Doom Eternal is one of the greatest FPS games of all time and this is no less true with the PS5 update. The various visual modes provide a more tailored experience to those wanting to pick between 4K or framerates, while the myriad of updates over the past year have continued to tweak and improve the core experience considerably. If you haven't played it yet, now is the perfect time to jump in.

Never before has such detail and passion been offered to the open world genre. Elden Ring is a masterclass of game design. From the massive, dense open world to the like-clockwork dance of combat, the amazing character design and seemingly unlimited gameplay choices. Each element of the game has been carefully crafted with love and purpose, making every little or large moment something worth discovering. Elden Ring is truly something special and this is going to be an incredibly tough act to follow for any open world game that comes after.

Id Software takes all of the elements that made the previous 2016 entry a great FPS and turned everything up to eleven. The action has never been faster, more violent or as fun to play as this. Doom Eternal is not just a great FPS or a standout sequel, It's a pinnacle of what the genre has to offer.

Rez Infinite improves on perfection. The best reason to own a PlayStation VR headset.

Balatro is a fantastic roguelike deckbuilder with a myriad number of ways to play and eventually beat it. Consume you it will. Resistance is futile. Embrace the sweet dopamine rush and sleep deprivation that will no doubt follow.

Rolling Gunner Overpower is possibly the best shoot 'em up on PSN. If you want a game that looks insane but excels in terms of playability, this is the one.

Dragonball FighterZ is the first truly essential video game based on the classic license. It bridges the gaps between fan service, accessibility and complexity incredibly well, while looking fantastic in the process. Ark System Works have not only demonstrated their technical prowess in the gameplay department, but have also shown an immense love and understanding for the franchise in terms of attention to detail. If you love Dragonball Z, then you will love this. If you don’t, then you will find a great fighting game here despite that.

Resident Evil 2 is the closest you'll get to old school Resi whilst modernising the gameplay. The way Scenario B has been handled is disappointing but beyond that you'll find plenty of replayability across the multiple characters and modes. The puzzles and exploration will delight old fans whilst the improved controls are bound to create some new ones.

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.

If you're into RPGs for the story and the world-building then Baldur's Gate 3 is as good as it gets. The depth of it is such that it'll keep rewarding players throughout multiple playthroughs but that comes at a cost where beginners may find its complex mechanics just utterly overwhelming.

Taking inspiration from Pang and bringing the gameplay bang up to date, The Bug Butcher showcases tight controls and frantic shooting action. With great art style and lots of replayability, it’s never been this much fun to kill bugs before.

As purely motion control games with a lot of movement go, HoloBall is one of the best out there. It is a small and focused title that offers fluid and fun gameplay while maintaining the retro feel of classic arcade high score addictiveness. If you have the room and don’t mind being on your feet then HoloBall is a brilliantly bite sized package with an impressive sense of scale.

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.

Dead Cells is one of the best rogue-lites I've ever played. The combination of fantastic control, rewarding progression and superb presentation make for an experience that anybody who's not too afraid of a challenge should look into.

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.

Momodora: Reverie Under the Moonlight ticks all the boxes. It is a game with bags and bags of charm and the animation is wonderful to look at. With excellent weighty combat and some particularly memorable bosses, every aspect of the game feels crafted and tailored to near perfection. Whilst the short running time and 2D graphics will put some people off this is a game which I can easily recommend.

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.

Far Cry 6 is exactly what you'd expect from a Far Cry game. It's big, open and full of things to do but there's a lot of fun to be had and some excellent combat to enjoy.

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.

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.

A wonderfully atmospheric 3D platformer that you need to play right now. Go on, jump to it.

Dysmantle does everything you expect a good zombie survival game to do and more. It's a huge game filled with great ideas and is more addictive than chocolate-covered brain slices. Dysmantle is great.

Nioh has been a pleasant surprise. There’s a thoughtful consideration to its level design and, whilst they sometimes look uninspired, the strength of the combat maintains my attention. The difficulty might feel uneven but this is a challenge which anyone curious should undertake. It’s been a long, careful road that could’ve seen many things derailed. Thankfully, the final product is outstanding.

Quake finally gets the love it deserves after twenty-five years in the dark, with by far the most comprehensive remastered collection to date. Modernised without losing anything in the process, Night Dive have created something special by not only bringing the core experience back, but with all the expansions, new episodes, and a boatload of features that players can tune to their liking. This release takes an important yet aging technical milestone and turns it into an essential experience that is both worthy of a new audience and the embrace of old fans.

BALL x PIT offers up a truly original mix of genres and does it all in a way that genuinely impresses.

Ubisoft may still be playing it safe but Far Cry 5's mix of spectacular visuals, great combat and strong story make it one of their best games yet.

