Firefly Studios continue to expand Stronghold Crusader: Definitive Edition's roster with two new strong additions in Baldwin & Bullseye. Baldwin has been a long sought after addition, while both provide engaging strategies to counter and account for. The new Trail of the Eagle is suitably grueling, once again proving there's plenty of life left in this desert yet.

Futurlab continues its trend of solid licensed DLC packs with Adventure Time. Five brand new levels to play offers real value, and the in jokes and easter eggs will have Adventure Time fans cleaning up.

Still shiny, still enormous, still a Bethesda RPG, Starfield arrives on PS5 in style, allowing the game to flourish visually the way it was always supposed to. The game remains a vast, wild and at times enormously frustrating experience, but the starlight here tears through the blinds, and it's well worth staring back.

Pragmata is a much more reserved and grounded title than its premise may suggest, but that's for the better. Its central duo of Hugh and Diana form a likeable bond, its gameplay keeps itself tight and focused with some great-yet-cumbersome hacking mechanics. Even with some imprecise controls and visual mishaps, Pragmata makes a trip to the moon a sight to behold.

Emerging from the shadows of the Crossroads, Melinoë leads the charge for Supergiant's sequel that sits at the very top of the roguelike genre. The combat is exceptional, the visuals are divine, the story is mythical and its expansion as a sequel is first-class. Hades II safely resides in the hallowed halls of Olympus, worthy of its place amongst the immortals.

Delivering on the promise to slay hundreds of dragon spawn with a sandbox of build diversity and compelling hacking and looting, Dragonkin: The Banished uses its Diablo inspirations to create a wonderfully addictive action game. It may not have the production values of the best in the genre, but this fledgling dragon spawn has spread its own wings and taken flight.

Bungie are once again at the forefront of sci-fi with their extraction shooter Marathon. Whilst none of the elements are purely unique individually, Bungie have cultivated a brutal ecosystem that gives you as much as you're willing to put in. The barrier to entry is high, and the player base are already daunting, but what is on offer is an FPS with exceptional gunplay and heightened encounters, wrapped in a brilliant setting.

In fully committing to its themes of artistic inspiration, trauma and self-doubt, Project Songbird shows a willingness to be emotionally raw and vulnerable, creating a real space for reflection and empathy. The psychological horror elements have a depth that slowly expands over the game's runtime, outshining its relatively straightforward combat and occasional technical problems. A nightmare is always distressing, but maybe there's beauty nestled within the pain.

With three exciting missions, a new batch of weapons and customisation options, Ready or Not: Boiling Point is a fitting conclusion to the three-arc DLC packs. It adds a new offensive element, a new treat and new challenges to overcome. It may be a deep end to jump into, as I did, but I'm a newcomer and I'm paddling just fine. Boiling Point brings the heat, I'm ready for it.

Continuing with the series' revival, Legacy of Kain: Defiance is again another spruce up of the old vampiric duo from 2003. Fans will appreciate the new look, quality of life improvements and better camera control. It may be a hard sell to newcomers, but it's still an accessible game in its own right. Paired with the Soul Reaver remasters, it's a good time to take a bite into it.

A sum of its parts indeed, Resident Evil Requiem silences any doubts about the previous entries it's mutated from. A mix of tense survival horror and action setpieces, Requiem is a welcome addition, perhaps even surpassing those you already hold high. It's beautiful, it's disgusting, it's over-the-top... it's Resident Evil, that's for sure.

Death Howl is an excellent and original soulslike deckbuilder, that's only mired by its pacing. Progression is sluggish, and the combat is so unforgiving that these challenges may dissuade some players. However, if players want that challenge and love turn-based card battlers, then it doesn't get better than this.

A decent offering from the weird mind of Goichi Suda, Romeo Is A Dead Man is a welcome return to the madness. Whilst fun to play, the inconsistent story beats, occasional jank and insanely bright and blinding fights can become too repetitive. Definitely one for the fans of Grasshopper, perhaps not so much for the unaware.

Two new AI Lords that offer meaningful challenge in both defense and sieges makes The Sergeant & The Lioness a tantalising expansion. The Trail of The Cobra delivers yet another brutal yet brilliantly rewarding skirmish campaign to master, all wrapped up alongside a new editing tool that lets you create your own Trails and Lords. Stronghold Crusader: Definitive Edition is quintessentially the ultimate way to experience this RTS all-time classic.

