For my money, Monster Hunter Rise is the high-water mark of the series. The addition of the Palimutes and Wirebugs have reshaped both combat and exploration for the better – so much so, that going back to older games in the franchise will be almost impossible. While it may not have the narrative focus of Monster Hunter World, Rise expands upon this formula and refines the experience to be both accessible for newcomers, whilst also retaining that deeper level of complexity that drew in hardcore fans from the beginning. I’ve also just got to give props to Capcom for squeezing a fully-fledged Monster Hunter game down onto the Nintendo Switch with nary a compromise to visuals or featureset. I’ve got a feeling Monster Hunter Rise will be in the gaming cultural zeitgeist for a while to come, so I highly recommend you jump on board and come along for the ride.

Build, survive, repeat. Against the Storm is a dark fantasy city-builder that blends roguelike structure with deep strategy and addictive resource management. Every settlement you build is temporary, but the knowledge and upgrades you carry forward make each run feel meaningful. With dynamic weather, unique factions, and smart progression, it’s a game that constantly evolves and it’s finally on Nintendo Switch, where its pick-up-and-play loop shines.

A strange but wonderful experience that is sure to be as divisive as it is misunderstood.

I cannot recommend this game highly enough to anyone who loves a good fun game. There are elements for both the kids and adults, and the expansion factor of the additional packs would indicate that this is a title that will be entertaining for quite some time.

Donkey Kong Bananza is a must play title for the Nintendo Switch 2 console that is a highly enjoyable reimaging that will leave you reeling with so many “wow” moments that makes it an essential title for this console. Apart from the destructive capabilities of DK, I really enjoyed the new gameplay brought to DK thanks to Pauline’s magical abilities that provides some fun and unexpected power-ups for our favourite hominoid. So, with its stunning visuals, immersive sound design and clever level design, this game proves that the “big guy” still has what it takes to be a king of the jungle or in this case, the king of the planet’s core.

Mass Effect Andromeda is a little rough around the edges but still provides fans of this series or newcomers an immersive experience in another part of this universe. There’s some good storytelling and world building with interesting gameplay mechanics to help keep you invested. I like my protagonist of Sara Ryder and even though she’s no Commander Shepherd, we did have a connection and I look forward to visiting this universe time and time again. Sure, the graphics can cause some issues at times and as mentioned, hopefully these will be resolved in the future but overall, Mass Effect Andromeda ticks all the right boxes when it comes to space exploration as it channels its persona from science fiction. Sure, there is still grinding involved as you ‘level-up’ your character but if you make the investment, Mass Effect Andromeda delivers on most levels.

Disney Infinity 3.0 evolves into a much sturdier gaming experience and is easily one of the best Star Wars games in quite some time.

Regardless of all its faults, I still believe Mortal Shell is a solid game. It transcends itself from being another Dark Souls imitation to an excellent game based on true inspiration. This is all the more impressive once you realize that a small studio of fifteen people developed a game with such high quality. Mortal shell is a remarkable love letter to FromSoftware’s Staple series, and its asking price of $29.99 is just an added reason for why Souls fans especially should be picking up this game.

NBA 2K15 is a slam dunk on the PlayStation 4.

Mario, Link, Pikachu, Pac-Man, Sonic, Kirby and more come together in a game where they all beat each other up.

The cosiest, craziest Pokémon game with a concept so delightful you wonder why we haven't seen it sooner.

If you want to have fun making music but don’t want to invest in a “real” setup… this is a great cheap(er) option that gives you a lot of variety to play with. Definitely a great option at a pretty decent price for what you get.

All in all, Restored Land is a bit of a hit and a miss. But it’s a free update, the biggest Techland has ever done, and arrived a little over half a year after launch. For anybody who plays Dying Light solo and hasn’t played The Beast before, Restored Land would be a great way to experience the story and campaign for the first time. But anybody that’s already gone through Kyle’s vendetta with the Baron before will have to do so all over again.

