Channeling its Metroidvania roots, Shantae offers newcomers and genre aficionados alike a taste of what made the genre so great back when it was new and uncharted while offering plenty of upgrades to keep the journey feeling progressive.

More than a simple port, FIFA Soccer utilizes some of the PlayStation Vita's unique features but maintains that core football experience fans are craving on a handheld.

Marvel Heroes Omega is a toweringly enjoyable marriage of dungeon crawling and superhero action that deserves to be embraced by both fans of Diablo and Marvel alike.

If you’re looking for a solid fighting game with tons of content, replay value and a deep story, Under Night In-Birth Exe: Late [cl-r] is a must-have whether you’re a newcomer to the saga or a seasoned veteran.

A great FMV title to enjoy multiple times over and over. By changing the murderer each time I would restart the game I felt like I was playing a game of Clue with my PS4.

FC25 is an improvement on the previous entry, moving in a positive direction. Ultimate Team continues to be egregious, but Rush is refreshing and fun. Refocusing its gameplay to a more deliberate and slower paced brand of football, that takes tactics into account, makes for a more enjoyable game. With some minor updates, its potential can be fulfilled. FC25 has found its form, and is the best an EA footie title has been in years.

Cold, Cold Heart spins a compelling yarn on the origins of Mr. Freeze with impressive detail and dialogue. Just don't expect many changes to the series' combat or a satisfying resolution.

It may not be very long, but Dagon: Complete Edition does a fabulous job of depicting some of the stories that make the Lovecraft mythos so enticing. It's not much of a game either, and one of the DLCs feels a bit out of place. Still, the experience compels you to delve into the abyss, which is exactly what the source material does in the first place.

Norse Lands is welcome expansion to Kingdom Two Crowns featuring Viking-inspired aesthetics and new mechanics. Both series veterans and newcomers alike will find lots to explore and discover in this premium DLC. The gameplay is addictive and balanced. The artwork and music together create an immersive experience that can be enjoyed alone or with a friend via online or split-screen co-op. Overall, Norse Lands is highly recommended for fans of strategy games or pixel art worlds.

A landmark title indeed, Dear Esther’s debut on PS4 serves as a timely reminder not just of The Chinese Room’s seemingly bottomless well of talent, but also of Dear Esther’s capability to fulfil that oldest of gaming mantras – escapism, with vigour and aplomb in fashion that very few other games have managed to before and since its original release.

Offering a spine-chilling and creepy setting and atmosphere, Mundaun is a great experience that doesn't feel like anything I have played before. Its gameplay systems all blend together surprisingly well and it is just the right length. The strengths help alleviate some of the issues I had, but even with those present, it is well worth a play for fans of the genre.

Don't let the delightfully twee My Little Pony style aesthetic fool you, Them's Fightin' Herds is an ultra legitimate, one on one fighter with an abundance of charm and an unexpectedly compelling story mode. Though the diminutive roster is a concern, Them's Fightin' Herds is nonetheless a superb fighter that I fear owing to its decidedly cutesy presentation, not nearly enough folks will play.

As golf games go, this is the most fun I have had in a while. It's a massive improvement over recent years' titles. The career mode is both addictive and rewarding, it's full of contact and the presentation is both cinematic and beautiful. A few issues will not get in the way of what I think is the best golf sim around at the moment. Let's hit the greens, people!

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.

Taken on its own merits some nineteen years since its original release, Gears of War remains a blast to play, only showing its age in minor ways which do little to detract from what is a seminal piece of work. Though not too far removed from 2015’s Ultimate Edition, the lower price of entry makes this easier to stomach for PlayStation owners tempted to dive into the series that defined a generation of Xbox fans and that few games have bettered in the proceeding years.

Berserk and the Band of the Hawk is not only one of the best Musou titles to date, it’s the first license to truly fit the mould effortlessly.

