A small handful of flaws aren’t quite enough to dull the appeal of For Honor’s peerless combat and deceptive depth. For Honor looks like it’ll be my go-to multiplayer game for quite some time and if you give it a go, chances are it’ll be yours, too. For anyone with even the slightest love of melee combat, For Honor is a must-have.

Klonoa Phantasy Reverie Series is a faithful and entertaining remaster of two classic PlayStation platformers. Bandai Namco did an excellent job keeping the franchise's identity alive and preserving the faithful combat and platforming. Though it may feel dated by today's standards, those who remember the Klonoa series will love these remasters, and those jumping in for the first time will experience simple platformers from a simpler time in game design.

It's clear that the emphasis of Dying Light and thus The Beast is to give you a world where you can run about within it and make infected corpses your playthings, but there's a lot of room for evolution. The Beast is successful at giving us another scrumptious slice of Dying Light, but the irony of The Beast is while it strives to be untamed, its leash can only extend so far before it's pulled forcefully back because of the limitations and lack of upgrades that meaningfully unleash the monster within. So yes, The Beast is good, but it's neutered.

Deftly combining platforming, puzzle-solving and a non-linear narrative, Forgotton Anne is a uniquely beautiful experience that everybody should try.

SaGa Frontier 2 was ahead of its time. Though not everyone will feel the love with this remaster considering its notorious difficulty, SaGa Frontier 2 maintains a special place in the genre for its unique combat, storytelling, and incredible art style. It's just a shame it can be such a brutally difficult game.

Oxenfree II: Lost Signals may not be the most ambitious sequel, but it is certainly a great one. The atmospheric Pacific North West setting, Its incredibly authentic conversation system, well written and wonderfully realised characters, combine for a memorable follow up, that will resonate with those who enjoyed the original Oxenfree.

Tomb Raider Trilogy is a great value for fans and a decent introduction to those new to the series. However, both Legend and Anniversary still feel a little dated despite the HD overhaul.

Another great couch co-op game hits PS4. Catastronauts looks good and gets the balance right between challenge and fun. It's a blast with friends as you work together to complete multiple tasks on a space ship.

Atelier Ryza 2: Lost Legends & the Secret Fairy improves many of the flaws from the original game while carving out its own identity. Ryza and her companions are some of the best this franchise has seen. With a bigger focus on story, combat, and character progression, Atelier Ryza 2 feels more like an overall RPG experience rather than just a crafting simulator. It's not a perfect game by any means and it does suffer from some issues but they in no way hamper the overall experience.

Tales of Xillia gives JRPG fans an addictive experience that's hard to ignore. Linked combat alongside clever leveling schemes and a narrative told in a big way will have players aching to play through as both Milla and Jude.

Like A Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name is another fantastic entry into this much-loved series, proving that Kiryu has more than enough gas left in the tank to continue fronting the series. Despite some combat gadgets feeling a bit gimmicky and some obvious grinding to lengthen the story, The Man Who Erased His Name is a compelling time sink and proves that Kiryu isn't a spent force.

NBA 2K23 makes some worthy adjustments to gameplay, making this more entertaining without losing the game's fundamental presentation and feel. At the same time, even the map shrink in The City isn't enough of an addition to make 2K23 worth a must-buy status. Not enough of the game changes to merit a purchase this year, unless you maxed out everything in last year's release and want a fresh start. NBA 2K23 is more for die-hard fans than every before.

Quite simply Severed Steel is one of the most downright entertaining shooters to come out this year. Sure it doesn't boast the most comprehensive offering from a content perspective and genre fiends looking for a token narrative to go with their serving of face-gunning may well be disappointed, but Severed Steel bends and in some cases breaks the traditionally rigid rules of the FPS genre to often giddy effect. The end result is the sort of gloriously freewheeling, acrobatic first-person shooting extravaganza which aims to demonstrate that innovation in the genre doesn't have to just begin and end at the the gun clasped tightly in your hands.

