Ni no Kuni 2's gorgeous worlds and lovable characters make for an enjoyable and engaging experience from start to finish, and its story, while not the most original or expansive, will undoubtedly warm your heart and leave you wanting more.

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.

You’ll have to leave any run-and-gun sensibilities at the door when you jump into Crown Trick; it’s a game about thoughtful manoeuvres and carefully-planned attacks. But it results in combat that’s extremely rewarding, and a challenge that’s a lot of fun to take on. Progressing in Crown Trick may be tricky, but it’s never insurmountable – and you’ll be enjoying yourself so much that you’ll want to keep jumping back in, seeing if you can get that bit further next time.

Gigantosaurus: Dino Sports is one of the best games for kids out there, with a solid collection of multiplayer-focused events that are easy to pick up and fun to play. Add in some entertaining single-player challenges and jigsaw puzzles to complete, and it's hard to be disappointed with what's on offer.

Still There is deeply complicated and sophisticated combining genres in such a way that it feels like something brand new. Taking about five hours to complete, give or take however long it takes players to beat the puzzles, Still There is a pleasure to play and one that will stick with you for a long time after.

Some will be disappointed that Chrono Cross: The Radical Dreamers Edition is simply a remaster of one of the best JRPGs of all time rather than a remake, and it’s not the most exhaustive one at that. But still, there’s a great game here, and it’s never looked, sounded or played better. So, while the framerate issues may be irksome, and some aspects of the game aren’t so intuitive by today’s standards, anyone keen on playing – or replaying – a piece of JRPG history would be wise to check Chrono Cross: The Radical Dreamers Edition out.

Fantasian Neo Dimension is a great JRPG that gracefully blends old-school sensibilities with some fresh new ideas and features. There are some issues here and there, such as awkward controls, but overall this is a gripping adventure and a must-play for those who fondly remember the Final Fantasy games of the 90s.

Being a standalone expansion to RoboCop: Rogue City, Unfinished Business understandably offers largely more of the same violent first-person crime-fighting action with investigation elements. There are some new weapons to play with, however, and some new enemies to use them on. Throw in some flashback sequences which switch up the action somewhat, and you have an entertaining title available at a budget price.

It's the green brother's time to shine in Luigi's Mansion 2 HD - and shine he does. This whimsical ghost-hunting adventure is a great deal of fun, and it looks better than ever thanks to this remaster. Even though taking ghosts down can sometimes be a pain, it's a small price to pay for the joy of exploring the game's wonderfully-designed environments.

It’s hard not to be enamoured with Atelier Ryza 3: Alchemist of the End & the Secret Key as a whole. Being back in the fold of Ryza and her friends feels like sinking back into a warm, cosy blanket – and anyone already acquainted with the series will instantly hit the ground running. There’s a new, engaging story to become engrossed in, and alongside familiar areas, there’s a whole new world to explore – which feels larger and more varied than ever. Sure, some changes don’t quite land – we’re not the biggest fans of the key mechanic – but it’s not enough to sour us from the experience. What a trilogy this has been, and this final serving might be the best part yet.

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.

Saints Row IV: Re-Elected‘s over-the-top antics, larger-than-life characters and superpower-focused gameplay make it one of the most ludicrous ways to waste away a decent number of hours. And in these trying times, perhaps that’s what we all need.

Despite its issues, it's easy to love I Hate Running Backwards. Playing it brings nothing but joy, even when you're dying time and time again. It's fast-paced, frantic and fun, just how a shooter should be. And it's got the brilliant sense of humour that runs though all Serious Sam games.

Designed for 16-bit hardware, Earthion looks and plays like a blast from the past. That's not a bad thing, though, and had Earthion released 30 years or so ago it would have blown my tiny mind. In the modern day it's still extremely impressive, but it's somewhat let down by a lack of modes.

Dustborn is a real treat for narrative adventure fans. The script is the star here, with the game’s characters being wonderfully written and brought to life via solid voice acting. And by the time you’re done with this adventure you’ll have experienced a wide range of emotions what with its often comical conversations and unexpected twists and turns.

One of the best FMV games to date, The Run is expertly filmed, set in the gorgeous Italian countryside. Not only does it look stunning, but it's a genuine joy to play, thanks to solid acting, faultless pacing and an intriguing storyline. FMV games may be an acquired taste, but when they're made as well as this, they deserve to be played.

Killer7 is a mad piece of work, and embracing it doesn’t come all that easily. Those who do open their arms for it though, will find themselves in for one hell of a wild ride.

A city builder for people that don't necessarily like city building games, Dawnfolk is utterly charming and a joy to play. Managing your resources is easy to get to grips with, and with plenty of challenges to play through, there's a lot to love here.

Going into Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2, I have to admit I was rather cynical. I couldn’t help but ask, was this sequel even necessary? It becomes clear after spending just a little time with it, however, that it is warranted. While it’s a shame that some characters have been cut, the extent that the gameplay has been improved and shaken up here is commendable. It’s those who value single-player content that truly win with Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2, though, with its roguelike campaign proving to be a genuine surprise.

Bar the technical improvements and additional online functionality, there's nothing else new here.

Spy Chameleon is a novel, entertaining and creative title that is well-designed and fully captivating.

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.

Paranormasight: The Seven Mysteries of Honjo is something a little left-field from Square Enix, but we’re very glad it exists. With its budget price, this should serve as an enticing intro to the visual novel genre for many, while those who are already fans of the genre will simply lap it up. A dark narrative with lashings of humour and some clever gameplay touches make this one of the best surprises of 2023 so far.

The Invincible has just about everything one could ask for in a sci-fi thriller: robots, the unknown, a foreboding sense of unease. Add to that some absolutely breath-taking visuals and you’ve got an adventure that’s hard to put down. Starward Industries has created something rather wonderful here, and I can’t wait to see what they do next.

A tour de force of light and sound, The Artful Escape is unlike anything else you’ve played. With no easy genre label to stick on the game, the only way you’ll know if you’re going to enjoy it is to try it. It’s a trip alright, one that will have your foot tapping and your head rocking from start to finish.

A beautiful but short experience, Before Your Eyes isn’t going to be for everyone. But if you’re a fan of emotional, human stories, you won’t want to miss it. Controlled solely with your eyes, it’s like nothing else you’ve ever played. Just be prepared to wipe the tears from your PSVR 2 headset when you’re done.

An addictive, accomplished wrestle-fest that will have you grappling for hours at a time.

While some of Rainbow Six Extraction‘s systems do feel a little unfair at times, there’s one hell of a thrilling experience to be found if you can get into the groove. I’m not usually a fan of stealth, but sneaking around the game’s excellently-designed environments trying to get the upper hand on a bunch of freaky-as-hell aliens is exhilarating. You’re constantly on-edge, not knowing what waits around the next corner, poised to attack if you need to. Add to that a solid progression system that keeps you wanting to jump back in, and you’ve got one of Ubisoft’s best multiplayer experiences yet.