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Forbidden Solitaire is a brilliantly addictive experience that manages to balance a spooky, creepypasta-like narrative with genuinely fun solitaire mechanics. As someone who appreciates both gaming urban myths and a bit of nostalgia, it ticked all of the right boxes for me. And sure, it is guilty of being a bit easy, but between the tantalising setup, the satisfying puzzle-based battling, and the unsettling nature of the overarching tale, Forbidden Solitaire undoubtedly stands out as a wonderful old-school experience.
If you have zero connection to the games included in Rugrats: Retro Rewind Collection or the Nickelodeon cartoon, this bundle probably isn't going to win you over. The games are clunky and very much a product of their time, so it’s not like Limited Run Games are preserving all-time greats. But game preservation shouldn't solely be reserved for the polished, timeless classics, and Rugrats: Retro Rewind Collection is proof of that... it’s about preserving a feeling. It’s about remembering what it felt like to rent a game for the weekend, reading the manual in the car, and spending hours exploring a pixelated version of a world you loved on TV. The games aren't perfect, but it is wonderful being able to easily load them up and smile at the memories they bring back, and if you spent hours with them or watching the TV show when younger, this collection is absolutely worth your time.
Bubsy 4D marks an enjoyable return for the iconic bobcat that goes a long way in repairing his long-tarnished reputation. It is a short, breezy adventure that doesn’t reinvent the genre, but between the rewarding platforming mechanics and the sheer satisfaction of speedrunning through levels, there’s a hell of a lot to like here. And sure, there’s still plenty of room for improvement, but this is certainly proof that even the most maligned of gaming mascots deserve a second chance.
Clockwork Ambrosia is a highly entertaining and charming homage to the classic run-and-gun action platformers of yesteryear, and whilst the sometimes-fiddly controls and brutal death penalties can be frustrating, the sheer creativity of the gunsmithing, the joy of exploring its world, and the gorgeous presentation make it well worth your time. I had a lot of fun with the game, with it clear throughout that the developer put a lot of love and care into those fourteen years spent crafting the game.
Nitro Gen Omega is a game of wonderful strategic depth hampered by a lack of polish and a rough early progression slog. When the combat clicks and your heavily customised machine is tearing through enemy ranks alongside a crew you have genuinely bonded with, it is an ABSOLUTE joy to play and shows that the game could really be something special. It is just a massive shame that you have to wade through a ton of grinding and clunky menus to get to the good stuff. If you have the patience to learn its intricacies and don’t mind a bit of repetition, there is a remarkably deep and rewarding experience to be found in Nitro Gen Omega… just expect a few bumps in the road that’ll really test your patience.
Tiny Lands 2 offers a delightful ‘spot the difference’ experience that’s relaxing, addictive, and lovely to look at. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed playing it with my six-year-old daughter who has quickly labelled it her ‘new favourite game’, but do you know what? I think I actually enjoyed it even more than she did. If you’ve got a keen eye and love a bit of ‘spot the difference’, you really do need Tiny Lands 2 in your life.
Directive 8020 is phenomenal, with the engrossing storytelling, engaging gameplay, and stunning visuals making it a horror experience you simply won’t want to miss. Sure, it relies on some horror tropes and there’s a lot more hiding than you’d be used to in other releases in the series, but when the choices you make are so tantalising, the horrors you face are so terrifying, and the characters you’re trying to save are so likable, it’s easy to look past these small flaws. This is choice-based storytelling at its finest, and it leaves me excited to see what Supermassive Games do next.
Everything is Crab is a delightfully weird and addictive roguelite experience that offers plenty of fun and creativity with the varied mutations on offer. Sure, the combat might lack a bit of depth and the pacing can feel a little off in later runs, but the sheer joy of watching your cute little squishy pal warp into an unrecognisable nightmare (I mean that affectionately) ensures that Everything is Crab is well worth checking out if you’re a fan of the roguelite genre.
The Coma 3: Bloodlines is a solid horror experience that doesn’t only wrap up the story in a satisfying manner but also brings fresh gameplay mechanics to keep things varied. Don’t get me wrong, it has its flaws – most notably with the frustrating enemy encounters and the unforgiving save system – but it still managed to keep me invested right until the very end. If you’re a fan of the series, you absolutely have to play it for the closure and the atmosphere alone, and fingers crossed, maybe we won’t have to wait too long for a patch to fix some of the more obvious issues?
