Infliction: Extended Cut can’t match the mighty P.T. when it comes to playing with your mind or providing scares, but it has a good go at it. For a game largely developed by just one man, that’s a pretty great achievement. Check it out the next time you want a spooky night in.

The worst thing about Adorable Adventures is its title: yes, it does indeed offer an adorable adventure, but it's far more than that. This heart-warming journey sees a young boar reunite with his mother and siblings after a forest fire, and thanks to meaningful gameplay and gorgeous visuals, it's an utter joy to play.

Frustrations aside, there’s plenty of fun to be had in Nintendo Switch Sports, no matter how you choose to play. It’s a valiant nod back to Wii Sports, slightly more grown-up and refined this time around. Perhaps it’s not quite as fun – though maybe that’s just because we’re older and more world-weary than we were back in 2006 – but it’ll undoubtedly still be a game to pull out at any family gathering. It’s just a shame that earning new cosmetic items is locked to online play.

If you're a fan of Ubisoft's open world formula, you're going to love Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora. No, it doesn't reinvent the wheel, but it doesn't have to. The gorgeous world of Pandora makes for a fantastic playground that simply begs to be explored. And if that's not enough, you've got some epic set pieces, an enjoyable story and a great variety of side content to look forward to, too. It's open world game 101, and I'm just fine with that.

As you’ve probably already gathered, Mirror’s Edge: Catalyst is quite a disappointment, although that’s not to say that it can’t be highly enjoyable at times.

With its entertaining story that you have a surprising amount of control over, [Late Shift is] definitely a triumph in a genre that is steadily making a revival.

There’s no doubt in our minds that Rock of Ages 3: Make & Break is the best game in the series yet. A lengthy campaign laden with Monty Python-esque humour is bolstered by a powerful course creator that offers perhaps unlimited replayability. And the gameplay itself remains as enjoyable as ever; an eclectic mix of action and strategy that is accessible and fun for all. If you’ve ever found yourself enjoying rolling boulders through a gauntlet, this game is a must-have. Even more so if you also enjoy a spot of tower defence too.

However, as a final product, Alone With You is still very-much worth investing in due to the fantastic story it tells and the game’s palpable world. It’s just a shame however, that these features of the game weren’t simply left alone.

Take its unfortunate performance issues in your stride – which will hopefully be ironed out by Team Ninja post-launch – and you’ll have a hell of a lot of fun with Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin. Its story may be ridiculous and not particularly easy to follow, but you’ll enjoy trying. And besides, the real draw here is the combat, which is not only highly entertaining but so, so deep thanks to the brilliant job system. This is a new type of Final Fantasy game, one that puts action at the front and centre, and it’s a blast from beginning to end.

Go along with its absurd story, and chances are you'll have lots of fun with Romeo is a Dead Man, even if its combat can be scrappy in places. This is Grasshopper Manufacture's most polished game yet, and as ever it's full of amusing quirks and gameplay features.

The full package is great experience and offers plenty of fun, but just don’t go into UEFA Euro 2016 expecting an authentic representation of the competition.

Psycho-Pass: Mandatory Happiness somehow manages to be an easy and hard recommendation at the same time. The story, characters and theme that worked so well in the first season of the anime return and are in top form. The antagonist might very well be the best in the entire franchise. Any fan of the series will find a lot to love here. Unfortunately, as a video game, or as a visual novel, it fails to really impress. If you’re unfamiliar with the anime, I doubt there’s much here worth investing in.

The real saving grace, however, is the developer commentary and the new maps, which despite some inconsistent design bring some rather well designed levels in to the mix, and the new lick of paint doesn’t hurt either. It reminds me of the recent new maps by John Romero and how old veterans coming back to their work is a good thing. Despite some minor issues, and some rather low blows by Gearbox, I’d say this is a fine new outing for old man Duke.

Despite its childlike exterior, Ittle Dew 2 certainly isn’t child's play; this is a serious adventure wrapped up in a colourful and simple disguise.

As horror games go, Narcosis is a triumph, managing to get under your skin and stay there long after you’ve put the pad down.

Those who have grown up playing Mega Man games, however, will absolutely love it. The controls are responsive, performance is solid, and the number of added features and challenges is commendable, making Mega Man Legacy Collection 2 a must-buy for fans who long for a taste of nostalgia.

For any fan of the series, I’m positive Fatal Bullet may well be their favourite entry thus far. However, there are still some big missteps that hold it back from its true potential.

