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.

This sort of game lives or dies on how much support it receives from the developers but at this point in time Bloodhunt is a blast that is sure to entertain Battle Royale players and fans of the Vampire IP.

The team at Coffee Stain know exactly what the title is and how it should be played, cranking up the insanity for an outrageous time and optimum enjoyability. Goat Simulator 3 is pure absurdity, nothing more, nothing less.

There’s nothing groundbreaking about Reanimal, but what it does, it does very well. There are still some nagging frustrations in Tarsier’s design that have again reared their heads, but don’t let them interfere with your enjoyment of this moody world.

It’s a polished game, but it’s polished for 2012. It’s a solid RPG, and if you want a very well fleshed-out fantasy world, you’ll find joy here.

What hurts this 2020 take on a beloved franchise is an inability to stay to course for long enough to whet the appetites of long time fans. The brawling segments are too few and far between, and while the other game modes that pop up are very well designed and executed, you will find yourself longing for fewer of them, so that you can swing your fists for longer.

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet are a wonderful foundation for future Pokémon adventures, but what’s been put atop this foundation for now is rather shaky in a number of ways. Poor performance this far into the Switch’s lifecycle doesn’t bode well for GameFreak or the pressure they are put under to meet holiday deadlines, nor does the phenomenal sales success mean they have much incentive to refine what’s here, when such time and resources could be better spent on whatever pair of titles succeeds Scarlet and Violet.

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet are a wonderful foundation for future Pokémon adventures, but what’s been put atop this foundation for now is rather shaky in a number of ways. Poor performance this far into the Switch’s lifecycle doesn’t bode well for GameFreak or the pressure they are put under to meet holiday deadlines, nor does the phenomenal sales success mean they have much incentive to refine what’s here, when such time and resources could be better spent on whatever pair of titles succeeds Scarlet and Violet.

For now, enjoy the best Jurassic Park game we’ve had to date.

While there are a few issues that will frustrate, One Piece: Odyssey is a great romp with the Straw Hat crew featuring a brand new tale that incorporates some of their best story arcs so far.

If you can figure out how to balance the environment systems and survive the winter, Of Life and Land offers an enjoyable settlement-building experience.

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.

While Neon Abyss lacks plot depth and environmental variety, it makes up for it with some wild item combinations and chaotic enemy encounters. You can never be quite sure how your next run of this roguelike is going to pan out, but you can always be confident it’s going to be hectic, brightly coloured, and filled with mixed-quality puns and pop culture references.

Hollowbody is a love letter to early turn-of-the-century horror. It’s not the most elegant at dealing with the pieces; some of the puzzles vary wildly in difficulty, enemies are fairly generic and the game is pretty short but you know what? I think, for the fact that this is a solo developer and it’s not highly priced it’s still a solid recommend from me. Even if you’re wanting to wade into the muck of survival horror, this makes a great entry into the genre.

It’s a mouthful of a title and it’s a weird game. It’s Nioh to the core with Final Fantasy nostalgia smeared all over it. Laugh at the dialogue, stay for the great combat system. It’s not perfect by far, but all it takes is a single great thing to make something shine.

Despite the frame rate issues present, Rogue Lords is a game that can still be played and enjoyed by those with an interest in a turn-based combat Rogue-like. There is a huge difficulty spike when you find yourself on the wrong end of the RNG, but those that enjoy a challenge may enjoy finding ways to bend the game to their will.

Zombie Killing is always better with friends and Zombie Army 4 doesn’t buck that trend. Don’t buy this if you lack playing partners but if you have some Zombie slaying mates it is a blast.

A big bowl of comfort food gaming, Werewolf is a game that feels like a throwback to simpler times. It is a welcome blast from start to finish and while ultimately forgettable, it is undeniably fun while it lasts.

Layers of Fear lets your imagination build the horror inside itself and if you have a brain that works that way along with a sick personality that welcomes this sort of entertainment (raises his hand) then this title will deliver.

Cheating the rich out of their coin never felt so satisfying.

Despite being a small indie developer that was only formed three years ago, Typhoon Studios have put out a game that is of wonderful quality with no graphical or technical issues that I have experienced. While I do have a few gripes about certain aspects of the game, overall it is a very successful first outing.

It’s upbeat puzzle-platforming fun at its most deceptively chaotic, and while some aspects of it still feel stuck in the past, there’s also lots here to remind people of what made it so great in the first place.

