99Vidas appeals to a very specific market and manages to accurately recreate the scrolling beat ‘em ups of yesteryear, both positive and negative. If you have fond memories of these kinds of games this will fill a space for you, but wont necessarily leave you satisfied. I really like the games style and overall sense of fun, but in aping the games of the past it has failed to offer an enjoyable modern experience.

It was always going to be a difficult task but Saints Row feels like a game that doesn't really need to be. Even if the technical issues weren't a factor, what remains is an okay but fairly forgettable criminal escapade. The new characters felt like a party I wasn't invited to and whatever confidence the old games had has been sanded away. It's not awful but there was a massive sense of disappointment I could never shake through my playthrough. I wish this was better.

Tannenberg is a solid and tactical multiplayer shooter with a keen eye for historical accuracy. Lower budget production values aside, M2H have done an excellent job of recreating the realism of being entrenched in the Eastern Front and the constant danger of being caught in No Man's Land.

Raging Justice sticks closely to the formula created years ago, for better or worse. The additions of warrants is an interesting one, with challenges giving a reason to replay levels. The difficulty is set a little too high and the presentation leaves a lot to be desired but fans of the genre will probably get some enjoyment out of it.

Demon’s Crystals is a twin-stick shooter that does little to stand out from the crowd. It has a degree of confidence and charm but the gameplay is so thin that it makes the game impossible to recommend.

Downward Spiral is a zero gravity space adventure that mixes the worst bits of Dead Space, Descent and every walking simulator ever but somehow remains intriguing and relatively tough to put down.

Monster Jam Steel Titans 2 does provide a decent adventure but it's let down by a real lack of new events. The career mode is very quick-fire but it does highlight how little has changed since the first game. The handling feels sound and refined but I couldn't get to grips with the great outdoors and I found the AI to be hit and miss. The trucks are well presented and the arenas feel varied but, those wanting something new, might feel underwhelmed.

Has-Been Heroes is just not a great game as it has very complex and confusing controls and a battle system which feels punishing and difficult. There are far better roguelikes out there and Has-Been Heroes just doesn’t have the chops to make it a worthwhile purchase.

Monkey King: Hero is Back is a good action adventure based on the successful CG movie made in conjunction with the movie's producers. High production values are tempered slightly by sloppy execution.

Unfortunately, Tour de France 2020 picks up where the series left off and slowly, very slowly, advances. The package bolsters with new classics and features but the same outdated visuals and problems arise. The license isn't used to the fullest with no rider likenesses and a bare minimum approach to presentation. The cycling remains fine but the lack of excitement and personality makes it hard for me to recommend this year's effort.

Fast Striker is a reasonably credible arcade-style shoot 'em up that should have some appeal to fans of the genre but this is a port of an old indie game and as such probably won't turn too many heads or attract new fans to this style of game.

The Witch and the Hundred Knight 2 is more of the same. The original was already pretty repetitive so to do the same thing over with less interesting characters, randomised dungeons and less gameplay distractions is a big ask. There may be something here for major fans of the first title but if you're looking for improvements then you'll be massively disappointed.

Bus Simulator takes the bus driving experience and presents it warts and all. At times, it's relaxing and satisfying to have a smooth journey, at others, it's a drudge to be caught in traffic. The career operates at a slow pace and, whilst short, your objectives all become very similar. Technically, the game struggles to stay smooth but there's a novel multiplayer on display that might provide longevity for fans.

On the road, where it matters, Payback is the most fun we've had with a Need for Speed game in a long time and while there are some questionable design choices and shady things going on regarding player progression and customisation, the developers do seem to be reacting to the negative feedback.

We're always up for some co-op brawling action and we love a good loot system and RPG mechanics. Unfortunately, Blightbound rather fumbles the ball when it comes to every element. There's fun to be had when it goes well but you feel as though you're fighting every aspect of the game to get to it.

Big Helmet Heroes provides a lengthy and varied campaign to brawl through. It does feel disjointed with levels not quite flowing together and the combat is light on depth. It's a forgiving game with a presentation that probably suits younger players. As such, I find it competent without feeling very memorable.

