Magic mushroom design, endearingly wacky NPCs and visually plush environments are mixed with simple and fun gameplay countered with patience testing level repetition adding up to a fairly unique short and sweet FPS.

A deceptively difficult puzzle game hiding behind a chilled aesthetic which will be appreciated by those who are up for the challenge.

JackQuest is not a bad game but it's not a great one either. We have seen it all before so there's nothing that will surprise you in any way. It has some nice Metroidvania elements and a few hidden collectables to find, and its simple battle system and easy to beat enemies means it's a decent entry level game for those new to the genre.

An 8 bit twitch platformer with a unique 2 button control scheme that will be polarizing among many players, Necrosphere Deluxe offers a good variety of puzzles and hazards that blend with a metroidvania-styled world to give the game an interesting flow and design that is ready to challenge even the most veteran players.

NightCry goes beyond the usual borders of broken games and into new nightmarish territory. I have frankly never played a game as rife with issues as this one. If ever there were a game that could be labelled "unplayable", NightCry is the game. Outside of not loading at all, I can't think of another way this game could fail. If NightCry were the last game on Earth, I would not play it. I mean that literally. It's that bad.

Kingdom Hearts 3 is a lot to take in, from the intricate narrative to all the nods to Disney. As a whole, the game has some shortcomings, but its charms and heart have something immersive enough for everyone.

Genesis Alpha One is an extremely rare beast. A confident marriage of FPS, space sim, roguelike and strategy elements, it is quite simply the first essential indie title of 2019.

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.

A fantastic turn based RPG whose colorful characters and vegetable puns belie the deep RPG mechanics that are planted beneath the surface. If you love terrible puns and space exploration, be sure to turnip for this one. I loved it from my head tomatoes.

A stirring and often disturbing continuation of Telltale's final season of The Walking Dead, Suffer the Children is an effective episode that not only stands on its own merits but sets up a grand series finale too.

Life Is Strange 2 Episode 2: Rules moves at a slower pace than the first but still manages to take you on a rollercoaster ride of emotions that will have you feeling all kinds of things including a bit of ill will towards DONTNOD for making you wait for the next chapter.

A Fisherman’s Tale tells a charming story with surprising depth that is unfortunately marred by technical issues. Within its brief playtime, the game’s story packs in enough thought provoking content that I found myself thinking about it for days after playing. Though I’m not recommending A Fisherman’s Tale, I wouldn’t blame you if you decided to play it anyhow.

In many ways, Capcom has achieved the near-impossible with the remake of Resident Evil 2. It’s a remarkable labour of design, iteration, faithfulness, and adaptation; a masterclass in knowing what to change, how to change it, and what to build upon. Sure, there are some slight niggles and design choices that perhaps long-time fans won’t appreciate but there’s no denying that Capcom has been bold in its design philosophy and has exuded a confidence and consistency in its execution throughout. The biggest compliment that can be levelled is how the game manages to elicit the same sense of dread and consequence that made the original a classic whilst injecting just enough complexity and modern sensibility to see it emerge from its namesake’s shadow with consummate ease.

A voxel based console RTS that tries to simplify things for the platform but comes up short. There is a whole lotta game here but the simplistic controls and poor AI end up making the whole experience hard to enjoy unless you really love the RTS genre.

The Hong Kong Massacre is a game that will leave you with vivid memories. The awesome stunts you pulled off, the impossible feats you were able to achieve, and the crazy killing sprees will all stick in your mind. It is a game that perfectly executes on a vision and offers some of the most gratifying few hours you can find in gaming today.

Ace Combat 7 delivers a perfectly honed iteration of a familiar framework, making vast visual and gameplay improvements while still maintaining the familiar structure of Ace Combat. Balancing the angst of seeing a war from multiple sides, every mission you fly feels consequential, your tiny contributions having an effect on the events of a world that is so much larger than the pilot known as Trigger. Ace Combat 7 is a must for flight-sim fans and a fantastic addition to the series.

A nicely designed Steampunk action adventure underpinned by an intriguing story line, Smoke and Sacrifice is hampered by repetitive world design, an excess of unnecessary crafting and a fighting mechanic which just isn't as much fun as it should be.