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.

A graphically impressive game Horizon Zero Dawn offers an engaging open world and an interesting story. The combat is nuanced and taking down the larger beasts feels really rewarding. This is a must buy.

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.

BlazBlue: Central Fiction is not just the end of the BlazBlue series; it’s a worthy climax to a quadrilogy that has been consistently excellent. It allies top notch fighting with a mass of content both online and offline. Superb netcode makes it easy to score some internet points, or just get some matches in with your pals and, if you’re lucky enough to have someone to sit on the couch next to you, expect there to be plenty of laughter and crowing while you battle for bragging rights.

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.

Jets'n'Guns 2 takes its cues from the Amiga-era 'Euro Shmup' sub-genre but adds a ton of excitement, tactical options and fun to it. It's up there as one of the best shoot 'em ups available on PSN today.

NetherRealm hasn’t just created a neat superhero themed brawler; it has changed the game entirely. The story mode puts all fighting game narratives to shame and offers an excellent taste of the game for newcomers. Injustice 2 is a feature rich fighting game that goes above and beyond expectations in terms of gameplay, graphics and its respect for the source material. Competitors should take note; a new king has entered the ring.

The Making of Karateka is a phenomenal, detailed walkthrough of the classic game's development. I did wonder whether there would be enough material to make it worthwhile but I was completely absorbed. The chats between father and son are genuinely heart-warming. Karateka Remastered is a fascinating update that looks to enhance the original rather than overhaul. The result is something faithful and fluid. I thoroughly enjoyed checking out the prototypes, correspondence and everything in between. A new gold standard for game preservation and celebration has been set.

From the hyperkinetic pop soundtrack to the breakneck gameplay speed, Sayonara Wild Hearts is one hell of a rollercoaster ride. The undeniable visual flare, immense style and uncompromising frame rate hides a clear message underneath it all that many can relate to. Wild Hearts never die and Sayonara Wild Hearts should stand for years to come as a shining example of how to bring music alive into the gaming medium. It’s nothing short of fantastic.

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.

Very few titles can boast about being as honest or literal as A Short Hike, a game where you do just that. This charming title from Canadian designer Adam Robinson-Yu may not last long, However the pleasure of exploration and discovery is strong in this one. This is one of the best palate cleansers going and a great example of a game where the journey is more fulfilling than racing to the credits.

Songbird Symphony is a sickeningly sweet platformer with tons of personality, fun and music. Joysteak Studios have done an amazing job of creating such a unique blend of platforming and rhythm action that will surely have players coming back for more after the credits roll.

Slay the Spire is a very difficult but hugely rewarding roguelike built around deck building and card battling. Each failure is a learning experience and the desire to succeed will keep you playing for potentially hundreds of hours.

Giant Squid starts the new generation strong with The Pathless. A short, sweet, and simple adventure that marries contemplative exploration, with uniquely satisfying movement mechanics that function in both a visually stunning open world and the setpiece boss encounters. While the experience may be too easy for some, this game is worthy of attention in the crowded launch line up. Not only as a great title, but a shining example of what indie developers can bring to next generation gaming.

Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus brings together great storytelling with satisfying gun play in a unique package. You'll come for the Nazi killing but stay for the likeable characters and scenes that will constantly surprise you.

Resident Evil Village is another fantastic game in the franchise. It leans towards action, rather than slow paced horror this time but also adds a large helping of exploration for those that want to see everything. Ethan isn't great but his opponents are very colourful and keep you interested in moving forward. Add the replayability of harder difficulties, New Game+ and Mercenaries mode and it's a game PS5 owners should not ignore.

If you're a fan of platformers that require skill and precision and want to test yourself against others then Speedrunners is the game for you, whether it's over the internet or on the same television. If you're strictly single player then you probably won't get much out of it however.

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.

Overall, Tekken 8 is an impressive product. There's a variety of content here to keep players satisfied. I would've liked more new characters but two of them at least offer something different. The story delivers plenty of bombast and manages to tie up some loose ends whilst Arcade Quest tries to romanticise the arcade community in an endearing way. Online play has been very smooth and the fighting overall has been fun and kinetic. It also think the teaching tools are great for getting newcomers onboard.

As this generation of gaming crawls to a slow death, Freedom Finger gives it a big shot of adrenaline and a kick in the nuts. Freedom Finger is the hero we don't deserve.

Sony take the brilliant London Heist and turn it into a brilliantly compelling full game. Blood & Truth is one of the most essential PSVR titles so far.

God of War is nothing short of sensational. It improves on the best aspects of the previous entries in the franchise while also providing a fresh take on what should feel like a tired and worn series by now. Truly essential gaming if you love great gameplay, narrative and stellar presentation.

