Dragon's Dogma 2 is a top-notch experience for anyone who loves undertaking challenging open-ended adventures at their own pace. It's definitely old-school in its approach but the lack of modern amenities certainly makes it stand out amongst its contemporaries.

There are definitely more interesting 2D platformers on the market but that doesn't mean Runner2 is a bad choice for fans of the genre to check out either; particularly, if you like having your reaction speed challenged.

Attack of the Karens is a funny game that I recommend playing for its humour but as a shoot 'em up, it doesn't do much to stand out.

Rebel Transmute may be my new favourite Metroid-inspired game as it emulates what made the original special in a wonderful way.

Dungeon Drafters poses a daunting and unique strategic adventure that those who love a challenge will absolutely relish.

If you love retro racing games then I have great news because New Star GP is one of the best and it will surely keep you hooked.

With a vast collection of included games and a great deal of historic documents, Llamasoft: The Jeff Minter Story is a treasure trove.

Yes, Outcast - A New Beginning doesn't feel like a modern game and that's actually its primary appeal so if you have fond memories of 15 year old action adventure games then you'll love what's in store for you in this open-ended planet-exploring journey.

Unicorn Overlord Collector's Edition is one of the best surprises of the year because the base game is incredible and the physical extras really expand on the core experience in clever ways. It's such a unique strategic funfest that I highly recommend checking it out.

Akka Arrh VR enhances an already great arcade experience by offering a flashier, trippier, and more intuitive formula than ever before.

Survivorman VR The Descent is a straightforward game that may not provide decisions or exploration yet it resembles the TV show well.

I had a ton of fun with Little Cities: Bigger! and will definitely play it whenever I want to enjoy a lighthearted and rewarding sim.

It may be frustrating at first but as Stilt grows on you, you'll have a great time as you fling yourself through its many imaginative levels.

My gaming chum and I had a ton of fun with Contra: Operation Galuga and although it doesn't live up to classics such as the peak of run 'n' gun action, Hard Corps, there's certainly a lot to love here, especially with its varied assortment of playable characters.

Astro Duel 2 is a wonderful competitive multiplayer game that's full of variety; sure to entertain a couchful of spacefaring goofballs.

Berserk Boy fits right in to the whole Inti Creates universe so well that it's hard to believe it wasn't actually developed by them.

Classified: France '44 exceeded my expectations as it provides a genuine-feeling WWII campaign along with some rewarding twists.

I may have been hesitant at first but as Welcome to ParadiZe opened up, it quickly became one of my favourite co-op games.

I had an exceptional amount of fun with HELLDIVERS 2 and will happily boot it up whenever I want to experience some frantic co-op shooting action. Throw in a superb sense of humour and oodles of rewarding unlockables and you're left with a cape-worthy offering.

Genso Chronicles is a mostly enjoyable retro RPG that you certainly won't regret playing even if it can sometimes be a bit too repetitive and frustrating. Plus, if you love gathering and crafting then you'll enjoy your time with it much more.

Even as a long-time fan of the franchise, Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island surpassed my expectations and it will likely remain my favourite dungeon-crawling roguelike for many years. So, settle in with an onigiri or 2 and give it a go.

I figured Shooting Blocks would be kind of fun but instead, it feels like the pre-alpha of a game that wouldn't have been good anyway.

Dead End City is one of the best indie shoot 'em ups that I've played in a long time with its unique setup and super-tight gameplay.

Indie throwbacks don't get much better than Lords of Exile with its genuine presentation, constant variety, and pitch-perfect gameplay.

Ufouria: The Saga 2 is a must-play for any 2D platformer fan whether you played the original or not; it's that good and hilarious to boot.

I thoroughly enjoyed GUNVOLT RECORDS: Cychronicle and if you're a fan of the series like I am, you'll love every moment of it.

While definitely rough around the edges, I thoroughly enjoyed Penny's Big Breakaway. There is a lot to get out of its levels whether it's a faster time, higher score, or all of its collectibles but I don't even need a specific reason to play through them again because controlling Penny is entertaining enough in and of itself. If you're looking for a fun and fast 3D platformer then look no further.

If The Mobius Machine incorporated additional unique elements and was more streamlined to navigate, it would have been a great game.

ABRISS - build to destroy is a rewarding and cathartic construction puzzler but one that console players may want to enjoy on PC instead.

It's impressive how long Balatro's simple gameplay can keep you entertained so be sure to play it if you enjoy a good ol' game of poker.

Bandle Tale: A League of Legends Story is an adorable cozy game with a long list of quests to complete with no pressure whatsoever. I just wish it had a better orientation system so I could spend less time retracing my steps and trying to manually keep track of quests.

Nonogram and Story of Seasons fans will absolutely love what Piczle Cross: Story of Seasons has to offer as it's one impressive puzzler.

The clever mix of SRPG and puzzle elements makes Captain Velvet Meteor: The Jump+ Dimensions a supremely entertaining adventure.

qomp2 is so maddeningly difficult that its main campaign feels like it should be some sort of extra-hard bonus mode. It's still fun, though.

