You can't go much better with an entry point into the long running Trails series, but Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter also stands on its own as a standout RPG experience.

Given the price this is sitting at… I don’t know if I can really recommend it. I really need to qualify that though because I think it is absolutely a worthwhile experience, it’s fantastic story telling with stunning visuals. But that about 2 hours I mentioned at the start… that wasn’t just to get a feel for the game… that was to complete the game, from start to finish… about 2 hours. So at this point I’d only really recommend buying the game if it’s on special or if they do in fact add more content (I really hope they do because I’d love to spend more time in this world).

Honestly, I would say yes if you have not played GTA V for a while or not at all, as this is the definitive version to play. Those of you who are currently playing on the Xbox One version I find it harder to recommend unless you are really into 4K fidelity. There are really not enough additions in the story mode to make it a worthwhile purchase. This is compounded even more so by the fact that GTA online can now be bought separately and that is really where all of the new additions are added and is probably the greater value for money.

ChainStaff is a fast-paced action platformer built around a single, highly flexible weapon that blends combat and movement into one system. You explore alien-infested environments while making choices that affect your abilities, progression, and how the story unfolds. It’s a game focused on experimentation, replayability, and learning how to master its unique traversal and combat flow.

Devil May Cry 4 Special Edition on XBox One is a thrilling experience from start to finish!

The Mysterious Cities of Gold Secret Paths is a beautifully presented game on the iOS that is hampered by its repetitive gameplay

FC 26 boosts its rosters, presentation, and a number of things already solid in FC 25. The standout is a new Authentic Gameplay mode, which soccer enthusiasts will love to explore and maximize its simulation aspects.

For a modern warfare game, Bulge sacrifices rule complexity for accessibility. This means it can be mastered after a few games.

Though the devs aimed for quantity and size rather than quality and coherence, exploring the hidden corners of Pywel to engage in different side-quests and activities is a thirst that will keep any fan of fantasy action games entertained for tens if not hundreds of hours.

The game is very much the middle chapter of a trilogy, so huge revolutions with gameplay are not to be expected but when the core experience is so worthwhile that isn’t really a knock. The Banner Saga 2 is well worth your time.

Overall Phoenotopia is a very beautiful looking game that does well at hiding its punishing difficulty, whilst people who are looking for a Zelda 2 style game may be attracted to this title, the more causal amongst us will find it very difficult to enjoy the later aspects of the game where in truth the game gets easier.

Driver focuses on what any game called Driver should, and that is driving, and it does this well and anyone use to arcade racers will feel right at home.

Absolver is an ambitious and unique indie fighting game/action-RPG with ample character customisation, compelling PvE and PvP content and an engaging martial-arts focused melee combat system that rewards practice.

I quite like the approach of playing a human existing in this world of monstrous beasts. The sense of scale can be quite impressive and certainly makes you wonder just what it would indeed be like if these creatures existed. The general gameplay is fun enough, jumping about and breaking through walls to reach new areas. Combat is challenging enough but not too hard and even the frustrating monster events aren’t so long that they are insurmountable. A decent bit of fun for a pretty reasonable price.

Pokémon Scarlet is just a ton of fun. The gameplay is engaging, the battling is satisfying, and catching the ‘Mons scattered throughout a vast open world is addicting. It’s a shame the presentation doesn’t hold up it’s end of the bargain, BUT, if you can get past that like I did, I think Scarlet is a real gem.

Stars In The Trash is a short, hand-drawn adventure that puts you in the paws of a curious house cat experiencing the world beyond home for the first time. Through simple platforming and playful interactions, it captures both the wonder and danger of that journey with surprising emotional depth. It’s a compact, heartfelt experience that values mood and storytelling over complexity, and it leaves a lasting impression despite its brief runtime. That being said, it also doesn’t have the level of bloat that many of the later entries have, and the Switch 2 port is incredibly slick and, like Yakuza 0: Director’s Cut before it, is an absolute joy to play either docked or in handheld mode.

Overall The Crown Tundra is a welcome addition to the main game adding even more content. Whilst it does not go too out of its way to be different if you are looking for just more of that world then you will not be disappointed. This does bring an end to this Generation of Pokemon and hopefully Gamefreak will learn from these games and make the Pokemon Generation more expansive and story rich.

