If Resident Evil and Sesame Street had a baby, My Friendly Neighborhood would be it. It wears its classic Resi influences on its arm – such as its door-opening animations and its use of safe rooms – but it’s never derivative, instead managing to be something entirely original, not to mention a great deal of fun. One of the best indie horror games of recent years, My Friendly Neighborhood is well worth paying a visit to.

Devotion succeeds because it’s an understandably human tale with misery, not murder or monsters, at the heart of it all. It is a tad short, particularly when compared to Detention, and while the somewhat ambigious ending might prove a turn-off for some, it’s still chilling, unsettling and heart-breaking in equal measure.

The Gap is a very pleasant surprise, and a great amount of praise needs to be showered onto its developer, the two-person team of Label This. This is a clever and engaging thriller, brought to life with believable characters and a very grounded approach to science fiction that we can really get behind. It isn’t without the odd hiccup, but they’re easy to forget once you’re absorbed into Joshua’s compelling story.

Even if Sherlock Holmes: The Awakened was slightly disappointing, we’d ultimately still be impressed, given the hardship that Frogwares has faced over the course of its development. The fact that it’s actually a very good game its own right shouts volumes about the talent housed within this small Ukrainian developer. Truly, this is a real showcase of passion, perseverance and raw talent. Detective games really don’t come much better than this – especially if you like a bit of the occult thrown in for good measure.

For those who jump into it feet first it’s easily worth the price. Being able to hurtle down yet more mountains with all the available disciplines equates to huge amounts of fun, and there’s nothing else quite like it available.

With Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot you can simply enjoy an epic story from start to finish, while engaging in action RPG gameplay that's both rewarding and exciting despite its shortcomings.

With its wonderful pixel art and minimalist but atmospheric soundtrack, we’ve been pleasantly surprised with Full Void. We honestly launched it while waiting for another game to download, but then couldn’t pull ourselves away until it was over. Needless to say, while it’s quite short and relatively simple, it’s an experience you shouldn’t overlook during this absurdly busy period. Especially if you have a fondness for old-fashioned 2D platforming adventures.

Aside from the framerate issues, The Disney Afternoon Collection is overall a very pleasant experience and a worthwhile purchase for anyone looking for a taste of nostalgia.

A puzzle game about meeting everyone's demands when finding them somewhere to sit, Is This Seat Taken? is as challenging as it is cosy. You can enjoy it at your own pace, and thanks to its wonderful animation, it's a joy to play.

Seven hours or so after starting your adventure the main quest will be over, but it speaks volumes that you’ll probably still want to go and explore the world and grow stronger still. It’s not because Cat Quest is deep or meaningful, it’s because it’s just fun, and that’s all a game needs to be.

If you enjoy casual adventuring and games that you can take at your own pace, A Short Hike is not to be missed. It may be short in name and in nature, but every moment you spend with it will warm your soul. Don’t rush to the finish line – enjoy the journey and make the most of what you discover along the way. It’s a life lesson we should all take to heart.

Playing Tetraminos with a couple of friends is without a doubt some of the most enjoyable split-screen action that I have experienced in a number of years.

The crafting; the action; the cheeky dialogue — it’s all wrapped into a package that adds another great piece to the PSVR catalogue.

Your search for your missing crew member will take you to some intriguing places in Saltsea Chronicles. This narrative-focused adventure will hook you with its gorgeous art and its expertly-written prose. Action-heavy this is not, but with the choices you make having real weight and the mystery of the story keeping you on your toes, there’s a good chance you’ll find it impossible to tear yourself away. And when you’re done, you’ll probably want to jump straight back in to experience it all again, seeing what other paths you could have gone down.

Exploring London and uncovering secrets is always an engaging affair, and the combat never fails to get the adrenaline pumping. But trumping it all is the freedom that Vampyr grants you to be a devious agent of the undead or a doting doctor. Often the choices you make won’t be so clear cut, but that’s what makes Vampyr so interesting. It doesn’t simply deal in absolutes, but many shades of grey.

