Fans of Swery will no doubt lap this up, quirks and all, but I just could not get on with the game at all. Every time I thought I had finally turned a corner with it some other nonsense turned up that put me right back at square one. Overloaded with poorly implemented decent ideas, this is a one for truly dedicated players only.

Overall, whilst the general release of a Project Zero game onto modern consoles feels exciting, the long-beloved classic is no longer the same fright mongering experience we know the series for back on the original Xbox. Besides a few creepy images of certain ghosts, there is nothing that really causes much of a jump let alone a true scare, and whilst the story has the potential to be one of true Japanese horror, the horrible pacing and repetitive nature ensure that the Project Zero: Maiden of Black Water goes down as an underwhelming return for what used to be one of the greatest series in horror gaming.

If you are really into speed-running 3D platformers then Demon Turf could be your new obsession. That’s obviously a very specific audience, but the game does that aspect very well. If you’re looking for some nostalgic fun then this game could also satisfy your cravings although it falls well short of the best in the genre. Modern quality of life features make up for some of its failings, but I can’t give this game my full recommendation; if you’re interested then I’d say wait for it to go on sale.

Overall, if you’re after a classic platformer that harkens back to the good old days of platforming past, then Pumpkin Jack is certain to bring you some joy. The story may not be one I, or anyone else, will be telling their children about (as I did with Crash Bandicoot as if it were a true story) but it’s not a totally inept offering either, and if you simply want something that can return that nostalgic charm, and some Halloween festivities, then there are many worse options you could choose than a shot with Pumpkin Jack.

Riders Republic dropped in at the busiest time of year. There are many games vying for gamers’ attention at the moment, and I think the full price, AAA price tag could cause some people to bail. Overall I’ve had a blast during my time in the Republic. It has an insane amount of content and replayability, and I think most people could easily rack up enough playtime where they felt like they got their money’s worth. There are a few issues, like the awkward trick controls, but none of them get in the way of the pure fun I had while playing this thrilling extreme sports bonanza. Book your tickets, but don’t bother buying round trip because once you get a taste of the Republic you won’t want to leave.

Ultimately, you likely know what you’re in for with Just Dance 2022. There are a great range of new songs here, with some fun and challenging choreography and nice new visual styles that freshen things up somewhat. Add in Unlimited and you’ve potentially a game to last you a lifetime – if you’re willing to pay up. If you’ve not been won over up to now then this isn’t the game to change your mind, but fans of the series can expect yet another solid entry to enjoy until next year’s release.

Wind Peaks is a short and easy adventure that can be enjoyed within an evening, it misses out on providing anything besides basic item hunting, but it doesn’t drag on too long to stop you from pushing through to the end. Whilst additional tasks in some levels such as stacking totems or photographing an animal with a camera you found are a slight break in the gameplay, you’ll mostly be doing the same thing over and over. It’s not bad if you want something simplistic, but it could certainly do more to be enticing and exciting and a little more engaging. It’s not a bad start from Actoon Studio, but it’s not quite up there with an Artifex Mundi title either.

Everyone appears to be having fun and that gusto carries some of the weaker moments. This becomes the crux of what makes Bloodshore great, it isn’t aiming for high-minded art but at larger-than-life entertainment with energy and gusto. As long as you, the audience, are game then you will have a blast.

The JackBox Party Pack 8 has done a great job with this pack as there are no “padding” games. All of them are fun to play in their own way. These party pack games are usually crowd-pleasers at parties as it gets minds working and everyone I played with had fun on each of the games. Job Job might be a bit slow for some and weapons drawn might cause some confusion but when you have friends around for an evening this game could be the entertainment that you are looking for.

Story of Seasons: Friends of Mineral Town isn’t just what I thought it would be as I do love little simulation games. The gameplay itself just feels super repetitive and I feel that I gain little to nothing for my efforts. The sad thing is I can’t even find myself enjoying the grind it takes to make the money to get upgrades to be involved in certain town events. The characters alone are the saving grace for me but they alone can’t force me to stay in Mineral Town for too long.

Echo Generation feels like one of those games that try to capture all the elements which made the older games interesting. No hand-holding, no easy setting, no guidance and very challenging. The art design is quite cool and it is what will lure to the game as it seems very chilled. But it’s a false sense of security the game is far from chilled and is decidedly tricky. Coupled with the creepy unnerving undertones of the story this game is not for the faint-hearted.

Toy Soldiers was one of my favorite Xbox Live Arcade games back in the days of the Xbox 360. I’m delighted that a modern remaster in Toy Soldiers HD has surfaced today. It’s just as fun now as it was then and I hope more people give it a shot. Fun strategy game with a twist on the classic tower defense formula.

The Dark Pictures games so far have set high bars in terms of story and production quality, and House of Ashes easily hits and even occasionally surpasses them. While I wasn’t so keen initially on one aspect of the tale, it turned around completely on a second play, but even to begin with it was nowhere near enough to ruin what is a fantastically acted and put together story, wrapped up in some of the most stunning audio visual work to date. Horror games are hardly in short supply, but very few reach this level of brilliance.

