A twin stick, side-scrolling/platformer/shooter hybrid with an element of hacking and humour thrown in to add its own personality to things. If you're looking for a challenging game that doesn't ask you for perfection, then RIVE might just be what you're looking for. Just don't expect perfection from it either.

Grind Survivors looks and plays pretty good but after a while it just starts to feel like a grind and when that's literally the whole point, you can't help but ask why they've focused so much on that aspect.

We really didn’t like Hunting Simulator 2 on PS4. This re-release on PS5 adds 4k visuals and takes advantage of the SSD well. We liked the look of new addition Ranger Mode, at least we would’ve if it was released. We didn’t like the day one premium DLC and trophies are intermittently glitchy, but somehow we found ourselves not outright hating it.

A nice Sokoban-a-like from Ratalaika. Good value with the Vita version bundled in.

An unashamedly retro platform shooter with a harsh difficulty curve, Blasting Agent: Ultimate Edition manages to play a solid game. Whilst this isn’t going to set the world alight, if you can get over some substantial difficulty spikes, it is strangely addictive and also cheaper than the price of a decent coffee.

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.

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.

Corpse Party (2021) is a visual novel with some exploration gameplay and a horror theme. Graphically it's very weak but it has a strong atmosphere and sound design that will draw in fans of the genre that can stomach it and haven't played one of its previous iterations.

Aircraft Evolution is a fun, arcadey shoot 'em up with a nice gimmick and some decent playability but it's also quite short and maybe a bit too easy. The cheap price means it is a fairly safe bet for shoot 'em fans looking for something a little different to play for an evening or two.

I want to like Wuchang: Fallen Feathers but the myriad of frustrations pile up. The world design is clever, if occasionally hard to read. Whilst the emphasis on dodging makes for an aggressive play style, I always felt mobility was hampered by the lack of invincibility frames and enemies that really indulge in long attack strings. The skill tree allows for some free-wheeling experimentation and the way magic is handled interests me. There's some intriguing ideas on display but the execution doesn't gel for me.

You can see the passion it took to make Broken Mind but the end product results in something middling. At times, the spooky atmosphere shines through and I did grow to like the visuals. Unfortunately, it doesn't do much else particularly of note. There's a variety to the gameplay and a swift pace but the story and writing can often feel a little predictable. For a single developer, it's a commendable effort but not one I'd immediately recommend.

While the games featured here are all good, a compilation of three straight ROM ports with minimal extra features doesn't make this collection the best value for money.

There's a reason that shoot 'em ups rarely cross between sub-genres. It's better to be the master of one than a jack of all trades with four. But MACROSS - Shooting Insight - is an interest experiment at mixing four separate shoot 'em up styles and while it doesn't fully work, the game remains playable and reasonably well-balanced.

Whether The Fisherman – Fishing Planet is worth your money over the free-to-play effort is something that will vary from person to person. There is a comprehensive fishing simulation on offer here but it's saddled by a confusing menu interface and isn't hugely accommodating for new players. It's rich in content with a relaxed atmosphere and plenty of depth. Hopefully, with time, the price tag starts to justify itself.

RedRaptor is an unremarkable but reasonably enjoyable shoot 'em up. It's fun while it lasts but it won't last long if you've got any skill with this genre.

Crisis on the Planet of the Apes VR is not a game that will leave a lasting impression with its brief play time and some unnatural feeling controls but the climbing works well and the gunplay brings back memories of light gun games.

This is not the Terminator game you have been waiting for. However, in a world that has subjected the license to countless sloppy video game adaptations, Terminator: Resistance shines among them as a beacon of hope. Teyon won't win any awards for this, but there is a clear love for the Terminator franchise and plenty of effort to back it up. Which is more than can be said about most licensed games, past and present.

Normal Ratalaika service is resumed with this puzzle game with some nice ideas. As is usual for Ratalaika, double value with the Vita port and hence two easy platinums.

