Sid Meier's Civilization VII, in its attempt to tone down the repetition and micromanagement, has harmed it more than any good it did. Aside from the main and core issues of lacking depth in its content and having a horrible UI, Civilization VII isn't that bad. If you want a better game, though, stick with Civilization VI or V.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance II is an exhilaratingly immersive experience that, despite silly animations and graphical popping, manages to harken to the old RPGs and make you truly feel for the world. If you want an expansive adventure with no small amounts of shenanigans, this game is for you.
Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector is absolutely a recommendation if you have played and liked the first one. Even if you haven't, it's still worth a try. It has everything from phenomenal writing to varied characters to an intriguing plot. The gameplay remains great without being overbearing.
Age of Darkness: Final Stand is a very tough game, though, with not too many ways to fend for yourself. It is still a decent game that is fun to play and gets you hooked easily. Despite that, it could use a lot more content and no small amount of polishing. Until then, it remains feeling somewhat incomplete.
Creative Assembly has genuinely made another great DLC, which is worth its price. While Total War: WARHAMMER III - Omens of Destruction might not have the flashy draw of the last one, it still delivers some amazing new Lords, mechanics, and units for you to play around with.
With This War of Mine: Forget Celebrations Charity DLC being a charity DLC, meaning all proceedings from it go to charity, things become much, much more understandable and commendable. There are also tough choices and a great story with an apt ending. One can't help but appreciate 11 Bit Studios for still providing at least some sort of experience for the game, even after all these years, and making it an experience that sticks to your soul.
Deathless. Tales of Old Rus is a finely crafted game with incredible promise. A must-have for fans of roguelike card games, this game can also appeal to turn-based strategy fans. Many nuanced systems and a unique style come together harmoniously to elevate the game to a new level. Everything is subtle, and the game definitely will not disappoint.
Songs of Silence really tried to reach for the stars and do a lot. It strove to be a good 4x game that took elements from all across the Strategy mega-genre. It tried to ditch all of the Civ-based gameplay mechanics, but with that came too much simplicity. A large part of the game feels very barebones. The game may look great, but it has hardly anything worth of substance.
Hearts of Iron IV: Götterdämmerung is one of Paradox's better ones, giving you access to a wide variety of content and expanding the grand strategy brand. It wouldn't be a paradox DLC if it didn't have its hiccups, but regardless, it's a fine addition to Hearts of Iron IV.
ZEPHON is a great 4X game that stands as a testament to how much a developer can improve if given the right resources. It does so much to make its game all that more fun with its deep lore, mechanics, and rich combat design. The price is also perfect, and despite its hiccups, one cannot help but applaud the game and recommend it to any 4X or Strategy fan.
Monarchy is a finely crafted game that does everything right in its ability to combine strategic gameplay with incredible design, both in terms of art and gameplay. It offers delightful visuals, captivating mechanics, a well-balanced difficulty, and an array of mysteries and non-linear progression.
Empire of the Ants is charming and detail-oriented, if a little empty on the inside. Aside from the immense atmosphere and graphical feats, however, the gameplay starts to become glaring the longer you play. The UI is cluttered and covers up most of the beautiful visuals.
Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of The Seven is a remarkable game, building on a title that was ahead of its time. It brings a lot of flavor and uniqueness to the scene. For a JRPG, it has a somewhat generic story while still being pretty compelling. For a Generational game, it lacks many of the general facets of the genre, yet it manages quite well to bring it together.
ROMANCE OF THE THREE KINGDOMS 8 REMAKE feels more like a newer, better Romance of the Three Kingdoms 13 rather than a remake of Romance of the Three Kingdoms VIII. It is still playable and pretty fun, but with all its shortcomings, it's hardly recommended unless you're a fan or someone who's looking for an RPG with a bit more to it.
Sins of a Solar Empire II is a simplified Stellaris, and it is damn good at what it does right. With its many, many flaws, it still remains a fun experience. If you liked the original Sins of a Solar Empire, you'll love this game. And if you're looking for an entry point for space RTS games and are too daunted by Stellaris, this is for you as well.
Timberborn has a few minor hiccups and more than a few structural ones. Despite this, the game manages to gnaw itself into your hearts with its furry cast of beavers. Whether you are drawn by the practical, logical management or the aesthetic and pleasing city-building, you will be left enamored and hooked by the game.
Metaphor: ReFantazio leaves little room for criticism, and you'll find very little to complain about except for the $70 price tag and grinding for the abstraction of social stats and the ambush mechanism during combats. Other than these, the game is a well-rounded great that is an all-out barrage on the senses. You don't just play it; you experience it.
Everything else, from the music and sound design to the various weather effects, the day-night cycle, and so on, adds to the immersion of the game. That is not to say there aren’t any issues. The game has a lot of bugs and performance issues that persist to this day. If you can ignore that, which is easily feasible as everything else is outstanding, then you have one of the best realistic RPGs ever made.
Diablo IV: Vessel of Hatred helps the base game touch up on almost every element and make the game all the better. It also establishes the new direction for Diablo IV and has set up a lot to come. A great addition to an already good MMORPG. With a great continuation campaign, quality of life changes and many, many new items and activities.
Diplomacy is Not an Option is a great game with very few misses. It is comparatively fast-paced, engaging, and always keeps you on your feet. It is difficult yet simple, fast but not stressful, and now it has ample replayability and gameplay options. Whether you are an RTS fan or a city-builder fan, it doesn’t matter what your draw is, be it the new campaign, the challenges, or a quiet city-building escapade in the sandbox mode; you will enjoy every minute of it.