Quarterly gaming review (Q2): the most exciting new releases and how we rated them

Since our first quarterly review in March, the Digitec editorial team has been busily gaming away. Time to take a look back at the new releases we enjoyed the most in April, May and June. Plus, we’ve also got some we wouldn’t recommend to you.

Titles are sorted into four categories: Must-play, Worth it, Conditional recommendation and Stay away. Games are listed alphabetically for each category. Playing times were taken from howlongtobeat.com. If we’ve tested the game in our magazine or discussed it in any other way, the corresponding articles will be linked.

Must-play: you have to try these games (★★★★★ reviews)

These games are absolute masterpieces and Game of the Year candidates. Any of these could earn a top score in our reviews. This doesn’t mean the titles are perfect or flawless, but the overall package blew us away regardless, and we’ll remember it for a long time to come.

Regardless of your genre preferences, definitely give these games a chance:

Must-play: Animal Well

Kevin is probably the biggest Metroidvania connoisseur in the editorial team. No one else here plays as many representatives from this old-school 2D genre. He was particularly blown away by indie game Animal Well in May. A Metroidvania so full of secrets that you can spend countless hours in the dark world after finishing the game.

It doesn’t lead you by the hand, but rewards you for your desire to discover. A game with unique graphics and atmosphere. A masterpiece. The fact the whole thing was created by a single developer makes it even more special.

• available for: PS5, Switch, PC
• genre: Metroidvania
• multiplayer: no
• playing time: 10 hours

Must-play: Destiny 2: The Final Shape

Yes, expansions also make our list. The Final Shape secures a place in the top category because it feels like the culmination of the Destiny saga, which has now lasted ten years. The game’s adored by a passionate community.

Our Destiny expert Chris also had a lot of fun with Final Shape. He was particularly impressed by the surreal game world, visually stunning and feeling unlike anything he’s seen before. The gameplay is also impressive with new mechanics and features – such as the new Transcendence ability, bringing a breath of fresh air to classes. Most satisfyingly, the story finally comes to a great end after all these years – even if there are still a few loose plot threads. An absolute must-play for Destiny fans and a good reason for everyone else to enter the world of this sci-fi shooter.

• available for: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PC
• genre: FPS, Looter Shooter
• multiplayer: yes
• playing time: 20 hours

Must-play: Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree

With Shadow of the Erdtree, a second DLC makes it into the top category on our list. In the case of Shadow of the Erdtree, however, the term expansion is a gross understatement. What developer studio Fromsoftware delivers here in DLC form is bigger than most full-price games. Phil also started his journey through Shadowland. After just a few hours, he’s certain the DLC is one of the best he’s ever played.

The atmospheric open world is bursting with secrets, breathtaking locations and grotesque monsters. Technically, the game isn’t beyond reproach with unstable frame rates. However, these tiny problems can’t spoil the excellent overall impression of this fantastic DLC.

• available for: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PC
• genre: action RPG
• multiplayer: yes
• playing time: 31 hours

Must-play: Workers & Resources: Soviet Republic

Citybuilder expert Kim has already spent countless hours in the Early Access version of Workers & Resources: Soviet Republic. Now the release of the full version has drawn him back into the Soviet Union. He’s played over 90 hours by now. With no end in sight.

You take control of a small Soviet republic in the 1960s. Your goal: to develop the small country into a powerful industrial nation. But an unusual setting isn’t its only neat feature. The highly complex economic system will challenge even experienced fans of citybuilders. If you want less complexity, individual simulation elements can also be switched off.

• available for: PC
• genre: citybuilder, strategy
• multiplayer: yes
• playing time: 110 hours

Worth it: pretty good games (★★★★ reviews)

Games in this category do a lot of things right – even if they aren’t quite a timeless classic. They would receive four out of five stars from us. The few criticisms we have for each title shouldn’t stop you from at least playing it.

Worth it: Alan Wake 2: Night Springs DLC

In the first DLC for Alan Wake 2, you play three short episodes with three different characters familiar from the main game as well as another release (Control) from developer studio Remedy. I fought my way through the expansion and was happy to be back in the wonderfully quirky world of Alan Wake.

