Herodes is an indie shoot 'em up with a few interesting ideas but a game that is let down by mediocre design, unimpressive presentation and fairly weak gameplay. It does hold together though and so if you come with low expectations, you might get some enjoyment from it.

Glitch Busters is trying to bring some of that Astrobot playability and feel to the PS4 but even if you can forgive the sluggish action, awful camera and the lack of polish, some real game-breaking bugs could threaten to spoil the party. There's some fun to be had if you can pull together a human squad for some online play but this isn't a game that will live long in the memory and might struggle to hold an online community for long.

Dicey Dungeons is fantastic. A great blend of dice mechanics and card battler gameplay. Now it’s on PS4/PS5, you owe it to yourself to pick this up. You’ll be humming the tunes for ages and obsessing over strategies in between playing. Get on it.

World Championship Boxing Manager II offers up a reasonably fun slice of boxing management action but it's a little too casual in its approach to the business of boxing and the sweet science of the sport to really give you a detailed flavour of either.

Zool comes with plenty of limitations just because of its 16-bit roots but this is a respectful port that tweaks the original experience in positive ways.

XEL might not excel in terms of performance and general stability and the less said about the bugs like getting caught on scenery or simply falling through it, the better. But somehow it remains fun. We’re glad we persevered; we’d recommend you do so too. Though we still hope for a patch that resolves the issues we’ve outlined. It might look like a game from two generations ago, but there’s a lemony charm emanating despite everything. Take a chance, but perhaps wait on a sale as £15.49 ($20) is a bit much in its current state.

Despite the change of developer, TT Isle of Man: Ride on the Edge 3 continues the series' upward trajectory. Focusing on the island itself for an impressive backdrop works wonders, even if performance doesn't always hold up. Presentation can still be a little basic but the thrill and demands of road racing remain well recreated. I could spend days bombing around the island's country lanes and motorways.

Wild Dogs offers up some very credible Contra-style run and gunning and does a decent job with it but it's a little too long and a bit too tricky for its own good.

I might be an outlier on this but Strayed Lights didn't raise the needle for me. As stylish as the visuals can be, the gameplay feels far more ordinary. I did occasionally enjoy the spectacle of boss fights but the rank-and-file enemies offered little in the way of challenge. It's clear where the game's influences lie but I don't think Strayed Lights comes close to those lofty ambitions. Even with the narrative, I don't think the journey holds that much weight. This just hasn't clicked with me.

Itorah is a pretty game with nice music paired with generic gameplay and miserly checkpointing when you need it most. It’s OK but neither is it inspiring enough to engage you for more than a few hours. It’s not the worst Metroidvania we’ve ever played but it is probably one of the most generic.

It's an interesting concept that's perhaps undercut by a lack of modes and content on release. The core of deduction and the heist motif works wonders. I also enjoy the vibrant locales and light-hearted tone but it's clear the package is slim. For a cheap price tag, not many will complain and I did enjoy the tense gameplay that leads to a lot of second guessing. There is a strong hook here. All that's missing is the bait.

Nuclear Blaze is an atmospheric firefighting platform puzzler that's interesting enough to keep your attention for the couple of short-ish playthroughs it takes to see everything. There's plenty of fun to be had with it.

Whilst this could've ended up another run-of-the-mill combat platformer, Saga of Sins does well with its setting and premise. Using the sins as a backdrop for levels helps keep the platforming varied and gives them license to experiment with a couple of neat tricks. I think the presentation is handled well but the voice acting can fall flat for a couple of characters. Despite this, I enjoyed this medieval morality tale and will be interested in seeing what Bonus Level Entertainment do next.

Formula Retro Racing: World Tour is a lovely nostalgia-filled throwback to the hoary days of 90s arcade driving games such as Daytona and Ridge Racer. It largely succeeds on that front and that it’s largely coded by a one man dev team is pretty remarkable. Sure, there’s a few rough edges and the music is largely forgettable, but this is still pretty good.

It's not really a sequel but as an update to 2021's title, R-Type Final 3 adds plenty of content. It's still tough, confusing and has far too much purchasable DLC but the seven new levels and slight graphical upgrade are welcome and hopefully the planned multiplayer features will bring something worthwhile to the party too.

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.

Melon Journey: Bittersweet Memories presents and interesting plot that is accompanied by some smart and clever visuals. Whilst it does pay homages to old RPGs of the past, the strictly narrative experience helps keep focus on the charming characters and themes. It's a lovely, well-paced effort that manages to feel cohesive and complete. The writing can be pun-heavy and the aesthetic might be tough to adjust to but I warmed to the tale.

