Shadow Gambit is a near-perfect game for stealth strategy fans. The new sandbox approach means that levels feel a little less curated than Mimimi’s previous titles — but who cares when you’re having this much fun?

Extra Coin explores a tale where you have to choose between reality or a dream. It tackles some heavy themes, but it encapsulates them well in this charming pixelated adventure.

A brilliant return to the old-age of PlayStation. Unapologetically fun, Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart, is relentless with the charm and the action. A must-play for anyone who’s managed to beat a scalper to get a PlayStation 5.

Deadlink is an amazing cyberpunk-style roguelite that provides plenty of reasons to keep coming back.

Go get Spiritfall. I’m flat-out telling you to because it’s just that good. Even if you aren’t familiar with its inspirations, you should go get it. It’s easy to get into and mastery will come naturally. Don’t sleep on this.

Laser Disco Defenders does what it sets out to do and more. A bullet-hell shooter with an emphasis on hell, this title is definitely worth defending.

Overwatch is a punch to the face for multiplayer shooters. It mingles quick-fix, objective-based gameplay with a deep tactical core and intelligent meta, forming a game that is simply perfect in short bites and thoroughly satisfying to play for hours on end.

Spiritfall is a great roguelike title with plenty of action and a huge variety of moves to learn. You need to play this game!

Terror of Hemasaurus is a beautiful and entertaining game with tons of satisfying destruction and chaos. It also tries to teach a very important message about climate change and how the human race has to act before it is too late.

Story of Season: Grand Bazaar is such a sweet and whimsical game that has you farming, cooking, and running a booth at the bazaar. You will be addicted!

Deep Rock Galactic is a great mix of Minecraft and Starship Troopers with excellent gameplay and variety. However, graphics can occasionally be slightly off and exits for the drop pods will on rare occasion be inaccessible. This is an easy game to get started in and easy to get hooked on.

It’s hard to talk about Pikuniku without giving too much away, so just know that it’s a fun little puzzle-platformer that doesn't take itself seriously.

A surprisingly deep, emotionally engaging tale for a game that lets you fornicate with a toaster.

If you want a great story told well, that will last an afternoon, then get Tacoma. It knows what it wants to be, and it does that perfectly.

A Short Hike is a tightly-crafted, charming, and heart-warming game that comes in a bite-sized package for a delightfully low price.

Dark Souls III is everything I could have wished for as a fan, and a marvelous conclusion to one of the greatest modern trilogies.

An excellent game visually, mechanically and with it’s strong story and acting, this should be in your libraries.

Although I speak very highly of Cuphead, I do think the game can be a little too unforgiving in enemy attack patterns and their ability to hit from offscreen without much warning. Regardless, the game’s tight controls, fun boss fights, and pleasing aesthetic make it a must have.

The Séance of Blake Manor is an intriguing detective game with a horror twist that makes every minute count (quite literally). Though it can be a bit wordy at times, it is definitely worth the price of admission.

It’s much better than the first in lots of ways.

An improvement in every sense, NieR Replicant is an absolute blast. You’ll love the characters, the world and every little detail you can think of. Prepare yourself for another one of Yoko Taro’s wonderful, yet emotional, rollercoaster rides.

Rhythm Doctor is an addictive rhythm game where you heal patients by syncing to their heartbeat, backed by great music and a story you won’t want to miss.

A roguelike tower defence game that doesn’t throw any punches in relation to its story, pixelated graphics and killer soundtrack. I’m sure you’ll have a blast on the pursuit to banish all magic with The Last Spell.

Metal Slug Tactics' move from the arcade to a tactical RPG has turned out better than I ever expected, this game is both challenging and rewarding to play.

Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty is, quite simply, a must-play. With an engaging narrative and fascinating new locale, this thoroughly gripping expansion will be sure to delight anyone looking to dive back into Night City.

FatShark has done a fantastic job of taking their first game and improving on every single aspect. The recurring theme of offering players a variety of tools, characters and enemies to face leads to a crescendo of unique moments that are all entirely player driven. While the difficulty spikes can be frustrating, part of the fun in Vermintide 2 is being against the odds and prevailing.

SteamWorld Heist II is made with plenty of heart and effort to create an amazing adventure that never feels bad. Don’t be afraid to stop by and make your own legend. It’s worth it.

Lil’ Guardsman is a cute yet hilarious point-and-click adventure with a surprisingly deep story. No level is the same, and it has a lot of heart, making it perfect for anyone wanting to have a laugh.