This, ladies and gentlemen, is why Burnout is still the best.

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

Cosmic Star Heroine is a great game that succeeds in its goal of providing an old school JRPG experience on pretty much every level. The battle system is an interesting and enjoyable one and the ability to save anywhere and retry instantly from deaths is very welcome. I can’t recommend it enough.

Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes is a unique and fundamentally excellent party game. It is a rare example of a game in which failure can be as much fun as success. If you have friends over regularly or have people over party chat that don’t mind reading a manual then there are few cooperative experiences that can beat it.

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.

One of the best RPGs of the previous console generation, Kingdoms of Amalur, is back and as good as ever. Don't let its previous commercial failure fool you, this is a very solid RPG with a ton of story and it has the best combat system in the genre.

Spitlings is a great puzzle game you need to play. So addictive and with four player co-op, both local and via PSN, fantastic to play together.

Lorelei and the Laser Eyes is a fantastic puzzle game with so many interconnected threads and well designed puzzles, not to mention games within the game that you can plough hours into, that you’ll be playing it for ages. Just don’t give into the temptation of an FAQ. Turn the lights down and get to it.

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.

Chicory: A Colorful Tale is a frequent delight. It’s probably one of the better games we’ve played this year. This from an indie. Forget Ratchet and Clank, fun though it is. Chicory is possibly our favourite game this year.

Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun has made the leap from PC to PS4 and has not only survived the fall but killed a guard on the way down. The controls take a little getting used to but the characters, level design and strategy-stealth gameplay will reward you plenty for putting in the effort.

FutureGrind is a fantastic, addictive stunt-racer that you really need to play.

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.

Trials in the Sky 1st Chapter is an excellent remaster. Yes, you’ll probably want to switch off the US voiceovers and some of the plot exposition can be a bit cliched and longwinded, but the combat and mechanics are solid. Graphically sumptuous with lovely music, we look forward to many hours more from FC.

Demon's Souls for PS5 is a stunning remake of the game that kick started a new genre. Some of the mechanics have been improved upon since but the experimental nature of it all creates some incredible highs. Of course it goes without saying that it's gorgeous and makes fantastic use of the PS5's unique features as well.

It is a testament that, despite thirty years of Resident Evil, with over thirty unique titles under the franchise belt, Capcom is still able to wring out the value and deliver on quality . Resident Evil Requiem is one of the finest examples of both survival horror and third-person action, all rolled into one experience that expertly combines the best of both worlds into a concise, moreish package.

A fine mix of Takeshi’s Castle absurdity and nail-biting Battle Royale action. Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout is the ultimate palate cleanser, almost always fun and enjoyable over long or short bursts of gameplay. Time will tell whether this hilarious and silly game will have longevity but with new levels, costumes and features on the way, the good times are sure to keep on rolling.

Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice changes up the Souls formula whilst keeping important elements like exploration. The combat is quite possibly the best swordplay I've ever seen in a game which is difficult to start with but incredibly rewarding when you're going toe to toe with a boss and the stealth gives you the option to take out most minor enemies quietly if that's how you want to play. Another From masterpiece.

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

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.

What Pro Evolution Soccer 2017 manages to do is make last year’s excellent effort feel out of step. The improved AI gives the matches a more dynamic and tactical edge and offers you a real challenge. The presentation still feels like something stuck in the past and the motion blur feels like an odd aesthetic choice but the gameplay on display is second to none. It’s the best the series has ever been and that’s a seriously high bar to surpass.

From the opening notes of the manipulative theme song to the credit roll, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge is a brilliantly entertaining, nostalgic ride. The game is fast, fluid and above all, fun to play alone or with up to five other players. Created with love and devotion from a development team that clearly gets the franchise and what makes it great, this is not only the best Turtles game ever made, but one of the finest titles in the side-scrolling beat-em-up genre.

Thank Goodness You’re Here! is a delight from start to finish. Packed chock full of gags both visual and via the script, you’ll be laughing frequently. A genuinely funny game with a great sense of place and nary a mean spirited gag throughout. Some of the jokes and cultural references might go over the head of non-Brits, but that’s their problem, not Coal Supper’s. The inclusion of two unlikely music tracks also make for unexpected earworms in 2024.

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.

Returnal is as bold as it is relentless. Taking the best of Rogue-lite mechanics, third person shooting and foreboding sci-fi atmosphere; Housemarque have delivered an evolution of their excellent pedigree while masterfully demonstrating what the PS5 can do. While the notable difficulty will be a test for some, conquer it and you will be rewarded with a game that is slick, ruthless, and dangerously addictive.

