Teratopia is a mostly competent 3D action platformer. The combat is simple, the minion system is pretty cool, the enemies are varied (especially the bosses) but the platforming blows. Story and visual-wise there isn’t anything to wow you and I’m not sure who this is best aimed at. Monsters are more of a young kid thing but the flawed platforming and controls seem to target someone a bit more skilled. Even the humour is a bit above kids as one of the bosses flashes certain parts of their monstrous body which is covered up by a black censor bar. Regardless there is still some fun to be had here for fans of this genre if they can overlook the jumping issues.

If you’ve got a few gamers in the house then I highly recommend picking Unspottable up. It’ll provide a good few laughs (and arguments) and is quite different to most of what is out there already. Hiding in plain sight while trying to suss out those around you is a lot of fun. Just bear in mind that this is a strictly local multiplayer title.

Jet Kave Adventure is a neat platformer that should keep younger players especially entertained, though I also had a blast playing. It’s not overly complicated but still manages to squeeze in a few interesting mechanics to give us something to be mindful of.

SYNTHETIK: Ultimate is a decent rogue-lite game but it has made a lot of choices that could compromise the experience based on the player. They have tried to combat this with difficulty modifiers and game customisations, but it’s not normal to have to tweak the game this much before you can play a game without being frustrated. Once you have got past that, the game is a decent challenge and there is some variety on offer. The weak storyline, the unclear level progression and inventory organisation might, unfortunately, might put many off.

The Pillar: Puzzle Escape is a wonderful puzzle game that keeps things brief, yet always interesting. Aside from some iffy difficulty progression – and those controls – I had a fantastic time with this game. It’s just challenging enough for the most part while offering up an almost constant change in what it’s asking you to do next. It won’t last all that long, but what is here is well worth checking out.

Override 2: Super Mech League changes the formula for the story mode from its predecessor in a way that isn’t my favorite. That doesn’t take away from the stunning visuals this 3D brawler gives us. Unfortunately it seems Override 2: Super Mech League was banking on online play and I had a tough time finding opponents. Luckily bot matches can supplement our need to finish sponsor tasks but ultimately the game could use a bit more life.

Scott Pilgrim Vs The World is an absolute must have if beat ’em ups are your type of game. The action packed co-op mixed with Anamanaguchi’s soundtrack sets the mood perfectly. Although it takes some time to learn and nail down some combos once you get the hang of things you’re sure to have a smashing time.

Skycadia is a fun arcade-style dogfighting game. It has a lovely visual style, smooth and responsive controls and a fast and fun gameplay loop. There’s not much to it beyond chasing your own high score an unlocking new characters or weapons, but it is just simple fun, and something worth checking out.

Fans of visual novels might get an hour or so of enjoyment out of Autumn’s Journey but I’d like to have seen more choices factored in to give the tale some variety. I found myself getting bored pretty quickly with the story on offer. As it is, an easy 1000g is most likely the best reason to get this.

All in all, Blacksmith of the Sand Kingdom is an enjoyable and very charming title that soon turned into a repetitive chore to me. With everything that it has to offer, it motivates me to play more just to access those other classes and faiths and to see even more powerful enemies. While it’s not entirely my style of playing an RPG, for others they might feel right at home. If you’re up for the grinding or systematic playstyle then this RPG is definitely for you.

Iris.Fall delivers an enchanting and mysterious dream-like world for you to explore. The variety of puzzles keep the game interesting, but the lack of any explanation can make some of them confusing. The shadow mechanic the game employs isn’t new but it gives the puzzles more variety. The puzzles never get too difficult and the overall experience is on the short end timewise, but if you want to experience a beautiful and sometimes eerie puzzle adventure that draws on the work of M.C. Escher for artistic inspiration Iris.Fall could be just the game for you.

There’s certainly a charm to Georifters, from it’s sickly sweet visuals and audio to the at times clever use of its mechanics across the campaign. Said campaign is far too long though, made all the more elongated by some stodgy controls that make the action feel far more unresponsive that it actually is. Fun for a few hours and when we can have mates over again, but we were stuffed long before clearing our plate.

Tiny Hands Adventure is a simple action platformer than feels pretty drab to play, looks bland and is too unexact and muddy to be engaging for anyone, let alone to younger audience to which it is catered for.

Despite having some neat ideas across the board, the final execution of Colossus Down just feels a little too awkward and uninspiring. Clunky, repetitive combat and a teenage angst-filled story do little to inspire continued play. There are far better examples of the genre out there, on which your time is better spent.

Drunken Fist hides wonky physics, hard to use controls and a toilet humour behind the set-up of being drunk, and while it’s passably funny for a short while, it’s also not something that will be on the playlist for more than the hour or so it’ll take to beat the seven levels.

Unto the End doesn’t mess about, and that will likely divide opinion on it. I don’t think I’ll eve see the end as it’s just too much of a challenge for me, but I absolutely can see the care and work that has gone into making it, and how well put together it is. If you’re into that other game then this 2D side scroller should be on your radar. Just be prepared to have a proper run of things.

