A certain level of scrappiness can be charming, but it’s harder to excuse in a big-budget project like this one, and three crashes in an hour is far too scrappy to be overlooked. Still, I do have a fondness for Rift Apart, perhaps because I do get the sense that this was a project built with love, yet not so much love that it wasn’t willing to experiment and try some new things. Once all the many, many bugs are fixed, this’ll be a pretty good game for families to enjoy, and a superb showcase for what the PS5 is capable of.

The Super Mario Galaxy 1+2 collection brings two all-time great Mario adventures to the Switch 2, offering their best visual presentation yet, with a crisp 4K docked resolution. While the package is a great value, the port is severely compromised by Nintendo's choice to retain the original Wii-era motion controls—clumsily mapped to gyro and touchscreen—instead of fully remapping them to buttons. This results in frustrating and unintuitive gameplay in handheld mode. Despite these "shackles from a previous generation," the sheer quality and inventive design of the two core games shine through, making it a recommended, though imperfect, way to experience these masterpieces.

Bayonetta 3 may not reinvent the wheel, but its lightning-fast action and engaging gameplay push the Switch to its limits.

For new players of 1v1 fighting games, this is the one to pick. With a command input system that’s slightly easier to grasp than many of its contemporaries and a brilliant visual style, Guilty Gear Strive is a solid first foray into the genre. You’ll still need patience though. If you’re desperate to get good, this game will allow you to, but if you’re looking for a super casual experience, Strive still falls into the same pitfalls as other games of its type.

The Switch 2 upgrade of Kirby and the Forgotten Land is a beautifully crafted 3D platformer that brings a familiar, yet fresh, adventure for the pink puffball. The new edition enhances the experience with improved graphics, a smoother 60fps framerate, and the addition of the Star-Crossed World DLC. While the core gameplay of sucking up enemies and objects with Kirby's iconic "Mouthful Mode" remains a constant delight, the game's overall simplicity and the safe nature of the new content might leave veteran gamers wanting more.

Forza Motorsport's 2023 reboot is definitely the best one yet. Improvements to graphics and audio result in a fully immersive racing experience. Despite a few niggles, the race against Gran Turismo is truly back on.

Interface issues aside, Shadowverse Champion's Battle offers a fresh new spin on the card-battling genre (unless you've been playing the base game on PC). Its mechanics are an interesting amalgam of all that came before, but timing an evolution effect to clear a path to victory remains exciting every time.

A Plague Tale: Requiem serves up a sprawling adventure across a plague-ravaged, rat-infested France, though the simple tale and mechanics at its core can’t bear this sequel’s bloat.

Darkest Dungeon 2 takes a great many things from the original whilst adapting it creatively into a new world. Whilst not all of its choices feel as weighty as the first, that thematic core is just as oppressive.

Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon is a fresh dawn for the franchise, spinning expectations on their head to great effect. It's a bright and charming storybook blast.

Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty's shaky story and reliance on grinding let down one of the most satisfying soulslikes on the market. This proves Team Ninja is more than just the sum of its parts, even if it may need a sequel to get the most out of it.

Despite having amazing core gameplay, 2K25 offers half-baked content that brings down the experience, with The Island being an egregious example of a predatory mode designed to make players spend even more money than they already did for a full priced game.

Diablo 2 Resurrected should have been a remake. The approach might be more streamlined than most modern RPGs, and combat is just as enjoyable as it ever was. However, it's also difficult to recommend for those unwilling to push back against the game at almost every turn. If you're familiar with the original and know its quirks already, the visual refresh is enough to warrant yet another playthrough.

While Velan Studios has created a competent multiplayer experience, Knockout City’s not especially thrilling. There aren’t many games that use dodgeball as a core mechanic, making it somewhat unique, but it feels afraid to take risks, creating an entertaining but ultimately safe experience. If you can gather up some friends, there’s silly enjoyment within and considering it’s got a free trial – to say nothing of Game Pass/EA Play – I’d recommend at least trying it.

But by stripping the Pokémon of anything that feels organic, Nintendo has effectively made its critters feel like wind-up toys, removing the romanticism and mystique that should always come through witnessing raw, unbridled nature. They took these untamed lands and tamed them before we even got there. Unfortunately, the resultant game is as exciting as you’d imagine.

