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Despite the lack of challenge, the charming storytelling, cute world, and varied gameplay ensure that Mousebusters is well worth checking out. It’s a lovely, bite-sized adventure that respects your time, and whilst you’ll likely see everything it has to offer in just three hours, it makes for a cozy, funny, and occasionally heartfelt ghost story that absolutely hits the mark.
NBA The Run is a vibrant, fun, and accessible return to the arcade sports genre that fans of classics like NBA Street will have a ton of fun playing. The action is frantic, the lack of microtransactions feels fair, and the online play really can be a blast. However, it’s worth noting that its always-online nature will also determine how much you enjoy the game. If you just want a quick, reliable online hoops game to play with friends, this is a great choice, but if you are looking for a solo experience that might bring back memories of NBA Street, this won’t be for you.
Crushed in Time is a fantastic, highly original adventure that’ll keep players completely hooked thanks to its uniquely creative puzzling. The bickering dynamic between Holmes and Watson is genuinely funny, the voice acting is top-tier, and the shifting worlds are an absolute treat to explore. And sure, the control quirks might test your patience at times – especially when playing on the Steam Deck – but the sheer creativity on display makes Crushed in Time an easy recommendation for both long-time point-and-click adventure veterans and those who simply want to experience a puzzler that genuinely brings something unique to the genre.
Mina the Hollower is an absolute triumph, with the brilliant world design, exciting combat, and fun burrowing mechanic ensuring it stands out as a distinct, old-school treat. It can be tough (and the lack of a map and a restrictive fast-travel can be a pain), but it really is as another astounding success for the team at Yacht Club Games. It might have taken a while to launch, but Mina the Hollower was absolutely worth the wait.
007 First Light perfectly captures the wit, charm, and skillset of the legendary spy, all whilst offering a special gameplay experience that’ll keep players enthralled from start to end. Between the brilliant level design, the perfect blend of stealth and action, and the gorgeous presentation, this really does live up to the cherished legacy of Bond in gaming, making it a must play for both those who love their cinematic adventures or those who just want to experience the best 007 video game experience since Goldeneye.
The Remake of the End of the Greatest RPG of All Time is a massively rewarding experience, offering a brilliantly cryptic adventure that’ll really push you to think outside of the box. Sure, it might ask a lot of your patience at times, but between the overwhelming satisfaction of finally cracking its conundrums and the sheer ingenuity of its metagame approach (both in the 2D RPG world and what exists in 3D), it easily stands out as a special experience that’ll definitely appeal to puzzle fans.
Echo Generation 2 is a thoroughly enjoyable sci-fi adventure that’s only let down by some pacing issues and a harsh difficulty spike at the end. It’s visually spectacular, the soundtrack is brilliant, the characters are charming, and it has an enjoyable combat loop… it just doesn’t quite stick the landing perfectly. But hey, it still makes for a really good time, and if you were a fan of the first game, it’s definitely worth checking out. Sure, it changes things up, but the refinements ensure it feels fresh and, most importantly, a lot of fun to play.
Forbidden Solitaire is a brilliantly addictive experience that manages to balance a spooky, creepypasta-like narrative with genuinely fun solitaire mechanics. As someone who appreciates both gaming urban myths and a bit of nostalgia, it ticked all of the right boxes for me. And sure, it is guilty of being a bit easy, but between the tantalising setup, the satisfying puzzle-based battling, and the unsettling nature of the overarching tale, Forbidden Solitaire undoubtedly stands out as a wonderful old-school experience.
If you have zero connection to the games included in Rugrats: Retro Rewind Collection or the Nickelodeon cartoon, this bundle probably isn't going to win you over. The games are clunky and very much a product of their time, so it’s not like Limited Run Games are preserving all-time greats. But game preservation shouldn't solely be reserved for the polished, timeless classics, and Rugrats: Retro Rewind Collection is proof of that... it’s about preserving a feeling. It’s about remembering what it felt like to rent a game for the weekend, reading the manual in the car, and spending hours exploring a pixelated version of a world you loved on TV. The games aren't perfect, but it is wonderful being able to easily load them up and smile at the memories they bring back, and if you spent hours with them or watching the TV show when younger, this collection is absolutely worth your time.
Bubsy 4D marks an enjoyable return for the iconic bobcat that goes a long way in repairing his long-tarnished reputation. It is a short, breezy adventure that doesn’t reinvent the genre, but between the rewarding platforming mechanics and the sheer satisfaction of speedrunning through levels, there’s a hell of a lot to like here. And sure, there’s still plenty of room for improvement, but this is certainly proof that even the most maligned of gaming mascots deserve a second chance.
