Mick Fraser's Reviews
If you approach Wrath: Aeon of Ruin with no expectations beyond a violent way to kill a few hours, then there is fun to be had.
Last Epoch is a compelling, addictive, and above all creative ARPG that more than deserves its place in the genre.
If you're here for nostalgia's sake, more power to you, but if you're expecting a sweeping remaster of this beloved trilogy that brings it up to date in a meaningful way, you'll have to keep waiting.
Expect to be confused, bewildered, and visually seduced by Ultros, but don't expect to be too surprised by what simmers beneath the surface.
Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden is a powerful, emotional and compelling tale that shows off a side of Don't Nod that we've never seen so well-lit.
Airhead wastes no time trying to force itself around a story, and as such it remains a simple but challenging joy throughout.
Lysfanga: The Time Shift Warrior delivers a fun, creative action-adventure with enough charm and new ideas to stand out.
Even if you're not a fan of the mainline franchise, BlazBlue: Entropy Effect will appeal if you like a good side-scrolling action game.
Hellcard is a decent if unremarkable card-battler with some cool ideas that offers a decent challenge for fans of the genre.
Graven has enough puzzles, secrets, weapons, and spells to keep it engrossing and compelling throughout.
Ready or Not might feel at odds with itself a little from time to time, but it's still a solid if unspectacular squad shooter.
There are glimmers of the game Gambit Ghost Studio wanted to make here, but everything about Farsiders just feels undercooked and unfinished.
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown is a fantastic return to the franchise's roots, and one of the strongest examples of the genre I've played.
Warhammer 40K: Rogue Trader is a huge, deep, vast, sprawling CRPG that's sometimes a little too ambitious for its own good.
Trinity Fusion may not be the most original game, but it's good looking, exciting to play and features enough new ideas to earn its place at a crowded table.
Despite some minor missteps, Cookie Cutter is easily one of the best Metroidvania games of this year, and an absolute must-play.
In a year dominated by Metroidvanias, huge open worlds, and big budget action, House Flipper 2 is a refreshingly joyous, relaxing experience.
It's not without its flaws, but Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora is still one of Ubisoft's best games of recent years.
With Yuki's Wish, Zagan's Ritual, and the stellar Shadow Gambit: The Cursed Crew, MiMiMi is going out at the very top of their game.
If you like your bullet-hell games challenging but fair, you'll enjoy spending time in Tevi's expansive, colourful world.