While the graphics aren’t really anything to write home about, the game oozes with style. Every match feels like it could be its own short film, the genre of which depends on what you’re doing and how well you’re doing it. While the gameplay loop is fairly small and repetitive it takes a long time for a session to get boring, and that time is extended dramatically when you’re playing and chatting with your friends. Playing Helldivers 2 almost makes you feel like you’re back in the golden age of online gaming, it’s pure, silly cooperative fun that offers a tailored experience for all kinds of players, whether you’re looking for something casual or your next big challenge.

What you see is very much what you get, and there are very few surprises throughout the game’s short campaign. It’s far from Mario’s best, but certainly a fun time whether alone or with friends via a new co-op mode. I do wonder whether it would have been better if Nintendo had built a brand-new installment from the ground up, but what we have is an undeniably delightful - if relatively unexciting - addition to the Switch library.

Ultros is a game that, I suspect, not everyone will “get”. It’s unashamedly bizarre, and isn’t afraid to make players work to dig through its squelchy layers to find its shimmering, beating heart. But if you’re willing to put in the time and effort, Ultros is a breath of fresh air for an increasingly crowded genre, and one of 2024’s strangest surprises.

Eastward: Octopia might not be the biggest or most original farming sim you’ll ever play, but as a relatively inexpensive DLC it’s an absolutely essential experience for fans of the base game. For anyone else? Well, pick up Eastward for the wonderful farming game and get one of the best RPGs of the last few years as a tidy bonus.

Lysfanga is quite a special game. With combat that feels solid and impactful, time-hopping abilities that create a very unique set of puzzles; it’s the type of game that doesn’t come along too often - one that feels wholly original and intensely rewarding. A game that, when everything falls into place, can bring impressive levels of delight.

Granblue Fantasy: Relink is a fine action-RPG and one that takes full advantage of new-gen hardware. While it treads a path we’ve all been down before, the way it sets itself apart is through its world building, characters, a great blend of action and strategy gameplay, and some gorgeous visual detail.

Whether you’re a lifelong Persona fan or a total newcomer, Persona 3: Reload is well worth your time as both a stunning remake and a unique masterpiece.

It’s in these combinations that the fun really begins. In order to unlock more of these abilities, weapons, or upgrades, you’ll spend another resource back in the hub world and they’ll unlock randomly from a flashy gumball machine. Sometimes it’s an ability that will snag you the kills, or get you out of danger quickly, and you’ll soon have your favourites. Go Mecha Ball is an otherwise run-of-the-mill roguelike, which is not a damning implication. It’s a bit ‘by the numbers’ but it makes for an addictive delivery of dopamine, one that will challenge your skills, and sometimes your patience.

Tekken 8 is the most satisfying and fun 3D fighting game that I’ve played in years. Aside from its five to six-hour ‘The Dark Awakens’ campaign, there’s so much more fun to be had with the latest entry in the iconic arcade series from Bandai Namco whether it's fine-tuning your skills locally against AI or friends, or daring to take on other players worldwide. 2023 blessed us with two of the best fighting games in years with Street Fighter 6 and Mortal Kombat 1, now Tekken 8 claims its rightful spot amongst the elite of its genre as it ushers in new contenders for its prestigious King of Iron Fist Tournament.

Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth is an absolute delight of a game that I cannot stop thinking about whether it’s indulging in its story or discovering what joys await around the next corner in the gorgeous Honolulu City. Despite the turned-based combat formula not initially being to my liking, Yakuza: Like a Dragon helped change my mindset for the better. Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth builds upon its predecessor's foundations with an almighty power buff solidifying it as one of my favourite games in the entire series. Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth has staked its early claim as one of 2024’s best games.

Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney Trilogy delivers exactly what it’s supposed to, updated versions of some brilliant narrative-adventure/puzzle games. For longtime fans of the series, or those who’ve only just collected their Attorney's badge, it’ll bring you hours and hours of court case fun and introduce you to a wonderful world of characters and stories. The only objection is there isn’t more of it, but we’re bound to get another Phoenix Wright adventure starring all of his associates later down the line.

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]

My time with Ashley has been complicated, her family’s history filled with twists and turns, yet I’m sad to see it come to an end. As wonderful as it is to have answers to the questions that dogged me when the adventure first started, to see the credits roll is bittersweet. I don’t know if I’ll ever board a boat back to Another Code: Recollection now the shroud of mystery has lifted, but I’ll always be glad I took a chance and set out for Blood Edward Island.