Clockwork Ambrosia is a highly entertaining and charming homage to the classic run-and-gun action platformers of yesteryear, and whilst the sometimes-fiddly controls and brutal death penalties can be frustrating, the sheer creativity of the gunsmithing, the joy of exploring its world, and the gorgeous presentation make it well worth your time. I had a lot of fun with the game, with it clear throughout that the developer put a lot of love and care into those fourteen years spent crafting the game.
Nitro Gen Omega is a game of wonderful strategic depth hampered by a lack of polish and a rough early progression slog. When the combat clicks and your heavily customised machine is tearing through enemy ranks alongside a crew you have genuinely bonded with, it is an ABSOLUTE joy to play and shows that the game could really be something special. It is just a massive shame that you have to wade through a ton of grinding and clunky menus to get to the good stuff. If you have the patience to learn its intricacies and don’t mind a bit of repetition, there is a remarkably deep and rewarding experience to be found in Nitro Gen Omega… just expect a few bumps in the road that’ll really test your patience.
Tiny Lands 2 offers a delightful ‘spot the difference’ experience that’s relaxing, addictive, and lovely to look at. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed playing it with my six-year-old daughter who has quickly labelled it her ‘new favourite game’, but do you know what? I think I actually enjoyed it even more than she did. If you’ve got a keen eye and love a bit of ‘spot the difference’, you really do need Tiny Lands 2 in your life.
Directive 8020 is phenomenal, with the engrossing storytelling, engaging gameplay, and stunning visuals making it a horror experience you simply won’t want to miss. Sure, it relies on some horror tropes and there’s a lot more hiding than you’d be used to in other releases in the series, but when the choices you make are so tantalising, the horrors you face are so terrifying, and the characters you’re trying to save are so likable, it’s easy to look past these small flaws. This is choice-based storytelling at its finest, and it leaves me excited to see what Supermassive Games do next.
Everything is Crab is a delightfully weird and addictive roguelite experience that offers plenty of fun and creativity with the varied mutations on offer. Sure, the combat might lack a bit of depth and the pacing can feel a little off in later runs, but the sheer joy of watching your cute little squishy pal warp into an unrecognisable nightmare (I mean that affectionately) ensures that Everything is Crab is well worth checking out if you’re a fan of the roguelite genre.
The Coma 3: Bloodlines is a solid horror experience that doesn’t only wrap up the story in a satisfying manner but also brings fresh gameplay mechanics to keep things varied. Don’t get me wrong, it has its flaws – most notably with the frustrating enemy encounters and the unforgiving save system – but it still managed to keep me invested right until the very end. If you’re a fan of the series, you absolutely have to play it for the closure and the atmosphere alone, and fingers crossed, maybe we won’t have to wait too long for a patch to fix some of the more obvious issues?
Whether you grew up in the nineties or just appreciate a beautifully told story about friendship and… well… growing up, Mixtape hits every single emotional note wonderfully. It perfectly balances the humour of doing stupid things with your friends against the terrifying reality of moving on and leaving your childhood behind, and whilst some might argue that a four-hour linear game might lack some appeal, the sheer quality of the experience makes it something you will want to revisit just to soak in the atmosphere all over again. Mixtape is a beautiful, hilarious, and profoundly touching experience that understands EXACTLY what it feels like to be a teenager standing on the edge of the rest of your life. I haven’t felt that way in a long, long time, but having a reminder of it here has helped make the game an instant classic, and for me, one I’ll never forget.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Empire City is a game of brilliant highs but also some noticeable lows – traversal is fantastic, the comic-book vibes are immaculate, and the co-op is a joy, but it is dragged down by an empty world and combat that lacks any real challenge. If you love the franchise and have a few friends to play with, you will easily look past the flaws – especially since there’s nothing game-breaking – but I can’t help but to think that a bit more attention on balancing out combat would have made Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Empire City a very special VR experience.
Tides of Tomorrow is a wonderful adventure that feels incredibly unique thanks to its cleverly implemented ‘Story-Link’ system that helps make it feel unlike any other narrative-driven adventure that I’ve played. Add to that some gorgeous visuals, a story that’ll keep you invested from start to end, and some fun gameplay mechanics that keep the experience varied, and it’s easy to see that it stands out as another special release from the team at Digixart. Sure, your experience with it may vary depending on how invested you are in the ‘Story-Link’ system, but even if you don’t plan on sharing the adventure with someone you know, Tides of Tomorrow is a blast to play.
Aphelion could have been something truly special, because on one side, you have a beautiful, atmospheric world and a phenomenal, character-driven story that sinks its hooks into you. However, on the other side, you have clunky platforming, annoying checkpoints, and late-game stealth sequences that are guilty of outstaying their welcome. If you can look past the flaws and some of the more annoying moments when playing as Ariane, the narrative payoff and gorgeous cinematic presentation make Aphelion absolutely worth your time. Just be prepared for a few annoyances as you make your way to the end of the journey.