It’s safe to say that Frontier has done a fantastic job bringing Planet Zoo: Console Edition to life. Playing on console is just as joyous as playing on PC, even if it may take a little while to get used to the controls. It’s intuitive enough, though, and it’s a game worth persevering for: growing your own zoo, seeing your animals thrive in your built environments and watching your visitors have a jolly old time in your park is endlessly rewarding.

South Park: Snow Day is, ultimately, a huge disappointment. This is so far removed from The Stick of Truth and The Fractured But Whole that it really shouldn’t be considered to be related to them in any way. Sure, there’s a glimmer of trademark South Park humour here, but it’s not enough to make the repetitive, dull and painfully scrappy gameplay any more enjoyable. This is a snow day you can safely sit out of: stay home and play Stick of Truth again instead.

It’s safe to say that Rise of the Ronin is perhaps Koei Tecmo’s largest and most ambitious game yet. There’s tens of hours of fun to be had here, living out your fantasy life as a Ronin. Who you ally yourself with and how you develop your character is up to you, and with so many options, you could have a very different experience compared to a friend who is also playing. It’s just a shame that its open world areas aren’t a little more interesting; it ends up diluting the experience on the whole. Still, whether you love open world games, action RPGs or simply like the idea of being a samurai, Rise of the Ronin is worthy of your attention.

Dragon’s Dogma 2 is a huge upgrade over its predecessor, offering a grander adventure that’s full of choice, consequence and discovery. Every journey you make, big or small, has the chance to be full of wonder, whether it’s due to finding valuable loot or encountering a fearsome enemy that’s rewarding to combat. Its lack of hand-holding in some regards still might deter some players, but for those who value a sense of adventure, Dragon’s Dogma 2 might just end up being the highlight of 2024.

Alone in the Dark isn’t flawless, but it’s definitely one of the best entries in the series so far and an accomplished reimagining. Its story will keep you on your toes, even if sometimes you might feel like it could have a little more fleshed out. And while the game’s combat doesn’t impress, the oppressive atmosphere throughout is effective at keeping you on edge. Throw in a bucketload of enjoyable puzzles to overcome, and you have a survival horror that’s well worth spending some time with.

If you’re the type of person who gets a kick out of design and renovation, you’re likely going to love Hotel Renovator. It scratches that cosy simulator itch, providing you with repetitive but wholesome tasks to complete. Random events and the odd injection of humour aims to mix things up, but ultimately, Hotel Renovator is at its best when you’re knee-deep in redesigning a hotel room, making everything beautiful and just how you want it. Bliss.

It seems Time Rift slipped under the radar when it first launched back in 2022. With this PS5 release, it deserves a second chance: this is a clever and challenging fast-paced puzzler, packed with excellent ideas that really make you think about your actions. The best part? It’s only £7.99. A bargain for numerous hours of thrilling puzzle action.

Between its bugs and its busywork, Outcast – A New Beginning does feel a tad dated. But it’s charmed us with its characters, combat and a world that, thanks in part to your jetpack, is a joy to roam. [Review in Progress]

There’s nothing else like Melatonin. This is a gorgeous rhythm game about dreams and the meanings within them — but even if you don’t want to read into it, there’s so much to enjoy in its challenging rhythm-based levels and pastel-coloured hand drawn art. Even if you find it tough, it’s an experience worth sticking with. You won’t regret it.

Contra: Operation Galuga is a treat for both fans of Contra and run ‘n’ gun shooters in general. And thanks to its Perk system and multiple difficulty levels, it’s one of the most accessible entries in the genre. An absolute blast from beginning to end, Contra: Operation Galuga’s campaign might be quite brief, but with its additional modes and wealth of unlockables, there’s hours upon hours of arcade fun to be had here.

If you fancy a sandbox where you can design exteriors of homes, cafés, hotels – whatever you want, really – SUMMERHOUSE is a seriously cool one. It’s as basic as they come, but there’s charm in its simplicity. Nothing to bog it down: just you, some design tools, and whatever you want to create.

A true hidden gem, Bore Blasters has all the ingredients of an indie classic in the making. The gameplay loop here is one of the most enjoyable and satisfying that we’ve had the pleasure to play, and each new upgrade really does feel like an achievement. Simply put, we can’t get enough of Bore Blasters: we’re going to be returning to it time and time again. And each time, we won’t be able to pull ourselves away.

With several different modes and solo and online play at your fingertips, Quilts and Cats of Calico is the type of game you can go back to again and again. Challenging yet wholesome, we love its unique brand of puzzle that manages to test your brain while also providing an ideal tool for relaxation. Whether you’re familiar with the Calico board game or not, this is a PC puzzler worth checking out.

