The visuals are impressive as they feature a hand-drawn world with the clean yet colourful feel of a European graphic novel, accompanied by comic-book-style cutscenes that add to the overall charm. If you’re a completionist or trophy hunter, Treasures Of The Aegean is sure to spark the thrill of adventure as there’s a wealth of relics to find and a rich history to discover. [Issue#9, p.86]

Lasting just under two hours, A Short Hike is a pocket-sized wholesome adventure. Meandering around Hawk Peak and seeing where each path takes you is always rewarding. It feels very nostalgic, like a call back to summer holidays when there was nothing to do and nowhere to be so you explored for the sake of it. It demands nothing from you, and that’s very special. [Issue#9, p.86]

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]

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]

You might think such an eclectic mix of mechanics would render Epic Chef’s brand of simulation exhausting, but all blend together well for the most part. Annoying loading screens between areas do break up the pace, and some tasks can feel a bit too much like busywork. Overall, however, Epic Chef is more sweet than sour. A scrumptious addition to the life sim genre. [Issue#9, p.90]

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]

Despite a traditionally rocky launch, the latest Battlefield proves itself one of the best in the series. Tell Edwin Starr we found out what war is good for. [Issue#9, p.72]

Battlesector offers a solid campaign, but little else. Showing the Devastation Of Baal’s aftermath, it isn’t newcomer-friendly, but it’s good for Warhammer fans. [Issue#10, p.87]

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]

With its in-depth, interlocking systems, Rune Factory 4 offers you many hours of entertainment – but not all you can and need to do is equally entertaining. [Issue#10, p.90]

While not quite hitting the series high of Modern Warfare, Vanguard is Call Of Duty as it should be: fast, satisfying, and always calling you back for more. [Issue#10, p.92]

A spin on the tile-matching format, changing the rules just enough while incorporating 8 the main series’ best elements to create something wildly inventive. [Issue#10, p.91]

The novelty of grappling with gravity has never been this fun or challenging. A gorgeous, if demanding, patience-tester that makes every manoeuvre a thrill. [Issue#10, p.80]

Fans will love this celebratory ending. With the MMO more mechanically satisfying than 8 ever, there’s never been a better time to enjoy the whole story. [Issue#10, p.82]

Working your way through the world with your miniature army solving these environmental puzzles is a lot of fun, but having to plan exploration around the game’s day/ night survival cycle, lacklustre crafting, and particularly tough enemies dampen that excitement. The Wild At Heart’s beautifully crafted world and spriteling critters are great, but not enough to distract from this fantasy adventure’s other headaches. [Issue#10, p.86]

A game like this lives or dies on its script, and the writing is excellent, supported by some great acting. [Issue#10, p.86]

All the more tiring intricacies and slightly railroady objectives melt away in the light of the dastardly fun Sandbox mode, however. As well as perfecting your Lair more freely, you can undergo a variety of challenges to see how well it holds up when the Forces Of Justice attack, testing out your traps and the open-ended building design. Sandbox mode is often the highlight of this kind of game, and Evil Genius 2’s is as solid as you’d want. [Issue#10, p.86]

Much more than a shooting gallery, Chorus is an enjoyable adventure that stumbles a bit over its own design. Come for a singalong – you’ll soon know the words. [Issue#10, p.88]

The fun level will tumble off a cliff after the first few hours for many players, but future updates just might help this become the game it wants to be. [Issue#10, p.81]

Windjammers 2 is shallow, but it’s fun – unless you’re playing alone, then things get old fast. Stick to human opponents though, and you’ll definitely give a disc toss. [Issue#11, p.84]

A seriously impressive remaster of two blockbusters that rank among the finest of the PS4 era, and a must-play for both fans and newcomers. [Issue#11, 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]

Designed specifically to be played as part of an effective team, Rainbow Six Extraction is good fun like this, and undeniably less fun played any other way. [Issue#11, p.80]

Co-operating with the many active players is a breeze, and the allure of the ore hard to resist. This is a constantly surprising, well- oiled, endless delight. [Issue#11, p.90]

Wants to be a faithful throwback to the beat- ’em-ups of old with a unique 3D polygonal 3 spin. Unfortunately, the transition to another dimension is far from smooth. [Issue#11, p.89]

Charming aesthetics veil a thought-provoking science-fiction adventure that puts you at the centre of the soon-to-be universe. Plus, there's a breakdancing crab. [Issue#11, p.88]

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]

A worthy entry for fans of the series, this might very well win over some new ones. It’s a solid reminder of what makes Project Zero so unique and appealing. [Issue#8, p.85]

