A masterclass in onboarding new players to fighting games, its basic archetypes and 8 simpler package than Guilty Gear may struggle to win hearts. [Issue#17, p.84]

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]

Dodgeball meets platformer, and makes an enjoyable PvP baby. Easy to understand, much less easy to avoid getting a ball in the face. Don’t dodge this one. [Issue#3, p.152]

Shadow Gambit too complex? Too many hours of cutscenes in the Metal Gear collection? Try this snack-sized stealth that anyone can enjoy instead. Exquisite! [Issue#34, p.79]

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]

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]

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]

It turns out you can cry quite comfortably while immersed in PSVR2. What begins as a tired tale about the life of a great artist satisfyingly dismantles itself mid-way through, taking pot shots at all-too-familiar false binary choices along the way. If the initial big twist doesn’t move you, the final emotional beat brings it all home and is bound to leave creatives of all stripes blinking back tears. Short but very sweet. [Issue#27, p.75]

It’s a compelling loop for most of your playtime, as you always feel like you’re trying to unspool a dense tangle of genuinely great character threads with not quite enough resources to do so. You’re forced to make difficult choices about your priorities, thinking tactically about which events could benefit the most from high rolls and which you can make do on with lower ones. This unravels in the back half as the friction gives way and you can comfortably coast forever, taking out some of the bite for late-game events. [Issue#27, p.75]

A score-driven game that’s stylish in every way, this is perfect for the competitive, jumpsuit-and-gun-loving beast desperate to skate its way out of you. [Issue#19, p.86]

Delivers on its premise with breezy presentation and a variety of neatly rewarding puzzles. Not ground-breaking, but definitely an entertaining piece of escapism. [Issue#18, p.81]

A watercolour world presented alongside journalling mechanics that don’t quite capture it at its best. Otherwise, it’s short, sweet, and bound to leave you sobbing. [Issue#30, p.94]

It’s a good beat-’em-up, but there are many great ones you could be playing instead. If you’re after a little bit of SNK nostalgia, though, dive in. [Issue#12, p.86]

A familiar yet brilliant, career mode. However, supercars and F1 Life ‘content’ are throwaway, making this a less attractive proposition than F1 2021. [Issue#17, p.78]

Turtles In Time, in both its original arcade and SNES forms, is the biggest draw here, but the package pulls together multiplayer and single-player games from arcade, SNES, Mega Drive, NES, and Game Boy. While some have aged better than others (the first NES game is still a toughie, and the final Game Boy one an underrated gem), all are lovingly presented and easier to enjoy than ever. It’s retro bliss. [Issue#20, p.75]

If you enjoyed the original Coffee Talk, you’ll enjoy this continuation too, perhaps even more. It builds on the first entry in a way that inspires hope for an Episode 3 down the line too. [Issue#27, p.75]

Not your usual metroidvania. Ultros’ blend of simulation, exploration and psychedelia is only marginally let down by simplistic combat and its own alienation. [Issue#38, p.76]

Despite the soundtrack’s chill vibes, you’ll want to keep the tissues close for this one. A year well spent getting to know a fan-favourite character better. [Issue#8, p.95]

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]

This PlayStation debut is a straightforward remaster of the original, faults and all. But we still love it. [Issue#8, p.84]

With so many different types of fighters, hardcore fans will have a ball digging into the depths of each game’s mechanics and challenging each other offline or online with rollback netcode. [Issue#17, p.74]

Playing like an interactive theatre experience, we’re won over by the huge heart of this production, even if the set doesn’t half wobble. [Issue#20, p.91]

Simple but enjoyable activity aided by a fun object-slicing mechanic, fantastic voice acting, and a palpable love of worldbuilding and small-town life come together to create one of the most endearing British games in recent memory. It’s a cosy afternoon’s worth of fun, with the wonderful power to make you appreciate lives well lived. [Issue#6, p.81]

A masterclass in the art of comedy and character writing, this deceptively simple trilogy is heartwarming, silly, and rib-achingly funny in equal measure. [Issue#34, p.83]

Though it’s obvious this wasn’t intended to be a true sequel, Below Zero’s frozen trimmings still make it a worthwhile expedition. Be patient to get to the good stuff. [Issue#2, p.84]

The hunts may feel derivative, and the crafting more of a cumbersome crutch, but there’s still a fascinating world for hunters looking for their next challenge. [Issue#25, p.74]

A sim-like approach leads to a great feeling of learned mastery. Repetition isn’t a problem until you get invested in the story, which takes a bit too long to play out. [Issue#20, p.89]

Lost In Random’s unique and compelling qualities go deeper than the wonderful art design. Trust us, roll the dice on a purchase, and you will not be disappointed. [Issue#7, p.84]