Overall Nexomon on Switch is much better served in the sequel Nexomon:Extinction, than in this version. Whilst having its moments of fun and slightly addictive gameplay, it is still at its core a mobile game that’s really best enjoyed in smaller 5-10 increments rather than a proper hour or two of normal playtime. It was disappointing to see that no effort was made to update the game from the mobile with the exception of the removal of micro transactions. At £9.99 it is not the most expensive game and would be good for those of you who want to scratch that monster catching itch before the new Pokemon games come out.

Even with an outstanding Hot Wheels license to work with, Hot Wheels Unleashed’s generic and uninspired execution coupled with lower presentation qualities makes it a below average racing title.

Sniper Ghost Warrior Contracts 2 is a fun next-gen experience on the PlayStation 5 and the devs should be commended on implementing some new gaming tech with the franchise from 4K graphics to fast load times and my personal favourite, immersive haptics when you pull the trigger. Additionally the gameplay works well and all in, Sniper Ghost Warrior Contracts 2 is a positive and engaging experience on the PlayStation 5.

It’s easy to declare Director’s Cut the best way to play Death Stranding, period. It looks and executes like a dream, and crosses over PS4 saves seamlessly (to include perfect transfer of trophies). Its improved presentation and gameplay additions (notably DualSense integration) are stellar, and make a great game…even greater. Also, the new modes, items and options are icing on an already delicious cake. Death Stranding Director’s Cut is therefore an arguably must buy for PS5 owners new to the game, a solid upgrade previous players will definitely appreciate.

The deduction mechanic reminds me a little bit of L.A. Noire but perhaps a bit more forgiving here. I found it to be a fun world to jump into and I can only imagine what it would be like as a real VR game. For the variety of game worlds you get to play in (to an extent)… it’s pretty good value for money and if you enjoy a good detective story and the chance to solve problems via deductions, this should be right up your dark alley.

If you’ve been yearning for a good RPG to dig your teeth into and have fond memories of the classic isometric games from the late 1990’s then Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous is probably something you will enjoy.

It could be argued it’s a little pricey for a game that can be quite short… so maybe wait for a sale, but if you like storytelling then you will likely enjoy this title.

Probably wait for a decent sale… but certainly worth a look if you enjoyed the original GTA (or the sequel).

Life is Strange: True Colors, appears to be a game that is designed in all respects, for a subset minority of gamers, where goals of inclusivity have the undue effect of weakening the experience and demonstrating a lack of respect for the audience’s intelligence. Life is Strange: True Colors, was more enjoyable towards the latter half of the story and ultimately it is still a worthwhile play, however it is not a game that you will want to play twice.

Get It Together! lives up to the premise established by its predecessors, offering changes that feel fresh, while still retaining the bizarre aesthetic and fast-paced fun in its mini-games that defines the series.

NBA 2K22 Switch simply doesn’t cut it. It tries to pack too much into too little, and ends up with modes that don’t work, difficult to embrace graphics, endless load times, poor shot meter dynamics, and impossible on-ball defense. An impossible start to a title not likely to get patched to playability.

Much improved over 2K21 and the best 2K in ages, NBA 2K22 is a strongest game still bogged down by legacy virtual currency and gameplay challenges.

There’s a lot to enjoy here and the banter between Colt and Julianna is entertaining in and of itself… Colt starting out being very unsure of himself (not even knowing who he is to start with) to (re)gaining his confidence and going on the offensive. There’s a lot of swearing and a lot of blood shed so this clearly isn’t for the younger gamers or those who are sensitive to such things… but for the rest of us this is a lot of fun!

Despite the vastly improved graphics, sound and additional tweaks, which do not require knowledge of the original release to be appreciated, It is simply an absolute pleasure playing Sam and Max.

The only short comings of the game are the lack of situational music and ambient background noise. This didn’t dampen my spirits too much however as the core gameplay and story had me too immersed to miss it very much. Just that the experience would have been complete with just a little more icing on the cake. Greak is a fairly affordable game on Steam also, so if you’re in the market for a game like Ori without the price tag before sales. Pickup Greak, it’s a wonderfully cute game perfect for winding down after work or ignoring the stresses of Covid lockdowns.

A small yet valiant leap forward, PS5 Madden remains a snazzy if still somewhat flawed gridiron offering.

