Persona 5 Strikers is one of the best spin-off titles I’ve ever played and gave me everything I wanted from a Persona 5 follow-up; a chance to revisit these characters in a much less bloated fashion and further modernising its combat system to complement the shift from randomised dungeon layouts to bespoke creations that P5 was praised for.

A bittersweet story about navigating life, uncertainty, and new beginnings, Goodbye Volcano High is one that will resonate with many, and bends the genre in all the right ways.

Kirby and the Forgotten land is the beacon of joy we all need in these wild times. It’s pure, wholesome fun that can (and should) be enjoyed by all ages.

There were hardly any faults in the Xenoblade Chronicles X experience to begin with, but the Definitive Edition elevates the game in every respect. It’s MonolithSoft’s finest work, revitalised.

The quality of each of the games varies, but there’s no questioning that Square-Enix have created definitively the best version of these 80’s and 90’s classics.

This game is a masterpiece of automotive history and driving gameplay. Truly no driving game has ever come close to being this sensational.

The cars are faster than ever and feel better to drive than ever thanks to tighter controls and base improvements to the game’s car handling. Equally, the addition of accessibility features like steering help and the casual modes open up F1 2020 to an even wider degree of players, from those with a casual racing interest to people with full-blown personal racing simulators.

While the journey through Demon’s Souls is one that has resulted in much frustration and higher blood pressure than I would normally put myself through just to play a video game, it is a wonderful showcase of what the PS5 can do and the perfect game for those that want to challenge themselves. Combined with the impressive graphical quality and those incredibly fast loading speeds, you have the perfect fodder for the ‘onebro’ that secretly lives inside you.

The Forgotten City offers a story which has much to reflect on, in an environment filled with compelling characters, and intriguing mysteries to solve. It makes for a fresh experience, being accessible for both veterans of adventuring and role playing.

Clair Obscur is artistry for the senses. Visuals, soundtrack, acting, storyline and gameplay are all top tier, and I cannot urge you to play this game strongly enough.

It's not for everyone, but I feel it's a great introduction to an interesting slice of gaming's lost past and also to the unique arcade-esque fare in which Llamasoft specialises in.

The odd-ball of the AoE family is back and is better than ever. This remake won’t change the minds of people who didn’t like it upon its original release, but it does celebrate an RTS that dared to try something new.

Necrobarista, is a stellar debut from Melbourne’s Route 59 Games, one that succeeds in pushing the artistic boundaries of the medium and has me eagerly anticipating what’s next for the studio. Brew your favourite cuppa and have a go, mate.

Kena: Bridge Of Spirits might draw upon some aged influences, but the way it assembles the various pieces of the puzzle together makes it feel very modern indeed.

A great approach to fitness that feels fresh and easy to fit into a busy schedule. Could have more variation in on-screen places and characters to help escapism.

The Rogue Prince of Persia is an absolute success in both doing justice to the well-loved property and in taking the foundation of Dead Cells and moulding it into something new and just as exciting.

The world is enormous, filled to the brim with rich content to explore. It can be a bit much sometimes with the number of artefacts you can find or haikus to sit and devise bloating things a little bit, but players will be blown away by the deep storytelling and unbelievable style and personality that Ghost of Tsushima brings to the table.

The additions made to the franchise’s core, spliced in with Champions Of The Content and the changes made to its DNA, make Octopath Traveler 0 an incredibly engaging and constantly enticing prospect. The Path Of Restoration begins now, and I hope you’re along for the ride.

Metroid Dread is a truly exceptional return to the spotlight for the franchise and Samus Aran.

Whether this is a first trip to Kamurocho or simply the latest of many, Lost Judgment is an engaging experience and hopefully not the last we see of Yagami Takayuki.

Successfully blending genres is a tough task, but Monster Train makes it look easy. Addictive rouge-like card-based gameplay with a presentation that is second-to-none.

It’s extremely charming, and completely captures the Iyashikei ‘slice-of-life genre, particularly in the personality of the town’s characters and how they interact with one another, yet also beckon you into that same world.

An already outstanding title can now be taken natively on the go, has all additional content bundled in it, and now possesses new modes to make the game more approachable to all. Final Fantasy VII Remake was a sensation in 2020, and it’s only better now in 2026.

The best game in the franchise, The Beast brings all the best parts of the previous two Dying Light games together into one irresistible, blood-soaked package.

Fantasian feels at home on console, Sakaguchi and Uematsu are completely at home with Square-Enix, and players will feel like they’re going on a journey home to their nostalgic 90s era as they delve into the game. Fantasian is an inspired mobile effort that is now better than ever in the form of Neo Dimension.

