It’s a game that can feel unfair and frustrating; most of it would work better if you had full control of movement and momentum. SMB Forever is ultimately a victim of its own legacy – the first game demonstrated that a Meat Boy game can, and should, be much better than this. [Issue#2, p.73]

That difficulty continues when it comes handling your character. You can only shoot forwards unless you’re sliding, but when you slide you move very quickly, which usually results in you ending up in a trap or missing your shot completely. For some players these challenges will be an incentive to get stuck in, but for others, that difficulty plus the lack of instruction will give them good reason to keep avoiding roguelikes. [Issue#2, p.83]

Soak in a lovely warm atmosphere and get your phone camera ready, because this engrossing wildlife-saving adventure is full of good vibes. [Issue#3, p.133]

Death Crown is fun at first but rapidly shows the limitations of its own simple mechanics. [Issue#3, p.127]

Pre-level prep (companion and buff choice) affords a sense of ownership over the entire experience and, while shooter veterans will have absolutely no trouble sailing through the levels, the tradeoff is a userfriendly atmosphere that makes repeated playthroughs a joy rather than a slog. It’s not the size of your game that matters; it’s what you do with it that counts. [Issue#3, p.139]

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

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]

A PS3 title that received an impressive amount of TLC for its PS4 remaster only gets basic tweaks for PS5. The design and humour show their age. [Issue#3, p.126]

The best Star Wars game in over a decade gets a revamp on PS5, and becomes a Forceful contender. Minor issues aside, Fallen Order shouldn’t be missed. [Issue#3, p.134]

Not knowing what lies ahead and trying to make sense of how this ravaged world came to be is the main draw, especially since much of the worldbuilding is reserved for diary pages2 that are easily missed. The Eternal Castle [Remastered]’s openly abstract approach may frustrate some, but any mechanical shortfalls are more than made up for by the vibrant pixel art, lo-fi sound design, and all-round chilling atmosphere. [Issue#4, p.77]

There are a few ways to get out of your series of unfortunate events, and while it’s relatively simple when you know how, the solution will take you an hour or two to stumble upon (and the hardest ending is truly devious). The game’s a bit of a one-trick pony, without much to come back for besides trophies, but really good fun while it lasts. [Issue#4, p.88]

While improvements are slight, they’re enough to provide the definitive version of arguably the best Doom yet. What the hell are you waiting for? [Issue#4, p.90]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

A poignant, tender tale about death. Dashes of comedy, a whimsical fantasy world, and memorable boss fights make this an indie game of the year contender. [Issue#9, p.91]

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]

By far the biggest flaw, however, is the lack of fully translated text. There’s no translation for what’s written on key items for solving puzzles, such as the compass, so you’re left doing a quick Chinese language lesson or brute-forcing your way through. It’s a shame, as Paper Dolls has promise, but it’s an ectoplasmic mess in its current state. [Issue#12, p.75]

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]

A clumsy remaster that removes much of Life Is Strange's charm – the persistent glitches are irritating. However, it’s smooth sailing for Before The Storm. [Issue#12, p.84]

PSVR’s first proper MMORPG almost buckles under the weight of its aspirations with long load times. However, it’s a firm foundation for Ramen VR to build on. [Issue#12, p.92]

Though far from perfect, Vengeful Heart will make you wonder what the team will do next and how they may flourish with a little more experience. [Issue#14, p.78]

While Replica manages to be simultaneously uncomfortable and thrilling, you can’t help but feel it takes on too much for such a small game. It is, however, testament to Somi’s skill in delivering unusual gameplay and intrigue, and serves as an amuse-bouche of sorts for the second game, Legal Dungeon. [Issue#14, p.83]

If the third and final entry in the trilogy is anywhere near as good as its predecessors, then hopefully it will be making its way to PlayStation soon too. [Issue#14, p.83]

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]

ot a care in the world but you and your balloon! What could be better? Wholesome collectathon Tasomachi is soothing on the heart and easy on the eyes. [Issue#15, p.95]

More than the sum of its parts, this is an interactive, short science-fiction story that'll stick with you. The hands have spoken – two thumbs up. [Issue#16, p.149]

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]

The enhancements aren’t enough to save this rather unique mystery game from being washed away, like tears in the rain. If anything, they bring a downpour. [Issue#17, p.88]

Milky Way Prince is a beautiful game, masterfully made, that leaves you with a lot to think about. And maybe also the need to do something properly relaxing after playing. [Issue#17, p.89]