Ultimately, Hell Let Loose is a hardcore shooter in every sense of the word. Though it’s very easy to get discouraged at the beginning, those committed to seeing it through will likely have a great time. Though the niche focus won’t appeal universally, providing you know what you’re getting in for, anyone after a tougher World War II shooter would do well to take a look.

A chaotic, vibrant combat racer with excellent visuals and multiplayer potential, shining strongest in Air Ride and City Trial, but stumbling slightly with uneven pacing and weaker modes. Fun, frantic, but occasionally overwhelming.

Like a Dragon: Ishin is a great standalone work that holds its own in a fantastic series. An exciting whodunnit plot is the basis for a whole lot of action, some solid storytelling, and characters you sort-of know and will grow to love.

Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream is a surreal social sim that trades environmental creativity for hilarious Mii antics. Though it boasts deep character customization, the gameplay eventually settles into a repetitive cycle of maintenance that feels more like a quirky virtual pet than a game.

While it ticks all of the boxes for a decent MMA fighting simulator, UFC 5 fails to improve by any significant margin from its predecessor. It will enable you to play as your favourite fighters in the organisation, but will not likely be a memorable title from 2023.

A decent enough game that fails to innovate in the same way Legends Arceus did, Pokemon Legends Z-A feels like a wasted opportunity that may only be worth it for die-hard fans.

Synapse is at its best when you are flinging enemies around and shooting them from the sky. Unfortunately, poorly paced-difficulty changes and an unsatisfying endgame left me wanting a little more.

Hell is Us is a fascinating yet strange game, weighed down by its own risks. While it has the atmosphere and mythology for a great sci-fi experience, its ambitious “no objective markers” system turns exploration into tedium. Coupled with a story that ultimately goes nowhere, it stands out as one of the year’s most bizarre cases of wasted potential.

Read Only Memories: Neurodiver combines point-and-click exploration with an emotionally intelligent cast of vibrant characters. While clumsily paced at times, with minor bugs and errors, the overall experience is punchy, evocative, and memorable.

Gimmick is a delightful retro platformer, brimming with challenge and quality-of-life features to make it worth trying.

Gold Road is an exciting expansion in isolation, though it disappointingly passes up the perfect opportunity to innovate on The Elder Scrolls Online's now-predictable formula.

While As Dusk Falls’ story is full of thriller cliches and tropes, if you can look past the unique animation style, playing around with the well-written characters’ lives can be a lot of fun.

MotoGP 22 is a faithful and challenging entry in the two-wheeler series, though it may not convert those put off by its gruelling difficulty spike.

Bravely Default 2 is more of the same from the series. The game still keeps what it’s great at, namely its battle system, Job customization, and music. Fans of JRPGs will find familiarity here, but with the transition over to Nintendo Switch, I was hoping that there’d be more sizable improvements. Its tepid story as well as the puzzling omission of quality of life features that were present in previous games left me feeling a bit underwhelmed overall. Bravely Default 2 is a good game, but there are aspects that keep it from being a great one.

I loved playing Invincible VS. It's something fans of the IP will likely get a kick out of for a few hours despite the disappointing length of story mode, and those deep in the trenches of fighting games likely trying to come up with the most degenerate strats you could conceive. If Quarter Up can build on the early excitement shown by both the FGC and the casual Invincible audience, they might have a big hit in their hands, one I hope they aim to improve and make a more complete experience in a fighting game market that's surprisingly starting to feel a bit overcrowded.

Mario Tennis Fever is a visual powerhouse that showcases the Switch 2’s potential with vibrant graphics and lightning-fast load times, yet it struggles to find its footing on the court. While the "Fever" mechanics and chaotic multiplayer modes make it an instant party-night favorite, veteran players will be disappointed by floaty physics and a lack of mechanical precision compared to Aces. Without the heart of a deep story mode or a robust tennis engine, it stands as a polished, high-octane spectacle that prioritizes casual fun over competitive depth.

