Jonathan Bolding's Reviews
Inventive in some ways and stagnant in others, Elex will appeal to die-hard RPG fans and few others.
A sometimes tricky RPG with gorgeous art that's perfect for co-op.
Wargames don't see a lot of innovation, but Unity of Command 2 builds new things out of familiar parts.
In terms of core design, turn-based tactics games don't get much better than Phoenix Point.
MechWarrior 5 is a showcase of nostalgic, joyful mech combat.
For better or worse, this is a classic hex wargame with updated graphics.
Ambitious in the extreme, Shadow Empire is a unique sci-fi wargame that's a little lost in its own details.
If the RTS is dead, then Iron Harvest is some pretty slick necromancy. A classic single-player campaign with a strong story complements the absolute satisfaction of big, stompy mechs.
Age of Empires 3: Definitive Edition preserves for posterity the core of this weirdest 00s RTS experiments while making some much-needed changes. Love it or hate it, the definitive edition is Age of Empires 3 amplified.
The flock of dizzying strategic possibilities and the brilliant plumage it's dressed in make this digital board game a must-play.
Empire of Sin's criminal management sim and turn-based tactical combat combo sounds brilliant on paper, but it completely fails to live up to its aspirations due to major imbalances and bugs.
Hard science, harder simulation, and narrative innovation make Per Aspera a real gem.
A functional, basic board game port isn't enough to truly shine off the tabletop.
Field of Glory 2: Medieval is the closest to a tabletop miniatures experience you'll get on PC.
Try not to suffocate… or die of boredom. Breathedge's concept of survival crafting in space may be good, but it just isn't fun.
Loop Hero's cleverly stripped-down RPG concept demands attention for as long as it takes you to work out the clear "best" way to guide each hero class, and its fantastically dark story setup stands out as one of the best in years.
Roguebook stands out from the pack on a few qualities, but it's not a must-play.
Warhammer 40,000: Battlesector is a jolly, blood-spattered tactical romp through the grim, dark future.
King's Bounty 2 is a unique game, but it's uniquely mediocre.
Eastward is a post-apocalyptic picaresque as charming as it is pretty, with simple action combat and puzzles that are accessible to everyone.