There are so many big games these days, it's easy to forget the details of one even as recently as last gen, and L.A. Noire does a fantastic job in reminding just how good it is. The story is engaging, the investigations are fun, the world is deep and immersive, and the interrogations are truly unique. Even with the slight performance woes, the game is very impressive on Switch, especially in handheld mode. This, along with titles like Skyrim and DOOM, sets a promising precedent, and open the door to many other games well deserving of remasters that would be amazing to be able to play on handheld.

Toothless as political commentary, and with its, supposedly, big focus on choice being almost non-existent, it would be alright to assume that this isn't a big recommendation - and yet it is. Digixart's anti-fascist indie might not be as good it thinks when it comes to politics, and the choose-your-own-adventure layer under it all is paper-thin at best, but simply as an experience, as a road trip across a beautiful land, filled with interesting (to say the least) characters, yes, this is one of the best indies that have been released this past month, warts and all. Its replay value is, unfortunately, very low, but do yourself a favour, and try it out when you get the chance. Road 96 is a flawed but undoubtedly memorable journey.

Observation is far from an easy recommendation. If you can't stand slow-paced games, with an unrelentingly cryptic plot, an extreme emphasis in realism and immersion, and puzzles of the "how the heck does this work" variety, avoid it at all costs. The rest can safely give it a go. It's probably the best hard sci-fi thriller of the year, and a must have for those who are in love with space and cosmic horror.

The inclusion of sixty unique galaxies, multiplayer features, and online leaderboards helps to make an already addictive concept that much more enjoyable and repayable.

If you enjoyed Launch of the Screaming Narwhal, then The Siege of Spinner Cay is an essential purchase.

It's an astonishing feat to have fully translated this complex console game to a handheld with all the bells and whistles intact, and despite a handful of technical shortcomings, it's still just as adorable and joyous as it was three years ago. The home consoles may offer a more convenient, well-polished version, but 3DS owners could do a lot worse than to delve into the captain's trials in handheld form.

Those who love The Binding of Isaac and Enter the Gungeon will find an awful lot to like here. The gameplay is fast and fluid, the presentation striking, and there is a huge amount to keep coming back for. There are tons of things to unlock that change up subsequent runs, unique seeds to master the most enjoyable versions of levels, and even an insanely challenging difficulty mode to unlock. The biggest issue is the small amount of rooms to pull from when generating a stage. It's not too noticeable for a few play-throughs, but for the players who will run this over and over, it really detracts from the experience.

A mixed bag of emotions and gameplay sum up Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus. A lot in the way of graphical fidelity has been hacked away at in order to get this on Nintendo Switch, but it is quite clear those who are interested in this FPS know exactly what to expect on that front. Despite the obvious visual downgrade, coupled with the pacing and storyline issues, there is still a solid arcade game here that can sit alongside DOOM (or maybe the next shelf down).

Built to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Final Fantasy, this is a fitting commemoration. The story is wonderful, the writing regularly funny, the turn-based combat is a big reason as to why the series is so adored, and the raising and capturing of Mirages is joyous. Even better, the mass of new content makes it so this version is not only the definitive version, but it's definitely worth a second playthrough after completion - and even worth double-dipping for those who picked the original game up.

There is almost nothing to dislike about World End Syndrome. It looks and plays beautifully with a variety of shocking plot twists added among some well-known anime tropes which are comforting to read in a visual novel whose plot is definitely not cute and fluffy. It doesn't matter that, like all visual novels, scenes are reused over and over. The plot is so engaging that the repetitive nature isn't an issue, nor is having to load an earlier save when a wrong choice is made and the main character is brutally murdered. For those more easily scared it is advisable not to play this game in the dark, as ordinary night noise morphs into a death seeking being whose badness is not as clear cut as it seems. To get one hundred percent completion, several playthroughs will be necessary, yet each character is likeable enough that replaying it isn't a chore, not when more truths will be revealed by doing so.

GRID Autosport, in its Switch incarnation, is a technically accomplished port of a solid entry in a genre defining franchise that falls right in-between arcade fun and driving sim. The level of polish to ensure maximum performance and visual fidelity in both modes is astounding and Feral Interactive deserves all the praise it can get for it. With solid gameplay, a wide range of difficulty options, and an amount of content to please everyone, it is the de facto best serious racing game on the system at the time of its release. However, repetitiveness and complete lack of multiplayer at launch, hold it back from being absolutely perfect in every way.