The Game Bakers have a good eye for art, with Cairn now successfully rubbing shoulders with its stablemates. The joy in climbing outweighs the rough moments, that which will hopefully iron out over time.

As the hours tick away and you find yourself forgetting what hour it is or how many runs you've done that day, Roots Devour will have sunk its roots as deep into you as you'll have done in its addicting hybrid of strategy and card-placement gameplay. The atmosphere reeks of Lovecraftian madness, complimenting a commitment to the depravity of bloodlust. Some minor imperfections spoil the purity of the blood, but this is nonetheless a feast for the Outer Gods, and players alike.

Rather than a jumping-in point, Trails Beyond the Horizon is third in a trilogy and not a good place to start this series. However, for those already neck deep in Zemuria, Horizon is a well-built conclusion to the Calvard arc, and a fun way to spend 80 hours and send off Van and his team in style.

UNBEATABLE is the quintessential breakout punk band that delivers a brilliant debut album, albeit flawed and lacking some polish. The rhythm gameplay is endlessly satisfying and replayable, the soundtrack is fantastic and the final third of the story strikes a serious emotional chord. There are plenty of bumps along the way, but this band goes much further than you'd initially expect.

Skate Story is a bold and convention breaking skating game that wears its love for the sport on its sleeve. With a satisfying control scheme to master, psychedelic environments to trick through and incredible music to bop your head to, Skate Story is an audio/visual sensation that's only mired by it's confusing gameplay turns near the end. It's a real one of a kind for a genre that's almost as old as the medium itself.

HORSES isn't a game for the faint of heart, nor those who struggle to be confronted with intensive imagery. It's a rudimentary video game that uses the medium as a vehicle for exploration of intensive themes, which creates an incredibly unsettling and disturbing atmosphere. There may be other horror games that you'd prefer to play, but very few will evoke the kind of disgust and repulsion that HORSES achieves, and evoking emotion is what art is all about.

Lara's 2013 adventure returns and remains a terrific action-adventure thrill ride, and runs fairly well on Nintendo Switch 2. The new additions don't really add anything to an already great game, so if you can ignore the dated visuals and the shoddy gyro/mouse controls, Lara's first journey into hell remains an essential experience.

If you’re a fan of Final Fight and its ilk, there’s enough here to entice you. Doubly so if you’re a Marvel fan, but as somewhat of an outlier, I still got most of it and it doesn’t belittle you for not knowing them all. Partner up, and tear up, heroes.

A whimsical, irreverent and eccentric adventure game centred on musical theatre and improvisation, Once Upon A Jester is a pleasurable game that doesn't outstay its welcome. It might be a bit too simplistic for some, but the light-hearted, fun loving vibe of the game is a refreshing change of pace in a market over-populated by grimdark soulslikes.

Mysteria Ecclesiae features a new stunningly rendered location for Henry to uncover, with a compelling mystery that relies more on wits and stealth than combat. While some are likely to lament the restrictions on freedom KC:D 2 most excels at, Mysteria Ecclesiae offers some heartwarming nods to Henry's previous adventures, and provides a gentle wave of a send off ahead of the next installment.

Another one for the homage pile, Neon Inferno fits neatly into the retro-inspired category with aplomb. Offering challenge to those that want it, as well as a story-focus for those that don't, there's enough here for both the old and new school. In a time of over-complication, this is a reminder of the inherent fun in the simple. With lovely visuals and a banging soundtrack too.

Sprinkling tower defence strategising on top of an addicting roguelike bullet-hell proves a stroke of genius for Monsters are Coming! Rock & Road. Fantastic persistent and in-game upgrades that keep the gameplay fresh, a vibrant and playful art style and excellent bullet hell mechanics make this an absolute blast, especially on Steam Deck. While it does struggle with some repetition in environments and a grinding bottleneck, it'll be hard not to spot this entertaining monster coming over the hill.

