Rage is the complete package that fans of shooters, RPGs, and buggy racers have been waiting for. Combined with its jaw-dropping visual presentation, Rage easily one of the best games of the year.

We Love Katamari ReRoll continues to spread the word of this wonderful series to a fresh audience. Tongue-in-cheek meta jabs at itself and a greater focus on what makes the King of All Cosmos tick just adds extra flavor.

A more than competent puzzler that wows with its impressive vistas, excellent sound design and subtle horror-tinged plot. The Vanishing of Ethan Carter is a thing of dark beauty.

Stunning re-releases of a pair of genre titans, the Baldur’s Gate: Enhanced Edition Pack is an eminently thoughtful and evocative reminder of just how good these RPGs were and how now, PS4 players can finally turn back the clock and see what all the fuss was about. Trust me, you won't regret it.

You can't go wrong with Like A Dragon Ishin. The game includes what makes the Yakuza franchise so special and combines it with samurais and Edo Period politics. A handful of oddities aside, it leans into its strengths and irons out several of the franchise peculiarities. Every gamer, either invested in the franchise or still uninitiated, needs Ishin in their console.

In a year when Sony's marquee first-party offerings seem to be almost distressingly thin, Stellar Blade's dogged pursuit of an engaging and polished single-player action adventure experience is more welcome than ever - even if much of it feels like a loving greatest hits interpretation of past genre luminaries. Nonetheless fans of gorgeously rendered, high-octane action adventures with style to spare will find much to enjoy in Shift Up's stellar PlayStation debut.

Not since Yoku's Island Express has another title managed to extrapolate addictive pinball gameplay into something quite so unique. Creature in the Well is a delight - I just wished it lasted longer and wasn't quite so repetitive as it turned out to be.

Redout: Lightspeed Edition is a decent, if unambitious effort that will satisfy anyone looking for a fix of accomplished and blisteringly fast sci-fi racing.

The most eerie and unnerving episode yet, Around Every Corner leaves you on the edge of your seat thinking "please don't let it end now." Just like a great TV show's penultimate episode, it sets up what should be an emotionally explosive conclusion.

Fall Guys is one of the best online party games of the generation, offering a hilarious and intense battle royale with a ridiculous amount of customisation. A speedy pace and a substantial amount of different modes at launch mean that the game is always fresh and exciting. Even the Battle Pass and store are some of the fairest and less money-grabbing I have seen. Fall Guys is a must-play.

As far as Remasters go God of War III is a welcome but an unnecessary one. The single addition of the Photo Mode and updated graphics are something I feel just aren't worth paying $40 for a five year old game.

WRC 9 is the complete rally package - tough but rewarding handling, astonishing representations of the real world rally stages, and a wealth of gameplay options. Many hours of non-blinking fun are to be had for racing fans, with a free sexy upgrade to the PS5 version on the horizon.

A commendable remaster at a decent price point, Darksiders Warmastered gives those who missed out another chance to try an underappreciated gem of the PS3 era. Just prepare for some mechanical rust.

Kena: Bridge of Spirits is stunning spectacle full of heart and unbelievable charm. If you aren't carefully selecting hats for your Rot companions by the end, then you're probably made of stone. In the event that your soul is inhospitably frosty, Kena can be deceivingly challenging, throwing boss fights at you that will make those on Demon Souls look like a cake walk. A few minor issues stop Kena from being a showstopper, but there is no doubt that this a great game, and an amazing debut for a 15-person strong team.

A phenomenal coop experience that greatly surpasses the less exciting single player mode.

Final Fantasy VIII Remastered is nothing more or less than a must buy. The graphical updates aren’t perfect, but the story, setting, and soundtrack remain as enchanting as ever. More importantly, Final Fantasy VIII Remastered’s watertight combat mechanics and progression system still feel as revolutionary now as they did back in 1999; pushing the limits of the traditional JRPG to produce something that manages to feel wholly unique within an ever crowded genre.