Sending you back in to the - near - past of Frostpunk, the first major expansion, The Last Autumn, has you building the first generator; the machine which was used to keep you alive in the main campaign. While it plays a different ball game, one that's less about survival (at least in the beginning), and more about managing a group of discontent, unmotivated group of people, this retains all the strengths of the original, and is therefore highly recommended to fans.

Treasure-like in its level of sheer ingenuity, Dakko Dakko's Scram Kitty and his Buddy on Rails is the sort of addictive shooter that is a must-own for Wii U owners and belies its initially brief appearance in the length stakes.

Max Mustard is a joyous platformer that wears its inspiration on its sleeve. It makes great use of the PS VR2 hardware by involving players in the action not just through direct control of Max, but through interactions with the environment. The popping colours, happy vibes and cool art style all help it feel really polished and exciting from start to end. With punchy boss fights and a great sense of scale, there really isn't anything this doesn't do really well. A thorough recommendation for PS VR2 owners!

The SEGA Ages line of classics expands its puzzler repertoire with another top tier title, and one that is well worth considering over its Switch Online SNES Counterpart. Lively and full of charm, despite being restrained to Japanese character dialogue, the Ages extra features both expected and new make this the defining version of Puyo Puyo 2.

One of Sonic’s better games is wonderfully remastered in the shape of Sonic X Shadow Generations, and although there is some exhilarating gameplay here if the time is taken to master the stages, 3D portions still have that familiar inconsistency at times, while Shadow’s story is more of the same but improves on the controls. A huge wealth of unlockables make this the ideal game for series fans, but it is a shame the 3DS levels weren’t included to form a meatier compilation.

Although it does not impress quite as much as other recent SEGA 3D Classics re-released on the 3DS eShop, like 3D After Burner II, for example, it certainly still deserves its own place on the platform and manages to stand on its own.

For all its DLC problems and lacklustre content, BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle is still a fun fighting game to play both online and offline. It is a much more simplified and newbie-friendly BlazBlue game than any in the main series, but that doesn't prevent it from having anything going for it. These franchises deserved better, though; this should have been a bigger celebration of Arc System Works' characters, and it's a real pity that more love wasn't put into it. With any luck, a complete package will release in the future - hopefully with some extra modes that do the BlazBlue name some justice.

For Harvest Moon and Rune Factory fans, Frontier proves to be one of the best titles console titles in years, with pretty visuals, decent voice acting and as usual plenty of things to do.

Simple, yet satisfying. Skies of Fury DX is a mobile title that belongs on the Nintendo Switch. A quick pick-up-and-play experience that has appealing audio-visuals, can be enjoyed in short bursts, and has flexible multiplayer options. The only downside is the lack of variety in the types of stages and missions that are on offer, particularly for the current, £14.59 price tag.

Once the one that would show the industry how things should be done, Civilization VII is an unpolished, pale imitation of what a Civilization instalment should be. There are a myriad of problems with this, but the biggest one is that the wonderful feeling of freedom for which the series was always known for is now completely gone, as players are forced to go down very specific paths in every single match. Unless there’s a very, very big sale, it would be best to stay away from this bundle of disappointment.

No Sleep for Kaname Date is a side-game that does not provide a lot new in terms of gameplay, instead acting as an additional, enjoyable bonus story for existing fans. As long as a player goes into this not expecting the next chapter in the AI: The Somnium Files story, but an addendum to the first two games, then they’ll have a good time hanging out with Date and Aiba once again.

The main strength of The Gardens Between is the deeper meaning found within. It utilises a largely voiceless and textless narrative to great effect. Not only is this an impressive feat on its own, it showcases the brilliance of the medium. This game eschews tradition to draw players into a fascinating world. As they witness the memories shared by Arina and Frendt, they may find themselves recalling their own childhood. While those memories aren't always the kind one can look back on with fondness, their significance can't be understated or forgotten. They are what shape us.

Quite simply, Rise and Fall is a must-buy expansion for any Civilization VI owner. The fundamental core of the experience has, of course, not been radically changed - however it didn't need to. Rather, what has been added is a refinement that encourages strategic development and thinking and gives a constant treadmill of challenges to overcome in order to create the greatest civilisation. The loyalty mechanic accompanies this all nicely by again increasing the difficulty curve by just the right amount to avoid annoyance. The disappointment about the global emergencies does not detract from the experience enough to consider Rise and Fall anything other than a triumph.

Mechstermination Force is a terrific boss-rush adventure that grants a few hours of undisputed, frenetic, and fast-paced gunplay against gargantuan robotic titans. Climb up the legs and torsos of these mighty beasts and take back Earth. Up to two heroes can blast away these monsters to the backdrop of fantastic audio tracks, while using a plethora of the biggest and most damaging guns. The visuals look neat, and the action-heavy fights are pretty to look at. If one downside had to be mentioned, it's that this experience can be over pretty quick as there aren't a lot of MegaMechs to battle, and the three-star system used to replay previous battles doesn't feature any further incentive other than bragging rights.