Learning how to play Slave Zero X effectively will take a while but once you get over that hump, it provides some of the most satisfying 2D action gameplay out there. In other words, I'm very happy that they brought this IP back and look forward to Slave Zero X2.

Arzette: The Jewel of Faramore is a jewel indeed and a game that shouldn't be as fun as it is so I recommend it to any retro gamer.

Promenade is one of those indie games that you need to have in your collection thanks to its superb gameplay and wide appeal.

Yohane the Parhelion - Numazu in the Mirage - is one of the best surprises that I've played in recent memory so if you love card combat and adorable anime characters then you simply need to play this darling gem of a game.

Ultros is a loopy sci-fi adventure and when I say loopy, I mean that in both senses of the word. However, I can definitely say that Ultros is an unforgettable adventure which is something few indie games manage to achieve.

FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH takes what made REMAKE work and expands on the formula in nearly every way imaginable from its rewarding combat and exploration to its absolutely hilarious humour. As a long-time fan, I'm incredibly happy with what it has to offer.

If you're a fan of Persona or RPGs in general, you'll definitely have some fun with Persona 3 Reload but don't expect it to reach the heights of the latest game in the series.

TEKKEN 8 is an awesome fighter that's only matched with Street Fighter 6 as a true definition of what the genre should be.

I'm very happy that Mario vs. Donkey Kong was remade, especially considering just how darn cute it all is. Seeing as the core gameplay has held-up as well as it has and that there are a lot of challenges to overcome, it's one impressive package.

I'm obsessed with this remastered collection of the first 3 Tomb Raider games as it does an amazing job of bringing the action-adventure classics back to life with a big graphical overhaul while maintaining absolutely everything that make the games so much fun.

Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden surpassed my expectations thanks to its incredible sense of exploration, gripping story, and gorgeously-presented characters. Sure, it's easy but the adventure is still well-worth going on for any curious ghost hunters out there.

I thoroughly enjoyed my time with Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League but only in bursts and that's not enough to make me widely recommend it. If it took these fleeting moments of enjoyment and really ran with them, it could have been a great game.

The Legend of Steel Empire made me realise how much fun this classic shmup is all these years after its debut and that's rather special.

I wanted to love Dungeonoid 2 Awakening but only ended up liking it with its haphazard mix of brick-breaking and arcade-like progression.

Although it offers some mildly entertaining retro action, The Adventures of Panzer: Legacy Collection doesn't quite rise to the challenge.

I loved my time with AdventureQuest 8-Bit: Dungeons & Doomknights as it's one genuinely retro experience that truly excels.

If all you want is a basic classic Zelda-like that you can wind-down with after a long day then Saga of the Moon Priestess will cut the mustard for sure. However, if you'd like a little more substance then you may be disappointed in what it has to offer.

I thoroughly enjoyed my time with Witch Rise and if you like cute games that simplify existing gameplay formulas then I'm sure you will, too. Before diving in for yourself, just keep in mind how short it is and that certain aspects can be a little annoying to deal with.

Bulletstorm VR is a hilariously dated game that'll make you laugh as you blow crap up while listening to its stupidly macho cast of characters. However, it's so rough around the edges that I'd find it hard to recommend to even the biggest fan of '90s-era action flicks.

If you have a soft spot for cuteness and love finding hidden objects then you'll absolutely adore Hidden Through Time 2: Myths & Magic.

Nephenthesys is the sort of game that you'll play whenever you want a quick and flashy shoot 'em up fix that isn't too taxing.

Jett Rider is one of my favourite indies in recent memory thanks to its tight old-school gameplay and hilarious sense of humour.

It may not be an epic adventure like the first game but Turnip Boy Robs a Bank is filled with laughs, silly action, and lots to unlock.

Yes, Go Mecha Ball can be tough but it's also one of the most immediately gratifying and unique indie formulas that I've seen in years.

Granblue Fantasy: Relink has a lot of character and is a great contribution to action RPGs. Genre fans looking for something new will enjoy this tale, especially its epic boss fights and interactive landscapes to explore; well, if you can get over the initial hurdles, of course.

Knights of Grayfang is one of the most impressive RPGs that I've played in quite a while. Its everything-and-the-kitchen-sink approach to party progression and exploration make it incredibly rewarding while the game world remains nothing short of memorable.

If you've ever thought that operating a guard post sounds like a mundane job then check out Lil' Guardsman where every person you admit or deny has a big impact on the fate of the city. This hilariously silly indie has heart, making the most tedious of jobs entertaining.

Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney Trilogy contains an awesome collection of some of the most varied and bizarre cases in the whole franchise complete with bonuses for diehard fans and plenty of quality-of-life improvements. This is a collection that mystery fans cannot miss.

Another Code: Recollection is laidback storytelling with likeable characters, the odd puzzle, and a little sci-fi sprinkled in for good measure. I'm glad that I got to play through these lesser-known adventure games all of these years after their initial release although they certainly don't do much to stand out from the crowd.

