It's hard to talk about Khaos Reigns without having that price tag in mind. For £39/$39 it's simply too lean, relying on the promise of an eclectic mix of characters to come and some long-awaited roster additions to add value to a very short and mostly forgettable story add-on.

EA FC 25 is definitely a game of two halves. Its core is still excellent and endlessly enjoyable, and several new additions have given fresh life to the game. However, it remains held back by age-old issues that have plagued the series year-on-year. Overall it offers an improvement over the previous iteration, and Rush, in particular, is an outstanding addition that I hope will become a core part of the game in years to come, but I just wish that painfully slow menus, an abundance of bugs, and sometimes sluggish gameplay wouldn't hold it back.

Looking for a new MMO? Throne and Liberty is an easy one to pick up and might just sway genre newcomers, too. I’m not entirely convinced it does anything too different from genre norms, but what it does, it does with a level of polish seldom seen, particularly at this early stage. Will it challenge the heavy hitters? Right now, it’s too early to tell, but it’s off to a good start. [Review in Progress]

Crusader Kings 3 Roads to Power is the best expansion the game has had so far, purely because of its focus on new gameplay systems that let you approach how you play the game a little differently than before. The new Byzantine content is a breath of fresh air for the best aspects of CK's gameplay, while the Adventurer playstyle could do with a little more to make it fun beyond your first go.

With repetitive puzzles and monotonous battles against the same eight enemy types over and over again, Funko Fusion is a prime example of how raw nostalgia can only carry a game so far. While there are plenty of characters to play as, and the art style is inoffensive, Funko Fusion is ultimately an experience that's best avoided unless you're a diehard fan of Universal properties.

Ara: History Untold brings fresh ideas for a long-running genre, and more than stands on its own because of them.

NBA 2K25 is a big improvement on last year’s game. While the same VC woes remain, I’m convinced it’ll be remembered fondly in the annals of the franchise, thanks to its mode variety, flexible shooting options, and a big improvement to player animations.

Even if you’ve already played the game to 100% on PS5, you’ll likely get something out of witnessing God of War Ragnarok again in all its glory on a PC.

Final Fantasy XVI feels right at home on PC. With excellent optimisation that’s bolstered by impressive Frame Generation technology, it’s a relatively smooth sailing experience if you have the hardware to handle it. Some oversights include a lack of ultrawide support and a locked 30fps frame rate in cutscenes, but these can easily be modded out with a few simple file tweaks. It’s a damning shame that these fixes aren’t included by default, but if you’re willing to do a bit of tinkering, this epic fantasy RPG should certainly be one you aim to play on PC.

While the character and world design offers an intriguing playspace, the puzzle and combat mechanics are so simple that I was left unimpressed by the end of my ten-hour playthrough.

Whether it's your first trip to Willamette or you're a returning customer, Dead Rising Deluxe Edition offers something for you.

While Madden 25 feels like a great improvement on last year's game, it still feels like much of its core is standing in place. While that leads to a feeling of "Maybe next year" that the series has fostered before, it's definitely a better game than last year's effort.

If, like me, you’ve been waiting for Nintendo to deliver a new 3D Mario game for the best part of a decade, look no further - Team ASOBI has done it themselves. For those who own a PlayStation, consider Astro Bot an essential purchase.

The Miles Edgeworth Collection is a stellar product. It features some of the series' best writing, varied gameplay, and unique set pieces. Not only is this the best way to play these games, it’s one of the only ways to play the fantastic sequel.

Space Marine 2 is pure, unfiltered video game. It's arcadey and straightforward as hell; nothing is overwrought, and there is no misconception of trying to be more than what it should be. Here is the new gold standard for a third-person action game in the 40K universe.

Star Wars Outlaws is a perfectly playable experience that will only be enhanced by a player's potential love of the series and its world.

Black Myth: Wukong infuses the cultural heritage of China, its rich mythology, and one of its most important pieces of literature with an action RPG structure that's as deep as it is grand in scale. However, this same scope leads to some inconsistency across the board that is a detriment to the overall quality.

