Achilles: Survivor takes the much-used Vampire Survivors template but adds some polished visuals, a neat defense-building mechanic and a heap of mythology-inspired characters to make one of the best examples of the genre.

If you can get past its PS1-era looks, which do have their own charm, there's a lot of fun to be had with it. Especially if you're a fan of auto-battling roguelites like we are.

Hidden Cats in Rio de Janeiro is another solid hidden cat game. In a similar vein to the Tokyo installment, this is good and offers a decent package for less than a coffee from Starbucks. Get searching and find all them felines.

Sumerian Six is a solid real time adventure with all manner of fun gadgets and a mean difficulty streak. The PS5 port isn’t particularly optimised though with UI scaling being a particular problem as well as a camera that’s clearly more set up for mouse control as opposed to a DualSese. It’s still fun despite that, just be aware that playing on a 4K display is your best bet as it’s virtually impossible to see if you play on 1080p unless it’s a few feet in front of you.

MARVEL Cosmic Invasion is a love letter to the great comic-based beat 'em ups of the '90s but, very importantly, surpasses all of them. Which it absolutely should given we're in the 2025 but it's nice to see them do it nonetheless.

Gravity Rush 2 is a tonne of fun to play, and falling through the air upside down is an image that is unique and memorable. However poor camera controls and bad stealth sections really spoil the fun.

Remnant II is a great shooter with lush visuals and compelling enemies and when played as such is a fantastic sequel. The RPG/loot mechanics never really excel though and feel more like additional weight to the game rather than an interesting point of focus. And that miserable final boss battle may have taken ten years off of our lives.

As remakes go, Amerzone: The Explorer's Legacy refines the visuals and operates at a steady pace whilst maintaining the old point-and-click ethos. The puzzles follow a sensible logic and there's enough hints on offer to prevent getting stuck. At times, it can look unpolished and player movement can feel antiquated, but I enjoyed playing through this. I really like how the narrative slowly unravels as you uncover more clues. That methodical approach really shines.

Mega Man Zero/ZX Legacy Collection is a great compilation that treats its subject with respect, with features and modes which improve the overall package. The difficulty is high even with the modern additions which may put some people off but fans of this style of game will get plenty of enjoyment out of it.

Untitled Goose Game is a fun enough game but maybe a little on the slight side. Being a nihilistic goose is alright but that’s all there is to this really. Any representation of teletext in games is a good thing though.

There are a lot of twin-stick shooters out there but Laser Disco Defenders manages to stand out thanks to a clever game mechanic where your bullets start to add to your problems. Add in the funky '70s vibe and this ends up being an enjoyable, if averagely-produced, way to fling a few bullets around.

This modern installment of the classic Cotton series of shoot 'em ups treats the series with respect and does a great job of bringing it up to date whilst also adding some welcome variation.

Granblue Fantasy: Relink delivers a very polished experience with a main story that packs plenty of momentum. Combat is very kinetic but simple to handle. Perhaps that's detrimental when boss fights stretch into long encounters but the chaotic spectacle is thankfully easy to read. It's a shame the side content retreads old haunts and the post-game becomes a repetitive grind. What's here is a decent package but I wish the combat had a few more options to explore.

Lies of P is a charming take on the Soulsborne template. Scarcely an original bone in its body but none the worse for it. We liked it despite not being particularly skilled. The title is probably among the worst we've ever encountered, but thankfully the game transcends it.

Lumines Remastered doesn't take many chances with the classic Lumines formula but elevates it with some lovely presentation. If you've still got unfinished business with the Vita version, this doesn't do much to make it an essential purchase but if you're a fan of the genre, and the series in particular, this won't disappoint.

Whilst the cutesy aesthetic might prove too saccharin for some, Rabi-Ribi delivers excellent exploration and combat over a lengthy first run. It will lend itself beautifully to speed runners whilst the plot and interplay between the main duo offer a surprising amount of charm. This is a pleasant, impressive Metroid homage with some nice quirks.

