Exploring Luna Nova Academy can sometimes be frustrating until you're able to fast travel throughout it, and trying to complete events can often feel like an uphill struggle against the clock. But as you begin to wrap your head around the game's intricacies and balance dungeon crawling with your academic endeavours, things fall into place.

Forgotton Anne’s gameplay, then, is fairly standard. But coupled with the gorgeous visuals and storytelling, it becomes something worth remembering.

Honestly, there's a hell of a lot to like about Dragon's Crown Pro, but hardly any of it is unique to this PlayStation 4 remaster. If you've already played Dragon's Crown to exhaustion on PlayStation 3 or PlayStation Vita, you won't find anything here that'll get your juices flowing.

It’s just a shame that gameplay quickly gets repetitive; with a bit more variety, Saturday Morning RPG could have been a stand-out title.

Simply fantastic. Enhanced for Nintendo Switch, it's one of the best old-fashioned 2D platformers of recent years.

Doughlings: Arcade, at first glance, may seem like an outdated game from the early 2000s, but spend a bit of time with it and you'll soon see it's a fun, modern twist on a classic.

While it's occasionally frustrating and the arrest system is hit and miss, I can't deny that it's a lot of fun to play.

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.

Thrones of Britannia has neither the length of its predecessor, nor has the variety of units – and as such, it lacks something that its fuller counterparts have. But what it does have is a straightforward approach that has solved some of the chronic complications of recent titles while providing you with a engaging story that can build over time.

If doom and gloom isn't your thing then Frostpunk won't appeal and you're better off with a less misery-drenched city-builder such as the excellent Cities: Skylines. But if you're a sucker for the punishing post-apocalyptic (and this game can certainly dish it out) then Frostpunk's bleak winter wonderland will keep you hooked, turning you into a horrible, horrible person in the process.

There really is so much to love. It’s just a shame it ends up outstaying its welcome by having you repeat yourself time and time again.

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.

Battlezone Gold Edition is a great game that's easy to pick up and play; one that I'll certainly find myself dipping into little but often. It has some minor gameplay issues and imbalances, but they're quite easily overlooked when you're having a blast. And that's what's most important, surely?

It’s one hell of a good time.

I will never doubt Nintendo in its pure, honest pursuit of making gaming a labour of love, passion, and enjoyment.

It has been a long time since a game has gripped me like God of War. It's the type of game that when you sit down to play it, hours pass by in the blink of an eye. It's the type of game that you can't put down; you always want to do just one last task. And it's the type of game that when you aren't playing it, you're thinking about playing it. Addictive, engrossing and compelling; it's epic, that's what it is.

Ultimately, Bombslinger takes the Bomberman concept and runs with it. It's a whimsical, engaging and hugely entertaining bomb 'em up that will keep you coming back, even when the Bombslinger’s thirst for vengeance is slaked.

Possessing a story that will grip you until the credits roll, its mostly drab audio and visuals won't matter so much when you're trapped in its embrace. And its lack of challenge will just keep your progression rolling at an enjoyable pace.

Your typical Need for Speed or Forza Motorsport player might find it lacking. But those looking for a game that focuses on the driving experience and the pleasure of shaving fractions of a second from a lap time will lap it up. It still doesn't welcome new players with open arms, but it has an abundance of content that it isn't afraid to give up to you without a fight.

For a fiver, BAFL - Brakes Are For Losers does grant you a fun time. That fiver just doesn’t take you very far.

Bullet Witch on PC is little more than it was all those years ago on Xbox 360; an adequate third person shooter with some good ideas but flawed execution. Here, it's bundled with all the additional missions and content that arrived post-launch and has better performance, but it's undoubtedly dated.

Tequila Works has done a standout job of bringing to life a wonderful story in an unusual and accessible way, and I'd love to see more like this.

Without convoluted gameplay systems and a myriad of menus to get your head around, Impact Winter's streamlined approach to the genre is faultlessly welcoming and instantly engaging.

It does what it sets out to do - scare you silly - rather well, and without resorting to cheap jump scares to boot. But with its short length and limited replay value, I'm not sure if it provides value for money.

Manticore: Galaxy on Fire is a solid but unspectacular space shooter. As the first (to my knowledge) of its kind on Nintendo Switch though, it's a worthy starting place. It'll provide a long-lasting experience for those who approach it like the mobile-focused title that it is, while those expecting a deeper console experience may unfortunately find it a bit lacking. Either way, no-one can deny that it performs well and looks pretty.