As a full package, there’s nothing else you could possibly want from The Last of Us Part II Remastered. We all thought Part II was Naughty Dog’s magnum opus but Part II Remastered shows that there’s plenty more gas in the tank. If this is insight into what’s to come from the studio, I cannot wait to see what Naughty Dog is cooking up next.

Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown is, by turns, thrilling, bombastic, and extravagant. A welcome entry into the genre, a welcome return of a legend and a brilliantly good time.

While I didn’t love my time with Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince, I appreciate the simplicity of its gameplay, with it undoubtedly offering fun in accessible bursts. Unlike richer, more immersive RPGs, there aren't any complex mechanics to get to grips with – you just get stuck in, the controls intuitive regardless of knowledge. This title won’t win awards, nor will it spark debates over the genre’s unique innovations, but it’ll offer some a means to while away the hours, lost in a sea of colourful monsters, which is sometimes all we ever really need.

My hope is that The Wild Gentlemen return to the game after seeing all of its success, either through DLC or simply creating it into a full, feature-length title. What started out as a simple prequel has grown into something bigger, something that can hold its own away from the eccentric personalities of the Chicken Police’s Marty and Sonny.

In a year that has provided so many gems including the likes of Baldur’s Gate 3, Alan Wake 2 and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, it would have been easy for Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora to get lost amongst the shuffle. I’d be surprised if this latest Ubisoft open-world game wins Game of the Year awards, despite its best efforts. Yet, Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora is a surprise cherry on top of what has been a fantastic year for video games and I encourage fans of the Avatar movies to put this unexpected charming delight on your ever-expanding wishlist.

Overall, it’s a great addition to the series and one of the best VR experiences I’ve had in a long time. While it was occasionally held back by some clunky movements or noticeable glitches, it wasn’t frequent enough to dilute the enjoyment or take away from the experience. If you own a Meta Quest and love Assassin’s Creed, this is definitely worth a try, and hopefully the start of a spin-off series.

My time with Calico left me wanting more, and it’s annoyingly a tale of two halves. I quickly warmed to the delightful characters, but was left feeling shortchanged by the limited storytelling and quests. I had fun running around with a cat on my head, but was underwhelmed by the lack of any needs required to be fulfilled regarding my animal friends. I enjoyed baking sweet treats and decorating my cafe, but quickly discovered I couldn’t expand the premises. I can only hope that devs continue to invest in this world and seize the clear yet missed opportunity for growth.

On the whole, Spirittea is a sweet game with just enough charm and whimsy to make up for its flaws. While I certainly don’t see myself sinking anywhere close to as many hours as I’ve put into games like Stardew Valley or Animal Crossing, I’m enjoying the chance to take a deep breath and settle into a slower way of life, if only for a few hours a night.

I can’t say with certainty that I’ll keep returning to Howl, for me it feels like a one complete playthrough title. That being said, I implore anyone whose curiosity has been piqued by its trailer to try it out; with a demo available on both Steam and the Nintendo Switch, there’s no reason not to open your hearts to the dark whimsy of such a cunning game.

Let’s Sing 2024 is a mixed bag; it’s a party that doesn’t reach its full potential, sadly fizzling out before it gets started. It’s a shame because I believe the core of the franchise is still there behind all the new licks of paint, it’s just harder to see when other, less favourable elements catch your eyes instead. But it still bursts with fun, ready to be unpacked at a moment’s notice and, for that reason, it’s a decent game in my eyes.

Super Mario RPG is the perfect remake of one of Nintendo’s very finest games, and I’m so very glad it’s about to find a whole new audience. This is an adventure that’s fizzing with invention, unforgettable characters, and sharp writing. One final, joyous surprise for Switch owners in 2023.

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]

Don’t go into Like a Dragon Gaiden expecting game-changing mechanics, though I suspect that’s not what you’re here for anyway. Like a Dragon Gaiden is the video game equivalent of a cosy night in, whether you’re punching street thugs in the face or partaking in a spot of karaoke. Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name brings us a heavy dose of Kazuma Kiryu with an abundance of joy that will have you grinning from ear to ear and I wouldn't want it any other way, ridiculously long title and all.

WarioWare: Move It! is a brilliant evolution of the kind of party game that families would gather around the Wii to play over a decade ago. The Switch’s massively superior motion control tech opens up a whole new world of possibilities, making for an incredibly silly game that will have you doubled over - either in laughter or because you’re attempting to clean a Koala’s teeth while squatting.

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.