A surprise I never thought would work so well. Kinda like the Wumpa Bazooka, it doesn't make sense, but somehow, it just works!

We Love Katamari Reroll+ Royal Reverie is a lovingly created remaster of an often overlooked sequel that is a stone-cold classic in its own right. By dialling the melodrama and outlandishness the series is known for up to 11, adding more variety to the gameplay, and with it looking and sounding better than ever. it’s easy to say We Love Katamari. Because we do. A lot.

As a complete package Sonic Origins Plus is a decent collection for series fans and newcomers alike. But as a DLC its merely a collection of curios you can probably do without.

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.

Pixel Ripped 1978 is a fun look back to a special time in the world of gaming that is as irreverent as it is entertaining.

With big improvements, yet still some solid flaws, F1 2023 comes up pretty strong but still with a lot of room to grow.

The Knight Witch is a super fun game an original take on a few different genres. While the game isn't perfect, I do think people should go out of their way to try it out.

Daydream: Forgotten Sorrow was one of the best experiences I had this year. The story and gameplay seem simple at first but leave you with some deep thoughts once you finish the game. Everything in the game is amazing, except for the fact that there are a few technical issues that might cause a disturbance to the immersive experience of the game.

I believe the best way to describe this game would be a survival horror isometric tactical shooter in the Alien universe. Aliens Dark Descent perfectly establishes its own rules and stays true to the Alien franchise and what made it one of the greatest modern sci-fi works: the heart-wrenching fear of the unknown and the thrill of fighting against all odds.

Final Fantasy XVI is without a doubt one of the best RPGs I have played in years, and could possibly have knocked my beloved Final Fantasy VI off its perch as the favourite game in the series. Though it may feel different to previous, entries what Square has accomplished in almost every department is nothing short of phenomenal. The RPG elements may be a lot lighter, but what they’ve been replaced with is top-tier action and the kind of epic spectacle and story-telling that has made Final Fantasy the genre-defining series we know and love. Even if the main cast has names that make them sound more like workmates at an accountancy firm than a band of magical outlaws.

Layers of Fear 2023 delivers an immersive and atmospheric horror experience across five different perspectives and 12+ hours thanks to its stunning visuals and haunting sound design, but its blend of jump scares, basic puzzle-solving and slow exploration probably won’t provide frights that will satisfy most gamers looking for a more interactive, combat-heavy game.

A seaworthy addition to the roguelike deckbuilder genre with a treasure trove of content.

Even if you already have a fitness game or two in your collection, I’d recommend Fitness Circuit be added as it does a great job filling the position of your own personal trainer without any of the “tough love” you might otherwise be subjected to. Fun and fitness in one package… grab your sweat pants and grab a copy!

Arguably the best Street Fighter ever, Street Fighter 6 is a gorgeous presentation and playing masterpiece not to be missed.

If you’re a fan who’s been waiting to get the Etrian Odyssey games on a modern console, it’s worth grabbing one– the one with your favourite classes, or simply the third one for its added sea exploration. But unless you’re well-acquainted with the grinding and mapping, or have just forgotten how stagnant the gameplay can be, you’ll likely be disappointed by how sparse the excitement is.

Company of Heroes 3 may not always hit the right notes, but as far as RTS console ports go, it doesn't get much better than this.

If you are after a game that requires you micromanage a train empire then this might be for you. If you want a game that lets you run a train empire without having to hold the hand of each of your engineers… maybe give it a miss.

Having a System Shock remake was more of a necessity to experience the lore and story of this game rather than a simple cash grab. Nightdive Studios did a good job of recreating most of the game the same it was with modern standards, especially the combat and UI of the game.

Once again, EA and Metalhead Software have produced a seriously well-crafted baseball game without taking itself too seriously.

The Last Clockwinder may not have the most original concept, but it is still a well executed and charming puzzler.

