Persona 5 Tactica beautifully translates the mechanics of the game it spun off from into the strategy genre – wrapped up in an art style that doesn’t support the interesting story it’s trying to tell, but does capture the charm of its characters better than ever.

Idiosyncratic, compelling and creative, Whateverland is a one trip this stranger in strange land would heartily recommend.

Turok 3 is a blast for both shooter fans and anyone interested in games history.

Overall DQM: The Dark Prince is a fine and serviceable game that would be a perfect pick up for any Dragon Quest fan.

Hellsweeper VR is an intense, action packed deliriously violent romp that will push your reflexes to their limit.

Echoes of the Fallen is a tasty little expansion that adds more of the game I love. My only wish is that they'd give us more!

While doing nothing to fix the base game’s performance issues, The Indigo Disk’s expertly designed Double Battles, fun exploration and charming storyline make for a solid conclusion to this DLC expansion.

With the lack of originality or innovation both in gameplay and storytelling, in a year packed with great indies such as Dredge and Cocoon, I’m afraid Undying leaves the table empty-handed.

Zen Pinball takes us away from the bright lights of the standard pinball venue and sends us to the dark basement to play the grizzly horror themed tables of our nightmares.

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

A cute platformer that aims to mimic collectathon games of the nineties, unfortunately let down by some frustrating level design.

An epic, twisted CRPG that scratches that Baldur’s Gate 3 itch, but is held back by a few bugs.

Waltz of the Wizard is a fun VR experience for anyone whose ever daydreamed of spending their time tinkering away at the Unseen University.

Extremely Powerful Capybaras doesn’t take itself too seriously and is a fun entry into the genre. While it doesn’t quite have the addictive ‘just one more run’ quality to it that other similar games have, possibly down to the unremarkable audio, it’s far from a bad game, and will continue to live on my Steam Deck for a while yet.

My relationship with Ubisoft in the past couple of years has been sort of a love-hate situation but Avatar Frontiers of Pandora has broken the cycle and feels like a breath of fresh air.

Not just a full AAA game in VR... but an impressively implemented one at that.

WarioWare: Move It! captures all the fun quirkiness that fans of the franchise have come to know and love while boasting some surprisingly engaging motion controls.

A polished and pleasingly accessible remake, Super Mario RPG is a lovely refurbishment of a nearly 30 year-old game managing to balance classic gameplay with new refinements that do nothing but improve the core Mario RPG experience.

The Pale Reach combines the fear of cold and unknown to create a unique horror but it lacks in story and innovation.

Despite all my grumblings about Rhythm Castle's gameplay loop, after a while, I found myself thoroughly invested in seeing it through to the end. Maybe it was Stockholm Syndrome, or maybe I was simply enamored by Rhythm Castle's rich universe, but even at its most baffling, I still wanted to play on.

A surprisingly bare bones take on the tactical RPG genre, kept interesting largely by its great writing and presentation.

The Traveler’s Path is a must-buy for 3D casual-puzzle solving lovers. The price, mixed with the amount of content, is essentially one of the best bargains in the puzzle genre right now!

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

Universe for Sale is truly a gem of an indie game that I would suggest to anyone interested in a unique and non-linear narrative. It has a few issues regarding the pace and hiding clues of the story, but the correct density makes up for it. Also for a point-and-click game, there are good mini-games although the placement of a few could have been better.

Flashback 2 is a slapdash sequel that trades heavily on nostalgia, while misunderstanding everything that made its predecessor a classic.

The Invincible is a beautiful, mesmerising and contemplative adventure that fans of retrofuturism and hard sci fi wont want to miss.

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

An iterative entry in the long running series that doesn’t bring much new to the table over the previous game, but is still an enjoyable romp, nonetheless.

An enjoyable, if basic experience that remains faithful to the TV show it’s based on, unfortunately let down by some serious performance issues.

MGS Master Collection gives Metal Gear fans the chance to play the original 80s games on modern consoles. With a few neat inclusions, like story books. The collection scratches some itches, whilst bringing subpar quality ports to the modern day.

