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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.
Body of Evidence has a quirky premise for a game, but it doesn't live up to it. It gets repetitive very quickly and new mechanics just make the game more fiddly and in turn more of a chore, murdering your spare time.
Nostalgic, lovingly crafted, moving, and surprising, Omori is a remarkable achievement. Earthbound and Undertale are easy comparisons, but Omori stands out as it's own, highly personal piece of storytelling.
Carto is a unique experience that perhaps doesn't make the most of its central puzzling mechanic. The puzzle-solving itself is fun, but the story ends up quite forgettable. If you're after a short experience to keep you busy for an afternoon, then Carto is for you - just don't expect to be blown away.
Tadpole Treble is a charming, lively rhythm game with a simple premise and a lot of challenge for those looking for it. As great for younger gamers as it is for gnarled-thumbed veterans, this charming concerto deserves whatever the tadpole's version of a standing ovation is.
In the great pantheon of top-down 2D Zelda-alikes, Ocean's Heart is right up there with the lovely Blossom Tales. The world is well designed, the items and abilities are perfectly judged and it is aware enough of its influences to feel like a loving tribute rather than a cynical clone. Combine this with some nicely written dialogue and you have a winning formula. A great remedy for the January blues and a nostalgic trip back in time.
Golden Force is an excellent side-scrolling action platformer with some of the best boss fights I've seen for quite some time. With brilliant combat and combo mechanics and four varied islands to explore, Golden Force will surprise just as much as it entertains.
Sam and Max Save the World Remastered is pretty much what you'd expect - a modern update to a much-loved classic. As much as I love stepping back into the chaotic shoes of Sam and Max, I'm left a little disappointed by the fuzziness in handheld mode and the slightly confused script revisions. That said, the game is still one of the funniest point-and-click adventures I've had the pleasure of playing.
Darq initially intrigued me with its Tim Burton inspired dream world and brain bending puzzles. Sadly, things moved sharply in decline after those positive first impressions. Tedious stealth sections often killed the pace, as did all the trudging back and forth to collect items, and the dizzying nausea-inducing puzzle section? That's just mean. Darq is less the compelling brilliance of Nightmare Before Christmas and more the baffling misfire that was Alice in Wonderland.
If all you're looking for is some bridge construction with a zombie theme, then Bridge Constructor: The Walking Dead comes with enough new mechanics to keep you interested for a while. If you're just here because you love the Walking Dead, however, then I'm afraid this probably isn't for you, as it offers little value from that standpoint.
Charting the series' progress since that 2016 Paris debut has been a fascinating journey. IO have learned a lot over the past five years and that really shows in Hitman 3. It's a flashier, more fluid evolution of IO's original template - a rewarding conclusion to one of the most unique video game franchises around, and one we'll continue playing for many weeks and months to come.
Football Manager 2021 combines the best elements of previous games and undergoes a dramatic improvement that cuts deeper than the superficial. It's heavy, detailed, and been given a new texture by a more personal take on management.
Sense: A Cyberpunk Ghost Story has a great atmosphere with an interesting storyline and subplots. The range of influences shown helps make what could have been just another horror game feel truly unique. My only issues were the simplicity of the puzzles and the crashes I encountered. If you can get past that, I truly think you'll enjoy playing this game.
There's a lot of depth to the combat and managing your party in Tears of Avia, whilst still remaining user friendly. However, while the effort put into the game's design can't be denied, it has a large amount of problems and rough edges. If you can get past the initial lacklustre visuals and pacing issues, Tears of Avia is a solid turn-based strategy world to explore.
Space Invaders Forever is pretty great for anyone who's a fan of Space Invaders. It offers three games that are very different in approach, one of them with a fresh lick of paint and one focused on local multiplayer for some part cooperative, part competitive Earth defending. It's hard to argue against the variety you get with these three classics.