AO Tennis 2 is a deep and rewarding simulation that offers much for the hardcore tennis fan. An initial difficulty wall will likely put a few players off, but for those that persist there is a rewarding and deep game of tennis to be found.

EA’s long-awaited return to the golf course is a solid effort, not an outstanding one. There are some structural and balance issues that hold the game back from greatness but there is still an enjoyable walk around the virtual course to be had.

What Airship Syndicate have done is show the world that the Darksiders IP is more than a one-trick pony, and for those who’ve not been tempted by the core franchise entries up until this point, there is now a very different sample of the IP with which to taste.

While the boss fights can be frustrating, F.I.S.T. is a solid entry in the Metroidvania genre. Anyone that enjoys these types of games should definitely experience what it has to offer.

Bubble Bobble 4 retains lots of things you loved about the series, but didn’t add a whole lot more. It’s over in the blink of an eye and its asking price isn’t justified.

From its more balanced challenge to the wider array of missions to conquer, Gravitar Recharged makes an underappreciated arcade game far more enjoyable for modern-day players.

Contracts is a signal to the world that the Sniper Ghost Warrior franchise is no longer content on being a niche title. It is coming for the stealth big boys.

Ty’s return doesn’t bring anything new to the table, but it doesn’t have to. This is a warm reminder of just how much fun classic 3D platformers were and is the perfect game for anyone with fond memories of the genre.

If one could sit back and honestly be happy with a six-hour experience with beautiful voice acting and music, non-frustrating gameplay, and most importantly, is fun from start to finish, then Olija definitely a game you want to check out and one we can easily recommend.

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.

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.

The game is sublime and, if you have the rig, it runs well on the PC. It just has a host of small niggles and irritating problems surrounding it that are not an indictment on the game at all, just an indication that Sony still doesn’t get PC games. As a result, the PS5 version is still the best one available as of right now, though that may change as the game is inevitably patched to solve a few of these issues.

A sedate yet engaging experience, Wayward Strand weaves serious subjects with threads of respect and care. While time marches on, you never feel pushed to worry about it, with a short length and plenty of concurrent events creating a welcome environment to re-experience if you so wish.

All in all, I have great respect for what the team have tried to do here with Eternal Threads. The narrative is fairly compelling, and the way this game plays with time mechanically is still quite unique for games. It didn’t quite hit all the marks I was hoping for, but Cosmonaut Studios have created an interesting narrative experience here that fans of walking simulators and narrative exploration games will find a lot here to enjoy.

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.

Hamstermind is a game made by puzzle lovers, and it shows. Whilst it’s not a perfect experience, people who have the patience for deceptively simple but ultimately extremely challenging puzzles should absolutely check this out.

Aphelion may not allow players to connect as personally as they did with Max and Chloe to Thomas and Ariane, but it does represent many of its themes admirably. The vast, hostile and seemingly uncaring landscape of Persephone is beautiful regardless of the pain it inflicts upon the protagonists. Worthy of its playtime, Aphelion is the interactive equivalent of binging a single season of TV over a few nights – the rough bits don’t stick around long enough to ruin the overall experience.

Tiny Garden is a cute game that encourages players to make a short experience their own through experimentation, optimisation, and customisation.

While the sheer amount of information thrown at you can be daunting, once you get the hang of it you will find a deep and complex management sim that can keep you engaged for many hours as you create your own empire.

If spatial puzzles with colour-mixing seem like something you would enjoy, then Shroomtopia is an easy win.

They say that some things never change, and in the case of SMT3: Nocturne, that statement applies 100%. For the most part, this is perfectly okay, the game is a product of its time, and for those looking to crack open the time capsule, either for the first time, or as a returning fan, they’re sure to find something that speaks to them, but given what we’ve seen in the remaster space lately, it’s also hard to not wonder what else might have been possible.

For the most part, you’re in for a few solid crime-solving sessions in the shoes of an absolutely unqualified amateur detective – a role most of us are pretty familiar with playing (in life, and in games). There are mysteries to be found in these solid remakes of the old Famicom Detective Club series, and they are well worth solving.

While lacking the polish of its well-funded cousins, Biomutant brings a whole world of heart to the open-world RPG genre that can’t be found anywhere else.

For the most part, you’re in for a few solid crime-solving sessions in the shoes of an absolutely unqualified amateur detective – a role most of us are pretty familiar with playing (in life, and in games). There are mysteries to be found in these solid remakes of the old Famicom Detective Club series, and they are well worth solving.