News Tower reaches the heady stressful heights of the Tycoon genre, challenging you to keep a newspaper in print and filled with stories every week, to manage a tower of reporters, cleaners, and typesetters, and to satisfy a town of opposing factions, all wrapped up with a lovingly vibrant 1930s golden age string ready to be hawked on a street corner.

Setting a new high bar for interactive storytelling games, Dispatch takes the Telltale formula, refines and matures it into an essential experience. With world class voice acting bringing a top quality script to life, this game is a surprise GOTY contender.

With slick gun play, considered movement, an addictive risk vs reward game play loop and oodles of style, this is a high quality extraction shooter. It isn't perfect, but with a few patches and a heavily populated roadmap of future content, Arc Raiders has the potential to be the pinnacle of the genre.

LEGO Party proves that brick-based chaos can rival even Mario’s finest. A big personality has entered the room and while it's not wholly original, it's funny, and full of charm. This is a party game worth its weight in studs.

Plants Vs Zombies: Replanted is a remastered return to the garden, sharpening up the visuals and adding co-op and bonus modes, without losing any of the original charm. It’s faithful, nostalgic revival that balances fresh additions and original roots for the game that started it all.

Taking everything that made the first one enjoyable but clanky, Tormented Souls 2 is a refinement in every sense. A more cohesive narrative (when it gets rolling), better combat and a much nicer presentation, it's a great continuation for the retro-inspired series. A bit obtuse in places, it nonetheless will scratch that itch for the older Resident Evil and Silent Hill fans.

PowerWash Simulator 2 is an all you can eat buffet of power washing greatness. Whilst the sequel is essentially 'the same, but more of it' and adds incremental upgrades, what's here is more than enough to satiate any fan of the first game and, whilst big jobs can look and seem overwhelming, the sense of satisfaction of a job very much well done still gives you a feeling unlike any other series around.

An excellent return to form for the series, Battlefield 6 is a military shooter that perfectly balances being 'fun' while basing it in 'reality'. While the campaign narrative lacks real depth, it's an explosive joyride that's ripe for a sequel. It's the multiplayer that will keep players coming back however, setting players loose in an explosive playground and letting them shoot out their own stories of the front lines. This is an easy recommendation, and a strong contender for 'Shooter of the Year 2025'.

Refining the formula that has brought it such success, Borderlands 4 is the definitive looter shooter of this generation. Some technical hiccups take the sheen off what is otherwise a very polished experience that delivers poignant story beats, hearty belly laughs and a smorgasbord of slick, violent action. Despite its technical issues, this is the incremental evolution that Borderlands needed and rewards long time players with callbacks we've waited years to see. A true delight.

Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds is perhaps the biggest surprise of the year for us. Not because it's good, because it's genuinely great. Full of life, vibrancy, joy and celebrating the long history of the blue blur, this is a kart racer that's heavy value for its asking price. Unlike others.

Descending from a hillside house to a rural Japanese village, only for it to enveloped in fog and an evil haunting is just about as good as survival horror gets. Silent Hill f confidently lives up to the franchise name in quality and exceeds many of the later entries. Perhaps the f is meant to imply a spin off, rather than a numbered entry, so that the intense and satisfying reflexive combat can be accepted and praised rather than compared.

With intentionally difficult physics-based gameplay, Baby Steps can bring out the worst or best in you. If you're willing to gel with the QWOP-style controls for a sense of self-accomplishment, with an absurd but impactful story, then it may just be worth tripping over yourself for.

Legacy of The Forge lets players live out their blacksmithing reveries with a content-rich add-on. Coupled with a heartfelt if basic main quest and a slew of repeatable side activities with their own associated stories, it's a great addition to an already mammoth package. The fires burn hottest in its best moments, but do simmer down owing to the repetition and lack of further depth in customisation, but setting up Henry's very own forge is a welcome return to Bohemian life.

Henry Halfhead's unique concept and simple yet effective gameplay make it a great sandbox puzzler to cause mischief in. Despite wanting the game to go further with its concept and make the gameplay more ambitious, it settles for a heartfelt and relatable story instead, bringing more feeling into what you do as a result.

NHL 26 is a terrific iteration of the series, bringing together immersive, in-depth gameplay thanks to the ICE-Q 2.0 AI system, terrific visuals and a huge roster of modes.. It's puckin' great.

