The statement ‘you can’t rush perfection’ has never been truer when it comes to Persona 5 Royal. The story is a slow burn, but with emotional payoffs. The enhancements and additions have been made to feel natural and fully integrated into the rest of the games systems. Persona 5 Royal is a shining example of how to reinvigorate a game. It’s a love letter to fans and a fantastic entry point for newcomers. Simply put, Persona 5 Royal isn’t just one of the best JRPGs of this generation. It’s one of the best games released in recent memory.

The result is a fully fledged puzzle platforming game, packed with collectibles, funny boss battles and amazing little gimmicks that realise the full destiny of the PS5’s unique playability as well as giving Super Mario a run for his money.

It continues to plunder that wonderful rich vein they’ve been tapping of a brilliant single-player story combined with first-rate gameplay and graphics.

The Last of Us Part II outshines the original in practically every way. The game takes level design, combat, stealth, AI and interactive narrative and uses each element to elevate the other. Unpredictable, intelligent and self-aware, this game seems to pride itself on digging into your head and staying there – allowing its themes and messages to grow and mutate long after the credits roll. Naughty Dog knows just when to take your tools off you, remove the safety blanket and provoke you. It weaves inconsistent pacing and tension together masterfully to leave you as scared and vulnerable as its protagonists. This is a game that’s going to be talked about for a long time to come, and with good reason. A masterpiece.

Half-Life: Alyx is a perfect example of what happens if you wait a little while before jumping into a new platform. It perfects many mechanics from other games while adding in a layer of polish that only Valve could manage. It’s equal parts enchanting and terrifying, and it’s sure to be one of the turning points in VR for many of us.

Divinity: Original Sin II is the best RPG you’re not playing.

In a world where developers who design experiences for console and try throw them on the PC, Rockstar Games beautifully takes its time in creating a port that both serves the artistic purposes of the original while allowing players to run free in their best open world to date. Just make sure your PC is up to standard...The real verdict will shine once modders get their hands into the files and begin to create some crazy mods for the game – something which may be a major selling point for this PC version down the line.

Beat Saber is the perfect recipe for a rhythm game. Easy to pick up, difficult to put down, and a wealth of complexity to explore once it has you hooked.

It established the third person run-and-gun gameplay you’ll recognise in many a game nowadays and totally reinvented the series. Subtle tweaks have been made to boss fights and streamline the pacing in this revamp. It makes this a must-buy for Resident Evil fans. And well worth a look for those seeking an incredibly challenging, stressful horror game where you never feel like you’ve got enough ammo to survive.

Overall, this a deep and wonderful game packed full of exploration, juicy combat and a strong story - if you can follow all the lore it pumps out. Square Enix have done a great job again of delivering a unique Final Fantasy world, in this case revamped for the modern gamer from an old classic.

Overall, another fantastic Mario game and a real fun standout for the Switch console.

Full of content for all different types of gamer, whether that’s the one-vs-computer classic Street Fighter type or the player who loves to live online, making new pals. But underneath it all is an excellent fighting game that is as addictive as it ever was and a joy to play.

Microsoft Flight Simulator is a massive generational leap from its predecessor, and every time I play the game I’m blown away by just how good it looks. From a completely simulated physics system with wind, weather and more, to highly detailed aircraft and airports, it’s truly something worth checking out. Even if you’ve never played a Flight Sim before, you have to pick up this game. Flight Simulator is a revolutionary game for all kinds of reasons, and once the technical issues are out of the way – I truly believe it will be a legendary PC game. Give it a few months, I’ll bump it up to a 5/5.

I could write about Split Fiction for another few thousand words and still not cover everything that made me smile. As with 2024's Astro Bot, it's bursting at the seams with a Nintendo-like playfulness, an excited child opening a toybox to show you everything it can, and yet with a more measured pacing that stops it running out of breath...It's a poignant and timely reminder that for all of technology's advances, art is still made my artists, and that might just make it one of 2025's most important games — as well as one of its best.