There's validity to Tactics Ogre being a classic, and Tactics Ogre: Reborn showcases that. Tactics Ogre: Reborn offers the kind of simplified presentation combined with fantastic writing and voice work to create a cohesive package all around. Despite showing its age in places, the game offers more than enough to convince even the most anti-tactics gamer out there to give it a try.

Futuridium is a game that will reward persistent gamers with creative levels and bosses. It can be challenging and suspenseful, but most of all, it’s fun to play.

GreedFall stands as Spiders' most successful game to day, bar none. Despite its issues, nothing gets in the way of this game's ambition and heart. Anyone looking for a standout, deep action-RPG will find it in GreedFall. With its different narrative paths and various ways to build your character, there are so many reasons to play through multiple times.

Split/Second is an arcade-style racing game with an explosive twist. It offers Hollywood blockbuster intensity with its reality show charm, in a fast-paced, bigger-than-life experience.

InviZimals is a good buy for kids. It’s a game with lots of different characters and lots to do, and will keep kids busy and entertained. Adults may even find the AR technology and use of various inputs interesting and the world of little InviZimals rather charming.

Spiral Circus creates a spellbinding world of undersea dread and wonder with Silt. From the distinct hand-drawn visual style to the ambiguous mystery of its protagonist and setting, this is an engrossing experience only marred by sparse checkpointing.

Tape 1 of Lost Records: Bloom & Rage is a solid prologue for what might hopefully "bloom" into a memorable story of reunion and reconnecting after decades apart. There are some bold new steps for the genre here, that are unfortunately held back by design choices that already felt archaic back when we first encountered them a decade ago. For now, I'm intrigued and interested to see what comes next, despite the obligatory wait.

Putting the disappointment about lack of online multiplayer aside, ModNation Racers: Road Trip's customisation is unparalleled and the action on the tracks fast-paced and exciting.

A nice package to while away the hours complete with some fine added extras.

With its weaponized cuteness and deceptively deep physics platforming shenanigans, PHOGS! succeeds grandly as a hugely entertaining effort which truly shines when played with a local friend. PHOGS! is absolutely one physics puzzler that you should take for walkies.

A beautifully paced and emotive narrative adventure with some standout vocal performances, what South of the Circle lacks in terms of substantive gaming meat it more than makes up with an intelligently curated, heart-tugging tale that remains long in the memory after you've put the controller down. Holding up a mirror to our own era of social, political and economic turmoil, South of the Circle provides the sort of expertly crafted and keenly felt warm emotional storytelling that we could all perhaps do with right now.

The simplicity of Lego Builder’s Journey is exactly why it’s the most faithful Lego game of all outside actually putting physical bricks together. A smartly put together little story puzzler that showcases the power of creative thinking and play that is synonymous with the iconic Danish toy. The only thing that betrays its joy is the occasionally clunky controls in tight spots.

Avicii Invector is a wonderful tribute to the EDM artist and celebrates his work by creating a diverse tracklist from across his career. The rhythm gameplay has its own unique twists and provides a challenging experience. The visual effects can get a bit much at times, throwing off your streak, but the game is still a wonderful way to surround yourself with some of the best EDM music from the past decade.

Little Deviants has great potential as a franchise with its range of incredibly fresh and entertaining mini-games, though we can't see players spending too much in their company in this first instalment.

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.

Beyond Galaxyland tells a fantastic tale full of colorful characters in a vast world full of surprise and wonder. It's a shame that its combat system is locked to an ability system that seems to hinder you more than help. Though its world is grand, the game's lighting gets in the way, making dark areas impossible to see and the light regions blinding the eye.

ChromaGun is fun, very immersive and tactile, especially when using the Aim controller. The tracking is great and puzzle design is creative. Despite the sound design getting repetitive and the plain aesthetic wearing thin, overall I enjoyed my time with this neat little puzzler.

Ultimately, this is a fine lens with which to get stuck into the Capcom arcade classics of yesteryear and a muscular package that understands the old school score chasing that made those games so compelling in the first place. Until the PS6 comes around and we do all this again with a different set of features sprinkled on top, Capcom Arcade Stadium nonetheless stands tall as a delectable pick and mix buffet of Capcom's golden arcade era.

SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom - Rehydrated is not only a good platformer its a great example of a game taking full advantage of its license. Fans of platformers will sure enjoy their time in Bikini Bottom, but fans of the franchise will gobble it up. Battle for Bikini Bottom features plenty of action and humor to carry your through the 15-hour campaign and some of its puzzles are definitely headscratchers, which is more then you can ask for in a solid platformer.

As solid as ever from San Diego Studio, but a few tweaks and a superb Storylines mode make MLB The Show 23 an even more worthwhile purchase than recent editions.

With a varied character roster, stunning graphics and balanced gameplay, Dragon Ball Fighterz is a fantastic entry point for new players, and great fun for fans of the series.

Rust is an unflinching multiplayer survival game that requires endurance and patience in order to really unlock its potential. The dynamics it creates in terms of player interaction are endlessly fascinating and prove to be a real boon for organic narrative flashpoints between players. Its pure multiplayer focus does mean it doesn’t have what you’d call a traditional endgame, but it more than makes up for that with the unpredictability its social design brings.

Extreme Exorcism invigorates the arena battler with its brilliant ghost mimicking mechanics, proving to be a highly entertaining proposition for either a group of friends or the lone player to stuck into.

Dusk Diver rewards you for everything that you do. A visual treat that just keeps on giving. Dusk Diver's pace also keeps the fun going until the very end. It's just a shame that it suffers from some translation issues and a story that never really realizes its true potential.

An indie adventure with far Eastern inspirations that does a great job of masquerading as a big budget spectacular, Shiness will delight those looking for a fix of action RPG goodness with one eye on the classics of yore.

It’s still the same old crude, ridiculous, and daft Saints Row The Third as it ever was, complete with many of its original mechanical shortcomings, but the remaster does a wonderful job of making it look better than ever.

Where the game really exceeds is the beautiful and haunting retelling of the Holocaust as a robot invasion through the eyes of two children that won’t let their friendship be torn apart by hate and prejudice.

Angry Birds: Star Wars is the most explosive entry in the series thus far.

There is a lot to like about this bizarre world, but beware: Yakuza 3 is an acquired taste that you will either want spit out, or have another sip off.

Transpose is an original and satisfying puzzler that is using a clever mechanic that is unique in the VR space. Visually arresting once it really gets cooking, Transpose should not be overlooked in the busy holiday gaming season. This one has sleeper hit written all over it.

Atelier Marie Remake: The Alchemist of Salburg is a nice Remke that allows you to experience where the franchise began. Though the game is constant timing you on everything you do the time to prepare for whatever tasks ahead can lead to some great discoveries. With great visuals and entertain and simple combat there should be plenty for fans to enjoy and for new comers to discover.

Ultimately, The 7th Guest VR is the best sort of surprise. A great mix of entertaining puzzles, compelling exploration and some unexpectedly cutting edge visual design, for this Halloween there's probably no better reason to get out your PS VR2 headset than this.

Though a touch derivative and brought low on occasion by the odd technical issue, Days Gone is a sprawling and handsomely made open-world adventure that contains a surprising amount of heart and ample amounts of violence to match.

Jurassic World Evolution 3 has the workings of a solid game, complete with options for newcomers and genre fans alike. The hardcore fans may not find enough here to satiate their sim appetites, but the appeal of dinosaurs is hard to resist. Even if this is a game, there aren't many consequences to your in-game actions; the big hurdle is learning to navigate the game's many menus while using a controller. Thankfully, you can pause the game and make choices, but even though it's a welcome option, this still feels more like a hotfix rather than a design choice. $60 is an attractive asking price, but it might be too much to ask for those on the fence, even if there are dinosaurs on the other side of said fence.

