This console port of Lovecraftian adventure game The Shore fails to impress for various reasons. But ultimately, it's brought down by the fact that its story isn't particularly cohesive and its gameplay is unrewarding and clunky.

The Last Cat in the Universe is a short tale about mining for resources to provide for the titular feline. It occasionally get a little tedious, but its heart-wrenching story will make you want to hug your cat. Then all the cats.

There's a fast-paced, fun and accessible combat system at the heart of Invincible VS, but it's let down by a lack of modes. It's disappointing that its Story Mode comes to an abrupt end, too. Still, you'll get plenty of enjoyment out of it if you're a fan of the franchise.

Bus Bound is one of the most accessible bus simulators out there, expecting you to drive with care but not bogging you down with too many intricacies. It works both for and against it: this will be enjoyable for many, but a lack of depth means that it soon becomes quite repetitive. Still, it's worth a look, especially with its budget price.

Aphelion may not impress all that much on the gameplay front, with its traversal and stealth sections sometimes marred by its clunky controls, but its story and presentation pick up the slack, making it an enjoyable trek across an alien planet on the whole.

The Spell Brigade doesn't do anything wrong, but it also doesn't do anything to make itself stand out in a sea of survivors-like games. Its gameplay isn't all that exciting, its art and sound design is ho-hum, and any meaningful upgrades take far too long to unlock. There are plenty of other games in the genre that are far more rewarding to play.

Making your own pots in Kiln using the ever-growing range of options is delightful, truly allowing you to express yourself. And it's fun to take your pots into battle too, at least for a while. With just one match type currently available, Quench, things can soon get a little repetitive.

Mixing together adventure, stealth and a gripping narrative makes Tides of Tomorrow a very intriguing prospect indeed. It's just a shame that its novel 'online story-link' mechanic isn't as enjoyable as it should be, leaving you feeling like you're existing in someone else's shadow rather than carving out your own path through this unique world.

Jay and Silent Bob are back in another side-scrolling beat 'em up. Though while Chronic Blunt Punch looks absolutely fantastic and is genuinely humorous at times, its gameplay lets it down.

It's too short to pack a real emotional punch, but The Day I Became a Bird is a cute, whimsical story about a schoolboy and his crush. Varied gameplay and fun little activities keep you playing, and the gorgeous art style makes it a worthwhile experience, but you'll likely be left wanting more.

While there are many games based on the works of H.P. Lovecraft, Cthulhu: The Cosmic Abyss stands out thanks to its focus on you conducting an investigation. With some genuinely tough puzzles to solve, it's just a shame that one or two are more frustrating than they are fun, and that there are numerous technical issues to deal with too.

Despite the odd bit of patchy voice acting, Hacked: The Streamer weaves a tense, engaging FMV tale that will keep you hooked.

It's beautifully presented, and the puzzle of packing boxes is mildly satisfying. But A Storied Life: Tabitha lets itself down in its storytelling, which is little more than a messy headache of ideas. If you were hoping for something to rival Unpacking, this isn't it.

Taking on the role of a paranormal investigator, The Occultist gives you multiple unique abilities to make use of as you explore areas and solve an assortment of puzzles. It's a bit rough around the edges, but fans of narrative driven supernatual adventures will likely get plenty of enjoyment out of it.

Now available on consoles, Go Home Annie: An SCP Game benefits from additional polish and a newly added content. Its stealth sequences are less than stellar thanks to its basic mechanics, however, and some puzzles can frustrate.

It should be fun playing a game that puts players in control of Raziel and Kain one more time, but this 2D action adventure wastes the opportunity. Legacy of Kain: Ascendance has an intriguing story which is accompanied by good voice acting and a solid soundtrack, but its gameplay is repetitive and often downright messy.

Marvel MaXimum Collection has the usual features to make it more attractive to retro fans such as save states and rewind, as well as a music player and an archive. It's just a shame that the games included generally aren't all that fun to play.

