As a professional car mechanic who has not played the other episodes of the Car Mechanic Simulator license, I must say that I was pleasantly surprised by the realism of this simulation in regards to dismantling the parts, ordering those that seem defective or repairing them when possible. Expanding your garage to optimise your workspace, buying a car at auction to make a profit and of course receiving cars whose customers tell you that there is only a "small" noise when half the car needs to be replaced, the recipe is complete. Despite some flaws in its usability, Car Mechanic Simulator 2021 is a briliant game that all mechanic lovers (and others) should own.

Annapurna Interactive is clearly a company that knows what it is doing and what it is getting into. By working together with Hollow Ponds, they prove once again that they know what horse to bet on and they do it quite well. I Am Dead exudes something pure and profound through themes rarely dealth with in the video game industry. Despite some flaws mainly linked to an iterative mechanic and a gameplay that is much too discreet, I Am Dead remains a joyful experience that needs to be tried.

More than a simple medley of appropriations, Lost In Random plunges us into an original and unforgiving universe where the fate of children is gambled with a dice. Thanks to a fantastic art direction, the six kingdoms of the world of Alea open up to us in the company of Paire and his magic dice and lead us to meet a multitude of far-fetched secondary characters. Paced by battles that turn out to be deeper than they seem and by a management of skills in the form of deck building, Lost In Random is a real pleasure to go through during the ten or so hours that make up its adventure.

As a lazy adaptation by CyberConnect2, Demon Slayer: The Hinokami Chronicles is an insipid first attempt at recreating a masterpiece of modern manga. Indeed, the animations are superb, the whole background of the current anime is closely followed, and the official soundtrack hits the spot. As for the rest, we see fights that quickly go round in circles, a roster that is far too limited and a story mode that feels unnecessary if one already knows the original work. Undoubtedly, the developers have many more adaptations in store for the next seasons to come, and we can only hope that they will be more creative.

Video games that mark an era or become an essential reference in their respective genres are quite rare. Disco Elysium is one of those games and it is easy to understand why it has won many prestigious awards. The first title from the studio ZA/UM and Robert Kurvitz is a C-RPG masterpiece. It is a perfect embodiment of what a tabletop role-playing game should look like. Indeed, it offers a substantial lore, captivating NPCs, a mature, solid and coherent scenario no matter which way you go, a crazy amount of freedom in roleplay, the famous dice rolls and finally, a “game master” with an exceptional narrative power. The inclusion of the video game medium transcends the experience thanks to a singular and bewitching graphic aesthetic and soundtrack. Moreover, its adaptation on consoles, at least on the Xbox Series, does not taint the picture too much. However, Disco Elysium will not be enjoyed by those allergic to reading as it contains thousands of sentences or for fans of fight scenes since there are none here. For the others, this game really deserves to be played for several hours in order to really understand what you are doing. In the end, you may not like it, but if you get hooked, Disco Elysium becomes a unique experience that leaves you breathless once the adventure is over.

With House of Ashes, Supermassive Games adds another layer to the solid foundations of its know-how. At the end of this new angsty adventure, one could be tempted to reprove the studio for sticking to its guns. But one must point out the care taken with an intriguing story, characters realistic as ever, beautiful shots and a refreshing critique of the Iraqi conflict. As one could imagine, fans will not be particularly surprised by this new proposal. If one is not allergic to the genre and its inherent flaws, it would truly be a shame to miss out on a title that is effective in every aspect. After finishing this chapter, we can’t wait to discover The Devil in Me next year.

Light Fairytale Episode 2 starts on a positive note, despite some flaws. Once again, the episodic format for this type of game seems clearly unsuitable as the feeling of barely progressing in the story is too much felt. The same goes for the combat system which, although becoming more and more interesting, is still unsteady due to the aforementioned slow progression. But the universe is rather endearing, and one wonders how the whole thing will end. Let's wait and see then!

Years go by, and Isaac remains the rogue-like genre’s undisputed master. Still as fun and addictive as ever, Nicalis’ title will delight early fans with a new and more than generous amount of content, filled as usual with new enemies, characters, bosses, items and other trinkets of all kinds. The co-op mode has also been redesigned for splitscreen sessions on the couch, but the game’s foundation stays basically the same. The only regrets are the lack of localisation, the ever-present crashes, and the prohibitive price. If you were not convinced in the past, this new version will probably not change much. On the other hand, if you’ve been waiting on it for a few years now, this may be the best opportunity to discover this unforgettable title in its most accomplished version.

“Mixed feelings” is the best way to describe how The Last Stand: Aftermath made us feel. The Rogue-Lite genre's inherent mechanics (starting over and over again, dying repeatedly and leaving behind a few artefacts for the next character) are spoiled by an overall lack of variety. It’s a pity considering it remains truly addictive despite this. Good ideas are hampered by an archaic scavenging system and too many combat phases that aren’t thrilling enough. If we set aside these few blunders, The Last Stand: Aftermath remains a guilty pleasure that makes us want to go back for seconds. Its heavy atmosphere, its mutation and crafting mechanics and its difficult progression make it compelling. Let’s hope that a patch will quickly fix the technical issues.

