With so many different types of fighters, hardcore fans will have a ball digging into the depths of each game’s mechanics and challenging each other offline or online with rollback netcode. [Issue#17, p.74]

Playing like an interactive theatre experience, we’re won over by the huge heart of this production, even if the set doesn’t half wobble. [Issue#20, p.91]

Simple but enjoyable activity aided by a fun object-slicing mechanic, fantastic voice acting, and a palpable love of worldbuilding and small-town life come together to create one of the most endearing British games in recent memory. It’s a cosy afternoon’s worth of fun, with the wonderful power to make you appreciate lives well lived. [Issue#6, p.81]

A masterclass in the art of comedy and character writing, this deceptively simple trilogy is heartwarming, silly, and rib-achingly funny in equal measure. [Issue#34, p.83]

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]

A sim-like approach leads to a great feeling of learned mastery. Repetition isn’t a problem until you get invested in the story, which takes a bit too long to play out. [Issue#20, p.89]

Lost In Random’s unique and compelling qualities go deeper than the wonderful art design. Trust us, roll the dice on a purchase, and you will not be disappointed. [Issue#7, p.84]

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]

Best appreciated by Doom veterans, this is a ferociously challenging, fresh-feeling, satisfying end to Eternal. Brace yourself for more platforming, though. [Issue#1, p.82]

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 straightforward remaster of two literally straightforward platformers, retaining the childlike wonder and charm, making it a dream for anyone to visit. [Issue#18, p.74]

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]

The same great core experience and slick presentation we’re used to, with a number of welcome changes. A superb basketball game. Alley-oops, they did it again. [Issue#20, p.70]

A thrilling parkour shooter that’s short but oh so sweet, it’s FPS action distilled into an instinctive, simple, yet compelling experience. We can’t wait for the sequel. [Issue#18, p.80]

Great conversions wrapped up in a ‘basic at best, annoying at worst’ wrapper. The core games are still top-tier, but the package lacks the Mania love. [Issue#17, p.91]

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]

Sure, the game takes more than a little bit from The Binding Of Isaac in terms what you actually do, but it’s a lot less gruesome than running around hitting your own trauma. Undermine isn’t a particularly complicated roguelike, then, but it’s a fun one, and there’s nothing wrong with that. [Issue#1, p.81]

Eldest Souls combines the brilliance of soulslike combat with the sheer pressure of a boss rush. The result is exceptionally niche, but intensely compelling. [Issue#5, p.79]

If chess had time travel, and guns, and a science-fiction flavour… it wouldn’t be chess. But it would be this innovative, enjoyable thinking person’s shooter. [Issue#8, p.96]

Young Souls might not be a risk taker, but it’s a confident amalgamation of side-scrolling brawling and RPG progression that’s boosted by imaginative flair, urging you to keep tapping your way to victory. Despite the odd quirk, it’s one you’ll just want to keep playing. [Issue#14, p.78]

Whether you’re interested in this little corner of Elder Scrolls lore or not, there’s plenty 8 here to hold your interest and refuse to let go. You can Breton it. [Issue#17, p.68]

The story may not tempt you back, but the formidable soundtrack and combat will. This is the Doom/Guitar Hero mash-up we didn’t know we wanted. [Issue#20, p.83]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

By forcing several different ideas together and making them work, Chernobylite stands out for all the right reasons. Few players will have the same experience throughout. [Issue#15, p.83]

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]

With immense scope for creativity and an admirable approach to customising the experience, Teardown smashes it. You can break this in all the right ways. [Issue#36, p.78]

Sorry, Hugh Jackman fans – this isn’t quite the greatest Show on Earth, but it certainly puts a meandering sports series back on the road to the big time. [Issue#14, p.85]

A superior collection to the first Arcade Stadium, this is an excellent way to revisit 8 your youth and/or discover quality games that you never knew existed. [Issue#18, p.91]

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]

The main game is a beautifully balanced blast of team-shooter perfection. Who needs a story when the action is this good? It’s only let down by unnecessary PvP. [Issue#8, p.82]

