Mass Effect: Andromeda is obviously not as good as it could have been. Once you get over the fact that it’s not quite as polished as its predecessors nor does it further the series in any meaningful way though, you can still appreciate what it is: a Mass Effect game through and through.

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.

A solid entry into the Recharged series, Berzerk: Recharged is a simple little twin-stick shooter that offers a fun distraction for a short amount of time. Its gameplay loop isn’t quite as compelling as the likes of Caverns of Mars or Quantum Recharged, but it’s yet again a faithful and enjoyable reboot of an Atari classic, and a worthwhile addition to anyone’s library.

Madden NFL 21 isn’t a bad game. It’s good, in fact. It just feels wholly unnecessary.

Aeon Must Die looks great in action, and has a fantastic soundtrack. For players who gel with the game’s combat, they’re likely to keep coming back to see the story through to its end. With multiple endings on offer, they might even return, too. It’s just a shame that for many, Aeon Must Die will prove to be a confusing and sometimes overly punishing experience that doesn’t quite fulfil on its potential.

I very much enjoyed my time with AER Memories of Old. It’s not perfect; it’s a little on the short side, its puzzles are a bit lacklustre, and it has an overt religious message — although if anything, that it adds to the world that AER creates. It’s beautifully designed, and if you stop often enough to take in your surroundings, you’ll find a very strong, moving narrative. If nothing else, though, it’s just so much fun to fly around.

Whether or not you find the destination satisfactory, Strangeland’s journey is a joy. It dips into the grotesque without getting too in-your-face, and despite some downbeat and occasionally distressing themes, it’s uplifting in all the right places.

Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 – The Official Video Game is fun, especially when played with a friend. While some events aren’t as engaging as others, there’s enough variety here that everyone will find something they can enjoy or excel at. The huge range of outfits available to unlock gives completionists a reason to keep going back, but most players will find this best enjoyed in short bursts.

It’s by no means perfect, but Friday the 13th: The Game has a lot of fun to offer when you can get into matches. It delivers the promised tension of the film series, and you can see the love for the franchise in nearly everything.

If you’re a fan of violent twin-stick shooters, it’s well worth checking OTXO out. Its roguelite elements perhaps don’t do it any favours, especially when there’s not much that keeps its gameplay feeling fresh between one run and another, but it provides a lasting challenge. Ultimately, we’d recommend players check out Hotline Miami first that offers a very similar experience. And if they still want more, OTXO will be waiting.

WRC Generations is a good rally game. A great one, even. But a lack of innovation and genuinely new content makes it the least essential entry in the series for some time. If you’re an ardent rally fan, by all means pick it up; you won’t be disappointed. At least not too much, anyway. But those with only a casual interest in the sport might want to stick with WRC 10 until this last official WRC effort from KT Racing goes on sale.

If you fondly remember Mario vs Donkey Kong from its Game Boy Advance iteration, we’ve no doubt you’ll get a kick out of seeing it with a gorgeous, fresh coat of paint. You still will if you’re a newcomer: it’s a treat for the eyes, but it’s also a fun little puzzle game to pick up for 10, 20 minutes at a time. It’s not going to set your world on fire, but those mini Marios are sure to put a smile on your face for a little while.

Testing a new ship and learning the best situations to use each weapon and ability feels thoroughly satisfying, especially when playing against human opponents. All the while, Dead Star still manages to feel tense and exciting, and the strong community suggests that it will continue to be a worthy addition to your gaming library.

There’s a lot to praise about A Memoir Blue. It looks and sounds beautiful, and feels almost experimental in its design – it’s always a joy to see small developers trying something new. But it does leave a little to be desired; its short narrative fails to deliver any real punch, and when the credits roll you may be left thinking “…is that it?”. But considering its small asking price, we can’t really complain. If you enjoy narrative-led journeys, particularly those that deal in human emotion, A Memoir Blue is worth picking up.

It’s an interesting mix between butt-kicking horde fighting and resource-managing tower defence that challenges you to find the right mixture between the two.

Fans of action-RPGs can’t do much wrong checking Earth’s Dawn out, but it’s by no means essential.

Despite its shortcomings, Wizard of Legend is still wonderfully put together.

If you fondly remember Fantavision, or are a new PSVR 2 owner seeking out a puzzle game that they can learn to master while enjoying some beautiful sights, Fantavision 202X is undoubtedly worth checking out. It’s just a shame that it hasn’t been expanded upon for this release, as it feels a bit light on content these days.

