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.

Mary Skelter: Nightmares introduces some interesting mechanics to the dungeon RPG formula to separate it from the crowd. The story and characters aren't great but the exploration and party management is fun enough to still make this worth a look.

.hack//G.U. Last Recode is a generous package with the three original PS2 episodes plus a new closing chapter. The modern improvements help make it more palatable for today's tastes but there is no doubt that this still looks and plays like an old game. How much of a negative that is will depend on the player.

Nobody Saves the World is a fun time with a great transformation mechanic. You're constantly making progress, with bars going up and things unlocking but as enjoyable as that can be it does get repetitive. Two player co-op is nice but some other gameplay wrinkles could have really helped to distract from what is ultimately a to-do list.

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.

Tomb Raider I-III Remastered is a carefully crafted repackaging of Lara Croft's most loved early adventures. With warts and all, it has been genuinely enjoyable to dissect the decisions that shaped these games. There's several options to smooth over some of the bumps. I think the modern control scheme, despite some compromises is certainly capable. Including the expansion packs makes this a great value proposition. It still doesn't escape the shackles of time but this is probably the best way to experience classic Tomb Raider.

Super Monkey Ball Banana Mania breathes new life into the franchise by combining classic stages with a modernised visual appearance. However, the remade physics don’t quite live up to the originals and this may put off purists. If you can get over the small niggles, then there is a ton of content to enjoy and newer players should have a blast as this is the most accessible Super Monkey Ball experience yet.

Infinite Minigolf is a good stab at crazy golf in a virtual world. The online options elevate it and VR owners will enjoy the visuals but for a game with potentially endless content you may get bored of the simplistic gameplay after a while.

The Escapists 2 offers you the chance to try your hand at escaping prison. Turns out that's not as easy as it sounds, with lots of trial and error and failed attempts guaranteed. If you can get in the right mindset however you'll have plenty of fun figuring out multiple ways to break out of the ten levels, both in single player and multiplayer. A great sequel.

It's not exactly deep or varied but Horizon Chase 2 pretty much injects high-speed racing fun directly into your veins and it's a treat for the eyes too.

If you're bored of Nex Machina but not bored of the twin-stick shooters with roguelike elements, then Iron Crypticle is worth a look but it doesn't offer anything to advance the genre.

While the original release in 1997 didn't quite live up to the 'classic' status that the Doom franchise is renowned for, the creative sparks that made it a unique entry are still very prevalent to this day. This is helped by a miraculous port that renovates the visuals, controls and speed of the ageing N64 edition. The only thing that Bethesda or Id Software couldn't help, is that the game is quite frustrating at times. Doom 64 is still one to play, if not just for the sake of more Doom, but also because it remains a true continuation to the series that make a commendable attempt at pushing the series into horror.

SUPERHOT VR has some issues with tracking and repetition but manages to make you feel so bad ass that it's easy forgive. There is plenty of content to interact with if you decide to do so, just make sure you have a big enough play space to do the game justice.

I enjoyed playing through The Surge 2 more than I did the original. The changes to the combat are for the better, the gentler introduction is appreciated and the variety in equipment and environments is excellent. Unfortunately at release it is marred with technical issues which I'm sure will be patched out, but shows it was rushed out a little too soon.

Ginga Force is a high-quality shoot 'em up that has enough content for you to keep playing and replaying. Shoot 'em up fans will love it and this is the kind of thing we love to see on PSN.

Paper Trail is a fine puzzle game with a lovely origami mechanic that will delight and confound you in equal measure, especially if you’re looking to hoover up the collectibles as you go. Each level has the feeling that the developers expertly crafted the puzzles. On top of excellent presentation, this is a cut above.

This is remaking done right. Take a title from gaming history and give it a gorgeous glow up. It might be too tough for some but it's worth persisting with.

EA Sports UFC 3's ability to stand and bang is unparalleled but its weak ground game is definitely a concern this time around.

Descenders is a speedy, addictive bike riding game with an innovative rogue-like structure and is one of this year's great hidden gems.

