Cuphead & The Delicious Last Course is absolutely recommended to anyone who never played the original when it came out. Everyone else will get lots of fun out of the DLC, but it all depends on how much the vanilla game was enjoyed. Cuphead & The Delicious Last Course is more of the same, and for some people, Cuphead is already an acquired taste.

There are few indie horror titles as awesome at catching that fixed camera horror game aesthetic as Song of Horror and even less that reach the nail-biting tension on display here. The constant fear of losing a character permanently is a kicker but it really enhances the experience, making each choice drastically more important. The visual design and story should keep players entranced as they confront the horrors of the music box mystery! All horror fans deserve this title in their library.

Although not all areas felt the benefits of the remaster, like tutorials for the battle system, Tales of Symphonia Remastered allows a new generation of gamers to experience this classic. Overall, it is an excellent game, the cute graphics look gorgeous in HD, and the gripping story and lovable characters are mesmerising for returning and new fans alike.

Potion Craft is a great little indie title, offering a deep enough system for players to get lost in and play for a long time, but balanced enough for shorter play sessions to satisfy. Its aesthetic and atmosphere increase the enjoyment of its core mechanics. Highly recommended to players of all ilks.

For a game called Buddy Simulator 1984, the "1984" part is not as crucial an aspect as one would think. The game transforms and reinvents itself several times over as the story unfolds, and a majority of these are nowhere near as crude as actual computer software from the mid 1980s. There are some genuinely fun scares to compliment a clingy and abusive AI friend. The command line mechanic may not work as intended on a console controller, but at least the soundtrack is incredible.

Yomawari: Lost in the Dark is more of the same. The custom avatar was an almost meaningless addition and it plays itself extremely safe. Fortunately, those who are looking to play an atmospheric and moody horror game will find that this latest entry is just as scary as the rest. There are some choice jump moments and the ambiance keeps players in a constant state of dread and unease.

Like past SIACTRO titles, Super Kiwi 64 does have a lot of secrets and even has a password mechanic where players can play with other skins if they find the codes hidden in the levels. It isn't a deep game and, as mentioned earlier, it is over in about an hour. However, Super Kiwi 64 is a very pleasant and cathartic experience for anyone who grew up playing Nintendo 64 or for children who are learning to play 3D games. There are not too many obstacles, most threats aren't threatening, and Kiwi's mobility and tight controls make him manageable for neophytes.

Q.U.B.E. 10th Anniversary goes for a stark and minimalistic style. This is still present in the more detailed and gritty look of this re-release and the new details elevate the ambiance. There isn't much that could have been done to what could laughingly be referred to as the "story". The plot is exactly the same as it was, recycling the exact voice over narration of two characters. Interestingly, Q.U.B.E. 10th Anniversary offers a mode that edits out all story development involving characters and background music that drives the narrative. This mode borders on being pointless, but playing the game in this manner does change the atmosphere and adds a stronger sense of mystery due to the lack of explanation of everything.

Somerville's greatest flaw is just how boring it is. It is more of a walking-sim than a platforming-adventure game. Reactive objects are also colour-coded yellow, so there is never any question about what to do. This robs any sense of discovery in a title that is already so tightly focused on pushing players forward. The terribly slow walking speed will pad out Somerville's length to around four to five hours, when there is maybe only two hours of actual substance. Traditionally, these kinds of games are short but make up for it with excellent pacing. Somerville feels like a flatline for most of the entire run.

Graphically, some of the areas look great, and the story is interesting at points. The biggest problem that really drags down the experience is that combat is basic, repetitive, and ultimately uninspiring. The slot system is far more annoying than anything, and for how often players are in combat, it burns out quickly. Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Reunion feels more like a game that would be better to watch for the story, while skipping the gameplay. Zack deserved better than this.

Elden Ring serves as a testament to open world video game design. There is a true sense of accomplishment once that rock-hard enemy has been slain and, something that compels a player to relentlessly do it over and over again until they succeed is truly rewarding. The world is humongous and an epitome of how exploration should be encouraged, by intriguing players to see what is over the hill. Elden Ring is an unmissable, must-play, gaming experience with surprises galore.

The Quarry is a good piece of cinematography and storytelling, lost in its medium of choice. The gameplay elements aren't particularly fun, nor worthwhile replaying. The cutscenes are good the first time around, but are certainly get a bit grating the longer the game goes on. Standout performances from the actors certainly carry The Quarry, and it is worthwhile playing through the story at least once, but the second time around feels too much of a chore. The Quarry is the definition of a weekend rental.

FIFA 23 is perfectly serviceable, the gluttony of FIFA fans won't find much to complain about. Truth be told, the formula is so one-dimensional that it is hard to get wrong after iterating on the same product year after year. Subtle tweaks to gameplay do mix things up, but not enough has been done to refresh the modes on offer. Either EA are out of ideas, or they are storing them up for their next game in their new franchise. Anyone looking a football game in 2023 though should certainly stick with the tried and tested FIFA.