So, if you weren’t sure about the “musical adventure” genre, you should be now. There may not be too much competition, but Wailing Heights definitely belongs there as one of the genre’s greatest.

One mark of a great game, for me, is how well it can pull you back after a crushing defeat, and this one’s got quite the lure.

It’s a challenging racer that may drive you up the wall at times, but it’s so rewarding when you finally tame the bikes in your garage and start being able to truly compete. It’s just a shame that, since its last-gen launch last October, nothing has been done to bolster its online offerings or make it a little bit easier for new players to get onboard. Still, the best bike-based racing game has assuredly just got better. If you love bikes, you need RIDE 4; it’s as simple as that.

A seriously satisfying narrative puzzle game with a perfectly dark ending, there's a lot to like about Things Too Ugly. Go in knowing as little as possible, and you're going to have a whale of a time as you uncover the mysteries of your new employer, Terebro Inc. The only problem? You can't save, so you need to play it all in one sitting.

Playing around with the customisation tools gave me the biggest shock in gaming since the beginning of The Last of Us. The customisation is insane. You can really do anything. This is more than Fallout 4 level of crazy facial manipulation. It is on par with Saints Row – and they only do it for a laugh. Whilst it doesn’t exactly add to the gameplay, I found it incredibly fun and spent ages making myself and my friends just for the sheer thrill of doing so.

Beautifully presented and with thoroughly enjoyable puzzles that will challenge even the most astute of minds, there’s a lot to love about Railbound. While they start off nice and easy, its puzzles soon get fiendish, and solving them is so very rewarding. This is the perfect game to cosy up with this winter, particularly if you like giving your noggin a workout.

If you like local co-op games and own either a Nintendo Switch or a PC, Heave Ho should be considered absolutely essential. It really is one of the best local co-op games available

Featuring both local and online play, Cake Bash is one of the most enjoyable party games of recent memory. Mechanically it’s solid, and there’s a wonderful variety to its Bash and Snack events. It helps that it looks great, too, and the preposterousness of the whole affair does nothing but win you over. Where else can you pummel a doughnut as a chocolate chip muffin, after all? If you’re after a sweet game to play the next time you have some friends or family around, be sure to treat yourself to Cake Bash.

The highlight of Scarlet Curiosity is easily the boss fights… A love letter to their bullet hell inspiration, the screen quickly overflows with colorful shapes of all sizes.

After being available on PC for some time, Peglin has finally made its way to consoles, and it's been well worth the wait. This roguelike twist on the Peggle works incredible well, and it's the sort of thing you'll find yourself returning to again and again. We just wish there was an endless mode to conquer: a game is over all too quickly as it stands.

While Adr1ft isn’t the most engaging or thrilling game you’ll play this March, its unique perspective, stunning graphics, challenging platforming mechanics and, director, Adam Orth’s very personal and metaphorical story make it a definite choice for those amoungst us who want a slightly slower paced game, without all that faffing about with health bars and weapons, that allows you to take your time, explore the game’s devastated setting and put together the pieces of an intriguing story that makes you question who’s to blame and whether you’ll ever really be able to succeed in bringing Commander Alex Oshima back home.

Chronicle: Runescape Legends is not just fun but good-looking, easy to play and incredibly addicting.

What it lacks in story, Arms makes up for it in style, character and utilisation of the Nintendo Switch’s bells and whistles.

God, I want another Chrono Trigger so much and I Am Setsuna comes as close as any attempt possibly could, but, of course, it’s only an echo.

A sharp, smartly written interactive thriller, with not a single one-dimensional character in sight, The Complex is (despite its theme) a joy to experience.

New Super Lucky’s Tale is a game that probably doesn’t need to exist, all things considered. But I’m very glad it does; the changes made to this version make it even better than it was the first time round. It remains one of the most wholesome and enjoyable 3D platform games of recent years, and I just hope we get more of Lucky’s adventures in the future.

Entertaining, funny and thought-provoking in all the right places, Not For Broadcast is a hugely engrossing foray into the nightly news arena. You’ll laugh your face off at times, but like the best satire, it’s also disquieting enough to have you uncomfortably squirming in your seat.

