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.

NASCAR 25 is a very solid NASCAR game. I don’t think it’s going to sell anyone on the spectacle, as I said previously, you’ve got to be into turning left a lot, but this iRacing backed entry does a lot right and is the best NASCAR game in years outside of the events that iRacing put on themselves. There’s a thrill to pack racing at near 200mph on a banked oval that isn’t really replicated anywhere else, and NASCAR 25 does a great job of bringing that to life.

If you have a reverence for the original Need for Speed Hot Pursuit or if you’ve never played the original and are simply looking for an excellent racing game, Need for Speed Hot Pursuit Remastered is worth your time. The game doesn’t quite look or feel quite on par with modern racing games, but it has always been in a lane of its own and still offers an undeniable sense of speed and satisfaction in the gameplay. The remastered edition also includes all the additional DLC content and some new achievements, so there’s a decent value proposition here too. If you’re sitting on the fence, my advice is to get it while it’s hot. There’s an online fervour building for this game that you won’t want to miss.

What this does offer is a complete trouble free and simple arcade racer that offers a unique game play mechanic, if you are looking for a pick up and play arcade racer and don't want to pay for a full price game then this is definitely worth a look and will pass several hours of your time.

In summary, this is a beautiful game that is worth the price of purchase. It is a small download meaning most gamers will be able to jump in and play shortly after purchase, which is something fantastic in this age of instant gratification. I enjoyed my play through of the title even though I am not really the key demographic for it. It raises the bar for building games, and despite the few bugs I found whilst playing, you can see why you will get your money’s worth and then some out of it. For those looking to make characters and level up, Portal Knights provides a reliable “light” version of this genre. It has a charm that will keep you playing and a soundtrack that is so delightful it will be the only sound playing in the room when you have it on.

This is one of the better hidden object games and proves that this genre is still alive and quite healthy. For most veterans of this genre, it will take them around 6 to 7 hours to successfully complete and for newcomers, a little more, depending on how often you use the hint system.

This game is not for everyone but if you're looking for a fitness game with some SLAM behind it, this may be for you. Just be warned that you will need coordination and the lessons needed to be a little bit more in-depth.

Time and Eternity may not be as polished as other Japanese RPG titles but it does give the player a standard experience that for the majority of the time, I enjoyed. It definitely could have been better as it stays in the safe zone, rather than try to challenge the current genre.

Downward Enhanced Edition is a curious mix of Mirrors Edge and Prince of Persia, that doesn’t quite stick the landing.

A colourful kid friendly adventure with plenty of laughs and heart.

Spelunker Party! on the Nintendo Switch provides some brutally challenging old school mechanics that works better in multiplayer.

A wealth of single player and multiplayer content sadly wrapped in an always online requirement. Men of War II entertains but doesn’t do anything new.

The gameplay isn’t anywhere near as dated as you’d expect and, while not as blood chillingly terrifying as many fans profess, the game definitely gets the heart rate up into the high hundreds.

Pokémon Rumble World is a fun, albeit simplistic adventure through the world of this franchise which definitely targets the younger gamer!

Within the Blade on the PS5 takes a classic arcade sidescroller and morphs in into something slightly modern from RPG to crafting (over 200 items) and old school combat mechanics, including a plethora of different weapons plus clever stealth mechanics. Like the games of yesteryear, you’ll be overjoyed at times and totally annoyed when you continue dying so expect some controller rage … especially if you play it in permadeath mode. All in all, Within the Blade is a fun yet repetitive distraction on the PS5.

Army of Two: The Devil's Cartel is a worthy addition to the Army of Two franchise. Third person shooter fans will feel right at home here and as a fan of the series I enjoyed the story. There are some issues with the game and it lacks replay ability other than to unlock more gear or playing on higher difficulty settings. The Devil's Cartel is a solid shooter with some key differences from most other shooters on the market.

I think as long as you know what to expect going in… this could well be a fantastic game. If you like fiddling over the minutia of your empire then you will probably love this game. If like me you’d prefer a bit less worrying about the small stuff to your rule… perhaps give it a miss.

