Omensight is a unique murder mystery that excels in narrative but is hindered by elementary combat.

A tale of the almighty power of time, The Watchmaker is reminiscent of Portal in its humor and scientific focus. Playing will prompt reflection and evoke emotion, but deficiencies include narrative, level design, and puzzles.

Beautiful visuals and frenzied button smashing are all that compensate for this title’s lack of progression, lack of variety in enemies, and lack of difficulty.

Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana is an action RPG that features interesting characters and an intriguing story. You play as Adol, an adventurer who served as a temporary sailor on a boat before it sank. Your goal at the outset is to explore the mysterious Isle of Sieren, finding other castaways that were aboard.

This house-renovating simulator provides a satisfying sense of progression and realism. Its focus veers away from architectural and interior design, letting handiwork steal the spotlight.

ValeGuard is a great RTS game already, despite it being Early Access. With input from players and the already-planned changes from the studio it will only get better. This is a great play for anyone who enjoys the RTS genre.

Solve puzzles and be asked some of life's grandest relationship questions in Solo, a colorful and contemplative indie title.

Enjoy isometric computer roleplaying at its finest in The Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire, the latest title to deliver RPG players a wholly immersive and satisfying experience away from the tabletop.

Managing a farm is its own reward in Farm Manager 2018, so don’t expect anything beyond that. If that’s what you’re looking for, then this title won’t disappoint.

Ward off ravenous cannibals and... maybe… search for your son in The Forest, a brilliant open-world survival title that really and truly lets you play how you want to play.

Parse your way through a world of ink as Nameless Hero in Inked, an unusually artistic puzzler with remarkable style.

Dead Ground:Arena is another attempt at wave shooting for VR that doesn't do enough to stand out from the crowd. Its arcade-y gameplay can be fun for a little while, but its clunky movement system and poor design choices hold it back from being anything special.

Monster Prom is a dating sim that’s ready to scare away the competition with drop-dead gorgeous art, killer writing, and music that’s to die for.

Conserve your single bullet for the shot that counts in Guilt Battle Arena, a small indie title that boasts frenzied couch co-op arena gameplay.

Slash enemies, puzzle through dungeons, and become the hero of legend in The Swords of Ditto, the innovative indie action RPG clothed in Zelda garb.

Maelstrom navigates seas of endless potential with its ship-based battle royale system. Gorgeous seafaring visuals and deeply satisfying gameplay make this title gloriously promising in its infancy. Maelstrom’s path to success, however, has the potential to be just as perilous as its namesake — either swallowing the title into its vortex or hurling it into stardom.

This light-hearted puzzle adventure is one you can enjoy with a friend. It has unique graphics, a fun storyline, and decent replayability. If you like two-player titles or solving puzzles, then 39 Days to Mars is worth playing.

Make Sail is a beautiful game that initially is calming, but the primary features of the game, which are building and sailing, don’t hold up and swiftly lead to frustration. This may be a title to keep an eye on, but there’s not enough there at present to satisfy for very long.

Dead in Vinland is a seamless genre-melding of resource management and RPG elements. Visually dazzling and complete with a delightful cast of characters, it’s the latest installment of what could be a successful franchise.

While TERRORRHYTHM is a unique medley of the rhythm and beat-em-up genres, the small scope of the title means things get repetitive fast. I’m hard-pressed to recommend this title in its current state — doubly so considering the $22.00 price tag. If you’re a die-hard rhythm game enthusiast, I recommend waiting for the release of a stable version of the game before taking the plunge.

The Council fails at what it should do best: narrative. Poor voice acting, coupled with mere adequacy on every other level, places this title firmly in the wouldn’t-recommend category.

The Adventure Pals is a cartoonish romp with chaotic platforming gameplay that’s as addictive as it is silly. Easy controls and eye-popping art contribute to a candy-sweet experience — one that ultimately leaves you wanting something a little more substantial.