Timothy VS the Aliens does not reinvent the genre but offers an enjoyable experience. Its few weak points do not tarnish our overall good impression. However, the game’s easy difficulty makes it more appropriate for a young or beginner audience. Considering its limited lifespan, the price seems a bit overboard.

If Shakespeare’s language has no secrets for you, how can one not fall under the spell of Wytchwood? But like many witches, its sombre beauty and intriguing story conceal some real flaws: outdated craft-based mechanics, a lot of back and forth and a below-average difficulty. No matter how one feels about it all, this witch will leave no one indifferent: whether you like it or not!

Praey for the Gods could have reached the “good game” category. Unfortunately, it only takes a short period of time with the controller in hand before one understands that the means used aren’t enough. The narrative is non-existent, there are no dialogues, the bestiary is scanty, and the fights aren’t thrilling. Similarly to Assassin’s Creed back in the day, we can also mention problems where the character gets stuck when climbing and the sum of all these flaws is further putting down No Matter Studios’ already injured title. It’s a shame considering that Praey for the Gods’ concept could’ve truly been original. Such a shame…

The Pedestrian is a clever mix between platform and puzzle. It brilliantly manages to dust off the puzzle game genre and is clearly worthy of the greatest. The level design is an intrinsic part of the gameplay, and that’s where the soft does its best. It’s a nice discovery for whoever loves this genre (and not only). Even though the soundtrack is sometimes too discreet, our enjoyment cannot be spoiled. We’re looking forward to the studio’s next title.

The rediscovery of Shadow Man was surprising, to say the least! The remastering work done by Nightdive Studios allows us to (re)discover the title at its best, even if the gameplay is not always enjoyable. This comeback to the world of the dead shows the extent to which videogame titles aren’t all identical regarding the inexorable passing of time and Mike LeRoi carrying the heavy burden of the first 3D action/adventure games is a fitting example of this. It is thus difficult to face the complete absence of indication and the rigidity of this gameplay, which did not bother us so much at the time. Despite everything, the magic is still in the air partly due to an artistic direction that is as deliciously morbid as ever. However, it seems difficult to recommend this game to anyone considering the recent and double-edged evolution of our medium. This makes us wish for a full reboot to carry on indulging in this unusual atmosphere which time seems to have no hold on.

Our aim is not to nail the studio to a cross, as we undoubtedly know that the team is working hard and trying its best with what seems to be very limited resources. Their respect for rugby can be felt in their wish to capture the essence of this complex and exciting game. But after 3 very disappointing attempts, we are losing hope and confidence. It is no longer possible in 2022 to publish sports simulations that are technically and graphically several generations behind. All the efforts put into developing a convincing gameplay are wasted on these pitfalls. If the form had at least been taken care of, rugby fans, for whom the title is solely aimed, could have forgiven a lot. Alas, the sloppy direction completely spoils the immersion and potential inherent to the presence of official licenses. Similarly to its older brothers, Rugby 22 remains a prototype rugby game, an alpha version sold at a high price. It breaks our heart to advise against buying it in its current state.

In DYSMANTLE, surviving has never been sweeter! The game simplifies the sometimes boring notion of survival by focusing on the essential: fun. Farming, although a bit repetitive after a few hours, is natural thanks to the character’s progression and evolution that are fluid and well thought out. Breaking everything becomes an addictive pastime and the mysteries of the island always make us want to dig deeper. With its insane lifespan, its well-balanced difficulty, its cartoonish art direction and its impeccable technique, DYSMANTLE is definitely worth checking out. We hope an online cooperation mode will be implemented as it is an essential feature of this genre.

Although True Fear: Forsaken Souls - Part 1 is not as fresh as it used to be, it stays a good puzzle game for those who can overlook its flaws. Despite the cinematic, sound design and horrific references of another era, the title gifts the genre with some well-designed ideas. The ability to instantly travel from one board to another or to set the difficulty of puzzles and in-game helpers is well thought out. Discovering this experience on Xbox or leaving it for “on the move” sessions on a tablet as it was originally designed will entirely depend on you.

PowerSlave Exhumed is a licence that fell into oblivion a long, long time ago. And few really expected its comeback in 2022 after more than 25 years of absence. Yet, the experience offered by this port is surprisingly decent. With a modern gameplay fitting the presence of the two sticks on the controller, the title is no longer as archaic to navigate. Furthermore, the levels are a mix of what was offered on the PlayStation and Saturn versions, which were different at the time. The presence of new secrets makes for a fresh experience, but the same flaws remain, namely the automatic aiming and the fact that our character is too wide, thus taking damage for nothing. Nonetheless, PowerSlave Exhumed is still a fun game to play through, albeit a little short.

Webbed offers us a pleasant walk in the countryside. Although a little short, the title provides an accessible and interesting bucolic experience. Some of the puzzles require a minimum of logic and reflection, but the solutions quickly become obvious. Other than that, the game is pleasant to play, the physics of the spiderwebs are well reproduced, but the ten or so quests and the few collectibles won’t be enough to keep you busy for more than ten hours. It’s still a nice experience for a short break between two triple AAA games.

