I could talk for ages about Twelve Minutes as I loved everything about it, but there’s not much that can be said without spoilers. The voice acting is fantastic and the gameplay is very enjoyable. It’s a fantastic title and the fact it comes straight to Game Pass is brilliant. I can’t recommend this enough.

And really, Star Hunter DX nails the Bullet Hell Shmup package as a whole. The gunplay is fast, fun, and energetic, the visuals and audio are fantastic, and even though I am terrible at it I cannot stop playing. Shmup fan or not – you need to check this out.

Lake is a wonderfully chill adventure. The sense of place is great, the characters we meet are all interesting and entertaining, and I found it to be a great way to unwind after a long day – the way it should be. Well worth checking out, and an adventure I’ll come back to time again.

Overall and with no real negatives to speak of, Psychonauts 2 is certainly up there with the best games to have been released in 2021 so far. It maintains a strong showing throughout whilst keeping players engaged with fresh and unique environments, and with satisfying gameplay and a wacky story to boot, there is plenty to sink your teeth into throughout the 15-hour runtime.

Kings Bounty 2 have tried to add a compelling story and RPG element to this game and it hasn’t been executed very well. The slow-moving character is morale-sapping at times and it is only the strategy battle element that saves it. But considering I got to a point where the enemy is so much stronger than me and there is no way to grind or lower the difficulty, I suspect others may also find themselves giving up in frustration well before the end.

Barry the Bunny does nothing spectacular here for gaming but you probably didn’t expect it to. It looks like a very basic game and plays as such. Not much meat to this bone but if you are here for achievements or trophies, the completion is just a short game away.

If you can put up with the unresponsive controls for long enough, there’s a decent puzzle title in Tetragon. It’s just a shame that almost every turn of the world is met with frustrating UI and inputs.

Mayhem Brawler on looks only seems like a standard clone of a side-scrolling beat-em-up. But there is more than meets the eye and that is not just because of the supernatural setting. The story variation with the choice system and the comic strip storyline does make it interesting. It really could have done with online co-op mind, as playing this alone is very tough. Even having a block to use didn’t make things much easier, and it’s something you’ll need to get to grips with quickly if you’ve much hope of completing it.

Overall, The Vale: Shadow of The Crown is a game that brings to light a rarely experienced disability for many gamers whilst also showcasing just how much audio can bring a game to life. With fantastic storytelling, engaging gameplay and a story that keeps things fresh from start to finish, this is certainly one of 2021’s standout titles and will no doubt spawn new audio focussed titles in the future.

At this point I can easily say I’ve found my groove with Fort Triumph. It went from being something I was struggling to motivate myself to play to not realising I’d spent an entire evening working through multiple missions. I’m still getting beat up quite a lot even on Easy, but now I’ve learned the ropes a bit better I can feel another restart on the harder difficulties calling to me. Whether I ever get to it or not is another thing, but it really is very good. If you’ve the patience and time to learn the mechanics properly, then Fort Triumph will be one of the more satisfying turn-based strategies you could choose from.

Deadly Days isn’t a game that I would be dropping hours of time into or would be playing on week’s end. There are elements that do make the game work such as it’s fasted paced gameplay, a variety of weapons and characters, and a story that involves the zombie virus being spread from a contaminated hamburger. There’s even story progression in the game which actually surprised me. The RNG aspect of the game is a bit frustrating along with the constant micromanagement of my team of survivors. I just feel like aspects like these shouldn’t belong in a Rougelite game. If you wanna a game to kill some time then I would gladly recommend Deadly Days, but if you want something long-lasting this may not be the game for you.

It looks utterly gorgeous, has an oddly stirring soundtrack, and the core gameplay loop is simply fun to engage with. Traversing the digital landscapes as they fill in and focus in front of us is a treat, and even though they may look initially daunting in size, there’s a smart logic to how they unfold every time. Each new power up comes along at just the right time (well, mostly) and clocking in at around 8-10 hours it’s not an overly long title to get through. Plus, there’s a genuinely interesting story to weave together throughout, and as noted above it’s well worth going back and hunting any missed logs to get the ‘true’ ending. Some weak combat and fiddly UI are the only real blemishes on an other great title, and I can confidently recommend this as something to check out.