Taking on the role of a paranormal investigator, The Occultist gives you multiple unique abilities to make use of as you explore areas and solve an assortment of puzzles. It's a bit rough around the edges, but fans of narrative driven supernatual adventures will likely get plenty of enjoyment out of it.

Earth Defense Force 6 feels more like Earth Defense 5.5, what with it being so similar to its predecessor. There are some welcome tweaks to various features, however, and along with some new enemies and more missions than ever, it makes for the best entry in the series yet. We just hope the inevitable Earth Defense Force 7 is a bit more adventurous.

It’s hard to wholeheartedly recommend MotoGP 23 to anyone but devout fans of the sport, especially with Nine Season 2009 gone without anything to replace it. It’s a solid racing game with some decent updates, but it’s not the most generous when it comes to content and it fails to cater to newcomers without basically taking control off of them. Ultimately, it may be out of date now, but most are better off sticking with MotoGP 22 for another year.

It’s plain to see that Shantae and the Pirate’s Curse is a deep and instantly inviting adventure.

Disney Illusion Island looks great, but being devoid of combat, the gameplay of this Metroidvania eventually comes to feel a bit stale and repetitive. Still, Disney fans will certainly get some enjoyment out of it, especially if they play it in local co-op with friends or family members.

For Bomberman fans, Super Bomberman R 2 is likely to be a must-have simply because of cross-platform play; it’ll certainly make finding matches easier, and that’s where most of the fun lies with this title. Additional match types also make it attractive for those wanting to play it locally with friends, even if Castle proves to be somewhat disappointing. It’s just a shame that so much content is locked behind coins in the store, and that while the campaign is better this time around, it’s still not all that engrossing.

Colourful and over-the-top, Revenge of the Savage Planet captures much of the same space-faring japes that made us love Journey to the Savage Planet. Its humour doesn't hit quite in the same way, though, and a few annoyances with combat left us a little frustrated.

Fade to Silence‘s strengths definitely outweigh its weaknesses, though. Its unique setting makes you want to go out and discover its secrets. Its camp building elements reward you for seeking out other survivors and building bonds with them. And the survival aspects give the game depth and added challenge. It isn’t just a bog-standard adventure game with a frosty backdrop; in Fade to Silence, the weather is your biggest foe.

In terms of gameplay mechanics, there are undoubtedly better rhythm games out there than Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Memory. Being able to use any of three buttons just feels a bit slapdash. And as fantastic as the Kingdom Hearts’ soundtrack is, much of it doesn’t feel particularly suited to rhythm play. As such, you should probably think twice before jumping in if you’re simply after a new rhythm game. But if you’re a fan of the Kingdom Hearts franchise, its issues are easily overlooked, making it much more of an interesting prospect.

While its mobile game roots are still clear to see, the simplicity of Cat Rescue Story on console somehow adds to its charm. Caring for cats in need is wonderfully relaxing, and if you want a basic game to unwind with, you can do much worse than this.

Don’t pick up the game expecting a AAA quality adventure; you’re not going to get it. But if you can overlook its tatty edges, Black Mirror comes equipped with an intriguing narrative, excellent atmosphere and solid gameplay that’ll keep you interested from start to finish. And let’s not forget those Scottish accents.

Overall though, Ninja Pizza Girl is a thoroughly enjoyable game while it lasts, despite a few frustrations.

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.

Matchbox Driving Adventures can take a little while to win you over due to its handling that initially feels awkward. Once you've got used to it, however, there's an enjoyable time to be had, with both adventure and competition modes available.

Disjunction doesn’t lean into cyberpunk quite as heavily as games like Cyberpunk 2077 or The Red Strings Club, but there’s enough sneaking and slaughter to keep you engrossed until the bitter end. It also warrants another playthrough where you force yourself to use stealth, meaning you’ll easily be getting your money’s worth out of this futuristic outing. Throw in a superb soundtrack that’s pure Blade Runner, and you won’t regret plugging into Disjunction.

It looks beautiful, has a wonderfully relaxing soundtrack, and spins an interesting fairytale yarn, but Degrees of Separation only really shines when you’ve got someone to play it with. From its simple beginning, right to its very challenging end.

Essentially a character action game, Valkyrie Elysium does little to worry the heavy hitters in the genre such as Devil May Cry or Bayonetta. But while many of its components are simply adequate, its frenetic combat elevates it from mediocrity. There’s great fun to be had here, summoning Einherjar, using your Soul Chain to zip around the battlefield and making use of more advanced skills to decimate your opponents. Ultimately, it’s not going to set anyone’s world on fire, but it’s definitely worth spending some time with.

One of Lost Sea‘s strongest points, the soundtrack is thematic, and keeps you pushing forward through each island in the chain to reach the boss.

