Resident Evil 3 is another solid Capcom reinvention. There’s a wonderfully tense atmosphere punctuated with an action slant that means it’s never really as scary as it could be, but it still manages to get a good few moments in. Nemesis is initially terrifying, though his best moments come when it’s a one on one fight, the encounters in the world with him tend to be brief and easily overcome. Even at it’s worst though it’s still better than the majority of titles out so far this year and well worth a look.

Overall Curious Expedition is a nice little time killer that can be played casually, in small increments. I’d advise against binging on it because it has potential to become boring really quick for some people. It’s nice that every play through will be different but there isn’t really a whole lot of action – but simply surviving will be a hard enough time as it is. For some reason it kept making me think of that old game Oregon Trail. It’s rare that I rank a games replay value higher than it’s overall experience but it is enjoyable in small doses. If the developers could manage to patch in some sort of multiplayer it would definitely entice me to go back and try some more.

Thunder Paw is a simple platformer, and that’s about it. You shouldn’t go into it expecting something more. It’s your basic run and gun that doesn’t bring much to the table. The one boss fight after each of the stages changes things up but it doesn’t fully redeem itself with its weird gun mechanics and stale gameplay. Visually the game was enjoyable and it speaks to me but when it came down to the gameplay the game decided to roll over and play dead permanently.

Not what many people expect from an RPG Maker game, Ara Fell is a charming and engrossing game filled with story, exploration, fighting, secrets, and puzzles to spare. Anticipation about discovering what’s next makes it a hard game to put down at the end of the night. You can’t go wrong with Ara Fell.

The Complex is, quite simply, fantastic. Some dodgy CGI and a few plot holes aside, the story being told here is gripping, the characters well acted and brought to life and there’s a ton of variety on offer through the many choices we make along the way. A brilliant example of an interactive movie, and one that you’d be well off to play.

Baron: Fur Is Gonna Fly is a reasonably fun party game for friends and family to play. The planes steering dynamics take a little bit of time to get used to, but the controls are simple enough for most to pick up and play. I feel there is only a limited amount of variation here though, meaning you’re unlikely to get much longevity out of things. Online play would’ve helped, but really the point is to get some friends crowded round on the sofa.

BCD?! Is clearly a budget title from a small team, something evidenced by the credits appearing on the walls of the hub area. For what it’s worth, I quite like the art style, and the music recalls the classic Diddy Kong Racing at times; all chirpy, bouncy race tunes. But even so, it simply isn’t any fun to play. The terrible camera angle is the biggest bugbear – just raising it up a tad would improve things no end. Even then, the erratic handling, lack of feedback or information and general blandness to proceedings would still be in place. A shame, but when there’s so many other great racers out there, I can’t find any reason to recommend checking this out.

Snakeybus is fun, for sure. Seeing our bus stretching out behind us, ever increasing as we drop passengers off and weaving in and out buildings is oddly satisfying. If only there had been a little something extra to alleviate the fact that it’s hook gets old far too quickly.

Inops is a charming, yet dark, 2D platformer. It’s paced just right, a relaxingly chilled experience that offers up a spectacular visual journey.

Gigantosaurus The Game is a very friendly and easy going title which will provide hours distraction for young children and fun the whole family. It is not too difficult to play and there is a good balance of puzzles, collectable items, races and cut scene animations to keep everyone amused and entertained. It is likely to lose its appeal once the kids reach a certain level of maturity, but it is definitely recommended for families with younger children that need a good diversion and older family members who can jump in and out to help if anyone gets stuck.

Whether miniatures, strategy games, or deck-building is your thing or not, I highly recommend Wartile because the sum of its parts delivers a unique and fun experience more than each alone. One of the indicators I personally measure when evaluating a game for review is: “Does it call to me when my console is off?”. For Wartile my answer is a hearty “Yes!”.

This first person shooter was a lovely surprise for me. Controls were tight, visually this game appealed to the retro gamer in me and easy achievements is always a bonus. If you need a game that is just fun without the pressure of mind bending difficulties this is it.