It’s a pretty decent price for the fun that is to be had. In the end… you are just one man and his banana… and maybe that’s all you really need.

Bloober Team finally put to rest any doubt that over their rendition of Silent Hill 2. They have excelled in producing a faithful update to original masterpiece, while injecting some of their own ideas into things.

If you’re looking for a calm, comforting gaming experience that trades stress for serenity, Collector's Cove hits the spot perfectly.

There's no better opportunity for FIFA fans that are looking for a deeper managing experience to get involved in the Football Manager franchise. The new gameplay additions and a slicker presentation make Football Manager 2013 a much more mainstream and simpler experience, but this will work in the game's favour.

Gravity Rush is solid fun on the PS4 with a really fun protagonist, enjoyable gaming mechanics and a way to become involved in interactive anime... just be wary, the controls can be annoying at times.

However where this game shines is through the strong gaming engine that works perfectly on the iPhone. Add in the official AFL branding and awesome graphics and AFL Gold Edition once again proves that Australia are on the top of their game when it comes to iOS apps!

With Cronos: The New Dawn, Bloober Team has cemented itself as a premier developer of survival horror games. Any lingering doubts after the release of 2024’s Silent Hill 2 have been laid to rest. It’s a tense, well written, beautiful horror game that I absolutely adored. The interesting story is engaging from start to finish, and the gameplay is a perfect blend of action horror and exploration that manages to not fall back on tropes of the genre like jump scares.

If you like a bit of brain strain and some lovely visuals with a decent science fiction story to top it all off then you will most likely love Relicta.

It’s great to finally have a game that seems to put you right in the middle of one of H. P. Lovecraft’s worlds… that sense of strangeness that lies over everything like a fog that draws you in and embraces you in the oddness of it all is quite compelling. Best played at night with the lights off to truly become immersed in the world of The Sinking City.

Minecraft is truly a success on the Nintendo Switch that boasts accessible controls and a glorious interactive environment that will keep players attention for hours upon hours.

I would recommend the game, but with the caveat that it is only going to be for a certain sort of gamer. If you think you might be interested, give the demo a try and go from there. If it’s right up your alley though then prepare to have a standout interactive experience.

A perfect balance of survival, action, and horror featuring fantastic set pieces, superb combat and plenty of chills that long-time RE fans are bound to love.

Kirby’s latest airborne adventure succeeds at standing out simply by embracing its own weird, charming identity.

There is so much to admire with Final Fantasy VIII. It was a game completely unafraid to take chances and that turned more than a few people off. But those who stick with it are rewarded with a wonderfully quirky game. It has a whole card game that will take up hours of your time. For those that already love it, this will be an easy sell. For those that wrote it off initially, or felt like it was a betrayal of the series roots, give it another go. The new features may help introduce a classic game to a whole new audience.

A beautiful, deep and fun experience that will take hours from your life… but you won’t regret it.

The gameplay while familiar has been tweaked and the level design is easily one of the best created worlds on a console, especially seeing it on 4K on the Xbox One X.

Diablo II Resurrected Infernal Edition stands as a thoughtful and respectful fine-tuning of a classic with a new way to experience it thanks to the Warlock.

The thing that sets Wipeout apart from racing games of today is that it doesn’t take itself seriously during a time where some racing games are beginning to do so more regularly. Wipeout is silly, it always has been, but that’s the beauty of this gravity-defying joyride. Every time Sony releases their latest console, I eagerly anticipate the release of a new Wipeout game to accompany it. Although this time it’s taken a while for this iconic racer to get an update to next gen, WipEout: Omega Collection has been worth the wait.

Final Fantasy XIV: Stormblood is one of the best MMORPG expansions in recent years, with a compelling and well-written main story, intriguing Far East setting, a wealth of new content and important QoL refinements.

EA Sports once again make head roads into the hockey arena by creating the best hockey game to date... it seems that EA does this every year with their NHL series. Gameplay is refined, more powerful and caters for both newcomers and veterans alike.