Bang on Balls: Chronicles is a fun game that should provide you with hours of laughter. Playing solo I managed to knock it over fairly promptly, but I think if you were a completionist it would take substantially longer. Give it a shot, you may be surprised just how much you enjoy Bang on Balls: Chronicles.

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.

But… if you are looking for a reasonably easy going, not overly violent (hey there are chickens that fire rockets at you… it’s not totally peaceful), life/building sim, then My Time At Sandrock is a decent option… you can certainly sink a number of hours into it if you get into it.

Give this one a wait and see, or a miss entirely if you're unsure because while UFC features some worthwhile improvements, it's continuously swamped by the remnants of its archaic tendencies.

KarmaZoo is here for a good time, not a long time, at least it packs some of the most fun multiplayer platforming I've experienced in recent memory.

If you’re a console-only gamer interested in JA3, now is the best time to jump into the game. If you’re a console gamer that also has a PC, I still recommend the PC version as you can enjoy the gamepad support that version has offered since launch, in addition to the PC version’s perks (mods and better graphics options). With a post-launch patch roadmap still currently underway (introducing several new quality-of-life features and new gameplay options), however, both PC and console owners will enjoy the best version of the game together, moving forward. If you’re a lover of turn-based tactical games with RPG elements, try and suppress the noise of all the triple-AAA titles and make some room in your gaming schedule for one of the best games released this year.

If you like the idea of karaoke at home, if you want to sing solo or with friends… Let’s Sing 2024 has you covered. I’m not sure of technical limitations but it would be nice to actually have some singing lessons in future editions… but for now it’s a good option for some singing parties at home!

If going under the depths of the ocean and experiencing a buried treasure is your kind of thing, then Dave The Diver delivers the goods.

Just Dance 2024 Edition ticks all the right boxes on the PS5 for dancing solo or with others.

Dark Pictures Anthology: Little Hope is definitely a story-heavy game. My favorite parts were the eeriness of the storyline, the dialogue (and acting) of all the characters (especially the narrator), and the twist at the end. I would have preferred more jump scares and the ability to skip through some dialogue (that was a bit slow), but overall it was an enjoyable game to play.

Certainly grab a copy if you are a fan of Middle Earth and if you like the crafting genre… or even just if you are a fan of Middle Earth, there’s more lore here to absorb whilst traveling the halls of Moria (or digging them out).

Unless you are the hardest of hardcore Hellboy fan and just have to soak up any source of story from anywhere you can… I’d give this a big miss. I’m still hoping for the day that Hellboy is picked up as an episodic show (like The Witcher), I think that would be a fantastic format to see our favourite big red hero!

Absolutely grab a copy if you are a fan of either philosophy or puzzle solving or both. Visually pleasing and mentally stimulating… a great experience to add to your collection.

Achilles: Legend Untold is filled with obvious ambitions and inspirations of a souls-like RPG, with even a few Diablo-like dungeon-crawler undertones along the way. However, the areas this game falls short in were too much to overcome.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder is a return to greatness and Nintendo should be commended on paying homage to the classic 2d platforming archetype but then redesigning it for the modern gamer. Best of all, no matter what your age, you’ll have a blast playing Super Mario Bros. Wonder and from the very first level to the last, you’ll be full immersed with its engaging gameplay and almost interactive artwork with its graphics. Additionally it makes for the perfect party game and local co-op is a true blast!

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

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).

Sonic Superstars is not without its faults; the bosses sometimes overstay their welcome, and the multiplayer feels a little underbaked in places. However, Arzest has accomplished something many Sonic fans doubted could ever be done. Successfully create a modern 2D Sonic that not only retains the feel of the MegaDrive/ Genesis originals but builds upon them in meaningful and exciting ways, and I, for one, can’t wait to see where the blue blur heads next.

Down and Out does a superb job of showing what life as a homeless person is like. It's a miserable, depressing existence you wouldn't want to inflict on your worst enemy, much like this brawler.

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.

That is the main failing of the game. It achieves nothing, it does not positively reinforce the player, it also seemingly offers no achievement or objective to obtain. If the game does not tell a story, does not educate the player in real methodology, does not reward the player in any way, then there is no point in playing it. It is such a shame, because this was a brilliant concept and had the potential to be great. We will no doubt see this game in the free-games category on steam soon enough.

