There’s also humour here, sometimes laugh-aloud and sometimes deadpan in the face of absolutely awful situations, and an element of pathos that goes deeper than expected with a few characters. Sometimes it misses its mark - Luka has a few dreams that are only narrated where it’d have brought something more to his relationship with the town and his parents (and their associates, ssssh) to actually see these visions as he does, especially because there’s one sepia-hued flashback that we do get to play through (and multiple times, too) - but Beacon Pines is a consistently enthralling experience which you’ll really want to see through to its end.

NEO: The World Ends With You is an enthralling, expansive adventure that anyone who loved its predecessor will click with immediately, and newcomers are encouraged to take their time with. But be patient and let the game's flow snap into something that feels comfortable, and you might just come to adore these complicated players, this fantastical Shibuya, and what is a very special original of exceptional character.

I’m thrilled to say that this is the best GT game I’ve played in the better half of a decade. It’s not without a few bumps in the road, but they’re nothing that will keep avid racers away. It serves as both a perfect first experience for new racers, and a welcome homecoming for those who have been away for a while.

Mario Party Superstars is the best game in the series I’ve played. The abundance of minigames is excellent, and having them all available immediately is ideal. The unlockable items are fun to unlock, with plenty of customisable options for your in-game emotes. While it may seem like an easy game, there’s still plenty of fierce multiplayer duels to be fought within, so fans of the classic Mario Party experience are in luck here. However, if you steal stars then you deserve everything you get.

What makes every game in this collection so special (despite the best efforts of Sir Spamalot Magneto), despite some being 30 years old, give or take, they still play as good, if not better than most modern fighting games, which is testament to the talents of the developers. It doesn't matter if you were playing the original games back in the day or for the very first time right now, Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics surpasses anything nostalgia has to offer and is one of the most definitive collections of fighting games that you’ll play today.

Some minor issues aside, Beyond Galaxyland is easily one of 2024’s best surprises. I confess this is one game that wasn’t on my radar until I started playing it, but if you have any passion whatsoever for classic science fiction literature, games, and movies, I can guarantee you’ll have an absolute blast with this one.

Super Monkey Ball Banana Mania is a fantastic puzzle game. It's endlessly replayable with plenty of levels and minigames. The multiplayer options are perfect party games, and the unlockable characters and cosmetics add depth to an already engrossing experience. While there are some frustrating moments and a lack of accessibility, I can safely say Super Monkey Ball Banana Mania is one you won't want to miss.

The Turrican games have stood the gameplay test of time as elegantly as any of their contemporaries - the likes of Super Metroid, Gunstar Heroes and Metal Slug. These are uncomplicated, elemental experiences - run, roll, jump, blast lasers at robots until robots explode, repeat (unless the time runs out on a level - there are some sprawling ones!) - but such was their purity at the source that no amount of time passed can significantly dull them. They are tough as nails, mind, very much designed with the arcade mentality of having players blast through their pocket change to make progress (even though Turrican was only ever a home-gaming concern), so consider that before taking the plunge. Or, alternatively, cheat. I'll allow it.

While I don’t think Wuchang: Fallen Feathers is going to become the sudden favourite of soulslike fans, I can see it getting plenty of time in the sun. The issues I felt are, in the grand scheme of things, relatively minor and can all be worked around, or even patched out by the developers. Which leaves me with an utterly engaging world, filled with sheer beauty, and plenty of fresh ideas.

Croc: Legend of the Gobbos (2025) is a near perfect remaster, keeping the integrity of the original release whilst still somehow allowing the game to feel modern. It’s a must-play glimpse into the origins of the platforming genre, made accessible to the current generation of gamers with wonderfully enhanced graphics and renewed gameplay controls.

Had Intelligent Systems found some way to make fights more interesting or worthwhile, this might have been the best Paper Mario game to date. As it stands, The Origami King is easily the best adventure with the paper plumber I've had in years, even if it doesn't quite reach the delirious highs of the first two series entries.

The interwoven relationship between gameplay and music in Metal: Hellsinger really is a masterclass in intuitive game design. You can feel the passion that has been poured into the project and I’m happy to conclude by saying that The Outsiders have made a bonafide banger.

Having been released with no build-up, Look Outside is unlikely to feature in conversations alongside gaming horror greats like Silent Hill 2 or Resident Evil, but it deserves to be. Sure, some of the retro designs feel obtuse, or archaic at points, but that doesn’t take away from horrific moments that will stay with me when I’ve switched the game off, and crawled into bed.

With the extensive add-on collection and new visual features and routes, Dovetail Games have created the most comprehensive and detailed rail sim yet. Train Sim World 3 is here to stay, and I can’t wait to see what add-ons are introduced down the line. If you loved Train Sim World 2, and are aching for more train sim action, then you should definitely consider the latest instalment. Whilst Train Sim World 3 doesn’t change the game completely, it remains true to the series and is certifiably the best addition yet.