Stray is an awesome looking game, with a neon-cyberpunk world that feels like it is alive. The run-time is short enough that the gameplay loop of solving puzzles via finding random items scattered throughout the world is well complemented from sequences that require running from area to area without getting caught by local mutated predators. While Stray is pretty to look at and is fun while it lasts the limitations of movement and rather simplistic puzzles hold this back from being greater than it could have been.

Small bugbear aside, inbento is so charming and simple that it is hard to put down once it gets going. It's a solid puzzle title that starts out super easy and accessible but ramps up far enough to challenge players who want more. It's a great little package full of heart that deserves a pickup from puzzle fans.

By the time A Plague Tale: Requiem concludes, it will feel like being dragged by a pick-up truck, across miles of concrete. The world depicted is a bleak and cruel one with no light at the end of the tunnel. Players will be getting their money's worth, as this is a very long game that is punctuated with lots of gimmicky sequences that add value to the package. The story does have a lot for fans to discuss, and the visuals are amazing, even if they came at the cost of a high frame rate. The gameplay is technically better than the first, but it was never amazing to begin with. The over reliance on prebaked contextual actions and the rigidness of simplistic stealth is something most could expect from a seventh gen console title, not a ninth gen console release.

The Gunvolt series was one of the better, and cooler, platformer series in recent history; unfortunately the most recent games have just been entirely mediocre. Much like the previous Luminous Avenger, all the pieces are there for an absolute fantastic game, but it never comes together. Regrettably, the story in Azure Striker Gunvolt 3 is the weakest in the series, and the two main characters are far more annoying than entertaining.

Not being content with being one of the most soulless products released under the Warner Bros. label, it is also extremely underwhelming from a technical point of view. Gotham Knights was originally developed as a multi-gen title, but PlayStation 4 and Xbox One versions got cancelled. Despite this, the visuals underwhelm and fail to impress and manage to look worse than the last major Batman instalment released seven years prior. Capping at a mere 30fps might be excusable if this boasted the most cutting edge visuals on the market, but it manages to look cheap and dated. For a AAA production from Warner Bros., this should have been a visual tour de force, with top writing talent, and have evolved the gameplay to compete with its contemporaries. Maybe it can be salvaged over time with updates, but currently it's one of the most droll and sloppily designed triple-A products of 2022.

Not being content with being one of the most soulless products released under the Warner Bros. label, it is also extremely underwhelming from a technical point of view. Gotham Knights was originally developed as a multi-gen title, but PlayStation 4 and Xbox One versions got cancelled. Despite this, the visuals underwhelm and fail to impress and manage to look worse than the last major Batman instalment released seven years prior. Capping at a mere 30fps might be excusable if this boasted the most cutting edge visuals on the market, but it manages to look cheap and dated. For a AAA production from Warner Bros., this should have been a visual tour de force, with top writing talent, and have evolved the gameplay to compete with its contemporaries. Maybe it can be salvaged over time with updates, but currently it's one of the most droll and sloppily designed triple-A products of 2022.

There is far more to Moero Crystal H than its mature and perhaps more widely advertised aspects initially indicate. Fans of both the genre and the cute graphics style will easily take over forty hours to complete the main story, and then collect all the adorable monster girls, maxing out their friendships and making their rooms at the inn luxurious. This humour filled, slightly niche title is certainly at home on Nintendo Switch, has next to no gripes apart from the mini games being outside some players' personal comfort zones, and hopefully the series may get expanded one day.

Series fans will find something to enjoy, yet those simply looking a fighting experience with friends will find this to be frustrating. Considering the studio's history, and the nature of the source material, this could be a natural win, but this is something that is fundamentally flawed. The Story Mode balancing results in far too little actual gameplay, and too much time on slow plodding wanderings through uninspired areas. When it comes to the actual playing, the combat is just as flawed as the rest of it all. Slow, easy to abuse, and repetitive. The only saving graces are the retelling of the source material itself along with the combination of the signature CyberConnect cinematic battles. It's such a shame, but it seems CyberConnect has gone backwards with this adaptation, losing every step of progress they moved on with each subsequent iteration of the Ninja Storm series. Thankfully, the huge popularity of the series almost guarantees there'll be more to come with this series, and CyberConnect may have the chance to revisit the world of Demon Slayer.

The relatively short nature of the races within Kirby's Dream Buffet, the way everyone, even those who come last, gain points in a race, and the ease to join in multiplayer online or team up with friends makes this latest Kirby game a real treat to play on Nintendo Switch. The variety of race themes, costumes, and Kirby colours provide good reasons to replay it, and the solo adventure is as fun as teaming up with friends or random players. There is almost no downside, only disappointment when losing but on the easiest mode it is possible to win with very little experience.

Street Fighter 6 in it's simplest form remains a fantastic, fun experience, retaining the same gameplay that has been tweaked and improved throughout the years to ensure it remains top of the pile. Jarring attempts to meet the needs of young players alongside a World Tour mode that fails to meet the hype placed upon it however, stop this from being an essential purchase. Stick to Arcade Mode and enjoy what made this franchise so great in the first place. A fantastic fighter is there, just buried under the fluff.

