variety when it comes to both its gameplay and its stellar soundtrack make it an overall enjoyable experience.

Under Defeat is such a challenging explosion-filled shoot 'em up that it's hard to put it down, especially with its distinct modes and helicopters to pilot. Throw in flashy visuals and a great soundtrack and you have one radical arcade shooter.

Hello Kitty Island Adventure is an adorable and super-fun casual game with daily activities that will keep you gleefully coming back.

Laika: Aged Through Blood caters to a hardcore audience in more ways than one but those who love it will certainly love it a lot.

I didn't think Strania -The Stella Machina- EX would have held up but this shmup gem is even more fun now than it was back in 2011.

Ensuring monks get safely whisked away via a mysterious portal is tough but rewarding work and Bridge the Gap! proves that with gusto.

Slowly unpacking the elaborate game world of Botany Manor provides a super-rewarding puzzle-infused adventure that's delightfully chill.

Dungeon exploring in Cuisineer is a frantic challenge and the enemies are so adorable that you'll keep wanting to go back. I wish running the restaurant was just as fun, though, as it can get repetitive; I'd rather stare at the delicious recipe book than managing the business.

There are so many awesome twin-stick shooters out there that playing The Legend of Cyber Cowboy frankly feels insulting.

Popotinho's Adventures isn't the worst platformer I've ever played but it's certainly far below the level of quality that one would expect.

The best part of Stellar Strider is its astronaut-themed achievements because the rest of the game will simply leave you annoyed.

Indie shooters don't get much more stylish than Cycle Chaser H-5 and its gameplay is impressively entertaining in all its franticness.

It may be on the generic side but Aquarun is still rather enjoyable thanks to its clever gameplay that sometimes feels puzzle-like.

Lonely Mountains: Snow Riders presents a superb follow-up that makes hugging each corner and landing jumps an absolute joy.

I had a blast with Railway Islands 2 and if you're in the mood for a cozy albeit tricky path-building puzzler then I'm sure you will, too.

Wildfrost provides so much entertaining card battle fun that I found it hard to put it down to write this review. It's so cute, too.

As a simple puzzler that's great fun to master, Pocket Puzzle really provides an impressively entertaining and charming experience.

Whether you're playing RoboDunk for its distinct solo roguelike campaign or via local multiplayer, you'll end up having a grand time.

I sincerely wish that Boti: Byteland Overclocked was more fine-tuned before its console debut but what we have is still a solid platformer.

Dragon Takers isn't a bad RPG but it's certainly a generic one in many of its facets. What's here is still promising, though; I'll give it that.

I can see most Metroidvania fans loving what ENDER MAGNOLIA: Bloom in the Mist has in store, especially if you enjoyed its predecessor.

We need more silly games and Neptunia Riders VS Dogoos: Magazine Edition really scratched an itch with its entertaining gameplay and bubbly characterful presentation. Plus, the physical extras are brilliantly put together to make for one fan-friendly package.

I absolutely loved my time with Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero and hope that it marks the start of many more sequels as I'm excited to see where Marona's adorable adventures take her next.

SYNDUALITY Echo of Ada is one of the most unique and entertaining online games that I've ever played. At the same time, it can be an extremely frustrating experience if you don't play it carefully so be prepared to keep your eyes peeled during every mission.

Blade Chimera is one of the best Metroidvanias that you can play thanks to its jam-packed gameplay, stellar presentation, and rewarding supplementary content. It may not be the longest or most challenging game in the genre but it's definitely unforgettable.

Tales of Graces f Remastered features one of the most interesting storylines in the series and a bunch of mechanics that make it thoroughly stand out. As long as you can enjoy a very linear structure, this remaster is a great RPG to spend time with.

As a Wii veteran, I can't help but feel a little let down but that isn't entirely Donkey Kong Country Returns HD's fault and it doesn't change how special it was when I played it originally in 2010 so if you play it as a newbie, I'm sure you'll have a great time.

I'm very happy that I waited to play FREEDOM WARS Remastered online before writing my review because its action-intense combat lends itself so perfectly to multiplayer matches that I can't wait to play it again. You know what? I think I'll go do that now.

Marvel Rivals is one of the more fun team-based online multiplayer games that you can play right now and with its simple gameplay and mostly straightforward unlocks, it really is a breath of fresh air. Plus, Squirrel Girl's tail is so bushy that it makes me one happy bear.

Ys Memoire: The Oath in Felghana is one heck of a wild ride that acts as a wonderful nostalgic time capsule. At the same time, it's so maddeningly difficult on the normal setting and the poor sense of direction can occasionally be a tough pill to swallow.

From its adorably charming visuals to its zany boss fights and fun Namco references, Arcade Archives TINKLE PIT is the cat's pajamas.

If you love Raiden and want to enjoy something different then Arcade Archives VIPER PHASE 1 is a superb shmup that's sure to please.

PICROSS S NAMCO LEGENDARY edition is the only Picross game I'll ever need thanks to its awesome theme and boatloads of content.

As a huge fan of Volfied, it's clear that Mokoko X doesn't live up to the classic which is a shame because there's a lot of potential here.

It's awesome that The Legend of Dark Witch Episode 2 is now for Switch and I wish more great 3DS games would be upgraded like this.

With simple and repetitive gameplay that's impressively tight and entertaining, Uragun doesn't do much to break out of mediocrity.

I had a wonderful time with Crystal Breaker and even though it's rather simple, there's still enough challenge to keep you delighted.

It's great that DODONPACHI SAIDAIOUJOU is available for Switch. With so many modes and sublime gameplay, it'll knock your socks off.

