So Many Games
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Sharing only a name and a concept, Frostpunk 2 does a great deal to distance itself mechanically from its precursor, a choice that is both bold and a little bit disappointing. A polished veneer and interesting gameplay interactions do very little to make up for a marred UI and a host of visual glitches. In time this could become an incredible sequel, but in its current state it remains lacking in substance.
At its best, Fresh Tracks is a mesmerising flow state of sights and sounds where your movements are in lockstep with the music, but the combination of underbaked roguelite systems and intense difficulty spikes caused me to lose the beat more often than not as my journey continued, and it leaves me to wonder if I could have spent more time in that desired flow state without the start-from-zero approach that the roguelite structure demands.
I found Henry Halfhead to be a profound game that reminds you that it’s never too late. As the titular little creature, you can examine your role in your own life and how what is often seen as ‘good’ and ‘productive’ in the eyes of society will grind you into miserable dust and may even kill you…but also you can put together big puzzle pieces and wear funny hats. What more could you ask for from a game? What more could you ask for from life?
Star Wars: Outlaws is easily deserving of four stars, with a tight gameplay loop, solid stealth and well-made combat mechanics hampered only by a fairly procedural foundation, limiting players in the same ways they are promised the freedom to play the way they see fit. Sadly, the requirement to log into an online account to play an offline single-player game loses the game half a star.
Indiana Jones remains as relevant and charming in 2025 as he did 44 years ago. The Order of Giants DLC is a welcome addition, giving fans plenty of slapstick action and puzzle-solving. While the story as it takes place in Indy’s present takes a backseat, everything else you’d want to do more of from the base game is here.
Hollow Knight: Silksong is, like its predecessor, a masterclass in video game design. From a fully realised world to polished combat, it's hard to find fault outside of some general gripes around the increased difficulty. Pharloom may march to a different beat when compared to Hallownest, but it sings a similar melody all the same.
There's plenty to love about Daemon X Machina: Titan Scion, especially compared to the previous game in the series. Despite this, the loss of character coupled with the slippery controls still causes issues for those who may be hoping for a polished mech-shooter experience. Even so, the game shines in many ways and manages to hold its own in spite of its flaws.
With a healthy pedigree at its back, Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar continues the trend of revitalising and renewing earlier titles to bring them up to modern standards, this time going above and beyond to create a fresh new version of Zephyr Town and its varied inhabitants. The game certainly suffers with the balance between work and play, but it is easily redeemed by a renewed focus on creating a cohesive community.
In a summer full of remarkable cosy games, Discounty is another standout in the genre. Its story is a lot of fun, with twists and turns that you might not see coming; its characters feel so very human, which is always a messy joy, and the actual running of your shop feels so satisfying.
I went into Herdling fully prepared to love it based on the developer’s previous work and applying that foundation towards a game about shepherding a pack of muppet elks across various biomes, but a lack of any real attempt at subversion, surprise, or strife makes the game feel disappointingly toothless. There’s still a lot to enjoy about the game, especially on the presentation end of things, but nothing that’s likely to stick with you for longer than it takes to play through it.
Diehard fans of JRPGs would kill for this kind of appendage to any of their favourites, but the Ashes of Elrant DLC is a caution on what you wish for, as it comes across as a soft story grafted onto a much more solid whole. Everything else you loved about Chained Echoes is there, namely an excellent battle system, incredible bosses, and an extremely well-designed world to explore with worthwhile incentives. The Crimson Wings have soared to greater heights, but for fans of Glenn and company, this is a must-buy.
Is This Seat Taken? is a brilliant spotlight on a type of logic puzzle that often gets overlooked – there’s no major difficulty curve through the short 4-6 hour runtime, meaning those looking for a challenge may be disappointed, but as a widely accessible puzzle game with room for expansion, it proves itself to be an absolute delight.
Without question, OFF is both an incredible and influential game, beloved by many with good reason. This remaster not only improves on the foundations of the original but also manages to make it feel fresh despite working on a foundation of dated and often tedious mechanics. For players seeking a surreal, cerebral adventure featuring a well-spoken cat and well-set-out diametric art styles, this is the game for you.
Tiny Bookshop made me nostalgic, even though I’m not a nostalgic person. It made me long for the days when we weren’t distracted 24/7 by all kinds of media but could take the time to just sink into one. Books have this magical ability to transport you away from this world, and this game recognises that. Even though it’s set in the present, there’s no talk of social media; you’re just able to take your time browsing a cute little bookshop before heading home and devouring the pages, only to come back the next day and ask for more. We need more games like this.
Ritual of Raven is a much-needed refresh of the farming sim genre. It manages to mostly avoid the trappings of similar games while adding some great touches of their own. The writing is fun and engaging, the gameplay is addictive – I don’t even know how many times I just kept on playing because I needed to do ‘just one more thing’ – and its world is gorgeous. I had high hopes for this game, and Spellgarden Games has duly delivered.
The way colours are used throughout to contrast the emotions of each person is astounding, paired brilliantly with the core themes of expression through art and what happens when our own colours stop shining through.
Time Flies is a playfully thought-provoking meditation upon death and the brevity of life, viewed through the (many) eyes of flies. The movement is unique, the art superb, and this game might just make you think twice about picking up that flyswatter.
A stylish exterior hides a game that tries too hard to blend gameplay styles, leading to a fast-paced roguelite built around slow, weighty combat; Atomic Owl is glamorous, with incredible visual design backed up by a stunning synth-wave soundtrack, but without a solid gameplay loop, it fails to hook players in, prompting frustration instead of incremental improvement.
Hellclock is an excellent refresh button on an oversaturated genre. The emphasis on speedy runs, diverse builds, and a historical and cultural setting rarely touched makes for a standout roguelike. A few snags, especially tanky health bars, weigh down the game design’s core focus of lightning-fast runs. Although pacing creates more friction than a totally smooth experience, Hellclock is an easy recommendation for any roguelike fan.
Primal Planet is a pixel-perfect primaeval playground of adventure and exploration. If you don’t mind getting lost now and then, it’s an approachable metroidvania, with generous checkpoints, forgiving combat and no bosses. For some, its lack of handholding might be a barrier, but I was swept away by the vibrant world and the sweet story of community that holds together the people and wildlife of this primal planet. Just look out for those T-Rexes and UFOs.