Hunting ghosts is taken to a new level as they copy the player upon being defeated, and the quick speed makes this a fun and frantic title, whether it is played alone or with friends. Between the arcade, challenge, and deathmatch modes, there is a lot to do for anyone looking for a simple and very enjoyable experience. The only drawbacks come from the lack of online play, but Extreme Exorcism is still great to play alone or with some friends.

The Monster Hunter franchise has a rich and varied universe but outside of a handful of spin-offs; its games have always been limited to their very specific formula. That's a doubled-edged sword, as the fans don't want big changes but those who don't enjoy the series' core mechanics are missing out on a fantastic universe filled with some amazing monster designs and the fabulous Felynes. Monster Hunter Stories breaks the mold and delivers an experience that shows that universe is just waiting for more innovative ideas. Like Final Fantasy Tactics and Dragon Quest Builders, Monster Hunter Stories delivers a wholly new experience that is utterly addictive and absolutely superb. If you enjoy Pokémon, give this a chance!

Yay… boots on the ground! Hopefully that tiresome, overused phrase can finally be airlifted out of the gaming lexicon as Call of Duty is all about that terra-firma trench foot experience, baby. It will be interesting to see if the fickle game-buying public starts to hanker after the good old days of wall-running and power sliding in a few years from now, but as it currently stands, Sledgehammer has delivered exactly the product that was needed to revitalise the franchise at exactly the right time. Call of Duty: WWII is an explosive return to the series' roots that does have a few minor issues and can occasionally come across as being a bit generic, but for the most part is pretty solid in execution. Whether it's enough to win back lapsed fans is anybody's guess, but the highly polished campaign, habit forming multiplayer, and the satisfyingly creepy zombies mode gel perfectly together to bring a package that should at least appeal to the diehards.

While this still retains the 'arcade' feel of racing, this is as fun as they come in terms of pure enjoyment from the thrill of tearing across dirt tracks, without track faults or graphical inconsistencies that hurt the previous titles. However, this does suffer from an "all eggs all in one basket" approach, in that there's not much in store here aside from career mode. If WRC 8 is the foundation of the franchise moving forwards, then it's safe to be anxious to see what Kylotonn has in store for the next title.

SteamWorld Heist II is impressively epic and offers gamers a lot of bang for their buck. It's a bigger, better, and more varied strategy game than its predecessor. While the story is mostly fluff to support the deep combat systems and character building, most people won't notice because they'll be too focused on the heat of a battle which unfolds like a tense story in its own right.

There are better rhythm games out there, but people who like the genre are going to find a solid title here; people who like Avicii’s work are going to find a solid title here; and people who like to see a lot of colours, lights and sounds while cruising a spaceship to music—at breakneck speed or as casually as they want—will want to check this one out, too.

While the story in BattleTech takes some interesting turns, and the combat is slow if serviceable, the game chugs along as playable with occasional moments of greatness. The major issues come from how combat is both too slow at times and too random, plus there are too many numbers to sort through for anyone short of the very dedicated. The structural problems are too ingrained in the game to easily fix, which is unfortunate as there is actually a solid package underneath the problems.

Offering far more value for money than what may first appear, The Denpa Men's overall variety may be in question, yet it does provide an excellent starting point for newer players as well as something a little different for veterans.

Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly Remake is a masterful return to one of horror’s most enduring tales, revitalising its atmosphere and emotional weight without losing sight of what made it special. It stands as a reminder that true fear comes not from spectacle, but from the quiet moments where imagination fills the gaps, and in that regard, this new interpretation succeeds with chilling confidence.

Broken Sword was a classic over a decade ago and remains so today, despite many pretenders to the adventure throne appearing over the years and a few games actually surpassing Revolution Software's title.

Capcom Fighting Collection presents a slightly bemusing package, given that half of the content is Darkstalkers and seven of these titles are in the two Capcom Arcade Stadium games. Cyberbots feels oddly out of place with its mecha-style gameplay, as does Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo, but that's hardly a complaint; it just feels like the overall product could have been bolstered by more of Capcom's rich fighting game history, of which there is plenty to choose from. This is a great way to dive into the fan favourite Darkstalkers franchise, in particular, though, and seeing games previously exclusive to arcades, like Red Earth, make their way to consoles for the first time is a pleasure. Just beware the hefty price tag and lack of cross-platform online play.

