Forza Horizon 5 is an excellent arcade-type racer that puts the player first delivering a quality experience with a litany of modes, events, cars and some deep customisation/tuning options. If you are one of the many PlayStation players clambering for the long overdue return of the MotorStorm series, this is the closest you will presently get to realising that dream.

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

With its refreshingly unique take on the puzzle genre, Stacking tickles, entertains and challenges in equal measures.

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.

Though Lego Horizon Adventures is the best looking Lego game ever made by a wide margin, it does still suffer somewhat from the repetition which has afflicted previous Lego tie-in titles. Nonetheless, with its snappy 15-20 minute missions, breezy co-op play and relentlessly lighter, grin-inducing tone, Lego Horizon Adventures also represents both a new direction for the Horizon franchise at large, as well as a great way to get newbies and younger folk involved with the adventures of PlayStation’s marquee flame-haired heroine.

Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader is the sort of game that the Warhammer 40K setting has long needed. A disgustingly massive, social calendar swallowing CRPG offering, Rogue Trader's numerous presentation issues aren't enough to distract from its galaxy-spanning odyssey into Games Workshop's most famous and beloved setting.

Between all three games, the Crysis Remastered Trilogy effectively provides something of a microcosm of how the first person shooter genre has evolved over the years, with the completely freeform open world beats of the first game soon being replaced by the linear opulence of the final game in the trio. That said, if you're a fan of the genre in general or have been hankering to play Crytek's impressive trio of shooter offerings for sometime now, there really is no better place to jump in than with the Crysis Remastered Trilogy.

Gris is a serene experience all its own, filled with problems to overcome and success to achieve. Gris is a wordless game dependent on your ability to surpass what it throws at you. Pacing aside, not much gets more beautiful than witnessing Gris in full motion.

For those who have already sampled the grim delights of Days Gone on PS4, paying £10 for the definitive version of one of 2019’s most underrated open world adventures that brings with it a hugely entertaining and worthwhile horde mode, seems like a bargain to me. As for the rest of the package, it really did surprise me just how well Bend Studio’s most marquee effort has endured, offering up a smart take on both open world game design and the zombie apocalypse more broadly that other developers have struggled to match. Put simply, if you haven’t played Days Gone before, this is the point where you leap in with both feet.

Theatrhythm: Final Bar Line takes a great opportunity and make a strong go of it. Gameplay feels good, and customization options give you nice flexibility to cater to your style. A couple things don't mesh nicely, but the game itself is a complete rhythm package of great gameplay and fantastic songs.

A thrilling, tough-as-nails action romp that should appeal to anyone who favours Resident Evil's more action-orientated antics.

Dynasty Warriors Origins is easily the best title in the franchise yet. Its responsive gameplay and deep levelling systems are complemented by a compelling story with twists, turns and interesting characters.

Nikoderiko: The Magical World provides a raucous and exciting platformer that you'll want to keep exploring, and for those who've already played it, there's even more to unearth now, and a new world.

ABZÛ is perfect for fans of Journey and other thatgamecompany titles, thanks to the sweet simplicity of its gameplay and visuals, as well as marvelous musical score.

Even with a few minor technical issues, Long Road Ahead raises the bar for emotionally deep, thought-provoking narrative in a video game, and may be the best episode yet.

OlliOlli World's Void Rider's DLC is definitely a must-buy for fans. It houses the best levels across the rest of the game, and includes some of the most visually pleasing levels in the entire game. Though the boss levels are somewhat disappointing, that does little to reduce how fun every other level included in the DLC is.

A triumphant debut for Kingdom Hearts on PSP, Birth by Sleep's combat system is deeply addictive and its characters utterly charming.

While NHL 18 still features that pristine, refined gameplay with plenty of game modes to jump into, it still needs that special something to keep itself relevant with the changing times. Despite that, NHL 18 has enough to keep any hockey fan enthused for months.

An attractive trio of JRPG titles given a new lease of life with polished audiovisual presentation and a range of quality of life fixes, there's no better entry point to the Ateiler franchise than this highly enjoyable trilogy for newcomers. However, previous players of these games will find little to return to them as the range of improvements are ultimately meagre.

Call Of Duty Black Ops 6 gets the legendary FPS franchise back to doing what it does best. With a solid multiplayer foundation, a refocused zombies mode that understands what fans enjoy that game mode, and an absolutely stellar campaign, this is Call of Duty at its best.

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.

A thunderously stylish arcade shooter with spectacle to spare, Megaton Rainfall is a must-have for PSVR owners.

