Analyst mauronl has shared Devolver Digital’s 2024 investor highlights, revealing lifetime revenue of their top ten major IPs. Aussie-made Cult of the Lamb leads the bunch with over $US90M! Devolver now plans to double down on hit IPs with sequels, DLC, and definitive editions, while shifting to smaller third-party budgets and developing for Switch 2 after strong success on the original.

I’ll say it: it’s not bad. Shadows won’t win any gamedesign awards, but it’s fun. Looks gorgeous and actually tries a couple of bold things (for Ubisoft standards), but gets lost in its own systems and identity at times. Feels like a noble swing at evolving the series, but ends up more empty than inspired - it’s impossible to ignore how far behind this type of design is. Still, there’s fun to be had, beautiful visuals to behold, and I respect the effort.

I love everything about KCD2. It’s a rich, grounded RPG that pulls you right in with incredible worldbuilding, smart writing, and deeply satisfying systems. At every turn, you can sense it’s something made with genuine passion, not boardroom metrics. It won’t be for everyone - I’m not sure it’s even for me - but for what it’s trying to do, it’s perfect.

My search for a monster-hunting game I actually enjoy, regrettably, continues. Clearly, plenty of people love the heavy, sluggish movement and combat - some might even like the characters and story. But for me, everything is just too hard in all the wrong ways. The difficulty itself is fine, but every action feels like wading through mud: the sheer effort required to do anything - progress quests, rush through lifeless dialogue, and of course the combat - are just draining, not engaging. And, like always with this franchise, hunting feels more like an endurance test than an actual thrill.

Die in the Dungeon is a fresh roguelike deckbuilder that trades cards for dice, aiming to combine strengths of strategy with unpredictability of randomness. The charming art and unique mechanics make for a compelling experience, but early-game monotony and balance issues hold it back a bit. Runs are looong too, so you gotta be up for that. Lots of potential, though, and absolutely worth playing.

Genome Guardian is a roguelite turret shooter with a genetic spin. Build wild weapon combos like explosive shotguns or rapid-fire lasers as enemies evolve alongside you. Customisation is relatively deep, gameplay is frenetic, and the pacing is moreish. A creative, chaotic gem, great for quick sessions.

Caves of Qud is a deep, richly imaginative roguelike seemingly built on the foundations of Dwarf Fortress; embracing systemic - almost unimaginable - depth, emergent storytelling, and fantastic worldbuilding. Its dense systems and open-ended design are incredible - ambition and creativity unmatched. It’s a game I deeply admire, but its steep learning curve and sheer complexity mostly keep me at arm’s length personally. I wish I had the brain for it, but for now I’ll enjoy hearing others stories that come out of it.

A worthy sequel to the original, expanding its oppressive, atmospheric world with stunning detail. Slow, deliberate pacing rewards careful exploration and strategy. A love letter to fans of the series, blending nostalgia with modern mechanics for a deeply immersive survival shooter. Not free of jank, but if you’re up for its pacing, you’re set for dozens or even hundreds of hours of apocalyptic adventure.

[Early access] Path of Exile 2 is a bold next step for the ARPG genre. With intricate - at times overwhelming - buildcrafting, refined combat, and a robust, creative endgame, it’s a rich, engrossing experience. Classes feel well defined, more deliberate combat is rewarding, and its dark atmosphere, boss fights and drive for one-more-map keep you hooked. It’s going to be great to watch this develop toward full release.

SULFUR is a roguelite extraction shooter that offers surprisingly tight gunplay, inventive weapon customisation and an awesome, striking artstyle. Though not everything fully clicks, it’s a fun, amusing and engaging experience that oozes passion and creativity. It’s just super cool.