I was completely enthralled with Bad North‘s simplified take on the RTS and its straightforward yet tactical gameplay – up until I died the first time. There are some neat ideas here, but the roguelike structure highlights its weaknesses more than its strengths. The brilliant minimalism is really only intriguing the first time around; all other times you’re trudging your way back to the part where it gets interesting, then suddenly losing it all.

At the end of the day, if you are looking for a fighter that you and two to three friends can sit down and have a great time with, Brawlout is your game. That also is true if you have friends that play online. So if you have an itch for some Smash Bros. and just haven’t been able to find something to scratch it, then give Brawlout a shot.

It’s a game you will want to like and respect because of the retro feeling that it provides. Having goofy characters and themes does help, but everything else seems to fall apart as you realize you’re just not having all that much fun. It’s a short game that allows you to get all but three achievements easily. You likely won’t have the patience to play the more difficult modes. Cooperative couch play is a minor bonus but there is no online to be seen. I commend the approach but don’t feel it harbored any real interest. Void of any replayability or extra content, Coffee Crisis leaves us with a short and unrememberable creative idea.

A thrilling adventure game that is sure to please, Strange Brigade does almost everything right. There were too many things I liked about the game to mention (graphics and sound are also top notch). This isn’t Rebellion’s first third-person shooter, and the growth of quality has increased with maturity. The Egyptian theme is everywhere, from the menu system to the excellent narration. It’s as if you were playing an action movie, with the brigade seeming to have their own personal agendas that happen to coincide with saving the world. After the credits roll, you’re more than likely going to go back to the menu and continue playing.

It’s an admirable attempt with a clear love for the era, but you will likely not spend too much time playing it. Since the achievements are extremely easy, many may buy this just to grab them, however, unless you are a super fan of the nostalgic vibes this game is dropping, you are better off skipping this one. There are a lot of other games that can give you the same nostalgic feeling, while still adding new mechanics and creating a better overall experience.

The way the game infuses its roguelike elements with a deliberate linear design is brilliant, creating a sense of consistent forward momentum that you rarely see in its peers. This isn’t an experience which mostly relies on RNG for a good run, as you’re always in the driver’s seat building your character and navigating the interconnected world. Its moment-to-moment gameplay is pure gold, but the way the overarching game remains compelling after so many hours is its greatest feat.

If the issues of the game were fixed, it would be an honor to go back and play the game just to continue experiencing the story. Unfortunately, in the present state that the game is in, its impossible to recommend Fall of Light to anyone.

While far from perfect, the package delivered is one you’ll love opening and exploring. You can play for hours on end and still have an addiction to open every drawer or checking every waste basket for precious supplies. While there are design choices that don’t make much sense, you can look past them and enjoy it for what it is: a playground for madness. We Happy Few will be a joy to most who decide to take the pill. Anyone who doesn’t like it is a real downer. Lovely day for it!

If you’re a fan of point and click games, or the Telltale adventure series, 1979 Revolution: Black Friday will be a no-brainer. However, it’s the game’s historical setting that should be the major draw. The Iranian revolution is not something that’s covered often in Western media; I personally knew very little before playing the game, yet here it’s proven to be a fascinating period of time.

Defenders of Ekron – Definitive Edition is not the game its advertised to be, nor the game you’d want it to be. The second half of the game is a tedious, confusing mess with no real support from the storyline; it doesn’t help it stay afloat. The hour or so of shmup style gameplay that is there is solid, but its blurred by the rest of the game’s mechanics and gameplay elements. The puzzles, while occasionally interesting, are completely out of place. The game overall is a failure. It’s playable, but it’s not likely what you’re wanting or expecting.

The Banner Saga 3 is a truly wonderful interactive story and a solid tactical role-playing game. While this entry can stand on its own in the trilogy, The Banner Saga should be experienced as one cohesive work across the three games. It’s a fitting end to a harrowing journey. It’s not often that games are developed as such a complete package, from the art and gameplay to the narrative and score – everything comes together in harmony as an incredibly unique experience.

Love it or hate it, what was done with Bomber Crew was done mostly right. While there are a few disappointing aspects, the overall experience can be a great one. There is plenty to do and hours to spend if you enjoy the core concepts. The graphics aren’t going to win any awards, but do manage to have their own sense of charm. If you’re into World War era games and bombers, you may even have a deeper appreciation.