As with most roguelikes, BPM: Bullets Per Minute is one of those games that you will either love over time or hate immediately and shelve for other things. The variable is within the random generation and contending with whether the game wants to throw you a bone or not. Aside from this, BPM is a solid meld of the rhythm action and FPS genres, combining an excellent metal soundtrack with solid gunplay that has a lot to offer, if you can break the stubbornly difficult surface.

Natsuki Chronicles takes the high quality shoot 'em up gameplay of Ginga Force, flips it ninety degrees and delivers a great shoot 'em up with a rewarding upgrade system. Newbies might struggle a little but genre fans will have a blast.

There's an intelligent execution to Darkwood. The gloomy aesthetics and effective sound design heighten your senses and place you precariously on edge. The unflinching challenge adds weight to encounters and each trip to new pastures carries great risk. There is a fantastic confidence with how Darkwood lets you dictate the pace of exploration and it's enticing me to keep coming back.

Everything really isn’t for everyone. If it clicks with you, you’ll love experiencing it even if you don’t actually love playing it. As quirky, nerdy and pretentious as it gets but charming too, we’re really glad we gave Everything a chance.

The Banner Saga 3 concludes the story whilst changing little gameplay-wise. Fans will tactically battle their way through to the ending but newcomers should go back to the beginning to experience the entire tale, rather than skipping to the end.

A bolt out of the blue, Avicii Invector is both a brilliant rhythm action experience and a fitting tribute to the late Tim Bergling. For the price of a greatest-hits album, Avicii Invector is a brilliant way to experience a deep cut of the discography, while also offering plenty of replay value in the form of further difficulty modes and an immensely playable experience in single or multiplayer.

Middle-earth: Shadow of War still has a great mechanic in the Nemesis System but struggles to find the perfect game to fit around it. The missions are straightforward and repetitive and the fortress attacking and defending is stretched to breaking point. It just about manages to keep you entertained, but if every element was up to the quality of the Nemesis System then it would be amazing. Instead it's just good.

Judgment offers more of the same for Yakuza fans, with a slight hint of detective gameplay. Those looking for a deviation from the formula may be disappointed but it has the same strengths as Yakuza, with a new set of enjoyable characters and a strong, gripping crime drama narrative.

We are very used to seeing old arcade games used as a basis for lazy indie rehashes but Okinawa Rush is one of the few that elevates the source material to new levels.

Telling Lies manages to deliver an intricate and intriguing tale within a format that still manages to engage. Digging through the files and uncovering new information can be enjoyable and insightful. It could do with a few conveniences and the interface still likes to withhold information, but there's a provocative tale here. It's backed up with some incredible writing and stellar performances across the board.

There are a lot of horror games on PSN but this one deserves to stand out from the rest. It may feel dated, clunky and unfriendly to play at times but it transcends that in a way that is so clever, so skilfully written that we can't help but love it.

Fallen Order is the best Star Wars game for a long time, mixing sophisticated combat with some great presentation. If it was more linear and focused it'd be an undeniable classic but some tedious puzzle-solving and fiddly navigation take some of the shine off of the overall package.

A clever twin-stick shooter with a smart aesthetic and some nice risk versus reward gameplay. The online modes are dead on arrival though which is a shame as the single player game won’t keep you going for long.

A wonderful Cornish themed adventure and a journey into the fertile imagination of a loony kid.

Wreckfest looks, plays and feels better than ever on PS5 and its mix of arcade chaos and realistic physics still holds up very well indeed.

Jazzpunk is an absurd, quick-fire joke machine that holds its end of the bargain for the two-hour duration. Its sense of style remains strong and consistent throughout. There’s a lack of replay value beyond finding any gags you’ve overlooked but I can’t help but admire how different and funny this is. It’s brilliantly executed and carries a jaunty, playful tone that keeps things moving. If you’ve already ventured into the robot universe then the underwhelming multiplayer doesn’t feel like an enticing addition but we would definitely recommend newcomers checking this out. You will probably not play anything else like it.