The title offers a difficult and tedious challenge for those looking for one. Unfortunately, it isn’t founded on enough complexity to hold your interest for the long term. Lost In The Dungeon has shown its hand, and unfortunately, it doesn’t contain many strategy, polish, or uniqueness cards.

Tempest Citadel makes large promises and misses the mark on them all. While it’s certainly playable, it’s a frustrating experience that lacks player engagement. The most redeeming part of this title is the original artwork, which may entice the unsuspecting consumer into purchasing a lackluster entry into the already crowded strategy genre.

Equal parts charming and cheeky, Minit plays on a 60-second time mechanic that keeps you hotly anticipating every moment. Nostalgic black-and-white art and straightforward puzzles contribute to Minit’s unique simplicity — a simplicity which, ultimately, is both its strength and its final drawback.

Double Kick Heroes looks like a satanic crossover of Oregon Trail, Guitar Hero, and Left 4 Dead, and it plays like a champ. Fighting zombies while music inspired by legendary metal artists plays in the background is something that doesn’t get old.

If you’re terrified this will be the same experience as all the other entries in the Far Cry franchise, don’t be. You’ll be pleasantly surprised. While there isn’t revolutionary reinvention, Ubisoft Montreal has proven they’re listening to their fans. It’s everything you’d expect, with a ton of extras thrown on top. The destruction of stealth and the infuriatingly inconsistent AI are exceptions, but everything else that has done the series good in the past does it justice once again. The arcade mode alone shows enough potential to produce content far beyond the main campaign. This is a great game that shines a bright future on a once-declining franchise.

Bio Inc. Redemption presents us with a confused tone: part of it wants to be taken seriously as a realistic medical simulator, while other parts seem to be trying to get a cynical laugh with out-of-place gore and sound effects. Still, this title is well polished and the gameplay is interesting (save for the Achilles’ heel of a terrible point management mechanic that destroys the immersion and fun). Flaws in both balance and theme could have been overlooked if not for the inclusion of this one unfortunate element.

At times bland, Exorder can also be fun to play. A lack of reward for any achievements contributes to a sense of no progression, but that's compensated by the complexity you'll find in troop types and maps. In sum, an option to consider if you like turn-based games.

Stormworks: Build and Rescue has everything you look for in a casual (but not too casual) title. It expands on well-worn mechanics to provide a familiar but deep experience. Building is interesting and can be as simple or complicated as you’d like, with the logic system providing a wealth of possibilities. Gameplay is straightforward while still being challenging. It’s great as it stands in Early Access, so you can expect a truly great experience from the final product.

Apocalipsis’ art style complements its gloomy tale incredibly well. While the story is nothing to write home about and the puzzles range from boring and easy to interesting and difficult, the voice acting and visual aesthetic make this title stand out from other point-and-click games. If you’re a fan of games as visual art, check this one out.

A lack of variety in combat, some inevitable grinding, and lowbrow humor are shortfalls (unless you like those things), but it has a good sense of progression. Warriors: Rise to Glory adds a modern spin to a niche that isn’t worn out yet.

Dead Maze is worthwhile. The fact that it’s free makes up for the fact that it looks free. It’s hard to appreciate this game for its art, and while it does suffer from some pretty bad frame rate drops, it’s easy to forgive Dead Maze because it provides a fun, genuinely free-to-play experience that doesn’t require you to pay for in-game currency.

The graphics are realistic, stunning, and immersive. There are some bugs and annoyances, but an upcoming patch will address at least some of those. This is an RPG for those who enjoy a deep, pronounced story with a focus on realism.

Yume Nikki: Dream Diary is a visually faithful recreation of the original Yume Nikki, but beyond that, it falls short. A slew of game-breaking bugs and unintuitive gameplay creates a disappointing experience not worth the asking price.

Mercenary Kings: Reloaded is just as much fun as it was when it released back in 2014. The additions, while not completely game-changing, inject a nice sense of variety into the original. New weapons, characters, and the ability to buy materials encourages players to experiment. Unfortunately, this side-scroller still suffers from repetitiveness when playing for long periods of time, thanks to a lack of mission variety. This is alleviated by the options allowed, making this title a joy to play the whole time.