Dolphin Spirit Ocean Mission is edutainment for younger gamers about saving our precious environment from rubbish and pollution that is a definitely a family friendly game.

A fun new game, three middling ones, and a fan favourite returns. It's not the life of the party, but we're glad to have it all the same.

Tenebris Pictura is a game brimming with fantastic ideas hamstrung by poor execution.

An ambitious action RPG with a unique two-world gameplay system and fun combat let down by a quagmire of ongoing technical issues.

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.

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.

Baten Kaitos I & II HD Remaster brilliantly showcases Monolith Soft’s signature worldbuilding and storytelling abilities, but exhausting battles and overworld exploration also expose the originals’ age. The remaster’s improvements – despite their lackadaisical implementation – manage to at least make some of this duology’s worst aspects passable.

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.

Fate/Samurai Remnant adds another engaging title to this vibrant universe that is a very well crafted game from start to finish with strong gaming mechanics and a very engaging combat system. Further it is a living breathing world with quite a bit of attention to detail that makes exploration a treat. The game is also brought together by a very well written story with interesting characters, including real-world twists. The only downside is that it can be a little wordy at times with its visual novel implementation and at times, combat can be become a grind but fortunately the gameplay and universe more than makes up for this. Recommended.

Endless Dungeon manages to create the perfect mix of tower defense, roguelikes, and twin-stick shooter to create a deep, yet accessible adventure for the ages. One of the best co-op games of 2023.

The return of Hot Wheels has brought with it mixed results. The racing action is undeniably exciting and pulse-quickening, which correlates wonderfully with the nostalgia of using the real-life playsets, and the are plenty of models to collect that you’ll feel spoilt for choice. However, Turbocharged is weighed down by overfamiliarity, unambitious race modes, on-track frustrations, and a sense not enough has been done to evolve this sequel. On a base-level, Turbocharged is a pleasure to play, but Milestone should try to stop toying around with this franchise, it’s got the va-va-voom to be something special, but unfortunately Turbocharged isn’t quite it.

Could be one of PSVR2s best shooters, but is held back by some baffling design decisions.

Forgive Me Father is a frantic and fun horror FPS packed full of twisted enemies, inventive weapons and just enough mystery to keep you hooked.

With graphics that mirror the TV series and some of the voice actors reprising their role, there is definitely plenty to love in PAW Patrol World for the younger gamer and gamers. I actually enjoyed it far more than the latest film!

It might not reinvent the wheel, but as a successor to an already near-perfect Advance Wars-like, did it ever really need to?

Detective Pikachu Returns takes some steps back compared to its 3DS predecessor – most notably in its presentation – but retains its charming writing, beautiful worldbuilding and loveable cast of both humans and Pokémon alike.

Lords of the Fallen is a game with great potential but in its current state, it can’t be recommended; at least not on PC. Moving seamlessly between the Umbral and Axiom worlds is a unique experience tainted by poor performance, bugs, and design choices.

A routine racket of fun first-person shooter and stealth gameplay and creative heists mired by always online issues and lack of content.

Truly a contender for Game of the Year, Spider-Man 2 is a game that justifies the purchase of a PS5 if you don't already own one.

An amazing leap from NHL 23, NHL 24 boldly advances the series via new physics, presentation and overall gameplay. A must-buy for any next-gen ice-hockey aficionado.

Assassin's Creed Mirage is the game that old school fans of the series have been waiting for. By taking the action back to its roots, Ubisoft has crafted one of the most exciting entries in the long running stealth series for the best part of a decade.

The Crackpet Show is a fun game with unique ideas. It is a great choice if you want to take a break from serious games, whether you play solo or with friends. It has a charming comedy to it, and the world of the game matches the gameplay mechanics perfectly. While the game lacks enough charm to get you to play it for countless hours and the aesthetic design of levels could be better, it is still a good experience.