Killing Floor 2 will be shunned by some for essentially being a horde mode shooter alone but it is far from the afterthought that its peers tend to be. It may not work as well in single player but if you have the friends to get a game going then it makes for one hell of a blast through.

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.

The fundamental golf experience is still aptly covered in The Golf Club 2019. The new courses and licensing give the game an authenticity welcome to the series. Veterans might want more from the core elements as physics, swing mechanics and the tools at your disposal remain too similar to previous titles. That said, the new career mode and character customisation might be enough to keep players coming back. Newcomers will probably find this a more acceptable starting point as the series starts to take on a more complete shape.

Typoman is a game that looks a bit like Limbo but just isn’t as good. It does do some very interesting things with word puzzles, but the short running time and the way the later puzzles tail off in quality stop this being a true gem.

Somber Echoes is a very well done Metroidvania set on board a spaceship populated by characters inspired by Greek mythology. It’s really rather good and while it might lack the bells and whistles of big budget titles, it’s definitely worth a look.

Battle Chasers Nightwar is a great game. It has an excellent art style with some wonderfully detailed characters and environmental features. The combat is interesting and provides a different take on turn based battles. Whilst it isn't a massive game there is more than enough to do with a variety of distractions along the way. Overall this is a very easy game to recommend.

Star Wars Outlaws is the open world Star Wars game we didn’t know we needed. Yes, the music is a little lukewarm and the combat isn’t massively overcomplicated, but nor does it need to be. There is no match for a good blaster as is aptly demonstrated here, neither do you need fancy laser swords twirling around. The stealth elements are fun with takedowns being a nice silent way to infiltrate places you shouldn’t be in. Given this is in effect, a game by massive committee, it is remarkable that it’s as good as it is. The fanservice is light and not massively in your face, but we’d not begrudge it if a bit more showed up, even if just as a musical cue.

We want to love this update to the Tempest series but we've seen it all before and it's just not as impressive or fun as we had expected.

The Long Dark manages to fine-tune its survival aspects over a long development into something very compelling. With some great audio and visual work, the basic act of living alone out in a frigid, desolate landscape becomes an intriguing undertaking. I'm saddened the new narrative content falls flat, though. The pacing feels inconsistent with the objectives devolving into an elongated, brutal fetch quest. I'm growing into it but the real fun is in the sandbox rather than the tailor-made adventure.

We should have expected nothing less than this level of surrealism from the developers of Octodad: Dadliest Catch. Bugsnax is about as weird as they come. Yet, underneath all the cutesiness, strangeness and edible bugs there is a surprisingly deep, heartfelt storyline with a mystery worth solving.

Bulletstorm proves once again that shooters don't have to be dull, serious, overly long and grey. What we have here is a perfectly put together mix of linear action, notable setpieces and decent gunplay that is simply a joy to experience. You won't be climbing towers to unlock hunting missions, car races and assassinations. Instead you'll be wading through an army of enemies all seemingly eager to die in a myriad of silly ways and smiling every step of the way.

Baby Steps is a compelling, frustrating mix of wandering and storytelling. Nate is unlikeable and the humour plays off his inability to accept help or advice. Traversal is surprisingly accessible but leaves plenty of room for skill and challenge. The lack of a map really messed with my sense of direction and the later game really tried my patience. It's an accomplished effort that I think is worth playing, if you've got the patience for it.

Bleed is a short but sweet arcade shooter that relies on your desire to replay and perfect the game to pad out what is otherwise a very brief experience. Luckily the controls are solid and the boss encounters well designed meaning it holds its end of the bargain up, it's down to you how much time you give it.

We really like Son of Scoregasm. It's one of the best twin-stick shooters on PSN and has some excellently designed gameplay mechanics. Unfortunately, the game's difficulty eventually leads to frustration and spoils the party a little.

Graceful Explosion Machine is a cerebral shoot 'em up that offers some good action but isn't as exciting, varied or dynamic as its best contemporaries.

An impressively realised branching adventure game where your choices carry genuine weight. The first episode of The Council is well worth playing and we look forward to subsequent episodes.