Though it boasts a resoundingly striking aesthetic, a haphazard save system coupled with a raft of glitches and a misjudged waypoint system all manage to tarnish what should have been one of the first major indie darlings of the year. Vane is simply too frustrating to recommend in its current form.

Onimusha: Warlords is a decent remaster.While its combat remains great and its mechanics solid, some of the graphical upgrades can be hit and miss.

Tales of Vesperia: Definitive Edition has everything an RPG fan could want: engaging combat, fun tactics, and a stellar narrative. What puts Vesperia above the rest of the franchise, however, is how accessible it is to everyone. It has clear signs of age, but within Vesperia beats the heart of a classic that everyone should experience.

Borderlands 2 VR takes a beloved classic game and gives it new life in VR and does so in a way that doesn't feel gratuitous. With a level of user controls that should be standard for all VR games, Gearbox has taken great care to provide a unique experience for those prone to motion sickness as well as seasoned VR users. Despite lacking Aim controller support, DLC content, and co-op, Borderlands 2 VR is one of the most enjoyable shooters on the PSVR.

A promising twist on turn-based strategy games, Mutant Year Zero: Road to Eden is more than the sum of its parts. The addition of stealth and ambush mechanics to the familiar turn-based strategy formula, forces the player to think about their approach to combat in a new way. This "Tactical Adventure" is definitely worth the journey.

Kingdom Two Crowns is an immersive and frequently surprising strategy game that is quite unlike any other. Fans of slow-burning, atmospheric strategy efforts with emergent discovery will find much to enjoy here - as would newcomers to the genre at large.

Warhammer Vermintide 2 doesn't just reinvigorate the template that Left 4 Dead established all those years ago, instead it stabs, sets it aflame and proceeds to kick it through the nearest wall. This is one of the best co-op games available and toweringly fine way to close out 2018.

Gun Club VR is exactly what it sets out to be - a game where you shoot real world guns on the world's most elaborate range. It turns out that all by itself, this is really fun. A bit of strange UI and glitchiness aside, Gun Club VR is well worth a look - both for gun enthusiasts and gamers that enjoy well made products.

Though mechanically unambitious, Silver Lining puts a workmanlike though effective capper on Spider-Man's City Never Sleep DLC series all the while paving the way for grander and hopefully more innovative adventures farther down the road.

R-Type Dimensions EX has everything you need to get back into these classics. A few adjustments made can take some acclimation time. Still, this is a complete package for anyone looking for an old-school arcade shooter.

Battle Princess Madelyn is everything you need in a retro romp. The lack of a map with limited direction may be frustrating at times, but the heart and soul of Ghosts & Goblins remains true to form. Battle Princess Madelyn is a joy to play and a must for retro fans.

Thronebreaker: The Witcher Tales tells a good story with some fantastic writing. The writing alone is worth the price of admission, but the Gwent combat can get confusing and overwhelming at times.

Red Matter delivers an intriguing retro-future cold war story with confidence. In VR, setting is half the battle, and Red Matter nails its Soviet-era underground bunker with a realistic visual flair. With achievable puzzles that never slow down the story and a great control scheme, Red Matter sets a new standard for the VR adventure genre. This is a game that deserves to break free from the crowd.

Though ironically beaten to the punch by the likes of H1Z1 and Call of Duty, and tarnished by a handful of shortcomings, PUBG nonetheless remains a commendably inventive and expansive shooter that deftly embodies the Battle Royale genre.

Override: Mech City Brawl is as fun as your attention span will last. There just isn't enough content to keep players coming back for the long haul.

The Last Remnant has its inherent flaws. However, there is plenty there to engross any RPG player, old or new, who needs something else. The game offers little direction and limits itself narratively, but trial and error can help polish off the rough enough to see its glimmer

Though the modest technical execution tarnishes The Council to an extent, it remains an innovative and clever adventure which does that rarest of things - it treats the audience as intelligent, educated individuals. With its sophisticated geopolitical backdrop, occult themes and in-depth RPG style progression and decision systems, The Council sets a compelling blueprint for the episodic adventure to follow.

The First Tree is an exceptional story of loss and regret. The achievement by the game's one developer, David Whele, cannot be understated. The combination of all the elements of this experience creates one of the most memorable games this year. If you enjoy narrative adventure games then The First Tree is more than worth the two-to-three hours it takes to beat it.

