Going full detective on figuring out these languages can be joyous, though other, duller, modes of play can get in the way more often than we’d like. [Issue#36, p.81]

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]

Very familiar racing is given soul by the Nine side-mode. Career gameplay is methodical and punishing, but the game’s management element is a triumph. [Issue#15, p.92]

A good choice if you enjoy an occasional slice of the retro-styled cake; just be aware that this game bites back. Hard. Stock up on patience, souldier. [Issue#17, p.90]

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]

Glimmers of a great throwback are here but nothing holds up upon close inspection. Missions lack depth while this combat was better left in the past. [Issue#34, p.86]

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]

A fine return to form, this is the closest you can get to competing without putting on a 8 silly costume and scripting a fight with a terrifying athlete. [Issue#13, p.95]

Although the framerate has taken a step backwards, everything else is as good as, or better than, before. A rally racing experience that doesn’t disappoint. [Issue#6, p.83]

A charming but flawed metroidvania that had the poor luck to be released in a year which has already seen two outstanding examples of the genre. [Issue#41, p.90]

A substantial story expansion that does justice for one of the series’ best characters, and hopefully a sign that the Judgment series has a bright future ahead. [Issue#14, p.84]

Perfect handling, a robust challenge, and a creative use of PSVR ensure Sniper Elite VR is an unmissable headset shooter. Despite some niggles, this one’s on target. [Issue#4, p.78]

And it’s worth sticking around because Reshrined gets even more experimental after the opening two levels, veering off-script into uncharted territory. [Issue#17, p.74]

A gaming pill best swallowed with a heaped spoonful of nostalgia, this is good but not great. In space, no-one can hear you scream ‘Where do I go now?’ [Issue#42, p.92]

Overall it’s a little formulaic (partly by design), yet its exciting shooting, colourful world, and decent story rescue it. [Issue#5, p.86]

An already strong formula has been honed into a deep and delightful farming sim. Ironically not genre pioneering, but it’ll still put you in a good mood. [Issue#18, p.87]

On the pitch, this is most cerebral FIFA outing since the its PS5 debut. Off it, even the non-FUT modes feel like they’ve been shown some pre-season TLC. [Issue#20, p.72]

A spectacular battle system that adapts to heroes you meet on your journey is trapped in a package that hasn’t been polished enough to make it shine. [Issue#42, p.88]

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]

Dying Light 2 has some big technical hurdles to overcome, and fans may want to wait for a patch or two. Yet this a game that is just a joy to jump around. [Issue#12, p.78]

It doesn’t completely derail the gothic vibes. You use a special lantern to reveal hidden clues or images beneath the paintings hanging on the walls, for instance. The game’s most impressive trick is the use of real actors captured with an impressive 3D volumetric technique, lending a fun, campy theatricality to proceedings, the ghostly visions of these past guests unlocking as you complete each puzzle. We could have done with more this aspect, rather than the usual lore collectathons and audio logs, but this isn’t a bad way to reimagine a classic ’90s FMV puzzler for VR. [Issue#34, p.82]

Fun at times. Improved visuals look the part, but this sequel strays too far from the team-oriented gameplay that made the original so compelling. [Issue#21, p.96]

It often leans harder into its retro inspirations than is perhaps completely necessary, but Battle Axe is still a fitting tribute to the golden era of coin-operated arcade romps. [Issue#2, p.73]

Though the battle system is refined, the lacklustre structure feels needlessly slow and repetitive. We’d rather play the first one – not a good omen. [Issue#44, p.86]

Risk System is a game that knows exactly what it wants to be and soars with its stripped-down premise. Excellent arcade fun for its price. [Issue#11, p.85]

Moonrider rarely feels cheap – the final (final) boss does overdo some unavoidable attacks, but generally bosses have distinct patterns to memorise. As always with retro games, lifespan is an issue and you’ll probably finish this in an afternoon, but there’s replay value in discovering those items and new ways to play. [Issue#24, p.75]

An open-world game that harnesses the tight pace of Team Ninja’s previous adventures. Smart storytelling that balances historical accuracy with narrative flexibility. [Issue#40, p.80]

A short, sweet season of story let down by the choice of form. We respect the experimental interpolation, though perhaps they should’ve played this piece straight. [Issue#19, p.87]