Jump Gunners has a strong main concept, but the game does so poorly at highlighting it that it merely feels like optional bells and whistles. That leaves us with a basic core of a competitive sidescrolling shooter, and while it works, it doesn’t have a high level of polish. It’s a mediocre party game you’ve seen a million times before; while it has enough mayhem to be fun with a few friends, it’s not going to leave a lasting impression on anyone.

If Gene Rain ever goes on sale for $5, and you’re desperate for some achievements, then by, by all means, pick it for the points. Otherwise, there is no redeeming value in paying anything for the game. There are no strong aspects. Literally, nothing is done well. I wish I could say "despite all the negatives," but I can’t. Gene Rain is just awful and you should save your time and money.

No Man’s Sky’s most interesting aspect is how the game that seemingly failed in gamers eyes almost two years ago, has risen from the ashes and has been reborn as something spectacular.

Let’s face it, Asemblance: Oversight isn’t just more of the same in terms of the confusing puzzles and the forgettable story, it’s even less of a game than the original just by how much shorter it is. How this game even got made into a sequel is questionable, and the developer taking the game in the same direction as the original hurt it more than it helped. Do yourself a favor and save your time and money. Avoid this game. Avoid this series.

This game is a like a slot machine that forgot to let the player win every once in a while to keep them playing. All things considered, it’s just a very poor experience; and if you bought the game, I hope you enjoy losing. Don’t give this game a chance because it isn’t going to give you one.

Lumines Remastered is still a great pickup for those who enjoy the block-drop sub-genre of puzzle games. So take this chance to play it again, or play it for the first time. Either way, it’s a groovy way to puzzle through the day.

Overcooked 2 is a perfect example of how to make a great sequel to a smash hit. It takes everything we knew and loved in the first game and cranks it up to 11.

Overall Insane Robots is a well presented, fun little card battler. Its simplicity makes it an ideal game to start with if you’re new to card games, and the difficulty curve is spot on meaning you’ll be continuously challenged until the end and beyond. Whilst a multiplayer mode is available, given the lack of player base, you should view this as a single player game. However, the story could have done with some more depth to make the game a true standout; in fact, I would happily waive the multiplayer aspect for some better lore.

When I first got my hands on Mugsters, I was certain it would be something I’d love, mixing wacky physics-based hijinks with high-octane puzzle solving like some sort of indie Just Cause. I know that experience is in there somewhere, buried under the doldrums of tiresome repetition and eye strain. There’s still some fun to be had if you look hard enough, which is fitting for a game where everything is almost too small to see.

Puzzle-wise, the game delivers like a morning newspaper. You get what you expected. Then you realize it had rained, and the story was hard to read, and ink had smeared around the important parts. The graphics are fine, but not good enough to excuse the sudden clumsiness of loading changes in the environment. The saving grace is the excellent voice acting and puzzle concepts. It turns out to be just mediocre overall. You will likely enjoy The Spectrum Retreat, but your love for it will be as empty as the hotel.

The story here is eerie, and the atmosphere is nightmarish. You get plenty of scares, and it’s a joy to play through the entire game to figure out where everything went wrong. While the game has some hangups with footsteps, interactions, and washed out brightness, it’s still a gratifying experience. There are so many more positives than negatives, and I highly suggest trying this one out.

Nidhogg has always felt like the promise most fighting games make but set the bar way too high to actually deliver: two highly skilled combatants that have not only mastered their technique, but can read their opponent and counter accordingly. No memorization of strange combos or endless character variations, just simple controls with a highly balanced set of rules that make for a learning curve so smooth it’s practically nonexistent. Nidhogg 2 adds some small but mighty innovations to the gameplay, making it feel fresh without ruining what made it so special in the first place.

The first playthrough of Ghost 1.0 took around 10 hours to complete playing on classic mode. Players can expect a longer playthrough for higher difficulties, especially if you plan to collect everything. The $9.99 asking price is a blessing. Do yourself a favor and play this game! You won’t regret it.

Guts and Glory won’t appeal to all audiences, but as a fun game to play with your friends, it’s worth your money. The carnage is so over-the-top ridiculous that it’s hard not to laugh and have a good time at seeing the outcomes of failing certain obstacles. So, hop on your bicycle, get on the track and go break a leg. Literally.