It's not a very polished game, and mechanically it's underwhelming. It's a shame, because there's plenty of content in the package, and throwing vehicles around bumpy dirt tracks should be a lot of fun. But it just isn't for the most part.

It's undoubtedly a game that will be tweaked and expanded upon over its lifetime, but Warhammer: Vermintide 2 already feels like a formidable co-op package.

If you're after a VR game that's fun in small doses but has lots of long-lasting appeal, then it's quite easy to recommend Time Carnage. The action's a little repetitive to consider playing through more than a few stages at once without it becoming to feel like a chore, but it's an accomplished title nonetheless.

For a free-to-play game, Spellsworn does everything right. It’s easy to learn, fun to play, and doesn’t suffer from any pay-to-win mechanics. Though quite difficult to master, it’s approachable and engaging for any player.

Offering closure on a long-running saga while also entertaining on so many fronts, Yakuza 6 may feel smaller in scale at times, but that still doesn't stop it from being a mighty fine game.

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.

For the most part, Dead in Vinland is a gorgeous-looking, entertaining survival romp that is well worth hopping into a longboat for.

Gal*Gun 2 is every bit as good as its predecessor, even with its new types of stages not always entertaining as much as they should due to their increased difficulty. It's not as outlandish, which may disappoint some, but its gameplay has been fleshed-out and made more involving.

What Regalia: Of Men and Monarchs is though, is a JRPG that stands on its own two feet, and despite taking many influences and using certain generic conventions, it manages to carve its own identity.

The ramped-up difficulty towards the end of the game may be off-putting for some, considering its very much kid-friendly exterior, but if you don’t mind a bit of a challenge, The Adventure Pals is very much a worthwhile romp.

Fun can be had with ARK Park , but in small doses.

With Injustice 2, NetherRealm Studios has leveraged its work on its Mortal Kombat franchise and taken on board feedback about the original Injustice, allowing it to craft its finest and most feature-rich release to date.

While you're not likely to remember its story in a few months' time, and the erratic driving of friendly civilians may frequently alarm you, its gameplay shines and that's what's important. Setting you free in a stunningly realised open world, Far Cry 5 gives you all the tools you need for tens of hours of outrageous fun. Factor in online co-op and the user-generated content of Far Cry 5 Arcade, and you have one hell of a compelling package.

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.

Penny-Punching Princess is a classic example of a game that has a bright idea but implements it in such a ham-fisted way that it becomes an annoyance.

Outlast 2 on Nintendo Switch is pretty amazing. It looks almost as good as its console and PC counterparts, runs very well despite not being 60 frames-per-second, and the new Story Mode difficulty gives you more room to explore.

It's always great to see a videogame try and do something different, and Minit does so with gusto: it takes a tried-and-tested formula and turns it on its head with one very simple mechanic. It makes a standard adventure game into a test of memory, of patience, of skill, and even though it'll frustrate you, it'll have you coming back for "just one minute" time and time again.

There’s a charming story and intricate systems that help make it one of the best entries to date. I can’t think of a better way to help celebrate 20 years of this long-running series.

Western Press makes for a brilliant and inexpensive party game. Its basic nature means you're not going to get much out of it when played on your own, whether online or offline, but with friends it's an absolute riot.

Though it’s painfully short, it’s an excellently crafted experience.

You'll have never played anything quite like Vicious Attack Llama Apocalypse. It takes the visual style of Dead Nation, adds in the randomness of a roguelike, and injects a huge amount of humour.

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.

A Way Out is a triumph for co-op games. From the way it's uniquely presented to the way it demands that you work together to overcome problems you can't solve independently, it grabs your attention and doesn't let go until the credits roll. And then you'll probably go back to make different choices during pivotal key scenes to see what you've missed.

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

Control issues and poor pacing will turn off some players before the game truly hits its stride, but those who persist will find an experience that has cavernous depth.

Ni no Kuni 2's gorgeous worlds and lovable characters make for an enjoyable and engaging experience from start to finish, and its story, while not the most original or expansive, will undoubtedly warm your heart and leave you wanting more.

With its wealth of content, more refined and expanded gameplay, and clearly prettier visuals, Attack on Titan 2 is undoubtedly a worthy follow up to the original game.