There’s plenty to like about Sable but ultimately, this isn’t for everyone. Due to performance issues, weak endings, lack of direction and a failure to explain key elements, several flaws hold it back. However, by offering strong narrative freedom, enjoyable exploration without combat, and a unique visual approach, Sable still felt quite refreshing in some regards. Ultimately, it’s an entertaining debut by Shedwork and if you can look past those flaws, it comes recommended.

Assassin's Creed Mirage tries to combine the stealth-focused gameplay of past games in the series, while also integrating the more action-oriented style of more recent titles. Sadly, it fails to deliver on both fronts.

Despite a few problems with the game's responsiveness when in the ring with multiple people, and a couple of lacklustre modes, there's plenty in WWE 2K22 to keep you very happy indeed, especially if you've played wrestling games before. The real pleasure with WWE 2K22 is in the hilarious community creations and chaotic action in the ring with friends. Download someone's crude rendition of Queen Elizabeth II, jump into an Extreme Rules match, and take them down from the top turnbuckle. At its best, it's an absolute joy.

Justice League: Cosmic Chaos is a surprisingly deep dungeon crawler mixed with RPG, that clearly comes from a place of deep love for its superpowered cast of heroes.

Consistent and accessible, and still a lot of fun, but Mario v Donkey Kong fails to innovate anything new and exciting. A decent addition to the franchise soaked in the undeniable charm of the classic Mario-verse.

More reliable passing, improved defending, and balanced attacking options mean FIFA 23 is a lot of fun to play. It’s an improved overall package, even if FUT’s main additions are underwhelming and the other modes have been given little love once again.

Dying Light 2 presents a detailed and engaging open world that’s genuinely breathtaking in its size and ambition. Excellent parkour traversal makes exploring thrilling, and the extra tension added to night missions improves upon the first game’s horror elements. The action is somewhat dated, however, and the choices you make are rarely reflected in the world in a satisfying way. There’s plenty to enjoy, and if you’re looking for a big action game and a huge map to clear you’ll find a lot to love in the world of Villedor.

In a world where zombies are so commonplace and people are the real monsters, Days Gone does not stand on its own two legs very well. While mechanically sound, the game lacks life, similar to the Freakers that inhabit it.

Rise of the Ronin is charged by Team Ninja’s beloved combat gameplay from recent years, with a politically-charged story where decisions actually feel like they matter. Unfortunately, Team Ninja’s talents lie within gameplay, and the open world design leaves a lot to be desired.

I came away from Shin Megami Tensei III Nocturne HD Remaster with mostly positive feelings. There’s a great game here filled with exciting battles, head pumping music, and interesting themes. However, I really wish that there were simply just even more quality of life changes and modern conveniences implemented in the game. It’s fantastic that a new generation of players has better access to this title now. But in many ways, it still feels like it’s stuck in the past.

Though certainly one of the stronger hunting games to come from a rival, Wild Hearts might only truly shine with a sequel that will live or die by how players respond to its convoluted, but impressive, main gimmick.

A great family introduction to the sublime space of wholesome RPGs, Fae Farm successfully simplifies the cosy crop ‘n craft genre but accidentally dilutes the whole experience, resulting in an average adventure that struggles to stay engaging for solo players beyond the first few sessions.

While the future is still exciting for EA Sports’ FC series, this year’s game is new in little more than name. The merging of male and female players in Ultimate Team is a fantastic addition, but with various returning issues dampening the enjoyment of the fast-paced gameplay and the spending of real-world being pushed harder than ever before, EA Sports FC 24 is frustratingly familiar.

Zombieland: Headshot Fever Reloaded is a decently fun light-gun-style VR game that fails to offer anything new or groundbreaking. It's a good way to spend a few hours but not much more.

Overall, Plants vs Zombies: Replanted is an enjoyable trip down memory lane. Do I recommend buying over other versions available elsewhere? No, I don't. But if you're a Nintendo Switch user and are willing to pay the $20 entry fee, you'll likely find some decent enjoyment out of it.

ESO Blackwood feels and plays more like an interim update than a significant new expansion. That could change with new additions over the next year, but I think it’s time for ZeniMax to step back and take longer than a year to create these new expansions. Fan service is fine, but it should be anchored to something more solid and substantial as well to make it worthwhile. Until that happens, just wait for a sale.

