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.