Playing Before Your Eyes on PSVR2 is by far the best way to experience one of the most unique and heart-wrenching games I have ever played. In VR you are literally placed as close to the action as you can possibly be and with that it makes an already beautiful story feel all the more personal and moving as a result. If you have taken the PSVR2 plunge Before Your Eyes needs to be in your library.

With streamlined social elements, Fire Emblem Engage is a back to basics sequel that does everything it can to get you back to fighting in epic battles as fast as it can.

The Case of the Golden Idol is a game every Holmes fan and would-be detective should check out. Its narrative is winding and captivating, the mechanics are tight and the presentation will make long-time adventure game fans smile in delight. It’s elementary, The Case of the Golden Idol is one line of inquiry well worth following to the end.

Trinity Trigger is a graphically bland but thoroughly enjoyable blend of action, exploration and RPG elements – the only thing holding it back is a story that doesn’t seem interested enough in the potential of its own fascinating worldbuilding.

If you are a fan of the previous games then absolutely grab a copy. If you haven’t played a Diablo game before but like the idea of hack and slash with a healthy (or perhaps unhealthy) dose of loot clicking then grab a copy… basically… just grab a copy!!! Lot’s of fun and a great example of how to bring an old game back to life like a necromancer summoning a Lich.

After Us a mesmerizing narrative on the PlayStation 5 of hopes, dreams and clever gameplay that also serves as a challenge.

Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun is an absolute treat for fans of the grim, dark future of the 41st Millennium and a superb shooter in its own right.

Lego 2K Drive has everything a family should have. You can play it co-op with friends, families, especially little kids, and have a blast time. The creation part of the game is rich and just wait to see some of the most amazing cars build by the community of Lego in this game. The overall design of race tracks and side missions could have been better, but the part that is weak compared to all other things in the game.

Tears of the Kingdom captures and improves upon everything it's predecessor was. The sky was they limit and they certainly reached it.

PGA Tour drives one straight down the fairway with a game that will please golf fans and gamers alike.

Despite the lack of an active online community and use of written dialogue, Omen Sorrow Omen of Sorrow is a fascinating game worth trying for lore lovers, as well as for casual gamers and beginners into fighting games. The characters’ movements and combos have a unique feel to them compared to mainstream titles such as the Street Fighters and MK franchises. The background music is varied across environments, adding some excitement and variation to the fights.

dvance Wars 1+2 Re-Boot Camp confidently brings two extremely solid strategy games to a modern audience.

Stranded: Alien Dawn makes one small step for man and one giant leap for survivor sims-kind.

Tin Hearts is the adorable, and poignant spiritual successor to Lemmings you never knew you needed.

Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster is a lovingly crafted release of the first six Final Fantasy games in one collection. Upgraded graphics, a gorgeous new soundtrack, and several must play games make this an essential item in any RPG fans collection.

Horizon Forbidden West: Burning Shores delivers a fantastic post-game content expansion for those wanting more adventures with Aloy.

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

Teslagrad 2 is a shockingly beautiful sequel with solid mechanics and some excellent boss battles.

Overall, I honestly believe that Stray Blade could’ve been something a lot greater than what it ended up being. Having said that there is room for the developers to fix these little niggling issues and make this into a game worthy of your money. At the moment this title is a souls like for beginners, but even then would not prepare you to put on your big boy pants and play a game that is harder. There are too many technical issues regarding input delay and general timing to ever make you better than what this game will allow you to be right here and now.

Front Mission 1st may have had a fresh coat of paint but the mechanisms inside this lumbering mech are starting to show their age.

Project Zero: Mask of the Lunar Eclipse is bound to delight series fans, though newcomers not used to traditional survival horror tropes and controls may find it a tougher sell.