Murderous Muses is a video based whodunnit based in an art gallery. It’s generally well done but can feel a little unfair and luck based if you don’t manage to successfully piece together a suspect’s case. A wealth of video interviews and collectibles make for plenty of replay value too.

Atari Mania continues Atari's deep dive into their storied history with a fun, Warioware-inspired game that has plenty of great ideas but is let down a little by its execution.

Dogfight: A Sausage Bomber Story is a short but sweet shoot 'em up that encourages replayability and is a lot of fun while it lasts.

Do you like baseball? MLB The Show 23 is your one stop shop for all things baseball. It’s great with tons of game modes and extras, including the returning March to October mode and the fantastic Negro Leagues presentation. That it’s not on PS+ as yet is a bit of an eyebrow raiser given its Game Pass day one inclusion, so it’s a shame that Sony didn’t see fit to include it as yet. If you’re curious, take a chance and you’ll be rewarded with a fascinating insight into the wider world of baseball.

Aside from some decent presentation, Curse of the Sea Rats doesn't do much to innovate the crowded metroidvania genre but it's a solid example of the genre and provides a degree of fun to go with some of the frustration.

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.

Pirates Outlaws will be immediately familiar to Slay The Spire veterans in terms of gameplay but suffers from too wide a focus. Also not being able to save a lengthy run is pretty unforgivable. Its mobile roots are just that bit too evident too.

Meet Your Maker is a first-person outpost raider where you get to make your own levels and unleash them on whatever sorry bastards try to take them on. It's a great concept and the execution is pretty solid at launch. It'll only be improved by the promised future content too.

Runs N' Guns is a playable but frustrating platformer which feels a little lacking when it comes to the running and gunning side of things but it does a reasonable job of feeling like a game from the '90s, for better and worse.

Fight'N Rage is what you want from a retro-inspired game. It does what you'd expect if the game had been released thirty years ago but then adds a load of extra content in order to keep you interested. If you're a fan of scrolling beat 'em ups, this is as good as it gets.

Fatal Frame / Project Zero - Mask of the Lunar Eclipse is a fair update of a 2008 Wii game that does a solid job bringing it to a new audience. Sure, it's not a brand-new main series entry, but it's good. Just don't try and run in the game, it's more of an exaggerated shuffle.

Titanium Hound has an interesting mechanical twist on a side-scrolling shooter but, in exchange, it loses out on so much momentum. The detailed visuals and excellent voice acting can only go so far as I stumbled towards any fleeting enjoyment. The shooting feels fine but aiming has a restrictive quality and the crafting elements can largely go unnoticed. Ultimately, this just didn't click for me.

WWE 2K23 doesn't move the needle much from last year but it does at least stay the course. With a massive roster of talent and a wealth of modes, fans should be happy enough. The presentation remains top notch with Showcase and MyRise being enjoyable modes to plough through. Problems do persist with pacing and multi-person scraps can descend into chaos. Compared to other fighting games, it's a clunky experience but, within the realm of wrestling games, this is an acceptable step forward.

Zapling Bygone is a fun enough metroidvania that somehow left us feeling a little underwhelmed. The open ended approach was initially welcome but also meant we found it hard to maintain our focus. It's good but not great.

Catan: Console Edition does a good job of bringing the popular board game to life. It's a little bit bareboned but if you just want a simple game of Catan with friends or AI, this version is as good as any.

If you asked me a week ago, I would've been really down on Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty. The game's uneven difficulty delivers a tough introduction before settling into something more comfortable. Whilst the game doesn't explain itself well, there are many systems here you can prod and tinker with. Hopefully this will provide some varied playstyles. Combat really shines, despite the simplistic movesets. Navigation between missions feels clumsy but those levels are smartly designed. Moving through the world has been compelling and enjoyable, even if I do find the storytelling to be rather hokey.

Caverns of Mars: Recharged adapts the original game's gameplay and improves it but the repetitive action and somber presentation do rather suck the energy out of this shooter.

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.

Scars Above is a game that struggles to flesh out some of its ideas. Combat can become a fun tangle of status effects but it withholds the arsenal for so long. Environments and enemies can look generic but there are some moments of beauty as the game speeds along. The cast lacks a personality but rewarding scientists for discovery does twist progression in a neat way. It's a shame so much of this doesn't hit harder. Only the atmosphere is truly done well.

