Popup Dungeon nails the papercraft look, has some endearing and funny writing, and provides an intriguing framework for community-created content. The core of its tabletop-inspired combat system isn't engaging enough to hold it up alone, ultimately leaving it up to whatever community it attracts to decide whether it's worth putting your own paper on the table.
The player in this TV series tie-in game is more like a frustrated foot soldier than a gangland kingpin
Iron Harvest's incredible presentation and scrappy, dynamic battles can't always save it from uneven mechanical depth and arbitrary-feeling limitations. A celebration of the some classic RTS, but not an evolution of it.
A compact, confident, bite-sized roguelite with a bit too much emphasis on the 'lite'.
A confident, creative approach to the RTS genre that falters in its structure and progression systems.
Tenderfoot Tactics' uncompromising design and freeform structure might feel alienating to some, but persevere, and you'll find a deeply thoughtful, nigh on meditative experience layered with creative, confident turn-based combat.
Empire of Sin is a promising strategy game but one that feels woefully incomplete. I can't recommend it, but I can recommend following it's hopeful transition into something genuinely wonderful.
Tadpole Treble is a charming, lively rhythm game with a simple premise and a lot of challenge for those looking for it. As great for younger gamers as it is for gnarled-thumbed veterans, this charming concerto deserves whatever the tadpole's version of a standing ovation is.
Nostalgic, lovingly crafted, moving, and surprising, Omori is a remarkable achievement. Earthbound and Undertale are easy comparisons, but Omori stands out as it's own, highly personal piece of storytelling.
Encodya has some lovely elements – the soundtrack, a few interesting plays on dystopian fiction and the heart at the core of its story – but uninteresting puzzles, lack of environmental variety, and unremarkable storytelling mean I can't recommend it over its contemporaries.
Dakka Squadron's fast, varied, and challenging aerial combat make it a lot of fun, but it's so singularly geared towards a specific audience that it's hard to recommend to anyone who doesn't already know their squigs from their squiggoths. Otherwise, it's the most fun I've had playing a Warhammer 40k action game since Relic's Space Marine.
You won't want to start every game of Three Kingdoms at 200 CE, but it's a perfect place to jump headfirst into a tense, dramatic conflict already in play. Battles are even grander, and new additions make the strategy layer more interesting than ever.
Total War: Rome Remastered reflects quality and care from every raised gladius and stray denarius. We think you'll love this, says the remaster. If not, no worries, you can change it. It's more difficult that modern Total War games to get into, but it's undoubtedly a great package. So, two thumbs up then. Or to the side, if you want to be a stickler for history.
Mind Scanners is perfectly paced, creative and engaging, striking a skilful balance between satisfying play and storytelling. I finished in a couple of evenings, but they were some of the most consistent and enjoyable evenings I've spent gaming this year.
An undeniable passion project with incredible world design, addictive gunplay, and a great soundtrack, let down by jank, weak storytelling, and half-baked systems. I could see this getting rave reviews if it had been released in Early Access, though. Give it six months. It's got the makings of a corpse-grinder cult classic.
An ambitious RTS/Twin Stick hybrid with a lot of potential and some great moments, let down by technical issues, inconsistent flow, and a lack of tutorials. One to keep an eye on if the premise appeals, but not worth diving into straight away.
Fantastic new units and the best lizardmen campaign yet, paired with a cathartic but comically overpowered beastmen stampede.
Foes can be cast into the past or future in a whimsical time-bending throwback that celebrates Colombia
Aliens: Fireteam Elite has a lack of mission variety, technical issues, bad matchmaking, and a repetitive structure. All of that said, it's still a fun time. I'm off to play some more right now.
The frequent combat in this ARPG is hit-and-miss, but behind it is a sweet and sincere tale set in a land you'll care about saving and starring the G.O.T.Y (grape of the year).