Cyber Shadow is not a perfect game; levels occasionally overstay their welcome and the visual variety between locales is quite limited. Still, the core gameplay and design are so polished that it's hard to put down. Nothing feels more satisfying than successfully comboing together Shadow's moves to narrowly survive a perilous set-piece. It learns the best lessons from its classic inspirations while still trying out new things, culminating in a smooth, difficult, and rewarding experience for fans of the genre.

When the story hits some of its high points, AI: The Somnium Files is really good, and feels like the same kind of high 999 gave… but it is largely crippled by just how slow and repetitious it all is. Random slapstick and outright unrealistic scenes draws players out very quickly from the attempt at being a serious plot. It goes nowhere fast, and the whiplash between attempts at humour and serious moments are too ham-fisted. The overall plot could easily be cut by more than half, and the overall experience would be better for it.

With attention to detail within every nook and cranny, watching how their two stories diverge and converge at integral moments of the game is a fascinating experience that needs to be played through twice. Playing as both Leo and Vince will offer two unique story paths, as they both have different roles in solving puzzles, while narrative-forks provide a Choose-Your-Own-Adventure element to the story.

For any newcomers to the Neo Geo resurgence occurring on the Nintendo Switch right now, it can seem a bit daunting deciding exactly where to set up your stall and enter the fray. Rest assured, the decision is made here with SNK vs. Capcom: The Match of the Millennium being a choice that does not disappoint. Back during its release in 1999, the collaboration between these two giants was monumental and even now in 2021, its clear to see how much love was put into its creation. With a diverse, full roster, great sound and graphics as well as a variety of modes to keep players returning, it's never been a better time to begin your Neo Geo library.

Sure, it's possible to receive an especially rare and powerful demon through summoning, but not everyone is going to have the patience for a less than .01% chance. Those who take the time to learn the many intricacies will discover that the results are quite rewarding. A well-equipped and balanced party will overcome the most improbable of challenges. The automated features are especially convenient, and gamers can dedicate as much or as little of their time as desired.

Octahedron: Transfixed Edition is a brilliantly realised visual and audible artistic creation that demanded a lot of effort to bring to Switch, while preserving perfect performance in both modes. It is a resounding success on that front. Gameplay is also extremely tight and responsive, and the concept itself is addicting... in small doses.

A delightful knitted theme makes Yoshi's Woolly World a true joy to play, as everything from Yoshi and his various abilities, to the landscapes and elemental hazards, is beautifully rendered.

The first game in SEGA's early 2009 Wii onslaught is a resounding success.

Big Bang Mini takes the shooter formula, shakes it around and serves up a definitely triple-A piece of gaming goodness that will test gamers to the maximum.

A hugely satisfying and wondrous adventure.

While a great game, a fix to this is in sincere need. The gameplay is great and shows the best sides of both genres, as it mixes together in a wonderful way that helps them enhance each other, while at the same time offering a more pure experience for the respective genres.

Gearbox long ago managed to make pure concentrated gaming compulsion and they've perfected it here. Insane amounts of fun, blasting across multiple worlds with some of the craziest guns ever imagined, and even more fun with friends… when the frame-rate keeps up, something hopefully the developer will address. The humour may not be to everyone's tastes, and while some elements are obnoxious - again, Claptrap needs to stay dead - and there are just too many jokes, there are plenty that work, and work well. The Borderlands formula works, and has inspired countless other pretenders. Borderlands 3 shows that the original is still the best.

Endlessly delightful, with a keen eye for creative puzzle design and brisk pacing, ibb & obb is a must play for all co-op lovers out there. A strictly two-player adventure, each stage manages to pair natural teamwork with momentum-paced puzzle-solving, and thought provoking platforming segments that frequently make great use of the title's unique center of gravity. The rising difficulty curve in the second half can be potentially discouraging, but the core controls are simple enough where quite literally anyone can pick the puzzle-platformer up for the first time and quickly understand how to interact with the world. Complete with an online mode, plenty of levels, and excellent presentation, ibb & obb belongs on every Switch owner's console.

For the quality included in Double Dragon & Kunio-kun: Retro Brawler Bundle, it feels as if Arc System Works isn't onto a winner here. In fact, when giving it a little thought, it's hard to understand why this collection is needed at all. Any Switcher with access to the Nintendo Online service already has access to some of the best titles available here. Double Dragon and Double Dragon II, as well as River City Ransom[/], and [i]Volleyball are available for the small yearly subscription, and are probably the best titles on offer. It's a major barrier to warrant a purchase, and the question will always rear its ugly head: why buy the gaming cow when you are getting the milk for free? One for the fans, and diehard retro collectors only…

Haunting, evocative, introspective, atmospheric and memorable, Shady Part of Me feels like a journey - and, a very personal one at that. It's the kind of journey that many in the audience will be able to identify with. It may only take a few hours, but it's one worth experiencing more than once. Just eight people made this title, and it's exciting to see what that little team will be able to do next.

