DeVuego

A superb remake of Metroid II and the best 2D entry since Super Metroid, that doesn’t compromise at all in terms of challenge, complexity, or atmosphere.

Metroid Dread is a culmination of everything the series has been up to this point but afterwards it needs to evolve into something genuinely new. Whether that will be Metroid Prime 4, or if the first person games will continue to be regarded more as spin-offs, remains to be seen but if this is a send off for the 2D Metroid games as a whole then it’s the best one anyone could’ve asked for.

The best portable Castlevania for years and a more than equal follow-up to Lords Of Shadow – not to mention one of the best-looking games so far on the 3DS.

Worldless, with its Metroidvania exploration, cleverly unique battles, and gloriously understated music and good looks is a singular experience. The level of challenge is exceptionally well pitched and while its elegant simplicity and confidently layered sense of mystery may not appeal to everyone, it provides a truly memorable few hours of entertainment for those open to its idiosyncratic charms.

A thoroughly entertaining and highly playable Metroidvania, that goes beyond being a simple retro homage and offers some memorable gameplay twists and storytelling surprises.

Once you get past They Are Billions’ multiple barriers to entry, and start to dig into its complexities for yourself, you’ll discover a fabulously complex and challenging game that’s not afraid to test you. For the right sort of masochist, it’ll be the start of dozens of hours of joyous yet cautious experimentation.

A significant improvement on the original and undoubtedly the best 2D Soulslike game so far, with a macabre and imaginative style all of its own.

A fun restatement of the Ninja Gaiden 2D formula, that is just complex enough to engage both new and old fans, while being surprisingly accessible in terms of its difficulty level.

A well executed and impressively detailed mix of Metroidvania exploration, Soulslike combat, and role-playing style customisation that’s marred only by its demanding controls.

It’s rare to criticise a game for being too long, but some judicious editing could have turned this long-needed reboot into a real God Of War beater.

A stunning visual achievement and a mediocre Metroidvania but despite that unevenness this is still an affecting interactive journey with real emotional resonance.

A solid reworking of a brutal but characterful retro platform game, which offers a fascinating insight into the earliest days of the genre.

After being generally disappointed with this summer’s crop of iOS and Android games Nihilumbra shows how a small, inexperienced developer can deliver a game experience that is far more interesting than many home console games.What it lacks in polish Nihilumbra makes up for in spirit. Much like Born himself it would rather risk all to explore and experiment than endure any more mundane existence.

Better looking than many a retail game and with only a little more variety it could've been a 2D classic.

The sequel Groundhog Day never had comes with a similarly redemptive ark, a witty script, and some mini-games that should never have seen the light of day.

An absurdly generic Dark Souls clone whose general competence is all the more frustrating for the fact that it refuses to come up with a single new idea of its own.

A simple but enjoyable party game that’s very easy to pick up and play with friends – and a considerably better video game than last year’s WWE 2K20.

The cinematic atmosphere is highly impressive throughout, but that’s about the only thing that is in this weirdly inconsistent 2D survival horror.

The developer’s love for Resident Evil and old school survival horror is obvious but this poorly made homage does nobody any favours.