Phoenix Point manages to blend the very numbers-based approach of classic X-Com with some of modern XCOM’s streamlining. The result is a colossal, cavernous tactical strategy game that struggles to hold its shape at times. Its wealth of information and systems requires patience, but if you can persevere, it’s very much worth the time.

Tokyo Jungle Mobile is an excellent attempt to capture the essence of what made the PS3 game different from everything else out there.

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.

A competent and clean port, and it's definitely something that long-time veterans would want to have on their PS Vitas.

The first episode of Batman: The Enemy Within marks a strong start for the second season of Telltale’s DC-centric series.

Wickedly funny and diabolically evil, Overlord II may not be a true evolution of the fantasy series, but it still offers a refreshingly entertaining gaming experience.

Toukiden: Kiwami is a great port of an already solid game and shines on PS4 with enhanced visuals and all-new content.

So if you are looking for a challenging JRPG, with plenty of replay value and an overall fantastic story, picking up this epic game you probably missed is a wise investment. Just be prepared for a death count to rival your Dark Souls score.

The Escapists is a neat throwback to U.K. gaming’s formative years in terms of the gameplay structure and silly humour. It may well be a daunting and often frustrating prospect for those less familiar with that era, but there is scope for many hours of joy for anyone who is.

Abyss Odyssey is an evocative gem that begs for more polish and attention; one that is rough around the edges but will hypnotize you with enchantment and mystery.

Though the world of the original S.T.A.L.K.E.R games have been essentially frozen in time (something that GSC Game World affectionately alludes to in the text preamble which appears before each game begins), there's still a lot of fun to be had here. Sure, the mission design is basic, the visuals have aged and there is much jank to be found, but equally the survival gameplay is compelling and the story which masterfully bridges itself across three games proves to be just as inviting in what is a definitive collection of the original S.T.A.L.K.E.R games on console.

to a T has one of the most earnest cores of any game that I think I've ever played. It's positive, it's cozy and does a damn good job in trying to situate us in the position of a disabled person without revelling in the misery of its own characters. At the same time, I feel like to a T maybe goes a bit too far into the weird and whacky to be a truly grounded exploration of the subject matter. Which is sad, because I really did enjoy myself for the most part.

Cthulhu: The Cosmic Abyss does ample justice to its grim source material, fashioning a compelling investigative adventure which generously drips with atmosphere but one which is sadly somewhat undercut by a wealth of technical issues that take the sheen otherwise what is a highly enjoyable Lovecraftian romp.

Ys Seven is a well-balanced JRPG featuring terrific AI and a combat system that is a blast to play. While the story is very thin for an RPG, you'll be entertained through the depth of gameplay.

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.

While an extremely guided and structured experience, Dragon Quest Builders 2 maintains enough of the charm of the franchise to be worth a look for fans. Players accustomed to free-play modes in other building sims will chafe at the story mode, but patient players that don’t mind a simple battle system and chatty NPCs will still find plenty of content here to enjoy.

Tokyo Jungle is a refreshing game with a unique setting. It doesn't stay exciting forever, but there's a lot of fun to be had.

It shouldn’t be surprising that Everybody’s Golf is a good fit for PSVR, but the manner in which Clap Hanz has interpreted its accessible take on the sport into the realms of virtual reality is indeed surprising. Though it may be relatively limited, it has essentially kept the spirit of Everybody’s Golf intact whilst changing the very way it’s played, and done so by stripping back the fluff and keeping things relatively simple. That’s very much the Everybody's Golf way.

Black Desert does a lot right but a lot of it is hard to experience with little to no tutorial and technical issues that never really let up. It's clear that the current generation of console just isn't quite up to handling a game of this magnitude, but even so Black Desert provides an epic and frequently beautiful MMORPG experience.

NIER is an action-adventure RPG game with an identity crisis; lacking enough uniqueness to make it interesting, but brimming with a refreshing adult attitude.

Croc is a throwback to a formative time where developers were sinking their teeth into 3D development and when met on its own terms offers more than enough charm and character to put a smile on most faces. Though you can only sand the rough edges so much, this is the best way to play one of gaming's forgotten mascots and indeed is a compelling package for those dyed-in-the-wool fans who have been clamoring for a return of the green reptile for all these years.

It is not to say that there is no fun to be had in this re-imagined Legoverse, because even with tired familiarities, Lego The Hobbit does plenty to satisfy you with its charm and whim, but the franchise needs a modest makeover if it wants to keep its youthful patrons engrossed.

Resident Evil: Revelations is a superb return to form for the franchise, sadly let down by sluggish character movement and awkward combat.

