NHL 19 continues to refine its beloved sports title to a sheen. Game play feels fluid and responsive with next to nothing getting in its own way. NHL 19 sets a standard that most sports titles could learn from: fundamentals before flair.

A classic PlayStation series returns for another worldwide run. Disappointing graphics and a lackluster (and often annoying) soundtrack detract from an otherwise fun and varied racing game. Fans of the series and fans of professional rallying will feel right at home, and even newcomers can get the hang of drifting with some work.

One of the better dungeon crawlers out there right now, Shadows: Awakening's dimension hopping gameplay help separate it from other efforts in the genre.

A reassuringly solid trilogy third act, Shadow of the Tomb Raider will certainly prove familiar. Nevertheless with better tombs to raid, improved underwater exploration and a more brutally framed narrative, enough adjustments have been made to underscore everything that fans have loved about the series for years.

Though pretty to look at, and maybe fun to play for a bit with some friends, the combat system here just isn't meaty enough for any long-term or tournament worthy enjoyment. Really only just for people that still don't have an internet connection, or are just really into this sort of thing.

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.

Firewall Zero Hour isn’t perfect, but it’s such an exciting, well-designed VR experience that you won’t even notice it’s flaws. With a few improvements it could easily become the spiritual successor to SOCOM.

A welcome return for PlayStation's original superhero icon, Insomniac Games have not just given us another sublime PlayStation exclusive but also the best superhero blockbuster the PS4 has even seen. Spider-Man is a thunderous, essential triumph that bleeds cinematic splendor from every digital pore. Every PS4 owner needs to have Spider-Man in their collection.

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 nearly perfect game for all to enjoy. New gamers will be enamored with the Little Candle that could, while longtime gamers may just remember why we love what we do all over again. An inspiring tale of self discovery that is revealed lovingly through gameplay and experimentation, and a small gem of a game you definitely don't want to miss.

Strange Brigade is a flawed but entertaining game that I’d gladly up the final score to an 8.5 or even 9 if some of its problems are fixed in a future patch.

PES 2019 is by far and away the best football sim money can buy, boasting an enviable level of depth and authenticity FIFA simply can’t hope to match. While the sheer variety of game modes ensures players will be enjoying Konami’s latest for months to come. The biggest drawback is clearly the lack of official licences. Which, unfortunately, will make it exceedingly difficult for PES to win over any but FIFA’s most lukewarm fans.

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.

Track Lab has a few quirks but overall it’s a fun and immersive experience for armchair DJ’s / Musicians and Puzzle game fans.

An incredible achievement, and even after 150 hours in we didn't want it to end. From an emotional story, simple yet engaging combat, and gorgeous visuals. Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age is simply remarkable and shouldn't be missed.

A tournament level fighter strictly focused on being that and nothing more. Though the rest of the game suffers, with multiple modes to fight in, including online and couch co-op and tournaments abound, this is a good fighter to pick up if you're looking for that specifically, or just want a decent Smash Bros. clone for your kids.

It is remarkable how far Codemasters have come with the F1 series and F1 2018 has proven that a move towards simulation can be done without alienating casual players. Finally a spectacular Formula 1 experience for simulation fans.

An assuredly robust and spectacular remake of the PS2 original, Yakuza Kiwami 2 learns from the lessons of Yakuza 6 to create one of the best entries in the franchise to date.

Though it's not the best platformer, the story and environment alone make it a must play for Dark Souls fans and retro Metroidvania junkies alike. There's plenty here to enjoy, with plenty of replay value for those it hooks.

Madden 19 has the kind of defense that makes this game worth buying, and spectacular plays are more spectacular than ever. Uncomplimentary menus and peculiar gameplay simulations keep this year's Madden from being something profoundly special. Still, there's plenty here to feed the need for more football.

An engagingly substantial take on the Warhammer 40,000 franchise, Martyr's litany of technical issues tarnish what should otherwise have been one of the better titles from developer Neocore Games. All the same, Warhammer 40,000: Inquisitor - Martyr will provide many hours of chaos blasting fun for fans of the franchise.

Though it sticks rigidly close to the template that made the original such a success it ultimately matters little - Guacamelee 2 is one of the finest platformers of the year.

Sega have done these classic titles a service by re-releasing them in the original form and resisting the temptation to tamper. Surely as divisive now as they were nearly 20 years ago, Shenmue I & II are not just a great primer for the forthcoming threequel, but also a great opportunity to experience one of gaming's most pioneering series. Welcome back Shenmue, I have missed you dearly.

