An insanely addictive action RPG.

Sniper Ghost Warriors Contracts 2 makes its mark on PS5 with greatly improved visuals, better loading, additional content and DualSense feedback - all of which combine to make it not only the definitive version of CI Games latest effort, but also one of the better sniper offerings on the market.

An immersive, cinematic experience that excels in atmosphere, scares and exploration. It might prove a bit of a culture shock for those used to the action-orientated antics of RE4/5, however.

Although sometimes frustrating, From Dust's take on the god genre with a series of objective-driven levels and fast paced challenge maps is an interesting twist on an old favourite.

WWE 2K24 is still without a doubt the undisputed champ of sports simulation games. With something for everyone, including new and current MyRise stories, new and returning gameplay mechanics, an ever increasing depth of realism with its animations, and more brutal match stipulations, WWE 2K24 is a must-play.

Odd inventory design niggles aside and shopworn concepts aside, Tails of Iron is beautifully presented and a roundly entertaining, surprisingly grim action RPG that boasts a grandly enjoyable combat system. Fans of punishing action RPGs and grimdark fairy-tales will find much to love here.

Certainly it's great to see an all time classic enshrined and restored for modern day use. Additionally it opens up the game to exclusively console players that never played the original Diablo 2 on PC. There's no denying its significance in gaming history, and looks wonderfully sharp in 4k, but the age of the source code is evident. Diablo faithfuls will get a great nostalgic kick on the clunky ever-grind that is Diablo 2: Resurrected, but it would be a difficult recommendation for any series newcomers.

The First Tree is an exceptional story of loss and regret. The achievement by the game's one developer, David Whele, cannot be understated. The combination of all the elements of this experience creates one of the most memorable games this year. If you enjoy narrative adventure games then The First Tree is more than worth the two-to-three hours it takes to beat it.

With its evocative setting and a delectable mix of PvE and PvP gameplay that provides a peerless theater for emergent player stories, Hunt: Showdown is an exceptionally clever and thoughtful shooter that elevates the genre as a whole. I can see Hunt Showdown being a fixture of my gaming diet for months, even years to come.

Much more than just a sterling evolution of arcade legend Gauntlet, Heroes of Hammerwatch melds superbly robust dungeon crawling gameplay together with ingenious roguelike design to create the genre's next must-have title. If like me you missed out on Heroes of Hammerwatch when it first released, now is the time to correct that mistake. You won't regret it.

There is a lot to love about Granblue Fantasy Versus Rising. From its excellent story mode, simple yet complex combat that's made accessible to every type of player. But what steels the show is the extremely fun Grand Brute mode. There is a lot to love about Granblue Fantasy Versus Rising, and it's easily the sleeper-hit fighting game this year.

Beyond Galaxyland tells a fantastic tale full of colorful characters in a vast world full of surprise and wonder. It's a shame that its combat system is locked to an ability system that seems to hinder you more than help. Though its world is grand, the game's lighting gets in the way, making dark areas impossible to see and the light regions blinding the eye.

Sorry, We're Closed does a lot of things well: storytelling, organic world building, and writing. It even adds in its own twists on the horror genre, like the neon presentation and the way it delivers combat. The Third Eye makes for a nice touch as well. Aiming can be a finicky problem unless you turn on aim assist, and the game likes to throw a lot of enemies at you. Even with all that, Sorry, We're Closed is an easy recommendation and necessary content for anyone even claiming to be a horror fan.

Life is Strange Episode 3 is another thrilling entry in this intriguing adventure series, featuring some of the best plot development to date.

Gunslugs is a fast-paced, retro-inspired, run-and-gun shooter that brings some of mobile gaming's best to PlayStation Vita.

Shift 2 is an outstanding driving game, if not quite the "real racing" experience its slogan so boldly promises.

Age Of Mythology Retold is a solid RTS with tonnes of content and modes to satisfy different gaming tastes but its steep learning curve and time investment to master its controls may be too much for some.

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.

This collection of fighting games sits comfortably with Capcom's other compilations as a similarly high quality collection of some truly classic games that were previously stuck on old hardware. For some of these games, it might be the beginning of a new era for their compeititve scene. For others, the mere fact they're here is enough as a curio. Immaculate emulation and slick new features make this the definitive way to play with friends and share the experience.

Brimming with charm and immediately accessible – while still harbouring a degree of mastery if you put the time in – Ghost Town Games’ sequel is impossible to dislike and again flies the flag proudly for the lost art of couch co-op gaming.

Bloodroots combat is fast and frenetic that is on par with games like Hotline Miami and The Hong Kong Massacre. With great presentation and a good amount of replayability, Bloodroots is a wildly bloody and thoroughly satisfying time.

Atelier Ryza 3: Alchemist of the End and The Secret Key bids a fond farewell to arguably the franchise's most beloved alchemist. With it comes a series-encompassing narrative and engaging yet imperfect combat. To boot, you can dig into the systems as much or as little as you want and still succeed. Ryza 3 truly sets the bar for the Atelier franchise.

Bionic Bay is the perfect game to keep between bigger more involved titles but also has an interesting narrative for those who want it, perfectly balancing fun and challenge with a very approachable pick-up-and-play style.

Despite some minor setbacks, Polarized is a fantastic conclusion to Life is Strange and cements Dontnod's teen drama as a serious contender for Game of the Year.

Dredge is a dreadfully enticing horror experience draped in the skin of a fishing game. The way Black Salt Games executes its terrors of the deep should be respected because the developer has created a slow-burn dread that utilizes the best aspects of Lovecraft’s cosmic horror.

Warm, direct and with simple, hassle-free gameplay The Last Campfire is a breath of fresh air. It will not take too much of your time, it will respect your intelligence and overall is just a rewarding and fun gameplay experience. In a world of heavy, AAA titles, games as service titles and bloated RPGs, The Last Campfire is a beacon of hope that small, wonderful, single-player experiences will carry on. Well done Hello games, I loved it.

The most ambitious LEGO game to date is an open-world delight that excels in its depth and the satisfaction that each new collectible brings. LEGO Batman 2: DC Super Heroes is well worth your time, even if it sometimes shows the developer's inexperience with the genre.

Helldivers may not look that spectacular, but it certainly plays that way. A hardcore shoot 'em up that rewards tactical thinking and teamwork.