The game is clearly a labour of love and it shows, to the point where a sequel seems like a given. And so, if you’re prepared to look past Grapple Dog’s level gatekeeping, you’ll have a blast.

Offering you more freedom to explore and customise your characters, Dragon Quest Heroes 2 is undoubtedly a commendable follow-up to its predecessor even though it feels more than a little bit samey at times.

Tacoma is a beautifully told story filled with real characters and real emotion that you won’t be able to put down until you’ve experienced it in full.

There’s nothing revolutionary in Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War. Nothing that screams “this is a must-buy”. But once again it’s a solid all-round package that has a little something for everybody – providing they like shooting in first-person. Its campaign is a nice little diversion with some exciting set-pieces and moments of thrilling stealth, while Zombies provides some solid fun when getting together with friends. And then there’s Multiplayer, which some will prefer over Modern Warfare‘s offerings and others will be less impressed with. Each element is far from extraordinary, but when all put together, it’s not a bad deal at all.

As it is, Souldiers is a very enjoyable entry in the metroidavania genre – providing you have plenty of skill and/or patience. It doesn’t offer anything that’s genuinely new, but most of its components complement each other well. If only more thought had been given to the player experience, as for many it will simply prove to be too punishing at times. And on PS5, it could do with a little more polish.

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.

Episode two, Hide and Seek, has me deeply involved in its dark and foreboding world, and just like last time, I’m eagerly awaiting the next episode.

If you're a long-time Assassin's Creed fan that fondly remembers the early entries of the series, you're likely to love Assassin's Creed Mirage. Those who have found the last trio of entries simply too big will appreciate its sharper focus, too. While it does little to propel the series forward mechanically, it's a return to what made it stand out in the first place: an open world stealth game where hiding in plain sight and making use of your parkour skills is key. Factor in the brilliant setting and some challenging assassination scenarios, and you have a game that pays homage to the series' roots while successfully standing on its own two feet.

It’s a LEGO game alright, and these small but meaningful changes make it one of the better titles in the collection. Even if the Ninjago franchise doesn’t interest you as much as Batman or Marvel Superheroes might, the gameplay and signature LEGO humour makes The LEGO Ninjago Movie Videogame well worth jumping into.

While Planet Coaster 2 is undoubtedly the best park-building sim currently available (and a worthwhile improvement on its predecessor), it's held back by some frustrations, particularly on console where its controls can be fiddly. Still, there's plenty of fun to be had here, and building a waterpark is an undeniable joy.

A zany pachinko-inspired roguelike, I just can't get enough of Ballionaire. It's colourful, it's fast-paced, and it's incredibly moreish. Despite its simple concept, it feels infinitely deep thanks to the amount of different triggers you can place on your board, and I'm not sure I'll ever get bored of playing.

Thanks to the introduction of FC IQ, the on-pitch action in EA Sports FC 25 is more dynamic and authentic than ever before. And while most other changes are small, the replacement of Volta with Rush, a 5v5 match type that is accessible in most game modes, makes this a worthy upgrade from last year's release overall.

With GRID Legends, Codemasters has delivered one of the most generous and inclusive racing games of recent years. Though while its moment-to-moment action is pretty much second to none, its career mode just doesn’t quite get its hooks in you like it should. Throw in limited multiplayer offerings, and you have a racing game that’s great but not spectacular. If you want to fling cars around a whole load of city-based tracks and gleefully trade paint with your competitors, this is the racing game for you. Just don’t go in expecting to get all that invested in your career exploits.

Cosmic Star Heroine’s excellent combat system and well-executed retro stylings make it a must for those who hold the classic JRPGs of the past close to their hearts.

inbento is a sublimely sweet and thoroughly addictive puzzler that deserves a place in any puzzle fan’s collection, even if you’re a dog person at heart. You monster.