Almost completely rediscovering the lightning in a bottle that made the first season so compelling, The Walking Dead: The Final Season is starting out as strongly as we could have hoped.

Phantom Doctrine is a superb slice of Cold War espionage storytelling tied to a serviceable turn-based strategy. A harsh difficulty curve awaits, but there's reward to be found.

Guns, Gore & Cannoli 2 is a frequently fun, ultra-violent platform shooter that fans of the genre should investigate without delay - just don't expect it to offer much beyond its meagre duration.

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.

Encompassing a brilliant and inventive setting that is let down by half-baked systems and a lack of polish, We Happy Few is heavily flawed though still ultimately enjoyable adventure romp through 1960s dystopian Great Britain.

It's not particularly meaty yet and it needs a fair bit of work done on its visual side, but H1Z1 Battle Royale is a fine alternative to Fortnite for PS4 players. The redesign of the game for consoles has gone pretty well, and there's more joy and cohesion in squad games compared to its PS4 competition. At the grand old price of free, it deserves a chance if you're seeking something a little more grounded for your Battle Royale buck.

Brimming with charm and immediately accessible – while still harbouring a degree of mastery if you put the time in – Ghost Town Games’ sequel is impossible to dislike and again flies the flag proudly for the lost art of couch co-op gaming.

The best roguelike of this generation and a bonafide Game of the Year contender, Dead Cells is simply beyond peer and utterly, utterly essential for anyone that owns a black plastic box stuffed with silicon that has 'PS4' scrawled upon it.

A charming and quirky simulation game in the spirit of Animal Crossing. Castaway Paradise is the virtual vacation that will end the summer gaming drought.

A brave and inspiring work that provides an evocative window into a world-shaping historical event, what 1979 Revolution: Black Friday lacks in audiovisual presentation it more than makes up for with sheer guts, heart and that most rarest of things - a soul.

Anamorphine has a lot of technical and performance problems, but the outlying narrative finds its way through, delivering a poignant, deep exploration into loss and depression. The game's performance issues can't be ignored, but Elena's story will stick with you for a long, long time.

A great psychological story set inside a creepy mansion. It may not be perfect but Remothered: Tormented Fathers does just enough to keep your interest up until the very end.

Continuing to be one of the most intriguing narrative adventure series you can buy right now, Ripples furthers the narrative in a variety of interesting ways but nonetheless shows that The Council is in dire need of some fresh locales with which to embrace.

A fittingly bombastic end to one of the best tactical RPG series on PS4, The Banner Saga 3 closes the book on a trilogy that fans of strategy and epic, sprawling stories should embrace immediately.

A great collection of some of the hardest and most enjoyable titles in the past twenty years. The Mega Man X Legacy Collection features plenty of great content not just with the titles included but also the extra content that Capcom have lovingly packed into it.

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.

A teamwork based platformer that is full of charm and wit but might divide gamers with its unfortunate checkpoint system, and incessant backtracking.

Earthfall is a hard pill to swallow. Almost everything it does will lead to frustration. Your money is better off spent elsewhere unless of course you constantly love to scream in your friend's ears.

What makes The Spectrum Retreat special is how its puzzles are equal parts accessible and challenging. As a consequence, what started off as a laser-focused story line soon ebbs in favor of the puzzles themselves. The spectacle is in the vivid scale of its presentation, with narrative beats to keep things interesting.

Though still far from essential, Lost on Mars has enough humor and charm that it can paper over some of the cracks of its ho-hum Far Cry-lite experience. Fans of Far Cry 5 who still can't get enough of Ubi's mammoth open-world shooter will invariably find much to enjoy here, but others looking a fresh approach will be disappointed.

It may be a bit rough around the edges, but Danger Zone 2 usurps its predecessor with a smash 'em up high score chaser that captures the joy of Burnout's Crash mode.

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

A deeply engaging fighter that resurrects the Street Fighter EX combat mechanics of yesteryear, Fighting EX Layer's lack of single-player content unfortunately make it difficult to recommend to folks who aren't rabidly engaged in its online multiplayer shenanigans, those who are however will find much to enjoy.

Minor gripes aside, the best way to describe Bomber Crew is (if you’ll forgive the attempt at period-accurate officer-class patois) bally good fun! There’s a pleasing amount of depth to the game’s equally impressive array of systems and mechanics, hidden behind a charming, low-res visual style and sense of humour. While the sheer range of customisation options gives players everything they need to put their own, unique stamp on each save file. Hectic, tense, and ineffably satisfying, Bomber Crew is certainly one of the more original and entertaining indie games currently available on PS4.

