Mick Fraser's Reviews
An enjoyable little rogue-lite with a mountain's worth of replayability, Heroes of Hammerwatch is the perfect game for killing a little time either alone or with friends
Crusader Kings III is an excellent kingdom management game, more intimate but no less intricate than the likes of Civilisation VI, it's as unforgiving a simulation as you're going to find while still being more fun than you'd expect it to be.
Risk of Rain 2 is an excellent time that takes you from a scrappy fight with some pesky aliens to a desperate battle for survival in a 3D bullet hell every run
The PC version, ironically, remains the true definitive edition, but console owners hankering after a new RPG to lose a few hundred hours in could do worse than Pathfinder: Kingmaker.
Those willing to fully commit to Microsoft Flight Simulator will find an immersive experience like nothing else they've ever played.
Wasteland 3 is a huge undertaking, marrying deep, choice-driven role play with fast-paced tactical combat and vast areas to explore.
Eastern Exorcist is an enjoyable 2D hack 'n' slasher that feels slick and fluid, but doesn't do quite enough to stand out from the crowd
More attention to the story would have gone a long way, but Mortal Shell is an intriguing adventure, and an accomplished addition to the Soulslike genre.
Dreamscaper is beautiful, deep and haunting, deftly combining elements of real-life pain and poignant character development with fast-paced combat in a surreal alternate world
While Darkestville Castle may not ultimately signify the rebirth of point and click,it's still an enjoyable adventure, and the Switch optimisation makes it an even more enjopyable experience.
I'm no therapist, but I'm pretty sure that next to the word "catharsis" in the dictionary, there's a just a screenshot from Kill it with Fire.
Rogue Company is a team shooter with great potential, and it's one of the most effortlessly fun games I've played in a while.
If you're hankering for more of that simple, unfettered Doom action, Hellbound may well scratch your itch.
Orcs Must Die! 3 is a solid tower defence game with great humour and a nice aesthetic, but the Stadia exclusivity will do it more harm than good
Hellpoint may not ultimately stick in the memory long after you're done, but it's a solid enough challenge that will keep fans of the genre busy for a while.
Othercide is damn hard, but if you can push through and find your feet, it's also an incredibly satisfying and atmospheric experience. Whatever you do, don't go in expecting to play a straightforward XCOM-clone. Othercide deserves more respect than that.
Ultimately, while it is fun in small doses, Rocket Arena feels itself like an alternate mode in a larger game. It's bright and colourful but as a standalone experience it feels a little too limited and imbalanced to lead the pack
Warhammer 40,000: Mechanicus is an interesting entry into an increasingly saturated genre that manages to stand out on its own merits
Neon Abyss' pixel art graphics and superb soundtrack round off a perfect addition to the Switch's formidable catalogue of indie treasures.
It's dull yet vibrant, clever but convoluted, thrilling and idling, beautiful and grim. It swings between supremely satisfying and maddeningly frustrating, and though it's trite to say it, it isn't a game made for everyone.