Terra Nil is a deftly executed environmental strategy game that flips the script and delivers something unique and quite unlike the city-builders you grew up with. It might be a peaceful experience, but its mission statement is gravely earnest.

Bravely Default II is a fun sequel that does it’s best to improve on it’s predecessor. While the dungeon designs are simplistic and the side quests lack variety, it’s hard to ignore what Bravely Default II does well.

Lumines Arise, despite not being the full package, is a once-in-a-generation puzzler where Enhance has, as they did with Tetris, extracted the spirit of an iconic puzzler, they have taken all of its fundamentals, and form-perfected it alongside irresistible, cosmic audiovisual splendour that really does need to be seen, heard, and played to be believed.

In a genre that often isn’t for everyone, it’s hard to see who wouldn’t enjoy what Subnautica: Below Zero has to offer. It flourishes an enthralling sense of exploration and progression with a serviceable narrative to boot. It’s not without its flaws, but there’s nothing quite like it besides its predecessor, perfectly encapsulating the curiosity and dread that comes with exploring the deep.

While I don't think Ghost of Yotei quite reaches the heights of its predecessor, it is another worthwhile trip to a lawless Japan. It sports a tonally distinct and cinematic story, a visually diverse open world chock full of activities, and is another fantastic showcase for the power of the PlayStation 5.

Assassin's Creed Nexus VR is a great way to experience the series' most iconic gameplay pillars from a whole new perspective. It's not without some of the awkwardness inherent to VR, but it's a visual showpiece for the Meta Quest 3 that deftly places players into the shoes of three iconic assassins while feeling incredibly authentic.

Command And Conquer Remastered is a release for the fans with lots of community input that helped piece together this fantastic collection. There’s lots of content to dive into and lots of bonuses included. It's a remaster done right for a game and series-long forgotten. Welcome back, commander.

Battletoads is a victory for Microsoft, Dlala Studios and Rare. It successfully takes a brand that’s been dormant for over two decades, breathing new life into it and updating it for the modern generation ardently. While it’s a huge shame that Battletoads isn’t playable online, and makes some missteps in it’s third act, it’s hard to deny that this is the most charming rendition of our favourite videogame amphibians. But most of all it's funny, and that's refreshing.

Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake is a delicious serve of JRPG comfort food. It’s got depth that kept me experimenting with new party setups, challenging enough situations to really test them, and an overall story that’s keeps things interesting from start to finish with a beautiful visual style and music to match.

Cloudpunk is a tremendous accomplishment in creating a setting; in the sub-genre of cyberpunk, it knows few rivals. There’s a sense of place that demands your attention and dares you to comb every corner and jaw with every sentient settler. For a game about choice, a simplistic approach to gameplay can, at times, deprive the player of meaningful agency, which feels as though it soars in the face of the message. It’s still an absolute pleasure to drink in this one unforgettable night in Nivalis, Cloudpunk is a frontrunner for indie game of the year.

Cyberpunk 2077’s long-awaited next-gen console update is here, and the extended wait looks to have been worth it. The Performance Mode corrects all of the poor frame-rate issues in one fell swoop, not to mention the several thousand bug fixes that 14-months and change can bring. There’s even some new stuff to discover, from the ability to purchase/rent apartments to an overhaul of enemy AI. As a reboot of sorts it’s by no means perfect, but it’s now a great foundation on which to deliver more Night City stories.

Jusant’s melancholic world may be built on the absence of life but through its methodically refined climbing mechanics and richly rewarding thematic work, it carves a path that rarely ever leaves you looking down.

While it feels like Game Freak have been trying to find their footing with Pokémon over the last few years, Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl are a confident showing by ILCA that proves the series is far from dead. The classic formula is unchanged here, and still holds up, which will no doubt please long-time fans and newcomers alike. Smart new additions that feel like natural additions to the base game, coupled with a visual overhaul that captures the feel of the originals make for an experience that’s as nostalgic and comforting, as it is fresh and reinvigorating for the franchise.

While it feels like Game Freak have been trying to find their footing with Pokémon over the last few years, Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl are a confident showing by ILCA that proves the series is far from dead. The classic formula is unchanged here, and still holds up, which will no doubt please long-time fans and newcomers alike. Smart new additions that feel like natural additions to the base game, coupled with a visual overhaul that captures the feel of the originals make for an experience that’s as nostalgic and comforting, as it is fresh and reinvigorating for the franchise.

ENDLESS Dungeon is an exceptional example of genre-crossing excitement that offers players an ever-changing adventure in rich surroundings. The love, attention (and Dust) that Amplitude Studios has clearly poured into this title elevates it to a worthy addition to the already-fantastic ENDLESS universe.

Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney Trilogy completes the goal of bringing all Ace Attorney games to modern platforms with great ardour. While the three games included are more contentious favourites amongst fans, there's no doubt that Capcom has put in some great effort in bringing these games up to scratch for modern audiences. So, while the writing is still witty and the narrative mostly enthralling, this collection is also easily the best the series has ever looked and a collection many fans will appreciate.

Underneath cringeworthy writing and a nonsensical story, Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin leverages storied Final Fantasy fanservice with a fast and deep combat system to offer up fans a celebration of the franchise like no other. While the presentation is inconsistent and the equipment system sorely lacks focus, Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin is great fun from beginning to end.

Picking right up where it left off with Budokai Tenkaichi 3, Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero is a return to form and a celebration of everything Dragon Ball. Reinvigorated with characters and transformations from Dragon Ball Super as well as your favourites from Dragon Ball Z, the game feels both brand new and classic as it brings fast-paced action and eye-popping graphics into the new generation. While some players may be frustrated or overwhelmed with the learning curve of the controls, the rewards lie in mastering your favourite characters, and crafting an experience that blends your imagination and classic Dragon Ball.

Little Kitty, Big City is a hugely charming, succinct romp that's littered with gags laser-targeted at cat owners. It's light and breezy in the best ways, and although some technical rubs soured my time on Xbox Series X, it's a purr-fectly pleasant time.

Bayonetta & Vanquish 10th Anniversary Bundle brings together two of PlatinumGames’ best, giving them a fresh coat of paint to stand up to the visual standards of this decade. Vanquish is the clear winner of the two here, with some visually fantastic improvements, but both play just as well as they did ten years ago. While it's disappointing that bonus content isn't included, they’re still games any action fan shouldn’t miss.

Wayward Strand offers up a uniquely Australian take on the narrative adventure game with a gorgeous art direction and moving portrayal of hard-working people in a harsh system. Despite a couple of pacing issues and an unforgiven save system, Wayward Strand is an approachable and hugely enjoyable little world to explore and find some catharsis in.

In a market with so many deck-building games, leave it to Deconstructeam to turn the paradigm upright and create a card-builder, a brilliant outlet for player expression. The Cosmic Wheel Sisterhood is a stimulating crash course in coven politics of all kinds: identity, community, and straight up politics-politics.

Resident Evil 3 take some more creative liberties with its source material but still comes out on top. The remake offers a more refined take on the original game to become something much more memorable. While some spirit has been lost in translation, Resident Evil 3 is superbly paced and one of the better modern Resident Evil games, and a chapter that any horror fan shouldn’t miss.

Resident Evil Requiem is inarguably a brilliant game with an awkward identity. At its best, especially as Grace, it nails the dense, atmospheric survival horror experience that defined the series, pairing smart level design with tense decision-making and combat that feels weighty and brutal. But as the story shifts the focus to Leon and pivots towards action, it becomes a weaker echo of Resident Evil 4. Ultimately, while Resident Evil Requiem is a blast from beginning to end, it also can't decide what it wants to be, and that is bound to be divisive.

When the twin suns set on my time with LEGO Star Wars The Skywalker Saga, it was obvious to me that this production is lavished with love and worth every stud of its asking price. I've been around the block(s) with TT's games for some 15 years now, and this is without a doubt the best thing they've ever snapped together. If you're a gamer who’s young or young-at-heart-container, I'd be very surprised if this didn’t instantly click with you.

WWE 2K26 delivers in spades. While some questionable decisions around progression hamper the overall experience, alongside a litany of microtransactions invading some modes, there’s so much to sink your teeth into - whether it’s the excellent CM Punk Showcase or the ever-brilliant Universe mode. It’s a game for every type of wrestling fan, and continues to be one of the best annualised sports titles out there.

When it comes to pure fan service, there won’t be many better this year than Return to Monkey Island. It feels like the true sequel to LeChuck’s Revenge and it feels as though its clever, self-referential wit is a product of Gilbert’s return. As sad and nostalgic as parts of Guybrush’s newest tale can be, I had a wonderful time revisiting familiar people and places in yet another golden-age adventure.

Fun at face-value with significant underlying depth, Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 – The Official Video Game bursts off the blocks at lightning speed and doesn’t break stride, pushing for gold and delivering a fun experience along the way. With clean and crisp visuals and gameplay that’s easy to learn and more intense to master, the only jarring thing about it is seeing crowds of people huddled together in the audience – but that could be the 2020 shellshock speaking.