Call of Duty: Modern Warfare almost brings the franchise back to its roots with a meaningful campaign that includes memorable characters and a horrifying depiction of war, but falls short when it comes to the traditional multiplayer. New modes like Gunfight and Realism are highlights and the core game still feels as good as ever, but it won’t save you from getting continuously spawn camped.

Team Ninja’s latest action RPG is equal parts challenging and exhilarating, with unique mechanics that help even the odds in even the toughest of battles. A perfect new addition to a genre already stacked with quality titles.

Perhaps the greatest shortcoming is the game’s stubbornness to shove Javi’s family as the player’s raison d’etre, when it’s clear that Clementine is a much more relatable and less frustrating character. The classic Telltale trap of unavoidable events is still there, but by now you should know what you’re getting into. If judged by what it attempts to do, rather than by what some sceptic players want it to be, A New Frontier’s harrowing first episodes smoothen most rough edges found in other games in the series in terms of storytelling. It just about manages to shake off the notion of being a rehashed concept, and become a beast that can stand on its own two feet, built upon the foundations laid by Lee and Clementine. Hopefully the rest of the season manages to sustain this level of quality.

HYPERCHARGE: Unboxed looks great, has local and online cross-play multiplayer, and makes you feel like a kid. This is a must-play title!

Expeditions: Rome is astounding in every area I was presented with. Constantly I felt like there were tons of things for me to explore and pay attention to, and truly simulates how I picture leading an entire war campaign.

Diplomacy Is Not An Option offers plenty of modes for beginner and experienced RTS players to enjoy, with a tongue-in-cheek attitude and gameplay that’s easy to understand.

Despite some unsatisfying gameplay systems, Darkwood can provide legitimate thrills and scares for the horror fans that miss the vibes of such classics as Silent Hill 2 and Pathologic without ever using a jump scare. Whether it is the uniquely grotesque art style or the ever-challenging design of its difficulty, Acid Wizard Studio has proven it understands what ingredients make up a good horror experience and the randomised elements of the game allow a unique narrative every time you play.

DIRT 5 is an excellent, stunning and simply enjoyable arcade racer that is easy for anyone to pick-up and play regardless of your motor vehicle knowledge with a career mode that is surprisingly entertaining. You may want to pick it up on PlayStation 5 though since it feels awesome to play with the new DualSense features.

The Dragon’s Trap: Wonder Boy is an excellent remake of a beloved classic. The enhanced visuals and superb audio really bring the game into the modern age complementing the excellent design of the original. Unfortunately, inherited design flaws such as some obscure puzzles, imprecise hit detection, and the lack of a hints system do hold the game back. However, these issues do not detract too much from the overall experience. This modern version of a classic game will appeal to a new generation of gamers and also remind longtime fans why they fell in love with the original.

A beginning of a political and troubling story, with some “uncanny valley” animations and dark themes - Dontnod once again proving they are the top of this genre.

Not once did I have any technical difficulties while playing (something I cannot say about Company of Heroes 3), so I highly recommend this game to anyone interested or a casual gamer. Though, for players interested in faster-paced action, they will grow bored of watching a train move slowly along the map and the strategy of moving troops silently without alerting the enemy.

Possibly the best Atelier game to date, Atelier Yumia: The Alchemist of Memories & the Envisioned Land is a thoroughly enjoyable, and rather cosy, RPG that anyone can easily sink hours upon hours into.

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

I cannot have enough of Remnant II’s fantastic co-op gameplay, especially thanks to its intense replayability. However, I do wish there had been more emphasis on the story to have something to root for along the way!

Rime is a triumph of storytelling and game design. The beautiful hand crafted world is a joy to explore and the puzzles are fun to complete. Stunning visuals and a stellar score, combined with a deeply personal and emotional story create a truly unforgettable experience that will resonate with players for years to come.

Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy is bittersweet. Having the unmissable marsupial back is a great throwback the 3D platformers of the late 90s, but for all of the nostalgia, the trilogy highlights some of the genre's weakest elements. A must play for original fans, and one new players should take with a pinch of salt.

Slightly Mad Studios have, in the year since release, tidied up Project CARS no end. There’s still a few small niggles here and there, but overall this is now a title I will happily have adorning my shelf.

Idea Factory may have skimped a bit on narrative, but the visuals far exceed anything I’ve seen in any visual novel, and even most games that fall outside the genre. If this your first foray into dating sims, while the narrative can go all over the place at times, you’ll be so lost in the visuals of the world, you won’t mind where it takes you.

Mayhem Brawler is a fun, energetic “beat-em-up” adventure. Its excellent art style, voice acting, and room for improvement excite me with what could be added through possible updates.

Super Alloy Ranger is a great 2D platformer influenced by the Mega Man X series in all the right ways. The story isn't the best but has a lot of unique attributes that make it a must-play title!

A staggering amount of content makes Pathfinder: Wrath Of The Righteous an easy choice to recommend for those who have a lot of time to invest. An interesting narrative and player choices that define the outcome, this is a tale that is well worth experiencing.

An intriguing little game with a great setting and aesthetic, well worth experiencing blind.

Hunt the Night is a beautiful retro-inspired game with a haunting soundtrack and great controls. It is incredibly hard, so if you aren’t a fan of difficult games that have you challenging the same section, or boss for hours, this may not be a title you will enjoy.

An adorably cute shmup suitable for all skill levels, with a surprising amount of depth and content. A great soundtrack and cute (if basic) visuals make this a fun time.

This mobile WitchSpring title is fantastically translated to PC and should be a fun pickup for anyone, especially handheld gamers.

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

Tetris Forever is a great way to play through the history of the franchise with some awesome titles that were never released outside of Japan.

A fun experience with interesting mechanics that is only let down by a dull combat system.