XCOM 2 is hard proof true strategy games are still in high demand, blending satisfying old-school strategic turn-based gameplay with cinematic flourish.

A solid FPS experience for a fraction of the usual price, Wolfenstein – The Old Blood is a DLC add on that rivals some AAA titles in terms of sheer enjoyments gleaned from the experience.

In a field of games that typically offer a slight variation on a theme… TankHead stands out as something a bit different. If you like the idea of tank warfare but with perhaps a bit more of a kit-bashing feel… grab a copy.

The first episode of The Walking Dead: Michonne is a fun, interesting journey into the psyche of Michonne and how she handles a new violent group of survivors.

At the end of the day, Double Cross is still a fantastic game with a moderate amount of replay. The combat is very low in violence and none of the characters (good or bad) use guns during game play. Just another reason why Double Cross is fantastic on all accounts for young gamers and concerned parents.

Overall, I have no issues in recommending Sabotage for fans of Call of Duty; perhaps the most solid DLC offering from the franchise in a while, the quality of both the multiplayer maps and the new Zombie film can not be understated.

The Casting of Frank Stone is a great introduction to the world of Dead by Daylight for newcomers and a love letter for long-term fans. Even if you’re only looking for a decent survival horror game, I recommend checking it out. It’s well-written, engaging, and tells a well-paced and creepy tale without overstaying its welcome.

Tales of Berseria is a return to form for the JRPG franchise, with a captivating main story of betrayal and vengeance, satisfying real-time combat and an amazing cast of characters.

Although some levels are too long and the hidden secret ending that is actually the only reason for going through New Game+ is even more disappointing than the original ending, that cannot stop even the most hard-to-please gamers from loving Tango Gameworks’ latest marvel.

Grapple Dogs: Cosmic Canines is a charming romp though a bright and colourful world that makes fantastic use of its mechanics in order to fully engage the player.

Returnal is a great experience for those who love bullet hell games or sci-fi roguelikes. Though the difficulty spikes and unbalanced weapons sometimes make it hard not to rage quit, sticking with Selene in her mysterious and symbolic journey is truly rewarding.

The developers of Ring Fit Adventure have really thought outside the square and have delivered an enjoyable yet interesting fitness game that actually works. It’s not clichéd or forced like some other console fitness games but one that uses the Ring to truly immerse you into the game that tracks your movement and in essence, turns it into real-world exercises… but more enjoyable! It’s gaming meets exercising!

If you thought the previous episode left you feeling that Bruce Wayne couldn’t get any lower or that Batman was on a path of destruction… just wait till you see the end of Episode 3… I won’t ruin anything but man does it set things up for an interesting Episode 4.

Black Ops 6 returns the series to a revitalized and empowered state after several years of ho-hum entries. The campaign is pleasingly varied, the multiplayer contains a slew of fantastic modes and is very moreish, and Zombies is as furiously challenging as ever, making Black Ops 6 a winner on all fronts.

Lunark is a carefully crafted flashback to the narrative platformers of the early-90s. With beautiful rotoscoped animation and a plot straight out of a Philip K Dick novel, it's one trip to another world well worth taking.

Station to Station has come a long way since the demo and it’s clear to see that the team at Galaxy Grove have big plans for the game. I’m quite impressed by just how challenging Station to Station is, and highly recommend any gamer looking for a good (but not impossible) challenge to give this game a red-hot crack. Even if the puzzles stump you, the graphics alone will make the headache worth it, especially when you watch a spider-train crawl its way around the map!

The game has a great control system and mimics the up and coming World Cup 2010 quite well. Some may see it as just an add-on for FIFA 2010 but why would you want to miss out on this frenzy, especially if you're a soccer fan?

The Wolf Among Us works on so many levels on the XBOX ONE and is how this interactive story should be played!

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is still an amazing JRPG, and Its PC version elevates the experience it provides in all the right ways.

By far the largest PSVR title to date and packed with enough content to keep players coming back for months, experiencing Skyrim as an actual inhabitant of the world is an experience like no other and truly makes you feel like an epic adventurer, at least until you take a coffee table to the knee.

