Frostpunk 2 expands on the original’s brutal city-building survival beyond it’s citybuilding roots into grander strategy. The increased scale and deeper political mechanics make it more complex but just as engrossing. For me, a little overwhelming, and you definitely have to be in the mood, but it’s undeniably cool. Loooove the music, sound design, art, visual and UI design.

The Plucky Squire is wildly a charming adventure that seamlessly transitions between 2D storybook worlds and 3D environments. Its vibrant art style and inventive mechanics make puzzle-solving a joy, carried along by the whimsical and engaging narrative. Can tell lots of heart and soul went into this one, and it makes for a delightful experience which doesn’t outstay its welcome.

At first glance, Dungeons & Degenerate Gamblers feels inspired by Balatro (but for blackjack), but it’s important to note that it was announced first. While the concept is creative and compelling, I struggled with dense card and mechanic descriptions - an area where Balatro excels in succinct clarity. Very cool and indeed fun, but sometimes overwhelming.

Black Myth: Wukong is a crazy impressive, visually stunning action RPG rooted in Chinese mythology. It’s not a soulslike, and it’s not entirely a boss-rush either. Combat is fluid, satisfying, sometimes challenging. The enemy variety is wild, and the boss designs are compelling. The narrative is engaging, the overall atmosphere and world-building are captivating. Remarkable achievement for a studios first big game.

Mika and the Witch’s Mountain feels like a love letter to Ghibli and Wind Waker, with its whimsical world, light-hearted atmosphere and gameplay. As a rookie witch, you’ll deliver packages to quirky townsfolk, zipping around on your broom through the charming art style. It’s not without flaws, but being short and sweet, they’re relatively easy to overlook. The simplicity won’t be for everyone, but if you’re up for a cosy Sunday, definitely give it a go.

Valve makes games! Initially kept under wraps via an invite-only system, Deadlock blends MOBA elements with shooter mechanics: its fast-paced, lane-based gameplay combines elements from the likes of Dota and Overwatch and is immediately compelling. While still in very early development, the game shows immense promise: everything already feels great and the setting, tone and aesthetic are super cool.

[Early Access] Cataclismo drew me in with its super slick visual design, and continued to impress with its unique blend of tower defence and survival mechanics set against a dark, atmospheric world. The strategic depth in building and defending kept me intrigued - albeit oftentimes feeling a bit smoothbrained - and the haunting visuals and challenging gameplay should appeal to fans of the genre.

ONE BTN BOSSES is a clever, hyper minimalist boss rush game where timing is everything. The one-button mechanic makes it super accessible, but it can get pretty challenging too - if a bit frustrating at times. A unique concept that’s fun in short bursts but might not hold attention for long sessions.

shapez 2 builds on the original’s addictive factory automation with more complexity, creativity and a new third dimension. The introduction of 3D shapes and an upgraded tech tree adds fresh layers of challenge and progression. If you’re into optimisation/factory games, it might just be a must-play.

A quirky romp through a surreal Yorkshire town, Thank Goodness You’re Here! is a funny and absurd little gem. Silly, authentic British humour, great voice acting and super clean art style carry the otherwise mostly-on-rails puzzling - which never feels tiresome. The characters are charmingly bizarre, the world is lovingly crafted, and there’s even a couple of nods to their previous game The Good Time Garden. Ripper game… or should I say, it’s reyt good!