To be honest, Holfraine's a decent, bare-bones effort that does offer something cheerful in short bursts. It looks cheap in spots and there's not much personality or flair but, with a very cheap price tag, that can be forgiven. The characters have unique uses to them but I feel the map size and objectives cut any efforts to specialise them short. Holfraine's a little too simple for its own good but it's enjoyable.

Xenon Valkyrie+ is an ok game and I've found myself going back for one more go, hoping for a better run, which is always a plus for these rogue-lites. Unfortunately the high level of difficulty ends up just being frustrating. As a quick pick up and play game you'll find fun here for a bit, but in the end it never really does enough to stand out in the crowded rogue-lite genre.

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.

While it’s a joy to take on familiar teams, the game’s reliance on familiarity with the series makes the story mode unnecessarily difficult – either you execute a famous play, or chances are you won’t score at all. This effectively bars players unfamiliar with the Captain Tsubasa saga from enjoying Rise Of New Champions. This is a game that gets exciting only when it leaves rudimentary football controls behind, which is less often than you’d think. If you’re not a fan already, this amounts to another game where players only distinguishable by haircut run after a ball. [Issue#180, p.74]

Submersed 2: The Hive maintains the underwater setting and the shark-centric stealth of the original. In many ways, it improves over the first game by providing more feedback and tightening up some of the atmosphere. The environments are compact but the dumb AI of the enemies makes them decidedly unthreatening. It's thoroughly rough around the edges and, whilst it's not a good game, it's a solid step forward for developers Main Loop.

A solid remaster of an Amiga-era shoot 'em up. We're here for the nostalgia but the game does feel a bit limited and might not appeal to newer shoot 'em up fans.

Hakuoki: Edo Blossoms finishes the story started in Kyoto Winds. There are plenty of characters to fall for, though each individual story is shorter than average. The pace feels a little rushed and Chizuru feels like passenger a lot of the time but if you're already invested then you'll want to see how things turn out.

I know not to expect the world from a yearly sports title but NBA 2K21 feels like a backward step. As good as the passing and defence remains, the shooting has an unreliability the series just hasn't delivered before. Practice makes better but it doesn't seem to make perfect. The rest of the package remains fairly sound with great presentation and a swathe of modes to digest. Unfortunately, my time on the court felt compromised whenever I approached the net.

Darksiders III is a slight change of pace for the series which succeeds in certain areas whilst failing quite badly in others. The camera is terrible and there are plenty of bugs, but the combat is rewarding and exploring areas with new abilities will keep more forgiving players entertained.

Windfolk is a short but enjoyable time when you're flying through the air at speed but the game often slams the brakes on to force you into more confined areas or weak combat which doesn't take advantage of the flight mechanics at all.

Steredenn is a shoot 'em that is simultaneously a bit plain in terms of the levels and enemy designs but then overly fussy with a lot of weapon choices to juggle, weak upgrades and a control-system that doesn't always feel that intuitive. It's still quite good fun but it tries to be clever in all the wrong areas.

We appreciate the nostalgia that comes with this fun Frogger/snowboarding cross-over title but it's just a bit too short, repetitive and flawed to live up to the studio's previous games.

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.

Pretty Girls Breakers! is an Arkanoid clone that tries a couple of new things and while it may not improve on the original recipe, it's nice to play a game of this style that has its own ideas.

If Pac-Man Championship Edition and DX were enjoyable sugar rushes of arcade pleasure, this is the inevitable sugar headache. Lacking the perfect gameplay of its prequels, and also the charm, Pac-Man Championship Edition 2 is good but it was supposed to be great.

The fact that you could probably port Jack N' Jill to an original GameBoy pretty easily is probably a cause for concern but it would be a very good game for that format. Whether or not that's what you want on a PS4 in 2018 is another matter though.

Football Game is a narrative driven game which you'lll probably finish in a single sitting. Coupled with a noir graphical style the package adds to the sense of foreboding. A fair offer with Vita included.

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.

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.

From a purely gameplay point of view Papers, Please is repetitive, dull and complicated.But to judge this game on this alone would be to miss the point. As an art piece or as a social experiment Papers, Please is a very interesting proposition. Just don't come here for fun times.

