If you’re a huge fan of twin-stick space shooters, Curved Space will do enough to hold your attention for a while. Its unique features don’t amount to much, however, leaving you with a rather mundane entry into an already crowded genre. Simply put, there are much better arcade shooters out there to spend your time and money on.

At the moment, Dungeon & Dragons: Dark Alliance is just too rough around the edges to recommend, but some will be able get enjoyment out of it if they can work past its issues. As ever, it’s fun battling your way through dungeons with friends, collecting loot as you go – especially once you’ve powered up your characters and learned some new moves. But until the camera has been tweaked to give you a better view, enemy AI has been improved and bugs have been quashed, the action will always be accompanied by an element of frustration and disappointment. It might be a good idea to wait for a patch or two before jumping in, basically.

Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 – The Official Video Game is fun, especially when played with a friend. While some events aren’t as engaging as others, there’s enough variety here that everyone will find something they can enjoy or excel at. The huge range of outfits available to unlock gives completionists a reason to keep going back, but most players will find this best enjoyed in short bursts.

Like other great roguelikes, the more of Roguebook you play, the more you want to play. Each death is simply a nudge to continue; to assess your strategy and try something new. Exploring the game’s world is a joy, and combat is easy to get to grips with while still being deep and engaging. There’s a lot to love here, all wrapped up in a package of sumptuous art.

As a LEGO fan, I appreciate LEGO Builder’s Journey for trying something different. You don’t need to be a fan of LEGO to enjoy it though; it’s a rewarding puzzler in its own right, with just a few frustrations marring its admittedly short running time. Its challenging puzzles and fiddly controls make it something more suited to older players, but those of all ages will find delight in its colourful and downright charming visuals. If nothing else, it makes me keen to see what Light Brick Studio develops in the future. Like being presented with a bag of actual LEGO bricks, there are many opportunities to be explored by a bunch of open-minded creatives.

Ender Lilies: Quietus of the Knights‘ combat could still do with some work, not least because the animation is so gorgeous that limiting your physical attacks deprives the game of an extra dose of visual finesse. But this is still a magical outing that will have you hooked until the Blight is nothing but a bad memory.

It’s hard to fully condemn Legend of Mana Remastered, because the original game’s choices are unusual, and some players will certainly find merit in its hands-off approach to steering the gameplay. Others, however, will undoubtedly find the lack of direction infuriating. So, Legend of Mana Remastered won’t be for everyone then. Its combat and lack of engaging narrative holds it back, but its soundtrack – both the original and rearranged version – is truly a standout feature.

Offering a lengthy adventure that you’ll need to play through twice if you want the full picture, Scarlet Nexus is entertaining enough. Due to numerous issues with its gameplay, however, it’s a game that’s carried by its story. It’s a shame really, because the world created here is genuinely interesting and unique; I’d certainly like to see more Scarlet Nexus games in the future, and will definitely check out the anime when it arrives on Netflix. But there were times throughout my adventure where the combat was irritating rather than fun, and traipsing through an environment just felt like a chore rather than an exciting foray into the unknown.

It’s only a simple game, but it’s hard to sit down with Labyrinth City: Pierre the Maze Detective and not be taken in by its charm. Its labyrinths never frustrate, instead opting to entertain players with unadulterated humour as they make their way through them. And when coupled with both a quirky soundtrack and sumptuous 2D visuals that are a treat for the eyes, you have an easy-going puzzle adventure that’s suitable for all ages and skill levels. A feel-good gem, that’s what Labyrinth City: Pierre the Maze Detective is.

If you like the idea of an open world adventure filled with wonderfully written characters, engaging puzzles and a heart-warming story, don’t hesitate to give Chicory: A Colorful Tale a try. It’s so much more than “a game you colour in yourself”; it’s a journey filled with heart and soul. It isn’t free of frustrations, but they’re easily forgiven thanks to just how charming and wonderfully unusual this adventure is.

Earth Defense Force: World Brothers is a great entry point for those looking to get into the long-running series, and one that’s more accessible than ever thanks to an aesthetic that makes it more suitable for younger players. Throw in new features like the character switching mechanic and you have a game that’s a blast to play in small doses when alone, but really shines when played with others. Ultimately though, repetition is still an issue, as the gameplay never really evolves as you move through the lengthy campaign.

The Persistence Enhanced is well worth checking out if you’re a horror fan, especially if you also like a bit of stealth. Those fond of roguelikes will no doubt get a kick out of it too. However, the game’s repetitive nature alongside its clunky and often unfair combat will likely result in some frustration, and maybe even cause some to give up on their bid for freedom. Players who do see their journey to its end, though, will find a welcome assortment of complimentary modes that will entice them to go back for more deck exploring action.

In short bursts, it’s entertaining enough, and offers a nice palate cleanser between more involved, demanding games. Just be prepared to do plenty of grinding on your quest to unlock all the upgrades.

