Season is a reminder that memories of the past are all we’re left with, and it staples the importance of being able to carry over that knowledge into future generations. Because otherwise, we’re left with a culture that is doomed to repeat the same mistakes and won’t have the skills to work past it.

The Medium is an absolutely chilling romp, and considering it’s an Xbox Game Pass Day One title, there’s literally no reason not to give it a go if you’re a member of the service. While the story could be a lot simpler, this is definitely a horror experience I won’t be forgetting anytime soon. I’ve been waiting a long time for Bloober to finally nail down true horror, and The Medium is a wonderful example of how to do scary without relying on cheap tricks. If you’re a fan of Silent Hill, Clock Tower, Haunting Ground or even if you just want to test out the capabilities of the latest Xbox consoles, The Medium is a must-play.

There’s so much on offer in It Takes Two and it does it all so well. If you’re looking for a new game to play with your friend or partner then It Takes Two should be at the top of your list. It’s a delight.

Even if you’ve played through Uncharted 4 and Lost Legacy before, I’d recommend returning to them for this collection. Playing at a higher frame rate won’t completely transform these games, but it certainly makes them more enjoyable. After five years with nothing new in the world of Uncharted, now is a better time than ever to jump back in.

When I think about Marvel’s Spider-Man, my mind keeps returning to a moment early on in the game, where Peter gives Miles Morales a couple of pointers about how to fight well. The pair exchange jokes, look out for each other, and there’s the inception of a real bond there that carries through the rest of the game. This is at the core of Spider-Man’s heart; how well the character warms to the people of New York City. Insomniac Games’ understanding of the source material is truly what makes it shine.

Going into Riders Republic, I thought it was going to be the gunning down steep slopes at high velocity that would make me feel ill. It turns out that the only aspect of Riders Republic that knocks me sick is the out-of-touch presentation of the NPCs. I’m being facetious here, because Riders Republic is one of the more genuine surprises of the year. I didn’t expect to find myself trying to perfect downhill runs until 3am. And yet, Riders Republic has completely dug its hooks into me. It imitates the unbridled feeling of freedom from the Forza Horizon games and perfects it in its own subgenre. If you’re looking for an octane-fuelled romp of a game with guaranteed fun, look no further than Riders Republic. Just be sure to bring your own jukebox.

There’s enough here to keep the die-hard fans happy and more than enough to enable newcomers to further explore their love for the sport. Simply lovely.

Tales of Arise is a beautiful JRPG that is fun to play that fans of the genre will no doubt get a lot out of. Its gradual introduction of mechanics also makes it a wonderful experience for those looking to dip their toes into JRPGs for the first time or after a long time away from them.

Is Scarf a good game then? It’s certainly not terrible. I’d suggest it might even get lost in the shuffle that is the end-of-year period, which it doesn’t deserve. The game has a great foundation for puzzle design blended with platforming and exploration. Otherwise, the shortcomings with the game’s story aren’t intrusive enough for it to be a massive problem. It’s a solid little thing to spend a couple of evenings with.

Overall, Evil Genius 2 is a fun, addictive, simulation game that’s easy to pour time into. If you’re a fan of the genre, it’s definitely worth checking out.

It doesn’t reinvent the wheel but it makes sure that the wheel provides the smoothest experience you can get. This is the Ratchet and Clank you’ve grown to love over the years brought into a new generation of gaming. Fans of the original series will love it and fans of platformers will definitely find something they enjoy. It has its flaws but with collectables to find, side quests to complete, a story full of great moments and more it’s a game that will keep you entertained until the very end.

If you’ve been holding off on Death Stranding in the hope they would improve it then Death Stranding Director’s Cut is the perfect time to jump in. Even outside of that though I found Death Stranding a fascinating game to be playing for the first time.

Aside from some minor technical hitches, though, Escape Simulator is absolutely worth your time. If you and your mates have been craving some escape room action throughout the pandemic, then Escape Simulator is a sure-fire alternative that won’t leave you disappointed.

My major disappointment comes from the lack of F1 Sprint at launch. It might not be the most tactically engaging aspect of F1, but it is a major component of 3 weekends (6 from 2023). I think it could provide a really interesting challenge with players only having 1 session to work on their setup before parc ferme locks the majority of changes, something that real team principals are forced to contend with. A shame, but as a foundation F1 Manager 2022 is an incredible triumph that has me excited for the future of motorsport management.