Symmetry is a challenging survival game. The gameplay is one-note and never changes or evolves but the struggle to finally escape can become addictive.

Skate City is alright. There are better skating games out there for sure but if you're looking for a mellow take on the genre, this'll do for a while.

While The American Dream is a different and humourous take on the growingly congested VR shooting gallery genre, the overall gameplay does not match up to its wit and political satire. The game is not without merit, however its slow pacing and occasionally boring tasks let the experience down in the long run.

Who Pressed Mute on Uncle Marcus? has some good moments and some great performances. Unfortunately this short effort is kind of hamstrung by a mystery that requires a level of repetition to truly crack. Whilst it's nice they've accounted for this with additional scenes and dialogue, the end result is something that is just a little irksome.

One Escape is a fun puzzle platformer let down by a severe case of premature trophy unlocking. Sadly many players won't carry on past 50% by sheer virtue of this fact.

Daydream Software have delivered a competent sports title in eCrossminton. Content is sparse with modes being basic but the core components do provide an enjoyable time. Applying direction takes effort but timing your shots feel rewarding. Presentation lacks some flamboyance and the ICO licensing adds very little. It's a shame what content is there needs to be unlocked in a relatively slow rate and the roster lacks some personality.

Siralim 2 will keep you occupied for a long, long time if you allow it. The lack of story may make it hard for some to endure but the amount of content to unlock, upgrade and customise will keep people with the right mindset coming back for more.

Snooker 19 does enough to be a snooker game, but not nearly enough to be THE snooker game. A lack of aiming and viewing options mean this may alienate players looking to participate in some relaxed break-building but are instead forced to remember just how poor at snooker they are in real life. And at four times the price of a competing snooker title released in the same week, this doesn't feel like a game we can recommend yet.

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

ANNIE gets a few things right and just as many wrong. But if you want The Last of Us distilled down into a six hour top-down twin-stick shooter, this should scratch that itch.

For a small developer and a small price tag, Pic-A-Block delivers dozens of brain teasing slide-puzzles. It's not deep but it can make you feel occasionally clever. I would've liked a few more options around colour palettes and undoing moves but it's fine and functional. I find the music relaxing and, provided you're playing in short bursts, it's not going to outstay it's welcome.

BATS is a fun blood-filled 2D run and gun/hack/bite action title which uses old-school presentation and gameplay but gives it a modern feel. It may be a little too difficult, short and repetitive for some but it's one of the better recent retro-flavoured indie games to hit PSN.

Crimson Desert is the very definition of a cult classic. It shows lofty ambitions whilst Pearl Abyss are effectively going with what they know. There's some exemplary exploration and world design on display but the quest design feels incredibly basic. It's always bringing some new mechanic or system into view but that dilutes the game's focus. I've had some fun with it but it's been heavily clouded by an incredibly slow start, awkward controls and some truly awful bosses.

Immortal Redneck offers plenty of shooting and upgrading based fun that will appeal to fans of rogue-like titles. However, progress feels like it comes from putting in the time rather than improving your actual skills.

Vinebound: Tangled Together has an intriguing twist on the survivors genre but it's quick to run out of ideas. The small number of stages and upgrades leads to a stagnant sense of progression and the power fantasy doesn't quite materialise. The tether is handled well with it's length impacting attack frequency and being your main focus for weaponry. The presentation is cute and clean, although the hordes of enemies can make it difficult to read.

Dust & Neon is a twin-stick shooting rogue-lite that comes close to being good but it's just a bit too stilted and lacks the addictiveness that we expect from the genre.

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.

Omega Strike is an enjoyable, if straightforward, Metroidvania. The character swapping mechanic is a good idea but is underutilised by the level design and it's a tad too easy. You'll enjoy the time you have with it but it won't leave a lasting impression.

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.

Mugsters has the makings of a fun couch coop game. However, there are a number of problems that prevents it from hitting the highs of Overcooked or The Escapists. Frustrating physics, annoying friendly AI and repetitive stages let it down in single player, but there is still fun to be had when played with friends in moderation.