Gungrave VR isn't a very good VR title, It isn't that good of a game in general, With all that it tries to do it doesn't do much of anything well. Not only is Gunrave VR a poor game its a poor use of an excellent license.

Space Pirate Trainer is a very high quality arcade-based wave shooter - nothing more, nothing less. If you are interested in pushing your high score up the leaderboards, there is plenty of polished gameplay for you to enjoy. If you are seeking a deeper experience, however, it is probably best to seek elsewhere.

Earth Defense Force 5 may seem like a mess but it all adds to its charm. The pure joy of taking on hundreds of monsters and watching the destruction unfold is something the franchise has always been good at. EDF 5 is easily the best in the franchise.

Just Cause 4 is an enjoyable ride with a memorable and exciting campaign, full of thrilling gameplay moments. However, the rest of the game is a compilation of outdated mission design and poor technical performance. My advice: stick to the campaign for a fun fifteen hours and forget about everything else.

A survival game that manages to balance a driving plot without sacrificing player agency. Constantly balanced on the knife edge of life and watery death. Subnautica is a game with hidden depths, both literally and figuratively.

Rival Megagun has what every good shoot-em up has and tops it off with engaging competitive play. Apart from a few disparages, Rival Megagun offers a unique idea to an old formula and comes out on top.

Arca’s Path combines fun and accessible gameplay with an amazingly intuitive and inventive control scheme. What could have been a debacle is instead a triumph. Arca’s Path is a small game with giant ideas, and it deserves attention and praise for the ridiculously high level at which it is executed.

A great spiritual successor to Wonder Boy. Monster Boy and the Cursed Kingdom does everything right and leaves you without wanting or needing it too do more.

Pilot Sports rigidly emulates Pilotwings, but doesn't bring anything new to the table. By inviting the comparison it only reflects negatively on what might otherwise be a reasonably fun but uninspired game.

Only a game due to the fact that one must handle a controller to experience it, Affected: The Manor is better described as a brief trip into a decently designed fun-house. There's nothing wrong with that, but there's also nothing notable about it. With no gameplay to speak of, Affected is strictly one and done.

An often gorgeous and frequently surprising take on the RTS genre, Swords and Solders 2 Shawarmageddon is a hugely enjoyable effort that both fans and non-fans of traditional strategy games will enjoy.

Persona Dancing: Endless Night spotlights the interstellar soundtracks from the last three Persona entries. Payoff is limited here, since these are side stories, but strong writing and interesting concepts accentuate the rhythm experience wonderfully. This collection, and each of its individual games, is meant for anyone looking for a great rhythm game that features fantastic music.

Squishies is a beautiful game that introduces a new, unique gameplay mechanic that unfortunately simply isn’t very fun. With a game design that requires precision, vaguely influencing characters with wind is incredibly frustrating. Don’t be fooled by the attractive art-style, if you are seeking a kid-friendly puzzler, this ain’t it.

Darksiders 3 does a lot right but suffers from some technical issues that hold it back from greatness. Nevertheless, the fantastic exploration, great character designs, fun combat, and excellent writing help it outshine some of its faults. Fans will definitely find that Gunfire Games have done a great job keeping the essence of the franchise alive.

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.

Though the thrill of being Spider-Man has barely dulled, Turf Wars simply doesn't offer enough content, new or otherwise, to keep you engaged for any decent period of time.

Boasting breathtaking spectacle and some of the most refined series multiplayer to date, Battlefield V's missing features prevent EA's latest from soaring to the heights that it deserves to. Nonetheless, DICE's latest shooter effort both maintains and enhances the series essence to stake its claim as one of the better FPS titles available on PS4.

Farming Simulator 19 is a very visually appealing simulation/strategy game that absolutely nails the look and feel of the rural United States. Unfortunately, some very rough AI and a non-existent tutorial are barriers to entry. Series newcomers had best stand back and let the veterans clean this one up through mods before giving it a go.

Though some curious issues persist, there’s no denying that the Spyro Reignited Trilogy is a stunning effort that every platforming aficionado and fan alike should grab with both hands and not let go until every last gem is wrung out.