Highly addictive and impressively expansive, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor is exactly what a sequel should be: bigger, better and more ambitious. Whether or not you liked Fallen Order, this is worth your time if you're a die-hard Star Wars fan or if you enjoy action-fuelled adventures that keep you on the edge of your seat. It's not perfect, but even if you assess it for its ambition alone, it's one of the standout titles of this generation so far and a really, really good Star Wars title.

Under the Warehouse has a nice, surreal, "is it all a dream?" vibe, but that's all it has, to be honest, because gameplay-wise it's nothing more than a two hour-long chore of fetching items for NPCs again, and again, and again… and occasionally solving a simplistic puzzle or two.

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom accomplishes that incredibly difficult task of following up a critically acclaimed game. It hooks, teases and surprises at every turn. Another essential game for the Nintendo Switch and chapter in the ever-expanding Hylian story.

A title such as Octopath Traveler II comes with its own charm, but the turn-based battle system with different types of jobs allows for some great gameplay. Adding in a beautiful world to explore and a great soundtrack to enjoy, this title is a must-play. There could be a tad more emphasis on the beautiful art, and perhaps some highly detailed cutscenes, but in the end, Octopath Traveler II is charming as it is.

Fight' N Rage has really done its research in ensuring it presents itself as a warm love letter to an adored genre. It also takes the time to give gameplay and combat mechanics real depth. Add to this multiple gameplay modes and a wealth of unlocks and found here is a title standing on the shoulders of giants to make a case for plenty more new additions to the genre. Mutant Mayhem indeed.

Advance Wars 1+2 Re-Boot Camp brings back two classic tactics games with mixed results. While the various COs and their animations are exceptional, accompanied with welcomed voice acting, the 3D artwork for the environments, troops and vehicles clashes with the 2D drawings. The missions themselves hold up incredibly well twenty years later with vast unit variety and choice for most battles. Bare bones online modes don't offer quite enough opportunity for replayability, but the package still stands tall with a map editor and missions with additional maps.

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.

The new story expansion is a great experience, remixing and reusing familiar environments from the main game in new ways. The third-person addition to the main game is a cool little extra that is worth at least one playthrough of the main campaign again. Playing as Lady D in the updated Mercenaries mode is great fun and the new challenges expand that mode into something that is fun all over again. Overall, it's a great package that not only rounds off Village before Resident Evil 9 hits the scene but it also offers players the chance to experience the main game again.

The fairytale trappings, characterful music and wonderful story make Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon an absolute joy to behold. It is an odd partner to its more mature main series but it's very welcome. Its painterly world is a wonderful place to explore. A thoroughly fun and endearing game that is highly recommendable to all Nintendo Switch owners.

It is difficult to not be blinded by nostalgia, especially when a game has been part of the ongoing zeitgeist of the franchise for nearly 20 years. Resident Evil 4 Remake is, by intention, an unfaithful love letter. The remake has changed certain story beats, altered movement, overhauled combat and revised the visuals. Those jumping in for the first time in 2023 may not understand the hype surrounding this particular entry in the series, but, remember that a lot of modern games owe their DNA to Resident Evil 4, even if they have perfected it since.

Just like other games with similar mechanics it can be played without partaking in spending more money, but the grind will certainly put some casuals off ever investing a lot of time. Despite this, WWE fans will most likely be pleased with the refinements to the wrestling and updated roster, and if that is the case it is certainly a warranted purchase, but WWE 2K23 still leaves a desire for more.

Little Witch Nobeta is a surprisingly fun little indie Souls-like title. It has charm and challenge in equal bags, and it even pulls off a competent, if slightly oddly translated, story. It isn't Dark Souls but fans of the genre would be remiss to pass on this game, especially if they like cutesy anime witches. Thoroughly recommended.

KartRider: Drift has made an indelible impression during the review process. It is rare that a free-to-play game offers so much for free and continues to offer a fun experience. As harder difficulties unlock via the licence system, the challenge opens up, alongside new tracks and content. The tracks are varied in style and items give the game that frantic fun while Speed mode allows experts to showcase their skills. A lack of local multiplayer modes is certainly a shame, especially as it would allow families and younger gamers the chance to play against one another, although there is a mode to create private lobby custom races. Given that there should be more content coming further down the line there is plenty of good reasons to get stuck into KartRider: Drift.

Mythargia is a nice dark tale, with some nice dark visuals, and a nice dark atmosphere. It rarely ever becomes more than 'nice,' though. A bit too linear, a bit too easy, and a bit unwilling to let the player do more than just walk around and read notes, it all falls to the story to carry the experience, and while it's definitely a good story, you can generally find better. Try it out if in need of a casual-friendly and slightly horror-flavoured, narrative driven adventure, but avoid if you want something "meatier."