SteamWorld Heist 2 doesn’t reinvent itself, but it doesn’t need to as it takes what worked in the original, refines it and adds just enough new elements to make it feel fresh.

Resistance 3 is one of those well rounded games that players will be clamouring at their mates to buy. In fact, I guess this review is clamouring for you to buy it too. I loved it and frankly could not find fault with it. From the single player to multiplayer experience, this title is so immersive that gamers could find themselves getting lost within this game world for months to come.

The Vanishing of Ethan Carter is one of the most beautiful and original adventure games of the year!

Aims for the stars and reaches them.

The developers have successfully created an interesting open world with a strong super hero theme that works very well. The story is great and the characters are quite relatable with a variety of twists and turns as you progress through the game.

Ubisoft should be commended on going back to basics but with that said, the game is not basic and expands the 2D arcade platforming genre.

In case you can’t tell, I’m overjoyed with the additions and enhancements made to the Xenobalde Chronicles: Definitive Edition. Not only do they make an already fantastic game that much more exciting to play through for a second time, but so much has been added to the game to make it more accessible and enjoyable for newcomers. Obviously the enhanced graphics still don’t visually compare to modern games released in the past year or so, but they look darn good on the Switch in portable mode. The newly remastered soundtrack is better than ever, and the gameplay and narrative both hold up exceptionally well to the test of time. I have no reservations about recommending this game to anyone, it’s an exceptional JRPG that deserves your time.

Ever Oasis takes the best out of Monster Hunter and Animal Crossing and combines them to make something even better!

Super Mario Galaxy + Super Mario Galaxy 2 celebrates two of Nintendo's most innovative games and returns them to the modern world of gaming with pure fun!

A touching tale of friendship and the power of light over dark that is as spellbinding as it is jaw dropping.

In the end, Dance Central is definitely the best dance game on the Kinect and really showcases the Kinect quite well.

Eriksholm is a visually stunning, narrative-driven stealth game that impresses with its atmospheric world, expressive animations, and grounded mechanics. While the story and level design occasionally lack depth, the game excels in immersion, strategic gameplay, and voice acting, particularly through its lead character Hanna. Despite some technical hiccups and a relatively short runtime, Eriksholm stands out as one of the most memorable and promising games of the year.

Whether you're a fan of 40k or not. Daemonhunters is a fantastic romp and a fine example of how to do strategy right on consoles.

Improvements have been made and it is still the biggest, most detailed football simulation out there. You will lose months of your life over it, cursing to yourself over trivial things such as substituting your left back too early. It is a beautiful game for the beautiful game.

Balatro is a brilliant take on the rogue lite genre. Video poker fans will be grinning ear to ear playing this truly terrific card game that is hard to put down.

If you want to have a lot of fun, some giggles and get some incidental exercise then Just Dance 2023 is a great option… I still can’t dance but I can have fun flailing about and given I can do that in the privacy of my own home, all the better! Happy to recommend!

Final Fantasy XII may end up holding up best out of the entire franchise due to its unique style. From the visuals, to the story, to the gameplay mechanics that unfortunately haven’t been used since. This Remaster is a fitting reminder of the games quality and will hopefully convince people to give the world of Ivalice a second try. One of the Playstation 2’s best games still stands tall today, and is very worthy of your time.

The necessity of a Nintendo Switch Online subscription to fully enjoy some of Super Mario Maker 2’s best features is an unfortunate reality for Switch owners, but the wealth of amazing online content is worth the price of admission in my eyes. If you own a Nintendo Switch, Super Mario Maker 2 deserves to be permanently installed on your system.

Ronin is not a stealth game. The self-confessed Gunpoint rip-off is a frantic, physics-defying, blood-spattering, minimalist tale of revenge. It culminates in a superb final level, offering two equally powerful endings. And while its length might leave you craving more murder-fun, it does offer a new game plus: go destroy your enemies all over again, in style.

