Most evident in its clunky, annoying combat system, Elex 2 is living in a janky Euro RPG past that its closest peers have nearly all transcended by now.
Werewolf: The Apocalypse - Earthblood has decent stealth going for it, but its weak story forces you into painfully mediocre combat too often to be worthwhile, wasting the potential of the World of Darkness universe.
In Evil Genius 2: World Domination, a fiddly world map and confusing objectives foil the plans of this stylish, gleeful villain simulator.
King's Bounty 2 is a fairly strong tactical RPG that is dragged down by a mediocre plot and a lot of unnecessary jogging.
The Entropy Centre is a more than competent Portal tribute with clever time-manipulation puzzles and an endearing cast, but it doesn't take its clever concept as far as it seems like it should.
Scorn is a relentlessly unsettling delve into a surreal, macabre world of alien mystery, but the scariest thing about it is the dreadful combat.
Real-time tactics meets old-timey politics in The DioField Chronicle, a fast-paced JRPG where quick and fun combat are paired with a generic story and some awkward controls.
Farthest Frontier needs a bit longer in the early access oven, but its realistic food systems and problem solving already provide a lot to enjoy.
Starship Troopers: Terran Command is a competent asymmetrical RTS, but its only substantial mode is a single-player campaign that takes a while to warm up.
While its time-consuming crafting aspects can take the bite out of the vampire fantasy, V Rising really does rise to the occasion with its excellent boss design and respectable ARPG combat.
While park management and customization aspects are a bit shallow, Jurassic World Evolution 2 has tons of excellent dinosaurs and exciting ways to interact with them.
Humankind is an interesting but fairly safe riff on historical 4X that doesn't always rise to meet its potential.
Tribes of Midgard is a hectic, exciting, Norse-flavored action RPG that is best faced with a shield wall full of friends.
Total War: Rome Remastered makes a grand old game feel less old – but it doesn't make it feel new again.
Stronghold Warlords has a refreshing East Asian setting and satisfying castle building, but it looks and plays like an RTS that was asleep for most of the last decade or two.
Baldur's Gate 3's Early Access launch already has exciting turn-based combat and some genuine storytelling greatness, but it might be worth waiting to enjoy the full thing with fresh eyes.
Project Wingman delivers exciting aerial combat and an interesting campaign, though it won't impress those looking for a hardcore flight sim.
Victoria 3 is a remarkable, if a bit janky, nation-builder with ocean-deep political and economic systems that suck you in and don't let go.
The wacky humor might be hit or miss, but as a management sim, Two Point Campus graduates with honors.
Gwent: Rogue Mage is a new and satisfying way to play Gwent with an interesting roguelike twist.