The perfect evolution for the Zelda series. It feels, in every way, like this is Zelda’s story, and this game does a great job of proving that there are many different ways to be a hero.

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

Few studios are as well-named as Team Asobi. They have put the ‘play’ back in PlayStation. Astrobot is simply an exceptional example of a genre that almost everyone but Nintendo treats like yesterday’s news. Live-service shooters are dead; long live the platformer!

Emio - The Smiling man is a dark and gruesomely gripping mystery that’s held back from reaching greatness by its lack of improvement on the series’ existing flaws.

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 refinements are needed in only a few select areas, otherwise Visions Of Mana is a wonderful return for the IP.

Star Wars Outlaws is a great way to live the outlaw fantasy and become the most likeable criminal you can possibly be. Kay Vess is the perfect Star Wars protagonist, and though there are some gameplay and graphical frustrations, there’s a strong heart to this game that is hard to deny.

A game that is both the prime example of a poor PC port and wasted potential, Monster Jam Showdown is just too broken at this point in time to even contemplate despite the underlying gameplay being quite a bit of fun.

The FPS action is top-notch, the combat loop satisfying and the roguelike elements are all balanced to perfection. The game is let down a little by a lack of variety in locations and enemies and the writing is hardly anything to set the world on fire, but these are small issues that are easily overlooked because the core loop is just too much fun.

A great community-focused PvE shooter that is held back by aggressive and manipulative monetisation. If those dodgy tactics can be ignored, players will find a lot to like, but that is a big if.

Dungeons of Hinterberg is a striking, self-aware adventure game that both excels and suffers for its impressive variety of puzzling and action mechanics. If you like adventure games, you're likely to have a great time on this “slaycation”.

Monster Hunter Stories might be eight years old, and might have been succeeded by a newer entry, but those factors do not diminish its incredible quality. Now accessible more than ever before, Stories is a game that must be accessed by fans of the franchise as well as JRPG-fans as well.

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.

The Elder Scrolls Online: Gold Road ultimately left me disappointed. It has certainly paved the way for more dynamic gameplay and interesting battle mechanics, but the shallow storyline and lamentable writing was hard for me to look past.

Shadows of the Erdtree does everything that Elden Ring does, but does it better. This is an amazing expansion to an already amazing game. Prepare to die, but also be prepared to be amazed and awestruck.

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.

Excessive F2P systems hold Multiversus back from greatness. As it is, there is a lot of fun to be had, but it is hard not to imagine something greater had the game received a more traditional release.

Horizon Chase 2 is blisteringly fast and honestly pretty fun. Its progression may feel borderline automated and its audio mixing lacks energy to an honestly bizarre level, but in a sea of very few fish it remains a solid and entertaining enough choice for what it is.

While MLB The Show 24 isn’t going to win you over with any revolutionary changes to the formula, the level of representation on show, and the refinements to systems that were already great, makes the 2024 entry another must for baseball fans.

If Ghost of Tsushima is something you have already experienced, then the PC version probably isn’t enough to get your money for a second time. If you missed it the first time around though it is a fantastic adventure that is even better on a powerful computer.

A wonderful title that deserves more love than it’s received here, but the test of time has been kind to Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door. It was amazing then, and it is now.

Where Ninja Theory has placed the majority of its resources, the game delivers in spades. You may find yourself disappointed, wishing for what could have been, but despite that, Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II is still not a game to be missed. It’s a technical and artistic marvel for the Xbox platform and a narrative experience that must be explored.

At the very least, anyone who has lost themselves in Deus Ex, Dishonored, Bioshock, Prey and many other titles that have cribbed heavily from the blueprint laid out here owe it to themselves to see where it all began.

A noble attempt at doing something more with the boomer shooter genre, Phantom Fury misses the mark a little when it comes to execution but still offers a good time for players that have a soft spot for late-90s shooters.

Another Crab’s Treasure is an example of a game having its cake and eating it too. The combat is fun and varied enough that you won’t get bored, and the narrative, especially the dialogue is a blast.

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.

While discussion is sure to be dominated by the sexualisation of lead character Eve, looking past that, Stellar Blade provides a solid action experience for fans of the Souls-like genre.