Though Marvel's Avengers makes a superhero-sized splash on PlayStation 5, this is still at its core the same game we had back in September 2020. That said, the improved visuals and passage of time both mean that Marvel's Avengers on PS5 is essentially now the definitive version of the game, boasting much more responsive gameplay and a wealth of bug fixes and quality of life improvements. Though no amount of extra pixels or DualSense features can transform the game, the fact that Marvel's Avengers is actually enjoying a fairly steady stream of worthwhile content should be reassuring to those who have been sat on the fence for the superpowered caper. In short, if you've been sitting Marvel's Avengers out, now is the time to jump in.

The Silent Oath is an excellent story-driven game that brings out the very best of virtual reality’s application and is one that certainly deserves a sequel.

Blackwood brings an intriguing new story full of conspiracy and demonic dangers to The Elder Scrolls Online, and while that’s good, it’s the addition of Oblivion Portals and A.I. Companions that really make the latest expansion a winner.

The Assignment is a brilliant start to The Evil Within's post-launch content support that fans can't afford to miss out on.

With its large new map, unique dungeons, and captivating story and side quests, Skyrim's Dragonborn feels far more like a complete expansion than basic add-on content. Familiar issues persist, and riding dragons isn't all that cool, but it's certainly great to play more Skyrim.

Gotham Knights step out of the shadows of the Dark Knight and provide a breath of fresh air with four unique characters that provide a different approach to protecting Gotham. Gotham Knights' combat may feel stripped down, but it still provides some of the best melee combat on the market. Gotham City has plenty of crimes to solve and challenges to get through. It's just a shame some of its traversals can be so bothersome.

Good ol' retro-style platformer with the highlights coming through level design and array of wacky enemy-types.

While I would have liked to see a bit more done to update these games for modern platforms beyond just a bump to resolution, Patapon 1+2 are still landmark titles that deserve a look from anyone who has an appreciation for PlayStation's back catalogue. This is the definitive way to experience two core PSP games.

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.

Borderlands is a perfect multiplayer RPG-Shooter that offers loot hounds hours of fun. It has its flaws, though, and its grinding sensibilities probably won't appeal to everyone.

Despite an aggravating interface, this is one of the best space-strategy games I've played in a long time. The battles are epic, the story is engaging and thought provoking, space has never looked so good, and the music is top-tier. I hope Black Lab and Slitherine Studios produce more like it, as there are tons of franchises to choose from, perhaps Babylon 5 or The Orville. Battlestar fans will get their fill of Cylon battling action, and I'm sure will love to add this gem to their collection.

The presentation and content of Shotgun King will put a lot of people off. However, if you like chess and rogue-based games it is well worth a bash. I adored its presentation, it reminded me of games form my youth, yes, I am that old. Pairing one of the oldest games on the planet with rogue-lite elements works far better than it has rights too and Shotgun King is truly unlike anything else I have played. We need more games like this, its what drives the industry forward in a sea of cut and paste shooters and RPG's.

The Holy Grail War kicks off what I hope to be a continuing run for the Fate franchise. Fate/Samurai Remnant tells a good story with plenty of well-written characters and twists and turns. Its combat is simplistic but manages to keep you going for a fairly long duration. I hope this is the first step of great things to come for this unique franchise.

Though a touch short and overly streamlined in its vision, Bomb Chicken nonetheless offers up a tremendously entertaining, highly digestible and resolutely clever platformer that everyone will be able to enjoy.

Sky: Children of the Light may not be as triumphantly impactful as Journey, but it still stands out as a very distinct online experience that gave me many of the same feelings thatgamecompany’s 2012 classic did. At the starting price of free, it’s hard not to recommend this game to anyone seeking an antidote to the combat-led arena of multiplayer gaming.

It can feel desperately unfair at times – bordering on blatant cheating – but the fact that you'll unwaveringly persevere speaks volumes for FIFA 15's distinct appeal. A must for footballing fans.

With some stand-out moments peppered throughout, Virgo Versus The Zodiac was an engrossing play from start to end. Some basic and convoluted combat mechanics hold this game back from being a true homerun but the charm of Virgo's journey carries it through these rough moments.

