The game is so wilfully and bafflingly intent on blocking off said fun that you'll need all the persistence of a bin-raiding fox to reap Super Lucky's Tale's rewards.
Bubsy: The Woolies Strike Back has a degree of retro appeal and may even stir up fond memories if you were around for Bubsy's first outing. But it's so unremarkable that it never really manages to get its claws into you.
If you've got the patience, Chaos on Deponia's charming world is worth a visit, it's just a shame about the company.
Above and Beyond isn't the best Minecraft Story Mode has to offer, but it's nevertheless an appropriately action-packed conclusion to a strong season.
Thought-provoking and heart-warming, The Red Strings Club may be brief but it's good to the last drop. And, like the drinks that Donovan serves, it'll have you coming back for more.
Age of Empires may be ancient by videogame standards but this engaging, challenging overhaul is well worth digging up.
Defender's Quest: Valley of the Forgotten is an engaging blend of two normally distinct genres, bolstered by an interesting, if sometimes tonally inconsistent, story.
For the most part, Dead in Vinland is a gorgeous-looking, entertaining survival romp that is well worth hopping into a longboat for.
Rogue Aces can be an entertaining blast and is sufficiently different from the competition to be worth a look. But its repetitive nature does it no favours and means it's best taken in small doses.
Even if the notion of permadeath is anathema to you, it's well worth stepping through City of Brass' gates.
If doom and gloom isn't your thing then Frostpunk won't appeal and you're better off with a less misery-drenched city-builder such as the excellent Cities: Skylines. But if you're a sucker for the punishing post-apocalyptic (and this game can certainly dish it out) then Frostpunk's bleak winter wonderland will keep you hooked, turning you into a horrible, horrible person in the process.
State of Decay 2 is the best State of Decay has ever been.
Carefully crafted and complex, but never offensively so, Pillars of Eternity 2: Deadfire will satisfy even the most demanding role-playing gamer.
For a game that relies so heavily on its narrative to carry it, Detroit: Become Human fails to excel.
Jurassic World Evolution may not be the deepest management sim ever, but it embraces its subject matter with gusto.
There is some joy to be gleaned from the game and if you're avid follower of the Anima series you'll enjoy picking through the game's lore. Dip into it by all means but, stylish as it is, Anima Gate of Memories: The Nameless Chronicles does relatively little else to distinguish itself.
Taken in small doses, the game can be a fun, challenging experience – as long as you step away before frustration sets in. And if those issues could be fixed in time for a sequel, I'd be up for a second visit to The Spectrum Retreat.
The Path of Motus is a game with heart, but that's not enough to make it an essential excursion. You'll find some fun here if you take the trip but be prepared for an uneven and sometimes frustrating journey.
Train Sim World isn't a conventionally exciting game, nor does it pretend to be and, to some, will remain a niche interest. It's not perfect and, given the game's multiple train models, there may be times that you'll struggle to remember how to start your vehicle of choice. But this is clearly a labour of love, by people who know their subject and it shows. If you've even the remotest interest in trains, whether as a passenger or would-be-driver you'll get a lot out of Train Sim World; hop on board and you won't be disappointed.
There are times you will hate oOo, and I came pretty close to deleting the game on more than one occasion. But if arcade thrills are your thing and you can view failure as a learning experience, then oOo Ascension will be right up your street.