NBA 2K remains the most refined, content heavy and reliable sports gaming franchise out there, and 26 is no exception. With improved mechanics, gorgeous visuals and a cracking career mode, this is an essential purchase if you’ve ever picked up a basketball.

We don’t get enough science fiction survival horror games, so when one comes along it’s a real treat. Cronos: The New Dawn merges effective brutal combat and excellent charging gunplay, with a design, atmosphere and aesthetic that is next level memorable. If you felt the void after Dead Space, this will fill it. And then Merge with it, and make something new and spiky and horrible.

Hell Is Us succeeds in a fantastic throwback premise; to do away with modern quest markers and maps and just exist in the game and find your own way. Yet you are never lost, because its world breathes and lives and guides in far subtler, deeper ways. An incredible modern classic of both mystery and narrative structure that I hope inspires a whole new generation of game developers.

A slick and stylish revival that captures the spirit of classic Shinobi while adding modern polish. Tight combat, striking visuals, and smart level design make this a must-play for fans of ninja action.

A bitesize indie adventure guiding a herd of fictional creatures back to their home atop a mountain, Herdling has charm in spades, and a wonderful minimal design that prioritises experience over everything.

A bargain God of War inspired adventure, this is one for those with the soulslike fatigue. A tightly delivered narrative, characters with more than average depth, and combat that mostly works, Echoes of the End is a solid title that delivers far more consistently than most AAA games in recent memory.

It looks beautiful, it's got the right amount of challenge in it, and it plays smoothly. What more could you ask from Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound? As a standalone title, or to tied over until the next main game comes along, you'll certainly have a flipping good time.

Perhaps the cosiest of cosy games, Tiny Bookshop revels in its serenity, offering a gloriously tempered adventure that brings you into a story you'll want to live out yourself. If you know your books you'll be instantly hooked. For the rest of us, Tiny Bookshop is difficult to put down once you begin, much like the novels you'll be selling in this delightful game.

Fantasy Finds doesn't just add a few shiny trinkets, it gives Two Point more personality, new layers of strategy and a big injection of continued silliness. The new experts make for a great add on , the artifact buff brings a clever link between display and discovery and the decor is joy for anyone who aligns more with the architect class than the management one. The price point for the content you get is absolutely worth it. This is the perfect reason to unlock the castle doors again if it's been a while since you've jumped in, whether it is or not...be careful where you put the chicken statue, though.

Dripping in Lovecraftian and Papers, Please! inspiration, Static Dread: The Lighthouse forgoes the generic focus on monster shooting, instead drawing you in and challenging your sense of reality with difficult moral decisions, stress-inducing gameplay and an unsettling, ever-deteriorating environment. Few games capture the essence of H.P Lovecraft's particular blend of madness from unknowable knowledge, but this Old Great One does.

Time Flies may be on the short side, but it's quirky and funny list of things to do and surprising amount of attention to immersion transforms a quick jaunt into an impactful life lesson. Life's too short to worry about the small stuff, be a fly for a couple of hours.

Birdigo captures that feeling we all felt when we played Balatro for the first time, but gives it a Wordle/Scrabble-esque remix with a narrative about migrating birds. On paper, it probably shouldn't work but John August and Corey Martin have created a game that is quite frankly unputdownable. A glorious puzzler with roguelike mechanics, Birdigo's talons will hook you in and not let go.

Few games can compare to the unsparing and ferocious intensity that permeates through every part of Ready or Not's gameplay or presentation. The more controversial themes and imagery will likely be as stomach churning for some as the often times inconsistent AI and multiplayer experiences. Yet I still found myself returning to duty to bring order to the chaos. Ready or Not is a tough and unforgiving game, but one that's simultaneously rewarding and stressfully evoking.

Be prepared should you decide to take the plunge into this fast-paced, conspiracy-ridden epic. If it can win over even me, it’s surely doing something right. It has the odd issue and stumbling moment, but on the whole, this is one of the better indie games you’ll likely play this year. Me, enjoy a pixel-art point-and-click game? Madness.