Bouncy Bullets is the latest Ratalaika release. This time we have a puzzle platformer with light shooting. As per usual, it's a crossbuy with both PS4 and Vita versions included, the latter port being not quite so fluid due to control scheme issues. Overall though, great value and good fun over its eighty four levels.

A sympathetic interpretation of the trials and tribulations of a Syrian refugee. An unexpected surprise.

Wearing its inspiration on its sleeve, Dolmen is a clear attempt at bringing the Souls-like to a sci-fi setting. However, the experience is hurt thanks to shoddy execution in almost all aspects. Featuring a non-committal narrative, poorly paced difficulty, and a general lack of polish in both single and multiplayer modes. Dolmen is difficult to recommend, especially when considering the competition out there, whether that be from more capable clones or From Software. We can only hope that the rare, good aspects are carried over into more proficient titles which are no doubt coming in the future.

It doesn't stray much from the formula but The Complex provides a few hours of disposable entertainment. The acting tends to mostly hold firm with only the minor players giving some iffy line reads. As passive as it is, the choices do offer something new to view. The wildly different outcomes are worth seeing, if you can deal with some of the rougher aspects.

Hirogami offers a lovely aesthetic and soundtrack that the platforming can't quite match. It's full of ideas with each animal form having a great sense of purpose but switching between isn't always snappy. The fixed perspective can make judging depth tricky and the necessity for hitting level goals can present some players with a late roadblock. At times, it's wonderful but it's not firing on all cylinders.

Dusk Diver 2 has all the pieces to be an enjoyable JRPG but certain gameplay decisions make it more of a slog than it should be. The combat is fast paced but damage sponge enemies slow things down too much, whilst there are plenty of side quests but they nearly all boil down to simply running from one waypoint to another. It's not without its charm, if things were a little tighter it would be a real treat.

Whilst The Dwarves has an enjoyable, well presented story, the RPG it tries to present has limited character-building and uneven combat. It’s not deep or robust enough for me to truly endorse. Those that persevere might find a tale worth seeing but be prepared to suffer against a troublesome camera and some worrying technical stutters.

Alex Kidd in Miracle World DX adds a modern sheen to a game very much of its time. The new look is fantastic and the soundtrack is splendid. Unfortunately, Alex's jumping and hit detection presents a game that is tough for me to tolerate. With some convenient touches, it might be an okay way to experience what remains a tough game rooted in decades' old design.

Anoxemia has a great sense of atmosphere with an interesting plot but the whole package seems to lack a little punch. Exploration is fun to partake in and, whilst your objectives rarely stray from collecting things, there’s a certain enjoyment to be had from adventuring deep, down underwater. That might prove enough for some who fancy a shorter, more forgiving experience.

FIA European Truck Racing Championship is an excellent glimpse into a facet of motor racing seldom seen. It might lack the glitz and glamour of Formula One or Moto Gp, but don't hold that against it. We're going to keep playing this quite a while yet. Recommended.

Dead or School is a well-done 2.5d hack and slash game set beneath a ruined Tokyo. Coincidentally topical in terms of a virus ravaging the population. Well worth playing at any rate.

Collapsed is a solid mix of run and gunning and rogue-lite looting which has a good level of polish to it. There's definitely too much grinding to do but it's a good game to drop in and out of.

As a punishing game-built on resource management and difficult choices, Despotism 3K won’t be for everyone. The reliance on trial-and-error choices contribute to consistent frustration. However, If you can break through this difficulty layer then you will find a unique and hilariously mean-spirited title that will keep you busy for hours.

Bus Simulator 21 remains relaxed in its driving but a few key tweaks to the mission structure makes for a more flowing experience. The new buses give you plenty to new toys to tinker with and the new locations show a touch more life to the city. It's still got some rough edges but I had an enjoyable time. The flow of the campaign is greatly improved and makes for a much smoother ride.

Eve: Gunjack is a pretty basic game but that doesn’t detract from its charm. Sure it may be over pretty quickly and the mobile trappings may be off putting to some but it stands as a cheap and fun distraction.

