Scars Above is an enjoyable, if simple, entry into the sci-fi shooter genre. Although elements of the game feel a bit rushed or unpolished, none of that will detract from the overall experience. If you have a few hours to spare and you like mysterious adventures on far-flung planets, I recommend giving this one a go.
Almost like an alternate universe cosplay, Ghost Song is a game that aims to appeal to your nostalgia for the old school Metroid series, while mixing in some additions from recent iterations of the genre they spawned. A few minor missteps don't detract from an otherwise sensational package, which has a giant, charming and weirdly adorable heart.
Icarus boldly stakes its claim amongst giants in the field and swiftly proves to be a worthy contender. Everything I saw in the lead up to the release of Icarus made it seem too good to be true, but my faith and patience was rewarded many times over when I finally got to drop planetside for the first time, and the time after that, and the time after that. Icarus is going up on my list of favourite things to come out of New Zealand, alongside pavlova and Lord of the Rings.
Medieval Dynasty is a gorgeous survival/crafting and town management adventure game that satisfies our primal urge to create, build and form a community. After spending a year in early access, the full release definitely has a solid foundation, but some mechanics could have used a bit more time in the oven. If you’re prepared for a long term investment, you’ll reap a fantastic reward.
The Big Con is a bright, fun and surprisingly wholesome crime spree through a Saturday morning cartoon version of 90s America. You might develop a compulsion for kleptomania, you might feel bad for picking hundreds of pockets, but at least you'll laugh along the way and feel cool doing it.
Chernobylite weaves together a strong narrative, compelling characters and highly detailed environments to deliver a glowing (pun intended) entry into the sci-fi survival horror RPG genre.
Demon Skin cherry-picks mechanics from your favourite games and presents them in a deliciously gory fruit salad.
The limitless creativity and engaging experience of Dragon Quest Builders 2 easily makes it one of my all time favourite games
The wastelands of West Virginia can either feel like its full of friends or incredibly lonely
Infliction weaves realism and horror into a tragic tale and proves that your own home can be a terrifying place
Assassin’s Creed’s shift to Ancient Greece also includes a more personal experience, action on the high seas and even deeper mysteries
As beautiful as Octopath Traveler is, it shows that the quality of stories should come before quantity
Playing Shape of the World is like having a warm bath in a room designed by Peter Alexander while listening to your favourite playlist
A faithful collection that’s been lovingly built for fans, but not for newcomers
Conan Exiles takes a more mature approach to the survival/crafting genre and fulfils all your barbaric desires
Break out of prison with a friend in this amazing, heart-wrenching, cinematic masterpiece
Warriors from across the world are ripped from their time and thrown into battle in this cutesy arena
Strap in and shoot your way through a satirical look at 1950s America and its absurd gun culture
SAO: Fatal Bullet shakes things up with new locations and mechanics but fails to grab the attention of anyone but fans
Warhorse Studios’ approach to a realistic action RPG is admirable and enjoyable, but not without its flaws