Bravely Second: End Layer is inextricably tied to its predecessor but still manages to be a fun, cute, old-school styled RPG.

Kirby Planet Robobot on 3DS is a great mix of classic and modern gameplay with a health dose of fun thrown into the mix!

Two Point Hospital is great, and this Switch 2 port is largely a great way to play it. An option for 60fps would have been nice, as would mouse support, but ultimately, the addictive gameplay of the Two Point series has translated well to the Switch 2, and console-playing fans of the series should seriously consider picking this one up.

Sparklite is a surprisingly fun game considering that it utilizes simple game mechanics to make it more targeted to young gamers. Older gamers will also find this quite enjoyable as it offers some resemblance to those beloved top-down games played on hand-held systems such as the Game Boy and Nintendo DS. Sparklite offers an enormous amount of replay value and is very much ideal for playing as a group despite been predominately a single player game. Co-op is available but I recommend sharing the controller for the most enjoyment.

As it stands as the individual episodes, as mentioned above, it can be frustrating getting so caught up in the wonderful story only to suffer a similar fate to Bruce/Batman in having the story suddenly stopped and having to wait for the next installment to be released.

Beyond the player choice statistics, the game also invites you to play with others… which I don’t think I’ve really seen in an adventure game before (again this is my first Telltale series game)… it’s an interesting idea and for those of us who are fans of Batman it is pretty cool being able to share our experiences as the caped crusader.

Rooftops & Alleys: The Parkour Game is a rare example of a focused vision executed with precision. It understands the appeal of movement not just as a means of traversal, but as a form of expression. It’s fluid, skillful, and deeply rewarding. While there’s room for growth in content and social features, what’s here already delivers an impressive foundation for the genre. With its complex moveset, robust customization, and adrenaline-fueled design, it simulates parkour perfectly and captures its spirit.

Umami Grove is a cozy, physics driven VR adventure that blends light exploration, hands on cooking, and charming character driven quests into a compact, welcoming experience. Its tactile interactions, playful world design, and strong audio presentation make it consistently enjoyable, even if the cooking mechanics and progression remain fairly simple. While occasional physics quirks and polish issues hold it back from being something deeper, it still delivers a warm, memorable VR journey that is well worth experiencing.

else Heart.Break() is weird adventure in a strange, techno-centric world that hasn't yet lost its human fondness for romance or the bizarre.

F1 2022 retains most of what made the previous game had, adding just enough to to satisfy most fans. With more time in the oven, it could have been nearly perfect. Still, the fear of EA control lingers.

There are certainly some lovely elements here. The visuals are a nice change from a lot of what is out there. The gameplay swings between simple enough for people new to the genre to get into and arguably quite repetitive (fortunately there is a fast forward option for battles… so you can use your specialty cards then set to max speed until you can use them again). Some of the mechanics are a bit annoying (I hate being able to take a city/town, only to have it in enemy hands at the start of the next story element… if you knew it was going to be in enemy hands at the start of the next story segment… don’t let me take it beforehand). It’s not super expensive so it could be a good option for those wanting to get into strategy gaming… but hardened gamers might find it too simplistic or even frustrating at times.

For a remake Shadow of the Ninja: Reborn is everything a fan of the original could ask for, the addition of an extra stage and the addition of a Time Attack mode gives the game plenty of replayability. Whilst the overall difficulty may put off a lot of casual gamers I do believe this game is well worth the try; even if its just to soak in the visuals and audio which I will say again are close to perfect. The only real downside I had was the item changing which could have been implemented better, whilst clunky is does not massively take away from the overall game.

Gravity Rush Remastered is an excellent port of the original Vita exclusive to PS4, with unique gravity-shifting gameplay mechanics that lends to fun aerial exploration - all with a distinctive European comic book aesthetic.

Dark Souls Remastered is still essentially Dark Souls, just slightly better looking and with better online functionality, which is both a good and bad thing.

