Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora offers a visually appealing open world that fans of the movies will certainly enjoy. That said, Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora is routinely held back by repetitive gameplay, while a lack of enemy types and weapons stops the combat from being quite as enjoyable as it could have been. Technically impressive and satisfying for the most part, it's also clear that Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora feels essentially just like another Far Cry game from a game design point of view, rather than the sort of entirely fresh offering one would expect from a modern day Avatar video game.

Arizona Sunshine 2 shows just what fun the PSVR 2 can be if utilized correctly. I had a blast blowing off limbs of the undead and participating in some extremely satisfying reload animations. It may not win awards for its story, but it's easily one of the best titles to utilize the power and technology of the PSVR 2. There is endless fun to be had alone or with up to four buddies.

A serviceable strategy game for a casual fan of the genre - veteran tactics enjoyers may find this game a bit too easy to exploit and beat without much resistance. While there is a plot with somewhat interesting dynamics here, it feels far too safe to stand out in a sea of other titles. A stellar soundtrack and detailed pixel-art tie the game together with an appealing style but this only does so much to set it apart.

Gangs of Sherwood is a fun sleeper title that features great combat and characters. I enjoyed playing through each hero and seeing their unique abilities at play. With great level design, plenty of secrets, and replay value, especially when playing with friends, Gangs of Sherwood may be the co-op title you're looking for this holiday season.

Astral Ascent maintains the legacy of the Roguelike genre with polished and satisfying combat, vibrant pixel retro inspired visuals, unique concept, fantastic voice acting, and incredible replay value that will have you longing to return to the game before your latest run is done. If you're into Roguelikes or looking to jump into the genre, Astral Ascent provides a great challenge for enthusiasts, and a warm invitation for new comers.

Whilst Dredge: The Pale Reach is lacking depth and is more suited for new players experiencing this excellent cosmic horror fishing game for the first time, Black Salt Games gave me more of what I already love, and that's rarely a bad thing. I don't need much of an excuse to jump back into the world of Dredge, so here's hoping The Pale Reach is the first expansion of many more to come.

When based on combat alone, Naruto X Boruto Ultimate Ninja Storm Connections maintains the success maintained throughout the series. Unfortunately, very little accompanies it in this package, with the only worthy exception being a short but sweet Special Story exclusive to this game. A solid discount would make buying this game worthwhile.

The Last Faith is not just a game; it's a haunting symphony of gameplay, storytelling, and atmosphere that sets a new standard for the genre. It's a journey that demands to be experienced, a masterpiece that will leave an indelible mark on the souls of those who dare to step into its dark embrace.

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.

Persona 5 Tactica is a formidable offering of a strategy RPG and stands as an extremely approachable yet adequately deep entry point for those who may not have tried the genre before. The story on offer here has an interesting mystery at its core but ultimately stands as another excuse for the Phantom Thieves to come out of retirement for another supernatural mystery. Despite the repetition that can sometimes set in, Persona 5 Tactica is a solidly fun title that manages to seamlessly blend elements of the core franchise into a brand new genre.

Teardown is superb. The perfect mix of creative gameplay, sandbox destruction and a rewarding gameplay loop add up to something truly special. I could not put it down, as I was constantly thinking about how to complete each objective and it let my creative juices flow. Teardown is one of my favourite games this year and is truly unique in an increasingly repetitive medium.

Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3 is a low point for series. A passable multiplayer suite can't prop up the uninspired campaign, and dreadfully dull zombies mode. The series needs to take a break from the annualised release schedule, and inject some much needed creativity into the legendary franchise.

Refining and building on what came before, Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2 is a wholesale improvement from the original game. From casual multiplayer mayhem to a surprisingly robust single-player offering, effort has been poured into every facet of this title to deliver a memorable time that will absolutely be appreciated by fans and non-fans alike.

The Talos Principle 2 is a testament to the power of video games as a medium for profound storytelling and intellectual stimulation. If you're seeking a unique and thought-provoking gaming experience, this is a game you must experience on the PlayStation 5.

