What's It Like?

Jotunnslayer: Hordes of Hel is a fantastic horde arena survival game that follows the successful survivor-like formula while adding its own unique spin through its mission-based structure and rewarding hero and patron god skill systems. It’s an addictive gameplay loop that’s hard to put down, made even more compelling by the steady stream of unlocks and modifiers that extend its longevity. Sure, the framerate may have moments where it falters, but it doesn’t dampen the Hel of a great time you’ll have fighting for your freedom. Once the gods get their hooks into you, it’s incredibly difficult to put the controller down.

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is like Chronicles of Riddick, crossed with the original trilogy of the Indiana Jones movies.

The stylish cinematic flair, the graded combat system, and the varied gameplay that comes through from the different characters rarely give you a moment to be bored. It does a great job of introducing newcomers to the series while embracing series veterans with its customisable approach to play. On Switch 2, Devil May Cry 5 is a near-perfect port, offering outstanding performance that matches the incredibly fast-paced nature of the series.

Sektori offers excellent value for money thanks to its strong replayability and variety of modes. Its addictive “one more run” approach to gameplay means you will accidentally lose hours chasing a higher score, climbing the leaderboards, or experimenting with new upgrade combinations, while the thumping techno soundtrack perfectly complements the chaotic visuals and fast-paced action. For me, Sektori was a wonderful surprise that took me back to the days of booting up Geometry Wars at the start of a Project Gotham Racing session, and even after countless failed runs, I still found myself diving straight back in for more. If you’re looking for a stylish twin-stick shooter with fantastic replay value and an incredible soundtrack, Sektori is absolutely worth turning the volume up for.

Dinkum is a simply wonderful and charming cosy game that takes you to the outback on a true-blue Aussie adventure. Its myriad of content gives you something to do, and its licence system adds structure in a genre that often leaves players directionless and overwhelmed. There are so many nods to Australian culture here that will make locals chuckle to themselves, while international audiences might not get every joke, but will be charmed by it regardless. Dinkum lets you settle into a place that feels like home, and once it gets its hooks in, you’ll understand why leaving the outback is the hardest part.

Slots & Daggers is short and sweet, but it is also an absolute blast to play. What makes the game even more impressive is that it was made by a solo developer, Friedemann. Between its unique premise, satisfying presentation, and incredibly addictive gameplay loop, Slots & Daggers kept me glued to my screen far longer than I ever expected. By somehow turning a pokies machine into a strategic roguelite, Slots & Daggers manages to feel completely fresh in an overcrowded genre.

I thoroughly enjoyed my time with Wax Heads. Its vibrant visuals, paired with its narrative and puzzle-like gameplay, make working a shift behind the counter an engaging experience from start to finish. Coupled with social events and puzzles in between, Wax Heads is a fantastic puzzle game that tells an interesting story while still letting you take things at your own pace. While it might be on the shorter side in terms of game length, this is one album I wouldn’t mind putting on for a second listen.

Overwatch on Switch 2 is a great way to introduce a new demographic of players to the game, with its accessible gameplay, wide roster of heroes offering varied playstyles, and free-to-play entry point. The monetisation certainly stings when players want to celebrate their favourite characters, but as cosmetics remain optional, it does not take away from the finely tuned team-based mechanics that drive the experience. With a visual overhaul and a targeted 60fps performance, Overwatch on Switch 2 is a fantastic hero shooter that showcases exactly why this game has lasted a decade. And as heroes never die, it still feels like there is plenty of life left in it yet.

Smalland Survive the Wilds is a great open-world survival game that just needs a little more polish. It is still an incredibly fun experience to explore, build up a base, and lose yourself in while crafting away for hours at a time, despite some technical hiccups along the journey. Its robust crafting system, combined with its strong sense of wonder and exploration, helps Smalland feel like a grand adventure shrunk down onto a handheld device. If you have a bunch of friends looking for a new adventure, or simply want to explore the great unknown on the back of a grasshopper, Smalland Survive the Wilds is well worth braving the wilderness for.

Mixtape runs for roughly three hours. For me, it played out like listening to a really good album from start to finish. From the opening moments of skating downhill right through to the end, I was completely locked in. Sure, some of the dialogue can come across as a little pretentious, and the lighter gameplay will not be for everyone, but I found Mixtape to be a genuinely memorable journey for its short runtime. I am starting to agree with the theory that we sometimes feel lost because we are constantly looking back at a world that no longer exists. Being a teenager meant living in a world full of possibilities, friendships we thought would last forever, and moments that seemed like they would never end. For a few fleeting hours, Mixtape takes you right back there, pairing its carefully curated soundtrack with an outstanding visual journey into the past.