Tony Hawk meets Max Payne in this glorious sci/fi sports title that is sure to get its hooks into you and never let go. Wholly unique and utterly engaging, Rollerdome is a blast.

It’s a refreshing change compared to other entries I’ve played in and around the genre and one that ensures I’ll keep coming back to Descenders regularly for the foreseeable future. After all, a few more runs and I might just be able to make it through the forest completely unscathed.

Tactics Ogre: Reborn really set the gears in motion for a genre. Since the first launch of this game in 1995, a lot has changed and this title has been staunch in both keeping to its roots and also making some needed changes to modernise the game.

Against the Storm is nothing short of a revelation. The perfect marriage of a City Builder with a Roguelike and a game that is sure to become your next addiction.

Demonschool is a perfect mix of all the things I love - cheesy retro horror, tactics-based role-playing, kicking bad guys in the face, and hot characters I can chat up. What’s not to love?

Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart is every bit the shining gem in the PS5 launch crown. There are a couple of extremely minor drawbacks in the form of a sometimes-cluttered screen, the sense of humour taking more of a backseat, and some very rare crashes, but Rift Apart delivers one of the strongest entries in the franchise to date.

Mafia 2: Definitive Edition is the best way to play one of the most enthralling stories of the past decade. A wonderful upgrade for a wonderful title, don’t miss it.

Though only an evolution and not a further revolution to the Spider-Man formula, Miles’ journey is full of heart, is riveting to play through and a joy to just kick back and immerse yourself in.

Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition is a sensational product, a love letter to some of the most iconic encounters in history, and a wonderful playing experience. The game has continued to improve and expand with each DLC, and the newest slice of content to come with the Anniversary Edition makes this Age of Empires IV package even more enticing to explore.

Rather than burn me out, Hanger 13 has done a fantastic job overhauling the original Mafia while staying true to its spirit in this remake which has left me itching to fire up Mafia II Definitive Edition – so do yourself a favour and pick up the trilogy set if you haven’t already.

A massive return-to-form and a huge step forward for the annual series, Black Ops 6 is the best that COD has been this generation by quite some way.

Scars Above is AA game design at its absolute best. A tight Sci/fi adventure that is perfectly paced and entertaining from start to finish. Proof positive that a smaller, tighter scope is often a wiser road to success in the world of video games.

Tripwire has crafted a fantastically balanced experience that knows when enough is enough and is genuinely funny, something many games aim for but so few succeed in reaching. Maneater is an ideal palate cleanser for those suffering from ‘open-world’ fatigue and, despite its perfect size, still left me wanting more.

Sand Land is aesthetically beautiful despite its largely brown setting, and clever despite its absurdity. It offers charming characters, engaging customisation systems, and a world that expands on Akira Toriyama’s original vision. It knows what it is and embraces it fully, and that makes it one of the year’s most surprising gems.

An excellent game in its own right, and one of the PSP’s best, Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII’s remaster stands shoulder to shoulder still with some of the best and most enjoyable JRPGs of the modern day. There are certainly some aspects that have aged poorly in relation to other aspects, but the core pillars of the experience sing as loudly and as strongly as they ever have. Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII was already one of the great JRPGs, and a major player in advancing the genre, but now, 15 years on, it’s still right up there with the very best. With Final Fantasy VII hype greater than perhaps it has ever been, now is absolutely the time to check out this all-important prequel chapter.

A stone cold classic has returned looking and playing better than ever before. Age of Mythology is a must play for all strategy fans and the perfect example of how to re-release a 20+ year old game.

Some minor imperfections hold Monster Hunter Wilds back from reaching its next level potential, but players will still have plenty to celebrate with this latest franchise epic.

With the Dead Space remake, we have a very faithful and utterly stunning recreation of the original genre-leading masterpiece. Little has changed apart from presentation aspects and while some may feel that is a missed opportunity, I am more than happy to re-experience this classic title as it is.

Trails Through Daybreak both refines and expands the series’ formula to produce one of the years best JRPG’s, providing a sorely needed entry point after concluding the Crossbell/Cold Steel heptalogy.

It’s Pikmin 3, a pretty great game from 2013 with pretty minimal additions, but that won’t matter as it’s now on a system that a lot of people actually own.

Tales Of Arise is a treat for fans of the franchise, but also an excellent jumping-on point for franchise newcomers.

The lack of War Of The Lions additions holds back the game from being the perfect re-release, but nonetheless, Final Fantasy: The Ivalice Chronicles is still a pre-eminent title in the Tactical RPG sub-genre, and cannot possibly be missed if you have even a passing interest.

