Dripping atmosphere and making great use of PS5 tech, its roguelike elements don’t quite come together, as great to play in the moment as it is. [Issue#2, p.78]

A valiant, yet only partially successful, attempt to bring Crusader Kings to PlayStation. The cumbersome control system holds it back. [Issue#14, p.91]

We could say more, but this is best seen for yourself. Excellent performances and mostly solid period-pastiche production design make this hard to look away from. [Issue#37, p.81]

An aggravating mix of truly gorgeous visuals and some fun platforming challenges with unsatisfying combat. It feels often flat, and doesn’t live up to the first game. [Issue#32, p.72]

It’s not much cop as a detective game, but this spin-off from the Yakuza series is still a terrific yarn that’s held up by its charming sense of place and character. [Issue#2, p.86]

The Kampaign is the one of the best we’ve seen in years but stripped-back side-content and a barebones online mode hold this reboot back from greatness. [Issue#33, p.82]

Fans will love another outing with Tak and the gang. Despite improved combat, worse stealth and stripped back exploration can overshadow it. [Issue#7, p.88]

Unfocussed mechanics and not enough Herlock Sholmes means it doesn’t live up to its full potential, though series fans will have a hoot with the mysteries. [Issue#5, p.80]

It may be a fantasy story filled with legends and monsters, but Röki also has a very human message of grief and loss at its core. It’s an adventure game filled with childlike wonder, with an ending that will give your heartstrings a mighty tug. [Issue#9, p.90]

A neat enough bonus that squanders its potential with awkward implementation, and a sense of tactility that never quite feels natural enough. [Issue#26, p.74]

Seyka is a welcome addition to Aloy’s allies. However the DLC shows no intention of escaping the science fantasy nonsense the base game mired itself in. [Issue#28, p.88]

Matchmaking and communication could do with some work, but they’re can’t drag down what is undeniably a joyful experience… with the right people. [Issue#42, p.98]

Looks and plays like more of the same, but patient fans who have already played Zero and deeply invested in the wider Trails arc will be rewarded. [Issue#26, p.82]

The shift to an open world mostly works, though the rest can feel a little lacking compared to other entries. But the cosy questing will hook you. [Issue#27, p.86]

Although it feels like there’s a lot of padding to justify another instalment, Reverie nonetheless gives the Trails series’ Crossbell arc a satisfying conclusion. [Issue#30, p.91]

This four-hour foray into faith is unlike anything else you’ll play this year. Both incredibly bleak and beautiful, put your hands together for Indika. [Issue#42, p.90]

Brawling with goons is fun, but the demand for perfection when facing difficult bosses leads to wearying repetition, even for those who like harder games. [Issue#12, p.90]

It may feel like a weak alternative to a genuinely new action-based Monster Hunter game, but Wings Of Ruin still stands on its own merits as an RPG. [Issue#42, p.94]

By going back in time, Ishin offers plenty of fresh ideas, but some well-established features of the LAD series suffer in return – especially the story. [Issue#25, p.84]

A game that copies the ARPG masters – but isn’t as interesting. Souls-infused combat and a massive unlockable wardrobe are what keep us coming back. [Issue#41, p.76]

A sprout that hasn’t quite managed to bloom. With expressive animation and beautiful art 7 direction there’s lots to enjoy, but gameplay languishes in the shade. [Issue#7, p.80]

A homage to 1990s survival horror that recognises where improvement is needed, Signalis has its own issues, but it emerges as a mostly gripping adventure. [Issue#21, p.92]

The fundamentals are kept simple. [Issue#26, p.81]

It gets the tone and characters right enough that Marvel-heads will want to see this story 6 through, but make someone else play it while you munch popcorn. [Issue#8, p.78]

A delight for Warhammer 40,000 fans, and strong enough to give everybody else a good time too. How long it’ll last depends on your tolerance for repetition. [Issue#46, p.86]

A disappointing followup filled with gimmicks to validate its existence that end up getting in the way of the core appeal. Perhaps Moving Out 2 was a pivot too far. [Issue#32, p.89]

By not wandering far from the first game, UNIB2 provides a beat-’em-up experience that’s enjoyable, but much weaker in 2024 than it was in 2020. [Issue#39, p.97]

Remnant II is capable of surprises with its varied world design, and offers an enjoyable co-op experience, but its combat loop is needlessly stodgy and repetitive. [Issue#31, p.70]

