It’s not going to be known quite yet if Life is Strange is essential, but early signs are that this sequel is going to be as good as season one was.

If you can look past the weak story and the dull characters, Mirror’s Edge Catalyst has some of the best gameplay mechanics on the current gen by far.

I’d even go so far as to say that it feels like the definitive version. It doesn’t add anything to the base game besides the expansions and DLC elements that were already there on other consoles, but it’s still worth picking up if you’ve never hunted a Cockatrice in Gransys before.

Although it is essentially a big chunk of downloadable content, with no major aesthetic improvements on the original game, there is plenty of worthwhile action in Xtreme Legends – another mightily fun carve-up from Omega Force.

The title Soul Calibur 2 HD Online isn’t so much a lie as an unfulfilled promise, but even the lacklustre implementation of web battling can’t change the fact that Soul Calibur 2 is still a big, beautiful, balletic, and brilliant 3D fighter, and arguably still the best entry in the Soul Calibur series.

Marble It Up is something I never really knew I wanted until I played it. It takes such a simple concept and executes it brilliantly. If you’ve never played the marble rolling platformers of the past, this is a great place to jump in. The only downside right now is that you can probably finish this in a few hours. I hope more levels are added in the future.

Ara: History Untold is a vast strategy game that gives you plenty to do, but success consistently rewards you with new ways to play.

Disgaea 6 Complete is a huge improvement on the Switch version of the game, and is worth diving into Dood!

The Switch version is definitely the best way to experience the game right now but it has a few issues that affect the release overall more than the port which is great.

Akka Arrh is simple enough in its objectives, but there's plenty of enjoyment and skill involved in placing bombs and firing at enemies.

It is difficult to criticise a game, however, when it delivers a shedload of genuinely taxing levels at such a great value price point. It looks terrific, with sharp, bright environments that make plotting the trajectory of your cube easy on the eye.

Ten Dates is entertaining from start to finish, with a diverse range of characters to date, great acting, and some genuinely funny moments.

There are plenty of puzzlers out there, but there’s just something special about the way this implements such a peaceful, meditative stance.

Ys Origin on PlayStation 4 is a great action RPG that will appeal to anyone looking for a mechanically competent and musically magnificent experience from over a decade ago.

Playing with others is definitely the way to go, but if you want to kill a few hours here or there, Organic Panic is the perfect time-waster.

Swords of Ditto is a very stylish mashup of 2D Zelda and roguelikes, in which you will not see everything it has to offer within the first playthrough. Its time limit is too constricting in the first few hours however, which might put a lot of people off an otherwise fun adventure.

Accessible and incredibly deep, if you’re looking for a time-sink you won’t get much better than Dragon Quest VII.

Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun is a game that knows exactly what it wants to be. It sets out its stall early and rarely deviates from the plan.

Despite its issues, Fights in Tight Spaces is a fun and stylish take on the turn-based tactics genre that feels like it almost has a genre of its own.

It's a real pleasure to play through three games that defined a console, and seeing Crash on PS4 is great. He's finally home, and right where he should be.

Pokémon Art Academy is a polished, enjoyable time sink, with intuitive controls. It’s very easy to pick up and play, and uses the Pokémon licence well to introduce a new group of potential artists to the Art Academy series.

If you’re new to poker or have been playing for years, Pure Hold’em is about as close to playing for real as you’re going to get - there isn’t a more faithful experience on the market.

Eden Genesis is a game for the hardcore gamer, and requires a total mastery of its systems and mechanics to get the most out of it.

Getting a rhythm going as you charge across the battlefield can be quite hypnotic, and while it is easy for anyone to pick up and play, mastering it will take much, much longer.

Disney Illusion Island plays things very safe at times, but sometimes that’s okay, and it’s worth celebrating nonetheless.

Haunting, atmospheric and highly playable, Crowman & Wolfboy adds just enough depth and content to make it more than your average auto-runner, while a Metroid-Vania-like approach to new abilities and level exploration add some real replay value to an enjoyable game.

The Invincible is a great walking sim that tells a solid science fiction story, with a likeable protagonist and some strong writing.

Yo-Kai Watch is a charming and sprawling RPG, one that appeals to a younger audience with its adorable characters and moral-heavy story, but also to mature players with its intense and complex battle system.