Reroll gives a whole new generation the chance to experience this wonderful Japanese fever dream.
It may be a very short diversion, but Donut County is a delight. It's absolutely brimming with personality, has a killer soundtrack and visual aesthetic, and is based on an irresistible gameplay hook. I'd have loved more, but I guess I'll just settle for playing through it again.
If you like your games with an offbeat sense of humour and plenty of personality, Flipping Death comes recommended. Its central game design hook of flipping between life and death makes for an interesting world to navigate and puzzles to solve, and its characters are so oddball and endearing you'll want to hear every conversation in full, not to mention find out how it all ends.
Ni No Kuni 2: Revenant Kingdom distinguishes itself from its predecessor by layering fast-paced, real-time combat and an engaging kingdom building system atop more traditional RPG systems and quests. It's a shame it delivers so few truly memorable characters and restricts so much of its storytelling to text on screen, but by the end of Ni No Kuni 2 the broader themes certainly resonate and the 40+ hour journey has been well worth it.
Fable Fortune has some novel ideas that put a new spin on gameplay that's familiar to CCG fans. Its good/evil upgrade system shows a lot of potential, though its selection of cards needs to grow into it before it can really pay off.
SteamWorld Dig 2 retains the original's addictive resource-gathering gameplay, but supplements it with a gorgeously detailed, handcrafted world. Its heady mix of exploration, combat, platforming, and puzzle solving, alongside an expansive set of abilities and mods gives it plenty of variety and a great gameplay rhythm. I wish there was more to do once the campaign ends, but that's a testament to the fact that what is here is just about pitch perfect.
Knack 2 is lacking in a number of areas, but its strengths outweigh its weaknesses. The pacing is spot-on, the combat satisfying and the gameplay varied. Co-op is genuinely good fun too, and most definitely the best way for younger gamers to get into the action. Knack 2 is definitely a step up from the original, then, but until the writing and characterisation improve drastically, it's not going to be a true first party titan.
The Elder Scrolls: Legends may not be the most visually appealing CCG, but what it lacks in looks it makes up for in modes, mechanics and card design. This is well worth checking out for fans of The Elder Scrolls or digital card games in general. And like all great CCGs, the more you put into it, the more you’ll get out of it.
Fast RMX may not be the perfect anti-gravity racing package, but it certainly offers high-speed racing and a lot of tracks to challenge yourself on. It’s a shame that the online multiplayer offering is so barebones, and that the time trial mode is currently AWOL, but in lieu of an official Wipeout or F-Zero this is a solid option to get your arcade racing fix on the Nintendo Switch.
I greatly enjoyed the two or so hours it took me to play through Pony Island. This is a game that delights in toying with your expectations and in breaking the fourth wall, in revealing its sinister yet playful world, and in building up a compelling antagonist and telling an ambiguous story. Pony Island is about as punk rock as they come.
Expand is a triumph of visual design and scoring that also boasts some clever design ideas.
Assault Android Cactus is an intense twin-stick shooter that's been polished to within an inch of its life.
Dishonored Definitive Edition doesn't live up to its name, but the core game and its DLC are still stylish and fun.
An inspired rhythm-action roguelike powered by an excellent soundtrack. You'll dig it.
A superbly crafted and challenging technical skating game.
Fans of Deadly Premonition will love this bizarre, offbeat murder mystery.
A vibrant and delightful playground that will surprise you at every turn.
Octodad revels in its brand of absurdist physical comedy, but also tells a touching tale.
A wildly inventive 2D Roguelike with a 30-second gameplay loop that lasts for 20 odd hours.