Deep Sky Derelicts: Definitive Edition may not be a graphical masterpiece but it more than makes up for it in tactical gameplay. I found myself quite addicted to the tactical challenges of the maps and in the combat. The difficulty starts of quite tough, but it gradually becomes easier as you buy the upgrades and craft your equipment. DSD is sufficiently long enough to make it good value and you can tackle the game using different job classes for longevity.

Freedom Finger is a brilliantly surreal, challenging, vulgar and plain fun arcade shooter. While difficulty spikes can get a little frustrating, overall I enjoyed the style, story and gameplay more than enough to keep me going.

Element Space is a very difficult game with good intentions but poor delivery. So much time was spent crafting out a storyline, using voice acting and putting some innovations into this genre that the main functionality of the game slips down. With clunky controls, high difficulty and such slow pacing, only experts at the turn-based strategy will make it through to enjoy the storyline. But they would need to be a glutton for punishment and have a lot of time on their hands.

Despite some niggles, TT Isle of Man Ride on the Edge 2 is easily the best feeling racer I’ve played in quite some time. The sheer sense of speed and place in the thick of hurtling along the track is almost overwhelming. Some more shorter races would have been nice, and it’s all too easy to fall to the back after a single mistake, but put a bit of time into grasping the delicacies of the handling and you’ll find an incredibly satisfying racer.

DOOM is back, and it’s just as good as we’d all hoped. The action is fast, brutal and unforgiving. The soundtrack and pacing are perfect. You know when that music starts, it’s time to lock and load and get ready to fight. The campaign is long and always keeps you on your toes. It’s one of the most satisfying first person shooters I have played in quite some time. There is so much more to say about DOOM Eternal, but I’d rather save it and let you enjoy the blood and gore.

Explosive Jake is a very short and simple Bomberman clone. It doesn’t really stand out in any way other than trying to claim a nostalgic feel of the elder console generation. It is quite fun to play through, but the challenge level isn’t too high and as the rooms are static the game can become repetitive. It could still be seen as a quick pick up and complete for the achievement hunters.

Syrup and The Ultimate Sweet isn’t a game that is meant for everyone. It is a visual novel after all. For its short playtime, you get to experience a satisfying story with 10 different endings and outcomes. I myself enjoyed my time with it though. Playing this game reminded me how much of a guilty pleasure visual novels are of mine; maybe it will do the same for you.

Hidden Through Time has the secret sauce for what makes a game universal. It’s uncomplicated, fun, appropriate for everyone, and can be played in small chunks. For a hidden object/person game, I don’t see it being better than this. Crazy Monkey Studios does a great job of landing exactly on target on delivering exactly what you see, of which not all companies can boast. Highly recommended.

The gameplay and strategy behind it, the scenery and the music is everything I expected from Neon City Riders when I first saw the trailer. Even though it’s not a 2-D side scroller I picked up major Scott Pilgrim VS The World and River City Girls vibes, which are my two favorite games. When any game reaches that level it’s without a doubt considered a masterpiece in my book. Please, suit up, indulge yourself in the 90’s vibe, and clean up the streets and take back Neon City.

Ori and the Will of the Wisps had some lofty expectations coming into it, and it’s safe to say that it more than met them handsomely, Some difficulty spikes can frustrate, but overall it’s a charming, beautiful, brilliantly fun title. Gamepass subscriber or not, you absolutely need to experience this game.

La Mulana is a platformer puzzle metroidvania game, with no hand holding. This game is perfect for those who want to be tested to their gaming limits. I found the game frustrating with no real direction in how to tackle the tomb. Controls were very heavy and remind me of the old NES and SNES platformers.

The Mega Man Zero ZX Legacy Collection is definitely a game that provides a lot of value in the package. The Mega Man games are still great fun to play and perfect for fans of the series who may have missed out on these Original Nintendo DS games. There are a few graphical and control issues to overlook, sure, but that doesn’t detract from the fact these are still decent 2D Platform shooters.