Stronghold Crusader: Definitive Edition launches a decades old crusade to reclaim the glory of 2002 and by all the knights and eunuchs does it succeed. An incredulous bounty of new content, alongside gloriously enhanced visuals and quality of life improvements make this an almost impenetrable castle. Storming the walls and setting kingdoms aflame has always been spectacular, but Firefly Studios have set a new gold standard for their own series, and for remasters everywhere.

It seems miraculous that one of the most graphically intensive games that gave the PS4 a headache is available on Switch 2. But here it is and CD Projekt Red have worked wonders to bring this game to life on a handheld device.

Despite some inconsistent framerate issues in certain modes, Street Fighter 6 Year 1+2 Edition is a fantastic package, playing brilliantly on Nintendo's new system and showcases that the console can run with the big boys when it comes to line-up and performance. The magic of Street Fighter remains strong and shows no sign of slowing down here.

Another remaster to Capcom's belt, Onimusha 2: Samurai's Destiny Remaster is what you'd come to expect from them. Spit and polish have given this twenty-plus year old classic a nice gleam, as well as some additions and quality of life improvements to make it accessible. It may not appeal to newcomers as much, but to the old school crowd, it's a welcome palate cleanser until Way of the Sword arrives next year.

Taking design cues from a whole spectrum of sci-fi games, The Alters has crafted a wholly unique and engaging survival management adventure. With a thought provoking narrative and an addictive gameplay loop, I couldn't help but be lost in space, just like Jan.

Saber Interactive are back, pulling no punches with the style they've crafted. It may put off newcomers, but RoadCraft is a solid entry to their brand of realistic rambling. Switching from vehicle maintenance to large-scale community repair is a nice choice, only marred with occasionally inconsistent textures, non-intuitive controls and often cumbersome tasks.

Hypercharge finally arrives on PlayStation, fully formed and ready to be added to your multiplayer lexicon. The PvE is smooth as silk and the grin you'll have on your face throughout is testament to how enjoyable the game is with friends. An indie gem.

Standing on the shoulders of the PowerWash giant, Spray Paint SImulator does just enough differently to elevate the experience of a spray simulator. There’s plenty to do and the additional mechanics certainly add to the immersion and offers a fun level of creativity that will appeal to all ages.

Little Kitty, Big City delivers on putting you in the paws of what it's like to be a cat. Full of mischievous activity, good cat-like physics and an undeniable cattitude, it's hard not to recommend this to not only cat lovers, but adventure game enthusiasts too.

Doom: The Dark Ages sees id Software pivoting away from their floaty bullet hell formula and into being the hell for bullets in a new "stand and fight" approach to combat, with tremendous results. The new hefty design makes the Slayer feel like the one man army he's always been portrayed as and delivers on being a Doom for the ages. Whilst there's some slight missteps in storytelling, music, and new gameplay elements that don't fit as well into its design, the moment-to-moment hook and metal aesthetic proves why the franchise is still the gold standard of modern FPS.

Blades of Fire doesn't try to reinvent the Souls-like wheel, but it does add some new aspects to it. With a unique weapon crafting mechanic and varied combat system, it's only let down is the unfairness of combat itself. Still, it tells a good story through its leads, one that does entertain throughout.

Whilst there is a whole lot of fun to be had demolishing buildings and playing with physics in Deliver At All Costs, it starts to lose its balance about halfway through. The story and pacing take a very sharp nosedive, and the post-endgame content is more for completionists. That being said, it's not terrible, and worth checking out for something wacky, if a little bit wobbly at times.

A more obscure collection than the original, Capcom Fighting Collection 2 nevertheless features some absolute classics from yesteryear , along with first time re-releases that will appeal to the most hardcore of classic Capcom fans. And look, it features Power Stone 2, so that's more than worth the price of entry.

Full of genre familiarity that subverts expectations, Into the Restless Ruins proposes a new challenge for those into roguelike deckbuilders. With resource management, strategic placement of your cards acting as dungeon rooms, as well as hordes of enemies to autobattle, the game has all the addicting traits to keep you hooked. It's on the shorter side, alongside being visually uniform across the levels, but the core gameplay is what kept me restless to jump back in time and time again.