Trails of Cold Steel II runs with the narrative left off from its predecessor, and the same level of detail and development that fans have come to expect is still ever present, even if the running effort trips up on occasion under its pace.

Despite its slow pacing and simplicity, Buzz! Quiz World is a terrific sequel and makes for an ideal purchase for trivia aficionados.

Disgaea 5 is an excellent title for any gamer, but the interesting mechanics, impressive visuals, and expansive universe make it a must-play for tactical RPG enthusiasts.

Brilliantly simple and beautifully stripped back, TOEM is what an indie game should be. It's different, a palette-cleanser if you will and takes me back to where games were just fun. No grinding, no monthly online events, just find this bloke's cat and take a photo of it. There's beauty here in the pure simplicity. TOEM runs well, plays great, and most people will find joy within its black and white walls.

Watch Dogs on PS4 executes fresh gameplay ideas with aplomb, marking one of the first games of this new generation of consoles to innovate within its genre. It's a slower, smarter sandbox shooter with an astounding degree of content, but despite resonant themes of technological overbearance, its poorly handled story likely won't grip you.

Signalis is a brooding, atmospheric slice of survival horror that unfurls its dread in a slow, tantalizing manner. Its bleak retrotech world is a fine backdrop for the disturbing mysteries that must be uncovered in the frozen wastes of an ice planet.

One hell of a deal.

Subtle improvements and the amalgamation of ways F1 25 engages players aren't enough to stave off the fact there's no bold step forward with this latest series offering. It's another year and another entry, and while you'll still want to return if you've been dedicated to F1 games for years, there's not enough here to justify F1 25 as a must-buy.

Five Nights at Freddy’s VR: Help Wanted is a great introduction to the franchise, packaging a number of levels from various games in the series. Though the first three games are the strongest, some of the other levels are fun in their own right. Less fun is wrestling with the controls, particularly since a giant demonic chicken is going to scream in your face if you mess up. The scares are there, but the controls could use some additional polish.

Ultimate Chicken Horse really is a special game, and one of those rare indie multiplayer games that catches lightning in a bottle and will leave you wanting to come back again and again for a good laugh after a stressful day. Just don't try going into single player until you've been online a few times to learn the ropes.

F.I.S.T.: Forged In Shadow Torch is a deftly crafted Metroidvania that while it doesn't do anything especially new or ground-breaking, nonetheless reframes the genre through a distinctly Chinese and attractive dieselpunk setting that fans of the genre and action adventures in general will assuredly enjoy.

For anyone drawn to open-world shooters, survival games, or atmospheric horror, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 is an absolute must-play. It’s tense, beautiful, and deeply immersive, with a world that feels alive and unpredictable. Challenge, exploration, and narrative are balanced with skill, delivering moments of genuine fear, discovery, and triumph. On PS5, the game runs smoothly and presents the Zone in all its haunting glory. After experiencing it firsthand, it’s clear this is a major milestone for the series — a game that fully deserves attention and respect.

Overall, Assassin's Creed: Revelations is still wildly entertaining, despite the gameplay being for the most part a fairly predictable affair.

Assassin's Creed Valhalla is everything I hoped it would be, and more. It sells the Viking fantasy flawlessly, is brimming gorgeous locations, vistas and interesting characters, and will keep you busy for 100 or so hours if you want to grab everything on offer. It's buggy in places, and the grinding is overwhelming at times to the point where it spoils the feeling of exploration and progression. However, these shortcomings can be overlooked if you're willing to stick with it. And you should, because Eivor's journey is one worth soaking up.

Ys IX Monstrum Nox remains another strong entry in the Ys franchise, offering up engaging combat fans will love. Visuals don't push any envelopes by any stretch and the writing has its hiccups, but Monstrum Nox has everything that makes a Ys title great.

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

Battlefield 4 sends off the current generation of shooters in prime form. There's prowess across the board, from narrative to action, and technical hiccups can't derail a game that is simply great on PS3.