Like A Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name is another fantastic entry into this much-loved series, proving that Kiryu has more than enough gas left in the tank to continue fronting the series. Despite some combat gadgets feeling a bit gimmicky and some obvious grinding to lengthen the story, The Man Who Erased His Name is a compelling time sink and proves that Kiryu isn't a spent force.

I enjoyed exploring Regis III and uncovering the various mysteries that it holds. However, while the gameplay is simple and basic, The Invincible excels in its fantastic writing and performances from main characters, Yasna and Novick. As I played through the game, I was driven deeper and deeper into its narrative until the big reveals were finally unleashed.

DUSK is that rare throwback effort that not only demonstrates an intimate understanding of why we loved those retro shooters from 1990s, but also puts carefully implemented wrinkles in place that all feel like a natural progression of that classic formula. One of the most satisfying and atmospheric retro shooters available, you'll find no stronger or better love letter to the halcyon days of PC shooters than DUSK.

Representing some of the most fun I have had with my PlayStation VR2 headset since launch, though Kill It With Fire VR is a touch too short, what we have here is nonetheless a hugely entertaining morsel of VR gaming that deftly blends a real-life fear of arachnids with a corresponding range of increasingly deranged methods to deal with them. Easy to play and resoundingly suitable for VR newcomers, Kill It With Fire VR is a whole heap of welcome chaotic fun.

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.

Stray Souls barely works well enough to finish, but it lacks the kind of refinement and effort needed to bring together all of the ideas presented in this game. Doubly so, the technical issues make an already fragmented narrative feel even more disjointed. Even for people who enjoy bad horror, this is a hard sell.

Tales of Arise: Beyond The Dawn is another chance to adventure with Alphen and the rest of the gang. Bosses are still too big, and said boss also have too much health. While it's not meant for everyone, fans will get exactly what they want from this expansion.

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.

Ebenezer and the Invisible World is refreshing on one hand in that it manages to break the curse of awful festive games by delivering a tightly focused Metroidvania offering that boasts an attractive visual veneer. On the other however, it's also clear that Ebenezer and the Invisible World certainly doesn't break any new ground in the genre and arguably fades somewhat when compared to its more illustrious peers. Nonetheless, though far from exceptional, Ebenezer and the Invisible World still presents a perfectly entertaining genre entry all the same and a great way to celebrate the holidays.

With atmosphere that is second to none, a superb setting and eminently entertaining stealth/assassination gameplay that underscores a non-linear story, there's so much to like about Vampire: The Masquerade - Justice, particularly if you're fan of the World of Darkness setting into which it embeds itself. However, a wealth of bugs that often cause discomfort take some of the sheen away from what is one of the more immersive PlayStation VR2 offerings of the year.

While RoboCop does have some fun moments and enjoyable gameplay, it is, on the whole, a shallow, repetitive experience. Living the power-fantasy of being RoboCop does not save it from glitchy, rudimentary gameplay and a story that is too similar to the movies. If you love RoboCop like me, you may find something here to enjoy, otherwise, look elsewhere for your gaming goodness.

With Achilles: Legends Untold what you have is a surprisingly effective combination of dungeon crawling gameplay and Soulslike mechanics which add up to a satisfying and visceral offering. Though it's a fraction of the size and scope of the games that it seeks to emulate and some elements of it feel a little under baked, Achilles: Legends Untold is nonetheless an endearingly scrappy, rough around the edges sojourn into ancient Greek mythology that hack and slash fans who have found themselves tired of Diablo IV will surely welcome.

Star Ocean: Second Story R takes what made the original so great and, instead of reworking it, went out and built a better experience around it. The excellent art design, the fantastic action combat, and the striking visuals come to life in what is easily one of the best RPGs of 2023 and a blueprint on how to make a great remake while keeping the spirit of the original alive.

World of Horror uniquely combines roguelikes, horror, and point-and-click into one delectable package. While the formula creates a significant amount of repetition and the controls aren't as refined to consoles as they could be, the final package is still a worthy look for fans from all three genres.