Although it’s short and some of its levels may feel a little repetitive, we can’t help but like Storyteller. It’s not going to set your world on fire, but the two-or-so hours you spend with it, working through its levels, will provide you with plenty of challenge – and just as many smiles. It’s an innovative concept, and we’d love to see it expanded upon in future releases.

As awful as the acting is though, it’s not enough to completely ruin Trials of Mana. If you’re a fan of JRPGs you’ll find a lot to like here. It looks great, it’s easy to play, and it’s not the longest slog in the world – you’ll see the credits roll in about 20 hours. Sure, there are a few frustrations, but it remains true to the Mana series and overall provides an enjoyable – if a little uninspiring – adventure for fans of the genre.

Cat Quest 3's selling point is also one of its biggest detractors, depending how you feel about the series: it's simply more of the same. It looks fantastic, and exploring its cutesy world is a joy, but the addition of sailing a ship isn't enough to make this stand out from its predecessors.

Putting players in control of a mech-suit piloted by a rabbit, Rusty Rabbit lets them embark on an engaging adventure where they'll make their way through numerous dungeons while collecting junk, crafting new parts and unravelling the game's story. Its controls can be a little clunky and it's rather basic in some areas, but there's still fun to be had in control of old Rusty.

If you’re not bothered about extra loot or costumes, then Episode Gladiolus might not be that worthwhile. But if you’re a fan who was invested in Final Fantasy XV‘s main story, finding out what happened to Gladiolus and learning where he got his scar from is a very welcome addition.

The second entry into The Dark Pictures Anthology is an improvement over the first. As much as we enjoyed Man of Medan, Little Hope ups the ante in just about every way. Its story is more engaging, it packs in some truly spine-tingling moments, its cinematography is greatly improved, and it looks and performs beautifully. It’s just a shame a duff ending – no matter what the outcome of your playthrough – leaves you feeling unfulfilled as the credits roll.

Bugs aside, though, we’ve thoroughly enjoyed our time with Mail Time. This is a cute, whimsical adventure that anyone who likes cosy, relaxing games will enjoy. The silly dialogue won’t be to everyone’s tastes, but we still reckon it’ll raise a smile or two even from the sternest of faces. Leave action and violence aside for a bit, and Mail Time is the ideal chilled-out experience to spend a couple of hours with.

Smoothcade is simple, perhaps to a fault, but if you're looking for an easy-to-pick-up arcade game to play in short bursts, it's hard to be too disappointed with what's on offer here. It's bold, colourful and costs as much as a couple of cups of coffee — what more could you ask for, really?

In My Shadow is only a few hours long, but it’s a lot of fun while it lasts, and having to think in different dimensions will keep you on your toes. As long as you ignore its disappointing story, you won’t regret picking up this brain-stretching puzzler.

With its large cast of playable heroes, each with their own special abilities, there's a lot of fun to be had with Big Helmet Heroes, especially when you also factor in the many, many items that can be picked up and utilised as weapons. Its combat feels a little shallow, however, and it's a bit rough around the edges on the whole.

A macabre adventure about a zombie boy and his human friend, Gloomy Eyes is a single-player game that requires players to switch between two characters. It can be frustrating at times, but its wonderfully creepy art style and some enjoyable puzzles make it a decent way to spend a few hours.

For those what want to immerse themselves in a strange, alternative take on the Wild West and unravel a mysterious story, Weird West should do the trick. This is an engaging action RPG that while narrative-driven, still gives players a large amount of choice. And though there are some issues, they’re worth bearing with to see each of the game’s protagonists journeys through to their end. As the first game from WolfEye Studios, this is a very commendable effort indeed.

If you can handle overwrought voice acting, some nasty characters, and thin writing, you’ll enjoy the story. For fans of puzzles, thankfully there is a fast skip button that allows you to skip the overly talky bits and get to the real shining star in Zero Escape: The Nonary Games.

Blending together Unpacking and Islanders, Urban Jungle doesn't quite match the charm of either of them, but it's still a fun little game to while away a few hours with. The strategy of placing plants will test your brain, but the sheer amount of them goes against the game's desire for you to create a cosy, livable space.

Unoriginal art direction aside, Natsuki Chronicles is a thoroughly entertaining shoot ’em up that any fan of the genre should check out. Though thanks to its generosity with handing out additional credits and shields in each of its game modes, it’s even suitable for those with only a passing interest in the genre looking for a good entry point. Only players who truly wanted to follow its story will find real fault with it – everyone else will find it to be a blast from beginning to end.

