Jonathan Bolding's Reviews
Super Smash Bros. for Wii U delivers hour after hour of fun fighting game play, even if you hate fighting games.
The finest city builder in over a decade, Cities: Skylines's few flaws are so minor I only noticed them after hours of enjoyment.
To some players it's going to feel like a handful of aesthetic features, but once you use the new mechanics After Dark draws you deeper into making your own little world.
Wargames don't see a lot of innovation, but Unity of Command 2 builds new things out of familiar parts.
The flock of dizzying strategic possibilities and the brilliant plumage it's dressed in make this digital board game a must-play.
It shouldn't be as good as it is... but who am I to deny something this inkredible?
The core is the same as ever, but this is kart racing at its finest.
Endless Legend is a lovely game with deep strategy that's a singular pleasure to play, but can sometimes disappoint you in finer details. Know that if you're never going to play multiplayer, you're not getting the whole experience - so bring a friend.
The core gameplay of Arkham Knight is nearly flawless, and most players won't even notice my problems with story or dialogue.
An accessible ambassador for its genre, Xenoblade Chronicles X makes good choices building a world, but stumbles on writing you a guidebook to it.
Majora's Mask holds up well, and even if it isn't as near-perfect as Ocarina, the comforting improvements make it more than worth your time.
It's still one of the best dungeon crawlers ever made, but now it's on PC.
Hard science, harder simulation, and narrative innovation make Per Aspera a real gem.
MechWarrior 5 is a showcase of nostalgic, joyful mech combat.
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.
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.
Warhammer 40,000: Battlesector is a jolly, blood-spattered tactical romp through the grim, dark future.
Eastward is a post-apocalyptic picaresque as charming as it is pretty, with simple action combat and puzzles that are accessible to everyone.
A solid, accessible city builder, Tropico 5 gets out of the way and lets you have the fun you came for without pissing around in fiddly details.
The hand-drawn visuals, interesting combat, and epic story mean The Banner Saga is crafted from flawless pieces - even if the final product is a little rough.