Even though it stands as more of a refinement over its immediate predecessor than a genuine leap, this latest entry in the BlazBlue series stays true to form by overwhelming players with a deliciously deep combat system, brilliant cast of characters and a veritable avalanche of content.

Transpose is an original and satisfying puzzler that is using a clever mechanic that is unique in the VR space. Visually arresting once it really gets cooking, Transpose should not be overlooked in the busy holiday gaming season. This one has sleeper hit written all over it.

A great experience from start to finish with dramatic moments, slick combat and carefully-measured platform play. Even the abundance of collectibles and stunning open environments make up in some way for its lack of a multiplayer component.

A classic arcade puzzler with gameplay compounded by a tremendous amount of scope for mastery and blistering retro aesthetics, Pix the Cat is one of the most essential pressure-puzzlers that you can buy on PlayStation right now.

Simultaneously a great introduction to the Yakuza series and one of its better entries, Yakuza Kiwami is precisely how you remake a classic.

If you’re looking for a solid fighting game with tons of content, replay value and a deep story, Under Night In-Birth Exe: Late [cl-r] is a must-have whether you’re a newcomer to the saga or a seasoned veteran.

Blood and Truth takes known VR gaming mechanics and inserts them into a delightfully well-realized London, sending the player through chase scenes, heists, and gun fights. While there is nothing revolutionary happening with the controls and gameplay, the presentation, story and characters are top notch. Once you get started, you will want to see the action-packed story through to the end, and that’s really what we wanted, isn’t it?

Sonic X Shadow Generations is a high-speed thrills package that combines the best of 2D and 3D Sonic, with superb level design and great boss battles. The addition of Shadow's campaign is a great bonus, and despite some issues with stages proving a little unforgiving and delivering cheap deaths, the overall package is a must-have for Sonic fans.

In the end, Demeo does that most unexpected of things - it provides a deep and highly enjoyable tabletop RPG experience for folks who are typically put off by the notion of setting up a board, potentially losing important figures, worrying about missing dice and all that other nonsense. Absent such tedious administrative concerns and with clear design, tactile physical feedback and easily grasped mechanics that ensure everyone can play, Demeo is a shining example of how to translate one of the most socially beloved hobbies into an all new digital realm.

MLB The Show 24 is a game that continues to deliver. From emotional history from Story Lines to the new amazing inclusion of Women into The Show. While this may seem like small new additions now, these ripples now have the potential to create large waves into the future. Young girls finding, or strengthening their love of baseball in this game, seeing themselves as MLB stars growing up and forcing baseball to evolve and change for the better. While I may have slight issues with the the visuals not being on the same level as the game play or game modes, it is still one of the best looking sports sims on the market and the best looking baseball game hands down. The Show 24 impresses more than disappoints and is another winning season for PlayStation and San Diego Studios.

Going Under is not a bad game, its story is fun, sometimes witty, and at times, a tad meme-like. If you play a lot of roguelikes you may find it a bit thin on the ground. However, if you are new to the genre, want something a bit lighter, or just want to try something a bit different Going Under may be for you. It has a depth in its difficulty options, it looks very nice, and plays well. I think it just depends on what you are looking to get out of the game. There is stuff here to like, it is just not for everyone.

It speaks to the level of ambition on display here - not to mention a tolerance for risk - that Everspace 2 essentially jettisons the roguelike mechanics of the first game in favour of a much more open and looter focused shooter and is all the better for it. A superior sequel in every way, Everspace 2 delivers on the premise hinted at in its predecessor with aplomb, even if the story campaign that anchors its super looter shooter beats seems to be little more than window dressing for the other impeccable aspects of its design.

Metro Last Light manages to create a rich and engaging world that holds onto the player's attention with a vice grip.

Seven years after its initial release, Torchlight 2 finally graces the console generation and proves that you don't have to have Diablo in your title to make an impact. Torchlight 2 is a near-perfect dungeon crawler that no fan of the genre can afford to miss.