Vermintide 2 is easily worth your time and money to play. People have long awaited another Left 4 Dead, but Vermintide will fill its shoes nicely. While Vermintide 2 isn’t considered an AAA game, it sure feels like one.

Omega Strike is that game that you go in thinking you know what to expect, but with the overall game design, it comes together into something more special than you could have possibly imagined. The controls are simplistic, the game offers a challenge even on its base difficulty and the story is funny and interesting.

Those who enjoy both roguelike experiences and adore Mega Man-inspired games will be in heaven. Casual gamers, achievement hunters, and impatient players will be in hell. The vanilla game is already pretty difficult, and all of the extra options the game has only makes it more unforgiving. The daily and weekly challenges only apply to the hardcore, giving little to do for everyone else.

It may seem from the outside looking in that Earthfall isn’t anything special. Looks can be deceiving. Earthfall is special in the sense that it takes a beloved series with a unique style of gameplay that most assumed to be dead and gave it new life. Left 4 Dead is a series that’s better left to die in the past. Earthfall is a game that you should give every opportunity to play.

More interactive novel than game, Night in the Woods won’t be for everyone. However its appeal is still high thanks to a clever blend of light-hearted yet surprisingly mature storytelling and some of the best friends you’ll meet in a video game. It’s also one of the most painfully accurate depictions of working class life. With pressing financial troubles the cast of Night in the Woods don’t have the luxury of dream careers, gap years and discovery vacations. With a sense of melancholy, it’s time to leave childhood behind and grow up fast.

The Infectious Madness of Doctor Dekker is in no way a bad game and indeed worth playing through even if only once, just for the experience alone if the subject matter interests you.

The laughs alone are worth the very low cost of admission.

Robocraft Infinity can certainly be a fun and creative game. As you unlock more items, you can build better and cooler looking robots. You can even share your designs online for others to admire and use. If you like building-block type games, this is one you should try out. The customization ability, once you get past the controls, is a rewarding experience; the combat, not so much. If you are looking for a cool new shooter-style game to play with friends, this one doesn’t quite scratch the itch.

While Aragami will be enjoyable, it will start to get dull as you kill enemies (like a blade does). It almost feels like a Batman game where you’re just doing the stealth challenge missions. While it does what it does fine, it feels lacking as an entire game.

Shift Quantum is a fantastic little puzzler that goes for broke creating unique spins on its core mechanic. It’s stumped me on more than one occasion, but its quick levels and pick-up-and-play nature made it easy to put down and try again when my brain was ready for the challenge. It’s too bad the packaging is mediocre, and there are some small but glaring oversights, but those issues aren’t aggressive enough to ruin the core experience if this is your type of game.

The asking price isn’t too overwhelming for what’s there, and the game is definitely a lot of fun when you cast aside the few issues it does have. Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon is an overall experience in itself, and a great game to hold you over until the release of Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night at a later date.

A good game should give you a reason to return to it frequently, and Atomic Heist has that quality without question. Yes, it’s challenging and occasionally frustrating, but it’s so enjoyable you just have to try it again and see if you can get farther. Fun games get my vote, and fun, cheap games are even better. With an exceptionally low price, Atomic Heist makes an occasional bout of radiation sickness far more palatable, so get back in there and retrieve that core!

All the unique elements that oOo: Ascension presents really made it feel special. Like more of a refreshing new concept and even an interesting twist on some platforming concepts than we may have seen in the past.

This game is a beautiful experience from beginning to end and something that is not only unique but can be a fantastic introduction into the rogue-lite genre for those that have never ventured in or even those that felt the genre was maybe not for them.

Yoku’s Island Express is a highly compelling mix of genres. Its pinball is fantastic, and its world is full of fun things to do. Through brilliant game design, this odd combo is merged into an inseparable, cohesive whole. The blend is not perfect, off-balanced in a way that will likely appeal more to pinball aficionados than fans of more classic Metroidvania fare, but still does justice to both genres. For the first shot at this unique idea, it definitely hits the mark; Yoku’s Island Express is so fun and charming it’s impossible not to have a blast.

The game is worth at least one playthrough to experience the beauty and vibrancy of the colorful, relaxing world. Though without plot or characters, many will find themselves to be disinterested.

Lichtspeer is fun and fast, and the new type of atmosphere is welcomed. Reminiscent of something like Kung Fury, Lichtspeer embraces neon futuristic wacky elements. It’s fast-paced and easy to pick up and play, but the lack of depth in many areas won’t hold the average player’s attention.