In terms of content, the three episodes are crazy what if scenarios that mix various locations, characters and events from the main game into an absurd fever dream. In terms of gameplay, the DLC offers more action than horror – you have virtually unlimited ammunition and shoot your way through hordes of enemies from the Dark Place like the Terminator. Even if the expansion is very short overall and the shooter gameplay sometimes accentuates the playful weaknesses of the main game, the trip to Night Springs is worth it.

• available for: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
• genre: horror, third-person shooter
• multiplayer: no
• playing time: 3 hours

We raved about the DLC in our German language Tech-telmechtel podcast, episode 205:

Worth it: Biomorph

And yet another Metroidvania that genre expert Kevin has taken a look at. With its morphing mechanics, the game brings a breath of fresh air to the tried and tested game loop. Like pink Nintendo mascot Kirby, the main character here transforms into his enemies at the touch of a button. This allows the character to use new abilities, both when exploring the world and in battles. But the game could be a bit more challenging.

• available for: PC (console release will follow at the end of the year)
• genre: Metroidvania
• multiplayer: no
• playing time: 19 hours

Worth it: Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes

Next to Metroidvanias, Kevin loves JRPGs too. As an old Suikoden fan, he was really looking forward to spiritual successor Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes. The game is a wonderful throwback JRPG for all nostalgics who long for old-school role-playing games from the nineties. For everyone else, the title might seem a little old-fashioned at times with outdated game mechanics.

• available for: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Switch, PC
• genre: action RPG
• multiplayer: no
• playing time: 63 hours

Worth it: Fabledom

Fabledom is a somewhat different citybuilder that stands out above the crowd for its unusual fairytale setting and cosy atmosphere. Our citybuilder expert Debora has played the game extensively and is thrilled.

The construction-based gameplay itself is nothing special, but the focus on decorating your town and the random fairytale events are all the more convincing. An evil witch threatens your inhabitants and wants to turn them into skeletons. Sometimes you find a magic bean that grows into the sky, and other times you have to chase away a dragon scaring your townsfolk. The construction loop is broken up by hero characters you control directly and with whom you explore the fairytale world.

• available for: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch, PC
• genre: citybuilder
• multiplayer: no
• playing time: 15 hours

Worth it: Foundry

Debora has found an exciting genre mix with Foundry. The Early Access game feels like a mixture of Satisfactory, Minecraft and Dyson Sphere Program. You build a factory in a world made up of blocks that you can shape to your heart’s content. The construction game could do with some fine-tuning in its graphics and the dull-looking interface.

• available for: PC
• genre: base building, construction
• multiplayer: yes
• Playing time: no limit

Worth it: Hades II

Roguelike fan Simon isn’t bothered by the fact that Hades II was only released in Early Access. The content already available inspires him enough. In the sequel to the successful roguelike, you play the daughter of the titular Hades.

As Melinoe, the game loop hasn’t changed much at first glance. Battles are a little more tactical and slower-paced, there are now resources that you can plant in the base and discover throughout the world, and dozens of quirky companions cross your path. It’s quite possible that the game will move up a category when it’s released with all the planned content.

• available for: PC (consoles to follow)
• genre: roguelike
• multiplayer: no
• playing time: 19 hours

Worth it: Laysara: Summit Kingdom

Kim has already played through countless construction games with different crazy scenarios. Nevertheless, the setting of Laysara: Summit Kingdom surprised him. You build your city on the cliffs and slopes of a mountain. The high altitudes create complications and challenges in resource extraction and village construction. Avalanches and weather changes can also make life difficult for you.

For an early access title, the building game already offers a lot of fun, featuring both lovely graphics and good gameplay. The controls are intuitive and the learning curve is decent. However, Kim is currently missing a campaign, which will only be available in the full version.

• available for: PC
• genre: citybuilder
• multiplayer: no
• playing time: 15 hours

Worth it: Luigi’s Mansion 2

Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD is «only» a Switch remake of the eleven-year-old 3DS classic, but the virtual ghost hunt is still fun. Cassie has tested the new edition without having played the original. For her, it’s the best game in the series so far – yes, even better than the phenomenal third part for the Switch.

