While not reinventing the wheel, this Star Trek take on the choice-driven narrative formula is worth a go, even if it is somewhat lacking in presentation. [Issue#29, p.80]

Unoriginal but perfect for family gaming, with a child-friendly exterior concealing old-school arcade fun and tough higher tiers of challenge for experts. [Issue#29, p.79]

A platformer with some satisfying heft to its movement, Convergence is also one of the best realisations of League Of Legends’ characters yet. [Issue#29, p.78]

While World Tour is iffy, you can’t deny this fighter is a champion – though it’ll best suit those who can put hours into Battle Hub and Fighter’s Ground. [Issue#29, p.74]

Chock-full of loot boxes and ready to be monetised to within an inch of its life, it’s nonetheless built around a superb and fiendishly playable kart racer. [Issue#28, p.94]

Short but intense, Road 96: Mile 0 offers a joyful, inventive, and memorable experience of a quality that some games several times the price can only dream of. [Issue#28, p.93]

On the one hand, the combat systems in this collection remain a joy throughout, but on the other the pacing can feel a bit slow, and there aren’t enough modern additions. [Issue#28, p.92]

A pretty, interesting puzzle game… riddled with technical issues, and draped with a limp story. The toy soldiers won’t be the only ones to get wound up here. [Issue#28, p.91]

You’ll find yourself with more saves than you know what to do with and still be excitedly coming up with ideas for what unique creation you want to try next. [Issue#28, p.90]

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]

The tale itself is slightly wonky by the end, but sharp puzzle design and a good understanding of VR space makes for an enjoyable, if rather brief, voyage. [Issue#28, p.86]

A previously lost but influential RPG gem given the remake it deserves, with its varied protagonists and storylines adding up to a digestible epic unlike anything else. [Issue#28, p.86]

The Mageseeker’s cameos from other League Of Legends characters leave Sylas in their shadow, making this missable for all but the most dedicated lore nerds. [Issue#28, p.85]

Even if everything functioned as intended, however, the script itself feels completely toothless and is filled with unsuccessful attempts to satirise videogame violence that wouldn’t have even landed in the late ’90s (seriously, the jabs at Joe Lieberman would be just as embarrassing if anybody knew who he was). Even its potential saving grace, the simple pleasure of rampaging through an open world, has been entirely undone by the dire civilian AI which sees them stand around gormlessly in most situations. [Issue#28, p.84]

Some extra touches, such as camera repositioning and a cheat menu, are nice, but this trip down memory lane has lost some of its charm. There’s no doubt the foundations of a great platformer are here, but after three decades Zool’s ninja skills aren’t as sharp as they were. [Issue#28, p.84]

Pretty where it counts, you can’t get past some of the rough edges that sometimes unceremoniously dump you from one scene to the next, making things hard to follow. But it’s an interesting case, we’ll give it that. [Issue#28, p.84]

Packs a wealth of firefighting scenarios into a short runtime, then remixes them for additional challenge. Some control issues aside, it’s a flaming good time. [Issue#28, p.82]

Enhance’s most experimental and ambitious game yet, more about massaging your brain than teasing your senses. Being part of the crowd is what makes it stand out. [Issue#28, p.80]

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]

Unique twists on combat and environment design make this a charming soulslike, though rough edges may wear you down before you hit credits. [Issue#28, p.78]

Sometimes uneven, often wondrous, Survivor is bombastic and joyous, though it feels like a middle child in search of a trilogy ending. May the Force be with it. [Issue#28, p.72]

The best WWE game in a decade, with a wealth of modes and recognisable wrestlers. Only the dubious MyFaction stands in the way of a higher score. [Issue#27, p.88]

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]

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]

Despite awkward exploration, it is wonderful to play something as wilfully odd as this. If you’re craving something different, don’t miss this return trip to Zenozoik. [Issue#27, p.83]

When leaning into its strengths as a mind-bending musical puzzler, Bedtime Digital’s sequel proves there’s still plenty of joy to be squeezed from Figment’s storybook charm and psychedelic conceit, particularly if you’ve got a friend to join you for local co-op. Just prepare to have its many earworms stuck wriggling in your own lugholes long after. [Issue#27, p.82]

