It is abundantly clear why this massive adventure took six years to develop from every lovingly sharpened plot hook, every subtle quirk of a party member’s lips, and every new arrangement of that gorgeous, central musical motif. Baldur’s Gate 3 is a glorious lightning strike, pairing talent with timing for not just a worthy successor to the series’ crown, but something truly special in its own right. We’ve no doubt we’ll head back down, down, down by the river to adventure anew for years to come. [Issue#33, p.68]

While it currently enjoys a wealth of mature, cinematic titles, PlayStation has been crying out for a fresh, colourful mascot platformer, and Astro Bot ticks most of those boxes – at the very least, Team Asobi proves there are multiple ways to accessorise the chilly veneer of white plastic. As a 30-something gamer with rent to pay, few things inspire childlike glee in me, but Astro Bot manages it again and again. Whether it’s diving into an underwater level and pretending I’m exploring an aquarium from the other side of the glass, or just the simple tactile joy of Astro Bot’s little feet tapa-tapa-ing across the DualSense, I’m feeling a wide-eyed wonder that I thought I’d grown out of. His Rescue Mission was a few games back, but it’s safe to say that Astro Bot has definitely resuscitated PlayStation’s long-absent sense of fun. [Issue#46, p.80]

FromSoftware continues to rule the genre it invented. If you didn’t care for Elden Ring, run away screaming. Otherwise, come on in and scream with frustration. [Issue#43, p.92]

It’s no PS5 revolution, but it is one of the most finely crafted adventures we’ve ever played, mixing thrilling combat with fab storytelling. [Issue#21, p.68]

Hades looks sleek, is fun, and delivers that ‘just one more round’ feeling – unequivocally a Supergiant game and a gem for genre fans and newcomers alike. [Issue#5, p.84]

Almost everything here builds on what came before, taking it to new heights – and when it doesn’t, it presents what was already loved with an enhancing lick of paint. This is still a more action-packed, linear Resi than, say, the second game (this is chapter-based), but it respects the source material while knowing when it needs to one-up it. The boss fights are much better (some of the best in the series); Ashley is a better companion (and when you briefly play as her it has much more depth); and the structure hangs together far better both narratively and environmentally. Underpinning it all is a fantastic combat system that re-crowns Resi as third-person action- horror royalty. [Issue#26, p.70]

FFVII Rebirth ends up a messy game, then, but its ambitious swings pay off more often than not. Make no mistake, this is an absolutely epic journey that sends you out to explore a huge world, with real-time combat that makes your party feel like one great big team in a way few other games have ever managed to accomplish. The story in this middle entry doesn’t quite stick the landing, but the game built around it absolutely does, raising the bar significantly for RPGs of this scope. While taking a swing at fate’s threads feels narratively underserved, Rebirth still presents a planet and people worth fighting for right through to the bitter end. [Issue#39, p.68]

While World Tour is iffy, you can’t deny this fighter is a champion – though it’ll best suit those who can put hours into Battle Hub and Fighter’s Ground. [Issue#29, p.74]

In its humour and presentation, Dave The Diver has something of a good food anime vibe – the food is important, but there’s just so much more to discover. [Issue#41, p.92]

Everything you’d want from a Rogue Legacy sequel, and more, this dramatically enriches and expands its genre-defining blueprint to the point of near perfection. [Issue#30, p.99]

For the most part a thrilling story with fist-pumping missions. New mechanics are a mixed bag – but it’s still one of the best superhero things ever. [Issue#34, p.74]

A campaign that celebrates Destiny and its history, plus tweaks that smooth many of the bumps in the overall experience, set everything back on track. [Issue#43, p.88]

Not as compelling as Limbo and Inside. But it has brilliant puzzles (mostly), beautiful presentation (always), and that levels-within- levels idea is an all-timer. [Issue#34, p.72]

With easy-to-understand fundamentals, the possibilities every card has for interacting with others result in depth that makes you feel like a genius. Luck be a Joker! [Issue#39, p.79]

The most welcoming Tekken for beginners, yet also the definitive experience for fans. Kicks the competition to the kerb, and finishes it off with a flashy move. [Issue#37, p.88]

Fans will love this celebratory ending. With the MMO more mechanically satisfying than 8 ever, there’s never been a better time to enjoy the whole story. [Issue#10, p.82]

Say goodbye to dark, dreary mysteries. Paradise Killer is an incredibly stylish, open-world detective game that lets you feel like an otherworldly super-sleuth. [Issue#13, p.92]

A remake that deepens the original’s darkness, reshaping its iconic haunted house for the better, while bringing its characters into the light. [Issue#25, p.70]

One of the greatest RPGs on PS4 is now even better. It might not push PS5 like it pushed previous hardware, but it’s still an epic worth investing in. [Issue#3, p.130]

Fantastic characters, impeccable combat, and a fresh setting lift up a game that can otherwise feel stuck in the past. We’re beyond ready for more Kasuga. [Issue#36, p.72]

Not at all like getting blood from a stone. Presenting a monster mash you’ll want to jump back into, this roguelike is worth getting your chops around. [Issue#46, p.97]

Worth the wait. Capital ‘A’ ambitious and well realised, Remedy is letting its freak flag fly in full force. We love every twist of this spiral into survival horror. [Issue#34, p.62]

A humorous tumble down the videogaming rabbit hole, The Stanley Parable: Ultra Deluxe gives us pointed, witty observations about game design. [Issue#15, p.91]

There’s a shocking amount of depth to the branching choices and skill checks that turn success and failure into your own personal tale of investigation. [Issue#1, p.90]

As much as we love the skeleton, the way it’s been built upon here feels like a missed opportunity. The chance to incorporate Part II’s stellar gameplay evolutions into the original heart-wrenching story was there; had Naughty Dog taken it, it could have been a game-changer. Instead, this feels like an obligatory reshoot. Yes, it’s visually stunning (one of PS5’s best), and yes, things have been changed. But the end result? Too familiar. Neat extras are here, like a speedrun mode, behind the scenes videos, and commentary tracks – but we’d hoped for something bolder. [Issue#19, p.74]

Tech limitations don’t spoil this layer cake of sheer gaming bliss. Tropey story sections may be divisive, but fast-paced action doesn’t get much better than this. [Issue#24, p.74]

Just like the super-satisfying weaponry, Rift Apart shoots on all cylinders to set a new bar for PS5. We’ve never had a game like this before. [Issue#3, p.120]

Moody, mysterious, borderline magnificent – this is a modern classic, an adventure that rivals its biggest inspirations without just following their lead. [Issue#41, p.96]