If you want a slow-moving, brick-by-brick resource gathering sim, then this might be yours. But if you’re looking for something with deep complexity, endless creative options and rich world-building, you should probably look elsewhere.

There's nothing here that fans of the game won't have seen or played before, but it's still one of the best arcade racers around - and considering that it's now ten years old, it speaks volumes.

If Capcom wanted to use this re-release as a way to drum-up interest in a new Devil May Cry game then I feel they've gone about it the wrong way, as there's nothing here that's going to expand the series' player base. But, for those who simply want to play the games and rekindle memories of times gone by, the Devil May Cry HD Collection may just suffice.

It may not have truly next-gen visuals and the movement of constable Zellner may be a little clunky, but its captivating story, entertaining characters and rewarding point and click gameplay more than compensate for any shortcomings.

Way of the Passive Fist is an interesting title that offers a great deal to those who fully get on board with it, but its repetitive nature and demanding difficulty means that they will be few.

I can’t wait to see what else Big Bad Wolf has up its sleeve.

Every level offers a new challenge, and just when you think you’ve got the hang of everything, QUBE 2 will throw something new at you.

TT Isle of Man: Ride on the Edge is a delightful recreation of the event itself yet it exists in a genre populated by games that far exceed it. It’s all the more unfortunate since the core of the game could easily support a more robust and interesting package.

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.

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

When played in multiplayer, it just becomes too hard, too drawn out and too stressful. It's just not fun. But even then, unless you're prepared to to get to grips with RiftStar Raiders' unintuitive controls, you're probably best off steering clear.

Defender’s Quest: Valley of the Forgotten is an engaging blend of two normally distinct genres, bolstered by an interesting, if sometimes tonally inconsistent, story. But above all, it’s a ridiculous amount of fun and if you’ve even the remotest interest in strategy games this is one valley you should visit.

Moss is one of those games that is, in the purest and simplest way, golden. PSVR has found its champion, its poster child.

Unlike anything I’ve ever played before, its unique mixture of fantasy and reality makes for a thought-provoking, sometimes uncomfortable, sometimes funny journey that often touches too close to home.

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.

Immortal Redneck is a game that rarely frustrates, even though it'll kick your ass. Repeatedly. Why? Because it always feels fair. The controls are perfect, the visuals are charming, and no enemies or traps ever feel overpowered.

It's a dumb game full of irritating characters, but its gameplay is more absorbing than I ever thought it could be.

Though it is accessible and enjoyable for many, it means everything that makes the anime so enjoyable is being spread too thin. It needs to be more focused, less complicated, and the good aspects need to be made great.

Sure, it’s beautiful — and after the end credits have rolled and you’re free to explore the world, bereft of annoying puzzles, there’s beauty and secrets to be found at every corner — but as an overall experience the unnecessarily obtuse world design and repetitiveness makes Fe stand out only for its frustrations, not its successes.

Dynasty Warriors 9 is a game that's just too sparse and too easy for its own good. But what's worse is that it's perhaps the worst performing game I've played on the Xbox One X.

While it may not have Civilization’s country-spanning scale or Total War’s grand battles, it’s nevertheless a satisfyingly deep strategy game. Age of Empires may be ancient by videogame standards but this engaging, challenging overhaul is well worth digging up.

Put simply, if you're a fan of the series, Bayonetta 1 & 2 are essential on the Nintendo Switch, especially if, like me, you only plan to play them in handheld mode. It's undeniably disappointing that they're less attractive in docked mode, but nevertheless they're still wildly enjoyable and engaging, just not as sharp as you'd probably expect.

Monster Energy Supercross does a lot of things to impress then, but its lacklustre career mode takes a lot of shine out of the proceedings. If you're a fan of the sport you'll find a lot here to like, what with its worthy selection of real world tracks and bikes. And mechanically, it plays rather well too. I'm just not sure how much you'll get out of the title before it no longer excites, despite the presence of a track editor and countless customisation items to unlock. It's undoubtedly the best Supercross game I've ever played, but it still falls short of real greatness.

Crossing Souls has everything you could possibly want from an adventure game. Well polished controls, a stunning art style, fun and varied gameplay, and an emotional yet intriguing narrative all come together to make Crossing Souls one of the best gaming experiences I've had in a long while. It's simply perfect.

