F1 Race Stars was a bit of a gamble for Codemasters and although they may not have completely pulled it off, it's an admirable attempt that should be appreciated for what it is – A much less serious excursion for the F1 license and a much needed injection of fun into a notoriously po-faced series.

At the core of AEW Fight Forever is the No Mercy Successor wrestling fans have been waiting for. The question is whether you want that. I know I do.

All in all, a fun yet ultimately forgettable experience.

If gathering resources, exploring, and “go get this for this, or find an item or persons for this” kind of quests are your deal or if you just want a change of pace, Yonder: the Cloud Catcher Chronicles is just for you. More experienced players may find some of the shallowness of the story and game play to be a little off putting. However younger players and those that desire a passive bit of simple gaming away from the loads of violence driven games with no choice but violence in them will have a good time with Yonder: the Cloud Catcher Chronicles. Though I must give this warning… you may smile.

For a launch game, Warriors Orochi 3 Hyper works well on the Wii U, giving players something different opposed to your more mainstream releases. Gameplay is quite fluidic but the only set back is the graphically limitations of the port. Nonetheless, it's a fine example of what the Wii U can do with some classic Koei gameplay.

It’s nice to have an incentive to dive back into The Division and the new explosive RC cars are shockingly great fun to muck around with.

I was worried that this final episode was going to let down the whole season (based on gameplay from previous episodes). Instead it was able to redeem itself and provide us with what was lacking before – engagement. It also also paved the way for the next season where hopefully we will see more of Clementine’s story (which will make a lot of Clementine fans happy).

Sword Art Online: Alicization Lycoris is too filled with issues to be anything worthy of being recommended to those who aren't hardcore fans of the series, and the Switch port, unfortunately, still has a lot of the existing issues seen in other platforms.

If you like the idea of a somewhat structured building game in a primitive setting, this might be worth having a look at. It sounds nice, it looks pretty enough and it’s enjoyable enough to play… but it’s not quite as “open world” or free form as you might hope.

Dead by Daylight falls short in some respects but, for a massive horror fan, it’s easy to overlook the game’s flaws when the core experience itself is so fun and engaging.

Assassin's Creed Chronicles India is a 2.5 platformer that is all about subterfuge set in this wonderful franchise!

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.

Finding Frankie is an original take on the horror genre that sees you sprinting and platforming towards the finish line and away from menacing mascots. Who knew combining the games of Fall Guys and the terror of Five Nights At Freddy’s would create such an ambitious, engaging, parkour inducing time? While the challenge is primitive and the ambition overall leaves some aspects of the game not feeling as fleshed out, Finding Frankie is definitely a game that everyone should at least try.

Painkiller 2025 is a game that nails the assignment but, in many ways, misses the point. The core of the experience is spot on. The moment-to-moment, the feel of the weapons, the slightly cheeky tone. There’s even some half-decent writing and world-building buried in those quippy conversations between our heroes. What could have been an incredible single-player shooter to rival the original has been reduced to a mostly forgettable cooperative online crack at yet another game as a service thing that doesn’t really satisfy anyone, and makes me wonder why no one at the four companies attached to this didn’t at some point question whether this was the best form for a Painkiller reboot to take.

All things said and done, ChromaGun is a solid game with decent puzzle elements. It has it’s flaws but all things said and done is nicely enough executed. It certainly is worth the play for the puzzles alone.

To those who’ve never played a SimCity before, it’s definitely worth your time. However keep in mind in 2003, Maxis made SimCity 4. It is still a great game, it’s much cheaper, it runs on any old PC, and it’s all about YOU.

'Of Orcs and Men' is a flawed game, to be sure, but it also holds your attention and actually challenges you, unlike many hand holding releases of late.

If you’ve played the first two Rock of Ages games and were hoping for something a little more tantalising to bring you back to the series, Rock of Ages III: Make & Break just doesn’t have that wow factor to make it an essential purchase. With that being said, I still recommend that newcomers to the series check this one out, as the absurd humour and unique aesthetic is worth the cost of admission alone.