Fallout 76 is a blast to play. It's easily my favorite Fallout title to date. Fallout 76 has it's fair share of problems but they don't make the game unplayable. Fallout 76 isn't for everyone but for those who stick with it will definitely find what it has to offer.

The ultimate collection of one of the most intriguing titles on the market - Spintires: Mudrunner American Wilds might infuriate and test the patience of many, but those who can push past such feelings will soon discover quite the uniquely satisfying endeavor.

Hitman 2 is an absolute masterpiece of emergent, sandbox game design. Retaining all the key elements of the 2016 original, developer IO Interactive has instead restricted itself to a handful of minute but important changes. Streamlining the overall experience and producing what is, hands down, one of 2018’s most entertaining and satisfying titles.

Slightly clunky platforming and inconsistent visual presentation isn't enough to meaningfully detract from one of the most emotionally affecting and innovative action platformers on the market. If you enjoyed the likes of Inside and Limbo, you'll love The Missing: J.J. Macfield and the Island of Memories.

World of Final Fantasy Maxima offers a fair amount of extra content intended for newcomers and die-hards alike. With that said, this content is not necessarily essential to everybody. The extras with it make a newcomer's life easier, and the end-game content adds just enough to bring back the most dedicated completionists. This content is intriguing and adds some extra freedom and flexibility, but it is not essential content.

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.

A highly enjoyable and polished if relatively unambitious bike-fueled action romp, fans of high-octane action platforming will be served very well by Steel Rats.

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.

Timber Tennis Versus is everything you'd want in a competitive game - simple controls and challenging gameplay. Playing against other players makes for a great time, but the single player lacks both challenge and depth. Still, you'd be hard pressed to find a $2 game this competitive or perhaps this enjoyable.

One of the greatest games ever made returns and finds a perfect evolution in Tetris Effect. The result is a timeless take on that best puzzler ever, and one that gives PS4 owners a true Game of the Generation candidate. This truly is Tetris 2.0.

Though it might lack typical challenge, 11-11: Memories Retold is a journey that is absolutely worth taking. An affecting and tragic look at war from the perspectives of two soldiers who seem least keen to wage it, this is pretty much essential for anybody with a heart.

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.

Déraciné has an interesting approach that only FromSoftware can deliver. At the same time, enough stands in the way of the overall package that diminishes what the game could have been. Fans of FromSoftware storytelling will find something interesting here, but others will dislike the pacing and execution.

Despite being successful as something to joyously mock for its absurdity, The Quiet Man is a catastrophic failure on every level. It’s perhaps telling that the nicest thing you can say about it is that everybody involved got a lovely selection of clothing out of it.

Grip: Combat Racing offers an enormous amount of fun content for a reasonable price. Frankly, this game could go toe to toe with a lot of AAA racers and come out on top. Blistering speed, amazing track design, wild action; if you can get past some mild frustrations, Grip fully delivers and intense, jaw-clenching good time.

The game's visuals and atmosphere are a blast and it is great fun to wield the expanisve variety of abilities. The combat system, while certainly playable, could use a bit more nuance, and storytelling seems confused about who its aimed at. Overall, My Hero One's Justice is a strong first entry with mountains of potential in what we hope will become a long running series.

Clunkier and much rougher around the edges than we'd like, Call of Cthulhu nonetheless does justice to its source material and provides a decently entertaining supernatural detective romp in the process.

Fun Train has delivered a game that, for a franchise title, is surprising in its quality. Though there are some minor technical hiccups, content-wise, this game stands with the best offerings of its legendary franchise. It is often said that The Exorcist is the scariest film ever produced. The Exorcist: Legion VR is scarier.

Castlevania Requiem brings to modern consoles what made the franchise successful in the first place. Requiem is not perfect and offers little extra in terms of modernization, but it stays true to the original vision.

Red Dead Redemption 2 not only lives up to expectations, but it smashes them and feels like the missing half of a story we never knew was incomplete. Improving on its predecessor in every way that counts, it also reignites interest in its landmark prequel, enhancing the overall experience to an epic scale and giving gamers an odyssey quite unlike any other.

Easily the best Lego game I've played. A fantastic cast of characters made better by incredible voice work, good comic book story, a great character creator, and improvements to core mechanics make Lego DC Super-Villains pure entertainment.

