Dobbel Dungeon doesn’t try to overwhelm you with systems or complicated mechanics. It introduces its ideas gently, then builds on them as you go. What I liked most is how welcoming it feels. Tactical RPGs can sometimes feel like homework. This one feels inviting. You learn as you play, and before you know it, you’re thinking three turns ahead without even realising it. It’s engaging without being exhausting. And once it gets its hooks in, it’s surprisingly difficult to step away from. If you’ve been curious about grid-based RPGs but never quite taken the plunge, this is a great place to start. And if you already enjoy the genre, there’s enough depth here to keep you busy. I had a really good time with it. Simple as that.
Fate’s Theater is a quiet surprise. It starts reserved, even slightly confusing, but grows richer the more you invest in it. Beneath its simple card clashes lies a clever balance of strategy, resource management, and storytelling. It won’t satisfy those looking for deep competitive complexity. But for players who enjoy thoughtful duels, dark fairy-tale humour, and discovering strange little narrative outcomes, there’s something quite special here. It’s gentle without being dull. Strategic without being stressful. And those tiny rhyming tales give it a personality. For a modestly priced indie experience, it absolutely earns a recommendation.
Demon Tides feels like a confident step forward. It expands the scope, refines the controls, and delivers a more polished experience overall. The platforming is responsive, creative, and satisfying. Exploration feels great, exploring every corner of the world. While the story and humour won’t resonate equally with everyone, the gameplay carries the experience easily. And if you weren’t completely sold on Demon Turf, this sequel might be the one that clicks. There’s also a free demo available, which makes it easy to test the waters before committing. For fans of 3D collectable platformers, this is absolutely worth checking out. It’s energetic and clearly built by a team that understands how good movement should feel. I had a great time with it, and I suspect many others will too.
Ys X: Proud Nordics is the most complete version of an already strong action RPG. The refined performance, expanded story and extra challenges make it the definitive way to experience Adol and Karja’s journey across Obelia Bay. If you’re new to Ys or skipped the original release, this is an easy recommendation. Fast combat, enjoyable exploration and a solid central duo carry the experience confidently. If you’re a returning veteran, your enjoyment will depend on how ready you are to relive the voyage. Either way, Falcom proves there’s still plenty of life in this long-running series.
Cairn is not a casual climbing game. It’s methodical, demanding, and occasionally stubborn. It will test your patience. It will make you rethink your route. And yes, it may frustrate you. But it’s also thoughtful, distinctive, and deeply absorbing when you meet it on its terms. This is a game about preparation, persistence, and pushing upward even when progress feels slow. It quietly mirrors life in that way; big goals rarely come with smooth routes. It won’t be for everyone. Players looking for a cosy stroll may find it intense. But if you’re willing to approach it with patience and curiosity, Cairn offers something genuinely memorable. I came away from it challenged, occasionally exasperated, but ultimately impressed. And honestly? That summit feels earned.
In My Bubble is a reminder that free-to-play doesn’t have to mean compromised. This is a thoughtful, well-constructed 3D platformer built around a creative mechanic and a welcoming tone. While some platforming elements can be a little awkward, the forgiving design and steady stream of ideas more than make up for it. It’s accessible for all ages, rewarding to explore, and generous with its content. Honestly, it wouldn’t feel out of place as a paid release, which makes its free price tag all the more impressive. If you enjoy 3D platformers and want something gentle, imaginative, and genuinely enjoyable, In My Bubble is absolutely worth your time.
Anthem#9 is a confident debut that takes familiar ideas and reshapes them into something distinctive. Its blend of deck-building, gem matching, and roguelike progression feels thoughtful rather than gimmicky, and the moment-to-moment gameplay is consistently engaging. There’s a short learning curve, but once the systems fall into place, the game reveals a depth that rewards repeated runs and experimentation. Whether you’re drawn in by strategy, style, or the sheer satisfaction of well-timed combos, Anthem#9 offers something worth your time. If you enjoy roguelikes and want something that feels new and original to the genre, this is well worth checking out.
Astro Party EX doesn’t promise endless progression systems or competitive depth, and it doesn’t try to be more than it needs to be. What it delivers is a lightweight, easy-to-access multiplayer experience that works best when shared with others in the same room. For a free-to-play game with no aggressive monetisation, it’s hard to be overly critical. There’s room for expansion, perhaps with AI bots or additional modes, but even as it stands, Astro Party EX succeeds at what it sets out to do. If you’re looking for a simple multiplayer game to fill a gap during a game night, this is well worth a download.
SkullPirates is a decent, no-nonsense brawler that feels best enjoyed in short bursts or with friends on the couch. Its combat is accessible, its style is recognisable, and its low price makes it an easy recommendation for local game nights. In single player, though, the formula wears thin. Repetition sets in quickly, deaths can feel unfair, and the humour doesn’t always justify the unskippable cutscenes. But that will depend on the player’s individual tastes. If you’re looking for a cheap co-op game to fill an evening with friends, SkullPirates fits the bill. Just don’t expect it to hold your attention for long if you’re sailing solo.
