A solid puzzle-platformer with a retro-look that will either frustrate or delight with its devilishly-designed challenges.

MAG is one of the most ambitious games we've played in a long time. While at its core it's nothing more than a basic FPS, what sets this game apart is the volume of players who can compete together.

A decent first step into the TRPG pond. While it lacks the serious tone and depth required for a diehard RPG lover, fans of the series and those looking for a laid-back comedy story will have lots of fun.

Though your fondness for the subject matter may vary, the Gex Trilogy is an easy recommendation for those pining to hear an outdated quip or two from a forgotten mainstay of the mascot era on modern consoles.

A nice mix of events with different control schemes makes London 2012 a solid accompaniment to this year's Olympic Games.

We've had a blast playing MK vs. DC Universe, despite its uninspired storyline.

Some persistent technical issues that prove frustrating, an uneven campaign, and a formulaic open world can bog down an otherwise wonderful exploration of culture. Nonetheless, Tchia's unique gameplay elements, euphonious music, and often vibrant world make it worth checking out.

Synergia is the product of a small team wanting to create something important. The story between Cila and Mara is heartfelt and worthwhile, leaving you wanting more in the best way. Despite the few HUD issues and occasional glanced-over narrative point, Synergia has the heart and soul worthy of a great visual novel.

A strong start for A Crowd of Monsters’ Noir adventure. Stylish, dripping in atmosphere, and compelling enough to keep you on the hook for the next episode. It has its faults, not all of which may turn out to be a problem when the series is finished, but for now they are outshone by the things this first episode does right.

Exception is a fast, fluid skill based platformer that is a lot of fun. The quick levels never get repetitive and have a lot of variety to them, while the stellar audiovisual presentation never fails to impress. Unfortunately, the flow is broken up by needless bosses but thankfully they are few and far between.

Ground Zero plays its cards very early on, showing you exactly what it wants to do from the get-go. It channels its inspiration from old-school survival horror games that made the PS1 so special, even leaning into pre-rendered backgrounds and offering tank controls. Visuals get blurry in certain areas, and frame rate takes a hit in weird places. Then there's the old-school need to actually conserve your ammunition for boss fights, which can put you in a position where you can't defeat the boss without enough weaponry. Overall, Ground Zero makes for a good time and has a good gameplay loop as long as you know what to expect from it.

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.

If there is one word I could use to sum up Wild Card Football it would be Potential. It's a lot of fun and with some refinements it could be a very compelling annual must have for fans of the sport.

2K comes out swinging with TopSpin 2K25, with this being the return to the popular tennis franchise. Presentation and gameplay meet the 2K Sports' standards that fans of the games come to expect, and TopSpin fans can feel comforted in the fact that the game still feels like it should. Controls ask you for more precision and discipline than the previous entries did, but this makes for a more satisfying experience once you nail down the control scheme. Some visual oddities, a rare gameplay simulation, and the lack of depth in setting customization ask you to forgive a few things along the way. Nonetheless, the experience far outshines any competition and leaves the door wide open for future success with a formidable foundation the franchise can firmly stand on.

Easily the best DLC entry for Fallout 4 to date, Far Harbor introduces some exciting new enemies and a tighter, more enjoyable main storyline. It also brings an air of over-familiarity and fresh performance issues that blight an otherwise exceptional expansion.

An improvement over last year's WWE 2K15, 2K16 still isn't perfect but it introduces a brilliant roster, an immersive Showcase mode, and plenty of match types to get hot and sweaty with.

Despite its small steps toward evolution and innovation, Final Vendetta feels like a wistfully romantic and well executed, if ultimately conservative take on those side-scrolling brawlers that held our attentions (and quarters) so rigidly in years gone by. Nonetheless, despite the fact that Final Vendetta doesn't push the genre forward with any sort of strident vigour, it's certainly true that it's still a lot of fun all the same and that enjoyment is only amplified when played with another friend locally.