There are few games that command the title of Masterpiece. Without any doubt whatsoever, Metroid Prime Remastered is fully deserving of this moniker. The fact that minimal changes had to be made to a game that is 21 years old is a true testament of the original game design, gameplay loop and art direction. The icing on the cake for Metroid Prime Remastered is obviously the enhanced visuals and a control scheme that is far more fitting for the modern era. The Nintendo GameCube version may now lay to rest, as Metroid Prime Remastered is the definitive method to play this outstanding masterpiece.

Wave 4 has continued to deliver, and as each and every wave before it, the courses lifted from Mario Kart Tour are fun additions, particularly with branching paths, alternative routes and reversed laps. It is particularly exciting to see new characters returning and having Birdo on the roster is certainly warmly welcomed. Yoshi's Island stands out in Wave 4, not only for being a new and original track but also for unique musical themes and being such a varied course overall. Subtle changes to DKs Snowboard Cross, Waluigi Stadium and Mario Circuit all make improvements on their original counterparts and Riverside Park looks fantastic. This is an enjoyable set of tracks and adds to what is an already fantastic package from other waves of the Booster Course Pass.

Apart from small glitches and occasional copy-paste character models, Hogwarts Legacy is truly something else. The magic is alive, and it is finally time to explore Hogwarts castle. Adding in a great battle system, interesting story and characters, and a magical masterpiece is born.

Much like the original Wii release, Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe is an excellent Kirby adventure, packed full of heart, classic gameplay and dipped in a delicious HD upgrade. Throw in bonus modes, collectable content, and backstory for a truly definitive platforming experience. It's unfortunate that there's no online co-op play, but both single and local couch-play are an absolute joy from the opening title.

Elderand is the definition of disappointing. There's no big flaw to point at, apart from the fact that this is extremely afraid to do… well, anything apart from the basics. The result is something that looks good, sounds good, and feels good, but never really manages to be more than 'ok.' It's a well-crafted 'ok,' with nothing to show for that could separate it from the rest of its competitors, old or new.

If you consider yourself a Final Fantasy fan, there is every reason to invest in Theatrhythm Final Bar Line. Rammed to bursting with songs that have helped to make the series what it is, there are tracks for everybody in here, with plenty of accessibility options to tinker with to suit all levels of player, including a fun RPG-lite mechanic that can be explored for extra incentive to replay favourite tunes. The DLC is vast and off-putting, but there is so much in the base game to tackle that it can be safely ignored.

Tormented Souls is a great nostalgia trip taking full advantage of updated graphics and controls to bring a tense, uncomfortable trip for all willing to risk it. Worth taking the time on by both fans of the genre and newcomers wondering what all the fuss is about. Turn those lights on full, open the curtains and prepare to have nightmares.

For such a cult franchise, it's a real shame there is so little to offer outside of the base titles included in this package, especially when full price is being asked. In other titles and remakes some real love has gone into providing a nostalgic piece of history in one cart. If, however, this is your first time round, Klonoa Phantasy Reverie Series will provide a good chunk of great platforming fun, but just that, nothing else, at all.

Wanted: Dead is a great action game, it has flashy visuals, violent combat full of blood and dismemberment, and mostly it has a great interesting if unusual story, carried by interesting characters, external influences and sinister plot. The world is built in a cool, refreshing way and the moment-to-moment gameplay is engaging though sometimes simple. It promises something unique, and it delivers something not only unique but recommendable to fans of futuristic worlds and action games.

A super-calm mix of fishing, cooking, business management, and town-restoring RPG, Moonglow Bay is a decent idea that wasn't executed that well, and is thus very boring and repetitive. It also struggles with making you care about anything. Players do things just to do them, with the tiniest sense of progress possible. Take your fishing rod and fish somewhere else.

Although its east to miss the dizzy heights of the Cybersleuth series, it's to be applauded in what has been attempted here and with an easily accessible series, will convert even the most hardened hater of visual novels. With the superb presentation and the relaxed approach, many Digi-destined (which sounds way better than trainers too) will be happy for the series to continue in this style of digi-volution.

It is probably more often than not that long-time coming revivals don't stick the landing. Rather, they often feel cynical, desperate or misguided. Take Steps, for example. This absolutely is not the case with Beyond a Steel Sky. The writing and the way it weaves everything together honestly puts some of the biggest budget AAA movie titles to shame. Yes, there are some rough edges afforded by modern ascribe and default, but the fundamentals of a good story and adventure game are all present. More important is that it has a personality unique unto itself. It's clear why Revolution Software have such a loyal fanbase after all of these years.

Even though an RPG lover since an early age, the thought of a stripped down, bare bones experience raised a lot of questions. The answer, however, is that Voice of Cards: The Beasts of Burden is an absolute treat on a handheld console. Easy to pick up and bash out for a quick half hour but still allowing you to fall in love with a beautiful world and its cast of characters as well as retaining every factor that makes an RPG great. There is certainly no burden giving this one your time.

