Right, let’s get on with it.
£2.49/$2.99 (-90%)
Absolver is a great melee action game . The combat is deep, tactical, and wonderfully customisable, and interacting co-operatively or competitively with other players can be a real joy.
£5.59/$6.99 (-65%)
ABZÛ is a triumph of exploration and atmosphere. Its gorgeous underwater playgrounds are a joy to explore thanks to its perfectly tuned controls, awe-inspiring visuals, and beautiful sound design. A somewhat predictable story does little to hamper what is otherwise an utterly unique and rapturous experience.
£4.79/$5.99 (-70%)
The patient, cunning mindset Aragami puts you in with its strictly stealth gameplay is something we long for with more titles. With simple yet smart level design and mechanics, it proves to be a focused title with heart and soul that has learned much from its old masters. But the game does lack polish in its performance and appearance, and the AI can be irritating at times. Fortunately, the release’s story, visuals, and sound design ultimately help lift it out of the darkness.
£3.74/$4.99 (-75%)
Axiom Verge is PlayStation’s very own Metroid. That may sound a teensy bit degrading, but there’s no denying that this and Nintendo’s own space-faring adventure have more than a few things in common. Still, if being compared to one of the most beloved game series of all time isn’t a compliment, then we don’t know what is. If you’ve never seen the appeal of these types of games, then chances are this won’t change your mind. Devoted fans of the genre, however, will no doubt adore Tom Happ’s opus.
£3.59/$4.99 (-70%)
With a charming story at its core, surprisingly satisfying combat, and loads of neat secrets to find scattered across the map, it’s easy to get hooked on Cat Quest II. It’s a great little RPG that never outstays its welcome, offering bite-sized but addictive adventuring.
Charming story
Simple but satisfying combat
Attractive art style
Addictive adventuring
Perfect for local co-op
Dungeon design can get repetitive
Big damage numbers can clutter the screen
Stop putting internet memes in video games
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£7.99/$9.99 (-60%)
Since it’s confined to two player local co-op, it’s not as exhilarating as the six player online chaos in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge. It also lacks the consistently updated polish of Streets of Rage 4, yet Double Dragon Gaiden: Rise of the Dragons adds roguelite progression, which makes it a strikingly replayable contribution to the modern side-scrolling beat-’em-up resurgence.
Roguelite replayability
Tag team single player gameplay
Online leaderboards
References to Double Dragon series
No online multiplayer
Two player local co-op only
Divisive cartoon art style
£2.74/$3.74 (-75%)
Enter the Gungeon is another in a long line of fantastic roguelikes. Its razor sharp twin-stick gunplay, huge variety of passive and active weapons, and clever world building make it an absolute joy to sink countless hours into. The lack of leaderboards or a daily run mode is a frustrating oversight, but you’ll be too busy running, gunning, and dodge-rolling your way through its many caverns to notice or care.
£5.35/$8.70 (-33%)
Fez has been around longer than the PS4, but Phil Fish’s puzzle platformer has stood the test of time. It remains a brilliantly unique game, with its dimension-flipping core mechanic leading to some astonishing twists and turns. As you run and jump through the (seemingly) 2D world, the game unfolds a grander mystery that’s a joy to discover. It’s a poster child for indie games for a reason.
£3.99/$4.99 (-75%)
Guacamelee! 2 is a worthy sequel to one of the finest modern Metroidvania games. Its blend of challenging platforming, satisfying combat, and new abilities makes for a thoroughly entertaining experience. Occasionally it can feel like you’re spinning too many plates, especially in multiplayer, but by and large, Juan’s new adventure is a compelling treat that you’d be loco to miss.
£1.59/$1.99 (-80%)
The pulsating soundtrack, the acid trip visuals, the unapologetic gore — Hotline Miami is a game that’s been copied but never truly replicated. A modern classic, this top-down mobster murder-’em-up is brutal in more ways than one. It’s a thrill ride from the word go, and a must-play for anyone who considers themselves an adrenaline junkie.
£3.19/$3.99 (-80%)
It takes a little while for John Wick Hex to click, but when it does, the game does a surprisingly great job of making you feel like the unstoppable hitman himself.
Success is hugely rewarding
Tight, snappy gameplay
Cool art direction
Great soundtrack
Some unwelcome trial and error
Animations can be a bit wonky
£12.24/$14.99 (-50%)
Llamasoft: The Jeff Minter Story does exactly what it says on the tin, charting the history of one of the UK’s best known game designers. Featuring many playable Llamasoft games from the early days through to today, it’s a fascinating look at one company’s psychedelic contributions to the industry. If you’re at all interested in gaming history, you shouldn’t overlook this one.
Gorgeous presentation
Comprehensive archival material
Settings for modern audiences
Earlier titles are really hard
No post-90s titles
£5.59/$6.99 (-65%)
Lonely Mountains: Downhill is a moreish experience, buoyed by outstanding controller response and a compelling reward loop. Occasional framerate hiccups threaten to wrestle control out of your hands, but instances of this are generally uncommon. This is a very different kind of two-wheeled platforming to the recent Trials Rising, but it scratches the same kind of itch – arguably more effectively, too.
Lip-biting level design
Flawless controller response
Ethereal atmosphere
Strong visual identity
Minor performance issues
Hair-tearingly tough at times