As a Star Wars game, Survivor has some very big boots to fill and given the lore contained in this universe and fan expectations, I can safely report that it successfully expands on the first game and on the PlayStation 5 delivers a true next-gen experience. Sure there are a few slight gameplay glitches here and there, however as a whole it is a very polished game from its fine-tuned gaming mechanics, Star Wars inspired graphics, wonderful narrative and characters, including the music, sound effects and voice acting, In the end, Respawn Entertainment efficaciously draw you into the character of Cal Kestis as you fight the good fight to keep the “dark side” at bay. As a long-time Star Wars fan, this is the droid game you’re looking for… and yes Jedi mind tricks are totally part of the game!

Strayed Lights is a decent game with some good ideas but can’t use them to their full potential. The gameplay and enemy design will become repetitive after a while, but the narrative design of it is bold and something we don’t see often. Strayed Lights isn’t the best indie game of this year but it is worth a play if you are looking for something new.

Minecraft Legends is an RTS-lite Minecraft experience that feels like Pikmin at times. While not the most difficult strategy game on the market, it will suit those gamers who love the Minecraft universe and will give you enough incentive and enjoyment to keep playing in the end. Once it’s all done and as the maps are procedurally created, you can start again for a slightly different experience.

If you are fan of mysteries, puzzling solving and immersive story-lines, this is a good one for the collection.

Ghostwire: Tokyo on the Xbox Series X successfully creates an interactive Japanese horror movie on this next-gen console that is filled with scares and enjoyable gaming moments. Best of all, this version has all the latest updates and improvements that really fine-tunes this gaming experience.

Dredge is the first indie game of 2023 that will surprise you. The overall simplicity of this game will at first deceive you and afterward, you will appreciate this decision and how everything is synchronized with each other. Maybe the quest designs were too simplistic, but the other aspects of the game, especially the music is so good, that you would eventually forget about it.

If you were hoping for more of the first games dynamics and fun… you may well be disappointed here, but if you simply want to know a bit more about some of the characters from before the events in Road 96… then it could be worth grabbing a copy. At the very least I’d suggest waiting for a sale because even at the low price… there are just too many elements of the game that are disappointing. A halfhearted recommendation at best I’m afraid.

Overall though I continue to find the Shadow Warrior games a lot of fun… it’s nice to have a different main character to the muscle bound blond balls of brawn we are usually provided. Lo Wang is the hero we don’t deserve… but he’s all we’ve got… and it’s a lot of fun playing as him.

I’m really enjoying Crime Boss Rockay City and highly recommend it! If you have a soft spot for the cast then that’s a good draw card… but if you have a big ol’ spot of nostalgia for music of the 90’s… it will be hard to suppress the smile as you enter a shopping mall only to hear Freestyler playing. If you want a great heist game that involves a bit more thinking and planning than GTA or even Payday… grab a copy!

If you have some younger gamers who want a bit of a puzzle game with a magical touch then this could be a good choice, especially if you don’t mind playing the game with them.

For the price it’s a great option if you have an interest in the process of building a house… if you want a game that will allow you to build a house to your own specs… maybe keen an eye on future updates… but if you are happy building a house “to plan” in VR then grab a copy and get your hands dirty.

Ryza’s third adventure heartily welcomes even newcomers to the series with its cozy characters and story, but its combat and crafting systems leave a lot up to the player to figure out and/or decide without giving sufficient guidance – for better and for worse.

A well presented game that despite its charm presents a decent challenge.

This isn’t rocket science… it’s not a deep thinking game or even strictly all that imaginative… but it is a lot of stupid fun! The thumping beat that has been added to modernize it certainly helps there and does it’s part in building the excitement.

Have A Nice Death takes the best bits of other roguelikes to create a slick adventure spoiled by an unrewarding difficulty curve.

Lunark is a carefully crafted flashback to the narrative platformers of the early-90s. With beautiful rotoscoped animation and a plot straight out of a Philip K Dick novel, it's one trip to another world well worth taking.

Resident Evil Village VR is a must-have title for anyone taking the plunge on PSVR2. It's still the same RE8 we know, and love but with the tension turned up to 11. In short, it's the best way to play one of 2021's best games.