Salt And Sacrifice is every bit the sequel I could have wanted for Salt And Sanctuary. Everything about the gameplay has been elevated a polished better than any previous title from Ska Studios. With excellent combat, and a flexible progression system that lets you alter your build and playstyle how you like, mixed with amazing art, creature design, and atmosphere, this is the latest must-buy indie title.

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?

For hearkening back to fond series memories, and for its heartfelt goodbye to characters we love, Citadel is Mass Effect 3's best single-player DLC and a worthy send-off to Shepard's crew.

There is a lot to love about Bloomtown: A Different Story. Thanks to the game's fantastic writing and characters, I quickly fell in love with the town and its residents. Its soundtrack is brilliant, and the pixel art style really catches your eye. It's just a shame that some parts of its questing and combat hinder it from truly rising to greatness.

Star Wars Episode I: Jedi Power Battles has pleasantly survived times with this remaster. While it doesn’t alter too much from the original game it does enough to make sure it's not showing its age too much. To port a game as old as this and allow it to feel and look how nostalgia paints it in our minds is something very impressive. Star Wars Episode I: Jedi Power Battles may not rock your socks off if you don't have fond memories of the game, but if it was something you enjoyed in your youth, then it's definitely worth a punt.

Brothers is a consistently fun and endearing fairy tale, but technical issues and a slow start keep it from legendary status.

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.

Time Flies is a clever and enjoyable experience that delivers a profound message amongst its hectic speed running adventures. Savour the moments, as time flies when you're having fun.

Persona 4 Arena Ultimax is one of those re-releases that's accessible to everyone. It has challenge, accessibility, a fun story, and Persona flair. Not everything ages well in terms of visuals, but nothing gets in the way of this game succeeding a decade after its initial launch.

The Hong Kong Massacre is a game that will leave you with vivid memories. The awesome stunts you pulled off, the impossible feats you were able to achieve, and the crazy killing sprees will all stick in your mind. It is a game that perfectly executes on a vision and offers some of the most gratifying few hours you can find in gaming today.

Herobeat Studios set out to create a game that raises environmental awareness, and in doing so they have created a heartfelt message in the form of a very charming video game. Endling: Extinction is Forever lacks some variety, but tugs on the heartstrings, with an emotional story and genuinely asks the player to reflect on current environmental issues.

Where The Heart Leads is a fascinating and enthralling look at life and the full timeline of it and just how every moment shapes us as humans. Marrying gameplay and narrative wonderfully, Armature has created one of the best narrative-adventures ever. Overall, it is a little long and the opening doesn’t grab like the end does, but even still, Where The Heart Leads is a journey like no other. It is an experience that I will carry with me as I progress through life.

A great 2D Acton Platformer with some impressive art design and animation. With plenty of collectibles to find and some strong level design, Magic Design Studios has a winner on their hands.

Zen Studios clearly know what they are doing when it comes to Pinball, and this collection available to purchase via the new free to download Pinball FX hub is evidence enough. The tables now look and play faultlessly and have been rebuilt from the ground up for the current generation of consoles. The downside is that any previously purchased tables must be paid for again and amongst the vast array of superb tables available, there are some unremarkable and dull ones. However, as demonstrated by the one free table created by the developers shows, the original creations deserve to be played and the addiction factor is such that many an enjoyable hour can be whiled away in the company of Pinball FX.

A much more inventive and thoughtful affair than the duo's previous outing, Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair is the closest you'll get to Donkey Kong Country on PS4 and you should embrace it with the accordant warmth.

Though it's hardly a tall hurdle to clear, WWE 2K22 is the best WWE 2K game since they started appending '2K' to the title. Much more than that though, it's the best wrestling game to come along in a long, long time and one which almost completely banishes everything that has been historically wrong with the franchise, while also managing to strike out in a bold direction for the series' future. Here's hoping that the likely return to the annual release schedule doesn't result in a lapse to bad habits and lazy innovation because, well, we've been there for the last ten years or so - and it isn't fun.

Mixing Persona with real-time combat, Eternights delivers a robust package with charming characters, intimate romance, quirky writing, vibrant visuals, and an engaging gameplay loop. Despite it's flaws, Eternights makes a valiant effort in being one of the many games you will enjoy this year, and is a must play for RPG fans.

A faithful send-up of cartoon humor and polished platforming, Sly Cooper's long-awaited return keeps things fresh with astounding and compelling variety.

While offering only incremental upgrades to the formula, Tekken 6 is a worthy successor to Dark Resurrection and ultimately one of the best entries in this venerable franchise to date.

