Gameliner

Kiln sparks curiosity with its creative concept, unique systems, and that unmistakable Double Fine charm, backed by solid gameplay and appealing visuals. Yet beyond the surface, it quickly loses its grip due to imbalance, a lack of meaningful content, and a focus on live-service over cooperative play. It’s a fine pick for a quick Game Pass try, but ultimately fails to leave a lasting impression.

Quarter Up has managed to deliver a solid fighting game with Invincible VS. The focus appears to be on the gameplay, which is an absolute plus in my book. Invincible VS is a snappy tag fighter set in an absurd universe, and we are fully on board with that. It is just too bad that the story mode is insanely short and that there is a lack of gameplay modes. Overall, the game has managed to please the fighting fan in me; I just wish there was more to enjoy.

Adorable Adventures charms with its adorable protagonist Boris and its unique scent-based gameplay, though it becomes somewhat repetitive and suffers from technical hiccups. Still, it’s an easy recommendation for fans of exploration and anything irresistibly cute.

Moomintroll: Winter’s Warmth is a charming and atmospheric cozy adventure that beautifully fits the warm, dreamy world of the Moomins. Building on Snufkin: Melody of Moominvalley, it offers improved controls, more gameplay variety, and a stronger story that helps Moomintroll grow as a character. Its wintery atmosphere, gentle humor, and soothing soundtrack make it a delightful escape, while staying true to the franchise’s cozy identity. Though the puzzles are simple and the adventure is fairly short, its charm easily outweighs those minor drawbacks, making it a lovely recommendation for cozy game and Moomin fans alike.

Milestone delivers another solid entry in the franchise with MotoGP 26, though the Italian developer still misses the mark in places. The new rider-based handling system looks more realistic, but barely feels different from previous years. Thanks to all official licenses, this remains the most authentic way to experience a MotoGP season, despite a career mode that still lacks depth.

Aphelion turned out to be one of those games that I really wanted to love, but unfortunately started to dislike more as time progressed. DON'T NOD's marvelous UE5 showcase and its excellent Interstellar-like soundtrack can only do so much to disguise the flawed climbing and stealth gameplay mechanics.

All Will Fall offers a solid foundation for construction fans but feels like an Early Access game due to issues like AI pathing, a clunky camera, and repetitive events. Due to unlockable scenario’s there is progression. However, while there is enough content, the concept lacks depth, with little world-building. Overall, the game can be enjoyable for those who love building but falls short in terms of overall experience.

The difficulty level is definitely an issue. If you have no experience with the franchise, I therefore do not recommend Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era. However, if the game really appeals to you, I advise starting with the third installment so that you can learn the game's system without too much frustration. If you truly love a challenge, Olden Era is definitely for you, but it will certainly involve a lot of trial and error. Are you a long-time fan of the franchise? Then Olden Era is certainly worth the effort. The atmosphere does indeed resemble that of the old games, and the various modes and factions make the game pleasantly varied, allowing you to spend plenty of hours puzzling and exploring. It seems the developers have listened closely to the fans.

Vampire Crawlers is a successful spin-off that goes beyond its name, translating the core of Vampire Survivors into a deckbuilder with light dungeon-crawling and surprising depth. The slower pace doesn’t hurt the tension, as the mix of cards, mana, and sequencing remains consistently engaging, especially for fans who will recognize many familiar elements. Minor flaws like a clunky deck overview hold it back from perfection, but it still stands as a strong and distinctive game with plenty to offer.

With shapez 2, Tobias Springer takes the franchise to new heights, delivering a stellar sequel that improves on the original in every way. Its relaxing gameplay, smooth performance, and satisfying production-building offer hours of fun for both newcomers and veterans. Despite a forgettable soundtrack and occasional forced redesigns, it’s an easy recommendation for fans of management games like Factorio or Satisfactory.