Factoring in all of the improvements that have been made to the handling model and racing experience in this game, I've had more fun in the My Team mode, races and time trial in F1 2020 than in any other previous F1 game before it.

There’s depth, hundreds of hours of replayability and above all, an experience you won’t forget. With humour, panache, wit and genuinely touching moments, this is a hell of a story.

The stunning graphics, incredible survival horror combat and wonderfully eerie setting make picking up a copy of Resident Evil 2 a no-brainer.

It’s great fun and the punching and smashing never gets dull. The difficulty ramps up nicely for all levels of gamer and there’s tons of secret areas to come back for once completed. The Switch 2 is now very much on its way to greatness software-wise.

Similar to how Breath of the Wild and Odyssey reimagined 3D Zelda and Mario, New Horizons represents an exciting new milestone for the Animal Crossing series. By truly handing the player the reins, Nintendo has delivered a deeply customisable and effortlessly joyous experience which is, quite simply, an essential purchase for all Switch owners.

Shadowbringers is a step above anything that has come before it. The perfect blend of captivating gameplay and a truly memorable story that rivals those heralded by fans for decades. It’s time to step out of the shadows and become what you must Final Fantasy XIV; the best MMORPG in the world.

What a game. Web-crawlingly brilliant at every turn. Top marks Spidey, top marks.

Tetris Effect is a magical experience that you really need to witness to believe. Featuring over thirty stages, unlockable content, and a wide range of challenges with their own leaderboards, it’s also the most complete Tetris experience to date. There’s endless replay value here for fans of the classic puzzle formula and virtual reality is the cherry on top.

Ori and the Will of the Wisps is an essential Xbox game. Building on every aspect of Blind Forest – from art to music right the way through to level design and combat – this is a sequel worthy of celebration.

Well worth revisiting if you’ve played before and a must-buy at £45 for those new to Part II.

Though Sekiro feels impossibly hard at times, the level of euphoria you experience when delivering a death blow to a tricky boss or when you finally clear a castle grounds of all enemies is almost unparalleled.

Xenoblade Chronicles was one of the best JRPGs to hit the Nintendo Wii and the definitive edition proves why it's a much beloved classic. While certain elements haven’t aged as gracefully such as it’s bland quest design and sparse open world, quality of life improvements set to make the adventure as fluid and accessible as possible. If you’ve ever been interested in the series, this is the perfect entry point for a sweet and engaging adventure. Veteran players will no doubt find much to love in the expanded story with Future Connected. Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition doesn’t do much to change the formula, but it builds upon its predecessor in such satisfying ways that it’s hard not to fall in love with its charm all over again.

Iceborne is as much a roaring success as Monster Hunter World was, and it can receive no higher praise than that. It successfully adds in new layers, monsters, and a beautiful new area, all of which will have players flocking back to the game to experience it all. It’s fun, it’s hard as nails, and it makes my PS4 sound like a jet engine. It’s a truly brilliant expansion to an excellent game.

While it’s not a new game, the love put in to this version of the first third of Final Fantasy 7 here makes it a brilliant addition to the slowly growing Switch 2 library. Gamers will be as addicted as ever and for £40-odd this feels like quite the bargain compared to some of the more meh full price titles nowadays.

Overall, a strong RPG packed full of content that’ll last tens of hours. The dialogue is so awful its almost charming, but the visuals more than make up for it and the action frantic and addictive when it really gets going. It may be too overwhelming for some, and the length of the game may put others off. But RPG fans are going to love it and the Switch can now boast of a cracking new title in this genre.

The boss fights are often pretty straightforward and arguably a bit too easy generally. But they make for a visual spectacle and help to break up the platforming gameplay. And Bowser’s Fury is an odd but interesting side-addition where your Mario moves are curtailed and the big baddie pops up randomly every few minutes to shoot fire at you. It shines bright but is over quickly.

It’s atmospheric, scary and adrenaline-inducing space fun.

