It is abundantly clear why this massive adventure took six years to develop from every lovingly sharpened plot hook, every subtle quirk of a party member’s lips, and every new arrangement of that gorgeous, central musical motif. Baldur’s Gate 3 is a glorious lightning strike, pairing talent with timing for not just a worthy successor to the series’ crown, but something truly special in its own right. We’ve no doubt we’ll head back down, down, down by the river to adventure anew for years to come. [Issue#33, p.68]

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]

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]

It’s no PS5 revolution, but it is one of the most finely crafted adventures we’ve ever played, mixing thrilling combat with fab storytelling. [Issue#21, p.68]

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]

Almost everything here builds on what came before, taking it to new heights – and when it doesn’t, it presents what was already loved with an enhancing lick of paint. This is still a more action-packed, linear Resi than, say, the second game (this is chapter-based), but it respects the source material while knowing when it needs to one-up it. The boss fights are much better (some of the best in the series); Ashley is a better companion (and when you briefly play as her it has much more depth); and the structure hangs together far better both narratively and environmentally. Underpinning it all is a fantastic combat system that re-crowns Resi as third-person action- horror royalty. [Issue#26, p.70]

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]

While World Tour is iffy, you can’t deny this fighter is a champion – though it’ll best suit those who can put hours into Battle Hub and Fighter’s Ground. [Issue#29, p.74]

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]

Everything you’d want from a Rogue Legacy sequel, and more, this dramatically enriches and expands its genre-defining blueprint to the point of near perfection. [Issue#30, p.99]

For the most part a thrilling story with fist-pumping missions. New mechanics are a mixed bag – but it’s still one of the best superhero things ever. [Issue#34, p.74]

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]

Not as compelling as Limbo and Inside. But it has brilliant puzzles (mostly), beautiful presentation (always), and that levels-within- levels idea is an all-timer. [Issue#34, p.72]

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]

The most welcoming Tekken for beginners, yet also the definitive experience for fans. Kicks the competition to the kerb, and finishes it off with a flashy move. [Issue#37, p.88]

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]

Say goodbye to dark, dreary mysteries. Paradise Killer is an incredibly stylish, open-world detective game that lets you feel like an otherworldly super-sleuth. [Issue#13, p.92]

A remake that deepens the original’s darkness, reshaping its iconic haunted house for the better, while bringing its characters into the light. [Issue#25, p.70]

One of the greatest RPGs on PS4 is now even better. It might not push PS5 like it pushed previous hardware, but it’s still an epic worth investing in. [Issue#3, p.130]

Fantastic characters, impeccable combat, and a fresh setting lift up a game that can otherwise feel stuck in the past. We’re beyond ready for more Kasuga. [Issue#36, p.72]

Not at all like getting blood from a stone. Presenting a monster mash you’ll want to jump back into, this roguelike is worth getting your chops around. [Issue#46, p.97]

Worth the wait. Capital ‘A’ ambitious and well realised, Remedy is letting its freak flag fly in full force. We love every twist of this spiral into survival horror. [Issue#34, p.62]

A humorous tumble down the videogaming rabbit hole, The Stanley Parable: Ultra Deluxe gives us pointed, witty observations about game design. [Issue#15, p.91]

There’s a shocking amount of depth to the branching choices and skill checks that turn success and failure into your own personal tale of investigation. [Issue#1, p.90]

As much as we love the skeleton, the way it’s been built upon here feels like a missed opportunity. The chance to incorporate Part II’s stellar gameplay evolutions into the original heart-wrenching story was there; had Naughty Dog taken it, it could have been a game-changer. Instead, this feels like an obligatory reshoot. Yes, it’s visually stunning (one of PS5’s best), and yes, things have been changed. But the end result? Too familiar. Neat extras are here, like a speedrun mode, behind the scenes videos, and commentary tracks – but we’d hoped for something bolder. [Issue#19, p.74]

Tech limitations don’t spoil this layer cake of sheer gaming bliss. Tropey story sections may be divisive, but fast-paced action doesn’t get much better than this. [Issue#24, p.74]

Just like the super-satisfying weaponry, Rift Apart shoots on all cylinders to set a new bar for PS5. We’ve never had a game like this before. [Issue#3, p.120]

