Avernum 4: Greed and Glory won me over the longer I played. It’s a game that asks a lot of your time, your attention, and your patience, but it gives back in spades. Once its rhythm clicks, you start to see the beauty in the complexity: the freedom to shape your heroes, the layers of tactical combat, and the thrill of exploring a world that feels truly alive beneath the surface. It’s not beginner-friendly, but it’s not unfriendly either. It’s a game that trusts you to find your own way. And that’s fine. If you’ve got fond memories of classic RPGs or you’re curious about dipping your toes into something with real depth, grab the free demo on Steam. You’ll know pretty quickly if this is your kind of adventure. For me? It was a surprising delight, deep, challenging, and strangely comforting.
Meganoid: Chronicles knows exactly what it wants to be, short, sharp, and unapologetically difficult. The clever level hints, snappy design, and responsive controls all come together for a satisfying, if occasionally infuriating, experience. I’ll admit, there were moments where I wanted to throw my Switch across the room. But then I’d take a breath, dive back in, and nail that jump that had been haunting me. That’s when you know a precision platformer has done its job. If you’ve got the patience for pain and a fondness for old-school challenge, Meganoid: Chronicles is worth your time.
Escape the Cradle won’t be for everyone. If you’re the type of player who needs to be fully hands-on, this probably won’t scratch your itch. But if you like the idea of a light roguelite that happily runs in the background while you multitask, this one has a certain addictive charm. With about 4 hours of content (stretched further depending on how you play), it’s an unusual but surprisingly enjoyable little package. I was more drawn in than I expected, and for the right price, I’d say it’s worth giving a shot. At the very least, the free demo makes it easy to test the waters
Whether you’re revisiting a long-lost favourite or discovering it for the first time, Scurge: Hive is worth the trip. It’s tense, atmospheric, and full of that experimental energy you used to see in handheld games from the GBA era. For those who appreciate game preservation, this is another solid rescue job from Ratalaika Games, complete with modern features that make it more approachable without losing its identity.
Shrine’s Legacy is the kind of game that reminds me why I fell in love with gaming in the first place. It’s approachable, nostalgic, and just plain fun. Whether you’re chasing that retro feeling or introducing a friend to the magic of 16-bit adventures, this is one quest well worth taking.
Ys Vs Trails in the Sky: Alternative Saga isn’t going to be the next big competitive fighter at EVO. It’s a playful, nostalgic crossover that celebrates Falcom’s legacy with a wink and a grin. The combat takes some time to understand, and the story won’t win any awards, but there’s genuine fun to be had once it all clicks. Fans of either series will love the nods and references, while newcomers can enjoy a surprisingly deep action RPG brawler once you get into its rhythm. It’s scrappy, it’s strange, and it’s kind of wonderful that this odd little crossover even exists in 2025.
Spindle surprised me in the best way. It’s a love letter to the golden era of top-down adventures, but adds enough personality and heart to stand out on its own. The gameplay feels tight and satisfying, the story balances emotion with wit, and the art direction is full of small but memorable flourishes. If I had to nitpick, some of the puzzles can occasionally feel a bit too simple, and the structure may feel familiar to veterans of the genre. But those are minor points in an otherwise excellent adventure. Whether you’re a fan of Zelda-like games or just want something that makes you smile while tugging gently on your heartstrings, Spindle is a trip worth taking, scythe, pig, and all.
Neoteria is a nice nod to the early days of the side-scrolling shooter, a time when learning enemy patterns and inching toward mastery was the whole point. It’s tough, sometimes stubbornly so, but it rewards patience and practice. For a few coins, you get a neat little slice of arcade gaming that fits the Switch perfectly. It’s not flawless, but it’s full of heart and a real sense of throwback fun.
In the end, Push Defense is a game that will pull you in more than push you away if you give it a chance. It’s proof that a developer can learn, grow, and surprise you in all the best ways. While it won’t win awards for presentation, it more than makes up for it with clever puzzle design, creative twists, and a surprising amount of content. If you enjoy puzzle games that aren’t afraid to experiment, or you just want to see what happens when block pushing meets tower defense, this one’s absolutely worth a look. For Emerald Knight Interactive, this feels like a turning point, a clear step up that shows real promise for what’s to come next.
My first impressions of Emberwake weren’t the best. The grindy start and clunky tutorial left me cold. But the more I stuck with it, the more I started to appreciate what it was trying to do. It’s clearly a project from a small team (maybe even solo-developed), and you can feel the care and ambition behind it. If you’re patient, there’s a challenging and rewarding strategy-survival game in here. It may not dethrone Kingdom Two Crowns, but it doesn’t have to; it’s carving out its own niche. With some balance tweaks and refinement, it could grow into something really special. Also, keep in mind this is a single-player experience only. For now, I’d say try the free demo. If the core loop grabs you, then you’ll probably find enough here to justify the full game
Yooka-Replaylee is exactly what I hoped the original game would be: a joyful and beautifully built 3D platformer bursting with things to discover. Whether you’re a returning fan or completely new to Yooka and Laylee’s antics, this version delivers everything with polish and heart. For me, it was extra special because I played most of it with my son, who was grinning from ear to ear watching me roll and jump through the levels. It’s the kind of game that’s just as much fun to watch as it is to play, and that’s a rare thing. If you’ve ever loved Banjo-Kazooie, or if the original Yooka-Laylee didn’t quite grab you, this is your second chance, and it’s well worth taking. A free demo is also available if you want to try it out first.