The De Vespe Conspiracy is a great addon to the Greedfall base game. The unravelling of the tangle of lies and mayhem caused was fun to play through. The missions and side quests were interesting and varied enough and it played through like a fun episode. It’s unfortunately too short for my liking and is not likely to bring back old players, but those new to the game would do well to add this to their playthrough.

Overall if you want a refreshing bike racer that elevates the usual tropes and exceeds in all the key areas, then RiMS Racing is the experience you need. Whilst it might falter slightly with some questionable A.I. aggression, and it may not have quite the number of iconic locations as some racers out there, there is more than enough to get lost in with this two-wheeled dream ride. The petition for RiMS 2 starts here!

Based on all the praise and awards Hades has received over the past year, the bar was set pretty high, some might say as high as Mount Olympus (I had to include one bad pun, sorry). I’ve tried to set this aside as I played the game and write this review, but it’s been difficult. Hades is a great game, and I feel safe saying that it’s in the upper echelon of roguelike/lite games, but in the end, I think there are a handful of issues that hold it back from being immortal (sorry, one more).

Overall if you want something a little different that doesn’t take itself too seriously as you wait in anticipation to see what the next WWE title can offer, then Action Arcade Wrestling certainly isn’t a bad way to go. Whilst it would have been nice to see a Career mode option available and maybe a few more unique character designs, for the price point Action Arcade Wrestling isn’t going to be a game you’ll regret spending your time with.

Lawn Mowing Simulator did something to me that I didn’t think possible by grabbing my attention so well I didn’t want to play other games for awhile. While obviously a niche game Lawn Mowing Simulator does what it says it will do and does it well. If you have the slightest amount of curiosity about the game, I’d recommend it for sure.

All in all, I really enjoyed Faraday Protocol. The puzzles are paced really well, introducing new approaches and ways of thinking constantly, and the later added twists are a welcome change at the right moment. The visual aesthetic can get a little too repetitive – though it is technically very well done – but as something to play in short sittings over a few nights this is a great puzzle game.

Overall if quick and easy are search terms you’d use to find your next gaming adventure, then Bone Marrow is going to be one you’ll want puffing its chest amongst your collection. If you’re after a meaningful experience that you can invest any serious time and effort into, or gain any real enjoyment from, then there are certainly many better options out there.

Apple Slash is one of those simple games where it feels like the developers have put a lot of effort and love into making it and you’ll feel it when you play. I actually wish there was more to play and do. I’m hoping that Agelvik will take what they’ve learned here and bring it to an Apple Slash 2.

Foreclosed excels with the visuals making this a unique experience I haven’t seen elsewhere, but could have used more work with voice recording and mixing with game audio. Fans of third person shooters or people searching for an interactive fun comic book game will enjoy this artistic title. It’s also a great selection for those who like Max Payne or Deus Ex as described by the developers.

I was pretty much sold on Art of Rally the first time I saw it, but perhaps what might have truly sealed the deal was the line the large buddha statue laid on me in the intro, “we are in a parallel universe, where Group B was never cancelled”. Art of Rally is coming to Game Pass and there’s no excuse for anyone not to give it a try, unless you absolutely loathe racing games. It should appeal to any one with even the slightest interest in racing games, but will also satisfy the racing game veterans. The art style is sublime – I know some players might not be into the non-realistic graphics. It doesn’t get better than this in terms of pure art, and overall fun, and Art of Rally is both.

Button City is the epitome of chill. Even when the tales touch on heavier subjects, it’s both handled sensitively while also never really getting us down. A great way to spend a few evenings, you’ll leave Button City having made a bunch of really cute new friends!