Eidos Montreal has crafted one of the best superhero games. Their attention to world-building and characterization should be followed by many studios to come. Exciting combat that blends action RPG elements with strategic player commands and breathtaking visuals and animations is something to behold. But what truly sets this title apart is the fantastic writing, not just for the Guardians themselves but for every character you come across. If you weren't a fan of the franchise before, Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy might just change your mind.

For many like me, seeing Ninja Gaiden emboss a game basically guarantees a purchase. Ninja Gaiden 2 Black is no exception. On top of its stapled blisteringly challenging combat, the entire game receives a visual level of polish that makes it feel new again. That said, the problems still exist, like enemy projectiles flying through objects and still hitting you. Above all else, though, the camera issues remain the most frustrating element of the game. Still, there's enough fun, gore, and challenge that will outweigh the outdated traits, even for newcomers.

With stylish motion comics and ridiculous levels, Renegade Ops is a fantastic co-op game that you will find yourself playing with friends again and again.

Warhammer 40K: Space Marine 2 follows a lot of the same beats as its predecessor but enhances all of its mechanics to suit the constant war in the 40K universe. Space Marine 2's combat is visceral and challenging, and taking on the Tyranid hordes with friends is a blast. It's just a shame the game suffers from some seriously long load times and slow progression. However, none of that should stop fans of the franchise from eating it up, while newcomers will find plenty to love as a space-traveling Marine blasting through alien hordes.

Awakening adds heaps of new content to one of the best RPGs in recent years. While it still carries some of the frustrations from the core adventure, fans of the game will love the expanded story, new gear, and extra content.

Luftrausers is a fast-paced and enjoyable shooter, though doesn't have the lasting appeal to keep you coming back for more.

The missing piece in the Legend of Heroes franchise finally makes its way west. Trials of Zero is a great addition to the franchise featuring a great cast of characters and a fantastic strategic combat system. It's just unfortunate that the PS4 version of the game didn't get the same upgrades that it did on other platforms.

Though it disappoints with some poorly designed maps and a lack of game modes at launch, Modern Warfare is one of the best games in the Call Of Duty franchise featuring a haunting and memorable campaign that is probably the best looking game this generation.

A deliriously entertaining mish-mash of roguelike platform shooter, mini-games and Pokemon style mechanics, if Neon Abyss feels like Roguelike Shooter 2.0 - that's because it is.

An eye-opening puzzler that boasts an attractive aesthetic and charming cast of characters, Ghost Giant empowers you in a very unique way - you actively feel like you're making someone's life better; how many other games can claim the same?

With its massively upgraded visual presentation and much more responsive racing together with a surprisingly immersive DualSense implementation, one of the best hardcore racing simulators out just got even better on PS5. This is the definitive version of Assetto Corsa Competizione on console and that fact alone should be a cause for celebration for anyone with even a passing interest in highly detailed racing simulations.

Distilled from the composite parts of developer Team Ninja’s prior efforts, Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty opts to delve deep into the fundamentals of high-stakes combat and delivers a pulse-pumping experience that rewards anyone willing to step up to the plate.

While not quite the high-point of the God Of War series, Ascension delivers an action-packed, gloriously-produced, freak-bashing extravaganza with an addictive multiplayer component to boot.

The Farewell bonus episode of Life Is Strange: Before the Storm is short but should be required playing for fans of the series. A thoughtful well written glimpse into Max and Chloe’s life before it got so strange.

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.

An intoxicating mix of familiar game worlds, great script-writing and impressive LEGO building and interaction, brings this latest LEGO game into a whole new dimension.

From the addictive gameplay to the beautiful visuals to the absolute abundance of features, PixelJunk Eden is the best game released on the PlayStation Network this year.

Sly's jump to PS Vita is a resounding success, with solid gameplay and stories wrapped in impressive technical polish and Cross-Save support.

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

A confident revamp of Phoenix Wright's earliest legal adventures, the Ace Attorney Trilogy is a cleverly constructed hybrid of logical conundrums and visual novel beats that combine to make one of the most accessible and gleefully silly puzzlers the PS4 has seen in quite sometime.