If you are a fan of the One-Punch Man anime, it’s a no brainer and you should pick this game up! It’s enjoyable creating your own hero and rising up the hero ranks. However, in the end I did feel a little bit disappointed as it takes a lot of work to rise up the ranks, with way too many side quests needing completing.

All in all Townsmen – A Kingdom Rebuilt is a solid playing and nice looking medieval building sim which is fun to play, without feeling too overburdened with menus and otherwise awkward setups. It can get a little taxing at points, but this little hiccups rarely put a downer on things for too long.

Knightin’+ is a fun dungeon scrolling adventure with some interesting challenging puzzle elements – and some infuriating warp puzzles. The game does look and feel like a retro dungeon crawler but the attack controls let the game down somewhat,and it is far too short. For those who would like a quick, fun dungeon crawler you can complete in an hour or so to bag some achievements, this might be a game to pick up, but if you’re after something more substantial then you’re better off looking elsewhere.

Ganbare! Super Strikers is a fun arcade-style tactical football RPG game. For those familiar, it is akin to playing a light version of Inazuma Eleven, but with little to no storyline. It is quite fun to play but it is incredibly short, though the option is there for you play this locally with a friend. This could be great for those that like tactical strategy RPGs, especially if you’re a football fan, and is very simple to pick up and play.

Played in short bursts 60 Seconds! has enough charm and wit to make the end of the world at least seem like a bit of a laugh. Sadly, reality kicks in sooner or later and we realise that our luck can be snuffed out at any moment. When we die yet again due to factors we couldn’t control, it becomes harder and harder to muster up the will for one more go.

For fans of titles like Silent Hills (P.T.) and Amnesia this is a must. Great atmospheric surroundings provide a truly horrific experience. With photo realistic graphics, great sound and tense moments that make you freak out, Infliction: Extended Cut does a fantastic job and I can’t wait to see what’s in store for this rising indie team.

Spartan Fist is a simple pleasure, what you see is what you get, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. You’ll have fun as long as you manage your expectations; it will get repetitious while you grind enough upgrades to make it to the end of the game. As far as mono-mechanic games go, Spartan Fist is enjoyable and recommended.

If you’re after a good challenge, Hayfever may be up your alley. While the early stages show off it’s unique concept well, unfortunately, the sharp difficulty curve soon brings more frustration than fun.

While it lacks the charm of Trials, Overpass mostly manages to get that one-more-go feeling of trial and error right. It can be quite frustrating at times, and a little more feedback for the player to use wouldn’t have gone amiss, but if you’re after a challenging racer there’s plenty to enjoy here.

Bucket Knight gives a unique glimpse into gaming of the past without any fancy modern upgrades like save points, perfect graphics and achievements that can only be completed by playing in sometimes seemingly senseless ways! Once again, it is not a game that will appeal to everyone and it’s definitely not for those who dislike this genre, but for anyone who appreciates a bit of nostalgic gaming it certainly seems worth giving it a shot.

Vasilis isn’t going to revolutionize gaming, but as an art form you can’t knock the creative style Marginal Act were aiming towards. Unfortunately slow and confusing, this is a title for the players that don’t mind a bit of experimentation in their play experiences.

Glass Masquerade 2: Illusions is definitely made for a select audience. Unfortunately it’s an audience I don’t see myself being a part of for very long. But if you are passionate about jigsaw puzzles you get a fairly large assortment for the cost of $11.99. Sweet dreams.

OFDP2 is straight to the point in what it is trying to achieve; a simple but challenging test of your reflexes and focus. While some will no doubt relish the challenge and try to test their ability, others may lose interest in the repetitive simplicity. There is no smoke and mirrors here though, so for those who want a no-nonsense pick-up and play fast action reflex game then OFDP2 is for you.

