Akimbot feels like a blast from the past, but one that hasn't aged all that well. Sure, it's smooth, fast-paced and responsive, and there are some nice setpieces here and there to break up the gameplay — but it's not quite enough to stop it from feeling repetitive and a little long in the tooth.

Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions does a fantastic job of capturing the magic of the Wizarding World without overdoing it on fan service. Sure, there's a healthy helping of Harry and his pals in the training segments of the game, but beyond that point, this is all about you and your handmade team of Quidditch heroes. Playing the sport is surprisingly good fun, and we can see ourselves diving back in here for a quick game every now and then for some time to come.

As beautiful as it is to look at, it’s a shame that Rugrats: Adventures in Gameland just isn’t more fun to play. It feels old and while I suppose that’s the intention, platforming games have move on for a reason. It’s the first Rugrats game in two decades, and while I’m glad it exists, I’m disappointed it’s not more enjoyable.

Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics is sensational. It’s Capcom’s best retro collection yet, in fact, packing in not only one the best fighting games ever made, but also one of the best side-scrolling beat ’em ups. The truth is, each and every game included here is a classic in its own right, though, and all play absolutely flawlessly and have been enhanced with additional features and more. What more can I say, other than it’s Marvel-ous.

There's definitely fun to be had with Umamusume: Pretty Derby - Party Dash, whether it's via playing its minigames with others, or getting stuck into the unlockable Golshi's Grand Adventure 2. There are some issues, however, and there's just not enough content here to warrant the price tag.

Demon's Mirror is basically Slay the Spire, with the addition of tile-matching gameplay. It's a novel idea but ultimately it doesn't quite pull it off, with too many ideas that don't all gel together as well as they should. Still, if you're a deck-building roguelike fan, it's worth a look — but there are definitely better games in the genre.

To play Astro Bot is to love Astro Bot, it's as simple as that. It's a heartwarming and flawless experience, and a 3D platforming masterpiece.

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 is a good game but not a great one. Its campaign is very linear and feels balanced around multiplayer, which is disappointing if you're planning on playing solo. Needless to say, it's more rewarding when played in co-op, and additional multiplayer modes add to the fun. But however you play, performance issues might frustrate.

The Ace Attorney Investigations Collection takes the action away from the courtroom, with players instead poking their noses around crime scenes and interviewing bystanders in the hopes of putting together a solid case. What's more, the two games included here have been brilliantly remastered, bringing their characters to life like never before. It's just a shame that progression sometimes feels like it relies on trial and error.

The Casting of Frank Stone is a surprising treat in numerous ways. It’s longer than I expected, taking somewhere between six and eight hours to complete depending on how thorough you are in exploring each area. I was expecting Dark Pictures length, but this is more on par with The Quarry. It warrants that running time too, packing in a lot of thrills, adventuring and storytelling. It’s also surprising in that it does a fantastic job of pulling you into the world of Dead by Daylight: it might not rely on you knowing much about the universe, but there’s a good chance you’ll come away wanting to play. When it was announced, a collaboration between Supermassive and Behaviour sounded strange, but seeing it come to fruition, it’s nothing less than a stroke of genius.

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.

There’s so much I could talk about with Core Keeper, but it’s the sense of discovery that really makes this game so special — and going in not knowing exactly what you might encounter feels like sort-of the point. But if you have a taste for adventure, enjoy carving your own path and don’t mind figuring things out for yourself, you’re going to have a whale of a time.

Imagine House Flipper with extra blood: that's what Crime Scene Cleaner is. This game about cleaning up grizzly crime scenes won't be for everyone, but if you're not afraid of a bit of gore there's a seriously enjoyable gameplay loop here — and added narrative touches really help it stand out from the crowd.

While it will likely still only appeal to a niche audience, Monster Jam Showdown is the best monster truck game yet, inviting players to tackle a range of events across three distinct environments. Numerous assists and settings are available to make it accessible to all skill levels, and whether you prefer to play on your own or with others, you're decently catered for.

Star Wars Outlaws perfectly captures the essence of the much-loved franchise, making you believe you've actually stepped into its world. Locations are densely packed with things to do, and whether you're sneaking around or engaging in an all-out firefight, it's always a blast. Add in the Syndicate system which means your actions have consequences, and you have one of the best Star Wars games yet.

That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime - ISEKAI Chronicles is likely to be enjoyed by fans of the franchise, but it won't wow them. It's a basic action RPG with fun 2D hack-and-slash sections that quickly become repetitive, and basic village building elements that feel underdeveloped.

The Crimson Diamond is a must buy for would-be detectives and adventurers alike. Its rich, thrilling tale had us hooked from beginning to slightly-embarrassing end. And once we’ve binged every episode of Columbo, you can bet we’ll be back for more.

So far, Black Myth: Wukong is a game that I'm really wanting to like, but sometimes it feels like it's fighting against me. I'm loving its visuals, which make exploring each environment feel somewhat magical, and I'm mostly enjoying its combat until I come up against an enemy or situation that feels somewhat unfair. Elsewhere there are other issues. And so, while I'm keen to continue playing and see the Destined One's journey to an end, I'm prepared for bumps in the road along the way. [Review in Progress]

Phantom Spark is a time trial racing game that will push players to their limit, challenging them to return to events time and time again in order to master them and place high on the global leaderboards. While it doesn't have a massive amount of content, it will keep some players entertained for hours on end.

Creative and beautifully designed, admiring the environments of House of Golf 2 is almost as much fun as playing golf itself. This is a game built with fun in mind and, particularly when you're playing with friends, you're going to have an absolute ball.

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.

From one of the best hidden object series out there, Hidden Through Time 2: Discovery is yet another wonderful collection of whimsical locations, each brimming with personality (and, of course, objects to be found). It's perhaps more of an extension of its predecessor than something completely new, but it's a very welcome addition to the series regardless.

Bleak Faith: Forsaken invites players to a world where sci-fi meets fantasy, and while it's not the best soulslike available, its mix of rewarding exploration and solid combat makes it well worth checking out.

Some may revel in the challenge provided by Volgarr the Viking II, but most will probably find it simply unfair at times. Repetition is also a problem when the game's stages are so large. Still, it looks rather nice, and at least Undead mode allows players to brute force their way through, albeit with repercussions.

Cat Quest 3's selling point is also one of its biggest detractors, depending how you feel about the series: it's simply more of the same. It looks fantastic, and exploring its cutesy world is a joy, but the addition of sailing a ship isn't enough to make this stand out from its predecessors.

Horror fans are likely to appreciate the brilliant premise of The Mortuary Assistant, and will enjoy the fact it's genuinely creepy and unpredictable. Preparing bodies is surprisingly engaging, and there are multiple endings to discover which will keep players returning for more, but unfortunately the PS5 version is very rough around the edges.

A genuinely pleasant surprise, Creatures of Ava is an excellent adventure game for those who want something a little less demanding and stressful than the mainstream. Gathering the titular creatures is an enjoyable experience, but so is exploring this beautiful world and engaging with its mysterious and quirky denizens. Excellently written and gorgeously animated, there's a great deal to love here.

Cygni: All Guns Blazing is the best-looking shoot 'em up out there, and along with its epic soundtrack, it's a treat for the eyes and ears. But a number of issues, such as its stages being too long and the screen often being simply too busy, mean that it doesn't fulfil its potential.