Rival consoles - this week’s top games

Road 96

Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, Xbox, PC £17, PEGI 16

You are placed in the role of a teen trying to escape the authoritarian regime of the fictional nation of Petria in 1996. Each trip is populated by a cast of characters, encounters with whom can be comical, thought provoking, tense or emotional, with each adding extra layers as they navigate a divisive politicalenvironment.Choicesand interactions impact the story and slowly reveal the relationships between characters. Road 96 does an excellent job of allowing the player to emotionally invest in each journey they make across Petria. 9/10

Lumote: The Mastermote Chronicles

PC, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Nin

Inaneonworld,playersseamlessly guidethetitularcharacterbetween increasingly complex puzzles. The world is stunning, mirroring the bioluminescent depths of the sea, with a range of neon features and abstract creatures. The gameplay movesatanenjoyablycalmpace,its striking visuals matched by a lo-fi electronic trance soundtrack that fits perfectly. Narrative progression is minimal, but the adorable natureofLumote–teamedwithenduringcuriosityandwell-designed puzzles – make it an addictive and enjoyable treat. 8/10

Trolley Problem, Inc. PC, £8.99

Dark, funny and deeply uncomfortable, this clever game packs a big punch for a small package. A friendly but sinister narrator poses problems for you to act on; your decisions and their consequences shaping your path. Its 80s styling and colour palette lend the feel of an old VHS training video, and there is an Aperture Science-style atmosphere that cultivates a mild level of terror throughout. The very deep questions and the many quirks and twists make this game not only thought provoking, but also very entertaining. 8/10

Dead Man’s Diary

PC

£19.49, PEGI 12 (unconfirmed)

Anygamethatstartsyouoffinaforest at night, with only a flashlight to illuminateyourway,isalwaysgoing to have you on edge from the getgo.Graphically,theteamfromTML Studios have done a great job creating a sense of isolation, as you wander around the world looking for objects to help craft much-needed items and build camps. But while theimpressivevisuals,atmosphere andoccasionaljumpscaresgivethe game interest, it feels gruelling at times, with the constant need to find items to keep you alive getting repetitive pretty quickly.