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.

Blue Wednesday is a beautiful game that anyone struggling with their lives in their 20s should play.

Any gamer 15+ will have an utter ball and I do thoroughly recommend this title. There is nothing quite like it on the Switch and it is so massive and so well thought out you’ll be playing it for ages. The main title is so huge that Undead Nightmare was fun but just a small blip on this amazing games radar.

Absolutely highly recommend. If you were a fan of the originals… jump in without fear of being disappointed. If you are new to CRPGs, grab a copy and start here… it’s layered but you can explore at your own pace and learn as you go… easy to start, not too tricky to “master”… or at least manage.