All in all, The Ascent is a lot of fun at times, but there’s just something about it that doesn’t quite stick for me. Combat is fast, with the three height system technically offering up more options for arenas, but I found this aspect to be generally underused. Initially complex looking, the upgrades and skill trees are simple to follow, albeit underwhelming in use. But there’s no denying just how pretty it all is, and as a next gen showpiece it delivers here. I just can’t see myself being drawn back to it long in the long term.

Overall and If you want a challenge, then Loopindex may prove a little too easy. If you’re after that satisfying Gamerscore increase, then you’ll likely be in your element, as an hour is no gargantuan task for any player. As for general quality, Loopindex isn’t a standout performer. It gets the basics completed but you shouldn’t hope for anything more.

Get Packed: Fully Loaded finally makes it’s debut outside of Stadia exclusivity. In what is a humorous story that places you into chaotic situations of moving items, you can finally invite friends to play with you in a variety of modes to increase the chaos! If partying up isn’t your jam, the single player story is there and will offer hours of entertainment as well.

Blightbound is a couple of fixes away from being the new hardcore favourite – mechanically demanding, it plays more like a precise competitive multiplayer game than a dungeon-crawler. It is let down by copious crashing and poor pathing from the AI.

Trigger Witch is a middle-of-the-road game. I had a decent time playing through it, but just like much of the land in which it takes place, Ozryn, the game lacks any real magic. The action is fun and chaotic at times, the story has some charm, and the world is colorful but the game lacks any real staying power. It’s somewhat unique to see a combination of Action-Adventure RPG with Twin-stick-shooter in a retro-styled setting and if that sounds interesting then it might be worth a look once it has its first sale.

Cris Tales is a beautiful 2D JRPG with an interesting story and great use of time manipulation. Each of the characters are unique and bring something different to each battle. The way the screen splits to show you the past, present and future is delightful to see and invests you into the game to try and improve the future, while using time powers in battles is well executed and kept me keen on trying different strategies. Hopefully the slow movement outside of battle and the fact there is no difficulty slider doesn’t put people off as there’s a lot to enjoy here in this stunning looking JRPG.

In conclusion, Lost at Sea is a wonderful indie title that has been ported to Xbox and is worthy of playing on sale for those interested in the easy gamerscore. If you’re a gamer that enjoys a serene and introspective journey then this might be a game for you, it definitely is a game for those who are mature enough to comprehend Anna’s message and walk away with more empathy. You will spend roughly an hour walking around and half an hour learning of Anna’s past and her family. The clunky lighting can ruin the immersive experience and the game may crash like it did with me a couple of times. But these small details are outshined by the audio, narration, and story. If you’re not a gamer that would enjoy walking through someone else’s life, then perhaps this is not for you.

The Bloodline expansion is well written. It’s all about the exciting story and if you are a huge fan of the Watch Dogs universe, you can’t fault this. It’s a ton of fun to play and it brought back good memories to the point I might play the first game through again (or continue the first game’s DLC which I started but never finished!).

As narrative adventures go, Last Stop is easily one of the best I’ve played. From setting and characters, to story and presentation, it is a joy to experience from start to finish. Whether you’re a Game Pass subscriber or not, this is one title not to miss out on.

All in all, Super Destronauts DX -2 is a fun, retro style shooter that will offer those looking for a classic high score challenge plenty to enjoy. Some easy achievements are the icing on the cake, naturally, but this is one game that makes getting that 1000g enjoyable at the same time.

Indigo 7: Quest For Love is quite a clever and refreshing strategy puzzler. It’s a new concept for me as I haven’t seen it done similarly and the Scott Pilgrim like graphics are always interesting and appealing. Although not many of the characters in the story are likeable or relatable, it is still fun to play through the story mode and watch how things unfold. I think they either needed to remove the character soundbites or add a lot more as they did get irritating after a while and I will be forever haunted by Guile saying ‘Magic fingers’.

Despite a couple of sticking points, we greatly enjoyed our time with Horror Tales: The Wine. The tale is interesting enough to keep us going, the visual and audio work is great, and the mix of puzzles and out-and-out chases sequences was paced really well.