Cyberpunk 2077 for me is the whole package of what I want from a game like this. Great looking, great controls, great storyline and plenty of choices, content and replay value. This was marked as many players game of the year before it came out. Regardless of the outside noise, I didn’t suffer any game-breaking issues and only a couple of graphical glitches. I am not saying its perfect, but I am saying its wonderfully immersive and addictive. There is a lot here to be impressed with and when the Series X version is released and all the bugs are worked out I am sure more will agree how great this game actually is.

Call of the Sea is a enjoyable first person puzzler that lays on said puzzles thick and fast. That it also looks stunning didn’t hurt my time with it. Having access to the journal is a great touch, and the story kept me hooked and keen to see what was next throughout.

Paw Paw Paw tries its best to be an entertaining game that holds up to the standards set by the classic beat ’em ups and the innovative newer titles, but ultimately it falls a little short mostly due to its difficulty. Beat ’em ups are known for their difficulty, but they almost universally feature lives and continue systems that make them accessible to a wide audience. Even on easy some parts of the game can be very tough. This game is designed so you can grind by replaying levels and then level yourself to get stronger. There’s some variety in a few levels but not enough to make me want to go back and grind through them. If you’re a fan of the genre it’s definitely worth a look, and in comparison to some games by the same publisher it’s relatively good. Hopefully Ratalaika will step out of their achievement filled comfort zone and expand their catalogue even more.

Freddy Spaghetti combines the ever popular mad-cap physics gameplay with an equally outlandish story and level set up to great effect. Some of the levels feel too much like padding, and the nature of the gameplay can lead to a few instances of annoyance, but overall this is a fun title for those looking for something simple, but different.

60 Parsecs! overall is a pretty decent game. Its cartoonish graphics and rather dark humor at times are appealing along with its variety of choices you can make with during your playthrough. For a game that’s based on a lot of text talking I figured the music would keep you awake but it just repeats the same notes over and over kind of putting you to sleep. Regarding the situations you can encounter I feel that they are lacking and often are repetitive. I find these kinds of simplistic games interesting nonetheless but I can’t say it’s for those who seek action and more depth with their games. I will say, If you’re an achievement hunter have at this game – the full 1000G could be yours, just be prepared to encounter the same situations repeatedly.

As I say, When the Past was Around isn’t the longest game, but it also doesn’t need to be. I enjoyed almost every moment of my time with it, and found the story to be genuinely touching, yet bizarre in its presentation. The visuals and music are excellent, and other than a few slight challenges in terms of drawn out puzzles, it’s just a breeze to play. There’s little replay value outside of achievement hunting, but plop yourself down for an evening and play this through and I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised by it.

Morkredd brings some great solo or co-op physics puzzling to Gamepass, and it’s a title that is not to be missed. The dark moody atmosphere contrasts brilliantly next to the shining light we’re focused on, and the difficulty and length feels just perfect, not dragging on too long or whizzing by too fast. The story is easily missed, but at the same time I didn’t come away from my time having had any less fun for it.

Monster Sanctuary blends the two genres of Turn-Based RPG and Metroidvania into a beautiful 2D pixel art game. Although turn-based battling with monsters that you raise and care for is the heart of the game, the Metroidvania exploration ain’t bad either.

Immortals Fenyx Rising is an enjoyable family-friendly alternative to Assassin’s Creed. The story is enjoyable and if you know a bit about Greek mythology it’s pleasant to see they took the flaws and cruel sides of the Gods rather than glorifying them. The narrative between Zeus and Prometheus is amusing and is a great accompaniment as you progress through the story. There are plenty of different puzzles outside of the main story to keep you busy and makes traversing the open land more enjoyable. The game could have done with more variety in enemies and puzzles to keep the feeling of monotony at bay though.

I tried so hard to enjoy I,AI. I don’t mind a good challenge, but the key to getting me into retrying over and over is to have that challenge be fun. Unfortunately I,AI’s slow pace, weak ship and drawn out upgrades mean that the fun ran out long before it should have.

Twin Mirror is unfortunately bit of a mixed bag. With some great ideas and potential for a captivating story it’s a shame that the adventure was cut so short. It feels like the game was intended to be longer and this is evident in the relative potential. Sam’s mind place is a highlight and does provide a lift to the game in areas that are at times lacking substance. The foundation was set but fell short of the great detective story that Sam’s return to Basswood could have been.

When you emulate some of the greatest games ever made it can be hard to stack up. Morbid: The Seven Acolytes is a decent game, its gruesome theme and vast lore that really bring the world to life. There’s a large variety of enemies but the combat is somewhat shallow. Exploring new environments is enjoyable, but trying to traverse them quickly can get tiresome due to the slow walking speed. If you enjoy the Soulsborne games, are a Lovecraft fan, or take pleasure in beating up on strange grotesque pixel art monsters, then Morbid: The Seven Acolytes is worth a look.