Bayonetta Origins is a lovely adventure puzzle game that’s perfect for snuggling up on the sofa with your Nintendo Switch in handheld mode. It might not have the show-stopping set pieces and over-the-top drama that the main Bayonetta trilogy has, but it’s still capable of inspiring awe with its unique control scheme, a captivating coming-of-age story, and one of the best visual identities the Switch has ever seen.

For a first game from a new studio, Atomic Heart executes many of its ideas very well, delivers a solid story, and actually manages to innovate in a genre where it would be easy to remain stagnant...Yes, its main character won’t live long in the memory, the narrative takes some time to heat up, and the modern-day curse of technical hitches are noticeable. But as a whole, Atomic Heart is an electric and enjoyable FPS title with surprising puzzle aspects, and I can’t wait to see how Mundfish builds on this hot start in the future.

Evil Dead: The Game is a faithful and bloody horror that combines plenty of gameplay systems from across the multiplayer genre in tight, impactful gameplay. A variety of game modes and classes mean that there’s something for everyone, but it’s let down by quick-to-tire and repetitive finishing moves, limited accessibility features, and restrictions on earning experience. That being said, I’m incredibly excited to see what Saber Interactive has got in-store in the future, as with such a well-designed, lightning-in-a-bottle type formula, Evil Dead: The Game will either survive the test of time or be banished to the deep recesses of player’s minds depending upon the quality of the game’s future updates and how many it receives over time.

The Sims 4 Werewolves includes everything that fans of The Sims’ quirky sense of humor have come to expect with its anthropomorphic styling for the occult state, alongside the inclusion of fun and well-thought-out unlockable abilities and Temperaments that can be used to weave unique stories for your Sims.

Demon Slayer: The Hinokami Chronicles is a perfect way to relive the Kamado siblings' adventure, despite knowing what's around every corner. And for new fans, it is a great chance to experience the series from the get-go. While its VS mode may not be for everyone, the main story itself is enough to feed anyone's appetite, and its gorgeous visuals make it a feast for the eyes.

Dead Take is a sublime horror game filled with some phenomenal performances expertly heightened by the live-action nature. It's unique, fun, and fantastically paced.

Wishblossom Ranch is the best Disney Dreamlight Valley expansion to date. The introduction of horses and the beautiful world make this worth the entry price alone, and it’s hard to think of a single Disney fan who wouldn’t enjoy riding these magnificent beasts.

For a first outing by a brand new studio, Immortals of Aveum is a spectacular accomplishment. Through its fluid and inventive gameplay systems combined with its extraordinarily rich universe and wondrous storytelling, Ascendant Studios has delivered an all-time great FPS while laying the foundation for what’s hopefully many more exciting chapters to come.

Invincible VS has enough complexity in its combat to make fighting fans punch drunk, but it’s straightforward enough that newer players can feel confident. Overall, it’s a wonderfully fun fighter that oozes personality in keeping with the comics and show, offering a good entry point into tag fighters that’s equally fun for newbies and die-hards alike.

If you're looking for a football game that doesn't take itself too seriously, with more than enough of that zany Nintendo charm to delight, you really can't go wrong with Mario Strikers Battle League. It's an excellent multiplayer game if you can forgive the lack of content to keep you invested, but it's sure to be a summer hit for footie fans.

While Star Wars: Outlaws soars thanks to its spectacular open-world design, letting you loose across multiple gargantuan planets all brought to life with immense attention to detail, a safe and rather by-the-books narrative brings the package down from being an all-time great.

Apex Legends Mobile may be lacking maps and Legends, but it does an excellent job of translating the squad-based battle royale formula to mobile devices. It’s fun and frantic, and is a great way for newcomers to jump into the franchise while offering a unique appeal for veterans, too.

This game is a change of pace from other racing games like F1 and Forza Horizon. Yes, part of that has to do with virtually no microtransactions within the game. But on a more poignant note, rally car racing is its own beast. Between building the right setup and then having to go out on a treacherous road and compete, it’s important for all the details to be there and for the gameplay to be smooth.

I feel in some ways I’m echoing my sentiments from one year ago. The gameplay is near-perfect and the presentation and delivery of a worldwide sensation are engrossing and captivating. Better still, one of the game’s most promising game modes is fully realizing its potential. There’s just the odd gripe that lingers just enough to bog down its joyous moments. If 2K can avoid MyFaction from hogging the spotlight and eliminate those tiny faults, all the while concentrating on MyGM, Showcase, and MyRise, then a perfect rating could beckon next year.

Resident Evil Requiem keeps Capcom’s winning streak going, even if, at times, it does buckle under the weight of its own ambition. The overriding feeling after seeing the credits roll after the 10-hour mark was surprise that the adventure was over so soon...I wanted more, especially for Leon, whose sections felt like they weren’t afforded enough opportunities to shine. While post-game weapon and difficulty unlocks provide replay value, Requiem feels like it could have benefited from extra time in the oven...For as long as it lasts, however, Requiem is fantastic. It feels like the culmination of Capcom’s learnings from years of indecision over whether the series should be full-on horror or action, delivering the best of both worlds.