Story of Seasons: Friends of Mineral Town is a remake that builds on the original in all the right ways, and is recommended for anyone looking for a quaint, charming farm story to sink some time into. In some ways it may be shallow and a little outdated, but overall it makes for a lovely experience.

With gorgeous settings and a beautiful rousing score that fit the epicness of the battles I faced and a satisfying combat style, I highly recommend it if you are a fan of the genre or just a fan of traditional martial arts.

While not the gigantic leap that World was a couple of years prior, Monster Hunter Rise, is a refined, sleek title that is suitable for new and old fans alike.

Spider-Man is a fantastic game. One of the highlights of the last generation of console games and this PC version will certainly hit the spot for those that missed it. A couple of little porting issues stop it from being the best version of the game but I expect that to change quickly and once it does, this will be the premium version of the game.

Theatrhythm: Final Bar Line is without any doubt one of the greatest love letters that this industry has seen.

The definitive version of a colourful adventure that will charm you from start to finish, Epic Mickey: Rebrushed is an edgy Mickey Mouse tale to be remembered. This version is much more than just a new coat of paint!

Star Wars Jedi: Survivor is bigger, better, and more bombastic than its predecessor, while it also challenges you in ways that few other Star Wars works have done to date. It’s beautiful and begging to be played.

South of Midnight has so much soul that the specifics don’t matter. It told a story that has been criminally undertold in the games landscape so far, with fresh characters, in a darkly intriguing world. I’d take all the underwhelming combat in the world if it meant we got more games like this one.

The engaging story, wonderfully unique style and pitch-perfect adventuring make this a game that everyone should play at one point in their lives and this 20th Anniversary edition is the best way to do it. If it is your first time, you are in for a treat and if you are returning to old friends…well you know what you are getting.

Be prepared for a game riddled with opportunities to build the best flippin’ ensemble that you can build. Take that team and exist in a beautiful world for more hours than is conventionally reasonable. Experience one of the best stories I have ever had the privilege to experience in a JRPG.

Somehow, what looks like a vibes-rich self-indulgent arthouse piece turns out to be a game than not only nails the vibes it is chasing, but also manages to keep pretty well balanced on its actual mechanics. Skate Story may appeal to a very specific audience, but they will likely devour it like a cookie in the night sky.

I hope Kaizen aren’t done with Promise Mascot Agency, because even though the credits rolled, I’m not quite ready to say goodbye to Kaso-Machi.

Squadrons is the sort of game that EA needs to make more of. Tight, focused experiences that meet a need perfectly. Any fan of space combat should be diving into this the first chance they get.

Steamworld Build’s lack of range of choice in playable options is about the only thing getting in the way of this new entry being on the level of the greats in Steamworld Dig and its sequel.

The simple fact of the matter is, The Final Shape made me care about Destiny again, something I didn't think was possible. Bungie has pulled out all the stops to send this story arc off in fine style with an engaging campaign, welcome tweaks to progression and some fantastic new shared events. The story grabs hold and the conclusion is satisfying in a way I didn't think was possible after all this time.

This is the best version of an amazing game but the asking price considering its age is something that may put buyers off. But if you do lash out, know that Red Dead is as good as it ever was, if not better.

Donkey Kong Bananza is a throwback filled adventure that, while riddled with joyous moments, is at times held back by the own freedom it provides.

A joyous blend of stealth tactics, swashbuckling adventure and whimsical humour, Shadow Gambit is Mimimi Games at their very best and considering their history, that is saying something.

A mash-up of everything that makes video games great, Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time is probably better than real life.

If you have an itch for something that’s spooky but also morally confronting and you will be thinking about it for days to come, it’s impossible not to recommend this.

Rise of the Ronin isn’t always great, but when it’s switched on, it’s really switched on. The combat system is dense and rewarding, the missions are exciting, and minus some missteps in the open world and with NPCs, this is still a tight experience that feels very good.

There’s a very real chance that 10-15 years from now, interviews will feature many up and coming devs attributing their first step and successes to Game Builder Garage.

The best version of an already great game, Returnal on PC is a fantastic rogue-like experience if you have the hardware to handle it. It also serves as proof that Sony is really starting to understand the PC platform as a whole.

In the end, it is just more Watch Dogs, but it is also equal to the best Watch Dogs has ever been and that is something no one expects from a piece of DLC.

The Last of Us: Part 2 is a brutal, bleak and relentless experience that gives players no chance to breathe or relax. At the same time it is a game like no other and deserves to be played, if not enjoyed, by everyone with a Sony system.