If you enjoy the idea of safely spending time underwater, enjoying ocean wildlife, this is a great option. It’s reasonably priced for the enjoyment of simply swimming around. The story is fun to explore, but I could happily swim with the fish for hours. Grab a copy for some lovely, safe time in the ocean.

Hellblade offers an engrossing single-player cinematic experience coupled with Ninja's Theory's tight melee combat systems and responsive controls. An enthralling sensory onslaught for the eyes and ears.

EyePet is a fun game that kids will simply adore and even some adults will get a kick out of it.

Horizon Forbidden West is a great sequel. It improves upon the very gameplay mechanics that made the first game so unique while addressing some of its shortcomings such as the lackluster melee combat.

No Man's Sky is not only a marvel but also a disappointment in some respects. Nonetheless, it's a very ambitious and powerful title with quite a bit of grinding thrown into the mix.

With top notch voice acing and spectacular music, beautiful visuals and a veritable raft of fan favourite characters, Kingdom Hearts still has the goods after all these years and will afford a good 40 or so hours of solid and engrossing gaming for fans new and old.

Overall, Arizona Sunshine 2 VR is a decent game… you don’t have to be a fan of Zombie movies, games etc to enjoy it… you can just think of it as a first person shooter set in a scorching hot location with some very unhealthy looking enemies. Good controls and nice graphics make it a fun game to play… the price tag might be a bit high, so perhaps wait for a sale… but you should find a decent bit of fun here.

Battling more than just the physical Hellblade will take you far beyond most games and may shake you to your core.

Trek to Yomi is Flying Wild Hog’s best game. Unlike Shadow Warrior 3, the studio’s first title in 2022 that was a huge step backward, Trek to Yomi is aimed at a niche audience. It’s short, violent, and poetic. The one-hit kill Kensei mode that’s unlocked after finishing the game for the first time also adds more replay value for the game while creating the potential for attracting hardcore gamers and speedrunners. The game can be enjoyed by many, but a very small group of people will hold on to it for a very long time. That’s why Trek to Yomi has the chance to become a cult title.

An esoteric mishmash of genres and with an art style that belies the more sombre elements of the storyline.

It may just be another third person shooter but for fans of the Transformers, this is probably the best video game ever. The homage to the original cartoon series and with the links to the IDW comic series, the developers have successfully incorporated this mythology into their game.

Overall, Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot is a highly entertaining game that’s faithful to the franchise. It accurately depicts the nostalgic events of the series’ earlier stories, and the gameplay engages the player while doing so.

Sea of Stars is wonderfully evocative of the RPGs of yesteryear, recalling strong memories of Chrono Trigger and the like. Gorgeous pixel art is backed up with a soundtrack that for the most part is very pleasant to listen to, even if some of the loops do tend to repeat themselves a little too quickly. It seldom distracts, and almost always adds to the scene.

I’ve been playing golf games for about as long as I can remember but they do tend to veer more towards the simulation rather than arcade fun. Everybody’s Golf I think finds a nice little middle ground of sorts… it’s certainly goofy and doesn’t take itself seriously at all… but the gameplay is still geared around making the shot the best you can, aiming for maximum power and maximum accuracy or adjusting power and adding a bit of back spin to stop the ball as close to the hole as possible. You can play it aggressively or you can aim for a bit of finesse… chances are either way you will have a lot of fun. Certainly a good game to add to the collection with that pick up and play style that can see you accidentally playing for hours when you thought you were just going to grab a quick 9 hole game.

If you’re a Castlevania fan chances are you snapped up the Dominus collection as soon as it shadow-dropped. If you missed these classics the first time and are looking for a pure-blooded Metroidvania to sink your teeth into, Castlevania The Dominus Collection is one package I highly recommend.

If you missed Sleeping Dogs last generation then you really should pick this up – With all of the DLC and refinements this is truly the definitive Sleeping Dogs experience… On consoles, at least.

