Jordan "Arlentric" Stewart

Company of Heroes 3 marks the highly anticipated return of the critically acclaimed real-time strategy franchise to consoles. Developed by Relic Entertainment and adapted for consoles with care, Company of Heroes 3 offers an immersive World War II experience packed with tactical depth, stunning visuals, and gripping gameplay. I’ll be upfront in saying I’ve never experience a tactical strategy franchise on console up until this point, as I always assumed it was necessary to have a mouse and keyboard to really experience everything this genre have game has to offer, but I must admit – I was pleasantly surprised. Company…

Diablo 4 is the long-awaited continuation of the iconic action role-playing game series developed by Blizzard Entertainment. I had the opportunity to immerse myself in the dark and foreboding world of Sanctuary, for an epic battle between humanity and the forces of evil, which I’ve been eagerly awaiting for the past six years. While the core Diablo experience is certainly present and as enjoyable as ever, the game’s shift towards a live service model slightly hinders its ability to deliver a genuinely perfect ARPG experience. One of the first aspects that captivated me was the stunning visual presentation of Diablo…

Embarking on a whimsical journey through a fantasy medieval countryside, Fabledom invites players to immerse themselves in a world reminiscent of Ubisoft’s timeless Settlers series. At its core, Fabledom centers around the concept of constructing a small town, attracting and employing diligent peasants to cultivate a thriving economy or even face the perils of battle. However, what sets this game apart is its enchanting layer of fantasy elements delicately interwoven throughout the experience. Fabledom places your kingdom within a vast randomly-generated landscape, where the possibilities of forging relationships with rival rulers await. Through the completion of specific missions, players can…

In a gaming landscape filled with blockbuster action titles and adrenaline-fueled adventures, Planet of Lana emerges as a breath of fresh air, offering a mesmerizing experience that blends breathtaking visuals, a touching narrative, and intuitive gameplay mechanics. Developed by Wishfully Studios, Planet of Lana presents a hand-painted world that feels like an interactive work of art. It’s a testament to the power of storytelling in gaming, showcasing the profound emotional impact that can be achieved through a well-crafted journey. From the moment the game begins, it’s evident that Planet of Lana’s visual design is a labor of love. The hand-drawn…

Cassette Beasts, developed by Bytten Studio, is a nostalgic and captivating retro-inspired RPG that pays homage to classic monster-collecting games like Pokémon. In its simplest form, I’d describe it as is a game designed for those who have grown out of Pokémon, but still throoughly enjoy the core game mechanics. I found myself pleasantly surprised by the game’s visual charm, engaging gameplay, and creative twists on the genre. Cassette Beasts introduces fresh and engaging gameplay mechanics that breathe new life into the monster-collecting genre. Players are tasked with recording monsters on cassette tapes, a clever twist on the traditional capturing…

Zelda: Tears in The Kingdom is the latest instalment in the long-standing and beloved Legend of Zelda franchise. Developed by Nintendo, this enchanting action-adventure game takes players on an unforgettable journey filled with captivating gameplay, breathtaking visuals, and a deeply emotional storyline. If you haven’t had the chance to play Zelda: Breath of the Wild, it builds upon the foundations this game set out and expands upon every aspect of it tremendously. I’ve been counting down the days since Tears in The Kingdom was announced, eagerly awaiting at a bare minimum: more of the same as the previous title that…

In the realm of strategy and role-playing games, where epic tales of heroism and conquest have been told and retold, Wartales emerges as a refreshing addition that seamlessly blends engaging tactical combat with a compelling narrative. Developed by the talented indie studio Shiro Games, known for their nordic-themed strategic masterpiece in Northgard, Wartales delivers a captivating gaming experience that challenges players to forge their path in a harsh and unforgiving medieval world. With its immersive world-building, strategic gameplay mechanics, and captivating storytelling, the overall package really proves to be a noteworthy contender in the genre. From the very first moments,…

Darkest Dungeon II is a dark and brutal game that will test your skills and patience at every turn. The game’s signature mechanic, the stress system, is back and more unforgiving than ever before. With no checkpoints, a single mistake or stroke of bad luck can wipe out hours of progress, making for a tense and nerve-racking experience. Despite this, Darkest Dungeon II is also one of the most cathartic and rewarding games I’ve played in a long time, providing a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment that I keep wanting to go back to. Just like the original game, you…

Dredge, the latest fishing adventure game from developer Black Salt Games, is a harrowing and immersive experience that taps into our primal fear of the unknown depths of the ocean. From the outset, players are thrown into a world that is both serene and foreboding, as they embark on fishing expeditions that push them further and further from the safety of the shore. The game’s atmosphere is expertly crafted, with each trip out to sea bringing a sense of both wonder and dread (get it… dread?). As players venture deeper into the waters, they encounter bizarre and twisted creatures that…

Terra Nil is an incredibly unique city-building ‘puzzle’ game developed by Free Lives and published by Devolver Digital. The game’s premise revolves around restoring the natural environment after civilization has managed to destroy it. Restoring the natural environment may seem like a daunting task, but the game’s mechanics make it surprisingly accessible. One of the first gameplay mechanics players are introduced to is placing a windmill on a stone surface to power their machines. From here, more specialized tools like toxin scrubbers and irrigators are introduced, which are essential to restore continental, polar, and tropical zones. The scrubber removes toxins…

