James O'Connor
The follow-up to Orwell, which asks you to take down an anti-government blogger, is a slighter take on the original game's mechanics and themes.
The Behemoth's turn-based strategy game carries the studio's usual sense of humor and a fun Pokémon-style "catch 'em all" twist.
A unique game about collecting and trading stories across the American Dust Bowl doesn't give much room to craft your own story in the process.
Tokyo RPG Factory's follow-up to I Am Setsuna improves on the first game's combat, but feels like a by-the-numbers RPG in other areas.
A much-improved sequel that blends disparate gameplay styles to create a compelling roguelike experience.
Take to the skies as a dragon in Oure, but don't expect to find much to do up there.
A meditative game about exploring and gathering that offers great beauty but not much else.
Rime's gentle puzzles and gorgeous vistas ease you in before it opens its heart.
A scrappy underdog of a game that will send you on a short but glorious power trip.
This roguelike’s cool combat system is held back by a terrible structure.
Short horror anthology Stories Untold preys on technological nostalgia, which works three times out of four.
Loot Rascals is a gorgeous, tactical turn-based roguelike that doesn’t always give back as much as it takes.
Beholder is based on a strong concept, and it has moments that land well, but it’s also held back by repetition and an unexciting script. The unpleasantness doesn’t always feel worth the hassle, and few players will realise the ultimate goal of saving their family and escaping the mundanity of their tenement basement life without kowtowing to the state.
A smart take on surveillance and a focus on player choice makes Orwell exciting, engaging, and discomforting.