As for Rento Fortune: Monolit Tycoon, it’s best to spend your fortune elsewhere.

If you are looking for a true dungeon experience that offers significant challenge and great depth or even just a classic style game to enjoy what made these style of games great in the first place, then this is definitely not it. All technical difficulties aside, this should be far more than what it is for what it claims to be.

The game is great for what it offers from the start, though It would be interesting to see other modes and customization options added later on. Disco Dodgeball Remix is an easy game to just pick up and play and worth every penny. Just be sure to watch out for White Goodman.

Shantae: Half-Genie Hero Ultimate Edition is definitely a bundle that holds weight with content and replay value for the decent price. Other bundles of this kind normally cost double the money and offer less in value.

It may be short for the price, however, I’d say it is an experience is well worth the price of admission. From the hand drawn visuals to some of the crafty puzzles it offers, Gorogoa is one of those games that I’m glad didn’t pass me by.

Whether this is your first exposure to Ys, or you are long familiar with the franchise, Ys Origin is a challenging adventure that combines an enjoyable narrative with plenty of action, even if it seems dated from time to time. So when people ask me if I recommend the game, my response is an emphatic Ys … I mean yes.

Little Triangle is a great game. It brings forward unique characters and interesting level design and finishes it off with genuine difficulty that starts out smooth but will ultimately quit holding your hand by the second world. Granted, while there are a few issues with the performance stutters and double jump mechanic, it’s something simple that a patch could fix. These problems, however, are minute when compared to all the great aspects the game presents itself with.

Aqua Moto Racing Utopia is solid. It’s the Wave Racer 64 of 2018. The game is easy for anyone to pick up and play. Even those who aren’t at all interested in racing will find enjoyment in the game. With a variety of different modes across 10 different tracks and the ability of online and split-screen play, the game includes the right amount of content to justify the price. Aqua Moto Racing Utopia is a game well worth the time and money. Don’t let this game pass you by!

Korgan is a game that fails on many fronts. The lack of a story is definitely the biggest issue. The world you’re playing in feels empty and lifeless. The characters you’re controlling are forgettable to the extent that you don’t know anything about them other than their class and skills. The enemies are only bad because the game is telling you so, not because you’ve been given any reason to despise them.

As a game, Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice is the cross between a puzzle-lite walking simulator and a brutal action-adventure. Despite some mild design and middling technical flaws, it balances both aspects rather well. As a narrative, this is one fantastic experience. It’s an honest, challenging look at battling mental illness that will stick with you long after the credits roll. It’s as beautiful as it is soul-crushing, making it a must play for anyone who still has a soul to crush.

Emily Wants to Play Too is a definite improvement over its predecessor. The game follows the same flow as the first game while introducing new characters and ideas to help the game feel fresh. The new office location is terrifying enough to keep the player on edge, and the size is just big enough to help the game to feel larger than the original.

Even despite a few combat issues and no reward for complete perfection, The Adventure Pals is definitely a game worth experiencing!

While a minute may not seem like a long time, Minit shows just how big or small those 60 seconds can feel. Some may be busy and eventful, others may feel like they amount to nothing, but every single one is an important stepping stone. This is a fantastic game that appreciates your time and makes you appreciate it as well.

Unfortunately, Symmetry doesn’t make itself clear fast enough to keep someone playing in the long term. The collection of resources becomes grindy as you try to last long enough for the game to tell you the next story point, with no indication of how or when that next story point will occur, or what you need to do differently (if anything). There’s a lot of potential here, and I’m trying to see it, but I guess this face-hugger is in the way.

Switch – Or Die Trying is a simply designed, yet polished game. It can hold its own and be an enjoyable experience for the right player. It's mostly for those who find pleasure in speed running levels and those who are avid platformer fans. For everyone else, maybe skip this one.

Nine Parchments is magical. The world is colorful and vibrant in some areas while keeping itself dark and gloomy in others. If you can warrant playing alone or dealing with the ridiculousness of enemies at a later time, then the game is worth picking up. If you don’t have anyone to play with and can see that as dampening the experience you may want to avoid the game altogether.

