It does sadden me that the game turned out this way, as I fear a certain dark corner of the internet will use the game’s negative reception to push an unwarranted agenda, namely that the game’s failure is tied to the assumed relationship of the two female leads which, of course, is not the case. It’s difficult to overlook 1348 Ex Voto’s flaws though. While there are some charming performances on display, it’s ultimately let down by a dull and problematic combat system and poor optimisation that doesn’t really give you any incentive to push on with what is, sadly, a slog.

In many ways, Grounded 2 is more of the same but I don’t think anyone came away from that first outing asking for anything different. Feedback has been taken on board with this sequel offering a larger map, new bugs, a mount system, alongside other refined and retuned features that make for an experience that is more seamless, more immersive, and an undeniable improvement over what came before. Obsidian Entertainment came into this project with great foundations. Grounded 2 may be in early access, but it’s already the definitive way to experience this franchise. [Early Access Score = 90]

As I came to the end of my time in Tamagotchi Plaza, it became an insipid place to roam - an existential nightmare where everyone is constantly happy, living in a cycle of benign pleasantries. The constant repetition only serving to chip away at my sanity, much like when I owned my first Tamagotchi as a kid, hearing it chirrup for attention until I shoved it in a drawer to die.

I desperately want to be able to recommend this game to fans of the genre, and when it worked properly, it felt wonderful to play. Even now, I kind of miss the world within this game because it evokes a great sense of place and time through genuinely lush pixel visuals. In the state that it’s currently in, I can’t do this. There were too many moments when I walked away from the game in frustration, not because of my skill level, but because the controls of the Sandfox weren’t responsive enough, or traipsing back through old areas created tedium.

RuneScape: Dragonwilds is a perfectly fine entry to the survival genre as it has all the hallmarks of what makes these types of games so enjoyable. However, due to its lack of originality and some frustrating features, Dragonwilds struggles to stand amongst the greats and as a result, could easily be cast aside by fans of the genre. [Early Access Score = 70]

While I can’t give a definitive opinion on the game as a whole, I can deliver a verdict on the slice of what will be available on release day. Which is an ARPG of sheer brilliance. One that I know will consume many more hours, will please an already established and eager player base, and evolve over time into something even more special. [Early Access Score = 90]

I went into the campaign of Black Ops 6 hopeful, but skeptical. It’s easy to get caught up in the pre-release hype and sometimes that can lead to disappointment. Thankfully, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 is a blast from start to finish, and provides some of the best moments that this series has to offer. I hope Black Ops 6 is indicative of a long-overdue upturn in quality for the series. If it is, Call of Duty fans have every reason to be excited about what the future may hold. [Campaign Review score = 80]

Funko Fusion feels like it was put together by a committee who didn’t understand the brief. Or fun. And the worst thing? I actually like Funko Pops. I have quite a few displayed around my flat. I was desperately hoping this would be a hit and give us another great action game to lose hours to. This could have been amazing, it could have been the proper mash-up of pop culture it first appeared to be. Instead it’s a vapid, forgettable release that has no idea who it’s for.

Mika And The Witch’s Mountain is as short as it is sweet, and while it might not be the most stunningly original or captivating game released this year, it has so much heart that it’s impossible not to lose yourself in its charming world and cast of characters. [Early Access Score = 70]

I would never wish to slander the good name of Stardew Valley, for it breathed new life into a genre that was unfairly left to decay. Nonetheless, let it be said that Fields of Misteria is now the new standard by which I’ll measure every other experience within the genre. It’s not going to be easy to beat the attention to detail so meticulously thought through here. To those looking to rival this newcomer, I suggest you do your research to make damn sure you have something equally as enjoyable to challenge Fields of Mistria with. [Early Access Score = 90]

It feels like this game could have used a bit longer in the oven, or will benefit from a robust roadmap of future features. It’s not a bad game in the slightest, but it’s not really learning from the growth of the genre over the years - feeling a little dated already. In a year when we’ve already seen several stand-out survival games, I can’t help but think that Lightyear Frontier will be overshadowed. [Early Access Score = 60]

It’s astonishing how much has been packed into Palworld given its Early Access status. Sure, the developers will probably expand the world, add in more Pals, and grow the story, too. But what we have here is already great, and features so many small details you’ll be amazed at what you discover. It’s a little rough around the edges in places, but the blueprint and starting product are more than enough to keep you going. With a dedicated community, Palworld can only get better. Is it a Pokemon beater? Probably not, but it deserves its place in the conversation. [Early Access Score = 80]

If there’s anything to take away from this year's disappointing release is that now Microsoft owns Activision, I’d like to think that Microsoft wants better for this series and I can only hope that this is the catalyst for ending Call of Duty annual releases, at least for the foreseeable future. Call of Duty deserved much better than this churned-out disappointment. If you’re desperate for a bit of CoD this year, then you’ve probably already picked this game up. Otherwise, give this game a miss or at least hold out for patches to fix some issues. In a year that has brought us so much joy with some amazing video game releases, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III somehow manages to lower the tone. [Campaign Review Score = 50]

The biggest crime here is, oddly, the faithfulness to the source material. On paper it makes sense and it does evoke the same feelings as the films, but it makes for a very frustrating experience that ends up being a bitter disappointment. When the worst part of your shooter is the shooting, then something went badly wrong.

Borderlands, as a series, has always leant on the fourth wall, arms folded, and jabbed its thumb at the game and said "Get a load of these guys, huh?" Yet with its setting and mechanics like classes and abilities, it's all very, very recognisable stuff for people who have either played Dungeons & Dragons or have watched Dungeons & Dragons being played. The combination of the self-referential sense of humour of Borderlands and the spontaneity of Dungeons & Dragons is so cool to see manifest in the game, and I'd recommend it for fans of both of these games as well as those who think a little sentient mushroom farting a cloud of toxic gas to erode brigands to goop is funny. Because it is. [Impressions]

It’s hard to see Chocobo GP as more than a sweet, simple racing game. From my limited experience, it’s easy to label it as shallow and uninspired, but that doesn’t seem fair given that I was unable to test the 64-player online mode, or any multiplayer options for that matter. However, as a Final Fantasy fan, I appreciate this instalment in the franchise as a cute, pleasant aside to the usual JRPG formula. It may not be groundbreaking, but it has its moments and is well worth a try considering it has a free version.

Battlefield 2042 will split opinion. Some will love the new stuff, others will hate it. Some will use it as a gateway to get the biggest nostalgia hit they can. The game EA and DICE have created here is more like a toolset to make your own fun than a great game in its own right. Does that make it a good game if it relies so much on community involvement? We’ll find out... [Review in Progress]

While I still have much more to go before a final verdict, it's already clear that Lost Judgment is a deserved nominee for Game of the Year. Its unbelievable visual quality, superb characters and daring subject matter all come together in one exquisite, moving, unique experience. If you only play one open-world game on Xbox Series X or PlayStation 5 this year, this is the one for you. [Provisional Score = 90]

Buried underneath the messy narrative and the mundane gameplay, there's a good game in here, somewhere. But for the most part, The Medium is a game that I'm very happy to put behind me and never think about again. For any fans of horror, I would firmly recommend you give this game a miss.