Ultimately Sid Meier's Starships feels like a game that might have been great in VGA back in the 90s.

While the psychological and supernatural horror elements aren’t as well conveyed in the writing or voice-acting as bigger budget games, the effort and detail put into the shifting setting, sound design and visual presentation offer up an enjoyable and immersive horror game experience.

Aphelion is a beautifully created game by Dontnod and while it's gameplay has its issues, the narrative is pure sci-fi perfection.

These graphical issues are profoundly disappointing because I think Rime is a great game, but the Switch version is a technical mess with no signs of future improvement. The gameplay is fun and relaxing, the soundtrack is phenomenal and when it’s running on anything other than the Switch – the visual design is gorgeous. You could play Rime on the Switch, but I strongly recommend getting it on a different platform to save yourself the headache.

In conclusion, it’s good to see EA move away from resource gathering and try something different and although it does take a little time getting use to, it’s a refreshing change of pace for an RTS game.

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

Ratchet & Clank QForce scores points for trying something different with the series, but the so-so implementation of ideas and elements leaves it falling slightly flat. The game looks and sounds great, but without the solid gameplay reinforced by some of its predecessors, this rather short game may be the last time we see Ratchet & Clank for a while, but it might be for the best.

Yakuza: Dead Souls may seem like a decent idea, but it is probably best to just ignore it and hope that things return to normal for the next instalment.

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.

The Incredible Adventures of Van Helsing III is a final to the series and gives fans of the series some closure.

Super Lucky’s Tale is the first platformer on the Xbox One X that gives players an honest arcade experience with a fun protagonist, decent mechanics and truly impressive 4K graphics.

While Forspoken has its fair share of glaring issues, I have to admit that I still enjoyed my time with its warts and all, as it managed to entertain and engage me with its combat system alone.

All things said and done, Darksiders is a game that you might buy when it goes super cheap. Far from a triple A title, it lacks depth and sadly pretty much any real enjoyment playing it. If there is to be another game in this series they are going to have to do heaps to win me back. I’d give it a miss.

This game is enjoyable, requires some serious practice to develop your riding skills, and truly does a great job at simulating some of the riding techniques and complexities involved with the jumps, tricks and racing.

Shadow Labyrinth is a sold Metrovania experience but fails a little on its execution.

Is Spirit of the North worth playing? Despite the previous few paragraphs of ranting, I think it is. There’s genuine beauty in the design of the environments and the way the world is brought to life, which is really quite extraordinary. Also, that soundtrack is just superb and pairs well with the quiet isolation of the fox’s cross-country journey. Just be prepared for some awkward 3D platforming and make sure you’ve got a walkthrough nearby for when you inevitably get stuck at a dead end.

Few games manage to properly capture the sensation of becoming a superhero, and for the most part those that do it best are often firmly grounded in reality, like the Arkham Series; even the Infamous games and those that do take a more fantastical approach to the genre are constrained by the fact that they’re generally restricted to a single city. Megaton Rainfall gives you the entire planet to take care of and, while it can be an overwhelming responsibility at times, it’s one that I find myself stepping up to time and time again.

Despite some interesting ideas The Witch and the Hundred Knight ultimately fails to engage. The plot is surprisingly dull despite letting you take a walk on the dark side and the combat soon becomes chore-like as you diligently spam square until your reach the next area.

With a time consuming upgrade system and lack of variation in the levels despite the procedural generation, Neon Chrome is, forgive the obvious pun, ultimately neither bright or polished enough.

The 60+ hours worth of new and refreshed content is definitely a step in the right direction after the base game’s troubled launch and enhances the existing shoot and loop formula well. While some technical problems persist, the way the team has handled the expansion has given much needed life into the wasteland that can only be further improved upon with subsequent updates. The bulk of Wastelanders’ new story-centric quests are definitely better played solo, but the new events, daily quests and discoverables that come with the update are equally as fun to experience with friends old and new, and signify a brave new direction for the online title going forward.

In the end Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II is a straightforward linear game.