Pinball FX plays pinball as brilliantly as you'd expect but the economics behind it can feel greedy and, in terms of polish and performance, Pinball FX 3 feels little sharper and is nicer to look at as it stands, so the motivation to rebuy your old favourite tables isn't really there yet.

Atone: Heart of the Elder Tree is a great hybrid puzzler with rhythm action sections that deserves to be played. The branching storyline is a definite plus, though some of the puzzles are so oblique that you won't have a clue about how to solve them. All-in-all, it's still well worth playing.

Mighty Math's mix of arithmetic and survival proves to be a compelling combination. As a fun, ten minute diversion, the rounds can whisk by and escalate into challenging situations. The simple presentation results in a very no frills experience but a little more variety could've gone a long way. As it is, Mighty Math is a cheap and interesting concept that can be enjoyable in small doses.

Yuppie Psycho : Executive Edition is a fun take on the survival horror genre that succeeds for the most part, though the less said about the save system the better. It can feel a little bit constrictive, but then again isn't going to work? It works for the most part, but get used to replaying sections over and again.

Whilst the Playstation 5 improvements don't bring much new, Darkwood remains a strong, compelling horror title. The atmosphere remains tight and gloomy and the day-to-day surviving carries a weight that still brings me some joy. On this revisit, I see more of the strings attached but there is an enduring quality to running around in the dark corners of this hostile world.

Helvetii is a decent indie effort and combines decent presentation and gameplay but it does drag a bit and the roguelike aspects aren't balanced all that well. With faster progression and better upgrade options this could have been better but for now it'll keep fans of the genre busy for a while.

I find Spongebob Squarepants: The Cosmic Shake to be an enjoyable, comfortable romp through a colourful world. There's plenty of the show's personality translated into a smartly paced adventure and I do think that will appease plenty of fans. Some of the technical hitches may have been resolved by the day one patch but I didn't encounter anything fatal. It's not going to provide a challenge for most players but the writing maintains a quirky charm that fits hand in glove with the cartoon.

Turnip Boy Commits Tax Evasion is a fun indie quest with a fine line in pop culture gags, great music and fun graphical style. Get to it and enjoy yourself as we did.

Raiden IV x Mikado takes one of the best games of the famous Raiden series and gives it a fresh soundtrack. It's not going to do much that the PS3 version didn't do, but it's a solid example for the genre.

The Legend of Tianding is a fun action platformer set in colonial era Taiwan. We had a whole lot of fun, but we just wish it was a tiny bit longer. The collectibles might seem like a chore but the fact they unlock new abilities and provide interesting background, we didn't begrudge them at all.

Another Far Cry 6 DLC, another rogue-like with surreal levels but not a whole lot else to talk about. Far Cry 6 was great but it feels like it is time to move on.

Breakers Collection offers up two excellent late '90s fighting games that never had a release outside of Japan and while both games offer up some great fighting action, they may be for hardcore fans only.

Wings of Bluestar is a horizontally-scrolling shoot 'em up with some good ideas but the execution is a little lacking.

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.

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.

Terror of Hemasaurus is one of those rare indie games that takes an arcade classic as inspiration but improves on it in every imaginable way. The most important being that it's just a ton of fun.

Sable is a game that settles on a relaxing tone with an interesting aesthetic. Unfortunately, it's inhibited by some technical issues and some plain quest design. Traversing the barren world can still be enjoyed. Despite its emptiness, there's a decent sense of discovery that's accompanied by a very mellow soundtrack. As it is, there's a good game here stifled by unpredictable performance and a lack of variety.

A game about hunting vampires in the Wild West that has the design fundamentals of an Xbox 360 title? Count us in every single time.

It seems coming at this game late has given me a more positive perspective on Sifu. Whilst the Student difficulty wasn't available at launch, it does help wash away some of the repetition that can potentially grind a player down. Honestly, I felt the combat more than pulled its weight and controlling an encounter can feel incredibly rewarding. There's a challenge to be had but it's one that can be overcome with patient observation and persistence.

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.

Heidelberg 1693 is a savage 2D action-platformer that gives you plenty of gruesome eye candy which hopefully will keep you playing when the difficulty spikes start to test you.

Inertial Drift benefits from a port over to the PS5 and this DLC offers more of the twin-stick, drifty madness of the main game. However, some of the original issues we had in 2020 with the difficulty curve and lack of variation haven't been fixed and, worse, have been continued in this DLC. However, if you're a fan of the original then this will be a welcome addition.

As the premier 2D skateboarding series, our expectations for any new OlliOlli content are always high and while this DLC doesn't add anything particularly game-changing, the new levels and challenges are just right for fans of the main game.