Much like Manual Samuel and other titles of that ilk, Heavenly Bodies certainly feels tailor-made for the streaming scene. With its penchant for generating knee-slapping laughs and red-faced moments of white hot anger that are both best enjoyed with friends and in front of a captive audience (not to mention the speedrunning mode that would arguably garner a fair audience), 2pt Interactive have certainly crafted a commendably enjoyable co-operative yarn that should last well into the holidays and beyond.

Even though it was initially difficult and with very basic combat, Infernax wooed me with its comical gore, beautiful music and simple art style. Infernax will not be everyone's cup of tea but if you have a bit of time and want to play something a little different, I can recommend it. Just beware, you initially may need to navigate a bit of a skill wall of sorts to progress.

Toki Tori 2+ doesn’t always make it easy to know exactly what you should be doing, but once the game’s initially frustrating first hour subsides, a sprawling, charming and resolutely challenging puzzle platformer lies beyond.

Excels in areas like combat and crafting but not in narrative or characterization. It has enough gameplay options to bring any JRPG fan to the table, but not everyone will leave content.

Rune Factory 4 Special offers up a different take on the beloved farm/life sim genre, focusing more on RPG elements. This makes Rune Factory 4 a good entry point for newcomers to the genre due to its ease of entry. At the same time, Rune Factory 4 simplifies a great deal of what makes this genre special. The catch-22 is accessibility versus gameplay depth here. While still a good game in its own right, it limits its own potential by diversifying so vastly.

The Elder Scrolls Online gets its biggest shot in the arm yet with the extensive Morrowind chapter. It doesn't properly fix the fundamental flaws of the base game, but it does add an interesting, fresh depth for veteran players whilst keeping it somewhat accessible for newcomers.

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.

Just Dance 2021 contains one of the best tracklists the franchise has ever had and makes meaningful improvements to the World Dance Floor and communicating players' performance to them while they dance. However, some childish maps and poor choreographies bring this tracklist down slightly. The core gameplay here is still good and I hope next year Ubisoft is able to fix some of the key issues this game clearly had being developed under COVID-19 restrictions.

While a heavily niche game, Scorn executes on a type of horror that most can only superficially attempt. Pacing is an issue with several puzzles, and the gameplay on its own isn't gripping. Nonetheless, the world itself makes up for all of that, telling vague stories that both compel and repel you. Scorn is an absolute must for horror fans.

Atomic Heart throws up some interesting ideas and visually is a very impressive game. Otherwise, it’s a jack of all trades and master of none that entertains with its brazenly silly throwback madness.

For those looking for something outside of Call of Duty, this reboot of EA's venerable franchise is certainly worth checking out – just don't expect it to blow you away.

A content stuffed version of 2013's Payday 2, what Payday Crimewave Edition lacks in single-player allure and aesthetic sheen, it more than makes up for with its irresistibly compelling multiplayer heists.

While imperfect, The Bridge Curse: Road to Salvation combines much of what made older horror games memorable with some welcome modern ideas.

Payday 3 is a good game right now, with great heists that are fun to play no matter the direction you take, though the overhaul to stealth gameplay steals the spotlight more than anything. How it launched was however unacceptable, and further highlighted the issues prevalent with games that require you to always be online. It also doesn't help itself by not providing a well-thought out experience for an online game. Due to that online nature though give it a year and it'll likely be fixed, and a great game, but its a shame it didn't launch like that.

A breezy and affordable South Park curiosity, South Park: Snowday! Is a delicious slice of immature humour pie that sits comfortably in the stomach. Turning to an action-RPG experience away from a turn-based one isn’t an entirely successful one, as the lack of the unexpected will become noticeable throughout, but the pleasure of slashing your way through a short, affordable and gratifying South Park adventure will win out. Snowday! Is ultimately a nice and welcome treat as long as you keep your expectations in check.

With great art direction and fun, though infuriating, puzzles. The Last Case Of Benedict Fox is a fun Metroidvania with great brain teasers and entertaining combat. It just takes a while to experience the best parts of the game. Exploration is fun but suffers in places like the combat and puzzles. But it doesn't keep the game from being fun all the same.