Unbound: Worlds Apart is a game that looks and sounds wonderful, with a central gameplay hook, and it keeps players on their toes. Plus, with a lenient checkpoint system even the most difficult parts feel less daunting. Aside from some performance hiccups on Nintendo Switch and a passable story, this is definitely worth a look or two.

DARQ: Complete Edition is a very curious and compelling living nightmare. Fans of puzzle adventures games like Myst or Broken Sword will find the alluring mystery and quandaries to solve to be very satisfying. The art direction is impressive, and for a title that was developed by an incredibly small team, it is comparable to mid-level developed indie creations. It is simplicity in a very pure form, and that is why it works so well... at least when it doesn't glitch.

With developer Gust's unexpended expansion to their most favoured sub-series, comes what can be considered the best in the Atelier set to date. Casting away previous conventions to introduce new, more enriching characters, and world-building structures, Atelier Lulua's challenge spikes and lack of English dub does little to take the shine off the gem beneath.

Metal Gear Solid: Snake Eater 3D is the best cinematic experience to be witnessed on the Nintendo 3DS, full stop. However, the very fact that it is such a deep and involving game makes it not so suitable for handhelds.

Shin-chan: Shiro and the Coal Town takes what made the previous Shin-chan game good and adds a twist of intrigue that is much stronger than the latter's plot. There is a lot of fun to be had in Shin-chan's new adventure in Coal Town and a good relaxing holiday story to boot. The dedication to matching the visual and writing style of the Shin-chan universe makes this a joy to experience and a fantastic pickup for those who pine for summer during the cold seasons! It's a satisfying little adventure story with a ton of very odd humour and a really unique design.

Please, Touch The Artwork 2 has a few original concepts, like making many paintings feel connected, but the gameplay is uninteresting, slow and sometimes annoying. It may be a game for art lovers, but gamers are probably better off looking elsewhere.

DLCs are often targeted at those wanting to expand the core game. Ashes of Elrant, though, is largely more of the same. Problems in Chained Echoes' main quest, like the grind of battle, lack of player progression or questionable ending, are not addressed in the slightest. Those looking for a story-adjacent experience will be interested, but anyone after something new is going to want to pass.

Scarlet Nexus blends a unique Brain Punk visual style with tight combat that requires adaptation and synergy. The Others are the game's ace up its sleeve with bizarre but creative creature variety. Each enemy type demands adaptability with the assortment of abilities at Yuito and Kasane's disposal thanks to their squadmates. Outside of combat, character moments shine in Bond Episodes and the writing is complemented well by a talented English voice cast. The variety of personalities does well to carry the weight of the convoluted plot as it progresses. However, the slideshow presentation of the vast majority of cutscenes diminishes the emotional impact of events that would have benefited more from animation. The game provides a solid gameplay experience on PC and I look forward to what this team can come up with next.

In a generation that has struggled with finding the right balance of pace, it is refreshing to see a developer place a great deal of emphasis on patient gameplay and actually pull it off. Vertical progression and slow movements are valued over everything else, and these are the two elements that allow TumbleSeed to thrive as much as it does. Unfortunately, that same level of importance given to fine tuning the controls and concept is noticeably lacking in the level design, as roguelike randomisation is given priority over traditional, handcrafted stages. Along with too many power-ups and unlockable skills that trivialise most of the difficulty, TumbleSeed fails to live up to all its potential despite the clear amount of creativity put into its premise and a strong first impression.

ThroughLine Games made the right call in keeping the anima puzzles and platforming elements relatively simple, as well as not allowing Anne to die. These decisions ensure a steady and progressive flow, keeping the spotlight on the game's greatest strengths. With that said, considering how gorgeous the animation work is, it's a shame that the platforming itself feels somewhat cumbersome, and not particularly fluid. Regardless, this is an excellent side-scrolling adventure.

Releasing it after the more advanced Dragon Quest IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies may not have been the wisest of moves, as fans of the latest entry in the series might not stand for the more retro look of Dragon Quest VI. However, those ready to look past that are certain to find a compelling and well-developed story by the series' standards, and lots of fun moments, all packed into one of the best RPG experiences to grace the now aging Nintendo DS.