Another Fisherman's Tale may not win any awards for visuals or reinvent the wheel in gameplay. Nevertheless, the love Vertigo Games put in shines through. The story is flawless and the gameplay, while relatively simple, serves its purpose without getting in the way of itself. Another Fisherman’s Tale is a beautiful game that deserves your time on PSVR2.

Among Ashes is a breath of fresh air in a packed genre of first-person survival horror titles. A game within a game with an interwoven story hits a lot more than it misses with great puzzles and fantastic sound design. It's just a shame the combat isn't up to par with the rest of the experience.

VIII Lacrimosa of Dana is an addicting action JRPG that features great combat and a narrative worth exploring.

Though the game has clearly been made on a relatively shoestring budget, it still manages to ooze a happy go lucky charm all the same that feels increasingly rare in these fraught times. New Super Lucky’s Tale might lack truly innovative gameplay elements or any new features beyond its PS4 counterpart, but the fact that there are still so few bonafide 3D platformers doing the rounds means that New Super Lucky’s Tale still earns itself an easy recommendation for fans of the genre and proves itself as an ample and captivating post Astro Bot fix.

It's hard to avoid comparisons between WRC 10 and the increasingly liberal depiction of rallying in the DIRT and Forza Horizon series, but where they've veered off in a new direction, WRC 10 remains faithful to its source material and offers a fine emulation of the World Rally Championship with a few technical niggles.

Tails Of Iron 2 is an accomplished follow-up that builds on the elements that its predecessor brought to the fold. Whether you're familiar with this series or a newcomer to the fray, there's a lot to be impressed by here.

Dying Light is a really enjoyable game. The atmosphere is absolutely spot on and the game world is a joy to traverse with your parkour skills. It has issues with its mission structure and confusion in the direction of its protagonist, but you’ll likely be having too much fun to care.

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

All the same, the fact remains that sleuthing about Victorian London has never been as entertaining as this.

All eventualities considered it's a matter of refinement rather than revolution for PlayStation's best-loved worm-based series, with developer Team17 tinkering and toying to make Worms Battlegrounds the most definitive entry in the series to date.

A throwback to the SNES era of RPGs. It is funny, refreshing and proves small budgets can succeed in a genre where big budgets reign supreme. It is a little short on depth but for the price of a movie ticket it can't be beat.

Mafia: Definitive Edition is the best Mafia to date. With an amazing story and gorgeous visuals, Hanger 13 have done a great job at remaking a cult classic. Though it still suffers from sub-par shooting mechanics the overall package is more than worth the asking price.

If you want to show off PSVR to your friends, Robinson: The Journey is the game that you use to do it. Equally, if you want to lose yourself in your very own Jurassic Park style fantasy, Robinson: The Journey is undoubtedly a triumph in this respect; just don’t expect to find an overly challenging core lurking underneath its resplendent veneer.

Dated visuals and presentation issues aside, Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy brings a much improved single-player campaign to the table alongside a genuinely clever and more importantly an enjoyable competitive online multiplayer offering, making it an essential purchase for Star Wars aficionados and fans of fast-paced action titles alike.

Are you a fan of pool? Pool Nation will not disappoint.

As battle royale efforts go, Bloodhunt is surprising; which is more than other like-minded efforts can lay claim to. Though cross play remains unbalanced against more capable PC players and concerns over balancing and map variety remain, Vampire: The Masquerade Bloodhunt nonetheless brings a scintillating blend of furious traversal, inspired PvE design and neat lore from the World of Darkness setting to fashion one of the most refreshing battle royale efforts in quite some time.

EA Sports FC 26 is truly a game of two halves. The defending doesn't feel nearly as good as attacking, but that's a worthwhile trade off if it remains as fun as it is right now, once updates and balancing changes have been made.

An enjoyable blend of genres and gameplay systems gives Tribes of Midgard a unique feel. While not being revolutionary, it manages to create a pleasant online experience rarely seen on a PlayStation platform. It looks clean, feels fresh and has enough content to keep you going for a long time. While I am not a massive fan of the Fortnite-style progression system, I loved the rewards tied to your Trophies. Tribes of Midgard is great, especially if you have friends to quest with.