A niche on top of a niche, Star Wars Squadrons makes up for it's almost empty feeling with core gameplay that just does not stop being fun. While the story falls flat, the multiplayer shines bright enough that you can still have an incredible Star Wars experience each time you jump into the cockpit.

A bigger, more varied sequel that still doesn’t feel like it takes the leap it could have. The gravity-shifting gimmick is still a big draw, as is the delightful art style, protagonist Kat, and the clever world design, but the there’s a nagging feeling it could have been even better. It’s still a very good game though, and it certainly offers up something a little different in terms of a console exclusive.

Slant Six has done a great job in bringing SOCOM to the next generation. Fans of the series will feel satisfied with the end result once the game has been patched up.

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.

A trope-demolishing RPG that tries to be bold and creative by paying homage to 80s classic Japanese animation.

After the initial UI and control issues are negotiated, you are left with an addictive and very deep management sim. Its graphics and sound could certainly be better but the important parts of Mad Games Tycoon function well enough. It becomes enjoyable and rewarding when you have learned how all the systems fit together and how to make successful games. If you are into these management-style games, Mad Games Tycoon does have something to offer. Just be prepared to put in the legwork early on.

It’s flawed in some fundamental, if fixable, ways, but No Man’s Sky has a dreamlike allure for those who can sink their teeth into its space-faring expanses. A memorable game, if not quite what it could be.

A Quiet Place: The Road Ahead throws several unique variables at you, making you balance progression through built-in limitations and staying alive. The gameplay loop can get repetitive, and enemy routes prove quite predictable. At the same time, the concept of staying alive resonates through both gameplay and narrative, making this very human story a worthwhile purchase through and through.

Anno 117: Pax Roma delivers the same satisfying city-building loop as Anno 1800 but offers little innovation beyond a Roman skin. While still fun and deep for newcomers, veterans may find it more like a reskin. The PS5 version suffers from mediocre graphics, hard to navigate UI, and awkward controller support - but keyboard and mouse are supported. Good game, flawed console port.

A deft remastering of what was arguably the PS3’s technical swansong, Beyond: Two Souls finds new life and an attractive home on PS4, with some extra features thrown in to sweeten the deal.

I never wanted Trepang2 to end and that was the problem - it ended much, much too quickly for my tastes. While it lasted through, it was a glossy, flying-kicking, baseball-sliding, slow-motion neck snapping first-person shooter extravaganza that provided me with some of the most satisfying shooting I've seen all year. More of this, please.

Technical issues aside, Broforce is a delightfully chaotic love letter to the brightly-colored excesses of 80’s action movie carnage and coin op shooters.

The bar of expectation was not set particularly high for Cars 3: Driven to Win, yet by focusing on the right things and not patronising its intended audience, the game is a surprisingly enjoyable racer that's a pleasure to handle.

If you're looking for an arcade-sim with buckets of content which combines all the best bits from Gran Turismo, Forza and DriveClub, look no further. If you're a Project Cars 2 fan hoping for an update to their favourite sim, forget it. Key sim elements are now missing and although it's a fine arcade-sim racer, it should have been rebranded rather than gutted for a mainstream audience.

The definitive version of After The Fall thanks in no small part to the impressive capabilities leveraged by the PSVR2 hardware, After The Fall: Complete Edition still makes its mark as a roundly enjoyable VR shooter, albeit one that comes slightly unstuck thanks to some dodgy AI and not quite enough maps or unique modes for players to get their teeth into over the long-term.

Although it has some regrettable issues, the execution of Metal Gear gameplay in an online setting makes for an enjoyable experience that is, at the very least, worth sinking a few hours into.

Fantasian Neo Dimension may suffer from a hefty grind, a control oddity, and a rather tropey story, but it also shines in ways that made the now-retro RPGs so special. Combine the dioramic backdrops with engaging combat and just enough modernization without going too far away from its retro inspirations, and Fantasian practically demands that all RPG fans give it a chance.