F1 Manager continues to offer more of what I'd hoped for when the franchise debuted, and it's just getting better and better each year. Additional drivers to nurture, subtle improvements to race day, and the long-awaited team creation option make this a much deeper simulator in major and minor ways.

Once Human might be the first crafting game I find myself coming back to regularly thanks to solid combat fundamentals, a perfectly-tuned crafting loop, and a level of polish that’s often all too rare in the genre.

Splintered Fate is a great Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles roguelike that possibly sticks a little too closely to the template set by one of the genre's finest. And yet, as I played through run after run with a co-op partner, I didn't care one bit.

A breath of fresh air and a genuine contender for one of 2024’s best games yet, Dungeons of Hinterberg is a no-brainer pickup - whether you’re subscribed to Game Pass or not.

Offering the best way to play Luigi’s Mansion 2, but falling short of the crown of best game in the series thanks to its superior supernatural sequel, this HD remake is an ideal pickup for any Switch owner who didn’t own a 3DS.

When thinking of Elden Ring and Shadow of the Erdtree as a complete package, it's hard not to consider that many of the game's best moments appear within the DLC. It's a staggering achievement that was more than worth the two-year wait, as it reignited the wonders of playing the base game for the first time, while simultaneously building upon and enhancing so much of what I've experienced already.

New Guardians may have plenty of questions as to what’s going on, but if you’ve spent any time with the franchise in the past, this is worth coming back for - the Final Shape is the new gold standard for Destiny.

Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin continues what was started in the first game, and elevates it to new heights. What was once a side attraction could well become the staple, as Wings of Ruin is simply an excellent RPG.

The Monster Hunter Stories remaster is a very faithful rendition of the original game. It adds a fresh coat of paint, better performance and English and Japanese voice acting. With the core experience still very much intact, this could well be the definitive way to experience Monster Hunter Stories going forward.

Vengeance is undoubtedly the definitive and best way to play Shin Megami Tensei V, with a fantastic new narrative path and quality-of-life adjustments that are so good you wonder how the game was released without them. Featuring fantastic turn-based combat that constantly keeps you on your toes, and a darker tone to the world and narrative, you'd be missing out if you didn't decide to dive into Vengeance either for the first time or as someone who has already played the original game.

More casual players of the series who just want to experience the racing on offer will find much less to write home about in F1 24. To an unseasoned eye, the experience here is largely similar to last year’s offering, with one track fewer and sans the continuation of Braking Point, which is a bi-annual affair. As such, F1 24 is a mis-season refresh, and a much harder sell than usual with this yearly release.

Switch is now home to the definitive version of The Thousand-Year Door, and anyone interested in RPGs or Mario games who might've missed it over the years should definitely check it out to see why so many Paper Mario fans long for a return to this style of game.

XDefiant is a fantastic game. I haven't been this excited about a shooter game since Apex Legends, and we know how that turned out.

Pine Hearts is a breath of fresh air, encouraging you to slow down and tend to your emotional roots. It doesn’t just simulate an adventure; it simulates peace, creativity, and community. Whether you’re revisiting childhood memories or simply seeking a tranquil escape, Pine Hearts offers a slice of serenity with no stress involved.

Hellblade 2 remains the most technically impressive experience I’ve ever played through. Through the chosen medium of games, Ninja Theory tells a compelling narrative that, if you can put up with some rather archaic gameplay, will leave you deeply satisfied - and maybe just a little traumatised.

Galacticare will have you reaching for the stars as you build your cosmic hospital up and treat the denizens of the furthest reaches of space. While it may be a little on the slow side to start with, putting in enough time into creating your optimal medical facility is incredibly satisfying, with a cast of characters that help make each of your spaces feel alive. The game is an incredibly charming hospital sim that, while not breaking the boundaries of the genre, provides an assured and confident game that will have you curing the ailments of your extra-terrestrial clientele for hours on end.

Ghost of Tsushima is perhaps Nixxes' most impressive work yet. In porting one of PlayStation’s best games to PC, it’s also created one of the best-optimised pieces of software you can find on the platform.