Life is Strange: True Colors, appears to be a game that is designed in all respects, for a subset minority of gamers, where goals of inclusivity have the undue effect of weakening the experience and demonstrating a lack of respect for the audience’s intelligence. Life is Strange: True Colors, was more enjoyable towards the latter half of the story and ultimately it is still a worthwhile play, however it is not a game that you will want to play twice.

It is not a game without redeeming qualities, but it lacks the exceptional qualities to capture the hearts and minds of many players—particularly fans of the previous Mafia games who thrived on the details missing in Mafia III. All I can hope is that Mafia III is but the first (stumbling) step in a fascinating new direction for open world games.

This new expansion for The Sims 4, Spa Day is simple but pricey.

Weltenbauer should be commended for creating such an immersive and exciting experience, one that respects the profession it simulates while delivering tense, rewarding gameplay. With additional DLC planned for later this year — promising new missions, vehicles, and gear — there’s plenty to look forward to for those ready to don their virtual firefighting gear and answer the call.

Ultimately is Civilization 6 worth buying? Certainly there have been a few solid play improvements on Civ 5, but not enough to justify its current price tag. The graphics are much less appealing than previous Civs, and depending on your personal tastes, you may find this edition simply unplayable because of it. Really, the best thing Civ 6 has done is make Civ 5 cheaper.

In conclusion, Sonic Lost World is an above average game on the 3DS that unfortunately has a few issues with the control system which sometimes challenges the gamer when the clues or pathways are not that clear in the gaming world.

If you are looking to read a game with an amazing story, atmospheric music and very little game play, then In Other Waters would be right up your alley. This is a game you can take it easy with and just enjoy the story the writers want to take you on. It will hold your hand and tell you a tale. I’d like to say that it has more to offer but that’s it, and honestly that’s not a bad thing. I would of like to have been more involved in the games story and I would have loved for there to have been more to look on the screen, but you’ve got to respect what this company has accomplished. They set out to tell their story and they did it in the best way they thought possible. This game may not really be what I look for in my video games, but I can see how others would love it, and I respect Jump Over The Age for their work.

In conclusion, XG Blast is a good arcade shooter that doesn't try to be too clever on the DS and features some classic gameplay for those that enjoy this genre.

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.

A Hero Nobody Knows isn’t your average blockbuster title, but it’s fun to play. It also has some ridiculously funny moments, from depressed Saitama to Flirty monsters it captures the true One Punch Man essence, which I enjoyed seeing. It’s just too bad the game isn’t as polished as I expected it to be as if given more time to rid of all these small inconsistencies it had, the game would be an even more fun experience. Nevertheless, for all fans of One Punch Man, I genuinely recommend this. Well, it does help that this is the best one in the market so far.

Assassin's Creed Chronicles Russia is a good attempt at upping the ante of the franchise but it still suffers from the challenges of the former games.

Overall, Hitman is what you make of it; if you want a fast play through, then chapter one isn’t going to keep you busy for long. However, if you’re curious or meticulous by nature and want to carry out and experience different techniques to assassinate various targets, then you will get a decent amount of playtime from the tutorials and the first mission alone.

For parents looking for a game without the violence or complications and you're looking to get a Kinect for your kids, definitely check this game out if you're after a second game. However Kinect Sports come first than this!

With access to online leaderboards and some great puzzles thrown into the mix, Boulder Dash-XL makes a welcome return to the XBox 360. The only issue with the game is that the new graphics seem a little complex as opposed to the original game.

Dog Man: Mission Impawsible is a side-scrolling platformer that brings all the action of Dog Man…well…to your paws! Tackle challenging levels and beat up bad guys in this hightailing adventure to save the city. It is a great game for kids as the stages have no time limits and the game occasionally reminds you to take a break during long game sessions.

Marvel’s Midnight Suns has some really great tactical combat that is dragged down by an insistence that you want to care about the heroes beside you.

PlayStation VR Worlds is a fun collection of mini-games that really showcases the PlayStation VR technology but given that, it’s a one trick pony. After you’ve played the titles a few times, they do become a little repetitive, especially how short some of the games are. Nonetheless, it’s still worth a look and will provide some great bragging rights for those who have never experienced VR before.

It’s a tough call as to whether to recommend the game or not. I think what it boils down to is, did you like the original game but have trouble getting it to play now, if so then certainly this is a great purchase for you. Do you like the older style RTS games with less minute detail to focus on and a stripped back easier mechanic, then this might tickle your fancy. But if you need absolutely all the bells and whistles, to have complete control over everything and the most up to date state of the art… then perhaps give it a miss.

