Initially, fans will eat this one up – the story and visual presentation acting as delectable dressing – but even the best of meals lose their allure over time if that's all there is to swallow.

Fe is a decent puzzle platformer with some nice ideas, but it all rings a bit hollow in the end. The various songs are a fun way to interact with the world, but some are barely used at all, while you'll rely on others almost constantly. It can also be surprisingly difficult to control, with a camera that isn't always cooperative and platforming that isn't as tight as it needs to be, especially in an environment as vertical as this. The story, which strives to be poignant, fails to leave an impact, and while the world is a nice place to explore, there isn't a whole lot in it. Ultimately, it's a fine game, but it struggles to leave a lasting impression.

A nice nostalgia trip, but not an essential purchase. Though all of the games bar Haunted Castle are good fun, none but the Gradius games and Thunder Cross truly stand the test of time. Considering the arcade games missing here, it’s hard to accept this as a ‘classics’ collection, but for what you’re given, you could certainly do worse.

Online-only play taints Next Up Hero and obviously puts off potential players, but this bright and colourful world can be enjoyable at times. Repetitive gameplay prevents the release from becoming a standout indie title, but it may have enough charm to entice a few aspiring heroes for at least a few hours.

Stood by itself, or put into the hands of a new player, Touch My Katamari might feel pretty great, but for experienced high rollers it misses the mark by nestling too close to the series' past. Though it attempts a new thing or two, it's not enough. Touch My Katamari's still fun at its core, but more clearly than ever it indicates that the series is dearly in need of another twist or a refreshed design.

By keeping simplicity at its core, Monkey King: Hero Is Back offers an entertaining if somewhat mindless distraction to the blockbuster titles releasing around it. Sure, it’s a little bit too short, the narrative isn’t particularly gripping, and it looks like an early PS3 game, but that all falls by the wayside in the heat of battle. Thanks to fun brawling mechanics, Monkey King: Hero Is Back does just enough to deserve your attention.

The atmosphere is perhaps the game's best achievement, though, with an ominous synth soundtrack and creepy environmental storytelling going on around you. It does just enough to keep you curious, but it's held back by some overly tough puzzles and enemies. It's not as smooth a ride as Playdead's efforts, then, but it's absolutely singing from the same hymn sheet. If you're into this brand of weird, wordless narrative adventures, it could be worth wiring up to 7th Sector.

While the game's underlying technology is impressive, there's just not enough content to keep you coming back.

As a whole, We Are Doomed doesn't quite meet its asking price. While what's here can be compelling for a short while, it quickly loses appeal. However, it's certainly not doomed, as it's a solid arcade shooter with a gorgeous – if occasionally distracting – art style and fitting music.

A surprisingly hardcore RPG that belies its child-friendly surface. Teeth-gnashing boss battles can almost always be overcome with careful consideration and patience, and, when you find the solution, you'll wonder why you were even annoyed in the first place. The story is guff with a set of bland characters that do little more than move you from place to place, but you could do worse.

There's a good, steady sense of progression, and elevators that take you to the end of each department alleviate some of the repetition. When you get on a good run and build yourself up with beneficial buffs and powerful attacks, the game starts to sing. There's definitely plenty to like about Have a Nice Death, but its flaws prevent it from reaching the heights of its contemporaries.

MediEvil's PS4 makeover sees the classic brought back to life, and it's an extremely faithful remake that fans will love. However, many of the old issues return as well, such as a dodgy camera and stiff gameplay. Sir Dan die-hards will be able to forgive these leftover problems, as this is otherwise a solid remake overflowing with character. If you've any nostalgia for this retro Sony title, or are looking for something spooky to play this Halloween, MediEvil has never been better -- just be wary of the skeletons in its closet.

Pac-Man and the Ghostly Adventures 2 is a simple game, but it’s a fine experience if you’re a fan of the franchise.

Worms Revolution is a cute experience, assuming you don't take it too seriously. If you do, it will drive you nuts. This is definitely a game that will appeal more to old-school fans, as newcomers will find the game frustrating due to its control issues. The sad truth is that Team 17's classic strategy series isn't as fun as it used to be – but it's still a decent timewaster if you've got some buddies nearby

Human: Fall Flat is a reasonably enjoyable puzzle platforming experience – especially if you bring a buddy along for the ride. Although its wacky controls and simplistic visuals may trip it up along the way, its solid variety of puzzles and beautiful music stop it from falling flat on its face.

Both Museum Archive volumes utilise the same basic user interface and generic retro music that is serviceable, if a bit dull. They also employ the same settings, including a screen size modifier and a rewind system that makes any game laughably easy when abused. Having exactly the same functionality in both games also raises the uncomfortable question of why these collections had to be separated into two volumes at all. Still, they both offer a good selection of nostalgic gems, the odd so-so title like the frustratingly sloppy Mappy-Land, as well as a disappointing lack of unlockable extras. If it were one complete collection it’d be easily recommended but, as two separate purchases, these are for hardcore Namco fans only.