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.

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.

After last year's disappointing entry, NBA 2K23 is certainly a step in the right direction. The basketball is as good as it has ever been and the Jordan Challenge is truly wonderful, you just have to ignore a bit of jank to find the fun.

Neverwinter Nights 2 is the game you loved from nearly 20 years ago, almost as you remember it, with multiplayer restored, and bugs for good measure. As a remaster, it’s a pretty by-the-numbers effort, but it gets the job done.

While it can be very challenging for solo players at first, when playing with others Conan Chop Chop is a great party game that will have you coming back for more.

The Sniper Elite franchise itself is a whole lot of fun and a very different take on the World War era than most first-person shooter games. With the freedom to tackle each mission in whichever way you want, not to mention that it is already on Game Pass for Xbox and PC players, you have no reason not to jump in, have some fun, and shoot some Nazis in the testicles.

Best Friend Forever combines dog ownership with dating, and while it manages to mechanically implement one element far more successfully than the other, it’s so full of heart that many of the flaws can be forgiven.

I find it hard to believe that any fan of the FPS genre wouldn’t have a good time with Trepang2. The gameplay is tight and satisfying and the level design is first-class, making a wonderful playground in which to decimate those capitalist soldiers. There is no doubt that this is a fantastic effort by such a small team and I can’t wait to see what they have coming next.

Ganryu 2 is a fantastic blend of elements from all manner of ninja side-scrollers. Now that a lot of bugs have been ironed out, it’s a retro must-play.

Cricket 22 is without any hint of doubt, the best representation of one of the oldest, and best, sports around, but if Big Ant want to take the next step, to reach the summit and join the sporting sim elite, there is still more to be done.

Every game has its flaws upon release, but not many games are able to offer the unique coupling of entertainment, laughter and critical thinking that Evil Genius 2 delivers.

It needs some time to find its place in the world and refine the solid foundations, but FBC Firebreak is a fun way to return to The Old House with mates without having to commit thousands of hours in the process.

With charm to spare, Sackboy makes his way to the PC with a great port. A couple of odd choices at the system level are the only issues with an otherwise cracking platform adventure.

With lots to love for new fans, and a tonne of respect shown to existing diehards, Soul Reaver 1 & 2 Remastered is the first strong step towards what will hopefully be a full franchise revival in the future.

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.

Samurai Warriors 5 is a perfect slice of junk food gaming. It knows it isn’t an award winner, breaking new ground or pushing gaming forward, it simply aims to provide an entertaining ride, nothing more, nothing less. In that light, it is impossible to see Samurai Warriors 5 as anything but a success.

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.

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.

After the 8th pack, one might be wondering if these games are losing steam or continuing to improve whilst offering new and fun experiences. Having played countless hours of these with friends, I couldn’t be happier to report that the latter seems to be the case.

Wuchang: Fallen Feathers is a must play for souls fans. Come for the combat, stay for the lore and the environments. It’s hell, but you’ll relish it.

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.

Perhaps the biggest compliment I can pay Trials of Mana is how much it impresses me retrospectively. While I’ve had a great time blasting through it in 2020, I can only imagine how forward-thinking and impressive many of its systems and mechanics would have been in 1995. For fans of more modern entries in the genre like Kingdom Hearts or recent titles in the Ys or Tales series, Trials of Mana is a chance to discover a missing link which stays true to its 16-bit roots while improving the experience in numerous ways.

Story Of Seasons: Grand Bazaar is like a warm hug, but it's also a reminder of a series that needs to adapt and change in order to keep up with the genre it was so foundational in building.

With Twin Breaker, the team at Lillymo, along with Moriarty and Maldenado, have constructed a wonderful take on a time-honoured genre that has been woefully underserved in recent years.

A world-spanning epic with a meaty, varied and satisfying strategy battle system. While it takes a while for the steam engine that is Discples: Liberation to pick up speed, once it’s off, the journey is well worth taking.

If you have an itch for a new and solid roguelike, Dreamscaper is more than happy to help you scratch it.

Though hardly original, Arietta Of Spirits features a heart-wrenching, and compelling plot, mechanics, and world design that whilst lacking in originality, are nonetheless excellently designed and implemented

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.