Shrine’s Legacy pulls you back to the 16-bit era of gaming. With a strong story, great visuals, and fantastic music, this is a game you should try, whether solo or with a friend.

Portals Knights manages to capture the best qualities of the building of Minecraft while also maintaining a combat style that can be as difficult as Dark Souls if you're not prepared. Be ready to spend many, many hours in this charming game.

Until Then is a story-rich adventure full of standouts: its beautiful pixel art, relatable protagonist, realistic character dynamics, and thoughtful representation of Filipino culture. It’s a coming-of-age tale worth experiencing.

The choices lose a bit of their variety as the story goes on and the combat can be a tad simplistic, but The Bookwalker is a beautiful exercise in exploring the humanity of fiction and why we, the audience, should feel for the characters on the page.

Vanillaware have done a wonderful job of bringing Odin Sphere up to date whilst still keeping what made it so endearing originally. If you are after a combat focused game with a compelling setup and a beautiful, painterly aesthetic you really can’t go wrong with Odin Sphere: Leifthrasir.

Starship Troopers: Terran Command is a great real-time strategy game that has you leading your troops to victory against the arachnid alien forces trying to take over the galaxy. The multiple difficulty settings make it accessible to anyone who wants to destroy bugs.

MULLET MADJACK is more than worth your time and money, a perfect culmination of artistic vision.

Capcom faithfully recreates their beloved masterpiece; the Resident Evil 4 remake will bring the classic story to a new generation and I firmly believe they will love it.

Cairn is just really nice to play, with an emotionally gripping story and beautiful sights. You will struggle and get frustrated, but you will overcome whatever is in your way.

Devil May Cry 5, while seemingly shallow on the surface, conceals its greatest features and true experience for only the dedicated to discover. The satisfaction of finally overcoming a block in the game that held you back for so long is where the real experience lies, and the game demands that you not be weak of heart to reach it. Put in the time and effort that the developers expect of their fans and you’ll truly be able to reap the rewards and see DMC5 for what it is; a truly off the wall, batshit insane romp through the best the genre has to offer.

Where most games excel in one single area, God of War manages to deliver on every front, providing players with one of the best experiences we’ve seen so far this generation.

Solid gameplay and simple storytelling give players a reason to keep coming back, simply put, Dragon Quest Builders is a game for those that enjoy structured creative freedom, even if that is an oxymoron.

Bang-On Balls: Chronicles is a true return to classic collect-a-thons, there is just too much to do. Complete the quests, get cosmetics, gather collectibles, get cosmetics, destroy the world, get cosmetics... and then look good while doing it, too.

My Time at Sandrock is everything I wanted from a sequel to My Time At Portia. The time you spend in this game is well worth it, so don’t sleep on this gem.

A must-have for any platforming fan. Nearly everything is perfect in this game. If the soundtrack was a bit more memorable and the game didn’t stutter when a new song played, I’d give the game a 10 without question. But unfortunately, I can’t look past all the deaths this glitch caused me or how bored I was by the new list of songs.

Astrea: The Six Sided Oracles is an absolute masterclass in both roguelike and deck-building and looks to be a mainstay in the genre.

A thoughtful update to a classic JRPG that brings it to a whole new audience. With a shiny lick of paint and some fantastic interface changes it’s the best way to experience Shulk, Fiora and Reyn’s epic adventure.

Age of Wonders 4 is a great title that will have you wanting to play only one more turn, and only one more round, as you unlock things in Pantheon progress and decide to play one more match.

The Smurfs — Dreams was a downright magical experience; although I did encounter a few things I wish had been different, they are instantly forgotten thanks to everything I loved about the game.

Kingdom Come: Deliverance II is one of the finest games I’ve played in years, with a gripping story and refined gameplay. It’s still early in the year, but this is definitely on course to be 2025’s Game of the Year.

Blue Prince takes the roguelike formula, throws in DIY architecture, and manages to combine them to form a pretty impressive tale of intrigue and a very fun puzzler. The simple mechanics make a complex whole with great puzzles and reason to play run after run!

I absolutely loved this game, it’s not just a great remake of a great shooter, but it’s genuinely one of the best shooters that I’ve played on a current-gen system. Beep has done a great job in making the series feel both fresh and nostalgic at the same time. It’s still a very short game, but if you like a good shooter and you’ll get replay value from chasing a high score then you absolutely must get this.

