DeVuego

Roaming Tormentosa, dipping back into the fair hub, and slowly powering up your guns and health never stopped being satisfying. Strong audio and visuals pull it all together into a campaign I was happy to finish, and immediately dive back in for another run.

Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound is a focused 2D action title from The Game Kitchen and Dotemu. Tight swordplay and the guillotine jump form the core of combat, while Kumori’s pact adds ranged moves and a screen-clearing Ragebound attack. Boss fights demand full use of your kit, and altars let Kumori run timed platform trials that test timing. Collectibles such as skulls and scarabs feed a talisman shop and a rank system that rewards replay. Pixel art and a rock-cinematic soundtrack back the action, and cutscenes are polished. With its solid run time, the game offers an exceptional mix of challenge and accessibility.

Blades of Fire shakes up the usual action RPG formula with its sharp directional combat and weapon crafting that actually matters. The controls take some time to click, but once they do, the gameplay really hits its stride.

As you reach the end of your pulse-pounding journey through the oppressive 18th century monastery, The Stone of Madness leaves a lasting impression with its captivating blend of narrative depth, tactical stealth gameplay, and striking visual artistry.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutants Unleashed offers a nostalgic experience for fans of the franchise, blending classic beat-'em-up gameplay with modern visuals. The game draws inspiration from the recent animated film, TMNT: Mutant Mayhem, which helps create a familiar yet fresh atmosphere.

My family had a blast playing PJ Masks Power Heroes: Mighty Alliance. From the accessible gameplay for kids to the superb voice-acting and presentation to the large variety of mission types, this is the dream PJ Masks video game this popular franchise deserves.

If you enjoyed the first Blasphemous then you will definitely enjoy the sequel as there's a lot to love here. From the nice variety in weapons, abilities and loadouts to the well-designed map to the pristine presentation, everything here is on point. I would have liked a bit more risk-taking with the formula and a smoother difficulty ramp-up, but those are minor complaints for what's otherwise a polished Metroidvania that fans of the genre absolutely should check out.

Peppa Pig: World Adventures is an easy recommendation for parents that have kids into this popular series. Its wonderful presentation will have your young ones thinking they're playing an interactive TV show featuring their favourite loveable pig family. The streamlined gameplay and greater emphasis on education this time around are both welcome pluses. It's too bad some of the original voice actors don't reprise their roles here, but the soundalikes do a decent enough job. The best part about this latest Peppa game is my son's ability to play it all on his own, which is surprisingly rare among kids' games.

Do Not Open delivers on its escape room horror promise with cleverly designed puzzles that are fun and challenging to solve. Combined with its spooky story and high-quality environmental visuals, there's enough here to make a solid recommendation to horror fans. One caveat though: depending on your budget, its $24.99 price tag may be a little steep considering the game's length, so you might want to hold out for a sale.

Alfred Hitchcock – Vertigo is a fantastic narrative adventure worthy of the Hitchcock license. Pendulo Studios has created a chilling thriller layered with captivating themes told through characters oozing with personality. If you're looking for a story-focused title that'll keep your attention from the beginning straight through to the shocking finale, this is the game for you.

If you're looking for a neat indie horror game to play over the weekend, Oxide Room 104 delivers a satisfying experience. It's not a long game—you can beat it in about two hours—but with four endings and multiple remixes of the hotel there's plenty of replayability. I especially enjoyed the escape room puzzles and thought the majority of them offered a good challenge. If horror puzzles are your thing, don't hesitate to pick up this refreshing adventure.

Song of Horror isn't the most graphically-impressive horror game I've played in recent years, but it does deliver where it matters most: intense, unrelenting terror. I'm a big fan of classic third-person horror titles so this game definitely spoke to me and made me pine for more retro titles in the same vein. If you like Resident Evil or Silent Hill don't hesitate to check out this Lovecraftian nightmare.

I have to say though, despite all its flaws, I did have a basic level of enjoyment playing Dawn of Fear. Probably that has much to do with nostalgia than anything else as I couldn’t help but imagine Resident Evil the whole way through. If you’re like me and have been pining for a new classic horror fix — and can handle a game rough around the edges — then this game might just fill the void.