Project Starship was fun the first couple times but got boring very quickly. If you’re looking for a game that you can install quickly and 1000g then this is one for you, but I can’t imagine it’s going to capture the attention of anyone for long. Dodging bullets is fun, but you will just find yourself constantly shooting and hoping.

Does Thief Simulator succeed in bringing out my younger self and bring back that same joy and excitement that I felt five years ago? No, no it does not. That doesn’t mean I didn’t enjoy myself though. What it lacks graphics-wise and in replay value it makes up with its game mechanics. Who doesn’t want to rob houses and pretend to be a thief in the night?

DCL is a great experience and a lot of fun; with many sponsors, professional players and fans it easy to see how this has become a popular sport, so why not make a game to go along with it.? Many challenging tasks await and if you have the patience, you too can drone like a pro.

An amazing game and a joy to play. Is Underhero perfect? No, but there’s little to dislike, and similar to the crush phase of a new relationship, the game’s faults are extremely easy to overlook. The many diverse gameplay elements of Underhero mesh well and add benefit to the game rather than retract from it. It’s charming and highly recommended.

As a standalone game for fans of the series that don’t already own Warriors Orochi 4, the Ultimate version would be the best option to procure as the added content makes the original a little redundant. As for DLC this a very pricey in comparison to other DLC and could be a tough sell. But if you enjoy this hack’n’slash series then it is very fun to play and worth picking up. For hardcore fans, the extra chapters, characters and infinity game mode may be enough to persuade you to add it on.

Two Point Hospital is a familiar yet refreshing take on the PC classic that will satisfy veterans and newcomers alike. With its Dad humour and simple but deep gameplay, the game will keep you trying to achieve those perfect star ratings for hours on end. If you’re missing the 90’s nostalgia of management sims such as Theme Hospital, Theme Park and Rollercoaster Tycoon this will certainly cure that longing for the glory days.

The Adventures of 00 Dilly is a fun and light hearted game with an abundance of items to collect and a 15 second soundtrack which repeats infinitely and must be muted to avoid insanity. It isn’t a terrible game and definitely has the potential to evolve into something unique, but currently it is missing a few very important features which make a massive difference to the satisfaction and enjoyment of the player.

Don’t mistake Reed Remastered for a quick or easy indie title (or achievement grab – I didn’t mention earlier that this game is published by Ratalaika Games) because there is more to it than that. It’s a solid platformer that focuses more on mechanics than aesthetics, and it’s hard enough to challenge any gamer that prides themselves on their reflexes and skills. Reed, the cute character in the promotional material, looks like a cotton ball or a mini-marshmallow but represents something more like the Stay Puft giant from Ghostbusters.

Darksiders: Genesis redeems the series after the disappointment of the 3rd entry last year. It manages to capture the essence that makes Darksiders what it is, while transposing it in to a new genre. Top quality action, over the top powers and spectacle and a fun core loop that provides challenge without too much frustration. Removing the series staple platforming wouldn’t have hurt, and at times solo play can be a little bit attritional, but overall you’d be hard pressed not to have a good time with Genesis.

Outbreak: Epidemic has a concept I can get behind, being a fan of survival horror titles. Unfortunately, attempting to stand next to the giants of the genre only shows just how flawed the end result is. Poor visuals and repetitive gameplay mean it’s unlikely to have you sticking around for long, though if you’ve enjoyed the previous entries in the series you may find some fun here too.

Zero Zero Zero Zero isn’t a typical Ratalaika game – it’s deceptively more challenging and rewarding than the usual fare that they publish. Don’t overlook 0000 based on it’s minimalist presentation and spartan effects because the lack of distractions allow for better focus on the game’s solid platforming. The tight controls and the lag-free timing enable precision jumps, but even failing a level (which is always due to the avatar’s death) isn’t a big deal because a new level pops up immediately, keeping the action going.

If you’re able to power through the annoyances, there’s a lot to like about 7th Sector. It looks and sounds great, the atmosphere is built wonderfully and it feels like there’s always something new to see as you progress. But some obscure puzzles and a lack of an easily parse-able story may well end up putting more people off than not.