A very successful attempt to revitalise an exceedingly difficult genre. While I’ve named some quibbles, there is a lot to praise: it offers significant intellectual challenge, it poses some intriguing mysteries which will take you a good while to solve, and, despite yourself, it ends up forcing you to find emotional attachments with characters who are, inevitably, going to die in some horrible and unforeseen way.

It’s just a shame that my enthusiasm and interest was eventually fully deflated by obtuse puzzles that offer no guidance and ultimately feel superfluous to the game. Get rid of them altogether and you’ve got a gripping interactive story that’s dying to be told. But with the puzzles as they are, STAY is reduced to feeling more like a badly-designed old-school adventure game. I’m gutted.

Unless you still love playing retro video games today, you’re likely to find playing Aladdin and The Lion King an arduous experience. Even if you loved the games as a kid, they’re unlikely to live up to your memories. Disney Classic Games: Aladdin and The Lion King is a nicely presented collection with some nice features, but don’t expect to be blown away by the games.

It may take you several playthroughs to discover who did, in fact, press mute on Uncle Marcus. But hopefully you’ll be engaged enough to keep playing until you find out. Who Pressed Mute on Uncle Marcus? feels like a return to form for Good Gate Media. It’s fun, silly and entertaining – and even when the acting is a bit hammy, it’s good enough that it’ll keep you watching. It’s more fun than an actual Zoom family quiz, that’s for sure.

Horgihugh and Friends isn’t going to set anyone’s world on fire – it’s not spectacular in any way. Despite some issues, though, it’s a solid shoot ’em up, and thanks to Eterday mode the more you put into it the more you get out. Ultimately, it’s the fact that it’s got cute animals as central characters that’s going to draw you to it, and that feelgood factor wins out. With its grim backstory, you’ll be rooting for Hugh and Figaro every step of the way.

Like R-Type Final 2 before it, R-Type Final 3 Evolved is a game that some will likely adore. In the grand scheme of things, though, it’s not the pinnacle of the shoot ’em up genre that it once would have been. Those who already own R-Type Final 2 might feel like this should have been offered as an upgrade rather than an updated re-release parading as a sequel. And while the visuals have been spruced up and more content has been added, notable core issues haven’t been addressed to create more widespread appeal.

While its gameplay can feel a little basic at times, we’re really glad that GYLT is now free of Stadia. This is a small but powerful horror title that tackles an important issue while also providing hours of engaging gameplay. And though there’s nothing truly original here, Tequila Works has obviously put this together with care. If nothing else, it deserves praise for simply being a horror game accessible to younger audiences while still being unsettling for all.

Sticky Business is a nice idea, and for a few hours, we’ve had a great time creating our own stickers and sending out orders. But if you’re the creative sort, you’ll feel much more fulfilled by doodling your own tangible designs, or opening up Photoshop to create something you can admire in the real world. As a game, there’s just not enough sense of meaningful progression to keep us engaged in the long term – but we did enjoy hearing our customers’ stories, at least.

A massive improvement over its predecessor, The Bridge Curse 2: The Extrication is an absolute treat for horror fans, combining tense exploration, enjoyable puzzles, and some effective scares.

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.

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.

It is unfortunate that the game is a rehash of almost every popular indie game from 2012 onwards, because it starts off fairly well.

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.

Whilst Action Henk certainly won’t float everyone’s boat with its iffy visuals and reliance on score chasing to provide any long-lasting attraction, it is still an interesting and addictive combination of racing and platforming.

Tangled Up In Blue is without a doubt one of the best Telltale Games episodes I have ever played.

It’s the sort of game I can imagine myself playing in quiet downtime while waiting for something else.

Despite its issues, Simulacra still kept me hooked for the duration of my playthrough. I’m not sure I’ll want to jump back in any time soon, but I’m glad I snooped on Anna’s phone and found out what happened to her. However, if you have a PC, perhaps play it on there: not only is it easier to navigate than the console release, it’s also less than half the price on Steam.

Rise of Iron is nothing but a stop-gap between Destiny as it is and the inevitable sequel that will hopefully overhaul the whole thing.

Amazing Princess Sarah is a game that is hard to find fault with really, apart from the fact that it’s generally just quite derivative.

The dual reality premise makes Semispheres distinctly unique in its gameplay and is a clever mechanic that other puzzle game developers would do well to take note of.

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.

Everybody's Golf is back, and though this latest entry is by a new developer, it's everything you'd expect. The three-button shot system makes a return, keeping the action accessible, but Everybody's Golf Hot Shots still requires a fair amount of skill. The main negative here is that progression is slow, so it'll take a while to unlock things like additional characters.