SEGA AGES Thunder Force AC is yet another fantastic addition to the SEGA AGES range. Thanks to its combination of eye-popping graphics, cool bosses, depth-enhancing features and enjoyable new additions, one of the best horizontally scrolling shooters is now even better. If you’re a fan of the genre or just remember playing a Thunder Force game or two all those many years ago, this is a must.

As retro collections go, Castlevania Anniversary Collection doesn’t impress with its features, but the games themselves pick up the slack. Buy this, and you’ll be in classic vampire-killing heaven.

It’s safe to say that if you were a fan of River City Girls, you’re going to love River City Girls 2. But with that, there’s nothing here that is likely to draw in new fans. It’s very much an incremental improvement and expansion of the first. There are more characters, more moves, more locations, more… everything. And with the series’ typically strong presentation, those who get absorbed in the adventure on offer here will have an absolute blast whether they play alone or in co-op.

The variety on offer in The Jackbox Party Pack 5 is excellent. While it’s a departure from some of the Jackbox classics – Fibbage, Quiplash, Drawful – it’s a fantastic and inventive range of new titles, all rounded off with another solid entry of the much-loved You Don’t Know Jack.

Even if you’re hugely familiar with the world of Warhammer 40,000, Boltgun is a bit of an old-fashioned treat. Its sprites are wonderfully realised, its environments suitably atmospheric, and its action brutal. Its simplicity is its strength, as well as its sheer disregard for your enemies’ innards as they spill out under your sustained fire, or perhaps an introduction to your chainsword. And so, we’re reminded why retro shooters are all the rage once more: because they’re bloody good fun.

Ask yourself this: did you play Outriders simply for its campaign and then drop it, or did you push yourself through its expeditions, going as far as you could go? For those in the former camp, Worldslayer probably isn’t for you. At least not at full price, anyway. You’ll blast through the campaign in 10 hours or less and then be left twiddling your thumbs. For those enamoured with Outriders‘ unique brand of high-octane combat seeking to max out their characters and optimise their builds, however, Worldslayer should be considered a must-have.

That niggle aside though, we’re pleasantly surprised with Arkanoid: Eternal Battle. There have been many versions of Arkanoid (and other Breakout clones) over the years, but this might be one of our favourites. The Battle Royale format really does work, and the end-game boss mode is an unexpected but welcome twist. We’ll certainly be jumping back in again and again to chase those high scores.

I was pleasantly surprised by Hue. Having played numerous other puzzle/platformer titles in the same vein, Fiddlesticks had some pretty big shoes to fill. But it has done a wonderful job; Hue fits right alongside the big names like Limbo or Braid, and its colourful twist on the formula helps it stand out from the crowd. With a fun, curious soundtrack and diverse levels filled with dozens of different ways to manipulate the rainbow, Hue is a charming adventure well worth diving into.

We cared deeply for both Kaito and Zoe throughout our time with Road 96: Mile 0, wanting to make the best choices for both of them. Their journey may be brief, but it’s filled with sincere moments, whether emotional, funny or tense – and it’s a story we simply couldn’t put down once we’d started. This is an excellent addition to Road 96, adding extra weight and context to the events of that game, but also standing strong on its own two feet, as a tale of two teenagers struggling to make sense of the complicated world around them. Once again, Digixart has created something wonderfully unique, and the studio’s talent for storytelling shines brighter than ever.

Its surfeit of busywork does it no favours, but if you can immerse yourself enough in the game to overlook that, you'll find that State of Decay 2 offers more than enough to quench your shambler-smashing, apocalypse-braving thirst.

You might groan and grumble as Razputin messes up yet another jump, but as Psychonauts 2 progresses, unravelling yet another spectacular world for you to explore, you’ll likely forget about any frustrations. This is a brilliantly designed game, and it’s clear a huge amount of ingenuity has gone into its creation. Whether you’re battling hand-puppets, talking to a papercraft William Shakespeare or gambling inside a maternity ward (no, really), one thing is for sure: you’re going to have a lot of fun playing Psychonauts 2.