Still the best survival horror, on PS5 ray-tracing and 3D audio add a lot to the atmosphere (though high performance mode is a little iffy). [Issue#17, p.75]

Despite the PS5 upgrades improving Resi 3 the most, it still doesn’t create an all-time horror great. Blockbuster zombie blasting is still a good time, though. [Issue#17, p.76]

First-person and 3D audio is a great mix, with solid ray-tracing support enhancing some terrifying moments. It’s a shame VR doesn’t benefit from the upgrade. [Issue#17, p.77]

Deeper and more surprising than you might expect, yet not quite as tightly designed as you might hope. Still, Time On Frog Island flies, because you’re having fun. [Issue#18, p.74]

The concept of a melee-focused battle royale has promise but in such a competitive genre Rumbleverse pulls too many punches to survive in the ring for long. [Issue#19, p.98]

Delivering humorous fourth-wall-breaking moments, a soundtrack filled with tunes you’ll find yourself humming for days, brilliant level locations, and a surprisingly compelling story, River City Girls Zero takes us back to the good old days of a beat-’em-up rather excellently. [Issue#20, p.88]

Despite the intergalactic trappings, the bulk of the game is a surprisingly prosaic bartending experience. Don’t expect more than that, and Startenders might surprise you. [Issue#20, p.74]

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]

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]

A good dose of weirdness in the lore prevents the game being completely one-note, but overall things are spread too thin despite the game only being two or three hours long. This turnip perhaps needed to be left in the ground a little longer. [Issue#24, p.82]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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 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]

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 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 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]

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]

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]

A cinematic coming-of-age text adventure ripped from a time machine into the modern day for less than a movie ticket. Just make sure you don’t get bitten! [Issue#29, p.82]

Our clubbing days may be behind us but here we can get back to cutting shapes and feeling like total badasses, even if we look like we’re dancing like an utter idiot to everyone else. Much like any good night out, then. [Issue#29, p.90]

We’ve said it before when it comes to games that aim to handle like their obvious inspirations: if we’re yearning for the way those games felt rather than what’s in our hands, something has clearly gone wrong. Knowing that in Tony Hawk we’d be able to move around the world with ease, only to be met with Skatebird’s annoying heft and proclivity for us to clip on edges just sucks the joy out of playing. Which is a shame, as move beyond the cringeworthy memery and the writing itself is actually quite delightful. But you never come to a skater for the dialogue, you’re here for action – and this isn’t worth the bails it takes for you to stick the landing. [Issue#29, p.90]

The one-two combo of violence and strategy works well… initially, at least. The further you progress, the more it seems that luck and grind play overactive roles. [Issue#29, p.91]

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]

An interesting premise meets outstandingly written characters, but the gameplay is lacking. Might have made a better visual novel than a dungeon crawler. [Issue#35, p.90]

The central hook almost carries this dungeon crawler, but it struggles to stand out in a crowded field. There’s loot to be found here, but more like a puddle’s worth. [Issue#37, p.78]

We don’t want to call this the Dark Souls of potion crafting, but in this game the journey is the destination, and your path will be littered with failed potions. [Issue#37, p.93]

Stopping and starting time adds an extra dimension to this compact metroidvania. A fine palate cleanser between the likes of Ultros and Prince Of Persia. [Issue#38, p.82]

The stress of Papers Please translated into a more laidback and fun puzzler. Player choice gives this pocket-sized adventure bigger scope for story. [Issue#38, p.96]

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]

Stilt is simple but innovative fun that can be both wildly rewarding and frustratingly random, often veering from one to the other in the blink of an eye. [Issue#39, p.88]

An accessible city builder that looks as good as it feels, with fantastically friendly design. If only it also gave you the ability to build on rock and roll. [Issue#39, p.94]

If you can play Umurangi Generation, you should play it. A masterfully told story that puts you at the centre in a unique, deeply meaningful way. [Issue#41, p.94]

An interesting curio from Japan that’s too short and shallow to carry any real weight today, though it hasn’t aged at all badly considering it’s from 1992. [Issue#42, p.97]

With a tactile crafty art style, it’s fun to bumble around for an hour or two, but there’s not much variety or even additional missions. [Issue#44, p.89]

A stunning coming-of-age tale. Despite half-baked minigames and a slow middle section, gorgeous pixel art and strong writing make it worth your time. [Issue#44, p.92]