Fire Emblem: Three Houses is not a bad game - it starts off strong and for some reason systematically unpicks everything by the time you’re 30 hours in. The battle system is fairly impressive but still carries some of the flaws the series has had for the past decade, and the writing of the central cast feels like a step back compared to the 3DS series’ entries.

It’s possibly Hideo Kojima’s magnum opus, and it’ll be a long, long time before I stop thinking about it.

Resident Evil Requiem is a wonderful modern gaming take on a classic series that both honours the gameplay wins of the past with more current storytelling and visual fidelity techniques. The monsters are horrors, the boss fights brutal and there’s more blood than you can shake a stick at. Perfect for survival horror gaming fans.

The work here should be used as a showcase for how to redevelop legacy products for a new generation. I would have liked to have seen it priced slightly lower, as I fear some gamers may be put off paying full-whack for a nine-year-old storyline. That said, if you really want to see what the PS5 is capable of when pushed, this is your game. And if you’re new to this series, this must be your next purchase.

Overall a fantastic new title for the PS5. That console’s now-best available exclusive action-platform game. A perfect hit for those hot summer days of gaming.

Id Software’s magnum opus, an epic of the videogame world that’ll be talked about for years to come, Doom Eternal is a triumph. It elevates everything that made Doom 2016 such a success, and keeps the pressure up from the opening minutes to the climactic final boss and falters only ever so occasionally en route. One of 2020’s first essential games, Doom Eternal is a masterwork of first-person shooter design, and sets the bar for what developers should be doing in the genre.

You may have played its various parts before in multiple other games but the makers have taken the best of the rest and forged their own unique hit with a pitch-perfect story and exemplary gameplay.

It also just oozes a sense of cool that is easy to get lost in. You aren’t always on the back of a motorbike, dodging obstacles and chasing your foes: things can get surreal, absurd and often incredibly moody as you swing swords, play on a head-mounted-devices and ride waves of puke to wrap up Sayonara’s exciting missions. Don’t sleep on this one, it’s a trip.

Grindstone is a fantastic puzzler for your commute.

With even more tools and features than before, Super Mario Maker 2 is a fantastic level-making package deserving of its number. Even players without a creative itch will have a blast with story mode, and being on a console with an install base already much larger than its predecessor ever had, there’ll no doubt be countless more exciting and inventive levels to come.

Rogueport is packed with fun and danger in equal parts and tons of personality, almost a character itself. And Mario of course holds it all together with some wonderful gameplay, comedy and an interesting storyline.

Overall, this is the best version of Ghost of Tsushima out there. While it is a year-old base game, there’s enough here for both newcomers and veterans alike to warrant another look. Yes, you could save a fair bit of cash going out and buying a 2nd hand PS4 copy. But if you want the most from your shiny new PS5 and are keen to delve into a sublime open-world sword game you really won’t find much better.

Final Fantasy VII Remake suffers from stop-start pacing, elements of archaic game design and some cheesy over-the-top filler material. But when it’s firing on all cylinders, Remake shows off the best of what Final Fantasy can offer in 2020: addictive combat, a compelling cast of misfit protagonists, and a living, breathing fantasy world. If you can break through the more sluggish and unenjoyable moments of the game, you’ll find an absolute gem of an action-RPG shining at the core, a promise of what Square Enix can do with role-playing games in this generation and generations to come.

Cuphead is frustrating but fair. It’s about incremental improvements over hours of practice. You need to constantly learn new tactics as each boss fights differently, and the penultimate battle is particularly inventive. No matter how upset Cuphead might make you, though, you keep wanting to come back. The sense of accomplishment that comes with victory washes away any anger you once felt.

The story powers along at a gentle pace and can be a bit annoying, meaning a lot of dialogue skipping for me. But the gameplay itself is great - easy to get while complicated to conquer - and that 3rd person visual across a gloriously designed cartoon world can be beautiful. Its urge for exploration is everywhere and really helps to distinguish this away from other Switch titles.

