While it only has largely one trick, that trick is a lot of fun. In Da Hoop isn't going to wow you with insane graphics or revolutionize the VR scene, but Realcast has built something that is very enjoyable. The tracking that's been designed works very well with controllers, and is quite competent with hands tracking, even if it isn't the best way to experience the game. With a few upcoming updates this is bound to continue to be a great experience for anyone wanting to shoot a few hoops.

Free from graphics cards, drivers, and other PC trappings, Microsoft Flight Simulator is the most accessible flight simulator ever made. With the most minor of concessions, it also manages to be the best looking game the Xbox Series X has on offer to date. With the right control surface, you too can slip the surly bonds of Earth, and when it looks this good and plays this well, I highly recommend it.

A masterclass in narrative driven storytelling. Every character is important and every choice could lead to your doom. Play it and see if you can solve the mystery for yourself!

The Great Ace Attorney is a duology that any fan of the series should play and also serves as a great entry point for newcomers. Whether it’s the great new story and characters, the high quality slate of cases, or the new mechanics that help break the usual mold of the series, there’s very little to dislike about this fantastic spinoff.

Samurai Warriors 5 is a great way for newcomers to jump into the long-running series. With a redesigned cast and amazing new gameplay mechanics, this marks a new era for the franchise.

Skyward Sword HD is definitely the best version of the game with vastly improved visuals and new control options, but I can’t help but feel it's lacking as a Zelda rerelease. There’s no new content, and I doubt the changes are enough to win over those who have problems with the game’s overall design. It certainly didn’t need to be a good game in its own right, but the lack of accessibility options and only somewhat reduced dialogue makes it difficult to justify the price.

Olympic Games Tokyo 2020: The Official Video Game is a wonderful slate of bite-sized sports experiences. While this is a great title to play with friends, the lack of Stadia’s userbase makes this version of the game a silver winner in an otherwise gold entry.

As furry visual novels go, Winds of Change is in the upper echelon. Leaps and bounds from its predecessor, this follow-up boasts a charming cast of characters, wonderful character models, and some great storytelling. If you want a fantasy tail… erm, tale to sink your teeth into, this is one you should check out.

World’s End Club is an excellent story with some abysmal platforming tying it together. While story sections greatly outnumber gameplay sections, these stand out as a sore spot that may put off some players.

The next-generation upgrade of A Plague Tale: Innocence succeeds in making an already amazing game even better. Fluid 60fps, massively improved load times and clever use of haptic feedback all come together to create an unforgettable experience. If you’ve not played this yet - do it. You won’t regret it.

Buy it. Play it. Enjoy it. It’s as simple as the game feels, even if it challenges you more than you’d ever think it would. The more I’ve played it, the more I see every one of it’s accomplishments, with fantastic gameplay and a great choice of art style and soundtrack jewels in its crown. Death’s Door does nearly everything right for what it is, and even the shortcomings of the narrative is barely a blemish on a spectacular résumé.

Ender Lilies is easily one of my most pleasant surprises this year. The game has fantastic visuals, challenging and satisfying gameplay, and an amazing soundtrack. If you're a fan of Metroidvania games, I implore you to give this game a shot as you’ll no doubt be left feeling as satisfied as I am.

Mr. X Nightmare is loaded with enough new content to keep players engaged or bring back those who may have strayed. As an old school fan, it’s great to have Max back but the new faces fit into the roster nicely and bring their own beautifully animated flair to the party while survival mode provides plenty of replay value.

I thoroughly enjoyed my time with Donuts ‘N Justice and highly recommend it to anybody looking for a short but exciting shoot ‘em up. The game is brimming with fun shooting, a goofy premise, and a good variety of unlockables that are sure to keep players coming back for a few more rounds after completion.

Filled with non-sequiturs, excellent writing, fantastic voice work, and hours of minigame and puzzle fun, Sam & Max: This Time It’s Virtual! is a great entry into the entertainment pantheon of lunacy that’ll leave you wanting more. More please!

While it is a short experience, Vader Immortal: A Star Wars VR Series offers up the most immersive virtual Jedi experience you can find. Authentic in every way, meeting Darth Vader face to face, and squaring off in the Lightsaber Dojo makes it worth every penny.

Yupitergrad is an intensely fun, if too difficult, Russian Spider-Man simulator that will have you speedily swinging through obstacles with grace. That is, if you can get past the nauseating motion sickness.

Trials of Fire is a new legend for single-player strategy. Combining all the best of tactical board game combat, deck-building, and narrative, this game is a contender for best roguelikes available right now. It does have some flaws that keep me from recommending it categorically, but nothing that overwhelms the depth of strategy at play here. I have long been starved as a fan of turn-based combat, and Trials of Fire has finally erupted from the depths of the earth to satisfy that need.

Ghosts 'n Goblins Resurrection looks great, sounds great, but unfortunately, doesn't play great. Fans of the genre and/or franchise will likely find a lot to enjoy here, but those new to the spooky world of Ghosts 'n Goblins may end up tapping out before they see the credits.

Where the Heart Leads is almost impossible to put down thanks to its strong characters, deep story and attention to detail. The game is brought down only by its minor inconveniences such as bugs and typos that detract only a little from the main experience. For fans of narrative games, this is a must-play, but even those who do not consider themselves fans of the genre might find something they relate to in this game.

Sniper Elite VR is an absolutely fantastic transformation of the flat-screen game, trimming the fat to just the parts that’ll be fun in virtual reality. Translating the sniper rifle into a VR medium makes the game immersive in a way we’ve not seen capitalized in many games to date. This one should be in your library, if you can handle the gore, and the occasional braindead AI.

Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin is a great and charming RPG with a similar, addicting gameplay loop as the main series. While the game drags a little in the middle, it’s worth seeing through to the end and beyond.

Stonefly is a beautiful work of art with an oddly but enchanting gameplay waiting to be experienced!

The return to Teer Fradee largely disappoints in the De Vespe Conspiracy, although the PlayStation 5 upgrade works well. I wanted so much more in something called an expansion, even if the cost said I should temper my expectations. The De Vespe Conspiracy still tells an enjoyable tale, but the surrounding new enemies, empty location, and anticlimactic ending make for something akin to getting a dinner mint as a dessert rather than the chocolate melting cake.

Whether you easily land birdies or struggle with bogeys, Mario Golf: Super Rush is a joy to play with friends and family. With accessible controls and mechanics that appeal to casual fans and hardcore golfers alike, there’s a lot to love with this Mario sports title!

Game Builder Garage is a great way to learn the basics of game programming through an easy to use visual language. The tutorials may be overbearing for some, holding your hand through each step, but the engine is surprisingly robust and will let you create whatever you want. However, there is no active sharing or receiving interface in the game itself which is incredibly frustrating and limits learning opportunities.

I am a huge fan of the entire Elder Scrolls franchise, and have played ESO since beta. My absolute favorite Chapter was Elsweyr and that will forever be a hard one to top, but Blackwood was quite enjoyable. The addition of Companions is fun for both new and veteran players, but I am kind of left feeling like this could have been a DLC rather than a full-blown Chapter. I had a good time questing through the area and completing the main story, and the throwbacks to Oblivion with the story and portals were very cool. I definitely hope to see more Companions added to the game, even if it’s through the Crown Store. My only request is to add on to the already amazing story that is being told!

Crying Suns is still as much of an engaging tactical space battler as it ever was. It has an interesting story that is beautifully presented, sounds great and a welcome addition to the Switch library. Alt Shift has tweaked and updated it since the initial release and the game is just that little bit more refined for the effort. I would have scored this current version a little higher than I did in 2019 but the clunky controls re-level the playing field.