Rushing Beat X: Return of Brawl Brothers isn't as rewarding to play as, say, Streets of Rage 4, but it's enjoyable nonetheless. Inconsistent visuals and a poorly localised story will be the biggest gripes with the game for some.

It might not offer up anything particularly new or exciting, but Ariana and the Elder Codex is a solid metroidvania adventure game with an enjoyable narrative. Multiple difficulty levels make this readily accessible too, so this combat-heavy romp never needs to feel too challenging.

Mega Man Star Force Legacy Collection bundles up a whole series of action-RPGs and adds some valuable extras and enhancements. But while exisiting fans and those who love the Battle Network series will likely lap it up, newcomers might find it all a little too dated.

Screamer looks great and has some neat ideas. But this anime-inspired arcade racer is let down by inconsistent and unbalanced competitor AI and controls that can often feel overcomplicated for the sake of it.

Being a yearly franchise, WWE 2K26 features the usual assortment of tweaks and upgrades to its many modes, and combined with its enhanced gameplay it makes for the most authentic wrestling experience yet. It's somewhat ruined, however, by a new Ringside Pass system that forces players to grind to unlock content. Unless they're willing to pay real money for tier skips, of course.

Fatal Frame 2: Crimson Butterfly Remake successfully builds on the original game, adding new mechanics that enhance the gameplay and more. It's just a shame that its inventive camera-based combat can be frustrating at times, and its stealth sections can feel a little trial and error.

It's very short, with a running time of just under two hours, but Portrait of a Torn has a dark and engaging story to unravel. Some minor issues such as dialogue not lining up with text bring it down a little.

Legacy of Kain: Defiance Remastered gives a classic game a solid makeover in terms of visuals and performance, and also offers fans the chance to indulge themselves in some lost levels and more. The gameplay at the heart of the experience hasn't stood the test of time very well, though.

A roguelike Metroidvania about a witch and a magical hat, Never Grave is beautiful to look at and a joy to play thanks to silky-smooth combat and traversal. It's just a shame that making progress can feel too much like an uphill battle.

Letting players take control of a young Kratos, God of War Sons of Sparta is a retro-styled 2D Metroidvania that offers a large, interconnected world to explore. It's both engaging and rewarding to do so, too, though repetitive combat that can feel a little scrappy brings the experience down somewhat.

It's short, and rather basic in terms of features, but Aerial_Knight's DropShot gameplay loop of shooting enemies with a finger gun as you fall out of a plane is fun while it lasts.

It may be let down by its lack of original sountrack and the fact that four of the five games here are practically identical. But the museum content makes Rayman: 30th Anniversary Edition a worthwhile purchase for fans – and there's no denying that Rayman still stands the test of time as one of the best platformers from the 90s.

Styx, the Master of Stealth, is back, and in his latest adventure he has more freedom than ever as he hunts down valuable Quartz. The openness of the levels is perhaps the highlight of Styx: Blades of Greed, though the new tools and skills available to Styx are also welcome. It's just a shame there are no maps to help with your navigation, and the combat remains something that will frustrate.

With no overly complex mechanics, Stormbridge feels like a more accessible city building game than most. But with a storm that's constantly brewing and set to repeatedly undo your hard work, it's a challenging game to beat. The roguelike nature may get a bit too tiresome and repetitive for some, but there's still a lot to like if you're a fan of growing settlements and working against the odds.

While it lacks online multiplayer, you might want to pick up Gear.Club Unlimited 3 if you like the idea of developing your HQ in Japan, competing in races to unlock new features and put together an impressive garage of cars. You'll have to put up with a handling model that isn't all that impressive, however, and some will rue the lack of assist and difficulty options.

Inspired by German folklore, Heart of the Forest follows four amateur hikers as they get lost in the sprawling Black Forest. This horror FMV is a decent romp, and although it isn't particularly scary it does at least feature some suitably unsettling imagery, and a smattering of decisions means you have a genuine impact on how the narrative unfolds.