Lorelei and the Laser Eyes is an incredibly stylish puzzler that, during my time with it, continued to beguile right to the end.

Paper Trail had set high expectations, and Newfangled Games meets and exceeds them, combining inspired puzzle design with gorgeous art and atmosphere to leave me very excited for what it turns its talent to next.

It would have been great to see some sort of career mode implemented where you can take control of real-world players, but for a revival from the dead, TopSpin 2K25 is pretty TopNotch.

The sweet heart of Toriyama beats here, but it alone can’t help to make Sand Land compelling for most.

Stellar Blade is an exceptionally well-crafted game that has learned from its influences and honed their teachings to a highly polished standard that can only be commended.

Manor Lords is undoubtedly a work in progress, but everything that I've played so far has not only given me a wonderful experience but shows fantastic signs of progress and a future that certainly looks bright. [Early Access Review]

Although the novelty of swiping wears off pretty quickly, Reigns: Beyond is an impressive game for its price point. For less than £5, it’s not a risky investment - and it's probably worth the entry fee just to experience the unique gameplay and hilarious script. It’s definitely more suited for short bursts on mobile, but if the Apple Arcade isn’t an option for you, then the Switch version is a nice alternative.

If you're not someone who throws events very often, I'm not sure I can recommend Party Essentials as it is if you're solely more interested in the bar and turntable stereo (like I am - though they're both pretty fantastic), but Urban Homage is an instant favourite to me.

Tales of Kenzera: ZAU is a triumph for Surgent Studios. The team has clearly thought long and hard about how to best depict this tale of grief and has presented it in a way that perfectly parses how it feels to come to terms with the loss of a loved one.

There is - or at least, I want there to be - a great game here, with combat that structurally emulates what made Suikoden so memorable and recognisable and a world filled with countless varied characters.

Gigantic: Rampage Edition is a pleasure to play, if you can get a game, and even though it has a somewhat low ceiling, there’s no denying that Abstraction knocked this out of the park.

If a dark revenge fantasy tale of destroying an evil cult sounds like your kind of thing, then Children of the Sun is everything you could want.

From its banging soundtrack to its pixel-perfect paddling, C-Smash VRS is one of Meta Quest 3's most enjoyable titles, even a year on from its PSVR 2 launch. One more game, yeah?

If you’re looking for a new rogue-lite to sink your teeth into, Beat Slayer offers an excellent rendition of the genre, with the rhythm-based combat only elevating it further. I’d have liked to have seen a little more innovation in the game’s upgrade system, and the character work here falls a little sub-par of what I’d expect in a game like this.

This is quite easily one of the most gorgeous open worlds you’ll explore in a modern video game. With a stellar set of graphical customisation options and admirable performance on rigs that meet the recommended requirements, there’s currently no better place to experience Aloy’s journey.

Showtime embraces Peach's femininity and uses it to fuel her newfound heroics. Transforming into a graceful figure skater, a beautiful songstress or a cutesy chef is her way of saving those in need, and it's truly cathartic. On top of that, the levels are simply a whole lot of fun to play, despite how easy you might find them.

If you want to build a zoo and you’re on console then look no further than Planet Zoo: Console Edition. There is plenty on offer and you can get lost in perfecting your ideal zoo. Conservation is made to feel important and what matters is the welfare of the animals, but you will need to balance that with earning money and receiving donations from anyone coming through the gates.

What’s unforgivable is that, at its core, South Park: Snow Day! isn’t remotely fun to play. Its combat and progression systems aren’t engaging, and only the most hardcore of South Park fans will find a glimmer of hope in the bulletproof humour that’s borrowed from the cartoon.

Accessible, fun, and full of ambition, Rise of the Ronin will have you hooked on its combat no matter what type of player you are - with an exciting story of engaging characters being bloodied icing on the cake. Sure, some of its RPG systems won’t be for everyone, but Team Ninja’s first open-world effort is almost everything you could want from an action-packed samurai game set in Japan.

