With the addition of the new Clubs mode, this is the most competitive entry in the series yet, and it’s also the biggest thanks to the three new rallies that have been introduced. But more importantly, it’s the best-playing WRC game to date, going toe-to-toe with the DiRT Rally series. At this moment in time, WRC 9 is the closest thing to a perfect rally game we’ve got.

Every detail of Crusader Kings III feels like the perfect evolution of the series. The refined systems and better UI don’t take away from the complexities of a campaign; they just make it easier to have fun. Every worry I had of this being a watered-down Crusader Kings II experience faded away with the sheer amount of content available. With a larger world, more refined systems, gorgeous visuals and deep character mechanics, Crusader Kings III is everything fans of the series could have hoped for – and more.

Madden NFL 21 isn’t a bad game. It’s good, in fact. It just feels wholly unnecessary.

If the gods of random generation line everything up in your favour, Windbound could be a truly captivating adventure. It’s unlikely to happen that way though, and sadly its many frustrations outweigh the beautiful game it could have been.

Thankfully these issues don’t bring the experience down a great deal though. Wasteland 3 is a meticulously crafted RPG with a world that you’ll truly want to throw yourself into. And if you do, it’s likely to consume a hundred hours of your life, or perhaps even more if you let it. It’s got some brilliant dialogue, plenty of gut-wrenching decisions to make, combat that never becomes a chore, and a character development system that you’ll obsess over. Even if you’ve never dipped your toes into the series before, you should give Wasteland 3 a try. As RPGs go, they don’t get much better than this.

I’ve no hesitation in saying that Tell Me Why is Dontnod Entertainment’s best game yet. Its narrative may be somewhat small in scope, but the subject matter it deals with packs a punch much greater than any tall tale of time manipulation ever could. Its characters are some of the most well-realised I’ve come across in a game yet, and their story is one that’s not going to leave me any time soon. Dontnod deals with difficult subject matter bravely and commendably, but that’s not why Tell Me Why is so special. It’s the combination of everything altogether – its characters, actors, visuals, story – that makes this an experience I’m not soon going to forget.

Sheepo is a charming game, although its lack of variety in environments means it might outstay its welcome as the end draws near. Its gameplay is enjoyable and easy to pick up, however, and the fact there’s no combat makes this a great starting point for anyone new to the Medtroidvania genre. If you’re looking for a quirky adventure, Sheepo is worth picking up, but just don’t expect too much substance.

It’s hard to be too mad about it though, given that PGA Tour 2K21 is the best golf game in years. In fact, it’s the best golf game of this generation. It looks absolutely gorgeous, caters for all skill levels, and is simply a joy to play. There are areas which could be improved, and I’m sure they will be in subsequent releases, but for now, let’s just relish the fact that the PGA Tour licence has been put to good use. A deeper career and the ability to play as pros can be delivered at a later date.

While Kandagawa Jet Girls is somewhat entertaining on the whole, its gameplay simply doesn’t excite like it should. Your jet ski isn’t particularly fast, even once it’s been upgraded, and combat feels rather passive; you just press a button and the game auto aims for you for the most part. And so, the gameplay found within Kandagawa Jet Girls isn’t broken, or bad – it’s just mildly entertaining. If you’re more interested in the game for its lively chests and ridiculous dialogues then it probably won’t matter to you too much, but those also expecting a solid racing experience alongside them may find themselves disappointed.

It’s a tough game to sit through – and not just in a “it deals with challenging subject matter” sort of way. It’s hard to shake the feeling that you’re having someone’s gross beliefs about their twisted ideology shoved down your throat. Its initial premise had me hooked at first, but the bait-and-switch of subject matter does not make for a pleasant experience.

If you’ve ever wanted to fly a plane or are simply fascinated by air travel, Microsoft Flight Simulator is a must-have. But for those with Xbox Game Pass for PC, it’s also worth a download simply for the window to the outside world it delivers. Never been to Egypt and seen the pyramids? It’s not quite the same, but flying over them in Microsoft Flight Simulator will still let you appreciate their grandiosity. Upset that you haven’t been able to go on holiday to your favourite location abroad this year? You can at least visit it in digital form while sipping a nice cocktail. Microsoft Flight Simulator is back, and thanks to modern technology it’s really come into its own.

I feel the greatest mistake that Project CARS 3 makes is being called what it is. Fans of the previous two games probably won’t find what they expect here, while those who disliked them could possibly be put off by the name. This is essentially a paradigm shift for the series, taking it into new territory with mass-market appeal. And for racers like me, who like a game that controls well, has rewarding progression, and who aren’t particularly bothered by the absence of serious sim elements, it’s Slightly Mad Studios’ best and most accessible game yet.

Giraffe and Annika takes around six hours to complete and, after seeing it through to its end, I wish there were more positive things to say about it. The world and its characters are cute, but you’ll be sick of Annika’s whining and the painfully repetitive fetch quests in no time. It has some merit as a starter RPG to introduce young children to the genre, but even then, there are much better adventures out there to spend your time with.

It’s just a shame that Samurai Jack: Battle Through Time‘s combat hasn’t been given a little more care and attention to ensure that it flows better. With there being so much of it, its clunky nature drags the game down a fair bit. Still, if you’re a huge Samurai Jack fan who wants to spend some more time with the character, it’s worth a play. But if you have experience with the likes of Devil May Cry or Ninja Gaiden, you will find its gameplay lacking.

