Scourgebringer offers plenty of challenge, and an aggressively mobile main character makes its combat hard to resist. But as a roguelite, it could do with more variety. [Issue#15, p.90]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

There’s nonetheless a delight to interacting with this cheery colourful world, including a separate sandbox where you can spawn objects and build to your heart’s content, though it’s the silly but good-natured story that keeps you invested. There’s something amusing about trying earnestly to contribute to society one moment and then deciding to fling it all into the sea the next, safe in the knowledge you can always pull a lever to reset. [Issue#26, p.81]

It’s nice to be able to investigate at street level, but there’s not much there. Buildings are empty, some textures are PS1 quality, and family names are repeated almost as often as advertising boards. A bit more love on the writing side of things would have made a huge difference as there’s lots of opportunity for humour. This, and more clarity on exactly what holds population growth back, could have made a good game great. [Issue#26, p.87]

Unique twists on combat and environment design make this a charming soulslike, though rough edges may wear you down before you hit credits. [Issue#28, p.78]

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]

A good update of a solid boxing game, but Championship Edition doesn’t make enough use of PSVR2’s capabilities and is, once again, far too short-lived. [Issue#28, p.79]

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]

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]

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]

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 tale itself is slightly wonky by the end, but sharp puzzle design and a good understanding of VR space makes for an enjoyable, if rather brief, voyage. [Issue#28, p.86]

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]

Seyka is a welcome addition to Aloy’s allies. However the DLC shows no intention of escaping the science fantasy nonsense the base game mired itself in. [Issue#28, p.88]

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]

Looks and plays like more of the same, but patient fans who have already played Zero and deeply invested in the wider Trails arc will be rewarded. [Issue#26, p.82]

On the one hand, the combat systems in this collection remain a joy throughout, but on the other the pacing can feel a bit slow, and there aren’t enough modern additions. [Issue#28, p.92]

A neat enough bonus that squanders its potential with awkward implementation, and a sense of tactility that never quite feels natural enough. [Issue#26, p.74]

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]

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]

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]

While not reinventing the wheel, this Star Trek take on the choice-driven narrative formula is worth a go, even if it is somewhat lacking in presentation. [Issue#29, p.80]

This has much to offer aficionados of a certain era, with conundrums aplenty, multiple endings, and (unfortunately) more than its fair share of frustration. [Issue#29, p.83]

A snappy length means the horror of The Bunker’s pitch-black darkness and wandering monster mostly don’t overstay their welcome. [Issue#29, p.84]