Halo Infinite brings together the best gameplay elements from the Bungie Halo era, doubles down on Halo CE’s sandbox environments to encompass its entire open world structure and brings new gameplay mechanics that will no doubt become a permanent part of its design document going forward, making it an experience no shooter fan can afford to miss.

Big Brain Academy: Brain vs. Brain brings a unique solo experience while still remaining fun for the whole family. I found some controls frustrating, but it's a great game to wind down with.

Battlefield 2042 is a fun enough time, but DICE needs to work hard if it wants to take the unrefined ideas found here and turn it into something that feels like a worthy successor to the Battlefield legacy.

Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl show that not all remakes are worth playing if you have the originals on hand.

Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl show that not all remakes are worth playing if you have the originals on hand.

Jurassic World Evolution 2 covers all its bases in the newest iteration of the franchise. Aside from a few clunky issues when designing, every detail was considered and the game will appeal to a wide range of gamers, not just fans of Jurassic Park or Sim games.

GTA: The Trilogy - The Definitive Edition is a relic of its time. A relic that was better left unearthed.

DUSK is a bloody good time on Switch that perfectly evokes the spirit of the best 90’s shooters.

This is easily my favourite game of the year. I haven’t been this captivated by Holmes since I began reading the original works by Doyle.

Riders Republic provides an exhilarating action-sports adventure that will take your breath away with its immersive, eye-candy environments and will have you smiling or laughing throughout.

Final Fantasy V Pixel Remaster gives one of the franchises’ underdogs a substantial glow-up, in many ways realizing its potential in ways the original hardware or previous ports never could. Series fans should not miss the opportunity to experience it here, if they’ve never played it before.

Bioware’s first RPG foray into gaming stole the hearts of myself, and I’m sure others has not aged well, and has a lot of difficulties to overcome.

The Good Life is a strange mix of photography-game and life-sim, and while it's not perfect, its flaws are covered by a weirdly charming premise.

My Singing Monsters Playground is here to compete with the Mario Party franchise. Though the game features great ways to include the whole family, the game is still quite small, meaning it may not be viable long term.

Voice of Cards is a neat little RPG that, thanks to its excellent presentation, makes for a fun experience despite a tedious encounter rate and boring dungeon design.

Call of Duty Vanguard falls in the predictable traps of an annual release, but pulls through with a fun campaign and multiplayer at the cost of duller Zombies.

It is hard to recommend buying FIFA at all this year. Like no other yearly release in the franchise, FIFA 22 is a game of thin margins.

Shin Megami Tensei V is an excellent Switch exclusive worthy of its name, with the game feeling like the natural next step in the long-running series while introducing new elements that elevate it above even its contemporaries while not straying too far from its roots, offering fans a must-play experience and for everyone else, a JRPG worth jumping into.

Forza Horizon 5 truly has it all for a racing title, depth of gameplay, customization, good online presence, fun activities… and the list goes on. With the inclusion of Horizon 5 hitting GamePass day one, I consider this a must play for all gamers, racing fans or not.

Lone Echo II boldly crafts a stunning and near-perfect space sim, but repetition and lack of replay value aren't enough to pass on Oculus' last Rift exclusive.

Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Hinokami Chronicles acts as a great, fun reference database for the popular anime series but doesn’t present a lot of unique traits to be memorable on its own.

Tetris Effect: Connected is a must-play game, and should not be missed by anyone.

Mario Party Superstars somehow manages to entertain and impress while bringing almost nothing new to the table aside from some annoying stickers and appreciated save features. Nintendo knows the road to success is nostalgia, and they manage to use it to hit the mark every time.

Jackbox Party Pack Vol. 8 is a rare miss, the most mixed bag for the series since its second entry.

I cannot deny that Death’s Gambit Afterlife is a well made, well executed game, but it genuinely isn’t for me.

Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy was a surprising experience. Though the game still has some bugs, and a few undesirable features, it comes packed with in-depth characters and an extensive storyline. If you have time to go for a very long virtual walk, this might be the game for you.

Age of Empires 4 is a bold and ambitious evolution of the series, and quite likely one of the best RTS games ever made.

I thoroughly enjoyed New World. I wish there was more guidance in some areas in-game, and the game does seem geared towards PvP rather than PvE. Despite these minor gripes, the game is incredible.

Hockey is a sport that’s very confined to skating on a set rink with a standard 5 vs 5 player configuration. NHL 22 brings all the different styles the game can be played with superstar abilities tailored to the different hockey niches all gamers can appreciate.

The Dark Pictures: House of Ashes is a perfectly timed release. Put yourself into a Horror movie in time for Halloween and enjoy the thrilling ride.

Inscryption is a great creepy experience to get your skin crawling with some thought provoking depth in its gameplay.

If you weep because there are no new worlds to conquer in Stardew Valley, return to Story of Seasons: Friends of Mineral Townto (re-)experience its biggest inspiration.

Life Is Strange: True Colors - Wavelengths is an intimate look at one of the game’s most dynamic characters, and a laid-back experience with meaningful messages behind it.

Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl often feels hollow and commercial; however, at its core, it remains fun and engaging enough to warrant its $40 price tag.

Alchemic Cutie is a sweet sim-RPG that, though lacking guidance, will have you hooked the moment you dive in. After encountering a few bugs, the game can be frustrating, but overall is still on my daily “to-play” list.

A tedious, time-consuming playing card mechanic, frustrating bug crashes and a repetitive, near-endless onslaught of Ridden enemies led by an uninspired AI Director, collectively drags this spiritual sequel to Left 4 Dead down from the heights it could have reached.

Metroid Dread is a wonderful, modern take on a classic game from childhood. It looks as beautiful as any of today’s games, but has a feel of the games of old. The scary tone of the game and its intense foes give you a challenge worthy of the series.

As the most expansive instalment in the franchise to date, Far Cry 6 is literally the GTA V of Far Cry games, with a solid story, vibrant, engaging characters and no shortage of things to do alone or online with a friend; for FPS action-adventure fans this is a MUST BUY.

Although some visual and design elements feel a bit dated, Alan Wake Remastered is the definitive version of an all-time classic horror game.

WarioWare: Get It Together! is a fast-paced game whose latest changes have created a ton of replay value. Challenge your brain, put your reaction time to the test and get some friends together for some classic fun with this legendary Nintendo character.

Castlevania Advance Collection is a true port of four titles that offers amazing gameplay for a low price not found on eBay where these titles fetch a ransom. Every gamer should experience this collection and this is the perfect excuse to dive in a battle with creatures of the night.

While not as pretty as it’s PS4 older brother, Ni No Kuni 2: Revenant Kingdom Prince’s Edition is a delightful experience all around. All the additional DLC is just a welcome bonus.

Super Monkey Ball Banana Mania is a loving recreation and just pure, uncomplicated FUN.

Kena: Bridge of Spirits is a solid game that hearkens back to titles of the sixth generation of games, with a coat of paint indicative of modern gaming that should appease younger players while offering enough gameplay variety for anyone to enjoy.

Even without the nostalgia creeping in, one can plainly see that this is a game for the ages. Cross-play would make this the perfect release for me, but even as is, I love this game.

Death Stranding the Director's Cut is the definitive way to experience the game and is worth checking out for those who may have missed it on other platforms.

Sable borrows a popular and tried and tested approach to open-world game design and gives it a truly unique feel indicative of the works of the French artist Moebius. The lack of combat may turn some off from playing the game—however, for those looking for a casual game where exploration and light puzzle-solving comes first, it's hard not to recommend Sable.

Islanders: Console Edition, while not a game for everyone, is exactly the game for people looking for what Grizzly Games (and most actual islands) can offer you; an escape from the everyday.

While Aragami 2 suffers some of the same flaws as its predecessor, it’s an excellent stealth game that’s sure to please most Ninjas.

There’s no shortage of story in this golf adventure around a post-apocalyptic wasteland.

This is still a Ryu Ga Gotoku production, meaning there’s an over-the-top and at times absurd line that weaves it way throughout the entire game. In short, Lost Judgment is a damn good time.

SkateBIRD offers a similar skating game to some classics, but with a twist that can make it fun for people who don’t particularly follow the sport and its athletes. Plus, it’s just cute to see a bird with a Mohawk on a skateboard.

Though Tinytopia didn’t strive to keep me motivated, it manages to offer up something special for most kinds of players through challenges, builds and disasters.

Crusin’ Blast is a new take on an old classic that doesn’t abandon its roots and will introduce itself to a new audience of young gamers, who I think will love it.

DEATHLOOP won't be a game for everyone—however, if you are a fan of sandbox styled titles or if you just like games like Dishonored, DEATHLOOP is a familiar feeling experience presented in a unique way that makes it feel fresh and fun to play.

Like a toss of the dice, Lost in Random can be truly inspired at times, and a little underwhelming at others.

The action and gameplay are a bloody feast for fans in Bloodrayne Betrayal: Fresh Bites, but the difficult nature of the game can cut out a lot of its audience. Breathtaking visuals and intense gameplay packaged in a low price make this game at least a must-try for most gamers.

Final Fantasy IV Pixel Remaster is a nigh-definitive rebuild of an essential entry in the series, revitalized with a new presentation and only lacking the bonus endgame content of other ports.

Life Is Strange: True Colors is an unforgettable journey with some meaningful messages.

The Artful Escape has a stellar narrative with actual good humour enhanced by the voice acting talent and beautiful landscapes, but the gameplay is stale and those who dislike electric guitar are in for a long haul.

Tales of Arise is not so much an evolution of the Tales series as it is an awkward game that backs up decent combat with a bland, uninspired story and characters.

Sonic Colors: Ultimate is a safe remaster of a cult classic which should please old players and newcomers alike, but isn’t going to redeem the iconic hedgehog’s troubled record.

No More Heroes III is a blast to play and a well-conceived sendoff to the series, one which stumbles on a technical level but delivers enough on the gameplay front to carry most players to the end credits of what may be the Switch's wildest exclusive to date.