Though its vision might be restrained somewhat, The Heist nonetheless makes a compelling case for itself as a hugely satisfying and essential continuation of Marvel's Spider-Man.

Home Sweet Home is deeply unnerving. There are several reasons why Home Sweet Home is lacking in the gameplay department, but the bottom line is that as an experience, Home Sweet Home is extremely scary and unsettling.

The problem is that I couldn't connect enough to the game to care about the fight and was only rewarded with frustration in defeating the bosses.

Soul Calibur VI has the heart and soul of what makes a great fighter great. However, Reversal Edge is a mixed bag, and some presentation elements lack visual investment. Regardless, Soul Calibur VI is the complete package, accommodating to newcomers and veterans alike.

Starlink: Battle For Atlas is a fun and enjoyable open-world space sim that tells a charming story with a likeable cast of characters. Despite its repetitive side activities and money-sucking selection of toys, the core gameplay loop and combat system are worth your time. The fact that everything can be brought digitally is also a plus.

There might be a fun game hidden in the halls and dungeons of Smash Hit Plunder, and the core mechanic is satisfying. But attempting to crash through the barrier caused by the difficult control scheme to reach the entertaining parts of Smash Hit Plunder ultimately feels a bit like a cauldron to the head.

Fast Striker pays homage to the original game, but it offers very little in regards to modernization. Fast Striker has some simple, intriguing elements to it, but it lacks the polish of other games in the genre.

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.

Black Ops 4 is easily the best Call Of Duty has been in years. The game plays almost flawlessly, and despite it not having a single player campaign still offers lots of content including the new Battle Royale mode Blackout. The only thing keeping Black Ops 4 from a perfect score is that the multiplayer maps, while being well designed lack originality and rely too heavily on remaking the past. If you haven’t played Call Of Duty for a while, Black Ops 4 gives you plenty of reasons to return.

Conquering the battlefield with new improvements and a neat new magic system, Warriors Orochi 4 is a welcome addition for the series and stands as one of the best overall games in Koei Tecmo's beloved hack n' slash genre.

Punch Line tells a fantastic story amidst all the chaos that takes place. It may seem pervy from its advertisements but there is a charming experience here that you will surely remember.

As enjoyable as WWE 2K19 can be, if the series is ever to recapture the ineffable brilliance of No Mercy and other such classics, it desperately needs a rather large dose of innovation.

A wholly unenjoyable experience, completely devoid of any fun and intrigue. Fishing Sim World couples that gameplay experience with ugly character models and environments, leading to a game that quite literally has nothing going for it.

Mega Man 11 is another great addition to the franchise. The unique Dual Gear system gives the franchise a much needed boost to the formula. It may be easier than past titles in the franchise, but Mega Man 11 is a great title for newcomers and veterans alike.

Easily the best platformer and PS VR game on the market this year. Astro Bot: Rescue Mission is a showcase to how VR should be utilized moving forward. Astro Bot: Rescue Mission is a must buy.

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.

A glorious sum of newly implemented RPG systems, refined traditional series beats and boasting one of the most entertaining stories in recent memory, Assassin's Creed Odyssey is simply the best in the series and one of the finest open-world adventures available.

Final Fantasy XV: Pocket Edition HD is a great alternative to the core XV experience. Pocket Edition HD is designed for the average game. It cuts out the fat and leaves just enough for an enjoyable experience.

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.

A solid start! Episode One of Life Is Strange 2 takes us out of the Bay and introduces us to new characters but retains the emotion and beautiful narrative of the first game. Gameplay and graphics are improved, however, it's too soon to tell if the brothers Diaz are the perfect spiritual successors to Max and Chloe, but I can't wait to find out.

Think of the Children can be frustrating and a lot to contend with when playing solo, but this micro-management game is great fun with friends. Couch co-op play is a blast as you work together across multiple funny scenarios to ensure your parenting skills are up to scratch.

A beautifully told tale of childhood memories wrapped around an inventive, if overly short puzzler, The Gardens Between nonetheless remains a warm and touching experience that deserves your time.

A compelling and satisfying collection of prime side-scrolling brawlers from Capcom's arcade heyday, though there are some missing titles and less bonus material then we'd like, Capcom Beat Em Up Bundle does justice to its selection, making it an essential prospect for fighting fans and co-op players alike.