This Ain’t Even Poker, Ya Joker is a vibrant, fast-paced idle, incremental kind-of-deckbuilder with punchy progression, stylish visuals, and a clever twist on poker mechanics. Lasting 5-8 hours, it’s a focused, satisfying experience that doesn’t overstay its welcome. The VFX/SFX and constant ‘number goes up’ feedback make it a true serotonin dispenser, and after only a short time with it, I finally understood pokies boomers.

Possessor(s) left me conflicted. Its art direction, soundtrack, and emotionally resonant story are all excellent, but the metroidvania fundamentals don’t always support them. Unclear maps, awkward traversal, and not-particularly-satisfying combat sequences weigh down an experience that otherwise shows a lot of care and ambition. Feels like had it had a bit more time, this could have been something great. Worth a look for fans of the genre (or studio) though!

Dispatch nails the Telltale-style revival with sharp writing, heartfelt characters, and standout voice acting. The combination of superhero satire and dispatch management is surprisingly compelling, with striking visuals and a soundtrack that lands every beat. The episodic format, I think, was smart - because you definitely have to be in the mood for a session of this type of game, so medium-sized bursts fits well. Won’t be for everyone, but a great addition to the genre.

Skate Story is a moody, tightly-controlled skating experience that leans hard on atmosphere and flow. The skating feels weighty but precise, the premise and art is inspired, and the soundtrack does a huge amount of emotional lifting. Not a deep trick sandbox like Tony Hawk - more a short, vibey art piece that peaks in its linear flow sequences, and when everything clicks, it’s genuinely special.

Some may ask why the absurd incremental/clicker Tingus Goose exists at all - what is this? Who made this, and why? And yet, in its honking chaos and wilful grotesquery, the answer becomes self-evident. It rejects polish and restraint, favouring curiosity and excess instead. Creation becomes ritual, repetition becomes comfort, and the absurd reveals itself as essential. It’s fun. Honk.

A moody, folklore-soaked strategy deckbuilder where battles play out on grid, so positioning matters as much as your draw. You explore distinct regions, craft loads of cards from enemy materials, and swap archetypes as each biome pushes different mechanics. It’s tough-but-fair with low death penalty, and the pixel art and soundscape absolutely rule. Really cool.

[Early Access] Moonlighter 2 has a ripper loop: roguelite runs, clever backpack loot puzzles, then price-discovery shopkeeping that funds a forest of upgrades. Combat can feel chunky and rewarding, and the 3D worlds this time around really pop, but balance and QoL could do with some love. Definitely worth a look though, and if you liked the first one, it’s a no-brainer.

I’ve wanted to get into an extraction shooter for ages, but nothing has landed in my sweet spot of complexity: they’re either exhausting in how convoluted they are, or so watered down they feel pointless. ARC Raiders finally hits the middle ground. Its world is genuinely absorbing, with visual and sound design that’s freakishly immersive, and a sandbox allowing for endless emergent moments that make it hard to put down. I’m too old for competitive shooters, but the balance, pacing, economy, and community (so far) here give this one a feel I can actually settle into - and it’s turning out to be something pretty special.

BALL x PIT sidesteps any potential roguelite fatigue by folding in new systems and surprising, satisfying fusions. Just when you think you’ve seen it all, it drops another major game-changer. Addictive, stylish and most importantly, super fun - very impressive.

Ghost of Yōtei is big, bloody, and beautiful - refining Tsushima’s formula rather than reinventing it. Exploration is richer, stealth more precise, the world obviously gorgeous. It’s polished and fun enough to keep me hooked through to the end - indeed, there’s a lot to love - but the familiar openworld rhythms are definitely feeling a little weary. It’s a strong execution, but tinged with a melancholy sense that the formula is wearing thin.