Incredibly, the most impressive game at the start of the new generation is a niche Japanese game I had to import from France in 2010. If you have to try one Souls game, I would suggest making it Demon’s Souls.

Moving Out 2 is an enjoyable game with friends or family, but it can sometimes get a little frustrating. Playing alone can get boring.

Rain On Your Parade is a super cute and fun game full of great references and amazingly cute characters. Who doesn’t want to see a cute vengeful cloud with a frog on his head?

A fun, low-stakes 3D platformer with tiny robots in worlds no bigger than a garden.

EVERING is a turn-based RPG with a great story that plays like retro titles while feeling new and fresh! Neglecting to have an autosave feature makes this title extra challenging.

Regardless of whether or not you enjoy the sound of a “top-down rogue-like deck & dungeon-building auto-battler”, Loop Hero will graciously guide you along its path - only to ensnare you in its devilishly addictive short gameplay loops.

Aven Colony makes for a prime example of how a game can transcend its genre and be fun whether or not you like other games like it. Showcasing detailed visuals, immersive voice acting, an engaging gameplay loop, and enough content to satisfy most players, this title has the potential to make a lasting impression on many gamers this year. If you enjoy city building games, you owe it to yourself to play Aven Colony.

Psychonauts 2 is an absolutely fantastic game, and I can say that with certainty. Double Fine took an amazing concept that was ahead of its time and proved that they could do it again. The very few issues I had with the game were minor and had absolutely zero bearings on my overall enjoyment of the game.

Archvale is just plain fun. It does what it does well, and as a bullet hell provides a serious challenge without feeling unfair. I cannot recommend this game enough.

Gori: Cuddly Carnage is an amazing character action game that will make you eager for its sequel. It’s cute, creepy, and full of carnage, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Persona 3 Reload is a beautiful-looking game with a great story and interesting characters. There is so much going on here, but it all works together in an immensely satisfying way.

This beautiful puzzle-platformer is filled with attention to detail, and with its tight controls and clever puzzles I couldn’t recommend playing this enough.

If you like getting an hour per monetary unit, then you definitely get that in Orwell. The campaign is as long as Titanfall 2, and it has a heck of a lot more gameplay to it than BATMAN the Telltale Series, both of which cost more and are written just as well.

This a super fun immersive game that is a must play for not only horror fans but anyone looking for a unique gaming experience!

Young Souls is a fun beat ‘em up RPG full of action that can be played with one or two players. It has a fun and modern art style featuring characters that are full of personality. This is a must-grab for people who like unique gameplay and fantasy-style storytelling!

Whilst a near perfect Monster Hunter in my eyes. If it contained better quality of life implementations to reduce the plethora of loading screens and responding to quests (which could be done in a single menu/mail system). This could be an easy ten, otherwise I’m shaking in anticipation for generation five, the Hollywood movie currently in production, Double Cross and Monster Hunter Stories coming to the west (hopefully).

For me, Football Manager 2017 is undoubtedly the best game in the series, and even when results aren’t going my way, I’m desperate to come back and go again. The changes to the match day experience are superb, and the social feed is a touch of genius.

New Horizons is simply the best Animal Crossing game to date. New features have been expertly developed, the pacing is perfect whilst retaining the magical charm the series has always been based upon. The latest in a growing line of must-own Switch titles.

What are you waiting for? Go forth and take on the Dealer’s challenge! Yes, you will need to manage your Resources, choose your Equipment carefully, plan for Encounters, and fight your way through many foes, but proving yourself is more than enough of a reward, is it not? The Game is waiting, take your seat and experience it for yourself.

Cat Quest III is an excellent 2.5D open-world RPG with fun characters and even a pirate ship to pilot. My only issue is that the puns can get to be a bit much by the time you reach the end.

Some of the game’s mechanics are poorly explained and the difficulty curve can be unforgiving. These can be overlooked when a game is just so well crafted and fun to play as this. A must for all RPG fans but have Google on standby.

The best modern rally game to date, packed to the brim with big stages and plenty of cars. With updates like the Central European course coming later, as well as VR support down the line. If you’re a fan of rallying in general, you owe it to yourself to have this one in your library.

Snufkin: Melody of Moominvalley is a beautiful and laid-back game with fun mechanics, charming dialogue, and a fitting story. While not long, it’s worth every moment.

Tall Trails is a cute and chill golem-filled exploration game that doesn’t hold back on freedom and fun. Its intuitive platforming controls and replayability make it easy to recommend.