New Super Lucky’s Tale is a game that probably doesn’t need to exist, all things considered. But I’m very glad it does; the changes made to this version make it even better than it was the first time round. It remains one of the most wholesome and enjoyable 3D platform games of recent years, and I just hope we get more of Lucky’s adventures in the future.

UFC 4 is undoubtedly the best representation of the sport yet. It may not have a great deal more content than previous offerings, but what has been added injects a lot of fun into the game, and the removal of Ultimate Team isn’t likely to be a great concern. It’s the improvements to the game’s actual combat systems that make the most impact though, giving the action a more authentic and dynamic feel while also providing a much-needed lifeline for those who previously struggled on the ground.

Lovingly Evil is a great dating sim. It’s wacky, charming, silly and a great deal of fun. The characters you meet along the way are dastardly and evil, but they all have a soft side that’s delightful to uncover. Choosing who to romance will be hard as they’re all yummy, but don’t worry; you can just load up the game again and romance someone different the second time around. With excellent writing, fun character designs and a whole lot of flirting, Lovingly Evil is an excellent addition to any dating sim fan’s library.

The story isn’t the focus of Peaky Blinders: Mastermind; it’s the gameplay. It’s just there to give the missions some context. And the gameplay itself is inventive, engrossing and rewarding. It’s a great feeling to reach the end of a mission having carefully planned each character’s route and actions, watching them all play out like clockwork. FuturLab has taken a property, really dug deep into the heart of it, and created something that captures its essence. But you don’t need to be a Peaky Blinders fan to enjoy Mastermind; all you need is to enjoy a good puzzle.

It’s hard to play Battletoads and not be mightily impressed with what it achieves. It mixes so many genres and does it so, so well. Then there’s the humour, which is a hard thing to get right, especially in the world of video games. Dlala Studios and Rare have a done a grand job of bringing the Battletoads into the 21st century, and I really hope we get to see more of them. There’s been a lot of great games released this year, but Battletoads will surely prove to be one of the most memorable.

There’s a hell of a lot to love about Helheim Hassle. Its world, animation, characters and storytelling are all excellent; in terms of art and sound design there’s a level of polish rarely seen outside of AAA releases. But there’s also a lot that lets it down. Had it been a little tighter and had the most frustrating puzzles been worked on just a bit more, Helheim Hassle could have been one of the best indie games of the year. As it is, a convoluted control system and some badly-designed timed puzzles are going to most likely make you rage. You’ll get a kick out of many aspects of Bjørn and Pesto’s journey, but there’ll be times you’ll just want to throw Bjørn’s limbs into the fieriest pits of Hel yourself.

Ever Forward isn’t an easy road, but whatever you make of its final narrative revelation, it’s an engaging, rewarding journey that’s well worth taking. Just remember to stop scratching your head when you hit brain matter.

There’s some good to be found in Mortal Shell; its world is interesting and generally well designed, it looks lovely, and some of its boss fights really are exhilarating. But there are just so many aspects of it that will leave you frustrated, underwhelmed or disappointed. It’s a shorter, more focused Souls-like experience that demands you go toe-to-toe with your aggressors, but its combat and surrounding systems just aren’t good enough for you to feel wholly fulfilled by it all. It’ll no doubt have its fans, but Mortal Shell could have been so much better with more polish and some tweaks here and there.

Taking less than two hours to complete, ZAAM is a perfectly adequate short horror experience. It may never truly impress, but it has plenty of creative ideas that make it satisfying to play. ZAAM utilises its atmosphere and tone to give the player plenty of spooky feelings without having to rely on loud noises or jumpy bits. If you’re looking for a quick spook to send a chill up your spine, you may well find it here – just don’t go in expecting to be blown away.

Ultimately, Milky Way Prince – The Vampire Star is too outlandish for its own good and doesn’t make for a satisfying game in its current form. Its audiovisual design is commendable, but with awkward dialogue, peculiar scenes and a hard to follow story, it’s very hard to recommend.

The Alto Collection is wonderful in its simplicity. It goes to show that games don’t need to be crammed with special features, over-the-top special effects or Hollywood-worthy storylines to be engaging. Sometimes, the most uncomplicated premise is the one that keeps us hooked. Sure, the endless runner genre might be more synonymous with mobile gaming, but it very much works on console too. Especially in a title as wonderfully designed as this.

After several hours with Fall Guys over the course of a few evenings, we’ve already seen everything the game has to offer. The desire to jump back in is already waning. It’s a fun little game while it lasts – but the question is, just how long will it last? There’s no denying it’s one of the most accessible battle royale games out there; even if you’re not a fan of competitive multiplayer, Fall Guys is easy to jump into and get a kick out of. But it’s a kick that is more than likely short-lived.

If you’re after a short platforming adventure with a story that will make you think just as much as the odd puzzle, you’d be wise to give Metamorphosis a try. It won’t wow you or set your world on fire, but it is interesting and inventive. It’s quite a laid-back experience too as there’s no combat. Just be prepared for it to somehow feel like it outstays its welcome at times, before hurtling to a conclusion at great speed.

Despite his demonic tendencies, it’s impossible not to love Cid; and the other characters you’ll encounter on your adventure are delightful too, brought to life with excellent voice acting. It looks wonderful, it’ll regularly have you laughing, and solving a puzzle by yourself is always rewarding; all in all, Darkestville Castle does a wonderful job at capturing the joy of the classic point-and-click genre.