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.

Detective Pikachu is a cute and fun little game but it only offers enough challenge to satisfy an elementary school student.

With a ton of superior Soulslikes out there, Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn simply feels unnecessary. It's the sort of game that seems like it was made to be Game Pass filler but even then, there are dozens upon dozens of better games available for the service.

I enjoyed my time with The DioField Chronicle and look forward to a sequel if one ever gets produced. Let's just hope that it features more variety in the aspects that its predecessor lacks as well as packs more of a punch challenge-wise.

The investigations themselves are great examples of story-telling.

Butcher is a fun, addictive riff on a classic genre with an uncompromising approach that makes it feel both rewarding and frustrating. You're unlikely to get much mileage out of it unless you like a lot of repetition and a torturous level of challenge but if you're attracted by its over-the-top retro aesthetic, it's definitely worth checking out.

Songbringer's core gameplay is enjoyable and the variety of weapons and items means that you're always unlocking something fresh and getting to experiment with new things. However, it's doubtful that the procedural generation will add a ton to the experience and the sloppy pixelated visuals frequently detract from the otherwise satisfying adventure.

Samurai Aces is a solid debut shmup from one of the most notable developers in the genre. It may be a bit too simplistic for some gamers' tastes but what's here does a good job of showcasing Psikyo's humble origins.

Dragon Quest III: The Seeds of Salvation wraps up the Erdrick trilogy beautifully and it's simply a must-play for any retro RPG fan.

Colossus Down is a great beat 'em up that takes place in one of the most twisted indie franchises out there and I highly recommend it.

There's a lot to enjoy in Lords of the Fallen, especially with its phenomenal dual-world reality that adds a layer to exploration. Slaying bosses and trekking ahead may not always be a delight but what's here is still very good nonetheless.

Sonic Frontiers is obviously a love-it-or-hate-it sort of game so thankfully, I love it. The fact that there are just so many fun things that you can do at any given time makes my brain happy and I'm looking forward to a sequel. Please make it happen, Sega.

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.

Gamers looking for rewarding arcade fun will love BurgerTime Party! The classic gameplay holds up beautifully and when you factor in all of the new mechanics, silly visual style, and array of content; how could you not enjoy this arcade throwback?

If you're the kind of gamer who embraces unconventional and entertaining games that slide underneath most gamers' radars as they remain mesmerized by all of the recycled AAA schlock out there then you should definitely play Fight Crab. Don't make me pinch you!

I can't say enough good things about Sundered. Developer Thunder Lotus Games took some risks by trying a few new things and fortunately, they all paid off. The visuals are top-notch, the combat is excellent, the upgrade system is robust, and the exploration is on-point. Sundered isn't just the best indie game I've played this year but one of the best games I've ever played period.

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.

Visually, Resident Evil: Revelations is a bit rough around the edges but that doesn't hold it back from being an intense and enjoyable action-based entry in the series, either by playing solo or teaming up with a friend in Raid Mode.

STARBITES may be generic in a lot of ways but there's no denying how charming its cast is and how well its many elements come together to formulate a rewarding battle system that gradually becomes more strategic as you progress.

I'm happy to say that Nickelodeon Kart Racers 3: Slime Speedway is the best game in the series so far. Whether you're a nostalgic '90s kid or a modern-day scamp, you're bound to have a tubular time racing with all of these familiar chums.

With many 3D platformers out there, I'm glad that Tin & Kuna offers a challenge-based setup as it makes mastering levels enjoyable.

Cotton Reboot provides an incredible experience for shmup fans with its expertly-crafted arrange mode that modernizes the classic to new heights. In fact, it does such a good job with this that it could be used as a template for any shoot 'em up remake.

Turrican Flashback Collection includes 4 undeniably old-school run 'n' gun games that genre fans may want to play but be warned; there are plenty of aspects that haven't aged well at all which makes playing this compilation quite annoying at times.

Cooperative games don't get much better than Degrees of Separation. Its ingenious puzzle design and open-ended campaign are perfect for co-op fun while the gorgeous visuals and storybook narrative make it all the more engaging.

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.

Turf Wars is a substantial step down from The Heist as its unvaried and brief campaign along with its stereotypical story make it an easily forgettable piece of content. That being said, there are some redeeming qualities but they are too few and far between.

Demon's Crystals may be one of the simplest twin-stick shooters that you'll ever play but that's what makes it so enjoyable. It's easy to pick up and play with a few friends and with so many modes to try; it will make a solid addition to any genre fan's library.

With superb bosses, solid stealth gameplay, and rewarding upgrades and gadgets to utilise, Haunted House is one great Halloween game.