Player exploration is actively encouraged by a gorgeously animated world that’s filled with sights and sounds to keep you engaged, even having that Zelda: Breath Of The Wild feel of ‘Hey, what’s that over there?’ as you get side-tracked for the umpteenth time. While I wish it would have baked its ideas for a little longer under the desert sun, I’d happily recommend this to any and all anime fans, especially those who love the work of Akira Toriyama.

It is impressive that Funcom has managed to make a world feel so alive despite being set in the sands of Arrakis so other than a few small annoyances, Dune: Awakening is an utter success story.

Multiplayer options will naturally add longevity if you want to explore them with pals - but as an arcade racer in 2020, this is absolutely best in class.

Persona 5 Strikers is a fantastic game. It embraces the hack and slash genre without losing that signature Persona feel, and with more success than Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity does. The characters are wonderful, the gameplay is fun and rewarding, and the dialogue reaches similar highs to previous games. There are times where the self-awareness and fan service are a bit much, but overall, Persona 5 Strikers is a great game in its own right, for newcomers and fans alike.

Ultimately though I think Yooka-Re-Playlee more than proves itself to be the definitive version of the game, and I hope it can find enough success for a sequel. It captures and reinterprets the vibes of old-school platformers well and really is the closest we’ve gotten to a Banjo-Kazooie successor, at least in my opinion...While it’s not perfect it’s definitely worth your time, whether you played the original version or not.

No More Heroes III is knowingly crass, extremely violent, and doesn't look close to a modern-era AAA action-adventure, which will put some (boring) people off. But beside that core of hacking and slashing is a warm heart, a kind soul, and the fun-loving spirit of a creator who clearly adores playing video games as much as he does making them. It's a game out of time, a game apart, and a game that anyone who finds repeat instalments of established series a bore and the incessant raft of remakes a chore absolutely has to play.

If you, like me, loved River City Girls in 2019 and Streets of Rage 4 in 2020, and have maybe enjoyed the modern side-scrolling likes of 99 Vidas and Fight'N Rage, too, then even if you never played this one a decade ago, you need to be playing it now. And if you did play it back then, you already know whether or not you're grabbing this in 2020 2021 (haha), and all of these words haven't made a damn bit of difference.

Scars Above is exactly what you’d hope it would be - a reasonably priced and hugely entertaining third-person sci-fi action-adventure shooter. The team at Mad Head Games have crafted an exceptional game that I’m certain will delight those who pick it up. The developers were clever in their approach - very much aware of what Scars Above could and couldn’t achieve. It isn’t a game that’s dragged down by having ideas beyond its station. It perfectly mixes enjoyable combat with an intriguing world and a compelling story. Add in the immersion of the DualSense controller if you choose to pick the game up on PlayStation 5 and you’re in for a real treat. Scars Above isn’t revolutionary, but it executes what it does very well. When I hit the credits, I was sad that the game had drawn to an end - and that’s all you can really ask for.

What you need to know now is that despite the elevator pitch for this one being all sorts of I’m Sorry What, Arcade Paradise is hugely compelling. Lunchtimes, evenings, sneaking a virtual day’s work in when the real job’s demands are left to the side: I’ve become completely wrapped up in its spin cycle of weirdly rewarding menial labour and magical multi-game good times. It really won’t be for everyone, and perhaps my own lived-through-the-’90s experience is a factor in my enjoyment here, but if you’re after something that’s really unlike any other game you’ll play in 2022 - or, y’know, ever - Arcade Paradise is as much of a no-brainer as breaking down that first wall into the neighbouring storage space and covering it in puke-concealingly colourful carpet.

After so many hours playing, I still haven’t seen or experienced everything here. This was a special game back on the WiiU, and while that feeling is still here, so are some of the frustrations. It’s going to be an overwhelming experience for some, and others will see such an expansive game as too much of a time sink. However, millions of others are going to embark on a journey of exploration filled with amazing moments, superb characters, and tremendous fights, all packaged in a new, shiny wrapping, worth the wait.

Winter Burrow is a game all about perseverance, and I do feel that won’t appeal to all. But if you are someone looking for a game that is undoubtedly cosy with an added layer of challenge, you’ll perhaps find something quite enjoyable here. Winter Burrow’s formula may be a little repetitive and that doesn’t hugely change, but it’s so easy to be swept up by the game's charming 2D animation and mysterious story. With a roughly 10-hour runtime, Winter Burrow doesn’t outstay its welcome. It’s a charming little experience I warmed to returning to, night after cold night.

Star Wars: Squadrons is not a spiritual successor to Rogue Squadron. In fact it's far closer to the much-loved X-Wing Vs TIE Fighter, while still being something entirely new for the franchise. It carves out its own niche in the Star Wars universe. One of an enticingly replayable seismic battle between good and evil, as viewed from the cockpit of a starfighter.

These minor niggles aside, Carrion is a title that I think is well worth checking out for the design of its monster alone, and the carnage you can cause together. It's been a rough year, and we all need to blow off some steam somehow. I just never quite expected that taking control of an otherworldly nightmare unit would be the cathartic experience i needed, but life comes at you fast. Much in the way that giant red tendrils can.