Ultimately, Fist of the North Star: Lost Paradise feels like a more ridiculous entry into the Yakuza series, but with less content and a smaller budget. As a result, it’s a fun excursion, especially for fans of the Fist of the North Star franchise, but it never truly impresses.

It doesn’t contain every Pac-Man game ever made, but Pac-Man Museum+ is the most complete collection yet, for better or for worse. We love its arcade presentation – jarring sound effects and all – and even outside of the games, there’s fun to be had trying to collect everything and decorating your arcade as you see fit. There are some duff games here of course, but you’ll likely find a gem that you never even knew existed – for us it was block puzzle Pac-Attack. Either way, this is a very nice little trip through Pac-Man’s history, and one we’ll keep jumping back into time and again.

Steelrising is a commendable stab at the Soulslike genre by Spiders. It’s visually appealing, and Aegis’ unique abilities eventually make exploration feel more rewarding while also enhancing the combat. Those jumping in should be aware that combat isn’t quite as tight at that found in the likes of Dark Souls though, and Steelrising is a bit rough around the edges in general. Still, there’s a lot to like here for those seeking out a challenge within a new setting.

My Hero Academia: All's Justice truly is a treat for fans of the franchise, offering multiple substantial game modes and a huge roster of playable heroes and villains. It's not very welcoming to newcomers, however, and its Team Up Mission mode isn't always all that exciting to play through.

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.

Rogue Aces can be an entertaining blast and is sufficiently different from the competition to be worth a look. But its repetitive nature does it no favours and means it’s best taken in small doses.

It’s got to be said that an immersive ‘light gun’ experience is perhaps the perfect use of VR, and Rush of Blood is a brilliant showcase of how well the technology works.

The average gamer might want to think twice before picking Tormented Souls up, as mechanically it feels outdated and often rather unwelcoming. The lousy voice acting and unconvincing character models will provide further reason for them to throw in the towel early, too. However, if you’re a fan of old-fashioned survival horrors and find yourself yearning for one that offers a modern lick of paint and a new setting, there’s a very high chance you’ll absolutely love it. It’s not as good as the classics of the genre, but developers Dual Effect and Abstract Digital have delivered something that is hot on their heels.

Earth Defense Force 5 stands in the face of pretty much every game released these days. It’s the game that doesn’t bother trying to keep up with the Jones’ because it’s happy doing its own thing and being just what it wants to be. And that’s brilliant. And you know what else is brilliant? Shooting hundreds of enemies while listening to humorous quips. That never gets old. Never.

Ghost Blade HD is one hell of a lot of fun that does a great job of reminding you of the uncomplicated nature of the genre’s past without the fuzzy visuals.

It’s safe to say that The Fisherman – Fishing Planet is the best fishing game available on console. It packs in so much content that you could play it for tens of hours and still find enjoyment in going back for more. It’s mechanically sound, too, making the act of fishing engaging yet not overly complicated or gamey. If you’re a PC gamer who has already invested money into Fishing Planet, however, the new content on offer probably isn’t worth splashing the cash required for this complete edition.

It isn’t a bad game by any means, but Batora: Lost Haven doesn’t excel in any particular area, either. It’s a hodgepodge of tried-and-tested mechanics and ideas put together without any real flair, resulting in a game that can be enjoyable at times, but is often repetitive and dull.

Simple but beautifully presented, Quantum Recharged is another modern arcade hit, giving Atari’s forgotten classics a new lease of life. We’d have liked to see a little more variety in the Mission mode, but it’s hardly a dealbreaker: the basic gameplay loop is enjoyable enough that even the thrill of trying to beat our high score time and time again will keep us coming back.

Republique has some great ideas, but it’s just a shame they aren’t developed fully enough to offer the tight experience that the game could have been.

If you want a quick blast of escapism with a bit of a challenge, then this what you’ll get. Nothing more, nothing less.

[LOUD on Planet X] is predominantly a music game above anything else and a stellar selection of licensed music highlights that rather nicely.

Unlike other famous entries into the genre, with unique and conflicting level designs to offer a break from the monotony, 140 lives on that repetition.

For all the 3DS owners out there who, like me, are sick of seeing the deluge of kiddie-focused games appearing in the Nintendo eShop, Steel Empire is a very welcome respite. Outside of the Sega 3D Classics, range this is the best thing to appear on the 3DS in recent memory and is a must-have purchase for any 3DS owner.