Jusant is a bewitching experience; a meditative ascent which conveys its themes of hope, inevitability and perseverance effectively alongside puzzling gameplay that pushes players forward with just the right amount of challenge.

Neon White feels at home on the Switch. The short, replayable levels, stylish art style, cool soundtrack and generous difficulty means that you can feel awesome and satisfied without hitting a difficulty wall.

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth improves on Remake, expanding not only the scope of the adventure well beyond the confines of Midgar, but also exploring the ensemble cast in greater depth to enhance the emotional impact of events both new and old.

This version of Sherlock feels human, his methods of deduction are satisfying, and his cases are certainly intriguing enough to make aspiring detectives want to solve them all.

8-Bit Adventures 2 triumphs as both a loving tribute to classic JRPGs as well as a unique must-play game for fans of the genre. It’s exciting, emotional, and features fantastic gameplay that merges the best of retro and modern JRPG features.

Octopath Traveler II expands and improves upon the established formula of the original game in incredible new ways that will appeal to JRPG fans old and new.

A mix of wholesome friendship, murder and mayhem like no other, Saints Row is a riotous blast that entertains for hours on end.

Anno 117: Pax Romana is a wonderfully engaging, deep and satisfying strategy experience that will keep players, both new and old, engaged for dozens, if not hundreds of hours as they become a Governor in Ancient Rome.

Only some incredibly infrequent and immensely minor technical hiccups interfere with Jot’s wonderful debut adventure. Here’s hoping there’s more to come.

When all is said and done, Spider-Man: Miles Morales is a fantastic port of a fantastic game. It runs well on a range of systems, including the Steam Deck, and really captures the feel of this younger, less experienced web-slinger.

Ultimately, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time with Ready or Not. The gameplay is satisfying, the focus on teamwork and realism is appreciated, and the satisfaction of nailing a difficult mission is something lots of games could learn from.

Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1+2 on the next-gen systems is the ultimate way to play this fantastic revival. Smoother, faster and more fluid, it will have you reliving your youth with a big smile on your face.

It took 15 years to get Battle League but we might not see the next one for another 15 since we’ll still be playing this entry for years to come!

Fury Unleashed makes you the great action hero on the way to save the mind of your creator, facing off against hordes of enemies in an addictive experience that keeps you coming back for more.

Little Nightmares II is a masterclass in suspense and audio design that feeds on your childhood fears. This unsettling mix of whimsy and the macabre will urge you to push past your fears and a few frustrating mechanics in order to discover the secrets hidden in its grotesque world.

A no-brainer delightful JRPG to start the year with beautiful aesthetics, endearing characters, and an easy-to-engage storyline. I implore you to not miss this call to our classic JRPG foundations.

Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury is a sensational package. It reintroduces the world to an often forgotten (or straight-up missed) classic Mario platformer, while lays the groundwork for a new type of Mario experience, one that, with some further refinement, could be one day looked back upon as yet another defining moment in perhaps the most decorated franchise in the industry.

Is it the best Nioh game? Despite how overwrought it is in some areas, it’s the Nioh title I’ve felt the most driven to keep returning to.

Ultimately though, Planet Coaster 2 does amazing at a lot of things, and will likely get better over the upcoming years. Frontier has shown they care about the community and their games, and they’ve poured a lot of love into this title. I think this is their best game yet, and should just get better.

A unique combination of genre elements and ideas, Creature in the Well is a brief but thoroughly enjoyable way to spend a weekend.

Free, great DLC for an incredible game is a no-brainer recommendation from me.

Desperados 3 is a sensational game that boasts challenging game design that is as equally rewarding as it is frustrating. With an engaging story, interesting characters, and a great setting, it’s easy to recommend this game to just about everyone.

As a remake, it can be mildly jarring as the new clashes with the old, but if you’re able to transport yourself back to 2004, and appreciate an iconic title with a stunning coat of new paint, Snake Eater is undoubtedly worth checking out.

Wild Hearts is a solid entry in the “kill giant creatures and harvest their parts to craft new gear” genre, and with plans to add new Kemono to hunt and room for new areas to be added this is a game that you can sink your teeth into for a while to come.

With Halo Infinite, 343 has finally surpassed the high-points from Bungie’s reign over the Halo Franchise. It was worth the wait to see the Master Chief return in such a spectacular fashion.

While Chrono Cross doesn’t hit the high notes that its predecessor does, it’s a sensational title given the facelift it deserves. Maybe Chrono Break can be willed into existence yet.