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.

Bright, bold and wonderfully wacky, we love Justice Sucks. Dusty might only be a household appliance but he’s a lovable – if not ultraviolent – protagonist who is a pleasure to control. The mixture of stealth and action here is endlessly entertaining, and sucking up your victims is satisfying in the most twisted way. Samurai Punk has created something truly original, and it deserves to succeed.

If you’re picking up a PSVR 2 headset and want a game to show off what it’s capable of, Horizon Call of the Mountain is it. The visuals are astounding, and the gameplay – while a little slow to start – soon becomes captivating. Climbing is tiring but rewarding, while doing battle with mechanical monstrosities has never felt more involving. Add in loads of neat interactions and activities to be enjoyed along the way, and you have a game that not only expands the world of Horizon, but also makes us excited for what’s to come thanks to PSVR 2.

There isn’t really anything to be said negatively about Defiant Honor, other than, like Dragon of the North, I just want more. But Nioh is more than enough, I’m just greedy. I will be eagerly awaiting the final DLC, and the pain it will bring me. Don’t let this game slip away. Experience its ever growing brilliance.

Whilst the Final Fantasy series constantly shifts in an attempt to expand its audience, alienating many long-term fans in the process, Tales of Berseria is a love letter to Tales fans, reassuring them that the series doesn’t need to change to remain relevant.

Those who put in the time will be rewarded with deeply strategic gameplay, beautiful environments and a surprisingly insightful story.

Marrakesh can stand very proud next to Sapienza. While it doesn’t quite reach the same heights, it is a very accomplished mission, built into a magnificent sandbox.

The experience at the core of GRID is undoubtedly a great one. The racing is exciting and keeps you on your toes, moreso than any other racer currently available. But there just aren’t enough modes to keep your attention in the long term. Additionally, many features that should make GRID shine feel shallow and inconsequential, and you soon feel like you’ve exhausted all of the game’s tracks. GRID simply needed to be more.

Trials Rising offers phenomenal value for money. The tried and tested gameplay has been refined to perfection, there are more than 100 events on offer, and its multiplayer modes are a blast. Any Trials fan should expect to get dozens of hours of gameplay out of Trials Rising, which is not to be sniffed at.

Alienation is undoubtedly one of the best games currently available on the PS4. Go buy it. Now. You won’t be disappointed.

There’s something rather alluring about Torment: Tides of Numenera. Whilst its central story is somewhat linear, it’s truly impressive just how personal your adventure can be thanks to the wealth of side quests that surround it and the multiple ways you can deal with each of them.

A unique take on the Survivors-like genre that also throws in city building and tower defence mechanics, Monsters are Coming! Rock & Road is a moreish roguelike that will have you repeatedly coming back for more.

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.

A co-op only game in the vein of It Takes Two, LEGO Voyagers challenges players to navigate a wonderfully designed world as a couple of small bricks, rolling around while navigating platforms, building structures and solving puzzles. Its controls can be a bit fiddly at times, but overall it's a pleasure to play from beginning to end.

Halo Wars 2 is hands-down the best RTS available on console, and a game that rightfully deserves a place in any thinking Xbox One owner’s library.

Expeditions: A MudRunner Game succeeds in being a more varied, interesting and accessible entry in Saber’s Runner series, although it’s still on the challenging side and has niche appeal. We’ve had a great deal of entertainment from it though, and will continue to do so — it’s 70-plus expeditions present a seriously considerable time investment. With DLC and a co-op mode to come, it’s likely to get even better, too. Ultimately, it’s not for everyone. But for those who dream of navigating harsh environments in an assortment of vehicles, it’s a blast.

With the Metroidvania genre seemingly being one of the most popular right now, fans are stacked with choices when it comes to what to play. And while Cookie Cutter might not be at the top of the pile, it does stand out for a number of reasons. Its hand-drawn art is wonderful to behold, and its punk spirit will no doubt be very attractive to some. Then there’s the combat, which has its issues but is mostly chaotic in the best way. Ultimately, then, while it’s not going to win any awards, you could do a lot worse than spend time with Cookie Cutter.

