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Rogue Snail's Hell Clock is a detailed and gorgeous new roguelite ARPG that equally leverages Brazilian history and deep gameplay systems.

Releasing an appropriate amount of time after Elden Ring’s Shadow of the Erdtree DLC was the right move, as Deathbound can't really go toe-to-toe with the greats. Still, anyone with a tolerance for jank and an interest in the game’s new ideas should come away satisfied, even while recognizing that this pluckiness only takes it so far. Deathbound is an indie soulslike through and through, a scrappy moonshot with some interesting tweaks on the genre, and a satisfying depth of lore to boot. Its flaws hold it back, but that shouldn’t distract from its enjoyable character-switching combat and overall gumption.

Any lover of intricate puzzles and unique game mechanics would be able to appreciate the clever approach that The Lullaby of Life takes for stimulating the brain. Its peaceful tranquility make it a wonderful form of cozy relaxation, with the only caveat being for people with severe depression to be mindful of their mental health in portions. The story, colors, puzzles, and, of course, the music in The Lullaby of Life are excellent in their craft and deserve to be appreciated.

Roots of Pacha doesn't entirely reinvent the wheel when it comes to the simulation genre, but it puts an interesting enough spin on things that it still manages to feel like a breath of fresh air compared to a typical farming title. The style is charming and the emphasis it puts on community truly makes progress feel more rewarding than usual, and creative use of the prehistoric setting makes for a world that's easy to want to keep coming back to. Roots of Pacha is equal parts engaging and relaxing, and is a great option for any players looking to experience a new twist on a well-trodden formula.

Because its fighting is more technically advanced in the hopes of reaching the competitive community, the game unfortunately alienates its casual playerbase, leaving it in a weird middleground. Overall, Nickelodeon’s All-Star Brawl 2 is a fun platform fighter, but it's severely lacking any competitive edge.

Ultimately there is nothing mind-blowing about Horizon Chase 2, but there also really isn't anything negative either. The only drawback is that there isn't more of it, as the game is pretty quick to complete at roughly eight hours for the entire World Tour unless played on high difficulties that make it harder to progress. Horizon Chase 2 simply feels like a fun game that is perfect at giving a nostalgic feel of a 90s arcade racer, but with much better graphics to smooth it out.

Overall, Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider is an awful lot of fun. Those who appreciate the platforming games of yore will get a nostalgia kick that feels very close to those older titles, with some subtle tweaks to make things more playable. It may not be a game with a lot of longevity, but what's here is very enjoyable.

Sometimes a game that just misses the mark on really coming together is still worth playing thanks to the parts of it that go above and beyond. Aztech Forgotten Gods is a game with a great central gimmick and a good core story, both of which are more than worth experiencing even if, as a whole, it just isn’t quite able to coalesce. It's just a shame that the promise of its best facets isn't deliver on when it falters on some of the more basic elements of its design.

This chase-and-reprieve dynamic makes for a well-paced campaign which should take most players 12 hours or so to complete. The Eternal Cylinder makes for a tricky game to conveniently classify, and the mix of survival, exploration, platforming, puzzle, and action elements does sometimes collide with its clumsy and slippery controls. Adjustable difficulty settings are welcoming, but even on default mode there’s a generosity of checkpointing and saves, and rarely is an attempt punished too harshly; plus, when the permanent mutation system is later unlocked, it feels practically game-breaking. Warts and all, The Eternal Cylinder remains an accessible oddball adventure of one-of-a-kind sights.

Greak is yet another great Metroidvania that manages to make the genre feel fresh and empowering. While the world of this story is dark, the feeling players are left with is one of joy, and its well-paced runtime leaves room for both a sequel and replay value. Ultimately, the most disappointing part of Greak: Memories of Azur is that it ended at all, and it's a must-play for anyone who finds the genre intriguing.

Cris Tales embraces the old model of JRPGs, making it feel like a well-worn experience for seasoned fans of the genre. All of the charm, whimsy, and innocence of Final Fantasy and The Legend Of Zelda ooze throughout the game’s setting and characters, but Crisbell’s time powers provide a fun new spin on the classic turn-based combat. Cris Tales isn’t that difficult either, making it a good choice for beginners looking to get into turn-based RPGs.               

Overall G.I. Joe: Operation Blackout is a mixed bag. Devotees will enjoy its general feel and a dedication to matching the tone of the property, but as a game it does leave something to be desired. It's certainly not the worst G.I. Joe game, but there's definitely more that can be done with the franchise.

The level of detail Per Aspera provides for players, as well as pleasing visuals, voice acting, and storylines, are what really makes the Martian city simulator worth playing. Per Aspera’s gameplay experience could be improved upon with a clearer tutorial, objectives, and less complicated data collection, but what's here is enough to make it a compelling experience nonetheless. Certainly, anyone with city building experience looking for more will be quite pleased, but those new to the genre still might find something of value in Per Aspera's take on a tried-and-true archetype.

From the onset, The Signifier presents itself as something wholly different. Both the game and its central character have the lofty goal of interpreting dreams and memories in a visually interesting way. There are puzzles that utilize this concept well, and encounters that showcase just how daunting the creation of an AI dream-machine would be, but they are few and far between. The overall pacing and the moment-to-moment gameplay require far too much commitment for the average player. There's a great version of The Signifier out there, imagined deep in someone's dreams - but we'll just have to settle for the real thing.

Ultimately, Hellbound isn't going to leave a sour taste in any player's mouth, but that's only because it leaves no taste at all. It's a bland retread of a bygone era of gaming that has no understanding of why people want to return to it. Hellbound carelessly mashes up concepts and mechanics with no thought and no craft, creating an end product that's serviceable only because of the strength of its foundation. Fighting demons with a shotgun is fun. It always was fun, and it always will be fun, and there's nothing wrong with Hellbound's interpretation of that. It's just that there are a thousand other games that do all this so much better, so it's hard to see why anyone would pick up this particular shotgun.

Multiplayer will likely be the most popular feature of Rock of Ages 3: Make & Break. The single-player experience, while entertaining, can sometimes feel rather generic compared to the customization available when building challenging maps. In multiplayer, players can spend hours making courses to challenge others and attempting to break their friends' courses, and, with five different modes, the possibilities for competition are virtually limitless. This game will undoubtedly be best enjoyed among friends, but Rock of Ages 3: Make & Break offers an enjoyable experience to both groups and those looking to hit a few high notes with a well-timed solo.

Neither its characters nor its circuits are enough to save Renzo Racer. There are some fundamental flaws in the way the game plays, and these are impossible to overcome for even the most endearing of casts. As such, it’s unlikely that Renzo Racer is going to be much of a home for anyone.