Battery Jam is a competitive, local multiplayer title where you battle each other on a simple map to claim more tiles than your opponent(s). This is a great option in the genre. It’s simple, fun, and can be played in short periods of time. As long as you have controllers that are compatible with Battery Jam, it runs smoothly, without glitches.

Those looking for alien carnage may want to orbit on past it but fans of sci-fi exploration in space will find in The Station an “out of this world’ experience.  Puzzles and mysteries in an atmospheric setting with an intriguing storyline that delivers, it’s the kind that does not give away goodies from the start. For the patient explorer, a real treat.

Ultimately, Orch Star is a well-made title. You won’t encounter many bugs despite the Early Access sticker on the box, and the graphics are excellently rendered. If your only desire is to watch as a horde of betusked astronauts crush their enemies, this one is for you. Unfortunately, if your desire is to control a horde of betusked astronauts as they crush their enemies, then you will be left with little else to do but point-and-click.

Genital Jousting is a stylish, unique game that doesn’t have the cojones to warrant its current market price. Bringing this game home will leave you feeling cheated and unsatisfied after spending some time in bed with it — but that doesn’t mean it’s a completely lost cause.

This PC release of the 12th title in the mainline Final Fantasy series, originally released for the PS2 in 2006, sees many additions and improvements. Even if you haven't played the console version from back in the days, FFXII: THE ZODIAC AGE is a must-have for all who enjoy JRPG's filled with adventure.

The principal concept of We Were Here Too — having to communicate carefully with a partner — is a fantastic addition to a puzzle title. The in-game chat works excellently and limiting the walkie-talkie to half-duplex forces one player to speak at a time, which can make for incredibly hectic situations. The title is well thought through, but even an initial run is relatively short. However, puzzle fans will be entertained.

The Red Strings Club transports you into a gritty, 1980’s-inspired cyberpunk future to solve a mystery that asks more questions about morality and human nature than it answers. The nostalgic feel isn’t overpowering or gimmicky; rather, the setting could pass as something straight out of the Blade Runner universe, yet maintains its own style and originality. Modern technology is referenced, but the backbone of the plot takes your curiosity for a ride with its fantastical sci-fi elements. Add just a dash of that decades-old pixel art aesthetic, and you have a solid entry into the cyberpunk genre.

If your goal is to never have an interaction beyond your basement, this game delivers. Otherwise, its only function is to give players a few laughs and severe second-hand embarrassment. Alternatively, it could be turned into a drinking game with your buddies: Take a shot every time the camera goes out of focus, the acronym “PUA” is said, or there’s an opportunity to whip Big Richie out.

This slow-paced, emotionally-impactful adventure that is effectively a treasure hunt is suited to gamers who would enjoy being along for the ride in the healing process after a traumatic event. Sentimentality and patience are advised, as you won't find any exploding helicopters here; merely a quirky, imperfect meandering through the struggles that go along with loneliness that will be largely successful in making you feel satisfyingly sad.

They Are Billions isn’t your father’s RTS. Sure, you still build a base and armies, but you don’t use them to go out and conquer your enemies. Instead, you minimax your way through, clinging to survival as “billions” of zombies assault your colony.

This light-hearted visual novel is the equivalent of indulging in a giant piece of chocolate cake. You know it's not what your doctor would recommend; it's mostly empty calories. But nevertheless, it looks amazing, the rush from the sugar is pleasing, and you enjoy every single bite.

Odysseus Kosmos and his Robot Quest is a charming title and a solid first entry into an episodic series. The old school pixel graphics and humorous banter give the game a human touch, while it gets hurts by dialogue that feels long winded at times. As a narrative-driven point-and-click the story is paramount, and while the puzzles are interesting there isn’t much character development or narrative so far. Just enough to keep you hanging on for further episodes.