Unravel is a gorgeous, tender, heartwarming experience. Endearing to the last thanks to a well-designed world and achingly sweet protagonist.

Sonic Origins is a fantastic celebration of 30 years of SEGA's spiky blue mascot, offering four of the best platformers money can buy and chucking in a bunch of great extras that long-time fans can appreciate. Regardless of where the Blue Blur head next, Sonic Origins is a reminder of just how damn good these timeless classics are.

Flock doesn't care about you, but kind of in the best way. A chill game that lets you be as chill as you want, while flying around providing you with charming tasks involving even more charming creatures. It's lack of care at times a curse as much as it is a blessing, Flock is in many ways the perfect cozy game either on your own or with friends.

For those who have already sampled the grim delights of Days Gone on PS4, paying £10 for the definitive version of one of 2019’s most underrated open world adventures that brings with it a hugely entertaining and worthwhile horde mode, seems like a bargain to me. As for the rest of the package, it really did surprise me just how well Bend Studio’s most marquee effort has endured, offering up a smart take on both open world game design and the zombie apocalypse more broadly that other developers have struggled to match. Put simply, if you haven’t played Days Gone before, this is the point where you leap in with both feet.

It doesn't rip up any trees in terms of the horror genre, even in VR, but The Persistence is a game that understands how to deliver proper terror and tension for Sony's virtual reality hardware. Finally, we have a horror game that is fully designed for PSVR and the end result is something pretty special.

From start to finish Blasphemous kept me engaged. Even when I reached the end I just wanted the game to keep going. I'm not the biggest fan of its approach to storytelling but the combat and exploration borrows from the best the genre has to offer.

Forma.8 isn’t the most original metroidvania-type in mechanical terms. It’s also a touch obtuse in its early hours, but the pulp sci-fi novel visuals, electronica soundtrack, and intriguingly drip-fed storytelling are reasons enough to warrant your attention.

Toy Story 3 is a surprisingly enjoyable experience for gamers of all ages. You may just revisit your lost youth for a few hours in the story mode, and then go have some fun as an adult in the Toy Box.

Nobody Wants To Die was the game I didn't realize I needed to play this year until I played it. A fantastic narrative experience set in one of the most harrowing worlds. Though its gameplay is by the books, it didn't keep me from being thoroughly entertained from start to finish. For those looking for a cyberpunk murder mystery, you don't need to look further than Nobody Wants To Die.

EA Sports Active 2 is a complete workout package filled with 68 different and diverse exercises, all designed to get you off the couch and moving. If you want your PS3 to aid in your fitness regime, this is easily the best solution.

There are so many addictive and enjoyable gameplay elements in Final Fantasy XIV that WoW-schooled veterans and MMO rookies alike will love. It's been a long time coming, but A Realm Reborn is finally here, and Square Enix makes the most compelling case for subscription-based gaming in almost a decade.

A furious and value stuffed effort, Mothergunship is one of the most exhilarating and satisfying shooters you can get on PS4 right now.

The Foundation DLC for Control brings a new floor to explore, a new enemy type, and a few new powers for Jesse that don’t add up to very much. But, it also brings more Control – with all of its wonders and faults. Jesse is just doing her job at this point, but that job is pretty bizarre and fun. Just don’t expect world-changing innovation, and you’ll enjoy The Foundation just fine.

Star Renegades is a fantastic addition to the Roglelite genre. The title's amazing animations complement the fantastic battle system that, in all honesty, had me thinking about my actions more than any strategy game has done in the past. The complex battle system feels incredibly rewarding, especially when you win a battle just by the skin of your teeth. I've never truly enjoyed a Roguelite before but Star Renegades has made me a fan.

One of the most intense and authentic feeling shooters to come along in a long while, Insurgency: Sandstorm prides itself on realistic gunplay and tactics to fashion one of the better online shooters that PlayStation platforms have seen in a good long while.