Ancient Amuletor is a fun VR shooter/tower defence hybrid. Unfortunately it’s incredibly short on content and variety at only four levels. Online co-op could enhance the experience if you can find a game but in single player you’ll see all the game has to offer in one session with only higher difficulty levels hoping to tempt you back in.

VRFC does a okay job of representing football in VR. The lack of single player, for now, is disappointing but running down the pitch with the ball at your feet and the goalmouth in your sights is thrilling. It's the infancy of VR itself that stops this becoming a true football experience but there is still fun to be had if you can find a game.

Metal Gear Survive replaces the personality and heart of the Metal Gear franchise with plate spinning survival mechanics and a story that simply does not excite. There are some serviceable moments to find within the game, however the sense of tedium unfortunately overpowers the whole experience.

Super Neptunia RPG is a spin-off that makes a lot of changes to the usual formula and suffers for it. It's very easy to play and the exploration is servicable but the combat is over simplified and there are technical issues which irritate. The characters don't get the chance to shine like they normally do either so even fans of the series may struggle with this one.

It’s hard to reason why All-Star Fruit Racing is a game that exists, let alone a game that exists on the PlayStation 4. It’s utterly uninspiring in every single way, from the title to the shallow, vacuous characters who lack any kind of personality. There are brief hints of some good ideas within the gameplay, however these do not detract from a myriad of problems that makes the whole experience feel rotten.

Kandagawa Jet Girls is a good jetski racing game. We’re not really the target audience for the overtly sexualised schoolgirls though, but if you are you’re well catered for. Add 10% if it rings your bell. Anyone else, hit start and get straight to racing.

Nacos: Rise of the Cartels is a simpler XCOM. To a degree the simplification is to its detriment, but I still had fun with the lighter tactical elements, even if I missed some of the depth of its inspiration.

Curved Space is a gorgeous looking, and sounding, shoot 'em up with a nice planetoid-hugging level gimmick but in reality it's a little boring, and awkward, to play. It's not bad but it doesn't live up to its full potential at all.

Late Shift is an interesting mix of game and movie that seems caught between two stalls. Whilst the movie is shot nicely and the plot is enjoyable, operating Matt as a blank canvas stifles some of the acting on offer. It’s an intriguing idea that doesn’t impact as it should. If nothing else, this is an admirable, ambitious curiosity that may pave the way for something better.

If you loved Sega in the '80s and '90s, you'll likely find Air Twister to be initially very impressive and enjoyable. It loses its flavour over time though and it's pretty repetitive but it's worth experiencing, although maybe when the price drops a little.

Micro Machines World Tour does just enough to live up to the brand but not much else.

Concept Destruction is a bite-sized throwback to days of yore that leaves us wondering what might've been had the developer had more resources to flesh it out.

Tour de France 2021 feels so, so familiar. Whilst the upcoming 2021 tour is replicated in its entirety, there's little new here. Tweaked Peleton behaviours will improve your experience but it's an experience wrapped in the same tired engine. The license brings a lot with it but I'm still puzzled by a roster of identical riders that show a real lack of individuality. Fans will enjoy the mountain of content but it doesn't really feel fresh to me in any major way.

Override: Mech City Brawl has a nice, clean aesthetic with arenas that are fun to stomp around. The campaign offers a nice sense of progression but, once you strip that away, you're left with a fighter that's a little too slow and clunky for my tastes. It's simple to grasp but I feel it lacks a fluidity and immediacy other mech games can offer.

Rain World is a sluggish platformer with copious instant death situations and infrequent checkpoints. These factors all add up to a game which isn’t fun or easy and seems to actively frustrate any understanding of whats going on. Whilst the art style and interesting setting can pull you in, that alone isn’t enough to keep you coming back for more punishment.

Darksiders III - Keepers of the Void is a puzzle-centric DLC with some unique rewards in the form of sub-weapons and armour. Unfortunately the puzzles and environments are very repetitive and so long after release it doesn't really do enough to warrant reinstalling the game.

Yars Rising takes a old favourite and twists into an odd beast. Whilst framing it as a search action game makes for a more substantial experience, the presentation doesn't blend successfully and I find Emi to be an annoying character. The traversal and combat feels okay with only the bosses providing a genuine challenge. The hacking challenges have an impressive variety but it's a small part of a larger, less interesting package.

