A fine, novel way to progress the party game genre, That's You! is a surprisingly good, goofy time. Smart use of its PlayLink smartphone app, customizable questions, and photo-fiddling nonsense, make this a winning title.

Wuppo, despite a couple of small issues, is a heartening adventure in a winsome, self-contained world that’s full of quirk-riddled characters and adorably monstrous bosses.

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

Man of Medan weaves a brilliant and compelling story punctuated by some genuinely creepy moments. More importantly, your choices matter, and the multitude of collectibles and different outcomes based on your decisions means there's more than enough reason to keep plugging away at Supermassive Games' latest horror romp. It's not without its issues, sure, but they're not enough to deter from what is one of PS4's best interactive dramas.

There’s a lot of potential with Archangel, but when so much potential is unrealized, then the end product loses its luster. Archangel is exactly that, starting off with a bang and tapering off too quickly to maintain its level of initial intrigue.

Short but ever-so-sweet, Trek to Yomi is a pretty linear affair that respects your time. The combat is nuanced, evolves over time and is entertaining to learn. Small bursts of exploration are rewarded with collectables and upgrades but your main path is never obscured. It's cinematically beautiful and what's done with perspective and setting up each scene is really unique. Trek to Yomi is unlike anything else I have played recently, it's not bloated, pure and I appreciate that a lot.

Kingdom Come Deliverance is a commendably ambitious open world RPG steeped in a real sense of place and grandeur. That said, the experience remains one that is housed inside a beautiful, though imperfect world in which if you can tolerate its shortcomings, you'll find a great deal to do and enjoy.

At its best, it’s an entertaining way to spend a few hours in a wonderfully-built ocean world. At its worst, it’s a cheap. uninspired and frustrating slog.

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.

Hollow Realization is the best Sword Art Online game to date but that doesn't mean it's great by any means. If you're a fan of the franchise this game is a no brainer as it’s packed with so much content you can put as many hours into it as you would an actual MMO. It’s just a shame that a lot of that content is as Hollow as its name suggests.

Absolver delivers on its promise of a compelling and unique combat system, but falls flat in almost every other way. Some baffling design decisions hold it back, so it’s hard to recommend the game simply based on its combat.

God Eater 2: Rage Burst is the perfect alternative to a game like Monster Hunter. It may take a while to get into and a lot of information is thrown at you right from the start to turn off any player, but for those who stick with it will find a very rewarding experience both for hardcore and casual players.

Though lacking some of the flair and longevity of its classically inspired genre brethren, Darkestville Castle nonetheless provides an enjoyable dollop of point and click adventuring by swapping out the usual fresh-faced hero for a sarcastic and high amusing viliain. This is one for genre newcomers and stalwarts alike.

Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Hinokami Chronicles is an experience that never overstays its welcome. While the map may be simplistic and outdated, the combat, visuals, voice acting, and story more than make up for anything the game lacks. New and old fans will find something to enjoy here, while the versus mode will keep players engaged long after the credits roll.

It’s not the most accomplished platformer available on the market, but Kukoos: Lost Pets has that magical formula of generally decent platforming, co-op play and impressive presentation that could make it a favorite this festive season.

If you can get through the relatively humdrum, lifeless and unneeded open world of Sherlock Holmes: Chapter One you'll uncover a whip smart detective adventure that is up there with the series best. It's just a shame that a smattering of technical issues and poorly executed combat sections detract from what should have been the Pride of Baker Street's triumphant return to PlayStation.

Supermassive Games rounds off its first season of The Dark Pictures Anthology with its strongest entry yet in the shape of The Devil In Me. It’s a bit undercooked on the technical side, and it takes a while to get moving properly, but when you get to the meat of the game, it’s up there with Supermassive’s most confident work.

An attractive JPRG with a hugely innovative central time manipulation mechanic, it seems as though the developers behind the game fell head over heels in love with that element of Cris Tales design at the expense of crafting a world with memorable characters, motivations, places and events. That said, Cris Tales non-linear story and neat use of time manipulation will still hold a fair amount of allure for genre newbies and stalwarts alike.

Murasaki Baby is a wondrous artistic and emotional creation that is ultimately let down by the game’s stubborn dedication to touch controls.

