Malindy Hetfeld
There is lots to do in this huge and beautiful fantasy world, but inconsistent writing and muted combat dull its blade
Despite a meandering story, an all-new location and careful refinements of the combat and social systems make this part of Ichiban's journey a hit
Your bitter exes are the enemies in this turn-based adventure, which has you talk through your feelings even while delivering kick-ass martial arts moves
A more mature and realistic tone, stunning performances, a rounded likeable hero and a fully realised world make up for moments when this epic 40-hour game becomes a chore
The rewarding environmental restoration game plays like a puzzle and is satisfyingly simple
A girl is trying to record her world at the end of an era, but what promises to be an emotional experience can often feel artificial
Mechanically simple but visually engrossing, Somerville offers an interesting, if not particularly deep, sci-fi adventure.
Whether it ineffectively subverts or simply misunderstands Hitchcock's body of work, this video game adaptation does the director a disservice
An heartfelt biopic that explores the highs and lows of breaking into the music industry.
There is delightful presentation as you set up a dysfunctional B&B – but in a genre that usually keeps players busy, this requires real patience.
The combination of frenetic Dynasty Warriors-style combat with Fire Emblem's lovable cast of characters makes this an engaging trip back to the Officers Academy
You will probably leave with several favourite characters, having glimpsed their lives beyond that one night of supernatural threats. You’re never left in doubt about what the threat actually is, and that only serves to prove that classic monster and ghost stories still work despite all their tropes, or indeed precisely because of them. The Quarry’s charming writing and cinematic presentation make it an engrossing horror caper – even if this is, paradoxically, a game that’s often at its best when you’re not actively playing it.
Despite moving slowly in both its story and in combat, Triangle Strategy ultimately rewards your patience.
Scarf is a nice if not particularly original idea, disappointingly executed on almost all fronts.
Another beautiful technical achievement, Horizon Forbidden West is held back by clunky characters and new features that lack purpose.
A pop-up picture book with a lovely feel - but busywork intrudes too often.
Offering a beautiful canvas to work with, Unpacking is a calm and tactile little sim about something most of us would usually dislike.
Simplistic, repetitive interactions drag on an otherwise engaging story based on the Marvel franchise
The mind behind Threes brings us this 'cosy-crunchy' turn-based adventure that's delightfully deep and brilliantly approachable.
Kena is smooth as a pebble - a game engineered to be so unoffensive there's no reason not to play it, or to play it at all.