While ticking all the boxes of another strong Soulslike title, Lords of the Fallen's difficulty will be off-putting to those lacking expertise in the genre.

If musou titles haven't been your bag in the past, it's unlikely Samurai Warriors 5 will break new ground. It's still, by its nature, a button-mashing battler. If you've been looking for a little more depth, though, then you'll be pleased to know that you'll have more fun carving through hordes of enemies than you have in any prior game in the series.

The hefty price tag and two-dimensional gameplay may keep some away, but the pack goes a long way for Sims 4 players that want every kind of world, career, and experience - and the extra aesthetics in High School Years.

Total War: Pharaoh asks you to spend a lot of time learning its new and complex mechanics, but if you do, you'll feel like a true Bronze Age battlefield commander.

Sonic Colors: Ultimate is a rare Sonic game which is sure to appeal to existing fans and newcomers alike. Players who previously experienced it on the Wii won’t find much new here, but there’s still plenty of fun to be had in revisiting it. Sure, there’s a few flaws with the wider visual presentation and finnicky 2D sections, but Sonic Colors: Ultimate presents an entertaining package that still comes recommended.

If you have the first game then I am seriously struggling to find persuasive reasons as to why you should spend your money on this one. I strongly believe that if all of the effort that was put into making the other modes had been put into further developing Challenge Mode, it could have been something spectacular. Instead, I’m left feeling like I played a half-finished idea that pulled heavily from the original game. If you’re new to the franchise then this is a good place to jump in, as there are a few quality of life updates to enjoy, as well as more expressive and reactive dinosaurs. If you’re a returning player however, I can’t recommend this sequel, as the minor updates don’t alter the gameplay enough for it to feel brand new.

BPM: Bullets Per Minute is a fun shooter with a banging soundtrack, but its roguelike elements feel a tad undercooked. Still, where else can you dance around like a demon slayer while tearing through the hordes of hell, shooting on the beat and keeping the party going?

While Atomfall presents a weird and wonderful world to explore, it ultimately fails to live up to expectations. Epitomizing a good idea not being executed to its full potential, Rebellion's mysterious spin on the action-survival genre just falls short.

Lego 2K Drive is an interesting experiment that takes just enough from the likes of Burnout Paradise and Forza Horizon to be interesting, but is held back by poor rubberbanding, a downright predatory in-game economy, and a grindy world.

Compared to Black Ops Cold War, Vanguard has a vastly improved multiplayer that feels like a solid foundation for Sledgehammer Games to build on throughout the seasons of post-launch content but with an underwhelming campaign and Zombies mode that seemingly needs a lot of work to win back the hardcore fans, it's not a bad Call of Duty title but it's certainly not one of the very best...Having spent several hours playing all three modes, I can safely say that it's definitely worth buying, specifically for the multiplayer which is surprisingly good for a change.

Crysis takes a minimalist approach to the space/sci-fi shooter genre, dropping you in fierce combat with few tools at your disposal. The first game remains a challenge to get through for the wrong reasons, but Crysis 2 is still fun to play, despite not capitalizing on the series’ strengths. Crysis 3 is the highlight, but if anything, it just underscores how much better Crysis 4 could be. Re-releasing the trilogy on modern consoles makes it more accessible, sure, but I’d rather see how the series can continue evolving instead of re-experiencing its struggles to define a clear identity.

Fobia: St. Dinfna Hotel may not reinvent the wheel when it comes to survival horror, but it's an engrossing thrill ride nonetheless.

The characters and writing aren’t as strong as they are in the original, but Oxenfree 2: Lost Signals still tells an interesting story that’s punctuated by some truly intense and creepy moments.

If you’re a newcomer or existing Gen 4 fan, you’ll still have plenty of fun with Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl. There's noticeable quality-of-life improvements, the Grand Underground is enjoyable, battling against friends is always a joy and there remains an entertaining story. Personally, I just think there’s room for improvement.

SpongeBob SquarePants: The Cosmic Shake is a competent 3D platformer that doesn't reinvent the wheel, but provided plenty of fun.

If you’re a newcomer or existing Gen 4 fan, you’ll still have plenty of fun with Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl. There's noticeable quality-of-life improvements, the Grand Underground is enjoyable, battling against friends is always a joy and there remains an entertaining story. Personally, I just think there’s room for improvement.