Does Dreamworks Spirit: Lucky’s Big Adventure have any redeeming features? Sadly, I can’t think of one nice thing to say about the game. It has an easy platinum trophy that’ll unlock simply by finishing the story? It felt more like a commiseration prize for the three hours of my life I wasn’t getting back. Even if you’re a fan of the Spirit franchise, don’t waste your time on this. Kids deserve better.

Although Episode INTERmission doesn’t build much on Final Fantasy VII Remake‘s story, instead being mostly its own diversion, it’s an excellent excuse to revisit Midgar. Not that we need an excuse when it looks as fantastic as this. Yuffie makes an excellent protagonist; her combat is fast-paced and dynamic, and her straight-faced sidekick Sonon is the ideal antidote to her loveable but in-your-face personality. It may only be short, but there are plenty of side activities to keep you busy. Essentially, if you have Final Fantasy VII Remake and a PS5, then this DLC is not to be missed.

Like the apocalypse itself, The Last Kids on Earth and the Staff of Doom is rather messy, and not everything works like it should. It doesn’t quite do the series justice, but there are glimmers of a fun game here. Just be prepared for some glitches, and a lot of repetitive missions. Still, for kids who are fans of the Netflix show, the use of the actual voice cast for the main characters adds some worthy authenticity.

While little has been done to make these games truly shine on new, more powerful formats, they’re all still highly enjoyable action games – Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 in particular. It’s just a shame that Ryu Hayabusa hasn’t been shown a little more love.

Alba: A Wildlife Adventure looks amazing, sounds amazing, and provides four-or-so hours of perfect, meditative escapism. Who knew taking control of a pre-teen girl as she picks up rubbish and takes photos of animals could be so much fun? But it is. Don’t sleep on Alba; it really is a gorgeous experience that will have you grinning from ear to ear for every moment you spend with it.

Chivalry II is one of the best online multiplayer games I’ve ever played, it’s as simple as that.

Sniper Ghost Warrior Contracts 2 is an accomplished sequel. It builds on the first game in meaningful ways, expanding the scope of its gameplay while also being more accessible to newcomers. It remains great fun visiting one of the classic regions and figuring out the best ways to complete its available contracts, while the new long-range contract regions complement them very well, offering a different type of sniping challenge. Better yet, despite being released at a budget price, it has the look and feel of a AAA game. Needless to say, if you’re keen to do some armchair sniping, Sniper Ghost Warrior Contracts 2 deserves to be in your game collection.

Is Backbone worth a look? Yes, particularly if the idea of playing as an anthropomorphic animal appeals to you. There are times when it’ll have you on tenterhooks and there are several characters that are strong enough to stand out. It’s admirable that this was achieved on a small budget, but ultimately the developers have tried to cram too much in for Backbone to be truly successful.

Guilty Gear -Strive- isn’t the most generous fighting game available when it comes to content, but its wonderfully energetic combat makes up for it. Its characters are larger than life, each bringing something new to the table that’s worth exploring before settling on perhaps one or two to truly master. And while it’s the easiest Guilty Gear game to simply pick up and play, there’s a hell of a lot of depth to be discovered by those who wish to compete at a high level. Thanks to brilliant netcode, it’s likely that a lot of fighting game fans will, too. The flashy visuals and rocking soundtrack are a couple of cherries on top.

Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart is easily the best game in the series by far. Though surprisingly, it isn’t the fact that it looks jaw-droppingly gorgeous that impresses the most. Instead, it’s the sheer variety of gameplay that Insomniac Games has managed to cram into its running time, with each and every aspect of it flawlessly complementing the others. With effectively zero loading times, from the moment you boot up Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart you’re engrossed in its engaging story and eclectic mix of third-person shooting, platforming, dimensional shifting and a whole lot more. And it’s all so polished that you could see yourself in it. If you have a PS5, consider this essential.

Don’t be fooled into thinking Train Station Renovation is just for railheads. Give it a chance and it’ll be the most fun you’ve had cleaning up someone else’s mess.

Overboard is not the biggest game in terms of a single playthrough, but you’ll dive in again again until you’ve polished your excuses and suspicion-dodging shenanigans. Throw in a superb soundtrack, a gorgeous visual aesthetic and you’ve got a game to die for.

Whether or not you’ve played the original, Wonder Boy: Asha in Monster World is an adventure worth going on. Its gameplay might be old-fashioned, but it’s just as engaging as ever, offering a nice little distraction from the latest AAA blockbuster. Are better side-scrolling adventure games out there? Absolutely. But that doesn’t make this any less worth your time.

The Magnificent Trufflepigs is a beautiful escape to the countryside; its slow pace lends itself to being a relaxing and almost meditative experience. Top-class voice acting and excellent writing means you’ll quickly care for its characters and their stories; and regardless of how you feel about the ending, it’s hard to disagree that the journey was worthwhile.

Virtua Fighter 5 Ultimate Showdown isn’t quite as ultimate as the title suggests. It is, however, a solid fighting game that should keep players entertained for tens of hours – providing the online community remains buoyant and matches play out without any hitches. It’s just a shame that more offline, single-player offerings haven’t been provided to round out the package.