Anger Foot is essentially Hotline Miami played from a first-person perspective, with your foot being your most valuable asset. As fun as kicking things with a variety of effects is, however, the action gets repetitive pretty fast, the difficulty feels unfair at times, and the soundtrack may drive you up the wall.

Paper Beast isn’t perfect; like a dream, the game just ends without warning. But the trip is such a joyous, meditative experience it’s worth this parting burst of confusion. If you’ve got a PSVR, Paper Beast should be high on your to-play list.

If you’ve never played Alan Wake before and love spooky games with strong stories and plenty of action, consider this remaster a must-have. Thanks to its upgraded visuals, ardent Alan Wake fans are likely to want to pick it up, too, and they won’t be disappointed. This is a game that has stood the test of time, and now being available on more formats than ever before, it’s time for it to step into the light and truly be seen.

If you’re a fan of The Surge and you’re fine with the idea of A Walk in the Park only taking up a few hours of your time, I’d say jump into it. It may be quite short but it’s enjoyable every step of the way, and there’s plenty of goodies to carry through to the rest of the game. For those expecting a longer running time, however, you may want to wait until A Walk in the Park becomes a little cheaper. Though do make sure you pick it up.

Whether you’re a fighting game fan who remembers some of these classics from yesteryear, or someone new to the genre who’s open to digging into some past treasures, Capcom Fighting Collection is well worth picking up. Sure, it’s fairly Darkstalkers-heavy, and the lack of cross-platform play is unfortunate, but the hours of fun that can be had from this collection far outweigh such disappointments. Capcom has once again plundered its extensive back catalogue and come up with the goods.

Wonder Boy: The Dragon’s Trap sets the bar incredibly high for future recreations of classic games. Not only does it pay reverence to the source material in nearly every conceivable way, it also manages to modernise the original game through an astounding level of quality in presentation.

Despite its lack of real consequences, Astrologaster is a lot of fun to play; the excellent writing and top-notch voice acting really bring this ridiculous concept to life. Yes, it’s a shame the player’s actions don’t make more of a difference, but Astrologaster is still worth going along with – especially if you want a unique look at 16th century London.

Cook, Serve, Delicious 3 is an excellent title. A few tweaks to the holding station mechanics could help the game feel a little more challenging, but even as it is, when you get towards the end, your fingers will be moving so fast that your brain will barely be able to keep up. And that madness is what the Cook, Serve, Delicious series is all about. If you’ve enjoyed the previous games, then Cook, Serve, Delicious 3 is a must-play. With a strange but entertaining story, new mechanics, new foods and more, it’s a delicious feast of challenging, foodie fun.

EA Sports F1 24 is undoubtedly the most authentic representation of the sport yet, with stunning visuals and responsive handling. You can play as Icons for the first time in career mode, too. But versus last year's release, the improvements are slight, meaning some might want to sit this one out.

Sonic x Shadow Generations feels right at home on Switch 2. Both Sonic Generations and the new Shadow campaign look fantastic, and performance is solid, making these fast-paced platforming experiences a joy to return to time and time again. It's just a shame there's no upgrade path for those who already own the game on the original Switch.

It’s the narrative and world around you that will keep you playing I Am Dead. The actual gameplay – seeking out objects by manipulating your environment – can feel rather monotonous rather quickly. If anything, I Am Dead feels like a more mature, more evolved take on the hidden object genre, and so it won’t appeal to everyone. But thanks to wonderfully-told stories and a bizarre but delightful mix of fantasy and grounded reality, this is a short adventure that’s fun while it lasts.

Do we wish there was a bit more puzzling involved in Frog Detective: The Entire Mystery? Perhaps. But this isn’t a game you play for exercising your brain. It’s purely about silly fun, enjoying a cast of curious characters and revelling in a series of cute little stories for a couple of hours. If you want something more serious, there are plenty of other games to offer you that. For now, simply forget the worries of the world and get lost in this beautifully bizarre little game.

Handling can make or break a racing game, and thankfully the VooFoo development team have got the balance just right, with controls feeling responsive and vehicles behaving just as you’d expect them to.