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.

If you're an Atari fan, it's hard to imagine a compilation put together with as much attention to detail and love for the subject. Sure, the games aren't always that good but even for us as UK gamers who never much cared for Atari, there are some gems on here to play and plenty of extra material to check out. This is retro done right.

Whilst the presentation is stale, the driving of WRC Generations remains as engaging as ever. The new hybrid engines gave me something else to consider whilst adhering to the pace notes but the handling remained steady and reliable. The diverse locations provide a showcase or rallies present and past and, whilst the historical content has been featured before, it's now under one roof. I do wish they pushed the boat out for their final outing with the license but what's here is a solid product.

Tanuki Sunset is the racoon-based skating game you never knew you wanted. It's fast, fun and pretty cool but maybe a little thin when it comes to gameplay and longevity. We liked it a lot though.

Super Woden GP is a '90s throwback racer that's surprising tough to get good at but very satisfying when you do.

A shoot 'em up clearly made by fans of the genre for fans of the genre. It's both accessible and hardcore and packs in enough content to keep you interested for quite a while.

Far more than may meet the eye, Them’s Fighting Herds is a fantastic fighting game that marries a non-serious aesthetic with solid combat mechanics that most genre examples would dream of. Packed with modes for any player, old or new, the only misgivings come from the game being incomplete in the offline story and arcade modes. There is still plenty to sink your teeth into however and TFH gets a thorough recommendation from us, especially considering that this is an indie effort where all the right boxes are being ticked for a great gaming experience.

Missile Command: Recharge is a good update of the coin-op classic and its 2020 remake. The new challenge mode gives it bit of lasting appeal and the new presentation gives it a fresh coat of paint. It's not the most dynamic and exciting of shoot 'em ups but it still offers a substantial challenge to veteran arcade fans.

A solid stealth-based adventure set in an incredibly dark and hostile world but one that can also be beautiful. A Plague Tale: Requiem is a stunning game.

Watcher Chronicles is a fairly solid souls clone with a deceptively large world to battle. Story is thin and presentation can be ordinary but the reactive combat is enjoyable to engage with. Some encounters can be busy and not all the bosses are winners but there's a decent core that kept me entertained. As punishing as it can be, the reward and constant challenge kept me focused and the exploration is aided by reliable platforming. Whilst it doesn't do a lot to separate itself from its contemporaries, the execution is sound.

Alfred Hitchcock - Vertigo is an unexpected adaptation of the 1958 film with a nice line in looming dread throughout. Perhaps a bit QTE heavy for some, but we enjoyed it despite a couple of rough edges. You should watch the film too. That's ace.

Sam and Max Beyond Time and Space is a direct continuation of the first season of the freelance police’s antics and does not let up on the humour and standards set from before. Lovingly remastered by Skunkape games for the modern age, this is a great followup to the original season and the high-quality remains consistent throughout. If you loved Save the World then there is no reason not to get this, but you’ll be lost if you try Beyond Time and Space first.

A great opportunity to revisit a Telltale classic, before their days of ambiguous moral choices and ceaseless licensed titles. The Freelance Police have never looked better, with Sam and Max Save the World being a brilliant foray into the world of point ‘n’ click adventuring with joke a minute humour, tenuously logical puzzles and fantastic presentation.

Dakar Desert Rally is an improvement for the series but it still wallows in some of the same problems. Visually, it's stunning with some wonderful views and spectacular weather effects. Unfortunately, the career mode really limits what players can do and drip-feeds content at a relatively slow pace. There's a real lack of modes and the racing is hampered by some poor AI. I never really felt confident with the handling model but at least navigation seems more straight-forward.

Let's Build A Zoo might look like some 16-bit indie nonsense but it's easily the best management game we've played in years. It's playable, fun and outrageously addictive and it could honestly keep you happy for the rest of the year easily.

Super Jagger Bomb is a Bomb Jack clone where the classic gameplay does its best to shine through despite the visuals and controls letting the side down.

Casual Challenge Players' Club is a pool game with no AI, bad physics, poor presentation, almost non-existent campaign and, most unforgivably, it lacks any spin controls which is a move we didn't even see happen in the '80s when playing pool games on the Spectrum. This has to be the worst game in this genre.

