Death's Gambit is 40 per cent trial and error, 40 per cent reliant on upgrades, and 20 per cent luck. Racing to the next level only to be stopped abruptly in your path by an opposing foe issues an element of surprise and delightful unpredictability, and exploring its pixelated medieval world feels both refreshing and nostalgic. Though the inclusion of a fully voiced cast and more platforming elements wouldn't go amiss, its difficult boss battle encounters are enough to keep you motivated, providing you have a great deal of patience, and are willing to put in some time upgrading your character and skill set. Just don't get mad if you die, like, a lot.
What started out as a Kickstarter three years ago, Shape of the World is an impressive accomplishment.
A fun first-person action game this may be, Killing Floor: Incursion rarely serves as anything other than just that. Its fluid play style and control scheme make decent use of being able to draw, aim, and holster your weapons with realism and ease, though it's 4-5 hour campaign is often repetitive and lacks a little inspiration. If you're looking to slash and shoot your way through countless enemies or buddy up with a friend for a few hours for co-operative and competitive fun, Incursion is here and ready to serve, though we're not convinced it's current £24.99 price tag is a true reflection of what's on offer here.
For newcomers to the mystery genre, The Raven Remastered is a fantastic game to whet your appetite. It'll take around 12 hours to complete - more if you want to be thorough and sit through its lengthy dialogue options. It comes bundled with a well-crafted story, delightfully bizarre characters to interact with, and just the right amount of puzzle solving to keep you satiated, though it's not the prettiest of games to endure. Its faithful marriage to 1960s crime dramas is apparent, and we had fun unravelling its mysteries from start to finish, twists 'n' turns alike.
Beholder: Complete Edition is a fun strategy game. Its gorgeous yet subtle dystopian aesthetic illustrates a totalitarian world on the brink of revolution, with an interesting set of characters and soundtrack to boot. But while it's geared towards player agency, it can feel like you're under the thumb of the state more often than not, and that means you may feel forced to walk a path you didn't necessarily choose.
Despite its standard platforming interface, Planet of the Eyes makes for an enjoyable break from the daily grind of your current favourite title. With its colourful expression and quirky art design it manages to charm its way through start to finish, though its length means that it's over all too quickly.