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Windfolk is a game so turgid that it almost managed to put me off video games. Painfully flaccid combat and boorish level design both serve to undermine any fun that flying might offer. The subtitle promises that 'Sky is just the Beginning', but after this showing I'm rather hoping it's the end instead.
Vigor had a decent idea, but it bungled the delivery in multiple ways. Base building is unforgivably dull and drawn out, while the player count is too low or the maps are too big so you can go multiple matches without encountering anyone. There is more fun to be found with the squad-based deathmatch mode, but not as much fun as you could have in countless other games in 2021.
Landflix Odyssey isn't a revolutionary title by any stretch but it is a fun and mostly well-realised diversion that takes a light-hearted look at our TV obsessions. The different worlds offer some nice variation, but some are definitely more successful than others. I could have happily lived without the frustrating slowdown mechanics of the Going Mad levels for sure. It might not get you obsessed like your newest favourite TV series, but it shouldn't make you reach for the remote either.
Sword of the Necromancer is a fun roguelike, with a unique enemy revival system that sets it apart from other titles in the genre. Unfortunately, a lacklustre combat system and unoriginal story mean that it doesn't quite match up to the absolute best roguelikes out there.
Werewolf: The Apocalypse - Earthblood feels like it had the potential to be really good, but even though the combat is very satisfying, the drab interludes and disappointing stealth meant I spent a lot of the time asking when the game was going to be over. To me, that speaks volumes.
Nioh 2 - The Complete Edition manages to give budding yokai hunters even more to do, and whether you missed the PS4 version of the game or not, it's definitely one to sink your teeth into if you fancy a challenging experience.
The car combat genre has long been out of fashion and still has a way to go if it wants to take us back to its glory days of the 1990s. Destruction AllStars is a mostly satisfying modernisation that has some neat ideas and looks fantastic, though ultimately spins its tyres on repetitive rival-wrecking gameplay and a lack of truly worthwhile content at launch.
As a port, the Turrican Flashback collection cannot be faulted – these are perfect conversions of some all-time greats. Although the collection is missing some of the others in the series, £7.50 per game isn't bad value and given the difficulty, getting a perfect run is going to take many hours of playtime.
Hellheim Hassle is a must-play for fans of platformers. Some fiddly controls aside, it's a wonderfully dark and funny adventure that's well worth going out on a limb for.
Habroxia 2 makes me erupt with positive and overly excitable adjectives: entertaining, fun, delightful, near-perfect. I could go on, and I will: fast, frenetic, fluid, confident. This is a game that demands the attention of any fan of 2D retro shooters and offers a seismic improvement over the original. You'll be hooked from beginning to end.
If you're looking for a great indie title to while away a sombre afternoon, look no further.
Encodya has some lovely elements – the soundtrack, a few interesting plays on dystopian fiction and the heart at the core of its story – but uninteresting puzzles, lack of environmental variety, and unremarkable storytelling mean I can't recommend it over its contemporaries.
Bezier Second Edition is a great twin-stick shooter, that should be an essential purchase for fans of arcade high score chasing. It is a bit light on content though, so I'd perhaps recommend holding out for a sale before picking it up.
How best to sum up Drunken Fist? This is a game that you'll have a laugh with for ten minutes before never, ever playing again. Once the physics-based slapstick humour has stopped being funny, Drunken Fist has nothing else going for it. We might still be at the start of 2021, but I reckon I've already played the worst game I'll play all year.
Olija subverts the expectations of an unforgiving old-school adventure for something more fun and breezing, verging on slapstick combat, yet still dripping with atmosphere thanks to its impressionistic pixel art and excellent audio. Being a castaway makes for a good escape.
Your adoration for Bonkies will really depend on what you're looking for. If you're after an easy to pick up party game for all the family, then Bonkies is not the chimp 'em up for you. However, if you're after a demanding co-op experience that requires both solid teamwork and communication to achieve your goals then Bonkies is absolutely top banana.
If you're a fan of on-rails shooters, Redout: Space Assault is an enjoyable, if limited, addition to the genre.
The Medium is a really good horror adventure with some stand out ideas and excellent presentation. It makes the most of its influences to create an atmospheric and involving narrative, but its wider context as a next-gen exclusive may lead many to expect it to be a grander step forward than it is. Taken on its own merits, and particularly for genre fans, this is a genuinely great game and I look forward to replaying it to take in all the amazing details and touches that I may have missed first time through. With some questions left unanswered, I hope it does well and develops into a franchise.
Despite being just a chess game, there are no real selling points to recommend this over any of the others out there. There's no extra modes, no tutorial and the game is marketed as being something it's not. This is a gambit you should not bother taking.
Atelier Ryza 2: Lost Legends & the Secret Fairy is a significant shift for the series, being the first-ever direct sequel with a returning protagonist in all of Atelier. While this isn't a perfect entry point for newcomers, Atelier Ryza 2 builds on every aspect of the previous game flawlessly. Even with some minor hiccups, the immersive exploration systems and addictive combat are top-notch. The gorgeous visuals and comfy music are just as much of a delight, but the best piece of the puzzle is the relatable narrative about growth and friendship that I won't soon forget. A highlight of the Atelier series, and an absolute must-play.