There's tense, creative stealth action to be had in Thief's fun-but-flawed triumph over technical flubs, wasted narrative potential, and cringeworthy dialogue.

What first appears to be a bullet hell shoot-’em-up that’s stuck too far in the past, becomes a game that embraces its retro influences intimately and successfully by being an enjoyably intense and challenging throwback. The only major downside to Score Rush Extended comes in the form of some very basic visuals that prevent this being an even bigger surprise.

With atmosphere that is second to none, a superb setting and eminently entertaining stealth/assassination gameplay that underscores a non-linear story, there's so much to like about Vampire: The Masquerade - Justice, particularly if you're fan of the World of Darkness setting into which it embeds itself. However, a wealth of bugs that often cause discomfort take some of the sheen away from what is one of the more immersive PlayStation VR2 offerings of the year.

Ebenezer and the Invisible World is refreshing on one hand in that it manages to break the curse of awful festive games by delivering a tightly focused Metroidvania offering that boasts an attractive visual veneer. On the other however, it's also clear that Ebenezer and the Invisible World certainly doesn't break any new ground in the genre and arguably fades somewhat when compared to its more illustrious peers. Nonetheless, though far from exceptional, Ebenezer and the Invisible World still presents a perfectly entertaining genre entry all the same and a great way to celebrate the holidays.

While not without its flaws, Sniper Elite 3 remains a compelling, tactically-rewarding shooter that fans of the genre would do well to snap up asap.

Code: Veronica X offers a compelling dose of classic survival horror zombie-blasting, though the game's archaic controls will undoubtedly be a major turn-off for some.

In its attempt to iterate on Killzone trademarks, Shadow Fall comes up short of greatness, but has enough tight action and expanded lore to please series enthusiasts.

Splatterhouse falls short of classic brawler status, but there's still fun to be had out of dishing out handjobs and experimenting with the range of grisly moves on offer.

Though relatively slight in duration, Wayward Sky proves to be an easy recommendation for PSVR owners. With its charming story and visuals, clever use of depth and remarkable suitability for younger players, Wayward Sky easily cements its place as one of the most intriguing games in the launch line-up for PSVR.

LittleBigPlanet 3 boasts more creative capabilities than its predecessors and tutorial levels for teaching the basics to patient newcomers. Adventure mode fails to innovate in the same way, relegating the most interesting additions--playable heroes OddSock, Toggle, and Swoop--to a small handful of levels.

FIFA Street's focus on one-on-one humiliation is a blast, especially if you can master the controls. There is nothing better than tricking past an opponent, and EA makes it look so good despite some rough A.I.

Yakuza: Dead Souls doesn't reinvent the zombie shooter with its simple combat scheme, but mowing down the walking dead in their hundreds and executing some neat special moves provides some frantically-paced arcade-styled thrills.

Despite some annoying issues, The Consequence is an engaging slice of DLC to complement The Evil Within's twisted game world.

I had a great time with Miasma Chronicles, and I legitimately didn't want it to end. The accessible tactical combat had me coming back for more, and I loved the environments and the visually pleasing destruction the Miasma has wrought. Though its story is pretty wonky, I still enjoyed what I experienced and hope that a sequel will fully flesh out what is happening in this world.

To have Cities: Skylines on PS4 is wholly welcome. It may suffer slightly for the transition, but what makes it a wonderfully accessible and engrossing city builder is still there. It may be a touch simple for the sim enthusiast, but it has the ability to draw a wider audience into the genre, and that’s something to be happy about.

Possessor(s) brings a lot of success to the table: lots of boss fights, chunky and engaging combat, and a robust world to explore. Combine that with a strong narrative, and you have a recipe for success. The whip needs some optimization, and progressing the story can easily stagnate once the map opens up. Possessor(s) may not be able to contend with the titans of the genre, but it doesn't need to. It still provides a good experience for anyone interested in Metroidvanias.