Destiny 2: Lightfall is my favorite entry into Destiny. This is a tall order with how amazing expansions like The Taken King, Forsaken, and The Witch Queen have been. Nevertheless, Lightfall has surpassed my expectations in almost every way. The gameplay is even more fun and fluid, the location is fresh and new, and while the story has holes, I'm excited to learn how Bungie fills them over the following year and on. Lightfall is as fantastic as it is mysterious, and I love every minute.

Thief VR: Legacy of Shadow on PSVR2 is modest in ambition but confident in its chosen identity. It doesn’t offer the sprawling systemic depth of its ancestors, nor does it push stealth AI into new territory, yet the tactile VR experience elevates what could have been forgettable into something surprisingly satisfying. The repetition, the shallow enemy behaviour, and the occasional technical hiccup undeniably pull the game down, but the undeniable charm of physically inhabiting the shadows pushes it back up. What’s left is a VR stealth experience that works because it leans into the strengths of the medium, even if it can’t fully escape its weaknesses.

Look past its dated graphics, and players will find a game steeped in strategy and high on challenge. Despite the repetition, there’s no disputing that chaining together a huge combo to torture and kill mere mortals can be an extremely satisfying way of releasing your daily stresses.

Voyage marks a mostly successful debut for Venturous Games. A lack of variety in puzzles is only briefly felt, thanks to concise runtime. The sluggish movement may look better than it feels, but a strikingly beautiful and vibrant world makes Voyage worth experiencing.

One of the best surprises of the year when it comes to the strategy genre, Warhammer Age of Sigmar: Realms of Ruin generously lavishes a glorious amount of detail on its presentation of the tabletop Age of Sigmar setting from which it derives. Though its more streamlined tactical beats might prove too simplistic for genre veterans looking for a broader dose of macro strategy, Warhammer Age of Sigmar: Realms of Ruin nonetheless provides a gorgeously framed and immediately compelling RTS offering that offers an irresistible on-ramp for newcomers into both the Warhammer property and the RTS genre as a whole.

A shamelessly hardcore FPS, Tower of Guns places a premium on player skill over the linear, big-budget Hollywood narratives that we’re used to.

Reveil tells a great story through its dialogue and settings, but it misses the mark when it comes to horror. It may not scare you, but it still proves quite compelling.

First out of the gate in what will be a bevy of survival titles in the coming months, The Callisto Protocol is a solid maiden effort from developer Striking Distance Studios and one that has laid the groundwork what is hopefully to come.

Captain Tsubasa has genuine depth behind its arcade flair, but the initial presentation leaves a lot to be desired thanks to a dull, aggravating, and sluggish introduction to its characters and systems.

Not the most attractive selection of sports on offer, but a shed load of content, solid local multiplayer and smooth Move implementation makes Sports Champions 2 ideal for some healthy competitive gaming between family and friends.

Mirror’s Edge feels far more refreshing now than it ever did eight years ago because in those eight years, first-person shooters have become ridiculously widespread, and the only other first-person options are more sedately-paced, heavily story-driven, and control-light. Catalyst sits in the middle of it all,imperfect, yet special in its own way.

A fun RPG beat 'em up that puts all the emphasis on easy fun at the expense of a coherent storyline. Great for when you just want to sit back, relax, and not think about anything.

Octodad: Dadliest Catch is a quirky mix of physics and mini-games wrapped up into a story about an Octopus that pretends to be a man and simply wants to live a normal life with his family.

Showcasing a clever narrative steeped in great performances and anchored by a real sense of place, The Bunker sadly doesn't last long enough or offer sufficient incentive to return to its titular subterranean dwelling once the credits roll on this interactivity-light adventure.

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

Minecraft enthusiasts of a certain age-range will be excited by the prospect of seeing their YouTube heroes appearing in A Portal to Mystery, and for the most part, this is a fun murder mystery romp. However, the need to shoehorn in these extra characters takes away from the established cast, and the results of this venture are incredibly haphazard.

While it's hampered by blurry visuals and some difficult object handling, The Mage’s Tale still comes out on top with goofy surprises, fantastic puzzles, and satisfying exploration. Delivering up to 10 hours of play, this is a sizable experience that remains entertaining from start to finish. All in all, this is a welcome addition to the PlayStation VR library.

