Despite its cruel difficulty, Spacejacked is a really fun and entertaining game that will probably have me crawling back to it in shame again and again. Its hilarious dialogue had me in stitches on more than one occasion, and the gravity suit mechanic really adds a creative element that I’ve never seen before in the tower defence games that I’ve played.

The movement is incredibly fun to navigate with, and provides an additional layer of challenge that will surprise and go against expectations.

It’s colourful and challenging, has enough depth to keep you going back for more, and you can play it with friends.

From its brilliant visuals to its utterly unique gameplay, there’s little here that disappoints.

I Am The Hero finds its home with beat ’em up fans quite well. As far as appealing to the wider audience, however, it falls short. Combat that fails to offer a personal feel alongside a lack of depth and replay features leaves me wanting more. High-score chasers and leaderboard-savvy players will have lots to love, but those looking for a casual beat ’em up may find themselves turning away at some point.

It has pretty big setbacks, but its many small redeeming factors – the art style, the voice acting, the setting, and of course the boys – are sure to inspire a cult following.

If you have Madden NFL 21, the changes here might not be enough for you to consider parting with your hard-earned cash for Madden NFL 22. It is undoubtedly a better game than last year’s version, so if you’re an ardent fan you’ll probably do so anyway. Gameday atmosphere successfully adds to the ambience from one match to the next, while the new momentum system adds a nice tug-of-war element as players fight for helpful perks. It’s just a shame that outside of Franchise mode there are few developments worthy of note, while Face of the Franchise seriously needs some work. Also, I want a proper story mode back again, EA. I miss Longshot.

I can’t quite recommend Little Orpheus, and not just because of its unfortunate choice of narrative given the current climate. Its story is at least told in an interesting way, and it presents you a colourful, well-realised fantasy world to explore. But its platforming is dull and uninspired; you’ve seen it all before in other games. Though being inside a whale is cool, I guess.

Keep your expectations in check for Welcome to ParadiZe, and there’s some fun to be had here. It’s marred with some technical issues and the odd bug but ultimately, exploring its world with your pet zombies in tow is, against the odds, entertaining enough to keep us playing — especially if you’ve got a co-op buddy along for the ride.

Hot Wheels Monster Trucks: Stunt Mayhem isn't a racing game: it's all about performing stunts across a number of different arenas. It's rather simple in what it offers, then, but throwing a monster truck through the air and performing somersaults and flips is plenty entertaining. Kids and adults alike will get a kick out of this budget-priced affair.

If it’s boobs you’re after, Senran Kagura: Estival Versus will provide more than your fair share, but if you’re wanting actual gameplay, it doesn’t deliver anything you won’t find better done elsewhere.

With a new PvE match type set to be added to the game later this month, and more updates promised in the future, we’re intrigued to see what becomes of Exoprimal. While it’s not quite as compelling to play as we’d hoped it would be right now, it’s still very enjoyable in short bursts. We love its Exosuits, and we love its varied range of brilliantly realised dinosaurs, but we’re not so keen on the fact that there’s currently only one match type and that, whether you play PvP or PvE, it’s ultimately still a race that gives you little opportunity to take everything in.

Ultimately, Milky Way Prince – The Vampire Star is too outlandish for its own good and doesn’t make for a satisfying game in its current form. Its audiovisual design is commendable, but with awkward dialogue, peculiar scenes and a hard to follow story, it’s very hard to recommend.

Hilarious and empowering, even if it is frustrating at times, Human: Fall Flat is definitely worth at least one play through.

Whether or not you’ve played the original, Wonder Boy: Asha in Monster World is an adventure worth going on. Its gameplay might be old-fashioned, but it’s just as engaging as ever, offering a nice little distraction from the latest AAA blockbuster. Are better side-scrolling adventure games out there? Absolutely. But that doesn’t make this any less worth your time.

For anyone that enjoys side-scrolling shooters, Warhammer 40,000: Shootas, Blood & Teef is well worth picking up. Even more so if you also like the world of Warhammer 40,000 or simply having a good laugh. While its campaign is short, it’s fun from beginning to end – and there’s a good chance you might go back for another playthrough or engage in some multiplayer action. Just maybe pick it up on a format other than Switch if you’re sensitive to performance issues.

If you enjoyed 2020’s Destroy All Humans! remake and want more outrageous exploits with Crypto, you’ll be very happy with Destroy All Humans! 2 – Reprobed. It’s a continuation of the tried and tested gameplay – for better or worse – but with more weapons and bigger, more varied environments. We can’t help but wish that Crypto was treated to a new outing though, one with revised controls and mechanics. These remakes are entertaining enough, but with one foot in the past, Crypto just can’t fulfil his potential.