A breezy brawler with a dash of RPG sensibilities and oodles of charm, Young Souls reveals itself to be a resolutely engaging offering that stands out on account of its opulent presentation, loot scooper gameplay and cast of witty and entertaining characters which allows this genre hybrid to punch above its weight.

Metal: Hellsinger is an absolute head-banger of a game with amazing tracks to accompany each level, but it's rhythm-based gameplay does little to stop it from constantly reminding you of the games that inspired it, games that are fundamentally better executed in their core gameplay. It's repetitiveness and lack of any innovation doesn't make it a must-play game for shooter fans, but it's music does for any heavy metal fan.

Puzzling Places unexpectedly evokes that early childhood memory of connecting my first two Lego pieces together, not least because it deftly leverages the haptic feedback capabilities of the PSVR2 to replicate that sensation from those halcyon days many years on. Wholesome, relaxing and never anything less than totally satisfying whenever I need a break from the world, Puzzling Places is puzzle solving zen distilled into its finest form on PSVR2 that everybody can play.

Creed: Rise to Glory - Championship Edition overhauls a pretty good PSVR arcade boxing game and transforms it into a proper test of endurance and skill. There’s still some technical hiccups that stop it short of going a full 12 rounds, but this game will give you one hell of a workout and a clear goal.

Killer Frequency is a refreshing puzzle adventure under the guise of an 80s slasher flick. Its flirtation with real-time life-or-death decision-making serves to keep it an interesting and varied horror experience.

Little Kitty, Big City is a great little adventure that had me grinning from start to finish. It harnesses the inherent charm that cats have and brings that to an experience that can be enjoyed by almost every type of player looking for a relaxed experience. Exploration and fun are at the core of what Little Kitty, Big City sets out to do and some clunky platforming controls are the only obstacles to total triumph. For now, this is the most "cat" game that you can possibly buy.

WWE Smackdown Vs. Raw! 2009 is as good as it gets for grapple fans.

NHL 16 is the type of game NHL fans wanted last year. Full access to game modes and a welcoming execution for newcomers makes NHL 16 an essential purchase for anyone interested in the game of hockey. With the small issues aside, hockey has never been better than this.

A fine addition to the PSN. The best value for money shooter around.

While the original issues are still present, what made Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen so special is here as well. Glorifying combat, organic progression, and a saturated world will keep you slogging through the occasional lull on your way to the heart of it.

Not so much a true next-gen leap for MLB, but a cautious set of baby steps towards it. The presentation and gameplay remain strong, and the ability to be a two-way player in Road to the Show has freshened that mode up and made it more enjoyable than ever. MLB The Show 21 is another reliable entry in a strong sporting franchise, but it definitely needs a bit of a shakeup next time out.

The definitive PS Vita shooter and a must-have for any Killzone fan.

Neither Monster Hunter nor Dark Souls--but a great combination of the two.

No doubt, Don't Starve will split opinion squarely down the middle, but for those willing to put the man hours in it there's undoubtedly a proverbial treasure throve of depth at hand. Either way, Klei Entertainment's offering is a refreshingly robust and intriguing title which sets the wheels of Sony's PS4 indie proclamation firmly in motion.

Arizona Sunshine Remake is a perfectly fine and fun game. On the killing zombies front, it's a great experience with head-popping gore, and a few weapons that feel really fun to run around with. That's about all there is though, and there's a real question as to whether or not its really the best use of your cash to pick it up, especially when there's an already strong sequel out, or if you've already played Arizona Sunshine on PSVR.

Atelier Lulua: The Scion of Arland is a more accessible installment to the long running franchise. Lulua and her companions are a fun new cast, and the more streamlined crafting system makes Atelier Lulua a great starting point for new players.

When Super Cloudbuilt clicks, it's platforming at its best. That only comes once you've spent a decent amount of time learning its ways however, because the learning curve towards that nirvana is riddled with plodding, awkward discovery. In the meantime, the dreamlike locales and intriguing story serve as motivation to push through.