If you’re a 40k fan with an itchy trigger finger and a hatred for heretics, chances are you already own Boltgun, and if you don’t, well, you really should. But If you already have Boltgun, Forges of Corruption is a decent epilogue to a superb shooter for those of us who can’t get enough of one of the best 40k games since Space Marine.

Short bite-sized chunk of Zombie killing!

Unique Sci Fi fun.

The Forest is a true test for anyone playing. Thank goodness Eric is supplied with a guide book showing home how to effect craft, and show him just what is needed in the wilderness. Pay heed to this book as it is going to save your skin over and over again. I would contend that there are so many challenges in this title that gamers who do complete through to platinum (on PS4) can and should brag about it. It will be no small feat.

This game is for casual gamers, it's that simple! The gameplay works as there are only a handful of mini-games but I have this nagging feeling while playing it that the developers didn't know who to target.

Screamride XBox One is not only an original next-gen game but really fun due to the outrageous rollercoasters and gaming modes.

Looking at my time with this game, I tried to decide if this was a good title or the rose-tinted glasses, and I think it’s a little of both. I really enjoyed this game as I think any new player coming into this game would, but there were also things about the game that I forgot about that I didn’t care for. Overall, this is a great title, and I will be returning to this game long after this review.

I think this game is a credit to the movie and is just balls out fun. I recommend it to anyone who loves working with others in a frantic shooting match. Give it a try!

The game is tightly designed and the boss battles and combat are up there with Team Ninja's very best; what relatively few minor gripes I have with the game are somewhat alleviated by the precison with which the game has been designed and the developer's willingness to experiment with the formula and create their own unique spin on the soulslike genre.

Would I recommend Gorn… absolutely… but don’t blame me for any damages!… seriously… be very careful!

Overall I was very impressed with Land of the Vikings, it has a learning curve that always felt manageable without being too easy. There is enough in the game at the moment to keep you busy for a while and it may take a few restarts but once you get settled and you figure out the best way of doing things, time both in game and out will fly by. Obviously there are small issues like a few spelling mistakes and pathing issues but in the 15 hours I put into the game before writing this I never came across anything that was game breaking. The developers come across as very active and are looking at adding more content in the future.

Diablo III Is a solid sword and sorcery dungeon crawling adventure. Just click here and attack….how simple and fun.

If you have interest in the real story of The Zodiac then this game might interest you, though I suspect it is more likely to send you off on a fact finding mission of your own rather than sate your thirst for details, it will give you a stylized feel of what it might have been like to be caught up in the twisted world of this killer and to feel desperately like you needed to solve the ciphers, to unlock the meaning in time to save anyone else from being the next victim.

Skylanders Trap Team successfully implements new gameplay mechanics to make this one of the best games to date.

It's perfect for those short or long gaming sessions!

Like its predecessors, Modern Warfare 3 is a punchy military shooter with few rivals. It’s not a revolution, but the new zombies world spices things up.

A gorgeous and unique take on the stealth-action genre. Ereban: Shadow Legacy's unique traversal makes it stand out from the crowd.

Game of Thrones: Episode 4 - Sons of Winter is another enjoyable interactive experience from Telltale Games.

An innovative take on the sniping genre that never fails to offer up a unique challenge and engages throughout.

At the end of the day, BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger is an outrageous fighter that breaks away from Western norms and gives the player something uniquely different and more importantly, entertaining.

Trepang2 is a great mixture of horror and action. It may not be the most original idea of the year, but it certainly packs some of the best aspects of many famous shooter games into a cohesive and unique experience.

Endzone 2 is an evolution of the formula set in the previous game. Not all the changes land, but overall it's an improvement over the original game.

Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance is an incredible expansion that adds a slew of new content and previous DLC for free, well-needed gameplay improvements and quality-of-life changes. While they don't solve most of the game's core issues, the added content more than makes up for it and provides a stellar experience that quickly proves its superiority to the base game.

Neverwinter is definitely one of the best Dungeons & Dragons games that we have seen using the MMO archetype. The world is quite descriptive and the developers ensure that it is well linked to Dungeons & Dragons. Although at times, it is a game of grinding, Neverwinter for us is more about exploration and team work which definitely has us addicted.

RACCOIN: Coin Pusher Roguelike is messy but addictive, capturing that "just one more go" feeling as you chase the winning run.