Be ready to have a horror filled thrill ride.

A nice step-up from WWE 2K22 and with oodles of gameplay options, WWE 2K23 is the best modern console wrestling title to date.

In the end Gigantosaurus Dino Kart ticks all the right boxes for a game aimed at younger players. Not only is it well presented but it plays quite well on the Xbox Series X and more importantly is a great local multiplayer experience.

DC’s Justice League Cosmic Chaos is a game that younger gamers will enjoy, even geeky pop culture fans like myself. You can tell that the developers have an affinity of DC Comics, particularly with all the Easter Eggs and weird subtle references that are littered through Happy Harbor. All in all, a sturdy gaming engine with strong controls and well-crafted story featuring the amusing Mxyzptlk and three of the Justice League’s most powerful heroes, Superman, Wonder Woman and Batman. It’s just a shame that there is no campaign co-op but nonetheless, it works well as a single-player game.

Resident Evil 4 Remake is a faithful reimagining that brings the beloved survival-horror classic into the modern era with a host of new features, content tweaks and graphical updates.

Kaiju Wars is a slick satirical strategy game that fans of a good monster movie marathon are bound to enjoy.

I really enjoyed Scars Above on the XSX and it was an enjoyable experience from start to finish, without the grind that are sometimes associated with third person games. Overall Scars Above delivers a strong narrative with playable gaming mechanics that is visually presented well, particularly with its alien world and its diverse denizens. So if you’re looking for a healthy distraction that provides the right amount of challenges, then look to the skies with Scars Above.

While never straying very far from the ideas of its predecessor, Octopath Traveler II improves upon every aspect of that already great game and ends up being one of the best JRPGs I’ve ever played.

Overall Caverns of Mars: Recharged is a solid entry in the Recharged series, not as strong as Yars Revenge but better than the Asteroids or the Breakout game. Whilst the controls can be twitchy once you get a hang of that you can enjoy it. The gameplay loop aids itself to short bursts of play but it has enough in there with the score leaderboards and missions to keep you interested and coming back again and again.

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

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.

Ten Dates is a charming exploration of human connection that is both strengthened and held back by mostly being an interactive movie.

Whilst the joy of cleaning an item in PowerWash Simulator may not translate quite so well to real life (perhaps the sense of satisfaction once the job is done… but enjoying the process is easier in a virtual world), this is definitely a great game to just put on and relax to. It’s at a decent price too, so it’s a great title to add to your collection when you are stressed out with the fast paced, violent (mess making) games… fire up PowerWash Simulator and wash your cares away.

Ultimately though… the game is a lot of fun and that’s really what it’s all about. It’s nothing serious, it’s not ground breaking (well ok… there is one mini game that is almost exactly that… but whatever). If you are after a huge challenge… you might find some in the extra challenges for the mini games… but the main storyline will likely leave you wanting. If however you just want a game to be able to pick up and enjoy and maybe get the odd grin out of for sheer cuteness or silly fun, then this is a great choice! Grab a copy and suck it up.

Perhaps my biggest takeaway from Wild Hearts is that I didn’t once find myself lamenting for Monster Hunter. Wild Hearts was perhaps a risky endeavour, but it’s one that’s paid off with impressive results. While genre newcomers can treat the land of Azuma as a gateway to monster hunting, long-standing genre fans will find plenty here to keep them happy until the next Monster Hunter adventure arrives.

Like a Dragon: Ishin is an excellent remake of an older unappreciated RPG with an impeccable historical story to tell. While the remake isn't in the best condition it could've been, especially on PS5, it is still a game that will provide players, especially Yakuza fans, lots to enjoy.

Deliver us Mars is a highly ambitious game but simply does not provide a payoff. I would only recommend playing it if you feel sentimental towards its predecessor, and even then I think currently only frustration will be waiting for you. You might say having read this that I should not have given the game the score I did, however I can see what they wanted to do with it, but also I can see what they failed to.

