Cris Tales might not be perfect, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t a great game. It’s stellar art style, unique setting, compelling characters, and engaging combat make it a must play for all fans of turn-based RPGs.

Unlike last years release, there aren't too many noticable issues that need improving on either. EA have been afforded more time to get this game to where they need it to be, and they seem to have done exactly that. On the other hand though, there are still modes with untapped potential that EA have to put more focus on in order to appeal to their full market of players. It's a strong release from EA, one which will keep them at the top of the footballing sim market, but without a leading competitor to challenge them, that isn't awfully difficult.

Pikmin 4 is a blast, and a game I never expected to be quite as intensely engrossing as it is. From stunning visuals to hugely endearing gameplay, it's a fresh return for the series.

As a creative suite for kids with game design ambitions, Game Builder Garage is top class. Sure, It has a few technical drawbacks, and it’s not a replacement for industry-standard game engine experience. But regardless of its faults, this is a fantastic visual scripting on-ramp for budding designers without coding experience. The engine is also incredibly versatile in the right hands, offering serious scope to help gamers of all ages realise their visions.

The Crew: Motorfest is by far and away the best Crew game yet. Yes, the Forza Horizon comparisons are hard to ignore, but Ubisoft has done a great job of ensuring Motorfest stands tall on its own with a gorgeous world, varied catalogue of events, and general sense of fun.

The steam release may have a few rough edges that need work, but everything from the original has been drastically improved upon and is a joy to lose at.

So what we're left with is a slightly uneven collection. The core material is still brilliant, made exponentially more so with the stellar soundtracks and built-in music player, but you'll be a bit disappointed if you were hoping for anything other than the core material.

Dead Island 2 is an excellent sequel packed with brutal gore, an eccentric character roster, and a million ways to dismember a zombie.

So what we're left with is a slightly uneven collection. The core material is still brilliant, made exponentially more so with the stellar soundtracks and built-in music player, but you'll be a bit disappointed if you were hoping for anything other than the core material.

So what we're left with is a slightly uneven collection. The core material is still brilliant, made exponentially more so with the stellar soundtracks and built-in music player, but you'll be a bit disappointed if you were hoping for anything other than the core material.

With an excellent story, tight mechanics, and tons of customization available for players, Dark Deity is a game that any SRPG fan should have in their library. It is unfortunate that outdated and over-sexualized depictions of women slightly tarnish such an otherwise beautiful gem.

Though a lacklustre story and uninspired enemy variation may bring it down somewhat, Metal: Hellsinger is the best a rhythm FPS has ever felt.

Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp is a delight for existing fans to jump back into an old favourite, but the timeless gameplay makes it fantastic to pick up for those new to the series.

Capcom nailed it with the Mega Man Star Force Legacy Collection in every aspect. Presentation-wise, it is the best compilation featuring the Blue Bomber they've ever released, adding plenty of quality-of-life changes that I'd love to see them retroactively implement in previous titles. In terms of gameplay, while Battle Network still outshines the Star Force spin-offs in many ways, each game continuously builds upon the previous one to much success (for the most part), making the highly underrated journey of Geo Stelar from a secluded, directionless kid dealing with grief and loneliness into a fully-fledged anime protagonist that would die for his friends a blast to rediscover.

Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4 delivers an incredibly fun gaming experience, with massive graphic improvements, responsive controls, splendid gameplay, and great new characters. While the soundtrack leaves a bit to be desired, and some changes to Career mode are questionable, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4 gameplay formula remains unbeatable, and there is no doubt this is the best skating game on the market.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.