A new height for storytelling in Call of Duty games paired with a remodeled multiplayer component that is as addictive and rewarding as ever makes for really attractive package, despite its shortcomings.

A Japanese take on the Ghostbusters, sacrificing graphics for functionality. A fun game that can be done in doses, and with a story that will keep you wanting to come back for the next dose. Great for visual novel fans, or those looking for a different kind of RPG.

Sometimes you want to start a game and have fun right from the get-go. Evil West doesn't try to do anything fancy or tell a big cinematic story. Instead, it gives you various tools to go in, and slaughter vampires like humanity's existence depend on it. With plenty of weapons and fun combat, Evil West provides plenty of non-stop action, although it's let down by a paper-thin story and some issues with visuals and lighting.

A fascinating if overly lean meditation on the video game scene of old, 198X is a compressed, weaponised dose of nostalgia that deserves to be experienced by anyone whom professes a love for this greatest of hobbies.

Astria Ascending is a fascinating JRPG with intriguing storytelling, distinctive characters and charming hand-drawn art. Artisan Studios has outdone themselves providing a lengthy gameplay experience and addictive mini-game that will have you entrenched for hours. My only grudge against the game is the maps can be perplexing at times when attempting to complete side-quests or just finding your way through dungeons and temples. However, the combat mechanics are solid and customization options for your party and builds provide a lot of depth and strategy. Considering the fact that Astria Ascending is not a full-priced title, the game is definitely worth checking out, especially for fans of the genre.

Kingdoms of Amalur: Re-Reckoning is just as fun as it was eight years ago. Though the game didn't get any updates to its inventory management system or the criminally long load times, the combat is still great and the vast world is a blast to explore.

Shenmue 3 is an uncompromising love letter to fans of the original games, make no question about it. If you weren't on board before, then this will do little to sway your opinion, as modern conventions have been largely ignored in favour of preserving a 20-year-old experience. While it's not perfect, Shenmue 3 is about as solid of a sequel as we could have expected after all this time.

Tomas Sala has created another great game with Bulwark: Falconeer Chronicles. The ability to expand and experiment without worry makes it very accessible for those unfamiliar with the genre, as well as it being a thought provoking adventure even for genre veterans. While it may not be for everyone, there is something special here for those that connect with it.

Great fun, especially with friends, Goat Simulator is so out there and different to the norm that you can't help but have a good time, and laugh along with it.

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

Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare 2 has the potential to be a sleeper hit. The multiplayer is a major focal point and the classes have a lot of variety and complexity ready for every level of player. The repetitiveness aside, there’s enough here for everyone to have a good time, especially when friends are involved.

Hitman’s third episode builds on your pre-existing knowledge and ramps up the pressure in a very hostile environment. The trip to Marrakesh never quite reaches the giddy heights of the previous episode, but it still stands as another exceptionally-designed level to add to the growing greatness of 2016’s Hitman experience.

Mafia: The Old Country is all killer and no filler, featuring a lean campaign with engaging characters, cinematic set pieces, impressive visuals and a solid mob story that can be guilty of being a touch too predictable at times.

The Night is Darkest Before The Dawn. Through the Darkest of Times is an interesting strategy game that combines the storytelling of a visual novel with the tactics of a war table planner. The art style is striking in its simplicity and the music provides an immersive ambiance. The game’s focus on telling the story of the fight against the Nazis from the inside offers a compelling plot and plenty of character moments that draw you in.

Some new additions to the gameplay makes this title more than a simple Vita conversion, and great for those who never picked up the original. Still, if you already own it on the PS3 there is nothing that new to warrant a new purchase unless you need an RPG on the Vita or are a seasoned trophy hunter.

Two of the finest games of the past decade don't quite get the treatment they deserve in Return to Arkham, with Arkham Asylum in particular, suffering more than benefitting from the visual overhaul. The game’s are still magnificent love letters to Gotham’s protector though, even if these remasters don’t give the same level of respect to the pointy-eared one.

All Zombies Must Die provides an afternoon of fun creating weapons and shooting zombies, without the cliche of its genre.

Representing some of the most fun I have had with my PlayStation VR2 headset since launch, though Kill It With Fire VR is a touch too short, what we have here is nonetheless a hugely entertaining morsel of VR gaming that deftly blends a real-life fear of arachnids with a corresponding range of increasingly deranged methods to deal with them. Easy to play and resoundingly suitable for VR newcomers, Kill It With Fire VR is a whole heap of welcome chaotic fun.