Utawarerumono: ZAN is a great hack and slash introduction to the greater Utawarerumono storyline. Perhaps not one for series purists given it retreads a previous game's plotline.

Necomunda: Underhive Wars has a great verticality to its level design and a varied approach to the campaign. Despite the rather dour environments, the action does have some weight to it that can keep players engaged. Unfortunately, it doesn't feel convenient or streamlined and the learning process can feel steep. Battles require a serious time investment and it isn't helped by a dawdling AI that sometimes wont make the smartest decisions. Those with the patience might enjoy its tactical elements but I found myself somewhat daunted by it.

Crysis Remastered is a fine redux of a 2007 game. A little clunky mechanically but otherwise a fun romp.

Showing promise in the early stages, Clid the Snail is both a charming shooter filled with a ton of character and visually interesting themes. However, the slow pace, cluttered worlds and repetitive gameplay fail to elevate the game to true greatness.

StarDrone offers some competent puzzle action on the cheap but never really feels at home on PSVR.

This stylish arcade racer ultimately lives and dies by its chosen gimmick. Whilst the events are swift and repeatable, the reliability of the AI ensures moments of success coated in frustration. The track editor should help foster a creative community and some modes work better than others but the core of this results in such a mixed experience.

Road Redemption's combat offers options and the roguelite structure helps give the game a little more life, despite the limited tracks and environments. The physics present some wonky moments and some events are too short for their own good. Still, the upgrades always manage to give you something to chase, even if it's a slow, frustrating start.

Whilst I don't doubt this game's authenticity, I found Hunting Simulator to be a frustrating experience. A substantial campaign does make each prey feel unique with their own behaviours and the environments are well rendered. Sadly, getting to the shot requires so much time investment for a reward that doesn't feel too fulfilling. It's one for the enthusiasts. Novice hunters may have better luck elsewhere.

A hardly noticeable PS5 facelift does little to elevate one of the least fun tennis games we've ever played.

Rolling Bob’s biggest selling point is the way it uses the gyroscope in the DualShock 4 to create a unique control method. Unfortunately this control method just doesn’t work and actively frustrates the gameplay. Couple this with bland art style and some examples of badly translated text and you have a game which is best ignored.

There was enough about I Hate This Place to keep us engaged right to the very end, but the longer we played it, the more it annoyed us. It feels dated, confused and amateurish in everything it tries to do, and it's such a shame because you can tell there was heart and vision behind it. It just needed more time, talent or maybe both.

Subject 13 lacks polish but might just scratch that itch if you’re looking for a puzzler that feels like it’s from the past. A lack of hand holding will be welcomed and cursed in equal measure but if you’re intrigued the price point is right to make it a relatively risk free purchase.

Dick Wilde 2 is a VR shooter that is average in every respect and is just a few decisions away from being a game we'd recommend but for all of its failings, it is redeemed by its fun online co-op.

Solo: Islands of the Heart tries to intertwine block puzzles with an introspective look at love. In reality it is a puzzle game which asks you questions about love but never combines the two effectively. This stops them, and the other optional portions of the game, from feeling cohesive.

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.

Marooners is a party game that has moments of potential but is all too often let down by a general lack of polish and creativity.

V-Rally 4's biggest problem is a lack of identity. You're given plenty of disciplines to try but a narrow set of locales wear thin quickly. Whilst these areas do look nice and there's a decent array of vehicles, their handling feels suspiciously off. It all combines to be a frustrating effort. You'll get some enjoyment tackling human opponents but I'm not sure how long it'll last.

Project Motor Racing clearly wants to emulate the likes of Project Cars but simply doesn't have the breadth of content or options to live up to that expectation. It's tricky handling model can be a handful on controller and I just don't quite get the oomph from the throttle that I'd like. That said, I did enjoy trying to figure that out. It's surprisingly tense and sharp to require that much focus behind the wheel. The career mode lacks some flexibility and, on the technical side, there's a lack of polish that can make things look and feel dated.

