Golf Story is a smashing success and does so much more than it needs to. While the game would have been well received simply for its golfing aspect, Sidebar Games has built a great narrative and world around it.

It’s a great game if you’re looking to kill time and also if you are looking for a challenge.

The story, the characters and the writing are better than you could hope for. If you are willing to overcome a few technical hiccups, and if you are an unrepentant sci-fi nerd, Battletech can be your new favorite game.

If you are a fan of these shows, you owe it to yourself to pick up this pack. If you are a pinball fan and a fan of these shows, it’s pretty much a no-brainer.

The story, especially at first, is a bit sparse, and does not necessarily hook you in right away, but the game’s fun action keep you playing long enough for the more interesting narrative aspects to kick in.

I think that if you translated Lost in Random's dark narrative and engagingly strange visual style into a stop-motion animated style film, it would be a powerful exploration of a harrowing and at times poignant journey through an upside down world ruled by disorder. There's a lot of that in the game, too, but it's made less effective by tepid mechanics and tedious, unrewarding combat. The story and setting are absolutely worth experiencing, but there's probably a chance you'll be as disappointed by the gameplay as you are enchanted by the tale.

Although it uses the Borderlands 3 engine and reprises several characters from earlier games in the franchise, Tiny Tina's Wonderlands does a great job of separating itself from its brethren. With a focus on high fantasy and cheeky humor that constantly pokes fun at RPG traditions, Tiny Tina's Wonderlands also doesn't stray far from them, at least mechanically. Great writing, pitch perfect acting and frenetic action dominate the game, but exploring the nooks and crannies of the colorful overworld and detailed dungeons is equally satisfying. I had a blast in the Wonderlands and can't wait to see what else the irrepressible Tiny Tina has in store for us.

With amazingly realistic graphics, intense music, rich characters, and a dynamic decision scheme, this action adventure title is enthralling from its opening scene to the very end, and if you let it, it will take you on a journey to what feels like an entirely different world.

Good DLC should pull you back into the game’s world. Final Fantasy XVI’s DLC sort of achieves this goal. You want to spend more time there, but the version of the world on offer feels a bit bleak. Maybe this is just the ‘end of days’ vibe that permeates the final chapter. Perhaps I’m just cursed with knowledge about these characters and their ultimate fates. Either way, the actual tangible content is mostly pretty fun. Yes, the sidequests are a bit dull, and I wish the main quest was a bit longer. And while I don’t care about the plight of Leviathan and his Dominant, the ensuing battles are a blast. Plus, there’s a boatload of postgame content to dive into. Though the Rising Tide DLC doesn’t quite hit the same story highs as the main game, that gameplay is still tons of fun.

If you want a classic arcade experience without leaving your house, then pick up Deathsmiles.

Tough, beautiful retro games might seem like they’re everywhere these days. You might be losing track of them all in the midst of this recent deluge. I promise Cyber Shadow is one of the good ones. A delicate balance is struck between challenge and accessibility, leaving you bloodied and eager for more. The art and the music is among the best you’ll see all year long. Finally, the mechanical guts of this game are perfectly tuned. While some players will be rebuked by certain NES-era sensibilities (like the knockback effect), the overall experience is practically sublime. If you’re looking for a Ninja Gaiden send-up that’s been dragged into the 21st century, look no further than Cyber Shadow.

If you’re looking for a visual novel with a compelling plot, and are able to ignore lots of terrible dialogue, then AI: The Somnium Files is a no-brainer recommendation. But for anyone else, this is a tough recommendation because it almost feels like the game is doing everything it can to stall the player from experiencing said compelling plot. The gameplay is solid, but be prepared to play something more like a visual novel than an “adventure game”, which is how AI: The Somnium Files is being advertised.

It has been upgraded and polished, for sure; but whether that justifies purchasing a whole new game is questionable. Last year, I had no hesitation in recommending that you buy NHL 16. This year, as great of a game as NHL 17 is, you might want to stay on the bench for this one.

Hazelight Studios really nails what it means to make a good cooperative narrative-based game that will have you wanting to dive back into the thick of it every time.