While the old-school charm remains, from the pleasing voiceover announcing your achievements to the random live-action skits starring a couple of bemused kids, it’s a rather short-lived and shallow affair – especially when you could just replay the fireworks level in the superior Tetris Effect instead. [Issue#27, p.82]

This, along with the totally awesome dedication to replicating the ’90s, right down to its VHS- styled nostalgic aesthetic, and a story with soul and characters surprisingly reflective of the period, is key to elevating this game from an also-ran puzzler to a must-play for the rhythmically inclined. Pick up a controller and let’s jam. [Issue#27, p.82]

Flashes of brilliance dulled by technical issues, and an obsession with making things difficult for you. There’s fun here, if you’re willing to fight for it. [Issue#27, p.80]

Nothing else on PSVR2 matches this for ambition and player freedom. Just don’t expect a carefully curated experience or you’ll be disappointed. [Issue#27, p.78]

Comes in swinging and establishes both a narrative universe and unique style of detective activity that shine alone but make an almost dazzling combination. [Issue#27, p.77]

A witty script and likeable performances make this VR dystopia worth getting immersed in. Out of the oppressive grind emerges a narrative with heart. [Issue#27, p.76]

If you enjoyed the original Coffee Talk, you’ll enjoy this continuation too, perhaps even more. It builds on the first entry in a way that inspires hope for an Episode 3 down the line too. [Issue#27, p.75]

It turns out you can cry quite comfortably while immersed in PSVR2. What begins as a tired tale about the life of a great artist satisfyingly dismantles itself mid-way through, taking pot shots at all-too-familiar false binary choices along the way. If the initial big twist doesn’t move you, the final emotional beat brings it all home and is bound to leave creatives of all stripes blinking back tears. Short but very sweet. [Issue#27, p.75]

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]

Supermassive provides a (slightly) deeper experience than you might expect from a VR lightgun game, although overall replay value remains questionable. [Issue#27, p.74]

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]

Neat zombie bashing mechanics are woefully under-served as it loses its way more with each hour, making the shiny hyper-violence yawnworthy by the end. [Issue#27, p.68]

Lacklustre if played solo, but if you can reliably scrape together a squad of friends for online play the budget asking price isn’t a complete robbery. [Issue#30, p.88]

Perhaps the idea could have been developed a bit further, but C-Smash VRS works wonderfully in PSVR2. Sometimes a simple idea well executed is all you need. [Issue#30, p.98]

A genuinely different take on battle royale, with varied modes, but its rough edges often undermine the graceful traversal and combat a wuxia fantasy deserves. [Issue#31, p.92]

Matches are absolute dino-might but the progression system misses the mark. There’s a lot to love here, but the story gets in the way of the best bits. [Issue#31, p.90]

With a lack of options for expressive movement and clunky controls, boarding the platforming ship hasn’t paid off, though it’s still colourful and pretty. [Issue#31, p.89]

A pretty game for PSVR2 but ultimately its action feels a bit lacking in variety, and the story feels like it’s barely getting started before the credits begin to roll. [Issue#31, p.88]

With two new areas to play around in and a revelatory secret to uncover, Necrom keeps TESO running forward nicely. If only the Arcanist were similarly unique. [Issue#31, p.86]

Whether the crew of the Artemis has bagged a legend or just a very cursed ghost, we’re looking forward to the next part of this deep-space transmission. [Issue#31, p.85]

Everyone enjoys a tropey anime from time to time but Dyschronia pushes its luck. Familiar beats gain a new lease of life in VR, but it can’t keep its head above water. [Issue#31, p.84]

With such a strong central mechanic, you could forgive Viewfinder for setting it and forgetting it – but it doesn’t, iterating and surprising with each level. [Issue#31, p.82]

With a wonderful understanding of player choice, and packed full of things you’ll want to explore, Shadow Gambit is a treasure indeed. Just don’t forget to save! [Issue#31, p.78]

Atelier’s roots remain strong. The slight friction still feels fresh, with the structure and brief length drawing you back for one more go-around. [Issue#31, p.76]

