Robert Purchese

“Inkle mixes archive-surfing and audio drama to create a surprisingly powerful story of obsession and a machine.”

“The Chinese Room has managed to make something from a box of inherited parts, but this action RPG feels hollow and functional, and is only redeemed by some stellar performances from the characters and cast.”

“Baby Steps walks a fine line between frustration and accomplishment to provide a walking simulator and climbing experience quite unlike anything else.”

“The Alters achieves something tense and new by merging strategy base-building with third-person exploration and a sci-fi story about cloning yourself. But repetition and complicated busywork mar the overall effect.”

“A zany, knockabout co-op action adventure that's kaleidoscopically colourful but wears you out before you get to the good stuff.”

“Knights in Tight Spaces expands on every part of the Fights in Tight Spaces' template, but an abundance of new ideas swamps the clarity the original game had.”

“What Avowed lacks in gloss it makes up for with charm, depth and a playful heart. It's one of this year's most pleasant surprises.”

“With a new found sense of tension, and showpiece Contract missions, Citizen Sleeper is transformed. This follow-up has improved the RPG formula in every way.”

“A fantasy role-playing game of astonishing spectacle. This is the best Dragon Age, and perhaps BioWare, has ever been.”

“A sequel that takes the thrilling cold-survival city-building heart of Frostpunk and evolves it in every way, while losing none of what made the series so special to begin with.”

“It starts with a bump, but played the right way, V Rising offers riches few other crafting survival games can match.”

“Mechanically, Life Eater uses a diary-based puzzle system in some really interesting ways, but it struggles to say anything meaningful about the shock-factor setting it's gone for.”

“This time it's Hades that Shiny Shoe's game feels similar to, but with some delicious differences that make this roguelike stand out all on its own.”

“A gentle adventure into a family's secrets that's nicely crafted but over before it really begins.”

“A gentle and unusual building game that's memorable but missing some purpose.”

“Lurking behind a dated exterior is a limited but sophisticated RPG with a unique setting and some memorable new ideas.”

“The Invincible is a spectacular adaptation of Stanisław Lem's book, but it's limited in terms of what you can do in it, and the impact on the story you have.”

“An unforgettable story of desperation and hope in beautiful, gruesome, plague-ridden 14th Century France.”

“Dome Keeper merges digging and base defence but struggles to make either a success in their own right.”

“An interactive movie that tells a memorable story of human choices.”