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The team at Milestone have been crafting racing games for more than three decades now, Screamer proving that they aren't afraid of taking risks and trying something new. From its surprisingly fleshed out storylines to its advanced racing gameplay concepts, there are plenty of intriguing ideas at works here though not all them are executed well.
The Occultist is a great investigate horror game featuring a compelling narrative and well designed puzzles. With some excellent writing and voice acting, I was hooked in to play through its modest runtime in two sittings. With a debut game like this, I'm excited to see what will come next from Daloar.
People of Note is a kind-hearted RPG with a deep affection for music. Its soundtrack won't resonate with everyone, but it's both deeply enjoyable and tight and focused, with a cast of likeable characters whose journey you'll want to see through.
An uninspired strategy RPG, Disciples: Domination offers an unremarkable experience that fails to stand out in a crowded genre. There are a few flashes of brilliance here and there – primarily with the morally challenging decisions that need to be made in the throne room – but otherwise this latest entry in the Disciples series fails to offer a compelling world to save.
Homura Hime is a blast, and it's the perfect love letter to the character action genre. In a world where these kinds of experiences are few and far between from big developers, it's so good to see an indie studio have a debut as strong as this.
A satisfying end to the story of Max and Chloe, Life is Strange: Reunion is a mature tale of the uncomfortable truth that you can't truly go back, only learn from your mistakes and go forward.
Damon and Baby is a game which is just sort of fine. It can be fun to play, but it just feels a bit repetitive most of the time, and neither the combat nor the story are engaging enough to really keep you locked in. I don't think it's a bad game, per say, but I do think it can be a bit dull, and that's just as bad a lot of the time.
EverSiege: Untold Ages strips away the ultra competitive aspects of a MOBA to create a solo or co-op game that feels nostalgic in a lot of ways. There's an awful lot to do here and loads of progression to unlock, which is always satisfying. I do hope they find a way to make the multiplayer feel more satisfying to share, and will be keeping an eye out for updates post-launch.
Legacy of Kain: Ascendance is a fun addition to the series and offers a nice shift in the wider narrative. The mix of nostalgic and new characters works well and series fans will be excited to finally play as Raziel in vampire form in particular. The combat is solid if a little repetitive, and the weird shifts in visual style are off-putting at times, but this is a good little spinoff that hopefully promises more adventures in Nosgoth to come.
Darwin's Paradox! is a lot of fun, the octopus and aliens theme is suitably absurd and comes with plenty of useful abilities that make the experience consistently unique and inventive. It is a short experience, which you should take into consideration, but it's one that's certainly worth playing.
The Switch 2's fighting game line-up is all the better for having Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O World Stage in it. In my humble opinion, this remains one of the best fighting games of all time, and the Switch 2 version looks and feels exactly as you'd hope, letting you take your one-on-one brawling on the go.
Project Songbird is one of the most interesting and well designed indie horror games of the year so far and shows the sheer range of the genre. Unlike the bombastic Resident Evil Requiem, Project Songbird is not afraid to be more contemplative and intimate in its portrayal of horror and trauma, the narrative carrying you through its puzzles and moments of real peril. Highly recommended for fans of horror and also anybody who appreciates game-making as an artform with a message to convey.
The Switch 2 gains yet another great title for its library with Kena: Bridge of Spirits. Ember Labs hit remains one of the most likeable 3D action-adventure games of the last few years, and its approachable gameplay and stunning visual design feel utterly at home on a Nintendo console.
Super Mario Bros. Wonder – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Meetup in Bellabel Park is a great upgrade to the original game if you're going to take advantage of the multiplayer modes, but it is far less essential if you're mostly a solo player. There are some nice additions for the main campaign, but the £17 price point feels excessive without party play. Taken as a complete package, however, this makes the already fantastic game even more wonderful and addresses most of the issues that we had with it.
Stellar Wanderer DX isn't the most exciting or engaging example of the space sim genre and suffers from feeling too small and repetitive. Within its own bubble, it does get the basics of space combat and trading right, and fills a gap in this severely neglected genre.
Dragonkin: The Banished is a surprise for me. While it's not going to blow the titans of the Diablo style action RPG out of the water, I had fun tinkering with the skills system, and it's got some refreshing ideas that are worth experience for yourself.
Yes, the presentation and fan service is welcome and there is an okay game here for fans of the franchise, but it feels like a quick stopgap between Warhammer 40,000 games and the bug levels are some of the worst bits of a game I've played in a while. I'm afraid on this occasion I will not be doing my part and replaying Ultimate Bug War.
Crabmeat is a great short-form horror game that delves deep into the existential dread of both being in debt and being stranded in an unforgiving sea. The challenge and threat amps up throughout the 3-hour playtime and everything culminates in a conclusion that works as a suitably fantastic payoff. Similar to a game like Threshold, this is a one-sitting experience that shows the range of indie horror gaming.
Calamity Angels: Special Delivery brings some unique ideas and a loveable cast of weirdo characters to the table. I just wish it brought more interesting and engaging gameplay and combat along with it.
To summit up, Laysara: Summit Kingdom is a great little town builder. Set in a pretty unique location and providing plenty of satisfying management without the constant threat of invasion by a horde of enemies, it's incredibly relaxing and enjoyable. At least, until you underestimate the power of an avalanche and bury half your workers in snow. If you're at all interested in a builder like this set on a mountain, I'd be surprised if you didn't enjoy Laysara, even if you usually prefer something more challenging.