Despite my reservations about the late game, Dragon's Dogma 2 remains an exceptional experience on almost all fronts and an adventure that you unequivocally won't want to miss.

The game certainly gets better as time goes on, and the story is well-told enough that it's worth experiencing for survival horror fans. However, it comes with the caveats that the overall gameplay leaves a lot to be desired, and its survival horror contemporaries just do a better job on nearly every front.

By offering a whole heap of challenging encounters, fun roguelite mechanics, and just another reason to jump into one of the Switch's best games, Splatoon 3: Side Order is a thrill. More boss fights would've been nice, but that doesn't take away an unshakeable desire to jump back in right now.

The accessible nature of the game makes it an easy recommendation for fans of the genre who prefer to farm or explore in peace, but there’s enough going on to satisfy anyone looking for a slightly deeper experience than the average cosy farming sim. [Early Access Score = 80]

WWE 2K24 may be a big investment, but considering this is the best that this series has ever been, that may just be worth it to you. 2K24 is just as undeniable as the American Nightmare on its cover, and a capstone for several years running for great wrestling and great wrestling games.

While some of its looting mechanics feel a little stale in comparison to how it evolves other areas of the genre this likely won’t deter most players from seeing this intriguing story through to the end...Instead, Pacific Drive is one of the most intriguing games I’ve played in 2024 so far. It borrows concepts from the likes of STALKER and Firewatch, and combines them to create an accessible survival rogue-lite that’s a joy to engage with. Seeing your car gradually transform from a heap of junk to essentially a life support system is a satisfying experience, and only enhanced by the weird and wonderful world you get to drive it about in.

Overall, Crystal Creations is a no-brainer addition to your game if you like your Sims to get crafty and make some beautiful crystalline pieces to wear or sell...Its CAS mode may be slightly underwhelming for me, but it has some gorgeous new hairstyles and a beautiful set of items to furnish a Sim's home in Build/Buy mode - making this one Stuff Pack that's sure to have something for you regardless of whether you're intrigued by the new gameplay elements or not.

Legends of the Dead is a solid expansion in terms of the content on offer and the added difficulty that freshens up late-game playthroughs. Ultimately, it just gives you more stuff to play with in the political playground that is Crusader Kings 3, and as the game grows I find myself enjoying it even more...However, I'm still not convinced of the pricing of DLC in this game, and while Legends of the Dead is cheaper than both the major expansions, you're still spending the better part of £20 for what amounts to three new screens to look at when playing.

Mario vs Donkey Kong is a charming puzzler that’s great in short bursts, but the repetitive formula, short length, and occasionally frustrating controls leave it paling in comparison to other top-tier Mario outings on Switch.

Classified: France '44 is a strong debut from Absolutely Games that's worth a go if you're looking for hours of well-designed turn-based combat, varied missions and encounters, and a highly replayable campaign. However, it doesn't quite hit the potato masher on the head when it comes to exploring its WWII setting and creating a narrative about the human cost of war.

Every beat of this game still lands, and the developer was right not to fix what wasn't broken in the first place, developing and refining the definitive version of Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons.

Quotation forthcoming.

Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth is one of my favourite games that I've played in a long time and does so much with its narrative that feels uncompromisingly ambitious and fresh.

For a small team to develop an ARPG as polished and as player-friendly as Last Epoch is astonishing. To do it with the complexity that the genre demands as a prerequisite is something else, and I'm truly, truly impressed by what's on offer at launch - and can't wait to see it grow.

Bandle Tale feels like a game some people will thoroughly enjoy, but others might grow tired of when the systems start piling on top of each other. It’s surprisingly complex, and about as long as the average big-budget RPG, but whether players will have the same patience for it remains to be seen.

With a poor story mode offering, wildly expensive microtransactions, and visibility issues that really hamper gameplay, I can't see Foamstars making waves in the sea of multiplayer shooters that already exists.

There are brief windows within Skull and Bones where I can see some remnants of passion. Everything else is a chore. A predictable one, considering the game’s delays and development issues, but a disappointment all the same.