EA and Motive have pulled a blinder here. Dead Space not only faithfully remakes the original, it exceeds it in quality and expands it in a way that supremely enhances the experience. They took many risks like giving Isaac a voice and revamping the Ishimura's structure, but these gambles have paid off tenfold. Players familiar and unfamiliar with the original will have a fantastic time exploring this classic Sci-Fi horror game. Highly recommended!

The Punchuin is a delightful adventure where players take a journey through a variety of progressively complex puzzle rooms, meeting eclectic characters, and enjoying the wintery atmosphere. It's a short experience, but it more than makes up for it with just the right amount of substance. A perfect wintery pick-up for all puzzle lovers looking for a charming retreat.

Fire Emblem Engage offers the most rewarding, fleshed out and beautifully balanced strategic combat of the series so far, and performs beautifully on the Switch. Its story, characters and social sim element, however, are not up to the standard expected of this beloved franchise. While the combat has matured beautifully, the overall tone has taken a step back. If you're only interested in the trademark Fire Emblem combat, then you'll likely have more fun than you ever have with the series. For players who want a little more from Engage's characters and story, though… you may be disappointed.

The Valiant's story is actually pretty interesting, but the gameplay (one of the core aspects of strategy titles) is just very middling. From unit issues like pathing and not all of them fighting, to the fact that there's not much to really do, and the very "samey" combat unfortunately side-line the story. This feels a little too unpolished to have been released yet.

The slightly mixed quality is only a slight blight on Lost Judgment's otherwise stellar quality. It oozes style and has content that will keep players playing for potentially hundreds of hours. The story is a masterpiece of twists and turns, highlighting many issues within society. If the original game is the marker, this meets it with pride. An excellent crime thriller action game with lots of comedy and referential moments that make this one to remember.

The levels in YupiterGrad don't drag and the challenge gets pretty hard to surmount, but if players stick with it the game is incredibly awarding and satisfying. It's not a short VR experience but a decent length Deiselpunk Sci-fi adventure with a fun cell shaded cosmonaut aesthetic that makes it truly unique. This is a must-buy for PSVR owners!

The Booster Course Pass Wave 3 tracks are some of the most enjoyable yet and certainly make the overall package even more attractive. Tracks like London Loop, Berlin Byways and Merry Mountain will feel like brand new courses for those who have not played Mario Kart Tour, and the return of Maple Treeway, Peach Gardens and Boo Lake are also much appreciated to add to an already diverse mix of tracks. The Booster Course Pass, either as a standalone purchase or for those with Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pass, has incredible value and with 24 more courses to come there is still plenty of scope for other inventive courses and remixed tracks to join foray.

It's no exaggeration to call Unavowed one of the most replayable point-and-click adventures the genre has seen. The sheer amount of decision making available to the player - from which characters participate in the plot to the protagonist's whole backstory - keeps every playthrough fresh. Although there isn't much in the way of demanding puzzle-solving, puzzles themselves have multiple solutions and the story can branch in different directions depending on who's in the party. In-game actions and dialogue options also have consequences, granting the plot a real sense of weight. Topped off by excellent atmosphere, a tight script, and great performances, Unavowed might just be Wadjet Eye Games' best work.

Ixion perhaps could be used as an example of flying so high... and then missing the mark and falling pretty far down. There was so much to recommend and enjoy about the game, especially if only checking the first few hours. But the more you play, the flaws, difficulty, unraveling story, and pretty much everything else frustrates the player to such a degree that many players are not going to finish the game, either due to the difficulty, or simply not wanting to do the same thing for 5 hours and hoping their ship doesn't blow up randomly.

Pokémon Scarlet is as fun as the franchise has always been, no one can deny that. The new Pokémon creatures are endearing and the series still manages to create new and fun ways to get the player invested in their Pokémon training and catching sessions. As with Pokémon Legends Arceus before it however, this is all marred by a level of technical mastery that is downright inexcusable. Not only is the game still not quite up to the level of something like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild released over five years ago on the same system, but it is, at least at time of writing, riddled with visual glitches and performance issues. It looks downright unfinished at times. This is simply intolerable. Therefore, it is impossible to give this a better score in good conscience as a point has to be made once and for all that things need to change going forward.

As someone who repeatedly had the Witcher series suggested by other reviewers and then digging in the heels and refusing to try it, what was missed was one of the best games created on a modern console. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt deserves all the plaudits it receives and in its new next gen update, there really is no better way to experience it. Although lacking in new content, the quality-of-life features and sheer beauty of the whole thing make this well worth a revisit.

An intriguing story, interesting battle system, and signature art style is usually a good combo, and Soul Hackers 2 is no exception. It is easy to get lost in the story or side-quests and enjoy battling a variety of demons. For anybody enjoying Atlus' other turn-based titles, this is definitely a must-have.

Forgive Me Father offers an evening or two of fast, somewhat fun, but mostly simplistic and repetitive FPS action, served along a paper-thin pseudo-Lovecraftian tale that few will care about. Once this one or two evenings are done, there's no reason to keep on playing this nice, but otherwise forgettable shooter.