Gangs of Sherwood is a fun sleeper title that features great combat and characters. I enjoyed playing through each hero and seeing their unique abilities at play. With great level design, plenty of secrets, and replay value, especially when playing with friends, Gangs of Sherwood may be the co-op title you're looking for this holiday season.

Voice of Cards: The Isle Dragon Roars cloaks a very traditional JRPG in an alluring tabletop veneer. Sure, it doesn't really shake up the genre in any real meaningful way, but the unique presentation and laid back approach to player engagement all combine to make one of the more relaxing and easily accessible JRPG offerings to come along in a good while.

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

Shortcomings aside, hack and slash fiends who are looking for their next fix should definitely check out Vikings: Wolves of Midgard, a genre effort which more than earns its passage into Valhalla.

An amazing improvement over NCAA 2008. As a sports gamer, that’s all I can truly ask for in a yearly edition.

A surprisingly enjoyable off-road licence which never impresses visually, but manages to combine good handling and a wealth of tracks and arenas to create the right chemistry for a shallow but very playable dip into an ironically droll and niche motorsport.

Atelier Rorona Plus is good value for those wanting to enjoy the end of the Arland trilogy on PS Vita. If you have purposely skipped this game the first time around, nothing about this version will change your mind. Still, Koei Tecmo and Atelier fans will not regret picking it up.

Though its credentials as an RPG are both thin and largely uninspiring, Might & Magic: Clash of Heroes - Definitive Edition nonetheless comfortably cements itself as an engaging puzzler with an enticing progression hook. Don't let its humble Nintendo DS origins fool you, Might & Magic: Clash of Heroes - Definitive Edition is a whole heap of fun and is immensely respectful of your time.

Fun, challenging, frustrating and insane - in a good and bad way.

Love zombies, hate Nazis? Zombie Army Trilogy is an impressive three game package that needs to be played co-operatively to get the most out of it. It can be a bit of a slog, but good enemy variety and level variety keeps it challenging and fun.

Great art, a brilliant soundtrack and a challenging, rewarding survival experience awaits those who have the patience.

A stand-out physics puzzler very much in the Angry Birds mould, King Oddball has enough tweaks and accessibility of play to make it a worthwhile proposition for most, though folks adverse to the charms of Rovio's avian slinger will find little here to change their minds.

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.

Despite its shortcomings, this expansion is a great addition to any fan of Magic: The Gathering - Duels of the Planewalkers.

Lords of the Fallen does a lot of things right. Its exploration is its strongest point, and jumping from the human and Umbra realms provides unique enemy encounters and secrets. However, while its combat could have been great, it's ultimately marred by poor hitbox detection and a lock-on camera that will get you killed more than it will save you. There is just something about the world that kept me coming back for more. Whether it was the exploration, the great monster and character designs, or the world itself. Lords of the Fallen is a great return to the dark gothic style of these highly difficult titles.

Yomawari: Night Out is the definition of survival horror, trapped with nothing to defend yourself with against horrors that await around every corner. Yomawari may be light on jump scares but the creatures, sound design, and atmosphere is enough to creep anyone out.

Familiar boss battles and a few frustrations don't cloud this typically addictive and visually outstanding PixelJunk shooter.

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

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.

Intense and challenging with addictive upgrade system, Big Sky Infinity has that one-more-go appeal.

The games aren't perfect, however, for the most part, they withstand the test of time quite well. Looking incredible in HD, this is a great way to experience these benchmark PS2 titles.

Slave Zero X is an old school game that is great to look at, thrilling to play at times with excellent animations and a feedback loop to the combat that makes smashing enemies into a bloody mess amazingly fun, but it's difficulty spikes and how those spikes are escalated only work to wear you down. By the end of the game those things you might've enjoyed about Slave Zero X are being crushed under a pile of frustrations as high as the body count you'll rack up across a full playthrough. When the wins no longer provide any feeling of satisfaction, it's easy to be left wondering what you continue for. But all the things that are so well executed in Slave Zero X still make it worth checking out, especially if you're already intrigued by the difficulty barrier-to-entry to cross the line into 'enjoying Slave Zero X, even if it makes you want to throw something.'

A lovely, bloody and bullet-riddled trip down memory lane is soured somewhat after reaching the weaker second act that serves to remind how much nostalgia is too much. Thankfully, The Old Blood is still an ultimately satisfying addition to the Wolfenstein family.

King Arthur: Knight's Tale succeeds in achieving the goals that it sets for itself but I rarely felt it go above and beyond the standards that I have become accustomed to over years of tactical game experience.

All in all, Turrican Anthology Vol. 1 does a commendable enough job of packing together a handful of retro shooters from yesteryear that are still a lot of fun to play and boast refreshingly non-linear level design for the most part. Throw in a smattering of visual tweaks and a superb map system and it soon becomes apparent that Turrican Anthology Vol. 1 is a no-brainer purchase for anyone who has even a passing fondness for side-scrolling platforming shooters.