Helldivers 2 keeps kicking me in the rear end, and I can't help but respect it. Visiting its warzones often feels like a one-way trip, to the point where I'm surprised to make it through. My group chats are awash with war stories of hard-fought victories and those times I dropped an airstrike on my head. And through all of the chaos, like a grizzled veteran who's seen some s**t, I've got a smile on my face every time I drop.

Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden is an example of Don’t Nod doing what Don’t Nod does best - delivering an enthralling, story-driven title that had me hooked in its world and characters from the opening titles. It’s elevated by inspirations from other titles with bigger budgets in this genre and is all the better for it with a stunning world that invites you to explore. The combat sections fall a little flat, and the run-time feels ever so slightly too long. However, the weight of the storytelling more than offsets these frustrations and will drive players through to see the ending of this magnificent adventure.

Airhead has redeeming qualities, including stunning art direction, an amazing soundscape, and a steady drip-feed of upgrades that serve to keep the gameplay loop fresh. Metroidvania fans who have the patience to stick out the frustrating gameplay will find themselves an incredible world to explore, and one that’s filled with an interesting story, concept, and secrets. However, the core gameplay loop quickly spirals from being an interesting gimmick to an infuriating irritation, and it’s not one that I can see most casual players enjoying all that much.

Suicide Squad Kill the Justice League, live service ambitions aside, is a fun shooter that feels like the closest you’ll get to a virtual DC Comics theme park; it looks great, and it’s full of recognisable characters. And, like a theme park, much of it feels hollow, designed by a committee for a focus group that may not even exist anymore to keep them engaged and coming back. Despite this, and like every time I've been to a theme park, I've come away feeling like I've had fun, as forgettable as the specifics may be.

Persona 3 Reload is one of the best remakes I’ve ever seen - a faithful but stunning reimagining of a classic JRPG that will please Persona veterans and newcomers alike. With the only small negatives coming from Atlus’ dedication to recapturing the experience of the original, fans will without a doubt debate this being the best in the series after being reminded why Persona 3 is so spectacular.

Another Code: Recollection is a lovingly crafted remake of two underrated gems that helped to demonstrate the innovations of their original platforms, and adapted them to the current generation.

Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth takes all of the great ideas introduced in the previous game, and expands on them. New mechanics round out the established gameplay into something more refined, new characters mesh with the old to create amazing stories, and the new Dragon carries the torch for the old. It is the culmination of everything great about Like a Dragon's past and present, and an extremely promising look to the future.

It almost feels clinical to say, like it's a technicality, but this is the best Tekken game I have ever played. Tekken 7 was the best, and this one is better. It gives you more of everything, bigger, louder, and better. I don't say that with one ounce of begrudgery, I am wholeheartedly in love with Tekken 8. It earns the top spot by being undeniably brilliant.

The Castle Estate and Goth Galore Kits are great little content offerings for Simmers, but for them to be truly worth it, you'll need to want to build to ye olde heart's content or be a fan of chunky boots (and lots of leather).

The Castle Estate and Goth Galore Kits are great little content offerings for Simmers, but for them to be truly worth it, you'll need to want to build to ye olde heart's content or be a fan of chunky boots (and lots of leather).

Alongside the games themselves, the assortment of bonuses including music, concept art and cinematics enhance the experience by allowing players to completely immerse themselves not only in the game world but also in the development and impact of the titles, making it a definitive title for veterans of the franchise and even newer players starting their Ace Attorney journey for the first time.

For those who haven’t played it yet, I feel like I can say with my whole chest that The Last of Us Part 2 remains one of my favourite games of all time, and this remaster has only reminded me of that.

It's tempting for me to say that Prince of Persia is back with the release of The Lost Crown and leave it at that. But that feels like a disservice to a game so boldly different from its predecessors because ultimately it's more than that. While it certainly still feels like a Prince of Persia game at the core, it stands on its own merits as a consistently brilliant and challenging Metroidvania experience, holding its own against some of the genre's very best.