Making its way to PS5 and Switch, it’s only a little disappointing that Grounded didn’t bring along a lot of new content, though it does include all updates, new ant queens, and a new game+ mode. Grounded is still an excellent and unique survival game. Its big-world crafting RPG mechanics scale down to miniature size quite well and there are a ton of ways to make the game your own. Like their PC and Xbox counterparts, Sony and Nintendo fans of the survival/crafting genre will not be disappointed by Grounded.

Fallout 4 VR is really tough to come to a consensus on. On one hand, the original is truly a great game on its own, there is no doubt about it. On the other hand, the VR implementation throughout the game seems to be less than what most players have become accustomed to.

Octahedron: Transfixed Edition is a solid and deceptively simple platformer that uses its challenging structure, pumping rhythm, and striking visuals to create a package designed to overwhelm the senses. While each part is solid, the final product wasn’t enough to hook me into playing long term. The challenge was refreshing and the visuals more than pop, however, the game advises you to follow the rhythm and it didn’t quite feel in sync enough with all three aspects to do so. It’s an impressive and ambitious title, but not one as memorable as it ought to be.

Despite some repetitive levels, and easy bosses, Yoshi’s Woolly World is highly recommended.

Though Stellaris has its blemishes and can bog down in the middle, it’s an intergalactic success more often than not. It looks and sounds superb, and provides an infinity varied experience through its random elements.

Super Rude Bear Resurrection is a triumph in game design. It manages to make a highly difficult game of skill become playable to a wider audience without having to ease up on the challenge any. Making a player’s death, and thus what would normally be their mistakes, into a mechanic is pure genius, and results in one of the coolest games I’ve played. There’s even more depth for those that want a pure masocore experience, but the top-notch design shines no matter how one plays.

Although not quite perfect, WWE '13 is probably the best in the franchise that I have played to date and I can't wait to see what lies in store for future iterations.

For me, Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity succeeds on two separate fronts. This is a prequel with the narrative heft required for a game in the Zelda franchise. But, this is also a Musou/Warriors game that twists that formula into something unique and engaging. What emerges from this strange union is an experience unlike either set of source material. This is a final product content to carve a small slice out of a massive pie. Even if your interest is strictly in Zelda games or Warriors titles, you owe it to yourself to give this game a shot. You're certain to be quite pleasantly surprised by what Age of Calamity has to offer.

You could say that Tell Me Why is about the journey and not the destination, and that journey is indeed a compelling one. And it’s complex; with violence, dysfunction and mental illness featuring prominently, it’s a dark tale in many ways. But it is also one full of hope as well – in the unlikely love that can bring two outsiders together, in the mental bond that literally connects two siblings, and in the liberating power of the truth. You’ll come away from playing Tell Me Why feeling a lot of things – sadness, optimism, confusion, disappointment. I can’t tell you which of these you’ll feel when you play it … but you should play it.

King’s Quest is an imaginative journey that’s fun for all ages. There may be a few bumps in the road along the way, but each chapter is solid in its own right and worthy of your time.

With new locations to visit, an intriguing plot, loathsome villains, and all of your favorite characters coming back to help save the day – even if many of them are only cameos – it only falters in its simplistic AI which we have grown to know too well. It’s not trying to rewrite gaming and be wildly innovative, it just wants to let you shoot stuff with an exploding burger launcher. Seriously. Borderlands 3 is sure to be a contender for GOTY and it can only get better with more content and bombastic badasses.

Budget Cuts surprised me in more ways than I expected – and to clarify, that’s good and bad. What I thought was going to be a fun homage to the likes of Job Simulator turned out to be a game that, more than it had any right to, made me feel like I was in ‘The Matrix.’ It’s easy to feel like a badass when you glide through a room and eliminate all threats without breaking a sweat. But, it’s also easy to get caught up in aggravating tracking issues that you won’t find on top-of-the-line VR headsets. If you can play Budget Cuts on your PC, do so. But if your only option is the PSVR, you aren’t entirely left out in the cold.

