Author: Jay Allsopp

It’s fun to be in charge. Whether you’re ordering troops around a battlefield or deciding where to put your industrial districts in a city-builder, being the boss is its own reward. It seems the gaming industry agrees; the tycoon genre, which involves managing complex multi-layered organisms like cities or football teams, is thriving. Tycoon game lovers have plenty of choice, and in 2022, even more options are arriving to give you the kick you get out of playing management sims. Here are the best tycoon games (and tycoon-adjacent games) arriving in 2022. Total War: Warhammer III (February 17th) We’re starting…

2022 is going to be an incredible year for games. After 2021 proved somewhat disappointing thanks to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic (and various other delays), we think that 2022 is set to be a truly special time in the world of gaming. With major exclusives from Sony and Microsoft due to arrive this year, as well as indie games and big studio projects galore, there are plenty of reasons to be excited for gaming this year. Here are our top 22 upcoming games for 2022. Pupperazzi (Xbox, PC) – January 20th If you love Pokemon Snap and you love doggos,…

Retro gaming doesn’t just apply to consoles. While consoles and PCs take up the majority of retro gamers’ time, there’s a growing market that wants to experience the world of retro mobile gaming. By that, we don’t mean playing retro games on your modern device, although it’s definitely worth looking into doing that as well. No, we’re talking about revisiting older mobile devices and playing the games that were available on those devices back in the day.  This trend was likely started by people firing up their old Nokia 3210 or 3310 devices and playing a game or two of…

You’d be forgiven for not remembering the MSX. It was created as a joint venture between Microsoft and the ASCII Corporation back in 1983 and was swiftly buried beneath the encroaching avalanche of the NES, which was about to completely dominate the gaming landscape for a number of years (until the arrival of Nintendo’s own SNES followup, in fact). That’s a shame, because the MSX actually has a lot of great games to offer. Many of the franchises you love likely got their start on the MSX, including some surprising ones; Konami championed this machine early, and it gave us…

Say what you will about the Nintendo Wii (and many did), but it was undeniably a rip-roaring success. Many debate whether the PS3 or the Xbox 360 won the seventh console generation, but the simple fact of the matter is that the Wii emerged dominant, although other metrics might crown a different victor. A large part of the Wii’s success was down to the sheer number of multiplayer games it offered, as well as the large amount of control schemes available. If you had a Wii, then you could easily call friends over and be playing something with them in…

The Sega CD is an oft-overlooked little marvel of a machine. You might know it better as the Mega-CD, since that was the name Sega gave to it in many regions around the world. Whatever you call it, the Sega CD is a CD-based add-on for the Mega Drive (or Genesis, depending on where you live) that adds CD functionality, as well as better CPU power and the capability for improved graphics. Some of the best games in the Mega Drive’s lifetime were released for the Sega CD addon. It gave developers new and exciting tools to play with, resulting…

The past two years have been a real rollercoaster. From lockdowns to remote work and adapting to the new (not so) normal, it’s been a wild ride. Now that 2022 is drawing closer, it’s time to relax. And what better way to chill out than by playing some top-rated video games? Video gaming is the ultimate escape, and the good news is that not all games are packed with heart-racing action and violence. Even medical experts recommend certain video games for adults battling with their stress levels. Let’s delve into the best relaxing video games that will help you get…

What can be better than having a huge selection of top-class video games at your disposal? Free games are an excellent way for gaming enthusiasts to tap into tons of awesome gaming content without spending a dime. Aside from getting access to a wide range of games from different gaming genres, free-to-play games allow you to tap into hundreds of hours of gameplay and kill all that spare time you have on your hands. If you’ve always wanted to give some game a try, the chances are that you can give it a go for free. We’ve created this short…

2021 was a good year for online games, but it has left us wanting something spectacular. We saw the release of several huge multiplayer games and a continued massive interest in social gaming but no one game has quite emerged as the new “lifestyle game”. Perhaps most notably, this year saw Amazon release their much-awaited open world MMO New World, and while it hasn’t been without its fair share of issues it still managed to captivate hundreds of thousands of gamers. Yet this player base continues to fall and 2022 might see it fall even further. Similarly, the co-op shooter…

Whatever else you can say about 2021, it’s probably been a slightly better year than 2020. While things have definitely not yet gotten back to normal (and it might be some time before that happens), the world has been slowly approaching a sense of normalcy, and we’re no longer reeling from a sudden, unexpected change of circumstances in the way we were last year. 2021 has also been a slightly better year for the gaming industry, with many companies able to avoid the kind of delays 2020 brought to their work. While the rest of November and December could bring…

World War II is a conflict that sticks indelibly in the popular consciousness. Although this war was arguably just as morally grey as others, it’s clear that the Nazi party and Hitler represent villains towards which the world could unify in their hatred. That probably also explains why there are so many World War 2 games; people want to defeat uncomplicated enemies, and the Nazis are about as uncomplicated as it gets (for the most part, anyway). Here are the best World War 2 games you can play right now. Call of Duty: Vanguard (PC, PlayStation, Xbox) Sledgehammer Games’ latest…