Tough, tactical, and totally uncompromising, Ready or Not delivers a standout experience for those after something smarter than your average shooter. Every encounter demands precision and patience, with real consequences for poor decisions. Ready or Not is a must-play for fans of methodical, high-stakes gunplay.

The fellow at Sony have created a unique experience in Puppeteer that's deserving of a franchise label. With a little work, the heroic antics of Kutaro and his Excalibur scissors Calibrus can make this cult-following title into a sequel-worthy one.

A heavy metal steeped side-scrolling blaster that is awash in blood, gore and super solid platforming shooter beats, Valfaris is essential for anyone looking for a challenging affair that does ample justice to Konami's poorly treated Contra franchise.

A unique and highly original survival adventure inhabited by a host of outlandish creatures in which you constantly struggle to guide your hapless Trebhums to safety and away from The Cylinder. While the design and concept can't be faulted, the lack of direction and excessive busywork bog down the gameplay and detract from the experience to the point of patience testing. If you can handle a fiddly challenge which rewards a great deal of patience with some outstanding originality, it's recommended.

Though Skate Story may be a barebones skateboarding game, the rest of the game is a stunning visual and audibly experience. The game's soundtrack is incredible and perfectly fits the abstract, psychedelic visual style.

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.

The pick up and play nature of Prison Architect in tandem with its wealth of gameplay options make this title far outshine its few flaws with a charming and engaging overall package.

Metro Exodus is an amazing and beautiful game that offers a new style and experience from 2033 and Last Light. With polished visuals and an amazing soundtrack, the changes 4A Games have implemented create awesome environments and enjoyable gameplay, taking you across various landscapes of Europe. However, in doing so, the survival horror and dark, claustrophobic tone have almost entirely been left behind at the station.

Though the various visual modes require some work, Dirt 5 is nonetheless a breath of fresh air for the long-running rally racing franchise that widens the audience duly and marks a commendable debut for the franchise on PlayStation 5.

Persona 3 Portable on PS4 doesn’t do much at all to enhance what was already there to begin with, looking like a sharpened version of its former self. Regardless, there’s a strong entry here, exploring some darker concepts than the modern mainline games. It may not have the same style as the newer entries, but it sure delivers on concepts.

After years of small-time games, the franchise finally reached more people than its dedicated niche following. Atelier Yumia: The Alchemist of Memories & the Envisioned Land capitalizes on successes from the Ryza trilogy and blazes its own trail with changes of its own.

While not the lavish remaster fans might have hoped for, this port of Dishonored remains a great stealth-action title, and the addition of Knives of Dunwall and Brigmore Witches only amplify that point.

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

MLB 15 The Show takes the field with equipment, experience, and an improved network. All in all, gamers are bequeathed with a finished product that’s, universal, immersive, and also accompanied by a one-of-a-kind Diamond Dynasty mode that will certainly inspire game modes from now on.

What RiME does so well is marry pleasing puzzle platforming to a tender, understated story, and then puts it in a beautifully bleak world filled with mystery. RiME takes the baton from the likes of Journey and Ico, and strides to victory with ease.Tequila Works takes aspects of those classics, and puts a personal touch on the results to create something special.

A wizard, a Thief, and a Knight walk into a Prince’s Nightmare and the result is a dream game come true. The fourth installment of the Trine series has gone back to its 2.5D roots after going full-blown 3D in 2015’s The Artifacts Of Power. The clever platform-puzzle adventure offers an enchanting experience for the single player or collaborate with up to four players in co-op which can be played locally or online. Trine 4: The Nightmare Prince is an unforgettable adventure that should not be missed.

The Crash Bandicoot N-Sane Trilogy has been remastered beautifully and truthfully to the original releases, with a few minor extras and improvements that are welcome. Despite that, the controls and gameplay feel outdated, and despite the Crash PS4 trilogy doing well to stir pangs of nostalgia, the games don’t hold up to 2017 standards of excellence.