The premise (a WW2 FPS with an interest in realism and a limited HUD) is sound. But snipers have an unreasonable advantage over every other unit, and while communication is important to the experience, there’s no decent alternative to voice chat (which almost nobody uses). For a large-scale WW2 shooter, try Enlisted instead – it’s more fun and is free to play. [Issue#8, p.97]

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]

Despite the soundtrack’s chill vibes, you’ll want to keep the tissues close for this one. A year well spent getting to know a fan-favourite character better. [Issue#8, p.95]

It does look nice on PS5. Keeping the squad alive is a tense affair and the creature design is a highlight in the face of so much else that turns out to be toothless. [Issue#8, p.86]

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]

The devil is in the detail in this demonic platformer. It’s worth mastering everything that’s asked of you – side-activities too – to experience everything. [Issue#8, p.92]

Tweaks across the series improve on how each ability can be used, and Crysis 3 is a visual *chef’s kiss*. They all, however, fall apart in the final third and that none of these remasters offer online multiplayer is a crime – and oddly, for a game built on freedom, restrictive. [Issue#8, p.90]

While this sounds a lot, Airborne Kingdom’s pace is very relaxed. You can find all necessary resources in the world below, beautifully designed to resemble the shards of Moroccan ceramics. Thanks to simple building mechanics and manageable console controls, we found our way around quickly. [Issue#8, p.90]

All of this could be pretty much forgiven if the game offered a quick dose of eccentric JRPG fun, but our biggest issue is with the pacing. Elements outstay their welcome before even getting anywhere. The narrative (with frequently bloated dialogue) is painfully slow, and even its Imaginary Chain battle gimmick2 drags. While the idea of previewing your characters’ moves and shuffling them around so they interact like layering tracks in an audio mixer is thematically on point and great in theory, you’ll probably find yourself mashing (X) or using auto-battle just to save some time. You can teach an old musician new songs, but that doesn’t mean they’ll be a hit. [Issue#8, p.90]

The strongest aspect of the game, however, is its storytelling, both in the main narrative and the smaller human stories seeded throughout the world. It may feel familiar if you’ve experienced other titles by creative director Yoko Taro : you can expect macabre character stories and moments that recontextualise the game’s events in dramatic ways. If there’s a reason to tolerate the parts that feel sluggish, it’s the story’s shocking third act and hidden endings, which deliver narrative payoff to the mysteries and moral quandaries you’ve encountered up to that point. This is a slow burn in every sense of the word, but offers a lot for those who stick with it. [Issue#8, p.94]

Being able to use sheep as transportation across rolling fields is a real highlight – however, hearing ‘Yeah, Baby!’ every single time you boost your fluffy friend will haunt you in your dreams. [Issue#8, p.94]

Playing Tangle Tower is a lot like sticking your favourite episode of Poirot or Jonathan Creek on. It’s a light-hearted, comfy murder mystery with plenty of twists along the way. [Issue#8, p.94]

As much as we enjoy our first taste of Xuan-Yuan, it’s definitely rough around the edges. We experience framerate drops whenever we go near rivers, hitboxes not being where they should be, and some oddly endearing animation jank. But as long as you’re fine with that, you’ll have a good time hacking through it. [Issue#8, p.84]

This PlayStation debut is a straightforward remaster of the original, faults and all. But we still love it. [Issue#8, p.84]

All-Star Brawl never gets beyond that uncomfortable phase that you normally have to push through with a new fighting game. Instead, that horrifying state of confusion in which you don’t quite know what you’re doing is all you can expect from it. It might be enough to keep younger kids satisfied, but they’re also not going to recognise the characters, so it feels like a bit of a bust. This is not the Smash Bros competitor we’d hoped for. [Issue#8, p.84]

It’s not a masterpiece, but Backbone is still worth your time – just make sure you go in with your expectations for the quality of its story held in check. [Issue#8, p.91]

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]

Some JRPG-typical dramatics and muddled combat aside, Arise is a feast for any JRPG fan – beautiful, intuitive and earnest. The best in the series to date. [Issue#7, p.86]

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]

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]

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]

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]

Something special. A quick jaunt that lingers in the mind thanks to breezy movement, picturesque locales, and a story that offers plenty of tasty food for thought. [Issue#7, p.79]

Set-piece-driven micro-stories and interesting puzzles shine in this evocative first-person horror. Poor gunplay and linearity aside, it’s a haunted headtrip worth taking. [Issue#7, p.85]

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]

The best entry in the series so far, cursed with uneven storytelling and rare yet unmissable technical issues. Despite these flaws, Yara is well worth a visit. [Issue#7, p.70]