South Park: The Fractured But Whole is strictly for fans of the show but the turn-based combat is even better than before and the game tells a good story. It might not be the best turned-based RPG but it is definitely the most entertaining one.

Vagante is a fine roguelike that’ll kick your arse over and over. Yet you’ll want to keep on playing over and again. We sure did. The difficulty is perhaps a little harsh for a strictly singleplayer experience, this is definitely balanced to be played with friends.

Prey is another win for Arkane Studios and Bethesda. It may not have much to do with the original or the promising cancelled sequel, but it is a fine attempt at keeping the name alive. Sadly, the difficulty can be a barrier to enjoyment and often places you in situations where you are ill equipped to survive. Some may adore the challenge, others may find themselves too frustrated to continue. Otherwise Prey is a worthy followup, even if it isn’t what could have been.

Rise of the Third Power attempts to replicate a SNES era JRPG and does a very good job of it too. The combat is interesting and characters likeable which makes for an enjoyable adventure.

Inkulinati is an entertaining strategy puzzle game with an interesting medieval graphical style. Only in this game could a snail prove to be the most powerful unit on the battlefield. The campaign lends itself well to multiple replays. Plus there’s local hotseat multiplayer. Get to it.

With the cheerful overtones of a colourful world and characters, PHOGS! Is as sweet as a game about a stretchy two headed dog can be. The surreal concept provides plenty of chances for a mild and accessible challenge, enjoyable in both single and cooperative play. This is a great option if you are looking for a game with little stakes or something to play with a younger sibling.

While no-one will be thrilled about having to buy their favourite tables again, the combination of Zen's excellent pinball know-how and VR is a winning one.

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.

Air Race Speed is a tight little arcade racer with a simple premise executed exceptionally well. The one more go nature of the game makes this ideally suited to the Vita and can easily keep you playing for hours at a time. It offers a decent level of challenge and a lot of content for the cheap price point. You need to own this game if you have a Vita.

Bug Fables is a great ARPG inspired in no small part by the Paper Mario games. It's really rather good.

Helheim Hassle is an excellent puzzle platformer with an amusingly written script and detachable limbs. Get to it.

The annual turnaround can't allow for a radical overhaul but the new licenses help give you a variety of new sides to play with. There's some welcome tweaks with MyClub and Master League for those in for the long haul. The on-pitch action remains competitive and tactical but the old baggage remains. Presentation remains a little stagnant and the editing suite will immediately be put to use to correct out of date squads. Still, it plays a compelling, compulsive game.

I'm surprised by how much I'm enjoying this. The simpler approach to Fire Pro Wrestling World allows you to get on with fighting and the rules of engagement seem a lot clearer than its contemporaries. Fighting Road adds a long career mode and there's plenty of reasons and ways to battle, even if I do miss some match types not being catered for.

Trine 5: A Clockwork Conspiracy is certainly not straying far from the sharp puzzle design the series is known for. It is a very familiar experience that might wear thin. There's some clever ingenuity on display and I managed to be kept interested by it. Combat still remains an afterthought and it almost feels like an intrusion on the puzzle solving. Cooperative play offers the most fun is but the solo experience is still engaging. At times, pacing can waver but the overall package remains good.

It's not big and it's not clever but if VR is going to be mainly used for this type of shooting gallery game, we're glad to see it being used for games like Shooty Fruity that put the fun first and have one or two good ideas that we've not seen before.

ECHO is a game with a compelling central idea, a top notch sci-fi plot and some excellent stealth mechanics. It also demands you understand its rules and play it at the pace it dictates. If you can either get on with, or get past, the plot you’ll experience some fantastic gameplay moments.

Dirt 5's condensed career feels light on variation but the carnival presentation and slick pacing helps stave off some of the tedium. Whilst there's plenty of vehicles, they don't all feel like winners. The course creation does give you something else to pursue after career is over. I've had fun racing around the well-designed courses but I can't help feel this is compromised and a little narrow in scope. If an arcade racer is what you're after, this works nicely.