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]

An interesting selection of games that can feel over-familiar are saved by an excellent emulation platform that manages to make these old hits playable again. [Issue#3, p.145]

An interesting take on the roguelike genre that offers a unique and entertaining way to play the game, but feels geared towards co-op over single-player. [Issue#22, p.81]

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]

Exhilarating and creative combat means we feel truly let loose in PSVR2. The only down side is… with only nine levels to get through, we want more. [Issue#30, p.86]

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]

Detailed, characterful, and with a mechanical twist that adds depth to turn-based combat. Don’t let any preconceptions about League Of Legends put you off this spin-off. [Issue#9, p.77]

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]

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]

A MotoGP maniac’s dream, and a great choice for anybody looking for a motorbike sim that kicks asphalt. Mocking death at high speeds has never been such fun. [Issue#1, p.80]

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]

This is a pleasant small-town fantasy for a cosy weekend, buoyed by some delightful writing. [Issue#15, p.87]

Bloodhunt is a robust and remarkably well-crafted battle royale. It might not bring the genre back from the dead entirely, but it’s still a bloody good time. [Issue#15, p.96]

Few games feel as good to play as this, but the demanding platforming might not suit all. A heady mix of challenge and reward. Plus, space rollerskates. [Issue#10, p.76]

Challenging without being unfair, accessible without being patronising. It might be the VR skating experience you’ve dreamed of (if you dreamed of using your hands). [Issue#32, p.80]

Bigger than ever, Sniper Elite 5 is a refreshingly direct and enjoyable stealth shooter with a multiplayer mode that elevates it to new heights. [Issue#16, p.126]

A perfectly pitched pint-sized adventure well worth picking up – it’s got all the mini critters you can throw and a teeny-tiny world you’ll want to get lost in. [Issue#20, p.80]

EA Sports WRC is simply the finest example of the genre. A few hitches and bugs can’t detract from a deep, breathless and wholly fun experience. Easy, right? [Issue#35, p.91]

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]

Clearly inspired by real places, Tieng Valley exists firmly in the realm of magical realism, with a god of forgetting looming over the valley while strange flowers whisper echoes of the past. Biking around, recording it is a meditative experience that not only interrogates how you as an outsider choose to remember this ephemeral space, but also asks wider questions about time, history, and memory. It’s a genuine pleasure to explore. The game doesn’t outstay its welcome at about ten hours long, and is absolutely an experience we won’t forget in a hurry. [Issue#24, p.75]

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]

Providing a good time for both sim fans and arcade racing fiends, Grid Legends has plenty of content and knows how to use it. Get in and enjoy the ride. [Issue#12, p.76]

A fine return to form, this is the closest you can get to competing without putting on a 8 silly costume and scripting a fight with a terrifying athlete. [Issue#13, p.95]

Although the framerate has taken a step backwards, everything else is as good as, or better than, before. A rally racing experience that doesn’t disappoint. [Issue#6, p.83]

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]

Perfect handling, a robust challenge, and a creative use of PSVR ensure Sniper Elite VR is an unmissable headset shooter. Despite some niggles, this one’s on target. [Issue#4, p.78]

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]

An already strong formula has been honed into a deep and delightful farming sim. Ironically not genre pioneering, but it’ll still put you in a good mood. [Issue#18, p.87]

On the pitch, this is most cerebral FIFA outing since the its PS5 debut. Off it, even the non-FUT modes feel like they’ve been shown some pre-season TLC. [Issue#20, p.72]

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]

It often leans harder into its retro inspirations than is perhaps completely necessary, but Battle Axe is still a fitting tribute to the golden era of coin-operated arcade romps. [Issue#2, p.73]

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]

Risk System is a game that knows exactly what it wants to be and soars with its stripped-down premise. Excellent arcade fun for its price. [Issue#11, p.85]

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]

An open-world game that harnesses the tight pace of Team Ninja’s previous adventures. Smart storytelling that balances historical accuracy with narrative flexibility. [Issue#40, p.80]

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]