I’m enjoying it as much as I have any of the previous games and I’m nearly 70 hours in so I’d say it’s pretty decent value for money. I suspect most people (certainly myself) have become used to being able to pick up the other games in the series for about $5 or so on special… so having a new game in the series come out at full price seems a bit harsh… but it’s pretty reasonable considering how much gameplay there is here and how much of a technological advancement it is (but yes… you can still get a bit stuck on scenery if you walk/ride the wrong way on/off something… so some things never change). I’d certainly recommend grabbing King’s Bounty II… if in doubt, wait for a sale… but as I mentioned… I’m nearly 70 hours in and still have some questing to do.

Spelunker HD Deluxe completes everything it sets out to achieve, it is a faithful remaster of the 2010 version with enough additions (multiplayer) to feel warranted. The controls are tight enough that deaths don’t feel too cheap and the depth of levels will keep you entertained for a lot longer than most remasters. My only real issues is I feel they could have done more to the 3D graphics to make it really feel like a remaster. Instead of just a port with additions. I would recommend this game to anyone who has an itch for old games with a punishing difficulty or anyone who likes to torture there friends and are bored of Super Mario Party.

Space Invaders Invincible Collection’s price tag is perhaps its greatest downfall. The franchise didn’t age gracefully, and its best recent title in a more affordable package on the same Switch store. Only purists will appreciate what this limited collection has to offer.

Spiritfarer is a real treasure. It’s rare to find a game that hits the homerun of being fun to play and gorgeous to look at, while also having a touching narrative to tie it all together. The crafting and exploration gameplay elements are by no means revolutionary, but they are executed superbly to be both compelling and satisfying, whilst complimenting the story structure of the game. If my word and the screenshots alone aren’t enough to convince you this is one of the best looking games around, check out some videos of it in action to see what I mean. Overall, Spiritfarer is an easy recommendation for anyone reading this article; pick it up and allow it to wash over you like an emotional detox for your soul.

All in all, as you can probably guess, Dragon Star Varnir is quite a mixed bag in terms of enjoyment. While it provides an intricate and engaging combat system as well as some solid alternate modes, the rest of its elements are unfortunately rather lackluster or just plain inconveniencing.

If you have never played Ghosts of Tshuima before, the Director’s Cut is a must have and play game due to its carefully crafted story with exceptional gameplay mechanics, graphics and audio. While I would not call it a true next-gen experience, it is very close and Sucker Punch should be commended on creating such an engaging world with its rich visuals that are led by a very interesting protagonist. The world also fees quite organic opposed to a static closed-world which makes exploring such as a treat. Lastly, Jin is a great protagonist who has secrets and a path of redemption ahead of him. If you own the previous game, you can purchase an ‘upgrade’ to the Director’s Cut that is value for money if you loved the original as it adds to the legacy of Jin and tweaks some of the inconsistencies from the original.

While a port to the PlayStation 5, Hades is still a masterclass in game design on this next-gen console. It flawlessly integrates its incredible story with its exceptional gameplay in ways that very few games have been able to achieve before it. The gameplay is tight, complex and addictively fun to engage with. The visuals are absolutely stunning and the music is phenomenal on the PS5 with none of the “issues” of the Nintendo Switch version. So if you’re seeking a compelling game to invest your time in, this Rogue-Lite game called Hades is absolutely worth it!

To date, ‘Warhammer 40,000: Battlesector’ is the best digital rendition of the Warhammer 40k table-top miniatures game that I’ve ever played. The amazing attention to detail and unknowing nature of each mission will resonate deeply with 40k fans and be a good starting point for newcomers to the franchise. Personally, I would have loved to have seen more factions engaged in battle but introducing the Sisters of Battle as reinforcements has been a clever way to expand the list of units available without straying away from the deep lore that the game is set in. Although I wouldn’t call ‘Battlesector’ a difficult game, it does pose quite the challenge for players of all skill levels. I recommend this game to anyone who wants to get into Warhammer or is already a fan. Hopefully more units and factions will become available in the future, further adding to enormous amount replay value.

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.

In terms of would I recommend the game… that’s not easy to answer. Given the length of “play time”I would certainly start by suggesting waiting for a sale. If you are after a lot of interaction then I’d say avoid it. If you quite like choose your own adventures or indie theatre performances then this might just be up your alley. If you feel non binary or just overwhelmed at what life has in store for you while studying or after completing study… this might be the familiar voice you want to hear. It’s far more an experience than a game so if that’s your thing then give it a try, if not then look elsewhere.

If in doubt… wait for a sale, but if you are a fan of the series you will have a pretty good idea of what to expect here… but now you can enjoy it in the far more personal VR perspective. I’d recommend it.

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).