Theatrhythm: Final Fantasy is a masterpiece, that will not only be adored by fans of the RPG series, but anyone who loves music, full stop. A stunning music-based game that any Nintendo 3DS owner should not be without.

SaGa Frontier 2 Remastered is a dramatically improved iteration in almost all aspects. The only area where it disappoints is the sloppily applied AI filtering effect for the once-beautiful watercolour backgrounds. The wealth of new features, restored story content, and refined gameplay has finally made this classic PlayStation RPG all that it can be and more. The medieval German flavour and political intrigue with fantasy elements will make this a hit with fans of Game of Thrones, and gamers that felt disappointed by it when it came out will have renewed appreciation thanks to the gameplay enhancements.

However, the sharp writing skills shine through once more, with a script full of intrigue, humour and mystery.

Deck13 addressed every single issue that held The Surge back in The Surge 2. It is not even necessary to have played the first, since the sequel has almost no connections to it outside of its gameplay mechanics and systems. The idea of Dark Souls but "sci-fi" is not exactly a great idea, but Deck13 truly made the most out of what is possible. Realistically, there would be much more guns than there are and probably hacking would have been more present in the gameplay, but since this "sub-genre" relies so heavily on melee combat, it is unavoidable. Finally, there's someone other than From Software who has nailed it.

Rune Factory successfully implements an engaging dungeon crawling aspect without sacrificing, or even significantly altering, the core Harvest Moon formula.

Whether it is to try to appeal to a broader audience or to bolster a game whose level design doesn’t match up to the original trilogy, the focus on elements that are unusual for the series leaves Metroid Prime 4: Beyond in the awkward position of being an enjoyable adventure that doesn’t stack up as a top Metroid game. There are the makings of a solid title featuring classic Prime traits, and for that reason alone Beyond can be worth experiencing, but longtime fans may need to brace themselves…and then wash away the taste by replaying Metroid Prime Remastered while praying for the same treatment for Prime 2 and 3.

Sariento VR is one of the most impressive VR titles in many ways. From the technical standpoint, with the graphics and engine stability, to the movement system (which is a pure thrill) right through to the sounds of the weaponry, which really make everything come to life. There are a few titles that mix some of the acrobatic movement and bullet-time mechanics separately but none have combined them so well and in such a complete package. This is one of the first VR titles on the market that could be reasonably described as a true AAA VR experience, with an addictive gameplay loop of missions offering plenty of rewards and a voiced campaign. Best of all, it might be a first class title but developer Mixed Realms has delivered on a budget price of £22.99. For VR owners, this is a must buy.

Ultimately, Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown is a valued successor in the series and brings the franchise right back to its roots. Graphically, the game is stunning. It pops with glistening detail and lighting, and lots of delicate touches, such as the raindrops on the windows. This is matched by the bombastic sound quality which delivers pounding thrust and thundering cannons through the clouds. Whilst the campaign could be a touch longer, and it is regrettable that the VR mode is not yet present in the PC version, overall the package on offer here is well worth it for any flight combat fans.

When it's good, Crowns and Pawns: Kingdom of Deceit is really good. This love letter to Broken Sword and Gabriel Knight-style point-and-click adventures looks great, explores a part of world history that has rarely been touched, and offers plenty of great puzzle-solving that will make you feel like a modern Indiana Jones (or Robert Langdon). At its worse it fails to immerse players into its world, or seems keen on annoying players through puzzles that will test one's patience. Thankfully, while Tag of Joy's creation is very rough around the edges, it mostly leans towards the fun side of the scale.

It feels strange to have to say this, but FIFA 22 is a sports game made with love, whose developers have obviously rediscovered the joy behind how a football sim should behave. The changes to gameplay and graphics, and the evolutions of established modes, give it the largest scope yet for a football sim - perhaps any sports game, ever. And it pays off. FIFA 22 is the most streamlined, self-aware and ultimately enjoyable FIFA title in years and makes a strong case for being its altogether best entry. It's just about the shakeup that the fans have been asking for for a long time, and it's a pleasure to say it's well worth playing for the next year.

Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio has done it again, Like a Dragon: Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name is another notch in their award adorned catalogue. The emotional journey of series favourite Kiryu and the important bridging of the gap between Yakuza 6 and 7 is a joy to behold and experience. This entry presents the best version of the now deprecated action combat design and is one of the most consistently great experiences to be had on the PlayStation 5 console.

It is relatively accessible for a strategy game, too, making it even easier to jump into the game.

Shut In captures these unprecedented times in a small but unique package. With depth far beyond the initial on-the-surface horror story, this experience taps into the evocativeness of a mental health crisis, and the commentary it makes on the dread suffered by those with mental illnesses is powerful. It isn't all deep, though. The narrator successfully plays on the Undertale vibe and the comedic elements within such a tonally dark tale come across very well.

