Chris McMullen
Ultimately, ICY: Frostbite Edition could have been so much more, but as it is, it's a distinctly lukewarm experience.
Stripped of the need to generate moolah, or injected with a heavier dose of strategy, Vostok Inc could be a stellar venture. But the bottom line is that this game's pockets of excellence are stifled by an awkward mechanic that turns your interstellar journey into an unappealing, pan-galactic grind.
DeadCore doesn't quite knock Portal off its podium but it offers a wild, well-paced, otherworldly ride that is well worth taking.
The Infectious Madness of Doctor Dekker is a fantastically compelling, suspenseful slow burn that shows just what can be done with a medium that, for years, has been misused and misunderstood. Look past its clunky parser and you'll be in for one hell of a head trip.
Hero in Residence is a sterling start to Minecraft Story Mode Season 2, an entertaining, engaging outing which shows that that the series is capable of doing more than retreading old ground.
Nongünz is really something special; a shooter with brains that's not only haunting, challenging and utterly compelling but, thanks to its procedural nature, is hugely replayable.
If complex, entertaining battles float your boat,and you can tolerate the lack of diversions or deviations, then you'll be in your nostalgic element with God Wars: Future Past.
Starpoint Gemini Warlords is a solid space strategy game; an eye-pleasing time-eater which will more than sate your desire for galactic conquest.
Portal Knights deserves credit for attempting to blend two distinct genres… it just does so little to distinguish itself, resulting in an unrewarding title that doesn't draw you in.
Easy to play but far harder to master, Guilty Gear Xrd REV 2‘s cast of ridiculous characters, improbable moves, heavy rock soundtrack and accessible fight mechanics will keep you engaged and challenged.
This grim, pixellated gorefest successfully channels the spirit of 8 and 16 bit shoot-'em-ups but doesn't stand up to sustained play; spend too long with Butcher in one sitting and it starts feeling like an infuriating grind.
Prey expertly blends a compelling narrative with open level design, a fear-inducing mechanic and near-unparalleled player freedom to deliver an appealing, atmospheric and aesthetically pleasing chunk of sci-fi that will get sink its spiky teeth into you and never let go.
Standing back and admiring your city, knowing that you were responsible for its virtual prosperity, is immensely satisfying. Niche interest it may be, but if you favour construction over destruction, then Cities: Skylines offers a solid foundation for your future metropolis.
Detention is an astonishingly well-put together game that understands how brooding horror is more effective than mere jump-scares.
Complex, challenging, but never boring, The Sexy Brutale blends a compelling narrative, appealing aesthetics and innovative gameplay into one stylish package.
A dull, cynical, money-grabbing mess, Frank Rising deserves to be buried six feet under.
Chaos Code seeks to carve out its own niche and it may just do that here in the west. It's an entertaining brawler in its own right and its roster of bizarre characters and ludicrous moves are just appealing enough to keep you engaged.
Noisy, tough, but ridiculously entertaining, Neurovoider will have you praying for the robot apocalypse.
Ultimately, We Are The Dwarves is jack of all trades, master of none. The game includes strategy, stealth and action elements but none of these mechanics are particularly well implemented.
Ultimately, Dying: Reborn is a halfway competent puzzler, but a failure as a horror game.