Outcast: A New Beginning is an entertaining open-world romp that reveals in its campy charm with fun traversal mechanics, fun customisation options, and plenty to see and do. It may be a little rough around the edges, but if you can overlook its foibles, there’s plenty of fun to be had.

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!

Couple this with some excellent vistas, cool level design ideas and a charming cast of characters, it’s no wonder Skully has sucked me into its magical, muddy world.

Midnight Murder Club is a fantastic party game that is best enjoyed with a group of friends. While its competitive gameplay may not be for everyone the laughs and screams it produces are well worth the price of admission. The clever use of light darkness and proximity chat makes for a truly unique experience. All in all Velan Studios has created a fun and engaging title that’s perfect for a game night. With that said, the game does become a little repetitive and is best played in short bursts.

If you’re a fan of classic ‘point-and-click’ adventure games like Monkey Island, or even if you have fond memories of those classic Humongous Entertainment titles such as Pajama Sam or Freddie Fish, then Darkestville Castle is worth checking out. Despite the obvious budgetary limitations of the project and associated issues, Darkestville Castle is a delightful point-and-click adventure game that revels in its nostalgic influences without shamelessly reproducing them. It’s also a fun, compelling adventure in its own right and well worth your time.

Uncover the mysteries, solve the crimes and conceal the secrets of your family in this action adventure game set in the heart of dark London.

Fairy Tail is a JRPG title that's incredibly accurate to its source material, and while the game is more tailored to fans of the series, it still offers a level of enjoyment most anime-based games do not.

A slow-paced point and click adventure which pulls you in with its original setting and loveable characters and keeps you there with its level of challenge.

A slow-paced point and click adventure which pulls you in with its original setting and loveable characters and keeps you there with its level of challenge.

WWE 2K19 is obviously best suited to wrestling fans, but if you are not a fan but looking for a fun game that you can enjoy during a night in with a bunch of mates, this game has got you covered.

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.

A gloriously gory glow up of a stone cold classic that suffers from irksome control issues.

Memory Lost is a game with a lot of potential. Its innovative gameplay mechanics and atmospheric world make it a worthwhile experience for cyberpunk fans. However, its narrative shortcomings and technical imperfections prevent it from reaching its full potential. While it may not be a perfect cyberpunk experience, Memory Lost offers a unique and often thrilling ride through a dystopian world if you can put up with the control mechanics.

Kao the Kangaroo is a fun jump through memory lane that delivers an enjoyable (albeit slightly repetitive) experience in classic arcade 3D platforming fashion. However the character, graphics and worlds lends itself well on the Xbox Series X with a very smooth control system.

Borderlands 3 is a solid port over to the Nintendo Switch. What the game lacks in looks and performance, it makes up for in just about everything else.

For the most part the story elements are deftly handled and Sword Art Online Re: Hollow Fragment offers up a solid RPG experience at a budget price.

While Out of the Park 14 is a fun fantasy styled game, gamers with not much interest in baseball or waiting (because of the real time aspect) won’t enjoy this game as much as sports fans and fantasy sports players.

'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.

Both Famicom Detective Club: The Missing Heir and Famicom Detective Club: The Girl Who Stands Behind are fascinating remaster projects. They both tell deep, interesting stories and they both look and sound like state-of-the-art visual novels, but both games play like a clunky edutainment adventure game you might find on a primary school computer. Despite the ceaseless issues that I have with the clunky gameplay, I enjoyed my time with both The Missing Heir and The Girl Who Stands Behind. The narratives are compelling enough for me to brush aside some archaic gameplay flaws, and both games have a tremendous aesthetic that hooked me from the start.

Pac-Man 256 on the PlayStation 4 is not only nostalgic but provides some quick fun!

Both Famicom Detective Club: The Missing Heir and Famicom Detective Club: The Girl Who Stands Behind are fascinating remaster projects. They both tell deep, interesting stories and they both look and sound like state-of-the-art visual novels, but both games play like a clunky edutainment adventure game you might find on a primary school computer. Despite the ceaseless issues that I have with the clunky gameplay, I enjoyed my time with both The Missing Heir and The Girl Who Stands Behind. The narratives are compelling enough for me to brush aside some archaic gameplay flaws, and both games have a tremendous aesthetic that hooked me from the start.

