Leigh Price
While the visuals of RKGK could use some polish, its addictive movement mechanics are up there with some of the best.
Tales of Kenzera: Zau is a fun platformer mixed with a genuinely moving story of grief, all in a setting we rarely see in games.
In BIOMORPH, you must use your skills to explore a vast, varied world. Solve puzzles and platforming challenges, fight deadly monsters and take their shapes to use their powers. But beware – every conquered creature can come back with new and even more threatening powers. You will level-up your character, Harlo, as you fight through the vast areas around the city, collecting new abilities, mementos and blueprints. The journey will reveal surprising and alarming truths about our hero’s own origins. Steam version reviewed. Despite good visuals and a strong start, Biomorph eventually neglects its most interesting mechanic and becomes tedious. In the end, despite its best efforts, it ends up being just an average attempt at an already crowded genre.
Introducing a new entry in the legendary Contra series! Contra: Operation Galuga is a thorough reimagining of the classic run 'n' gun NES/arcade game from the 1980s, featuring timeless gameplay, iconic weapons, modern graphics and sound, new stages, new enemies and bosses, new play mechanics, and intense co-op combat for up to two players in Story Mode or four players in Arcade Mode! The true Contra legacy begins now! Switch version reviewed. Review copy provided by company for testing purposes. Contra: Operation Galuga is a satisfying retro revival. Fans of the series will have a blast, even if its visuals sometimes get in the way.
Pacific Drive is a unique twist on the survival genre that will make you fall in with a car, if you can handle its random difficulty spikes.
Foamstars is fun, but the bland aesthetics and aggressive monetization are huge turn-offs that prevent this from fully reaching its potential.
Coral Island is an essential cozy game for any fan of the genre, but it might be worth holding off until its bug problem has been addressed.
If you like games with unfathomable narratives and journeys through alien worlds, I highly recommend Cocoon.
Moonstone Island has the potential to be genuinely great, and it's a genuine shame that it ends up feeling lesser than its many influences.
Goodbye Volcano High is an emotionally charged story tragically hindered by technical issues and pacing problems.
Samba de Amigo: Party Central is a welcome return to a quirky classic rhythm game. While musically it's now more Selena Gomez than Selena, and some technical issues threaten to get in the way, the game remains excellent.
Akiba's Trip: Undead & Undressed has not aged well, but if you can put up with the game's issues, you can lose yourself in its absurdity
Players who enjoyed Scarlet Curiosity might find something to love here. However, the challenge isn't there to recommend it for fans of Touhou's difficulty and it's so under-designed as an action RPG that I can't recommend it to fans of the genre either.
Oxenfree 2 is a follow-up that has been worth the wait. If you were a fan of the first game, and I certainly was, this will give you more of what you loved.
Smushi Come Home is a cute little game with a big heart, but while it nails the cozy vibe, it may be a little too short for some.
Convergence is an excellent blend of 2D parkour platforming and brawling with appeal even beyond fans of League of Legends
Trinity Trigger sets out to evoke nostalgia a simpler time in RPGs, and succeeds with charm and solid gameplay.
Process of Elimination is a decent murder mystery with a ton of interesting ideas that never quite get used to their full potential.