2019's MediEvil has done nothing but improve upon the original in every conceivable way, and if you can look past its faults, it's a wonderful adventure whether you're familiar with the original or not.

The Escapists: Complete Edition looks crisp and beautiful on the Nintendo Switch. The pixelated prisoners and officers have never looked better, as as with any game rereleased on Nintendo’s handheld hybrid, the ability to play on the go is a massive boon.

It’s clear that Open Roads is a passion project, one filled with personal touches, love and its team’s personality. But it’s also a triumph: Tess and Opal’s story is gripping, and you’ll eat up every minute of their road trip mystery, hanging onto every word of their conversation. Add to that a unique and beautiful art style, some incredible voice performances and so many nostalgia-inducing objects to nosy at, and you’re left with a truly memorable experience. It’s just a shame that it’s all over so very, very quickly.

Despite having so many great things going for it, Lichtspeer‘s one major downfall is its repetitiveness.

It may not constantly beckon you back, but when you do dive in you’ll realise it is one of the better dungeon crawlers out right now. It’s bursting at the seems with love for this genre, and some of that might just rub off on you after a while.

Ultra Despair Girls’ loop of exploring dungeon-like areas, mowing down waves of Monokuma bots, and switching between the ranged combat of Komaru and melee barrages of Genocide Jack… means you’ve got a third person shooter unlike any other.

It's never going to overly impress you, but it lays solid foundations for a series that could go somewhere. With its stunning scenery and fairly open track design, I'd love to see Milestone throw caution to the wind, add a boost button and go all-out arcade. Just then, we might have a worthy successor to Motorstorm on our hands.

Everything a retro collection should be, but the games it includes mostly haven’t stood the test of time.

Weaving an intriguing tale that’s filled with twists and turns, we’ve enjoyed spending some time in Poirot’s shoes and solving the mystery of The London Case. This is a budget title and it shows, but there’s still a lot to like, especially if you’re a fan of traditional point and click adventures. It’s a bit of a journey back in time in that regard, but it’s a valuable addition to the genre nonetheless.

Re:Turn – One Way Trip is filled with unexpected twists and turns, satisfying jumpscares, an eerie atmosphere and a well-written story. There are some moments of awkward dialogue, but it does very little to take away from the story. Discovering what happened to the old passengers of the train and how their experiences effect the characters is good fun. It’s also terrifying, and the perfect title to pick up this Halloween. Heck, it’s perfect for any time really. Just be sure to play with headphones on and the lights off to get the full effect of the scares.

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’re willing to put in the time to fight your way past its flaws, then you’ll get some enjoyment out of How to Survive 2, but there are better zombie shooters and survival games out there.

Baja: Edge of Control HD isn’t going to blow anyone away, but for racing game fans after some cheap off-road thrills it’s certainly worth considering. It’s got a decent rock-heavy soundtrack and its races are often full of thrills and spills, keeping you moderately entertained for well over 20 hours or so.

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.

Rooftops & Alleys: The Parkour Game lets you live out your parkouring dreams across numerous environments. There are time trial and trick rush events to complete, but they can be frustrating thanks to finicky controls and mechanics. This is a game best enjoyed simply chilling out with others.

Taken in small doses, the game can be a fun, challenging experience – as long as you step away before frustration sets in.

It feels like a reinvention of the series, and if this is the starting block that is built upon in further releases, I’m in.

The low-res sprites of the original are gone, replaced with wonderfully drawn characters that are much more visually appealing.

If wrestling is your thing, WWE 2K18 does just enough to make it worthy of your attention, but you’ll always be left thinking that it could be so much more.

Perhaps you could argue that the streets of Gotham feel a little empty at times, or that when facing off against a large number of enemies, the combat gets a little messy, but it’s hard to truly find fault with Gotham Knights. It’s an immensely enjoyable adventure from beginning to end, with lots to offer to Batman fans even though they don’t get to play as the caped crusader himself. Don’t let the lack of a performance mode put you off: with stunning visuals, varied gameplay and great online co-op, Gotham Knights is one of the best games of the year.

Ultimately, A Quiet Place: The Road Ahead is everything you’d expect of a game based on the popular film franchise. And if you’re big on stealth or simply don’t mind slow-paced experiences, you might get a real kick out of playing it. For most, though, feelings of tedium, repetition and frustration are likely to creep in pretty quickly, and with little to keep the adventure feeling fresh or unpredictable as you progress, it simply becomes a slog.

