Conscript is brutal and unnerving, with the reality of war ever present, and it's take on the survival horror genre feels new yet familiar.

While the changes across the board make for a better game than last year, there are still cracks that need cementing, not papering over. Evolution, not revolution this year for FIFA, then, but still a fine game fit to burst with things to do.

Considering that Fractured Space is a free-to-play MOBA, there’s a great strategy involved, providing some really tense firefights on the battlefield.

Dragon Quest Builders is quite simply a perfect fit for the Nintendo Switch and a brilliant entrée before the sequel releases this year.

Ever Oasis is basically a Harvest Moon-esque game with semi-open world roaming and Zelda-like dungeons. It’s nice, aesthetically and thematically, with lovely solid chibi style characters and some wonderfully twee music that I just can’t stop humming. It falls down somewhat with the adventuring, what with the AI issues and slightly simplistic combat, but the town management side of things can really get its hooks into you. There’s a serious buzz to be had whenever your Oasis gets a big transformation. This is a game that wants to make you smile, and it will do just that; just don’t expect a champagne supernova.

Relaxing and compelling, with Dragon Quest Builders if you’ve struggled to get into the genre with building games in the past this might just be the game that changes your mind.

Forma.8 is an utterly gorgeous and affecting take on the familiar 2D Metroidvania style game with some clever puzzles for your plucky little probe to navigate.

Story of Seasons: Friends of Mineral Town takes a while to reveal its charms. The pace may put players not familiar with the rhythm of farming and relationship sims off, but for those invested they will be treated to a lovely, relaxing slice of idyllic rural life.

WRC 6 is a great addition to the series and is genuinely good fun, but despite its accessibility is still only likely to appeal to fans of the sport.

In keeping the grind but removing the online requirements, Airship Syndicate are sending a clear message: Wayfinder is a game for the players.

How to Survive 2 is a much improved sequel, featuring some beautifully looking environments. There are plenty of upgrades for you and your haul, and you’ll lose yourself in the menus if you’re not careful. The music is wonderful at times and it makes tense moments even worse, even if it does remind you of the opening theme song of The Walking Dead. Whether you’re playing with friends, strangers or on your own, How to Survive 2 offers an authentic survival experience that has plenty of replayability.

Capcom Fighting Collection is a fine collection of titles, with only one real clunker – yet even that is worth a blast just to see something different.

Trials Rising is a thrill ride of crazy tracks and various challenges, pushing physics-based racing to its limits.

Bang-On Balls: Chronicles is a wonderful 3d platformer, with dense and creative worlds to explore and loads of cosmetics to try on.

It lays the existentialism on pretty thick at times, and it has the potential to thoroughly overwhelm you, but Per Aspera is an oddly intoxicating expedition into the colonisation of another world.

It is still miles away from a BlazBlue, but it is much more intuitive to play. There is a ridiculous amount of fan service going on, including more original movie sections than you can shake a nunchaku at. CyberConnect, don’t you ever change.

Zarvot is definitely a fun time and if you don’t get it, you’re probably a square (not a cube). It has loads of charm and the gameplay doesn’t get old.

Despite some technical issues, Void Bastards on Nintendo Switch is a superb, clever game that deserves to be played. Don't sleep on it again!

It's still relevant now just as it was all those years ago, and getting a beautiful art style helps to keep Wonder Boy fresh and enjoyable.

Demon Turf has a truly unique look and varied platforming gameplay.

The Bureau: XCOM Declassified is a good shooter occasionally elevated beyond that by its subject matter. Unfortunately, every time it has a really good idea, someone else has already done it.

Lara Croft and the Temple of Osiris is a solid evolution of the formula established in the original, and does a fantastic job of encapsulating the old Tomb Raider atmosphere and presenting it in a smaller (yet no less involving) world. The platforming may occasionally annoy, and it isn’t the longest game around (even for its price bracket) but it’s an absolute blast to play either alone or with friends.

Against all odds, somehow the team at PopCap have managed to craft a fun shooter that remains true to the series. More commendably, they’ve created a shooter that takes you by surprise and makes you laugh.

If you've never played the original, then this is a great entry point. It's hard to hide its age even under the layer of polish, but Diablo 2: Resurrected is still a damn fine game.

Tormenture blends a retro horror game with real world escape room elements to create a really unique (and rather spooky) experience.

Slain: Back from Hell is a more metal and modern Castlevania that looks and plays great, but is held back by a few sections which feel unfairly difficulty.

Paper Beast is a wonderful puzzle game that features a stunning soundtrack, a poignant story, and some tender moments that leave you breathless.

Patapon 2 Remastered brings its unique style to the PS4, with plenty of variety, and some wonderful music to boot. It's just a shame that the input lag is a problem.