Despolote is a reminder that video games are so important to the medium of storytelling. Through gorgeous visuals and a story is elation and excitement, this unique experiences manages to keep you engaged and uplifted throughout. It won't be for everyone, but if you're a player that loves to find greatness in independent games, you're going to feel like you've scored a hat-trick with this one.

Despite some disappointing technical hitches, Indiana Jones swings onto PlayStation 5 with a satisfying crack of the whip. Sporting excellent writing, great direction and immensely satisfying gameplay, MachineGames have delivered the ultimate in Indiana Jones wish fulfilment. The hat may fall off at times owing to the glitches, meaning the Xbox or PC versions are probably your best bet, but this is still a treasure worth hunting on PlayStation.

As much an educational piece of interactive fiction as it is a beautifully crafted visual world to explore, Two Falls (Nishu Takuatshina) fosters an introspective take on the 17th century colonial world. While playing this walking simulator can border on automatic, the setting, attention to detail and thought-provoking narrative make it an experience that's heartfelt and worthwhile.

After two and a half decades, Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves is a welcome return to SNK's ranks. Accessible enough for beginners, yet hard to master for fans, there's an even playing field for all. The narrative may be lost on some, but with enough characters to master it's a blast for the fighting game community.

An absurdist adventure into a world that you’ll never want to leave, Promise Mascot Agency delivers ridiculous highs on a near-consistent basis. You’ve never played anything like this.

A spot on throwback to the hedonistic and violent days of the Manga animation brand, Mullet MadJack is top tier indulgent fun. Its insane pace, somewhat too on-the-nose allegories for consumerism, and blinding visuals, make it a blast for that repetitive, quick-fix roguelike fan.

Where The First Berserker: Khazan stumbles in its crashes, surface-level narrative and overabundance of loot management, it more than makes up for with sensationally satisfying combat, wonderfully moody atmosphere, exceptional dark fantasy visuals and a gauntlet of brutal yet empowering bosses to overcome. Khazan may not be the most powerful of all Souls-like protagonists, but through sheer perseverance and rage, he's not far off joining the highest echelons.

Understated, heartfelt and relaxing; Wanderstop may be a little simple for those looking for a "cosy sim". However, for those looking for thoughtful writing, a laser focus on being laid back and a demand to play it on your terms, it doesn't get much enveloping and cosy as this.

Closer to Stellar Blade than Code Vein, this anime soulslike does new things with the genre's tropes. Its addictive gameplay loop, stark architecture and world design, swift rewarding combat, and manageable runtime combine into an action title worth your interest.

Taking inspiration from shooters of the 90's, Turbo Overkill is as much a delight as they were back in the day. A few modern tweaks don't deviate from formula, making it a welcome inclusion to anyone old enough to know what rocket-jumping is. It isn't bloated either, with a decent campaign and some additional modes to get stuck into as the challenge escalates.

Atomfall succeeds in creating a very British village worthy of exploration, so long as you have the patience. If you're willing to stick with its unique mechanics and its wholly original take on the apocalyptic survival genre, there's a fascinating game to be discovered.. You can even eat cornish pasties.

Thomas and Friends arrive in Train Sim World 5 in a delightful content package that will appeal to young fans and classic ones alike.

No one is doing it better than Two Point Studios management sim series. Seamless, innovative in design and endlessly replayable, Two Point Museum is packed with laugh out loud charm, clever mechanics and whilst keeping its identity intact with its evolved formula we all know and love. Two Point Museum is a masterclass and the finest exhibit in the management sim world right now.

Split Fiction is a genre-defying co-op adventure that shatters expectations at every turn. Blending sci-fi and fantasy with ever-evolving gameplay, it throws players into a seamless, fast-paced world where creativity knows no bounds. With stunning visuals, razor-sharp mechanics, and a co-op experience that rivals the best in gaming, Split Fiction isn’t just a game—it’s a bold, next-gen statement that demands to be played.

Sorry We're Closed presents an unequal challenge in its gameplay as it flourishes in exploration and combat but slightly let down by its simplistic puzzle design. With that said, the game's story, themes, world building and style makes it one of the great nostalgic survival horrors of recent years.