Sker Ritual has a lot of good, strong bones as a round-based horde shooter, it's very easy to be having fun while playing and to recognize the things that it does well. Despite that it still feels half-baked, due to balancing issues, sound issues, technical issues, and an overall lack of polish. But if you can see past those rough edges, and you've been a COD: Zombies fan for years, then Sker Ritual is something you shouldn't miss out on.

As a seasoned city-builder, Aven Colony is a solid game that has translated remarkably well to the PlayStation 4.It’s incredibly fun and challenging and optimising your colony to no end will keep you entertained.

Into the Nexus is a solid return to Ratchet & Clank's world, but hopefully PS4 will take the series to more creative exciting heights.

An old skool arcade racer wearing a brand new pair of breeches - get past the tough learning curve and get into the zone and you'll be a happy futuristic drifter.

Supremely easy on the eyes and simple to pick up and play, Jotun’s depiction of Norse mythology is flamboyantly atmospheric. Somewhat less up to the task however, is the longevity of the game itself which leaves you craving for more beyond the relatively meagre playtime that the game offers. All the same, Jotun: Valhalla Edition manages to secure its place in the pantheon of action adventures with verve and aplomb on account of it's superb boss fights and varied mystical realms.

While short, Burial at Sea - Episode One is still an enjoyable jaunt through one of gaming's most iconic locations. Bring on Episode 2.

Fun is woven into every aspect of Tiny Trax being, and while the lack of additional modes and relatively no-frills VR implementation both leave something to be desired, the skilful handling model will keep most wannabe racers of all ages coming back for more.

Chrono Cross: The Radical Dreamers Edition brings a beloved classic to the PlayStation 4, complete with its old pros and cons. Some of the limitations of the first game get washed away with the enhancements and features that come with this release, but they also create a couple of their own. Like a true classic, this edition is not without its issues, but classics have a way of outlasting their criticisms through the eyes of those who experience them.

Though not quite stellar, Stranded Deep does a decent enough job of enabling the player to live out their castaway fantasies. It's just something of a shame that the occasionally clumsy UI and lack of multiplayer functionality make the game a little less compelling than it needs to be. Nonetheless, those looking for island bound thrills of escaping deadly shark attacks, delving down into forgotten wrecks and living the life of an island castaway will find much to love in Stranded Deep on PS4.

Much like the setting that inspires it, Beat Cop is crass, dirty and morally reprehensible at times. Though it certainly isn't for everybody, there is a certain attraction that Beat Cop exudes which has you coming back, time and again, to its grimly framed world of corrupt cops, jobsworth toil and pressure-based strategy.

Shatter is one of my most played and favorite PSN games from the PS3 era. While Shatter Remastered Deluxe doesn't quite capture my obsession with the original game, it does improve on every aspect of it. While the game falls short with its controls on specific maps, they are still enhanced from the original version. Nevertheless, the game still excels at fast-paced, chaotic fun. From stunning visuals to amazing music, Shatter Remastered Deluxe is a must-buy for anyone looking for a stellar arcade experience.

Some decent changes help elevate NBA 2K25 from last year's release, such as a more consolidated experience in The City as well as even more gameplay animations to enhance the gameplay experience. Learn 2K even helps you get back into the swing of things. However, menu input lag, incessant microtransactions, and clunky standard movement show how much room this franchise has to grow, even after all this time.

Atlas Fallen suffers a few mishaps along the way, with enemies able to do cheap shots, modernized fast travel limitations, and a rather empty map. At the same time, there's a fun story here that keeps you moving forward, and combat itself feels visceral without being over-demanding. This is a great entry point for newcomers to the genre. Atlas Fallen has high fantasy alongside simple but intricate combat. It may not make game of the year by any means, but it certainly makes a good impression.

Battle Axe offers a nostalgic arcade hack & slash experience with it's beautifully created sprites, levels, and bosses. Beating your high scores in Battle Axe's arcade mode and infinite mode will keep you busy for hours. The levels offer a diverse variety in enemy types and obstacles, but the game can get somewhat repetitive after a few playthroughs. Where the game ultimately falls short is in the controls and camera, which further adds to the game's challenging difficulty. Also, the absence of online multiplayer is a shame.