While Mosaic is on the short side, what’s there is done really rather well. It get’s the message across well, not overstaying it’s welcome or labouring on a point. If you’re in the mood for a one and done experience of an evening, Mosaic will fit the bill nicely.

If you’ve never played a Monster Energy Supercross title, go ahead and get this. It’s every bit as good as previous versions. But if you’ve played either of the previous entries in the Monster Energy Supercross series, you’re probably best off waiting for a sale or skip this as there just isn’t enough to warrant a full price purchase.

The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance nails the charm of the Gelflings and the world of the Dark Crystal, but fails to do anything even remotely new in the Tactics genre. Nevertheless, it’s a simple game that for a small price could be worth picking up for a quick blast of uncomplicated strategy when the strategy craving hits.

From the number of different elements in battle, the amount of choices in paths and story, the maintenance of your party and making sure you keep a supply of Strixes for survival, Ash of Gods: Redemption is designed for those with a tactical mind. The story is well written and makes you try hard to keep your characters alive to survive the Reaping. But it is quite unforgiving and can be too difficult, which could be quite frustrating for some.

Milo’s Quest was a very short journey. As always with Ratalaika games, if you want an easy 1000g then pick this up. It’s cute and simple and has a different gimmick. There’s nothing stressful or annoying. It was a game that just worked, with simple puzzles and fun gameplay.

Zombie Army 4: Dead War is a great game and a lot of fun for the older generation. With an awesome realistic look and gameplay I found myself enjoying it right up to the end. With a strong following I hope there will be more Zombie Army games to come, because why not right?

Red Bow makes some good points but unfortunately lacks in the horror side of things. With some easy achievements to go for, the hunters out there will no doubt get more out of it, but others may not find as much worth in a playthrough.

Top Run has a lot of good things to offer arcade veterans, regardless of it being a mobile port. With a rock-solid aesthetic and soundtrack, you will like what you see, but the total package on offer is bare bones and basic. A lack of interesting mechanics, cosmetic-heavy motivation, and the ability to play through one, singular level to start hurts what could have otherwise been a pretty decent endless runner experience for the Xbox One.

Football, Tatics and Glory is a novel football manager game and sets itself apart from the larger franchises by being more compact and allowing you to be more involved in the game with the turn-based action on the pitch. But with a save facility that needs a red card and the action showing more reliance on luck than strategy, this game may struggle lasting the full 90 minutes.

FoxyLand 2 was a frustrating journey purely down to the one hit mechanic. This dreadful idea made you feel that if an enemy just looked at you or you jumped at the wrong time, you will have to start over again. The story mode is a classic rescue mission and I couldn’t help thinking they are just bad Fox parents. But hey, it’s an easy 1000g and you don’t have to complete the full game to get it.

Coffee Talk is far from a bad way to spend a few evenings, with some interesting characters and stories being told. For me though, the same sounding ‘voice’ to each character, lack of real weight behind the issues it tries to raise and the uninteresting coffee making aspects bring the whole package down. I applaud the Toge Productions for trying to create something different, and hope they can refine this into something a little more fleshed out down the line.

I had a rather great time with Journey to the Savage Planet. With bright visuals full of colour and character sucking you in and some funny, engaging writing encouraging progression, Typhoon have done a solid job on their first outing. Great exploration and combat are just the icing on the cake, with more than enough to do to keep you coming back for some time.

It seems so rare to come across a game that can truly achieve its objective, but with the combination of tranquil adaptive music, beautiful scenery and the mesmerising, flowing movements and colours, Lumini seems to genuinely allow the stress and worries of life to melt away.

Stone fails to hold up against the trendy descriptions and catchy phrases. Having a linear, short, and boring story, matched with a lack of polish and zero gameplay creates a package that is hard to suggest to anyone. If you’re looking for some recommendations for talented indie musicians, Stone has your back, but otherwise it was a disappointment.