Not a perfect comeback by any means, but still the best game of virtual tennis for years. TopSpin 2K25 represents an excellent foundation that 2K can build from in entries to come.

Lunar Lander Beyond offers some great mechanical ideas, but it’s the execution and the lack of finesse that left me wanting more. From landers with sluggish controls to pilots and their traits cancelling out the challenges those brought on. It makes for a game that is frustrating as it carries so many neat ideas that are all lost in the final execution.

Pepper Grinder is a fun concept, that will, unfortunately, even after a mere 3-4 hour playthrough, still outlast it’s welcome by an hour or so.

As Dusk Falls wears its influences on its sleeve, from Telltale Games to those from Quantic Dream, and those that inspired its many awesome accessibility features. It shines brightest in its storytelling and how your choices reverberate throughout the remainder of the game, and no level of quirky animation can diminish that.

While it does have some stumbles it is an RPG that does away with the traditional good/bad decisions and has room for those moments where even the stalwart paragon of justice has to get down in the mud to get his way.

I’m not one to come out and say the developers are lazy or anything naïve as that, but it definitely reeks of a decision from high management to push out a pre-loved game from yesteryear with as little effort as possible. And to be brutally honest, that sucks. Battlefront 1 and 2 deserved a lot more than this.

I just wished the package included some historical details if only to help bring some context for those who weren’t there for the original releases.

This is a very special experience that will stay with me for a long while. I said it before and I’ll say it again; there are so few games that scratch the same itch that Suikoden did, and this is one that fans will really enjoy.

The best way to play Aloy’s most recent adventures... if you have the PC that can do it justice that is.

All of these options can seem overwhelming, but somehow feel less daunting than a Fire Emblem entry or even the recent Tactics Ogre, and that may be because I did not feel the same pressure to be invested in the individuals and their narrative. As much as Vanillaware and Atlus may not want to hear it, Unicorn Overlord allowed me to step back from the emotional responsibility of the characters in its narrative.

As it is now, it is like a dish or song that is missing that little something to bring it to the next level but its still perfectly enjoyable as it is. At least, for a short time.

Everything feels well balanced, nothing feels unfair when encountering a Prime Asset, and the Trials are varied, with mazes, puzzles, and grotesque elements all combining to offer a unique experience that horror fans should absolutely take a chance on.

Funny only goes so far.

When it comes to chronicling gaming history, there tends to be a focus away from the days of home computing to focus more on arcade and console gaming, and for me that’s the main draw with Llamasoft: The Jeff Minter Story. It’s a chance to show those curious about gaming history a side that’s rarely explored.

The big factor that will make or break Contra: Operation Galuga is how you feel about the game structure. Eight stages might not sound like much, but this is a game all about replaying – something which is no doubt a tradition for the series.

Bears in Space is a Saturday Morning Cartoon experience in the guise of a twitch FPS. Its absurdity, tight shooting and charm easily paper over the game's weaker elements making it a solid game to play in between bigger and deeper releases

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.

Alone In The Dark is a survival horror reimagining that doesn’t quite live up to the legacy of its predecessors. Dans of the genre will find some fun here, but stars like Jodie Corner and David Harbour feel almost wasted on this mediocre offering.

This all leaves me with the feeling that while WWE 2K24 is a solid outing, it is hard not to feel a little disappointed with its current state. It is a very safe sequel with some new features and a few gameplay tweaks, but there is nothing that screams “must-play” in regard to any of the additions.

It is perfectly made for on-the-go gaming, playing on the bus or in the car, when you have 20 mins before a meeting or just to help you wind down before bed.

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.

A Hellish turn-based management simulator with moments of fun that ultimately hasn’t evolved the 4X formula.

Some dated game design cannot be painted over, however all other aspects from visuals, to lighting and controls have been improved significantly, making this remaster a must-play.

This won’t be one for the action-platformer fans, but if you’re after something a little more cruisy to get that puzzle brain ticking, this will likely do the job. It’s safe to say I had a great time chasing after that big gorilla, and getting far too attached to my mechanical children in the process.