I’VE had the opportunity to play a variety of tactical RPGs over the years, but few have left an impression on me quite like Phantom Brigade. Developed by Tetragon Works and published by Brace Yourself Games, this game is a unique approach for fans of turn-based strategy games, RPGs and mechs. Thematically it blends the setting of Titanfall’s mechs with the gameplay of XCOM with some amazing additions and modifications, that I feel is just an incredibly innovative and welcomed approach to the genre, despite its issues. The game’s premise is simple: you play as the leader of a group of…

Barotrauma is a fascinating and immersive survival game that takes place in the depths of an alien ocean, that’s sure to terrify my fellow thalassophobians (there’s a reason trauma is in the name), but it’s well-wroth experiencing. Developed by Undertow Games and FakeFish, Barotrauma is a game that will keep you on edge with its perilous gameplay and intriguing storyline. Set in the depths of Europa’s ocean (a moon of Jupiter), players will come face-to-face with the creatures that dwell in the murky depths of the ocean. Undertow Games initially launched Barotrauma as an early access beta in 2019, and…

Sun Haven’s official release is finally upon us, which has generated quite a bit of buzz in the farming-simulator community. Developed and published by Pixel Sprout Studios, Sun Haven sets out to be a refreshing addition to the genre, offering a unique blend of mechanics that are sure to appeal to fans of the farming and life simulation genres, with elements of RPG games spliced in as well for good measure. It’s been in early access for over a year stemming from a successful Kickstarter campaign, with constant updates and tweaks along the way (which is going to continue throughout the…

The Asus ROG Flow X16 (2022) is marketed as an innovative, high-end gaming laptop from Asus that delivers impressive performance and cutting-edge features in a sleek, portable package. It’s also described as being suitable for demanding gamers and power users who need the best hardware and performance, while also maintaining portability and style, so over the past few weeks I’ve been testing every square inch of this laptop to determine just how well it achieves everything it claims it can do. I’ll preface with this – the innovative inclusion of a 360 degree swivel screen I initially scoffed at, as…

Octopath Traveler II has finally arrived, and as a follow-up to my most-played game on my Nintendo Switch, as I was cautiously optimistic and excited to jump straight in. If you’re not at all familiar with the series, Octopath Traveller is a traditional, turn-based JRPG with a heavy emphasis on its stories developed by Square Enix. Where most JRPGs present a linear method of progression, however, Octopath Traveler takes a very different approach in its characters The game follows eight protagonists, each with their own unique story, set in the fantastical world of Orsterra. This allows for a diverse cast of…

It’s already March of 2023, which means we’ve had an entire month of Indies game that have released, which may have flown under your radar. The fact that we’re only two months into the year, and the list of incredible indie games that have come out is growing at en exponential rate, feels me with a lot of undeniable fear, and slight worry knowing that somehow, I’ll have to try and narrow down on just 1 favourite by the end of the year. If you’re at all unaware of some of the amazing Indies that have released throughout February fear…

Being a fan of games such as Unpacking and House Flipper, I was immediately drawn to My Dream Setup, developed by Campfire Studio for PC and Mac. Recently showcasing in Steam’s Next-Fest, and now launched with a full release, this casual simulation game allows players to design their ideal room, giving them complete control over its size, window and door placement, and all the furniture within. Each of these rooms are presented in gorgeous, diorama-like visuals. I’ll be up-front and say, this definitely won’t be everyone’s cup of tea. There’s no winning, objectives or levels, it’s much more-so meditative and…

The Pale Beyond is a survival simulation game that challenges players to lead a crew stranded in the Arctic tundra after their ship is stuck in a sheet of thick ice. As the newly appointed captain of the crew, you must balance resources, keep the crew’s morale up, and find a way to survive until rescue arrives in approximately 35 weeks. Developed by Bellular Studios and published by Fellow Traveller for PC and Mac, this game doesn’t just focus on the survival, as it also incorporates a story-driven experience that delves into the drama and despair of human endurance, inspired…

THE Settler: New Allies is a real-time strategy game developed by Blue Byte and published by Ubisoft. It is the latest instalment in the popular Settlers strategy franchise, which has been around since the early 1990s. If you’ve never had the chance to play a Settlers game, or a game of this genre before, buckle up as a wealth of experience is here to guide the way. In The Settlers: New Allies, players take on the role of a settlement leader in a fantastical, medieval-inspired world. The goal of the game is to build a thriving settlement, explore the surrounding…

Steam Next Fest has already consumed the entirety of my week with an endless serving of incredible indie demos to try out prior to their slated releases. Hype, anticipation (and for myself, a separate bank account for the near dozen Indies I’ve had to Wishlist) have well and truly set in, so I thought I’d share a list of some of my favourites that you either need to try out before Next Fest ends, or get onto your wish-lists as soon as possible. Planet of Lana Planet of Lana is absolutely beautiful, and I think is the epitome of what…