If The Cub were a TV show, I'd watch it but as a game, it's both very limiting and needlessly irritating. Its presentation really saves it.

Old-school 3D platforming fans will get a kick out of Super Bear Adventure even if it doesn't offer anything particularly new.

I mostly enjoyed my time with Piyokoro although its more finicky aspects left me rather frustrated at times so bring plenty of patience.

As one of the cutest games on Nintendo Switch, Masarada Town Story can be enjoyable but its tedious nature will surely tire you out.

You don't see games like Crystal Project every day but I'm very happy that it exists with its awesome and rewarding blend of genres.

Yes, Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising is a good fighting game but its totes adorbs Grand Bruise Legends mode is what really won me over.

The Last of Us Part II Remastered is generally what you'd expect for a current-generation iteration of a 3.5-year-old game. There's definitely enough extra content and enhancements to make it worthwhile but only if you're not burned-out by the original.

EGGCONSOLE SILPHEED PC-8801mkIISR is a bit too retro to wholeheartedly enjoy nowadays but it's great that we can actually play this long-lost shmup gem despite the fact that it hasn't aged all that well.

I loved revisiting the origins of this underrated shoot 'em up series so I'm very happy that Arcade Archives AERO FIGHTERS is finally here.

As one of my new favourite shmups for Switch, BATSUGUN Saturn Tribute Boosted will make you feel like a force to be reckoned with.

From its nifty scoring mechanics to its diverse characters and its awesome music to its sharp 3D visuals, Castle of Shikigami2 is great stuff.

XIIZEAL further cements Triangle Service as a stand-out shoot 'em up developer but be warned: it's quite difficult; even for pros.

DELTAZEAL is a superb shoot 'em up and this release is bolstered by top-notch commentary that shines a light on shmup development.

Playing Vetrix Worlds is highly entertaining at first but once your arms start to hurt and the repetition kicks in, you'll happily move on.

Toy Trains is one of my new favourite PlayStation VR2 games with its wondrous world, oodles of charm, and satisfying gameplay.

Towers and Powers VR is one of the best tower defense games I've played which goes to show that the formula can work great in VR.

I initially had a great time with Ancient Dungeon VR but after a while, I began to feel defeated by its repetition and lack of rewards.

Ven VR Adventure is a solid 3D platformer with a mix of fun and frustrating moments yet it doesn't do anything particularly special.

Vertigo 2 is a weird game that can be off-putting for sure but once you get immersed in its odd world, you'll end up having a blast.

Although its levels are highly entertaining, Tiger Blade's boss fights will make you want to turn the game off in rage. They're not fun.

Telenet Shooting Collection includes a variety of early '90s shooters from the multidirectional Granada to the enemy copying fun of Gaiares. If you have nostalgia for the genre then I certainly recommend picking up a copy for yourself.

I thoroughly enjoyed my time with Jinshin and hope to see many more RPGs with a similar fantastical take on Japanese culture. It may be simple at its core but it's also hard not to appreciate the wealth of unique content that it has to offer.

I enjoyed roaming the Terarium while controlling my favorite Pokemon and the sheer number of different Pokemon spread around the Kitakami and Terarium regions is sure to make all Pokemon collectors happy.

Molecano is a sweet and simple puzzle game that's packed with oodles of levels to master and characters to unlock. Its basic gameplay does get repetitive rather quickly but holy moley, it's still a wonderful game to wind down with via short play sessions.

I had a solid time with Koumajou Remilia II: Stranger's Requiem and it is a step-up from the first game but it doesn't really go above and beyond what you'd expect from 2D action games. It's certainly worth at least a playthrough, though, especially if you're a Touhou fan.

Arashi: Castles of Sin: Final Cut can be enjoyable when it works; specifically, the stealth component. Even then, it doesn't do anything exceptional and the resulting formula struggles to rise above an average VR action game. That dog sure is cute, though.

Lake: Season's Greetings is a wonderful holiday treat that will get anyone in the mood for the season even if it is a little repetitive.

This Bed We Made is an intriguing mystery that warrants multiple playthroughs if you want to experience everything that it has to offer.

Toasterball is indeed the next must-have party game thanks to its top-notch use of variety while keeping the core gameplay simple.

Backpack Hero is a novel game that can be enjoyable at first but its awkward controls and repetitive dungeons get stale rather quickly.

As a lover of trains and real-time strategy, Train Valley 2 - Community Edition really scratched an itch and it's a superb sequel to boot.

I had a blast with Teardown as it really got its hooks in me with its clever combo of destruction and strategic missions. Great stuff!

Catering to both 2D action enthusiasts and casual gamers alike, Astral Ascent is a roguelike that anyone can thoroughly enjoy.

I had a great time with TEVI and wholeheartedly recommend it to any fellow Metroidvania fan, especially if you love cute adventures.

Coral Island is a carefree island farming sim with a lot of charm set in a vibrant world. It borrows quite heavily from similar games yet it also manages to forge its own identity and throw in a bunch of fresh concepts, too.