Persona 3 Reload is a fabulous remake, with some of the best graphics and presentation we’ve seen for the franchise. The gameplay is just as addictive as ever, with the improved combat system continuing to complement the various student activities. It is a shame that this game is missing content from FES and Portable, but this is still a meaty JRPG that everyone should check out.

Tekken 8 is everything the fanbase has been waiting for and more. With an upgrade in visuals and mechanics and a host of game modes at your disposal, you'll struggle to run out of people to punch in the face (virtually, of course).

Bizarre business practices and pacing issues aside, Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth delivers a thrilling, emotional, and unforgettable experience for old-time and new Ichiban fans alike.

Palworld is a Frankenstein's monster of ideas, mostly inspired by Nintendo's franchises like Pokemon and the recent Zelda games. However, it feels like a refreshing take on the survival genre, with the only issues being an overwhelming and lengthy core game loop that may discourage some players. [Early Access Score = 80]

Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown is a fabulous addition to an over-saturated Metroidvania genre, bringing fresh mechanics, engaging combat, and entertaining characters back to the series. It’s a throwback to the glory days while still ringing in a new era.

Even if the combat is a little overbearing, Moss: Book II is a wonderful puzzle platformer. In VR, the world Polyarc has created is stunning and exploring it as one of the cutest characters ever is a joy.

Asgard’s Wrath 2 is hands-down the most impressive adventure available on Quest hardware. As the start of a new generation of Meta Quest headsets, Sanzaru Games’ melting pot of Norse and Egyptian mythology is a must-play for anyone who is a fan of VR gaming.

A rinse-and-repeat of other Ubisoft titles, but still undeniably enjoyable thanks to gorgeous visuals and engaging story-telling.

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.

Although lacking innovation, the Super Mario RPG remake is a great way to relive a classic, with little incentive for old-time fans but plenty to love for newcomers.

Persona 5 Tactica is a great tactical RPG that uses the series’ signature battle mechanics to perfection. While the story has pacing issues and isn’t friendly for newcomers, this spin-off still succeeds thanks to an addictive battle system and simple customization options. You may have seen this coming.

A short-but-sweet bridge between Yakuza: Like a Dragon and Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, Like a Dragon Gaiden packs a lot of punch into a small package. Returning to the smash-mouth style fans love about the series, there's plenty of additional content to keep you occupied beyond the game's story.

Although the addition of new and heavily-requested features earn Football Manager 2024 the title of the best sports simulation game out there, hardcore fans of the series may find the game to be light on meaningful new content.

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.

WarioWare: Move It is another great installment in the WarioWare series and the Wii-style motion controls are a lot of fun. Just make sure you have friends to play this with.

RoboCop: Rogue City is the biggest surprise of the year, and one of the best shooters I've played in a long time. Fans of the franchise will delight in the story and world-building, all of which are completely loyal to the 1987 original.

An expertly crafted narrative and two fascinating main characters make for a lovingly crafted sequel that is well and truly worth the 13-year wait.

Ghostrunner 2 is a very solid sequel that’ll appeal to its target niche but might require some research if you haven’t played the first one. Nonetheless, if you’re a hardcore gamer and like your chances as a futuristic ninja, you can’t go wrong with Jack’s blade in hand.

Hellboy: Web of Wyrd has great combat and some stunning visuals, but it's bogged down by frustrating mechanics and a progression system that rarely feels rewarding.

While it doesn't break the mould like its predecessors have, Super Mario Bros. Wonder is the perfect refinement of 2D platforming, and one of the most polished and engrossing games you'll play all year.

Milestone’s follow-up to 2021’s Hot Wheels Unleashed is a worthy successor, but the lack of the first game’s DLC cars is an uncomfortable sore spot.

By overhauling the first game's already spectacular exploration and Arkham-like combat, as well as creating the series’ best story yet, Insomniac has made Spider-Man 2 the pinnacle of open-world action games.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Wargroove 2 is a challenging love letter to strategy RPGs that have inspired decades of gaming. Brilliant aesthetics, strong sound direction, and easy to grasp but difficult to master strategic gameplay makes Wargroove 2 a game worth coming back to.

With its dreamlike visuals, great writing, and addictive gameplay, El Paso, Elsewhere it's an action-packed odyssey by way of David Lynch. The compelling narrative, mature themes, and engaging combat make it a standout title that should not be missed.