Desert Child is utterly unique. It blends the moreish action of hoverbike racing with an amazing DOS inspired aesthetic. It’s a short and sweet racing RPG that plays incredibly well in short bursts. Well worth picking up if you fancy a modernised retro title that does something different.

Dark Rose Valkyrie succeeds with a decent story and a cast of likable characters but unfortunately the gameplay part of it is slow, overly complicated and underdeveloped.

Touhou: Scarlet Curiosity is overly simple to the point of providing no challenge. It’s not broken but almost every element could be improved in some obvious way to make it more interesting.

We've always been suckers for a mini-game compendium and Carnival Games VR has a couple of bangers. It's not all good but with this much variety on offer, you're sure to find something you like here.

Nightmares of the Deep is a point and click adventure with a good line in puzzles and some nice artwork but, as a mobile gaming series, it’s not going to impress any PS4 gamers who buy it. It does offer some sedate fun though.

Stubbs The Zombie in Rebel Without A Pulse is a fine remaster, warts and all. It’s the best way to play this fun game without the expense of an original Xbox and an increasingly rare disc copy. Yes, there’s the technical issue and the occasional crash, but it’s none the worse for it.

Nova Strike is a vertically-scrolling shooter that combines '90s presentation and gameplay with some modern upgrading mechanics and while it might not wow anyone, there's definitely some enjoyment to be had from it.

Sonic Forces may have impressive elements such as high-speed spectacle and graphical fidelity, but it completely falls flat in just about every other area. It fails to better 2011's Generations and to learn from past mistakes in the franchise. Stick with Mania.

Kong: Survivor Instinct is a solid enough Metroidvania. Don’t be expecting much in the way of Kong himself, as he and other titans are reduced to bit parts. You’ll be fighting off human antagonists, with the main baddie being Alan Jonah as previously played by Charles Dance. Combat is OK, but you’ll see little nuance in enemy encounters. The titan encounters are made frustrating due to miserly checkpointing, but we still had a fair bit of fun with this.

King's Bounty 2 offers up a large campaign full of deep, tactical battles and plenty of lore but is hamstrung by ropey presentation, sluggish controls, slow exploration and poorly-explained combat systems.

In My Shadow does succeed on most fronts. As mopey as the narrative can be, the puzzles are thoughtful but not too tricky. There's a good momentum to the game's handful of rooms and the controls behave fairly consistently. Being largely unpunished for skipping levels is a welcome bonus but a full run shouldn't hold players up too much. It's inventive, enjoyable and not too taxing.

Take this review with a pinch of salt as I'm not a cycling nut. Tour de France 2018 is a game for very specific, patient enthusiasts. The license is used to great effect with every rider, team and stage of the marathon event covered. Unfortunately, there's a lack of visual polish and some baffling decisions that hold this game back. There's a lot to do but, as with most endurance sports, newcomers have to deal with a lot of waiting before the action really starts.

Gungrave G.O.R.E feels like a PS2 game and, at times, looks like a PS3 one but we enjoyed the combat, linear layouts and score-based gameplay. The difficulty spikes and slightly unintuitive controls definitely spoiled the party though.

Fans of Dungeons and Dragons will enjoy the characters and setting of Dark Alliance but the game doesn't do much with its combat, exploration or looting elements and ends up feeling underwhelming in all areas. If the game gets the technical improvements it badly needs and can tighten up the gameplay, then this could be a decent co-op brawler. But for now it all feels a bit unfinished.

At its best Killsquad can be a competent co-op shooter that's just about tough enough to create a compelling challenge but it's quite repetitive, ordinary, fussy and bland too. It feels like what it is, a barely optimised port of a cheap four year old PC game but if you can find a co-op buddy or three, there's some fun to be had.

With some interesting tweaks to the formula, Morbid: The Lords of Ire can feel like a stripped down attempt at the souls-like genre. The runes system allows for some relatively neat weaponry and the combat has a solid feel. Unfortunately, it lacks some polish and some of the larger encounters can frustrate. The pacing begins to sag in the closing hours and it's a shame the sanity mechanic doesn't quite land.