Seven Seas Jewels Collector’s Edition is simply more match-3 goodness. What it offers is a solid, content-rich version of a familiar formula, free from aggressive monetisation and packed with levels to work through. If you already own Avalon Jewels, you may not feel a strong pull to jump into this unless you’re actively craving more of the same. But if you enjoy match-3 games as a way to unwind, switch your brain off, and chip away at puzzles over time, this does the job well. It’s not doing anything bold or unexpected, but it is reliable, complete, and enjoyable in short or long sessions. It also works great on Steam Deck.
Steel Century Groove isn’t flawless, but it’s genuinely fun. The rhythm battles are engaging, the soundtrack is excellent, and the idea of settling rivalries through mech dance-offs never gets old. The story and characters won’t click with everyone, and the structure can feel repetitive at times, but the core gameplay does more than enough to hold your attention. It feels like the start of something special, and I’d love to see how this concept could evolve in the future. At the very least, the free demo is worth checking out. It might just make you want to get your groove on.
My Tiny Landscape is a thoughtful, strategy game that respects your time and attention. It offers meaningful decisions without overwhelming you, and it balances calm vibes with just enough challenge to keep things interesting. While I would have liked to see more progression or variety over the long term, what’s here is well put together and satisfying to play. It’s the kind of game you come back to when you want to slow down, think a little, and watch something nice take shape.
Snowman Mo is a feel-good adventure that deserves more attention than it’s received so far. It balances light gameplay with meaningful themes, all wrapped in a friendly, approachable package. It won’t appeal to players looking for high difficulty or constant action, but for anyone wanting a calm, story-focused experience, it’s an easy recommendation. It’s especially well-suited for playing with younger players watching along, or for those evenings when you want something comforting without being dull. Snowman Mo made me smile more than once, and it left a lasting impression thanks to its heart and sincerity.
Avalon Jewels is a reminder of why match-3 games became popular in the first place. It offers a complete experience with plenty of content, varied objectives, and satisfying mechanics, all without asking for extra payments along the way. It’s familiar, comfortable, and easy to enjoy, especially if you’ve drifted away from the genre due to how aggressive it has become elsewhere. It won’t surprise seasoned puzzle fans with bold new ideas. What it delivers is a well-made, feature-complete match-3 game that focuses on fun. If you’ve missed this style of puzzle game, Avalon Jewels is well worth your time.
Warhead Circus is a game that grows on you. It doesn’t hold your hand, and it doesn’t immediately explain why it’s fun. But if you give it time, learn its rhythms, and accept that failure is part of the process, it becomes a compelling pick-up-and-play experience. It’s undeniably minimalistic, and there’s room for more variety, additional modes, or alternate bosses. Still, what’s here is fun. I started this game unsure and slightly frustrated, and I ended it wanting just one more run. If you’re looking for something different within the roguelite space, something that tests your reflexes and rewards persistence, Warhead Circus is well worth your time.
Despite a few niggles with its progression system, MIO: Memories in Orbit is a wonderful adventure. It looks beautiful, sounds incredible, and feels fantastic to play. The platforming is excellent, exploration is rewarding, and the world is rich with atmosphere and quiet storytelling. If you’re not completely burnt out on the genre, or if you’re feeling that familiar itch to dive back into a thoughtful, well-crafted adventure, this is absolutely one to keep on your radar. MIO is a game that shows there is hope when all seems lost.
Big Hops is one of those games that simply makes you smile. It’s incredibly well put together, with movement that feels as good as anything else in the genre right now. The balance between story, exploration, and gameplay is spot on, and the sheer pleasure of moving through its worlds rarely wears thin. Plus, I was smiling the entire time I played it. It’s early in the year, but Big Hops has already put itself firmly on my radar as a game-of-the-year contender. It’s a reminder of how magical a great platformer can be when it gets the fundamentals right. Don’t let this one hop past your Steam library.
Philna Fantasy is a game that takes its time to show you what it’s capable of. The early hours can feel a little uneven, especially thanks to some sharp difficulty spikes and unclear system introductions, but patience pays off. Once the mechanics settle and the game opens up, there’s a lot of enjoyment to be found in its combat, exploration, and progression systems. It’s not an instant hook, but it’s a grower. Stick with it, and Philna Fantasy reveals a surprisingly rich and rewarding adventure beneath its pixelated surface.
DuneCrawl is a unique, creative start to 2026. It’s not flawless, and some players may find the controls and difficulty inconsistencies a bit fiddly. But what it offers is a sandbox adventure that feels fresh, inventive, and willing to take risks. Driving a giant crab across a hostile desert while upgrading your gear and reclaiming territory is as enjoyable as it sounds. For players looking for something different, especially with friends, DuneCrawl is well worth your time. It’s a game I can easily see myself returning to, just to wander the sands and see what trouble my crab can get into next.
The Legend of Heroes: Trails Beyond the Horizon is another confident entry in a series. It offers a deep, flexible battle system, a massive amount of content, and a story that rewards long-time fans with meaningful payoffs and familiar faces. It’s not the best place to start your Trails journey, and newcomers may feel lost despite the helpful recaps. Consider jumping on Trails in the Sky also available on Switch 2 first. For existing fans, or players who already know they enjoy this style of RPG, there’s a lot to appreciate here. Personally, I’m far from a complete Trails expert, but every entry I’ve played has won me over through its combat systems and world-building. The Legend of Heroes: Trails Beyond the Horizon continues that trend. It may not surprise you, but it delivers exactly what it promises.