Little Hope is a solid spooky story best enjoyed with popcorn and friends. The tension is high, the fear is real, and the mechanics are improved from the previous Dark Pictures instalment. If you’re interested in some witchy goodness and moral judgements, this might be the spooky story for you.

It is a unique experience that isn’t comfortable, but never tries to be. It encourages exploration, contemplation and, when required, swift brutality in equal measure and most of all it is a game that believes in its world so wholeheartedly it is impossible to avoid being drawn in. I won’t say I loved every minute of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2, some of those minutes I was an absolute nervous wreck, but I will say that I am incredibly glad I got to experience it.

It’s been quite a while since I’ve enjoyed playing a Sonic title this much, with both halves of Sonic X Shadow Generations combining to make a great package.

A near purrfect throwback to a beloved gaming era, Stray tugs on heartstrings, whilst it also delivers an enjoyable playing experience lined with superb production value.

Different audiences will appreciate Gears of War: Reloaded to differing degrees, but nonetheless, this is the best way to enjoy the franchise’s opening chapter yet.

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.

The DLC’s shorter length does make the juxtaposition between heated, Gears action, and deeper, more heartfelt moments, feel a bit like the flicking of a switch, but the campaign itself is a must-play for fans of Gears. It makes some interesting steps forward for the IP, introduces a fascinating new cast, while the moment to moment is as thrilling as ever.

While Sifu is a challenge that will test your skills and the durability of your controllers, fans of Soulslike game and kung fu will have a lot of fun beating down thugs in a variety of environments.

A well-scribbled note in the margins of the Borderlands universe, that should elicit a chortle or two from anyone still drawing breath.

Some tired writing tropes of the 1980s stick out in sometimes frustrating ways, but Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake is a masterful reworking of two genre pioneers. It’s amazing to have them back.

MIO: Memories In Orbit is abstract, quirky, brutally hard, and stunning all at once, and outside of those awful tremors, I wouldn’t have it any other way.

There is so much to like in this open-world tactics RPG. The battles are some of the best in the business. The world, while feeling somewhat empty, for the right kind of person is a wilderness ripe for spending hours upon hours getting into fights. With 45 hours on the clock by the time my goblins completed their quest, this juicy tale has become a favourite that I know I’ll return to time and time again.

An incredibly thought provoking archaeological game of big questions with even bigger philosophical implications. Though hampered somewhat by clunky physical mechanics, translating an ancient language has never been so enticing or exciting.

Serious Sam Siberian Mayhem won’t scratch the itch for something new, but if you’re craving a fix of some chaotic FPS goodness, it certainly hits the spot without overstaying its welcome.

Two Point Museum takes everything from the series and makes it better. It’s still lacking a bit in the management metrics side, but everything else is exceptional.

A hauntingly beautiful-in-motion Metroidvania seeped in death.

A few graphical hiccups stop The Last of Us: Part 2 Remastered on PC from being perfect, but even still this is a watershed moment in gaming that should be experienced by everyone at least once.

A beautiful and exciting action platformer that will test your skill as it stuns you with its looks. Welcome back, Shinobi, welcome back.

Sackboy: A Big Adventure, is a big step in a fresh direction for the overall franchise. Leaving the tried and true ‘Play, Create, Share’ model behind is a gutsy move from Sumo Digital, but is one that greatly benefits the final product, with each level clearly benefiting from the extra TLC that comes from not dedicating time to an all-consuming creation mode.

A great idea that never quite reaches its full promise, Watch Dogs: Legion is still a cracking bit of techno fun. Come for the hacking and stay for the engaging story and cockney accents.

The impact of some excellent new additions is dampened somewhat by some other lacklustre ones. All said though, Super Mario Party Jamboree is an excellent title and the ultimate Switch party game.

Chorus is a joy from start to finish and I strongly implore that anyone who has ever enjoyed shooting things in a spaceship gives it a good hard look.

Scarlet Nexus combines intense combat with a twisting, turning storyline that comes in two parts, providing players two different perspectives to experience the weird and wonderful world of New Himuka.

Venba’s story will draw heightened emotion from players no matter their background, while the cooking systems are fantastically fresh.

There are some reviews that are hard to write because the game is just fine, and then there are some that just pour out of you because you can’t help but think of all the things it does well. Lacuna is well and truly the latter, with every small piece pulling together to create a really great detective game ripe for the picking.

Origami King is entirely pleasant, well written, charming and enjoyable without being essential or ground breaking. While the battles are confusing and far too frequent, the exploration, constant unveiling of secrets, colourful environments and quirky characters will keep you hooked.

There are some rough environments, and the game isn’t as long as I’d like, but I’ve learned so much from this experience that’s going to make me a better person, and hopefully makes the industry better too.

Tina’s madcap mind brings joy, humour and originality to a franchise that was starting to lose its shine. A must-play for fans of the Borderlands.