As a shooter, [Ghost Recon: Wildlands] is tactical, refined, and precise. As a world it is open, sprawling, and filled with things to do/find. And as a co-op experience, it’s arguably one of the best yet.

Despite its few faults however, Slime-san‘s quirkiness, its fast-paced gameplay, the soundtrack from over 10 acclaimed chiptune composers, and the 5 colour palette of a wonderfully vibrant world all culminate in a delightful game.

It’s safe to say that Gori: Cuddly Carnage is a very pleasant surprise. It’s a game that wonderfully balances platforming and thrilling combat, all the while having a cute protagonist who’s easy to fall in love with. Though don’t go thinking this is a game for kids: with buckets of blood, some scary adversaries and lots of foul language, this is strictly for adults whose idea of having a good time is ripping unicorns limb from limb. If you’re a fan of character action games, consider this a must-play.

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

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

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.

A refreshingly unique take on the platforming genre that introduces a duo of instantly likeable characters and a colourful game world where the simple act of moving through it is a reward in itself.

Cricket 19 is by far the best cricket game available right now. There’s enough about it to keep cricket newbies entertained while its high level of authenticity will no doubt delight die-hard cricket fans. Even England’s Barmy Army, however, would get quickly tired of the loading times, and may notice the small imperfections to the matchday experiences. Despite this, Cricket 19 is a solid boundary, with the career mode hitting nothing but sixes.

Not Tonight 2’s story didn’t quite land for me, but the journey itself, laden with laughs, was absolutely worth taking. I won’t soon forget the sheer joy of arriving at an absurd new location, frantically trying to wrap my mind around the gloriously off-the-wall entry requirements, and the silly, smug satisfaction of doing a good job.

Cat lover or not, Stray is a wonderful adventure worth jumping into. You’ll quickly fall in love with your adorable four-legged protagonist, but it’s just a shame it’s all over so soon. We could have spent dozens more hours exploring the fascinating world experiencing life as a curious cat. As it is, Stray may be short, but it’s perfectly formed.

Paul Raschid has once again cemented himself as the master of FMV games with Hello Stranger. This thriller, which focuses on AI and home tech, has a suitably twisty narrative, and with many branching paths and multiple endings, you'll want to play it multiple times to experience as much of it as possible.

Assetto Corsa Competizione isn’t a racing game for all. It doesn’t provide quick and easy thrills, with a career mode focused on building a garage full of cars and customising them to your liking. It’s a serious game for those serious about racing. Thankfully it’ll hit most of the right notes that sim fans look for. It’s just a shame that graphical fidelity has been prioritised over performance. Other than that, there’s not much to dislike here unless you’re a newcomer to the sport, or are stuck with playing with a controller.

One of my favourite roguelikes of recent years, Lost in Random: The Eternal Die takes the world of 2021's excellent Lost in Random and turns it into something new. It's a whimsical, action-packed adventure, with combat that feels smooth and satisfying. Even facing the game's ferocious bosses is seriously exhilarating. It's just a shame there's not a little more variation between runs, but that's to be expected.

The wonderful setting, the amusingly unique characters, and the excellent turn-based combat kept me hooked.

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 like challenging games that are full of action and are dripping with atmosphere, Valfaris comes highly recommended. And if you happen to like metal music, it’s even better. Steel Mantis has struck silver with this metal-infused shooter. It isn’t perfect but it’s bloody good.

Based on a mod for The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, it’s great that The Forgotten City has been expanded upon and given a chance to truly shine as a standalone product. The writing is stellar, and the whole affair is so unique and interesting that you can’t help but get sucked in, attempting to find a way to put an end to The Golden Rule once and for all. Not all of the endings available are particularly gratifying, but follow The Forgotten City through to its true ending and you’ll be left with an experience that you won’t soon forget.

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.

Monster Train 2 is a solid upgrade over what was already an excellent roguelike deckbuilder. New features, new character classes, new cards and a new story all make the experience richer and deeper than ever before.

The puzzle-shooter gameplay and bizarre presentation of Children of the Sun make it utterly unique. And while your success in some levels unfortunately relies on trial and error, it doesn't stop it from being a highly rewarding experience on the whole.

Knockout Home Fitness is fairly simple when it comes to content and presentation, but there’s everything here you need for a great workout. The exercise regimes it has you completing are energetic, fun, and really do work up a sweat. It’s easy enough to follow along even if you’re a complete beginner, and the fact that you can tailor your daily workout to suit you is a nice touch. If you’re looking for a video game to help you get in shape, this is a fine choice.

It’s hard to not be charmed with Hatsune Miku: Project DIVA Mega Mix. The visuals are more consistent and pleasing to the eyes than ever, the song list is gargantuan, and the gameplay is just as solid as it’s ever been. Only the new Mix Mode is a let-down in this package, but it really doesn’t matter as it’s simply an optional way to play. Whether you’re a series fan or a newcomer looking for the perfect entry point, Hatsune Miku: Project DIVA Mega Mix fits the bill.

But if you’ve played Saints & Sinners, and can forgive the Quest 2 version’s occasional graphical shortcomings, you’ll be in zombie-wrangling heaven with this follow-up. Being knee deep in the dead has rarely been this much fun.

Server issues aside, which eventually should be eliminated, jump into Helldivers 2 and you’re bound to have a good time. Its battles are challenging and engaging, it’s got a fun sense of humour, and it’s rewarding seeing your war efforts pay off. Whether you find yourself fighting against fearsome automatons while waiting for your flag to be raised, or squashing bugs while racing to take down an illegal radio signal, chances are you’ll have a big grin on your face while doing so. And that’s what really matters. Helldivers 2 isn’t particularly big or clever, but boy, is it a lot of fun.

If you missed out on the game’s original release or the Vita version, New Little King’s Story, the PC version is the perfect opportunity to catch up on this too often overlooked little gem.

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.

As far as co-op experiences go, Serious Sam’s Bogus Detour is up there with the best. Even in single player, you’re in for a damn good ride.

Bigger, bolder and somehow a hell of a lot more outlandish than The New Order, Wolfenstein 2: The New Colossus’ imperfections do little to hold the game back from being one of the most compelling single player games of the year. Killing Nazis has rarely been any more fun, and there’s a whole army of them for you to dispose of as you please when you’re not starring slack-jawed at some of the most over-the-top cutscenes ever created.