Taking everything into consideration, Nights of Azure isn’t particularly a bad game, far from it in fact; it’s just not so much of a good one either.

If you’re a sentimental person, playing through Solo will undoubtedly make you think about your life and those you hold most dear. And even if you’re not quite the mushy type, the game’s to-the-point way of asking you questions will make you take a look inside yourself.

Can’t Drive This is that rare thing: a very simple concept, but one that’s so well-executed that it creates absolute carnage and hilarity. If games nights with friends are a thing you enjoy, make sure to include Can’t Drive This at your next one. You won’t regret it.

It’s commendable that Double Dragon Gaiden: Rise of the Dragons tries to do something a little new with the formula – although Streets of Rage 4 did get their first with its Survival mode which also features roguelike elements. There is fun to be had here, but ultimately, the late-game difficulty spikes are a major hurdle to get over – and the moment-to-moment action never reaches the heights of some of the best in the genre.

An open world sandbox that lets you run free around Bikini Bottom, there's plenty of fun to be had in SpongeBob SquarePants: The Patrick Star Game. It's packed with minigames and activities, but it's just a shame the whole experience feels rather rough.

It’s a shame that the bulk of Azkend 2 is hampered by a lacklustre story that feels unnecessary and cumbersome. The actual match-three gameplay is enjoyable, and the mixture of gameplay types on offer add a unique spin on an otherwise tired and overdone genre.

It has some flaws that can suck the fun out of it, but White Day should still be of interest to horror fans looking for something substantial.

Soundfall is one of the most unique experiences of the year so far, and that alone ought to pique the interest of gamers. But it’s those who love music-rhythm games that are assuredly going to get the most out of it. And if they also like twin-stick shooters and loot games, they’ll be in heaven. In any case, this eclectic mix of genres works, and whether played alone or in co-op it’s largely a beat-filled blast.

Action RPG fans aren’t likely to be wowed by Achilles: Legends Untold, but chances are they’ll have some fun with it if they give it a go. There’s nothing wholly original or particularly impressive here, but it offers a solid experience for those keen to immerse themselves in a fantasy world inspired by Greek myth.

It’s cathartic, relaxing, and at times truly challenging, but most of all, it manages to capture your attention and remains enjoyable from start to finish.

If you’re revisiting it on console or playing for the first time, Dex certainly have something to offer. It has a satisfactory – albeit derivative – story with a fairly strong script and it is mature in its approach. However, the static gameplay, technical issues and unbalanced experience frequently overshadow the attraction of the game.

Despite its issues though, Shiness: The Lightning Kingdom is overall, an enjoyable experience.

If you fondly remember the original Crashday or are in the market for a content-filled, action-packed driving game, you’d be wise to consider picking Crashday: Redline Edition up. It won’t break the bank, but it’s very likely to put a huge smile on your face.

For fans of the Trials series looking for a similar experience on Nintendo Switch, Urban Trial Playground comes highly recommended. It may not feel like quite as skillful a game to play, but it's still challenging and entertaining nonetheless. It also packs quite a lot of content for its budget price.

Performance has been dramatically improved despite the visuals also being markedly upgraded, and all the included content added since launch makes for an expansive affair that can easily eat up thirty-plus hours of your time. It’s not quite Diablo, but Warhammer: Chaosbane Slayer Edition makes for a worthy stand-in if you’ve exhausted everything there is to do in Sanctuary.

Would I call The Sims 4: For Rent a must-have expansion? Not quite: this is certainly one for more advanced players with a learning curve steeper than most other Sims expansions – although some of its features make for very welcome additions to the game. Finally being able to rent before buying leads to more realistic play, for example. And the town of Tomarang is simply beautiful. If you’ve ever dreamed of being an evil landlord or nightmare tenant, For Rent offers the tools to live out those twisted fantasies.

Experimental, rough around the edges and lo-fi by design, Apartment Story isn't going to wow you in a technical sense, but there's still a certain charm to it. Mixing The Sims-like mood management with a gritty, dark story, it'll only take you a couple of hours to complete — and it'll be unlike anything else you've played this year.

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

Offers mindless fun, sure, but there are a slew of other Musou titles also available on PS4, and nearly all of them are superior to this.

Using full 3D models and a real-time system, Romance of the Three Kingdoms XIII’s combat boils down to a numbers game more than strategy.