2Dark delivers on a dark story but struggles with the gameplay. The visuals soften the horror a little but the developers should be applauded for the premise. The stealth gameplay works but the trial and error nature of it may start to grate, thankfully the story is intriguing enough to pull you through to the end.

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.

Monstrum has a rough start and it does not do well to educate new players. There's a real lack of explanation when it comes to enemy behaviours and objectives. Once I'd come to terms with it, I found a game that was surprisingly fair and accomplished in the art of building tension. It's not a great game to look at but there's fantastic sound design at work that does build apprehension well. As basic as it is, there's a decent thrill here, however short it lasts.

Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown really lacks an identity. Despite the name, it doesn't bear great resemblance to the previous games. Whilst there is a vast city to explore, the lifestyle element has been somewhat left behind and the car selection has significant omissions. It can be visually inconsistent but the driving model feels very solid. It lacks some detail but there is some decent digital tourism within. The worst of the connectivity issues appear to have been resolved but the way online is handled, and a general lack of atmosphere can make this feel like a lonely drive.

The Game of Crone DLC is an enjoyable extension to the main game with helpful rewards if you haven't done everything already. If you've completed everything the most useful stuff arrives too late and although the story is entertaining enough it's not enough to drag you back.

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.

UBOAT really offers something tactical and tense. There's a lot to think about and the campaigns are long and varied. Unfortunately, it's curtailed by a console port that struggles to stay ship shape. Even if the technical bother eventually gets ironed out, the controls feel too much of a handful. Putting the time in does reap some rewards but I sense this is a game much more at home on mouse and keyboard.

Hardcore pinball players and those who remember playing the originals will get something from this pack but these tables seem a lot less fair than Zen's own ones and that makes this compilation a lot more frustrating than it should be.

Wingdiver The Shooter offers some good EDF fan service and reasonably good shoot 'em up action but is a little too short and lacking in polish to truly recommend.

Risk System is a well-presented shoot 'em up with a lot of potential but the boss battles ruin the flow of the game, instantly switching the gameplay from a satisfying mix of intuitive action and risk vs. reward mechanics to tedious and difficult encounters that rely on memorisation. There's something here but the difficulty is just too uneven.

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.

Ultrawings offers players a chance to fly in VR. It achieves that but although there are a lot of individual jobs to take on it doesn't give you much variety as you fly around a rather simple set of islands. Using two Move controllers things feel great it's just a shame there isn't a little more to it.

A by the numbers tower defence game which only stands out on the PS4 due to lack of competition. It plays a good game though and has a decent level of difficulty. Unfortunately, it is forgettable and looks very much like a game you'd find on your mobile phone.

Utawarerumono: Mask of Deception is a visual novel first and foremost, with some strategy RPG battles scattered throughout. The story is pretty slow going, with the battles few and far between, but the characters are very likeable and contribute to some amusing scenes. One for fans of the genre.

It's not my favourite genre but there is at least something to Crown Wars: The Black Prince. Being able to tackle missions at my own pace was refreshing, although I was still learning from failure. As tough as battles can be, there's a balance to the units and a definite preferred way of playing with strength in numbers being emphasised. The technical hitches are a problem but regular autosaves does mitigate any lost progress. Unfortunately, the pacing can be hammered by an early grind and a game that is not always the best at explaining its systems.

As a positive, cautious first step with a beloved series, Double Dragon IV provides an enjoyable combat experience. The chosen art style undermines the game’s quality somewhat and the retro principles can lead to moments of frustration but I think this is worth your time. It’s unrefined and lacks bravery but it’s not bad.

Shikhondo works well as both an introduction and a tribute to the bullet hell genre but is just a tad too basic to stand out against the competition.

In a genre that is full of Vampire Survivors clones, Centipede Gun offers something a little different and while it can feel a little underdeveloped, we did enjoy it while it lasted.

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.

Rogue Stormers offers plenty of challenge for those that want it. The responsive controls and varied weaponry allow for unique gameplay moments and will certainly keep players returning. I can’t help but feel the grind wears me down on this, although a person with greater skill and reflexes will get some joy out of this. Sometimes luck just won’t be on your side as you scour the levels for much-needed health although the persistent rewards guarantee progress. If you fancy a Contra clone with some strategic elements, this might be for you but progress feels too gradual for my tastes.