Tesla vs Lovecraft is a great twin-stick shooter. I liked 10tons’ previous efforts, and I think this one is very satisfying to play. Its enemies, guns, perks and abilities are all varied and play well with each other, and the first time I stacked several 'one extra projectile fired per shot' perks and jumped in my mech, I couldn’t help but grin at the hail of bullets I was unleashing.

Darkest Dungeon is sadistic. Its gameplay is unforgiving, with any situation taking a turn for the worst at any moment. The art style is gritty and monsters unsettling. Its narrator speaks of hopelessness even in the brightest moments. Playing the game will make you question your sanity because despite its unpleasantness it's incredibly addicting. The turn-based combat is challenging but rewarding, making every adventure an intriguing risk worth taking. The adventure may not always be satisfying, but there are many harrowing tales just waiting to be told.

Wulverblade is a great hack-and-slash adventure, despite its few annoyances. The price is right, the game is exceptionally well done and most importantly it truly seeks to enlighten the player to a turbulent period in British history. The amount of effort put into the historical notes is as much a labor of love as the game itself, so take the time to review them. Grab your blue face paint and your favorite armament (or arm, whichever), and show those Romans whose empire it really is.

Unfortunately, what starts out as a proper room escape game quickly flops due to the abysmal story as the uninteresting characters and the confusing plot leave players disconnected from the game overall.

Even for those who haven’t gotten the chance to experience the original game, Q.U.B.E. 2 does a great job of filling the player in on the important details that lead up to this point. If you’re in the mood to test your brain against some exciting puzzles all while experiencing an interesting and phenomenal story, then look no further.

The overall short play time the game has to offer can be a deal breaker for many, but to those who are looking for a game with an interesting mystery style story with some sleuthing and brain work from basic puzzles, The Station may just scratch that itch.

If you honestly feel you must play Mulaka, you may want to wait for a sale, but I can’t fathom recommending the idea of doing so at all. Mulaka is a game with a beautiful and rich lore based environment plagued by not only the enemies but also by the core failures of the game.

I'm glad we have another good Portal-adjacent title. Bridge Constructor Portal perfectly combines aspects of both games to create something uniquely challenging. It's obviously a pick-up-and-play casual game that's not quite at home on consoles, but the gameplay at its core is great nonetheless. It would still be a great game without the Portal aesthetic, but it wouldn't have made me smile nearly as much.

I've finished Fe and still don't know what it was about. I understand the major events and structure of the story, but there's so much about the why that I'll never understand. Maybe that was the point, maybe not. I think the game succeeded in getting its point across regardless, as it made me care about its world and inhabitants. While the game could definitely use some polish and re-working, by and large it was a calming, enjoyable experience.

Quantic Pinball tries to stand between the greats, but doesn't present anything memorable. Honestly, it feels more like a beta than a full release. The name of the game is plastered in the top right corner, and the play area is presented in a little box, with a splash covering the left and right sides. It's bland. Space Cadet Pinball from early Windows operating systems came free and pre-installed and it too had more depth and design than Quantic Pinball has. Unless you’re a hardcore pinball enthusiast, it’s probably best to avoid this game altogether. If you have $5.00 to burn, there are tables in Pinball FX 2 and 3 for the same price that offer more than any of the 7 levels in Quantic Pinball could.

Frictional Games delivers on yet another horror game that leaves us at the edge of our seat and quivering in fear. Even in a new science fiction setting, SOMA still brings to the table the exacting polish that its predecessors have in the past. If Survival horror is the game for you, or if you’re just looking for a game to test your bravery, this is exactly what you’re looking for. If you're still confused about the game, just think Dead Space in a Bioshock setting without all the fancy weaponry, but with all the fantastic atmosphere. You're welcome.

Battlestar Galactica: Deadlock is a pleasant diversion from tactical games like Fire Emblem, especially with the addition of resource management. It’s also a bit lighter than your typical space-battle simulator since movement is simplified to be not-fully-three-space. It will play well with Galactica fans in this anniversary year, as well as gaming tacticians in general, but its advanced learning curve and higher-than-average price will make it a tougher sell to others. Still, if you fancy yourself an armchair Adama, using your spare cubits to buy Deadlock would be a decision worthy of the support of the Quorum of the Twelve.