With a great range of mechs and intense pick-up-and-play action, RIGS goes to show that PlayStation VR could be great for shooters. The lack of game modes makes it rather light on content, but overall it's a blast.

It gets off to a slow start, but Fashion Police Squad ends up being a refreshing take on the retro shooter with many of the qualities first-person shooters of the 90s brought to the table.

Heavy Rain looks fantastic on PS4 and still has the power and sophistication to leave a lasting impression. Despite not fixing the glitches and awkward, robotic crowd scenes for this remaster, Quantic Dream’s interactive drama is an absorbing experience not to be missed.

Toybox Turbos is one of the finest couch-based multiplayer packages in recent times; a well-realised love letter, both to the game’s Micro Machine-based heritage and the joy of playing games with friends.

While Under Defeat does show its age - particularly with the UI - it still manages to be a brilliant challenging shoot-'em-up that has some quite unique elements. Boasting some glorious couch co-op action, some banging soundtrack options and a fierce challenge for any arcade shooting aficionados, this is one of the very best games of its kind.

A clever twist on rhythm-style games featuring all that the retro scene has to offer.

With stylish combat, a ton of game modes and fun combat, UNDER NIGHT IN-BIRTH Exe:Late[st] is a blast, especially online with friends.

Funny, charming and challenging, the Vita version of this quirky SRPG series is totally compelling. Vita needs more games like this.

Cat Quest II has everything that made the first game so enjoyable. It has added co-op and a few new features that make it different enough for returning players to enjoy while maintaining its charm and great style. It's fun, simple and fun for everyone, while the art style and animations are to die for and a lot of players will fall in love with it. It's a breath of fresh air in the overcrowded role-playing game genre and is a delightful experience to savour.

The addition of 12 underplayed Game Gear Sonic titles and a playable Amy Rose are more than welcome in this beefed up version of Sonic Origins.

Call of Duty: Ghosts is a safe and familiar entry in the franchise that won't win any new fans with derivative design.

EA Sports UFC 5 is the Ultimate MMA experience of this console generation. With great attention to detail, over 300 fighters, and plenty of game modes, there is something here to enjoy for all MMA & fighting game enthusiasts.

Nerve-wrackingly terrifying, highly polished and boasting one of the cleverest takes on the survival genre in years, The Forest is one of finest survival horror titles available.

Shakedown: Hawaii builds on its predecessor by improving it's visuals and music massively. It does keep its unique humour, story and over the top action though. The city building systems are a welcomed addition and I feel most players will enjoy what's on offer. You get quite a bit of game for your money and there is a lot to do in this uncanny little title.

This is the best way to play The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel II. Visuals remain relatively the same as the PS3 version, albeit upscaled to higher resolution. The biggest changes come from perfect performance and Turbo Mode. Both add the kind of quality-of-life an epic-sized RPG such as this needs in order to feel as fresh as the first time you played it.

A fantastic remaster of one of the best Final Fantasy spin-offs. Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Reunion is the definitive version of a game lost for fifteen years. With a masterful visual and audio upgrade and a combat system that, in my opinion, outshines Remakes with its fluidity and ease of use, Crisis Core shouldn't be missed; it's just a shame that the writing remained unchanged, and side content is just as repetitive as it was fifteen years ago.

Early on, John Wick Hex seemed far too random to enjoy. But as I spent more time with the game I got used to its systems and how it functioned and I started to enjoy myself more and more. Each level is a tactical game of cat and mouse and strategy and planning are vital. Positioning is key and thinking ahead of time is paramount. The story, graphics and especially the cutscenes are nothing to write home about but luckily the gameplay makes up for it. If you are up for a strategy title, John Wick Hex is fun as long as you are willing to give it a bit of time.