Judgement is by far one of the better entries in the Yakuza franchise. It is a gritty detective story, with a killer in it that is legitimately scary, thanks to the performances. The Dragon Engine getting a boost from the new generation of consoles shows how Judgement was meant to be played, with extremely short load times and buttery smooth 60 frames per second that is unwavering. Judgement may be second to Yakuza: Like a Dragon, but being second to the best is a great place to be.

This has been one enjoyable ride and it is great to see how well Sonic has fared in his latest outing. Exploration is fun, running around an island and going from grind rail to grind rail. The variety of challenges and collectibles are balanced, and combat has evolved via the new Cyloop ability, although this does get a little repetitive by the end of the game. There is never really a dull moment to be had, and there is plenty of content to power through. This is a game that every Sonic fan needs to play. Hopefully Sonic Team and SEGA follow up with a direct sequel as they have the formula nailed just right.

In the end there are too many substantial knocks against the game to really recommend it at large. For a very specific type of gamer who wants a super deep, complex series of systems to dive into and a world free-form exploration system, they will enjoy this game; but the majority of players will be put off by the unnecessary complexity at so many levels, the lack of a clear progression, and many other small knocks that really take out what could have been cool.

Falling Out sadly falls under that underwhelming "ok" category of games that thousands of indies belong to. It's a nice rogue-lite exploration/platformer that can be played by two (in fact, it is fun only when played by two), but despite it having no real flaws to talk about, there's nothing about it that stands out either. It's… ok.

Pokémon Violet offers a ton of familiar and enhanced fun, but the lack of polish and outright unacceptable performance let it down as one of Nintendo's most iconic franchises. The open-world setting and gameplay additions hint at an exciting future for the Pokémon franchise, but the state this was released in too often overshadows that. Before it's been patched up and optimised, it's tough to recommend.

Gungrave G.O.R.E.'s gameplay won't be for everyone and most gamers who never played the last few games on PlayStation 2 will be lost. The constant combat can wear some people down and the sound of guns blazing becomes white noise after several minutes. Replay value is high - Grave's stats and abilities can be upgraded and there is more than just Grave to play as. Gungrave G.O.R.E. is definitely an acquired taste, but gamers who do have a taste for this brand of carnage will be in for a feast. This is the biggest and longest entry in the series, easily clocking past the 15-hour range. It borders on being excessive with how many stages there are, but this may be the final Gungrave, and it's great to carry that coffin again.

While building a Mars colony is a neat theme for a city builder, how that was executed in Per Aspera is underwhelming. Lots of time is wasted on simply waiting, and when you get to issue some orders there's not much in the way of thinking very hard about them. It's… ok, but that won't suffice.

Don't wait for a bargain bin sale. Don't accept it as a gift. Succubus With Guns is one more trashy "NSFW" game, like the thousands of others that can be found on Steam. It's a boring, repetitive, and sloppily crafted third-person shooter, where players shoot wave after wave of enemies, getting sleepier by the minute. The breast physics are hilarious for like a second.

A great stride for interactivity, The Devil in Me propels many aspects of the Dark Pictures Anthology forward, while retaining the choice-based storytelling that made Supermassive Games so popular. The setting, visuals and atmosphere are thick with horror and the story is full of curiosity and terrible darkness. This reviewer was so tense during the game he had to take breaks every few chapters... It's a masterful way to end off this set of games and for fans of horror media, add this to your library.

Today, much like mullets, the FMV is a niche prospect, but it is growing in popularity again. It's becoming a better fit for purpose in tandem with improvements in technology and streaming services, allowing for some more interesting and convenient delivery methods for the medium, blurring the lines of what a passive and interactive piece of media can be. The Gallery presents a compelling story, with some good tension, interesting concepts and even some decent jokes smattered in there, but it's the core concept of how the details shift through the two timelines that is its most compelling aspect. The marriage of content and the medium. Certainly, it would be recommended for an evening in with friends, which is a fair metric to judge it by.

It's hard to get invested with what Ankora: Lost Days has in store. The story and the characters junior ranger Mûn will meet are just… there, the visuals are bright and colourful, but in the end totally forgettable, and the gameplay is all about wasting time while trying to find the necessary resources that can help the little heroine craft the tools that will help her keep on exploring, with fun not being a part of the equation.

Sonic: Frontiers is an amazing experience that Sonic fans will eat up. There is so much to do across the title, supported by one of the most interesting Sonic stories in a long time. The new combat and exploration focus opens up Sonic's move set into an almost sandbox environment for players to play with which just feels so right. Obviously, there are a few tiny rough edges as expected with such a game but with a couple of patches this could easily be the best Sonic game out there. Highly recommended!

One of the finest retraux FPS games available, CULTIC pays homage to titles like Blood, and actually surpasses them. From running, jumping, sliding, and reloading, to chopping heads, firing and reloading weapons, and throwing explosive dynamite or flesh-burning Molotov cocktails at the feet of robed fanatics, everything feels awesome. The levels are large and decently non-linear, and the atmosphere, visuals, as well as the OST, are top notch. Solo-dev Jason Smith has every right to feel proud of this wonderful ode to the era it was inspired from.

