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.

Tasking you with exploring an abandoned lunar base and investigating what happened to it, Routine is a first-person horror game that will have you captivated from beginning to end thanks to its tense atmosphere and engaging puzzles.

Aside from some minor issues, more often encountered when playing alone, Marvel Cosmic Invasion is one of the best beat 'em ups currently available, and an absolute treat for Marvel fans.

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.

While it has a decent chiptune soundtrack, there's little else positive to say about Terrifier: The ARTcade Game. The gameplay here is overshadowed by most side-scrollers of recent years, making it a massive disappointment. Art the Clown deserves better.

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.

A year after it originally launched on Xbox Series X/S and PC, Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl has landed on PS5 thankfully in a much better state. A challenging open-world experience, this finally feels like it fulfils its potential, and on PS5 Pro it's a real treat thanks to stunning visuals and solid performance.

Made by solo developer and ex-Housemarque programmer Kimmo Lahtinen, Sektori is the closest thing you're going to get to the sweet rush of the likes of Resogun without revisiting Housemarque's back catalogue. It's tough as nails, but with eye-melting visuals and fast-paced twin-stick shooter action, you simply won't be able to get enough of it.

A unique take on the Survivors-like genre that also throws in city building and tower defence mechanics, Monsters are Coming! Rock & Road is a moreish roguelike that will have you repeatedly coming back for more.

With its fantastic visuals and thrilling gameplay that tasks you with dealing with enemies in both the background and foreground, Neon Inferno is a run-and-gun shooter that's not to be missed.

Deadpool VR delivers the kind of ridiculous over-the-top, fourth-wall-breaking mayhem that defines the character, making excellent use of the Meta Quest 3's features. Tedium occasionally sneaks in, but for the most part it's a real treat for VR-owning superhero fans.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 a solid package, offering yet more enjoyable zombie antics and fast-paced multiplayer fun across some well-designed maps. Its outrageous campaign will be divisive, however, pitting players against giant plants, grotesque spiders and more during its running time.

Its ridiculous advert starring David Hasselhoff isn't the only brilliant thing about SpongeBob SquarePants: Titans of the Tide. This is an excellent platforming adventure, featuring a great mix of character skills, fantastic level design and plenty of side quests. Even if you're not a fan of SpongeBob, there's a lot here to love.

With its stunning presentation, brilliant writing and engaging gameplay, Dispatch is one of the best interactive narrative games ever made. It's impossible to play this without growing to love its characters.

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.

Dark Atlas: Infernum has a somewhat interesting story, but aside from that there's nothing else positive to say about it. Annoying enemies, poor checkpointing, bad voice acting, and more, all combine to make for a psychological horror game that's impossible to recommend.

Cheap and cheerful, Hidden Cats in Rio de Janeiro is a real joy for any fan of hidden object games, particularly if they also love cats. Beautifully presented and packed with personality, it's yet another great entry in the lovable Hidden Cats series.

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.

Beautiful visuals and an excellent soundtrack collide in Lumines Arise, the latest entry in the long-running Lumines series. This block puzzle game is as timeless as Tetris, and as long as you can get your head around the strategies required here, it's going to keep you entertained for dozens upon dozens of hours.

As a Survivors-like, Let Them Come: Onslaught doesn't offer anything unique or original, but it doesn't really matter: it's simply so much fun to play. The action is intense and made a little more interesting from one run to the next thanks to random missions. But it's the many weapons available to you that will impress the most, with upgrades making them wonderfully destructive.

On the face of it, Goodnight Universe is a far-fetched, comedic tale about a baby with telekinetic powers. But really, this is a very touching tale about love and familial bonds. For fans of narrative-driven adventures, this is not to be missed.

Whether you're a series veteran or a newcomer, Anno 117: Pax Romana is a delightfully deep time-sink of a game. This gripping historical(ish) city-builder will have you hooked thanks to its complex drama and engrossing gameplay.

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.

Its main campaign might be brief and not all that challenging, but with the ability to create your own missions, Bloodshed is an intense first-person Survivors-like that offers hours upon hours of roguelite fun.

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.

Whether you love dinosaurs or management sims, Jurassic World Evolution 3 has something to offer. And if you love both it's truly the game for you. With more dinosaurs to exhibit and an expanded range of customisation options, this is the biggest and best entry in the Jurassic World Evolution series yet, though those who have played previous entries might find it a bit too familiar.

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.

A presentation reminiscent of Hades is the cherry on top of Devil Jam, a Survivors-like brought to life with metal music and a beat that will keep you headbanging from start to finish. Only the bosses are going to get in the way of your fun here, but you're absolutely going to want to keep trying to best them.

As a collection of games, Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection isn't all that impressive, with many of the titles here either being downright bad or relatively redundant. As an interactive documentary, however, Digital Eclipse has delivered something rather special for Mortal Kombat fans eager to reminisce and learn more about the franchise.

