Truly a monster puzzle game with hundreds of compact stages boasting nuanced design. But the relaxed tone and limited variation might cause you to drift away. [Issue#16, p.146]

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]

Almost ten years on from its original release, All-Star Battle may well be the definitive JJBA game to play if you want to feast on all the series has to offer. From tweaking taunt animations to an in-depth glossary and illustration archive, it’s as much a fan package as a fighter. Though that’s almost a shame, as we yearn for something truly new to challenge this upgraded enemy Stand user from our past. [Issue#20, p.75]

A short but sweet dive with interesting fishy hooks. Even so, with limited choice and story it all ends up a bit too surface-level to be truly great. [Issue#16, p.150]

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

Mechanically engaging, and with stylish visuals and a catchy soundtrack, Hermitage: Strange Case Files is an enjoyable dose of mystery that’ll appeal if you’re looking for a visual novel with a little extra. [Issue#9, p.86]

Although its combat can be finicky and it’s not the smoothest execution of VR, RuinsMagus’ charming characters and story makes the dungeoning not so dreary. [Issue#33, p.76]

The platforming leaves more to be desired, but Little Orpheus is a vibrant adventure through dazzlingly dangerous worlds. Ivan is keeping true to his namesake. [Issue#20, p.71]

While its limited presentation is a let-down, its narrative ambitions largely make up for it. Worth taking out for a drink and seeing where things lead. [Issue#16, p.120]

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]

This doesn’t include all the classics, and aside from Monster World IV they’re not must-plays. If you’re not into that, the rest won’t sell you on this overlooked series. [Issue#16, p. 130]

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]

More fantastical situations are a plus, but its lofty ambitions get in the way, feeling less tight than the first game. Worth playing, but you’ll have a tougher time. [Issue#20, p.79]

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]

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]

Great set-pieces and acting carry an uneven yet inventive campaign, and new skills complement 2.0’s combat tweaks – though it’s not quite a revelation. [Issue#33, p.88]

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]

Winning by deceit, not simply pointing and shooting, takes real skill. If you’ve got the patience to master it for yourself, First Class Trouble is for you. [Issue#9, p.92]

Adds more activity to a great game at a steep price, but doesn’t do much to justify another go-around. Ultimately left living in the base game’s shadow. [Issue#46, p.90]

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]

The performance upgrades make this a fantastic way to experience Skyrim for the first time, but slim content additions won’t enamour returning players. [Issue#9, p.76]

Fur-miliar ideas are rarely evolved but the world is an inventive place. Fur what it’s worth, it’s not enough to overcome a furssy script and confused tone. [Issue#2, p.74]

What we saw as we sailed by was delightful, but not quite enough to make us want to drop anchor for long. Chart for exploration at your own discretion. [Issue#2, p.82]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

It doesn’t take long to brush up against the rough edges… nor does it take long to forgive them. Now get killing and stealing! Er, for the people. [Issue#2, p.91]

Trepang2 certainly delivers as a single-player FPS when it comes to loud, bloody action and tactically smart enemies, but it’s a little short on personality and variety. [Issue#34, p.94]

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]

The visuals and sound design are stripped back without feeling clunky or lazy, and suit the steady pace and good humour. It would be nice to see its equally bizarre predecessor Forget Me Not: My Organic Garden (currently exclusive to PC and mobiles) join this on PS4 for the full experience. [Issue#12, p.85]

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]

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]

Does exactly what it sets out to do – deliver a worthy new R-Type – very well, yet a little more ambition (and accessibility) could have gone a long way. [Issue#2, p.87]

If you’ve already played Payday 2 and its DLC to death, this is your logical next step; if you haven’t, go and play that first. It’s cheaper and chonkier. [Issue#34, p.96]

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’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]

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]

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]

An ambitious but often confusing game, further held back by an unsatisfying remaster serving neither old fans nor new adoptees adequately. [Issue#14, 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]

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]

The game never outstays its welcome, but in addition to some spotty localisation, its promise of greatness is held back by its unpolished execution. [Issue#14, p.78]

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]

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]

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]

Beasts Of Maravilla Island is a fun game that needs further polish. Though its photography mechanics feel flawed, there’s an enjoyable adventure here. [Issue#22, p.77]

Despite uneven patches in overall presentation, combat is superb. Easily understandable yet laden with depth, gripping enemy encounters elevate Monark. [Issue#12, p.89]

The Witch’s House may be very small, but so are chilli peppers and they still pack a punch. 7 Solve some puzzles and enjoy a few scares… and a few untimely ends. [Issue#21, p.95]

A competent and substantial rally experience, but not quite the stuff of legend. It’s the best of Kylotonn’s offerings, and a decent swansong for its WRC series. [Issue#22, p.91]

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]

Shadows Of Rose isn’t quite a must-play, but it will make you squeal. Some of the series’ most inventive spooks are here, though inevitably in moderation. [Issue#22, p.90]

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]

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]

Blunt, limited, and lacking deeper features, this remains a curiosity rather than essential. But for diehard fight fans this makes Dimps’ brawler all the more endearing. [Issue#22, p.87]

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]

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]

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]

If you want to take your time teasing out the story while also looking like you came off the cover of JRPG Vogue, then you’re in for a good time. [Issue#22, p.74]

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

Choppy performance aside, while there’s nothing particularly revolutionary here it’s hard to lament a lack of meaningful changes when beating up bad guys still feels this good. [Issue#24, p.75]