Scarlet Nexus is an addictive action RPG. Combat is fast-paced, visuals are bright and colourful and the story is so wonderfully bizarre that it will keep you wanting to keep playing. It may not be a game for everyone and it may not be without its flaws but those flaws are counteracted by what it does right. There’s a lot of mileage in the game for those that it clicks with.

Want to take on this mega GT World Challenge, but don’t have a PC capable of running it? Assetto Corsa Competizione on PS5 is one of the most visually and mechanically realistic racing experiences out there. This update is miles better than any other ACC console offering, with its buttery-smooth gameplay and 4k graphics. The DLCs help to pad out the game and set it apart from any of its competitors. And, whilst the career mode doesn’t bring anything new to the table, the championship, challenge and online modes more than make up for it. Unfortunately, if you don’t have the spare cash for a wheel and pedals, it’s a sub-par racing experience that leaves the taste of burnt rubber in your mouth.

Altogether, LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga is the best LEGO game I’ve played in years. It rightly innovates far beyond the standardised formula that this series has built over the years with some fresh ideas. With such strong source material, however, there are so many sequences that feel hung out to dry. Star Wars fans will find it to be a little undercooked as an adaptation.

Although hindered by technical issues and packed in an overly inflated map, building your criminal empire via driving and shooting your way through Santo Ileso is a molotov cocktail of fun – made more so with the wealth or perks, skills, and customisation options at your disposal. Be that as it may, it’s the modern take of the Saint’s Row series’ signature writing and tone – carried through an entertaining story and its lovable characters – that shines brightest.

If the core F1 racing experience is what you care about most, then you likely won’t be disappointed by this year’s latest instalment.

By now we’re definitely starting to feel the effects of genre fatigue amongst soulslikes. And Thymesia certainly reaches a point where it can’t separate itself from the games that came before. However, there is still a lot of originality in its combat systems and world design so that the game doesn’t feel too derivative. It’s just a shame that clunky controls and awkward bugs hold it back.

I’m going to be honest here and say that Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands doesn’t make the best impression. Despite a fantasy-themed facelift and a bigger emphasis on character freedom, the issues that plagued previous entries in the series are still too numerous for it to feel like a substantial change. However, I’m still finding things to enjoy in it which, even as a Borderlands skeptic, at least makes it worth the price of admission for anyone playing this with friends.

Overall though, Alan Wake Remastered is the same game it was in 2010 but with slightly nicer looking graphics. If you enjoyed the original, you’ll most likely enjoy this. If you hated it, there’s nothing about this new release that will change your mind. And if you’re brand new to the series, it’s definitely the best place to start.

Overall, Call of Duty: Vanguard is another solid entry to the CoD series. Sledgehammer has worked almost entirely by the rulebook, but has made enough improvements to deliver a template that can carry the series forward for another year. There’s a promising lineup of post launch content on the way too, leaving the future looking relatively bright for the future of Call of Duty.

For those that like the supernatural and action-adventure games you’ll have a great time with Ghostwire Tokyo. If you’re coming into it expecting a terrifying horror experience you’ll be disappointed but there are still moments there that will get under your skin. Bethesda’s PlayStation swan song might not hit all the right notes but it still delivers a melody that’ll be stuck in your head for a while.

Some battles may not be as enjoyable as others but there’s so much fun to be had in most of them that it doesn’t matter. The story is interestingly bizarre, the characters are larger than life and the combat is a delight. Arguably the most important thing though is that it’s a worthy entry in the franchise that will no doubt be another cult classic in the world of gaming.

If you’re looking for a new Oddworld experience, then Soulstorm will likely scratch that itch. However, Soulstorm is far from being the 1997 sequel you might know and love. While a lot of what makes Oddworld wonderfully “odd” is still intact, Soulstorm’s experimental nature is almost a detriment. Nevertheless, being able to step into a new Oddworld experience in 2021 is something to behold. Soulstorm might be a little rough around the edges, but hopefully, the game serves as an experiment to determine the best direction for a brand new Oddworld quintology.

Despite its faults, I think I’ll be coming back to Evil Dead: The Game quite often. It’s got a solid foundation for asymmetrical multiplayer that doesn’t tread on the toes of its competitors, while also remaining a fun and cohesive adaptation of the source material.

Overall, the 16 hours I spent with the Halo Infinite campaign certainly had dull points. However, sheer thrill shines through at several points, proving that there’s still life in this 20-year-old franchise. It’s now up to 343 Industries to keep it that way.