Ask yourself: have you long wondered what a competitive multiplayer Crash Bandicoot game would be like? If the answer is yes, then you should probably give Crash Team Rumble a try, especially given its budget price. Crash Bandicoot fans with open minds might also want to dip their toes in – there’s fun to be had, after all. But to really draw players in, we can’t help but feel that this would have been better off as a free-to-play title.

Minor complaints aside, Mini-Mech Mayhem offers PSVR owners a fun, bright, and lighthearted strategy game to fill that niche in their VR library. It’s approachable, engaging and packs in plenty of charm.

If you’re expecting a full follow-up to Enter the Gungeon, with the same degree of depth, you’ll be disappointed. Exit the Gungeon is, at its best, a fun but shallow shooter, which doesn’t really deliver on its appealing premise. But if you’re prepared to take this light and fluffy sidequel for what it is, there’s still joy to be had on your way out of the Gungeon.

For those that eke fun out of balancing profits against supply and demand and don’t mind a bit of repetitive click-work, then Weedcraft Inc may well be engaging enough. But for everyone else, its divisive subject matter is mostly wasted on dull gameplay mechanics, so if you were hoping for an engaging and edgy management sim, you’re still better off looking elsewhere.

I’m glad that Shenmue 3 exists, and I hope the series continues so fans get the conclusion they deserve. It’s just a shame that it has rooted itself in the past. What’s been delivered is sure to delight those who were eager for Ryo Hazuki’s story to continue, but more could have been done to make the series relevant to gamers who haven’t played the 20 year old originals. Shenmue 3 is both a miracle and a missed opportunity. It’s no doubt a masterpiece for a minority, but most will find it simply mediocre.

While Ride 2 has some problems, such as questionable balancing of difficulty and credit-earning, the wealth of customisation options available and the pure gratification and thrill of competing makes it rather unlike any other experience currently available.

Some will undoubtedly be disappointed that Big Rumble Boxing: Creed Champions doesn’t have more modes – the lack of online multiplayer is especially egregious. Still, those looking for a fun boxing game that doesn’t take itself too seriously will find enjoyment here. While it’s obviously aimed at fans of the Rocky film franchise, even those who have never watched a single Rocky or Creed film will get a kick out of the action. Just like boxing itself, there’s nothing clever about Big Rumble Boxing: Creed Champions, but it puts on a good show.

The story really is great, the shooting feels good, and getting more and more powerful is rewarding. Unfortunately though, Mafia III is plagued with head-scratching design decisions.

Aliens: Fireteam Elite is a hugely entertaining co-op shooter, only brought down by the formulaic structure of its missions and the odd rough edge. Developer Cold Iron Studios is promising more free content in the future, however, and has the chance to turn the game into something rather special. With more horde maps, marine classes and perhaps a mission tweak here and there, we could imagine returning to Aliens: Fireteam Elite time and time again, long into the future. Right now though, while some team-based third-person shooter fans will have plenty of fun with it, it’s only really a must for Alien fans.

It's rough around the edges, but there's plenty to like about AI Limit. While its combat may be lacking impact, unique features such as the Frame system and the sync meter keep things interesting. And though it is challenging, some players will undoubtedly like the fact that it's not as hard as most other Soulslikes out there, making it more welcoming to newcomers to the genre.

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.

Dissidia NT successfully builds upon what came before to make its resurfacing as a competitive focused fighter a deeply satisfying one.

NBA 2K21 provides a good game of basketball, though its new skill shot system will thrill some players while frustrating others. MyTeam has had a bit of a refresh, which is nice, but MyCareer is really beginning to feel stale. Also, they both still rely too much on VC. Outside of that, there’s little to note that’s different to NBA 2K20, so owners of that might want to think twice before picking it up. Hopefully the next-gen version will offer up more incentives to stump up the cash.

State of Mind still delivers a stellar sci-fi experience that, while comparable to other entries in the genre, has a character all its own.

If you’re into action RPGs, chances are you’ll get plenty of enjoyment out of Deadcraft. Especially so if you also like survival elements, though for some they’ll get in the way. In any case, there’s much to like here, despite the unimpressive visuals and basic combat. And so, if you feel like stepping into yet another post-apocalyptic world filled with zombies, Deadcraft will meet your needs while also putting a unique spin on things.

Its asking price of £18/$20 may be a little steep considering the game’s lack of replayability, but if you’re a fan of platforming and adventuring, Elli definitely has enough to offer that’ll keep you engaged for several hours.