A decent arcade shooter that is definitely worth the price of admission. But I would gladly pay a few dollars more for a fleshed out story and character selection.

Hyperdot encapsulates brilliant the short, snappy arcade thrills that used to dominate places such as Xbox Live Arcade. Super simple to grasp, yet with a real challenge for dedicated players, it will no doubt keep most hooked for far longer than they intended to sit down and play.

Regions of Ruin is an enjoyable and compelling mix of role-playing, exploration, city-building, and crafting (and more) done right. It’s easy to pick up and play and varied enough in it’s execution to keep it interesting. It’s fun and easy to recommend.

Music Racer was at first fun to play but got boring very quickly. There’s really only 4 tracks I like and it’s a shame you can’t import your own music. It is visually a colourful light show, but that’s about it – it could have been so much more.

DBZ: Kakarot has taken some interesting steps to move on from the Xenoverse games, but only some of them have paid off. While it’d great to follow Goku’s arc through the Z saga’s, the fact remains that this is far from the first time we’ve done so. The graphics, music, voice acting and cut scenes all look great though, and take some of the sting out of the repetition. The RPG elements are laid on quite deep, though the “open world” is hardly as open as first impressions suggest, with proper progression – both in the world and for your characters – locked off until you get to certain beats in the story.

I’m being a little unfair perhaps; clearly I struggled with the difficulty where others may just revel in it. If you’re of the puzzling mind, I would imagine that you’d get right along with Lake Ridden. The roughly 4 hour run time is just the right length to not over do things or start repeating puzzles too often. The atmosphere is finely tuned to where you’re never quite sure if something may just pop up behind you and the visuals and audio do a great job of sucking you in to the world. The story is quite engaging, though it’s a shame that some of the filler is locked behind those harder box puzzles.

Without Escape has some great ideas and at times keeps you on your toes, but unfortunately doesn’t offer much in the way of excitement or thrill, at times feeling more like having a read through the family photo album.

Paperbound Brawlers is a fun, frantic local multiplayer game that just misses the mark due to one of it’s core mechanics difficulty preventing a quick pick up and play approach. More dedicated groups will no doubt find much to enjoy about it though, and the short single player campaign does a good job of preparing you. The visuals are charmingly drawn, and stage design is great – though some make the already difficulty gravitational aspect that much more challenging.

AO Tennis 2 is a greatly improved second instalment to the franchise. Trying to overshoot your hits is a satisfying experience. Career mode is the best part of the game, building your character to be a dominant force and trying to get that world number 1 ranking and winning all 4 Grand Slams. If you are a tennis fan, I would recommend buying this game as you’re unlikely to be disappointed. It’s a shame more big tennis players didn’t put their name into the hat, but with the brilliant editor and the ability to publish your creations this can be overlooked.

Odallus: The Dark Call was created in many ways to respect classic games such as Castlevania and it easily surpasses this goal. With an incredible soundtrack, engaging level design and easy to understand combat, the game really couldn’t be closer to the 8-bit gems of old. For gamers who want to enjoy a classic experience in a new game, Odallus: The Dark Call is certainly the game to do it.

Natsuki Chronicles is one of the more enjoyable bullet-hell shooters I’ve played in quite some time. It nails the addictive nature of the classic arcade titles, and wraps it up in some gorgeous visuals and excellent level design. While these games are hard by nature, I did feel that Qute took it a tad too far here, with even the Easy setting proving to be rock solid. But those with time and patience on their hands will get no doubt have a great time here, and even if I suck at it, Natsuki Chronicles will be popping up on my playlist for sometime yet.

While the need to get a handful of players together locally might hinder your ability to play Demons With Shotguns regularly, when you can it will likely fast become a game night favourite. The action is quick, violent and wonderfully fun, the visuals and audio compliment the gameplay brilliantly and, despite the simple premise, things don’t quickly become overly repetitive. The co-op mode is a great addition that braver and more skilled than I solo players can take on too.

