More of what Shovel Knight fans love, and a superb entry point for people new to the series, Spectre of Torment is a great take on modernised nostalgia.

The entire package is put together with humour, warmth and class – it straddles the geeky retro chic that is so popular with indies right now, but also manages to drag an elderly game firmly into the present day with trophies, leaderboards, and intuitive choice of hardware. Immediately you know you are playing a Llamasoft title.

F1 2021 is the complete package. Braking Point is an excellent single-player experience, driving is perfection, and there's so much to do. It really does have everything, regardless of whether you are a fan of the sport or not.

Football has never looked so good, and with a new story mode and some welcome additions to gameplay, EA has got a great football title on their hands.

While they vary ever so slightly in quality, with the original, for my money, edging out the others and number 2 valiantly bringing up the rear, all 3 games are incredibly playable and deeply compelling.

Filament is a tough puzzler that will challenge even the ardent fans of the genre and it feels like it belongs on Nintendo Switch. The new Hint system will also stop the unnecessary frustrations too.

If you didn’t think you needed another Gears of War, you were wrong. Gears 5 is a barnstorming success, and a triumphant return for the series. This is the essential first party game the Xbox One desperately needed.

What the Golf? is an addictive physics-based puzzler, packed full of courses that are completely different and challenging from the last, with tons of surprises to boot.

A fantastic, original take on the Souls-formula that maintains the addictive risk/reward loop we’ve come to expect from the genre.

While nothing has actually changed in terms of content, the visual and performance upgrades are much more noticeable than expected. This makes Dark Souls Remastered the definitive edition of FromSoftware’s modern classic.

With a fantastic cast of starring and supporting characters, a story that appears to have multiple levels to it, a cracking script, and a hitch-free engine (though it’s the first episode, so let’s revisit that later, perhaps?), Tales from the Borderlands has taken me completely by surprise. As someone who enjoys both Telltale and Gearbox’s games, this is a marriage made in heaven, but there’s so much style and intrigue that anyone can enjoy this.

An excellent companion piece to the open-world, frantic off-road action of Forza Horizon, Forza Motorsport is the next generation of racing that I’ve been waiting so very long for.

Blasphemous 2 is a bold step up for The Game Kitchen, and somehow manages to feel both familiar and brand new.

A worthy follow up to Steins;Gate that even surpasses it in many aspects, while delivering a gripping story through multiple endings.

Bayonetta on the Switch is a fantastic port for handheld mode but there’s not much improved for TV gamers aside from load times.

This is very much the Wii U version with a few bells and whistles, but it's still one of the best non-Mario platformers of the last ten years, and that's definitely worth shouting about.

An extraordinary 3DS RPG filled to the brim with quality content.

Gears of War returns with a bang. Consistently thrilling and relentlessly entertaining, Gears 4 is comfortably one of the best shooters of the generation so far.

The best Halo campaign since Reach, Guardians is a return to form - but more Chief next time, please, and less microtransactions.

A charming little sandbox adventure that you make yourself.

F1 2017 is perhaps the biggest game in the franchise to date, but still feels strangely empty as its new content doesn’t really change things enough from the previous games.

Lil Gator Game is a charming exploration focused 3d platformer, but is held back by Switch performance.

Overall, I’m more than impressed with Iron Galaxy and Bethesda’s work on Skyrim for Switch. If you’ve never played Skyrim before, now is a great time to get into it. Skyrim on Switch is the only version that you can take to Starbucks for an Americano to the knee and it is quite an accomplishment.

With hugely varied gameplay and compelling Roguelike elements, Shovel Knight Pocket Dungeon is a contender for greatest ever puzzle game.

An intelligent puzzle game, Gorogoa certainly tests your logic skills, but it also forgets to really teach you how to handle later chapters when things suddenly get much more complicated.

Darkest Dungeon is one of the most atmospheric games I’ve played in a very long time, it nails its core concept and delivers an exceptionally well-crafted and interesting dungeon crawler that will take you hundreds of terrifying hours to see through to its ludicrous ending.

If it’s realism you’re after, DiRT Rally 2.0 is up there with the best rally sims out there. It’s just let down a bit by some poor Rallycross AI and intrusive use of its online features, even in single player modes.

A great new expansion to Hearthstone that makes the game more fun and adds interesting new mechanics.

The Missing is a compelling, interesting and unique horror-adventure.

Kunitsu-Gami is one of the most exciting titles of 2024 so far, with thrilling combat and strategy in such a beautifully designed world.

Navigating the bullet hell of Mushihimesama is incredibly satisfying, but not everyone will be prepared for the sheer difficulty of this classic Shmup.

A solid sequel that comes close to but never quite surpasses its exceptional predecessor, Mankind Divided is nonetheless an essential purchase for fans of stealth and story.

Guilty Gear Strive is a real triumph for Arc System Works, fast becoming the gold standard of the genre, and it is going to be extremely fun to see how it plays out in coming months.