At once stylish, clever, frustrating, and messy, Ghostrunner 2 isn’t simple to enjoy or recommend. But there’s no denying the quality of the design. [Issue#35, p.88]

Squint a little and you could be playing Bloodborne. So why not just play Bloodborne with your eyes open? Nevertheless, a solid B-tier soulslike. [Issue#33, p.86]

This psychically gifted title has a killer look and telekinetically wielded right hook. Unfortunately, it fails to read our mind and outstays its welcome. [Issue#4, p.75]

The building blocks are all there, but As Dusk Falls veers between going overboard and playing it safe so frequently that the end result is just okay. [Issue#40, p.94]

V Rising is flawed, and bits can drag, but in a world where great vampire games are more elusive than actual vampires, there’s a lot to like here. [Issue#43, p.101]

It’s a compelling loop for most of your playtime, as you always feel like you’re trying to unspool a dense tangle of genuinely great character threads with not quite enough resources to do so. You’re forced to make difficult choices about your priorities, thinking tactically about which events could benefit the most from high rolls and which you can make do on with lower ones. This unravels in the back half as the friction gives way and you can comfortably coast forever, taking out some of the bite for late-game events. [Issue#27, p.75]

Delivers on its premise with breezy presentation and a variety of neatly rewarding puzzles. Not ground-breaking, but definitely an entertaining piece of escapism. [Issue#18, p.81]

It’s a good beat-’em-up, but there are many great ones you could be playing instead. If you’re after a little bit of SNK nostalgia, though, dive in. [Issue#12, p.86]

Though it’s obvious this wasn’t intended to be a true sequel, Below Zero’s frozen trimmings still make it a worthwhile expedition. Be patient to get to the good stuff. [Issue#2, p.84]

The hunts may feel derivative, and the crafting more of a cumbersome crutch, but there’s still a fascinating world for hunters looking for their next challenge. [Issue#25, p.74]

It’s hard to say no to a sunny adventure with Clive and friends, especially with a neat new combat style. But, slight on things to do, this isn’t a must-play addition. [Issue#41, p.82]

The campaign requires patience and a high tolerance for internet searches, but the creative elements are full of possibility if you’re able to put in the time. [Issue#41, p.80]

A park management game that makes keeping all the plates spinning on a controller feel natural. Unfortunately, the dinosaurs too often feel sidelined. [Issue#9, p.88]

Borrows liberally to form a farming and town management sim that’s enjoyable and easygoing, if not entirely original or surprising in its concepts or activity. [Issue#9, p.87]

A misjudged leap forward. While refined and polished, its fresh ideas cannot disguise the fact that we’ve passed that one parked car on Edwards Island before. [Issue#30, p.95]

It’s always good to see Kiryu again, but the lack of other recognisable faces and fun side-quests makes this a mere time filler until Infinite Wealth arrives. [Issue#35, p.76]

This small-scale creature collector is a breezy flight of fancy offering infectious excitement about the natural world. Pass the binoculars; it’s time to touch some grass. [Issue#44, p.88]

A good update of a solid boxing game, but Championship Edition doesn’t make enough use of PSVR2’s capabilities and is, once again, far too short-lived. [Issue#28, p.79]

A neat remaster that sometimes clashes with its PSP origins. More often than not, it comes out on top, but it feels like it could have broken more limits. [Issue#23, p.74]

Executes all common elements of open- world RPGs with confidence, but it falls short of the games it emulates and is weakened by its bland protagonists. [Issue#38, p.84]

A slower-paced FIFA creates absorbing action that feels like a step forward for the series, but the dominance of FUT is becoming less and less inspiring. [Issue#7, p.76]

Scourgebringer offers plenty of challenge, and an aggressively mobile main character makes its combat hard to resist. But as a roguelite, it could do with more variety. [Issue#15, p.90]

A lovingly crafted adventure with some delightful clockwork puzzles, but sadly undermined by one particularly clumsy narrative misstep. [Issue#22, p.80]

Great writing meets interesting characters, but less interactivity and a more sedate pace than even the wordiest of visual novels make this a bit of a slog. [Issue#34, p.68]

An interesting science adventure with plenty of style, but with little opportunity to influence the outcome it’s hard not to feel like an outsider in this story. [Issue#34, p.90]

The strong shell-switching hook and charming writing float to the top, while a myriad issues at launch drag down this treasure chest of promise. [Issue#41, p.84]