Bleed 2 improves on the original in almost every way. It's still short but the gameplay is well designed and the controls are tight meaning you will want to replay it again and again, much like the arcade classics it draws inspiration from.

Cookie Cutter is far from perfect but it's a slick and interesting example of a genre that is often presented in a lazy, retro style. There are issues but the game's strengths just about outweigh the negatives.

NBA 2K25 is a solid entry for the series. It is a small move forward with a great feel on the court. Shot making felt reliable to me with only a couple of head-scratching defensive plays letting the experience slide. It is a refinement of what's came before it with MyNBAEras offering a wealth of teams throughout time to play with. It's not quite historically accurate but I enjoy seeing those teams battle it out in anger. MyPlayer feels streamlined with only a brief venture into high school with the main focus being on the big league. It's a very accomplished simulation with great polish.

River City Girls is clearly the result of a love and passion for the Kunio-Kun franchise and its fanbase. Wayforward has done a great job of translating the classic beat-em-up franchise for the modern audience. While also providing a funny, great looking and audibly awesome game that all beat-em-up fans should try at least once.

Wayward Strand is a lovely graphical adventure with the feel of a whodunit in some ways. The charming Aussie voice cast conveys a great sense of place, just as the design does a good job recreating that awkward waiting around in hospitals feeling. It's recommended by us, but it might not be your cup of tea either.

Beyond Good & Evil: 20th Anniversary Edition is certainly the best way to currently play a slice of Ubisoft's past. The remastering is faithful and it has made me realise some aspects that don't quite hold up. The cinematic camera can really land you in trouble and the late game pearl hunt saps the pacing to a crawl. Despite this, there's a lot to like about it. The levels are well designed and intricate and the stealth is competent. The cast of characters have a great charm to them and I'll be interested to see if the sequel follows this blueprint.

Jagged Alliance 3 is a game long since thought lost to development hell, but thanks to Haemimont Games and THQ Nordic, it’s here. Very much a game out of time but none the worse for it for fans of the genre. It can be damned tough but when you get into a groove it’s fun. Not having the ability to toggle chance to hit is something we could do without though.

Rival Megagun takes an age-old genre, adds a few twists and a bit of charm and ends up being a game that works well as an arcade-style shoot 'em up, a potentially popular online title and a potential party game favourite.

Wasteland 3 is quite buggy in its current state but the gameplay and systems still manage to shine through. With a little more polish this'll be regarded as a classic in the future. Even as it is now it's an incredibly enjoyable experience.

Kero Blaster is a surprisingly enjoyable game to play despite looking retro to a fault. The graphics and excellent music work together perfectly to give the game a style not much seen nowadays. While this graphical style may not be to everyone’s liking, happily the core running and gunning is tight and it is this aspect which will keep you coming back for more.

Call of Duty: WWII trades on the familiar and, whilst its campaign suffers from some weak characters and a few safe bets, the multiplayer component remains compelling and rewarding. It's a throwback rather than a revolution but it's still fun. There's not a lot here that's new but you'll be occupied for another year, providing you haven't already tapped out.

WRC 8 is an accomplished effort with a career mode that now feels more complete. The content on offer is substantial with plenty to sink hours into. The presentation might look a little dry but the audio works well with the detail of the environments being complimented by a dynamic weather system. It's really starting to feel like a series getting better with age and rally fans should feel right at home.

Hardspace Shipbuilder is a glorified recycling simulator with okay visuals, repetitive gameplay and a bleak setting but that doesn't stop it being our new go to chill out game. Its relaxing, compelling, satisfying and worryingly addictive.

Pinball FX 3 is the best pinball game yet although most of the improvements over Zen Pinball 2 happen away from the table. Funny, inventive and ridiculously addictive, this game will keep players entertained for months but while existing players will enjoy having access to their old tables, new players may find it costly to get into.

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.

Fans of the RayForce series will be very happy with this trio of perfectly emulated classic arcade shoot 'em ups. It's not quite as complete as we'd like but the main thing is that the three arcade titles are here and ready to ruin your trigger fingers.

