Keeper is another unique Double Fine creation, excellently executed with incredible art direction and fun puzzles, even if it doesn't push the envelope.

Shovel Knight Dig, while far from being the furthest departure from the franchise’s classic gameplay, still manages to be a unique experience thanks to the unique twist of having to use a platforming move set to make progress by traversing vertical space. The Shovel Knight gameplay is still as crisp as ever, and Shovel Knight Dig’s story and progression systems do a great job of staying out of the way, and ultimately encouraging you to try one more run.

Monster Hunter Stories 2 isn't extraordinary by any means, but it's a charming, engaging, colourful experience that's still easy to recommend to fans of traditional JRPGs.

As far as sequels go, SteamWorld Heist 2 expands on its predecessor's compelling gameplay in multiple ways while providing a compelling new setting. Some aspects need further tidying up, but it's still an enjoyable journey.

We Love Katamari REROLL + Royal Reverie is an absolute blast to play. Its gameplay is addictive, the story is hilarious, and the soundtrack features music that will end up haunting you for days.

Ubisoft's newest open world game makes a decent debut, but not one without stumbles.

Buoyed by a fantastic setting, Like A Dragon: Ishin! is bound to be a treat for all fans of the series.

Atelier Ryza 2: Lost Legends and the Secret Fairy overshadows its monotonous alchemy system with a fitting combination of charm, exploration, and a dynamic, living world.

Fluid and adrenaline-fueled combat make Stellar Blade an intriguing experience.

Suikoden 1 and 2 HD Remaster: Gate Rune and Dunan Unification Wars brings the two beloved classics to modern platforms with smart and sensible updates that only reinforce all the reasons the series was so beloved in the first place.

Black Myth: Wukong delivers breathtaking combat, stellar production quality, and unforgettable boss fights. Its few quirks don’t hold it back from being one of the genre’s best games in recent memory.

Hellblade 2 sticks to what its predecessor was good at, delivering a technically, visually, and narratively impressive experience, even if it's one that feels a bit too familiar and straightforward from a gameplay perspective.

Kena: Bridge of Spirits delivers an all around excellent experience that's consistently engaging and manages to enrapture the player, even without doing anything particularly new or innovative.

Call of Duty: Warzone 2.0’s battle royale is an iterative upgrade.

While not a monumental upgrade over past installments, WRC 10 makes some welcome changes to the formula that continue to make it a must-play for fans of the sport.

Tempest Rising is a wonderful throwback to a genre that often feels forgotten in the modern age.

An experience which promises much and delivers on some, F1 25 is without doubt a worthy entry but the feeling is its innovations could be greater.

Aside from rigid combat and some visual hiccups, F.I.S.T.: Forged in Shadow Torch delivers a unique world with an intriguing narrative and tight traversal.

STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl on PS5 combines hardware-specific features, sonic ambience, and enhanced NPC behaviour to create a gameworld laced with immersive, emergent brilliance.

Ys IX: Monstrum Nox brings a wide array of impressive gameplay elements in concert with a wonderful cast of characters to make an exhilarating, thoughtful package that’s one of the series’ best.

After taking a year off, HB Studios' signature golfing franchise sees a strong resurgence thanks to excellent gameplay and presentation.

Football Manager 2023 might be a small improvement over its immediate predecessor, but it's still an incredibly accomplished management sim that you can easily sink hundreds of hours into.

With an enhanced version of one of the series' best 3D outings to date, as well as a legitimately great brand-new adventure starring a returning fan-favourite, Sonic X Shadow Generations is well worth a look for fans of Sega's platforming franchise.

The Show succeeds in honoring baseball’s past despite marginal gameplay improvements.

Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy might be by-the-numbers, but it's a consistently enjoyable experience with great characters and an engaging story, thanks to an excellent understanding of what makes this property tick.

Teardown has some genuine moments of chaotic fun that are sometimes interrupted by long periods of tedium and some minor performance issues.

Brutal action, mind-boggling scale, spectacular set-pieces, and a bevy of content come together in what is one of the best action games in recent memory. Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 is unmissable.

Wo Long packs in some novel gameplay mechanics, but it might not be the hardcore experience fans of the genre are seeking.