It’s hard to play Battletoads and not be mightily impressed with what it achieves. It mixes so many genres and does it so, so well. Then there’s the humour, which is a hard thing to get right, especially in the world of video games. Dlala Studios and Rare have a done a grand job of bringing the Battletoads into the 21st century, and I really hope we get to see more of them. There’s been a lot of great games released this year, but Battletoads will surely prove to be one of the most memorable.

If you own Horizon Chase Turbo, the choice whether or not to pick up the Senna Forever expansion should be a no-brainer. Especially so if you’re a fan of Ayrton Senna or F1 in general. The expansion largely offers more of the same, but that’s not much of an issue when the core gameplay is so enjoyable. And with each purchase helping to support Senna’s charity, there’s even more incentive

The Sinking City was already an intriguing and worthwhile detective-thriller. But its PS5 enhancements have taken it to the next level. It’s a gorgeous-looking game, and roaming the ruined streets of Oakmont at 60FPS has never felt better. The combat is still a let-down, and more repercussions for your choices would be nice to see, but the freedom the game gives you to follow your own leads is second to none. Frogwares should be proud of everything it has achieved here, and it’s got me excited to see what its next game has in store for us.

A short but sweet adventure, you might replay Trek to Yomi to collect all of its collectibles and upgrades, perhaps even on a harder difficulty to test your skills. It has multiple endings to discover, too. And so for its modest price it’s easy to recommend to action adventure fans, especially if they also love samurai movies. Its stunning presentation is just the icing on the cake.

Irrespective of its perceived value based on its length and price though, there’s no doubt that Blues and Bullets: Episode One alludes to a series that could be somewhat of a diamond in the rough, and I for one am keen to see as to how it develops.

The story isn’t the focus of Peaky Blinders: Mastermind; it’s the gameplay. It’s just there to give the missions some context. And the gameplay itself is inventive, engrossing and rewarding. It’s a great feeling to reach the end of a mission having carefully planned each character’s route and actions, watching them all play out like clockwork. FuturLab has taken a property, really dug deep into the heart of it, and created something that captures its essence. But you don’t need to be a Peaky Blinders fan to enjoy Mastermind; all you need is to enjoy a good puzzle.

Whether or not you played its years-old predecessor, Beyond a Steel Sky is well worth your time. It’s well-written, funny and engaging – and despite a somewhat disappointing final act, it still shows that Revolution Software is leading the pack when it comes to crafting timeless adventure games. Robert Foster may have a forgettable name, but his journey is one that you’ll remember.

Ultimately, this Switch port of Oddworld: Stranger’s Wrath is seriously worth considering if you’ve never played the game before. Oddworld: Stranger’s Wrath HD remains original, engaging, fun, and humorous. It feels nearly as fresh now as it did 15 years ago – though I’m not sure if that’s a compliment to the game or an indictment of the games industry. Either way, Oddworld: Stranger’s Wrath HD deserves to be loved, so give it a go. The Switch is as good a format as any to play it on. In fact, it might even be the best. Only its inflated price should make you think twice.

A sensitive, beautiful and emotional glimpse into what it might be like to live with Alzheimer’s Disease, Before I Forget feels as important as it is excellently-executed. It’s not exactly a ‘game’ in the traditional sense, but it’s an experience that will stick with you and perhaps make you look at the world in a new light. You’ll certainly never take your most treasured memories for granted again, that’s for sure.

Those expecting a traditional RPG experience from Granblue Fantasy: Relink might be left disappointed, with developer Cygames instead opting to offer something a little more succinct. It's hard to not get drawn in by the game's story, though, especially when it's backed up by such engaging action, which stands head and shoulders above most in the genre. So, whether you're an existing fan of Granblue Fantasy or not, if you like the idea of playing through the best bits of an epic RPG campaign and then absorbing yourself in hours of additional quests alone or with others, you'd be wise to give this a look.