There are quite a few levels, and mastering them can be a challenge as each has not only the letters ‘K’, ‘A’, ‘Z’, and ‘E’ to collect, but also two unique bonus challenges, a special crystal for collecting 100 smaller ones, and time trials. A nicely done Casual mode adds an extra possible shield and additional checkpoints to help everyone bop killer carrots on the head. [Issue#1, p.81]

In desperate need of repair work, Pacific Drive is a patchwork of glorious, memorable moments held together by the duct tape of frustration and technical issues. [Issue#38, p.88]

The big feature this time around is what’s called War Scenarios. These are essentially larger-scale battles that take the tower defence action outside the castle.2 While good in theory, these levels being so open often makes managing the horde flow a bit of a chore, especially when compared to the more traditional compact mazes. Combine this with a couple of inconsistent difficulty spikes, and Orcs Must Die! 3 is a solid (if somewhat unsurprising) continuation of the strategic orc-slaying concept. [Issue#5, p.86]

An earnest, if occasionally frustrating, building adventure that boasts impressive technical detail and makes you want to dig out your old box of Lego. [Issue#15, p.84]

It’s a game of two halves: one moment you’re bashing monsters in typical JRPG fashion, the next you’re taking friends on dates to the gymnasium and building takoyaki stands. While varied, this loop can feel repetitive as enemies mostly offer little challenge and date interactions follow predictable formulas. Still, with engaging characters and a coming-of-age story of personal growth and female friendship to root for, there’s a magical adventure to be discovered here – if you can get past the repetitive activity. [Issue#9, p.90]

Little Goody Two Shoes is a colourful gift of genuine uneasiness tied up with a bow and laid out as a tasty and fully worthy ritual offering to nostalgia. [Issue#35, p.80]

It might be a lean offering, but it’s great to 7 see Virtua Fighter return, with mechanics that have aged surprisingly well – if matches play properly. [Issue#3, p.151]

This archipelago adventure is, in a word, lovely. While its open world can’t soul-jump out of making familiar wrong turns, we still enjoyed getting lost in it. [Issue#27, p.72]

Variety, competition, and awful writing are at the heart of this enjoyable open-world racer. The rough edges are forgivable thanks to all the good old-fashioned fun. [Issue#8, p.88]

It’s not quite a reshuffle, then, but The Beasts Of Burden deals a good hand. [Issue#20, p.88]

Your travels will be filled with seedy motels, grubby gas stations, and highway pit stops as Road 96 is a tale that’s constantly in motion. The story it weaves from your multiple playthroughs and different decisions is incredibly clever, and even though the political events that underpin the story are a little tedious, it manages to capture the freedom of travelling but also the tension of trying to survive. A road trip to remember. [Issue#15, p.87]

Doesn’t veer far from the original’s winning formula, but the high gloss and family-friendly action mean there’s much to champion. Not essential, but beautifully slick. [Issue#34, p.95]

The story and its telling are a little disappointing, as is the way you suddenly find yourself out of your depth if you’re slightly underlevelled. And we really want to get more hands-on with this world! Still, it’s a great (and great-looking) option for anybody with an itchy trigger finger. [Issue#13, p.79]

Going full detective on figuring out these languages can be joyous, though other, duller, modes of play can get in the way more often than we’d like. [Issue#36, p.81]

Very familiar racing is given soul by the Nine side-mode. Career gameplay is methodical and punishing, but the game’s management element is a triumph. [Issue#15, p.92]

A good choice if you enjoy an occasional slice of the retro-styled cake; just be aware that this game bites back. Hard. Stock up on patience, souldier. [Issue#17, p.90]

Time-freezing and self-cloning bring some power-fantasy to the soulslike structure, but invisible walls and overfamiliarity stop it reaching the big leagues. [Issue#45, p.84]

Glimmers of a great throwback are here but nothing holds up upon close inspection. Missions lack depth while this combat was better left in the past. [Issue#34, p.86]

A charming but flawed metroidvania that had the poor luck to be released in a year which has already seen two outstanding examples of the genre. [Issue#41, p.90]

A substantial story expansion that does justice for one of the series’ best characters, and hopefully a sign that the Judgment series has a bright future ahead. [Issue#14, p.84]

And it’s worth sticking around because Reshrined gets even more experimental after the opening two levels, veering off-script into uncharted territory. [Issue#17, p.74]