Eternal Threads presents a unique story with some of the best writing and character development I've experienced this year. Though it's a short and simple experience, I found myself glued to the screen to see what happens next. There isn't much else for you to do in Eternal Threads, making it the definition of a walking simulator, but that's not necessarily a bad thing.

The multiplayer is shaping up to be the real star of the show, with in-depth customisation, the likes of which we've never seen before in a shooter, and a variety of brilliantly designed maps.

Thank Goodness You're Here! is a game for a short time and not a long time, and that combo makes playing it a great time. I understand the humour in it might not be for everyone, but for those that do enjoy it you'll see just how wonderfully the comedy is woven into the gameplay. The charming visual style and absolutely amazing voice acting make it an absolutely hilarious game.

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.

Not every idea in Nightreign lands cleanly, but its willingness to push Elden Ring’s mechanics into unfamiliar territory is admirable. It’s a game made for a specific kind of player—those who crave a punishingly difficult challenge. If that’s you, this detour is worth the journey.

Though the in-game shop feels poorly realised and it sometimes veers away from what it does best, Pepper Grinder nonetheless remains a resolutely well made, roundly attractive and frantically satisfying platformer that basically turns you into a terrifyingly militant dolphin obsessed with high speed loot and murder. And, well, who has never wanted to be one of those before?

Lots of depth and replayability, but a few unexpected surprises like unusually poor voice acting dull the shine.

Lies Of P is one of the best Soulslike games to enter the genre, and on multiple occasions builds on the games that inspired it, adding refinements that result in a better gameplay experience. However it emulates its influences a little too closely, and fails to hit the same highs as the games that it has clearly used as a skeleton, inviting comparisons that aren't always flattering. Along with an incredibly disruptive difficulty spike, Lies Of P stands as a game that is very nearly great, and will scratch the right itch for fans of the genre to stick with it.

It's always nice to be surprised by a title. Citizens of Space is one of those games where you can see the passion and more importantly the fun the developers had making it. Citizens of Space oozes charisma and for those looking for a fun silly experience, this is the game for you.

Despite its slow pacing and simplicity, Buzz! Quiz World is a terrific sequel and makes for an ideal purchase for trivia aficionados.

An original IP is always a good thing. An original IP that's also fun to play is even better. Immortals of Aveum is a fun magic shooter that takes the great arcade shooting of DOOM and combines it with fun exploration and puzzle solving. Its great animations and voice work help move a slightly sluggish story forward as best it can. But none of these issues kept me from enjoying my time as an Immortal.

Believe me, blowing the hell out of your friends online hasn't been this much fun in years.

Quantic Dream has delivered its most consistently focused game to date with Detroit Become Human. It does suffer for some ham-fisted allegory and a couple of instances of appallingly mawkish dialogue, but that never overwhelms the overall enjoyment you get from its entertaining branching narrative. The story is not the most subtle, nor nuanced, take on discrimination, slavery, and machine self-awareness you'll find, but it is often surprisingly poignant and touching when Cage and his team nail the blend of video game and cinematic experience.

By maintaining its easily accessible JRPG mechanics, gorgeous tabletop aesthetic and engrossing narration, Voice of Cards: The Beasts of Burden manages to elevate itself above its Voice of Cards brethren thanks to a neat, Pokémon style monster collection mechanic. Much more than just a token inclusion, this new monster collecting mechanic not only expands the player's arsenal in battle, but provides ample additional incentive to explore The Beasts of Burden's painterly, card-flipped lands far and wide in search of rare monsters to recruit.

Smurfs Dreams deserve respect for favouring approach-ability over punishment, and should be a worthwhile present to any child who loves upbeat platformers. Any adult should give this a shot as well because it's a wonderfully designed game that really deserves attention. So with all that said, go blue because these Smurfs dreams have come true.

If you're looking for an action RPG with a sophisticated martial arts slant that unfolds in a fantastical alien world with a driving central narrative that invests you in the key protagonists with ease, then Clash: Artifacts of Chaos is absolutely deserving of your attention.

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

An intimidating and slow burning prospect, for those who can look behind its challenging facade Sunless Sea: Zubmariner Edition soon reveals itself to be a masterly work that deftly marries great writing with fine tuned roguelike mechanics.

Payday 2 is a step in the right direction for co-op action still throttled by lame single-player and an annoying unlock system.

Fans of the shooter genre will find a good time with Phantom Fury. While not perfect, slipping a bit with map design and pacing among some other smaller things, Shelly "Bombshell" Harrison's latest outing still hits more than it misses.

Despite the lack of career mode improvements, FIFA 19 is a faithful representation of the sport we know and love, complete with unparalleled bells and whistles. But it falls a bit short of the mark of being the definitive experience we had hoped for this year.