For its budget price the Dead Island: Definitive Collection offers two solid open world experiences that have never looked or played better on console as well as a retro-styled novelty that can be enjoyed in short bursts. It’s just a shame that the changes made to both Dead Island and Riptide are only visual, as both have gameplay aspects that could do with a little more polish.

Despite having cool atmosphere and unique ideas, Typoman: Revised‘s puzzles and platforming leave a lot to be desired.

If you can overlook the network issues, Kirby’s Dream Buffet is a sweet little party game that will keep you coming back for more. It looks fantastic, and while its gameplay doesn’t offer much variety, it’s the sort of tried-and-tested multiplayer competition that never gets old. For its budget asking price of £13.49/$14.99, you can’t really ask for much more. Well, other than a more reliable online mode.

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.

It may not be as polished or entertaining as id Software’s recent masterpiece, but Flying Wild Hog’s Hard Reset Redux still has a lot to offer, especially to those that have finished with DOOM and seek more exhilarating balls-to-the-wall action.

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.

Rogue Wizards is inherently difficult, but for the most part, it’s a rewarding, challenging difficulty that keeps the player engaged.

It’s not as good as Psikyo Shooting Stars Alpha, but Psikyo Shooting Stars Bravo is still an interesting proposition for shoot ’em up fans. It’s expected, what with this collection launching so quickly after the first, that it doesn’t do anything to address its predecessor’s shortfalls, but it’s still a little disappointing. If you’re after yet more shoot ’em ups to add to your ever-growing Switch collection and don’t mind the lack of extras, go ahead and jump right in. Most will probably want to wait for a decent sale though.

It's engaging, gorgeous, and stylish. Even if the notion of permadeath is anathema to you, it's well worth stepping through City of Brass' gates.

Despite some problems with the pacing during the main campaign, Rocketbirds 2: Evolution is, all in all, a wonderful package.

Ultimately Disintegration feels like a hollow shell of what it could have been.

Despite those flaws however, Agatha Christie: The ABC Murders still provides a great and thoroughly engrossing crime story that any fan of the point and click genre will surely gleam some enjoyment out of.

I have the feeling that Lamina Studios were going for a ‘Best of Roguelikes’ with Dungeon Souls, but it ends up as more of a showcase of the best and worst the genre has to offer.

If V-Rally 4 had a more structured career, I really feel like it would have been a great game. As it is, however, it’s fun until you feel like you’re completing the same events over and over again.

If you’re a fan of meditative adventures such as the likes of Firewatch et al, then there’s some enjoyment to be had in The First Tree. You’re unlikely to get emotionally invested, but its vulpine protagonist and charming visuals may be enough to keep you interested through its short running time.

All things considered, then, Obey Me is… fine. It’s not remarkable in any way, but it’s perfectly playable. Its take-it-or-leave-it story gives way to passable combat, set in a bland world. There are plenty of other games out there offering something similar, and doing a much better job of it. Still, at least here you get the bonus of being accompanied by a doberman from hell.

Star Wars Battlefront II’s progression system may indeed be piss poor and too loot box centered, but that doesn’t stop it from being a mighty fine way to spend your time. You don’t need to spend any extra real money to have fun or progress, you just simply need to play. And that’s not a problem when you’re addicted to deep space dogfights or all-out conflicts on Naboo.

At around three hours’ running time, there’s not a whole lot of game on offer, but if you enjoy a puzzle platformer and liked the style of Limbo, Monochroma is definitely worth a visit.

There are clear throwbacks to some classic side-scrollers (Turtles in Time, Golden Axe, Streets of Rage)…. but they seem to have missed the point that games have moved on since then.

Whilst the art style here verges on the cartoonish, the gorgeous sense of colour and texture really brings the world alive.

With repetitiveness being part and parcel of the roguelike genre, those familiar with it probably won’t be too aggrieved with the lack of randomness in Helvetii. Some, though, may come to appreciate its combat and visuals but perhaps wish they’d been served up in a straight-up action game. In any case, perhaps its greatest crime is that it doesn’t try to do anything original. But you can tell that developer Team KwaKwa has put some love into this release, and the end result is sure to delight roguelike fans eager for something new to sink their teeth into.

The slightly awkward controls are a small price to pay for the luxury of being able to play while lounging. If you’ve never played The Sims before, the console version isn’t a great starting place, but if you’re already a convert, then it’s a must-have in your collection.

There’s no doubt about it – Redeemer: Enhanced Edition is indeed an improvement over the original game. It is still ultimately a victim to repetition though. As good as the new levelling and perk system is, it’s not transformative; it just keeps the tedium at bay for an extra handful of levels.

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.