The Outer Rim is a fun DLC for Star Wars Battlefront that tweaks the gameplay, throws in new characters and also weapons for players to explore. The new maps are quite detailed and although there are no new worlds, it still makes for some exciting gameplay as you shoot your way through the Star Wars universe.

In the end, this game has been designed for a younger market and is actually not that bad. It does lack some replay value and some of the mini-games are a little dull but for the most part, it's actually an interesting concept, especially with the inclusion of three gaming universes and their six characters. Compared to some of the other Move games available now, I would have to say that this is definitely the better of them for kids. Just be warned that the game does work better with both Move controllers.

Bee Simulator: The Hive builds on the charm of the original with a blend of exploration, light action, and a new hive-building system that adds welcome depth. While some reused content and a few rough edges hold it back, the overall package still delivers a warm, relaxing adventure with just enough challenge to stay engaging. It’s a thoughtfully expanded and genuinely enjoyable experience.

Deliver At All Costs is a chaotic, heartfelt, and refreshingly creative adventure, worth checking out for anyone tired of formulaic design.

Book of Memories will disappoint those purists who are not happy with the changes made to the series. For those looking for a dungeon crawler RPG based in the Silent Hill universe this is absolutely ideal.

Tron: Legacy from Disney Interactive Studios is a surprising fun ride. Short in the single player experience, but can have a longer life with more diverseness added to the multiplayer free for alls and team matches that go on.

At its heart, the game features a collection of mini-games which some work and some just don't. Just like all casual party games, Start the Party does target the younger gamer, more specifically those under 15.

Devil Jam is a fun chaotic few hours enjoyed with cold a beer in hand after a long day's work, just don't expect it to be anything more than that.

The kind of cosmic horror that makes you ponder your place in the universe.

Farming Simulator 15 is not for everyone but if you enjoyed farming simulators than you've come to the right place!

In the end, Lord of Arcana doesn't break out of the traditional RPG formula and has quite a few parallels with Monster Hunter, although Monster Hunter was far superior in terms of an overall gaming experience.

Sure, Dynasty Warriors Gundam Reborn may not offer anything new but it does offer a relatively fun space game with larger than life battles

Dex conveys a sense of depth while remaining somewhat shallow; regardless, it is an enjoyable cyberpunk experience.

Monopoly Family Fun Pack Xbox One truly pays homage to the original board game and creates a very clever virtual replacement.

In the end, Crossboard 7 is a relatively basic Kinect game but it does showcase this technology. At times, it showcases it well, at other times, it's a little lacking.

A fun virtual pinball game that really celebrates the amazing female characters from this comic book universe, especially from the animation and sound effects. The graphics are great and the two pinball machines are well designed that are bursting with colours, special effects and some traditional gameplay as it helps emulate a real-world pinball machine.

Solid platforming and brilliant boss encounters more than make up for this Metroidvania's minor irritations.

Paleo Pines is a simple farming sim with a decent hook that, though not as sprawling or intense as something like Stardew Valley, is still a great way to while away a few hours and a great entry point to the genre for younger gamers that may get overwhelmed by it’s more complex cousins. Also, you can ride dinosaurs. When is that ever not fun?

Set in a world shaped by old folklore, this narrative-driven adventure leans into exploration and discovery. Its time-shifting structure encourages you to piece together events from different moments, creating a sense of curiosity that builds as you go. While it has a few rough edges, its atmosphere and unique approach make it stand out in a genre that rarely explores this kind of setting.

Dynasty Warriors 8 Empires is a fun title on the XBox One but a little repetitive and is also showing its age.

Gorn 2 is a decent sequel that takes the simple fun from the first and evolves the formula with even more traps, power-ups, and a cast of crazy gods to battle against. Fans of the original are bound to eat it up, while those new to the series will find a compelling comedy brawler with buckets of charm and chum to spare.

I had a lot of fun playing the game in small bursts at a time, but it’s hard to keep invested when all I’m doing is beating someone up for each and every round. Let’s hope that ARMS will continue the path that Splatoon laid before it by giving players new content and new things to do via free game updates. I really hope so, because I really want to see this game in a more fleshed out form!