The Outlast Trials is a tense and rewarding multiplayer horror game. Though it’s not quite as nerve-shredding as previous Outlast games, especially when playing with others, its primary loop is an addictive one, and it drip-feeds rewards and challenges at just the right place to keep you hooked until you feel you can renter society again.

Ereban: Shadow Legacy is a tightly designed stealth experience that focuses on clever movement, shadow mechanics, and thoughtful level design. Its systems are simple to understand but surprisingly flexible, encouraging you to experiment with different routes, abilities, and playstyles across its compact chapters. While it has a few minor rough edges, the game’s creativity and clear passion from the developers make it an impressive and memorable debut.

Silent Hill f plunges players into a chilling vision of 1960s Japan where beauty and horror intertwine in unsettling ways. Its slow-burn storytelling and haunting imagery build a sense of dread that lingers long after each encounter. More than just another entry, it feels like a bold reimagining of what Silent Hill can be.

This is a really fun game on the iOS with amazing graphics, great audio and some classic reimagined gameplay.

With the variety on offer here in a generally familiar feeling setting, Ekstase has a lot going for it. It’s a pretty decent price for a game that works well as a pick up and play title… any time you have a few spare minutes you can just jump in and have a quick go (and potentially find hours have slipped by). I’d be happy to recommend fans of Tetris or other “falling block puzzle genre” games pick up a copy.

MLB The Show 21 on the PS5 doesn’t break what works…and with a new mode, pitching interface, cross-play, also improved load times and framerates. While it doesn’t specifically highlight the new console, it again plays a strong game of baseball.

If you played the original Crisis Core and are looking for an excuse to revisit the game, the remaster is definitely the ideal way to play it as everything has been updated to current generation standards. This remaster also doesn’t change much from the original story, so you don’t have to worry about the canon of the series either.

Clever, original, and beautifully presented, Death's Door is a solid Zelda-like indy title...but not without its faults.

Samba De Amigo: Party Central is an addictive and incredibly fun rhythm game and an even better party game.

A very addictive and enjoyable game that focuses more on the tasks for your jobs opposed to the standard RPG format with beautiful its gameplay and almost flawless gameplay.

Baffling business decisions aside, Infinite Wealth is another stellar entry in the Like a Dragon series.

All in all, PlicPlic is a jolly fun game. Addictive to a degree, simple, cheerful, chirpy, it really did appeal to my sensibilities. Longevity though, as with a lot of endless runners is questionable. Still, for less that a buck, worth a try.

For anyone interested in a rough idea of what our early ancestors went through as they slowly evolved over time… this game does offer an effective look and feel for that. It has some pretty irritating issues… but for the most part it is likely to draw you in and see you exploring your environment trying to unlock that next ability that will unlock the next branch on the family tree. Evolutionary denialists… well I assume they are not even considering this title anyway, for everyone else… if you can get past the hangups… Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey actually manages to mix a bit of education with an interesting game that may well find you absorbed for hours on end.

For the price ($20AUD), Renegade Ops is a fun and mindless game of violence that contains a tight control system, great environments to explore and good old fashioned twin stick shooter fun.

Treyarch really brought their "A" game here with Call of Duty: Black Ops.

From loveable characters to gameplay that works and an environment that is worth exploring, Enslaved: Odyssey to the West may be the sleeper hit of this month and also... the game has a great checkpoint system!

Tiger Woods PGA Tour 13 is an enjoyable game, however if you already own Tiger Woods PGA Tour 12: The Masters, there's probably not a great deal of incentives to purchase the latest game.

In the end, Motorstorm: Apocalypse is an enjoyable game to play, however it's very hard to beat the original premise of the first game and continue being unique.

The PlayStation Move aspect is definitely the way to go with a second person and it does give you a relative slight workout as you move around your living room, slogging that virtual ball. Add in a decent career mode and great online connectivity and Top Spin 4 is a winner on many levels.

In conclusion, Fat Princess: Fistful of Cake is a fun game on the PSP and although I would not recommend it to owners of the PS3 version, unless you’re a die hard fan but for owners of the PSP who've never played it, this is definitely one of the better releases for 2010 thanks to its very quirky gameplay and a fun storyline.

In conclusion, Beaterator is a rather sturdy music application for the PSP which allows users to create music on the go.