Mario Strikers: Battle League is a welcome return for the sub-series, with engaging gameplay that papers over the thin variety of modes.

Ghost Warrior Contracts 2 feels like it dovetails with its predecessor nicely like an action movie double-bill. It's got new locations to explore, and long shot locations that add a degree of brainteasing to the otherwise standard-fare shooting, but overall it does what it sets out to do – it's a shooter for those that want to put holes in heads from miles away. And hey, maybe I'm one of those.

Evil West isn't a hugely complex game but it's fun enough to recapture both the nostalgia and fun of the early '00s. Though its story and performance can dip, its gameplay doesn't.

Beyond that, what we have is more Assassin’s Creed Valhalla. And sure, I like Valhalla, but I was basically satiated on it a while ago and the Siege of Paris has not really changed my mind on that. Momentary fun cutting through archers doesn’t really save an experience that feels a bit lacklustre, and doesn’t quite live up to the advanced hype. Lovers of the core game will find more of what they enjoy here, but those who are less invested can be safe in skipping this one.

SAND LAND looks phenomenal, recreating the late Akira Toriyama’s style with ease, but it’s charming looks can’t balance repetitive gameplay that stretches even minor quests into heavily grating tasks.

Nintendo Switch Sports is an admirable attempt to fill the void left by the Wii Sports series, but a lack of offline progression and small selection of sports means it doesn't quite reach those heights.

As much as I want to love this game as a whole, the story lets it down. As a newcomer to the Final Fantasy franchise, the storyline would put me off of playing any more if I didn’t know that some of the other games are renowned for being incredible. Having a story that I can be invested in from the very beginning is what makes a great RPG. That being said, the combat and build up to the various boss fights were unarguably brilliant. I haven’t experienced such joy from the intelligent use of repetition in any other fighting game. From being able to tailor the intensity of each battle to my own experience level to building Jack to be a character I enjoyed, combat is truly where this game shines.

Greak: Memories of Azur is certainly a game platformer fans will want to check out, especially at a low price point.

Steelrising is a familiar game with just enough to really stand on its own two feet. It's not a revolution but it could have been the start of one.

Layers of Fear is an enjoyable horror romp, but fans of the series may be left yearning for a bit more innovation and narrative satisfaction.

Soul Hackers 2 is a light journey into the vast Shin Megami world with vibrant characters and a new story, though it is a little transparent for long-time fans wanting a deep JRPG.

The effort made to offer a wide range of units across the player and piglin faction is appreciated, but these old bones yearn for a more traditional Minecraft RTS instead. Minecraft Legends is certainly worth a try if you're subscribed to Game Pass already, but like Minecraft Dungeons, this one truly is for the franchise fans out there. There are stronger alternatives for the older gamers who simply enjoyed Minecraft for its early survival RPG vibes.

Overall, Tides of Tomorrow stands on its own as a very interesting narrative-driven game that will take you roughly 10-15 hours to complete on your first playthrough (there are several endings based on the choices you, or the person you're following, make). The Story-Link is a neat novelty, but the concept doesn't hit as hard as I would've wanted.

I have no doubt that Dawn of Ragnarok will be enjoyable for some. In truth, however, it only takes a hesitant half-step towards offering a full fantasy experience, and in not committing fully, it ends up being a shallow expansion that does little to justify its price point or its existence. I'm not sure who these Assassin's Creed fans are, the ones clamouring for a full-fledged fantasy RPG, with monsters and lighting boat cosmetics and new skins for their warbird, but clearly, Ubisoft is hoping to capture that market. If anything, Dawn of Ragnarok has made me realise that I'd much rather be fist-fighting the Pope, than taking down a fire demon with eyes made of lava.

Grandia HD combines two stunning timeless RPGs into a shoddy package that still suffers from framerate problems, graphical bugs, audio issues and glitches, but as some of the best PS1/Saturn RPGs, it’s worth figuring through these issues to experience something great.

While Wrath of the Druids isn’t Assassin’s Creed at its most exciting, it’s certainly passable in a month as quiet as this. Burn a weekend burning druids and make the most of it all, before waiting to see when they'll get back to the actual plot. Seriously, I need closure on that ending, Ubisoft.