The Expanse: A Telltale Series is a hugely enjoyable analogue to both the beloved television show and series of books that it is based on, and one that shows that Telltale Games is still very much capable of putting out involving, episodic stories with a cast of characters that are effortlessly engaging. With Cara Gee's thoroughly excellent performance as Camina Drummer anchoring the whole package, only an emaciated final episode and divisive plodding pace tarnish this otherwise triumphant return to form for Telltale Games.

If you’re one of those gamers who has a blast playing co-op, then Joint Strike is probably for you. If you're hoping to head through Joint Strike solo, however, you'll undoubtedly be disappointed.

Leaving its predecessors legacy far behind, Knack has seriously grown up and become the platformer we deserved all along.

Oninaki takes dark themes and a child-like visual style and combines them with the potent themes of life and death wonderfully. Combat can be a little restrictive and the presentation takes a hit in cutscenes, but its successes make it more than worth your while. The game flows with darkness and hope, and Oninaki shines because of it.

A return to form for Telltale and their most notable series. A few of the usual problems still exist, but the world-building and character development is very strong. Based on this two-part season opener, The Walking Dead: A New Frontier is shaping up to be an emotional, visceral ride.

Despite the over-sensitivity of the motion controls, bringing the original, addictive puzzle game into a brand new virtual reality setting works extremely well. A solid and enjoyable puzzle game to kick off the genre on PlayStation VR.

Certainly representing the definitive version of the flawed but ultimately enjoyable Biomutant on PlayStation consoles, Biomutant's PS5 debut largely erases the performance issues and instability that plagued the PS4 version of the game, delivering a handsomely made open-world adventure that can be enjoyed by gamers of all ages.

While it's a jack of all trades and master of none, there is a distinct charm inherent with Avalanche Studios' take on Mad Max and provided you can get it cheaper than its full price listing you could certainly do a lot worse.

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.

LEGO Bricktales not only clearly shows that the LEGO property is more than capable of standing up on its own two block-feet without the aid of a fancy licence, but it also more importantly reminds us why LEGO is loved the world over in the first place. LEGO Bricktales is all about firing up the imagination to construct LEGO to solve challenges as you subconsciously grin with the sort of wide-eyed wonder that LEGO has always prided itself on inciting in builders both young and old. Quite simply, LEGO Bricktales is brain-teasing, warmly charming and purely distilled joy that everybody should play.

There is an attempt to make Farming Simulator 17 entertaining, but it’s a rather poor one. Dull, uninventive, and drier than sandpaper on crackers.

A Frankenstein monster of gameplay sensibilities, The Bureau: XCOM Declassified is a good origin story for series fans but doesn't do third-person shooting or real-time strategy well enough to compel enthusiasts of either genre.

An extremely entertaining handful of sports themed mini games with just a few duffers to be found amongst their number, Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 - The Official Video Game distils the longest running athletic spectacle on the planet into a great party game with charming visuals and immediate accessibility. Right now, Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 - The Official Video Game is one of the better party games of the year.

Arslan boasts great story and character concepts woven beautifully between stunning action sequences. Gameplay is straightforward, but a diverse cast of playable characters prevents too much monotony.

Inoffensive, and pleasing enough as finales go, but there’s a clear feeling that Minecraft Story Mode could have, and should have, finished much stronger than this. In truth, it did, four episodes ago.

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.'

The Lost Lords carries on the overarching plotline of the series by sowing the seeds of doubt and intrigue for the future without having a truly striking moment of its own. Once seen as part of a whole, this episode will probably come across better. For now though, it remains a rather flashy piece of filler.

With a dollop of polish, a variety of new locations and much more challenging enemies EDF: Iron Rain might just be the best entry in the series so far, and while the trademark jank remains, new franchise developer Yuke's has done a fantastic job of tweaking the formula without breaking it. EDF: Iron Rain is a must for fans of the series and fans of fast-paced, deeply fun shooters alike.

Touch My Katamari makes little changes to the core gameplay and art style, but it's still so much fun.

A textbook example of how to meaningfully update to a classic title while keeping the core appeal intact, Ghosts 'n Goblins Resurrection is a superb way to experience Capcom's arcade classic for both new and old fans alike.