GIGA WRECKER ALT is a physics bases puzzler with a gorgeous design and challenging combat that’ll leave you begging for more just as much as it’ll make you grit your teeth every time you fail.

More than just being a great open-world game, Star Wars Outlaws is possibly one of the best Star Wars games ever made. It’s a clear labour of love for everyone involved at Massive, and it’s obvious from the team shows a clear understanding of not only what makes for a great open-world adventure, but what makes the Star Wars universe so compelling and enduring, not the blasters and lightsabres, but loveable characters and heart.

Romeo is a Deadman is destined to be a cult classic. It’s a stylish and quirky action-horror adventure that is as funny as it is downright disturbing at times. The combat is solid and strategic, while the level design is smart yet straightforward, and it was clearly a labour of love for everyone involved. But what I really love about Romeo is Dead is that it’s not afraid to throw ideas at the wall and keep what sticks, and there’s a certain attitude that runs through the entire thing that is utterly captivating. It doesn’t care if you like it. It doesn’t care if you don’t get it. It does its own thing, it does it well, and that makes it Punk as Fuck.

Ori and the Blind Forest is a 2d platformer that sticks to its bread and butter. It’s beautiful to watch and listen to and for the price you get a lot more than you pay for.

Star Wars Outlaws on Nintendo Switch 2 is more than just a great open‑world game, it’s one of the most ambitious Star Wars titles ever to land on a Nintendo system. It’s a labour of love from Massive, built on an understanding that the heart of Star Wars isn’t just in blasters or lightsabers, but in lovable characters, high‑stakes adventures, and worlds that feel worth exploring.

Technically Street Fighter V is probably the most accomplished fighting title to date, with the gameplay mechanics standing second to none. The characters are all unique and there’s little overlap of abilities and the content that’s available out of the box, what little that there is, is a solid and thoroughly enjoyable gaming experience… It just currently stands as little more than an impressive demonstration of what’s to come in the following months, which is a little disappointing.

With the new updates in gameplay mechanics and the new DLC, Star Wars Outlaws is still quite possibly one of the best Star Wars games ever made. It’s a clear labour of love for everyone involved at Massive, and it’s obvious from the team shows a clear understanding of not only what makes for a great open-world adventure, but what makes the Star Wars universe so compelling and enduring, not the blasters and lightsabres, but loveable characters and heart.

Animal Crossing New Horizons is pure fun and proves that this game still has it! So what are you waiting for, go out there and build your island and meet a colourful assortment of animals that will call your island home! Recommended from start to finish and then back again!

An ambitious open-world action-RPG with fast-paced combat, choice-based storytelling and a variety of gameplay systems that keep the experience fresh.

PES 2017 is rewarding, intriguing and exhilarating. Quite simply, the beautiful game has never been more beautiful.

The Borderlands Legendary Collection is an astoundingly tantalising package. Featuring Borderlands 1, 2 and Pre-Sequel with all the DLC crammed onto a single cartridge, this deal seems almost too good to be true. The games run fantastically on the Switch in both portable and docked mode, but if you’re anything like me, you’ll prefer to eschew those tiny Joy-Con analogue sticks in favour of a far more comfortable Pro controller. This is an excellent way for newcomers to jump into the Borderlands series, and an even better way for old fans to play through the games again with the added benefit of portability.

King’s Quest: A Knight to Remember for me was a very enjoyable game that truly harkens back to a simpler time of gaming.

Untitled Goose Game is fantastic. The absurd premise is executed to near perfection to deliver a truly unique experience that goes beyond the silly gag of watching a pesky goose cause havoc. The gorgeous, minimalist visuals and the sporadic audio cues combine to create a rich, colourful world that’s just fun to mess around with. Granted, the game is a bit of a cakewalk, but the experience is so utterly delightful and silly that you’ll be more than happy to show it off to friends or play through it all over again in a few months.

