I think of Remnant II as more Remnant for better or worse. It's still a very compelling series with tight and engaging gameplay, but there's no denying that it has its kinks too. It's flashier, prettier, has tons of depth, and if you loved the first game, you will have a blast with this follow-up as well.

Pikmin 4 is simply a delight to play. Its world is effortlessly charming and its core gameplay is more than enough to keep you invested for hours on end. Combine that with the extras such as the Night Expeditions, and Nintendo has crafted another big winner in what is already an incredible 2023 for the company.

If you're already hooked on this type of game and feel the need for something new and challenging to sink your teeth into, there's a lot to discover in Sea Horizon, but it won't attract any new fans to the genre.

This is a truly fantastic puzzle game, one that stands out in a saturated genre and leaves the player with a sense of wonder and amazement after every level.

Exoprimal is by no means a terrible game, but it just doesn't reach the heights that you'd expect when you hear about its premise. It's a mixed bag, but if you are looking for a new multiplayer experience and can withstand the Dino Survival mode, perhaps it's the game for you.

Only Up is a great example of the creativity that lies within the depths of Steam. This isn't a hugely ingenious title that is doing something we've never seen before. It just offers demanding and intricate platforming in such a rudimentary and well thought out manner that it stands out among the rest.

Despite the disappointment that this didn't reach higher heights, Oxenfree II: Lost Signals is still okay, but doesn't reach past that except for a few points. It's mainly my personal experience with the game's story and how it's presented that is the biggest obstacle for this to reach the same kind of feeling I got from the adventure I took part in seven years ago. The predecessor simply felt much more memorable than this, which can be seen as a small failure.

After just three or four sessions with Everybody 1-2 Switch, I'd seen it all and didn't want to go back. I don't know how this happened, but I do know that there are far, far better ways to entertain friends and family on Switch than this.

Even though it isn't flawless in any sense, the concept is unique enough and the gameplay engaging enough for the most part that I found The Bookwalker: Thief of Tales to be a really interesting indie title.

Army of Ruin is an incredibly pleasant surprise, and along with Dredge is one of the best indie games of the year for me. While it can be argued that this is more like Vampire Survivors in a revamped guise, the visuals do wonders to keep the playability fresh, and with a superb focus on the game mechanics, it offers an adventure that can stand alongside its competitors without shame.

I have mixed feelings about AEW: Fight Forever. It's really fun to play and it's top-notch arcade wrestling when everything works in the ring, but unfortunately that doesn't always mean it's not pretty devoid of content.

Park Beyond isn't a genre-changing game, but it's a fun sideshow that isn't as serious as other games. You can tell it's designed to be fun and a little bit silly in a good way.

Dave the Diver knows from the very first scene what it wants to be, and from the get-go it's firing on all its available cylinders. You get a fantastically complex gaming experience here, with a self-awareness that would suit many major studios.

Just as The Legend of Zelda and God of War have recently done, Final Fantasy wins by throwing the rulebook out the window and rethinking what the series can be in a modern age. Where both XIII and XV felt trapped between worlds, Final Fantasy XVI definitely goes down the action game path. But it doesn't forget the essence of the series. Yes, the tone is dark and sombre and the style more realistic, but the sense of community and epic journey is fully present.

The core of Crash Team Rumble is a lot of fun with an engaging concept, cool-looking levels, thrilling score-chases and heart-pounding chaos unfolding on the screen. The problem is that this isn't enough when there's no depth or variety in there to keep it engaging for more than an hour or two.

Aliens: Dark Descent is first and foremost a good idea, and there's undoubtedly talent behind it, although this is a clear example of how a potential sequel that can optimise, raise production values and perhaps approach each mission more critically to ensure crucial variety would be ideal.

If you like this kind of entertainment, Layers of Fear is one of the best of its kind. I can't remember the last time I've experienced a game with such an intense atmosphere and that was as unpleasant to play as {Layers of Fear}. And in this context, that should be understood in the most positive way.

There is no doubt that F1 23 is an absolutely brilliant game. It sounds fantastic, looks spectacular and has rarely offered such an entertaining, accessible experience. Regardless of whether you're an already devoted fan or a curious newbie. F1 has rarely been better.

Star Trek in game format has often not been synonymous with quality and unfortunately this time it is not a hit either. The story is interesting and the characters are generally colourful and well written. However, it is hard to give these characters more life and we have to deal with the stiff animations and the weak voice acting unfortunately.

MotoGP 23 continues to keep the series at a steady and good quality. The new dynamic weather system and career mode provide good improvements from last year, but it still feels like there are more steps to take.

If you're into adventure and puzzle games, Killer Frequency is a nice and slightly different take on a game in that genre. But it's not a game for everyone.

Cassette Beasts is an example of what a more mature and difficult Pokémon could be. The new additions to combat, exploration, and quest design all make the world thrilling to explore, and the sprite/pixel combination shows that there's still plenty of potential for monster-catching in this art style.

One thing is for sure, and that is that the strategy-minded gamer will find many hours of gameplay in Company of Heroes 3, and if you don't have access to a PC to play on, the console version is a fine second choice.

Convergence: A League of Legends Story is a really solid platformer, and an even better story. There are some minor annoyances throughout, and the game peaks fairly quickly with a slow middle section, but the end payoff certainly makes it worth sitting through in its entirety.

Although time has not been kind to the original, the remake manages to blow away several of the problems I have with 1994's System Shock. It may not revolutionize our gaming world, but it can create exciting discussions around AI.

Miasma Chronicles is a solid tactical-RPG that offers good-quality combat encounters, alongside a story that is enthralling to follow, and all set in a world you want to explore.

Diablo IV is a great, truly enjoyable game every fan should play. The core story, highlighted by the superb cinematics and excellent voice acting, leads you through a highly detailed and fascinating world.

Once the single player is done and you get used to the awkward presentation, we still have a very solid fighting game and a phenomenal foundation to build on. And at the end of the day, that's by far the most important thing in a game like this. As long as it's genuinely fun to punch your friends in the face, there's no way I'm going to get bored.