I've got mixed feelings about Train Life: A Railway Simulator. On the one hand, the big map and company management aspects give players an awful lot to do for a budget price. There's a big treadmill to run and the day-to-day journey has a relaxed quality about it. Unfortunately the world does look a tad lifeless and sometimes GPS guidance can fail you. Operating machinery is comfortable with a simplified control scheme and a lenient approach to the rules of the rails. It deals in scale rather than authenticity but there's plenty to admire here.

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.

Midnight Fight Express is the best 3D brawler since Fighting Force and we're loving it. Part Final Fight, part Die Hard this is a throwback to the games and films of the '80s but is a perfect example of taking nostalgic influences and making something modern, exciting and great with them.

Little Orpheus is a delightful episodic romp as you discover how your hapless hero Ivan Ivanovich ended up losing the titular nuclear device. Great script, voice acting and pre-rendered graphical style make for a great value proposition. Very enjoyable and very much recommended.

Chenso Club is a game that feels very much the sum of its parts. Whilst 2D platformers with roguelike elements are absolutely nothing new, the presentation does elevate it into a place of its own. Combat is fast, fluid and simple and the platforming is largely forgiving. The flow of a run means you're always close to gaining new gear and using your own health to shop does deliver some tough decisions for players to make. It all comes together to make something enjoyable.

Session's ultra-realistic skating mechanics are spot-on and reward your practice and patience. However, it's set in a world that feels a little dead, empty and cold at times and the structure the game does give you isn't particularly interesting or user-friendly.

The Legend of Heroes: Trails from Zero is another great Falcom JRPG and well worth your time. The port could have done with more care, similar to how other formats have been treated, but the game underneath shines through.

Isonzo injects some much needed verticality and colour into attritional World War I conflict. The class types allow players plenty of ways to contribute, although online competition can feel like a meat grinder. A way to gradually introduce new faces would've been very welcome, although there isn't that much to Isonzo as a package. For offline combatants, the bots do provide a more forgiving opposition, if a touch predictable. Online with strangers, I struggled to find organisation amongst players. Still, there are moments where it shines with a mix of tension and victory. More maps are forthcoming and it is cheap which could entice someone to give it a shot.

Akane is one tough little hack and slasher where death comes easily to everyone involved. However, it's so badly lacking in variation that ultimately we can't see most players sticking with it for long.

Soulstice has some pacing issues and a dodgy camera but the combat is smooth, challenging and requires skill to master. A few tweaks would make this a fantastic game but even as it is fans of the character action games should definitely give it a chance.

XIII was fun in 2003 and terrible in 2020 but Microids have delivered on their promise to fix the remake. It might not be one for modern gamers but who cares? We've rather enjoyed playing through XIII's various spy thriller tropes.

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.

Biomutant remains a slow burner. It took a while to get its hooks into us, but it sure did. It's not startlingly original and is a bit overburdened by its sheer scope, but we don't feel shortchanged by our forty plus hours playing it. Start a new save on PS5 if you want to get a clean sweep of trophies though.

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.

It's Puzzle Bobble in 3D and on your PS5. Fundamentally it does all work but the twitchy controls do spoil the fun a little. PSVR gamers will probably get more out of it but the sharp PS5 visuals are probably the high point of this version of the game.

I'm still enjoying Train Sim World 3, even if the content can revisit their old DLC packs. The driving remains a relaxing experience and the breadth of routes on offer can give players plenty to work towards. What you get with the standard edition provides a nice mix of passenger and freight journeys whilst the deluxe edition adds steam engines into the mix. They all feel different to operate and have their own challenges. Visually, it's an improvement although not as polished as I'd like. It's a fun package, although I'd love Dovetail Games to finally consolidate all their Train Sim World content under one roof.

Nearly a decade later, The Last Of Us remains the absolute gold standard for storytelling in video games. While some may question the need for an outright remake, this is an absolutely essential experience for newcomers and one that more than warrants a look from returning players.

What a wholesome thing Kaichu: The Kaiju Dating Game is. Whilst it is essentially a dressed up compatibility quiz, the message it's trying to send is a delightful one about finding the right person to gel with. There is a cosy tone throughout and the artwork is cute whilst conveying plenty of personality. It's very light on gameplay and can be a quick experience. Still, it's absolutely charming with a lot of whimsy.

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.

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.

Neon Abyss combines fun running and shooting mechanics with decent rogue-like mechanics and puts it all in a quirky setting. We like it a lot.

Rick Henderson's classic shoot 'em gameplay and neat 16-bit visuals give it some instant appeal and the perks and weapon upgrades keep it interesting. The randomly generated levels lack character and may mean that the game won't linger long in the memory but it'll definitely keep you entertained in the short term at least.