The problem that plagues all triple-A sports titles can be found in here as well. There's not much to say concerning the differences between NBA 2K23 and the previous entry. In other words, maybe only super-fans of the series or major basketball aficionados should care. If you have the patience to wait for a discount, what you'll find here is a great NBA game, with some cool modes that transport you to the past of the organization, with chief among them a meaty tribute to Michael Jordan.

Looks can be deceiving, and while In Other Waters does look too simple for its own good, it's a title overflowing with depth. Between a well written script, intensely atmospheric sound design that begs for headphone use, and methodically slow pacing, it's hard not to think of Ellery Vas' expedition through the depths of Gliese 677Cc long after all is said and done. Moody and sombre, In Other Waters is a must read… and must play.

Bleed 2 is a master-class in how to design a sequel. It improves the elements that work, while cutting out everything that didn't quite gel before. The result is a more refined and polished run & gun. Wryn's sword is an awesome addition. All of its new mechanics make for battles that are more dynamic and exciting than ever. A delicious layer of extra content rounds everything out, giving experts more bang for their buck. In short, fans of the original should have already picked this one up by now; it's fantastic.

MUSYNX is an excellent entry point for anyone looking to get into rhythm games, but the difficulty can ramp up early on, despite the fine-tuning and customisable controls that are available. With over 90 tracks here, it certainly isn't light on content, but there really needs to be improvements made to the presentation to make it a little bit more accessible.

This is a great little racer with a whole host of great characters and vibrant, memorable courses that keep the player smiling throughout the races.

Blaster Master Zero is a brief and faithful successor to Blaster Master. This may not be as hard as the NES game; it has modern conveniences like checkpoints and save files as it slavishly pays lip service to the classic. It does Sunsoft justice and perfectly captures that distinctive Sunsoft sound that they were known for in the NES generation. It is just too bad Inti Creates played it too safe and did not try to truly push Blaster Master Zero to the heights it could have reached. For $9.99, it is a decent throwback retro title.

Full Metal Furies can be fun with friends, but then again, what isn't? With some enemies becoming annoying and forcing a play style, compounded with visuals that have player-characters being a bit too small, playing this can be slightly irritating. At best, it is on the same level as something like Castle Crashers - not Scott Pilgrim VS The World: The Game. Expect a somewhat shallow guilty pleasure that has more pros than cons, but is otherwise forgettable.

Burnout Paradise Remastered does not change the formula too much from what players will remember from the original, which is good news all around, despite missing the opportunity to insert a couple of quality of life improvements. Having Burnout Paradise Remastered on the Switch is highly refreshing and totally suited to handheld play, especially given the short mini bursts that this could be played in. Visuals do take a hit when compared to other platforms, but this is something that is quite the norm when opting for a Nintendo Switch port - and on the plus side the frame rate and overall performance is still highly reliable. Buyers are going to be more worried about the premium price tag, which is uncomfortably high at launch, and may unfortunately put off many players from ever taking this home.

This is the type of game that should be an automatic hit for RPG players, but there is something missing in the complete package. The graphics are good, and typical genre staples are present, but ultimately it gets lost in itself. Overall this is a solid title, but in the end it lacks heart. It does everything averagely, and nothing especially rises above, or provides anything unique - unfortunate, as its ingredients definitely lend itself to what might have been a really great game.

It's technically impressive in comparison to its bigger brothers on PC and home consoles, but JYDGE still fails to impress on iOS. It's unremarkable and repetitive, and is made even more impenetrable by an unpolished control scheme and a foggy display in the heat of battle; not to mention a particularly bland presentation and premise - spelling the name with a y certainly isn't enough to make this firmly average shooter stand out from the crowd.

Swords, Sorcery, and Whimsy unite, in this fun feudal take on the Tower Defence Genre. Solid mechanics backed by exceptional use of the hardware's unique properties, and extensive content for the solo player as well as the many, make CastleStorm a worthy acquisition to adorn any Switch home screen.

No pun intended, but Part Time UFO is the very definition of a pick-up-and-play effort. You know… pick up… with a claw… Ahem! Anyway, it's rewarding for short bursts and designed very well for this kind of play, with a level of polish not found in some other 'short burst' titles. It also saves some of its best surprises for the endgame.

A really fun little title that has plenty on offer for everyone whether that be the die-hard or the casual.