Epitasis remains a good puzzle game that will please lovers of the genre, but its content is too scarce. Its uneven graphics and its very limited lifespan may disappoint most players. Finding a real narrative in a game of this kind happens to be quite rare and it’s a shame to have such a disappointing ending despite a decent starting point.

Cassidy takes us through her nightmares in a beautiful story. Even though the bestiary is rather scarce, the artistic direction and the mechanics quickly make us forget this bump on the road. Indeed, the weapons, powers, and items to defeat our enemies are well varied and it is with great pleasure that we alter our combat gear over the course of the game. Despite being paramount for discovering our young protagonist’s whole story, the redundancy of the levels still is a major setback. All in all, Dreamscaper is a good game that is both fun and aesthetically pleasing.

Travelling back in time through the completely delirious universe of Kraken Academy!! is not unpleasant despite its lack of striking resolutions, especially as the humorous dimension fits adequately. The investigation to discover The Perfidious’ identity is gripping, but the way to wrap it up is kind of repetitive. We would have appreciated more variety in the mini-games, as well as a real use of the Kraken-net social network to find clues for an added layer of substance. Without being transcendent, the side quests contribute to the title’s already crazy background, but they’re still too shallow to bring a real added value to the scenario. Kraken Academy!! thus graduates with honours. Teacher’s comment: “Kraken Academy!! is a studious but somewhat dissipated student, be careful not to rest too much on your laurels!"

Within an industry that sometimes struggles to renew itself, especially in the themes it tackles, Road 96 is a daring bet. Even though we freely admit that it is far from perfect, especially as regards its procedural part and its technical aspect, the title nevertheless offers an original experience that goes off the beaten track. This is portrayed by the narrative expressed through the iteration of encounters with the seven key characters. Despite being divisive, this mechanic leads to a rather unique game revolving around intertwined stories that puts the player in the position of a partial spectator of the events occurring before his eyes.

“Disappointment and disillusionment”: these are the first feelings that come up as you progress through Winter Ember. The game’s eerie universe and the Victorian environment are quite immersive, and the heavy atmosphere works especially well thanks to realistic lighting effects and an OST giving off a palpable tension at every step of the way. Sadly, the mediocre gameplay is a huge letdown! The fights are unbelievably slow, and the infiltration aspect is so erratic that they unfortunately do not make up for such a brilliant scenario. Arthur Artorias had the skills and the potential to join Sam Fisher, Agent 47 or Garett in the hall of fame of our favourite stealth masters! The title is truly paved with good intentions but unfortunately, one tends to quickly forget about them as the player’s experience is impinged by the gameplay’s inaccuracies. The title’s appreciation thus depends on the player and his tolerance towards the aforementioned problems: Winter Ember had a lot of potential, and while it is still relatively decent, we cannot help but feel disgruntled.

It is a shame that Outbreak: Contagious Memories has so many flaws. A considerable trim in the number of puzzles, and a better-suited difficulty setting, could undoubtedly have resulted in a more than decent game. Here, frustration reigns supreme, to the point where one wonders where is the coherence gone? All these blemishes are even less forgivable as this is the 6th Outbreak 3D game that repeatedly uses the same graphical resources without ever trying to correct all the problems in terms of gameplay and the rest. The developer settles for making new games with different content. All in all, unless you want to have a party paying tribute to bad games, this joke should absolutely be avoided: especially for €30.

Soundfall is quite a good surprise. It mixes a demanding, but also efficient gameplay with an eclectic and high-quality soundtrack. Country, electro, rock, funk: there is a little something for everyone. The game’s difficulty will vary depending on the musical genre, but it encourages you to try again even if you fail. Embellished with nice scenery, enemies and animations, Soundfall offers us a nice copy. The approximative aiming is kind of a drag and even though we can play in multiplayer with up to 4 players (even in local), we would have liked something else than a shared screen for all participants.

Innovating in the cruel world of brick-breaking games without going off-topic is hard. That is probably why the developers of Radon Break went for the addition of timorous novelties to the foundations laid by Breakout and Arkanoid. However, there are some good initiatives such as being able to play horizontally and the levels’ random progression. Without revolutionising the genre, Radon Break remains an enjoyable brick-breaking game that will certainly delight scorekeepers. Its low price allows it to easily find its place in our game library in order to have a breather in between two AAA games.

Deadcraft was at first quite enticing with its half-human/half-zombie hero concept. In the end, the title’s few good ideas are devilishly marred by missions devoid of any interest. After only ten hours or so, the game becomes wearying and takes precedence over the pleasure of progression. If making deliveries here and there is your thing, all your dreams will come true. On the other hand, if you are looking for a survival action RPG with advanced gameplay and a compelling storyline, chances are you will be gutted. Considering how good the hybrid hero principle looked on paper, this is truly frustrating. With a better script and less boring quests, this could have resulted in something a little more decent. We cannot advise you enough to check out the available demo to make up your own mind.