In Kingdom Come: Deliverance you're just a small cog in a reasonably big world, but your actions feel like they have worth and impact. You'll prove yourself to be helpful many a time, but often you'll have to rely on others for assistance, or to even do the job for you. It goes a long way to make the land of Bohemia a living, breathing place rather than just your personal playground, and I admire that. It's by no means free of frustration, but Kingdom Come: Deliverance is a special game. It's a game that isn't afraid of being different - of not holding the player's hand every step of their adventure - and for that, it's an experience to be treasured.

For a game with as much crafting as Subnautica has, it needs to constantly steer the player towards materials they’ve not seen before. Excellently, Subnautica delivers here too.

Overall, EA Sports UFC 3 is a great game let down by some modes that just don't entertain as much as they should.

Charming and engaging in equal measure, SteamWorld Dig offers a quirky, addictive subterranean adventure that is well worth digging into.

With combos and accessibility akin to Dragon Ball FighterZ and deep, intricate mechanics like Tekken and Injustice, it truly caters to whoever chooses to pick up a controller. A diverse and unique cast, an electric soundtrack and exciting visuals make for ferocious fights, and while the competition is hot in the fighting game genre right now it’s undoubtedly worth a peek.

While there’s a lot to love within The Arges Adventure, it’s mostly superficial due to a frustrating combat system that forces most of the game to become a slog.

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

Thought-provoking and heart-warming, The Red Strings Club may be brief but it’s good to the last drop.

In the end, what I wanted from this title was more; I wanted to do more puzzles in this world, in this unique way, and that’s exactly what We Were Here Too delivers on.

It's almost educational with its retelling of events and plethora of notes and videos giving you information about items and places of interest. You can tell a lot of care has gone into making the game, which is also evidenced by the beautiful visuals and accomplished voice acting. For a downloadable title, it's got great production values.

Perhaps even worse is that Lost Sphear doesn’t have much to say, other than how remembering our past is just as important as enjoying the present. I love Tokyo RPG Factory’s admiration of the past, but Lost Sphear offers little for both longtime fans of the genre and casual passersby.

Tesla vs. Lovecraft is a wonderful and creative twin-stick shooter that manages to stand out from the crowd in what is something of an oversaturated genre. Despite the small reservation I have with the game's initial difficulty level, everything else — its art style, sountrack, gameplay and overall atmosphere — adds up to make a truly worthwhile experience. It might just be one of 10tons' best.

I fell in love with Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth - Hacker’s Memory after just a couple of hours, and I've found it hard to put down since.

Dragon Ball FighterZ might just be my new favourite fighting game. From its stunningly sharp and wonderfully animated visuals to its frenzied gameplay, there's just something utterly charming about it.

It is chilling without being cheesy. Horrifying without being overt. Disturbing without being grotesque. I absolutely cannot wait to return to the Blackwood Sanatorium and make all the (right? wrong?) decisions this time around. The Inpatient is easily the most rewarding horror adventure to be had on the PSVR to date.

What I know for certain is that Genital Jousting is a secret gem that far surpasses the toilet humour you’d expect.

A unique and thought-provoking package that should pique the interest of any gamer that isn't averse to a bit of strategy. It may not stand up so well to many repeated playthroughs, despite it having multiple endings aplenty, but while it lasts it'll have you on tenterhooks as you go about your duplicitous operations.

As a standalone episode, Hell is Empty doesn't quite hit the same spot that the previous two episodes reached — but that's not to say it's a let down. It just missed a certain emotional punch, and for me, I think that was a result of Chloe feeling less like the centre of attention.

InnerSpace is, without a doubt, an interesting experience. Despite its annoying inconveniences, it is a relaxing experience from start to finish. Its visuals are mesmerising, and its worlds are beautiful, but it’s difficult to accept it for what it is without comparing it to other, more successful games in the genre.

Fearful Symmetry & The Cursed Prince might not impress with its presentation, but its puzzles are devilishly moreish, keeping you going back for one last try until the early hours of the morning.

It's wholesome, harmless fun — it's just a shame there isn't more of it.

Above and Beyond isn't the best Minecraft Story Mode has to offer, but it's nevertheless an appropriately action-packed conclusion to a strong season. It's a shame that certain elements have been overlooked in this last episode, but as a whole, the second season of Minecraft Story Mode has been a worthwhile outing, especially for fans of the block-building franchise.