For the past year, battle royale games have seen a huge spike in popularity. Games like H1Z1: King of the Kill, PLAYERUNKNOWN'S BATTLEGROUNDS(known by many as PUBG), and The Culling have led the charge for a genre that is shaping up to have a very bright future. However, there is are issues that many players face with these games. Most battle royale games are either locked behind a paywall, are too graphic intensive for the average PC, or a mixture of both.

Rather than try and make a quick buck out of cheap thrills, Dynamic Pixels and tinyBuild took the popular trope of hide-and-seek horror and twisted it into something new and creative.  There is a great game buried here, as long as the development studio fixes the problems currently plaguing Hello Neighbor...  And if they can manage to really polish it, then the horror genre has much innovation to offer.

Controls are often not as responsive as you’d hope, and evidence of “flat gaming” roots abounds, but Fallout 4 VR brought the entirety of the massive, content-rich adventure, with hundreds of hours of gameplay, to VR, and it did so with little in the way of graphical compromise. No other virtual reality title is as technically advanced, and almost none offer the value for money found here, either. Bethesda has set the standard for future AAA VR.

Genetic Disaster is a great action-packed multiplayer that generates enough maps and monsters to keep you and your friends entertained as you accidentally kill each other. You can play as single player, but with its strategic depth the real fun comes from players battling it out.

TARTARUS is a unique concept in that it makes computer puzzles come alive with realistic representations, where most titles try to make abstract mini games out of “hacking.” The plot and overall horror atmosphere don’t come together, however. Overall, this is a solid attempt at making light programming puzzles interesting, but more work needs to be done in this area before we see a title that is truly free of tedium.

Medieval Kingdom Wars is a live action RTS with a heavy emphasis on siege battles. Despite added features it feels like a reskinned Medieval Total War 2, although the developers promise a new look at the RTS genre. In their defense, they have been great at updating Medieval Kingdom Wars and incorporating player suggestions, so it’s worth keeping an eye on as it continues through early access before its full release in mid 2018.

Steamburg needs more polishing to be player-friendly, being too buggy and clumsy in its current state. But even if these problems were addressed, Steamburg would merely be a predictable puzzle adventure with lacklustre visuals, a stereotypical storyline, and uninspired puzzles.

The Rome II: Empire Divided DLC is the standard Total War that we all know and love. There are no huge surprises and for the most part, mechanics added do a good job at immersing you into the Third Century and a Roman Empire fallen into chaos. Banditry isn’t all that noteworthy but Cults are fun and thematic. In sum, if you can’t get enough of Total War give this one a try.

Mare Nostrvm is an excellent game with a keen sense of balance between all the mechanics at work. Skirmish and Multiplayer modes give tons of replay value to an already great game. For historical enthusiasts or naval buffs, Mare Nostrvm is one you’ll want to look into. Turn-based tactically rich naval combat offers hours of entertaining and historically informative gameplay.

Welcome to the ARENA.... GODS, a title where you use anything and everything at your disposal to beat, slice, smash, stab, and pummel your way to victory. There are no fancy controls or tech skills you need to learn to be proficient at this game: you run, you attack, you roll. Sometimes you win; more often than not, you die. There is nothing keeping you playing in terms of story — because it does not have one — and while the gameplay is simple and fun, it is still simple, meaning that once you have played a few matches, you have experienced all that the Early Access title has to offer.

If there’s one takeaway from Guns’n’Stories: Bulletproof VR, it’s that you don’t need to be a AAA studio to develop an entertaining wave-shooter with solid production values. Guns’n’Stories doesn’t have the largest amount of content, and its two-handed weapons could use some fine-tuning, but the quality and experience, especially for the price, makes this title easy to recommend.

Even though combat is a tad repetitive and the freedom to explore and deviate from the linear progression lacking, WORLD OF FINAL FANTASY remains enjoyable. The multitude of mirages to collect and features like "stacking" add much value to gameplay, with the Coliseum and Tearoom going a step further by providing additional battles to tackle. If you’re a fan of RPGs or of the franchise, you’ll want to get this release.