If the waves were a bit shorter, or if there was more variety in the gameplay – and no over-heating main guns – I could probably have stomached more time with XenoRaptor. As it is, before too long I found my mind wandering to one of the many other unplayed titles on my hard drive. In short bursts, XenoRaptor is fine, but there are far more enjoyable examples in the twin stick shooter genre already out there.

Shovel Knight Treasure Trove is a great collection of games, each of them enjoyable in their own way. The character designs are fun and there is enough variety in characters, enemies and attacks to keep things interesting. The games are almost easy enough for the more casual players to progress, yet there is enough challenge to keep the hardcore players busy too.

Iro Hero is everything you expect with a vertical shooter in that it’s tough, fast-paced and repetitive. The extra mechanic of changing colour is fun to use, and it does test your reflexes and gives you a bit more chance of completing the game. There is not a great deal of content to keep you interested in the long haul, but it still a good enough game for you to jump in straight away and get going.

Pathologic 2, although not as polished as maybe Fallout or Elder Scrolls, still contains all the necessary features for a story driven first player adventure. The games difficulty and time frame can have you sweating under the collar and sometimes become a bit overwhelmed, but you can praise it for its detail to character work and story line.

Weakless is really colourful and vibrant and shows good promise if the team decide to do more work like this. There’s lots going on depending on who you play as which I found great. The contrast in gameplay between the deaf and blind Weavlings forces you to constantly analyse a situation and using them both to overcome obstacles is satisfying and rewarding. Overall my experience was enjoyable, it’s just a shame that it all ended so soon.

Despite very slight niggles over control and getting myself lost, the reality is that Piccolo Studio have delivered an incredible debut full of rich storytelling, tear-filled beauty and unforgettable moments. Their own attention to detail and the obvious love they have poured into this game lift it far beyond the heavens their hero seeks. Whether a debut outing or otherwise, the game is outstanding. They may have also just delivered my game of the year.

Foxyland is a game about a fox collecting gems in the woods. It is very easy to play, takes about an hour to complete and doesn’t require any previous knowledge or experience in gaming. For those who give a fox about achievements, then this game could only have been made for you.

There is some heart in this simple third-person RPG, but with terrible gameplay, infuriating controls, insane difficulty spikes, enemy spam, and repetitive mission design, only the most determined players will find it.

Blacksad: Under The Skin is an enjoyable detective game and the gritty noir story is very gripping. You care what happens to your cat-man detective and you’ll want to get to the bottom of the crime. All the other characters in the game are interesting and varied and the fact they are animals makes things a bit more entertaining. But the controls when moving Blacksad are so slow and clunky that they let the game down a tad, ruining the will to explore the world fully.

Like a popcorn popping Hollywood blockbuster, My Friend Pedro offers a bullet-bonanza ballet that’s hard to ignore thanks to its slick moves, combining a great sense of fast food action gameplay that escalates in challenge as you grow accustomed to the many flourishes it adds throughout. Regrettably the characterisation and story falls short, but in all likelihood these fundamentals won’t matter if you’re looking for an action-packed thrill ride, and boy does My Friend Pedro offer that in spades. If you demand something more in-depth or intricate you won’t find it here, but everyone else will find that My Friend Pedro scratches an impulsive itch that’s able to impress with its penchant for grace and unabashed style.

Tamashii is an addictive 2-D retro puzzler bringing great design and solid gameplay even though it may fall behind in the graphics department. With plenty of challenging puzzles and a horror theme screaming WTF!. It was a hair pulling experience I enjoyed and hope others find pleasure in this title also.

SuperEpic: The Entertainment War lays its feelings out for all to see on the current state of the big buck chasing corporate side of the game industry. That it does so with enough wit and entertainment factor is commendable; it would have been easy to fall on the wrong side of parody. The core gameplay is fun and engaging, the art is fantastic and – odd typo aside – the writing manages to get the message across in an entertaining way. Undercoders perhaps lent a little too heavily on the MetroidVania aspects with a hard to read map and even harder to keep track of side missions, but overall I had a blast with SuperEpic.