Ultimately, The Outlast Trials finds itself in a bit of an awkward spot. It doesn’t quite hit the mark as a single player game, though playing alone is where the true horror lies. Play it with others, and while you’re likely to have more fun, it comes at the expense of atmosphere and scares. For many though, repetition is likely to be the biggest issue with The Outlast Trials; sneaking around in the dark is only fun for so long, after all. Still, that’s not to say this experiment is a total failure — it has a lot to offer for those who do find enjoyment in its grotesque endeavors.

There’s a lot to like about Ufouria: The Saga 2, and its ridiculously cute art style is only the tip of the iceberg. This is a clever platformer that rewards exploration, and wandering around the game’s intertwined world remains a joy, even when you’re revisiting the same areas multiple times. We dare you to try and find something cuter than this: it really is in a fluffy league of its own.

For much of Reveil we were worried that it was just going to be another bog-standard first-person psychological horror game, but it’s safe to say that its late-game twist saved it. And so while it’s not all that scary, and the voice acting of the main character somewhat ruins the atmosphere at times, it’s still very much worth a play if you’re a fan of the genre or just enjoy a good story that throws you a curveball.

If you thrive on arcade shooters that can be returned to again and again, Akka Arrh has a lot to offer. It can feel a little messy and unfair at times, but it’s an original concept that keeps you on your toes. And when you get into the zone it’s easy to get entranced by its abstract art style and unique soundtrack.

Snufkin: Melody of Moominvalley is the kind of gorgeous, wonderful indie gem that leaves you with a huge smile on your face. Whether you’re familiar with the Moomins or not doesn’t matter one jot here as care has been taken to make sure this game is accessible to everyone. Its beautiful art style and equally mesmerising soundtrack will keep you hooked from start to finish — we just wish there was more to enjoy.

It has some issues that can frustrate, mechanically it can take some getting used to, and it could do with a patch or two to clear up some unfortunate bugs, but Penny’s Big Breakaway has a lot of charm which sees it pull through the other side. If you’re a fan of 3D platformers, especially those with unique quirks and gimmicks, chances are you’ll absolutely love what Penny’s Big Breakaway has to offer. It’s certainly a solid debut from Evening Star, and we can’t wait to see what the studio does next.

Whether you’re a fan of WWE or wrestling in general, WWE 2K24 is pretty much a must-have. As ever, it’s a comprehensive package that has something for everybody, and with its enhanced gameplay and expanded creativity options, it’s a title that you’ll likely go back to again and again. It’s assuredly the best WWE game in a very long time — and might actually be a contender for the title of best wrestling game ever.

Expeditions: A MudRunner Game succeeds in being a more varied, interesting and accessible entry in Saber’s Runner series, although it’s still on the challenging side and has niche appeal. We’ve had a great deal of entertainment from it though, and will continue to do so — it’s 70-plus expeditions present a seriously considerable time investment. With DLC and a co-op mode to come, it’s likely to get even better, too. Ultimately, it’s not for everyone. But for those who dream of navigating harsh environments in an assortment of vehicles, it’s a blast.

If you love all things retro, or are mad for beat ’em ups with high skill ceilings, you might get a good kick out of Slave Zero X. For many, though, tedium is likely to set in pretty quickly, and frustration might be felt regularly too. It’s the type of game that draws you in and makes you want to like it, but then often fights you and pushes you away. We’d certainly be up for a sequel that refines what’s on offer here and expands upon it.

Keep your expectations in check for Welcome to ParadiZe, and there’s some fun to be had here. It’s marred with some technical issues and the odd bug but ultimately, exploring its world with your pet zombies in tow is, against the odds, entertaining enough to keep us playing — especially if you’ve got a co-op buddy along for the ride.

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.

It’s true there’s not much to Minami Lane, but this is a fine example of wholesome gaming: simple, engaging and wonderfully relaxing. The fact it’s been made by such a small team makes it all the better. Don’t come here expecting an in-depth city building experience, but if a few hours of cosiness appeals, we’re pretty sure you’ll have a fine old time.

Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons Remake feels like a missed opportunity to build on the unique concept of the original game. It could have been expanded with new scenes and situations to provide fresh new challenges and keep players on their toes. Given the success of A Way Out and It Takes Two, more work could have been done to make its co-op mode much more intuitive and enticing, too. As it is, it’s successful in beautifying the original game but nothing more, unfortunately.

Picross isn’t for everyone, but if you’re a fan of these taxing logic puzzles, you’ll love Piczle Cross: Story of Seasons. There’s no farming sim elements here: just hundreds of well made, fun to solve puzzles. And for a picross game, that’s exactly what we want.

If you’re looking for a happy go-lucky adventure, this is not it. Framed through the eyes of this young girl, Torn Away lets you experience a distressing, personal slice of an already disturbing period of history. Is it heartwarming? Hardly. But it’s honest, heartfelt and, in a grim enough way, entertaining. When you’re dealing with a topic like this, what more could you ask for?