The Forgotten City features a compelling story taking place in a mystifying city. The writing is more than clever and has you experiencing both horror and mirth. The deduction aspect of the game might not be breaking any new ground but the experience is enjoyable and worthwhile as a whole. If you’re unsure of this one then maybe wait to make sure the patch is fully implemented. I would also avoid any playthrough videos as they could easily spoil the story, and that is the most satisfying part of the game.

I’d love to sit and tell you about a fantastic feature, or a must-play aspect to Skydrift Infinity that would make you want to rush and buy, and I’d love to be able to praise this game as the must-play underdog flight game of the month. Sadly there isn’t all that much to be excited about. Whilst the visuals are pleasing, even they can’t compare to the other option being presented this month, and that can only mean this one is likely to be forgotten quickly.

Bold and chaotic, Paint the Town Red is an excellent first-person brawler with a ton of content for both beginners and pros.

I have to be honest; I was wrong. I fully expected to find a poor man’s Trials but instead, I found a game that provides a more accessible experience to the well-known platform trialist experience, whilst also holding enough of its own character to feel like a fresh game in its own right.

Samurai Warriors 5 is definitely for veterans and for those who want to see what all the hype is about for the franchise. There’s a lot to accomplish throughout the title and many different combinations and play styles to choose from. So why not jump in and find one that’s right for you.

Narrative based adventures are always enjoyable, and the FMV variant has really come into its own lately. Night Book is another solid entry from Wales Interactive, with a fun, spooky tale and great acting that really sells the experience. It’s short enough to play through in an evening, and repeat plays are enjoyable thanks to the number of scenes and endings available to find.

In hindsight, Freddy Spaghetti 2 didn’t improve greatly upon the first instalment. The levels feel short and the game feels too easy. It seems to be more of a cash grab from those who enjoy unlocking achievements, but may provide a laugh for fans of The Office or fans of physics-based games like Octodad or Human Fall Flat.

As of right now, Death’s Door is definitely in the running for my game of the year, probably at the top spot. I think it will appeal to many other gamers as well. A wonderful action-exploration adventure filled with humor and bizarre characters, all taking place in a fairy-talesque land with a gorgeous low-poly aesthetic. If this has even slightly caught your attention ahead of launch, you should pick it up. I hope Acid Nerve will expand this IP because they’ve made something special here. I’d love to see it continue.

Police Stories is definitely worth a look if you like tactical shooter-like top-down games. It has a good, fun story and if you take your time with it you will enjoy yourself. Whilst you will find yourself sometimes playing the same level a couple of times, once you complete it you do feel a sense of satisfaction.

Streets of Rage 4 was already fantastic, and the Mr.X Nightmare DLC just improves it immensely. New characters Max, Estele and Shiva are great, while the Survival mode offers endless options for replayability as well as new unlocks to use throughout the game. It’s an utterly brilliant DLC all round, now excuse me while I head back to get working on those unlocks…

Batbarian: Testament of the Primordials is a Metroidvania that places you deep within a cave with just a radiant bat. It’s unique in it’s light and dark mechanics and lite-leveling system. The meat of the game comes from puzzles and boss fights. Mix that with a humorous story and you’ve got yourself a winner of a game.

However, the slow pace is kind of the point, and Walden, a Game uses it to force us to soak in some lovely sights and sounds. Thoreau’s writings are often insightful, helping build the world out nicely, and that we’re free to explore and complete tasks pretty much at our leisure means this is a perfect title to unwind with over the course of a few evenings.

Mythic Ocean surprised me as I enjoy a good dose of philosophy if done the right way. The game is very relaxing and not overly challenging when it comes to helping the gods or searching for the lost pages. The real challenge comes when you have to make a decision on which god should create the new world. It really does make you think, and that choice is not simple to make. I believe it was designed that way to show the power of influence you have in both this fictional world and the real world.