Whether you grew up in the nineties or just appreciate a beautifully told story about friendship and… well… growing up, Mixtape hits every single emotional note wonderfully. It perfectly balances the humour of doing stupid things with your friends against the terrifying reality of moving on and leaving your childhood behind, and whilst some might argue that a four-hour linear game might lack some appeal, the sheer quality of the experience makes it something you will want to revisit just to soak in the atmosphere all over again. Mixtape is a beautiful, hilarious, and profoundly touching experience that understands EXACTLY what it feels like to be a teenager standing on the edge of the rest of your life. I haven’t felt that way in a long, long time, but having a reminder of it here has helped make the game an instant classic, and for me, one I’ll never forget.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Empire City is a game of brilliant highs but also some noticeable lows – traversal is fantastic, the comic-book vibes are immaculate, and the co-op is a joy, but it is dragged down by an empty world and combat that lacks any real challenge. If you love the franchise and have a few friends to play with, you will easily look past the flaws – especially since there’s nothing game-breaking – but I can’t help but to think that a bit more attention on balancing out combat would have made Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Empire City a very special VR experience.
Tides of Tomorrow is a wonderful adventure that feels incredibly unique thanks to its cleverly implemented ‘Story-Link’ system that helps make it feel unlike any other narrative-driven adventure that I’ve played. Add to that some gorgeous visuals, a story that’ll keep you invested from start to end, and some fun gameplay mechanics that keep the experience varied, and it’s easy to see that it stands out as another special release from the team at Digixart. Sure, your experience with it may vary depending on how invested you are in the ‘Story-Link’ system, but even if you don’t plan on sharing the adventure with someone you know, Tides of Tomorrow is a blast to play.
Aphelion could have been something truly special, because on one side, you have a beautiful, atmospheric world and a phenomenal, character-driven story that sinks its hooks into you. However, on the other side, you have clunky platforming, annoying checkpoints, and late-game stealth sequences that are guilty of outstaying their welcome. If you can look past the flaws and some of the more annoying moments when playing as Ariane, the narrative payoff and gorgeous cinematic presentation make Aphelion absolutely worth your time. Just be prepared for a few annoyances as you make your way to the end of the journey.
Motorslice is a blast to play and makes for some exciting platforming action, though some occasional missteps prevent it from achieving greatness. Don’t get me wrong, the mix of chainsaws and parkour is absolutely a winning combination, whilst the boss battles are a true spectacle. It just lacks the modern polish needed to smooth over its rough edges, mostly with the sometimes janky controls that can make for some frustrating moments. Believe me, there’s a lot more good than bad here and I’d absolutely recommend Motorslice to those who loved the classic 3D platformers of yesteryear… it’s just more of a flawed gem than a must-play experience.
It has some flaws, but Little Nightmares VR: Altered Echoes still stands out as an impressive release, using the immersive power of virtual reality to make you feel completely vulnerable in a hostile and terrifying world. The harrowing chase scenes, impeccable visual and sound design, and oppressive atmosphere make it a must-play for long-time Little Nightmares fans. Sure, it might play things a little safe mechanically, whilst the rigid movement options and short run-time can let it down, but Little Nightmares VR: Altered Echoes still stands out as an impressive VR release that’s worth your attention.
Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream provides a wonderfully goofy foundation, but what you get out of it depends entirely on how much creativity you pour into it. If you take the time to build a diverse cast of characters, design custom gear, and lean into the sheer nonsense of it all, you will be rewarded with one of the funniest, most charming games of the year. And sure, the novelty might fade a bit as time goes on and it won’t be for everyone, but so far for me? It’s been an absolute joy.
Replaced is brilliant, with the visually spectacular adventure offering engaging storytelling, rewarding combat and satisfying platforming that’ll keep players hooked in from start to end. Sure, it has some rough edges here and there, but with the core experience proving tantalising throughout, it’s easy to find yourself wholly invested in this brilliantly crafted dystopian world.
With Pragmata, Capcom has delivered a stunningly original combat system, a gorgeous world that rewards curiosity, and two endearing protagonists you will absolutely root for. It is easily one of the most exciting new action games in recent memory, and whilst it has the occasional misstep with the platforming or the somewhat predictable storytelling, it still stands out as yet another brilliant release for the company.
The Adventure Time DLC offers exactly what I was looking for: more stuff to clean in PowerWash Simulator 2. It might not reinvent the wheel when it comes to gameplay, but the wonderfully vibrant visuals and the cool little twist on your cleaning equipment ensure that it’s a treat to play through. And if you’re a fan of Adventure Time? That’s the cherry on top, even IF it isn’t a necessity to be familiar with it to have a good time with the DLC.
Evil Empire has crafted something special with The Rogue Prince of Persia, and by marrying the acrobatic identity of a beloved series with an engaging narrative and incredibly polished (and highly replayable) roguelike loop, they have delivered an essential action platformer that is an absolute blast to play from start to end. We might not be getting the 3D return of the iconic Prince any time soon, but if we keep getting top notch releases like this, the legacy will certainly live on.