If you fancy a sandbox where you can design exteriors of homes, cafés, hotels – whatever you want, really – SUMMERHOUSE is a seriously cool one. It’s as basic as they come, but there’s charm in its simplicity. Nothing to bog it down: just you, some design tools, and whatever you want to create.

RIGS showcases the grandiose nature of VR, and the insane worlds it can create. I for one have been sold on the future possibilities, based on what I’ve seen here.

If you’ve played Table Top Racing to death already on another format there’s probably no reason to pick up this new Switch version unless you’re really keen to play it in local multiplayer. If you’ve never played it before though, this new Nitro Edition may be worth adding to your collection if you fondly remember the mad antics of games like Micro Machines. Its races may not be all that exciting, and success may sometimes feel dependent more on luck than skill, but Table Top Racing: World Tour – Nitro Edition is still entertaining.

Taking between five and six hours to complete the main story, Pirates of the Enchiridion isn’t the longest game you’re going to play this year. It’s not even the most original, or most engaging. But it has charm, fun, and character in droves.

If you’re not already a fan though, there’s a good chance that the games included will have you scratching your head as to why they’re so highly revered.

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 is a good game but not a great one. Its campaign is very linear and feels balanced around multiplayer, which is disappointing if you're planning on playing solo. Needless to say, it's more rewarding when played in co-op, and additional multiplayer modes add to the fun. But however you play, performance issues might frustrate.

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 you thrive on arcade shooters that can be returned to again and again, Akka Arrh has a lot to offer. It can feel a little messy and unfair at times, but it’s an original concept that keeps you on your toes. And when you get into the zone it’s easy to get entranced by its abstract art style and unique soundtrack.

There’s nothing mind-blowing about Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider. And it perhaps doesn’t quite feel as tight or rewarding to play as JoyMasher’s previous game, the fantastic Blazing Chrome. But it’s a solid take on the classic action platformer, and is bound to entertain those who were around during the genre’s heyday, as well as newcomers keen on some challenging action.

Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines 2 has a wealth of issues, from an open world that feels wasted to combat that feels scrappy throughout. Thanks to a gripping narrative that you can shape with your actions, however, you'll likely still enjoy your time spent sucking blood across Seattle.

In a nutshell then, Earth Defense Force 4.1 may not look like a game that you bought a PS4 for, but it makes up for it by providing outrageously mindless fun that simply no other game can offer.

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 you let it gets its hooks into you, you’ll be able to tolerate its flaws. While it won’t sate hardcore horror fans, Nevermind is visually and thematically striking enough to be worth a look.

If you are looking for a unique twist to the very established stealth genre, or a way to pass the time before sinking your teeth into more complex and in-depth games, then Level 22 definitely fits the bill.

Despite its few issues though, Shred It! is wonderful little game that’s hard not to love.

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.

Taking less than two hours to complete, ZAAM is a perfectly adequate short horror experience. It may never truly impress, but it has plenty of creative ideas that make it satisfying to play. ZAAM utilises its atmosphere and tone to give the player plenty of spooky feelings without having to rely on loud noises or jumpy bits. If you’re looking for a quick spook to send a chill up your spine, you may well find it here – just don’t go in expecting to be blown away.

The best feature of Sssnakes however is the price: this game can be purchased for just a penny short of two quid!

Blending the old and the new, Yars Rising is an enjoyable metroidvania that sees you exploring the mysterious QoTech facility. With a strong range of skills to learn, playing as protagonist Emi is a lot of fun — but the game is let down by its retro hacking levels that are frustrating enough to mar the entire experience.

You can have a good time going 1v1, but it doesn’t feel as intense. With Magnet Knights, you really have to go all in to get the most bang for your buck.

It’s certainly not the ideal game for those expecting sweat-inducing horror or adrenaline-pumping action, but for those who like to explore eerie environments and unravel a good story, there’s a good evening’s worth of entertainment.

Defragmented is a fun and engrossing game (hours will fly by as though you’re in a cryo-sleep). It has a mostly wicked score, a cool world and explosive action sequences which make you feel like you’re inside of a movie on a bad trip. It’s not the best shooter ever made or the best RPG ever made, but the hybrid set in the cyber-punk universe is intense and captivating.

Despite a few technical issues, Paw Patrol The Movie: Adventure City Calls nails its target audience without ever feeling patronising or asinine, as children’s games have a tendency to do. This is one of the better games for young players we’ve seen in some time, and there’s no doubt it’ll be a hit with Paw Patrol fans. Obviously, there’s not much here for grown-up players, but its simple mechanics, nice mix of gameplay and pleasant visuals make it a game for children we’re confident to recommend.