It tried to do something different, and it did it in a distinctly Don’t Nod way, and the end result was a beautiful story about characters I will remember for a long time to come. Red and Antea’s tale is one of love and loss, and it finds the beauty in both.

Perhaps the biggest criticism of this title is that the content overall feels a little low. Yes, they’ve focused on many of the right areas and it’s fun to play, but it can feel a little thin, perhaps DLC or a sequel could rectify this, but going into this game, don’t expect a ton of variation here.

Am I happy I played Suicide Squad? Yes, I am. There was enough here for me to get enjoyment out of proceedings. Am I happy to keep playing Suicide Squad? As it is, no way.

An enthralling and multi-layered narrative, excellently realised with incredible acting is only held back by lacklustre UI which breaks the immersion

An absurd, insane and all-round mental JRPG that will have fans wrapped from its opening to its heartwarming close, Infinite Wealth is the best game in the franchise and the perfect way to experience this well-loved franchise.

Tekken 8 finally opens the doors to new players and welcomes them with open arms. The steps this game takes to help those new to the franchise should be applauded. Couple that with the always solid fighting system and Tekken 8 is a winner.

One of the generation's finest games manages to get more life injected into it with a sensational rogue-like mode. It’s well worth your time again.

The amazing blend of solid combat mechanics, Interesting time powers, various beautiful locales to explore, interesting characters to meet, and a slew of awesome boss fights leaves me wanting to explore the mountain more and more.

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.

Super Mario RPG is a delightful remake of an underappreciated classic that will thrill new and old fans alike. It’s filled with wonder, whimsy, and wit, and respects its origins while easily carving a new place in Nintendo’s current line-up

Deep down, Persona 5 Tactica made me a bit mad at myself. I want to be sick of the Persona 5 crew, but I’m just not, at least not yet and if you strip away the Persona skin, there’s still a very enjoyable tactics game here.

Though I have issues with its visuals and the controls not being as tight as I’d prefer, I still had fun with it, and providing you’re not expecting a 1:1 replication of the original, then I believe you’re likely to as well.

UFC 5 really succeeds in giving players the visceral feel and impact of MMA fighting while providing a solid set of modes that will keep players engaged for a good amount of time. Sadly there are a few missed opportunities and I feel like more casual fans will drop off quickly as a result.

The perfect slice of Kiryu for returning fans, Like A Dragon Gaiden is a piece of fantastic filler to keep players entertained while they wait for the bigger games to follow. Those new to the franchise need not apply.

Lies Of P is a love letter to the genre. Neowiz really gets what is excellent about the genre, and it’s a fun take on an old classic. There’s hints of more classic tale spin-offs in the future, and I’ll be there at Day One to try them.

Haunted House takes a classic, and brings it into the modern age, by introducing stealthy elements to a Roguelite. It almost pulls it off too, if not for its repetitive room design and a few too many bugs which pull players out of the game a little too quickly.

NBA 2K24 is the definitive NBA 2K playing experience, crushed under the weight of excessive monetisation attempts.

Jackbox Party Pack 10 has its flaws, but the creative depravity it offers makes up for the weaker games in the pack. A solid entry in their 10 year catalogue.

A visual novel with a rich story that tackles difficult subjects whist dealing with a storm of emotions.

To be clear, this game is super weird. Just… so very, very weird. It asks you to do things you’d never expect, and uses the joy-cons in ways that frighteningly creative minds must have dreamed into existence – but it’s also a true showcase of what they can do. It’s so simple that it’s genius, and it flaunts a particular kind of weirdness that few games manage to successfully achieve. It’s one of those games that makes me want to invite everyone I know over to my house to play it with me so that I can show them just how weird it is, and have them experience it for themselves – and it also gets me moving in ways that a game hasn’t done in ages. It’s a true feat of creativity and chaos, and it’s definitely going to be one that I go back to for laughs and a pretty serious workout.

Wizard with a Gun is a solid little game that you can play in small bite-sized chunks where you only do one expedition at a time, or in larger more in-depth sessions. While it does have some flaws, you cannot go wrong if you are a fan of crafting and survival games and want that nervousness that comes with the risk of losing everything if you manage to die.