If you’re a fan of the original or simply looking for your next VR fix, 7th Guest VR is a creepy and challenging puzzler that doesn’t outstay its welcome.

It’s not unique but did offer a satisfying distraction.

Given the extremely limited number of motorcycle racing games on next-gen consoles, the MotoGP franchise is still the choice when it comes to racing but given that the PlayStation 4 has been out for almost 2-years now, the engine used to create this game looks quite dated, especially when you compare it to some of those amazing car games available.

If you enjoyed the previous game, than you'll get a kick out of this game. I did find this game considerably easier than Duke Nukem Forever and when it came to entertainment, both are definitely tops, especially for Duke Nukem fans.

Despite the relative simplicity of Trine 4’s early puzzles, I really enjoyed my time with the 7-hour adventure. The game looks absolutely gorgeous with a fantastic variety of interesting environments to explore that are absolutely bursting with life. The story won’t be remembered this time next year, but it’s a fun, light-hearted tale that really brings the whole adventure together. The physics-based puzzle-platforming is better than ever and it still feels fun to shoot, swing and levitate your way through lengthy levels filled with puzzles. Trine 4 is worth your time and if you’ve never played a game in the series before, this is the perfect point to jump in.

Kirby Fighters 2 is a fun diversion on the Nintendo Switch that celebrates the history of Kirby and his cohorts in this fun fighting game with over the top visuals, audio and at times mayhem. Check it out if you’re looking for something a little different and challenging, particularly on those higher levels of that tower in the story mode.

Chrono Cross is a strange, wonderful game that was not afraid to take big risks. The port doesn’t exactly cover it in glory but considering the game has been languishing in purgatory for so long it’s nice that it sees the light of day at all. There is little here for people who aren’t already fans of the genre to recommend. But for JRPG fans this is a fascinating time capsule, especially for PAL gamers who didn’t get to experience it first time round.

In conclusion, Crazy Taxi may not hold the attention of most gamers but for those wishing to walk down memory lane, it's definitely a great investment to play this classic game.

The skilful combination of breathtaking graphics with hopeful yet haunting music including hypnotic background space sounds makes Elite Dangerous: Horizons epically immersive.

In the end, this game is definitely for younger children and although the Kinect is not as accurate as we hoped, it is still playable and we finished this game in around four hours of play.

In the end, Dance Paradise is a weird game as the dancing is quite limited and easy at the start but suddenly skyrockets to a whole new level.

It may not be the most memorable action adventure RPG game available but it does contain an enjoyable story with some interesting characters that you will meet along the way.

At the end of the day, fans of the anime series may enjoy this title, however the fiddle some control system and camera problems unfortunately just make this a truly frustrating gaming experience and I really wanted to like this title. Quite a shame really

AFL 26 is a commendable iteration that refines its predecessors’ foundation while introducing meaningful improvements. The enhanced marking system, deeper tactical options and more challenging goalkicking contribute to a more engaging experience, despite the persistence of some long-standing issues. While the PlayStation 5 version is fast for load times and performance, it doesn’t represent a groundbreaking leap forward for next-gen hardware. Nevertheless, AFL 26 is a significant step in the right direction for Australian Rules Football gaming and fans of the sport will undoubtedly appreciate the considerable effort put into this title.

In conclusion, the developers tried to be a little too clever in terms of controls and they should have focused on just one control system, rather than attempt to cater for everyone. It feels a little rushed in this department which makes mastering the tricks a very hard experience.

In the end, Sniper: Ghost Warrior is unfortunately a mediocre first person shooter strategy game that attempts to breach the world of realism with its no frills action and realistic content.

Undisputed is the long overdue return of a traditional boxing title on consoles, one with a great license but lacking in execution. Perhaps a bit over ambitious in what it was trying to accomplish, the game could benefit from some more gameplay testing and a true identity.

Decent platforming, unfortunately overshadowed by parts that want to make you rip your hair out. In a game with so many cheap ways of killing you, frustration plays a large part.

Play this videogame about playing videogames in order to make the videogame you are playing.

While not a cursed bad game, Captain America: Super Soldier is super short… it's not a complete miss, nor is it a bull's eye.