If you’re looking for something to sink hours into and enjoy a slow, steady stroll rather than an action-packed sprint, Story of Seasons: Friends of Mineral Town might just be for you.

Silver Chains succeeds because, rather than piling on the terror, it leaves you to dwell on the thoroughly unsettling situation you’re in.

Brought to life with gorgeous hand-drawn art, Paper Trail is beautiful to look at. Its puzzles, centring around folding and unfolding paper, are an acquired taste, however, and can quickly grow tiresome. As well-designed and clever as they are, we'd wager some players will struggle to digest more than a couple of levels at a time.

Grocery retail may seem like an odd subject for a sim game, but Supermarket Simulator absolutely pulls it off. It's seriously satisfying to see your store go from strength to strength, though it's a tad frustrating you can't delegate ordering.

We Were Here Together isn’t going to be for everyone, but if you’re a good communicator and enjoy working together then you really ought to give it a try.

Despite its difficulty, there’s no denying that Buildings Have Feelings Too is a lovely little game. It oozes personality, with quick-witted lines of dialogue and a premise unlike anything else you’ve played before. If you’re expecting a true city-building sim, you’re probably going to be disappointed. But if you pick up Buildings Have Feelings Too expecting a quirky puzzle game, you’ll have a great time.

Uniqueness is what keeps Stunt Kite Party afloat. It’s disappointing that playing against the computer in Story Mode simply isn’t all that fun. And it’s disappointing that there’s no online play. But honestly, you’ll have never played anything quite like it before.

Ender Lilies: Quietus of the Knights‘ combat could still do with some work, not least because the animation is so gorgeous that limiting your physical attacks deprives the game of an extra dose of visual finesse. But this is still a magical outing that will have you hooked until the Blight is nothing but a bad memory.

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.

A great visual style makes Pato Box stand out from the crowd, as does the duck/boxer protagonist. If you’re up for a challenge, with a game that requires you to master the rhythm of each boss fight, then Pato Box will be a champion for you.

Chaos Code seeks to carve out its own niche and it may just do that here in the west. It’s an entertaining brawler in its own right and its roster of bizarre characters and ludicrous moves are just appealing enough to keep you engaged.

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.

As always, [Freeplay] adds a great deal of value and content to the game, and is likely to be where you’ll have most fun.

If complex, entertaining battles float your boat, and you can tolerate the lack of diversions or deviations, then you’ll be in your nostalgic element with God Wars: Future Past.

Overall, MilitAnt is a worthwhile way to spend a few hours, despite the small trophy list, as it offers an unusual take on side-scrolling, shooting and platforming.

This is a game with a long, arcing story that takes some awkward, colourful teens through their turbulent teenage years with a fun and vibrant world to explore, charming characters to befriend and a turn-based combat system with a surprising amount of depth once you look beneath the surface.

If you want something that’s fun to quickly dip into, and offers a brain-teasing challenge perhaps while something more meaty installs on your hard drive, Tetra’s Escape should fit the bill nicely. It’s a fun twist on other block-based puzzle games, and enough new mechanics are introduced at a regular pace that it never gets stale.

Inspired by horror classics such as Silent Hill 2 and Eternal Darkness, The Glass Staircase is Puppet Combo's most ambitious release yet. This surreal and atmospheric experience will keep you on the edge of your seat for the entirety of its brief playing time, though checkpointing and aiming issues may frustrate a little.

The Ringed City is a brutally unkind piece of content that shows the series at its best, but also unfortunately its worst.

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.

Metroidvania fans will find lots to like when it comes to Frontier Hunter: Erza's Wheel of Fortune. Being able to instantly switch between three characters, each with their own weapons, is a blast, and crafting and customising your gear with the cores of enemies is rewarding. The only thing that really lets it down is the fact that it's rather rough around the edges.

Despite its niggles, there’s a lot to like about Zoeti: its poker hand twist on typical card-based battler gameplay makes it stand out from the crowd. Add to that its beautiful 2D animation – and a surprisingly excellent soundtrack – and you’ve got a unique roguelike that we can see ourselves returning to again and again. With a bit of polish, it really could be a stand-out title in the genre.

Styx, the Master of Stealth, is back, and in his latest adventure he has more freedom than ever as he hunts down valuable Quartz. The openness of the levels is perhaps the highlight of Styx: Blades of Greed, though the new tools and skills available to Styx are also welcome. It's just a shame there are no maps to help with your navigation, and the combat remains something that will frustrate.

[Arslan is] not really that different from those that have come before it, but the focus on story leads to missions that feel more urgent and engaging.