Capcom hasn’t messed with greatness, retaining everything that made Dead Rising a classic in the first place while sprinkling in smart changes. [Issue#46, p.96]

A fan-favourite protagonist, clever gameplay options, and cases ranging from very silly to very serious – this collection has it all, and is unmissable for series fans. [Issue#46, p.94]

It may lack punch but its satisfying driving and laid-back exploration are ideal if you’re looking for a soothing adventure. Perfect for treasure hunt lovers. [Issue#46, p.93]

A ghost story we’ve heard many times before, told once more with feeling. A friendlier introduction for newbies, and a worthwhile return to fans’ special place. [Issue#46, p.91]

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]

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]

One of the most generic open-world racers ever made. Add in server issues, uneven AI difficulty, level grinding, and visual woes and there’s very little to love.[Issue#46, p.84]

While it currently enjoys a wealth of mature, cinematic titles, PlayStation has been crying out for a fresh, colourful mascot platformer, and Astro Bot ticks most of those boxes – at the very least, Team Asobi proves there are multiple ways to accessorise the chilly veneer of white plastic. As a 30-something gamer with rent to pay, few things inspire childlike glee in me, but Astro Bot manages it again and again. Whether it’s diving into an underwater level and pretending I’m exploring an aquarium from the other side of the glass, or just the simple tactile joy of Astro Bot’s little feet tapa-tapa-ing across the DualSense, I’m feeling a wide-eyed wonder that I thought I’d grown out of. His Rescue Mission was a few games back, but it’s safe to say that Astro Bot has definitely resuscitated PlayStation’s long-absent sense of fun. [Issue#46, p.80]

A lot of fun (and weird storytelling choices) at a reasonable price, with no sweaty jungle of microtransactions, Concord has respect for both your time and your wallet. [Issue#45, p.92]

Just as solid as when it first took horror streamers by storm, now with added content so you can play in the certainty you still haven’t seen every scare. [Issue#45, p.91]

With a unique and slick drill mechanic there's a lot to love, but not quite enough is made of it across a very brief runtime. Wanting more isn’t always a bad thing. [Issue#45, p.90]

Accessible enough for strangers to turn- based combat, unique enough for veterans. Designed to ensure you have fun, steam work makes the dream work. [Issue#45, p.88]

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]

Few detective games lead you to make as many brilliant deductions that feel like your own path to follow, though some issues with the port let it down. [Issue#45, p.83]

A gorgeous remaster, the freelance police have never looked or played better. Psychic powers are a stroke of genius, though detract a tad from other aspects. [Issue#45, p.82]

The best game in the series in over two decades. Its downsides are minor, making it a wholeheartedly recommendable, classic JRPG experience. [Issue#45, p.80]

Good Star Wars vibes quickly begin to feel wasted between stiff platforming, clunky insta-fail stealth, and a crew we just don’t learn to love. [Issue#45, p.76]

Energetic and charming, the structure is spread too thinly and too repetitive as it stands, leaving us wishing for more of the more authored stages. [Issue#44, p.96]

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 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]

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]

A compelling gameplay loop is held together by glue sticks and masking tape, with a mix-and-match art style that barely conceals its fragile foundations. [Issue#44, p.90]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

This is a perfect purchase if, one might say, thou fancy a reet good laff. Perfectly judged absurdist comedy delivered via surreal shenanigans; we love it. [Issue#44, p.84]

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]

Punchy runs respect your time, and a willingness to let you throw your cards at the wall to see what sticks makes each fresh one worth the ticket to ride. [Issue#44, p.82]

A strikingly beautiful experience that keeps all things in balance. Its successful simplicity and gorgeous visuals give Kunitsu-Gami a timeless quality. [Issue#44, p.80]

The main story has blips, but Tural is a wonderful world to explore and, importantly, creates a solid foundation for more FFXIV updates to come. [Issue#44, p.76]

V Rising is flawed, and bits can drag, but in a world where great vampire games are more elusive than actual vampires, there’s a lot to like here. [Issue#43, p.101]