Within the Blade is a great proposition as a budget title. Tons of levels, and good variety throughout leads to a large amount of replayability. Some design decisions and nasty bugs mean that it is a close shave away from ‘excellent’, and instead just ‘good’.

Blue Fire grew on me as I progressed through the game, it really opened up and became a joy to play once my moveset started to expand. Anyone craving a 3D action platformer that borrows from some of the best games ever made should give this a try. I think by not going overboard and sticking with a reasonably sized world that is filled with NPC’s and secrets the developers created something that shines and could burn for some time to come.

Despite Breaking Point not hitting the mark with me, F1 2021 is an exceptional game for their first entry onto the Series X consoles and will keep F1 fans happy for another year.

It’s easy to compare this game to other Metroidvania’s like Hollow Knight, Bloodstained or Blasphemous, though while it doesn’t quite reach the same lofty heights as those games, yet Ender Lilies: Quietus of the Knights is a fantastic experience from start to finish that can be enjoyed by more than just fans of the genre. It can be challenging at times but a few quality of life features make it more approachable than some of its genre brethren. It’s a solid action adventure with satisfying combat, a stunning art style, and a huge detailed world waiting to be explored that tells a rich yet sorrowful story.

Crash Drive 3 is a wonderful idea of a game and plays with no major issues. The game is a wonderful addition to the series and the hard work invested by the team shows. Lovers of goofy arcade racers will enjoy.

It’s hard, but in that perfectly pitched way that encourages one more go, time and time again. Some excellent audio/visual work helps tremendously, and the extra modes are a neat, if slightly unneeded, addition. Great fun to play all round, and highly recommended.

King of Seas is solid, but unremarkable. Lacking the diversity of actions and depth of simulation required for something within its genre. For those craving a pirate game it will definitely entertain, but maybe not for very long.

A tight, entertaining, and original co-op game. Operation: Tango is a perfect multiplayer game for two friends.

Bunny Factory delivers 100 different versions of the same type of puzzle. Between each one is a monotonous task of take ‘this unit to this spot and come back’ before you can begin another puzzle. The game does feature online co-op so you could chill with some friends but overall it’s a pass from me unless you are a puzzle enthusiast.

I love Scarlet Nexus. Its technological post-apocalyptic environment, smooth and flashy combat mechanic combined with its genre of an anime RPG, was just executed so well. Sure the game towards the end might seem a little bit tedious but you just can’t help but focus on the good things that made this game such an enjoyable experience. This game is to not be ignored.

Spirit of the North: Enhanced Edition is a wonderful game to unwind with and is relatively short, so most will finish it in just a couple sittings. The game isn’t as polished as a re-release should be, but is still a fun adventure to embark on. I would recommend this title on a sale seeing as you won’t be playing it long unless you’re into Nordic folklore, foxes, or a moderate journey.

Curved Space is hectic, visually busy and fun in short bursts, but for me it just got too disorientating too often despite the developers best efforts to limit this.

I expected so much from the story with it being a Warhammer game. Usually, you are drowning in lore and story but with 40,000: Space Wolf, you barely get your feet wet. Every menu in the game feels so slow and sticky. I know it originated from a mobile game but the menu and story needed way more work for a console version. The gameplay is actually alright, the card mechanic mixed with X-COM style combat is quite interesting. But with dumb NPC’s, respawning enemies and losing a turn just to turn your guy around there are just a few too many bad decisions for me.

Gamers looking for a puzzle-heavy platformer like Braid won’t find what they’re looking for here; alternatively, players searching for a platforming adventure like Limbo will also be let down. However, if you’re looking for a relaxing, story-driven adventure with light platforming and a few simple puzzles all wrapped in a sublimely vivid art style then this just might be for you. The story touches on topics that many games avoid, and most players will find some way to relate to the protagonist Mo, but the islands and their depictions are the real stars of Minute of Islands – it’s what kept me hooked. I remained intrigued throughout the experience, always wondering how the next area would be presented. The gameplay feels a bit monotonous, but that gives you more time to marvel at the artistic detail of the world.