The gameplay loop is easy to immerse yourself in, and you will get from the story what you put into it, but some rough edges prevent Gord from hitting the big leagues.

Dinkum is a solid addition to the farming sim genre and will especially appeal to players who love decorating and terraforming, but it also has some glaring gaps that are difficult to look past.

The crime of mediocrity is often more disappointing than the crime of simply being terrible and that feels especially true here.

What you see is what you get with Sam’s fourth adventure. There are no surprises here but there is comfort to be found in decimating wave after wave of alien nasties while cracking bad one-liners.

I like Fairy Tail 2. It’s competent but not great, and there are a few things that irk me; like locking exploration behind specific characters that join much later. If you’re not a fan of the series, the game lacks quite a bit of backstory, and even the stuff that is in the game can be locked behind late game campfire scenes. If you are a fan of Fairy Tail in manga or anime form, this is a fun jaunt through the final arc of the series.

Shadow Labyrinth isn’t a bad game by any means, it is just one that carries with it a sense of missed opportunity and sometimes that stings a little more.

JETT reaches for the stars, and it is tantalising to watch it do so. It’s a shame that the camera cuts away just as it looks like it’s going to get there.

An excellent game, but a rough port, Wild Hearts S is held back by poor performance and sloppy visuals. Play it for the gameplay experience but not the aesthetics.

Some interesting ideas combined with a relatively short run time makes Chronos good for one or two playthroughs that will genuinely make you appreciate its successor even more.

I wish I could sing the praises of this game, but the flaws were a little too frequent to ignore. The narrative is strong but the delivery of it often flounders, despite the convincing voice acting of some of the cast. Some puzzles fit right into the world and add to the immersion, while some feel like banging your head against a wall as you endure them. The environments are often stunning, but the shine is taken away when travelling through them reveals pop-in and an overuse of invisible walls. It feels like a game that’s almost there, and I wish it had stuck the landing.

For all its quirks, I do hope that Screamer finds a regular and loyal fanbase. The story may be naff, and some tracks are better than others, but there remains an enjoyable core at the centre of it all. The potential for online play, particularly in all-out team races, is highly promising, but it’s a promise that can only be fulfilled if Screamer can entice enough an audience to purchase and persevere. It’s an excellent, flawed, unique, undercooked racer that just may yet manage to become a simply great one.

While No Straight Roads‘ floaty combat occasionally frustrates, its strong sense of self is commendable. Terrific art direction and musical composition add flourish to a game that otherwise may have been too easy to miss out on.

This is a game that has a pile of problems, thankfully, the core combat loop is so satisfying that those problems take a backseat to all the brutal fun you are having.

Yes, Your Grace: Snowfall is an ambitious sequel with new gameplay and a familiar cosy-danger vibe. Presently, management systems are somewhat unbalanced and difficult to fully enjoy.

Glitchy mechanics and a lack of polish get in the way of this otherwise innovative, whimsical puzzle-platformer. I want to wholeheartedly recommend it as a game for the whole family, but sadly several broken elements stop it from being a must-play.

If I were to describe how the game feels to me, it would be “death by a thousand paper cuts”. Each of the things wrong with the game is a very minor annoyance in what is a good game, but it’s enough to make the player come away feeling disappointed and like it wasn’t worth their time. It’s hard to think about the future when you are regretting your past.

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.

Stuck in the past, Saints Row 3 still offers a lot of fun, you just have to look past some pretty dated humour to find it.

Disney Illusion Island is a fantastic opportunity to introduce younger players to the Metroidvania genre, but it’s too light-on for content for players already versed in the genre.

Sure, gaming has evolved since its initial release, but those nostalgic for games and Star Wars films of another time might find this humble adventure worth their time, even if it won’t blow their mind.

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

Forspoken may be a game of squandered potential, but there remains an argument that it’s still worth playing, not just for the simple joy of zipping through its world, but for the occasional glimpse at the potentially genre-defying tentpole it could have been with clearer vision and better collaboration. Because, in this world of stagnation over innovation, even just the groundwork can be worth savouring.

If you missed Spider-Man 2 on PS5, the PC version will be a great way to experience it, just not yet. I just wish Sony would learn from their mistakes and stop these sorts of releases from happening, but sadly their PC port rollercoaster just keeps on rolling.

Valkyrie Elysium brings the series into the modern era, even though the story is rough, and the levels are a bit bland. I want to see more of this, but hopefully with some of the more major faults fixed.