With its massively upgraded visual presentation and much more responsive racing together with a surprisingly immersive DualSense implementation, one of the best hardcore racing simulators out just got even better on PS5. This is the definitive version of Assetto Corsa Competizione on console and that fact alone should be a cause for celebration for anyone with even a passing interest in highly detailed racing simulations.

Unpacking is like wrapping yourself in a warm blanket as you gently watch the years roll away in front of you. Though much too short, the relatively brief experience that you'll have with deconstructing the emotional narrative of characters that you'll never see via its block fitting puzzles, cements the fact that Unpacking won't quickly be forgotten and will be an experience that you'll likely go back to time and again whenever you need a precious smidgen of soul affirmation.

SkyDrift is a fantastic plane racing game that stands out among its inspirational peers. While a lack of local multiplayer is noticeable, it doesn't detract from the charm and balance that gives it such great potential.

The PS4 version of Rockstar’s noir detective thriller is the definitive way to play L.A. Noire and stands as an appealing prospect for old and new wannabe sleuths alike.

Despite its repetitive nature, Curious Expedition is nonetheless a highly accessible and thoughtfully constructed roguelike, where tactics, discovery, decision-making and luck all meld together beautifully into a charming pint-sized adventure.

The Tengu's Disciple is a great addition to Nioh 2. It was great to go back and play through some of the original game locations before the protagonist William made his way through Yokai-infested Japan. The Splitstaff adds a great new weapon to master and some of the fresh enemies provide a great new challenge. Unfortunately, some hurdles the expansion puts in front of you feel incredibly unfair even for Nioh's standards.

I loved my time in Lake and wished it lasted a bit longer. Though mail delivery doesn't sound so appealing, it was nice and relaxing to drive around a small town and take in the sights. Providence Oaks' town is full of people with big personalities that you can interact with however you want. It has some issues with pop-in issues and repetitive musical score, but it's easy to overlook these issues when the people of Providence Oaks are so delightful to talk to.

Resident Evil Village: The Winters' Expansion is packed full of great content and definitely worth putting down the cash for. While Shadows of Rose feels cut a little short in terms of potential, it's still a great narrative-based DLC and a unique look at some familiar areas, while the third-person view and extra Mercenaries content is the icing on the cake.

An engaging experience that can get a little repetitive, Battle Chef Brigade Deluxe looks gorgeous and has enough heart to warrant you tucking in to discover its unique flavor.

A commendable remaster at a decent price point, Darksiders Warmastered gives those who missed out another chance to try an underappreciated gem of the PS3 era. Just prepare for some mechanical rust.

MLB The Show 22 stumbles for the first time in recent memory. This is understandable with San Diego Studios' ambitious goal of releasing the game on five platforms if we count the last generation consoles. Nevertheless, The Show 22 is still the best baseball sim you can buy and one I can't put down. From the attention to detail to the number of different game modes you can play through, The Show 22 continues to improve on last year's game, even though it's not to the degree we are used to. If you're a baseball fan, I cannot recommend MLB The Show 22 more.

Oddworld: Soulstorm in many ways is the peak of the Oddworld franchise. Oddworld Inhabitants have taken the hallmarked difficulty and dark humour and revamped it with innovative, new gameplay features and some really cool physics. It's only slightly held back by its overall presentation at launch, but despite this, it largely remains a stellar experience with lots of replayability and challenge for those who are Glukkon for punishment.

Nitro+ Blasterz: Heroines Infinite Duel is a fun fighting game that will get your inner waifu going. Without doubt a fan service game, its gameplay mechanics are refreshing enough to provide a great party game experience for you and your friends.

Best enjoyed with friends, Bridge Crew is not just one of the most enjoyable and polished Star Trek titles to date, but also a real feather in the cap for PSVR.

Spelunky is a tough platformer that looks great and has depth and replayability with its clever use of randomized levels.

A Little to the Left is a satisfyingly methodical puzzler that had me feeling relaxed from the minute I started shifting items around. Every part of the game feels intricately crafted to feel as relaxing as possible and each puzzles offers a real sense of satisfaction that I don't often get from other games.

Daedalic’s adaptation of Ken Follett’s The Pillars of the Earth is off to a strong start with retina stroking hand drawn visuals, deep characters and a refreshingly grounded setting.

Though short in duration and hardly taxing, Donut County wins you over with buckets of charm and some of the most relaxed gameplay money can buy. As such, Donut County is a compelling, nigh essential stop on the gaming journey for any self-respecting PS4 owner.

Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions is one wild and webbed ride through four different dimensions. Each version of Spider-Man is unique, and their different levels help propel an otherwise lacklustre story.