WRATH: Aeon of Ruin VR - Brutal Edition drops you into a dying world where constant movement and quick decisions are the only way to survive. You push through large, secret-filled levels using a mix of ranged weapons, close combat, and fast traversal tools that keep every fight in motion. It’s a gritty, old-school inspired VR shooter that thrives on speed, pressure, and learning to stay one step ahead of everything coming at you.

A whole lot of charm packed into a tiny little title, Unravel Two is an easy recommend for both fans of adventure titles and puzzle/platformers with cutesy protagonists.

Overall… it’s fun, but does get frustrating on the later levels… the fact you can’t save your game to try a configuration and then reload if it didn’t quite work simply adds to that frustration. At the current price tag I think it might be a little much… but there is a bit of value in the unlockable comic pages and the ability to play through as a couple of other characters is nice. Perhaps wait for a sale unless you happen to really like tower defense style gaming.

With such an expansive land to explore divided into isles, a fantastic building component, and genuine feeling of warmth and accomplishment, Dragon Quest Builders 2 is utterly fun and adorable at the same time. Whether you play for a little or hours at a time, there is always something to do that will add to your gaming experience. This game is utterly charming to look at and plays like a really well tuned machine. I am pressed to fault it to be honest. It achieves everything it promises and then some. I had a good time with it and am sure you will as well regardless of your age.

The story is a little blasé and the game is a little slow to start but once you get drawn in, it's very hard to put this game down.

Jeremy McGrath's Offroad is ideal for those that want the big ticket racing experience, without the huge racing game price.

Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare is an instant classic...its a no brainer.

Let It Die is flawed, but it’s perhaps the best free-to-play game ever made on the PS4. It’s different, daring, and occasionally impossible. But it’s also a must play for fans of the roguelike gene.

Nioh nicely complements what the Souls games did before it andtakes that foundation and adds its own unique flavour to create something that is both familiar and yet excitingly fresh and original in its own right.

Blackguards is a good romp with a rich established RPG world to draw from.

While it doesn't reinvent the wheel, Dying Light: The Beast is a return to form while it makes up for anything it may lack with the glorious return of Kyle Crane.

Ultimately, it’s a bit of fun, it’s pretty low stress… the crime scenes aren’t particularly gruesome and the art style is a bit like a more realistic version of Job Simulator… which is kind of fitting given the main characters. This setting with these protagonists/antagonists works well with the AI chat format… I’m not sure it would work quite so well with human suspects without starting to sound a bit artificial… but here it works.

Star Horizon is an open-world thrill ride where rock and roll meets retro-futurism. Rip through alien dunes on your hoverboard, shred enemies with your keytar, and dive into synth-soaked dungeons that echo with the sound of rebellion. The familiarity of its gameplay mechanics mixed with inventive and dramatic play styles help define it as something exciting and fresh.

Ubisoft have definitely hit a home run with their Wii U exclusive, ZombiU that provides more scares than Resident Evil and some great use of the GamePad for this console. Add in decent gameplay and make sure your doors are locked because the realism of these zombies is quite unparalleled. It's a well designed game from start to finish.

All in all, Thief successfully ticks the right boxes on the PlayStation 4, although it's not a totally next-gen experience.

Nintendo Land highlights the potential of the Wii U console, especially when it comes to the capabilities of the GamePad that is definitely a very impressive gaming controller. By combining elements of the 3DS and a Tablet with streamlined Nintendo controls, this game not only plays well but gives the player and players some great single and multiplayer excitement. Add in high scores, trophies and lots of unlockables and this may be the future of gaming! Brilliant!

To sum it up, Dead Island: Riptide is more of the same with enough minor tweaks to make this more than a little worth a gamers while to check out. Some area have ever so minor clipping but this never makes the game unplayable, nor is it enough to be distracting. If you enjoyed the first Dead Island, then you will very much enjoy Dead Island: Riptide. For new gamers, this is a good one to come in on.

Yooka-Re-Playlee is a vibrant 3D platformer that reunites the chameleon-and-bat duo for their biggest adventure yet. Packed with colorful worlds, 300 Pagies, and a variety of collectibles, the game moves at a thrilling pace and keeps players engaged from start to finish. With nonstop surprises, playful characters, and fantastic energy, it’s a joy to explore and nearly impossible to put down.