Blood Bowl III is a welcome return by the licence after eight years away. Unforgivingly harsh on beginners to the series perhaps, but fans of Warhammer's take on gridiron will be well catered for here. Those new to the series but familiar with the Madden games might struggle to start with but once you find your feet, you'll have fun too.

Theseus offers a different perspective to your usual PSVR games and the immersion and well designed visuals are its strength. The gameplay is its weakness however, with basic exploration, simple combat and rudimentary stealth. Very, very short as well.

MeiQ: Labyrinth of Death has some interesting systems in place that stop what is a pretty gentle trek through the dungeons from getting tedious. Although the usual mobs won’t slow you down too much, the bosses require actual tactics and even if you do die there is no penalty for doing so. Just don’t expect to like the characters or what little story there is.

Earthlock: Festival of Magic has some neat ideas of its own to add to those it borrows from its inspiration. Boss battles are a highlight but general dungeon exploring feels slow and laborious. The story and characters are also weak but there is some fun here, just not for everyone.

The whole idea of playing as a blind person could be interesting but navigating the house just feels frustrating given that you’ll spend a vast portion of your time looking at a silent black screen. With a weak story and unsuccessful horror elements Perception is probably best left in the dark.

Neptunia Virtual Stars may be an action game but it has many similarities to the rest of the series. The characters talk too much and the gameplay is quite simple despite the complicated tutorials but once you get into it the action is fast paced and inoffensive.

Verdun captures all the action and misery of being stuck at the front in a war where the power shifts constantly and young lives are lost in a hopeless struggle. Except now you're sat on a sofa. While its more traditional modes show off its weaknesses, the main Frontlines mode seems to have captured an audience on PSN.

Train Sim World is relaxed effort that, despite the visual inadequacies and technical issues, proves enjoyable for fans and newcomers. There's a fairly robust package with a decent variety of trains and scenarios. Above all, anyone curious about rail simulators would get what they need out of this. The controls are consistent and operating a unit feels tactile and methodical. The adherence to schedules and protocol give the game a nice, routine feel but you never feel pressured by it.

Ary and the Secret of Seasons has a few short moments of brilliance, with clever season manipulation mechanics that are used to good effect. Unfortunately, the rest of the experience is let down by poor graphical choices, consistent choppiness and a general lack of polish in almost every aspect.

Tennis World Tour 2 is a great example of how not to make a tennis game. Virtua Tennis on a Dreamcast VMU gives a more satisfying experience. It fails wholesale to learn the lessons of the game it's a sequel to and isn't much fun to play. At least there's no microtransactions.

What you’ll find in Old Time Hockey is a lovingly represented homage to the sport’s yesteryear that is soured by a paltry paring of modes and a challenge which a newcomer like me has found too steep. Take this score with a pinch of salt if you’re experienced and want to see something with a little more personality than the NHL license. Just don’t expect to sink much time into it.

An annual update just in time for the 2019 edition of the Tour De France with a few new added features. If you're a fan of the previous games, by all means go right ahead and buy this. Anyone else should steer clear even if your a fan of the sport in real life.

Taxi Life: A City Driving Simulator is fun enough but in its current state, the crippling performance issues and terrible AI drivers that you share the city with are big blots on the landscape. As it stands, the technical issues and dumb implementation of in-car controls are holding this otherwise impressive game back.

At its best, Ghost Recon Breakpoint is a taut and tactical shooter that works brilliantly in co-op and is genuinely enjoyable to play but at its heart this is just another sandbox shooter and one that doesn't meet the technical standards we're used to from Ubisoft.

Sniper: Ghost Warrior 3 is a bit of a mess technically, and the open-world aspects aren’t fleshed out or particularly necessary but, and it’s a big but, if you can get past that, there’s a satisfying and tactical shooter here that sniping fans can really enjoy.

VR Ping Pong Pro isn't the leap from the first game that you'd hope for. The environments are very nice and the inclusion of online multiplayer is a good move, though it's dead already. Much like the first game however, the simple act of playing an approximation of table tennis in VR is enjoyable. There's not enough content to keep you hooked but you'll return to it every now and again for a light knock about.