Despite a few minor issues, Nine Sols has a compelling, addictive and highly explorable world, and a slick, responsive combat system.

Wargroove is one of the best games I've played on the Switch and the perfect tactical game to get deep into while waiting for Fire Emblem Three Houses.

You’ll spend ages playing through the different levels and adore every single step. The music is great, the visuals are better and everything comes together perfectly.

Axiom Verge may not be much more than an homage to Metroid, but it's a very good homage.

Overall, Superhot on Nintendo Switch is a great way to experience one of the better and more unique games of recent years. If you’ve already played it before, it isn’t worth buying again but newcomers should absolutely consider this version as an option to play Superhot. It even has a nice icon and I know that matters to many people for Nintendo Switch games.

An almost prohibitively complex roguelike without enough guidance for new players. If you're able to invest the time to the ins and outs of Dungeon of the Endless (or use a guide) there's so much unique strategy/tower defense gameplay to sink your teeth into.

Welcome to Elk is an interesting biographical game about how stories help shape communities. It features some interesting mini-games and a good cast of characters, but the stories feel a little too personal and at times you feel like an intruder.

C-Smash VRS on Meta Quest is a fantastic way to burn some calories and have fun in the process, featuring a great soundtrack.

Surprisingly accessible considering the depth of management on offer. Football Manager 2020 delights in almost every way. Prepare to be sucked in once again.

Three great games packaged for new and old players that look and run well. Not the best versions, but it's a nice to have BioShock: The Collection on Switch.

If you've missed the series, this is the perfect conclusion in every way, but I hope this is the start of a brand new saga in Uncharted's own legacy.

The six years waiting for a new Soulcalibur game have been worth it. This is fantastic combat with plenty of depth, and even the new Reversal Edge mechanic is a godsend.

Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night is an incredibly well-made adventure, and a heartfelt ode to games past.

Hyper Light Drifter is one of the most perfectly balanced, stylish and intriguing action RPGs of recent times.

Blending together a turn-based RPG with card battles and roguelite mechanics, Gordian Quest has a certain magic to it, despite its repetitive gameplay loop. [Early Access Score = 75]

Infernax is a great mix of pixel-art nostalgia and modern narrative design that never fails to entertain.

Future Tone is the ultimate collection for any Miku fan, and a great starting point for new players. The number of songs and modules is staggering, and the 1080p/60fps visuals look incredible on PlayStation 4. This truly is a Miku masterpiece.

Future Tone is the ultimate collection for any Miku fan, and a great starting point for new players. The number of songs and modules is staggering, and the 1080p/60fps visuals look incredible on PlayStation 4. This truly is a Miku masterpiece.

Hogwarts Legacy is filled with so many mechanics that nothing feels arbitrary, with so much joy to be found within its story and spell books.

It’s an old-school, extremely lengthy, extremely difficult affair which harkens back to a time when a game could and would kick your ass and send you crying to your mummy.

Risk of Rain Returns an incredibly playable side-scroller that will absolutely appeal to fans of the genre or the franchise.

Resident Evil Village has managed to keep a series that has been going for 25 years feel new. The combat is satisfying, the puzzles are well-orchestrated, and it looks incredible.

FRU is a great puzzle platformer and the best use of Kinect to date. Unique controls, fun gameplay and challenging puzzles make this essential for any Kinect owner.

This is an essential purchase for all Wii U owners who love the JRPG genre.

It’s a shame there are only five levels, but what is here is eye-wateringly good.

Viewfinder is a smart puzzler that pushes the boundaries between reality and challenge, building both beautiful and creative levels.

Atelier Ryza: Ever Darkness & the Secret Hideout on Nintendo Switch is a fantastic conversion.

Venba is a lovely little narrative game about the struggle of raising a child as immigrants told via food, but it'll be over too quickly for some.

Broken Sword - Shadow of the Templars: Reforged makes a classic point-and-click worth playing almost thirty years on, with stunning visuals and engaging gameplay.

Ultra Sun and Moon feel like the definitive version of an already fantastic game. With plenty to do after the credits have rolled, and new content sprinkled across the story, this is a fitting swansong for Pokemon on the DS family.

Overall it looks and runs great. This is the definitive version for me and if you’ve ever wanted to feel like an arcade badass, this is the game to get. As a shmup, I’d say this is also a great entry point into the franchise and it is finally available on Switch after being announced a while ago.

Whereas normal Roguelites are content with the loop of combat and loot gathering, Moonlighter’s idea of selling gathered loot in your own shop is ingenious.

Aces & Adventures combines poker and deck building to create a sensational card game that's easy to learn and hard to master.

Swarm 2 features some fantastic traversal that works incredibly well in VR, with solid gunplay and a satisfying roguelike loop.

Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective still holds up almost 13 years later, with plenty of variety in its puzzles and some fantastic music.