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]

This science-fiction journey won’t be to every modern player’s tastes, but it translates almost flawlessly to PS4, providing you can stomach the weird controller latency. Overall, this is full of fresh sights and sharp dialogue. [Issue#3, p.127]

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

Sunless Skies is difficult, but rewarding. You just have to persevere. And leave yourself a decent inheritance. [Issue#3, p.139]

It’s delightfully chaotic fun when everything clicks, but GTA Online’s cumbersome pace remains a major obstacle to newcomers, one which this update doesn’t solve. [Issue#14, p.92]

With only six missions, it’s a fun way to spend an evening or two with a pal (especially if you grabbed it on PS Plus last month), but not something you can return to too often. Replaying the game after swapping roles is fun, and offers some insight into just why you were struggling on that section, but otherwise even the semi-unpredictable portions don’t change enough to make dancing with the same partner again that interesting. But it’s good fun while it lasts, and certainly doesn’t overstay its welcome. [Issue#3, p.135]

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]

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]

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]

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]

Neither masterful or definitive, this is an awkward trilogy of at least two great action games, only one of which is really worth bothering with here. [Issue#3, p.150]

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]

The main quest is the most disappointing of any Chapter so far, yet remains enjoyable. The world around it is a strong, if often unambitious, addition to Tamriel. [Issue#3, p.154]

Alas, a battle pass and premium skins are already ruining the simplicity, with the paid ones giving you special skills that encroach on the meta, some cheaper tactics already becoming commonplace. There’s potential in this, but just as much chance of it becoming tired at this rate. [Issue#3, p.155]

A lighter take on the soulslike formula that’s generous with its toys – just don’t expect them to be crafted with the godlike precision of FromSoftware’s classics. [Issue#44, p.83]

You’ll curse the gods for its difficulty and the odd technical hitch, but this turn-based strategy game is surprisingly enjoyable if you can push past that. [Issue#3, p.132]

This all sounds great in theory, but things fall apart somewhat if you ever accidentally stray from the beaten path. The lack of a detailed map, even for areas you’ve already visited, makes navigation more frustrating than fun until you eventually stumble back on the intended route. And as the puzzles grow in scope as you progress, this issue becomes more stark. It’s not what we’d call a dealbreaker, but it’s enough of a nuisance to hold this short yet unique adventure from greatness. [Issue#6, p.81]

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]

We’d hoped the series would be more polished by now, yet this short stint of horror sleuthery will still appeal if you’re seeking the macabre and unusual. [Issue#39, p.82]

For a puzzler like this, some sections are surprisingly freeform when it comes to the route you can take to progress (occasionally this confuses the button that shows your objective, though). At times it feels like this freedom chafes with the potential for great puzzle design, like a level where you’re navigating by sparse light and few shadows, while cracks of lightning shift them dramatically… though it’s almost a non-factor as a navigational challenge. Even at only a couple of hours long, it can feel overstretched, but it’s well worth jumping into even so. [Issue#44, p.89]

One of the better upgrades we’ve seen can’t prevent the feeling that this delayed update is still lacking in content, and it’s now more of a concern than ever. [Issue#1, p.92]

Unlocking and installing further modifications relevant to telekinesis and stealth results in a much better experience, more akin to the detective style of storytelling Foreclosed repeatedly apes. Fortunately, these opportunities do come up often, but even this is somewhat soured when you realise the checkpoint system is extremely outdated. Just cleared out a room of guys? Prepare to do it again if you fail at the last hurdle. Foreclosed nails its sense of style and world-building; both are enjoyable if you can get past the middling gunplay. [Issue#6, p.81]

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]

The premise seems silly, but thought has gone into this chess-shooter mashup. However, difficulty spikes and lack of replayability mean it struggles to hold attention. [Issue#32, p.81]

While not reaching its full potential, Balan Wonderworld is a grand and well designed adventure, which runs superbly on PS5. It’s perfect for family co-op play. [Issue#1, p.76]

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]

It’s a mix of almost on-rails boost-based 3D sections with more classic-feeling 2D fare. The physics in the latter are still rough, with a particularly sticky-feeling jump. But Colors isn’t afraid to slow down for the occasional platform challenge. Each of the six stages in the five worlds is super-quick too, focussed on one core idea through each one. More often than not, Colors is a blast (though the meandering ending is awful). [Issue#6, p.88]

A larger, varied zombie shooter sequel with an emotionally resonant story about a man and his dog, but equipment frustrations mean it’s short of VR greatness. [Issue#36, p.74]

A frantic, chaotic, visually splendid shooter that plays like it came from the mid-’90s. It can be overwhelming, but when the bosses go down, you’ll feel immense. [Issue#44, p.94]

With plenty to investigate, but questionable design choices and frustrating technical issues, Wanderer is unpredictable in both good and bad ways. [Issue#12, p.93]

In a genre filled with top-tier competition, Sweep The Board’s use of Demon Slayer helps it stand out – series fans will, of course, enjoy it the most. [Issue#44, p.95]

A rather old-fashioned bike sim that focusses purely on racing beautiful bikes in a solid and smooth game engine. It’s not riotously fun, but the quality’s there. [Issue#32, p.91]

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]

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]

In its light-hearted depiction of the dangers of capitalism, Embr is both intensely good fun and also slightly unsettling. Balancing the two moods is tricky, but it does it well, and this is an excellent companion to other chaotic multiplayer games. [Issue#6, 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]