This is not a collection of fantastic games, but a fantastic history lesson about gaming's most important company. Atari 50: The Anniversary Celebration is a journey that begins from the distant '70s, with Pong and the 2600, goes through the 7800 and Jaguar eras, and actually concludes… today, as besides all the classic titles, small documentary-like videos, and so on, this even includes reimagined titles, plus unreleased prototypes - and more. Digital Eclipse crafted a rightful tribute to a legendary pioneer.

Despite featuring what's arguably the best combat system in the series, Bayonetta 3 is nothing short of disappointing. Bayonetta's core gameplay is outstanding, weaving fluid controls together with incredible weapon variety and tons of fun mechanics to play around with. The combo potential is high and battles just feel great to play… as Bayonetta. An unforgiveable amount of playtime is dedicated to newcomer Viola, stealth segments that make poor use of Jeanne, and relentless gimmick stages that wear out their welcome immediately. Tossing in mediocre level design, lacklustre performance, and a flavourless story that panders towards the current multiverse craze, it's clear PlatinumGames has lost its magic touch when it comes to the Umbran Witch. Bayonetta 3 is simply mediocre, at best.

The story in this sci-fi crime drama is nice and all, but a combination of below average voice-acting, awkward-looking characters, and bad pacing ruins it all. What makes the pacing so bad? Boring puzzle after boring puzzle, with very few of them having any connection to the plot, and even less being fun to solve.

Warhammer 40,000: Shootas, Blood & Teef is a game where an Ork does orkish stuff for three to four hours. This translates to shooting stuff with large dakka, and then buying more dakka to shoot some more, in order to acquire even more dakka… and you get the idea. It's simple, mindless action, and it will definitely satisfy those who love these fun green Boyz - just wait for a heavy price drop, because this is extremely light on content and replayability.

The Chant is a surprising and impressive experience. It runs tight and brief; rarely wasting time but allowing enough breathing room for the player to explore at their own pace. It looks amazing, has excellent acting and a compelling narrative that explores some unconventional topics for a horror game. It is too bad it rarely is scary and is too easy. Making Jess a terrible fighter would probably be a worse design choice, but The Chant really needs to have more threatening foes and redesign them to be scarier. Fighting a massive toad that has a shark-like head feels more like something out of an off-brand Resident Evil than a 70s-inspired horror game with a new-age mysticism bent to it.

Castaway Paradise does a moderately good job of being entertaining. The quirky and demanding characters are funny, and there is something about the game that makes collecting all the items fun especially with the upbeat music. Fishing is not the easiest feature, and with real time affecting crops and other game elements it may not be as easy to play for those with limited time to play, but even played in short bursts progress happens. There were occasional crashes too, but it saves regularly so not much progress is lost. Once all island areas are unlocked and built there are still main quests to complete but unlike other games there does feel less of a reason to keep going other than unlocking new items.

Semi-open worlds with quests in the form of real-time strategy battles provide a sort of 3D role-playing game spin on the continuation of this odd match-up of Mario and the Rabbids. While Sparks of Hope improves on the formula introduced five years ago, some charm has been lost in the more generic lands the heroes traverse, with a story that doesn't offer much thanks to plain characters outside of the Rabbids. Battles are still as fun as before, with plenty of customisation possible, but there isn't much to think about when skill points can be redistributed at will. That may suit the target audience, though, and the additional difficulty options are pleasing in that regard, as well. Kingdom Battle fans will enjoy this, and there is some solid tactical gameplay to be found, but it's a bit too familiar and unsurprising to elevate it beyond the original.

Cathedral is basically 10 to 15 hours of decent exploration, with some decent upgrades to find, which will help you fight some decent boss fights, while enjoying the decent retro audio-visuals. Sadly, that's the best thing this has to offer: a decent time. In a sea of similar games, there's little reason to spend any time in here, unless a collector of all things metroidvania.

The definitive version of Judgment is here! It is an almost perfect blend of incredible details and mechanics reinforced by a huge technical upgrade. A long and impressive title that takes the Ryu Ga Gotoku game design and maxes it out for a new side story while their main game goes in another direction. Heartily recommended!

Odd design choices lead to a not so stellar action game with an unfortunately generic, asset-y world design. Valkyrie Elysium has great moments but is stuck in a mediocre shell that is missing the unique draws of the previous entries in the series. Once the story gets moving it's a good Valkyrie story, but a lack of polish leaves this game floundering instead of standing tall.

Metal: Hellsinger takes the familiar thirst for blood of the genre and runs with a familiar hellish theme as seen in titles like DOOM, but an innovative fresh take on the FPS category with a layered rhythm approach makes the adventure enjoyable from start to finish. The soundtrack is utterly awesome, and while it might not be to everyone's taste it should certainly satiate metal fans everywhere. Unfortunately, the downside is its brevity, with everything on offer taking an average eight hours, at best, to get through all of the content available. There is no doubt though that developer The Outsiders has left this reviewer thirsty for more.