Without a doubt one of my favourite experiences of 2025, The Séance of Blake Manor is a rich and beautiful narrative puzzle game where you're fully in charge of your own detective work. Blending together stellar storytelling with Irish folklore and spooky mysteries, it's a game that's going to stay with me for a long time to come.

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.

Thanks to meaningful new additions such as crossplay, rollback netcode, and a meaty single-player mode, Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. World Stage cements itself as one of the very best fighting games currently available.

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.

Featuring 12 levels over three distinct themes, Escape Simulator 2 has plenty of content at launch, with every level being brilliantly designed and filled with clever, challenging puzzles. For those who want more, there's a level designer and the option to play community-created levels, so there's potentially endless content here. A bargain for £14.99/$19.99.

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.

Improved over its predecessor in just about every way, PowerWash Simulator 2 is the ultimate in cleaning sims. New locations, new tools and a brand new home hub make washing away dirt and grime more enjoyable than ever, and while there's the occasional grumble, it's not enough to spoil the zen-like nature of virtual powerwashing.

I’m very much enjoying what I’m playing so far, with just one or two minor issues encountered along the way. It looks great, has plenty to do, and offers a surprising amount of freedom while also putting a smile on my face from time to time thanks to its humour. What more could I ask for, really? As a sequel, it may not be all that ambitious, but it takes the first game, expands upon its formula, and is much more polished from the outset. For most, that’s probably all they need to hear to know that they’ll love The Outer Worlds 2. [Review in Progress]

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.

Plants vs Zombies Replanted is the same game you know and love, albeit with a shiny new veneer. Some games don't get old, and providing you're in the mood for something laid-back and casual, protecting your garden from zeds is as much fun as it's ever been.

The first brand new Katamari game in years, Once Upon a Katamari doesn't disappoint. While it suffers from the same issues the series always has, like wonky controls and camera, there's no denying that it's as fun as ever to play. There's nothing else like it, and we'll never grow tired of the utter weirdness of rolling up items with a special ball.

One of the best Jackbox releases in recent years, Jackbox Party Pack 11 brings us five brand new games, most of which are very easily recommended. Legends of Trivia combines RPG mechanics with general knowledge, and can be played solo, meaning you've always got something to play even when friends aren't around. When friends are around, however, Doominate is where it's at.

A new Ninja Gaiden for a new generation, Ninja Gaiden 4 features combat that's faster-paced and more intense than ever before. It's the most accessible, too, thanks to a range of difficulty levels and assists. It's just a shame that its new protagonist isn't a little more likeable.

Halls of Torment combines the character-building, loot and atmosphere of Diablo with the conciseness and pick-up-and-play nature of the Survivors-like genre to create an experience like no other. You might encounter the odd minor frustration while playing, but this is very easy to recommend.

It's a shame it doesn't look a little nicer, given its Sequoia National Park-inspired environments, but its cartoonish and perfunctory visuals don't stop Barbie Horse Trails being a delight. This is a chilled-out, relaxing adventure aimed at kids — but grown-ups will absolutely love its cosy vibes, too.

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.

A gorgeous adventure that is as surprising as it is beautiful, Keeper is far more than the game about a sentient lighthouse that it presents itself as. Filled with engaging puzzles, mesmerising scenery and a visual story to make you think, Keeper is well worth taking the time to complete.

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.

Feeling like a combination of Vampire Survivors and Peggle, BALL x PIT is a unique roguelike that we simply can't get enough of. It's tough, and death can come quite easily, but that just makes us want to jump in again and again.

Battlefield is back. While the single-player campaign of Battlefield 6 has its moments, it's pretty mediocre on the whole. Thankfully the game's extensive multiplayer offerings make up for it. The action here is fast-paced and wonderfully intense, making each match rewarding whether you win or lose. Some maps could do with some tweaks, but other than that there's not much to complain about.

A trashy, retro-styled survival horror, The Lacerator stands out due to the fact that it forces you to play on even if you lose a limb. It's quite simple and rather short, but numerous routes and endings will entice you to play through it multiple times.

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 stunning visuals, beautiful soundtrack and gratifying gameplay, Absolum will draw you in from the outset. And thanks to its roguelike elements it has plenty of longevity and depth. One of the best games of 2025, this is a must-play whether you're a fan of beat 'em ups or roguelikes.

More than a straightforward remaster or remake, Yooka-Replaylee reimagines the original game, adding new challenges and gameplay elements while tweaking and improving others. Ultimately, it's a much-improved experience, with its worlds densely packed with things to do and its gameplay finely-tuned. This is easily one of the best 3D platformers currently available.

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.

Creepy and unsettling, Carimara: Beneath the Forlorn Limbs is a unique take on a 'whodunnit' mystery, and it's unlike anything you'll have played before. A short game at a budget price, this is a creative gem well worth your time this Halloween.

