Making your way around Nobody Saves the World‘s map is nothing but a pure joy. This gorgeous, whimsical adventure feels like a more playful A Link to the Past at times – if A Link to the Past had you changing into a slug or a zombie, that is. If you’re a fan of accessible action RPGs and enjoy laying waste to tonnes of enemies, you can’t go wrong here. Once again, Drinkbox Studios has taken an oversaturated genre and turned it into something unique and delightful.
Despite its frustrations, you’re likely to get sucked into Shovel Knight: Pocket Dungeon‘s gameplay loop. With an adventure mode, a daily challenge and a versus mode, there’s plenty to go at, too. Even if you do die frequently, you’ll probably want to jump straight back in, each time vying to get just that bit further. And the assistive options are a nice touch, even if they do disable trophies and achievements.
Short as it may be, my time with The Gunk has been wonderful. Image & Form’s move into the 3D realm has solidified it as a truly talented developer – and this may just be its best game yet. Beautiful, satisfying and engaging from start to finish, The Gunk is definitely worth getting stuck into.
There’s a lot to like about Firegirl, but it’s not free of issues. You’ll undoubtedly grin with glee whenever you’re lucky enough to successfully complete a run, having rescued all survivors. But chances are you’ll come across insurmountable frustrations more often than not, bringing your time with the game to a grinding halt. Continually upgrading Firegirl‘s abilities certainly helps, but the mechanics need a bit of tweaking before this is as enjoyable as it deserves to be.
Ultimately, Monopoly Madness is a novel twist on the Monopoly formula, which can be fun to play in short bursts. But it doesn’t quite scratch the itch of playing the classic board game.
There’s a lot more to Solar Ash than simply gliding and grinding around its luscious world, but by god is it good fun.
Whether or not you played its years-old predecessor, Beyond a Steel Sky is well worth your time. It’s well-written, funny and engaging – and despite a somewhat disappointing final act, it still shows that Revolution Software is leading the pack when it comes to crafting timeless adventure games. Robert Foster may have a forgettable name, but his journey is one that you’ll remember.
While there’s some disparity between Marsupilami – Hoobadventure‘s target audience and its difficulty spikes, there’s no denying that there’s an excellent 2D platformer here, suitable for all ages. For fans of Crash Bandicoot and Rayman, you’ll find a lot to love in this charming and surprisingly beautiful adventure – even if you aren’t familiar with its long-tailed protagonist.
Whether you want to pay £7.99 for a standalone adventure you may have already played before is up to you. If you missed out on the DLC the first time around, though, and you’re a Borderlands fan, it’s well worth jumping into; Tiny Tina’s Assault on Dragon Keep was a highlight of Borderlands 2‘s season pass, and it’s just as joyous to play now. And if you’ve never tried a Borderlands game before, why not start here? The first-person shooter action is on point, and it’s packed with silly humour and more loot than you can ever imagine. For less than a tenner, you really can’t go wrong.
No other kids game has ever come as close to perfectly recreating the look and feel of the TV series it’s based on. And so, the joy on a young child’s face as they star in an interactive episode of their favourite cartoon? That’s priceless, surely.
Grow: Song of the Evertree is the epitome of cosy, wholesome gaming. With a healthy mix of town-building, farming and adventuring, there’s a huge amount of content here for the modest asking price. If you enjoy relaxing games that you can take at your own pace, you won’t be disappointed. It’s a shame that it’s still waiting for some bugs to be ironed out, but once they’re fixed, this will be a must-have.
If you enjoy casual adventuring and games that you can take at your own pace, A Short Hike is not to be missed. It may be short in name and in nature, but every moment you spend with it will warm your soul. Don’t rush to the finish line – enjoy the journey and make the most of what you discover along the way. It’s a life lesson we should all take to heart.
In terms of the survival genre, The Last Stand: Aftermath doesn’t do anything groundbreaking; its presentation is rough around the edges, and its gameplay sits comfortably in a territory filled by countless other zombie-filled survival games. But throw in the roguelike elements and the continual draw to find better gear or unlock better upgrades, and you’ve got a deeply satisfying gameplay loop that will keep you coming back time and time again.
For fans of life and farming sim games, there’s a lot to like about Epic Chef. Yes, it’s a bit scrappy at times, but once you get hooked on its gameplay loop of farming, crafting and cooking, it hardly matters. Funny dialogue, quirky characters and a bizarre but enjoyable story set Epic Chef apart, and although it’s not going to set anyone’s world on fire, it’s plenty of fun while it lasts.
Beyond Blue is only a short experience – you’ll be done with it in about four hours or so. But every moment spent with the game is a treat. It might not be quite true to real life thanks to the game’s fictional and near-futuristic technology, but it does offer a very real glimpse into the lives of underwater creatures. Not only is this a valuable educational tool, it’s enjoyable and relaxing too.
There are a few rough edges to Sherlock Holmes: Chapter One; the odd duff texture here and there, and lip syncing that never quite looks right. But none of that ever gets in the way of just how engaging a game this is to play. Stepping into the shoes of the young Sherlock Holmes is a real treat, and Frogwares continues to excel at doing what it does best: delivering an immersive experience that really makes the player feel like they’re actually a detective. This is by far the developer’s best yet.
Voice of Cards: The Isle Dragon Roars may be simple, but it does a fantastic job of delivering a card game RPG hybrid that’s an absolute delight to play. Its aesthetic is second-to-none, its storytelling is excellent (largely due to Haberkorn’s fantastic narration), and its gameplay is deeply satisfying thanks to character development, rewarding exploration and engaging battles. If you’d like an RPG experience that differs from the norm, Square Enix has nailed it once again.
Unfortunately, Bloodshore is Wales Interactive and Good Gate Media’s most disappointing collaboration yet. We thought very highly of The Complex and Five Dates, and the recent Night Book weaved an enjoyable narrative, too. But Bloodshore never quite hits the mark. It doesn’t work as a black comedy, instead never quite deciding if it wants to be funny or horrifying. It’s a disparity that never redeems itself – not even by seeing terrible internet personalities meet their grizzly demise.
Thanks to a colourful, well-designed world, challenging platforming sections and engaging gameplay, The Smurfs – Mission Vileaf solidifies itself as an example of one of the best children’s franchise tie-in games we’ve seen in recent years. It might be a bit too challenging for younger players by themselves, but it means it’s just as fun for adults, too. This is a commendable 3D platforming adventure that players of all ages will enjoy.
Ultimately, you’ll get most out of Demon Turf if you’re an ardent 3D platforming fan. There’s a lot to like here thanks to the range of skills and interesting upgrades up for grabs, and the levels provide a good amount of challenge. It can get a little repetitive though, so you’re better off keeping your play sessions short and sweet. But lean into its wacky sensibilities, and there’s fun to be had.