With around a 10-hour runtime – although your mileage may differ depending how quickly you deal with the game’s tougher puzzles – Röki is a delight from start to finish. It’s hard to put down; its story and characters encapsulate you in their magical world right from the get-go. As you play, it’s hard to shake the feeling that you’ve uncovered something really special; and considering Röki is the first game from Polygon Treehouse, it leaves me very excited to see what comes next.

Giving Hades a run for its money, Reignbreaker is a stylish, high-octane hack-and-slash roguelike that sees you moving through a Medieval-punk world. With satisfying combat and excellent storytelling, it's a great deal of fun to play — and it's an absolute bargain to buy.

If the idea of a game that offers you a true sense of freedom appeals to you, you’ll undoubtedly get a kick out of Sable. Its expertly-crafted narrative alone will inspire you to keep going, but repetitive quests and an often barren world may dampen your spirits a little. Still, there’s a lot to enjoy here, and if its art style resonates with you, you’ll find it easy to lose hour after hour in Sable‘s unique world.

Airborne Kingdom will keep you engrossed for a few hours, but it runs out of steam before it can reach the lofty heights it aspires to.

A year off has truly been beneficial to the WWE 2K franchise – WWE 2K22 is by far the best entry in the series yet. It’s been a long time since a WWE 2K game has had us so keen to jump into one match after another, and that’s largely thanks to the numerous gameplay improvements that have been made. Add in a welcome layer of polish and a selection of modes that have all bases covered, and you have a winner. There’s still a little room for improvement, but if you’re a wrestling fan, consider this a must-have.

Bringing back all of the modes from last year’s WRC 9, including the unique co-driver mode, while adding a new Anniversary Mode and some welcome new features, WRC 10 is the biggest entry in the series yet. It can be punishing at times, perhaps overly so, but it’s hard not to be impressed by the game’s authenticity. Racing through stages is always exhilarating, thanks largely to the impressive visuals and reliable physics model. And whether you want to sink your teeth into a meaty career or dive in for a quick challenge, there’s a mode for you. There’s still a little room for improvement, but WRC 10 is undoubtedly the best rally game you can buy right now.

Whereas particular genre elements and features make a point of setting it in the past, 2064: Read Only Memories‘ outlook and perspective firmly place it as one of the best point and click adventure games of late.

Originally a Wii exclusive, Epic Mickey Rebrushed has had an incredible face lift, making it feel every bit as fresh as a brand new game from 2024. This is a rich and worthwhile adventure-platformer even if you're not a huge Disney fan — but if you are, you'll get a huge kick out of the frequent nods to the company's long history.

Ultimately, Tales of Kenzera: Zau is a delight from beginning to end, with only the odd frustration along the way. Add in an absolutely sublime soundtrack by Nainita Desai and strong voice acting throughout, and you have a Metroidvania with a unique flavour that absolutely deserves to be played. It’s safe to say that whatever Abubakar Salim does next with Surgent Studios, we’re here for it. Whether it’s another emotional tale from Kenzera or something entirely different, we look forward to welcoming it with open arms.

Chronicle: Runescape Legends is not just fun but good-looking, easy to play and incredibly addicting.

An enchanting adventure, no doubt, and one that lasts quite a while. I just don’t know if it feels quite at home on Switch.

Thanks to the sheer amount of combat, DC’s Justice League: Cosmic Chaos can feel a little repetitive at times. We can’t deny, though, that this is a game that has surpassed our expectations. It proves that games for kids can be accessible yet have enough depth for all to enjoy them. And so no matter what your age, if you’re an ardent DC fan or simply love action RPGs, there’s something for you here. You might even crack a smile or two at the game’s silly humour.

For fans of puzzles and point and click adventures, there’s so much to love in Bilkins’ Folly. Sure, it may leave you stumped from time to time, but its charming pixel art and lovable characters are enough to keep you invested. With a solid sense of progression, plenty of islands to explore and so much content to sink your teeth into, it’s a must-play for any wannabe treasure hunter.