A fun, light-hearted entry into the now packed Boomer Shooter genre that does enough different to stand out from the pack. Its addition of bullet-hell style mechanics and use of comedy make this one worth a look.

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

Hi-Fi Rush remains an absolute feast for the senses, a heady mix of unique and addictive brawling, beautiful presentation, an incredible soundtrack, and a cast of well-drawn characters in every sense of the word that demands to be in any action fan’s collection.

Alone in the Dark is the best game in the series in decades. After several failed attempts at a reboot and one awful cash grab, Pieces Interactive’s take on the venerable survival horror successfully fuses old and new design philosophies, respecting Frédérick Raynal’s original vision while adding plenty of fresh ideas of its own. It’s not without its issues, but if you’re looking for a game that actually knows the definition of Lovecraftian, a slow burn that is more chilling, the more you think about it. You might want to spend some time Alone in the Dark.

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.

An acceptable but ultimately underbaked re-release which doesn't justify its own existence, or its hefty price tag.

A unique, story-driven take on the post-apocalypse with an emphasis on its story, characters, and exploration.

The Outlast Trials is a tense and rewarding multiplayer horror game. Though it’s not quite as nerve-shredding as previous Outlast games, especially when playing with others, its primary loop is an addictive one, and it drip-feeds rewards and challenges at just the right place to keep you hooked until you feel you can renter society again.

Whether you play the Story mode or the Arcade Mode Contra: Operation Galuga is a fun time and definite return to form for the series even with its few teething problems the gameplay alone does enough to make playing this one worth it in my opinion.

So the big question… is it a good game? Well it depends on what you want. If you enjoy extreme micromanagement and like the idea of persistent troops then you might love this game. If you come from the early days of RTS, from games like Dune 2 and Command and Conquer then this might be too much fiddling about. Consider your playing preferences before buying and if this is likely to be for you (and maybe wait for a sale).

Warhammer 40,000: Dakka Squadron: Fly Boy Edition on Switch is a lot like the Dakka Jets that the Orks pilot; a shabby contraption comprised mostly of scrap and spare parts that should be avoided in case it spontaneously combusts.

The controls are fairly simple, and the experience is a good challenge, which will require you to engage. You never lose your progress (as there is no absolute death), and when you lose (or flee) combat, you can return to your latest home point. It is challenging but not punishing, which provides a balance which suits the overall style of mystery. I like the unique experience that Tenderfoot Tactics offers the player. The dreamy, eerie, and etheric world is well formed and encourages a dream like meander through the space. The enchanting visuals are the hero of the game which makes the world well worth the exploration.

Penny’s Big Breakaway is a challenging, yep, approachable 3d platformer with bags of old-school charm, slick level design, and top-tier platforming that both fans of a certain blue hedgehog and 3d platformers in general should certainly check out.

Snufkin: Melody of Moominvalley is a delightful adaptation and an absolutely mesmerizing adventure that, like a good book, I couldn’t put down until it was finished. With fun stealth and platforming sections, fantastic storytelling, incredible visuals, and a keen eye for what made Jansson’s work so captivating in the first place. Snufkin: Melody of Moominvalley is a game that every Moomin fan, scratch that, every cosy game fan needs in their collection.

A remaster of the all-time classic game Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons, Brothers Remake is perfectly passable, but its many flaws mean it misses the point by a few metres.

Spiritfall tried something different in an action platformer roguelike, but unfortunately falls a bit short in actual execution. Presentation is solid, but experience is certainly not the kind to keep you wanting one more run.

An accessible ARPG that has huge potential for player customisation that does a few unique things to keep it feeling fresh.

Overall… it’s a solid game that is a lot of fun either solo or in two player. It’s got enough of a challenge to make you work for it (certainly some levels more than others… I hate iceworlds!) but it shouldn’t keep you held back too long. If you aren’t sure, you can grab a demo and give it a go… but I suspect you’ll want to grab the full game and save your mini Marios!

WWE 2K24 is a fine game and it is showing Rhodes towards the wrestling videogames promise land, but right now it's nowhere near the Head of the Table.

A unique and beguiling historical murder mystery that this scribe can't recommended enough.

Slave Zero X is a terrific beat ”em-up game with fast-paced combats and loads of enemies to butcher and slay. The simple but challenging gameplay of the game works perfectly, however, there could have been more platforming in the game as well. Lastly, the story is good enough and well-written for such a title but a few good ambient tracks would have been wonderful as well.

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth improves on Remake in every conceivable way. The sense of wonder the game instils is immense. This is the definitive way to experience Final Fantasy VII.

Yes, I miss the swashbuckling and sword-clashing action found in the likes of Black Flag more than I care to admit – but honestly, Skull & Bones’ seafaring sections can be pretty special. There’s a beautiful simplicity to it all – sailing around the seas, watching the stars twinkle above as the sea gently rocks my boat, all while I prepare to turn the night sky red with the burning remains of an unsuspecting merchant fleet. Skull & Bones is far from the perfect pirate adventure, but this is a tale of two halves; at its best, it’s a fantastic sea-sim, but at its worst? I was almost pushed to mutiny.

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.

The performance issues from launch seem to be largely gone, making Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty – Complete Edition a much more attractive proposition than perhaps it previously was.

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.

The Apollo Justice Trilogy is a worthy successor to the original Phoenix Wright trilogy, and it’s fantastic to have a way once again to play this trio of superb adventures on modern hardware. With some great extras, all the DLC, and subtle but impactful quality-of-life improvements for fans and newcomers alike, The Apollo Justice Trilogy is one court date you can’t afford to miss.

Bulletstorm is a fantastic game, but unfortunately, it just doesn’t translate all that well to VR. The fast-paced, combo-chasing gameplay is still as frantic as ever, but the more laboured controls make racking up combos a lot harder, and the speed of the action can be uncomfortable at times. That being said, it’s great to be immersed in the world, and seeing some of Bulletstom’s grander set pieces up close is an absolute treat and Steve Blum’s turn as Grayson Hunt remains incredibly entertaining; it’s just difficult to recommend it over the recent remaster.