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.
Stellar writing and performances are paired with refined mechanics and an overall vibe that makes the whole thing seem effortless.
Death’s Door is a game that prepares you for the end, relishing in the journey all the same.
It’s deeply spiritual, achingly human, immaculately constructed and absolutely demands to be experienced in a time when games and art are finally indistinguishable from one another.
Signalis boldly stakes a claim on the survival-horror genre thanks to its keen eye for tone and a near-perfect core gameplay loop.
The impact Frostpunk can have on the player is truly remarkable.
For whatever visual blemishes show up, or for however far the third act strays, Observation remains a deeply fascinating experience.
Mortal Shell‘s origins may be steeped in an echo but the final product has more than enough soul.
Biomutant is a statement of intent, a deliberate step away from the excess of old and toward a genuinely exciting reinvigoration of the genre.
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.
Heavenly Bodies deploys a fantastical movement system and clever puzzle design in service of a decent enough time on your own but probably deserves to be experienced with a friend.
MLB The Show 20 is a confident, sleek package of the best of baseball with systems that welcome newcomers and veterans alike. Crisp user interfaces, extensive customisation options and solid core mechanics make for a game that has even this novice keen for the places the series will go next.
This is your adventure, your journey as an Arisen, and while it is not free of technical hiccups, the game well and truly earns its reputation as one of the best fantasy games of all time.
The ambition of Unavowed is immediately evident and the game rarely puts a foot wrong
Fans of Travis’ previous adventures may be disappointed by this down-scaling but in reducing the size of his vision, Suda has been able to finally begin adapting it for a modern market.
It’s just all so captivating and lovely, rising above small annoyances or shortcomings to prove why it has been held up as a classic for so long.
The (dry) bones of Super Mario 3D All-Stars are impeccable - three of the best games ever made, spruced up for one of the best consoles ever made.
Push through the desire to cringe in its face and Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin delights with gauche earnestness and one of the most rewarding action combat loops on the market.
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.
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.