If it featured much more variety in its levels and no glitches then Ninja 1987 would be a must-play for retro action game fans.

I had some fun with Super Rolling Heroes Deluxe and I'm sure you will, too, but it's still a frustrating and overly simplistic game.

I had a very fun time tinkering with a variety of menacing machines in Besiege. It's quite a clever and cathartic experience.

Who knew that caring for pets in a VR clinic could be this entertaining? Pets & Stuff is such an adorable game and I give it 2 paws up.

Simply put, I wish that Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Rita's Rewind was more fleshed out when it comes to its basic brawler gameplay.

It takes a little while to grow on you but once you get in the groove, Symphonia will quickly become one of your favourite platformers.

Sparking Beam Strike 1000 is an enjoyable and simple puzzle game that can definitely be fun in short albeit colourful bursts.

VIVIDLOPE is one of my favourite arcade-style indies of 2024 thanks to its bubbly presentation and unique gameplay that's a ton of fun.

I had an enjoyable time with Mythwrecked: Ambrosia Island but I wish it was more involving, especially when it comes to its puzzles.

Magical Bakery is an easy breezy cozy game that requires just enough strategy and planning to make it a satisfying treat for sure.

With its clever loadout options and unlockables that make each run easier, W.A.N.D. Project is a stand-out title in a crowded genre.

If you love 8-bit tunes and want to hear a wide variety of awesome compositions as you play silly mini-games, this is one great collection.

I've never played anything quite like Dungeons of Dreadrock 2 - The Dead King's Secret before and its cleverness really makes it shine.

Super Spy Raccoon is a superb 2D arcade stealth game that will have you trying over and over again to achieve higher and higher scores.

I haven't played a dungeon crawler RPG as satisfying and unique as Tokyo Clanpool in a very long time and I'm super-happy that it's as great of an experience as it is so if you enjoy these kinds of games and can get your hands on a copy, definitely take the plunge.

Entropy Survivors is my favourite Survivors-like so far with its colourful 3D visuals, huge arsenal of weaponry, and online co-op that adds a ton of fun to an already thrilling action-packed formula. Definitely hop to it and check it out, chums.

Snufkin: Melody of Moominvalley is an adorable feast for the eyes and food for the soul that will make you laugh from beginning to end. Hopefully, it has set the stage for a more substantial sequel in the future.

RollerCoaster Tycoon Classic's included games were a ton of fun when they originally released and they still are now, especially when you get to enjoy the content of the 2 classics and their expansions all in one convenient and streamlined package.

Taito Milestones 3 offers a solid collection of games; many of which are so full of muscular man meat that you could almost smell it.

FANTASIAN Neo Dimension is a jam-packed RPG that blends retro and modern elements wonderfully in both its presentation and gameplay. So, if you have fond memories of games like The Legend of Dragoon then you need to play this.

Snow Bros. Wonderland is simply one of the best co-op games that you can play right now thanks to its varied and rewarding campaign as well as its wonderfully adorable presentation that's so cute, it'll make you want to clang Nick and Tom's oversized heads together.

Although its funny characters and colourful world are welcoming, Neo Harbor Rescue Squad falls a little flat when it comes to gameplay.

I love the gameplay that Food Boy presents but I hope that it gets iterated upon to smooth out some of its more frustrating aspects.

Although its combat and iconic visuals are excellent, the harsh roguelike setup of Metal Slug Tactics is both unnecessary and a hindrance to the amount of fun that you'll get out of the experience. On the bright side, its clever bosses certainly pose memorable challenges.

EcoGnomix is simply one of my favourite indie surprises of 2024 with its excellent strategic roguelike campaign that'll keep you hooked.

Petit Island is an exceptionally cute and super-chill game where the adorable run animation alone makes it worth adding to your collection.

The amount of fun my gaming chum and I had with Servonauts is superb and I'm looking forward to getting 3 stars on every level.

If you enjoy old-school co-op games with an arcade feel then you'll absolutely love what Slam and Roll has in store for you.

Farmagia is a cute dungeon crawler that has you control dozens of harvested battle buddies at once. Although it may look like there's a lot going on, it gets repetitive quickly and it frankly didn't do enough to keep me interested.

Touhou Spell Carnival Limited Edition is such a wonderful package of a unique and rewarding strategic game that comes with a box full of brilliant physical extras. It's such a great set that I'm going to visit IFI's Online Store more often and see what other goodies await.

Irem Collection Volume 2 is a pretty good compilation of a few arcade games that are all incredibly fun if you decide to play via co-op multiplayer. So, if you love classic run 'n' gun games with a little shmup action on the side then get blasting, chum!

Goblin Slayer -Another Adventurer- Nightmare Feast is the kind of game that doesn't give a good first impression but after a while, it really opens up in impressive ways so stick to it and you'll see that it's one great SRPG.

LEGO Horizon Adventures is a game with a very specific audience: Horizon fans who want to play a funny co-op game with their kid or, in my case, annoyingly immature life partner (me). It may not be worth its weight in gold bricks but it's a heck of a good time.

Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake delivers the classic with an astonishing amount of upgrades that make it well-worth revisiting with its beautiful visuals, a superb new vocation, and many impactful quality of life enhancements.

Journey to Kreisia may be a basic RPG but its story and characters really shine, especially with its inclusion of a real-world protagonist and how that affects those in the fantasy realm even if some of the dialogue will make you scratch your head.

Candivity is a pretty enjoyable and very cute multiplayer funfest in the same vein as Suika Game so check it out if that's your thing.

Odd assortment of games aside, Tetris Forever is a wonderful document for an iconic series that fans will definitely appreciate.