Super Stardust Ultra VR looks so good on Sony’s new headset that you can almost forgive it anything but when you realise this is last year’s game with a short Battlezone mini-game tagged on, it all starts to feel like a cheap cash-in. If you don’t already own Super Stardust Ultra, then this represents good value for PSVR owners but for fans of the series, it kind of stings.

Stranded A Mars Adventure is a 2D platformer which relies on inertia and momentum to make some tricky levels. Whilst the retro stylings have been done a million times before it’s the excellent music which makes this game stand out from the crowd.

Space Rift is a little clunky and has a low budget feel to it but it tells an interesting story and breaks it up with some fun dogfights. The presentation isn't going to wow you, even with the PSVR functionality, but if you're looking for a VR game with some potential depth, this episodic space opera is worth a look.

The core gameplay loop of Hood: Outlaws & Legends is fun, violent and competitive but currently this feels like a game mode that should exist in a much more fleshed-out title. The challenge now is for them to keep the community interested while new content is added. If they can manage that, Hood may well go on to be a popular online title.

A Hero and a Garden is a charming tale about responsibility and friendship. The narrative is well told with some interesting characters to chat to. The gameplay keeps things fairly simple and at least gives you something to focus and interact with. There's nothing too complex and the gardening doesn't consume too much time. I like it but it's a short and sweet effort that doesn't really entice me to play it again.

Comet Crash 2: The Kronkoid Wars offers a unique blend of RTS and tower defence which is fun to play. The single player campaign offers a nice distraction and plays well enough, but it is with the multiplayer that things really brighten up, although you may struggle to find a game online.

Unsurprisingly, a port of a 2014 iOS rogue-lite platformer isn't going to light up PSN in 2018 and while Devious Dungeon doesn't do anything particularly badly, a lack of ambition stops it from standing out in any way.

Strikers Edge provides a cheap, small bundle of fun that offers something quick and enjoyable to those that want a bite-size scrap. It's simple to understand with little moments of nuance to give some more experienced players an edge. It's unfortunate the community hasn't quite formed around launch but, couch combatants might find entertainment from what is a bright, if slim offering.

This sequel is a silly pastiche of Hollywood in which you insult stars of past and present but isn't quite good, or funny, as its predecessor.

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.

Fallen Knight offers up some reasonably polished hack and slash action but would benefit from much tighter controls. While we appreciated the clever addition of a rogue-lite second campaign, the overall experience is just a bit too sluggish and frustrating for us to recommend the game but there is still some enjoyment to be had from it.

Schacht's cold presentation and inconsistent levels conspire to spoil what is an otherwise technically solid game but is sure to be a favourite for those players who master its mix of platform jumping and racing action.

With a hand drawn art style which needs to be seen to be believed, Jotun plays an enjoyable game of killing Icelandic gods. Unfortunately the short playing time and lack of real replayability stop this game from reaching it’s full potential.

WanderjahR is an interesting and charming battle-focused sort-of-JRPG that undoes itself a little by dragging out the levels which is never good considering the Vita's battery life. It's no pushover either so if you fancy a challenge, this is a worthy, if flawed, addition to the Vita's growing list of RPGs.

Aqua Moto Racing Utopia is a decent arcade racer that with a little push could have been very memorable. As it is every element is a little too tame making it a lot harder to recommend.

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.

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.

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.

Clearly a mobile game Kitty Powers’ Matchmaker offers a fun, if throwaway diversion. The gameplay is serviceable, the presentation is bright and clear and it’s easy enough to play. Overall then the game is sort of ok, but nothing really more than that.

As an annual product, Monster Energy Supercross: The Official Videogame 6 is not bringing a lot new to the party. The time on track remains interesting and unique but the presentation and career mode feels very stale and flat. Fans might jump at the chance to get back in the saddle but I struggle to find a reason to recommend this over last year's title. There's a lot of content here but I wasn't especially excited to wring it all out.