World War Z began life as a rough around the edges, but entertaining co-op shooter, and in the last few years it has evolved into a better, faster, stronger zombie-slaying experience. This PS5 version brings more undead and a slight touch up to one of the most enjoyable zombie shooters around.

Though savagely undercut by performance issues, The Outer Worlds: Spacer's Choice still remains a stellar RPG and a muscular content offering despite its technical problems. Nonetheless, the unstable framerate coupled with frame pacing issues results in the tarnishing of the definitive version of The Outer Worlds that really should have been so much polished than it is here.

Despite wearing many of its influences on its sleeve, CONSCRIPT never ends up feeling derivative, instead it carves out its own identity through a raw, layed portrayal of trench warfare. There are some slight rough edges, to be expected in-part due to the game largely being a sole venture, but nevertheless CONSCRIPT hits where it matters and succeeds in creating an affecting depiction of its source material.

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.

Though Skate Story may be a barebones skateboarding game, the rest of the game is a stunning visual and audibly experience. The game's soundtrack is incredible and perfectly fits the abstract, psychedelic visual style.

With its cast of unique, adorable, and amazing characters, and a storyline sure to defrost even the coldest Garachi Ice Golem's heart, The Witch and the Hundred Knight 2 serves as proof that with the right upgrades and refinements to gameplay, no series is beyond saving when given the proper TLC it deserves.

Not much has changed, but the consistency of the Dynasty Warriors franchise holds true in spades with Dynasty Warriors 8: Xtreme Legends Complete Edition. Extra content and a lower new-game cost accentuates a gratifying experience that's filled with content that Dynasty Warriors fans have grown to love.

The cartoon-style graphics and characters are charming, the fast-paced action and fluid combat exciting, and the ability to customize your weapons to such an extent is fantastic and sets it apart from other shooters.

State of Mind is a commendably well-presented, if challenge-light effort that dives head first into its deep and winding subject matter with nary a look over its polygonal shoulder. A mature adventure then that proves itself worthy of the descriptor.

Final Fantasy XVI Echoes of The Fallen serves as a refresher into the realm of Valisthea, bringing with it increased level cap, new gear, and some new bosses. It doesn't last long, clocking in at around two hours, but it does just enough to keep you curious for what comes next.

Session: Skate Sim is unique amongst its peers. Its control scheme, while taking time to master, is massively rewarding. Rolling around the streets and finding your own skating lines is addictively entertaining. It's a shame about the quest system, its overall presentation and some of the rough edges but do I feel Session is a few patches away from greatness.

Potion Permit offers up quite the accessible life sim experience, making growth progress more quickly than most games in the genre. A bit of the luster is lost in this change of focus, but the product itself is a fun, engaging, light-hearted, and accessible time.

A brilliantly constructed if slight first-person puzzler, the new narrative in Q.U.B.E Director’s Cut serves to elevate an already entertaining yarn into a near-essential prospect.

There is plenty to love about the Mega Man Zero/ZX Legacy Collection. With great new additions like Casual Mode and a Checkpoint system, the Zero franchise can be enjoyed by both new and longtime fans of the franchise. It's just a shame that improvements seen in later games weren't retroactively put into earlier games to bring them all completely up to date.

A fiendishly compelling re-imagining of the gun-toting cop shows of yore, RICO is an effortlessly playable, highly enjoyable and deceptively clever roguelike FPS that is at it's very best when enjoyed with friends.

The HD version isn't without its issues, but the overhauled visuals make the environments that were phenomenal on the PS Vita equally so on home consoles. The unique choices in Assassin's Creed: Liberation also differentiate it from the rest of the series in a way that makes its upscaling relevant to the industry as a whole.

An intriguing take on the battle royale formula which swaps out soldiers and guns for wizards and spells, Spellbreak is a touch limited in its current form certainly. However, resoundingly solid fundamentals, a gorgeous art style and a promising content roadmap all come together to create a commendable and entertainingly sophisticated battle royale effort that everyone can enjoy.

A sold entry to the point and click adventure genre. Bear With Me: The Complete Collection tells a great story in a Noir style. Filled with great character and writing it hits most of the marks, it's just a shame that it's short-lived and fairly easy to get through.

Issues with A.I hold it back from greatness, but Project CARS is on the right track with its sandbox career, community-focused online experience and A-grade car handling mechanics.