Through the Darkest of Times is a deftly handled depiction of life under the Nazis and how those few brave or bloody minded enough to defy the regime did so at great risk to their own and their loved ones wellbeing. The parallels to current events make this all the more essential. More a historical dramatisation with game elements than a game in the conventional sense, but you owe it to yourself to play this.

Disco Elysium: The Final Cut is a fantastic game, especially now the major bugs seem to have been squished. It's one of the most immersive games I've ever played, has great presentation across the board and once all the issues are patched out it'll be superb and unmissable.

A brilliant spiritual successor to the Burnout series that we want to play instead of anything else. Worth 'working at home' for.

Indiana Jones and The Great Circle is a worthy addition to the Indiana Jones canon. Graphically stunning and so much to do, almost to a fault. You could tear through the storyline in short order but you’d be selling the game short. We had a little trouble with the fisticuffs but that’s more down to our crap timing. This is pretty much all you could hope for from an Indy game and grabs back the mantle from the Tomb Raider games with aplomb. Fantastic.

Desperados III is very similar to Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun but that game was so good I don't mind. The new character's abilities are very unique and there is plenty of content and replayability. Fans of stealth and strategy need these games in their lives.

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.

Going Under is a fantastic roguelike dungeon crawler with a keen satirical edge and addictive gameplay. Very good indeed.

Lumines Arise is a fun refinement of the formula, completing a loose trilogy of sorts with Tetris Effect and Rez Infinite. It supports PSVR2 just as they do, but somehow feels less reliant on them to get the full experience. For us, Lumines is a handheld joint, so perhaps a PlayStation Portal is your best bet in that regard. It’s still excellent though with the new Burst feature being a welcome addition. No callbacks to the original PSP game feels like a missed opportunity though, especially given twenty years have passed since the first game.

Top drawer Metroidvania action from one of the genre’s key innovators. What’s not to love? From great gameplay, a superb soundtrack to one of the most moreish campaigns available for the genre, Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night is nothing short of a bloody good time.

There are many free to play Battle Royale games out there that are vying for your attention, but Apex Legends takes the genre to new heights with its superb gunplay, Moreish game loop and a superb communication mechanic.

If you're a fan of the series, or the genre, then Ace Combat 7 is the current-gen arcade aerial combat game you've been waiting for. It plays great, it looks great and VR owners are in for a real treat too.

Calling Yakuza Kiwami a remaster almost feels unfair. You'd be hard-pressed to recognise it as a PS2 game originally, with the graphical improvements and gameplay additions bringing it on par with the other recent entries in the series. As fans would have come to expect its an intriguing story, with deep, likeable characters, brutal combat and plenty of side stuff to keep you busy.

Divinity: Original Sin 2 - Definitive Edition is an expertly crafted CRPG that has survived the port to console nigh on perfectly. The amount of player choice in every facet of gameplay is superb and the amount of content, combined with the replayability, could easily keep you busy for hundreds of hours.

Mass Effect Legendary Edition is the best way to play the classic trilogy. The higher resolution and frame rate make it look really nice and although having to have everything installed at once is a pain, having it all wrapped up in the same package, all but one minor DLC and a multiplayer mode included, is incredibly convenient and a very generous and replayable package.

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.

EDF is back and as mad as ever. The changes from the previous game are relatively subtle and the grind is certainly still present but no series delivers the sort of insane moments that this one does and EDF5 does it better than ever.

Capcom continue their winning pace with Devil May Cry 5. The game is everything a fan would want it to be and there is plenty of style, character and consideration made for newcomers also. Make no mistake, beyond nostalgic feelings from the past, this is the best Devil May Cry experience out there and one that should be enjoyed by as many devil hunters as possible.

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.

In a sea of auto-shooting survival games, Brotato is by far the best. It's as maddening as it is addictive but in the best way.

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.

An excellent puzzle platformer with great level design and stunningly realised concept. Recommended.

Yoku’s Island Express is a unique take on the pinball, platforming and adventure genre’s. Not only does it blend these gameplay styles beautifully, it matches these with stunning visuals and a vast world that just deserves to be explored. Truly innovative and delightful in every way.

It may not offer anything substantially new compared to the 2018 PS4 Spidey game but Miles Morales plays great and looks even better. Miles himself is a likeable hero (albeit it with some annoying co-stars) and the open-world action is just as enjoyable as ever. It's a bit pricey for what you get but the game benefits from the shorter run-time.

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.

Cloudpunk is a truly impressive game, without even taking the PS5 updates into account. Graphically as close as we're likely to get to a Blade Runner game without an official licence being a thing. Often funny with a well written script, this is well worth your time. The on-foot sections can be a bit samey, but that's about the only moment we didn't enjoy here.