The combat, visuals and audio all work so well together in delivering a frantic action role-player that’ll give you tons of fun.

If you’ve never played Uncharted before, this is as five-out-of-five a game as you’ll ever see in review...Grab this for £42.99 and set aside February for nothing else.

It is much more accessible than before but still retains all that juicy motorsport detail under the hood...A little more of the fun factor on the next iteration will elevate this series even further.

The games play well in the new-look controllers and they’re as addictive and as fun as they ever were.

The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening is the quintessential 2D Zelda experience. The gameplay never feels repetitive, and solving each dungeon or beating each mini-boss is equally as satisfying as the first. The audio is crisp and matches perfectly to the gorgeous visuals that players will be treated to throughout their time on Koholint Island. It pays homage to the original in the greatest of ways, by introducing an entirely new generation of players to one of the best Zelda experiences out there. It is a must-have for any Zelda fan, and so should take its place as a console seller for the Nintendo Switch.

This is a great showcase for the PS5 and well worth a look for those seeking a sci-fi epic packed full of challenge.

I love that they added an interweaving sub-plot to the already interesting career of trying to win a championship. The rivalries are also done really well, where you are told to stay away from your rivals otherwise they may attempt to sabotage you on the track. It’s all quite fun.

Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii may not be what anyone expected, but it's a fitting entry in a series that delights in surprising long-term fans and casual admirers alike. Whether you're interested in building your perfect pirate crew for hours on end, or just want to see the story through, there's a ton of things to do and with Majima around, it's a riot. It trades in some of its sentimentality for the bizarre and the brash, but finally having Majima playable again after so long feels like a breath of fresh sea air.

Overall, this is the best day one first-person shooter of the year and will only evolve and improve more as the developers tweak it. You’ve an awesome open world to explore for the first time in the franchise and a top-level multiplayer suite to battle endlessly through during the cold winter months. Well done Xbox.

It plays well and is ideal for gamers who want to grind through a title and put in many hours. You’ll kill a lot of demons, beat a few bosses and enjoy going off on side quests to delve further into the lore of the series.

Dragon Quest Builders 2 balances itself almost perfectly between the thrill of exploration and fighting of strange baddies, and the serenity of building. While it might lean over one way or the other on occasion, its foundations are solid and hard to crack.

Steins;Gate Elite provides a much more aesthetic and visually engaging approach to the genre. The daunting task of reading mountains of dialogue is made less overwhelming with visual aid that not only brings the story to life but deepens your emotional ties with the characters within it, maximising the emotional impact as the story unravels. Animated scenes also do well to make an enticing new entry point for players whilst offering a sense of nuance that’s as good of an excuse as any for Steins;Gate fans to revisit this top-notch series.

An epic game with tons of content.

Those who loved the original will immensely enjoy stepping back into this dead town. But modern gamers who have no association with the history could likely find it a bit bland compared to today’s more speedy, interactive games.

This is an excellent Souls-like title with a unique battle system to mix up the usual formulas. The setting looks immense and gameplay is addictive despite many a death at the hands of gruesome monsters...It's as good a Souls-like game as Elden Ring.

But generally Prince of Persia plays simply and well, like an old school arcade button basher.

The graphics are gorgeous and the world fully realised, making for a breathtaking title to enjoy.

It’s a warm nostalgic hug of a game for fans of Indy and well worthy of being the last big hit game to see out the year.

Luigi’s Mansion 3 acts as an excellent addition both to the series itself and the ever-growing roster of excellent games on the Switch. It’s atmospheric, and will provide fun all the family can enjoy over the course of its relatively short story.

I have thoroughly enjoyed playing Returnal so far and its unique die-and-start-over mechanic, excellent graphics, gameplay and sound all work brilliantly to deliver yet another fantastic first-party exclusive for the PS5.

Overall, Pragmata is a well balanced dual combat/puzzle solving space game that strikes the right tone between emotional connection and outright fighting challenge. It looks great on console and borrows design elements from past sci-fi space epics to deliver a well-rounded gamer’s game with a distinct style of its own.