While lacking the polish and production value that saw the genre float into the mainstream this year, Rogue Trader is a refreshing CRPG experience that values everything that makes games like these so special. It's impossibly expansive, full of rich characters and stories, complex without being overencumbered, and so much more that doesn't fit into a snappy conclusion. Owlcat has really gone out of its way to bring the Warhammer 40K universe to life here, and in doing so, it's created one of the most memorable RPGs of the decade.

THE FINALS is some of the most fun I’ve had with a first-person shooter in years. The impressive technology that enables real-time destruction on such a scale creates a playground that’s joyous to experiment with and rewards creativity. With a core gameplay loop that stands solid and a decent foundation to build upon, Embark Studios is all set to support a shooter that can finally rival the likes of Call of Duty and Battlefield.

Although continued technical issues and the grinding of its quests can be irritating, the finale to the Hidden Treasure of Area Zero expansion makes its imperfections far easier to ignore by doing more to excite all manner of players. Whether you love catching Pokemon or simply want more challenging battles, The Indigo Disk marks a clear step up from The Teal Mask and ties a nice bow around the whole package. Despite not exactly being the treasure its name implies, it still has enough sparkle to keep Pokemon fans happy.

Asgard's Wrath 2 is the most impressive showcase for any VR headset I've seen and is a game I'm desperate to get back to even after writing this review. Packed full of secrets, layered with systems, and likely to get even better over time with new in-game events, it's a huge RPG that's worth exploring.

Ready or Not is a game that is designed to make players feel uncomfortable. In one way, its tense gunfights and the uncertainty of what's behind the next door achieve that in spades. On the other, the locations and missions will cut a little too close to reality for some.

Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising is another great fighting game from Arc System Works with particular emphasis on welcoming new players to this infamously challenging genre. The presentation of the game, alongside how accessible it is to just pick up and play, will remain the game's biggest strength.

Whilst it doesn’t exactly raise the bar for an expansion, as far as this first-parter goes, it still has us excited for what comes next.

With new crafting recipes, a new Royal Tool that makes you feel like Doctor Strange, and new companions to adventure with, while A Rift in Time ends up feeling just as grindy as the original content does, it's more cosy game content that is perfect to pick up and play this holiday season.

The Sims 4 For Rent is a brilliant addition to the other DLC available in the game, with Residential Rentals and gameplay concerning them being something that I'd never want to go back and play without. As per usual, there's plenty of humour and potential for drama, and despite a slightly hollow, but beautiful world with Tomarang, I'd highly recommend adding this Expansion Pack to your collection.

Arizona Sunshine 2 is the closest VR has come to a popcorn action flick, and I found myself loving it for that. It's more than a little rowdy, and a tad rough around the edges, but it also offers some of the most delightful interactive elements of any Quest 3 game I've played so far.

Born of Bread is a lovely little RPG with gorgeous Paper Mario-inspired visuals and a great sense of humour that helps elevate its by-the-books gameplay. I had a lot of fun with it, but also quite a few frustrations with glitches and soft-locking, which is a shame as it’s a real gem outside of those problems.

There are lots of design choices I didn’t mesh with in Frontiers of Pandora. I love the world, but barriers blocked me from fully immersing myself in it, and it’s littered with activities and outposts plucked straight out of the 2010s and planted in Pandora’s soil.

Assassin's Creed Nexus VR feels like the best showcase for what the new Meta Quest 3 headset can do. It's packed full of comfort features to let you tailor the experience so that however you play, you'll feel like one of the Brotherhood. Whether you're a fan of the series or not, this is a great example of what consumer VR tech can do.

Gangs of Sherwood left me in a state of disbelief after seeing how easily I could break certain bosses' programming. The challenge falls far short of what you'd expect from a modern action title too, and it isn't helped by the game's voice acting, level design or balance issues. A forgettable take on a famous legend.

With completely overhauled visuals, a reworking of the original game’s iconic Yoko Shimomura soundtrack, and some welcome quality-of-life updates, now is the perfect time to experience this beloved slice of Nintendo history with a fresh perspective.