The sheer amount of puzzles on offer here is incredible, without ever being overwhelming. There’s a solid sense of progression, with goals to work towards – but you’re also free to explore however you wish, tackling the puzzles that interest you and, for the most part, ignoring the ones you don’t enjoy as much. It’s already great but with a few updates over time, Islands of Insight could really be something special.

Despite these issues, it’s hard not to be won over by Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes on the whole, especially if you’re a Suikoden fan. While its story might not have much emotional impact, it’s still pretty engaging. And many will love the fact that this does genuinely feel like a JRPG from the golden age of the genre. It’s not quite the Suikoden successor we were hoping for, but it’s still a worthy game in its own right.

If you’re wanting to pick up an accessible space shooter that you can casually play but has a great deal of depth, Everspace comes more than highly recommended. It’s a game that will have you hooked no matter your skill level.

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

Battle for Azeroth makes some great improvements in the levelling experience, but faults in its class design and the less rewarding Azerite system mean that overall, it takes too many steps back from Legion.

Mechstermination Force is enjoyably challenging, reasonably cheap, and mildly humorous. That makes it a success in my book.

It’s up there with the likes of Hotline Miami and Mr Shifty when it comes to providing exhilarating top-down action, and it has also got a great soundtrack. Coming straight out of nowhere, it’s undoubtedly one of the best games released this year, and is an absolute must for anyone who loves local co-op.

Even with its faults, Mafia: Definitive Edition is a fantastic remake of the original game. Its story is as engrossing as ever, tempting you to play just one more chapter before hitting that quit button. And while the gameplay isn’t perfect, it’s solid enough to keep you entertained. However, it’s a shame that more hasn’t been made of the game’s open world, as so much care has obviously been put into making it. Still if you’re after a story-driven single-player game to sink a decent amount of time into, you can’t go wrong with Mafia: Definitive Edition, especially considering its somewhat budget price. It’s simply an offer you can’t refuse.

As Rogue-likes go, Curse of the Dead Gods is up there with the best of them. It’s got brilliant combat, dastardly traps to overcome if you want their riches, and numerous unique systems layered on top that add considerable depth. With the prospect of death (or at least grave misfortune) around every corner, it keeps you on your toes, uncertain of what the future holds. But you’ll find yourself going back time and time again, ever hopeful that soon, the temple that’s been holding you back will be conquered. It’s not for the faint of heart, but Rogue-like fans would be mad to give this the cold shoulder.

One of the most tense games we’ve played that isn’t strictly horror, we’ve loved every moment spent in the atmospheric world of Kona II: Brume. With satisfying puzzles and engaging exploration, this is a stylish mystery that has truly kept us on the edge of our seats. Beautiful visuals, excellent voice acting and a twisty narrative are simply additional cherries on the cake.

With its intriguing narrative that keeps you on your toes and some genuinely creative puzzles, Luto is a first-person psychological horror game like no other. It has an important message, but its dark subject matter means that it perhaps isn't suitable for those sensitive to themes of depression and suicide.

The ability to dash around each enemy individually and slice them to pieces using the wonderfully hilarious procedural gore system is endlessly satisfying.

While you probably won’t play it on your own for very long due to the lack of matchmaking and career mode challenges, Obliteracers makes for a fairly entertaining experience when played in local multiplayer.

Xanadu Next is a charming RPG title that seems to have sprung out of the past for new life. It reminds us of the old-school principles of gaming, with labyrinthine levels, a vast array of enemies… and an off-beat lore centred around an epic English poem.

The only way you could be a little disappointed with Ray’Z Arcade Chronology is if you were expecting some kind of museum-like content, as there’s none of that here. Otherwise, this is a brilliant collection for shoot ’em up fans. All three games presented here are classics and they’ve never looked or played better. Add in all the new options and features, and you’re onto a winner.

It's hard as nails and has some balance issues that perhaps need to be addressed, but on the whole The First Berserker: Khazan is an impressive Soulslike that's very easy to recommend whether you're familiar with the Dungeon Fighter Online series or not.