Straimium Immortaly is a very odd game and a lot of it doesn’t make sense, though the weird designs and colourful layout has some charm about it. However, the game is not very fair and is downright tough when you can’t tell on screen what can or can’t hurt you and what is a power-up. The game has an old-style feel to it that you always strive to do better than your previous attempt. But with such childish writing and busy screens it may put a lot of people off.

Demon Pit hit me right in the nostalgia. The classic feel of the 90’s arena shooters is perfectly represented here, with fast, frenetic action that won’t let you rest, at least until you’re dead. It won’t be for everyone, and some may feel a little short changed by the fact that the one mode is all you get. But the replayability of that mode will keep Demon Pit installed on your hard drive for some time to come.

This addition to Beamdogs rejuvenated D&D games didn’t hit the mark for me as the others did. Its slow-paced combat really kills the momentum and is much tougher than its predecessors even on an easier setting. The story itself is still interesting and gripping, but it’s not enough to save the game from its flaws. With it being so slow, tough and not very pretty it will be hard to pick this over games in the same genre. D&D fans, or fans of the original game may still find some joy here, but newer players may not see what all the fuss was about.

Avicii Invector’s visual style compliments the audio. I am not the greatest at rhythm games but I completely enjoyed this. If you’re a fan of the genre, this won’t disappoint. I love the music and I thank Tim Bergling for bringing it to the world and its ability to pick people up. Rest in Peace.

Civilisation VI is very much a marmite kind of game – you’ll either love it or hate it. While I am indeed a fan (of marmite and Civ), I did feel slightly let down by the laggy performance and seemingly slower pace than I remember. The wonderful aesthetics manage to make up for this to a degree though, and if you’re after something to sink some real time into the Civ VI will absolutely be your cup of tea.

Cardpocalypse is a nostalgic blast from the past. Players who enjoyed card games such as Yugioh! will get a kick from this along with a flood of warm memories of the 90’s. The turn based title may have trouble shining through among other titles in the genre, but I can’t knock Cardpocalypse for gameplay and story narrative.

For those who persist with it, Headliner: NoviNews will likely draw you in and surprise you by how the characters react to every choice you make and the multiple ways their fates can be altered come the endgame. The brevity may put some off and the day-to-day repetition will get old fast, but the control you possess is very engrossing and will be the main reason for you to play through the game multiple times. You may not be plugging at it for long, but Headliner is worth a shot because it makes players feel like their actions matter. What with many mainstream games going through the motions of diminishing returns and marginalising your status, a modest indie title like Headliner will likely remind you that players should be placed at the epicentre of control – so thus, we doth our caps to Headliner as it aptly headlines the crucial component of empowerment in video games, even it comes with a side of a few irksome kinks.

The title – Ultimate Racing 2D – sadly belies the actual experience on offer here. While there’s an impressive number of vehicles and tracks, the actual racing part feels flat, uninspiring and, quite frankly, boring. Multiplayer could be good for a laugh, but even that will wear thin before long. Racing fans may be able to eke out some more enjoyment, but for others just looking for a fun little run around you’re best off steering clear of this title.

Story of a Gladiator has an attractive pixelated presentation and has the cool concept of fighting in the arena. It’s a blast and only overstays its welcome in the later stages when progression stagnates. I recommend jumping in with both sandals.

Lost Ember has so much potential to be a real gem but is let down by it’s overwhelming performance problems. There are glimmers of the experience that could have been, if these problems were to be ironed out, especially as the game progresses and the story gains momentum. Lost Ember is well suited to players looking for a casual experience with simple mechanics and an intriguing narrative but only if they are also able to overlook some of the game’s unfortunate issues.

Rift Keeper throws its hat in the Rogue-like genre but unfortunately comes up a little short. There are some solid ideas buried in there and it’s clear to see the team ambitions. but some technical hiccups held the experience back.