The smaller, mission-based levels take some getting used to at first, especially if you’re used to the freedom of Luigi’s Mansion 3. However, these small bite-sized missions are perfect for quick casual sessions. Visually, the game has been completely overhauled and impresses with cute cutscenes, detailed locations and adorable characters.

• available for: Switch
• genre: action adventure
• multiplayer: yes
• playing time: 18 hours

Worth it: Manor Lords

Manor Lords may only be in Early Access, but it’s already an impressive game. Especially when you consider that the indie title was created almost single-handedly by a solo developer. Phil plunged into the Middle Ages and was particularly impressed by the organically growing villages. Unlike the common old-timey town builder on a New York-style grid, you get authentic medieval villages.

With its interlocking game mechanics, the game offers enormous depth, and it’s just fun to see how the little villagers expand their catchment area step by step. The game isn’t quite finished. Some mechanics are still missing in the Early Access version, including the castle planner and a complete German translation. Version 1.0 is scheduled for release next year.

• available for: PC
• genre: citybuilder
• multiplayer: no
• playing time: 8 hours

Worth it: Minishoot’ Adventures

To shorten the wait until The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom, Phil recommends Minishoot’ Adventures. At first glance, the game may look like a simple 2D shoot’em’up – but there’s much more to it than that.

In a cuddly spaceship, you explore an extensive map with dungeons, finding secret passages and unlocking new abilities for your spaceship. The Zelda-esque game is a perfect snack between bigger titles, even if there are maybe a few too many laser projectiles flying around your screen from time to time.

• available for: PC
• genre: shoot’em’up, adventure
• multiplayer: no
• playing time: 8 hours

Worth it: Mullet Mad Jack

Looking for a game to really get you pumped up? Right this way. In Mullet Mad Jack, you shoot and slash your way through short tube levels full of robots and other enemies as part of a game show. You have to kill someone at least every ten seconds; otherwise you’ll be snuffed out. So you sprint and slide through levels, leaving behind huge pools of blood. Phil had a lot of fun with the game. Even if it was a bit too much of a good thing at times. An absolute fever dream. You’ll probably need a Valium to come down after.

• available for: PC
• genre: FPS
• multiplayer: no
• playing time: 4 hours

Worth it: Nine Sols

Another Metroidvania. And of course Kevin played it again. Nine Sols differs from other representatives of the genre with a hellishly difficult combat system inspired by Sekiro. Getting into the game is difficult. Developer Red Candle Games, otherwise known for horror games, leaves you in the dark at the start and is stingy with explanations. But if you stick with it, you can expect a wonderful Metroidvania with a gripping story and a decent challenge.

• available for: PC
• genre: Metroidvania
• multiplayer: no
• playing time: 24 hours

Worth it: Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door

The Gamecube classic is one of the few Mario role-playing games I’ve never played, so the re-release for the Switch came at just the right time.

Nintendo has given the Switch remake completely revised graphics and a new soundtrack. The game looks beautiful and also scores points with a quirky sense of humour and a fun turn-based combat system with real-time elements. Overall, however, I’d have liked a little less backtracking. The constant running back and forth gets pretty tiresome after a while.

• available for: Switch
• genre: role-playing game
• multiplayer: no
• playing time: 39 hours

Worth it: Songs of Conquest

Retro and pixel art fan Phil has found a new role-playing game in Songs of Conquest. He absolutely adores it. The game is the spiritual successor to Heroes of Might and Magic. In a mystical fantasy world full of magical creatures, monsters and heroes, you ride around, explore the map and build fortresses. The battles are turn-based and require a lot of tactics, but also allow a lot of freedom thanks to magic and special abilities. A game that you have to invest some time in to enjoy to the full.