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 loved Zero Dawn, you’ll love this. But even though it sands down its predecessor’s rough edges, we’re left uncertain about the future of the series. [Issue#12, p.64]

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]

Smartly building on the design of the base game to offer new challenges, this snappy six-hour campaign is a wonderful addition and testament to the future. [Issue#33, p.93]

Torn between multiple Personas, this is a great remake that should entice newcomers, while a missed opportunity to expand on the occult classic. [Issue#38, 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]

Sets the bar for fighting games on PS5. Watch out Street Fighter and put your dukes up Tekken, because a new challenger has entered the ring. [Issue#3, p.140]

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]

New numbered FFs are good again. Stunning to look at, with new, punchy combat, and a great yarn, it is, if anything, too focussed, lacking a bit of the weird. [Issue#30, p.78]

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]

A purist’s driving game: nuanced, sophisticated and detailed. It’s imperfect, but crucially has the magic that’s been missing from the genre for decades. [Issue#13, p.72]

While it’s not without its flaws, Sea Of Stars is a tremendous love letter to JRPGs and a huge achievement for a studio as small as Sabotage. [Issue#33, p.80]

Rise evolves World’s approachable template into an even more fun and faster-paced entry with brilliant new mechanics and the series’ most inspired designs. [Issue#24, p.70]

More than a collection of new gear, The Witch Queen is a significant moment for the story – and, to a lesser extent, the mechanics – of Destiny. [Issue#13, p.80]

Without spoiling much, this is the best bit. From there it gets quite meta, and plays with some other card-based gameplay that ironically loses most of its bite by the end. Yet when it works, gaming the game has rarely felt more rewarding and chilling at the same time. [Issue#20, p.75]

No fan of Star-Trek-style science fiction should miss Mass Effect – and this package offers the best version of the trilogy currently available. [Issue#3, p.144]

If it didn’t seem easy enough to fall into Final Bar Line, there’s even an Endless mode. It’s a game that keeps giving (though future updates may make it pricy). [Issue#25, p.90]

What elevates it from charming little indie to sitting alongside Celeste2 as a future classic is that beneath its cosy aesthetic is a beautifully written story that will resonate deeply with anyone who’s ever faced self-doubt or impostor syndrome. There’s also a wonderful reminder, aided by the many places you can just sit down, that sometimes you just need to take a break, even from the things you’re most passionate about. [Issue#3, p.135]

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]

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]

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]

Diablo is back, and taking no prisoners. The top-quality, lengthy campaign will be enough for some, while the endgame should prove a welcome obsession for others. [Issue#30, p.84]

Tunic can appeal equally to those seeking a solid challenge, and those who want to be able to cruise through the experience. Both will find a great game. [Issue#21, p.94]

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]

Masterfully blends two disparate genres without making many sacrifices. This quirky management-roguelike hybrid has the makings of a cult classic. [Issue#19, p.96]

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]

A comeback story for the ages. Beautiful, with awesome combat and perfect parkour. Hollow Knight: Silksong may have to cure cancer to top this. [Issue#37, p.82]

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]

It’s hard to say P4G is definitely better. While still somewhat procedurally generated, the dungeons feel like more of a slog given how the design, heavy on long corridors, makes thing more spread out, and while there are great stories in the social links they can certainly sag a bit. The focus on boundary-pushing inner turmoil hasn’t aged as gracefully as some might remember either, Kanji’s struggle with masculinity and Naoto’s with gender both weak swings that never amount to much.2 Still a fantastic adventure, but not the shining jewel it was once touted as. [Issue#24, p.82]

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]

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]

So tasty you’ll want to gobble it up in one go (though of course it doesn’t go down without a fight), this long-awaited expansion is Cuphead at its dizzying best. [Issue#17, p.81]

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]

From’s mech series is purring better than ever, offering you a path to finesse like little else, though some parts here could still use a tune-up. [Issue#32, p.76]

Beautiful presentation and captivating characters make up a little for the lack of grand narrative, plus there’s a clever and engaging battle system. [Issue#25, p.88]

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]

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]

Enhance’s most experimental and ambitious game yet, more about massaging your brain than teasing your senses. Being part of the crowd is what makes it stand out. [Issue#28, p.80]