An open world arcade racer, JDM: Japanese Drift Master may not be as pretty or expansive as its peers, but those who love getting sideways will still find lots to love about it. The drifting focus here makes the game feel relatively unique, and while there are no multiplayer options, its campaign should keep players entertained for a considerable amount of time.

With its comic book visual style, isometric viewpoint and focus on crafting, I Hate This Place is a unique entry in the survival horror genre. It's just a shame that it's let down by gameplay that feels rough around the edges and a lacklustre story.

Taxi Chaos 2 can be fun in small doses, but its story mode in particular can quickly feel like a drag. Add in issues such as poor physics and a dire soundtrack, and you've got a game that fails to capture of the magic of the the arcade series it's obviously inspired by.

As good an entry into the hidden cat genre as any, Cats Around Us: Giant Cat has you searching out cartoon mogs in a quirky comic book environment. There are only four levels here, though, alongside four small jigsaw puzzles to complete – but given the tiny asking price, it's hard to mind too much.

Putting you in control of an expanding team of cats, hell-bent on reclaiming their city, Clawpunk is a riotous 2D action game with a style all of its own. Its roguelite elements mean that it starts tough but gets somewhat easier over time, though there are unlockable modes that offer an increased challenge. It's just a shame that sometimes it can be a little too chaotic for its own good.

Clever crimes require a clever brain to solve them. Confidential Killings is certainly going to test your deduction skills by asking you to gather clues and come up with a valid hypothesis. It's a great detective game, but best enjoyed in short bursts to avoid repetition setting in.

A story-driven adventure that holds your hand every step of the way, Detective – Rainy Night will disappoint those hoping to actually do some detective work. It has other issues, too, like poor localisation, but those who are intrigued by its narrative will get some enjoyment out of it while it lasts.

With its ridiculous story, unique visuals and brilliant soundtrack, there's a lot to like about Skate Story. Its gameplay is the weakest link here, though, with fiddly controls and other issues introducing a level of frustration that might push some players away.

Sleep Awake has an interesting premise, and makes nice use of full motion video to assist in blurring the lines between what's real and imaginary. It's just a shame that it's not as engaging to play as it should be. And it's not all that scary, either.

It's quite short and rather rough around the edges, but The Last Case of John Morley has an interesting case for you to crack. Just don't expect anything too ambitious or impressive.

Casting players as a game tester, A.I.L.A presents them with multiple experiences to play through, each with their own setting and enemies. What's worrying, however, is how they bleed into your reality. It's an interesting premise, but ultimately it's let down by poor combat and a general lack of polish.

Think of Wreckreation as a spiritual sequel to Burnout Paradise, only not as polished and with the addition of creation elements. It has some issues, but it's been much improved since launch thanks to numerous patches. If you want to race at insane speeds and take down opponents, it's well worth a try.

A side-scrolling shooter roguelike set in space, Dangerous Galaxy is clearly inspired by the likes of Vampire Survivors and FTL. It's not going to blow you away, but it's a fun way to spend an hour or two, especially considering its super-budget price.

Letting you practice battles until you're confident you can win, Forestrike often feels like a puzzle game. That can also lead to frustration, however; just one mistake can make it pretty much impossible to win some fights. Throw in the fact that sometimes you can't practice, and that there's little in the way of permanent upgrades, and Forestrike doesn't always feel fair. Still, there's a fun roguelite here for those who can hack it.

It may be a little derivative of Balatro, but Dice of Kalma's dice-based roguelike gameplay is still great fun, and its foreboding, retro aesthetic is as eye-catching as it is intriguing.

There's a solid racing sim experience at the heart of Rennsport, but at the moment it fails to truly impress as a package due to a lack of content and a rather sterile single-player campaign.

There's some fun to be had with Sacred 2 Remaster, but on the whole it's a disappointing update of a classic RPG. Newcomers will find many aspects of it bewildering, using skills with a controller is overly fiddly and, worst of all, multiplayer isn't an option on consoles. Much more should have been done to bring this classic up to date.