Rainbow Skies has a few good ideas, but those aren't enough to move past its bland narrative and repetitive gameplay.

A great addition to the Shining franchise. Refrain is a fun title with good combat, interesting characters, and some great voice acting that accompany a great translation.

An avalanche of racing goodness, hokey social media anchoring and an oddly sparse open world aren't enough to prevent The Crew 2 from improving on the original in every way and providing a multi-disciplined racer that is quite unlike any other on PS4.

Red Faction Guerrilla was the best of the Red Faction franchise and its Geomod technology proves it's capable of withstanding the test of time. It may feel a bit dated in its driving mechanics and shooting controls but it makes up for that in phenomenal destruction that never gets old.

Return to the spectacular world of Anima in The Nameless Chronicles. Find out what we thought to this follow up to sleeper hit Anima: Gate of Memories in our review.

Football Nation VR Tournament 2018 contributes about as much to football as Piers Morgan does, and is only slightly less odious.

Overlowing with challenge, value and charm, Slime-san: Superslime Edition effortlessly cements its place as one of the premier 2D platformers on PS4.

BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle should have been a triumph for Arc System Works cross franchise fighter, but instead it's simply just another fighter. The simple controls allow everyone to enjoy the title this time but its lack of characters hurt what could have been a grand undertaking.

Shaq-Fu: A Legend Reborn is a fun title for as long as it lasts and a forgettable one once it ends.

Silly load times aside, Prey: ooncrash is a great DLC addition to Prey that both compliments the main game and does something new with its best features.

Jurassic World Evolution isn't exactly a great park management sim. It's light on far too many of its facets, bringing a lopsided feel to its structure. Even so, the relative accessibility of the game and the attention given to the dinosaurs make up for most of the issues. The ride is enjoyable enough, but the lack of sim depth makes this a bit of a toothless attraction.

A visually attractive, if uninspiring take on the Vietnam War, Hours of Darkness feels little more than a re-skinned Far Cry 5 rather than something more ambitious.

Agony is not a good game. It feels as if the developers just gave up after such a long development cycle. Filled with bugs, boring and infuriating stealth and chase sequences and repetitive puzzles it's very hard to find anything to enjoy in Agony.

This fast-paced multiplayer pinball game is a blast with eight players online. Easy to pick-up-and-play, but challenging to master, gameplay is super addictive. Once you start to play, it's hard not to keep coming back for more.

Riddled Corpses EX has a strong foundation with a steep but engaging difficulty. The game is grindy, though, and has a few things keeping it from feeling polished and complete. Either way, Riddled Corpses EX has everything an addictive twin-stick shooter should have, and it does those things well.

While its future is not set in stone, what Onrush brings to the table right now is a highly refreshing take on team-based vehicular mayhem complete with vibrant visual flair and a thumping soundtrack.

There's no denying that Vampyr has some mighty rough edges to it and combat that is decent, but unspectacular. Yet there's a delicious sense of place to it that makes it undeniably interesting to get stuck into. Many of the game's flaws melt away as you get lost in the moody grime of this alternate version of wartime London...The most important job Vampyr had to do was to present a compelling game about the tragic romanticism of being a vampire, and the fight for retaining humanity or embracing the unnatural power it brings. Vampyr does drop the ball on many small things, but it does that important job superbly.

A stellar compilation of games from the industry's most legendary fighting franchise, Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection is a must for fans of the series and newcomers alike.

A great concept that summarily misfires on all cylinders, Milanoir is an admittedly stylish retro shooter that is simply too frustrating and poorly designed to recommend.

A unambitious and streamlined remaster of one of the better games in the Far Cry franchise, Far Cry 3 Classic Edition nonetheless provides value and satisfying open-world shenanigans in spades.

A deft marriage of dungeon crawling, shop management elements and infectiously twee audiovisual presentation, Moonlighter makes a fine addition to the upper echelon of action adventures available on PS4.

Dead Land may be an endless runner, but you'll definitely want it to end. It's cheap and far from cheerful.

This collection of titles from a golden age of Sega has some of the greatest 16-bit games ever made included, and also features a few important, if dated, gems. The extra challenges and nifty menu screen are pleasing additions, but thanks to minor latency issues and the existence of multiple Sega game collections over the years, this is only really recommended for the sake of convenience and/or curiosity.

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.

Though the remastering effort is perhaps not as extensive as some might like, Dark Souls Remastered is without a doubt the best way to play one of the finest action RPGs ever and is nothing short of essential for newbies and stalwart Dark Souls fans alike.

