It has its issues, but action RPG fans can’t go far wrong by picking Astlibra Revision up. It feels antiquated in ways, and it’s not particularly intuitive, but thanks to its rewarding character development and unusual story that will keep you on your toes, once it’s got its hooks in you chances are you’ll want to see things through. It’s especially impressive given that it’s a labour of love, and its budget price sweetens the deal.

The Ninja Saviors – Return of the Warriors should be considered a must-have for fans of side-scrolling beat ’em ups. It has some flaws, but it’s still a standout title in the genre that remains fun to play thanks to the updates that have been made. It’s just a shame that some of its later bosses feel a bit cheap, especially when playing as certain characters. Those with patience, persistence, or indeed, skill, will overlook this issue, however, and simply have a brilliant time flooring mobs of goons.

It’s safe to say that Splasher ticks all the right boxes in all the right places. It has the potential to be the next big thing in platforming – I urge you, if you’re a fan of the genre, then you must give Splasher a try.

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

If you’ve ever wondered what the combination of an extreme sports title and a third-person shooter would be like, Rollerdrome is the game for you. Its story might be a let-down, and some gameplay elements might not hit the mark as well as they should do, but on the whole this is a thoroughly original and entertaining affair. We hope we get to spend more time with Kara in the future, too, as there’s a lot of scope here for further violent high-octane antics.

For most players though, it’s the main meat of Kirby’s Return to Dream Land Deluxe – the platforming adventure – that will draw them in. It might not be the most revolutionary game – after all, the original is 12 years old – but it’s a charming platformer that’s as joyous as it always has been. And with the addition of Merry Magoland, this is a sizeable package with essentially endless replayability.

The gameplay of Puzzle Bobble never gets old, and in Everybubble it’s no different. Popping bubbles is just as much fun as it was in the 1990s: almost 30 years later, and it’s as enjoyable as ever. Puzzle Bobble Everybubble offers up a well-rounded package with plenty of modes to jump into, with Baron’s Tower and the joyous Space Invaders twist giving players reason to keep jumping back in long after the story mode has been completed. What’s not to like, really?

A rich psychological horror, Pathologic 3 is a tad more forgiving but no less demanding than its predecessors. With a complex but never impenetrable timey-wimey story, it puts the weight of the world on your shoulders and you'll be grateful for it.

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.

Despite all of its problems, there’s just something about Flipping Death that wins you over. The combination of puzzles and platforming is a winning one, especially when served with lashings of humour.

You may be limited as to how much you can do each day in Hello Kitty Island Adventure, with many of its missions being tied to a real-time clock. But it's hard to mind too much when the game is so delightfully charming and just a joy to spend time with.

It's showing its age now, but Gears of War: Reloaded finally allows PlayStation gamers to experience one of the best campaigns in the previously Xbox-exclusive series. It's just a shame you'll likely run into AI issues if playing it alone. Needless to say, this is a game best played with others, either enjoying the campaign in co-op, or engaging in its competitive multiplayer modes.

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

Lacklustre animation aside, Pirates Outlaws is a great addition to the strategy card game genre. It might not push the boundaries or offer up anything extraordinary, but it is a solid, genuinely fun and easy-to-play adventure. It’s a game that I can see myself going back to time and again, because I know there’s still more it can offer me. If you’re a fan of pirates and a fan of strategy card games, you should set your sights on Pirates Outlaws, me hearties.

Project Warlock is a blood-splattered love letter to retro-shooters, but still there’s plenty here to hook you even if you’ve never experienced the titles that inspired it. A glorious, gruesome outing, Project Warlock is sometimes unforgiving, but once you push past the first few levels, it’s a bloody joy to play.

Escape Academy may be a fairly brief experience for some, then, but it doesn’t take away from the fact that the puzzles here are thought-provoking and masterfully crafted. They test your ability to spot patterns and problem solve without ever being too obtuse. Throw in a surprisingly engaging story and co-op, and you have one of the most enjoyable experiences of the year so far. It might even make you want to do some real-life escape rooms – imagine that.