Fans of 90s JRPGs who missed it the first time have no excuse not to give Suikoden II (and its half-decent predecessor) a crack now. Suikoden I & II HD Remaster is not only the most economical way to experience these classic JRPGs, but also the best, thanks to some clever upgrades and, on the Switch and Steam Deck at least, the ability to play it natively on the go.

Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia is an excellent strategy role-playing game with thrilling tactical turn-based combat with some gameplay omissions which may split the existing fanbase.

Mechner's earlier dreams of being a screenwriter are evident in the Last Express : it's an engrossing tale of war, espionage, personality clashes. In fact, unsurprisingly, it would make a great movie. Despite its age, It makes a pretty good game as well.

The Outer Worlds: Peril on Gorgon DLC is a truly enjoyable return to this franchise and given the cost, it’s good value for your money. So if you have a hankering of returning to the universe of Halycon, this DLC is your panacea and is probably a nice distraction in this COVID-19 world. All in all, a well-written and carefully crafted DLC that works from the get go!

Aaero2: Black Razor Edition is a fast-paced rhythm rail shooter that blends precise movement, timed combat, and electronic music into a tightly focused arcade experience. The expanded Black Razor Edition adds more tracks, levels, and modes, making it the most complete version of the game to date. While some design choices take time to warm up to, its sense of flow and replayability make it a strong entry in the rhythm-action space.

The Apollo Justice Trilogy is a worthy successor to the original Phoenix Wright trilogy, and it’s fantastic to have a way once again to play this trio of superb adventures on modern hardware. With some great extras, all the DLC, and subtle but impactful quality-of-life improvements for fans and newcomers alike, The Apollo Justice Trilogy is one court date you can’t afford to miss.

Providing a complete NBA experience, NBA2K21 accurately captures and then places you center stage of everything that makes NBA basketball great. The music, the sounds, the energy, the hype, and most importantly the gameplay, this sports sim provides fans of the game the complete experience. With detailed controls and dynamic gameplay which mimics the game’s best players, you, the player, can play out your hoop dreams on the world’s biggest stage. Just mind your step on the microtransactions on your path to glory.

I’m really glad that Avowed and Obsidian Entertainment’s back catalogue for Xbox has now made it to PS5. This is a fantastic open-zone RPG with entertaining character role-playing options, an engaging cast of antagonists and companions, and satisfying combat systems that have been rounded out from a year’s worth of patches, bug fixes and content updates. If you’re like me and were waiting for the right time to explore the Living Lands, the time is now.

This is what gaming should be about sometimes, a mindless and fun destructive experience as you dispatch zombie after zombie.

Yakuza Kiwami is a worthy remake for the twisty, well-acted story alone and the fact that it is being sold at a cheaper price than current new release games is extra incentive to check it out. Combat is fun, the city feels live and there is so much stuff to do, from the mundane stuff like darts or shooting pool, to the very weird stuff like MesuKing, which is essentially rock paper scissors featuring sexy ladies in skimpy bug costumes. Long time franchise fans and newcomers will find plenty to like with Yakuza Kiwami, even if it falls slightly short of its later entries.

The greatest compliment I can give a videogame is that it moved its genre forward. To me, Astral Ascent did just that. Where it lacked in storytelling, Astral Ascent’s robust combat system and uniquely deep character progression created an addicting gaming experience that can be played with endless enjoyment. While I fought so hard to eventually escape the Astral prison, I will gladly be back to do it all over again soon.

There’s a certain amount of jank present in Tomb Raider IV V VI Remastered. Much of this stems from the games being over twenty years old at this point and is just inherently a part of many games from this era. They all run perfectly, including on the Steam Deck, which is how I spent most of my time with them. This remaster of the later entries into the series, like the previous game, serves as an excellent way to experience these old games.

