Atomfall's best features lie hidden underneath a layer of gameplay that never rises above 'just good enough'. For those who dig deeper, there's a thrilling mystery to be solved, and a level of variety that you'll only truly appreciate on a second playthrough.

Quotation forthcoming.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows is not a bad game, nor is it fantastic. It follows the same recipe as the series’ installments have done for a few years now, where we’re served a story full of intrigue, power struggles, and a revenge motif. The main characters, Naoe, a nimble ninja, and Yasuke, a powerful samurai, provide varied gameplay experiences, but does not quite let the player live out the full fantasy of being either. It’s unfortunate that Ubisoft does not unleash the full potential of finally having an Assassin’s Creed game set in Japan.

Despite its somewhat lackluster story and a few wearisome sci-fi sequences, Split Fiction is a solid next outing for Fares and Hazelight. The game delivers a plethora of charming vistas, some truly engaging gameplay mechanics and great co-op innovations through most of its 12 hour journey.

Monster Hunter Wilds has so much to focus on, and so many different paths to the goal. It only gets repetitive and boring if you let it. There's a whole, lush, living world at your feet. Some of my fondest gaming memories, and the coolest battles I've ever had, have happened in this particular game. It's as close to a top score as you can get. We're only a few weeks into February, but I'm 100% sure that this will be a top 3 game for me this year at the very least.

Quotation forthcoming.

Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii masterfully wastes the player's time with endless menial tasks and boring dialogue, while completely failing to tell the great stories the series is known for.

Avowed offers a strong atmosphere, colorful personalities, and a gameplay loop that is entirely serviceable. However, it fails to excel in any particular area, including the character-driven narratives that Obsidian are known for. And so, Avowed fails to fully deliver on its potential.

Sniper Elite: Resistance might be worth a look if you love the series and want more of the same. Unfortunately that's all you get, and the formula has grown rather stale.

Kingdom Come: Deliverance II is a masterpiece, and one of the most impressive role playing games ever made.

However, once you find your flow – and the right path – it's fun to sweep through the world, whether you're chasing the game's big bad or poking around the many, many secrets that lurk around every corner of the spaceship Atromitos.

Orcs Must Die! Deathtrap is a mixed bag with a high emphasis on third person multiplayer action that never quite reaches the heights of previous entries.

Dynasty Warriors: Origins is a great game that takes the series a good and necessary step forward. It opens up and gives us meaning behind all the madness.

Marvel Rivals manages to feel both familiar and like a breath of fresh air. The cast of characters is exciting across the board, and once the game adds more maps and hopefully better matchmaking, I think NetEase could be on to a winner.

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is a faithful and immersive adaptation of the character, and a great Indy story in its own right.

Dragon Quest III: HD-2D Remake is enjoyable to explore, but the endless random battles get tiring after a while.

Stalker 2 stands out as an impressive and immersive survival shooter. A huge, handcrafted world with interesting story choices, lots of content and quality all around. Refreshingly, you are not a superhero out to save the world, but a regular grunt trying to survive.

Mario & Luigi: Brothership could have been great, but the wonderful presentation and level design can't save it from ceaseless conversations and the repetitive combat.

Quotation forthcoming.

Quotation forthcoming.

The opening video game chapter of the Unknown 9 universe is not great. The combat is disappointing, the animations undercooked, and the performance takes a nosedive throughout the second half of the game. Some stunning vistas, but hardly enough to warrant a recommendation.

Quotation forthcoming.

Despite its incredibly beautiful characters, the unique puzzles, and weaving the tale of a truly engaging murder mystery, Double Exposure severely misses the landing and falls completely flat in its final act.

Fruitbus combines the cosy atmosphere of Animal Crossing with the detailed oriented work of Overcooked, as you’re tasked with serving customers tasty, fruit-based treats from a healthier version of an ice cream van.

With so little newfound charm added to what sometimes comes across as a tech demo for the new age, yet somehow still lacks proper animations and a world and characters that feel alive, this saga ends up as more of a curiosity than a truly memorable RPG experience.

The Jamboree mechanics and pro rules are both great new additions, and the series is probably at its most charming ever. There is, however, a distinct lack of outstanding minigames, with a lot of creativity being withheld for the passable online modes.

Silent Hill 2 is finally readily available for a modern audience, in what is an excellent remake of an old classic. After some initial concern, Bloober Team really showed up and proved its doubters wrong.

Despite its outdated and confounding design choices, there's something deeply engaging about Metaphor: ReFantazio. The story pulls you in and the combat is excellent, making for an experience that's highly enjoyable - though at times incredibly frustrating.