Unbound: Worlds Apart is an excellent Metroidvania that is a must for fans of the genre. The imaginative use of the ever-evolving portals ensures that each area feels unique, helping to create a great sense of pace. Although there are some performance issues, they don’t spoil the beautiful adventure through this grand, fantasy world.

While yet another return to Yaesha is slightly disappointing, everything else about The Forgotten Kingdom is a must-have for Remnant 2 players. The enemies, weapons, bosses, and the new Archetype are all up to the base game’s overall excellence. Especially at a very reasonable price, it’s easy to recommend The Forgotten Kingdom.

For anyone wanting more out of these characters, there's almost nothing better. The voice acting and the dialogue are excellent at giving them life, while the RPG mode gives you a deeper look at these people and their personalities. Ultimately, my heart belongs to the battlefield. I'd rather be sharpening my skills and busting my thumbs than diving into back stories and prime motivations. The accessible move sets, the gorgeous character designs, and the distant skill ceiling mean that I'll be absorbed in this task for quite a while yet. If you're fishing for an anime fighter that will keep you at your seat's edge, look no further than Granblue Fantasy: Versus. ‎

It is a chilling, suspenseful and downright terrifying love letter to fans of the Alien franchise.

Despite being frustrated by the initial limitations of the Sandbox Mode and the lackluster campaign, I found a lot to enjoy and appreciate about Jurassic World Evolution 2. Chaos Theory is an engaging and creative way of blending the iconic films into the game, and the new aquatic and flying dinosaurs are among the best of many new animals. Building and managing a theme park full of impossibly ancient animals is challenging and rewarding, and despite some annoyances, the game also manages to retain many grin-worthy moments of wonder at the improbable. People and dinosaurs just aren’t meant to be in the same place at the same time.

I can’t imagine that anyone would be blown away by any one part of Wuppo. The art is wonky, the combat is simple, and the lore is kind of silly. But it’s when these aspects combine that Wuppo’s charm begins to appear, and it’s a charm that can’t be stifled by any flaws.

Game developer, Prideful Sloth, places a premium on marrying narrative storytelling with detailed world building. This is a great game for players who just want to unwind or for parents looking for a safe game for their children to play.

A medieval fighting game that is intense, smart, rewarding, and demands something of its player. It asks for your patience, yet the glory you’ll receive in return is well worth the trade.

Bomb Rush Cyberfunk is the perfect spiritual successor to Jet Set Radio. Not only does it capture the idea of cruising the streets, but the intuitive controls and simple mechanics allow anyone to pull off impressive-looking tricks. Unfortunately, the combat is weak, and segments where this is at the forefront hinder the overall quality of the product. However, when you hurdle this bump, you’ll fall in love with the banging beats and addictive gameplay loop.

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, like previous editions, appeals to a wide range of aviation enthusiasts. It can be as forgiving or as exacting as the player wants, though the PS5 version might not yet support the range of flight peripherals that PC gamers enjoy. On a vanilla PS5, the graphics lag behind the PC version as well. Still, the core experience — the deep hangar of aircraft, the ability to fly anywhere in the world — is endlessly engaging. The PS5’s closed system means that the already extensive available add-ons and dedicated legion of PC armchair pilots can’t join you in the sky. Overall, Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 on the PS5 is the same, full-featured experience PC and Xbox gamers have been enjoying for the past year.

System Shock in 1994 was an innovative masterpiece. Anyone coming to the game via this remaster in 2023 might wonder what all the fuss was about. While its themes of unrestrained AI and corporate espionage still resonate, this version doesn’t go quite far enough to make System Shock feel modern. We’ve come to take for granted just about everything the original invented. While we wait for a genuine reboot, System Shock is worth playing as a reminder of how important great ideas were, and still are, to the hobby we love.

Dying Light: The Beast is not a safe sequel. It does not attempt to simply enlarge the cityscapes or double down on familiar systems. Instead, Techland recalibrates the franchise, opting for a more intimate, tension-driven approach rooted in the original’s survival horror fundamentals. While not every risk pays off, the ambition is appreciated. For players seeking another sprawling urban parkour playground, this entry may feel narrower in scope. However, for those who want to experience atmospheric, nerve-shredding moments, The Beast delivers. It challenges you not only to endure the infected but to examine the humanity you cling to in a world intent on stripping it away.