Resident Evil 5 suffers from duff AI and a few other niggles, but is overall a fantastic, content-packed action game with brilliant co-op appeal.

Assassin's Creed Chronicles: China is a decent stab---no pun intended---at bringing the series to a 2.5D realm, though it's sadly let down by poor level design and dull combat.

The foundation for an excellent entry to the Madden series is here. EA & Tiburon just need to patch up some glaring game breaking bugs. As it stands, Franchise Mode is practically unplayable and for me that is the essential component of Madden. Fans of Face of the Franchise, The Yard and Madden Ultimate Team may find some enjoyment, but it doesn't last long. Under the assumption that the issues get fixed in upcoming patches, Madden NFL 23 has potential to be the best entry in recent memory.

A tightly defined roller coaster ride toward the finale, but along that ride, meaningful choices define Bigby Wolf and craft interactive storytelling at its finest.

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.

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.

Aside from some niggling pitfalls – many of which will be mitigated or exacerbated by your level of patience – Snake Pass is a success; a delightful throwback to the classic puzzle platformer of yonder that levels a keen eye on trying to expand modern control sensibility.

Automatron has a short-lived story that’s enjoyable without ever really kicking into gear, but luckily, the robot-building and other new additions to the Commonwealth save this first batch of Fallout 4 DLC from being a disappointment.

Dragon Ball Xenoverse is a pretty addictive and satisfying entry in the series, despite some noticeable shortcomings.

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.

InviZimals is a good buy for kids. It’s a game with lots of different characters and lots to do, and will keep kids busy and entertained. Adults may even find the AR technology and use of various inputs interesting and the world of little InviZimals rather charming.

A unique cross of visual novel, RPG and strategy with fun and addictive gameplay. Learn some historical names and geography as you delve into a fun, laid back story, with ample amounts of combat and quests to keep you occupied. New game+ gives you a reason to come back and take alternate routes to glory to test your strategic senses.

With a near perfect VR implementation and great presentation, Skyworld is a great experience. It has deep gameplay systems that all hinge on each other to create a layered gameplay experience that is easy and fun to play.

Lost Records is a visually gorgeous game and proves that the team who pioneered Life is Strange still have the aesthetic nailed down. Unfortunately this and some smart adaptations of mechanics do little to hide a story that tries in vain to recapture the same energy, managing to totally lose itself by the end. I can see what they were going for here, but that vision is lost in a game that doesn't know what it wants to commit to. A deeply personal story is subsumed by what feels like an obligation to the supernatural. A story about the supernatural is lost in a story about the personal. Neither is done justice and both feel like they deserved more.

Sea of Solitude left an impact on me that I won't soon forget. From its heartbreaking story to it's powerful and striking visuals. Sea of Solitude is another good example of a game bringing awareness to mental health issues.

A highly engrossing occult interactive adventure anchored by a great central performance and refreshing interactivity and non-linear storytelling, Erica is deftly curated bite-sized adventure that makes a compelling case as the best Playlink title available.

Presentation hiccups and an undercooked Promo Engine aren't enough to take the shine off of 2K's latest take on the WWE franchise. Generously stuffed with the largest roster seen to date along with an encompassing creation suite, WWE Universe mode and a whole host of significant tweaks to the core experience, WWE 2K17 is the best entry in the series since Brock Lesnar last found his mug on the cover.

SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom - Rehydrated is not only a good platformer its a great example of a game taking full advantage of its license. Fans of platformers will sure enjoy their time in Bikini Bottom, but fans of the franchise will gobble it up. Battle for Bikini Bottom features plenty of action and humor to carry your through the 15-hour campaign and some of its puzzles are definitely headscratchers, which is more then you can ask for in a solid platformer.

An occasionally rough but always entertaining open world actioner that puts players in control of one of nature's greatest predators, Maneater is the over the top, human chomping odyssey that many of us never knew that we wanted. Until now.

A stumbling and flailing spectacle of a physics brawler, Gang Beasts might have all the poise and grace of a bar dust up on a Friday night, but it remains hugely entertaining when played with friends all the same.

A visually resplendent sequel, Layers of Fear 2 is frequently terrifying affair - though it fails to capture the ponderous melancholy of its predecessor and boasts plot that is far too often disjointed. All the same for those willing to stick with it, there are no shortage of hair-raising and spine-chilling moments.