Dicefolk is the type of game we can see ourselves going back to again and again. It’s going to appeal to fans of deckbuilding roguelikes, but its Pokémon-like twist — and the fact you’re rolling dice instead of playing cards — helps it stand out from the crowd. It’s challenging but addictive, which just so happens to be the perfect combination for a game like this.

Dynasty Warriors: Origins is essentially a reboot of the series, retelling the familiar story from a more personal perspective with a new amnesiac protagonist. The good news is that it works, with the narrative being more engaging than ever. But it's the gameplay that truly impresses, with multiple changes to the combat system resulting in this being the most dynamic and rewarding Dynasty Warriors game to date.

This is a superb choice if you’re looking to immerse yourself in something fantastical, slay some insidious foes and lose yourself for an afternoon or two.

If you’re a fan of platform games or roguelikes, 20XX comes highly recommended. And if you’re a fan of Mega Man it’s pretty much essential.

The Knight Witch is a game that has a lot to offer both fans of twin-stick shooters and Metroidvanias. Its moment-to-moment action is enjoyable and exciting as you avoid enemy bullets and try to counter them with your own attacks, and there’s a great sense of exploration. It’s a shame that some systems perhaps don’t quite hit the mark as they should, but anyone who can appreciate a game that takes some risks will very much enjoy this quirky adventure.

Tasking you with exploring an abandoned lunar base and investigating what happened to it, Routine is a first-person horror game that will have you captivated from beginning to end thanks to its tense atmosphere and engaging puzzles.

For Honor has quickly become my favourite online multiplayer game, and one that I’m certain will have me honing my skills, and my blade, for months to come.

Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown is only really brought down by the occasional frustration felt upon the often unfair failure of a mission. Its campaign really is great overall, but sometimes you’ll curse when a timer imposed upon you expires when you’re just shy of meeting a score target. Or when a mission critical friendly plane gets shot down just as you’re about to dispatch the last enemy. You’ll always hit that “Retry From Checkpoint” option though and jump right back in, because Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown’s moment-to-moment gameplay is simply ace.

Hitman: Blood Money – Reprisal is a superb Switch stealth outing, especially if you get your kicks from hiding in plain sight. Its price tag, a good chunk of cash more than the mobile version, may raise an eyebrow or two. But with so many ways to dispatch your thoroughly deserving targets you’ll get your money’s worth out of this murder-em-up.

Dordogne’s unique selling point is undoubtedly its art style. It truly is beautiful – perhaps one of the most gorgeously animated games we’ve had the pleasure to play, even. And yes, the visuals alone are almost enough to carry the game. Despite the odd misstep, though, we did thoroughly enjoy the story and came to care for Mimi and her grandmother – as brief as our time with them was. It’s small, it’s quaint, but it’s touching – and it’s one of those special games that reminds you life is precious, fleeting and nothing should be taken for granted.

Knights and Bikes excels in its uniqueness. The hand-drawn characters are adorable and detailed. Demelza and Nessa’s dialogue is sweet and funny. The world and story that the folks over at Foam Swords have created is equal parts exciting and inherently sad. The narrative covers difficult topics in a whimsical way that will have players at times on the verge of tears and laughing out loud only moments later. Whether you play alone or with a friend, Knights and Bikes is a sensational adventure game. Everything from its characters and its narrative to its art style and sound design is an absolute delight. It was a pleasure to play, and an experience I won’t soon forget.

It’s a shame that The King of Fighters XV doesn’t have some of the modes we’ve come to expect as standard now in fighting games, but thanks to its large roster of fighters and solid mechanics it still impresses. Its team-based battles differentiate it a little from the competition out there, and on PS5 it looks and performs beautifully. So, if you’re on the market for a new fighting game, you should definitely give it a look. Especially if you plan on mainly playing against others online.