Layers of Fear is an admirable remaster that uses the fresh coat of paint to bring the series' art direction up to modern standards but the bones of the experience remain fractured. Tedious and exhausting gameplay loops and tasteless writing make even this package a nice frame on an ugly painting.
System Shock is less of a modern means through which to experience the best of the original but a separate beast, one far clumsier but in much nicer lipstick.
A disappointing take on open-world first-person shooters, Redfall has none of the flavour or mechanical finesse that we’ve come to expect from Arkane Studios.
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor sharpens combat and exploration to a fine point while delivering a story that goes all in on its characters and human drama. Some minor pacing issues can't stop the game from achieving exciting new heights for the series, if you're willing to let it take you there.
The Library of Babel takes its short story inspirations and runs, crafting a compelling, strange sci-fi world that isn't always as fun to explore as it is to read about, or just simply vibe in.
Serving as both a clever and adoring return to a classic, and an imaginative, mechanically-perfected look to the future, Resident Evil 4 is Capcom's best work and a new crown jewel for the long-running franchise.
A smart, compelling, and deeply warm examination of memory and identity, The Wreck gives players the tools to turn tragedy into catharsis.
Atomic Heart has an impressive command of aesthetics and occasionally gives you the tools to enjoy its world, but an unstable console build, unsatisfying systems and complete misfire of a script prevent these atoms from achieving the necessary fusion.
Wild Hearts is packed with creative mechanics and delightful flourishes that make it a welcome and exciting addition to the monster hunting genre.
Dead Space is a remarkable achievement in design on all fronts. A loving and intelligent remake that reminds players of what has been lost in AAA games and what can be found again if you just know where to look.
Kynseed is a shockingly robust and fully realised fantasy farming-sim that may overwhelm at first but rewards patience with its countless interlocking systems.
An unsatisfying shooter brought even lower by an exhausting and all-encompassing script, High on Life can't commit to its satire or ideas long enough to do anything of value.
A Little to the Left perfectly captures the cosy and softcore vibes you'd want from a game primarily about the cute-ification of everyday cleaning tasks, with great approachability options and puzzle variety to boot. But its simplicity may leave you feeling a bit listless in the end.
Sonic Frontiers is an unsteady first run at the open-world genre for the blue blur but Sonic Team has crafted something endearing and immensely enjoyable all the same. Its core systems are fun, making Sonic's iconic speed an integral part of traversal and combat alike while paying homage to what has come before in its Cyber Space levels. It's not perfect, but it tries its heart out and I come away with warm memories of an uneven game.
Signalis boldly stakes a claim on the survival-horror genre thanks to its keen eye for tone and a near-perfect core gameplay loop.
Moonscars brings a deeply satisfying core combat loop and exciting art direction to the Soulslike genre, even if it has some teething issues with its overlapping systems and narrative.
An ambitious blend of genres that winds up a jack of many trades but a master of none, Sunday Gold deserves credit for its aesthetics and goals but it's difficult to recommend this trip to the races.
Wayward Strand offers up a uniquely Australian take on the narrative adventure game with a gorgeous art direction and moving portrayal of hard-working people in a harsh system. Despite a couple of pacing issues and an unforgiven save system, Wayward Strand is an approachable and hugely enjoyable little world to explore and find some catharsis in.
Steelrising makes some welcome changes to the genre formula but its best qualities are blurred by its lacklustre writing and world design.
A true achievement in game design and interactive fiction, Immortality is a gorgeous and haunting magic trick that sets a new standard for the medium.