The crowd who’ll be left out in the cold with New World are those looking for a rich narrative adventure akin to your typical MMO. That’s not really here right now, and it's unclear what plans Amazon has in store for it. Maybe in the future, with ongoing updates, New World can evolve into something truly special.

Atomic Heart is an interesting approximation of better games that is slowed down by a tedious open world, messy writing, and jarring tonal shifts.

Mario Golf Super Rush is a fun way to spend a few hours with friends on the course, but it struggles to maintain any momentum after that. Adventure mode is short and a little dull, and while Speed Golf (and to a lesser extent, its Battle-based sibling) are fun, I found myself wishing there was more to see and do here.

Trek to Yomi is a reverent homage to Kurosawa and samurai cinema that, while effortlessly stylish, only attempts to get weird with it on a superficial level.

Rainbow Six Extraction is a uniquely enjoyable entry in Team Rainbow’s history, though the significant crossover with its predecessor makes me feel like Ubisoft could’ve opted for a Siege expansion instead. It's not a huge problem for Ubisoft+ or Game Pass subscribers, sure, but it's a steeper ask for everyone else...That said, Extraction remains great fun, and the new settings meant my time with the familiar operators still felt fresh and interesting. It’s surprisingly challenging at times, and while missions do require trial-and-error, the level design is excellent. Extraction won’t set the genre alight like Siege did, though if you’re after a new PvE experience, I’d still give it my recommendation.

Performance issues severely hamper the experience on Nintendo Switch 2, but there's still some enjoyment to be had with its customization systems and somewhat fun combat

Aside from that, though, Rune Factory 5 is a solid revival of a franchise without a new entry for the best part of ten years. It pushes the formula forwards thanks to its 3D perspective, and nails the gameplay that made the series such a hit in the first place.

On PC, Madden 23 makes a couple of decent changes to the established formula, but not enough to truly move the chains for the series.

Gotham Knights is worth playing for its story and characters, but its RPG stylings feel counterintuitive and clunky compared to the Arkham games.

Though it has plenty of great ideas, High on Life is too overbearing and never quite commits to its best moments.

While Last Stop doesn’t give a lot of freedom to its players it creates a compelling enough story that can be enjoyed over a short playthrough. Fans of dialogue-heavy adventure games like Life Is Strange or anything from TellTale will find something here to enjoy.

Biomutant’s positives ever so slightly outweigh its faults and with more time (and patches), it could grow into a much more entertaining game. Its unique world, extensive customisation and pool of interesting moves and tricks in battle make this game fun to play but for now, a colourful but empty world, a wealth of glitches, and dull objectives make it a tough sell.

Monark is a nice debut effort from Lancarse but I wish they’d spent more time balancing it. It’s got interesting ideas and a great combat system but is bogged down by repetitive level design, narrative cliches, and grindy gameplay. If you’re seeking a JRPG with a more horrifying aesthetic, you’ll have fun if you can look past those flaws. Shin Megami Tensei fans will probably enjoy what’s offered but otherwise, I can only truly recommend this to the JRPG faithful.

FBC: Firebreak is Remedy’s quirky dive into co-op extraction shooters, blending the surreal world of Control with chaotic missions best enjoyed with friends. While it lacks polish, online features, and content at launch, it’s an ambitious but currently incomplete experience that can only be better with a full squad.

Switchback VR is an impressive showcase for PSVR2 and its new features, I just wish it was scarier.

Atlas Fallen is a solid if unspectacular addition to the much-loved open world RPG genre.

Scars Above is an interesting toe in the water for many different genres but as you start to descend, you realise how shallow that puddle really is. An interesting world and decent elemental mechanics are held back by poor exploration and an unwillingness to push the boat out.

Naruto X Boruto Ultimate Ninja Storm Connections is another fun entry in this series. The improvements made to battles add some much-needed depth, while the Special Story is well-told. History Mode is disappointing and more new characters would have been nice, but this is a good step in the right direction.

Forspoken is both ambitious, yet incredibly flawed. It pairs hammy dialogue and some poor pacing with a world I want to explore. Forspoken is a game tied between two worlds - losing out by never quite understanding either.