A gaming pill best swallowed with a heaped spoonful of nostalgia, this is good but not great. In space, no-one can hear you scream ‘Where do I go now?’ [Issue#42, p.92]

Overall it’s a little formulaic (partly by design), yet its exciting shooting, colourful world, and decent story rescue it. [Issue#5, p.86]

A spectacular battle system that adapts to heroes you meet on your journey is trapped in a package that hasn’t been polished enough to make it shine. [Issue#42, p.88]

Low on innovation, big on fun… and slimy microtransactions. Despite the shameless 7 money grab of certain modes, there’s lots for basketball fans to love. [Issue#7, p.91]

Dying Light 2 has some big technical hurdles to overcome, and fans may want to wait for a patch or two. Yet this a game that is just a joy to jump around. [Issue#12, p.78]

It doesn’t completely derail the gothic vibes. You use a special lantern to reveal hidden clues or images beneath the paintings hanging on the walls, for instance. The game’s most impressive trick is the use of real actors captured with an impressive 3D volumetric technique, lending a fun, campy theatricality to proceedings, the ghostly visions of these past guests unlocking as you complete each puzzle. We could have done with more this aspect, rather than the usual lore collectathons and audio logs, but this isn’t a bad way to reimagine a classic ’90s FMV puzzler for VR. [Issue#34, p.82]

Fun at times. Improved visuals look the part, but this sequel strays too far from the team-oriented gameplay that made the original so compelling. [Issue#21, p.96]

Though the battle system is refined, the lacklustre structure feels needlessly slow and repetitive. We’d rather play the first one – not a good omen. [Issue#44, p.86]

Moonrider rarely feels cheap – the final (final) boss does overdo some unavoidable attacks, but generally bosses have distinct patterns to memorise. As always with retro games, lifespan is an issue and you’ll probably finish this in an afternoon, but there’s replay value in discovering those items and new ways to play. [Issue#24, p.75]

A short, sweet season of story let down by the choice of form. We respect the experimental interpolation, though perhaps they should’ve played this piece straight. [Issue#19, p.87]

It’s almost refreshing to revisit a nononsense PS2 JRPG, and its cynical edge feels fresh. Persona diehards will find this an interesting artefact. [Issue#2, p.72]

This trilogy showcases why Shadowrun’s worth remembering. However, narrative ambitions are held back by ageing, limited presentation and mechanics. [Issue#17, p.82]

A sleekly presented, satisfying selection of sorting and stacking puzzles is let down by stressful wobbles. Still, this cat sparks joy more often than not. [Issue#39, p.83]

A new dungeon with some trimmings, only the new boss fight truly impresses. The rest offers some fine though non-essential worldbuilding. [Issue#36, p.77]

Fantastic monochrome style and chilling writing makes this a great horror to spend time with, though it struggles to maintain the mood across lots of runs. [Issue#35, p.75]

A solid soulslike, with some cool ideas in the combat. Despite a few technical flaws and some less-than-original takes, Asterigos is still worth your time. [Issue#21, p.89]

There’s nonetheless a delight to interacting with this cheery colourful world, including a separate sandbox where you can spawn objects and build to your heart’s content, though it’s the silly but good-natured story that keeps you invested. There’s something amusing about trying earnestly to contribute to society one moment and then deciding to fling it all into the sea the next, safe in the knowledge you can always pull a lever to reset. [Issue#26, p.81]

Literally the old games running under new skin. The Modern controls are dreadful and III is stretched and frustrating, but the first game remains a masterpiece. [Issue#38, p.94]

Optional photo opps for your album keep you curious, and most puzzles are fun to work out while rarely being taxing. Combined with a gorgeous art style, these memories are worth revisiting. [Issue#44, p.89]

The best gunplay in the series struggles in the face of a poor plot. What you do in the campaign is nicely varied enough, but there’s very little substance. [Issue#21, p.84]

While you can appreciate Boundless Trails’ handheld roots, this is a fun action romp that transcends the platform it was originally created for and delivers an adventure worth undertaking. [Issue#34, p.82]

Although the effort to make the series fresh and accessible is admirable, it’s backfired. Fans will be disappointed, newbies will wonder what all the fuss is about. [Issue#3, p.144]

Characters you love to be around, a truly thrilling story, and some decent puzzles make for a fun, if perhaps sometimes too frictionless, ride. [Issue#27, p.84]