Quantum Conundrum is the king of puzzles. Sadly, some of the controls keep it from being king of the genre.

Though Adorable Adventures is extraordinarily simple for older gamers and seems to lack ambition, its impact arguably extends beyond its offering as a video game, at least to younger folk anyhow as it seeks to expand their knowledge of their relationship with the natural world that surrounds them and, of course, the sprightly boars that serve as Adorable Adventures protagonists. A great introduction to open world design for new games and the young folk alike, Adorable Adventures also makes a good case for itself as a relaxing refuge from the worries of the world, one where you can get lost in the beauty of nature, smell flowers and frolic about with your boar siblings. I'm not sure about you, but I absolutely need that sort of wholesome in my life right now.

Saltsea Chronicles is a great point and click adventure game that does a fantastic job at capturing the spirit of the classic genre. An intriguing story with an endearing cast of characters does a great job at encouraging players to experiment and explore the various interactions that are open to them. The ambition of this scope occasionally leads to some cracks but these are generally fleeting moments of annoyance in a game that was otherwise a quaint and comfortable experience throughout. Saltsea Chronicles was a refreshing excercise in a game that encourages taking your time with the story you are given, rather than a rollercoaster from setpiece to setpiece.

A fine, novel way to progress the party game genre, That's You! is a surprisingly good, goofy time. Smart use of its PlayLink smartphone app, customizable questions, and photo-fiddling nonsense, make this a winning title.

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 great start to what I'm hoping will be a great franchise. Eiyuden Chronicle: Rising doesn't do anything to move the side scroller action RPG genre forward, but it does everything to make it fun. Rising reminded me a lot of old school 2D action platformers but with an entire town-building mechanic. It's also one of the most visually impressive indy titles I've seen in a while. Overall, Eiyuden Chronicle: Rising is a great starting point for what's set to be an epic JRPG, with Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes releasing in 2023.

A resolutely no-nonsense open-world, survival RPG that forfeits the hand-holding and unearned grand destinies of other genre titles, Outward instead replaces such comforts with a thoroughly player driven affair where satisfaction and reward come in the completion of the smallest of tasks and everything must be earned.

Dokuro is a charming platform title featuring a unique aesthetic, challenging levels and strong replay value. Just be prepared to die a lot.

Sniper Ghost Warriors Contracts 2 makes its mark on PS5 with greatly improved visuals, better loading, additional content and DualSense feedback - all of which combine to make it not only the definitive version of CI Games latest effort, but also one of the better sniper offerings on the market.

Impressively single-minded in its aim, Knee Deep strips everything back from aesthetics to player agency to fashion a non-linear narrative adventure quite unlike any other. Fans of well-written adventures would do well to not sleep on Knee Deep.

While Roguebook may not be my favourite game in this genre, it does offer a lot of variation and a few interesting tweaks to the genre. It's jaw-droppingly beautiful, incredibly creative and the crucial card play is very entertaining. The exploration is a nice addition and creates a risk and reward system to proceedings, as is the card crafting. While you may not be able to create a lean, all-killing deck, what you can create is a heaving bag of frivolity and opportunities.

It's perhaps ironic that in a game where so much of the exploration and world building physically exists in a space without any atmosphere, that Deliver Us The Moon is absolutely overflowing with the stuff. From the claustrophobic sensation that almost every minute of its playtime exudes, through to the detailed modelling of its real-world adjacent world and the carefully constructed yet involving plot, Deliver Us The Moon is a slow-paced, if thoroughly captivating adventure thriller that is living its best life on PlayStation 5.

Blood and Truth takes known VR gaming mechanics and inserts them into a delightfully well-realized London, sending the player through chase scenes, heists, and gun fights. While there is nothing revolutionary happening with the controls and gameplay, the presentation, story and characters are top notch. Once you get started, you will want to see the action-packed story through to the end, and that’s really what we wanted, isn’t it?