Lovingly Evil is a great dating sim. It’s wacky, charming, silly and a great deal of fun. The characters you meet along the way are dastardly and evil, but they all have a soft side that’s delightful to uncover. Choosing who to romance will be hard as they’re all yummy, but don’t worry; you can just load up the game again and romance someone different the second time around. With excellent writing, fun character designs and a whole lot of flirting, Lovingly Evil is an excellent addition to any dating sim fan’s library.

Those familiar with BlazBlue lore will likely relish the lengthy episodic cutscenes, filled to the brim with snaking character subplots, but the rest of us humble gamers will be left itching for some actual gameplay.

Signs of the Sojourner is clever and charming. While the game mechanics can put a dampener on the laid-back feeling of the game, you’ll probably be too engrossed in the touching story to care. In a time where everyone in the world is being forced apart, a game about making connections and appreciating what you have feels like the perfect antidote.

Despite his demonic tendencies, it’s impossible not to love Cid; and the other characters you’ll encounter on your adventure are delightful too, brought to life with excellent voice acting. It looks wonderful, it’ll regularly have you laughing, and solving a puzzle by yourself is always rewarding; all in all, Darkestville Castle does a wonderful job at capturing the joy of the classic point-and-click genre.

UFC 4 is undoubtedly the best representation of the sport yet. It may not have a great deal more content than previous offerings, but what has been added injects a lot of fun into the game, and the removal of Ultimate Team isn’t likely to be a great concern. It’s the improvements to the game’s actual combat systems that make the most impact though, giving the action a more authentic and dynamic feel while also providing a much-needed lifeline for those who previously struggled on the ground.

With a gorgeous visual design – even on Nintendo Switch, it’s a striking-looking game – an enjoyable gameplay loop, fantastic audio design, and a lively cast of characters, there’s plenty to like in Starlink: Battle for Atlas.

A first-person survival horror game with a story steeped in Spanish history, folklore and religion, Crisol: Theater of Idols may borrow from the likes of Resident Evil but it manages to stand out thanks to its creepy enemies and clever blood bullet mechanic.

It’s impossible to be disappointed with Rogue Legacy 2. As a sequel, it does everything it should: keep the spirit of the original in tact, while bolstering the experience with new content. Bigger and more interesting areas to explore mean you’ll be battling your way through Rogue Legacy 2 for much longer, and the new suite of character classes makes it more interesting than ever. Add to the mix new challenges, more complex traversal mechanics and more ways than ever to upgrade your character, and you’ve got a winning formula.

Its new challenges are a lot of fun, and they’re different enough from the original game that it doesn’t feel like you’re merely treading old ground. For the price of £5.39/$5.99, it’s well worth it if you enjoyed the base game.

A great action-RPG with only a few issues that bring it down a peg or two.

There’s a lot of competition on Switch when it comes to picross games. Many simply offer a pure puzzle experience, with no distraction from solving picross puzzles. But Piczle Cross Adventure‘s cute narrative doesn’t feel like a distraction. It offers a unique framing to the game, giving it some much-needed personality. It’s a joy to play and, packed with over 300 puzzles, there’s a lot to sink your teeth into. If you’re looking for a new picross puzzle game to pass the time, don’t sleep on Piczle Cross Adventure.

If you’re after a horror-tinged point and click adventure game you really can’t go wrong with Tokyo Dark. The few control niggles you’ll encounter will quickly be cast aside as you put your nose firmly to the floor searching for the next clue, which is surely the hallmark of a great mystery.

Despite its technical issues though, Bioshock: The Collection brings together two of the best games of last gen with one really good, though ultimately inferior sequel.

If you’ve played episode one of Life is Strange: Before the Storm, you’re almost certainly already invested into its story, and so picking up episode two is a no-brainer. You won’t be disappointed, though. It’s another fantastically told tale of teenage drama, family and friendship, and developer Deck Nine has once again proved itself worthy of delivering a package that more than lives up to Dontnod’s original vision.

It may not adhere strictly to canon but Reigns: The Witcher is an endlessly entertaining new way to experience the Geraltoverse. Just don't be surprised when death comes for you again, and again, and again.