Though the somewhat ho-hum resource management and survival mechanics are a little shop-worn at this point, Song in the Smoke: Rekindled nonetheless soars as the best survival adventure on PSVR2, thanks in no small part to its evocative world, endlessly clever procedural design and stunning improvements made possible by Sony's latest lump of VR tech. If you missed Song in the Smoke the first time round, this is your chance to right that mistake definitively.

EA Sports UFC 3 is the best the series has ever looked, sounded or played and, despite a small handful of minor shortcomings, is quite simply the best UFC title to date and a very real contender for the fighting game throne in 2018.

The classic platformer has been brought to life with a glorious makeover that makes you fall in love with the downtrodden Mudokon all over again. New players are in for a real treat.

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

On the surface, Varney Lake is just more of the Pixel Pulp adventure we got from the excellent Mothmen: 1966. Yet Varney Lake's story of childhood interrupted by a chance encounter with a vampire is a more captivating one.

A fun RPG that rewards those with the patience to delve through the story. Hyperdimension Neptunia fans will instantly be attracted to its similar charm. As a new IP it also acts as a nice launching pad for those wanting to enjoy a brand new series, especially with a sequel already announced at Sony's pre-TGS 2014 conference this year.

Hard as nails, beautiful and rewarding. ScourgeBringer may take some work to adapt to but it is well worth the time and effort required. The combat is poetry in motion and you always feel you are progressing, albeit, at times, slowly. Either by your skills improving or through the persistent upgrades you unlock you are rarely standing still. In a crowded roguelike market, ScourgeBringer is towards the top end of the list of games you should give a go.

From start to finish Blasphemous kept me engaged. Even when I reached the end I just wanted the game to keep going. I'm not the biggest fan of its approach to storytelling but the combat and exploration borrows from the best the genre has to offer.

Old School Rally may not have as much meat on the bones as modern rally games, and on a technical level it's not going to wow you at all. Having said that, Old School Rally pays gracious homage to the past and is definitely a rally-racing game for those who love late 90s and early 00s titles such as Colin McRae Rally and the early WRC titles.

Sniper Elite VR is a well designed, well implemented VR shooter. It has a massive amount of options to suit even the most trepid VR gamers. The short levels are well suited to the medium, as they encourage exploration and experimentation, while Sniper Elite VR also looks great, it also sounds good too and I don't think being a sniper has ever been quite so immersive and tactile as this.

Great value for money, solid multiplayer content and addictive gameplay.

Most Wanted begs you to play it, to explore Fairhaven, to take your skills online, and to become the best racer in this open-world setting. It's a perfect addition to the franchise and keeps you strictly focused on driving and competing.

The Cub is a brief, energetic and beautiful thrill ride that already has me jumping back in for a second run. Expanding on the world introduced to us in the indie darling Golfclub: Nostalgia, there is so much to love about this charming, apocalyptic storybook platformer.

Sonic Mania successfully takes Sonic back to the formula that saw him become a big deal to begin with. That means it does bring along the flaws in that design as well, but there's no denying this is as good as the Blue Blur has been for a long time.

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.

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.

Far more than a one trick pony, What the Golf? is a brilliant party sports game that manages to entertain in every way that it sets out to do. From beginning to end I found myself surprised and entertained by what new twists were thrown my way and I look forward to seeing what the team has in store next. Some technical hiccups here and there led to some small frustrations but none were enough to get me to hang up the club. Well worth a look for all who are interested!

A brilliantly insane in the brain platform puzzler. An indie gem.

Using dismembered limbs to solve puzzles has never been this much fun, and aside from a few fiddly control issues, this fresh, original and highly irreverent comic book adventure through an alternative Nordic afterlife is highly recommended.

A robustly entertaining cyberpunk dungeon crawler wrapped up in some of the most sublime audiovisual presentation and thoroughly satisfying combat to come along in a good while, though it isn't quite as ambitious as I would like it to be, the Ascent is nonetheless a fantastically entertaining offering that will appeal to genre fans of cyberpunk settings and dungeon crawlers alike.

What it lacks in any challenge, it certainly makes up for in authenticity. Still Wakes The Deep provides some excellent lovecraftian horror on board the eery yet original location that is the Beira D. Dedicated and genuine performances from the cast of often relatable roughnecks drive home an engaging story in what ultimately become one of my favorite horror games in recent memory.