The Best Games on Xbox Game Pass – Titles to Wrap Up Your 2021 Gaming Year Xbox Game Pass is a massive success, the subscription service, along with Microsoft’s xCloud gaming, is reshaping the gaming industry. Gamers can access hundreds of titles, and get day-one access to multiple games. The catalog varies wildly between Triple-A, Indie, Classic and Exclusive games, with an overwhelming amount of content keeping track of what is available and worth playing can be a challenge. As the year rounds up, we at GamerBolt have decided to create a list of titles you shouldn’t miss. Here are…

How many times have you been playing a game and thought to yourself “I could do better than this”? It’s a statement that, for most of us, almost certainly isn’t true; while we like to fantasise about making our own games, the fact is that we don’t have even the most rudimentary knowledge about how to start doing so. Luckily, we don’t need it, because we have games like Game Dev Tycoon to help us get started. If you don’t know it, Game Dev Tycoon is exactly what it sounds like: it’s an indie game that places you in charge…

Here’s a staggering statistic: every year, there can be anywhere from seven thousand to ten thousand games released on Steam. With that many games pouring in (although many of them will, of course, be shovelware to a degree), it’s impossible to play everything, and so the huge, high-profile games often push their way to the fore. However, this means that many gamers miss out on a lot of hidden gems that they may end up loving. Nowhere is this more true than in the PC gaming market, so here are 10 underrated PC gaming gems you need to check out.…

The next generation of console gaming is off to a great start. Whether it’s Sony’s sleek, space-age PS5 or Microsoft’s understated yet immensely powerful Xbox Series X, you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to great gaming experiences. Unfortunately, due to a worldwide chip shortage, it’s been hard for many consumers to actually obtain these machines. If you are lucky enough to own either of them, though – or if you’ve got one of Nvidia’s next-gen RTX 30 chips – you’re in for a treat. Here are the top 10 next-gen games you can play right now. Demon’s Souls…

It’s been a difficult year for the gaming industry. The coronavirus pandemic has forced many upcoming titles to be cancelled or delayed, and even those whose production is forging ahead will have encountered myriad unforeseen difficulties. With that in mind, the return of E3 this year will have been a welcome balm for the worries of many gamers and industry heads alike. It was a somewhat muted show this year, likely impacted by the lack of genuine blockbuster games to show off, but that doesn’t mean E3 2021 didn’t have plenty of great games to see. Here are the best…

Independent games, or Indie games, used to be neglected back in the days. However, since the human world is evolving each day, especially in tech, Indie games have caught sight of numerous players today. Unlike the AAA games, which require a large team and lots of costs, the Indie games are created by individuals or small groups without publishers’ monetary or technical support. In this article, you’ll find the top 5 Indie Adventure Fantasy games of all time that you can play all night long! Realm of the Tempest Realm of the Tempest – free fantasy adventure RPG is an…

A video game is simply an electronic game that can be accessed on a computing device like game consoles, mobile devices, or Personal Computers. It is generally categorized based on the platform it is being played – console or computer games. In recent times, the advent and rise of social networks, tablets, and smartphones launched new social games and mobile games. Since it emerged in the 1970s, video games have seen so many changes. It concerns not only video games but also online casinos, free slots with no download required niches, table games and many other gambling niches. Games that…

Brawler (beat ’em up) games feature hand-to-hand (HTH) combat between a protagonist and a slew of opponents. While most of these games feature revenge and crime-fighting-based plots, some employ fantasy, science fiction, and historical themes. Here is an overview of ten of the best brawlers: Guardian Heroes Developed by Treasure and published by Sega, this 2D side-scrolling brawler game features RPG elements. Guardian Heroes allows you to alter your game’s storyline through your actions. For instance, you can choose between several branching paths that lead to multiple endings, levels, and bosses. The game also comes with a versus mode…

Rhythm games are music-themed action video games that challenge players’ sense of rhythm. They are great for players who would like to improve their coordination skills and reaction times. That said, let’s take a look at ten of the best rhythm games that should try. Fantasia: Music Evolved Developed by Harmonix, Fantasia: Music Evolved is a motion-controlled music rhythm game and the interactive successor to the 1940 animated film Fantasia and its sequel Fantasia 2000, which was released in 1999. Fantasia: Music Evolved has songs from over 30 artists, with 3 color-coded mixes accompanying each tune. An optional fourth mix…

First-person shooter games improve the player’s brain skills. Recent studies reveal that people who play FPS games do better in test abilities, including decision-making, visual acuity, and spatial reasoning. With that in mind, here are ten Xbox One shooter games you should play in 2021. Halo: The Master Chief Collection Halo: The Master Chief Collection, a compilation of FPS games in the Halo series, was published by Xbox Game Studios. The game series was developed by 343 Industries in partnership with Splash Damage, Saber Interactive, Ruffian Games, and Bungie. The games have vehicular combat that occurs from a third-person…