Aside from occasionally getting lost, every moment spent with this short adventure game is a joy. You’ll see the credits roll in less than six hours, but you’ll likely be itching to jump back in and continue exploring after that. The harpoon makes for a unique and useful weapon; whether you’re using it to destroy your foes or to transport yourself across the screen, it’s a fluid and rewarding experience. One of the first games of 2021 I’ve sank my teeth into, Olija certainly has set the bar high.

Thanks to its absolutely sublime art style, excellent voice acting and its dark, fairytale-like narrative, Lost in Random is a wonderful adventure that will have you gripped. It’s a shame there’s no lip syncing to really finish off the visuals, and combat can be a little frustrating at times, but in the grand scheme of things these are miniscule issues. There’s so much originality and charm here that it’s hard not to fall in love with the world of Random.

If you want some cheap action RPG goodness, by all means pick it up. But you’re not going to be shouting about it from the hilltops.

If you’ve got the patience for it, Relicta is undoubtedly a neat puzzle game. It’s quite lengthy for a game of its type, which is perhaps why it eventually begins to feel overly repetitive, but you are spurred on when you encounter an a-ha! moment and go on to solve a puzzle that’s been perplexing you for the last 15 minutes or so. If you’ve made your way through the likes of the The Talos Principle and QUBE 2 and are eager to get stuck into yet another brain-teasing adventure, you’ll get a lot out of Relicta, even if it won’t have quite the same impact on you.

There's definitely some joy to be had from Detroit, particularly if themes of artificial intelligence and sentience intrigue you. But there are other games and movies that do more with them (Soma, for example). For a game that relies so heavily on its narrative to carry it, Detroit: Become Human fails to excel.

Questionable humour aside however, the icing on the murder cake is the way that AI: The Somnium Files has you revisit scenes, following different plot branches to produce a different outcome (sometimes radically different) without needing to start all over again. Date may not be a great detective, but there’s no doubting that AI: The Somnium Files is a great detective game. It blends humour and human horror to deliver an engaging, mind-bending experience that’s a cut above most visual novels.

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.

Despite the introduction of multiple difficulty levels, then, some might find themselves becoming frustrated with Ys Memoire: The Oath in Felghana. But fans of the series and those who don’t mind a challenge will still get lots of fun out of it. It’s a meaningful update of a classic, and while it might not hit the same notes as one of the most recent entries in the series, spending more time with the red-haired Adol remains a treat.

Death Road to Canada is still as brilliant as ever. It's a fun, challenging, quirky road trip simulator full of more zombies than you can shake a spiky stick at. Despite a few minor niggles, Death Road to Canada has me hooked; I'm going back for more at least once a day for a few hours at a time.

Unreasonable expectation of perfection aside, Stellaris is a expertly blended mosaic of 4X, grand strategy and self-created narrative. For the relatively small niche that this game occupies, it is the undisputed master and commander.

Expertly designed with a brilliant and unique concept, Super Rude Bear Resurrection kept me hooked even in its latter stages, where the game’s flaws started to become more irritating.

Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity is a treat for both Warriors fans and those who adore The Legend of Zelda series. It may not have the puzzles of a traditional Zelda game, but it packs in an obscene amount of action to make up for it. Throw in a story that will have you gripped as well as the usual Zelda charm, and you have a game that will keep you glued to the screen for tens of hours.

I’ve no hesitation in saying that Tell Me Why is Dontnod Entertainment’s best game yet. Its narrative may be somewhat small in scope, but the subject matter it deals with packs a punch much greater than any tall tale of time manipulation ever could. Its characters are some of the most well-realised I’ve come across in a game yet, and their story is one that’s not going to leave me any time soon. Dontnod deals with difficult subject matter bravely and commendably, but that’s not why Tell Me Why is so special. It’s the combination of everything altogether – its characters, actors, visuals, story – that makes this an experience I’m not soon going to forget.