Lies of P is the best Soulsborne game that wasn’t made by FromSoftware. The gameplay and design of the game are great and have a little signature of their own but the density of inspiration is a bit too much. The steampunk design of the game truly fits with its story and the music helps to convey the mood but I wish the story had more depth.

Slightly better than FIFA 23, micro-transactions remain prominent in EA FC 24, also questionable computer AI. It's a beautiful, solid but not spectacular sport title.

Smurfs Kart is a fun game for younger players that will keep them engaged, particularly when playing with their friends and family. The race mechanics (while basic) mirrors Mario Kart which isn’t bad and although it doesn’t offer anything new in terms of karting, it is a sturdy yet fun race through the world of The Smurfs which is never a bad thing.

Featuring excellently paced turn based combat and a memorable story taking place in a beautiful, interactive world to explore – Sea of Stars is a dream come true for 90’s RPG fans, RPG fans, and fans of great video games.

If you're looking for a magical farming sim that does most things right, this is it.

Unmatched cinematic story mode and core fighting gameplay mechanics marred by baffling content and feature exclusions.

Overall… if you are interested in the idea of boxercise but can’t afford a gym membership or are perhaps a bit self conscious, I think this would be a fantastic option.

Ultimately this is a collection for those who enjoy a bit of retro gaming. If you are looking for deep strategy and high fidelity graphics and sound… well any disappointment is on you for looking at a collection of classic arcade games to find that. But for those of us who grew up with arcades as a large part of our world of entertainment… this might just cause the odd pang of sentimentality. How many of the games you like will likely determine how good the value is… as I said, I’m a big fan of The New Zealand Story so it’s a pretty good collection just for that one (though liking a few more of the games does help to justify the pricetag).

Is it worth the price tag? That's a tough one. If you've enjoyed the previous game/s and you don't have any in your collection at the moment... it is a good way to have that classic game with the addition of some extra modes if you want to try those too.

Ultimately… if you like the Tell Tale style choose your own adventure games and don’t mind a theme of music/singing/classical mythology in a modern world… then grab a copy. If you are a huge musical theatre fan then, no question… grab a copy. For the rest of us who can take or leave musicals… maybe have a closer look at some gameplay footage first before deciding if it’s something you want to immerse yourself in.

If you were a fan of Privateer grab a copy. If you just like the idea of an open world space flight game with aspects of role playing grab a copy… if you might be… maybe wait for a sale then grab a copy.

Paired with the 2.0 Update, Phantom Liberty elevates a good game to a pretty good game. And while its bugs and oddities keep it in the shadow of The Witcher 3, Phantom Liberty offers the best storyline in Night City.

Gunbrella is a superb neo-noir thriller that will have you floating like a butterfly and stinging like a bee.

After plundering into its depths though, Motorfest loses traction due to its dogged determination to provide excess over a properly immersive racing game experience that makes the most of the Oahu Hawaii setting.

Significantly more playable, accessible, and appealing than NBA 2K23, this is a fantastic basketball title that finally tried to do something different and mainly succeeds.

The best and most content-rich way to experience the modern Hitman trilogy for newcomers and long-time franchise fans alike.

Baldur's Gate III scratches the D&D itch with near perfect precision. It'll have you coming back for more every time!

If you have the time to spare, Starfield is a worthy investment into another gaming universe that delivers a truly immersive experience.

While the story could have been fleshed out more, and the interactivity needs a lot of improvement, it doesn't change the fact that Anonymous Code is one of the few visual novels that display a significant amount of effort.

Bomb Rush Cyberfunk is the Jet Set Radio successor we have all been waiting far too long for.

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

Miraculously Blasphemous 2 manages to top it's predecessor in almost every meaningful way.

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

A stellar debut with intriguing story, beautiful visual style and satisfying action RPG combat systems.

Under the Waves on the XSX is a very unique and emotional experience that may not be for everyone, especially if you have just lost a friend or loved one. While the game will only be played once due to the content, it is quite a unique and memorable title that successfully addresses how grief is handled with the backdrop of a very component game set deep under the sea. All in all, the developers should be commended on this beautiful game that really sets itself from other titles at the moment on this next-gen console. Beautifully moving and haunting.