System Shock is an incredible remake of a cult classic game that gives the original the facelift it needed to become relevant and present in today’s gaming conversation.

Easily the best entry in the long-running series to date, though Farming Simulator 22 might not have a picture perfect PS5 debut, it does augment the series already robust strategic and micro-management fundamentals with a number of new additions and features that make it an erstwhile choice for series veterans. Though newcomers will likely struggle with the tutorial and learning curve, Farming Simulator 22 soon becomes an engaging time sink that not only taxes the brain duly, but helps to provide a modicum of insight into the sheer amount of hard graft that goes into one of the most challenging occupations in the world.

Guilty Gear Strive is a simply stunning anime fighter with an astonishing depth of competitive gameplay. It does all it can to welcome newcomers with an extensive training mode and streamlined fighting mechanics, but it is still very much the beloved Guilty Gear niche experience, and rightly so. You can't have too much of a good thing, and Guilty Gear is certainly a good thing, so it's a slight shame that there isn't more content to sink our teeth into. Nevertheless, as a competitive fighting experience, it is still a fantastic entry that fans of the series will adore.

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

Weird, unique and brilliantly designed, Backbone is a game like no other in 2021. The narrative is both mysterious and absorbing, the characters and dialogue are fun and it never overstays its welcome. I wish I was given a little more information in the second half of the game and the ending a bit more fleshed out but I was left wanting more. Backbone surprised me massively and I enjoyed it a lot.

After completing Zero Time Dilemma all I want to do is go back through all three games with the knowledge I’ve gained through the series, and see how far back everything is foreshadowed and set up. This isn’t just an impressive game in its own right, but a fantastic trilogy that should be experienced by anyone looking for a good sci-fi puzzle thriller.

Forget about graphic fidelity, and find a strong narrative and character development alongside a universal combat system that Tales of Hearts R can only deliver to the PlayStation Vita.

A fun and quirky RPG that infuses the leveling system with some BDSM flair. It is great for an hour here or there when wanting to relax, and the avant-garde approach to leveling has to be praised. Those who have problems with sexuality will have issues with the game.

One of the most polished dungeon crawlers in years, Victor Vran is an easy recommendation to anyone with even the slightest fondness for the genre.

For anybody who enjoyed Vampire Survivors and wanted something resembling a full-throated next step of that formula, Soulstone Survivors fits the bill handily. Though the small map sizes and occasional slowdown take the sheen of the package a little, Soulstone Survivors nevertheless makes a compelling case for itself as the next essential Survivors title that is very much worth of your hard earned cash.

Kaze and The Wild Masks is an instant classic in the side-scrolling genre. It's a simple, well-executed formula that channels tons of different inspirations while still holding true to its own vision. The gameplay is top-notch and offers everything a fan could want, from beautiful sprite work to collecting shiny objects. Consider this a must-own among the other great side scrollers.

Cry Wolf ends one of the best murder mysteries in recent memory on a high note with a masterfully delivered narrative and resonant themes about the meaning of choice.

Ghost 1.0 has the heart of a beloved project and the soul of the best Metroidvania games in the industry. Despite its few quirks, the balance between accessibility and challenge, coupled with intriguing writing makes Ghost 1.0 a worthy pickup for even those with some curiosity about the game.

A fun, grind-heavy dungeon crawler that shows off some wonderful anime designs. It is an easy pickup for most RPG fans, but especially for those looking for an old-school Wizardry experience.

A fun way to learn the guitar which compliments existing methods with a comprehensive set of tutorials and a superb feedback system that challenges you to improve.

God Eater 3 is a shining example of a sequel improving in almost every way. For those looking for a more story driven alternative to Monster Hunter World, God Eater 3 is maybe your game.

Far Cry 2 meshes high-octane gunplay with open world gameplay, and it does a damn good job. There’s a lot of great games coming this holiday season, but don’t let this one go unnoticed.

Though I still remain surprised that Return to Monkey Island even exists, I can't contest what Ron Gilbert and developer Terrible Toybox have wrought here. By masterfully combining the witty and thoughtful point and click escapades of the series past with a newfound warmth and charming aesthetic, Return to Monkey Island is by and large the series return that fans have long been waiting for and is a roaring success in the process.

Season: A Letter to the Future is a poetic, melancholy rite of passage experience like no other. Its take on facing the end of the world is about preserving what was rather than trying to survive what will be, and is all the better for it.

A riotous, non-linear RPG with great turn-based battles and a delectable 1980’s style cartoon veneer, The Banner Saga is the first truly essential strategy title on PS4.

There’s nothing new for repeat players except another crack at an exceptional, if ever-so-slightly dated game. For those who haven’t picked up Resident Evil 4 in a while however, this is as good a time as any to remind yourself of what heights this series can reach.

A clever twist on rhythm-style games featuring all that the retro scene has to offer.

A gentle and meditative story which combines simple platforming puzzles and some basic steam engineering to great effect. Beautifully illustrated and scored, FAR Changing Tides is a joyful experience for patient players who are happy to jump aboard this serene cruise through a flooded but gorgeously bleak post-climate changed world.

The combat is fluid, tight, rewarding, and entertaining. The only issue I found was having the exact ability to target specific enemies within as group on the fly for either a web ball for distraction or a web assault, and it would sometimes hit the wrong target and potentially ruin combos.

Shadow Legend VR is a modest adventure title with a sprinkle of action, though it hints at a giant world hiding outside of what the player sees. Every mechanic in the game works well, from the exploration to the combat. Shadow Legend VR is recommended as a demonstration of the interactivity that VR can offer, couched in an enjoyable fantasy adventure. This is one of the better fantasy VR titles available on PSVR.

A solid ending to the powerful Life is Strange prequel series, Hell is Empty delivers all the emotional beats that you would expect as Chloe and Rachel’s adventures come to a close.

A Crooked Mile pushes Wolf's story forward in a way that isn't just about what's potentially coming next. This is exciting, unsettling interactivity that makes only a few missteps before episode's end.

Mega Man 11 is another great addition to the franchise. The unique Dual Gear system gives the franchise a much needed boost to the formula. It may be easier than past titles in the franchise, but Mega Man 11 is a great title for newcomers and veterans alike.