What games have you completed? 2015 Edition

Papa & Yo - reckon this get an unfair lambasting from some. Maybe the PC version is a significant improvement from the original technically. But yeah I found it a poignant and uniquely personal creation, that uses mechanics cleverly to communicate its themes (and it wears its main metaphor proud and clear). The setting is also wonderfully fresh, and some of the Inception-style bending of landscapes are astonishing to behold. The puzzles aren't always inspired (although mostly perfectly serviceable) and there's one or two frustrating moments, but for the most part this is a nicely designed and bittersweet game that has a strong authorial signature, and has plenty of beautiful and moving moments.

Wolfenstein - does some interesting things, especially in the early stages (some of the story moments in the opening chapters are both surprising and vividly realised). The mechanics were a confident mix of old school and new school - such as its smart hybrid health system. I did find it a game that got less and less interesting as it progressed however, with more focus on shooting galleries and setpieces. The conflict between its sombre storytelling and self-consciously ridiculous gameplay became more and more pronounced, and the two elements became almost antagonistic, cancelling each other out. Still, it's nonetheless an ambitious game which is to be applauded, and usually never less than enjoyable - although also a game at times I'd be inclined to call a noble failure.

Grow Home - a delight. The climbing can be a wee bit on the slow side at times, but Reflections have made a strong game out of a simple idea, with plenty of lovely secrets and sights to discover as you climb and grow a massive beanstalk. The kind of game that conclusively shows the 'good side' of Ubisoft that's too often ignored.

The Vanishing of Ethan Carter - probably the most technically beautiful game I've ever played. Its world leaps off the screen from beginning to end, and was as good a showcase for my new GFX card as could be. The game itself isn't too shabby either, with strong storytelling (including one truly magnificent setpiece that came out of nowhere) and a nice compromise between 'walking simulator' and more involved detective gameplay. Two concerns would be an overly handhold-y hints system and that the world can feel a bit empty at times, especially given so many carefully designed hidden paths that lead nowhere. But then with a game this stunningly rendered there's no shortage of visual delights for those who decide to go wandering.

Dreamfall Chapters Book One - Plenty of what made the original games so compelling: an interesting world, well-defined characters, an intriguing plot. Alas its tight budget sometimes becomes apparent, particularly in the disappointingly static and stilted character interactions that could have definitely used some extra animation resources. The script and graphics are reliably strong, but they're ill-served by flatly animated characters.