Pressure mounts thanks to player counts – 64 players at the top end, with 40-plus in other modes (and a huge free-for-all mode too). Neat DualSense features add pleasant friction, like your p guard being harder to use the less stamina you have. Not every map and mode is a winner, but it looks fab and is fun, with a nice sense of humour. [Issue#3, p.155]

The return is mostly triumphant, as it feels like the series has never been away. Even more fun than a rubber chicken with a pulley in the middle. [Issue#22, p.78]

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

Sometimes uneven, often wondrous, Survivor is bombastic and joyous, though it feels like a middle child in search of a trilogy ending. May the Force be with it. [Issue#28, p.72]

A must-play for any brawler fan, this levels up retro fun to new chaotic heights. With lots of love for ’80s TMNT, it’s a feast for the eyes and for the fingers. [Issue#17, p.72]

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]

Takes a simple idea for activity and turns it into something special, thanks to immersive controls, a powerful sense of exploration, and great worldbuilding. [Issue#35, p.92]

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]

Both mechanically and narratively dense, Galleria constantly reinvents itself while building on incredible RPG foundations – it’s a genre triumph. [Issue#26, p.92]

A fantastic murder mystery with engaging puzzles. Impressive storytelling devices give different routes purpose, but ironically it ends up feeling a bit too linear. [Issue#17, p.80]

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]

Constantly expressive and chill enough to be mesmerising, World hits the line between welcoming and challenging with all the grace of the Hawk-man himself. [Issue#12, p.74]

We could say more, but this is best seen for yourself. Excellent performances and mostly solid period-pastiche production design make this hard to look away from. [Issue#37, p.81]

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]

Another stellar sim that isn’t quite as assured on PS5 as you might hope. But story mode is worth playing and career mode is the best in the business. [Issue#4, p.82]

A gorgeous, incredibly absorbing, puzzle game about how we emotionally engage with our belongings and the small, intimate stories of our life they tell. [Issue#16, p.141]

A previously lost but influential RPG gem given the remake it deserves, with its varied protagonists and storylines adding up to a digestible epic unlike anything else. [Issue#28, p.86]

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]

An aggravating mix of truly gorgeous visuals and some fun platforming challenges with unsatisfying combat. It feels often flat, and doesn’t live up to the first game. [Issue#32, p.72]

With a wonderful understanding of player choice, and packed full of things you’ll want to explore, Shadow Gambit is a treasure indeed. Just don’t forget to save! [Issue#31, p.78]

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]

At times it can feel like you’re being led, but rerunning the story reveals more details, secrets, and reasons to love Resident Evil Village. Close to Resi perfection. [Issue#2, p.66]

Short but focussed, Venba embraces the medium to tell a family’s intimate story as you join them for some important family meals, both thick and thin. [Issue#31, p.75]

First-class puzzling that feels like little else, beautifully presented, wonderfully planned, and with a gripping story to boot. Don’t let this case grow cold. [Issue#30, p.92]

One of PS4’s best and most underrated shooters pulls out all the stops on PS5. A technical marvel that goes full steam ahead on Sony’s new console. [Issue#4, p.76]

Card mechanics can falter, but it’s worth weaving a unique path through this poignant coming-of-age narrative. Sombre and beautiful, this is a triumph. [Issue#20, p.90]

A terrific revival of a genre with plenty of life to give. Brilliant, slick controls and funky vibes have you owning the streets, but could use more challenge. [Issue#32, p.69]

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’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]

The rough edges have been sanded down. This JRPG attracted a cult following, and thanks to Toylogic’s upgrade it’s now easy to see why for yourself. [Issue#1, p.84]

Stray makes the most of its choice of protagonist early on, really allowing you to do all the things a typical cat would do, though it eventually loses sight of that in favour of spotlighting the short story. That’s no cause for hissing, though it does leave the overall experience feeling somewhat like two kittens from different litters forced together. The combination works better than it should, but we’re ultimately left wondering what could’ve resulted if either half of the game had been given enough space to stand alone. [Issue#18, p.70]

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]

The likes of QTE-based brawls and stealth sections are less successful, and some sequences are a little drawn out – but by the end you’ll be hooked emotionally and, yes, may end up teary-eyed. [Issue#25, p.83]