Overall, Dynasty Warriors Origins is a fantastic starting point for those new to series like I was. The storytelling felt concise and easy-to-follow, the gameplay was endlessly entertaining, and it never felt like I was stepping into unknown territory, so I could learn and experiment with no fear.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is, thankfully, more wonderful than it is disappointing. It whisks the player away into a truly impactful world, with a powerful and emotional story bubbling away, enhanced by some stellar acting. There were moments I was brought to spilling a couple of tears, alongside some that had me laughing riotously. The battles, which can so often feel stagnant in a bustling genre, are refreshing, tactical, and delightful. This is a wonderfully imaginative game, bursting with identity, and it has a lot to say about important topics. Yes, the path is a bit muddy and cumbersome, but the destination is worth it, and the journey is magical.

Henry has been waiting for a chance to reclaim some of what was lost during his first adventure. He’s older and a little bit wiser, though still hot-headed when he wants to be. His is a tale meant to be expanded upon as you take control of his actions. Embrace being the narrator of his story, don’t shy away from it. Henry of Skalitz is yours to command, do him justice and give him an adventure filled with the complexities befitting this honest, hardworking man. There’s a lot of loss and bloodshed during this hostile period, so make sure Henry sees the world before he’s forced to endure the hardships he’s unwittingly set in motion.

All in all, Ace Attorney Investigations is a simple and efficient package. Collecting two games that weren’t received well on launch and giving them an HD makeover. If you’re a fan of Ace Attorney games and haven’t played these titles, this is a fine way of doing so with the bonus features and gameplay options being the cherry on top of the cake.

Tokyo Mirage Sessions ♯FE Encore fully deserves its place, its second chance, on Nintendo Switch. Its characters are charming, the dialogue is always enjoyable, gameplay is satisfyingly addictive, and the overall narrative is compelling. It may not be the best Atlus game coming out this year, but it's still a wonderful adventure that you won't regret playing.

Hellblade II is the absolute pinnacle of visual and audio design which in some part makes up for the lack of gameplay evolution. Depending on how you approach games, like me, you could easily spend 10 hours being fully immersed in its story and tracking down hidden collectibles. Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II knows what it is and that’s a cinematic experience with a rich story that will keep you engaged throughout that strives to not outdo its welcome and it will have you thinking about Senua’s journey long after its completion.

Did The Last of Us Part II need a remaster just five years on from its release? If you ask me, the answer is no. I believe that other games (not naming names) deserve a remaster or remake even more and there is no denying that TLOU II was already stunning despite first being released on an old-gen console. However, I can appreciate what I have in front of me and you cannot deny that this remaster breathes even more life into the game and even if you are not too involved in graphics and enhancements, you can appreciate the brand-new modes that have been introduced.

All in all, I did enjoy my time with Elden Ring: Nightreign and I’m looking forward to seeing it grow and flourish with some post-launch updates. It’s not perfect, and it nowhere near has the level of polish that Elden Ring did, but you can tell it’s not really trying to be what that game was. It’s a different animal entirely and I can admire FromSoftware for trying something new while still holding onto what’s worked for it in the past.

In a different world I feel like Season could have been an incredible mystery adventure in the style of Return Of The Obra-Dinn, completely letting go of your hand and leaving you to slowly piece together why the world is the way it is. As it stands, it’s kind of like that, but is far more concerned with making sure you feel guided and, more importantly, relaxed at all times. That’s not necessarily a bad thing. Season has a vibe, and that vibe is all about brewing up a chamomile, settling down under a blanket, and enjoying the ride.

And I love it so much. Even as I’m writing this review all I want to do is close my laptop and play more Balatro. I want to take down those bosses, earn big banks, and completely destroy this card game. While this isn’t a perfect game, it’s one that will stay in my playing rotation for many months to come.

Jurassic World Evolution 3 is, without a doubt, the best game in the series yet. It gives you more tools to create the best parks possible, and that’s without the added content that the community will eventually produce. The sim management genre might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but if you love the Jurassic Park and World movies, I have no doubt you’ll love this game. If you give it a chance, Jurassic World Evolution 3 might just be your surprise hit of the year.

Those that found Crash to be one of the clunkier and more irritating platforming mascots from the old days probably won't have their minds changed by this latest outing. But on the other hand, if you grew up loving Crash Bandicoot, you're going to adore Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time. I promise you that. Toys For Bob set out to create an authentic sequel, and in that regard this game is a stunning success.

While New Horizons doesn't do much - or anything at all, really - to win over anyone who didn't "get" Animal Crossing previously, veteran fans and interested newcomers alike will find 2020's sweetest, most wholesome game yet.

For all of you who fell out of love with the Assassin’s Creed series during the RPG games, I'd urge you to take a leap of faith with Assassin’s Creed Mirage, I don't think you'll be disappointed.