A tactical RPG with roguelike elements, Lost Eidolons: Veil of the Witch should successfully appeal to fans of both genres. There's an intriguing story here, as well as an engaging combat system, which should keep you coming back for one expedition after another, gathering new recruits and unlocking upgrades as you go.

This remaster feels right at home in 2025, offering a charming and colourful 3D platforming adventure that's every bit as enjoyable as something made today. With plenty of collectibles and numerous reasons to go back and replay, Pac-Man World 2 Re-Pac is well worth jumping into, whether you're a Pac-Man fan or a lover of 3D platformers.

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.

Undoubtedly one of the best family party games we've ever played, LEGO Party! is beautifully presented and an absolute riot to play. With game boards made entirely out of LEGO bricks and a suite of brilliant minigames, it gives Mario Party a good run for its money.

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.

A twin-stick shooter in which the gameplay and visuals are influenced by the current music track, Beat Hazard Arcade is an assault on the senses, but in the best possible way. You'll have hours of fun blasting away as the music blares out, unlocking and upgrading a wealth of ships to fuel yet more action. And the ability to play along to your own tracks is *chef's kiss*.

Including both the original and a new enhanced version of the classic tactical RPG, Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles is fantastic for fans and newcomers alike. The enhanced version is the real draw here, though, mostly because of its revised story and full voice acting, which really adds to the experience.

Nicktoons & the Dice of Destiny feels a little like Baby's First Diablo at times, but it's a surprisingly good take on the ARPG genre, suitable for kids and adults alike. Filled with familiar Nickelodeon characters, and packed with humour (and loot!), there's a lot to like.

Its title may be a mouthful, but Atelier Resleriana: The Red Alchemist & the White Guardian is an excellent entry into the long-running Atelier series. Series fans will love the wealth of familiar faces that pop up, and JRPG fans will love its tight story, its fun combat and its varied gameplay.

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.

You won't find any major changes or new additions to modes in EA Sports FC 26, but what you will find is gameplay that's improved across the board. On top of that, you have presets which allow you to choose between a more competitive or authentic experience, though the latter's unfortunately not available in online modes.

A true love letter to classic samurai films, Ghost of Yotei is wonderfully presented and an absolute joy to play. Its stunningly-realised world will have you immersed from the outset, spurring you to explore and discover its secrets in order to develop Atsu into a fearsome ghost. And its combat remains thrilling throughout.

Thanks to its abundance of playable characters, large selection of vehicles and neat Gadget Plate system, Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds is one of the best kart racing games currently available.

An excellent game for young children, Gabby's Dollhouse: Ready to Party perfectly recreates the popular Netflix series. It looks great, it offers up a wonderful variety of gameplay and minigames, and it's easy to play – even for kids who are playing a video game for the first time. A rare win in the kids' franchise videogame space.

For detective game fans, Agatha Christie: Death on the Nile is a must-play. Excellent presentation and a varied mix of puzzles make this Poirot-led adventure a joy, whether or not you're familiar with the original novel. Poor lip syncing lets the experience down a bit, but it's a small gripe in an otherwise easy-to-recommend adventure.

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.

For a game set in a jail, Back to the Dawn offers an impressive amount of freedom. Coupled with a conspiracy-minded story, and more side-quests you can shake a shiv at, you'll be hooked.

An oppressive atmosphere. An unsettling story that will keep you guessing from beginning to end. Engaging combat. Stunning visuals. A fantastic soundtrack. Silent Hill f has all of these, making it one of the best entries in the series yet.

Designed for 16-bit hardware, Earthion looks and plays like a blast from the past. That's not a bad thing, though, and had Earthion released 30 years or so ago it would have blown my tiny mind. In the modern day it's still extremely impressive, but it's somewhat let down by a lack of modes.

Techland made the right choice turning Dying Light: The Beast into a standalone entry in the series as it might just be the best in the series yet. Taking control of Kyle Crane again is fantastic, especially now that he can tap into the power of his inner beast. But despite this, it remains mostly a tense experience, with a fantastic open world that begs to be explored.

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.

Don't let its disarming visuals fool you – Formula Legends is a pretty serious racing game at its core. The problem is, the racing on offer isn't all that fun. Add in a lack of game modes, and you're better off picking up any of the recent official Formula One games – they're more accessible and have features such as multiplayer, after all.

If you played Strange Horticulture, you'll know exactly what to expect from Strange Antiquities, and you're in for quite the treat. Revisiting the macabre town of Undermere is a joy, and puzzling through as you help its residents find weird and wonderful antiques imbued with mysterious powers is almost (almost!) as fun as it was with plants.

A co-op only game in the vein of It Takes Two, LEGO Voyagers challenges players to navigate a wonderfully designed world as a couple of small bricks, rolling around while navigating platforms, building structures and solving puzzles. Its controls can be a bit fiddly at times, but overall it's a pleasure to play from beginning to end.

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.