The surreal atmosphere of renaissance art, finds its unlikely partner in the unconventional comedy style of the Monty Pythons, and the result is… different. Gameplay-wise, this doesn't reinvent the wheel. Far from it. While very well-made and enjoyable, this is just another point-and-click adventure game - but it doesn't matter, because it's not the gameplay the thing about which you should definitely give The Procession of Calvary a go.

Splatoon 3: Side Order is a refreshing yet familiar take on the Splatoon setup and well suited for short play sessions and runs to try and take on the lengthy tower. It's longevity, though, is very much grounded in whether rogue-like games and skill-trees appeal. As someone who didn't quite gel with the previous Splatoon single player modes, Splatoon 3: Side Order does tick a lot more boxes - mainly due to the compact, focused approach and that desire to keep pushing further.

The Journey Down: Chapter One limits itself to simply laying down the premise of a promising narrative but, unfortunately, limits itself to just that and is altogether over fairly quickly. It does nothing else wrong in terms of gameplay or presentation, though, even if the choice of character art is a bit out of left field and hard to adjust to, at first. Player interactions with the humorous plot and colourful cast of NPCs are what build the sympathy towards Bwana, the protagonist, and his companions.

In spite of a somewhat spotty presentation, Fell Seal: Arbiter's Mark manages to fill a tactical RPG niche that had been lying dormant for far too long. Beyond just serving as a competent TRPG, however, Fell Seal engages with the genre in increasingly dynamic ways. It borrows a good deal of its concepts from Final Fantasy Tactics, but nothing is just brought over as is. While there are conceptual similarities between the titles, this has more than enough mechanical depth to stand on its own. Strong map design and plenty of customization options make this game a must-have for fans of tactical RPGs.

Clan O'Conall and the Crown of the Stag is a very solid, Celtic-flavoured, action-plaform/puzzler that could be so much more with a little more effort. Everything, from the platforming, puzzle-solving, and fighting, to the three unique heroes that players will have to constantly swap between are very good, but the experience leans a bit too much towards casual-friendly territory. Not a piece of cake, but solutions to each and every problem are way too obvious, and as a result the whole adventure soon loses its immersion factor. A good game, sure, just not a strong recommendation.

WWE 2K22 certainly hits different, go check the score again, it certainly has not come out a perfect ten. The redeemable qualities, thankfully, are the wrestling mechanics themselves, which ironically might not be everyone's cup of tea, and MyRISE mode which offers a good amount of content to keep the average WWE gamer going. It has taken over 2 years for the game to finally release and while it is an improvement on WWE 2K20 it still serves up disappointment in other ways, such as an outdated roster, a pathetic attempt at recreating General Manager mode, and a disgusting ethical issue of microtransactions in MyFACTION mode, albeit optional. MyFACTION mode is enjoyable, and can be played without using real-world money to progress, but the fact of the matter is that this mechanic should not exist in a full priced game. If you came to play then there is certainly a price to pay.

Samurai Warriors 5 is a minimised musou that's been stripped back to its most fundamental parts. Perhaps this deconstruction was meant to revitalise interest in the genre, but it sadly leaves it feeling flat and mediocre. Omega Force hasn't forgotten how to make a musou, though; that much shines through in the combat which at times shows flickers of promise. There's just not enough to see and do here, and it becomes repetitive far too quickly. This, coupled with the fluctuating Nintendo Switch performance, makes it difficult to recommend.

It is very rare to see a video game that gets everything right from start to finish, but People of Note definitely falls into this category. It starts off by hooking with flashy musical numbers and never lets go. Whenever Groove is being farmed to buy that latest guitar or triangulation puzzles are being solved, it is always optional and engaging. People of Note is the RPG that players need it to be. Some want a title that constantly makes them think, others want to enjoy a great story, and some want it all. This is one of those gems that will please almost every RPG fan. To add to this, it also has some of the most positive and inclusive writing seen in a video game. Every single element combines into a beautiful harmony, and, just as with music, one can enjoy it either by letting it flow or by analysing its depths.

For its modest price, Easy Delivery Co. uhh... delivers on its promise and then some. It's a fine blend of relaxing and eerie mystique that drives the intrigue forward while having a simplistic yet addictive loop. The handling and driving mechanics, combined with the object physics, add a nice layer of depth. After all, it’s cool as hell and satisfying to drift with a stack of boxes in the trunk. There really isn't a single aspect to point to that doesn't work. It's the perfect kind of game to wind down to after work on a rainy night.

The Wonderful 101 is yet another hit by Hideki Kamiya and Platinum Games that's set to become a cult classic in the years to come and absolutely shouldn't be missed by anyone longing for something fresh and original. Simply wonderful.