Mark Steighner

In Broken Roads, the player’s moral compass is literally that. A changing graphic indicates where on the compass dialogue choices, actions and decisions push the player. Starting with character creation — four starting characters and a series of questions — the game explores humanism, utilitarianism, Machiavellianism, and nihilism. For the ethics and philosophy challenged, these well-known ideas focus on how one acts in the world. At the extremes, some people act for the good of the order. Some act entirely selfishly. There’s a lot of grey area in between.

Highwater’s turn-based tactical combat is nothing original, but it works pretty well. Niko and his allies fight on a grid system. Each turn, they can move and spend limited points on actions like using a weapon or the environment. One of Highwater’s engaging elements is the way objects and the world can be used for cover or attacking enemies. Niko begins the game with nothing more than an oar for a weapon. Over time, his arsenal grows more varied and effective.

I review dozens of games every year. I’m always excited and a little grateful to find a game that looks or plays unlike everything else. Of course, different doesn’t always mean good, or fun. In the case of Withering Rooms, it’s both visually striking and mechanically satisfying to play. Mostly. The game has been parked in early access since 2022 and has now been released in its final form.

Tales of Kenzera: Zau is a 2.5D Metroidvania action RPG that's rooted in the culture, myths and spirituality of the African Bantu people.

Perish’s setting is a jumble of myths, monsters, and heroes from a grab bag of ancient cultures. Mostly Greek, there are pulls from Roman and Christian history as well. You play as an amyetri, a condemned spirit trying to escape Purgatory for an afterlife in Elysium. No offense to the devs, but Perish has one of those heavy metal stories that’s just fleshed out enough to give the action some sort of rationale. Put it this way: you’re a hero from a Christian-ish vision of the afterlife trying to get to Greek mythology heaven, fighting with pistols, swords, and shotguns. Totally makes sense.

298 TCF vendor(s) and 373 ad partner(s), or used specifically by this site or app.

298 TCF vendor(s) and 373 ad partner(s), or used specifically by this site or app.

298 TCF vendor(s) and 373 ad partner(s), or used specifically by this site or app.

But first, there might be a reader who isn’t a Warhammer fan, so let’s explain. You’ve certainly heard of Warhammer and/or Warhammer 40k. If not, you can hand in your nerd card on your way out. Warhammer is dark fantasy, Warhammer 40K is sci-fi. Both began life on the tabletop before making the inevitable leap to video games. Games Workshop isn’t always discriminating when it comes to licensing. As a result, there are dozens of Warhammer and 40K video games, in just about every genre, and they vary dramatically in quality.

The Forgotten Kingdom is the second DLC for Remnant 2, and brings the player back to the planet Yaesha with a new Archetype and weapons.