Overall, for those new to the Wonder game this is a brilliant package, full of gaming content for both the solo player and groups of friends and family. If you’ve already got the original, I’m not sure it justifies another look, especially if you already own other Mario mini game titles like the excellent Mario Party series.

You’ll find yourself quickly and expertly tossing pots to distract baddies, stacking boxes and tables for extra height and firing out little green critters to fight for you, while you run around enemies to escape. It’s a joy to play, looks great and an excellently crafted mashup of gaming ideas to deliver a fresh-feeling new Zelda.

Obsidian’s The Outer Worlds feels like a modern-age Fallout title, for better and for worse Although it’s grown out of much of the buggy, janky feeling that its predecessors were known for, it isn’t nearly as expansive as the classics you might remember. It seems that stepping out of Bethesda’s spotlight has raised the production value but limited the game’s depth of content. Still, with quality writing and stellar gameplay, everyone should visit Halcyon’s shores when they get a chance.

If you’re new to the Horizon franchise, or if you’re so into it that you’re dying to play the first game again at its very very best, then it is worth a revisit.

Jedi Survivor is a true triple-A game in that sense - a lovingly developed Star Wars game that’s improved on its predecessor and packed full of jaw-dropping moments visually and in the joypad. It’s Hollywood popcorn fun at its best, all controllable and with a real edge of difficulty that - rather than frustrates - pulls you back for more, like a good book.

Overall, this is a good chance to revisit one of the defining early stealth action games that really led to many future titles’ signature gameplay, like the Hitman and even Assassin’s Creed series. If you’ve played it before there’s not enough here to warrant another pass. But for those seeking a nostalgia hit, or to try a classic they may have missed, it’s well worth a look.

Overall, you do need to remember that this is a glorified addition to the base game and not a totally fully fledged title of the same size as the original. So it is more limited and fans will burn through it a lot quicker. However as a tech demo for the PS5 it’s immense. And for those that love a fresh, modern take on superhero storytelling, this is a brilliant exclusive game for Sony.

Control interweaves a superlative environment with brilliant combat and stellar map design. I just wish that the enemies were more varied at times and the story was a bit more compelling, but that doesn’t make the game bad at all. Control is a wonderful experience that any Remedy fan or supernatural connoisseur would enjoy.

Enjoyable but difficult and always unravelling a deeper tale. One of the most unique and lovely games of the year.

Though Team Ninja elevates much of the game from the prototypes the original Nioh was playing with, a few design frustrations (boss setups, camera, hostile UI) prevent the game from being the perfect hardcore RPG experience. Don’t let that criticism put you off, though – once you penetrate the frustration, there’s a genuinely captivating and ruthlessly addictive PlayStation great hidden underneath.

Long-time Witcher fans will have a blast reliving their adventures on the go, while those who have yet to step into the hunting boots, luscious locks and scruffed beard of Geralt of Rivia, have the perfect opportunity to get stuck in.

Overall, the game itself plays very much like before. But with the added extras and better visuals the package as a whole is fantastic value for gamers who have never tried a Tony Hawk game before and will be very appealing to those old school players who want to step back in with their on-the-go handheld.

All in, a cracking Switch title. One that doesn’t feel particularly fresh in any area but is done with enough Nintendo charm and style that it’s still a pleasure to play.

More than just a good Total War game. Its variety in play, riveting campaign mode and improved performance move it up to one of the best games in the RTS genre.

Overall, this is a full-to-bursting title, even bigger than the huge PS4 original. It looks astounding, sounds great and that immersive feedback in the controller brings this odd sci-fi world to life like never before. If you played the original and feel ‘done’ with it, there may not be enough big tweaks to bring you back for another go. But the upgrade price point is good and it’ll definitely appeal to those gamers who missed out on playing the original and now fancy jumping in on PS5.