In the end, Tiger Woods PGA Tour 12: The Masters is not only a good looking game but supports a very entertaining control system via the PlayStation Move. It's definitely going to be hard for EA to beat this game next year due to the streamlined gameplay.

The only downside to the game is that it is quite short. Let's hope that Twisted Pixel will create a full game in the near future because the duo of Frank and Maw really works and best of all, the gameplay is fun and can be played by all sorts of gamers.

I mean really, what's not to like about a bird that can regurgitate eggs from its mouth to batter an enemy, or shoot them out of his butt to zap enemies coming up from behind?

In the end, Nail'd may not be the most original game on the PS3 or XBox 360 for that matter but it does provide a good old fashioned off-road racer that may not win anything for originality but it does provide a high speed alternative to the influx of road racers at present.

In my opinion, this release is well worth the money and offers fans of the Red Dead Redemption a hell of a lot of things to do... fun things too.

In conclusion, Halo Wars is a very impressive and sturdy RTS game on the XBox 360 and my only complaint being is handling your units during the last missions which does become sometimes tedious as you are trying to select the correct units and you end up selecting the incorrect ones.

All in all, it is a fun, fast-paced frenetic game.

All in all World of Tanks even with some of its minor annoyances is a very addictive game and a solid addition to worthwhile gaming. World of Tanks is great because it can be played in small doses or just jump into one battle after another. Check it out now Look up World of Tanks on the web and have a go!

It's a very addictive and frustrating game that had me going just one more attempt, even though I was getting my ass kicked on many occasions. Good graphics for this genre that gives the player a twist to the original incarnation of Lode Runner!

Overall The Incredible Adventures of Van Helsing is a solid action rpg with a few issues that are too be expected on a first try such as a lack of a replay option, quirky animations and sometimes rough combat.

Overall if you were to judge the collection on the games alone, it is a fine package of some well known Taito games and some lesser known, whether you would call them milestones is up for debate.

Chill gameplay, plenty of content and a surprisingly deep management system – it’s an impressive package, it’s just a shame the latter isn’t quite as robust as it should be.

Dead Island 2 is a fun filled games soaking up the rays in a zombie infested Hell-A.

Graphically, Minecraft may not look like anything special on the XBox 360 and sort of looks like a strange hybrid LEGO world. However when these blocks and ideas are combined together, Minecraft becomes an amazing experience that is only limited by your imagination. The ambient sound also takes a backseat in the game as does the music but together with the graphics, controls and almost flawless gameplay on the 360, it creates one of the most original games in years.

The Crew: Wild Run Edition is the closest thing on the market to a racing MMO and I had more fun with it than with any other racing title this year.

Sunday Gold is a pretty decent turned-based action RPG with an acceptable story that carries the player until the end but there is so much lost potential in it as well. The art of Sunday Gold on the other hand fits its world perfectly and we can see the first legacy of Disco Elysium art style in this game. The gameplay of Sunday Gold is pretty straightforward and fun, something we don’t see much these days. I wished they made or used better music for the game, but it wouldn’t be right to not point out the fantastic job the sound editor of this game did.

Tiny Bookshop captures the essence of a quaint seaside town and the comfort of running a shop that feels like home.

The Operator is a fun three hours of your time which aims to break free of its desk-bound administrative labour and take you on a stressful (in a good way) journey through corruption and deceit, all the way to the heart of the web that’s being spun around you.

Dorfromantik offers the blended cerebral intensity of a deep and subtle puzzle game with the soothing calm of a cozy game that invites you to fall into its warm and colourful tiled world.

Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater is a curious beast. A remaster masquerading as a remake. The updated graphics and change of perspective help the underlying game continue to shine, but you can’t help wondering what the point of it is. Even more so when you consider that Konami released a port of Snake Eater for modern consoles just under two years ago. In many ways, it feels like a test for the other remakes that may inevitably follow. The original Metal Gear Solid will no doubt take a lot more work to bring it up to date than Snake Eater. A game that still holds up spectacularly despite its age, because it was very much ahead of its time.