There’s a lot to be had here, but the PS Vita version of Exist Archive could have used some more attention. Still, in the proper hands, there’s plenty of JRPG goodness to get lost in.

While there are plenty of good aspects to Lost Sphear, it does suffer from dipping into the well of nostalgia a little too often. It captures the essence of 90's Japanese RPGs quite well at times, but the application is uneven and that effectively scuttles a lot that Lost Sphear does right.

In NBA 2K24, some thoughtful additions to gameplay visuals and mechanics get deeply overshadowed by some minute growing pains with ProPlay, some major hurtles dodging gacha pop-ups, and plenty presentation hindrances that keep you from playing the actual game. Behind all that is still a fantastic basketball game, even if it doesn't feel different enough from last year to merit a must-buy status, even for basketball fans.

Though the premise is intriguing, and the game does have its moments from time to time, StarBlood Arena isn’t quite in the same league as PSVR’s launch effort, RIGS.

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.

It may not be perfect, but the localization of Fatal Frame: Mask of The Lunar Eclipse polishes the original product in ways that only benefit the package. Some things can't be easily improved, like stiff main characters or combat fundamentals, but this is a solid effort to bring this game stateside. Horror fans will have a great time here, but it might not be enough for everyone to jump into.

NBA 2K21 executes the fundamentals of basketball to perfection. Add to that a wonderful narrative in Long Shadow, and the package becomes even more appealing - even if MyCareer is linked to an online mode. These modes have a lot of potential, especially My Neighborhood, but some of the ideas still need a year or two of percolation before they're at their true potential.

In terms of gameplay, the PS Vita version holds up relatively well, but the game still has noticeable issues.

Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashed brings family-friendly fun to the asymmetrical multiplayer horror space, and provides warm nostalgia for Ghostbusters fans.

Clever, tense, and often hilarious, Midnight Murder Club turns pitch-black mayhem into something memorable. It’s a game of light, sound, and timing that feels unlike anything else in the genre right now. With its originality and unpredictability, it’s easy to recommend—but it’s a ways off the genre-defining moment it hints at being.

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 story of Trüberbrook has an intriguing concept. However, it is resolved too quickly and lacks an impactful revelation that it was seemingly building to. Nevertheless, the voice acting and visuals alone have left me so impressed they eventually became the reasons I continued through the adventure.

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.

This might not be the biggest Killing Floor launch ever, but it might be the best-built one — at least once the performance issues are patched up. You get fewer weapons and perks, but they’re better designed, more interesting, and full of potential thanks to the new mod system. The side objectives and movement upgrades push things forward just enough without losing what made the series fun in the first place. I have so much faith that this will build upon itself to be as much of a titan as Killing Floor 2 eventually was. As a fan from the start, I feel compelled to credit it for that.

It's a shame that a game with so much potential couldn't find some great mechanics and focus on them. Instead, it focused more on a political statement that it shoves down your throat every chance it gets. Dustborn offers excellent visuals and voice work with some solid writing when it focuses on the story, but falls flat from janky and simple combat and noticeable bugs.

Dynasty Warriors 8 adds in new features and options to the long-running franchise to breathe new life into the game. Fans, get ready for the best experience in the series since DW3. An instant buy for any KOEI fanatic.

Fans of the series will get a kick out of Gundam Versus' fast-paced combat and customisable Gundams.

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.

Though a clunky UI and collection of surplus mini-games detract from Beautiful Desolation's evocative setting and characters, this is nonetheless one of the more interesting point and click adventures to come along for a good while. Not least thanks to its superbly imaginative take on a post apocalyptic future where the lines between humanity, evolution and immortality are deeply blurred. Even for the most stalwart adventurer, Beautiful Desolation's narrative and fresh premise will find a way to delight and surprise in equal measure.

A highly entertaining Star Wars shooter with polish for days finds itself blemished by boorish progression systems and uneven game modes. That said, in its current form, I greatly enjoyed Star Wars Battlefront II and chances are, if you have a hankering for a mostly well-executed and enjoyable Star Wars FPS, you will too.

Kill la Kill: IF's incredable animations and presentation can't save it from being a repetitive fighter that outstays it's welcome after just a few hours.