A Metroidvania set in a mega-city ruined by demons, Possessor(s) unfortunately fails to fulfil its potential due to clunky combat and general lack of polish.

A surreal narrative exploration game, A Pizza Delivery doesn't do much to impress, but it's an enjoyable adventure nonetheless. There are some fun puzzles to solve here, and interesting people to meet, but it's all over very quickly.

Putting a very nice twist on the auto-attacking roguelike genre, Death by Scrolling tasks you with outrunning the apocalypse on a vertically-scrolling screen. It's an absolute delight, but with little variety from one run to the next, repetition can quickly set in.

Grocery retail may seem like an odd subject for a sim game, but Supermarket Simulator absolutely pulls it off. It's seriously satisfying to see your store go from strength to strength, though it's a tad frustrating you can't delegate ordering.

Instruments of Destruction lets you take on one bite-sized mission after another, where typically your goal is to simply destroy things. With over 130 vehicles available, it's mostly a lot of fun, too, though some missions can be dull and/or a little frustrating.

With it being a co-op shooter, series fans aren't likely to get on with this new Painkiller unless they approach it with an open mind. And indeed, while it's nothing special, slaughtering demons with friends while amassing an arsenal of upgraded and customised weapons can be good fun.

Consisting of remakes of the first two games in the series, Dragon Quest 1 & 2 HD-2D Remake is a somewhat simpler experience than Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake. You play the first game with just one party member, for example. It's still charming, though, with Dragon Quest 2 being a highlight, but both titles still might feel a little too archaic in ways.

Set after the events of Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget, this latest game set in the Chicken Run universe lets you put together your own team and attempt to rescue yet more chickens from a variety of locations. The result is a simple stealth game with one or two frustrations, but thanks to its charming animation and impressive voice cast, franchise fans will likely enjoy it quite a lot.

Double Dragon is back, and it looks better than ever. Good looks and more freedom when it comes to movement doesn't translate to a game that's more fun to play, however, with the combat of Double Dragon Revive feeling rather clunky. And so, while it isn't a bad game by any means, it's simply not as enjoyable as it should be.

Simon the Sorcerer Origins looks fantastic, its writing is brilliant and its voice acting (particularly Chris Barrie) is absolutely stellar. It's a great example of a modern point-and-click game — but it's let down by some frustratingly difficult puzzles. It sorely needs a built-in hint system, but hey, at least you can just look up a guide.

There's a lot of content in Hot Wheels Let's Race: Ultimate Speed, and there's no doubt that young fans of the Netflix show it's based on will enjoy the package here. But considering the poor handling and a number of other frustrations, it's hard to fully recommend this game, particularly when the excellent Hot Wheels Unleashed series exists.

While the remake of the original The House of the Dead proved to be a fairly entertaining jaunt, this update of the sequel inexplicably comes off far worse. From horrible controls to poor visuals that are simply too dark at times, it's a big disappointment. Still, it's the only way to play this arcade classic on modern consoles, and it boasts some new modes and features.

An intriguing narrative-driven mystery that feels like a spookier version of Firewatch, there's a lot to like about Radiolight — especially when you take into consideration that it's from a solo developer. It's just a shame it's held back by a myriad of bugs and issues.

If you can't resist feeding some coins into a Fast & Furious: Arcade machine whenever you visit an arcade, you might appreciate being able to play it at home in the form of Fast & Furious: Arcade Edition. For most, though, this barebones port will feel too light on content to feel worthwhile.

Tormented Souls 2, like its predecessor, offers some solid survival horror action inspired by classics of the genre. Some might find dealing with or avoiding enemies a bit frustrating at times though, and a number of its puzzles could be considered a little too obtuse for comfort.

Lumo 2 is very much a sequel a Lumo. This retro-inspired adventure packs in plenty of variety, but its platforming is frequently frustrating, especially in areas where the action has an isomentric viewpoint, and its lack of hand-holding can leave you a little bewildered. Some will have fun with it, but it's a missed opportunity to meaningfully improve on the original game.

Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines 2 has a wealth of issues, from an open world that feels wasted to combat that feels scrappy throughout. Thanks to a gripping narrative that you can shape with your actions, however, you'll likely still enjoy your time spent sucking blood across Seattle.

P1: Anchor Light tries to stand out from the anomaly hunting crowd with its Bioshock-inspired setting and musical statues gameplay element. It somewhat works, too, although the latter can also be a source of frustration. Other than that, this is a typical anomaly hunting experience that can sometimes be a bit too dark for its own good.

Snoopy shows us he's just as relevant (and adorable) as ever in Snoopy & the Great Mystery Club, a laid-back and family-friendly whodunnit about solving quaint mysteries. A few performance issues let it down, but on the whole this is an easy recommendation for kids and lovers of easy games.

Dicealot is simple to get the hang of, but has a lot of depth for those who want to master it. This dice-based roguelike game will certainly have you coming back for a second or third game, but I'm just not sure if there's enough here to keep you hooked for weeks to come.

With its generic gameplay, drab visuals and lack of modes, Sonic Wings Reunion is a real disappointment. This isn't a bad game by any means, but it does nothing to excite, besides having a wealth of pilots to choose from.

With its charming player models and fast-paced 3v3 matches with simplified mechanics, NBA Bounce offers a fun take on basketball that's suitable for all ages and skill levels. It's not quite as exciting to play as it could be, however, and a lack of online multiplayer will be disapponting to some.

Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer is a generic 3D platformer, but one that also provides a decent amount of fun. There are some issues to overcome, but if you want a Christmas-themed game it's perhaps worth picking up at a discount.

This flat-screen version of Alien: Rogue Incursion – Part One isn't as tense as its VR counterpart, and its gameplay isn't as exciting as a result, but it remains a solid experience for Alien fans. Just be prepared to backtrack a lot in the latter half and perhaps be disappointed by its unsatisfactory ending.

An adorable Survivors-like that casts you as a capybara, Extremely Powerful Capybaras is fast-paced, frantic and downright fun. A few performance issues hold it back a little, but this is still a moreish roguelike you'll find yourself being drawn back to time and time again.

Challenging you to make your way up a mountain, Baby Steps is likely to be one of the most divisive games of the year. With its hands-off approach, you're left to find your own fun as you ascend, and struggle with the simple act of walking. Ultimately, it just feels a little too aimless and punishing for its own good.

Being a Bad Cat is fun while it lasts in this little sandbox of mischief. There are far better games that let you step into the four paws of a cat, though, so unless you're hungry for some easy trophies, maybe play something else instead.

There's nothing all that special about the gameplay of Platypus Reclayed, but shoot 'em up fans will likely be won over by its wonderful claymation visuals and often amusing weapons.

Henry Halfhead is a novel idea, putting you in control of a half-headed man who can possess the items around him. It's both a sandbox and a narrative experience, although some sections can be as dull as the parts of our life they're supposed to represent.

The Devil is in the Details is easily the most ambitious anomaly-hunting game yet, with traps, enemies and entities for you to avoid as you go around watching out for anomalous items. Some of these don't always make the experience better, though, but you can at least enable and disable them as you please.

A macabre adventure about a zombie boy and his human friend, Gloomy Eyes is a single-player game that requires players to switch between two characters. It can be frustrating at times, but its wonderfully creepy art style and some enjoyable puzzles make it a decent way to spend a few hours.

Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection bundles up four games that are all varying degrees of bad, with Bubsy 3D being the worst of the lot. It is cheap, however, and has extras that fans of the bobcat will no doubt appreciate. Make of that what you will.

With a number of improvements such as a new goalie crease system and NHL EDGE data being used to enhance player behaviour, NHL 26 is undoubtedly a great hockey game. Be A Pro mode still has some issues, though, and you can just tell that the series doesn't get as much love as the likes of EA Sports FC.