I’m definitely eager to jump back in, maybe even tackle the game on harder difficulties, because I was filled with joy by the end, and a little bit of awe. The idea of galactic battles being fought by grunts has been realised with superb levels of detail. It’s not quite the game I hoped would tide me over until the next Gears of War, but it did enough to keep this Warhammer nerd very happy.

In the end, all these similarities and influences from Village's contemporaries both do and don't work. It feels in places pieced together, and in others truly exceptional in its genre. But the overarching experience is an undoubtedly fun one that expands on the foundations laid down by Resident Evil 7, and sets up the inevitable trilogy finale being planned for Resident Evil 9. Not all of the risks taken pay off, but when they do, Resident Evil Village is thrilling, spine-chilling and worthy continuation of the groundwork laid by its predecessor.

Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii might not do much to reinvent the wheel, in particular with this series but it’s no less a blast. Developers Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio knows exactly what fans want and how to deliver the most enjoyable experience possible. Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is a jolly adventure and it’s a delight seeing Goro Majima shining once more in the gorgeous sunny Aloha state.

In short, Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Reunion is a very fun action-RPG with a remarkable story and a loveable hero in Zack Fair. There’s plenty of side content and the combat is satisfying with a welcome hint of uncertainty. While its appeal is big enough for a total newcomer to play, its true brilliance is only really visible to fans of Final Fantasy VII. When you know what comes after, everything in Reunion becomes more meaningful, resulting in a must-play title.

Minecraft Dungeons is an enchanting game that will keep you, and your kids, entertained for a good few hours. A decade on from the original game, this is an exciting move for the behemoth that is the Minecraft franchise, and I can't wait to see where it goes next.

A fantastic Pokémon game. The new battle mechanics are a stellar addition to the formula and it was great to see Mega Evolutions return in such bombastic fashion. It feels like the continuation Pokémon X & Y needed but never got, as it’s always felt like those games never truly got the love, respect and time they deserved...Unfortunately the Pokémon series continues to be held back by the same old problems, and while graphics aren’t the be all and end all I do think it’s about time we got a fully-voiced Pokémon game, we’ve waited long enough.

A thoroughly enjoyable game that's quite unlike anything I've played in a while. None of Olija's core ideas are particularly original, it has to be said, but it delights in picking the best elements of classic 16-bit adventure games and platformers to produce something stylish, striking, and oh-so strange.

Beserk Boy is more than a collection of influences and references thrown together. It has its own, clear sense of identity, and offers up a genuinely challenging and stunning action platformer that rewards replayability and exploration. Modern touches like extra side missions, an upgrade shop, and the added oomph modern hardware can offer a 16-bit game are all cherries atop what is already a delicious sundae.

Reanimal is a game that I sense may be divisive. Its confusing world and short runtime don’t exactly set it up for universal success, but it’s hard not to come away from the game feeling entertained and impressed. It’s a jarring adventure but one that is held together by some utterly brilliant set pieces that make it a worthwhile co-op experience. I sense that Tarsier Studios has something fascinating to say with this one. I just wish I could work out what it was.

Is Super Mario Party Jamboree - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Jamboree TV worth the cost of the upgrade? Sure, if you can afford it. Without the camera you’ll be missing out on some fun features and minigames, and if you’re playing with a group of four then you’ll need an extra pair of Switch 2 Joy-Cons instead of using your old pair for the original Switch. Otherwise, expect to be missing out on a large chunk of content.

While the negative side of FIFA is still present, from the way world-class-difficulty AI opponents never miss a shot, to how pace is still a potentially game-breaking attribute, it’s fair to say the good easily outweighs the bad. As EA’s time on this series comes to a close, FIFA 23 is a reminder of why this series is so huge, in more good ways than bad.

Age of Empires IV is an excellent return for the series and it feels like a base from which the series can grow again. I really hope future expansions follow the same model, coming packaged with well-produced documentaries, and with a similar focus of following the history of the period. Though, hopefully we'll see the team lean more into the special abilities and faction bonuses that are teased at in this base game.

Regardless, OTXO is still a fantastic over-the-top action game, and if brutal challenges and unforgiving setbacks are your bread and butter it’ll likely be a game for you. Even when a run doesn’t go your way and you’re booted back to the beginning it’s hard to shake the feeling that you’re an unstoppable badass who just got a little careless but will do even better next time.

If you're a fan of the original Mafia then you should give this remake a try. It captures the spirit of the game while also making it a thoroughly modern shooter. If you never played Mafia, then this doesn't feel like a nostalgia project but a new game. The split structure of the story mode and open world may be unusual when lined up against its current competitors, but if you find yourself lost in large open worlds like Assassin's Creed and are looking for something that has more respect for your time, Mafia may be for you.

This all culminates in an experience that does an effective job at emphasising the connection between people, achieved in a way that feels particularly clever and responsive to how your own actions affect others, as theirs do unto you. Tides of Tomorrow delivers on making you feel like you’re part of a greater whole, while also providing a story that is wholly individual and intimate.