Against some odds, Marathon is a compelling extraction shooter that offers some really satisfying combat. I do think having only one contract at a time slows progression down but there's plenty of other meters to work towards. Solo play has a tension to it which I really enjoy, although the game seems to be built more around squads. With just a few maps available at launch, I only hope that the game evolves and grows over time. I love the aesthetic and, generally speaking, it's doing quite a few things right.

Cinders has a charm to it that I've rarely found in the visual novels I've played. The writing manages to contextualise and add to a familiar story whilst allowing the main character to branch in interesting ways. It's a shame the story doesn't break completely from the source material but there's some intriguing ideas on display, here. The detailed, animated backgrounds help create a lively setting and the music maintains an airy feel. It's a striking effort that largely succeeds.

KARMA: The Dark World is an interesting debut from Chinese dev Pollard Studio, set in an alternate East Germany in which you play among a cast of characters with non-German names. It’s fun enough and graphically sumptuous to boot, just not particularly long. We kinda get why they set it in Europe as opposed to the actual oppressive regime they live under, but a little more effort in that regard would’ve helped.

Steelrising has plenty in common with others in the Souls genre and even though it lacks the polish and variety of the best, the unique setting and some neat gameplay ideas make it worth a look.

Ready or Not isn’t a Fugees tie-in, it’s a SWAT-em-up in a similar vein to Rainbox Six Vegas. Just with rougher edges and glitches a plenty. It purports to put your squad members mental wellbeing front and centre but it only really relates to whether they’re able to join you on your next mission. It’s alright though and we’ll keep dipping in and out for a while.

Whilst I'm not jumping out of my skin, I'm still intrigued by the exploration and puzzles. It's well executed and interesting to play. The visuals hold up nicely and the sound design manages to raise tension when it's needed. The horror tropes it deals in are very traditional but it delivers a change of pace from the usual cultist setting. White Day: A Labyrinth Named School has been a pleasant surprise.

Death's Gambit is enjoyable with some valuable tweaks to combat to supplement some otherwise disappointing melee strikes. Exploration feels rewarding and whilst there doesn't seem to be a huge variety of gear and builds, there's a lot to like about a tough, sincere imitator. Worth considering if you're looking for a challenging effort with a tightly connected world.

Koira is a cute exploratory puzzler with a wordless story in which you find a dog and tackle some lightly ecologically themed encounters. It’s not massively long, but it is fun. Plus that dog is so damn cute.

At times it will bore and reduce you to groans but Agents of Mayhem's loot-driven loop will keep some players compelled. There is a better game under the surface of this and you're always being pushed towards some new gadgets, weaponry or skills. Combat delivers an enjoyable, if repetitive treadmill with plenty of room for experimentation. It's a shame it comes with so many caveats and qualifiers.

Bitmap Bureau continue their streak of bringing quality retro styled games in their unmistakeable, passionate style. Final Vendetta is a great attempt at a new Final Fight style brawler; however, the challenge and lack of modern conveniences will be a put off to some. This one is well worth it if you love an excellent soundtrack (courtesy of the Utah Saints) and thought Streets of Rage 4 was too easy.

For less than the cost of a cup of coffee, you’ll have an hour or so of fun from Hidden Kittens: Kingdom of Cats. It’s short, sweet and cosy and that’s just fine. Don’t expect massive depth as you won’t find it here.

Banner of the Maid is an enjoyable strategy RPG for a low price. The levels feel like they require learning at times rather than simply strategising your way through but completing a mission and its challenge is very rewarding. The 2D artwork and music is also very pleasant. Worth checking out.

Crown Trick is a Rogue-lite, turn based, grid based RPG with a heavy emphasis on luck. The permanent upgrades you can unlock along with your own experience do tip the scales in your favour the more you play and turn it from a harsh game into an enjoyable title.

Techno Banter is more than a bouncer take on Papers, Please. It’s well written and while the plot might feel like it is advancing no matter what you do, you’ll come away feeling glad for having played it. It has the feel of a one and done, but many plotlines will remain untouched if you only play this the once. Additionally, the music is excellent.

Talisman: Digital Edition offers a very full package, including as it does the main game plus all the expansion packs. If you’re a fan of the boardgame this is a faithful conversion and an excellent way to play more of it, if you’re new to the game this is a good way to play it as the PlayStation 4 automates much to make the experience user friendly.

If you've ever fancied playing the spiritual successor to Strider, this port is the best way to do it and it cleverly adds some quality of life improvements that offset the original's rough difficulty spikes. The price is definitely far too steep for what you get.

Featuring four of the best games in the franchise, Wonder Boy Collection is a solid set of retro titles that should satisfy fans and those looking to experience some classic Sega goodness. However, the decision to restrict a wealth of alternative console ports and some of the best games in the series to the physical edition only is a major sticking point. This makes the digital version harder to recommend. There is nothing wrong with the games you get here of course, but it does feel like a somewhat stingy package that diminishes an otherwise great reason to celebrate a classic franchise.

Wavetale certainly could've used some extra polish but the movement and storytelling shine strongly in a world that is mostly gorgeous to look at. Combat lacks any threat and the platforming can feel incredibly simple. There's not a lot of risks being taken which can result in a game that feels trivial. Despite this, there's more than enough to keep those curious onboard. I do find the personal tale to be engaging and it's nice to see an apocalypse look so bright and optimistic.

If you like buddy cop point and click adventures, then Bear With Me: The Complete Collection makes for a good palette cleanser. It goes a bit overboard on the film Noir style but makes up for it with genuinely well-designed characterisation and locales that get better as you progress further into the episodes.

Monster Truck Championship might not be especially big or clever but the career mode does deliver some fun. There's some nuance to the handling and freestyle events make use of a great trick system. The presentation shows some bright spots with some colourful arenas but the personality really comes from some of the cosmetic options. It can feel a little short-lived but my time behind the wheel has been enjoyable.

Shenmue III is finally here and it's a surreal experience, taking you back to the early 2000s. Fans of the series will feel right at home but its reluctance to change means it won't attract new fans. I'd have liked more plot progression than is here but hopefully this paves the way for the story to finally be finished.

A twelve year old pinball simulation PSP game is an odd choice for a modern port but this collection of tables based on once-popular PlayStation franchises is actually fun to play.

As a museum piece, VASARA Collection is a really interesting release and one that is a real treat for shoot 'em up fans. However, a lot of people will find it repetitive, visually uninspiring and too hard without local co-op buddies to play with.

Despite being a game with consistent quality and performance, Sackboy: A Big Adventure can’t quite escape being run-of-the-mill when compared to its contemporaries. There is still plenty of that LittleBigPlanet charm to be found throughout this lengthy, platforming campaign though. It’s gorgeous to look at, it’s well-designed and the game feel is just right. However, if you are looking for some of that next-gen innovation on par with Astro’s latest, then you may struggle to find it here.

Thumper has some great rhythm action to offer but the start setting and oppressive tone often makes it feel like what Rez might have been like if the Germans had won World War 2.

Drop Duchy's mix of gameplay elements work together well but there's quite a steep learning curve if you want to really get everything out of the game.

Electronauts is a fun musical and visual tool that might be a bit much for beginners and not enough for experienced musicians.

Sisters Royale is a fine shoot 'em up that gets a lot right and is just a few decisions away from being great. It is easy to recommend for fans of the genre though, especially at this low price.