A fantastic procedurally-generated zombie road trip that you'll want to play again and again. Often funny, moreso if you like poop jokes. Highly recommended.

The 'Netflix of Retro Gaming' comes to PSN and it works surprisingly well with the streaming performing as it should and lots of features that give you a good reason to stick with the games on offer. We're exciting to see what else they can do with it but what's here already is great.

For a game where all you are doing is preparing food, Overcooked may well be the best party game on PSN. Best played with others, Team 17’s latest is whirlwind of beautiful chaos.

Spacejacked's mix of shooting and tower defence leads to some gloriously hectic gameplay but the game's difficulty needs ironing out a tad.

A visually striking puzzle platformer with a great plotline and excellent voice acting.

G-Darius remains a true late '90s classic and old school, or just old, shoot 'em up fans will enjoy revisiting it but newer players might not enjoy brute-forcing their way through the game's excessively difficult later levels.

As a package, NBA 2K23 is a phenomenal celebration of basketball. The return of the Jordan Challenge retells a stellar career and features exemplary presentation. NBA Eras takes you through an abundance of classic content and the on-court action feels tight and polished. MyCareer is substantial but still can't shake the intrusiveness of microtransactions. It delivers a decent story but can feel like a grind. Even with these problems, the sheer wealth of modes makes NBA 2K23 worthwhile.

Sonic origins is a solid retro remaster collection stacked with some of the best platformers from gaming’s history. The return of Sonic 3 and Knuckles is amazing and the versions of Sonic 1, 2 and CD are as good as they were on mobile. However, some areas of the games have been altered in ways that are not as welcome, especially when considering audio and level structures which have seen changes that are questionable to say the least. To someone coming fresh off the movies, wanting to see where the series started, this collection will be essential. For the fans that have stuck with the franchise, there are some modes and improvements that are worth experiencing. Overall though, these are not quite the definitive experiences that you may be expecting.

Forma.8 puts its best foot forward with a minimalist, abstract style that works wonders. More direction would be nice and the plot quickly vanishes but the pull of exploration offers enough to propel curious players deeper under the surface. It’s a great addition to a much-loved genre which carves its own place with some striking aesthetic choices.

Mothergunship has lots of action, a good sense of humour and the best gun customisation we've ever seen. The uninspired enemy design lets it down a tad but there's still a lot of fun to be had from this roguish FPS.

Star Renegades is a very tactical, turn based Rogue-lite that offers a decent challenge on Normal but with far more options beyond that. The runs themselves are very long for this type of game and the unlocks, beyond the characters, don't seem very exciting but if the combat flow intrigues you then you'll find plenty to enjoy.

A solid, well executed rhythm action shooter that keeps things simple to provide a fun and replayable experience. Metal Hellsinger fires on most cylinders, with only an issue of variety scuppering the overall package. Come in for the blistering soundtrack from some of Metal’s greats. Stay for the moreish gameplay a heavenly combo, despite the hellish subject matter.

Super Cloudbuilt is a fantastic remaster of the unsung 2014 original. It not only brings the blistering pace and gorgeous visual aesthetic to the consoles for the first time, but ends up being reinvigorated with the addition of more challenges and levels to sink your teeth into. If you missed Cloudbuilt the first time round and love high speed platforming then you can do no wrong.

RIGS: Mechanized Combat League is a game that really shouldn't work but does. It steps aside from overbearingly realistic VR games before it and provides a simple and incredibly enjoyable alternative sports title. This is definitely one to consider if you are picking up a PlayStation VR soon.

Under Defeat returns yet again and while it's starting to get a bit creaky, it still shows more class than a lot of newer shoot 'em ups. The visuals can get a bit messy though and it's not the most exciting shoot 'em up ever.

Under Night In-Birth:Exe Late[st] is a game showing its age but the complexity of its systems continue to shine. A diverse roster should hopefully be complimented by a burgeoning online community. As it is, there's plenty of single-player content, even if the AI is a touch predictable. There's a likeable game at the heart of this with enjoyable combat. I just wish more was put into the presentation.

