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]

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]

An ambitious though rough first effort from a fledgling Polish studio, and a poignant exploration of how history can still hit close to home. [Issue#1, p.93]

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]

If you liked Redout, you’ll adore Redout 2. It’s magnificent, but ruthlessly hardcore. [Issue#17, p.74]

The character designs are charming and the different locations are nicely presented with some pretty music for each different type of area. There are a few characters who can fight alongside Yuu, but, as useful as they are, they don’t bring a huge amount to the two-person party in the way of substance or uniqueness. The visuals really are the bulk of the game’s appeal and it’s hard to think of another RPG where even the enemies are so darn adorable. If you’re looking for something light and sweet, The Cruel King And The Great Hero certainly fits the brief. But so does a nice pavlova. [Issue#13, p.79]

Despite uneven patches in overall presentation, combat is superb. Easily understandable yet laden with depth, gripping enemy encounters elevate Monark. [Issue#12, p.89]

A pretty, interesting puzzle game… riddled with technical issues, and draped with a limp story. The toy soldiers won’t be the only ones to get wound up here. [Issue#28, p.91]

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]

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]

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]

Apart from racing up papery billboards and conjuring spectral trees to propel us over gaps, the platforming bits are spoiled by Gaia’s awkward handling. Combat against the remaining ‘devourers’ is worse, as you run around mashing the trigger to ‘redeem’ your gloopy pursuers. It’s basically a well-meaning but tedious lecture, telling you absolutely nothing you didn’t already know. [Issue#29, p.90]

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]

Supermassive provides a (slightly) deeper experience than you might expect from a VR lightgun game, although overall replay value remains questionable. [Issue#27, p.74]

Lacklustre original ideas combine with a dull execution of a classic. You’d need a huge magnifying glass to find what little works here. Please read the book. [Issue#34, p.73]

All the ingredients of a great open-world RPG are here, but the lacklustre combat, bugs, and blink-and-you’ll-miss-it story leave an unpleasant taste. [Issue#32, p.86]

Ikai’s imaginative puzzles and detailed setting are engrossing, but underwhelming enemies and a lack of signposting make it more frustrating than frightening. [Play #14, p.79]

Fur-miliar ideas are rarely evolved but the world is an inventive place. Fur what it’s worth, it’s not enough to overcome a furssy script and confused tone. [Issue#2, p.74]

While there are some highlights in the visuals, sound, and accessibility, this never breaks free of its inspiration to do something interesting and fresh. [Issue#21, p.78]

While the old-school charm remains, from the pleasing voiceover announcing your achievements to the random live-action skits starring a couple of bemused kids, it’s a rather short-lived and shallow affair – especially when you could just replay the fireworks level in the superior Tetris Effect instead. [Issue#27, p.82]

The problem is that these mechanics don’t evolve. [Issue#35, p.82]

Impressive visuals, tense environments, and a main character you can believe in will keep your attention through the more unsatisfying and sluggish moments. [Issue#26, p.94]

Clever puzzles and enjoyable platforming don’t disguise repetitive action or the lack of visual variety. It’s fun but best experienced in smaller bursts. [Issue#15, p.94]

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]

While its limited presentation is a let-down, its narrative ambitions largely make up for it. Worth taking out for a drink and seeing where things lead. [Issue#16, p.120]

Altogether, this is not just a keenly disappointing full-price PS5 exclusive, it’s also particularly discouraging as a female-fronted production with a story focused on the magic of relationships between women, and a rare triple-A game with a Black lead. Its message is almost entirely lost in the pyroclastic flow of missteps and missed opportunities. [Issue#25, p.78]

It doesn’t take long to brush up against the rough edges… nor does it take long to forgive them. Now get killing and stealing! Er, for the people. [Issue#2, p.91]

Fun visuals aside, this is a bland and boring shooter that pales in comparison to both Doom and its own predecessors. Back to the shadows with you. [Issue#13, p.91]