A decent and atmospheric tactical shooter which finds itself marred by a raft of technical issues, Space Hulk: Deathwing isn't the high caliber Warhammer 40K FPS we thought it would be.

Don’t let the playful concept fool you, Disco Dodgeball Remix is no joke and should not be overlooked. Gameplay is fun, fast, furious, and more balanced than most AAA shooters. The game offers a ton of content for both multiplayer and single player gamers.

Chock full of an overwhelming supply of retro-gaming goodness, FOX n FORESTS will take retro fans back to a happier time with an all new adventure to experience. Though challenging, it is done in all the right ways, and the story presented like a fairy tale will leave a smile on your face long after the rage face has dissipated.

The most accessible and enjoyable survival MMO in years, Conan Exiles is a remarkable triumph and the best of its kind on PS4.

The PSVR is lacking a shooter that defines the genre in virtual reality but Killing Floor Incursion is a step in the right direction. With a campaign and a horde mode, the game has something for every wanna be zombie (Zed), hunter.

The fanservice (not that kind) Little Witch Academia Chamber of Time provides can be ever-so-pleasing. Unfortunately, it's not enough to excuse a rather dull game.

Despite a small handful of flaws, The Council Episode Two: Hide and Seek places an exclamation point on one of the cleverest narrative adventure games on the market.

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.

Omensight is an action-adventure murder mystery that traverses time and genres to deliver a fun and balanced game perfect for coming down from your God Of War high.

An enjoyable roguelike space shooter, Everspace's odd design decisions and inconsistent level of polish sadly prevent it from realising its full potential.

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

Fast-paced and fun, Laser League is simple to play, yet challenging to master. It's super addictive and has all the hallmarks of a competitive multiplayer game that could well have a future in the world of eSports if the community embrace it.

Rick and Morty: Virtual Rick-ality is a game that fans of the franchise will enjoy. It's a great puzzle game with fantastic writing and voice over work. I just wish it was a bit longer and didn't require so much space for a VR title to enjoy. The game is a real workout.

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.

There's promise to City of Brass that sadly doesn't quite come to fruition. For a roguelike, it commits the ultimate sin in having no compelling hook to keep going for multiple playthroughs. It throws up some fresh and interesting ideas though, and that makes it worth at least a cursory look.

Erring on just the right side of trashy, Raging Justice doesn't break any significant new ground for the side-scrolling brawler but it succeeds as an entertaining effort all the same.

A fiendishly constructed zombie mashing roguelike with a veritable mountain of stuff to do, Death Road to Canada is the hilarious, ever-compelling road trip odyssey you never knew you wanted.

AO International Tennis does not have any competition in this current market when it comes to tennis games, but AO Tennis lacks both refinement and variety that a good sports game should have.

With everything you loved about the base game intact, and all presented in glorious 4K, both fans of the original and newcomers to the game can enjoy the adventure together with cross-play to both older systems. I hope that other companies take notice of allowing players across old and new releases of games to play together, and being able to upload your save from the original to the re-release, because it was just awesome to be able to enjoy it with friends and keep my character and all my badass equipment from the original game.

With its gorgeous hand drawn animated graphics, beautiful character designs, and fun-to-master combo system, Dusty Raging Fist is an exceedingly fun beat 'em up to play with friends or solo, and despite its small flaws it is an engaging and enjoyable experience any fan of the genre will love.

Vibrant, ridiculous, endearing and just plain enjoyable to play, The Swords of Ditto is an absolute pleasure to tuck into. It doesn't always marry its creative streak to its combat particularly well, but it doesn't prevent this adorably gorgeous action RPG from winning hearts and minds.

The initial setup for Impact Winter's frozen post-apocalyptic world is effectively haunting and grim. The trick does get repeated a little too often though, and the bleak situation you were previously invested in becomes too much of a chore and less about humanity struggling against nature.

A challenging but ultimately compelling airborne shooter, Rogue Aces soars where it counts.

In God of War, story and gameplay unite for a gripping, memorable journey with unerring focus. Kratos’ new beginning is masterfully written, emotionally resonant, and a thrilling challenge.

Extinction is a frustrating mess that has problems that in this day and age shouldn't exist. Camera problems, repetitive missions and frustrating climbing mechanics will have you rage quitting before you get halfway through.

I cannot overstate the hilarity in this game. The combat is fun, if a bit tedious at times, but it never drops the ball on consistently delivering humor in oddball situations, built around a cast of lovable characters. With a little luck, you just might learn something you were never taught in highscool.