If you’re looking for something challenging and a little different to lose yourself in for a few hours, ICEY is super cool. Puns absolutely intended.

Although perhaps more could have been done, Double Fine have implemented a set of changes that make a truly classic title more palatable to the modern gamer.

Thimbleweed Park is a game this generation needs, not for quenching nostalgic needs, but to show us just how great point and click adventure games can be in the right hands. Even though some of the puzzles can have you ripping your hair out, the satisfaction of solving is second to none. Terrible Toybox has put together a delightful game, and it would be a real shame if you were to miss out on the mysteries of Thimbleweed Park.

Rules are made to be broken, and that’s never been more true that with Baba is You, I just wish they had made it a bit more fun.

Ender Magnolia: Bloom in the Mist is a confident, compelling adventure filled with interesting boss fights, inventive mechanics, lovely visuals and wonderful music.

Sayonara Wild Hearts isn't particularly long, but the catchy pop score and variety of levels give you a decent challenge.

If anyone knows how to bring a classic onto modern stage, it’s Just Add Water. Not just an excellent port of a great title, but a solid game in its own right, Oddworld: New ‘n’ Tasty is fully able to proudly rub shoulders with any puzzle-platformer released in the last ten years.

Lost in Play is a charming and amazing point-and-click puzzler that will make you feel like a kid again.

Mediterranea Inferno is outrageously weird, intensely homoerotic, and absolutely wonderful, and I never wanted it to end.

Dynasty Warriors: Origins is a spectacular game that moves the series forward in new and exciting ways. Whether you’re fighting one enemy or a hundred the action is always fast-paced and engaging, and with so many weapon types and special attacks at your disposal there’s more than enough variety. Regardless of whether you love or hate this series, Dynasty Warriors Origins is a game that could well surprise and delight you.

Jusant is a strong entry from DON'T NOD that offers a chilled out experience with a balanced sense of discovery, challenge, and beauty.

Spiritfarer is a unique and special game. A management sim that manages to blend its various systems with a poignant and bittersweet look at life and death.

I cannot recommend Timespinner enough. The Switch port is fantastic and the game itself is special. My biggest disappointment is not being able to back the Kickstarter project because I had no idea about it then. I know most people who enjoyed Castlevania: Symphony of the Night will likely be enjoying Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night right now but Timespinner is something you absolutely need to play.

I won’t tell any lies here, Telling Lies is another excellent piece of narrative game design from Sam Barlow and I sincerely hope there’s more to come.

Hitman's second mission in Sapienza is a great example of fantastic gameplay, with plenty of replayability and one of the most stunning environments I've ever seen.

Even though many fans will already know how the characters end up, The Wolf Among Us manages to be gripping from start to finish – there’s just no real weak point, and Cry Wolf is a fittingly great ending to a fantastic series.

Ape Out grabs you by the bananas and doesn't let go. A glorious combination of cathartic action, addictive gameplay and a rousing jazz backing.

Crow Country is a wonderful throwback to those early survival horror games that scared us years ago, with a couple of great mod cons.

Its locations are stunning, the replayability is endless, and if you’re a patient gamer looking for a new kind of challenge, you’ll find great satisfaction when making that perfect kill.

Leo’s Fortune proves that on-screen controls can work well when the gameplay is designed around them. A visually stunning iOS game that runs smoothly and justifies the premium price, with no in-app purchases to speak of, means the game feels high budget despite it coming from a small team. Another good game, then, and one iOS users should be checking out as soon as possible.

Unsighted is hard enough to be a challenge, but just fair enough to hook you in for one more go. Well worth checking out.

Despite some iffy performance issues and some very frustrating narrative choices, Control's compelling gameplay, excellent combat and dedication to the bizarre make it an easy game to recommend.

Lots of small improvements both on and off the pitch make this the best FIFA in years.

As an audio and visual package, Gris is stunning. However some missteps in gameplay prevent it from being something special.

Shovel Knight: King of Cards is a glorious, flowing, challenging addition to the series. There's more to do, and more to love - and love it you will.

Grunn is an inventive and surreal gardening sim that leads you down different paths with every run, never losing its appeal.

You’ve got to handle a beloved game remake with kid gloves, and that’s exactly what Nintendo has done with Super Mario RPG. This is a careful remake, adding goodies like a monster list, or the option to play with the original music, rather than taking anything away. If nothing else, it’s a remarkable testimony to the ability of designers from 1996 to make a game this good that still feels as brilliant today, and it bodes incredibly well for the 2024 re-release of Paper Mario: Thousand Year Door.

This is the pinnacle of the franchise in almost every way and a worthy successor to Shin Megami Tensei with fantastic combat, exploration, and story.

Football Manager 2024 has seen some strong improvements to the transfer market and improving your team, making for a superb sports sim.

We Love Katamari Reroll+ Royal Reverie is my new favourite Katamari game, with varied stages and a whole lot of wacky charm.