Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown is only really brought down by the occasional frustration felt upon the often unfair failure of a mission. Its campaign really is great overall, but sometimes you’ll curse when a timer imposed upon you expires when you’re just shy of meeting a score target. Or when a mission critical friendly plane gets shot down just as you’re about to dispatch the last enemy. You’ll always hit that “Retry From Checkpoint” option though and jump right back in, because Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown’s moment-to-moment gameplay is simply ace.

Forever Forest feels like an early access game; it looks and sounds a treat but there’s disappointingly little joy to be had here. You’ll initially enjoy treading the game’s green spaces, and swapping your character’s mask out for a more impressive, and lethal, piece of headgear will raise a smile. But with no meaningful goal to power through the tedium towards – and since the game theoretically goes on forever – you’ll quickly lose interest. Lovely as it is to look at, Forever Forest leaves a lot to be desired.

Episode 3: Broken Toys continues to improve and is paving the way for one hell of a finale. In spite of its annoying technical issues, players should look past that and see the fantastic piece of work that’s been put together there. Broken Toys isn’t perfect, but its dialogue is superb, its pacing is fluid and its gameplay is fun and engaging.

My Time at Portia takes a lot of positive notes from popular farming simulators like Stardew Valley and Minecraft, and puts its own creative spin on things. It might seem just like any other farming sim at first glance, but the more you play the more you’ll discover its unique story and engaging gameplay elements.

Launching at a budget price, I truly am glad that Onimusha: Warlords has found its way onto current gen-consoles and PC. While its visual presentation isn't going to impress you, its new soundtrack proves to be a rousing affair. But most importantly, its gameplay still has hooks. Carefully balancing atmospheric exploration, strategic combat and brain-teasing puzzles, Onimusha: Warlords never feels like a chore to play. It doesn't stretch itself too thin, and I appreciate that now more than ever.

Hitman HD Enhanced Collection thankfully isn’t a lazy port, but I can’t help but feel that a mistake has been made with regards to its pricing.

Its asking price of £18/$20 may be a little steep considering the game’s lack of replayability, but if you’re a fan of platforming and adventuring, Elli definitely has enough to offer that’ll keep you engaged for several hours.

The mood, ambience, and ultimate meaning of The Eternal Castle all come together, intertwined and beautifully realised. It will be a long time before The Eternal Castle [REMASTERED] leaves my imagination, which, funnily enough, is exactly the feeling from which the developers created it.

Bury Me, My Love isn’t always an easy trek, perhaps reflecting its subject matter, and it’s still better suited to mobile phones. But it’s so emotionally engaging that, despite multiple, doomed playthroughs, you won’t leave Nour’s side until you’ve guided her to safety.

What was once great then, is now simply good on the balance of things.

Everything a retro collection should be, but the games it includes mostly haven’t stood the test of time.

It has pretty big setbacks, but its many small redeeming factors – the art style, the voice acting, the setting, and of course the boys – are sure to inspire a cult following.

It looks quite nice, has a soothing ambience about it, and it’s rather cheap (£7.79/$9.99). It’s just a shame that using a controller isn’t an option, and that long-term competition is limited.

You’ll rue the lack of some crucial features, and its performance will grate on you, but there’s still plenty of fun to be had in shaping your own park. Whether you’re aiming for the prettiest themed landscape, or care more about building massive and crazy roller coasters, there’s plenty for you to sink your teeth into. Just don’t expect to be able to micro-manage every element of your park, and you shouldn’t be too disappointed.

At its best, Viviette is an unsettling, atmospheric little escapade, telling a story which, while hitting some familiar horror beats, will make you thoroughly uncomfortable.

Trouserheart is a great pick-up-and-play game for children who are new to gaming. Its fun and colourful levels are sure to keep kids engaged for hours, and the campaign is not long enough to become monotonous to more experienced players. But the game’s lack of depth and difficulty certainly pull the trousers down on what could be a very fun game.

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate beautifully tows the line of accessibility for casual players and depth for the hardcore fans.

For gamers who still enjoy the retro allure of games like Ghouls ‘n Ghosts, there’s a lot to like as you explore the swamps, caves and forests to attempt to unearth all the secrets.

Football Manager 2019 Touch is so much more than its iOS/Android namesake; it’s the beautiful game made even more beautiful. It’s the definitive option for any diehard Football Manager fan, or football fan, looking to take their passion on the go.

It’s acutely aware of its own silliness, even giving you the option to unlock (no, there are no microtransactions here) different colours and ridiculous accessories for your foe.

It almost feels as though it was made for the mobile market in a way, with its small but plentiful maps and cut down features.

Earth Defense Force 5 stands in the face of pretty much every game released these days. It’s the game that doesn’t bother trying to keep up with the Jones’ because it’s happy doing its own thing and being just what it wants to be. And that’s brilliant. And you know what else is brilliant? Shooting hundreds of enemies while listening to humorous quips. That never gets old. Never.

Gris may feel sluggish to control at times, but for the most part, you’ll want to take it slow anyway, to take in the game’s beautiful environments. When you reach a new area, or unlock a new colour into the world, you’ll soon forget about that annoying platforming section; you’ll be too busy being mesmerised by how beautiful everything is.

I Am The Hero finds its home with beat ’em up fans quite well. As far as appealing to the wider audience, however, it falls short. Combat that fails to offer a personal feel alongside a lack of depth and replay features leaves me wanting more. High-score chasers and leaderboard-savvy players will have lots to love, but those looking for a casual beat ’em up may find themselves turning away at some point.

Just Cause 4 certainly isn’t a bad game, but it feels a bit like a wasted opportunity. The fun you can have outside of the game’s campaign shows that the world and the tools you’re given work in harmony with each other, but you’re never given the freedom to really make use of them during missions.

The game is slow moving, bland at times, and a bit forgettable. It’s unfortunate that its best moments are towards the end of the game because most players won’t make it that far.

What really matters is that the emulation in SEGA Genesis / Mega Drive Classics is of a high standard, and the range of games included is pretty great.

Unless you’re thoroughly sick to death of post-apocalyptia, you’ll find that Mutant Year Zero: Road to Eden is a charming, entertaining outing; one that gives the turn-based combat genre a much needed shot in the arm.