It’s rare a story can be so powerful without the need to rely on some kind of grand narrative. It may not be the best in terms of gameplay, and at times you may wish you were just watching a movie, but the story that Fragments of Him tells is in equal measures important, beautiful, heartbreaking and uplifting. For that reason alone, it’s an experience well worth investing in.

Planet Coaster gives you such an incredible degree of freedom in creating what you want that any obstacles just become part of that meticulous process of building the perfect park.

Ultimately, there’s a lot to love in The Sims 4: High School Years. It feels as though the Sims community has been waiting a long time to finally be able to accompany their teenage Sims to school – and we think it’s been worth the wait. Provided you’ve not been affected by a bug, this is a fantastic, well-rounded expansion, bringing a beautiful new neighbourhood, plenty of new items and a whole new experience to The Sims 4. All the stress of high school, without ever stepping outside of your front door. Ah, bliss.

Criterion has certainly made its mark with this latest entry in the Need for Speed series, injecting a bit more fun and polish into the template created by Ghost Games. The result is an arcade racer that truly stands out from the crowd thanks to its visual flair and thrilling police chases. Providing you take the time to tweak the handling to your preferences, and you don’t mind the hip hop-driven soundtrack, Need for Speed Unbound is likely to be the most entertaining racing game you’ll play this year.

While The Fractured But Whole is bigger than its predecessor and its combat more strategic, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t slightly disappointed by it. The Stick of Truth was phenomenal, while The Fractured But Whole is simply great.

The clear desire to push the boundaries of both the technology and the genre has paid off, as Megaton Rainfall offers immersive, enjoyable and impressive gameplay with PSVR. If you own one of Sony’s headsets and are tired of on-rails experiences, I’d encourage you to dive straight in.

Takes the very best aspects of the genre, cuts out most of the tedium and delivers an exciting, stirring and compelling trip through memory lane.

Dordogne’s unique selling point is undoubtedly its art style. It truly is beautiful – perhaps one of the most gorgeously animated games we’ve had the pleasure to play, even. And yes, the visuals alone are almost enough to carry the game. Despite the odd misstep, though, we did thoroughly enjoy the story and came to care for Mimi and her grandmother – as brief as our time with them was. It’s small, it’s quaint, but it’s touching – and it’s one of those special games that reminds you life is precious, fleeting and nothing should be taken for granted.

There’s a lot to love about The Jackbox Party Starter, but this isn’t the game to pick up if you’re an existing Jackbox fan. It’s perfect for newcomers, offering three of Jackbox Games’ best titles in one bundle. The downside? You’re probably going to love it, which will make you want to buy more Jackbox Party Pack games, and you’ll end up with duplicate titles. What we really need is a Jackbox ‘Launcher’ app which lets us buy and play the single games we most enjoy. But until then, The Jackbox Party Starter serves as a strong welcome to the franchise.

A deceptively simple game, The Westport Independent is enjoyable, interesting, unique, and utterly immersive. I was thoroughly captivated playing it and I look forward to playing it again.

Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition isn’t going to blow anyone away, but it’s undoubtedly the best version of a very good JRPG. Those unacquainted with the Wii and 3DS versions of the game will get the most out of it, but thanks to Future Connected, the introduction of many quality of life improvements, and considerably enhanced visuals, fans aren’t likely to be disappointed either. The Switch has just got another mighty fine addition to its library, and anyone in search of a meaty game that will eat up tens of hours of their time should definitely consider picking Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition up.

RiMS Racing is an enticing prospect for motorbike racing fans. It’s got great audio and visuals, convincing physics, and eight of the world’s most desirable bikes recreated in stunning detail. Even better, the actual act of racing is challenging, but highly enjoyable. It’s just a shame that one of the features that makes it truly unique – fiddling with components to make sure your bike is in tip-top shape – quickly becomes rather tedious thanks to the long string of button inputs required. Thankfully you can get around it with a little bit of effort, then you’ll have a much better time.