For music rhythm game fans, SUPERBEAT XONiC EX is an essential purchase. It’s challenging but accessible, and the wide range of songs and customisation options available means there’s plenty of content to go at, just as you like it. Every bit as good as the PlayStation Vita but with more content and the ability to play it on a big screen and with a better sound system, SUPERBEAT XONiC EX will push your hand-eye coordination to the limit, but you’ll enjoy every eye-watering minute of it.

It feels like a pointless endeavour to stick a score on something like this, really. Thanks to recent titles such as River City Girls and timeless classics such as Streets of Rage 2, I’ve found playing most of the titles in Double Dragon & Kunio-Kun: Retro Brawler Bundle to be painful, at best. To me, they’re now nothing more than curios; relics of the past that are good to be remembered but not to be played. But you might feel differently. It’s a costly gamble to find out.

If you’re after a new puzzle game to play, you’d be wise to consider Shady Part of Me, especially if you’re drawn to its moody aesthetic. Just be aware that it probably won’t hold your attention with a vice-like grip due to the repetitive nature of many of its puzzles. While it’s not a long game by any means, you’re more likely to enjoy it over numerous sittings, rather than being glued to the screen from beginning to end.

Ultimately, while Adios might not match your initial expectations, particularly if you’ve read the slightly sneaky Steam store deception, it’s still a captivating ride. Adios may be a brief goodbye but the echoes of this farewell will stick with you for days.

Unbound: Worlds Apart isn’t a bad game by any means, but after a few hours of play it simply begins to feel bland and a little repetitive. Your portal powers seem interesting at the outset, but chances are you’ll eventually get tired of using the same combination of them to overcome platforming challenges and to make your way past creepy arachnids and other oversized bugs unscathed. If you’re in the market for a challenging puzzle platformer there are worse out there, but you’re probably not going to remember your time with Unbound: Worlds Apart once you’re done with it.

Let’s Build a Zoo’s comedic approach to zoo management belies just how deep it is. It isn’t perfect and I’d love a patch that halved the number of animals you need for splicing, but seeing your visitors gawp in wonder at your creations is worth the price of admission alone. The moral choices it throws at you, which aren’t all just for the sake of being evil, elevate it even further. If you’ve the slightest interest interest in sim games, you’ll have hour after hour of ethically-dubious fun with Let’s Build a Zoo.

Tormented Souls is a great survival horror game, and on Switch it’s more impressive than ever. The visuals are good, the puzzle-heavy gameplay remains engaging, and being able to quickly bring up the map makes a world of difference. If you’re an old-school survival horror fan and haven’t played this yet, get it bought, pronto.

Tormented Souls 2, like its predecessor, offers some solid survival horror action inspired by classics of the genre. Some might find dealing with or avoiding enemies a bit frustrating at times though, and a number of its puzzles could be considered a little too obtuse for comfort.

Hatsune Miku: Project DIVA X is more of the same but better, and for most that’s all it needed to be. It’s got new songs, a new and improved structure, and so many customisation options that it’s hard to imagine you could ever tire of it all. And so with its beautiful graphics, great animations and classic Project DIVA gameplay, Project DIVA X is undoubtedly the definitive Hatsune Miku experience.

There’s some fun to be had with Granblue Fantasy: Versus. Its cast is likeable and the accessible combat means that anyone can play and have a good time time. At least initially, anyway. And I’m sure I’ve already mentioned that it’s probably the best looking fighting game available. It’s just a shame that the combat lacks depth in the long run, that its RPG mode is a bit grindy, and that there isn’t a great deal of content. Granblue Fantasy: Versus is a good fighting game, but there are many better, more generous, offerings out there, even if they don’t look quite as nice.

It’s far away from being perfect, but Horizon Chase Turbo is one hell of a stylish way to waste 30 minutes of your day.

Approach it like a story-driven RPG, expecting to be absorbed by an epic tale and a cast of likeable characters, and you may be left underwhelmed by what’s on offer despite the solid gameplay. If you put in the time and effort however, creating a group of mercenaries that you strive to develop further by engaging in the well developed turn-based battle system both online and off, then Grand Kingdom will prove to be a graciously rewarding experience.