You’ve also got new tools for making deliveries, such as a cargo cannon, a robot helper, and even an on-foot only, very steep bridge. Nothing here really ousts the base game’s structures, which is for the best as it means the shared network of nearby players continues to stand strong. Some of it may make the game a little easier, but none of it’s really necessary. That holds true for many PS5 upgrades. Death Stranding is better here than it was on the last-gen console, and it might be worth a revisit to see how the land has changed, but it’s not a must-see replay. [Issue#7, p.74]

As you approach the titular peaks, your brain will feel the burn more often than those boxes. But if you’re stuck on one puzzle, there are always others in each set to try. And in a final stroke of genius, the PS5 version offers Activity cards with short video solutions to all 200-plus puzzles if you feel the heat. With a moody score lending a distinctive, haunting ambience,2 this is one of the most satisfying, generous puzzle games in yonks. [Issue#7, p.90]

As for collection bonuses, there’s an encyclopaedia for each that gives you important details about the enemies, items, and powers in each of the three good games. There’s also a rewind function. Basically, you can go back a bit if you’ve messed something up, or if you took a wrong turn and can’t be bothered to backtrack. The Castlevania Advance Collection is 75% absolutely excellent, and that’s more than enough for us. Now, can we get the DS collection too? [Issue#7, p.90]

While everything is perfectly playable, for a game that absolutely nails the toy’s aesthetic it’s almost remarkable how removed the gameplay feels from the fiery, fast-paced action that has come to embody the brand. Never mind hot, these little wheels are lukewarm at best. [Issue#7, p.90]

Such a fresh-feeling combat system always has you thinking two steps ahead, especially in scenarios when multiple styles of foe are clashing. They’ll fight each other in these instances, but if you’re running low on, say, Katana blades, a Lightning Rod might be your best option. Souls-ish elements do rear their head via alternate routes that make up for harsh checkpointing, encouraging you to get back in the fight (regardless of how tough that encounter is). Discard initial assumptions; Ultra Age is a surprisingly fun slice-fest.[Issue#7, p.78]

Each area, from a forest dwelling to the city to a seaside port, is friendly and fun to explore. Even ghosts just require a little help to move on.2 Conflict comes in the form of problems that everyone is happy to collaborate on fixing. Solutions usually involve your camera in unusual ways, such as directing a lighthouse with your zoom during a storm. It’s a journey you’ll remember, and by the end, you’ll have a camera roll full of memories to look back at. [Issue#7, p.78]

With patience, you should find an accomplished metroidvania in FIST, especially in its rich visuals and varied levels. But if you prefer more carrot than stick in your games then, like Rayton, you may not be a happy bunny. [Issue#7, p.78]

Feeling excellent in the hands, it’s a shame that the repetitive missions almost entirely feel like side-quests, seemingly hampered to fit the multiplayer vision. [Issue#7, p.75]

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]

Held back by some clunky controls and combat, this is a joy to play and a deserving, if somewhat less novel, successor. A truly mind-full delight. [Issue#6, p.84]

The thrill of making a last-minute escape through a portal, the satisfaction of making multiple kills via one, the tension of jumping into a portal blind, the simple joy of taking enemies down without using one at all… no wonder the beta proved so popular that the servers were overwhelmed. The fact that the in-game currency and cosmetics are politely tucked into the shop tab rather than being thrown in your face at every opportunity is the icing on the cake (which isn’t a lie). [Issue#6, p.93]

From great art to fun combat and a truly unique idea for something that isn’t a sports 8 game, Dodgeball Academia scores a lot of goals. Get on this court. [Issue#6, p.91]

Haven Springs will work its charm on you. Alex Chen is easy to root for and her story is well worth playing for Life is Strange series fans and newbies alike. [Issue#6, p.78]

The PS4 original is enhanced in clever ways on PS5, and what you do on Iki island builds on the lore and ideas of the main game in clever ways. A must-play on PS5. [Issue#6, p.80]

Death means restarting a mission from scratch. That’s understandable – there are only six, and each probably averages about five minutes played flawlessly – but it can sometimes be frustrating. Once you’ve seen the credits, speedruns and missed collectibles tempt you back. If that’s not your thing, there are optional interactions and alternate solutions to explore; but you’ll have more or less seen everything there is. Great spy-flavoured fun while it lasts, though, and don’t forget your headset – it’s VR eyes only. [Issue#6, p.90]

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]

Recompile ultimately isn’t as tightly designed as a metroidvania needs to be in order to be enjoyable, something best summed up in the fact that at least one fundamental upgrade is actually missable – something we discovered the (very) hard way. There’s a good time to be had in this visually striking virtual world, but you’ll have to work hard to defrag it. [Issue#6, p.90]

Has all the hallmarks of a PSVR hit – great ideas, action, and visuals – but playing it will make you feel ill. Even seasoned PSVRers should play with caution. [Issue#6, p.89]