The activities are pretty simple, but charming characters accentuated with manga techniques makes your brief time in this Japanese seaside town a memorable one. [Issue#43, p.100]

The writing and the design butt heads a little too often, resulting in an expansion that keeps getting in its own way. There is gold; just not enough. [Issue#43, p.98]

An exciting fresh start for the RPG series. With strong character writing and excellent worldbuilding, it’s newcomer-friendly while appealing to fans. [Issue#43, p.96]

Short, sharp episodes highlight the base game’s shortcomings, but otherwise this miniseries is a merry turn down the spiral that leaves us wanting more. [Issue#43, p.95]

Don’t let this puzzler slide by. With strong comedic writing, glowing art direction, and lots of fiendish brain ticklers, it’s well worth wrapping your head around. [Issue#43, p.94]

FromSoftware continues to rule the genre it invented. If you didn’t care for Elden Ring, run away screaming. Otherwise, come on in and scream with frustration. [Issue#43, p.92]

Strong dialogue plus naturalistic acting makes the supernatural natural. Short but effective, with a final stretch that makes you reconsider all that’s gone before. [Issue#43, p.90]

A campaign that celebrates Destiny and its history, plus tweaks that smooth many of the bumps in the overall experience, set everything back on track. [Issue#43, p.88]

Still not as slick as Persona, SMT V revels in crunchtastic strategy with unparalleled customisation. A shift to open world is a genuine fresh hook. [Issue#43, p.84]

Matchmaking and communication could do with some work, but they’re can’t drag down what is undeniably a joyful experience… with the right people. [Issue#42, p.98]

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]

It’s not often that games are genuinely too short, but Neurodiver is over before any of its ideas or characters can develop, making it oddly dissatisfying. [Issue#42, p.96]

It may feel like a weak alternative to a genuinely new action-based Monster Hunter game, but Wings Of Ruin still stands on its own merits as an RPG. [Issue#42, p.94]

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]

Who knew a house in the north of England could make a great setting for science fiction? A smart twist on time travel that shines despite room for improvement. [Issue#42, p.91]

This four-hour foray into faith is unlike anything else you’ll play this year. Both incredibly bleak and beautiful, put your hands together for Indika. [Issue#42, p.90]

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]

An outstanding homage to PS1 horror that’s no mere tribute act. If this is just the start of an excellent new series, then consider our return ticket already booked. [Issue#42, p.84]

Not since Silent Hill: Book Of Memories has a horror series spun-off in such a strange direction. Sadly, Sker Ritual is about as successful as that game too. [Issue#41, p.99]

Lets! Revolution! takes Minesweeper and revamps it. Its tile-flipping deduction puzzles hold strategic depth, and its lovely animation adds a welcome flourish. [Issue#41, p.98]

Moody, mysterious, borderline magnificent – this is a modern classic, an adventure that rivals its biggest inspirations without just following their lead. [Issue#41, p.96]

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]

In its humour and presentation, Dave The Diver has something of a good food anime vibe – the food is important, but there’s just so much more to discover. [Issue#41, p.92]

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]

Adds so many ingredients to the proverbial pot that ultimately you can’t really taste any of them, resulting in a forgettable dish on an already crowded table. [Issue#41, p.88]

You’ll want to get lost in the well-realised world. No single element is a revolution, and it’s sometimes a little thinly spread, but it’s still a successful adaptation. [Issue#41, p.86]

Lana might be pretty but there isn’t much going on under the surface. Play Inside, Celeste, or the criminally underplayed The Last Guardian instead. [Issue#41, p.85]

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]

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]

A game that copies the ARPG masters – but isn’t as interesting. Souls-infused combat and a massive unlockable wardrobe are what keep us coming back. [Issue#41, p.76]

A return to form, for better and worse. Though we enjoy our time with this sleuthing pair, the mystery they’re chasing runs out of road all too quickly. [Issue#40, p.95]

The building blocks are all there, but As Dusk Falls veers between going overboard and playing it safe so frequently that the end result is just okay. [Issue#40, p.94]