New research shows that playing video games can increase the brain’s gray matter associated with spatial navigation, perception, memories, and muscle control. As such, video games can boost reaction time and creativity. With that in mind, let’s look here’s a list of ten games that help make you more creative. Portal 2 Released in April 2011, Portal 2 was developed and published by Valve. Like the original 2007 game Portal, players have to solve puzzles using a portal gun. Portal 2 has some additional features, including paint-like gels, light bridges, lasers, and tractor beams. In the single-player campaign, you’ll take…

In role-playing games, you will take the role of controlling the action of characters immersed in a well-defined world. Playing RPG games cultivates creativity, teaches you problem-solving skills, and levels up your social skills. Keeping this in mind, let’s look at ten of the most popular RGP games. Final Fantasy 7 Remake Set in the dystopian cyberpunk Midgar metropolis, Final Fantasy VII Remake is an ARPG video game that allows the player to take the role of mercenary Cloud Strife. The beautifully detailed world that players were familiar with in the Final Fantasy VII video game has changed. The…

Sega games are classic form of gaming that have been around for years. Although many believe they had their moment in the early 2000’s, never to be seen again, they’re making a major comeback. The Genesis Mini was released in September of this year, but the younger generation wouldn’t have a clue about the best classic games that we loved to play in the 90s and early 2000s. For those who are not familiar with the Sega gaming world, Sega games are games made by a Japanese multinational video game developer and publisher called Sega Corporation. Their headquarters are in…

It’s official: the next generation of consoles is just around the corner. With only a few days left until the Xbox Series X (and its less powerful cousin the Series S) and PlayStation 5 finally land on excited gamers’ doorsteps, we thought it was about time to take a look at the 10 most exciting next-gen exclusives both consoles have to offer. After all, any new hardware generation has to prove itself through games before either console can worm its way into gamers’ hearts. Without further ado, here are the top 10 next-gen exclusive titles we’re most looking forward to.…

Gamescom is one of the most exciting events on the gamer calendar. It’s often the home of massive reveals akin to those found at other huge gaming events like E3 or the Tokyo Game Show and is Europe’s biggest gaming event by far. That means that whenever a Gamescom show happens, you can bank on some seriously exciting stuff being revealed for the gaming year ahead, and this year’s presentation was no exception. Here are the 10 games revealed at this year’s Gamescom that we’re most excited to play. Doom Eternal: The Ancient Gods Part One We’re absolutely massive fans…

Did it ever happen to you to get hungry while watching others prepare delicious food in TV shows or movies? We are sure that when you see those carefully chosen ingredients that always look like a carefully curated Instagram photo, you can’t help yourself. Going to the fridge is the logical next destination. Or here’s another fun and creative direction – cooking a 5-star meal and becoming a master chef. In this alternate reality, you can prepare exotic food in a fancy restaurant, and you won’t even have to deal with washing the dishes. Okay. There might be some activities…

After an unbelievably long 7 year wait and a handful of other hiccups, Naughty Dog launched their highly anticipated sequel to the Last of Us; the Last of Us 2 on the 19th of June. Following the launch, the game received very split reviews with a majority of the Playstation community labeling the project as an epic flop.  I certainly won’t go so far as to say that, though I will note that there are several aspects of the game that let it down  a bit in terms of initial expectations. Let me clarify, that’s not all we are here…

This week’s ‘Game of the Week’ is a fun one. After spending hours every day delving into CoD Warzone, I was growing mildly bored with the repetition. That’s when I decided to try out Riot Games’ new competitive FPS, Valorant. To put it in plain speak, think Counter-Strike with hero elements. After one game, I was completely hooked. Valorant is fun, challenging, and exciting, even if you feel like you’re losing, you’ll always have the chance to redeem yourself and your team. In epic 5×5 battles, strategy and aim is everything. Rounds start with a Buy Phase where you…

One of the most satisfying feelings is finally getting what you waited for so long. Now it’s officially true. PlayStation 5 is no longer a mystery. Sony has put an end to our painful waiting, and it’s safe to say that we got more than what we expected. We all had a certain vision of how the consoles will look like, but Sony still managed to surprise us. The official reveal was kept until the tail end of the live stream, but what we saw justified the wait. The aesthetic of this sleek hardware is unique, and it resembles the…

There is no arguing. Football is the most popular sport ever and, naturally, so many spend countless hours playing it. While there is nothing like the smell of fresh grass, the tense air, and the feeling one experiences at the stadium, playing football on your PC, PlayStation, or Sega is the closest it gets. It is a game that makes your heart jump a bit and get insanely competitive while also feeling the connection with other players. Well, it’s possible to say that football is more than a game. It is a powerful force that brings people together, no matter…