In what could've felt like a mesh of ideas, Onrush manages to succeed at providing a cohesive, fun time. There's depth to the combat with the vehicle classes providing different ways to play your part. Presentation carries a lot of charm and character and the seamless way you move from one event to another is to be applauded. I still wonder about longevity but, so far, it's holding my attention.

An almost overwhelming continuation of the episodic graphical adventure with RPG elements. Almost preposterous at times and yet we couldn't divert our gaze.

Yupitergrad is a fun VR title with brilliant swinging mechanics. It's a short game unless you go deep on the time trials but the experience is well worth it.

From the 3D to 2D perspective shifts, the surreal visuals and infectious soundtrack, Anodyne 2: Return to Dust is mind-bending in a multitude of ways. This is a game that is full of character, thoughtful storytelling and presentation flair that should be tried by most, even if the experience is not for everyone.

The Sinking City is a good Lovecraftian detective game with uprated PS5 visuals and massively reduced loading times from the PS4 version. Well worth picking up if you fancy something a bit different. Just a shame that haptics are underutilised outside the usual rumble.

The Jackbox Party Pack 8 is Jackbox as we know and love it. A compilation of five party games of which two are brilliant and the rest are okay. We'll be returning to this one over and over.

A fun arcade racer that provides added value for those willing to get their hands dirty. However, those who just want to race might find the experience a limited one. Buy into the whole creative side and it’ll make you feel like a kid again, especially if you’re the type that likes to collect.

Gravitar: Recharged is a fine remaster of a classic Atari arcade game, though you’d be forgiven for never having heard of it otherwise. It’s not the deepest game ever, nor does it need to be. Well worth a go due to its cheap price too.

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.

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.

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.

When it comes down to it, I think Garden Life: A Cozy Simulator does what it sets out to do. It's a comfortable game with very little strife or stakes. Growing and maintaining the garden has a simplicity to it and the brief days allow the pacing to largely stay steady. The story mode delivers a structure that does provide a tutorial whilst pushing you gently towards greater goals. I do wish the inventory management has a little smarter but it hasn't dampened my spirits too much. It is a time investment but can be rewarding when the garden really opens up to you.

The Land Beneath Us is a fair tactical rogue-like that you might dismiss on looks alone, but stick with it and you’ll be rewarded by an intriguing combat system. We just wish we could save mid-run.

RoboDunk is surprisingly compelling. Despite the toy-like appearance of the robots themselves, the sport shows enough depth to be engaging. The controls are consistent, rules are easy to grasp and the progression is very propulsive. I do find some hazards and opposition frustrating but there's a steady climb to each run. They also feel quick, even if they can contain over a dozen contests. I keep coming back and that's a testament to how well put together this is.

If you remember Puzzle Quest, or just like tile-matching games, this is the definitive way to experience the game.

The Last Day of June needs to be played by as many people as possible as this is a wonderful game with a compelling and emotionally charged story. Whilst not without it's faults there are so many aspects of this game which are just fantastic, from the interesting art style through to the way you grow to love and understand all the characters. If you are in any way interested in narrative driven games you owe it to yourself to play this.

Below is an accomplished dungeon crawler with the very welcome addition of explorer mode. By no means perfect, but wonderfully atmospheric with a lovely Jim Guthrie soundtrack.

Aftermath expands on an already massive amount of content and adds an enjoyable story from the best storytellers in the fighting game genre but damn it's expensive.

Utawarerumono: Mask of Truth closes out the visual novel's story for those who played Mask of Deception. I wouldn't recommend you start with this title but for those who are already invested know that this is a great continuation with some minor improvements.

It’s an unashamed Zelda clone but this one certainly flatters. It takes what it needs from Nintendo’s franchise whilst refining on key aspects. You might tire of the block and switch puzzles but the game packs a brief length with plenty of exploration. The dungeon bosses provide ample challenge for those wanting it. If you’re after a quick fix, this might be for you.

An accomplished love letter to the ‘80s in action game form which is only slightly hamstrung by a few issues that stop it being an instant classic.