It’s a game that feels very rushed and unexplained. Sure, the concept alone might have made sense in the mind of that of the person who wrote it, but for those of us experiencing it first hand, there isn’t anything exciting or memorable about it. The hour and a half max playtime the game has to offer is a slap in the face when you're presented with the facts that there is just no story or content to offset. For anyone who’s looking for an interesting game to help fill some free time are better off looking at games such as Firewatch or What Remains of Edith Finch, which are more deserving of your time. If you’re an achievement enthusiast, you may be able to justify the $7.99 for the easy completion, though it's probably best to just wait for a sale.

When I first started playing Steven Universe: Save the Light I was excited, but quickly that excitement turned to boredom and frustration. Several of your teams' special moves cause the game to freeze, and about 30% of the map was unreachable as it just wouldn't load. So when I learned of an update in the works, I became optimistic. I thought, okay, we'll postpone the review and wait for them to fix the issues. Then the update came, and I couldn't lie to myself anymore, this game is just not fun. I was ready for the game to be over right around the three-hour marker, which for a game that's around ten hours long, that's not good. So if you love Steven Universe and "like, just have to consume everything," then get your rescue on. For everyone else, there are much better RPG's for you to spend your money and time.

At the end of it all, Drift Zone truly feels like an unfinished game. It lacks the polish that many other current racing games have, and doesn’t bring anything new or interesting to set it apart from those games. The lack of a tutorial makes the game complicated for those new to the concept and puzzling for those who know the basic mechanics, but not how to implement them here. The only real variety comes from the cars which unfortunately don’t really vary at all. Even when considering the obvious price difference, if you’re looking for a game with strong customization including varied tuning options, a catchy soundtrack and the possibility of completing a handful of tracks within a 7-hour period, then you’re most likely better off looking for a Forza or Need for Speed title.

Overall Celeste is a phenomenal game. While the game delivers on all fronts, the relatable story and soundtrack stand out as two of the most memorable aspects. The challenging platforming helps to keep the player motivated to push forward. The discussions between Madeline and side characters to the game help the world around you feel alive, and their guidance helps Madeline to continue pushing forward. Celeste is not a game for everyone. The difficulty alone is something to easily turn players away. To those who are looking for a challenging platformer with a rewarding story, Celeste is definitely a one of a kind diamond in the rough.

I'm far from a puzzle enthusiast, but I loved my time with Slayaway Camp: Butcher's Cut. The puzzles are short and addictive, and the ridiculous slasher movie setting really lifted the mood on what can often be a fairly somber game genre. Difficult enough for puzzle fans but equally accessible to everyone else and likely a real eye-opener for those unfamiliar with this type of game. With heaps of content and genuinely fun gameplay, I can't think of anyone who shouldn't pick this up.

A Hat in Time is the kind of game you don't see very often anymore: an incredible fun-for-all-ages romp that isn't exclusive to Nintendo. It's ceaseless dedication to making every moment feel fresh and exciting is admirable – even if a few technical hiccups slipped through the cracks. It's an incredibly fun platformer that never stops surprising. It's the kind of game that just makes you happy. Heck, the game is making me smile right now, and all I'm doing is writing its review.

For what it is worth, Paladin was by no means a disappointing game. It brought forth the additions I was hoping it would while paying homage to the classic formula of Defender. It would have been nice to see more than forty levels, or the possibility of an endless mode that keeps going until you die, but alas no such mode is present. Indeed, the difficulty of completing all forty levels and the time it is completed in all bases on the skill of the player and how different elements play in their favor. The 35 minutes that I had spent was definitely worth it, but unless you plan to play the game again using the other 4 ships at your disposal, then the $9.99 price you pay might not seem worth it.

Hello Neighbor has been through several alpha builds on PC, yet on Xbox One we're going straight to a full release. However, in its current state with distinct lack of polish and muddled gameplay it feels more like a demo or a modders pet project than anything that should be sat on the Xbox One store. The skeptic in me also suspects that the obscure puzzle design was a deliberate choice to force some hype around the game, as players reach out to internet forums or hit YouTube to watch the many let's play videos doing the rounds for some answers. However, unless you are a streamer yourself or of an age where you can't play real horror games, I can't honestly recommend this to anyone.

Sky Force Reloaded is everything that I wanted it to be and more. The replay value that every unique level offers up, as well as the four difficulty levels that each level has to offer assures there is always a challenge waiting to be tried and conquered. If you are looking for a game that keeps its overall design simple but still offers a fair challenge, Sky Force Reloaded may just be what you’re looking for!

