Neil Bolt

“A largely straightforward motorsport management game with a distinct visual style, Golden Lap manages to offer tactical race simulation with off-the-track drama in a minimalist package. It may not satisfy hardcore petrolheads, but for slightly more relaxed race enjoyers, it's a fine sim experience.”

“LISA: Definitive Edition sees two games deserving of a new audience, even if they haven't aged all that well in places.”

“A competent, yet underwhelming Prince of Persia-inspired puzzle platformer. Its good looks will get it far, but its shallow personality won't be bringing you back.”

“An entertaining, emotional journey through the health care system that hides some darker edges within its brightly-colored style. Fall of Porcupine doesn't ride the wave of good feeling it generates early on for the entire length of its playtime, but it does have enough heart and good intentions to make its issues feel smaller than they are.”

“The murder mystery puzzler makes the jump to PlayStation as Capcom successfully revives Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective. Captivating characters, an engrossing mystery, and inventive puzzles ensure Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective's appeal is alive and well in 2023.”

“If Crime Boss: Rockay City pulled off even one part of its package, it'd be passable. In reality, it doesn't do a whole lot of anything right. So we're left with a lot of wasted potential and a game that is about as pleasant and exciting of an experience as being stuck in a lift with Kevin Sorbo.”

“The addition of 12 underplayed Game Gear Sonic titles and a playable Amy Rose are more than welcome in this beefed up version of Sonic Origins.”

“Greyhill incident is an unpleasant and downright laughable attempt at a sci-fi survival horror game. Rancid dialogue, shonky game design, wafer-thin substance, and a complete lack of cohesive storytelling are just the tip of a very large iceberg of problems.”

“We Love Katamari ReRoll continues to spread the word of this wonderful series to a fresh audience. Tongue-in-cheek meta jabs at itself and a greater focus on what makes the King of All Cosmos tick just adds extra flavor.”

“An underwhelming PSVR 2 port of a PSVR gem, Budget Cuts Ultimate manages to scrape by on its fun factor and tense stealth.”

“Killer Frequency is a refreshing puzzle adventure under the guise of an 80s slasher flick. Its flirtation with real-time life-or-death decision-making serves to keep it an interesting and varied horror experience.”

“Much like the evolution of trains in Railway Empire 2's history-spanning campaign, the game itself has learned lessons from the original and forged ahead with a stronger outing all around. While it has a compelling competitive edge to it, the game is best when things are serene.”

“What begins as a charming, simple puzzler grows and evolves into something special. Humanity is one of the best puzzle games I've played in quite some time.”

“No One Lives Under the Lighthouse is an atmospheric horror tale that takes its time in sharing its dread-inducing world and all the horrors contained within it.”

“In terms of production values and writing, Mia and the Dragon Princess is a standout in Wales Interactive's FMV-inspired run of games. Unfortunately, it stumbles around its branching narrative device and the story's pacing and structure can suffer the consequences.”

“Silly, surreal, unsettling, and quietly effective at delivering its message. Smile For Me's abstract nature can be a barrier, but breaking through it will allow you to experience a very distinct adventure.”

“My feelings on Teslagrad 2 are simply disappointment. It's a fairly solid Metroidvania with some frustrating moments and a vagueness that rubbed me the wrong way at times. It's undeniably beautiful to watch in action, and that helps carry it across the line.”

“Ash of Gods: The Way is a compelling card battler RPG with a visual style and story that carries the game through its later lulls.”

“On the surface, Varney Lake is just more of the Pixel Pulp adventure we got from the excellent Mothmen: 1966. Yet Varney Lake's story of childhood interrupted by a chance encounter with a vampire is a more captivating one.”

“It's a shame Bramble: The Mountain King has such frustrating level design drawbacks because it undercuts a beautifully dark and disturbing fable. It's not doing a whole lot as a game that helps it stick out either, but the narrative structure behind it rescues it from the clutches of true disappointment.”