Metal Slug Tactics injects fresh energy into the tactics genre with its dynamic, fast-paced systems. While the game introduces a range of compelling mechanics, their lack of clear explanations can hinder your strategic choices during missions. However, the thrill of initiating sync attacks encourages a more aggressive playstyle, making battles feel exhilarating. Leikir Studio has successfully reimagined a classic franchise for a new genre, and despite some issues with system clarity, the addictive gameplay loop offers a fun and innovative twist on tactical strategy.

Windjammers 2 is a pretty simple game, but it's also a fun one. Once you climb that short, steep learning curve, every match is a blast. Even when you're getting creamed, it's something of a teachable moment. Plus, there's also some new technique or strategy you can employ next round. Everything looks and sounds extremely 90's, while the characters themselves all use distinct play styles. This was a huge boon for me, as I could just switch players whenever I hit a wall. Even if the game is quite straightforward, the well-rounded multiplayer will ensure you're never actually bored. If you're looking for an extreme, vibrant, 90's style sports game, you've come to the right place. Windjammers 2 is a neon-drenched, disc-flinging good time. ‎

Similar to a classic arcade game but made better, Spacejacked is extremely addicting and delightfully frustrating.

Offering challenging puzzles and a funny dialogue, the overall experience playing through Murder by Numbers is a highly positive one. With an endearing cast of characters and the right amount of humour, there’s never a dull moment in the game. The nonograms are challenging even for an enthusiast such as myself, which is great for those who have tried pixel puzzles before. Unfortunately while it could be difficult for newcomers, I would still recommend learning it through Murder by Numbers, because solving one feels incredibly rewarding, especially if it involves unraveling a murder mystery.

Oxenfree 2: Lost Signals is a beautifully told story that improves on the original. The structure is exciting and fosters intrigue in the multilayered narrative. Although Night School Studios does improve the gameplay, it fails to take advantage of these segments. Despite that, the wonderful art direction, intelligent narrative and relatable characters make this a memorable adventure.

Overall, Warhammer 40,000: Mechanicus isn’t a bad game. It certainly has its issues, especially in the balancing department, but aside from that, the issues don’t tend to seriously hurt what you’ll be looking for if you’re considering playing this game. The game isn’t ground-breaking, but it’s not a step backwards either.

For a free-to-play game, Arknights: Endfield offers a wealth of well-made content. The factory building, tower defense mechanics, exploration, and team-based combat elements offer engaging hours of play, certainly worth the price of admission for fans of those genres. Mid to late game, Arknight: Endfield loses a bit of luster, devolving into more tedious gacha mechanics and not evolving its systems enough to keep the fun going for more casual players.

Playing Dune: Awakening is an uneven experience. The survival and building loops start strong, then eventually bog down, but experiencing the Dune universe and Arrakis is always engaging. If the game’s combat could reach the heights of its stellar world-building, Dune: Awakening would be very hard to put down. As it is, the game’s crafting/survival loops are just strong enough to keep me playing when its combat tempts me to stop.

The scary bits aren’t scary and the story goes flat almost out of nowhere, leaving for an experience that is very stunted.

Golf Peaks is a calm, de-stressing game that makes you plan ahead but also does not punish you for making the wrong move. It is suitable for all ages, encourages creative thinking, and is also relaxing to play. You can easily finish the game in one sitting if you wish, but you can also put it down and easily pick it back up later. While the game is on the shorter side, it is also enough fun and challenge to satisfy for a short period of time.

Multiplayer is the same battles, only with ranks to contend with. There’s an arcade mode that you can finish in less than an hour, and the Maxiboost missions that will keep you busy for ages. When you’re not engaged in furious combat with a host of other Gundams, you can mess with the Gallery and just look at them. There’s even a list of short animations associated with some of the arcs! Overall it’s truly just battling. If this is something you’ve always wanted out of a Gundam game, you’re in for a treat. But I can’t emphasize enough how pared down this experience is. But if fighting is what you want, then Mobile Suit Gundam Extreme VS Maxiboost ON is exactly what you need.