Despite these complaints, I have tremendously enjoyed my first 40 hours and feel a sense of accomplishment when I finally get my wash station running and walk away with a pocket full of gold. This game demands your patience and attention, so it will not be for everybody, but for a select few, this game will provide hours of entertainment.

Real-time Worms action is something all previous fans of the series have probably thought about at one point, and it’s nice to not only see it happen but have it modernised in the popular battle royale style. It’s simple enough to pick up and play and the cross platforming means you can squad up with your friends using other platforms too. I found it fun to play and a decent addition to the Worms series. My only gripe is that sometimes there are too many explosions on-screen to keep track of your worm at times.

Doki Doki Literature Club Plus is a title that more or less has impacted me as a gamer and shown me to not be afraid to try something new. As off-putting as visual novels are to some people I highly recommend giving DDLC Plus a try as you can tell that the hearts and souls of everyone on the team went into this project. Maybe it’ll become a part of your reality as I let it become a part of mine.

Hired Gun is a game that punches above its weight in that it tries to take on too many things at once and struggles under the sheer weight of the number of ideas it introduces. In many ways it is better than its AAA peers because of its audacity, in other ways it is an example of a game that needed a few features cut.

If you’re after a blast of tough nostalgia, then Alex Kidd in Miracle World has got you covered. If anything, it’s a bit too faithful in terms of the mechanics despite offering up some modern concessions such as checkpoints and save states. But then that’s the point, isn’t it. Older players will still get some enjoyment out of revisiting this, while younger players can see what we used to deem cutting edge back in our day. It’s not going to challenge the best platformers out there, but it’s still decent enough – and really bloody hard.

I came into Heliborne full of hope, but left completely disappointed. Unless you’re a die-hard helicopter fan there’s not much at all here to make it worth your while checking out, and even if you are a fan…well… caution is still advised.

Green Hell is an absolutely fantastic survival game. The way the jungle pulls you in with its beauty at the same time as punishing you for even the smallest of mistakes. Creepy Jar have done a great job making you both feel consumed by the jungle as well as adding the psychological strain of being stranded alone. The game makes no excuses for its learning curve, but it doesn’t need to because of how great the overall experience is. In the famous words of Axl Rose……… Welcome to the Jungle!

Donuts‘n’Justice is a retro game with a decent retro look and feel. Local co-op is a nice touch. There’s limited replay value due to only a few stages in the game. I think it is good for achievement hunters as you will be able to knock this title out in less than an hour but it’s one you will probably play and forget quickly.

A tightly written, well thought out card building game makes Griftlands one of the best in its genre. However, the starting hours need to be pushed through to grasp its complexity.

Song of Horror is a wonderful psychological horror title with an even better story, the fixed camera and unique gameplay will keep players on the edge of their seats to avoid the perma-death feature.

Ninja Gaiden: Master Collection brings age but also wisdom to the table. Most gamers have heard of Ninja Gaiden either by reference or by playing one of the original games. This collection brings the games to players who have not experienced it before and with the addition of the Hero easy mode there is no reason to fear the gruesome challenge these games used to be if you just wanted to experience it. For fans of the series, while it has not been remastered it has been spruced up with the new framerate and plays very smoothly on a Series S and X. If you need to get your ninja on and enjoy a fast combat action game, then this collection could be for you.

All in all Astro Aquakitty is great take on the arcade 2D shooter genre with plenty of customisable options, enemy variety and sheer scale of the environments. Each death leaving you saying “just one more go”. I had an amazing time playing this game and urge those who want to scratch that itch to pick it up and give it a go.

Discolored is exactly what we like to see from indie games: inventive puzzle mechanics, lovely audio/visual presentation and a run time that doesn’t overstay its welcome. If anything Godbey Games could have gotten away with another hour or so, but what’s here is perfectly enjoyable puzzling that is well worth an evening’s entertainment.