Scintillatron 4096 wears its arcade influences on its sleeves but has more than enough of its own identity to carve out its own path. It may not be the most spectacular or exciting example of a twin-stick shoot 'em up but it is one of the smartest and offers its own type of fun if you're willing to give it a go.

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.

Sniper Elite: Resistance is a good addition to the series with tons to do. A stealthy approach is just as valid as going in guns blazing, how it pans out is down to you. The x-ray gore porn also returns for those that find it amusing. Yes, even the testicle shot. *sigh*

Fascinating. It merges a lot of ideas and caveats that shouldn’t work or would be a barrier to entry but manages to overcome a lot of the potential shortcomings. As a VR experience on its own it won’t leave you too impressed, however as a cooperative VR title with asymmetric gameplay it would be difficult to find a finer example. Just be prepared to encounter unsavoury online types along the way, this game will live and die by its online multiplayer.

Attack on Titan 2 maintains the pacing problems with a plot retreading the narrative of the original. Persist with this and you see game with a compelling progression and reward system. Combat and movement is satisfying even if it is let down a little by the mission structure. It builds on its predecessor gradually but there's a lot here to entice fans and newcomers.

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.

Slayaway Camp: Butcher's Cut offers a wealth of content for those who like puzzles. The '80s horror film aesthetic adds a lot of character to the huge amount of cleverly built levels but some may find it a little too repetitive before they reach the end.

Barring a few janky moments, My Time At Portia remains an engrossing, vibrantly colourful Sim-RPG with tons of charm, surprises and discoveries around each corner. There is plenty to see, lots to do and a fair amount to love about this charming and rewarding adventure.

The Ninja Saviors: Return of the Warriors is a great side-scrolling brawler. Being an arcade style title it's quite short but the desire to hit the leaderboards with a 1 Credit Clear has kept me dipping back in every now and then.

Trinity Fusion is a good action platformer with a nice dimension hopping angle. It’s not startlingly original, though the issues that exist are minor and unlikely to bother anyone too much. It’s well worth playing.

The Medium is a linear experience with an interesting if underutilised split dimension mechanic. The story is complex but can also be predictable whilst not providing enough in the way of intrigue. Temper your expectations and you may just get something out of it.

Shenmue I & II are still special games with very few, if any, modern equivalents. Certain elements are showing their age and there are some annoying bugs that should hopefully be patched out in time but both fans and possible fans will appreciate the chance to play both these titles in one package.

Observation is a science fiction thriller with a solid concept that puts you in control of an AI on a space station. The presentation is top notch and the story goes places but I found the pacing and lack of true interaction to be frustrating.

The Outlast Trials does something a little different with the survival horror genre and gets a lot of good mileage out of its Fallout-meets-Saw aesthetic. It's not always exactly what you'd call fun though and there are questions over the variety of it in its launch form but we grew to like it a lot.

As a smaller scale God game Reus still manages to pack in the complexity, even if the resource management ends up feeling a little too much like maths. With a decent art style and presentation Reus is a welcome addition to the PS catalogue.

Cryptark may be yet another roguelike game, it may also be yet another independently developed twin stick shooter, but it melds both genres together into a compelling package and runs with it. The challenge may be steep, however give Cryptark your time and there is plenty here to enjoy, especially if you love the genre.

Void Point have sought to recreate the Duke Nukem 3D experience that many loved and for most parts, they have succeeded. Ion Fury is a nostalgically familiar and lovingly crafted trip down memory lane for all those 90’s shooter fans that love quipping heroes and as little story as possible. However, the game suffers due to shaky performance in places and samey action throughout.

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.

Inertial Drift is very much inspired by the anime / manga with the very similar name, but falls down a little in execution. The difficulty in story mode feels out of sync with other modes. Not that you can adjust difficulty. Maybe you'll dig it, but we didn't particularly.

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.

Gloomy Eyes expands on the VR movie of the same name by using the same assets to loosely follow the same plot beats. The camera and movement throughout the pre-rendered landscape aren't the most streamlined but there's still fun to be had. The narration is a highlight.