All in all, Bouncy Bullets 2 is a fun enough title, acting as a good palette cleanser in between other, meatier experiences. It might not be quite worth checking out before a sale if you’ve still got plenty to play, but cheevo hunters will be happy grabbing that sweet, sweet 1000G no doubt.

While the open-world transition was a welcomed concept it wasn’t utilized to the best of its ability. YouTubers Life 2 is exactly what it is. A YouTuber simulator. A constant grind to fame. Day in and day out it’s the same thing only a different trend than yesterday. It’s the smaller things that give this game life while the major elements such as the story end up lacking in the end.

For people that love Stardew Valley and wanted to see it collide with a kaleidoscope of other genres with a Sci-Fi coat of paint are in for a ride. For those that shudder at the sound of the words ‘Stardew Valley’ avoid.

I’ve had the pleasure of reviewing some great games this year, and I’ve played dozens of other releases, but right now Unsighted might be my favorite game I’ve played in 2021. It’s truly a love letter to Metroidvanias, Zelda games, and action-adventure/RPGs. Studio Pixel Punk went above and beyond packing the game with interesting and unique content, taking design elements that work from classic games, and combining them with their own ideas. They also went out of their way to accommodate all sorts of players, by implementing multiple difficulty levels, assists, and additional gameplay modes. This game is a steal at $20 and for those of you with a Game Pass subscription, you’d be committing a crime by not trying it out.

Overall, Silver Chains is at best a capable horror that gives a few hours of chills, and at worst it’s a game that relies on overused tropes to create its scares whilst looking damn good doing so. Let’s not forget though, this is an indie title, and for a small budget adventure, we’ve certainly seen and played much worse. Whilst it might not be the best horror game you’ll play this year, there is no reason not to add this to your list if you’re a fan of the genre.

BATS: Bloodsucker Anti-Terror Squad reminded me a little of Katana Zero, another fast-paced 2D action platformer, taking place inside various buildings where you have to quickly dispatch the enemies with melee attacks. You also have a less effective dodge move, and there’s no time-slowing experimental drug to be found anywhere. Instead of being a sharpened, polished katana, this is more like a rusty spork. Despite a lot of frustrating aspects, I had an alright time playing through it the first time – mostly due to the eye-catching pixel art and funny premise; however, I would probably feel differently if I had paid for this out of my own pocket. I think there are much better ways to spend $10, but if you’re truly interested in this I’d say wait for it to go on sale.

This title is a true example of a game being considered art. The use of loops, light vs darkness themes, the music and score, all whilst building a lovable cast of characters makes it a memorable game. I would consider this remaster a general success with the exception for PC, consoles seem to be running the game with only one serious known issue that should be fixed soon.

Of course, if you are someone who likes to keep an eye on new Game Pass entries, it doesn’t take much to see that Lemnis Gate is one of the recent Day One additions to the service, finding players, even with the cross-play option, is something that can take a bit of time but be patient and you’ll have a blast. The gameplay quality is definitely no reason for a lack of players, although it may be a sign of what’s to come with big triple-A shooters inbound.

Whilst Little Kite is certainly a worthwhile experience, it must be said that localisation isn’t a strong point with numerous grammatical issues including misspelt words and missing punctuation, but it certainly isn’t any reason not to jump into this fantastic story.

Nostalgia fills the air in Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl now that it is out on Xbox. On one hand this is the closest the Xbox will see to Super Smash Bros. and on the other hand it’s full of classic Nickelodeon cartoons and I love a good crossover. This will no doubt be a fun time with friends or kids alike as long as you know that the base content can be had very quickly and thus the repeatability could become a bore. If you are in it for the long time this is a fine brawler to pick up.

Ace Team have released their best game yet, a fusion of survival, exploration, and platforming. The world is stunning and begs to be explored.

UnMetal is a love letter to old school Metal Gear with a comedic twist. It excels in stealth and you will enjoy yourself though each of the levels. There’s nothing I would change or feel is missing in my opinion. It’s definitely one of the best indie games I have played this year.

Old school FPS fans will be right at home here, brought in by the fast movement, impactful weaponry and the constant back-peddling and side-strafing attack methods emblematic of classic shooters. Even though I’m not generally a fan of Roguelikes by the very nature of the repetitive loop, I found myself getting very caught up in the grind here. Each run felt new and exciting, and when I was dropped a power or weapon that I liked it really got me hyped to get into the next room to use it. I think I finally get why the genre has been so popular, and I can see myself playing this for quite some time yet.

Sheepo is sort of a goldilocks game, every aspect of the game feels “just right”. The level design and game world are well designed, the difficulty makes the game approachable for many players, and the game doesn’t overstay its welcome thanks to its playtime which is on the shorter, more reasonable side. Whether you’re a platformer fan, a Metroidvania veteran, or a newcomer, Sheepo is a game you should try (and if you do, maybe you could tell me what type of animal you think he is).

Unfortunately, although Hell Let Loose has gone full release, this game is not ready. Using in-game chat is frequently buggy, with it being unclear who can hear who. Getting into the game proved to be very challenging pre-release, and a nightmare during the launch date, with frequent drops, long loading times, and regular crashes and hangs.