This interactive musical will knock the socks off of theatre kids and fans of Greek myth alike. It’s definitely worth a reprise to smooch the whole pantheon. [Issue#31, p.75]

Short but focussed, Venba embraces the medium to tell a family’s intimate story as you join them for some important family meals, both thick and thin. [Issue#31, p.75]

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]

An evolution of Nioh 2, Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty is an action-packed ride through history and dark fantasy that stands out in a post-Elden Ring world. [Issue#26, p.88]

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]

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]

Satisfying tactile crafting and combat systems, made all the better by PSVR2. Rekindled is a prehistoric survival adventure you can fully immerse yourself in. [Issue#26, p.80]

Impressive visuals, tense environments, and a main character you can believe in will keep your attention through the more unsatisfying and sluggish moments. [Issue#26, p.94]

A delightfully constructed character-first narrative that balances humour with heavy themes, though we wish the hacking and slashing had more depth. [Issue#26, p.95]

Both mechanically and narratively dense, Galleria constantly reinvents itself while building on incredible RPG foundations – it’s a genre triumph. [Issue#26, p.92]

Dredge sets out with a firm goal, and absolutely nails the delivery. It takes on water, but doesn’t sink, in its final act, remaining a genuine must-play indie. [Issue#26, p.86]

The gap between what Lightfall promised to deliver, and what it has actually provided, is unacceptably wide. There’s plenty to do, but you’ve done most of it before. [Issue#26, p.78]

Altair Breaker’s replay value leans heavily on weapons looted from chests and the joy of seeing numbers go up, but these things can’t take the weight, and so the game falls with great force onto its blankly staring face. It’s not bad, but it’s certainly not good. If you want to pretend to hit robots with a sword and get some light upper body exercise, then great, this will do the job, but don’t expect much more than that. [Issue#26, p.87]

It’s a surprisingly physical game, as many solutions involve chucking things across the virtual room. Best use those controller straps, eh? As the fine details of each solution are up to you, and there’s a little physical skill involved, nailing a puzzle is deeply satisfying. A neat payoff at the end for both the story and your previous efforts winds things up perfectly. [Issue#26, p.87]

It’s nice to be able to investigate at street level, but there’s not much there. Buildings are empty, some textures are PS1 quality, and family names are repeated almost as often as advertising boards. A bit more love on the writing side of things would have made a huge difference as there’s lots of opportunity for humour. This, and more clarity on exactly what holds population growth back, could have made a good game great. [Issue#26, p.87]

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]

Out at sea, it’s a lovely vibe just sailing to the other half-a-dozen or so islands, each with its own quirks, from a maze-like bamboo thicket to ancient glowing structures that can be used as warp points. But while there’s an intriguing mystery bubbling beneath the surface, you’ll have to work through more arbitrary crafting checklists to uncover it. With limited inventory space, it’s no surprise our boat quickly piles up with junk, a sight that’s less than chill. [Issue#26, p.81]

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

All style and no substance. Atomic Heart’s world looks the part but is undermined by poor mechanics and some of the worst writing in gaming history. [Issue#26, p.84]

Almost everything here builds on what came before, taking it to new heights – and when it doesn’t, it presents what was already loved with an enhancing lick of paint. This is still a more action-packed, linear Resi than, say, the second game (this is chapter-based), but it respects the source material while knowing when it needs to one-up it. The boss fights are much better (some of the best in the series); Ashley is a better companion (and when you briefly play as her it has much more depth); and the structure hangs together far better both narratively and environmentally. Underpinning it all is a fantastic combat system that re-crowns Resi as third-person action- horror royalty. [Issue#26, p.70]

An encouraging glimpse of a luxurious future for visual novels, though one that struggles to decide what it really wants to be. Here’s hoping for more. [Issue#25, p.92]

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]

Not as consistently inventive or as funny as we’d like, but still a great physics playground to mess around in and get used to what PSVR2 has to offer. [Issue#25, p.67]

If it didn’t seem easy enough to fall into Final Bar Line, there’s even an Endless mode. It’s a game that keeps giving (though future updates may make it pricy). [Issue#25, p.90]