If you’re spoilt by modern-day graphics and the feature-full world of 21st-century gaming, Shadow Warrior 3 probably isn’t for you. It’s a simple game, not afraid to rely solely on its strong shooting mechanics, but it’s one that any FPS fan should add to their collection if they want to switch off and tear up some bad guys. Short, silly and gory, Shadow Warrior 3 is a fine example of great gaming dialled back.

A fun, relaxing game that lacks a lot of polish due to hardware restrictions on the Switch. The PS5 and PC versions do a fantastic job!

I’m enjoying it as much as I have any of the previous games and I’m nearly 70 hours in so I’d say it’s pretty decent value for money. I suspect most people (certainly myself) have become used to being able to pick up the other games in the series for about $5 or so on special… so having a new game in the series come out at full price seems a bit harsh… but it’s pretty reasonable considering how much gameplay there is here and how much of a technological advancement it is (but yes… you can still get a bit stuck on scenery if you walk/ride the wrong way on/off something… so some things never change). I’d certainly recommend grabbing King’s Bounty II… if in doubt, wait for a sale… but as I mentioned… I’m nearly 70 hours in and still have some questing to do.

Project Motor Racing heralds the return of Ian Bell and co. It retains the visuals and impressive physics of previous games while changing things up with a new career mode.

In the end, Puffle Launch may not be the most original iOS game available and sticks to a tried and tested formula. It's definitely one for the kids or if its on sale, go grab it as it's addictive and fast-paced!

This is a freemium game but still a game, so I just have to ask the question - where is the fun? Forgotten, it seems.

Aside from the visual upgrade, Fatal Frame: Maiden of Black Water is far from a suitable remaster as it fails to change many of the original issues. However, while it's also far from the best Fatal Frame game, it does still offer players the signature enjoyable camera combat and some surprisingly spooky aesthetic.

An interesting take on the Souls-Like genre that makes some effort to mix things up a little. It doesn't do anything especially new, but is well put together and an enjoyable entry into the genre.

However with the inclusion of a new level cap, legendary weapons, it’s really easy to be drawn back into the Destiny universe as you commence that grind “again” for the ultimate power. It’s just a shame that Bungie have thrown the baby out with the bathwater so hopefully Bungie will take note of the feedback from this DLC!

Without sounding cynical, ‘Narcos: Rise of the Cartels’ suffers from the same curse that looms over most video games that derive from TV shows and movies. Say what you will, but I’ve seen way too many games like Kung-Fu Panda, Spider-Man 3, and even Transformers all miss the mark. Unfortunately, ‘Narcos: Rise of the Cartels’ is no exception and while a few changes to the HUD and combat system would make this game fantastic, I can only review the game I have in front of me and not the game I know it could be. However, all is not lost. The game does offer a decent amount of replay value and the controls are simple enough that even a non-gamer can easily pick up this game and play it.

Overall I really liked No Place Like Home… it’s a lovely change of pace from many of the mainstream games being released and it has an ever more important reminder that we really need to take better care of this planet we are on. Great for young family members but also for those of us who have been gaming for a while and just want a change of pace. Pretty decent price for what you get too so if it sounds like your kind of thing… grab a copy and relax.

Graphically it's a good looking title and the gameplay is sturdy, although does become repetitive. To fully immerse yourself into this experience, you really need to play with others.

In conclusion, Harvest Moon Tale of Two Towns is a game that takes the previous gaming premise and reintroduces it to a new audience. If you're a regular to this series, there are a few new additions to draw you in but it definitely doesn't have that wow factor.

In conclusion, Lucidity is an interesting game that tries to break the boundaries of gaming and offers both casual and hardcore gamers something totally different that not only proves quite fun but also quite relaxing.

Pid is an imaginative, well-designed platformer with all of the bells and whistles for the price of lunch.

ReCore isn't weighed down with baggage but that might leave it feeling a little thin around the edges.