Isn't it great? Party Hard Tycoon, developed by Pinokle Games, allows you to create, decorate, plan, run, over-hype, and manage your own themed parties. The themes range across the board — really — from a Vodka party to a Zoo Party. They even have themes for gamers, too, complete with arcade cabinets to fill your venue.

Battlerite provides fast paced, beautiful combat with a litany of combos and movesets across its cast. You are given a great toolset to freely explore various playstyles to determine which you prefer the most — or with which you’re mostly successful.

With Sonic and Mario in the spotlight again, Bubsy takes another swipe at being a lovable mascot, but doesn’t succeed in capturing the same sentiment. Ultimately, Bubsy: The Woolies Strike Back (Bubsy), the platforming game, arrives as the two-decades-too-late 5th entry in the series. Despite excellent controls, the title does not overcome some of its more pressing shortcomings, such as level design, resulting in a sub-par gaming experience.

Educating the public about mental illness is important, but a problem inherent in accurately portraying depression is that, well, it isn't fun to be depressed. Indygo skillfully builds a gloomy atmosphere: The voice acting, music, black and white art style, and narrative all work together to convey the disconnection and emptiness a person suffering from depression can feel. You may come away with a better understanding of depression by playing, but if you're looking for entertainment along with your education, you will be disappointed.

Bomber Crew is a rich strategy sim that gets you into the action quickly. The low poly art style will make more bearable the tremendous death of your crew’s airmen, as your plane falls to pieces around them. As for the repetitive nature of missions, it will either become old hat, or, a necessary grind to get the most out of your plane and deal head on with the game's growing difficulty.

A neat tool, VNMaker makes it easy to tell a story and share it with friends. It boasts a wide variety of features and several options for creating anything from a short romance in the classroom to a full-fledged RPG. The interface is intuitive and sleek, and the program itself is fun and easy to use.

Mushroom Wars 2 is a wonderful title to play and an amazing competition to watch. There’s so much to talk about, anticipate, and be surprised by, that you should expect this title to live on for many, many years. The developers have been truly successful of creating the tools for a competitive player to use — and then getting the hell out of the way; Zillion Whales leaves us with a trendsetting, unrivaled masterpiece, and then lets us play it the way we want to play it.

Ayo shares with its audience a sincere message encapsulated by game, and continues the progression we have seen recently of video games used as a vehicle beyond the immediate capacity for ‘interactive entertainment.’ Despite a clunky camera and some problematic puzzles, this platformer boats a solid foundation, with promise of several hours of enlightening fun.

ELEX is an ode to fans of Gothic and Risen, and fans will most likely be satisfied. How detailed the title is makes it clear: Piranha Bytes isn’t trying to cash in on an aging franchise.  That being said, the issues cannot be brushed aside. It’s been nearly two decades since the studio published its first game, Gothic I, and what plagued the earlier titles plagues ELEX as well. And that, is a problem.

Hand of Fate 2 brings the greatest strengths of its predecessor back in this sequel. Innovative gameplay combines action RPG combat with roguelike progression and deckbuilding, and small quality of life issues in the controls do little to detract from the masterful storytelling of this title.

In this debut beat ‘em up from Deadbeat Productions, chunky graphics mix with smooth mechanics. Add a layer of cheesy one-liners, sandwiched between saucy superheroes and crusty villains. You hold something tasty and classically-inspired in your hands, if perhaps a little unexceptional. It’s not Disneyland’s Monte Christo, but an enjoyable BLT.

Total War: Warhammer 2 is one of the greatest real-time strategy games made to this date. And this is entirely because of the rock-solid and fully-earned reputation that Creative Assembly has built for itself over seventeen years and over fifteen Total War real-time strategy combat games. If you care about strategy, this isn't just a game, it is the game.