Chants of Sennaar is one of the most unique games of the year and it's impressively rewarding, too, so definitely play it if you love puzzles.

I'm very happy that Super Bomberman R 2 is here and its highly strategic Castle mode is simply one of the best innovations that the series has ever seen. In addition to that, the single player component is brimming with rewarding content that'll keep lone wolves entertained for hours while the multiplayer element is as frantic and fun as it's ever been. It definitely lit my fuse; that's for sure.

A great mech combat game that boasts a surprisingly moody atmosphere while offering one of the most rewarding customisation components in all of gaming. So, definitely play it if you love tough combat and plenty of explosions.

Isekai Rondo is one of the quirkier old-school RPGs that you can play and it's really quite a unique experience from its singular yet super-long dungeon to its outstanding retro visuals. It may be on the easy side but what's here is still a treat for any classic RPG aficionado.

The Legend of Nayuta: Boundless Trails brought me back to the wonderful PSP days and for that, I feel indebted to this fantastic gem from that era. Throw in excellent gameplay, an undeniably charming world, and oodles of cleverly designed levels and you're left with one great action RPG. Just keep in mind that its story is nowhere near as epic as the Trails in its title may lead you to believe.

It's awesome that Escape Academy: The Complete Edition is a thing as it's full of well-crafted puzzles that'll keep you entertained for hours. Plus, it works well on Nintendo Switch so even more folks can enjoy it than ever before.

We Were Here Expeditions: The FriendShip is a bite-sized spin-off that acts as an excellent intro for the great We Were Here series.

How 2 Escape is a brilliant cross-device co-op puzzler with an eerie tone that will thoroughly test your communication skills. Great stuff!

Lies of P is a very good Soulslike that doesn't quite reach greatness due to its lack of variety and needless limitations. That aside; what's here is still undeniably rewarding and entertaining so fans of the genre will enjoy what it has to offer.

Mon-Yu presents an old-school RPG formula in an accessible way that'll still force you to strategise when it comes to both traversal and combat. Because of that, it's one of the most rewarding and enjoyable dungeon crawlers that I've ever played.

I had a great deal of fun with Samba de Amigo: Party Central and am looking forward to playing it more, especially while exploring the online modes so if you're down for a fun-filled maraca-shaking good time, why not monkey around?

Enchanted Portals looks great within its charming old-school cartoon world but it mostly plays like a bargain bin Super NES game.

Combining puzzles and platforming has endless possibilities yet I've never played anything like It's a Wrap! before; it's great stuff.

The roguelike nature of Nova Strike is the best thing going for it because unfortunately, its core gameplay isn't all that entertaining.

Jets'n'Guns 2 feels like one of the best DOS games that you'll ever play thanks to its ridiculous shooting action and rewarding upgrades.

It may be on the basic side of the shmup spectrum but there is some fun to be had in Hexapoda in its non-linear insect-blasting journey.

I'm surprised how jam-packed Overdriven Evolution is, especially considering that the core experience is entertaining enough on its own.

I thoroughly enjoyed 30XX and the thing is; there's always more to play with its open-ended nature and clever roguelike structure.

As a fan of retro games and documentaries, The Making of Karateka really hit a sweet spot that I don't think any other game has before.

Fae Farm is one fun farming sim with tons to keep you busy for many in-game months as well as a large world to explore beyond the farm. The only thing it's missing is a substantial family system so pick it up if you're more into the farming and adventuring side of things.

Rune Factory 3 Special is an attractive upgrade to the DS original and I had fun exploring its dungeons, upgrading my tools, farming, and wooing my future wife. However, its issues with inventory management, lack of gender and marriage options, and a rather limited set of dungeons make it a middling (but still good) Rune Factory game overall.

Taito Milestones 2 presents a good offering of 10 retro arcade games with some truly fun hidden gems and excellent shoot 'em ups along with a couple of the dumbest fighting games that I've ever played.

Trine 5: A Clockwork Conspiracy may not be a title on everyone's lips but it's certainly game of the year material. With a wide variety of abilities and mechanics and astoundingly adaptive gameplay (especially for co-op play), it's quite the achievement in game design.

Agatha Christie - Hercule Poirot: The London Case is another enjoyable mystery with great gameplay and a complex storyline that'll keep you guessing. I'm definitely looking forward to Blazing Griffin continuing to improve the series and seeing what they come up with next.

Sea of Stars is an excellent retro-inspired RPG that will make you happy to explore its packed and beautiful world. It may get a little stale at parts for various reasons but what's here is still undeniably special.

In an age when RPGs are generally becoming increasingly dark, violent, brash, and serious, the brilliantly colourful humour-filled lightheartedness of these Rhapsody games shines through in a profoundly distinct fashion. From adorable characters to lovely musical numbers and rewarding combat to oodles of side-splitting jokes; there's certainly a lot to love here.

Kentucky Route Zero: TV Edition is a story-heavy game that not everyone will appreciate but those who do will love it a lot.

Your enjoyment of Iron Danger will rely on how much you love tinkering with plans until you execute something perfectly. So, if that sounds like your jam then you'll be absolutely smitten with the strategic possibilities in Iron Danger.