Final Fantasy VII fans should already expect this to be a vastly different experience in more ways than one to the original classic game, and the sooner that is accepted, the better, because there is a huge, fun and memorable time to be had in Final Fantasy VII Rebirth. Despite the slower and drawn-out segments, the characters, combat, and doubling down on the optional content and lore means this is a role-playing game that will satisfy most genre enthusiasts.

Wulverblade might not be the most innovative of titles, but what it does it does really well. This is everything you ever loved about the beat 'em up genre, put into one stylized little package. It doesn't reinvent the genre, or even really add anything new, but at the same time it doesn't really need to. Fans of the genre will love what this has to offer though, and it might even manage to draw some newcomers in as well. With some slick and enjoyable combat and a unique, interesting visual aesthetic, it is hard to not be immediately drawn in by Wulverblade. It really is a great title, so grab a sword and start slashing your way through medieval Britain.

Lost Sphear may be the homage factory it was intended to be, but thanks to mixing elements of yesteryear together in such a smart way, it ends up feeling like its own, unique beast. Inevitably, it falls victim to the age-old argument of "Is it fair to compare this to other games," and because it is designed to imitate those games, it obviously is. Truth be told, while some of it sags, Lost Sphear is one of the best games to come out imitating those highly revered titles, and any fan of those '90s RPGs would be a fool not to give it a chance.

A great classic to begin with, 3D After Burner II is only magnified by the Nintendo 3DS' ability to render things in 3D.

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.

Girl of Glass: A Summer Bird's Tale draws elements from point-and-click adventures, visual novels, and turn-based RPGS, blending them with a whimsical world and sympathetic characters to make a wonderful story. The battle system, while at times too difficult, adds flavour and action to the point-and-click formula that some might otherwise find slow, and the characters and their stories pique the player's interest and keep them wanting to dig in more and keep the story going. Where a lot of point-and-clicks feel slapped together to make a quick experience, this is a rare gem that feels like it was designed from the ground up to be exactly what it is. It doesn't try too hard, it doesn't cram in aspects from other genres in ways that don't fit. Girl of Glass: A Summer Bird's Tale is a wonderful story, built into a game that tells it wonderfully.

Pokémon Picross succeeds flawlessly with its goal of making an easily accessible Picross title with additional appeal for people who are used to the puzzles.

Dynasty Warriors: Origins masterfully reinvigorates the musou genre by returning to its roots in some ways — and taking bold risks with established mechanics. It pays off at almost every juncture. While the large roster of playable characters is gone for now and it's certainly missed, by honing in on what truly matters for the genre Koei Tecmo has refreshed an experience that desperately needed it. The result is a more focused, more engaging and simply more fun action title that makes this reviewer very excited for the future of the genre.

A true spiritual successor and sequel in one. Every little element is instilled with the same wit and comedy as the original, and the mechanics are polished to perfection. The constantly evolving needs of each stage, and the regular requests that pop up as little memos mean this never gets dull, and continually keeps players on their toes. There's easily 20 hours here, and plenty more on replays Anyone who loved Theme Hospital will find their new obsession here.

The Exit 8 is a simple game that manages to capture the feeling of paranoia and the uncanny valley in a way very few titles can. This is a short escape room adventure that will have the player combing every corner looking for anything out of the ordinary, and while it might sound painful, it's a quite incredible experience.

It might not be the toughest puzzler out there or the most highly polished, and it is true that some puzzles do tend to repeat themselves. None of that matters, however, because this is such a thoroughly unique experience that everyone should taste. The first day this came out, a clip of it went viral and reached the front page of Reddit. It wasn't a speedrun or glitch or anything like that. It was just someone playing the game. That's the kind of novelty this title has, and it is absolutely worth your time to go out and experience it for yourself.

A visually impressive port of a previously released action-adventure game. Anyone who is already a fan will enjoy returning to this with its extra polish. While the graphics are often commendable, there are instances where the art appears outdated or inconsistent. Fans of Zelda-style games may find this title appealing, as it offers a grand sense of adventure and exploration. Although it has its flaws, Darksiders II: Deathinitive Edition provides a satisfying experience for those seeking a more casual action-adventure game.

Beat the Beat: Rhythm Paradise is yet another hit from the Nintendo factory, mixing in elements from the original Japan-only release, Rhythm Tengoku on GBA, and continuing in the fine form set by the Nintendo DS version. The perfect game for the warmth summer months; prepare for the rhythm heat wave!

A new Persona game in everything but name (and the lack of collecting Persona!), this delivers a fascinating blend of the franchises, some great dungeon crawling, wonderful combat, and a decent story… eventually. Any Megaten or Persona fan needs to give this one a shot.