Absolutely, Planet Alpha puts style over substance, but that doesn’t mean what’s there isn’t worth experiencing. It doesn’t have the best platforming you’ve ever experienced. Nor does it have the best puzzles. But what’s perfectly adequate, when coupled with those visuals, ends up being something quite special.

The gameplay is easy to learn, but it doesn’t do much to keep gameplay new and exciting. Its unpalatable themes, even though clearly put there on purpose, could do with being toned down a few notches.

If you’re in the market for a good old-fashioned stealth adventure, El Hijo – A Wild West Tale is certainly worth a look – just don’t expect it to wow you in any way. Its charm, while initially strong, soon starts to wear thin, while its repetitive gameplay may eventually struggle to hold your attention. Throw in some unnecessary frustrations, and you have a game that will occasionally delight, but rarely truly impress.

These issues aside, there’s no denying that LOUD is an enjoyable little music rhythm game with a lovely positive message and plenty of spirit. It may be a little brief and rather basic, but it’s nicely presented and well put together. If you’re into rhythm games and rock music it’s worth a look, but it definitely won’t blow your socks off.

Whatever flaws you can find with Dread Templar, one thing counters them all: it’s hellishly fun to play. The speed of the action, your impressive arsenal, the pounding soundtrack – it all combines to create a thrilling first-person experience that you can’t help but lose yourself in. As far as retro-inspired shooters go, Dread Templar is up there with the best of them.

GreedFall certainly left me wanting more; while its story may be a bit shallow in places, it’s still got a lot of depth, a fluid, intuitive combat system and enough morally-grey missions to bring me back to Teer Fradee some time soon. Forget waiting for the next Dragon Age, GreedFall is an impressive debut for what could well become a classic series.

Soulstice is enjoyable for the most part, even though it has its annoyances. Being available on next-gen consoles and PC only, it looks fantastic at times and has a great sense of scale. Its boss fights are exhilarating too, and there are some other hair-raising scenes that try to provide a little variety. Factor in multiple difficulty levels and many secret challenges to be found, and you have an action adventure game that you can really sink your teeth into.

Being a standalone expansion to RoboCop: Rogue City, Unfinished Business understandably offers largely more of the same violent first-person crime-fighting action with investigation elements. There are some new weapons to play with, however, and some new enemies to use them on. Throw in some flashback sequences which switch up the action somewhat, and you have an entertaining title available at a budget price.

It’s the game’s zany but gripping narrative that’s the real star of the show, though. If science fiction interwoven with tales of family, loss, relationships and survival sounds like your thing, then Zanki Zero is worth a look.

Whether you’re a masochist or a hardcore masochist, Death’s Gambit might have something for you.

A genuinely pleasant surprise, Creatures of Ava is an excellent adventure game for those who want something a little less demanding and stressful than the mainstream. Gathering the titular creatures is an enjoyable experience, but so is exploring this beautiful world and engaging with its mysterious and quirky denizens. Excellently written and gorgeously animated, there's a great deal to love here.

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.

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.

Demetrios – The BIG Cynical Adventure is a fairly underwhelming and disappointing experience.

de Blob is a prime example of a game that has stood the test of time because of both its simplicity and originality. Its gameplay is timeless, its humour tickles the young and the old, and its soundtrack is both dynamic and infectious. This Switch port still doesn’t address the game’s camera or control issues, but they’re worth working through to enjoy an experience that rarely fails to put a smile on your face.

Small games from smaller studious continue to amaze me with their effortless charm and unbound creativity, and Mugsters is easily one of those games.

It’s quite the comprehensive package. Powering through it all will be a test for many, though. Daemon X Machina has many of the ingredients of a great mech combat game but the end result isn’t wholesome. It’s flat, lacking in flavour, and gets stale all too quickly.

Breakers Collection is unlikely to make an impact on the casual fighting game crowd, as it doesn’t really offer anything unique. For devout fans of the genre, however, there’s a lot to like here, and Breakers Revenge still has the chops to provide many bouts of fighting game bliss. Thanks to its budget price, then, it’s easy to recommend Breakers Collection to anyone who remembers the series fondly or wants to delve into fighting game history.

If you like your roguelikes to be super speedy and action-packed, then Go Mecha Ball is absolutely worth your time. It's a little too over-the-top at times, and it's a shame there's not more variety from one run to another, but there's no denying how fun it is when you're in the thick of it.