Battles present a good amount of challenge from the off, too. You constantly have to weigh up which troops to recruit and swap in depending on the enemy you face. Sadly, while both the combat and character work are decent, the PS4 version of the game struggles with framerate at almost every camera turn – to the point that it never stops being a distraction. King’s Bounty II simply lacks much of the visual flair and polish we’ve come to expect from modern high-fantasy epics. [Issue#6, p.88]

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]

Admittedly, it is refreshing to see this classic style of game brought back to modern consoles, and some players may even appreciate the way this feels like an at-times-terrifying ’90s throwback. But even if you can look past its unoriginality, the lack of polish in stiff voice acting, character animation, and numerous bugs break the immersion. Retro revivals are cool, but if a game brings nothing new to the table and ends up worse than the existing ones it’ll inevitably be compared to, you may as well just dust off the old PlayStation and play those instead. [Issue#6, p.88]

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]

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]

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 online-focussed squad shooter recreates the feel of the Aliens movie perfectly but rarely gives us something original to do with all that pitch-perfect fan service. [Issue#6, p.82]

As Arkane’s been acquired by Xbox, this is its first and last PS5 exclusive. But what better parting gift than a perfect day you could happily live again and again? [Issue#6, p.72]

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]

This compelling mix of top-down action and survival sets a strong foundation for further Viking adventures. That said, there’s plenty here at launch to keep you busy. [Issue#5, p.85]

Delivering 1v1000 hack-and-slash goodness, this is a more promising reboot than Dynasty Warriors’ last attempt. It leaves us curious about the series’ future. [Issue#5, p.76]

Although some rough edges make the early access status clear, it’s already a fast-paced and highly competitive bundle of fun that can only get better from here.[Issue#5, p.92]

A good game for kids, sure, but adults will get even more out of it. Doesn’t quite meet 7 its potential, but this is a funny and clever little tale nonetheless. [Issue#5, p.91]

A banger of a sequel that slightly fumbles the last verse. That said, it’s still a full-on earworm that’s getting heavy rotation on our Summer In Shibuya playlist. [Issue#5, p.72]

More of a playable movie than an adventure game, Last Stop boasts great characters and intriguing mysteries. Just don’t expect to have much of an impact on any of it. [Issue#5, p.87]

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]

A unique, atmospheric adventure with a character that it’s never less than a joy to control. Wondering feather or not to dive in? We say go for it. [Issue#5, p.90]

Cris Tales uses tried-and-tested activity and story tropes, but can’t manage to imbue them with anything interesting – though not for a lack of trying. [Issue#5, p.88]

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

The grow-and-go loop may be simple but there’s enough challenge to keep you thinking. The game’s a looker, too. The clean, stylised visuals deliver a deep sense of satisfaction as a barren desert floods with colourful trees – the reds, greens, and blues of your endeavours encouraging you to keep going, to keep planting more. It’s a visual treetment that works. To backpetal slightly, there are some bugs, but nothing the dev won’t swat away in time. [Issue#5, p.86]

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]

When you die, you’re sent back to the last rest point without penalty. The game still offers some customisation in its combat, but its approach is simplified. The lack of a deep combat system might be a turn-off to those looking for a challenge, but we applaud the devs for allowing more players to get through it – which is more than can be said of some of its inspirations. Tying everything together is an art style that, once again, makes Ender Lilies easy to get into. It certainly features grotesque creatures, but its balance of beauty and horror is a highlight and one of the game’s best aspects. [Issue#5, p.77]

Success is leaning into the saccharine story of a witch on a quest for candy, which also helps save the world (and a fairy world) from darkness. Apparently. With this in mind, the sparkling visuals and sumptuous colours make sense. Neon bullets shine as they whizz across the playing field and each explosion feels like an evening of serotonin-boosting fireworks. It’s a joy to experience. However, with only a few modes of play and score-based leaderboards, this Reboot! may leave competitive players and retro fans wanting more. [Issue#5, p.77]

The narrative and aesthetic may boast a late medieval vibe, yet it combines with the tone and language’s modernity to create a silly juxtaposition that shouldn’t work but does. The only real area where The Procession To Calvary falls down is in some obtuse puzzle solutions that aren’t always immediately obvious. Couple this with an emphasis on backtracking,2 and there’s a slight sense of padding in an adventure that can be finished in one sitting. That said, what’s here is an adventure game quite unlike any other, one where sense and logic are out the arched window. [Issue#5, p.77]

Hades looks sleek, is fun, and delivers that ‘just one more round’ feeling – unequivocally a Supergiant game and a gem for genre fans and newcomers alike. [Issue#5, p.84]

With reams of text and choices, and lovely environments, this is a narrative slice-of-life that lingers in the mind, and gives some pause for thought. [Issue#4, p.89]