An ambitious and atmospheric adventure undercut by some simplistic mechanics.
A deep but fragmented PvP MMO that's not nearly as original as its early promise suggested.
A straightforward tactics game buried beneath a impassable mountain of roguelike metagame.
An accessible online heist game with some fun but clumsy systems and an ugly presentation.
A decent if generic strategy game that lacks the big personality and siegecraft of earlier entries.
A tense, atmospheric game tangled in the tendrils of poor pacing and grind.
A modest remaster of a fun but flawed RTS that's stuck in the ever-lengthening shadow of its predecessor.
A well-told campaign and story do their best to mask a rather scrawny service game beneath.
An elegant tactical puzzler that captures the pace and action of the movies.
Deck13 has come a long way, welding together a solid, structurally sound Soulslike that adeptly showcases what makes this genre special.
In expanding on its predecessor, Layers of Fear 2 sinks into a state of deep confusion.
A vibrant snapshot of the Victorian era that's bustling with character, but doesn't explore the intriguing, seismic politics of the period.Robert Zak
Genesis Alpha One splices the DNA of some good ideas, but doesn't execute any of them well enough.
Work through the presentational ugliness and technical awkwardness, and you'll find an experience of frightening depth.
Still delivers the series' sandbox mayhem, but is underserved by some pretty dated systems.
An often spectacular space shooter that lacks the variety and depth to justify serious investment.
This is an ambitious game, polished to perfection when it comes to atmosphere, but rough and cumbersome in many of its moment-to-moment interactions.
Just as Endless Legend and Civilization V are now far superior to how they started, so can Endless Space 2 be. It's odd to talk of foundations in something so markedly floaty and space-based, so perhaps it's better to think of this as an outpost, plonked down on a planet waiting to be colonised. It's a fertile planet, sure, but one that's yet to be fully exploited.
Blitz mode aside, Halo Wars 2 sticks with a tried, tested and slightly tired RTS formula that's competent, but lacking in depth and originality.
Planet Coaster isn't Rollercoaster Tycoon, nor is it Theme Park. This may put off those looking for a simpler, more nostalgic take on the genre, but it's nonetheless the most creative, technically intricate theme park sim to date.