John Wick Hex is an unexpected take on an action franchise but it mostly works. With a bigger budget you can imagine the possiblities, but what we have got really does put you in the headspace of Baba Yaga.

The definitive collection of the Amnesia games all in one package. They remain as terrifying today as they were when originally released. Mixing some puzzles with a narrative exploration game, this isn't a game full of action. However, the atmosphere is oppressive and unnerving which is exactly what we want from a horror game.

Darknet is a simple and fun puzzler that comes closest out of many to providing a fun hacking game. It may not be the best showcase of the PSVR hardware, however it does make for a good diversion for whenever you are stuck between games and have the visor affixed to your face. One for puzzle fans who are looking for something a bit different on PSVR.

Xenotilt is cool and impressive but it doesn't explain itself very well and the visuals can sometimes overwhelm the gameplay.

Fury Unleashed is a superb rogue-lite where your skills grow alongside your character's. Stringing together a long combo is rewarding in itself but also rewarded by making Fury more powerful, in theory helping you continue the combo. High level play will be something to behold.

Atelier Shallie Plus: Alchemists of the Dusk Sea changes the formula for the better but still hasn’t got the ingredients quite right. With the time limit gone the other elements have space to breathe but the story and characters are weak meaning the driving force is reliant on the gameplay which thankfully is varied and enjoyable.

Darksiders II Deathinitive Edition forgoes some of the bells and whistles of the Playstation 5 platform for a port that's more straight forward. It's a sharper looking version but not an upgrade that really puts the old consoles to shame. For anyone new, this is a solid opportunity to discover a game with clever dungeon design, solid enough platforming and engaging combat. There is a surprising amount of craft n display for something that derives so much from other games.

Definitely an evolution rather than a revolution for EA, UFC 4 continues to deliver the slick, brutal and intelligent combat that we're used to but we're still not sure about its ground game and would like to have seen a bit more of a celebration of the sport.

Miasma Chronicles is a solid tactical battler in a post-apocalyptic USA. The story is generally well done, if a little cliched at times. The allegorical corporations are bad mmkay thread is a bit hamfisted, but does a good job in terms of humanity treating the planet like shit. Combat is generally excellent although the reliance on consumable items for healing outside combat is a bit eh. Either way, these are minor gripes and you need to be playing this game.

While EA continues to leave no stone unturned when it comes to bringing football to gamers, it would be wrong of us to condone the lootbox mechanics that still dominate the Ultimate Team mode. But if you're happy to swerve that and just stick to regular matches, and the game's two enormous career modes, then FIFA still sets the bar incredibly high for football games and indeed sports games everywhere.

If you liked Fast and Furious: Tokyo Drift but thought it had 16 million too many colours then this slick, arcadey drift ’em up is for you. While it has style for days and is easy to get into, the game’s mayfly-like lifespan is a real shame. If you like shaving lap times, and games that look like technical drawings, then Absolute Drift: Zen Edition is one to check out.

Flywrench is an excellent action-obstacle game. The game eases you in gently for a little too long before cranking the difficulty sky high which will put off some players but if you master the controls then you’re sure to relish the, eventual, challenge.

My Brother Rabbit is sure to warm your cockles with nostalgia for classic point and click adventures as the nights draw in. The gameplay is something of a relic but what this game does, it does very well.

Irony Curtain: From Matryoshka with Love is a well produced point and click adventure that wears its influences in plain sight, but somehow comes up short of its lofty predecessors. Perhaps nostalgia simply ain't what it used to be.

Age of Wonders: Planetfall successfully brings a 4X title to consoles. The manual combat can slow things down too much and there's a learning curve to tackle, but the controls generally do the trick and there is so much content here for a solo player that you'll lose dozens of hours to it and still have much more to explore.

Sagebrush is an excellent story-based game with a great climax and payoff at the end. Perhaps a little short though. Recommended.

Door Kickers: Action Squad may look like just another retro-styled 2D shooter but the game's tactical gameplay really elevates it beyond the usual indie efforts.