Goosebumps: Terror in Little Creek translates R.L. Stine’s spooky charm into an interactive adventure that’s more fun than frightening. With its kid-oriented scares, campy atmosphere, and simple mechanics, it feels designed to let younger players dip their toes into horror without going too far. Parents will likely appreciate how the game balances lighthearted chills with safe, nostalgic entertainment the whole family can share.

Blood Bath & Beyond is a truly great addition to the Live Arcade and can be easily justified at only 1200 points. There is a great amount of replay ability in it and while there are still a few minor glitches the game will encounter, they take nothing away from the overall playing experience of this now revived classic.

From user reviews it seems like I may be in the minority… but for me it just isn’t worth it. It’s a short experience (though feels far longer than it needs to be) and I think your money would be spent elsewhere.

It appears to be aimed more at newcomers to the genre rather than hardcore RTS fans, but it is sure to please both camps. With its simple controls and game play, it is a fun game to play in short bursts.

In conclusion, SOCOM Confrontation is a decent online multiplayer game set in a realistic universe with sturdy gameplay, good graphics and some great online moments.

Good gameplay, some frustrating levels, Monsters vs Aliens is definitely worth the entry price. Check it out!

Scary Girl, a visual treat and even more fun to play.

In summary this is a very addictive game. It is really well thought out and accessible to all skill levels. Controls on the Dual Shock are easy to master and general navigation makes sure you keep up with the action. This is a delight to play and I am sure that it is going to pleasantly surprise a lot of people as it did for me.

A sloppy port sullies what is otherwise a solid survival horror experience.

Castlevania Lords of Shadow is a must play game on the PlayStation 3 that really draws you in from the start to give you a spectacular journey of good versus evil in this beautifully presented sequel.

A solid and relatively accomplished effort that’s more than worth a look for survival horror fans.

There was so much potential surrounding The Order, yet it hasn’t lived up to the expectations.

In conclusion, if you're a fan of the criminal underworld gaming genre, than you're in for a treat as you are taken on a wild journey with your two hosts, Kane and Lynch.

When a game is so far outside the square in terms of creativity, it can be a dangerous dance between something ridiculous and genius. Fortunately FreakyForms Deluxe: Your Creations, Alive! falls into the almost genius category with its charming and simplistic gameplay with massive customisation options. With fun gameplay, easy controls, this is definitely the most quirky game of the year and if you're looking for something totally different, check it out!

With a middling narrative and uninspired copy and pasting of missions, it’s hard to argue that this isn’t just another stop-gap affair for Bungie while they put all of their efforts into the upcoming major DLC release in September.

For now, Dance Evolution takes advantage of the Kinect and if you're looking for a fun game and like dancing, well my backing dancers... you've come to the right place!

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.

My final thoughts of the game are... Pick up something better. There are way better titles that do this sort of gameplay all day long even in the bargain bin.

In the end, Sonic 4 Episode II is probably the best Sonic game in awhile that combines retro gaming with 21st century next-gen console mechanics. Although the title is a little on the repetitive side, there's enough fun to keep most gamers going and just when things start to become repetitive, the game fortunately ends in time.

The story is interesting enough that I do believe its telling could have been handled a bit better. I think that there should have been concession to story with end level saves and the ability to continue the story from the level you were on when you finished. This could have been turned on or off depending on how hard the player wanted to push themselves. Overall I’d still encourage people to get West of Dead. It would be one of the most enjoyable roguelike games I have played in a long time, and if those little niggly issues are ironed out then I think a lot of people are going to enjoy the challenge and story of this really cool game.

For NFL diehards, there remains hundreds of gaming hours at your disposal in Madden 21. These same diehards – much like players of EA’s NHL and Sony’s The Show – will be left with the impression they’ve played this game before, however.

Call of Cthulhu is a beautifully twisted cosmic horror. Although it has it’s issues here and there, and doesn’t look as good as you would expect a PS4 game to look, it has enough moments to really grip you and keep you playing. The story is an example of really great writing, with enjoyable characters and a mind-bending plot. The gameplay is solid, with only certain segments that become frustrating and repetitive.

If you are a fan of those real-world card games that are so popular now, than you might want to give Bakugan: Battle Brawlers a chance.

