Joseph Allen
Wildfire has a huge amount of potential, but it's let down by frustrating trial-and-error gameplay, clunky controls and poor level design.
It's no reinvention of the wheel, but Resident Evil 3 is a satisfactory survival horror game nonetheless. Despite some wobbles and a sense of victory-lap complacency, RE3 has just enough intriguing moments to survive.
Ori and the Will of the Wisps plays it too safe, but there's fun to be had. Engaging platforming and improved combat make up for uninspired enemy design and a much too self-serious tone.
Lonely Mountains: Downhill offers a pleasing mixture of challenge and serenity. It's a touch repetitive and the level design needs work, but it's a fine way to while away a rainy afternoon or two.
Simulacra 2 is an improvement on its predecessor, but there's further to go. A tighter narrative and better interface design don't quite compensate for sketchy writing and silly horror.
Phoenix Point will appeal to you if you're a big fan of the new XCOM games but wish they had more complexity. If you're turned off by punishing strategy and a hands-off approach, Phoenix Point is not for you.
Lost Ember is almost a good game. Its animal exploration mechanics are well-realized. Unfortunately, it's bogged down by technical issues, lackluster storytelling, and frustrating event flagging.
Still There tells an emotional story with well-drawn characters and some satisfying puzzles. It's a touch one-note and incremental puzzle difficulty would have been nice, but it remains a touching, narratively satisfying experience.