If you like urban open worlds with life sim elements, then it’s impossible not to recommend NTE right now. This game has one of the most beautiful, vibrant sandbox settings I’ve seen in some time – and despite some irksome characters, I’m generally enjoying its plot so far, which blends slice of life mangas with sci-fi horror. The gacha business model is understandably not going to resonate with everyone, but at launch this is one of the more generous games in the genre thus far. And the sheer number of things to do day one, from managing coffee shops to beating down possessed DJ decks in DDR-style rhythm battles, is simply unprecedented.

By and large, Little Nightmares VR: Altered Echoes succeeds in adapting the series for headsets, though it’s disheartening that it repeats mistakes from past titles. But, if you already like Little Nightmares, you’ll absolutely enjoy the two hours you spend with this.

Saros is a brilliant third-person shooter that takes what worked in Returnal and streamlines it for an even smoother game without diluting the fun. The core gameplay is the star attraction; complex yet intuitive, and a perfectly judged challenge that's so satisfying to overcome. With compelling permanent progression, flexible ways to modify your experience, and an intriguing story to follow, this is another step towards Housemarque's planetary takeover.

There's so much to like in Vampire Crawlers; it's fast-paced, tactical, and super satisfying. We heartily recommend it, but beware its terribly addictive nature.

MOUSE: P.I. for Hire offers incredible art and animation, as well as enjoyable first-person shootouts. For that, it certainly succeeds — just don't expect it to do much of anything else.

We expect great things from Supergiant Games, and with Hades 2, the developer has proved its mastery of the roguelike genre. Addictive, rewarding, stylish, and extremely compelling, you cannot call yourself a true roguelike fan without experiencing Melinoë's immortal journey.

Pragmata knows its strengths and leans into those hard, and the result is a cracking action game that just feels brilliant to play. One could argue it could do with a little more variety throughout its campaign, but the game's unique hack-and-shoot combat is so fun and so satisfying to pull off that you won't mind doing it over and over again. A refreshingly straightforward structure and charming dual leads round things out, but it's the inventive and tactile action where it truly sings.

Marathon doesn’t have that instant fun factor and casual appeal that an extraction shooter like ARC Raiders does. And for a lot of people, that likely means it isn’t the game for them. But Marathon is a game that gives more to you the more you give to it. With impeccable Bungie gunplay, a gorgeous world and artstyle, and a gameplay loop much denser than its competition, we think Marathon is something special. The more we play, the more we love it.

Screamer is a bold and exciting arcade racing game that stands out from the pack. It takes some big swings, and most of them have worked out, save for a story that maybe outstays its welcome. The racing itself is unique and challenging, and once you have a handle on all its systems, it's very rewarding to master. With its stylish presentation on top, this is one racer very much in its own lane.

The Island makes its return this year, and seeks to persuade sceptical players to hop into its multiplayer world, joining one of three, Superstar-lead factions for wrestling dominance. While it's to be commended that voice acting, the bonkers Scrapyard match, and additional character customisation options have been added, we experienced several crashes throughout, plus it still smacks of money grubbing to us, so your mileage may vary...Equally, the Battle Pass-style changes to DLC and general unlocks could prove divisive, and not all wrestler likenesses are created equally. In spite of these shortcomings, however, WWE 2K26 is another strong effort from 2K and Visual Concepts, and one not to be missed by wrestling fans.

Monster Hunter Stories 3 is the pinnacle of the series in so many ways — especially from a storytelling perspective. At its core, it's a ridiculously addictive monster taming RPG, boasting in-depth progression systems and satisfying combat mechanics — but it does take quite a long time for everything to truly click.

On paper, Resident Evil Requiem is essentially a two-in-one package that delivers both excellent survival horror and action gameplay. It is that in practise, too, but the playtime imbalance between the two is enough that you’ll get too much of one and not enough of the other. At the end of it all, it’s another fantastic entry — you just might not get everything you’re looking for out of it.

Avowed is arguably Obsidian's strongest modern release, and it's not for the reasons that you may think. While the game's writing and storytelling often lack bite and excitement, its gameplay saves the day with a cracking combat system, meaningful player choice, and the enjoyable exploration of some truly stunning locales.

By improving upon its work from the Little Nightmares series, Tarsier Studios has crafted its greatest horror game yet. Reanimal is an impressive, smooth mix of action, platforming, and top-of-the-line presentation. It’s a very gripping and intense experience, both in solo play and co-op.

Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties is one hell of a package. Taken purely as an expanded remake, it's an absolute blast for fans both old and new — but questionable changes to the story and its cast will inevitably stain the experience for plenty of people. It's such a shame that these unforced errors muddy the waters, because we think Kiwami 3 is probably RGG Studio's best remake to date — and one of the strongest titles in the series with regards to gameplay.

Nioh 3 takes all the best bits from Team Ninja’s previous efforts to form its greatest action experience in a very long time. Its new open zone maps provide more ways than ever to engage with its sublime, intense combat system — even if the activities themselves are entirely unoriginal. This is a familiar feeling title for a fanbase that knows what it wants, for few franchises do hardcore action better. Nioh 3 is its latest triumph.

Familiar yet different, Arknights: Endfield’s introduction of automation takes this open world gacha in an unusually compelling direction. While its eye-rolling reliance on proper nouns and lore make its sci-fi plot less compelling than it could be, a strong battle system and outstanding PS5 optimisation give this live service the best possible start.

Dragon Quest 7 Reimagined is a very high quality remake and a potent reminder of just how endlessly charming the longstanding series can be. While the story does still drag its feet at times, sweeping gameplay improvements and some welcome streamlining make Reimagined a must for anyone with a hankering for old school JRPGs.

Trails beyond the Horizon is one of the most impactful games in Falcom's series to date, dealing in world-altering revelations and truly dramatic story developments. For Trails fans who have come this far, Horizon has the potential to blow you away — but you need to be ready for hours of character recaps and exposition before things really start to ramp up.

Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora - From the Ashes is a simplified yet cinematic story expansion that focuses on the best of the IP, without bogging you down with too much clutter. Its new third-person mode gives the game a whole new feel, and we wouldn’t play it any other way. While Massive missed the mark with its Na’Vi enemies, it's a delight to spend more time in this giant multimedia sci-fi world.

Terminator 2D: No Fate is a nostalgic throwback to the time when Terminator 2: Judgement Day was released, and it feels very authentic to that. The shooting and action carry this game, making it feel like it was a tie-in released alongside the movie, but the short length and repetitive nature of it may weigh on some people and cause some questioning of its price tag. Regardless, even if you have never watched any of the Terminator movies, you may come away enjoying what this game is in its short spurts.

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 is without a doubt the most ambitious and polished sim on the PS5 – but it’s not without its faults. Slow loading, visual inconsistencies, an underwhelming sound mix, and plenty of bugs pull this otherwise exceptional experience back down to earth. But if you can accept its shortcomings and you’re open to learning about aviation, this an obscenely impressive package, with a seemingly never-ending array of activities to engage with. Digital tourists will adore its attention to detail, while aviation obsessives will simply get a kick out of sitting in the cockpits of their favourite aircraft.

While it lasts, this is quite easily the most strikingly unique and visually interesting skating game you can play, and we can't help but respect its relentless effort to go against the grain.

Marvel Cosmic Invasion does little to surprise, but it executes excellently on its retro beat-‘em-up ambitions. Depth perception can be a problem, but we like how the tag-team format gives the game a bit more of a chaotic feel, especially during local and online co-op sessions. And we also appreciate how each superhero handles slightly differently, adding a lot of replay value to a brawler that already has a relatively robust content offering.

So while it’s a short-lived experience, it’s one we couldn’t help but admire. It certainly caters to a niche audience, but it quickly creates a unique and tense atmosphere that plays with your head, even more so when you have the PSVR2 strapped to it.

Ultimately, this is a brilliant remaster of a great title, and if you’re a fan of shmups, this is a must.

Keeping one foot firmly in its own past, Age of Empires 4: Anniversary Edition is an exciting step forward for the series and a satisfyingly deep game in its own right; you'll likely learn something new each time you play.

Following up on the brilliant Tetris Effect was no easy feat, but Enhance has done it with Lumines Arise. At its core is an excellent puzzle game with lots of depth, and mechanics that gel perfectly with the emphasis on music and spectacular visuals. It's jam-packed with fun features that provide so many different ways to play, including series-best multiplayer and a great range of challenge modes. There are some very minor gripes if we're being really picky, but fans can rest assured that this is the big, flashy comeback Lumines deserves.