Sun Wukong VS Robot gives us a bite-size game at a bite-size price. Nothing here will blow you away but if you are looking for a quick game and like classic platforming game mechanics, you can do much worse. If you are on the hunt for a quick 1,000 gamerscore, then look no further than Sun Wukong VS Robot.

Mighty Goose is solid run-and-gun fun, borrowing from the classics of the past and adding a modern spin. The campaign is on the short side, but there’s a new game plus option offering some extra challenge. The over-the-top, hectic action gives the game a carefree feeling, but I never felt like I was mastering the gameplay since a lot of the enemy attacks are hard to see and avoid. It’s by no means a golden egg; however, if you’re a fan of the genre or looking for some careless action then it might be worth giving Mighty Goose a try.

Sniper Ghost Warrior: Contracts 2 is a very attractive game with exciting gameplay and a lot of interesting mechanisms. Each area is large and fun to explore, and if you enjoy stealthy commando action combined with realistic sniping then this game is a must. Even for FPS fans, there is a lot to enjoy here with plenty of gadgets and challenges to add some replay value.

In conclusion, Stonefly is an above average indie title that might be best played on a more portable device encouraging smaller play sessions for grinding minerals. I played on Xbox Series S and had no issues with glitches apart from finding my way out of the intended map a few times. The game would have greatly benefited from an additional polish phase since it feels vastly empty at times and can be annoying to navigate. The lack of a usable map and the finicky fast travel mechanics discourage players from investing the time required to obtain all upgrades in a playthrough. However, not all is loss with this title. It is fairly priced for what it offers with a brief story and the time it takes to finish the game. The standout features that I enjoyed the most were the controls for the combat, the original soundtrack, and the unique art style that I haven’t seen elsewhere.

A Little Lily Princess is a visual novel that at least attempts to buck expectations by offering some semblance of gameplay to give us agency through the story. It’s very stuck in the genres tropes, and the language might be a bit too over the top ol’ English, but the tale overall is entertainingly written, with the added bonus of featuring several endings to encourage repeat plays.

Alba: A Wildlife Adventure can be enjoyed by gamers of all ages, and teaches its players the simple yet valuable lesson that cleaning up is good for the environment and its inhabitants. It has a wonderful art style and sound design that make visiting the island with Alba a joy. The wildlife is bird heavy so bird lovers will definitely be interested in this, and they do an excellent job bringing all the creatures to life. Although brief I enjoyed my time on the island but I couldn’t help but wish there was a little more content.

Chess Knights: Shinobi is a short simple puzzle game that has put some effort into its graphical display. The chess pieces and the level design captures the Japanese Edo era well enough. The puzzles range from simple and ramp-up to fiendishly difficult quite quickly so don’t expect to whizz through the game with ease.

Carnivores: Dinosaur Hunt doesn’t have the budget to be a competitive sim hunting game and doesn’t have the humour to be a goofy game. The few moments of enjoyment in there require an archaeologist’s focus to unearth.

Just Die Already with its launch on consoles is a great open-world game within the first couple of hours. Within time its fun factor begins to deteriorate, and there just isn’t much to laugh at anymore. The humor has just gone stale. The difficulty in its controls and lack of features doesn’t help its cause.

Fans of Super Meat Boy would do well to check out Dungeon Escape. It’s not quite up there in terms of design or feel as that classic, but it’s still a solid title that offers up a good challenge to keep you coming back even after your hundredth death.

Despite how overwhelming and confusing it can be, MechWarrior 5: Mercenaries certainly has something to offer players who want to get stuck into the fine details of setting up their own interstellar mercenary outfit. The combat can be fun, if deliberately slow, and once set up right having a powerful mech wrecking shop is entertaining. It’s just the bits in between that can drag, with confusing menus and systems that aren’t fully explained.