Outside of Batman Arkham VR (also quite short, but awesome), this is the most fun you can have as Gotham’s caped crusader at the moment. I eagerly await the next installment, same Bat series, same Bat hard drive.

Röki is an easy recommend and goes some way towards exemplifying why indie games still hold an important place in the industry amongst the big-budget blockbusters.

Cult of the Lamb is a real indie title. It has a unique visual style; it combines popular elements from successful games into a new title while adding dark humor to it. It also has a message worth thinking about. All this makes it a title to love and remember.

Overall Asterix and Obelix Slap them all is at its core a 90’s beat 'em up and with that comes the usual trappings of the genre for better or worse. Though not as difficult as some of its fellow games in the genre the 50 levels of the game certainly make it a slog to get through. This can very much be someone's first game of the genre as it is easy and intuitive enough for players of all skill levels.

Among Ashes is a gem of a game. The game’s novelty and harmony of its ideas and the way it continues these concepts are incredibly exceptional. A horror game within a horror game is imaginative and manufactures an interesting space to play in. Graphical throwbacks and gripping sound design increases your desire to find out what happened to the creator of this game you are playing. The pacing of the game and its horror elements are flawless and work remarkably together, but with how well the game is able to showcase its purpose, I can only wish that there was more of it. Game breaking glitches are never a good thing and could discourage some from even checking this out, but I guarantee that Among Ashes will grant you a horrifyingly amusing time.

Hello Kitty Island Adventure is a delightfully cosy life sim that balances charm, exploration, and friendship.

A unique journey through the history of the French Revolution, filled with important decision making, schemes and machinations. Eliminate your enemies and keep your head!

Even if you already have a fitness game or two in your collection, I’d recommend Fitness Circuit be added as it does a great job filling the position of your own personal trainer without any of the “tough love” you might otherwise be subjected to. Fun and fitness in one package… grab your sweat pants and grab a copy!

I felt like this game was just setting things up for trolling because I couldn’t help but spend most of my first few hours in this expansion looking for ways to wreak havoc, but once I buckled down and focused on the expansion I found it to be a lot of fun. My only real problem I see is the price tag as it sits at a whopping 39.99 U.S. and 49.95 AUD in Australia. You do get a lot in this expansion but that price is hard to swallow. If you love the Sims then you will love this expansion.

In terms of would I recommend the game, yes I would, if you are the sort of person who likes the added challenge of big brutes breaking up your otherwise sniper fueled game then you will probably love it. If you’ve enjoyed the previous games in the series then this should be an easy choice of buy. If you are like me though and don’t like having to totally shift gears and fight up close battles in a game that revolves around long range combat then maybe give it a miss… unless you regularly have group gaming sessions in which case multiplayer may well make it worth your while.

If you’re looking to get your dance on with Queen, Let’s Sing presents Queen is the perfect elixir to transport yourself into Queen’s leading front man Freddy Mercury. The gameplay is sturdy, the music is phenomenal and when you add real-people to the mix, it makes for the perfect party game!

It is the most accomplished basketball game out there without a doubt, and one of the most rewarding sporting games on the market.

In the end, Just Dance 2014 ticks all the right boxes on the Nintendo Wii and proves that this old console still has the magic.

Armored Core VI is a highly enjoyable game, especially for mecha heads and sci-fi fanatics. While I wish the story got a lot more attention, the game does a great job of reintroducing old fans while not alienating new players.

While Lost Judgement isn't a perfect sequel, it still lives up to its predecessor as it offers new refreshing gameplay mechanics alongside an engaging story.

The triumphant return of the Mana series! A wonderful RPG that mostly keeps things light and enjoyable while having fun combat and lots to see and do in the world.

After the relatively disappointing launch titles for the PlayStation VR, there are a few games that will make you appreciate this new medium and thankfully one of those games is Eagle Flight. In the end, it successfully creates one of the best immersive experiences with its sturdy controls and beautiful graphics plus enjoyable gameplay. Recommended!

The games price tag is very gamer friendly, also I am sure because it is a short romp, but one that you will pull off the gaming shelf again and again to experience.