Assassin’s Creed Nexus VR is probably the best action game available for the Meta Quest 3 system and I’d go so far as to call it a hardware-seller. It’s certainly an impressive proof-of-concept for the standalone headset. As an Assassin’s Creed game, it nails the series’ classic stealth and parkour moves, all the more impressive in virtual reality. It isn’t an open world game, but all the better for it. I’d say it’s a must-buy for new Quest 3 owners.

Once you strip away the needless open-world padding, there's an excellent game underneath. The world is engrossing and beautiful, the boss fights are clever, and the new controls are seamlessly integrated into the rest of the game. There are some breathtaking sights to see, and Samus is sporting some awesome new armour. All the superior design choices make the baffling ones stand out even more, however. I can't comprehend why this game was made open-world. The backtracking you have to do is downright offensive. Otherwise, this is a fantastic entry in the Metroid Prime series.

Even with its flaws, Sairento VR‘s brand of cyberninja action makes it one of the most unique and refreshing shooters to date.

Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name doesn’t reinvent the wheel by any means. For Yakuza/Like Dragon fans, it’ll be a familiar, albeit enjoyable experience. It has a few shortcomings – the most egregious being a painfully slow first few hours. But once it gets going, Gaiden packs a punch. One that’s sure to keep you satiated until Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth drops.

Overall, NBA 2K23 has some of the best gameplay in an NBA 2K game. While the MyPlayer mode is a bit of a shadow of its former self, the various additions and changes to MyTeam and MyNBA make up for it overall. Despite being on point in most areas, the Virtual Currency situation will definitely affect players’ enjoyment of the game. While the term “pay to win” does come to mind, NBA2K23’s gameplay and various modes are still very well done.

In Other Waters is a slow-paced and oddly satisfying game that asks for your patience and imagination. It is like reading a book where you are transported into a completely different world, and with each discovery Ellery makes the environment becomes more detailed and beautiful. With full control of the expedition that engages the player from the moment the game starts, In Other Waters is highly interactive and unapologetically detailed, a little slower and a lot more reading than I would have preferred, but an overall impressive experience.

LEGO Star Wars: The Force Awakens is a blast to play through and only excites me for what comes next.

What drew me to Arcade Spirits is the aesthetic and the story. The characters are cute and easy to like, and I love being able to track my status instead of guessing where I stand. Arcade Spirits has an enjoyable story and I will be playing it again until I’ve romanced everyone. It doesn’t really bring any innovation into dating sim world but it is one I can easily recommend.

I loved Chronicles of the Wolf. It’s rare to find a game inspired by proto-Metroidvania NES adventure games. It’s also rare to find a game that looks like a Sega Genesis action platformer. These aspects set the game apart from other contemporary Metroidvanias. The little bit of needed menu polish will hopefully be patched soon, because Chronicles of the Wolf is one of my favorite games of 2025. It definitely has my favorite music from any game of 2025. If you’re at all curious, please don’t hesitate to pick it up.

A wonder to play, a joy to experience, a feast for the senses and a heartfelt story told by a team of passionate developers.

Blackwood Crossing is a game I highly recommend experiencing. It’s a game that defies explanation but has deeply emotional implications. If you’re as fascinated as I am by the emerging trend of games that portray real feels then Blackwood Crossing is a no-brainer.

Lost in Random: The Eternal Die isn’t literally a sequel, of course. It’s an interesting switch to a new genre, and a gamble that pays off. With its fast, challenging, colorful action and a unique setting, Lost in Random: The Eternal Die puts a compelling spin on familiar roguelike mechanics. Both fans of the genre and the first Lost in Random game should find plenty to enjoy.

The price is a bit steep considering this is not a new game, but there is probably no better car racing experience on the Switch right now. It may be pretty loose and free in its presentation, but there’s no shortage of fun to be had in Paradise City. When the rubber hits the road, Burnout Paradise Remastered on the Switch has what it takes under the hood.