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.

Go in expecting the classic with a couple of added extras, and your time with Sonic will be action-packed and enjoyable.

If I had to summarise the Metal Gear Solid Master Collection Vol. 1 into a single word, it would be inconsistent. There have been great efforts by Konami to provide the most complete experience of the original Metal Gear Solid here, but this contrasts strongly with how little has been done to attempt the same for MGS 2 & 3 in terms of preservation and breadth of content.

Not only is Alan Wake II Remedy’s best game, it is an experience that sets a new high bar for narrative horror titles that is unlikely to be passed anytime soon.

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.

Feeling both familiar and fresh, Super Mario Bros. Wonder is exactly what was needed for the 2D Mario sub-genre.

There’s a game in here that is easy to wholeheartedly recommend, but it’s caked in so much garbage that you really have to ask a lot of questions about what you want from it, about what you’re willing to put in.

The Spider-Man franchise, across, TV, comics, and games, has never been in better hands than it is right now. Only technical flaws hold Peter and Miles’ latest web-slinging adventure back from excellence.

Endless Dungeon may not be a tech powerhouse or groundbreaking experience, but then not every game has to be. What it does do is take the core of three different genres and mash them into an enjoyable and fresh experience that can be enjoyed solo or with a friend on just about any PC out there.

Lords Of The Fallen doesn’t mess around. It’s a no-holds-barred, unapologetic rollercoaster ride from start to finish, and I can’t wait to go again.

Unfortunately, while there are moments when Party Animals shines and is a fun competitive mini-game experience, these moments were brought down by some confusing design choices that hampered my enjoyment while playing.

Mortal Kombat 1 is finally here and it’s every bit as entertaining as we’ve come to expect from Netherealm Studios. It looks good, plays great and has more content than you can poke a metal dart attached to a rope at. Some minor balancing issues aside, this is a much-welcomed addition to the franchise

Detective Pikachu Returns is an anomaly for both the Pokemon series and adventure games at large, but the marriage of the two makes it into something special. It’s earnest, fun, and at times downright satisfying, and even though it’s undoubtedly weird, it’s also the perfect title for introducing new players to the world of mystery games.

Mirage is a good-but-not-great entry in the Assassin’s Creed franchise. It is wonderful that the series went back to its roots but it is just a shame Ubisoft didn’t use this opportunity to fix the problems that these foundation games always had.

Forza Motorsport is not only a world class racing sim, but it is a welcoming, encouraging experience for racers of all abilities. Its desire to help and improve racers is perhaps only surpassed by the technology the game is built on. Pure racing at its best.

Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun aims to be the kind of FPS throwback to get your adrenaline pumping, and almost hits the mark, if not for the overly expansive levels which don’t quite land the old-school feel that the rest of the game nails.

An oddball shooter from the 90s that turns everything up to 11 making for a frenetic ball of chaos, with a distinct sense of tone that stands out in the crowd of the boomer shooter revival.

Red Dead Redemption is an unbelievably good game, even in 2023, however the lack of effort put into elevating the game to the current day’s technical benchmarks damages its modern legacy.

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.

An engaging mixture of combat, exploration, and puzzles, Immortals is an excellent debut from Ascendant Studios that hits at even more promising things to come.

Story Of Seasons: A Wonderful Life brings some welcome modernisation to an old classic, while at times sticking a little too closely to its roots.

Pokemon Scarlet and Violet’s The Teal Mask DLC is a story drive adventure that is backed by a satisfying land to explore buy continues to be held back by its technical shortcomings.

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.

Despite this being a very good racing experience, one that will undoubtedly entertain, it just isn’t at the same level as Forza Horizon, at least not yet. Considering this is Ubisoft’s first attempt at that formula, they have given it a red hot go, but there is no escaping the fact that Horizon is a more complete and polished package.

A bold technical marvel that celebrates science and exploration, propelling you into the unknown and letting you forge your own path among the stars. Starfield is Bethesda at its best.

A game that wears its inspirations on its sleeve but then still has something unique to say with a flavour all of its own. Sea Of Stars is a truly unique, and brilliant title that must be experienced.