Overall, Unexplored 2: The Wayfarer's Legacy does what it sets out to do. It creates a genuine sense of adventure that is only intensified by its procedurally-generated structure. The game does have its issues, with combat that struggles to really make the player feel involved, but nonetheless it's an enjoyable experience.
Overall, Sniper Elite 5 is a truly enjoyable tactical action game. Sniping Nazis never gets old, and Rebellion has provided a brilliant platform to one again partake in one of video gaming's oldest pastimes.
As such, Coromon is something that clearly comes from a place of great respect. Pokemon fans will likely find a game that appreciates what people love about the first five generations of Game Freak's franchise, and even when things get a little clunky there's enough for users to enjoy.
Overall, Citizen Sleeper is fantastic. It's a deep and well-crafted narrative experience with a fascinating setting, and is filled with plenty of challenging questions for players to ponder over. This is a game that gets cyberpunk right.
As such, MotoGP is a very strong racing game that truly captures the feel of MotoGP as a series. Although it's not perfect and lacks the sheen that comes with a bigger budget, the minute to minute racing is fantastic, and its minor issues here and there are far outweighed by the positives.
As such, when Lila's Sky Ark hits that sweet spot of cerebral thinking and abstract design it is a lovely game to play. There are moments where it does struggle, particularly in combat-heavy sections that don't lead to its boss fights, but overall there is plenty of fun to be had, and many secrets to find.
Overall, Skábma - Snowfall is a bold and heartfelt game that has a wonderful atmosphere and charming if sometimes simplistic gameplay. It is held back by some technical limitations, but players who don't mind these setbacks will still find an engaging experience.
As such, Road 96 is incredible. It was an indie hit on its release for PC and Switch last year, and that success has easily converted over to other home console platforms. This is a fascinating, compelling, and immensely replayable experience that is certainly worth exploring.
Even so, MLB The Show 22 is a very impressive baseball game. Although it doesn't reinvent the wheel with this year's entry, the game is extremely enjoyable and the wider accessibility of platforms will no doubt mean that MLB The Show 22 will reach plenty of baseball fans.
Nonetheless it's easy to forgive these problems thanks to the tone of the game and just how satisfying it is to solve a level. Kombinera is a very well constructed puzzler that knows just how far to go with its design choices. With parallels to be found in excellent indie puzzle games like Baba Is You and Thomas Was Alone, Kombinera is a clever little game that is excellently suited to the on-the-go nature of the Switch.
Weird West is a refreshing, lean and mean immersive sim. Its supernatural Wild West is a delight to explore, and is at its very best when it gets as strange as it possibly can, while the minute-to-minute combat is an awful lot of fun. Some of its bugs may get in the way, and those expecting deep interpersonal relationships with posse members will find it wanting, but as a mechanic-driven immersive experience it is hard to put down.
Overall, Glitchhikers: The Spaces Between is fantastic, and manages to blend an introspective, meditative journey with discussions of interesting real world issues with ease. It may feel a little esoteric to some, but players who go into The Spaces Between with the right mindset will get not just an interesting indie game, but a mindful place to revisit in times when they need it.
Overall, even with these limitations A Memoir Blue excels at its core purpose. Its poetic story choices and at times beautiful combination of visual and sound design elements make it an intoxicating blend for players who want something a little more cerebral. It's not the most taxing game for those after an interactive experience, and its short run time may leave some players a little disappointed that it's over so fast, but it successfully completes the goals that it aims for.
Overall, Dawn of Ragnarok is a decent if unessential expansion. Its game world is engaging and the new combat elements included work extremely well, but for all its size there's a distinct lack of anything new to do. Those who loved the original game's Asgard sections will likely find plenty to love, but like the other Assassin's Creed Valhalla DLC it sits firmly in the nice-to-have territory.
GRID Legends is a lot of fun overall. Its story mode is enjoyable pulp drama while the minute-to-minute racing is genuinely exhilarating. It may feel a little limited overall for those who want a deep racing experience, but players who go in expecting something breezy will find plenty to love here.
A truly comprehensive racing game.
FAR: Changing Tides is a real triumph. There's a phenomenal depth to the experience here, from its striking ambiance through to a compelling gameplay loop, while the sense of exploration is truly remarkable. Fans of FAR: Lone Sails will no doubt love this, but those who have not played the first game should not shy away from this one.
As such, Dynasty Warriors 9 Empires does feel like a step towards righting the problems with the original game. It still suffers from the structural issues that held back Dynasty Warriors 9, and fans of more straightforward musou titles have a wealth of other games on offer such as Samurai Warriors 5, but those who prefer the tactical edge of Empires will at least find some enjoyment here.
As such, Not Tonight 2 is a very strong sequel to the original game. It builds on what worked about Not Tonight and updates it for its new setting, all the while keeping true to the series' tone. Its plot and satirical comedy will be too close to the bone for those who feel video games shouldn't be political, but for those who want more of an ideological challenge this will hit the mark well.
As such it is hard to recommend The Waylanders in its current form. Although it is charming and enthusiastic, its slapdash quality seriously hampers the overall quality of the experience. A middling narrative and minor bugs are easy to overlook if the overall game is enjoyable - which The Waylanders is - but potentially game-breaking issues will erode any good will the title may have gained.