An RPG that tries to be different from any other. Those who enjoy games with lots of customization and breeding will have a lot of fun. The downside is there is little to do with your super children that stops it from being an instant classic.

As silly and sadistic as ever, Worms W.M.D. is a multiplayer hoot.

Life is Strange Episode Two continues Max's adventure with an emotionally-charged plot and lush visuals.

The Amnesia Collection is, in some ways, a difficult one to recommend. Existing fans gain little new from it, and newcomers will possibly be seeing this as dated thanks to the many attempted copycats that have released in an around the time since this series began. Yet it’s a timely reminder of how well a slow-burning eldritch horror can be done in videogames. If you are a fan of Lovecraftian horror and you haven’t touched the Amnesia series, then I implore you to venture down into its depths.

A magical adventure filled with colourful characters and a level of interaction that sucks you right in, Skylanders: Trap Team is a unique experience that once tried won’t be forgotten.

An ambitious and yet more elegant evolution over the first Banner Saga, The Banner Saga 2 fires on all cylinders and provides one of the newest and most enthralling strategy series money can buy with an absolutely belting middle act.

Tacoma has a heart all its own, exploring a myriad of themes and advocating for the human condition, but the branches that sprout from the tree rarely bear fruit. Still, the growth is wonderful, even without that sweet taste you so long for.

Uneven pacing and a slumping middle act detract from a brutally action-packed cliffhanger that duly sets up the final ever episode of Telltale's The Walking Dead.

Inventive and disturbing puzzler with beautiful environments, Little Nightmares is well worth a look for fans of the genre looking for something a little different.

A relentlessly savage take on survival that puts players in control of the fleshy collateral damage that other war games merely gloss over, This War of Mine is a bleak, grim and ruthlessly entertaining affair quite unlike any other.

Children of Silentown doesn’t have the best pacing for a point-n-click game, but it does have an enthralling world filled with interesting characters that help push you through its foibles. Using folklore and the perspective of children to amplify its horror credentials allows it to stand out.

Captures the Ghostbusters spirit without taking too many gambles.

Despite some frustrating design choices, pacing and technical issues, there is a prevailing magnetic chemistry to Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden that is felt within its narrative and mirrored in its gameplay, in large part thanks to its two brilliantly written and acted protagonists. Its thoughtful dissection and unique exploration of grief ultimately resonated with me in a way that allowed me to forgive most of its other sins.

ibb & obb brings a fresh idea to platforming and is filled with challenging puzzles. Its art style and gameplay are exceptional, but its lack of narrative and rewards, and a heavy two-player focus, leave little to compel solo players.

A fun arcade experience that goes all-in hoping that all you want to do is kick a ball around. No depth, lack of licensed leagues due to exclusivity deals, and slow menus keep this from being a legitimate challenger to FIFA's undisputed throne on console soccer.

With the varied unit types at your disposal and the commander abilities you can use, Anomaly: Warzone Earth should provide a lot of fun for those hoping to get something new out of this well-established genre.

Chernobylite gets new life with its release on the PS5, harboring enough improvements to make its fundamental shortcomings easy to overlook. Frame rate, graphics, and performance all get enhanced to the next level, making this the best way to play Chernobylite.

Without a doubt the best MMA videogame ever made, EA Sports UFC 4 supplements a welcome array of new offline and online modes with a revamped and endlessly sophisticated combat system that everybody can enjoy. For MMA fans it doesn't get any better than this.

ABZÛ is perfect for fans of Journey and other thatgamecompany titles, thanks to the sweet simplicity of its gameplay and visuals, as well as marvelous musical score.

Toki Tori 2+ doesn’t always make it easy to know exactly what you should be doing, but once the game’s initially frustrating first hour subsides, a sprawling, charming and resolutely challenging puzzle platformer lies beyond.

I had a great time with Miasma Chronicles, and I legitimately didn't want it to end. The accessible tactical combat had me coming back for more, and I loved the environments and the visually pleasing destruction the Miasma has wrought. Though its story is pretty wonky, I still enjoyed what I experienced and hope that a sequel will fully flesh out what is happening in this world.

