Rarely do we see an episodic game getting better as new episodes are introduced, but that’s exactly the case with Bertram Fiddle’s second episode: A Bleaker Predicklement. Whilst short and somewhat buggy, the episode’s enhanced puzzle work and its interesting new mechanics not only make for a worthwhile return, but collectively shows a great deal of promise for the series’ future. Don’t pass this by, things are just getting warmed up.

The joy of Wavetale comes from the exploration and free-flow traversal. The story and combat leave much to be desired and the openness of the water can really slow the flow of the game down. It was a short and slightly above average experience overall, shoutout to the visuals and sick traversal combinations you can sometimes pull off when the environment lets you.

Whilst the lengthy and somewhat persistent loading times can irritate, Shadow Fencer Theatre provides a lot of fun for both solo players and fans of local multiplayer alike. The game’s hilariously awkward physics fit well with its distinct presentation, and thanks to its varied content, if indeed lacking overall, repetition is kept firmly at bay. This isn’t going to blow your socks off, but it certainly offers a trip to the theatre you’re unlikely to forget.

Pile Up! Box by Box is definitely an enjoyable couch co-op title. The lack of online multiplayer sucks but you shouldn’t avoid playing it purely for that. Get some friends round now Covid restrictions allow and have some fun working things out!

King of the Arcade does a fair job of being a cheaper title that gives you value for money. It’s not too difficult, it gives you a feel of what arcades used to look like in the past and there are plenty of different games to play. Those born around that era they will find the knockoff titles fun to play if not just amusing. It could be a fun way for a parent to expose their kids to games of the past without it being overwhelming and without all the loading.

In the here and now, Guts ’N Goals is fun in short bursts, at least solo. There’s a ton of stuff to unlock, the match types are fast and hectic and the extra modes prove to be a great way of mixing things up. It’d make a great addition to a local multiplayer night again in the near future, and once online play is there there’ll be more incentive to keep returning.

Where Dustborn works – its characters and story – it really works. Leaden combat and side-missions leave it a little lacking.

Qomp2 offers a fresh take on the classic Pong formula, introducing a unique premise and challenging gameplay. While it may not appeal to everyone due to its departure from the raw simplicity of the original, fans of puzzle games and those seeking a unique gaming experience will find enjoyment in its artful reimagining. The game’s diverse boss fights and hidden collectibles add depth and replay value, making it a worthwhile endeavour for those willing to embrace its challenges.

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.

All in all, Stunt Paradise isn’t going to move the needle for being your new all-time favorite game, but it does deliver a few fun moments. In what could have been a quick game to get out of the door, it feels like some love went into making it. I was pretty impressed the first time the camera whooshed around as my car was making a turn but in reality, my controlling was just going straight. This is one of those palate cleanser games as I like to call them and it delivers on that promise of being short, decent, and something enjoyable enough to pass the time.

Jisei is a visual novel game with a rather unusual twist to it; a needless twist at that. Differing from the traditional visual novels, it’s much more interactive and less story based which might explain why there are plot holes and unanswered questions littered throughout it. Visually though it’s great, and fantastic from the voice acting to character design. It’s not a bad game and personally enjoyed myself playing it, it’s just confusing at points. For most I believe it’s going to be a hit or miss game.

Castle on the Coast is a a great choice for kids, newcomers to games, and 3D platforming fans. Harkening back to games of yesteryear this looks like it came from the Playstation. In association with Valley Children’s Hospital where the main character, George the Giraffe, this is a decent collectathon that won’t make you pull your hair out.

All in all, Snufkin: Melody of Moominvalley and it’s new DLC Fuddler’s Courtship are both charming, easy going experiences that are perfect for parents and children to sit down together and explore, with a light hearted take on themes such as friendship and the importance of looking after nature.

Indika will no doubt be one the most unique games we play this year, if not one of the best. It’s themes are both layered thick and somewhat confusing and the odd pacing means we can never really settle into the flow of things. We still found some fun to be had, mainly in the weird settings and 2D sequences, and those with a bit more of an open mind will no doubt enjoy it, but it certainly won’t be for everyone.