Stars in the Trash is not the game to play to finish. It is an experience to have and let is consume you with everything it has in store. Sometime the pacing goes out of place, yet the overall experience it gives is something magical.

Outer Worlds Spacer’s Choice Edition is a good chance for all the people who missed the game when it first came out to experience this sci-fi game.

The Taken King is a solid package offering several more hours of fun, engaging new gameplay.

The price is a bit on the high side for something that can be played through reasonably quickly… but if you can find it on special and enjoy a bit of silly humour then even if you aren’t familiar with the history of these two fantastic characters you should grab it. If you are familiar with them… it’s up to you if you want to jump on it at the full price or wait for a special… but know you will feel right at home when you hear the two of them chattering to each other (or pointing out your “abilities” or lack there of).

Chained Echoes is a loving tribute to 90s JRPGs but also a thorough reinvigoration of the genres stalest aspects. Not just a great tribute, a great game.

Compared to the PlayStation 3 version, Little Big Planet is a far superior game thanks to the unique control system of the PS Vita. Graphically, it is almost identical to the PS3 version but thanks to the controls, creating your own Little Big Planet worlds is a considerable easier task. Add in sturdy gaming mechanics, loveable characters and the ability to share and download other peoples creations and Little Big Planet is a must have game for the PS Vita!

The Elder Scrolls Online Blackwood is a must have for fans and this expansion really fleshes out this universe even more with exceptional storytelling and world building, not to mention plenty of challenging and rewarding battles along the way. It’s time to invest your time into the world of The Elder Scrolls Online again!

For the price it sits at… I think it’s a decent purchase. There’s a lot to enjoy even just in looking around the world that has been built here, there are plenty of battles to keep you going and there’s the story to play through from start to finish. Scratches that neon lit cyberpunk aesthetic itch just right.

Updates to the backend and visuals as well as cross platform play and progression make Gears of War: Reloaded the true 'Ultimate Edition' of Gears of War.

Before playing FighterZ, I knew absolutely nothing about the Dragon Ball series. Even so, I thoroughly enjoyed the story so I can only imagine how fans of the franchise will react to the visual beauty and over-the-top mayhem. While the controls are easy to get to grips with, it still provides a tough challenge. In particular, the frustrations I had progressing in the Arcade Mode are a prime example of how difficult mastering FighterZ is. So, with that said, ending this review with a quote from Atari founder Nolan Bushnell seems fitting: “All the best games are easy to learn and difficult to master”. A famous videogaming motto that for me, sums up Dragon Ball FighterZ perfectly.

Despite some minor gripes, Three Hopes is still a great Fire Emblem game with plenty of value for fans of the series. I really look forward to future updates and DLC to this game and to explore a lot of what New Game Plus and higher difficulties offer.

At the end of the day, Bayonetta is easily one of our most original gaming experiences that we have enjoyed in a long time and even though at times, it feels like a bad 70’s action movie, the story, characters and quirkiness of the gameplay is pure ingenious.

It deserves it as well, because The Walking Dead is a great game, one that truly pushes what can be done with a video game narrative that cannot be done in film or TV.

At the end of a hard day at work or between meetings or whatever... Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars is the perfect game to unwind because it has been successfully ported to the iPhone/iPod Touch so well.

Separate Ways is easily one of the biggest budget add-on expansion packs to release this year, adding more high-quality content to the already stacked 60+ hour package of Resident Evil 4 (2023). For AUD $15, it’s honestly a no-brainer if you enjoyed the base game and want more survival-horror goodness to enjoy (and a sneak peak at where this reboot Resident Evil universe is heading).

Starcraft II Heart of the Swarm is the next chapter of the Starcraft universe that offers gamers a very sturdy single-player experience and neatly delivers a great chapter revolving around Sarah Kerrigan. The gameplay is flawless and if it's not broke, don't fix it which Blizzard seem to epitomize.