Putting up a brave effort despite all odds, The Knightling is a valiant effort and is far more endearing that you might think. Like the protagonist itself, The Knightling is a small open-world adventure, but it is packed with meaningful quests, bouncy platforming and simple-yet-satisfying combat. Yes, The Knightling lacks new ideas and could be seen as too short and insignificant - but for a fleeting five or so hours, The Knightling is a small delight that deserves your attention.

Sports Champions provides a terrific introduction to Move for both hardcore and casual gamers. The game is at its best when played with others; however, the single-player experience leaves a bit to be desired.

Andromeda’s first adventure is plagued by frustrations. But memorable characters, a satisfying story, and deep RPG systems ultimately win the day.

Saints Row 2 isn’t Grand Theft Auto, but that's a good thing. With strong replayability and wacky mini-games, the game will remain relevant for months down the road.

Immortality is a game that anyone interested in compelling narratives should check out. The story of Marissa Marcel and her journey from unknown model to rising star, and then her unexplained disappearance into pop-culture obscurity is one that will enthrall players and stick with you long after the credits have rolled.

While this bundle lacks a thoughtful touch, the Metal Gear Solid Masters Collection Vol. 1 proves that these classic games still hold up; age hasn't slowed them down one bit. Menu management needs help, buttons cannot be adjusted on MGS1, and most of the additional content needs additional downloads outside of the games themselves. This collection could have been better, but any opportunity to make these beloved games available is still an opportunity well spent - even if a technical makeover would still be very much welcomed for each title.

The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Cowabunga Collection compiles the best TMNT games from the 80s and 90s into one convenient package. The included enhancement options help to alleviate some of the inherent issues from past hardware, but it could have given the Green Team a little more love to really push this over the edge. Either way, this collection carries nostalgia in spades and gives newcomers and fans alike another chance to don their bandanas and take it to the Foot Clan.

The lack of massive changes to The Ninja Saviors: Return of the Warriors bears a naked truth - there wasn't much needing to be changed in the first place. A challenging and resolutely satisfying side-scrolling slasher, fans of the IP's vintage and retro actioners in the genre at large will find much to enjoy here.

SingStar gives party gamers an alternative to Rock Band and Guitar Hero, but because of the lacking ability of online play, the game’s solo features leave a lot to be desired.

While DNF Duel isn't quite able to unseat Guilty Gear Strive, what Nexon and Arc System Works have conjured here is nonetheless deeply worthy of commendation. A welcoming, two-dimensional fighter boasting a honeyed aesthetic that caresses both the ocular and aural senses, DNF Duel makes a great representation as a fantastic entry point for genre newcomers, as well as being a reliable source of instant gratification for brawling stalwarts.

Watch Dogs on PS4 executes fresh gameplay ideas with aplomb, marking one of the first games of this new generation of consoles to innovate within its genre. It's a slower, smarter sandbox shooter with an astounding degree of content, but despite resonant themes of technological overbearance, its poorly handled story likely won't grip you.

The moment-to-moment FPS gameplay is flawed courtesy of its boxy repetition and lack of kablam in places, but even though it isn't fully accomplished, Mouse: P.I. For Hire is nonetheless an outstanding curiosity that doffs its sleek fedora to Disney and the noir genre.

The Tartarus Key combines thoughtful puzzles, engaging writing, and a compelling setting and melds them together inside a PS1 package. It may not create a great deal of horror, but the writing and suspense keep you moving forward.

A great addition to the series, packing plenty of content and fresh ideas.

A fine showcase of what the PS Vita and developers can do to make each other look good. The artistic direction and arcade gameplay style will bring you back to Muramasa Rebirth again and again, even if the map is cumbersome.

The first story-based DLC for Strange Brigade is out now and is a must buy for fans of the game. Isle Of The Dead is part one of the Thrice Damned campaign, and while it introduces a few new elements, it doesn't stray far from the formula that made the game so much fun in the first place.

With a potentially boundless universe of characters, worlds and more to tap into, Disney Speedstorm could conceivably provide fans of the House of Mouse with a steady diet of endless Disney themed content to get stuck into. Gorgeous to look at super satisfying to play, Disney Speedstorm's pay to win mechanics aren't sufficiently weighty to substantially detract from everything that it does right and for fans of both all things Walt Disney and kart racing, Disney Speedstorm will likely prove to be an irresistible proposition that could largely mitigate the grind of its longer term prospects.

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.

Deliver Us The Moon excels on multiple counts, delivering a story filled with hope and despair. A handful of issues hinder the game a bit, but nothing gets in the way of what makes the game successful.

Great soundtrack, intuitive controls and challenging boss fights make up for Titan Souls' short length and lack of narrative.

A welcome addition to an already strong series, Hitman delivers once again with two fresh hits that put interesting spins on existing levels.