Wuppo is a fun game with a lot of heart, made all the more enjoyable by the clearly evident fact that it has been meticulously and lovingly created. Wuppo is a game with character; it knows exactly what it wants to be and what it wants to do, and it accomplishes those tasks elegantly and creatively.

Grow: Song of the Evertree is the epitome of cosy, wholesome gaming. With a healthy mix of town-building, farming and adventuring, there’s a huge amount of content here for the modest asking price. If you enjoy relaxing games that you can take at your own pace, you won’t be disappointed. It’s a shame that it’s still waiting for some bugs to be ironed out, but once they’re fixed, this will be a must-have.

Had the additional DLC package been included with the game as standard, we’d probably suggest Klonoa Phantasy Reveries Series as a must-have for fans hungry to spend time with its cool cat protagonist again. It would be easier to recommend to newcomers, too. But as it is, while some will get plenty of enjoyment out of it at full price, most might want to wait until it goes on sale. Klonoa Phantasy Reverie Series is an enjoyable blast from the past, but it’s by no means essential playing.

Techland made the right choice turning Dying Light: The Beast into a standalone entry in the series as it might just be the best in the series yet. Taking control of Kyle Crane again is fantastic, especially now that he can tap into the power of his inner beast. But despite this, it remains mostly a tense experience, with a fantastic open world that begs to be explored.

An audio and visual tour de force, Observer doesn’t pull any punches. It would appear that Layers of Fear was simply foreplay for Bloober Team; a warm up for the full-on fuckfest that Observer is. Combining investigation, exploration, stealth, puzzles, and a near constant barrage of horror, Observer is a meticulously created game that rarely puts a foot wrong. If you think you have the stomach for it, this could be one of the biggest surprises of the year.

Despite some performance hiccups, The Surge 2 is a sequel done right. Meaningful changes have been made to address the criticisms aimed at the original game, new features have been added to enrich and expand the gameplay, and storytelling has been put more at the forefront. It’s definitely one of the best Souls-likes currently available, though it’s doing the game a bit of a disservice to call it one; The Surge 2 further takes the series into its own territory, enabling it to stand on its own two feet.

Although I’ve picked apart several problems with Atelier Ryza 2, the bottom line is that they’re all minor issues. Rarely does anything detract from the joy of stepping into Ryza’s shoes and simply existing in this gorgeous world. There’s so much to do, and every element of the game – from exploring, to crafting, to combat – is immersive and rewarding. It’s a shame there’s no English voice acting, and a bit more direction would be helpful at times, but even with those faults, Atelier Ryza 2: Lost Legends & the Secret Fairy remains a delightful way to spend 40+ hours of your life.

With the usual quality of life features added into the mix, such as screen options, save state support and more, G-Darius HD is easy to recommend to series fans with the skills to do it justice. Its dated visuals and rock-hard difficulty level, however, means it’s not likely to impress newcomers. It’s not a bad game by any means, but it’s hard to not feel like more could have been done with G-Darius HD to make it a more accessible and attractive package overall.

Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name is likely to delight Yakuza fans. While this is a cut down affair taking place largely in just one location, being reunited with Kazuma Kiryu once again is joyous, especially with the new tricks he has up his sleeves. It’s not really suitable for newcomers, but if you’re looking forward to the release of Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, you should consider this an essential purchase. Those who wish to further pry into the life of the fearsome Dragon of Dojima will want to play it, too.

Shadow Warrior 2 surprised me. It takes a chance by adopting a more open-ended structure, but it pays off. All the humour of the original game remains intact, and there’s more emphasis on you simply having fun, whether that’s by yourself or with others. And what fun it is.

VC issues aside, which aren’t anything new, NBA 2K23 is undoubtedly the best entry in the series for some years. Jordan Challenge is a great addition that can eat up many hours of your time, while MyCareer is more engrossing than ever thanks to its entertaining story. But ultimately, it’s the gameplay changes that make NBA 2K23 worth picking up. Playing basketball from the comfort of your couch has never looked or felt so good.

If you’re a fan of Star Wars, there is clearly enough care and reverence here to get some enjoyment as well. Just don’t expect much of any challenge beyond some of the puzzles and don’t expect sophisticated humour, either.