A large, beautifully-designed platformer that moves past its 16-bit inspiration in many ways, though the levels feel just a little stretched. Still a huge success. [Issue#40, p.92]

Has all the magic and grandiosity of the best RPGs in a gorgeous, slick, yet pleasingly deep package that’s nonetheless easy to approach. [Issue#40, p.90]

Despite its intimidating start, this is a game stuffed with challenge and replay value, proving that perseverance makes things far more bear-able, indeed. [Issue#40, p.88]

Makes for a wonderful interactive movie. You may need some patience to see it through to the end, but it’s a beautiful, rewarding adventure. [Issue#40, p.86]

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]

An unforgettable adventure that you can call your own, littered with amazing discoveries, laugh-out-loud tussles, and so much more just off the beaten path. [Issue#40, p.75]

Seabound play is great fun, initially at least, but the longer your voyage lasts, the more Skull & Bones struggles to provide new, interesting things for you to do. [Issue#39, p.98]

By not wandering far from the first game, UNIB2 provides a beat-’em-up experience that’s enjoyable, but much weaker in 2024 than it was in 2020. [Issue#39, p.97]

A dazzling and provocative visual novel about post-Covid trauma and the horror of desire and indulgence. This is a winning narrative that’s no mere mirage. [Issue#39, p.96]

As clever and wonderfully bittersweet as it ever was, now with a drop-in and -out co-op option. A great way to discover or rediscover this indie classic. [Issue#39, p.95]

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 watch old F1 races on YouTube, this is the game for you. But everyone should be able to enjoy this charming, accessible, deep, and riveting racer. [Issue#39, p.92]

Four years on from the abysmal WWE 2K20, this overhauled series is among the sporting elite – but hasn’t resolved frustrations with its most controversial mode. [Issue#39, p.90]

A commendable remaster of an ambitious game. But we’ve come so far in nearly 30 years, it’s dreadful by today’s standards. Not the shooter you’re looking for. [Issue#39, p.89]

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]

When it comes to horror games, you could do a lot worse than this, but you could also do a lot better. Its great puzzles belong in a much better game. [Issue#39, p.86]

A throwback platformer that feels innovative rather than derivative, Penny’s world and joyous movement is infectious. You’ll be back for another spin. [Issue#39, p.84]

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]

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]

A frantic co-op shooter that offers an unrelenting challenge. This chaos generator will delight friend groups who enjoy being pushed to the brink of failure. [Issue#39, p.80]

With easy-to-understand fundamentals, the possibilities every card has for interacting with others result in depth that makes you feel like a genius. Luck be a Joker! [Issue#39, p.79]

This WW2-set XCOM-a-like is a really pleasant surprise and a massively confident first title from its developers. Let’s hope we see a lot more from this studio. [Issue#39, p.78]

Though the game grows on you with time (more like mould than a friendship), so too does the feeling that it lacks what made the originals great. [Issue#39, p.76]

FFVII Rebirth ends up a messy game, then, but its ambitious swings pay off more often than not. Make no mistake, this is an absolutely epic journey that sends you out to explore a huge world, with real-time combat that makes your party feel like one great big team in a way few other games have ever managed to accomplish. The story in this middle entry doesn’t quite stick the landing, but the game built around it absolutely does, raising the bar significantly for RPGs of this scope. While taking a swing at fate’s threads feels narratively underserved, Rebirth still presents a planet and people worth fighting for right through to the bitter end. [Issue#39, p.68]

There’s fun here, and you can maybe add a point if you got this for ‘free’ on PS Plus. May be worth checking on later, when hopefully it’s scrubbed up a bit. [Issue#38, p.98]

Definitely an acquired taste. It takes a while to make sense of, but once it clicks, it becomes a trippy arcade shooter that gets right inside your head. [Issue#38, p.97]

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]

Literally the old games running under new skin. The Modern controls are dreadful and III is stretched and frustrating, but the first game remains a masterpiece. [Issue#38, p.94]

A beautifully designed, accessible RPG with a postgame more appealing than most. A great example of developers handing you just the right amount of control. [Issue#38, p.90]

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]

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]

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]