In the end, Assault Android Cactus didn’t meet my expectations; it exceeded them. The five zones that are offered grant a unique experience with each level and boss you face. Some of the bosses can be a bit overwhelming at first, but even with the different attacks they have, the variety of android heroes available to play as assures the player that there is something for every encounter. The different modes that are offered ensure that there is something more for the player to do after the main story has been completed and for a true competition, the game offers the challenge of earning a S+ rank on every level, requiring the player to complete every level without ever letting their combo end. Good luck on that one.

As always, the problem with Telltale's limited gameplay and choose-your-own-adventure formula is that the game can really only be as good as its story. Guardians of the Galaxy proves to be one of their weaker games, as it struggles to find its own voice within the obvious movie-based restrictions. Even though its uninspired and somewhat dull take on the franchise, it still manages to fit in enough funny and touching moments to make the series fun to play. Telltale has certainly done worse (I'm looking at you, post-Season 1 The Walking Dead), but they've also done a lot better. If you're even the slightest bit burnt out on Telltale or Marvel, this game will do you no favors.

As a child of the 1980s and 1990s, brawlers have been one of my favorite genres. They’re great in small doses if you need to work out some aggression, and yet they’re also fun when you wanna power through them and get to that ending. QuByte has shown that the genre has a spot in their hearts, as well, and they’re helping share the love by giving the game a sub-$10 price point. Without a doubt, 99Vidas will rough you up, but it’s also charming enough to help you back onto your feet, dust you off and welcome you back for another go with no hard feelings.

Most hidden object games aren’t very long and Abyss: The Wraiths of Eden is no exception. On my initial playthrough on normal mode, the game was completed in about 4 hours. One thing I definitely recommend is starting on Expert mode for the first playthrough. This will add a bit more time required for completion as you won’t be shown where to go and what to do on a regular basis. This is by no means a difficult game, and even if you become lost, the game still has the hint system available to point you in the right direction. Aside from that, everything about Abyss: The Wraiths of Eden is fantastic. Whether you’re looking for an exciting story to playthrough or just something to test your wits, there’s something in store for you in Eden!

Despite a few issues with bugs, I enjoyed my time spent with Bulb Boy. On first appearances, it seems a little childish, but soon the trippy horror sections take you to a darker and deeper place. It is a relatively short game and can probably be completed in around two hours, or a little more if you want to go back and unlock any missable achievements, however, it is priced appropriately, and it would be a shame to miss this hidden curio.

In the end, the game failed to deliver not only what I was expecting, but what it was advertising from the beginning. With a game that classifies as horror, I’m really surprised that it didn’t do what most Hollywood movies do and throw in a bunch of jump scares. The only real delivery came from the very beginning of the game and after that, it fell far shorter than I was expecting. If you have money to burn and are looking for an escape room game to play, I still wouldn’t recommend Your Toy especially when there are plenty of other fantastic games of the same type on Xbox One for relatively the same price or only a few dollars more that would meet and even exceed the expectations of the player.

On a pure gameplay level, Ruiner is almost perfect. It strikes the perfect balance between challenge and fun. The game feels incredible to play, and every ability feels satisfying and powerful, but that means nothing if you don't have the skills to use them well. The story and world may not be fleshed out enough, but at least it's a sight to behold. The game may be called Ruiner, but it can only improve your game library.

The Culling started off slow and slightly unimpressive, mainly due to the lack of training up front. Though as I stuck with it and played match after match and learned nuance after nuance, it slowly started to grow on me. Each game brought a new experience showing over and over how you can never know what to expect. Each encounter was different; sometimes you immediately start brutely bludgeoning each other to death and other times we both went running for our lives the moment we spotted each other. There were even matches where instead of killing each other we just stood around and talked and emoted till someone finally ran up and murdered us all. I have laughed, screamed and even felt like I wanted to cry because of this game and its players. I have convinced several friends to buy this and have all intentions of continuing to play this game with my friends long after I post this review.

I went into Nightmare Boy not knowing what to expect. After multiple playthroughs, I can say I’ve really enjoyed everything the game has to offer. If after completing the game you’re looking for something to further the replay value, some of the achievements offered challenge players to complete the game without dying, without saving or even without killing any of the little friendly slime creatures riddled throughout the game. If you’re looking for a solid, challenging Metroidvania game to fill your free time, Nightmare Boy may be just what you’re looking for!