No One Lives Under The Lighthouse is an interesting take on Lovecraftian lore, with the focus more on letting you feel and discover the effects rather than showing them to you. Not everything pieces together conveniently, the gameplay can feel mundane if you're not into it, and some of the events leave room for improvement. Still, there's something compelling here, juxtaposing the complexity of the mythos that inspired the game with the simplicity of its overall presentation.

A satisfying conclusion to this story arc, full of revelations, heartbreak and humour. The only things that really hamper Story Mode’s penultimate episode are some predictable moments and how little much of its cast have developed over the span of the past four episodes.

While being quite repetitive in longer sessions, there is something quite addictive about Earth Night. Your upgrades and character improvements mean you will descend further and further towards Earth and eventually quell the dragon invasion. The movement systems and level traversal, once you get used to them, are fun and give levels a ballet-like quality. If you fancy something a bit different and something beautiful then I can definitely recommend Earth Night. It has a lot going for it.

Atelier Lulua: The Scion of Arland is a more accessible installment to the long running franchise. Lulua and her companions are a fun new cast, and the more streamlined crafting system makes Atelier Lulua a great starting point for new players.

Batman: Arkham Origins has refinements the series deserves, but core elements are missing the imagination they need right now.

Without ever being spectacular, Riptide GP(R) provides a good value, highly enjoyable water-based racing experience that doesn’t outstay its welcome.

Although the harsh difficulty and lack of multiplayer may offset some potential players, NovaStrike’s open areas and unique mission structure are reason enough to give it a shot.

Blair Witch is easily the best videogame take on the licence to date and an effective, frequently petrifying horror effort. Unfortunately, a much too long final chapter and pointless stealth sections late in the game sadly detract from a genre effort that is overflowing with dread and atmosphere.

Devil May Cry V is the game fans have been waiting for, for better or for worse. It's not the best in the franchise but it's a welcome and stylish return to the original Devil May Cry saga.

Only trophy hunters and hardcore fans of the series will have the need to play through the original games for yet another time.

Smart As will shake out the cobwebs in your brain with a series of challenges designed to get you thinking.

Project Wingman: Frontier 59 will certainly slake your thirst for something Ace Combat flavoured, that much is for sure. Developer Sector D2 has absolutely nailed the fundamentals of that formula and has crafted an engaging dogfighting effort as a result. Though it lacks the sheen of its more famous counterpart, Project Wingman: Frontier 59 nonetheless arguably offers more over the longer term, thanks to its neat Conquest mode and limited, though still impressive, implementation of Sony's PlayStation VR2 technology.

Sure enough with its relatively simplistic challenge, brisk battles and unspectacular presentation, The DioField Chronicle will likely struggle to find an audience among the burgeoning throng of armchair generals looking for their next tactical fix. For everyone else however who would like to a dip a toe or two in those genre waters, The DioField Chronicle is the sort of easily accessible, dip-in/dip-out tactical RPG that you need in your life right now.

The trenches have never had this level of attention, so the hard-nose side of the game holds proper presentation alongside its vertical counterpart.

Mindless, but glorious button-mashing fun, full of crazy characters and over-the-top moves.

Excellent open world zombie horror with great crafting slightly let down by unimaginative bosses and minor bugs.

Killzone Shadow Fall's Intercept expansion uses fresh ideas to raise the dramatic intensity on both ends of the win-lose spectrum, but the novelty wears thin, leaving predictable co-op fun that struggles to make a lasting impression.

No less janky or unambitious than its 2019 incarnation, Terminator: Resistance Enhanced offers up a mildly polished up experience that is augmented by some initially promising, but ultimately disappointing DLC. That said, for those that passed over the PS4 version of the game, Terminator: Resistance Enhanced nonetheless offers up a compelling slice of well-executed looter shooter goodness that fans of the motion picture saga will find enjoyable and fulfilling in equal measure.