Quotation forthcoming.

Garden Story is a wonderful and unique take on the sim-adventure genre, and it’s definitely worth a look.

Fracked has fun shooting, climbing and skiing mechanics in VR but fails to connect these elements across a disappointingly short game hurt by PSVR exclusivity.

A unique design concept and a grand adventure await those who venture into The Vale: Shadow of the Crown with some of the finest use of voice acting to date, but those without adequate audio resources might have an incomplete experience.

Madden NFL 22 is another Madden game, with not many new features to warrant a new price label of $59.99. If you do not like NFL Football, you will not like this game. While known NFL commentators such as Rich Eisen lend their talent to this entry, it is wasted by being overshadowed by nameless voices called ‘coach’. Ultimately, if you own Madden NFL 21 and don’t NEED to play online, you could possibly skip this entry.

Like the films that inspired it, Aliens: Fireteam Elite is great popcorn fun with a friend or two, but if you’re not a fan of the popular film franchise and/or siege-style game modes like Gears of War’s Horde and Halo’s Firefight, you are likely in for a long grind, especially if you are playing solo.

It took sixteen years, but Psychonauts 2 is worth the wait.

Doki Doki Literature Club Plus! transcends its visuals and becomes its own unique entity, shattering any limitations set by previous entries in the Anime Dating sim genre, and the Horror genre. This game should be experienced by any game enthusiasts that can stomach the heavy subject matter.

Boyfriend Dungeon is an enjoyable dating game with some great dialogue, but unfortunately there’s more action off-screen than there is on screen.

Newcomers and veterans alike should draw their swords for this one, because Ghost of Tsushima excels on the PS5 and strikes just shy of perfection.

Pokémon Unite's potential is undermined by its balancing, and might not have enough to offer either of its target audiences.

Like actual Humankind, the game, Humankind is an ambitious, large, complex and sometimes difficult to understand experience that gets better with time and only expands the possibilities of what comes next.

Button City is an adorable, heartwarming little journey that will enamour all who play it.

Players looking for a Souls-borne meets Link From the Past meets Metroidvania experience all wrapped into one need look no further than the delightful Death’s Door; just make sure to pack plenty of patience and don’t let the door hit your face on the way in.

Blaster Master Zero is an excellent reboot of a classic action-platformer, and shouldn’t be missed by anyone who is a fan of the genre, a devotee to the franchise or is simply curious about the Blaster Master name and are looking for an effortless way in.

The first three Final Fantasy Pixel Remasters deftly walk the line between old and new, but might not convert anyone without the stomach for old JRPGs.

The first three Final Fantasy Pixel Remasters deftly walk the line between old and new, but might not convert anyone without the stomach for old JRPGs.

The first three Final Fantasy Pixel Remasters deftly walk the line between old and new, but might not convert anyone without the stomach for old JRPGs.

Swords of Legends Online takes your standard MMO and turns it into a visually stunning journey. Though levelling is tedious and there is a steep learning curve, the endgame in SOLO is engaging, and it will remain a staple in my MMO rotation.

NEO: The World Ends With You may not be as great as its predecessor, but it's still a good game in its own right.

Although it can be tough at times to jump into an era that you’re unfamiliar with, The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles masterfully offers all of the gameplay you’d hope for without leaning on other iterations for story content.

Cris Tales has a lot of great ideas, and an incredible style, but none of it really coalesces into a game I want to play.

Chicory: A Colorful Tale is an absolute delight—fun, engrossing, and bursting with creativity.

While Save me Mr Tako: Definitive Edition holds true to its inspired roots, the gameplay and structure of it don’t often hold up to what you’d expect from modern titles.

Sniper Elite VR fails to take full advantage of its platform and deviates too far from console quality, but puts up a fight to offer non stop frenetic action.

Though it may be one of the weaker Zelda games, The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD is a good adventure in its own right.

The Switch version of Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2 is a worthwhile compromise, bringing the same high-quality gameplay to Nintendo with less visual sheen.

Despite a few things holding it back, I fell in love with Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin, and it’s all I want to play now.

From its unmatched beauty to its heartwarming tale, Lego Builder’s Journey is an experience unlike any puzzle game before it. It’s a game that lets you reconnect with your imagination.

World’s End Club is an enjoyable romp from the creators of Danganronpa and Zero Escape, even if its promises of a wild departure from previous franchise tropes comes up short.

Chivalry 2 is a great game if you know what you’re getting into. It's not the next big hit, but boy is it fun when you need to get out some frustration and have a good laugh.

Disgaea 6 is the weakest entry in the series thanks to poor performance, bland combat, and a forgettable story.

Dark Alliance lacks compelling narrative and gameplay variety, despite being steeped in lore from its source material.

Mario Golf: Super Rush manages to be a mostly enjoyable experience but feels undercooked compared to its predecessors.

Scarlet Nexus is the fresh, new Action JRPG that gamers weary of the “Tales of” series formula have been needing to see from Bandai Namco for a while now, and it shines especially bright on next gen consoles.