Batman: Arkham Shadow is not only a worthy entry into the Arkham series, but by far the best VR game I have ever played. The game looks great, has faithfully remastered mechanics to translate the original Arkham experience into VR, and has a story that keeps you so engaged you do not even notice you have worked up a sweat beating down Gotham’s bad guys.
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered is the best remaster of Oblivion that fans could ask for. The spirit of the original is held intact and delivered with amazing new visuals and slight gameplay improvements; just beware the occasional performance issues, and remember that the improved gameplay is still 19 years old.
Steel Seed has a lot to say and a lot to show you, presenting a narrative-heavy game with some incredible scenery and cinematic moments. However, I personally found the gameplay a little underwhelming, and was a bit polarized by the story and characters. It’s a game I can certainly see others enjoying, even if it wasn’t really for me.
Tempest Rising feels like a nostalgic tribute to the classic RTS games of yesterday, with familiar gameplay that should appeal to old-school players and an incredible amount of polish that no classic can compare to. However, it may feel less-than-innovative to some, and there has been noticeable community backlash regarding the terms of the game’s EULA.
Mandragora: Whispers of the Witch Tree is a unique and fun-to-play side-scrolling Soulslike, with great gameplay and an original world that’s easy to get immersed in. While I’d make some minor changes, the intrusive EULA policy is the biggest downside and prevents me, in good conscience, from giving it a higher score.
Bionic Bay is my new favorite in a genre I rarely enjoy, captivating me with its setting, unique mechanics, and fun physics system. With a competitive speedrunning mode alongside its 12-hour campaign, you’re sure to find something to enjoy in this standout title.
Chains of Freedom is a turn-based action game with incredible art and good storytelling, but its gameplay may be too familiar, missing opportunities to make its combat more exciting or original.
Kaya’s Prophecy is an incredibly unique game, combining two familiar genres to create a title that’s greater than the sum of its parts. Deckbuilding and colony sim enthusiasts alike should find something to enjoy in this very special game published by the Yogscast team.
Crashlands 2 is full of character and lets players explore and progress on a strange alien world completely at their own pace and in their own way. While the combat can feel a little stat-checky, and early progression can be slow, players should generally enjoy Crashlands 2 for all the freedom and creativity it offers.
Incredible in its narrative and gameplay, Leila is a must-have game for puzzle enthusiasts as well as those simply looking for a great story to experience, though it is one that will trigger introspection and emotions both happy and sad.
Though its puzzles are simple and the gameplay uncomplicated, Koira delivers a heartwarming little story that is sure to win your heart over a relaxing afternoon, forming a bond between players, the forest, and their little light-up doggy in an artistic little story about friendship and nature.
AI Limit doesn’t have the strongest setting or presentation, but its gameplay blew me away. It surprised me that small yet impactful changes to the Soulslike mechanics create a unique and fun take on the genre. This shorter title is a blast for one to two playthroughs, which is more than fair for the price.
Spilled! is a short, cute little game with a fantastic message and a noble goal. Clocking in just under an hour of surprisingly fun yet simple gameplay, Spilled! will grant you a fun, relaxing afternoon and will donate a portion of your purchase to help protect the ocean’s wildlife.
Sonokuni stands out for its incredible sense of style, giving the game a unique identity and a wealth of hype-filled moments you won’t forget. While the story can feel a bit underwhelming and the difficulty a bit high, you’re sure to appreciate whatever time you decide to spend with this incredibly unique title.
Kaiserpunk has a lot of great ideas but feels as though it could have used more time in development before being released. Big changes to the game’s grand strategy mechanic and small changes to its city building could have made Kaiserpunk one of my new favorite titles.
Though a performance patch is definitely needed, BLEACH: Rebirth of Souls, at its core, is a phenomenal BLEACH game, capturing the style and substance of the series’ explosive battles and bringing its characters to life.
Cataclismo is an excellent tower defense title, providing some classic horde-defense gameplay with an incredibly unique building mechanic as a twist. Cataclismo’s 1.0 launch was a straight improvement over everything I criticized in its Early Access version, living up to my expectations and managing to impress me a second time around.
Though mostly faithful to the original, FATE: Reawakened remains a game hard to recommend to newcomers to the franchise or die-hard fans of the series, as it feels far too dated to keep the long-term attention of new players, and makes unnecessary changes that the fans don’t enjoy. Regardless, if you’re nostalgic for the series, it may still be worth giving it a try.
FragPunk stands out in the genre for its creative, reality-altering twist on familiar mechanics. Though I wish it leaned further into its unique aesthetic, it still distinguishes itself from the crowd and is absolutely worth trying.
Slime Heroes is a charming soulslike that serves as a fantastic entry point for newcomers to the genre while offering plenty of fun for seasoned players. The game’s highly accessible co-op makes an already enjoyable experience even better, allowing you to share the adventure with friends or family.