A sometimes limited but deliciously offbeat affair, Oh My Godheads joins the ever expanding roster of couch based multiplayer efforts on PS4 and can easily be recommended to those who can get the mates and the corresponding number of snacks/drinks in.

If you're looking for a spicy action game with an unashamed bravado and an excitably challenging gameplay loop, then Anger Foot is an absolute treat you won't hesitate to lap up in all its colourfully weird glory. The thin character interactions as well as the repetitive and overwhelming enemy compositions can grate, though when you're in the midst of the action you won't care. Anger Foot aptly puts its best foot forward as it capably produces a reverberating destructive impact, one you owe it to yourself not to miss out on despite its flaws.

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

Danger Zone might be a lean package, but the car-smashing joy that package contains is more than worth investing in.

Much like its grizzled and long dormant protagonist, Outlaws + A Handful of Missions has been pulled out of the doldrums of retirement to lace up its boots, load up its guns and ride into the sunset. It's old, gruff, unapologetic and certainly not for everyone. For me however, the opportunity to replay one of my favourite cult PC shooters of the 1990s in arguably its definitive form, easily makes Outlaws + A Handful of Missions worth the price on its head. For everyone else, a snappy and surprisingly clever Wild West retro shooter beckons.

From the ‘no pain, no gain’ training mini-games to the upgradable boxer who forges a career by slowly skilling-up in various attributes, the influence of early boxing simulations can be seen all over Vivid Games’ Real Boxing.

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.

This remarriage of Dynasty Warriors and tactical strategy is a pleasant one, but it has the potential to be something even better with a bit more depth and variety.

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.

While there are a few rough edges, Intruders: Hide and Seek is well worth a look for stealth fans seeking something different. Crawling around in the shadows of your family’s ultra-lux vacation home with only your wits standing between your family and certain doom is far more engaging than I expected. Despite some wooden performances and a rough checkpoint system, Intruders is fun and amusing. A great game for a snowy afternoon.

Resident Evil: Revelations 2 is a promising start to this four-part horror title, with some interesting gameplay dynamics let down by dodgy presentation and some technical hiccups.

A season that began with much promise doesn’t quite deliver by the time the sixth and final episode’s credits roll. Some fine characters and a real sense of what makes the Game of Thrones universe tick mean this is worth checking out if you crave more stories from Westeros and beyond in the wait for more books and TV episodes.

If you're looking for a decent Metroidvania, then Rusty Rabbit is solid enough, though there's not a lot here to suggest it's more than towing the genre's line rather than branching out in unexpected new directions. Collecting junk is enjoyable in Rusty Rabbit, but maybe it could've done with more fervor and less grit, even if the game's name informs you of its weathered vibes.

Shing! is a fun and innovative co-op beat 'em up that has had its potential unleashed on PS5. While most elements remain the same, the upgrade in resolution and general technical fixes, make the game a significantly more immersive experience than the PS4 version. Certainly, the PS5 version is the more recommendable for those looking for a good co-op game full of wise-cracking ninja fun.

Zombie Army VR then isn't going to set the VR landscape alight and neither is it going to bring untold masses into the sweet bosom of VR adoption. What it will do however is give you a nice, fetid and appropriately rotting slice of zombie meat cake to devour and you'll do it with a grin on your face as you chase high score multipliers and all the unlocks in one of the more surprisingly effective arcade style VR blasters to come along in a good while.

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

Devil Slayer Raksasi brings in elements from larger titles with its own spin. However, it leaves you occasionally wanting more, but as it’s decently priced, it’s hard to say anything too bad about Devil Slayer, and I did enjoy my experience overall, it’s a great time waster.

Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin is a fun and entertaining game. I was quickly swept in by its charming characters, great writing, and rice farming simulation. Unfortunately, a lot of the game mechanics hold it back including the brutal day and night cycle and having to wait an entire game year just to level up Sakuna to make the game a little easier.

Technically Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart is a PS5 showstopper, offering stunning graphics and set pieces that make use of the PS5's SSD, while also looking like the best animated movie we have ever seen. But, although combat is fun, the narrative of Rift Apart really drags down the experience, not treating its characters with respect and not meaningfully progressing the story for long time fans and leaving newcomers confused. Rift Apart is a fun ride, but ultimately not one you will be talking about for years to come.

A rock solid foundation for a new platforming franchise, Tembo the Elephant is exhilarating when it's at its best, but its heavy challenge and need to repeat levels can be frustrating.