A fantastic cooperative experience that hits positive notes throughout its entire journey, It Takes Two is the magnum opus for a studio that seems to keep getting better and better.

RACCOIN: Coin Pusher Roguelike is an addictive game full of strategy that is hard to put down; it is mesmerising.

Lucky Hunter is an adorable survival game with an addictive gameplay loop. It’s perfect for consoles like the Switch, so you can play it on the go.

Final Fantasy XV is a return to form for Square Enix, a showcase of their willingness to adapt more Western approaches in their game development whilst also keeping what gave the series it’s charm, flair and personality.

A wonderfully weird adventure, Athenian Rhapsody is both unhinged and charming in equal measure. A delight to play with genuinely enjoyable combat, this is an easy recommendation.

I can’t stress enough how much I enjoyed Ni no Kuni II. It’s one of the best JRPGs in years and it’s a must-buy for fans of the genre. It’s cute, thoroughly addictive and has more tweaks and statistics than you can shake a sword at. If you enjoyed the first game, you will love this.

Dying Light 2 Stay Human is a great sequel to a pretty good game. With fun traversal mechanics, combat encounters, and agonising choices in the story, it could be very much worth the playtime.

Demon Tides will be an adventure for those new to platformers or an old-hand. With a compelling story, accessible gameplay and a challenge regardless of which mode you’re on, there’s so much available for everyone to discover.

Full Void is an excellently crafted cinematic puzzle platformer that, despite its short length and occasionally obscure story, should absolutely be experienced by anyone who enjoys the genre.

A nice, cheap entry into the match-3 genre, with plenty of anime nudity if you’re into that.

Aside from a less than stellar control system for combat, there’s very little negative to be said about Saints Row IV: Re-Elected. You get a tonne of content that will keep you occupied for a very long time. It’s a really good port of the game and does it justice. This is the sort of game that reminds you that even though it might not have the grunt of its competition, the Switch is a very capable system and can produce complex games.

The improvements to the game are much needed, the single player campaign is one of the best I have played this year and as we draw to the close of 2016 I am almost 100% sure that no one will be able to top it, but I am more than willing to be proved wrong! Graphics are fantastic and a treat to the eyes, game modes have increased overall for multiplayer but there is the occasional hit and miss. Also… You CAN hack specters in multiplayer! I don’t know WHY so many people are saying you can’t!

Bat Boy is a great action platforming game that has everything we loved about these games in the past, from catchy music to great visuals and controls. It’s fun to see a game influenced by sports that aren’t actually a sports game!

Anthem#9 is a vibrant game with a great aesthetic and fast-paced action. I loved being able to pull off huge combos and cancel out my opponent’s attacks.

Olija is a fun and engrossing action-adventure game that has you fighting foes and solving puzzles with a magical harpoon. A little on the short side, but a fun experience that leaves you wanting more.

Incredibly enjoyable locomotion abilities, pleasant collectibles to find, and fun (albeit simple) platforming puzzles are all that await those that are willing to look past Hell Pie's grotesque themes of animal abuse, drug use, and religious tones.

Anomaly Agent is a unique beat-'em-up game with a great story and fun mechanics. I think everyone should experience being Agent 70.

If you like insane difficulty, oddness, and prog rock, this game is for you.

If you like Super Adventure Hand's humour and love platforming, you might as well get hands-on with this one and pick it up — you'll have 50 handcrafted levels to go through and plenty of fun to be ha(n)d.

Forgiving it may be. This isn’t your typical “easy” shmup/bullet hell. For its price, this is worth it with the available content and replayability. A definite permanent install my portable laptop for its endless mode.

Atelier Ryza 2: Lost Legends & the Secret Fairy is easily the best game in the series yet with a compelling story and refined gameplay to boast.

An abundance of various modes and improvements to the on-court action, NBA 2K23 is an astonishing amount of fun for any basketball fan. Even the microtransactions in some modes weren’t enough to dampen the pure fun that the rest of the game had to offer.

Sniper Elite 4 takes everything that worked on previous games and bumps it up a notch, deepening the gameplay and widening the distance while keeping the core of the franchise intact. It's an example of how to evolve a franchise over time.

This is a game that knows exactly what it’s doing and does it with sizzling charm. It’s well worth the £7.19 price tag on Steam. If you’re a fan of puzzle games, you’ll be happy to fan the flames of Wildfire Swap.