Hook CE is a nice package comprising one hundred and sixty levels. The first game is definitely the weaker of the two and it shows in that this is very much a game of two halves. It's good though.

Rally Arcade Classics presents a solid handling model coupled with some bite-sized action that can feel rewarding. The chase to complete the tour mode can devolve into a grind and it's a pity there aren't more rally locations. It definitely has issues that hamper the flow, for example the not-so-quick restarts. Despite this, it's compelling enough to bring me back. The vehicles offer a decent selection whilst trying their best to stay within the arcade confines. It mostly succeeds but the star-based structure can lead to some repetition.

9 Lives to Defend is a fun cat-themed take on the popular auto-shooter genre and it does a good job but never quite lives up to the 'bullet heaven' tag.

core.sys isn’t a Windows system process in this context, more a nice neat little puzzle game with a hacking subtext. Yes, it’s a little brief and ends rather abruptly but its also fun with it. The PS4/PS5 crossbuy is an added bonus so you can double dip for the platinum super quickly if that’s your bag. Otherwise, enjoy this nice little bite-sized effort over a couple of days.

While it may lack excitement and variety, what you get here is the ultimate Boulder Dash experience and if you're old enough for that to mean anything, this is a one-stop shop for fans of the series.

Cyber Clutch: Hot Import Nights is a very slim package. Whilst the car count is high, the track variety is not and the campaign will whisk you through them in short order. Whilst the racing can be competitive, it lacks some excitement. Handling is mostly fine but some of the narrower sections can really pinball vehicles around. The aesthetics are there but the lack of fidelity makes for a muddy, harsh appearance. Even the vehicle tinkering underwhelms.

Flame Keeper is very obviously a Switch port shunted to PS5. We’d almost suggest it reeks a little of shovelware in that regard. The core gameplay loop can come over a bit boring if we’re honest, certainly not suited to extended play. The RNG is also harsh on occasions, especially when you end up reliant on it deigning whether you get an extra life on death or not. It’s just OK, but our enthusiasm had run low by the time we beat the final boss.

This compilation offers up eight shoot 'em ups from one of the main innovators of the genre and is a must for fans of Toaplan and shoot 'em ups in general. It's also insanely difficult most of the time but has enough quality of life features to help mitigate that.

Holdfast: Nations At War is fun mess. As a battle for territory, it struggles to coordinate the large player count. Enemy soldiers can be tricky to spot at a distance and a packed fort can leave very little room for shots. What it does offer is an absurd scenario where players will find a role to play and commit to the bit. I have had some unforgettable, stupid moments with this game and the willingness of the community to play along delivers something unique.

If Maiden Cops had come out on the SNES or Mega Drive in the early '90s, we think it would have been quite celebrated and you can't say that for a lot of retro throwback titles these days. It might be a bit childish at times, and weirdly suggestive at others, but this is a quality beat 'em up.

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.

God of Weapons is the first Vietnamese game we’ve knowingly reviewed and it’s a good one. A novel take on the autoshooter genre that while it might not reach the heights of Brotato or Vampire Survivor, is very well done. The Resi-style inventory management is well implemented and a nice twist on upgrading your gear. The in-game challenges are a good incentive to keep playing too.

Achilles: Survivor takes the much-used Vampire Survivors template but adds some polished visuals, a neat defense-building mechanic and a heap of mythology-inspired characters to make one of the best examples of the genre.

Architect Life: A House Design Simulator doesn't dig too deep but there is some challenge to be had from clients and their prospective locations. The career mode has some variety to it, although the homes I built started to homogenise due to the surprisingly limiting tools at my disposal. For a game with architect in the title, you're not given the freedom to truly tinker with angles and materials. It's still a methodical and relaxed time but it pulls some punches.

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.

Secret Paws – Cozy Offices is a another hidden cat game, this time with a shift to three dimensions in that you can rotate the camera to get a different angle on proceedings. Some cats are a bit too well hidden but as long as you’re not liberally abusing the hint function, you’ll be OK and not have to wait for the cooldown.

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.

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.

Ruffy and the Riverside is a thoughtful homage to 3D platformers. The bright visuals and chirpy soundtrack give the game plenty of life. The swap mechanic is interesting but it doesn't quite fulfil its potential. There are moments where it's used to great effect but the puzzles are predominantly simple. That does lead to a campaign that's breezy and takes you through some varied locales. I enjoyed it but it definitely seems to be aimed at youngsters.

The long-awaited remaster of THPS3 arrives and proves why the original was one of the best games ever made. We're not sure the THPS4 levels bring as much to the party and the overall structure of the game makes everything a bit of a repetitive slog. But the classic Tony Hawk's gameplay, and the significant visual upgrade, make this a winner regardless.

Drug Dealer Simulator is surprisingly interesting take on the licit substance machine. It's a repetitive treadmill that takes place in an ugly and empty city. It makes a rotten first impression with its humour but it does abate to reveal a weirdly considered experience. I do think it wears out its welcome but it has left an impression on me. It feels like a rough draft of something more refined. Hopefully the sequel can provide that.

Stunt Flyer is an unimpressive port of a 2011 Pilotwings homage that lacks the charm and excitement of the original but, once you relax into it, it can be oddly compelling.

Wizard of Legend 2 is a disappointing sequel. Whilst the visuals have seen an upgrade, it produces cluttered scenes that can really obscure the action in combat. The spell and relic counts are reduced and, whilst there is still some build diversity, it's not as strong as it could've been. A lack of environments makes the repletion sink in sooner and, despite the prospect of wild combinations, I struggle to persist with it.

This is another interesting collection of Irem coin-op curios but, again, we're not convinced three arcade games and a home port should command a £20 price tag.

Exo-Calibre is a functional but unimpressive shoot 'em up that doesn't really offer much in terms of longevity, creativity or presentation. We were able to finish the game on our first attempt which suggests an issue with its balance too.

Crime Boss: Rockay City surprised us. As unheralded as it was, this is a great game that does stealth and action equally well. The setting, the missions and the vibe of it felt a bit like playing a really good Xbox 360 game. And that means something now that most games are open-world borefests.

At times, Star Overdrive's hoverboarding exploration can be exhilarating. Unfortunately, it's hampered by on-foot traversal that simply doesn't hold up. Platforming can be clumsy and punishing for a game that really pushes for leniency in other tasks. Combat can be simple but also lacks a consequence for failure. Even the wistful soundtrack is undercut by the rock accompaniment of combat. It's a really frustrating mix that comes up short.

ANTRO is a slightly cliched concept with somewhat shoddy implementation. Additionally, puzzles are simplistic and the platforming is generally uninspiring. The music is quite good though.