• available for: PC
• genre: strategy, role-playing game
• multiplayer: yes
• playing time: 41 hours

Phil shared his impressions of the game in Tech-telmechtel episode 202:

Worth it: Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II

When testing Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II, Phil was almost speechless. The audiovisual presentation of the game is stunning and sets new standards. Characters, especially Senua herself, look so detailed and move so realistically that you could be forgiven for thinking you were watching real movie footage. The Nordic game environments are also almost too good to be true, with eerily detailed stone landscapes and atmospheric lighting.

Too bad the game can’t stand out from the crowd in terms of gameplay. Battles are repetitive, puzzles irrelevant. Nevertheless, this excursion into Norse mythology is worth it, especially if you’re subscribed to Game Pass.

• available for: Xbox Series X/S, PC
• genre: action adventure
• multiplayer: no
• playing time: 8 hours

Worth it: Stellar Blade

Stellar Blade is one of the best gaming surprises of the year for me. The first AAA console game from Korean mobile development studio Shift Up is a brilliant action spectacle. It blends numerous inspirations – including Soulslikes, Uncharted and Dead Space – into a unique genre mixture.

The melancholy atmosphere of this desolate sci-fi world, accompanied by an excellent soundtrack, is especially cool. The game’s oversexualised protagonist is a matter of taste, but shouldn’t stop you from giving this action gem a chance. My only point of criticism: dull side quests and partly empty open game areas.

• available for: PS5
• genre: action adventure, Soulslike
• multiplayer: no
• playing time: 36 hours

Worth it: The Planet Crafter

In The Planet Crafter, Debora transformed a dead rock into a green paradise. The game combines survival mechanics à la Subnautica with base-building elements reminiscent of Satisfactory. Graphically, the game can’t keep up with either, but, it’s still very satisfying to see the once dead landscape gradually transform into a living paradise with blue skies, lakes and vegetation.

• available for: PC
• genre: survival, base building, construction
• multiplayer: no
• playing time: 39 hours

Conditional recommendation: these games have flaws, but are still fun (★★★ reviews)

These games are primarily for big fans of their respective genre. They’d receive three out of five stars in a review. Solid, but with shortcomings that could annoy many players. They’re not bad games – but you don’t necessarily have to play them.

Conditional recommendation: Children of the Sun

When testing Children of the Sun, I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face. This is mainly down to the ingenious game mechanics. You take on the role of a sniper who can control the bullets he fires. Your goal: to kill all enemies in a level with just one bullet. After each kill, you realign the projectile and make your way through the game environment. If you miss, you start all over again.

This unique puzzle mechanic is tonnes of fun. If only you could avoid the annoying trial-and-error passages in the second half of the game. The game would also have benefited from a few more levels.

• available for: PC
• genre: puzzle shooter
• multiplayer: no
• playing time: 5 hours

Conditional recommendation: Harold Halibut

Harold Halibut really deserves a spot in a higher category. If only because of the unique visual style. All the figures and game environments are handmade from plasticine. Hell yeah.

Unfortunately, Phil struggled with a slow start to his adventure. The sluggish pace of the game will put many players off initially. But if you stick with it, you’ll be rewarded with a charming adventure packing a lot of heart and a unique style.

• available for: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PC
• genre: adventure
• multiplayer: no
• playing time: 14 hours

Conditional recommendation: Indika

A game garnering mixed opinions. Phil and I are no different. As a nun, you travel through a steampunk version of Russia at the beginning of the 19th century. The devil himself is talking to you. Maybe it’s hallucinations, like when the head nurse has a little man dancing to dubstep on her tongue. So many questions.

I couldn’t get used to the numerous annoying gameplay passages and the strange humour and abandoned the game after a good two hours. Phil persevered and enjoyed the absurd moments.

• available for: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
• genre: action adventure
• multiplayer: no
• playing time: 5 hours

In Tech-telmechtel episode 201, Phil talks about his thoughts on the game:

Conditional recommendation: No Rest for the Wicked

Cassie plunged into the Early Access version of No Rest for the Wicked and regrets it – at least in part. The new game from Ori developer Moon Studios is an action RPG that mixes many elements from different genres and reinterprets them. A little bit of Diablo, a pinch of Monster Hunter and a dash of Soulslike.