Pinball FX3: Jurassic World Pinball is a great addition for any pinball-lover who already has a huge collection of tables, or for someone starting out. Featuring the three tables from the hit franchise, this stays true to its source by having many iconic scenes. The only thing that's basically missing from these moments is the epic score by John Williams, which does detract from the overall feel of this pack. The tables themselves vary in difficulty, while featuring interesting skill shots, as well as various missions to combat the lose dinosaur threat running rampant across the park. With an imposing T-Rex, Stegosaurus, as well as the Indominus Rex standing guard on the tables, this is a must-have pinball pack for franchise-lovers, who will find plenty of Easter Eggs to satiate them.

It's the absolute perfect time for this game. Not only because Pokémon is just settling into a new renaissance and resurgence of interest not seen since the 90s, but also because of the state of the world. Games that encapsulate escapism and the ability to just chill are desperately needed. It's part of the reason Animal Crossing exploded like it did. New Pokémon Snap is enjoyable in the exact same way. A game to lose yourself in. A game to play on rainy Sundays. To play late at night. To unwind and to decompress. Best of all, it's the perfect way to reconnect with the franchise in honour of the 25th anniversary. So, settle in, sleeve those new Shining Fates, throw on season two of Pokémon Journeys and get snapping.

It certainly isn't for everyone, being overall very overwhelming, but with enough patience and mastery, Mutant Mudds Super Challenge quickly becomes an addictive pick-up-and-play experience. With enough content and replay value to last a solid dozen hours, Max's latest adventure deserves a spot in any 3DS library.

The Adventures of Bertram Fiddle: Episode 1: A Dreadly Business is a breath of fresh air in the point-and-click genre, bringing with it fantastic art work and excellent voice acting, along with tough-but-not-overly-so puzzles, a wonderfully intuitive inventory and control system, as well as bucket-loads of charm and personality. Spiffingly good work, ol' chap!

A really good first attempt at using Wii MotionPlus and a genuinely enjoyable experience. Whilst it might have a few flaws in terms of gameplay and it does look decidedly rubbish, the basic game is very good with some surprising subtleties.

Although on a mechanical level, Yo-kai Watch 3 isn't as polished as a Pokémon title, it makes up for this in droves with its flexibility, not to mention its sense of charm and adventure. Great fun.

Emotional, alluring, and compelling from start to finish, A Normal Lost Phone is a phenomenal visual novel that takes full advantage of Nintendo Switch in a creative way, while telling a story with a genuinely powerful message. The investigative elements are gripping and require a sincere attention to detail, and the soundtrack is appropriately atmospheric for mobile phone sleuthing.

Life is Strange: True Colors is a complete title that will take around nine to ten hours to finish. This might prove a bit steep for the price, but the pacing and character work do well to make this story worth the time. The colourful visuals compliment Alex's power, but there are a few rough patches along the way. Despite the soundtrack of original and licensed songs blending into the world, the Live Stream mode is half baked and should be revisited in the future because as a shared experience; this game shines with complexion.

There's a huge amount of addictive gameplay on offer in Plants VS Zombies, all tied up in a humorous package that is perfect for short and long play sessions. Another success for PopCap that will keep many players busy for a good while, Plants VS Zombies is no weed.

Even though Pokkén Tournament DX might not offer much in the way of new content, the added longevity it'll gain by simply being on the Switch more than justifies the port. Dynamic stages that switch between a 3D arena and a 2D plane through combos keep the action exciting, and the Ferrum League, while not especially lengthy, does serve as a more than acceptable single-player campaign. With a well-designed roster that strays away from safe choices and a great support system, the action is just as good now as it was back in 2016. The lack of Team Battle as an online option is certainly disconcerting, but light RPG elements and tonal consistency with the franchise ensures that Pokkén Tournament remains one of the best Pokémon spin-offs available - and a pretty great fighting game to boot.

Some games never lose their magic, and Pokémon FireRed is one of those gems. It is still as compelling capturing Pokémon now as it was back then, and this GBA remake of the original title enhances the experience in many ways. The Nintendo Switch version’s lack of display options or other features that could have helped bring the game up to scratch diminish the value, but it looks the part on the Switch 2’s screen, and the endgame inclusions make up for many of the shortcomings. A perfect portable companion ideal for short and lengthy play alike.

Despite its age, Donkey Kong Country Returns HD maintains exceptional quality, offering engaging platforming sequences, visually impressive set-pieces, dazzling vistas, and a high level of difficulty. While the majority of collectibles offer limited in-game value beyond unlocking mirror mode, their inherent appeal, driven by ingrained desire, compels players to seek them out. It's highly replayable and highly addictive, leaving gamers eager to keep playing. It is disappointing that this remaster doesn't include anything new for veterans, but when the foundation is so enjoyable, it's hard to be dissatisfied.

This 'Caravan Mode' version of Star Soldier is perfect for those that cannot commit to working their way through a full shmup outing.

Never 7 and Ever 17 are fantastic visual novels, even with their outdated elements. The artwork and sound are excellently realised, creating an unforgettable atmosphere for two of the weirdest, most mind-bending stories out there. Fans of visual novels will want to get their hands on these.