This might look like some proper indie nonsense but this is a whimsical puzzler about a fly trying to complete a bucket list before it dies and, oddly, it's really enjoyable.

Konami rightfully get criticism for not treating their old series' with respect. Castlevania Anniversary Collection does manage to rectify that. Eight fantastic classics are under one roof and, whilst the bonus content doesn't go far enough, there's some care to this that I wasn't expecting. M2's efforts have been astounding and fans should go home happy with this accurately recreated effort.

Greak: Memories of Azur is a solid puzzle platformer that is broken by the save system and crappy inventory management. We hope you like replaying sections over and again as you'll be well catered for.

Some people might enjoy the challenge Masters of Anima brings but it requires a lot of patience and luck for little reward. Controls are clumsy on a pad and your adversaries don't offer much in the way of autonomy. It's well-made but unbalanced encounter design results in some long struggles against enemies that will regularly make short work of you.

Omensight has a great premise and incredibly well designed visuals. The combat isn't as responsive as I'd like and the repetition with regards to environments can start to drag but the story, characters and presentation will keep you playing through to the end.

Darq is an incredibly atmospheric, if brief title about being a self-aware dreamer that is stuck in a nightmare. This game oozes spookiness with satisfying puzzles and Tim Burton-esque surrealism, but skimps on the actual horror elements which could have been its Darq’s marquee feature.

If you want to get your supercross/motocross hit, then this game is the way to do it with its officially-licensed riders and tracks but it barely improves on last year's effort which itself was more of an evolution than a revolution.

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.

As a first person puzzle game with a talkative AI character, The Turing Test proves that you can take the formula laid down by Portal and make it your own. This game offers a distinct and atmospheric story, and provides some well designed and challenging puzzles along the way.

Moving Out is a gem of an action puzzler but is a little bit too light on content to be a true co-op classic.

This is the Jackbox team doing exactly what they always do but if you can get a few players involved, a good time is pretty much guaranteed.

Rune Factory 4 Special is an updated version of a 2012 3DS game and while it's a faithful recreation, it's let down by some clunky mechanics and the fact it's better suited to mobile play rather than sat on a couch.

Once Upon a Jester is certainly worth playing. Whilst the interactivity is light, the humour and writing do a wonderful job of creating a heart-warming story. It's twee, cheeky but tactfully performed. The on-stage stuff can hinder the pacing but, even within those segments, there's a playful tone that can produce some smiles.

Aliens: Dark Descent does a great job of combining the feel, suspense and horror of the films with some solid RTS mechanics and we've enjoyed playing it more than any other game inspired by the film franchise. It's just a shame that a few legacy bugs from the PC version have made their way over to the PS5 version. That spoils things for early adopters but in a few patches time, this could end up being the best Alien game yet.

As an annual sports title, it can be hard to judge whether this is the year for newcomers to jump in. MotoGP 23 has a truly engrossing handling model that does emphasise every twitch from the beast you're riding. The racing is competitive and the career mode can still remain compelling, even if I feel the some of the new additions are a bit superfluous. Veterans should feel right at home and the Neural AI does present a comfortable way for newcomers to enter, even if I do consider it too intrusive, at times.

Lapis X Labyrinth is an excellent hack and slasher with glorious visuals and some decent looting and RPG mechanics.

Journey to the Savage Planet is an excellent and often funny firstperson exploration game. You could call it a Metroidvania game but that’s just lazy. Go out and buy this.

Equal parts shoot 'em up and rogue-lite, Sky Force Reloaded feels like a deluxe version of the previous game and that's no bad thing at all but don't expect anything revolutionary this time around.

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.

Soul Hackers 2 is an enjoyable JRPG which will feel familiar to fans of the Shin Megami Tensei series. It does do its own thing in many areas which is fine, but the dungeons are very simple and repetitive and the side content feels like padding although the rewards are worth it. It's not the next Atlus classic but it's a fun game nonetheless that may be a more forgiving entry point to the series.

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.