Overall, Train Station Renovation hits all the marks that it aims for, but sadly those marks weren’t set very high. It is a lonely, solitary experience that just isn’t very fun. As with all reviews this is just one man’s opinion. Personally it does nothing for me. I don’t dislike it but the whole premise of Train Station Renovation I find to be uninteresting. Achievement hunters can easily pad their Gamerscore. Other than that I just don’t see repeated playthroughs of this game.

Astalon: Tears of the Earth is a retro-fueled adventure that combines satisfying combat with extensive exploration to create an exquisitely crafted, nearly flawless experience. Matt Kap and his team at Labworks have studied the classics well while interweaving new ideas and mechanics into the formula.

Great writing, with a perfect accompanying visual style, helps alleviate some of the slow pacing and retracing of steps that will occur to solve some puzzles. Airport for Aliens will reward those that stick with it.

Leisure Suit Larry: Wet Dreams Dry Twice is a dedicated addition to the Leisure Suit Larry series using the same tried and tested formula. There is more than enough crudeness, sexual humour, interesting plot twists and fiendishly difficult puzzles for long time fans to enjoy. This game is not for everyone, nor does it want to be; it knows what its fan base wants and aside from a few niggles it delivers something the fans will enjoy.

If you can get over the poor graphics, bugs and the constant attempts on your life, Rust: Console Edition has plenty to offer you. The game is definitely suited to a very niche group and that’s OK because once you overcome the initial learning curve, Rust can be great (especially if you can group up with friends or even other in game players).

Ghosts ‘n Goblins Resurrection is a love letter, or rather a love ballad to the original series, and fans of that series will know every word. I think most of them will enjoy this resurrection immensely. I was on the fence about recommending it to newer fans, but after completing the game on Squire I realized that I enjoyed the game a fair bit. The only caveat is the current price of $30 US which seems a little high. The watercolor art style is striking and the soundtrack is familiar and catchy. Although there are some moments of frustration, Capcom has created a game that any platformer fan should enjoy whether they are a fan of the series or a fan in the making, but the old school fans will get much more enjoyment from it.

If want to get back to your arcade roots and experience some of Capcom’s exemplary arcade games spanning over three decades then Capcom Arcade Stadium is a no-brainer. The quality of life additions allow players of all skill levels to enjoy the games, and the multiple leaderboards for each game will have the veterans competing for fame and glory. Some audiovisual galleries would have been nice, but as long as Capcom stays active with challenges and hopefully adds more games then the Stadium will remain standing room only for some time to come – but really how else would you play at the arcade?

In conclusion, Long Ago: A Puzzle Tale was a wonderful experience. A decent length of a game for the low price as well. This game is a must play for those who are into directional puzzle games. What I’ll remember most from this project though was the music and visuals. It would be amazing if the developers added the other tracks into casual play considering how well they sounded. The developers really put love and effort into the project and it shows. An excellent Indie title, albeit simple in design. The game may appear short, but there is incentive to return.

Trenga Unlimited is hardly a bad game, but it’s also not exactly an exciting one either. Passable mobile-style fun for ten minutes at a time, as a console release it wears out its welcome very quickly, and won’t have you eager to get back on the big screen to keep playing.

As a big Kevin Smith fan, I was looking forward to reviewing this game as I thought it might be reference heavy. It was, but some were more subtle than others and required you to know about most of his catalogue to get the references. It was an OK playthrough but that was more because I enjoyed the Double Dragon nostalgia feel. This feels halfway between a hard-worked fan-created effort and a cash grab of reskinning an older game.

While short, Aerial_Knight’s Never Yield was overall a nice experience for an endless runner, but the lack of story and replayability is where it hurts itself in the long run. The soundtrack and graphics gave off an exciting and futuristic feeling as you dropped from rooftops dodging bullets and robots throughout many bright and colorful levels. If players want a challenge I recommend playing on insane mode as your reflexes will be put to the test.

Gutwhale is a fun little roguelite. It has a nice set of mechanics and gameplay elements even though they are very limited. It is somewhat odd (I forgot to mention how a van falls down into the level every time you get a game over), but it has some charm and is one of the better games in Ratalaika’s catalog.