Rehydrated still feels like the classic version – for better and for worse. The voice actors for SpongeBob, Patrick, Sandy, Mrs. Puff and more help to bring the game to life and, with its wonderful new graphics, Bikini Bottom has never looked better. Due to its issues, though, it isn’t likely to pull in a new wave of players. It barely managed to keep me invested – and I’ve been incredibly excited to get my hands on it. For those who played it as kids, it’s a joy to see it looking so shiny and new, but don’t go in expecting to get too much fun out of it.

Whilst Toy Odyssey eventually may feel a little repetitive… the layouts, enemies and tasks at hand change enough that replayability does genuinely feel unlimited.

The best word I can use is probably ‘clunky’, but putting it rather bluntly, Dungeon Punks controls as well as a dead horse.

Somerville isn't always the most enjoyable game to play, then. Its puzzles aren't anything special, and they're hampered by clunky controls. But what is special is Somerville's narrative and art design. The score, too, is excellent: we just wish there was more of it - too many scenes are simply too quiet. Even if we weren't enamoured with the ending, Somerville's story is worth experiencing. It's just a shame the gameplay is a little disappointing in comparison.

Conarium is not a game that’s suitable for those that want constant action or in-your-face jump scares, but for the more cerebrally-inclined it offers an interesting story wrapped up within a slow-paced but visually enticing adventure.

While it may feel a bit too brief and its gameplay elements are largely underwhelming, Bound’s charming and intelligent story allow it to overcome its flaws in design and remain a satisfying and captivating experience.

If you fancy spending some time flying around craggy mountains or crashing down snowy slopes… Steep is your best choice. Whether played alone or with friends, it’ll meet your extreme sports needs and more without the risk of breaking an arm or a leg.

Saints Row IV: Re-Elected‘s over-the-top antics, larger-than-life characters and superpower-focused gameplay make it one of the most ludicrous ways to waste away a decent number of hours. And in these trying times, perhaps that’s what we all need.

Ultimately then, unless you’re a score chaser, your fun with Pawarumi is likely to be a short-lived affair. It’s an exciting game that feels surprisingly unique, but there just isn’t much to it. Depending on your skill level, you might be done with it in just a matter of hours. Though chances are you’ll return to it in the future for a quick blast of futuristic Aztec shoot ’em up fun.

Deponia is alright, but, all the while I was playing the game, I had this nagging feeling that something wasn’t quite right.

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.

Factotum 90 is certainly not a game that will appeal to everyone, especially if you one of these people who likes to turn off their brain when they play, but for those who like a challenge and want to make the old grey matter work a bit harder, then this might just be the game you are looking for.

With a deeper sense of strategy than most games of its kind, Loot Rascals might just be the thinking man’s roguelike you’ve been waiting for. Although slow and steady, it offers a lot to love.

It may feel a little alien going back to playing a more classically-styled Assassin's Creed game after the astonishing Assassin's Creed Origins, but Assassin's Creed Rogue still shines bright.

If you fancy yourself a bit of a budding sleuth and enjoy a good murder mystery, you’ll love The Centennial Case: A Shijima Story. The narrative is rich and twisting, and even as it jumps between time periods it always manages to keep you engaged. As long as you don’t mind a bit of ham and cheese (and stay away from the English dub), you’ll have a grand old time with this whodunnit.

Make no mistake about it, Zone of the Enders: The 2nd Runner MARS is a game that will only really be appreciated by fans of the series. Even with its VR mode, there’s nothing here that newcomers will find particularly impressive.

The game has its moments, and just roaming around is good for a couple of minutes of watery entertainment. But its clunky combat and repetitive, tedious gameplay means that, despite its toothy protagonist, Maneater lacks any bite.

Using Joy-Cons to play Samba de Amigo may not be quite as good as replica maracas, and buttons even less so, but the core experience here remains as entertaining as ever. With its eclectic selection of songs and a wide variety of modes, Samba de Amigo: Party Central has a little something for everyone, and is fun whether you’re playing it alone on a rainy day or with others at a party. If you’re a fan of the series or simply love rhythm games, chances are this will put a big smile on your face, even if you feel like you’re sometimes cheated of a perfect score.

When the simple gameplay mechanics of timing, precision and memory merge together, it creates an absolutely thrilling and tense experience.

For fans of the previous games, Megadimension Neptunia VII pretty much offers more of the same but a little quicker and prettier. For those still not acquainted with the series however, whilst this is as good a time as any to jump in, the twee storyline full of fan service will probably present a barrier to completely enjoying it.

It’s the kind of game you decide one evening to chip away at a little bit and then suddenly wonder where all the time has gone.

While Binaries doesn’t necessarily break the mold, it shows itself to be a puzzle worth solving.