Daemon X Machina: Titanic Scion builds upon its predecessor in a number of ways, and is undoubtedly better as a result. There's still lots of room for further improvement though, with issues such as drab visuals and a dull open world watering down the otherwise engrossing experience of building your dream mech.

A family-friendly multiplayer game, Splatterbot is very basic but entertaining in short bursts. It's the sort of thing you'll pull out on family get-togethers, and thanks to its simplicity, absolutely anyone can play.

With a striking papercraft style, Hirogami instantly wins you over with its beautiful art. This platformer uses origami to provide you with a wealth of skills and abilities, but sometimes switching between them can prove to be a little frustrating. Still, if you're a platforming fan and you have a bit of patience, there's a lot to like here.

If you're a Survivors-like fan, you're going to get a kick out of Karate Survivor — no pun intended. This melee take on the roguelike sub-genre is a great deal of fun thanks to its wealth of moves and focus on environmental damage. It's hard as nails, though, so prepare to die a lot. Still, that's sort of the point, isn't it?

It's showing its age now, but Gears of War: Reloaded finally allows PlayStation gamers to experience one of the best campaigns in the previously Xbox-exclusive series. It's just a shame you'll likely run into AI issues if playing it alone. Needless to say, this is a game best played with others, either enjoying the campaign in co-op, or engaging in its competitive multiplayer modes.

While fans of the anime will no doubt get the most out of Space Adventure Cobra: The Awakening, its engaging mix of run 'n' gun gameplay with platforming and Metroidvania elements make it suitable for all. The unique Psychogun with its guidable bullets is the standout feature here. It's just a shame that the overall experience is brought down a little by some minor issues that can cause frustration.

Available at a budget price, Drag x Drive is a unique sports game that doesn't boast a great deal of content. Still, it's fun to play as long as you can get along with using your Joy-Cons like mice, though performing some advanced manoeuvres can feel a little hit or miss.

It's not the deepest or most expansive online multiplayer game, but you can have a lot of fun with Midnight Murder Club, especially when playing with friends. Sneaking around a pitch-black mansion armed with just a flashlight and a revolver can be a tense affair. And thanks to the Guest Pass system, just one player needs to purchase this bargain offering to play with up to five others.

This long-lost chapter of the Shantae series provides more of the hair-whipping and belly-dancing action that it's known and loved for. Some might get a little frustrated by the amount of backtracking that's required, though, as well as navigating some of its maze-like locations without a map.

Heavily inspired by Streets of Rage and Final Fight, Fallen City Brawl is a retro-styled side-scrolling beat 'em up that has some some unique ideas but ultimately falls short in a number of areas.

A side-scrolling beat 'em up in which it's feasible to simply shoot your enemies rather than actually punch and kick them into submission, Ra Ra BOOM stands out in what is inexplicably becoming a crowded genre. It has some issues that bring it down, though, including poor balancing and some technical woes on PS5 Pro.

Dear Me, I Was looks absolutely stunning, with every screen of the game feeling like a work of art in its own right. But taking less than an hour to complete, the story here lacks substance, and being told entirely through visuals makes it more difficult to connect with.

A roguelike first-person shooter with a brinepunk aesthetic, Abyssus provides a lot of frantic fun, especially if played in co-op. Its progression could do with a little work, though, with you needing to grind Soul Fragments to unlock basic upgrades that feel necessary for your survival, alongside some pesky difficulty spikes.

Beautiful and charming, Tiny Bookshop is a game for literature lovers, tasking you with selling and recommending books to the residents of the fictional town of Bookstonbury. Its charm wears thin rather quickly though, and a lack of variety and depth will likely see you getting bored in a matter of hours.

Taking less than 30 minutes to complete, Catto's Post Office is almost too short to fully recommend. It's a very cute and wholesome experience, though, and for cat lovers and cosy game fans, there's enough here to make you smile.