Destiny 2 Beyond Light has turned the universe we know and love on its head by removing four major locations, five raids, outdated activities, and the sunsetting of weapons and gear. While the removal of content may seem negative, this is what the game needs to grow. Destiny 2 Beyond Light gives us a great story and an exciting new subclass with Stasis, and a huge new location in Europa. Bungie has made some hard choices to restructure Destiny 2 rather than restart the game completely with Destiny 3. What's on the horizon is something I truly cannot wait for, and I am excited to experience everything the game has to throw at me. While the Darkness is finally here, the future is bright for Destiny 2, and Beyond Light is only the tip of the iceberg.

Much like The Great War itself, Verdun is rough, grim and wholly unforgiving. A perpetual lesson in patience and poise which decisively punishes fools but rewards frugal armchair tacticians, Verdun makes the player work in every way that a good shooter should. Emboldened by an impassioned take on one of history’s more overlooked conflicts, Verdun’s rough appearance is not enough to detract from one of the finest shooters on PS4.

Seemingly long overdue, PSVR has finally gotten its killer exercise app in BoxVR, a frankly hellacious workout that turns your living room into a gym bootcamp. It doesn't get much more intense, or sweatier, than this.

Taking the better aspects of classic and modern Uncharted, The Lost Legacy is a short, explosive chunk of adventure. Chloe and Nadine are elevated far beyond the supporting roles they once played, and both end up as interesting, formidable, and highly likeable characters, among the best in the series in fact. There’s a greatest hits feel to some of the set piece moments, and the story takes a little time to get going, but this manages to be both a fresh direction for the franchise, and a warmly familiar experience.

Every aspect of Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven is impressive and left me feeling satisfied that this game was given the lucky treatment to be put on a new platform. This remake meaningfully builds on the foundations of the original while bringing it in line with the rest of Square Enix's pantheon, while never losing sight of what made it shine in the first place. While it might not resonate with everybody, those who want to adventure beyond the standard turn-based fare will certainly not make a mistake with this game. There's an undeniable ambition here that is totally uncompromised and laid bare for all to see, and that's wonderful.

Episode One is light on challenge but makes up for it in a big way with story and presentation. This is a great opening chapter to the series regardless of your familiarity to the Borderlands world.

A stunning recreation of the world's most popular poker game, Pure Hold'em captures the spirit of the big tournaments with slick presentation, an intuitive interface and great multiplayer options.

Very little stands in the way of what makes Little Goody Two Shoes special. Apart from some pacing issues in important parts of the game, this RPG Maker title channels psychological horror wonderfully. Don't let the cutesy presentation fool you: There's something sinister laying in wait underneath it all, and it's a joy to play.

By leaning on its MGS stealth adventure lineage, Konami and developers ZDT Studios has produced a pleasing homage through it courtesy of Darwin's Paradox. The threats and the platforming challenges are numerous, the references are cool and you'll be content to keep on lapping this one up just to see the iron will of Darwin continue onward towards salvation. At times it can be a bit tricky to know exactly what to do, the story is threadbare and it might not be lengthy, but you will surely remember this one when you're done-even if it's just for the Metal Gear Solid references.

Variable State follows up the wordless weirdness of Virginia with a far more talkative, and more grounded, supernatural drama with Last Stop. The focus on its three protagonists’ everyday problems over the underlying odd phenomena helps to make each tale more engaging, and in turn, makes the stranger things that occur feel more captivatingly mysterious in their initially limited use. It’s a little light in terms of traditional player control, but Last Stop tells a hell of a good story that you still very much feel like you’re in the director’s chair for.

Fat Princess: Fistful of Cake is a splendid take on the PS3 version. The added content and its portability mean fans of the original adorable, medieval strategy game will lap this up.

MLB The Show 19 takes itself through the paces and comes out improved and enhanced quite well. The game itself is still missing a few features to make it truly potent. The franchise delivers a beautiful, streamlined product each and every year, and 2019 is no exception.

PGA Tour 2K21 is a great golf game. Yes, it has a few weird design choices, especially the XP and levelling system. This does not, however, overshadow an enjoyable golf game that you can tailor to your wishes. The game retains its great Societies feature along with a robust course designer and has a plethora of game modes and multiplayer options. If you are in the market for a golf game then PGA Tour 2K21 is a sure drive up the fairway and definitely worth your time and money.

One Night Stand offers up a slice of humanity, with an art style perfect for what it tries to do. Repetition sometimes gets in the way, and a couple odd control choices may mess up your playthrough. At the same time, the heart and soul of what One Night Stand is always on its sleeve, allowing you to either embrace it or crush it. This will be a sleeper hit for a long time, despite a crowded market.

Reanimal is a short thrill ride, packed with stylish albeit somewhat repetitive set pieces, and truly nightmarish imagery. Despite its obvious connective tissue to Tarsier's previous franchise, it does enough to never feel derivative, and instead comes off as more of an evolution.