With a variety of different attacks that can also be chained together and some great offline and online modes, this game is definitely bordering on one of the best fighters on this console.

This is a good and relaxing game for older gamers who want to unwind and enjoy a fast paced world that is also casual, either alone or with friends. ‘Crackdown 3’ is perfect for anyone who only has short amounts of time to spare or is looking for a game with lots of replay value.

Jusant is a mesmerizing and almost melodic experience on the Xbox Series X and is probably the must play game of the year.

Yakuza Kiwami 2 is a solid Switch 2 port of arguably one of the best entries in the storied series. With the best antagonist in the entire Yakuza saga, memorable set pieces and a whole raft of interconnected side missions, superb games within the game, and a couple of stone-cold Saturn classics to play in the arcade, Kiwami 2 cements the series as one of the best times you can have on Nintendo’s newest hardware.

Overall it’s a fresh change from the standard jump scare, or shooter mechanic that we have so much of today. It’s a compelling story and one worth putting some time into puzzle solving to uncover. The game is pretty forgiving and not too taxing so if you like a bit of problem solving in a sci-fi setting, this might be just up your alley.

It’s a lot of fun and very tongue in cheek at times. It’s not a very deep “who dunnit”… more of a Dukes of Hazard framed by Boss Hogg type scenario… without the left over civil war racist visuals. It’s silly, over the top and… well… a lot of fun. Not a bad bit of fun for the price.

Play how you choose – delve into a deep engrossing campaign, experience unlimited replayability and challenge the world in multiplayer with a custom army of your favourite units. Total War: WARHAMMER II offers hundreds of hours of gameplay and no two games are the same.

As with pretty much all DLC it’s really more of the same but in this case that is a very good thing. There are some interesting additions to an already extremely playable game and for the amount of hours you will spend feverishly playing, it represents extremely good value for money. Grab a partner and enjoy more of one of the Switch’s best multiplayer games.

As a whole, Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 + 2.5 ReMIX is an essential purchase for series fans and newcomers, and represents great value. There may be odd technical issues here and there, and in some parts the gameplay may feel a little dated, but the overall package is as compelling as its first release all those years ago.

An accessible, calm little simulator that finds joy in the quotidian, with plenty of scope for creativity.

In conclusion, Trials HD is a very entertaining game that takes puzzles, motorbikes and a healthy dose of frustration and rewards to the next level. It's amazing that something so simple is so addictive and proves that games don't have to be about shooting or plain racing.

Monster Hunter Wilds is a worthy sequel to 2018s Monster Hunter World that adds enough new things to keep the formula feeling fresh while being as deep and engaging as it ever has been.

What is truly intuitive about Rocksmith is the fact that it works, let alone the fact that it works so well. Once the guitar is plugged in the learning begins, and there is a lot on offer in Rocksmith. Being able to use your Playstation to teach yourself an actual skill is a rare thing, and Rocksmith should be praised for the great leap it has taken in rhythm gaming.

The Bioshock Collection is the perfect way to revisit this amazing franchise in glorious FULL HD graphics.

The only criticism one may lodge at Diablo III: Eternal Collection is nothing is truly new. If you’ve already played through the complete version of the game elsewhere…and are looking for a different twist…the Switch version will offer little. Still, I challenge even these individuals to give this one a go. It’s a wonderful take, on a wonderful game, and one of the best Switch titles to date.

It’s not a perfect game – There are some cheesy, overly melodramatic scenes that border on Soap Opera-esque levels of ridiculousness and the resolution will most certainly be unsatisfying for some – But it’s almost a perfect experience.

NBA 2K18 is an amazing game with many new fun aspects to it, the new MyCAREER is fresh and fun and while having flaws the MyCAREER’s of the future are bound to be better but I just hope they continue with the neighborhood. Whether you a fan of the NBA or are just starting to get into it and want to play a video game of it, this game is perfect for you. And for die hard NBA fans, this is a must buy.