After this many years, that Suikoden I & II got remasters is in itself a blessing. That Konami paid attention and added quality of life improvements is testament to the esteem that these two titles hold. Lush visuals over a pixelated palette, UI tweaks and traversal improvements, this is a real love letter to Suikoden fans. There are a few cracks, more so in the first game, but as a package it's easily ignored for the stories and fun that both games bring.

Tiny Terry's Turbo Trip is a hilariously heartfelt sandbox adventure that simplifies the genre's scope to pack a mightier punch. Everything is purposeful in the search for its collectathon gameplay and the world is a joy to explore, making it a tiny but terry-fic trip.

Avowed stands alone as a hugely enjoyable experience that scratches the RPG itch without tearing off your arm. If you haven't got a huge amount of time on your hands, that's worth its weight in Skeyt.

Monster Hunter Wilds is fantastic. It looks beautiful, the worlds and characters all make it vibrant and immersive, and hunting is just as fun as always. There’s so much to do in its base game alone that it’s easy to get lost in. But don’t fret, players can do as little or as much as they need to. If you want to build the easy stuff and just go hunt, feel free. You want to explore all food options, squad up with varying skills and weapons, that’s there for you too. There’s no wrong way to play, but however you do, it’ll be absolutely worth investing your time.

A visual novel adventure game emulating the style and serious constraints of a PC-98 title, Stories From Sol: The Gun Dog tells a compelling and suspenseful tale of ingenuity and resourcefulness in deep space. This is one for those who like their retro indies, but regardless of niche, it’s a brilliant game that deserves attention.

The Executive then is thankfully more MCU than DCU, with a breadth of mechanics and enough to unlock to ensure you have the best possible chance at Hollywood success. Whilst you can feel fairly hard done by throughout, it's regardless a solid simulation of what running a movie studio truly entails. The elation, and the heartbreak. See you at the Gaspars.

Ninja Gaiden 2 Black isn’t perfect, but its razor-sharp combat and relentless challenge ensure it still stands tall.

Trails Through Daybreak II delivers another dramatic episode in the long-running and consistent series. It breaks hardly any new ground beyond a few additions to combat and some new places to explore, but the story is a wild and mature sequel sure to delight fans.

On the surface, Moons of Darsalon looks like it escaped from a time capsule planted in the early 90's. It evokes retro platforming with a challenge often missing in today's games, filling the gap that the likes of Lemmings have fallen into and disappeared. A game brimming with retro charm, it's a great callback to those who ever had a Commodore 64 or a TV heavy enough to anchor cruise ships with.

The land of Bohemia beckons you into one of the most immersive, visually impressive and brutal worlds you could ask for. A masterful RPG that combines impactful decision-making, gratifying combat, meaningful progression and a host of gameplay variety, Kingdom Come: Deliverance II is a triumph that deserves not just your money, but your time and your appreciation.

Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector is bigger in every facet with more locations to explore, more characters to meet, more story to read and more systems to manage. But with an increase in sheer scale, my journey has felt less significant as a result. I'm a mouth piece of a story being told rather than a Sleeper choosing my path. Whilst that leads to something more definitive, it loses the feeling of being mine. Citizen Sleeper 2 is a sci-fi world that's hard to compare and powerful in its writing, audio/visuals and gameplay making it a must-play dice driven RPG overall.

Sniper Elite: Resistance is here, and it's not reinventing the wheel. It is the same craft that we've seen, with a more cheerful protagonist, in different locales. But that's not a bad thing, as Rebellion have only striven to improve the head-popping formula that they clearly care about. Another trip back behind enemy lines, Resistance is just as fun as any of the Sniper Elite's before it.

Dynasty Warriors: Origins succeeds in both reinventing and rediscovering the bombastic thrill of a series that had drifted from its path. Veterans will likely feel disappointed with some of the personalisation changes and smaller character pool, but Origins delivers the incredible thrill of 1 vs 1000 clashes. With a deepened combat system and brilliant level of performance, Dynasty Warriors: Origins is a welcoming spectacle for returning fans and newcomers alike.

Taken at core value, the Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 1 & 2 Remastered collection is exactly what fans of the original have been clamouring for. Visual improvements, some minor quality of life tweaks and bonus content make it a welcome return. However, those expecting more might be feeling left sucked dry, only to hope this draws up interest for a franchise resurrection.