SIGNALIS is a title heavily inspired by survival horror classics, and a survival horror classic itself. It's a fantastic experience that goes back to the '90s, and at the same time feels like a fresh, modern take on the basic Resident Evil/Silent Hill formula. Visually stunning, highly immersive and atmospheric, and an absolute joy to play (and re-play) this sinister and eerie sci-fi tale is a no brainer for fans of dark, psychological horror video games.

Ace Angler: Fishing Spirits combines the Zen of fishing with an arcade-esque gameplay loop that'll keep players coming back for more. Not every game mode is a hit - with Shark Fever and Ace Angler Party standing out as duds - but Ace Angler+, Legend of the Poisoned Seas, and the core gameplay loop more than make up for it. There is a massive variety of fish to catch, with several different stages and Rods to unlock as well. The actual fishing mechanics aren't explained too well in-game, but they're intuitive no matter the control scheme. Load times are on the long side and the gacha elements needed for unlockables aren't exactly welcome, but they're not deal-breakers, either. At the end of the day, it's just fun to sit back and experience a more action-packed take on fishing. Ace Angler: Fishing Spirits offers fishy fun for everyone.

Thymesia is a nice diversion - something that can keep you occupied until the next great soulsborne game gets released. That is its curse. It's a good game, with fast and enjoyable action, but lacks the immersive story and atmosphere, as well as the quality of level design and combat finesse that is expected from such titles.

This is a triumphant return to Oddworld. Soulstorm does fantastic things with Abe's story and shows some real advances with the developer's designs. Utterly excellent look, and a world that oozes with consumerist evils make this the definitive new Oddworld experience. There are absolutely no obstacles to heartily recommending this game to all players new and old. Can't wait to see what comes next!

There is a lot to enjoy with the new challenges brought on by Shovel Knight Dig. Gameplay is fast paced, the music is just as catchy as its predecessor, and the quirky dialogue between the NPCs brings back the nostalgia from the original. Although the environments are repetitive, losing a run never feels like a typical game over; it is just a quick regroup and back into adventure. The only major drawback of Shovel Knight Dig is that it is relatively short. Unless trying to get the perfect run, it ends just as quickly as it begins. Still, Yacht Club Games has managed to make a fun new genre and chapter for its fans and new players alike.

Finally, being able to play Persona 5 Royal on the go is truly a dream come true. There are some downgrades due to the limitations of the Nintendo Switch, but the balance between downgrades and retaining enjoyability has been perfected. It is, at last, time to steal some hearts while out and about.

Trifox is an impressive start for new developer Glowfish Interactive, with creative enemies, challenging hidden collectables, and colourful worlds. The gameplay is varied thanks to the fully customisable combat options and levels also pose their own challenging puzzles and obstacles. The adventure is somewhat brief, but for as long as it lasts it well worth the time and effort. Those looking for a mascot-centric platformer adventure shouldn’t overlook Trifox.

If this was a fan game you were showing to your friends (like it originally was) it would be much easier to recommend. Given that this is a full release and at almost full price it simply does not stack up to the plethora of other better titles. The music is weak, the difficulty annoying, and the platforming so badly controlled there is little to talk up - even to fans of Touhou.

Narrative-driven adventure done right, The Excavation of Hob's Barrow goes from suspenseful to downright ghastly, with the in-between being filled with excellent writing, awesome presentation, and flawless atmosphere. Lovecraft meets Edgar Alan Poe, meets Pagan folk horror, in a point-and-click that won't challenge your puzzle-solving skills, but will masterfully play with your mind, and force you follow the main heroine's journey towards her inevitable demise. The actual game requires five or so hours. The experience will stay with you far longer.

The Delicious Last Course lives up to its name by bringing Cuphead to a truly magnificent conclusion. The DLC is packed with a generous amount of content that'll keep players coming back for more. Ms. Chalice's play style is enough to add hours of replay value on its own, but the fact she's rounded out by over half a dozen new bosses, unique parry challenges, new weapons to play around with, and a lengthy side quest dedicated to upgrading a charm makes it even better. Inkwell Isle Four is small, but the DLC makes the most of its space and doesn't restrict new content to the one setting. Every weapon, charm, and even Ms. Chalice herself can be used in the three main Isles once they're unlocked. With so much quality content on tap, Cuphead: The Delicious Last Course sets a new standard for DLC.

Many of the few souls that played this attempt at a western JRPG back in the day will speak about a flawless, but unknown gem. That’s nostalgia speaking, however. Septerra Core: Legacy of the Creator is undoubtedly deeply flawed. It’s not buggy or anything, just an unbalanced, repetitive, somewhat empty, and most of all, 50+ hour-long experience that’s aggravatingly slow, and which doesn’t ever realise its massive potential. In a weird way, this also has a very strong atmosphere, an intriguing world, and is strangely immersive. Thankfully it’s dirt cheap nowadays, so if interested you can check it out with just a handful of coins.