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.