Cultured Vultures

Sons of Ra is a tight and fast-paced competitive game with a neat setting and flavorful presentation, though does suffer from some balancing issues.

Outriders is one of those “rough-around-the-edges” games that’s brilliant in its core, but is dulled around the edges by some less than stellar elements. In this case, it’s the weak story and issues with the launch build of the game. While the story can’t exactly be patched, some additional work and updates to the game should help Outriders to truly shine.

Say No! More is a casual experience with a lot of heart. It’s got a ton of laugh-out-loud moments, whether they’re from the hilarious dialogue or the results of a hard-hitting “no” that will have you smiling until the very end.

Republic Commando’s brilliant gameplay and compelling story more than make up for the dated visuals, although the Switch version might not be the definitive experience.

Bolstered by new features and quality-of-life upgrades, Disco Elysium remains a clever, uncompromising examination of how hard it is to do something as complicated as exist in the real world.

Lost Words is an emotional journey that is told beautifully, and only slightly let down by the lack of gameplay and puzzles in between the fantastic storytelling.

Genesis Noir shines with impeccable visual and musical style that its mechanics and narrative can’t quite match, but don’t ruin either.

Though by no means revolutionary, Evil Genius 2 is a solid, expansive, and fun lair management and defence game and a welcome return for the franchise.

Dandy Ace is a fun roguelike with a memorable cast of characters and a unique combat system, but it lacks enough evolution between difficulties to offer motivation beyond just the challenge of completing it.

I genuinely enjoyed playing and completing Kaze. It’s the typical easy to play but hard to master style of game, but I would recommend this to anyone desperate for a slice of that 90s nostalgia, because it won’t disappoint.

Again, we’re probably not going to see the likes of Wipeout and F-Zero making a triumphant comeback and showing everyone how anti gravity racing should be done, and Pacer definitely does a decent job at recreating the same formula. Once the racing gets going, Pacer offers a great deal of fun, but there’s a couple of issues that dampen the whole experience.

Stronghold: Warlords’ innovative potential in its fun gameplay loop and interesting concepts is stifled by an archaic engine and design philosophy.

Arthur, the ghosts, and goblins are all back in a tough but satisfying adventure. Ghosts ‘n Goblins Resurrection is an updated take that keeps the good and the bad without losing its identity.

Though innovative in concept and boasting a great setting and aesthetic, a lack of content and glaring balance issues keep Hero Among Us from taking to the sky.

While not perfect, Breathedge is a fun spin on the survival formula with engaging gameplay and fantastic visuals that doesn't take itself too seriously.

A crystalized version of everything good about its genre, Littlewood succeeds by giving the player all the tools they need early and still finds ways to surprise and delight over years of play, both in-game, and likely in real life too.

Taxi Chaos is a pretty faithful and enjoyable recreation of a fondly remembered gaming franchise, but its new ideas introduce lots of new problems.

To label Strikers as merely a side game is a great disservice — it is by all means a sequel to one of the most successful games in the genre. If you’re like me, Persona 5 Strikers will catch you off guard in the best way. You’ll never see it coming.

Little Nightmares 2 is an ambitious, thrilling sequel that occasionally reaches just beyond its grasp, but stays engrossing and terrifying the whole way through.

A unique art style is marred by underdeveloped gameplay and inconsistent story beats. Nuts had the potential to be something really special, but can’t quite see the forest through the trees.

A solid and historically authentic entry into a consistently engaging, if slightly safe, turn-based strategy series.

Werewolf: The Apocalypse – Earthblood has a lot of interesting ideas, but the boring and repetitive gameplay and lack of compelling story mean it fails to make a lasting impression.

Blue Fire is a fantastic mix of 3D platforming, intense combat, and addictive free-form exploration. A somber story perked up by colorful characters makes this an experience you can’t miss.

The Medium is Bloober Team’s most ambitious game to date, and while certain aspects work better than others, the result is a decent horror romp that even the most horror-averse can enjoy.

Atelier Ryza 2: Lost Legends & the Secret Fairy has a personality all its own with fun crafting and flashy combat, but falls into common RPG pitfalls such as constant backtracking and tedious questing.