Returnal is a great experience for those who love bullet hell games or sci-fi roguelikes. Though the difficulty spikes and unbalanced weapons sometimes make it hard not to rage quit, sticking with Selene in her mysterious and symbolic journey is truly rewarding.

Although some levels are too long and the hidden secret ending that is actually the only reason for going through New Game+ is even more disappointing than the original ending, that cannot stop even the most hard-to-please gamers from loving Tango Gameworks’ latest marvel.

A brilliantly written story and outstanding voice acting. Perfect for a casual weekend play on the XBOX One.

The Legend of Tianding is a short game, but it provides such a memorable experience that makes it difficult to wait for the next title from the team behind it.

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.

Pushing the J.K. Rowling controversy to the side, Hogwarts Legacy is a true celebration of the magical universe that she created which perfectly transitioned to film. Her universe has equally been adapted well into this game courtesy of Avalanche Studios with its gameplay and story. Whether the story will become canon is yet to be seen but again this is as close as you can get to the core of what the extended universe of Harry Potter can be that not only plays well on the PS5 but looks fantastic.

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.

SpongeBob SquarePants: The Cosmic Shake is what you would imagine a warm Krabby Patty to be like – delicious comfort food that never fails to satisfy.

Despite the fact that this is a remake I think there are enough new things in it to justify the purchase, and if you have never played Dead Space then boy oh boy you are in for a treat! I cannot wait to see if they remake the others in the series, though it might be argued that there really is no need, they did look magnificent when they came out and to be honest I was really impressed playing them as recently as I have.

High on Life is an enjoyable yet silly first person shooter that works on most levels. While the humour sometimes misses he target, for the most part it is quite a witty and humouress story with interesting protagonists and antagonists to be found along the way as you explore this immersive alien shooter. Definitely a game for those looking for something unique yet different in the first person shooter genre.

Toy Soldiers HD is a tough one to recommend. The game hasn’t really changed for better or worse, making it both fun to revisit while being a bit ugly to look at. Most of the time the game is fun enough to ignore any of the graphical shortcomings or the frame rate issues, but sometimes the difficulty spikes can be a bit discouraging. Overall, this is a barebones HD remake that could’ve used some more fine tuning especially in the graphics department. Here’s to hoping this unique franchise can be revitalized in the future but, as for Toy Soldiers HD, this battlefield has seen better days.

One Piece Odyssey could've been one of the best anime game adaptations to date, but it failed painfully in providing a competent narrative separate from the original story. Thankfully the game offers well-crafted gameplay elements that make it worthy of being recommended to at least One Piece fans.

The Last Oricru is a cynical attempt at a Dark Souls successor. So many aspects of the game fall short to capture the same thrills within the series and its other imitators. With unsatisfying gameplay, a cliche-ridden story, and poor graphics, The Last Oricru is a difficult game to recommend.

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

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

The creepiest hand of cards you'll ever play, and one of the best pieces of interactive fiction I've seen in years.

IXION is a game packed with good ideas and great execution which is a rare combo these days. The gameplay is rather innovative for a city-building title and the story is no short of a well-made Sci-Fi movie. IXION is a must-play for city-building lovers!

Gris is a unique and colourful platforming experience on the PS5 that is quite a mindfulness experience.

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt provides a next-gen facelift for this immersive role-playing game with its all DLC's and some of the best player mods!

Gloriously gory visuals let down by an unoriginal and scarce story, by-the-books gameplay and minimal replayability.

In the end, Horse Tales: Emerald Valley Ranch missed that first jump and hopefully the developers will release future patches to resolve the control mechanics. As a result, it was a difficult grind for my daughter and I that revolved around the inconsistencies with controls and graphics which hampered our overall enjoyment.

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.

I think it’s a fun little game and am happy to recommend it… it might be a little pricey for what’s there (I completed the main game in a bit over 6 hours), there are the extra challenges and each play through can provide different experiences… but perhaps wait for a sale to get the best value.