You can still tell the game is in Early Access. The story’s unfinished and many features are still missing. The performance with it’s lags and crashes, is also still miles away from a final version. If you really want to try it, you can. To everyone else: wait for version 1.0.

• available for: PC (PS5 and Xbox Series X/S to follow)
• genre: action RPG
• multiplayer: yes
• playing time: 23 hours

Conditional recommendation: Still Wakes the Deep

In horror game Still Wakes the Deep, you travel to an oil rig where a mysterious incident occurs and all hell suddenly breaks loose. Phil played the walking simulator and was impressed by the great atmosphere. But the story didn’t quite blow him away. For around 40 francs or euros, you’d also expect a little more playing time and complexity. If you’re a Game Pass user, you can test the game with Microsoft’s subscription service.

• available for: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
• genre: horror, walking simulator
• multiplayer: no
• playing time: 5 hours

In Tech-telmechtel episode 206, Phil reveals more about the game:

Conditional recommendation: Super Monkey Ball: Banana Rumble

This game drove me up the wall.. In essence, the simple game loop of the Super Monkey Ball series is still a lot of fun. You move a monkey in a plastic ball through an obstacle course full of tricks and traps. In some levels, the game suffers from frustrating controls, an annoying camera and performance problems. Anger is inevitable.

• available for: Switch
• genre: skill-based game
• multiplayer: yes
• playing time: 8 hours

Conditional recommendation: Tales of Kenzera: Zau

Of all the Metroidvanias expert Kevin tested in recent months, he liked Tales of Kenzera: Zau the least. A shame, since the game actually delivers an emotional story as well as an exciting and fresh African setting. As a Metroidvania, however, it disappoints with linear levels and overly chaotic battles.

• available for: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch, PC
• genre: Metroidvania
• multiplayer: no
• playing time: 10 hours

Conditional recommendation: Yellow Taxi goes Vroom

Cassie is a big fan of 3D platformers from the nineties. A game like Yellow Taxi goes Vroom is just right. The graphics are reminiscent of PS1 games, as is the gameplay.

Playing a small cab, you race, jump and fight your way through simple game environments with lots of collectable coins. A charming, short game especially fun for players who grew up with this genre. Everyone else won’t understand the appeal.

• available for: PC
• genre: 3D platformer
• multiplayer: no
• playing time: 9 hours

Stay away! Avoid these games (★★ or ★ reviews)

Here in this last category, we list games that disappointed us. In a review, they’d receive either two or just one star.

Two stars isn’t a disaster, but it’s close. These games have fundamental flaws that can significantly limit your enjoyment. Underneath all the criticism, one or two genre fans may find a quite passable game. However, we advise most players not to buy them.

Games with one star are disasters that you should give a wide berth. Even patches and updates won’t help here. These games can no longer be saved in terms of gameplay or technology.

Stay away: Autopsy Simulator

Kevin felt like he was being made fun of while testing Autopsy Simulator. Contrary to the title of the game, it isn’t a simulator. The gameplay feels like a long, never-ending tutorial with unnecessarily complicated mini-games. Yawn. If you mess up during the autopsy, there are… no consequences. Boring!

The development studio promises a somewhat trickier Autopsy Only mode in the future, which might actually offer some challenge. But whether this really enriches the game remains to be seen. At least the story is told in a reasonably exciting way.

• available for: PC
• genre: adventure
• multiplayer: no
• playing time: 5 hours

Stay away: Endless Ocean Luminous

Apart from the absolutely naff story mode, I had an incredible amount of fun in my first few hours of playing Endless Ocean Luminous. In this game, you explore a randomly generated underwater world and scan fish to collect points. However, discovering and scanning quickly degenerates into a monotonous chore. Unfortunately, the game has little to do with the relaxing gameplay of its predecessors. The successful online mode at least partially saves the soulless gameplay.

• available for: Switch
• genre: adventure
• multiplayer: yes
• Playing time: no limit

And here’s how the first quarter of the year went

You can find an overview of our high and lowlights from quarter one (January, February and March) here:

You can also find an overview of our game reviews on Opencritic