Over 200 hours worth of high-quality content, playable at home or on the go, Final Fantasy X/X-2 Collection is a must-buy on the Switch. Those that have played before will happily greet old friends, while those that haven't explored Spira will find just as much to love.

Crash 4 is a cracking platform game and an excellent way to start saying goodbye to the current console generation before the inevitable switchover to PS5 and Xbox Series X.

It’s slick, speedy, plays well and addictive and embraces the weird, wonderful and diverse side of skateboarding culture. This is a game all about going on a road trip with your friends, finding crazy spots, pulling mad tricks and skating everything in sight.

Your mileage may vary based on how well you enjoyed Gwent in The Witcher 3, but if you’ve been looking for a fresh perspective on Andrzej Sapkowski’s dense world and lore then we can’t recommend it enough.

Octopath Traveler O will scratch that role-play itch for gamers seeking a new challenge in the genre this winter. It is a lovely looking title, packed full of hours of turn-based gameplay and a chunky world that you can turn into your own land, albeit with a fairly linear storyline.

Gears 5 is a return to form for Microsoft’s hardcore series, delivering fans the roadie-running, head-bursting, visceral joy that made the franchise such a success in the first place. A few odd design choices can’t dull the sheen of what is a well-produced, well-optimised and truly beautiful piece of brutal, bloody good fun. Gears 5 is well worth a play for anyone that owns Xbox Games Pass, and absolutely worth consideration for anyone that wants to own one of the best Xbox One exclusives of a generation.

It’s beautiful, brilliant to play and packed full of cars worth tinkering with. All in one easy-to-access package. This title tops the podium.

It’s cartoon design is full of character and deep down it’s a really involved city builder of a game offering a strong challenge of your creative mind. Well worth giving a go if you’re subscribed to Xbox Game Pass, as it is included in that package and can even be streamed over the cloud, but for £35 on other systems, it is still a great summer title to get your creative juices flowing.

If you like bullet shooters, this retro classic is a must buy for this bargain price. But those gamers who want a more sprawling epic would be wise to save their cash for a fresher video game.

Huntdown stands as a neon-drenched monument on how to make a contemporary retro game. You might come for its highly stylised 16-bit aesthetic, but you’ll certainly stay for its authentic arcadey mechanics, amusing comedic overtones and unique boss battles. Despite being released long after its ancestors, Huntdown can stand tall within its genre, knowing that in reality, it probably holds more true to your nostalgic memories than what you actually played back in the day.

Football Manager is back and its focus on long-term construction of a footballing powerhouse is refreshing for a series that previously felt solely focused on the short-to-mid term. The only challenge you'll have now is keeping in the board's good graces long enough to leave your imprint on a club.

For many BioShock: The Collection’s hop to Nintendo Switch is as good of an excuse as any to indulge in this unforgettable series all over again. For others it’s an opportunity to discover what they’ve been missing out on and if so “would you kindly” pick up a copy because yes, you’ve been missing out. For those owning a Switch alone, there’s a banquet of content on offer in this collection that both looks and plays a treat, making it worth every penny. This first-person shooter is easily one of the best available in the Switch’s catalogue of games and let’s face it, being able to take BioShock wherever you go is indeed awesome. However, bearing in mind how this version plays best, it’s difficult not to consider browsing stores on other consoles where this title often finds itself on sale for a pretty much identical experience at fraction of the price.

This is a must-buy for Potter fanatics and a very good game for those less fussed by the lore of the much-loved kids books. It’s got strong combat, depth to its open world, plenty of character and a decent storyline.

Overall, a fun, fast and busy VR game that combines two differing play elements to deliver an addictive shooter/swinger action title.

A great introduction to RPG games and offers a challenge as you push through the title. It’s got a lovely modern Switch sheen to it but still keeps all the core values of the original, classic game.

DOOM: The Dark Ages is the perfect antidote to anyone that felt Eternal was getting away what made the reboot so special. It’s as metal as they come, endlessly playable, and with memorable moments scattered throughout – whether it’s the ones you create moment to moment or those id has laid out.