The retro graphics are primitive but they have a certain charm… and the 80’s style synth soundtrack which provides an eerie, moody, and darkly relaxing tone.

Severed Steel‘s campaign may be short, but it’s very sweet. And the high-octane nature of its action is intoxicating, meaning you’re likely to engage with firefight mode and perhaps even play through the campaign again with Mutators active. A single-player only experience, those who like waging war while feeling like a badass will be in their element here. It’s an absolute blast from beginning to end.

Hugely inspired by Castlevania, Chronicles of the Wolf offers a fairly lengthy gothic adventure where players explore a dark, interconnected world to take down an evil menace. It looks nice, has a great soundtrack and is mostly fun to play, but there are some balancing and design issues that hold it back from greatness.

I spent a very long time trying to come up with a reason to mark Unravel down as a game but I just… can’t! Really, I can’t think of one negative thing to say about it. From the visuals to the audio, the smooth and responsive gameplay (and lack of glitches) to the touching story/message; there is nothing wrong with this game. Honestly, if you even slightly enjoy puzzle or platformer games, even slightly, buy Unravel. Do it.

[Blackwood Crossing is] not perfect, but the amount of love that pours out of the game – both in terms of the visual and technical quality from the team of developers and in the palpable relationship between the characters – far outweighs any minor nitpicks you could have.

It’s the fact that Burnout Paradise Remastered works so well with the Switch’s digital triggers that really seals the deal though. There’s no need for nuanced acceleration and braking; you just keep hold of the accelerator, tap the gas when you want to drift around a corner, and that’s it. Unlike many racing games available on the format, Burnout Paradise Remastered feels like it was made for Switch, which instantly propels it ahead of the competition. Factor in the attractive visuals, flawless performance and an abundance of content, and you have a package that’s not to be missed.

Each Sonic game presented here in Sonic Origins has something that makes it stand out from the rest. But they all share a certain magic that means we return to them, time and time again, year after year; that's why this collection exists, after all. And it's thanks to this collection that yet more players, young and old, are going to be able to enjoy these classics. Hardcore Sonic fans will rue the music changes in Sonic 3, for sure, but everything else new or tweaked here is for the better. Sonic's 3D offerings over the years have been sketchy at best, but as long as we can still enjoy his origins, we'll love him regardless.

The campaign may only last for a few hours, but the additional multiplayer is good for days of fun. CastleStorm will challenge you, make you laugh, and keep you on your toes.

It was a joy to visit Part Time UFO again outside of a smart phone. Being on Switch gives the game new life, and it’s more enjoyable than ever. Thanks to its varied levels and its ridiculously cute characters, you’ll come back to it again and again. Just don’t expect too much from its multiplayer mode.

Battlefield V doesn’t do anything out of the ordinary, but it’s atmospheric, tense and wildy entertaining.

Days Gone Remastered takes Bend's epic open world survival adventure and makes it look and play better than ever before. Even better, on top of visual improvements and DualSense support, there's a whole new mode that makes it easy to jump in for a bout of exhilarating horde action. It's a no-brainer for those who are eligible for a cheap upgrade, and the best way for newcomers to experience the game for the first time.

[Forma.8‘s] gameplay is solid, if not a little frustrating at times, but its great sound design and brilliant aesthetic really sets it apart from the crowd.

It expands the boundaries of what peoples’ idea of video games are; they’re not just sadistic shoot ‘em ups or mind-numbing ridiculousness. Sometimes they’re real life; they’re heartbreaking and devastating. If for no other reason than that, That Dragon, Cancer deserves your attention.

Sunless Sea is a good game and Zubmariner brings a solid amount more of that goodness into the fold… But for anyone who has played the game somewhat extensively, I would proceed with caution, because for me, [a] lack of anything really new was the straw that broke the proverbial camel’s back.

It’s hard to tell whether it’s the mouth-made sound effects, nifty clues, or funny characters that are the cutest part of [Hidden Folks], but it’s easy to lose yourself in its strange and captivating world for a couple of hours.