Void Gore has scratched an itch I didn’t know I had. The classic shooter gameplay works well with the rogue-like elements, and the upgrades give each run a fresh feel. If you’re fond of old school shmups then definitely check out Void Gore.

It won’t be for everybody, and even the ones it will be for will no doubt find grievances within its systems, but there’s no denying KCD2 is an incredibly deep and dense game that will reward those willing to invest the time and energy into getting the most out of it. A strong story pulls us through parts that otherwise might have been too much to persevere with, but there have certainly been enough times that we have found ourselves enjoying the game that we’d offer a cautious recommendation.

Reky offers a uniquely styled puzzler title with a deceptive challenge, although at times the interface makes this harder than it should otherwise be.

Thy Sword is in every sense a simple a retro platformer. It has many nods to the past and has fine-tuned the experience to make the game fairly challenging. The controls are slick and pulling off a special move to finish an enemy is a joy. However, the game is fairly short and could be completed in 1 or 2 sittings. This is a fun game for those looking for a quick platformer to conquer.

Togges is as a unique game as its name. In this 3D puzzle platformer, you aren’t controlling some bipedal human or creature trying to get to the right side of the screen but rather a vacuum like robot that with the aid of the togges, solves puzzles to traverse this free roaming landscape. The traversal is likely my favorite schtick as you have to manage the amount of togges you have while keeping them next to each other as they are the keys to the puzzles. As with a lot of 3D open-world-esque games to me the camera is very middle of the road and leaves some to be desired. The puzzles are hit or miss as to their understandability but at least it’s a pretty game. This beautiful puzzle platformer would give the fan of the genre plenty of content to stack the deck with.

PONG Quest surprised me in a good way, as I didn’t believe a game based around PONG could hold my attention for this long. But once I started on the story mode, I felt compelled to play all the way through it. The different ball power-ups are so interesting and make the PONG experience much more fun. With the charming paddle identity’s, it makes for a fun experience. My only concern is that once the adventure is over, I am not sure whether I would revisit the game.

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.

Alina of the Arena is a great proposition for players that love Slay the Spire and Into the Breach.

Alwa’s Awakening is very true to the original style 8-bit platformer. They have some adventure and puzzle elements as well and is not as linear as many of the other 8 bit platformers. The story line is quite light in details but the game itself is more concentrated on the gameplay which shows as it is a fun and interesting challenge. Although it feels a bit slow-paced it is still a good game to pick up for old-style platformer fans.

Samurai Shodown marks the return of a beloved classic, and although not quite as refined nor as deep as its modern contemporaries, the game proves that there’s still plenty of life in the franchise yet. Through staying faithful to the series’ roots, Samurai Shodown offers up a different kind of fighter, one that retains the strategic action and high levels of tension that put this saga on the radar to begin with. Whilst not great, it’s certainly bold and unique.

JackQuest’s sizable interconnected world, together with its immediately fluid and precise gameplay, collectively go hand in glove to set an instantly captivating stage. There’s a good blend of combat, puzzles, and platforming throughout, making for a worthwhile adventure that rarely loses traction. The only real downside here is that it lacks diversity across all of those aspects, pulling it just shy of greatness as a result.

Tinker Racers is a fun game and far exceeded my expectations. It brought back many childhood memories of racing round in Micro Machines and it makes me hope that they release more levels for a DLC. Once lockdown ends, it’ll definitely be one to play with friends in couch co-op.

I came in to Crime Opera: The Butterfly Effect with an open mind, but not expecting all that much from it. I’m glad I gave it a go though, as the story was actually very good and had me wanting to keep reading right until the end. It’s a shame there aren’t more endings to encourage more playthroughs, but as a part one of a series this is off to a good start. Whether you’re just interested in the 1000G or actually want a good tale to read, then this comes highly recommended.

Nova Lands is exactly what you need if you need a less stressful session of gaming. That is not to say it is not frustrating as at times you will feel like an underappreciated supervisor when the bots are not doing what you are expecting them to do. But you are the master of these bots and they are as only as good as your strategy. It is a neat little game but something you will only play through once.