To be clear, there’s a lot of space in this world for gentle, low-impact games. Wytchwood isn’t a bad game because it’s easier than Dark Souls. Difficulty is not the only reason to play a game. But Wytchwood does let the player down with such a vague and uninteresting story. A game needs a hook, and this story ain’t it. Crafting games make me uniquely aware of how much time I am wasting by playing them. But in the end, I like to look back at the little work of art I made by building a house, or a city, or a space station. In Wytchwood I am just collecting ingredients because the game told me to collect those ingredients. It’s an attractive enough game, but it needs something else substantial.

Sega is straight-up hooked on compilations. Their old catalogue has come out on everything from the PS2 to the Mini Genesis. You almost certainly own half the games in this collection several times over. On the other hand, Sonic 3 and Sonic CD are two terrific games that deserve your attention. Plus, Sega has done an admirable job in filling this collection with bonus content. And we can't overlook the accessibility win that is Anniversary Mode. While there are a lot of old Sonic games that deserve this treatment more, Sonic Origins has earned a place of sorts. If you're looking for a glittery shrine to Sonic's 2D era, this collection has got you covered.

CastleStorm does a good job of combining polished mechanics from other games with a decent script to form an entertaining game. It’s nothing spectacular, but it’s certainly fun. I sat down with it for about five hours the first day I played it and found myself eager to continue playing it the following day. That’s enough for me to give it a recommendation.

If DICE is telling the truth and Battlefield V develops into a long-term, always evolving online game, fans are in for a treat. The bones of BFV are robust. It looks outstanding, plays great, and the stories of World War 2 are a constant draw for history fans. There are rough patches for the time being, but if those get smoothed out and the content pipeline remains full, Battlefield V stands to have a very, very long shelf life with shooter fans.

With the promise of DLC, on top of the essentially endless gameplay, Forager is easily something you’ll get bang for your buck with. The eShop price may seem a little high, but considering just how polished the experience comes off, it makes a strong case for your time. In what is already a surprisingly substantial offering, the promise of additional content may seem intimidating considering just how much there is to do already, but with no end in sight, I don’t really care to be honest. I eagerly look forward to returning again and again to Forager’s expanding isles for the foreseeable future.

In Four Last Things, Joe Richardson invented a whole new genre of sorts. Maybe he doesn’t mess with the formula this time around, but The Procession to Calvary once again delivers all the side-splitting humor and cheeky, clever satire that won me over three years ago. It almost makes me feel guilty to have so much fun playing a game in which I decapitate people, laugh at torture victims, and do the Devil’s bidding (you’ll see). For that I place the blame squarely on Joe Richardson, damn him, and I can’t wait for his next game.

The personality of Revita shines through its 16-bit art style. A clear ode to greats of the past, the game possesses large sprites that have a ton of character. The blue-haired protagonist has a simple but memorable design that is in line with games of the era. This is further amplified with its retro-inspired soundbites. With its catchy melodies and general effects, the game perfectly captures the feel of the 90s.

For anyone who missed it back in 2019, Days Gone Remastered is the best version of a game that’s definitely better than its reputation suggests. Its implementation on PS5 is very well done, and the new game modes are interesting to spend time with. With a haunting open world to explore, a substantial narrative and excellent combat, Days Gone Remastered is a solid action adventure and easy to recommend for fans of the genre.

Overall, Not Tonight is incredibly fun – repetitive, but fun. The different conditions in each level keeps the monotony of the task interesting, and the strange situations that challenge your moral reasoning makes each hour spent more entertaining than the next. With its satirical tone and quirky storyline, the game mocks political movements and stereotypical characters while presenting to us a simulation game for adults to enjoy. After spending hours playing this game, I feel like I could probably work as a pretty efficient bouncer in real life now.

People are so used to specific styles of turn-based strategy that the way Mutant Year Zero approaches things may seem too different, potentially scaring off fans of the genre as well as newcomers. That being said, there is a lot to like between the polish of the game’s world-building, the genuinely unique approach to encounters, and the flexibility of each character’s skills. If you’re not afraid of a little challenge and are looking for a strategy title that oozes charm, then you may want to dip a toe in the Zone with Dux and Bormin.

