Providing a good time for both sim fans and arcade racing fiends, Grid Legends has plenty of content and knows how to use it. Get in and enjoy the ride. [Issue#12, p.76]

This sequel’s twist is an ‘eyes closed’ mechanic: if you can’t see it, it can’t see you. Because of that, slowly plodding around the ominous red mist of enemies, your rapidly increasing heartbeat indicating proximity, becomes a simple yet terrifying staple (as do creating distractions, using your torch, and just legging it). As your vision’s frequently limited, the sound design is crucial. Between the lack of music, the almost echo-location function of the heartbeat, and disturbing noises made by the spirits, it evokes the feeling that you are never truly safe. And you aren’t. Lovely! [Issue#21, p.88]

Barebones combat doesn’t get in the way of the genuinely interesting clambering to be had throughout the story. Just be careful your arms don’t get sore. [Issue#25, p.64]

Young Souls might not be a risk taker, but it’s a confident amalgamation of side-scrolling brawling and RPG progression that’s boosted by imaginative flair, urging you to keep tapping your way to victory. Despite the odd quirk, it’s one you’ll just want to keep playing. [Issue#14, p.78]

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]

There’s some old clunk, no cross-platform play, and a lack of rollback based netcode for online play (it’ll be added for free in summer), which reveals the game’s age. But otherwise everything is here, from DLC to previously arcade-only tweaks. And all at a higher resolution, natch. It’s so much fun that you can’t help but yearn for a grander series comeback (imagine how Persona 5’s cast could fit in). But for now, this is one more chance for Persona adventures, and a great fighter to boot. [Issue#14, p.83]

While there’s not enough here to convince QTE sceptics, there’s life in it yet thanks to a cast you’ll want to root for and some welcome gameplay additions. [Issue#22, p.82]

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]

The lean and mean design may be limiting but it feels great when you’re chuntering through masses of monsters. Destined to be a modern cult classic. [Issue#22, p.88]

Excellent tracking and tactile controls makes this an easy, swashbuckling adventure to get lost in, even if that’s mostly all it delivers. Far away? Far out. [Issue#25, p.68]

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]

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]

An essential purchase if you enjoyed Innocence, and an imperfect but gripping starting point if you missed it. Hopefully not the end of the tale. [Issue#21, p.80]

An interesting take on the roguelike genre that offers a unique and entertaining way to play the game, but feels geared towards co-op over single-player. [Issue#22, p.81]

Frustratingly failing to hit (but only just) the heights it could’ve reached, this is a great reason to fall in love with Lego Star Wars all over again. [Play #14, p.72]

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]

Sorry, Hugh Jackman fans – this isn’t quite the greatest Show on Earth, but it certainly puts a meandering sports series back on the road to the big time. [Issue#14, p.85]

Without drastically altering its comfortable VR setup, Moss: Book II is a more expansive sequel in an enchanting world that’s a pleasure to spend time in again. [Issue#14, p.77]

Clearly inspired by real places, Tieng Valley exists firmly in the realm of magical realism, with a god of forgetting looming over the valley while strange flowers whisper echoes of the past. Biking around, recording it is a meditative experience that not only interrogates how you as an outsider choose to remember this ephemeral space, but also asks wider questions about time, history, and memory. It’s a genuine pleasure to explore. The game doesn’t outstay its welcome at about ten hours long, and is absolutely an experience we won’t forget in a hurry. [Issue#24, p.75]

Drinkbox’s wonderfully daft action RPG is supported by smart systems that ensure you keep mixing characters and abilities while exploring its colourful world. [Issue#14, p.90]

As it’s procedurally generated, some may chafe against the formidable grind, but each floor is bite-size, and you can command your team to do most of the exploring for you. Interspersed with dialogue-driven hangouts in the daytime, this is an incredible quick fix of weak point-targeting battling with RPG character building. It’s just a shame this couldn’t be more definitive. [Issue#24, p.82]

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]

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]

Short but sweet like its star. Engaging combat pairs with a jazzy soundtrack for an adventure that delights – yet won’t set the world on firaga. [Issue#3, p.131]

Saving the world involves more chatting than we expected, but by balancing combat with a hero houseshare, Firaxis has delivered one of the best Marvel games in years. [Issue#23, p.62]

Terrifically fast, well-balanced street racing that really makes the most of PS5. Not quite as cool as the new art stylings would suggest, but still a fine game. [Issue#23, p.68]

Wonderlands doesn’t rewrite the Borderlands formula, but remixes it into a riotous, winking love letter to tabletop role-playing. Gearbox lands another Critical Hit. [Issue#14, p.80]

It turns out this town is big enough for the two of Weird and West. It’s a combo that makes for a tough but fair, fun, and memorable game. [Issue#14, p.88]