Project Songbird is truly special. While it doesn't push the envelope forward gameplay-wise, it pushes your emotions into overdrive. Anyone who has ever experienced depression, anxiety, imposter syndrome, or questioned their life decisions will find something here. And if you're like me, who experiences these emotions daily, along with some tragedy, you will be completely seen and heard with this game. Project Songbird is truly healing, and I appreciate every moment I have had with it.

Life is Strange: Before the Storm Episode One - Awake is a great start to Deck Nine’s mini-prequel series. Despite some hiccups, Before the Storm establishes a compelling cast and endearing game world that is just begging to be explored further.

Narita Boy feels like a completely unique experience and the first step for a new collection of games based around this digital aesthetic. The soundtrack here is flawless and the way everything plays into its setting and narrative is just as good. The gameplay might slog at times and not quite hit the mark, but Narita Boy is something you shouldn't miss.

Injustice: Gods Among Us does a lot of things right. From a fantastic storyline, to a plethora of content, but minor balance and online bugs stop it from being the best it can be. Regardless, Injustice offers just about anything from the hardcore fighter to the beginner.

The definitive version of After The Fall thanks in no small part to the impressive capabilities leveraged by the PSVR2 hardware, After The Fall: Complete Edition still makes its mark as a roundly enjoyable VR shooter, albeit one that comes slightly unstuck thanks to some dodgy AI and not quite enough maps or unique modes for players to get their teeth into over the long-term.

Red Barrels' Outlast is a solid indie title, which provides tension and scares in equal abundance. And while it lacks the sort of story depth a lot of us have become accustomed to, there is still a plethora of terrifying fun to be had. Get it on PlayStation Plus as soon as you can.

Borderlands 4 doesn’t reinvent the Vault—it just rebuilds it stronger. The writing occasionally misfires, and the performance hitches are unacceptable in a AAA series like this. Still, the moment-to-moment thrill of firing absurdly designed weapons at even more absurd enemies carries the experience. It’s messy, noisy, and entirely too much at times—but that’s Borderlands at its most honest. Gearbox hasn’t made a flawless sequel, but it’s made a hell of a fun one.

Everybody’s Gone to the Rapture spins a good yarn, but it does nearly all the spinning, leaving little for the player. Its impact falls flat after trudging slowly across a world with little of substance for players to find, explore, or interpret.

A thoroughly enjoyable arcade racer with an eye on the past, Horizon Chase Turbo does a commendable job of reinvigorating 90s arcade racing in a way that nobody else has really bothered to do.

As good an entry as we’ve seen in recent years, FIFA 22 is a step in the right direction for EA Sports’ oft-faltering series and has laid a foundation for what will hopefully be positive changes going forward.

Amid the Ruins is as polished and absorbing as The Walking Dead has ever been, but narrative missteps and throwaway characters diminish the impact of Clementine's growth.

The Following keeps the joyous zombie slaughter of Dying Light while refreshing it with a new dynamic. A fine expansion.

This is very much more Everybody’s Golf with a few extra brush strokes and a overtly pleasant online portion to round it out. The result of that is easily the best version of the game to date, and with a good price point and welcoming structure, it’s a fine place to visit for a few holes.

A beautifully snappy RTS that boasts a great single-player campaign and an endlessly entertaining multiplayer mode, Tooth and Tail is essential for tactical newbies and veterans alike.

Age of Wonders: Planetfall is a game on an epic scale in every sense of the word. Both a world-building strategy sim and a turn-based tactical RPG, Planetfall offers a wealth of content to keep players engaged for a long time to come. While some initial commitment is needed to get past the learning curve, playing becomes smooth and intuitive within a couple of hours. Armchair generals with a penchant for lasers, robots and mysterious planets will find plenty to enjoy in this tremendously deep title.