Dauntless comes bursting out of early access with one of the best, most original, and most polished games in the free-to-play space. With tons of content, amazing battles, a great matchmaking system, and endless room to grow, Dauntless is going to be around for a long, long time. Beyond highly recommended, Dauntless is compulsory, obligatory, required gaming.

Beautiful, well-written and a truly unique experience. Even if you will only play it once due to its format, it is truly worth a go. Superliminal's puzzles are very cleverly made and the game will constantly challenge your visual and mental abilities. If nothing else you will come out the other side with a slightly different perspective on approaching life's many problems.

There aren't many games that can carry charm and charisma on its back throughout its entire duration, but Rainbow Billy: The Curse of the Leviathan managed to keep my interest from start to finish. Its charm is undeniable, and developer ManaVoid Entertainment managed to create an experience that held a smile on my face from start to finish. The game can get repetitive quickly, but the delightful exploration and innovative combat kept me intrigued long enough to see the credits roll.

Sam & Max make a largely triumphant return, with a reminder of just how special and stupid a series it can be. Save the World benefits the most from the overhaul, but Beyond Time and Space remains the peak of this former Telltale Games series.

Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous represents not only a significant improvement over its predecessor, but an enormous and sophisticated CRPG that players with a hankering for epic adventure and narratives will surely enjoy. Though it still isn't quite as polished as it needs to be and is complicated enough that genre newcomers might struggle with its information packed menus, largely text driven dialogue and detailed mechanics, Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous is nonetheless a vastly epic, incredibly entertaining and meaty adventure that is deserving of your time.

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.

It’s a shame Bramble: The Mountain King has such frustrating level design drawbacks because it undercuts a beautifully dark and disturbing fable. It’s not doing a whole lot as a game that helps it stick out either, but the narrative structure behind it rescues it from the clutches of true disappointment.

Though Lil Gator Game isn't especially long, it leaves an indelible mark on you, like a high-five with a loved one that leaves your hand with a pleasant soreness to remind you of the fact. Lil Gator is restorative in a way that many games just aren't - it slowly strips away your layers of resistance until you fall in love with its straightforward, though greatly satisfying adventure platform beats. Lil Gator Game is unreservedly pure, distilled happiness and innocence all in one glorious concoction and couldn't we all do with a bit more of that these days?

This Bed We Made is a great game that kept me returning for more. I loved the narrative experience and the human element of its story. Though it was a short experience, the various paths to take to the ending had me trying repeatedly to see every scene and ending. Sophie is a unique character that I grew to love and was driven to protect no matter what. This Bed We Made is a game I highly recommend.

The Cold Steel franchise reaches its final stop, but it doesn't make a smooth approach. Too many characters and events outside of the four named games make the additional litany of characters and events hard to apply to the franchise. There's enough to get by, and combat remains a mainstay aspect of the game. It's not perfect, but it's still a Trails game to the very end.

A nail-biting triumph that is without equal in the extraction shooter genre, Hunt: Showdown 1896’s eye-opening overhaul couldn’t come at a better time. With unmatched atmospherics, a thoroughly detailed world rife with grotesqueness to immerse yourself in and some of the most keenly honed risk and reward mechanics ever seen in the genre, Hunt: Showdown 1896 is arguably now more essential than it ever was.

Neo: The World Ends With You offers up something all its own while still keeping its roots in view. Some slow pacing and long-in-tooth writing doesn't keep Neo from being a delightful RPG. If the art style and music don't take you, then the combat and its mechanics will.

With plenty of characters and great combat, there is a lot to love about Marvel Cosmic Invasion. The fantastic visuals and sound design shine through from Tribute Games and Dotemu. It's just a shame that the game's difficulty spikes and lack of extra lives in the campaign hold it back. Thankfully, the Arcade Mode more than makes up for the game's shortcomings, with great modifiers that let you enjoy the game however you want.

EA Sports takes its NHL series in a more realistic direction with a new skating system. While it's accompanied by some other authentic hockey features, it may turn off casual fans as they struggle to adapt to a slower game.