The Crimson Diamond is a must buy for would-be detectives and adventurers alike. Its rich, thrilling tale had us hooked from beginning to slightly-embarrassing end. And once we’ve binged every episode of Columbo, you can bet we’ll be back for more.

With gorgeous graphics, an amazing story, and very fluid controls, The Walking Dead: A New Frontier is shaping up to be Telltale’s best series yet.

Has a way of masterfully mixing together silly and scary in that way that makes you feel like you should be giggling, but instead you’re crying in the corner.

Thanks to its stunning visuals, Wuchang: Fallen Feathers certainly makes a good first impression. Its gameplay is what will keep you hooked in the long-run, though, even if it is perhaps a little too derivative of the early Souls games by FromSoftware. Still, being able to freely respec your character here is a fantastic touch, allowing you to experiment if a boss is proving to be a tough cookie to crack.

Frustrating and relaxing in equal measure, there's something quite special about Cairn, a game all about climbing a mountain. It perfectly captures the tension and peril of every hand and foot movement while also weaving in some light-hearted story sequences along the way. While every misplaced foot might make you swear, the elation of reaching each incremental goal is quite unlike anything else.

As far as party games go, however, Scribblenauts Showdown might just be one of my new favourites.

Day of the Tentacle masterfully displays myriad forms of humour in every single scene so there’s something there that’ll appeal to everyone.

There’s something about Tokyo 42 that makes it quite engrossing. Playing it often feels like hard work due to the annoying camera, but it’s strangely rewarding.

If you’ve even the remotest interest in trains, whether as a passenger or would-be-driver you’ll get a lot out of Train Sim World; hop on board and you won’t be disappointed.

Despite all of Wild Hearts‘ faults, it’s hard not to be be taken in by its charms. Omega Force has really tried to create a solid Monster Hunter contender with this one, and it mostly succeeds. There are some genuinely neat ideas here, and its monster designs are a welcome breath of fresh air. Overall, it’s a great game in its own right, but it’s more exciting when you consider it a base to be improved upon with further iterations.

Everything is, at once, utterly bizarre, brilliantly hilarious and incredibly profound.

In the game biz, addiction is but one of the many pathways to success. There’s no easy road to fame, glory and a boatload of bills, just as there’s no one algorithm that will make gamers shut the blinds and keep their behind glued to edge of their seat. But Leap of Fate does appear to have found the recipe for addiction, if not success. Pick it up if you’d like a taste.

Whether you’re a series fan or a newcomer, there’s a lot to like about Samurai Warriors 5. This is without a doubt the best Samurai Warriors game yet, with a more engaging story, deeper gameplay, and luscious visuals. As ever, there are tens of hours of fun to be had, with repetition staved off that bit longer thanks to the new gameplay additions. And with a friend in tow, everything just becomes more chaotic and fun. Forget about the reduced character roster; if you love Musou games, consider this a must-have.

It’s fair to say that TASTEE is probably one of the most tactically fulfilling games on the market at the moment, but it’s also incredibly good fun and is not as complicated as it might at first seem.

9 Years of Shadows isn't the biggest Metroidvania game, but what it lacks in length it makes up for in other ways. Its visuals are sublime, for one, and its gameplay is fantastic, too. Add in a soundtrack which includes pieces by Michiru Yamane, and you're onto a winner.

If you’re a fan of twin-stick shooters, Tesla Force is up there with the best of them. It wastes no time in throwing an overwhelming number of monsters at you, and to succeed you need to become a master of shooting, dodging, and collecting those mech parts. It’s simple, but it’s fun – and gunning down a full horde of nasties with a machine gun is oh so very satisfying.

Cute and incredibly moreish, Cuisineer is a wonderful mix of restaurant management and dungeon crawling. Spend your time split between hunting monsters for ingredients, then cooking them up to make delicious meals. It's a seriously satisfying gameplay loop, and you aren't going to be able to put it down.

If you’re after something that’s a mix of challenge, speed and downright addictiveness, then Dub Dash is your game. If you’re into electronic music, give it a try and look up the soundtrack online. I promise you won’t be disappointed.