The Capcom Beat ‘Em Up Bundle is another welcome feather in the cap that is their redemption arc that we’ve been seeing in 2018, and if you’re dying to knock heads with Mayor Haggar or rack up some coin with the crew of Battle Circuit, this is an excellent reminder of why Capcom did so much for this genre.

From Other Suns certainly owes a lot to other well-established titles, but by recontextualizing its borrowed ideas in VR, it manages to carve out its own identity in the process. Commanding your own spaceship into uncharted space never gets tiring, and a slew of unlockable ships and weapons along with online multiplayer only further lengthens replayability. Though not without its flaws, From Other Suns will prove to be a worthwhile addition for anyone looking for a novel VR experience. I was never able to make it to Earth, but I’m already looking forward to my next attempt.

The slowness of the growth and the beauty of the end result, and the intervening moments, make Green Planet a wonderful game to unwind and relax. But the challenge means you’ll also be engaged. It would have been easy to add a few new projects to the research track and call it a day, but the terraforming is so integrated into the existing game, you’ll constantly find yourself marveling at the design. But the real selling point are the wonderfully applied graphics. It’s a testament to what a different the look of a game can make, and how it can enhance the gameplay.

If games like The Forest were up your alley, I do recommend giving Green Hell a shot. However, if you’re easily frustrated by obscure deaths vs trial and error, I’d recommend starting out at the easier difficulty so you can enjoy what it has to offer without needing to wrestle in frustration.

It’s not a new game, far from it, but it’s a rollicking continuation and one that leaves you wanting the next chapter. The improvements are incremental, but if Remedy can keep this momentum going, the next installment should be the true masterpiece. There aren’t enough psychic power action titles, and right now, Control is the best game in town.

Curse of the Dead Gods is a brutal, dark, and edgy roguelite --one that takes inspiration from others in the genre while offering plenty of unique mechanics and ideas that set it apart from its predecessors. The game is hard, but rewards are frequent and plentiful. Winning a run, or being able to purchase a few of the pricier upgrades offers extreme satisfaction, making you feel like a true adventurer. The game elegantly balances a deep and complex risk/reward mechanic, while confronting you with an intricate and brutally difficult combat system. All things considered, the risks are truly worth the rewards in Curse of the Dead Gods.

While it may seem like Insurgency: Sandstorm has built-in anchors, it might be the best type of FPS for how it creatively builds on top of hurdles. There are no shortcuts to the objective, but scores of players would prefer it that way. To survive, you must be adept at the FPS genre. To thrive, you must be studious at the briefing and in the field. There’s nothing quite like a successful mission borne of organization and good teamwork. That’s why triumph on the battlefield alongside your fellow squadmates makes all the challenges seem worth the hassle. Hell, sometimes there’s no fun without it.

Creed: Rise to Glory – Championship Edition is the best boxing VR game to date. The new controllers allow you to freely move around the ring and pick out your shot. This increases the immersion to create some incredible moments. Unfortunately, the new campaign follows the same loop of the original and doesn’t offer anything new. However, the actual in ring action is a knockout combo.

Beyond Galaxyland is still among the games that are entertaining and have some charm and mystery which will make players stay. Fans of sci-fi adventures who have an affinity for indie titles should absolutely check out this title. The mixture of an interesting plot, character relations, and a beautifully designed universe makes it a game that is worth exploring even if some portions of the game could use some refinement.

I wanted to like this game more. It’s charming, technically competent but ultimately I could not get past it’s shortcomings to consider it much more than an average game.

Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream is a weird but strangely addictive title that continues to surprise each time you dip in. The level of customisation helps create a truly unique experience, where the Miis, clothing, and more are shaped entirely by your choices, letting you fine-tune every detail to reflect your own quirky vision. This leads to an array of wacky stories and situations that keep you coming back for more. Although there’s a lack of traditional gameplay and not much to keep you playing for longer than short bursts, it’s a successful evolution of its predecessor and a relaxing, cosy experience that’s easy to return to.

With a solid suite of online and multiplayer features, great use of the 3D power, and that simple but yet addictive gameplay, one can’t go wrong picking this game up.

