I think Adventure of Samsara's brand of search action is well tuned. The combat feels deliberate but takes a backseat to the exploration. Once the movement suite is unlocked, the pacing livens up and discovery can feel very rewarding. I'm not enamoured with the pixel art but the cutscenes have an enchanting level of animation to them. Despite the tenuous links to the old game, this feels like a solid addition to Atari's catalogue.

An improved version of Rock n' Roll Racing would have been more than enough so adding two more games, and a lot of extra content, means that we are very happy with this compilation. We're just not sure why the modernised versions of the game lack some of the quality of life features that the original ports have been given.

A great 3D arena brawler which harks back to Powerstone. Whilst the single player mode lacks some depth the multiplayer is a tonne of fun to play. If you’ve ever wanted to know what a drugged up French boxer looks like this is the game for you.

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

Peaky Blinders: Mastermind is a pleasant surprise. Whilst the license isn't used to its fullest potential, the gameplay delivers a satisfying, methodical puzzler with plenty of moving parts to consider. The levels have plenty of life to them and the more complex missions really allow the characters' unique roles to shine. For something that could've felt like a cheap cash-in, Futurlab has developed something compelling and fascinating to play through.

Tetris Effect offers sublime presentation and a powerful VR experience but it is still just Tetris on a gameplay level and so may not wow everybody.

There is a lot of game in Victor Vran: Overkill Edition and it is a great overall package. As a fun action-RPG, this really shines in multiplayer but is also able to offer a decent single player experience thanks to an engaging loot cycle and customisable combat options.

If you can get past the almost hostile learning curve, and that's a BIG if, then They Are Billions offers a unique take on the RTS genre and one of the most thrilling, and scary, zombie experiences you can have in a game. There are concerns over the lack of a tutorial, the effectiveness of the map generator and the absolutely mad difficulty curve but if you survive, maybe you'll catch some of this Stockholm Syndrome too.

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.

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.

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

Shing! is fresh take on an old genre. This arcade-style hack and slasher has an interesting control system and great presentation. It might not be for everyone but we really enjoyed it.

The Sinking City shows a real lack of polish but the investigations provide a likeable adventure. I found cases to be engrossing and the politics of Oakmont, whilst well-travelled and strictly Lovecraftian, give the city a sense of place. The combat is cumbersome but those keen on the sleuthing might be encouraged to tolerate it.

Against some odds, Marathon is a compelling extraction shooter that offers some really satisfying combat. I do think having only one contract at a time slows progression down but there's plenty of other meters to work towards. Solo play has a tension to it which I really enjoy, although the game seems to be built more around squads. With just a few maps available at launch, I only hope that the game evolves and grows over time. I love the aesthetic and, generally speaking, it's doing quite a few things right.

Cinders has a charm to it that I've rarely found in the visual novels I've played. The writing manages to contextualise and add to a familiar story whilst allowing the main character to branch in interesting ways. It's a shame the story doesn't break completely from the source material but there's some intriguing ideas on display, here. The detailed, animated backgrounds help create a lively setting and the music maintains an airy feel. It's a striking effort that largely succeeds.

KARMA: The Dark World is an interesting debut from Chinese dev Pollard Studio, set in an alternate East Germany in which you play among a cast of characters with non-German names. It’s fun enough and graphically sumptuous to boot, just not particularly long. We kinda get why they set it in Europe as opposed to the actual oppressive regime they live under, but a little more effort in that regard would’ve helped.

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.

Ready or Not isn’t a Fugees tie-in, it’s a SWAT-em-up in a similar vein to Rainbox Six Vegas. Just with rougher edges and glitches a plenty. It purports to put your squad members mental wellbeing front and centre but it only really relates to whether they’re able to join you on your next mission. It’s alright though and we’ll keep dipping in and out for a while.

Whilst I'm not jumping out of my skin, I'm still intrigued by the exploration and puzzles. It's well executed and interesting to play. The visuals hold up nicely and the sound design manages to raise tension when it's needed. The horror tropes it deals in are very traditional but it delivers a change of pace from the usual cultist setting. White Day: A Labyrinth Named School has been a pleasant surprise.

Death's Gambit is enjoyable with some valuable tweaks to combat to supplement some otherwise disappointing melee strikes. Exploration feels rewarding and whilst there doesn't seem to be a huge variety of gear and builds, there's a lot to like about a tough, sincere imitator. Worth considering if you're looking for a challenging effort with a tightly connected world.

Koira is a cute exploratory puzzler with a wordless story in which you find a dog and tackle some lightly ecologically themed encounters. It’s not massively long, but it is fun. Plus that dog is so damn cute.

At times it will bore and reduce you to groans but Agents of Mayhem's loot-driven loop will keep some players compelled. There is a better game under the surface of this and you're always being pushed towards some new gadgets, weaponry or skills. Combat delivers an enjoyable, if repetitive treadmill with plenty of room for experimentation. It's a shame it comes with so many caveats and qualifiers.

Bitmap Bureau continue their streak of bringing quality retro styled games in their unmistakeable, passionate style. Final Vendetta is a great attempt at a new Final Fight style brawler; however, the challenge and lack of modern conveniences will be a put off to some. This one is well worth it if you love an excellent soundtrack (courtesy of the Utah Saints) and thought Streets of Rage 4 was too easy.

For less than the cost of a cup of coffee, you’ll have an hour or so of fun from Hidden Kittens: Kingdom of Cats. It’s short, sweet and cosy and that’s just fine. Don’t expect massive depth as you won’t find it here.

Banner of the Maid is an enjoyable strategy RPG for a low price. The levels feel like they require learning at times rather than simply strategising your way through but completing a mission and its challenge is very rewarding. The 2D artwork and music is also very pleasant. Worth checking out.

Crown Trick is a Rogue-lite, turn based, grid based RPG with a heavy emphasis on luck. The permanent upgrades you can unlock along with your own experience do tip the scales in your favour the more you play and turn it from a harsh game into an enjoyable title.

Techno Banter is more than a bouncer take on Papers, Please. It’s well written and while the plot might feel like it is advancing no matter what you do, you’ll come away feeling glad for having played it. It has the feel of a one and done, but many plotlines will remain untouched if you only play this the once. Additionally, the music is excellent.

Talisman: Digital Edition offers a very full package, including as it does the main game plus all the expansion packs. If you’re a fan of the boardgame this is a faithful conversion and an excellent way to play more of it, if you’re new to the game this is a good way to play it as the PlayStation 4 automates much to make the experience user friendly.