In the end if you're looking for something a little different opposed to Need for Speed or the latest Battle Field game than Storm is that title and is a thinking gamers game. It's a peaceful and relaxing title that would be perfect on the iOS platform as well due to its simplicity and enjoyable format.

There are some good ideas here and some very nice visuals… but it just lacks some polish and I suspect many people will be lured to the game simply because of the use of Atlantis in the title with the expectation that they could explore the legendary city… unfortunately they will have to look elsewhere to get their mythological travel fix. Not really one I’d recommend unless it’s on deep discount and you just really want another quick puzzle game.

KAKU: Ancient Seal is an endearing adventure with a vast, colorful world and a quirky flying pig companion. Its combat, puzzles, and story are uneven, but exploration and discovery make it enjoyable. If a sequel ever comes, it could be truly amazing if it builds upon the good that is here.

All in all, it's still a fun experience and definitely the best racer on this console at moment!

With decent graphics, great sound effects, albeit a sometimes annoying commentator, overall it's a fun title.

In conclusion, Wanted: Weapons of Fate seems a tad contrived and forced and although the combat and gameplay is rather strong, the title does become repetitive midpoint. It's still fun to play but don't expect this to be the killer title of the year.

The Last Remnant is a fascinating and frustrating experience. Beneath a fundamentally mediocre game are a lot of interesting ideas. The story is epic and interesting, but only in parts. The battle system is wholly unique and feels massive in scope. Except you have to play the game for hours and hours before it becomes any fun. The Switch is full of quality RPG ports at the moment, and there are plenty more coming. The Last Remnant is not one of them.

In conclusion, this game is on the mark for the fans and will take the average gamer around 10 - 15 hours to successfully complete.

WRC 5 on the PlayStation 4 is good rally game but is lacking that next-gen feel and look.

At the end of the day, Puzzle Chronicles did try to be different, however it failed to successfully make this an exciting puzzle game.

Despite its shortcomings, I enjoyed my time with Agents of Mayhem. The gameplay is extremely solid and, combat-wise at least, deviates enough from what was on offer in the Saints Row games to hopefully entice players to at least check the game out.

t’s been awhile since a Bomberman game has graced a Nintendo console and it’s good to see the franchise make a comeback, even if it stays a little too true to its original format. However if you’re looking for a solo-experience, I would recommend another title but if you’re looking for some multiplayer fun for local or online play, Bomberman R delivers on that front and is a great way to spend an hour or so blowing your friends, family and colleagues to smithereens.

I suppose Sniper Elite V2 Remastered would be a decent game if it didn’t feature successors so much better than it. I’m surprised Rebellion minimally invested in anything but window dressing for the re-release, as they had a lot to work with. Perhaps its biggest crime is the absurdly high price point on the Switch, one 3x that of Steam (at time of review).

In the end, Test Drive Ferrari Racing Legends is everything that a Ferrari fan could ask for from the sturdy gameplay, decent graphics and even multiplayer to challenge your friends and enemies.

This one may sink pretty fast unless Ubisoft get's the damage crews working pretty fast.

Blue Rider is fun, flashy but also flawed. It’s nice to see a legitimate shoot-em-up on the PS4, one made by people who appreciate the genre. The graphical palette is beautiful, and rarely this nice for this genre. Audio is a throwback, and in the best of ways. Too few levels and no true continues make Blue Rider a likely tough sell except for score chasers.

For button mashing and smashing fun, Chimparty is sure to please and even better yet nice and cheap to buy. Both kids and adults are going to be super pleased at just how much they will enjoy this series of mini games. Give it a shot for yourself. A short and sweet review for a great little game. Worth the purchase.

Override: Mech City Brawl may look like the anime mech fighter you've been waiting for, but the gameplay just doesn't cut it.

This is not a bad game at all!

At the end of the day, Sherlock Holmes versus Jack the Ripper won't appeal for the mass majority due to the genre the game is imitating, however if you were a fan of the point and click adventure game genre, then you've come to the right place.