This is as complete an NHL experience as I think you can possibly get in a video game. With so many ways to play, it is almost like you are getting 4, 5, or more games for the price of one.

At the end of the day Rock Band 4 feels more like an evolution than a drastic departure.

I wouldn’t call the Switch port of Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen the most definitive version, but it’s definitely a very good one.

Killzone: Mercenary is a fairly good game, it is as simple as that. It a great title to show off how good games can look on the PS Vita, as well as how good one can play including the touch screen support. Sure, it’s not a true console experience, given a few control compromises and a few technical issues, but it is as close as I have come on the PS Vita, especially for an FPS.

Without a doubt, My Friend Pedro’s greatest strength is its gameplay. While its surrounding narrative and levels are not at the same level, they do not hinder what is an overall solid game. My Friend Pedro is a relatively unique game that is hard to compare with anything contemporary and plays well to its strengths. With the ability to replay the game on higher difficulty settings and compete for higher scores, we can see My Friend Pedro being a fun pickup-and-play title for the foreseeable future.

My time with Remnant was a total roller-coaster. There were moments of pure, unfiltered rage, peaks of elation, ah-ha moments, and quiet zen grinds. For the most part though, it's just a steady climb. The developers are not shy about how hard this game is. If that's your cup of tea, perfect! Every victory will be hard-fought, bloody, and beautiful once behind you. I just couldn't shake the small, nagging sense that my few successes weren't earned. I just got lucky, squeaking through the cracks. More than this minor unease, my playtime was marked by anger, by exasperated breaths and whitened knuckles. I ended up having more fun than I expected to, but that shiny nugget of suffering remains. Heed my wary words and proceed at your peril. If a tough time is your aim, then Remnant: From the Ashes is absolutely your game.

A Shady Part of Me is short and could be completed in an evening or two, so it’s much easier to digest what’s on offer before the simplicity of it wears you out. Overall, I would love to have seen more complexity in my time with it, or simply deeper twists on an already crowded genre. If not mechanically then emotionally. LIMBO and INSIDE were standouts not only because of the mechanics but the world-building and tension as well. Likewise, Braid was an homage that never squandered on difficulty. I hope that what comes next from this studio is a bit more daring than what came before it, as A Shady Part of Me inspires confidence.

Although Shinobi likely isn’t going to gain any new fans from this release, it is a comprehensive, well put together, package for the original game. It contains every modern enhancement I could think of, and for only $8, it’s a steal for all Shinobi fans.

It’s not hard to recommend Shinsekai: Into The Depths as a very good Metroidvania. And anybody looking for a unique one, will certainly find success in choosing it. However, there are a plethora of amazing Metroidvania titles available, and if you’re new to the genre, I can think of at least twenty others that would be a better place to start.

If ever there was a mixed bag, Redout 2 is it. When you’re going slow enough to take in the sights, those sights are gorgeous, if a little cluttered and hard to parse. Most of the time, though, you’ll be speeding through levels absurdly fast. You’ll also be crashing into walls and flying off the track, too, because the controls demand absolute precision. There are a lot of absent features on our wish list, like an actual story, better tutorials and a real learning curve. On a continuum from fun to frustration, Redout 2 sometimes edges uncomfortably close to the latter.

Arizona Sunshine Remake is a very welcome remaster in a world stuffed with game remasters. VR technology has improved tremendously in the years since the original game launched. This is especially true on the PlayStation side, where the inside out tracking of the PSVR 2 has replaced the light-based tracking of the PSVR 1. If you have fond memories of Arizona Sunshine, picking up this Remake for $10 is a no-brainer.

Daedalic has a strong reputation, and they’ve maintained it with this release.

If grinding for loot, shooting zombies, and building the coolest forts ever sounds like it’s up your alley, I can’t recommend Fortnite enough.

While Brass Tactics doesn’t break new grounds in the RTS formula, it stands as the best of its kind in VR today. The overall design is simple and intuitive so that novice players can dip their feet in without trouble, yet provides enough depth to satisfy genre fans. With such accessibility alone, Brass Tactics sets a new standard for others to follow.