Excellent tracking and tactile controls makes this an easy, swashbuckling adventure to get lost in, even if that’s mostly all it delivers. Far away? Far out. [Issue#25, p.68]

If you’ve fond memories of the early noughties, this might find a place in your heart, but its disjointed style and slogging stretches won’t appeal to all. [Issue#25, p.93]

Beautiful presentation and captivating characters make up a little for the lack of grand narrative, plus there’s a clever and engaging battle system. [Issue#25, p.88]

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]

Raptor-based stealth horror is terrifying, but starts to become stale with only slight variation. But when it works, it’ll really make you squeal. [Issue#25, p.66]

Barebones combat doesn’t get in the way of the genuinely interesting clambering to be had throughout the story. Just be careful your arms don’t get sore. [Issue#25, p.64]

Altogether, this is not just a keenly disappointing full-price PS5 exclusive, it’s also particularly discouraging as a female-fronted production with a story focused on the magic of relationships between women, and a rare triple-A game with a Black lead. Its message is almost entirely lost in the pyroclastic flow of missteps and missed opportunities. [Issue#25, p.78]

An outrageously suave shooter with pulpy, pacey gunplay. It’s endearing enough to leave you wondering whether you need a complete change of wardrobe. [Issue#25, p.76]

Mars itself doesn’t feature as much as it probably should, but this is made up for by engaging characters, purposeful traversal, and a heartfelt message. [Issue#25, p.77]

With engaging activities, plenty of puzzles, and a zany narrative, Delirium delivers a comical, if somewhat surface-level, throwback point-and-click adventure. [Issue#25, p.91]

A remake that deepens the original’s darkness, reshaping its iconic haunted house for the better, while bringing its characters into the light. [Issue#25, p.70]

Ultimately, though, this is powered by joy. It’s a largely forgiving experience, bolstered by innocence, optimism, and some genuinely funny jokes. It all feels as vibrant as it looks. While it’s geared towards a younger audience, it can (and should) be enjoyed by fans of all ages. Not the best day ever, but Purple Lamp has scored a sweet victory nonetheless. [Issue#25, p.83]

It’s a shame as there’s charm to this time travel adventure. Cartoony takes on all the usual suspects – a haunted graveyard, a wild west town, pirate ships, and so on – are pleasing to hop around. While many jokes fall flat, often thanks to stiff animation, some do elicit a chuckle (vampire boss Vlad The Impala, for instance, is a terrific pun). But sadly this platformer doesn’t quite stick the landing. [Issue#25, p.83]

The likes of QTE-based brawls and stealth sections are less successful, and some sequences are a little drawn out – but by the end you’ll be hooked emotionally and, yes, may end up teary-eyed. [Issue#25, p.83]

Occasionally hampered by its simplicity and low narrative stakes, Arcadia Fallen is a visual novel with a lot of heart that’s easy for genre fans to get invested in. [Issue#25, p.82]

Sable is a great attempt at making an open-world game without combat, but both on a technical level and in scope it comes up against its indie limitations. [Issue#23, p.76]

Journey holds up because of its elegant minimalism, whereas Sky struggles to soar, mired in live-service elements that take the wind out of your wings. [Issue#23, p.77]

Terrifically fast, well-balanced street racing that really makes the most of PS5. Not quite as cool as the new art stylings would suggest, but still a fine game. [Issue#23, p.68]

Saving the world involves more chatting than we expected, but by balancing combat with a hero houseshare, Firaxis has delivered one of the best Marvel games in years. [Issue#23, p.62]

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]

Repetitive survival horror that feels like a life sentence, The Callisto Protocol is as bereft of life as the harsh conditions of the moon on which it’s set. [Issue#23, p.70]

Odd but alluring in the same way as its source material, Odyssey puts its best foot forward then stumbles. A fun, if slow, RPG take on the anime. [Issue#24, p.78]

With some mild issues, its repetitive nature, and unanswered narrative questions, The Outbound Ghost doesn’t deliver the most spooktacular experience. [Issue#24, p.83]

Tech limitations don’t spoil this layer cake of sheer gaming bliss. Tropey story sections may be divisive, but fast-paced action doesn’t get much better than this. [Issue#24, p.74]