A stirring, if conservative conclusion to Telltale's The Walking Dead, 'Still Not Bitten' provides fans with a gritty and grisly closer with an ending that hints at what might have been.

One thing’s for sure: There isn’t anything quite like Party Hard. A delirious, if flawed, marriage of Hitman, Hotline Miami, and Home Alone, Party Hard’s idiosyncrasies will no doubt turn off those without the patience to persevere; but for those willing to put the time in, Party Hard is murderously good fun at its most unhinged.

Whilst the environments of Reisum and the bosses in the Subject 2923 DLC are some of the best in the game, the opening of the DLC and the overall package doesn't feel like a satisfying end to Remannt's story, making it a fine add-on for hardcore players, but not offering much reason for lapsed players to come back.

Raidou Remastered: The Mystery of the Soulless Army is another solid update to Atlus's long-running Shin Megami Tensei franchise. Raidou Remastered overhauls the combat system for modern players and includes plenty of quality of life upgrades. It's a nice addition for those looking for a more supernatural detective story set in the Tensei universe.

A whimsical and charming take on the Metroidvania formula, Mystik Belle’s infusion of puzzle solving elements make it feel much fresher than many of its genre stablemates.

Though the tonal shift might be too much for some longer term God of War vets and it really doesn't achieve anything fresh or new in the Metroidvania space, Sons of Sparta nevertheless stands as proof that AAA developers like Sony Santa Monica should continue to let talented indie devs play in their sandbox because despite such flawed, the results are still more than worthwhile.

Resident Evil Zero isn't quite up there with the likes of Resident Evil 2 or the remake, but it's still a solid horror romp that fans will want to pick up. And now it looks even better to boot.

DC Universe Online is certainly brimming with potential, but until Sony irons out some of the kinks, the various bugs and server issues prevent it from being the triple-A console MMO experience we've been craving all this time.

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.

Though a little too short for its own good, Vampire: The Masquerade - Coteries Of New York is nonetheless a highly entertaining visual novel that provides a grand introduction to the world of Vampire: The Masquerade at large.

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

Shortcomings aside, Codemasters has delivered a very fast paced, slickly presented, arcade demolition derby that is more than capable of giving you some great entertainment value.

An enjoyable, if flawed, Janitor-'em-up that offers a nice twist on the platform genre.

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.

Octopath Traveler 0 is a great game in its broadest strokes, but manages to miss the high benchmark that the rest of the series has set for me. The bones of a mobile game are still very much here, candied with the presentation of a console experience. Despite this, I still largely enjoyed my time with Octopath Traveler 0, and very much want to see more from this now staple franchise.

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.

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.

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.

The Knight Witch makes a strong case for itself with its simplistic gameplay and charming writing. The overall balance between development and gameplay feels a bit too weird to ignore. Still, this twin-stick shooter-meets-Metroidvania has a quirky intrigue about it that makes it a worthy purchase for any fan of the genre.

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.

Sand Land is a fun filled game that offers players a lot of different things. Easily the best part of the game is the vehicle combat and puzzle solving, but the narrative doesn't always deliver.

Trail and error approach can frustrate, but Puddle's attractive aesthetic and increasingly difficult challenges make it one of Vita's top puzzlers.

Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War on PS4 is an ever-so-slightly worse looking version of the PS5 release, but with disappointing performance. If you can ignore those shortcomings, the same game with its summer blockbuster-style campaign and classic CoD multiplayer is still here.

Lacks depth, but Dragon Quest Heroes quirky narrative, colorful visuals and easy-to-grasp combat makes it a family-friendly RPG with plenty of character.

Fans of the sport will love the authenticity and vast tweaking options onboard, while the rest of us can enjoy a decent two wheeled off-road racer which looks the part. It’s just a shame about the tedious loading times.

Draugen is a gripping detective adventure that weaves psychological and Nordic mythological themes to grand effect. Though a short duration and some technical hiccups take the shine of the package somewhat, Draugen remains a compelling proposition for armchair sleuths everywhere.

Perseverance is another possible name for this game, since the flow of the story is somewhat sporadic, but it's rewarding to do so. It still has a strong Final Fantasy feel, albeit not as strong, and some of the great changes are contradicted by odd or particular ones.

Sacred Citadel is a beat-'em-up game for those who just want to relax and blow off steam for an hour.

Though appearing a touch derivative at first glance, Crow Country breaks from tradition in a number of smart ways, delivering a well-rounded, memorable experience that cements it as one of the better survival horror throwbacks of recent memory.

A rather basic port instead of a revised version of an underrated gem it needed to be, Zombi still manages to hold up well three years on thanks to the way it makes great use of its location, subject matter and atmosphere to create an unnerving modern survival horror.