A fantastic game worthy of being a proper sequel brimming with gorgeous visuals, immersive exploration, engaging combat, deep mechanics, and packed full of content which exceeds that of the average Indie Title. If you are looking for a Zelda-based adventure, look no further than Oceanhorn 2: Knights Of The Lost Realm!

Disney Classic Games: Aladdin & The Lion King is a superb package offering some of the best retro platformers of their day. While the difficulty spikes may seem off-putting - and there's definitely some frustrating moments to be had, particularly in The Lion King. All the same, there's some brilliant platforming to be found in these retro classics that's worth experiencing for fans and newcomers alike.

A thunderous Metroidvania effort that sublimely marries the timeless design of yesteryear with some of the best decisions of modern game design, The Mummy Demastered is not only a great title but also one of the genuinely best surprises of the year.

Resident Evil 5 is an incredibly satisfying, non-stop action romp from start to finish. An essential purchase for fans and newcomers alike.

Whilst Mortal Kombat 1 has a lack of content, and a frustrating unlockable system, it is the most streamlined iteration to date. Refining the gameplay, the new kameo system, combined with a blockbuster story mode that has shaken the lore up, Mortal Kombat 1 is the most interesting it has been since Mortal Kombat 9.

Hardspace: Shipbreaker is an expertly crafted work simulator. The methodical dismantling of the ships is very satisfying. It contains an addictive gameplay hook and an intriguing story that focuses on the exploitation of workers. It is a job well done indeed.

Minor shortcomings aside, Elite Dangerous delivers with aplomb on its promise of a massive galaxy for players to explore and write their own stories within. There are very few games on PS4 that will devour your social life as completely as Elite Dangerous.

Outriders is an excellent video game that doesn't drown itself in marketplaces and all the traditional systems we have come to know from a live service. By positioning itself as a complete experience, with dozens of hours of content to play through, along with engaging, varied, and deep combat, it exceeds expectations and manages to lay a firm foundation for a franchise that I hope manifests itself in the future.

A furiously stylish roguelike gothic western that blends genres with deft and aplomb, West of Dead is a resoundingly enjoyable offering that makes picking yourself up and dusting yourself off after every death a ravenously compelling proposition.

A fun detective-esque RPG that punishes and rewards at the same time through its original story and game mechanics. Lacking RPG fundamentals like side quests and super-powered equipment will turn off some genre enthusiasts, but those who give it a chance will be captivated.

SaGa Scarlet Grace: Ambitions blends the challenge of olden JRPG days with the aesthetic refinement of modern gaming to create a tantilizing final product. Difficulty waivers back and forth in odd ways, but the narrative and combat keep everything feeling engaging and enjoyable.

With a delectable coat of contemporary sheen applied, Crysis 2 Remastered is a stunning way for PlayStation gamers to experience one of the most spectacle-stuffed and surprisingly ingenious shooters of the last ten years that manages to strike a fine balance between bombast and clever open world design.

A great platformer in its own right, Tearaway Unfolded doesn’t quite capture the revelatory magic of its Vita predecessor, partly because the gameplay and scope remain limited next to sophisticated, inventive controls.

Awash in a frankly ridiculous amount of charm and bolstered by a genuinely innovative time travel mechanic, The Sexy Brutale is one of the most deliciously refreshing puzzlers to come along in a good long while.

Tales of Vesperia: Definitive Edition has everything an RPG fan could want: engaging combat, fun tactics, and a stellar narrative. What puts Vesperia above the rest of the franchise, however, is how accessible it is to everyone. It has clear signs of age, but within Vesperia beats the heart of a classic that everyone should experience.

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

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.

While slightly too short for its own good, Venba is an exciting cooking narrative game exploring Tamil food. It tells an important, yet heart-wrenching story of a family as they struggle to fit in a new country.

The Lord of The Rings: Return To Moria is a valiant attempt of crafting a great survival game, keeping players engaged and memories to be made. The gameplay may seem difficult and takes some time to adjust to, but just enjoy the experience for what it is and you will find youself entering the depths of Moria more than you anticipated.

Children of Zodiarcs is a great example of passion and innovation. A kickstarter that succeeded in funding and rewarded everyone in the process. A great example of what a studio can achieve when the right people behind it.

A furiously engaging speedrunning platformer, 10 Second Ninja X is as much about shaving seconds off your time in each level as it is concerned about shaving slivers off of your sanity, but never before has laying waste to your mental state while running a gauntlet of almost obscenely well-designed platforming levels been so much fun.