Sackboy: A Big Adventure has tonnes of heart, and just has joy bursting from every seam, whether you play alone, or in co-op. The scalable Unreal 4 engine impresses here, as we had the game looking, and running well on two spectacularly different devices. We only wished there was FSR support here, as it's an incredibly odd omission.

Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader is a triumph, especially for those who like the idea of roleplaying life in Warhammer 40K universe. The game feels like an epic novel at times, but one you’re writing as well as reading. However, this comes with a caveat that not everybody will have the patience or inclination to live the life of a Rogue Trader. While we won’t say the game is for fans of 40K only, an appreciation of Games Workshop’s celebrated tabletop game and the vast lore that surrounds it will certainly help. Mostly though, Rogue Trader will be for those who enjoy epic RPGs of this scale and are looking for another deep adventure to pile many hours into.

While let down by some performance issues, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle captures the essence of its titular hero, nailing the story, characters, and visuals. For action-adventure lovers or Indiana Jones enthusiasts, this game is a must-play.

Starfield is truly impressive, and when it allows you to breathe and live out your fate in the stars, it’s a consistently compelling journey. However, the main story and the central mystery act as a black hole, threatening, but never quite succeeding to drag it down into complete oblivion.

While Super Mario Bros. Wonder doesn't revolutionize Nintendo’s beloved series, the charming 2D platformer successfully pays homage to its roots, paving the way forward with unique twists that keep the gameplay feeling fresh…Mario Bros. Wonder may not take the crown from Super Mario Bros. 3 or Odyssey, but the latest outing encapsulates the very essence of what a 2D Mario game should be. It’s silly, whacky, and most importantly great fun…The fact that Nintendo can still deliver a great 2D Mario game 42 years after the first title hit our screens back in 1981, really is a wonder in itself.

Whether you're new to the series, or someone who has spent hours and hours perfecting your craft, F1 22 is still the best way to bring Formula 1 action to your own home. While we'd have liked some fresh ideas outside of F1 Life's window dressing, we're excited to see where the franchise goes from here.

Rise of the Ronin doesn’t offer the photo-realistic visuals of those seen in Ghost of Tsushima, nor does it provide the nail-biting difficulty of Sekiro. Instead, Team Ninja’s samurai epic successfully forges a new path – blending adrenaline-fueled combat, fun traversal mechanics, and a loveable cast of characters, wrapping them all together in a world ripe for exploration. Just like the ronin themselves, Team Ninja’s open-world game is not bound by the old masters of the past – instead, it rises to the challenge set by Sucker Punch and FromSoftware, forging its own path to stand firmly amongst them.

Marvel's Midnight Suns shines brightly in a year full of excellent strategy RPGs thanks to a heartfelt love for the license, and a huge roster of fantastically realized characters to go along with a unique card-based battle system...While there's definitely some filler to be found within the walls of the Abbey, this is an interesting new take on Marvel's mystical side, and one I can't wait to see more of.

The Mageseeker triumphs as a complex exploration of revolution and prejudice, while also breathing new life into champions old and new. A couple of small bugs and odd combat choices don’t stop this from being one of the most successful expansions of League of Legends lore to come out of Riot Forge.

Card Shark est vraiment magnifique, transforming the regimented style of the digital card games into something truly magical. Quirky, daring, and beautifully crafted, Nerial has created a one-of-a-kind masterpiece that would draw the ire of the Mona Lisa herself. While we likely won’t see it in The Louvre anytime soon, this game is an absolute steal and is perfect for whiling away the hours in true period drama style – just don’t get too cocky, after all — history taught us how that’ll end.

Assassin's Creed has been fighting to find its identity for over a decade, and thanks to Shadows it's finally rediscovered it. Sure, its combat can be clunky and some story beats felt oddly placed (particularly Yasuke's backstory), but Shadows is exactly what Assassin's Creed needed to prove it still has a beating heart. Whether you’re looking to explore the stunning world of feudal Japan, storm the gates of an enemy castle, or fall in love with the many NPCs that populate its world, Assassin's Creed Shadows is an immersive treat that cements itself as the best Assassin's Creed game since Black Flag.

Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora is an exceptional realization of this franchise. Its spirit feels pitch-perfect, walking completely in step with James Cameron's films. It understands Avatar and its appeal and lets it be led by that rather than typical FPS and Ubisoft tropes. Its highs soar, while also taking on some harrowing themes too. It may not work for everyone, but it’s a delight for any Avatar enjoyer and one of the best games based on a film IP ever made.

When Insomniac taps into the heart of its subject matter, be that Peter or Miles, it's glorious. Being a friendly neighborhood Spider-Man is compelling. You're equally important saving the world or helping someone cross the street, a dichotomy this game understands beautifully. That’s why it’s a shame the main narrative gets tangled in its own web of disparate elements, falling just shy of greatness.