Tamadotchi Life: Living the Dream might not be the bold reinvention some fans hoped for, but it doesn’t need to be to recapture the series’ charm. Even with its missing legacy features and a few creative tools that don’t quite hit the mark, it remains a wonderfully daft, personality‑driven sim that thrives on the unexpected. Perhaps what’s most important, though, is that even after spending a serious amount of time with Living the Dream, it remained funny. It’s the kind of game you dip into for ten minutes and suddenly find yourself grinning at a Mii having a meltdown or, well, trying to stop a Mii from making an ill-timed proposal to someone that’s just not that into them. If you’re willing to embrace its quirks and forgive its limitations, Living the Dream is a welcome, delightfully weird return to one of Nintendo’s most eccentric worlds, and an even better introduction to those yet to familiarise themselves with the Tamadotchi universe.

Ultimately The Rogue Prince of Persia is an exceptional roguelite that honors the legacy of its franchise while forging a new identity that boasts stylised graphics, decent audio and strong gameplay that works perfectly on both the Steam Deck and a PC that will make you come back for more, provided you don’t get too frustrated from the roguelite nature – kudos to Evil Empire!

I’d say buy if you love your WWII RTS games regardless of uniqueness. If you need something new in the genre… this might not meet your desires.

Gris is a masterclass in aesthetic design in games. The vibrant watercolour visuals, the astounding animation quality, the impressive attention to detail and the gorgeous landscapes all combine to produce a truly breathtaking experience. The gameplay isn’t revolutionary, but it is satisfying and offers more than simply a means of delivering the fantastic visuals and terrific soundtrack. Do yourself a favour and play Gris on the biggest screen you can find and let the magic wash through your soil.

The Shadow Update builds on what already works and expands it in ways that feel thoughtful and consistent. The new characters introduce fresh playstyles, the ball types open up a huge range of combinations, and the added passives and building give you more control over how everything comes together. It’s the kind of update that makes you wonder how the game felt before it existed. With one more free update on the way later this year, it’s clear the game isn’t slowing down, and if this pace continues, it’s only going to get harder to put down.

If you are a baseball fan, or even if you want to learn the vagaries of America's summer pastime then you could do a lot worse than to get this game. All aspects are fun to play, the batting is addictive, the pitching and fielding requires more input from the player than what has been traditional in batting and fielding games in the past.

A lovely time spent with an arcade classic; this game continues to provide decent entertainment to gamers young and old while not sacrificing legacy. Just don’t come in expecting a revolutionary change for a decades-old title.

With around 50 levels and some fun mini-games, Plants vs. Zombies is a different type of puzzle/tower defence game that works on just about all levels. Addictively fun!

Overall TMNT: Splintered Fate is an enjoyable roguelike that wears its influences unabashedly, even blatantly at times. But if you make a modern Roguelike, it makes sense to crib from one of the best. What is most impressive though is that Splintered Fate manages to save itself from being derivative thanks to some superb coop play and clever use of the TMNT license to create something, that though not wholly original in its mechanics, is still an absolute joy for fans of both roguelikes and the Turtles alike.

Destiny Rise of Iron is a worthy addition to the world of Destiny with some fun tweaks, improvements and great multi-player shooter mechanics.

Other Virtual Reality games should take note as ADR1FT is not just a throw away game for the sake of showing off some cool VR gaming. It’s the real deal. Giving players a really mind enveloping gaming experience of the dangers of working and traveling in outer space. Some may say the limited environment of space gives the player very little of nothing much to do. That is not the point of the game, the developers set out with a vision and brought it to light. ADR1FT is well worth the time to play it and while not a lot of replay ability here, it is still a game that delivers.

Nobody Wants to Die is a gripping, thought-provoking cyberpunk thriller that’ll sink its claws into you from beginning to end. It may not be the most action-packed experience, but fans of a good slow-burn mystery, with a penchant for the philosophical will love it.

The Mortuary Assistant: Definitive Edition is a horror game that will actually send shivers up your spine and have you clutching your chest. Now, with new features and being better than ever, you must juggle with preserving dead bodies and fighting off demons in this unnerving panic induced trip through purgatory.

Moving Out is a home-grown indie effort that quite literally embodies the best of couch co-op. If you’re a fan of multiplayer experiences like Overcooked and Tools Up, this is a game to pick up – especially if you have a group of friends or family to join in the entertaining chaos.

A true and faithful port to a masterpiece game. It's not for everyone, but it's a true Ace Combat experience and it's finally portable. What could be better? Nothing.