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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Wildfire has a huge amount of potential, but it's let down by frustrating trial-and-error gameplay, clunky controls and poor level design.
Sludge Life offers a very solid first-person platforming experience wrapped in a quirky, unique aesthetic. Its lack of challenge and brevity may put some off, but it's a wild and wonderful trip that deserves to be experienced.
Neon Abyss is occasionally great. It's let down by repetition, uneven difficulty, and the occasional game-breaking bug.
Hellbound's core gameplay loop is punchy, satisfying, and cathartic. It's just a shame there's so little of it.
Bite the Bullet is an aesthetically unappealing mess of ideas. Its shooting has some nutritional value, but it's bogged down by terrible presentation and lackluster execution.
Mortal Shell boasts responsive combat and gorgeous visuals, but it's let down by rote level design, poor storytelling, and a general unfinished feel.
Jenny LeClue - Detectivu won't trouble even detective novices, but its sweet-natured world and strong writing see it through.
BPM: Bullets Per Minute has nothing new to offer but its rhythm-based combat. Luckily, that combat is immensely satisfying, even when the surrounding structure can feel a touch empty.
Cyber Hook has an insanely satisfying core gameplay loop. Unfortunately, it doesn't have much else to offer.
When Horace is good, it's a touching, thrilling experience. When it's bad, it's overly frustrating and too reliant on the dreaded pop culture references.
El Hijo is a joy to play. Despite the occasional wobble, it's a rewarding and remarkably serene stealth tale with plenty of heart.
Shady Part of Me has a frustrating story and a terrible title, but it's a great little puzzle platformer with a very neat central mechanic.
Skul: The Hero Slayer is a delight. Despite some bullet sponge-y enemies, the varied combat and surprisingly engaging story make each run a joy.