While most of the time in the dungeons, I was focused on completing the puzzles to push the story forward; in the outside world, I found myself getting lost in the relaxing environment searching out every hidden secret or bit of lore to help better understand the world around me. The main story might only offer but a few hours, but the hidden bits all around are what make the game truly the art that it is. With all there is to explore outside of the main story, lore seekers have a lot in store for what can make for great fan-fiction or ideas.

After finishing the game, the question still lingered in my head: why did this re-release happen? It's not that I didn't have fun with it, but it's such an average game. It does many things well, but aside from the source material, there's nothing here that makes it stand out. Age hasn't degraded the game, although the edges do feel a bit rougher. It's not a bad choice for those wanting some old-school shooting action, but anyone who passed on the game a decade ago can still overlook it now without missing anything.

Mages of Mystralia is a decent adventure game. It's also a damn good puzzle game too, keeping you on your toes throughout. Spell creation is well thought out and the pacing is spot on with the difficulty rising at a beginner friendly yet challenging rate. However, whilst the design is great on paper and I found no technical problems, there's no special hook to really wow or truly immerse you enough for a second playthrough. That said if you enjoy adventure, puzzles and a hearty dose of magic, Mages of Mystralia is a solid choice.

As I was playing through Danger Zone, my general opinion of the game kept jumping around as often as my car did. I love the crash junctions from Burnout, and the puzzle nature of trying to obtain the pick-ups. With that said, I wish there was simply more to it and that it was a bit more polished up, especially considering the game’s development pedigree. Three Fields knows its stuff, and I sincerely hope there is enough demand from franchise fans to prompt planning for either a DLC expansion or a Danger Zone 2 with a level editor. The fact that the game will get Xbox One X enhancements and 4K output in the near future offers that hope. So, if wanton destruction and a relatively easy 1000 Gamerscore are your thing, queue up Kenny Loggins and take this highway to the Danger Zone.

Mystik Belle may not be very long or have a hidden, mirrored, upside down castle but that doesn't mean it has failed in any way. Of course, I wish it was longer; I feel that way about most games I like. I can't help but want more of a good thing, and that is definitely what this is, a good thing. Sure, it could have been harder or had more rooms to explore or even a more in-depth story, but it doesn't need all that. The folks at Last Dimension did something that is harder than I think most people realize. They delivered a concise, tightly wrapped package that had almost everything you could want from a Metroidvania-like game. I don't think I can ask for much more than that.

The Mummy Demastered truly wants to step out of the marred shadow of its source material and in some ways it does. It cleverly incorporates the essence of Contra to the well-established Metroidvania formula. However, the technical issues experienced throughout are hard to ignore. Along with the crippling setback of multiple deaths and a useless roll maneuver, the challenge presented feels close to cheap at times. Anyone looking for something along the lines of a Metroid or Axiom Verge can have fun with Demastered. Just know going in that this Mummy carries a curse.

N++ may be the definition of too much of a good thing. As much as I enjoy the game, it got tiring after a while, soon finding it more enjoyable in short bursts rather than long marathons. If you're fine with a mountain of content that becomes so difficult, you'll most likely never finish it all; this is a great sequel that kept retained what was good about the last game and made some worthwhile additions. It gets repetitive, but the gameplay is so fun it'll keep pulling you back in for more.

Battle of the Bulge is a basic board and dice style strategy game that holds true to the genre's format. Although it isn't a bad game, Shenandoah Studio misses the mark on several levels. The lack of an in-depth tutorial or in-game manual leaves you struggling when you start playing as you're trying to learn. The game is very bare bones, and that's not necessarily a bad thing, but in this case it half is. From a historical aspect, not much is explained as to where, when or even why this significant and important battle takes place. This lack of storytelling leaves me wondering; why pick this particular battle? Although Battle of the Bulge offers several ways to play and a simplistic style that isn't overwhelming, you are still left wanting more from it and not in a sequel kind of way.

I wish I could recommend Cuphead to everyone purely on its amazing animation and the sheer amount of work that was obviously put into it, but I can't. The game behind the cartoony visage is finely tuned, well-rounded and (mostly) fair, but above all, it's incredibly hard. It starts off challenging and gets absolutely relentless by the final act. This is the kind of game that asks for a lot of patience and dedication from the player, but if you're into this type of challenge, you're in for an absolute blast.