Trails in the Sky: 1st Chapter is everything a remake should be: faithful, refined, and full of heart. It’s a beautiful introduction to one of RPG’s most respected series, and an easy recommendation whether you’re a diehard fan or a first-timer. Here’s hoping Falcom continues to bring the rest of the Trails saga up to this modern standard, because if this remake is anything to go by, the sky’s the limit. A demo is also available if you want to try the game first, and saves do transfer over.
: Banner of the Spark is exactly the kind of genre experiment I like to see. By mixing roguelite missions with cosy life sim elements, it avoids feeling like “just another run-based game.” There’s always something new to do, whether that’s trying out a weapon build, customising your town, or just fishing because, well, fishing is great. Combat isn’t flawless, and some weapon handling could use a little polish, but none of that stopped me from enjoying the heck out of this game. Add in generous free Switch-to-Switch 2 upgrade support and a heap of content, and you’ve got something that feels both playful and generous.
In the end, I still recommend Forgotten Fragments, just with some caveats. If you love mastering tight platforming, juggling momentum puzzles, and finding satisfaction in nailing a sequence after countless retries, this could be a game you’ll adore. If, like me, you get easily worn down by repeating tricky sections, you may find it harder to stick with. Even so, I can’t help but admire the care Binary Phoenix has poured into this world. It’s rich, challenging, and brimming with style. For the right player, Forgotten Fragments could be unforgettable.
Lovux is rather smashing. It’s a cosy, clever little puzzle game that combines stress relief with thoughtful challenge. Whether you’re playing a few levels on a coffee break or winding down in the evening, it fits neatly into that “casual but satisfying” category. At under $3/£3, it’s easy to recommend if you’re even mildly into puzzle games. It won’t blow your mind, but it will give you plenty of glass-smashing fun and more than a few “a-ha” moments along the way.
Candy Rangers is, at its heart, a sugar-coated arcade throwback. It takes a genre that’s often seen as niche or outdated and injects it with colour and plenty of personality. Yes, it can be overwhelming at first, and yes, you’ll probably have to replay a stage or two, but the cheerful vibe and satisfying mechanics make it a delight to dip into. It’s not the kind of game that’s going to change your life, but it is the kind of game that can brighten your evening. Sometimes, that’s more than enough. I walked away from it smiling every single time, and really, that’s the best thing you can ask for from a game like this. A welcome addition to the often overlooked cute ’em up sub genre. A free demo is also available on Steam.
BeetleQuest: The Puzzle Game is a quirky, bite-sized experience. It’s inexpensive, simple, and clearly made with a younger audience in mind, though oddly, only some of the mini-games are really child-friendly. For adults, it’s probably too light to hold attention for long, but parents might get a bit of enjoyment playing it alongside kiddos. It’s not something I’d recommend as a must-buy, but for under £2, it’s a curious little diversion. If you’re already interested in the BeetleQuest universe, it might be worth dipping in as a companion piece. Otherwise, it’s perfectly okay to skip or check out the main BeetleQuest games instead.
Prism Shift is a neat little puzzle game that proves originality doesn’t need flashy presentation to stand out. It’s a game about patience, experimentation, and solving things at your own pace. If you’re in the mood for something cosy but still smart enough to challenge you, this is an easy one to recommend. Grab a cup of tea, settle in, and let the colours do the shifting.
Storm Lancers isn’t trying to topple the roguelite giants, but it does carve out a fun little niche of its own. On your own, it’s a solid but sometimes punishing adventure with some grindy progression. But grab a friend, and suddenly it transforms into a much more rewarding experience, full of chaotic fights and shared laughter. If you’re hunting for a roguelite you can enjoy together on the couch, this is an easy recommendation. Solo players may find it a bit thin compared to the genre heavyweights, but the core gameplay is still snappy and enjoyable.
What I admired most about Lighthaze World is how it balances story and gameplay. You can engage with its reflections on anxiety as much or as little as you’d like, and either path is rewarding. If you want pure puzzling, there’s plenty here. If you want a touching narrative about finding courage and holding on to what grounds you, that’s here, too. This is the kind of game I think many people will find comforting, especially those who’ve experienced the weight of anxiety themselves. It’s gentle, warm, and genuinely respectful in how it presents its themes, all while offering satisfying puzzles in a charming little world.