Schim is a relaxing way to spend an afternoon. It’s not the kind of experience that’ll change your world, but if you’re looking for something a bit more laid-back and low-stress, you won’t go far wrong with this one.

The result is a package that settles for a par score – nothing less and nothing more.

While Nights of Azure is an enjoyable enough ride, it doesn't really possess anything that makes it worth investing a large amount of time in.

Both Museum Archive volumes utilise the same basic user interface and generic retro music that is serviceable, if a bit dull. They also employ the same settings, including a screen size modifier and a rewind system that makes any game laughably easy when abused. Having exactly the same functionality in both games also raises the uncomfortable question of why these collections had to be separated into two volumes at all. Still, they both offer a good selection of nostalgic gems, the odd so-so title like the frustratingly sloppy Mappy-Land, as well as a disappointing lack of unlockable extras. If it were one complete collection it’d be easily recommended but, as two separate purchases, these are for hardcore Namco fans only.

Puzzles which consist of navigating logic gates by pushing buttons are fine, but not particularly taxing. The hacking mechanic has its uses, though, and a surprisingly engaging story will pull you through the game despite its flaws. It's a shame that some of the gameplay doesn't measure up, because there are some good ideas here. Sadly, there's an inconsistent level of quality that makes Recompile hard to recommend.

There are several issues though and its biggest one regards movement, which offers three options: teleportation, swinging the PlayStation Move controller, or a smooth option reliant on button pressing. None of them click perfectly and adding to this, character models look a bit rough. If you can get past these flaws, Onslaught is ultimately enjoyable, bringing good combat and rebuilding Alexandria is quite fun. If you’re a fan of the TV series, this is worth a look.

Unquestionably the definitive version of Team Ninja’s flamboyant fighter, Dead or Alive 5 Ultimate repurposes the panache of its predecessor – and pops a glazed cherry on top. The gameplay mechanics are still a smidgen shallow, and there may not be enough meaningful content to woo those that have already had their fill with the original release – but franchise fans and curious newcomers will find a competent option here.

Call of Cthulhu’s successfully evokes Lovecraft’s Mythos by delivering an eerie story that ultimately doesn’t stray too far from some well-trodden ground. While anyone expecting a terrifying horror title or an RPG packed will player choice and decisions will need to check those expectations at the door, there’s at least a half-decent adventure game lurking under the surface.

The strongest asset at the game’s disposal is its breadth of bite-sized content. A surprisingly solid number of ships with distinct variance complement a whole mess of game modes, including a few local multiplayer options. Most of the game modes take under a minute when you first start, and as you adapt to the game’s rhythms, you’ll start going upwards of five minutes. But ultimately, what you walk away with is a game that delivers enjoyment in small, concise doses at an exceedingly low price point. You probably won’t be thinking about it later this year once all of the big games have released, but it’s still worth a bit of your time.

Immortals of Aveum presents us with an interesting new fantasy universe in which magic replaces bullets, but in practice it doesn't quite hit the mark. Despite solid fundamental action, combat can quickly become difficult to read, devolving into a dizzying swirl of colourful effects. Solid presentation and performance lead to some visually arresting scenes, even if the story isn't particularly memorable. It's a good first effort from Ascendant Studios, and the potential is absolutely there, but there's a feeling that the team bit off a little more than it could chew.

In One Punch Man: A Hero Nobody Knows, becoming a hero for fun isn't all it's cracked up to be. Saitama is a hilariously game breaking gimmick that pays off in single-player, but online he only leads to frustration. Elsewhere,the main story mode has plenty to do, but there's not much variety. Fans will mostly enjoy the writing and the fighting, but newcomers might be left wanting.

RoboCop: Rogue City does an admirable job of bringing the gritty universe of the films to life and of capturing the feeling of playing as the armoured enforcer himself. However, there are only so many cyberpunk lowlifes one can blast to bits before the repetition sets in.

There are some neat ideas bubbling beneath Battleship's surface, but the overall poor presentation and frustrating lack of ideas mean this tie-in is best left at the bottom of the ocean.

A lot of care and effort has been poured into Arslan: The Warriors of Legend's story mode, but the narrative focus has taken attention away from other aspects of the release. Outside of the plot, things are enjoyable but unspectacular, and by and large, the title feels like the basis for a better sequel.

Bridge Constructor Stunts bucks conformity and injects a little pizzazz into proceedings with a more entertaining and liberating play on the series formula. Perhaps a better fit for mobile play, it lacks enough depth to keep console players genuinely engaged, and it’s a little reluctant to let you play with the toys. Still, there are a few hours of fun to be had here.

Pato Box attempts to do something different with the Punch-Out!! formula, and succeeds in weaving a story through the boxing matches and light puzzle solving. With a unique visual style and silly tone, this entertaining oddity certainly stands out from the crowd. However, some fights can feel a touch unfair, especially with poor checkpointing, and with very limited content, this probably won't last you too long.

ToeJam & Earl: Back in the Groove is a relentlessly faithful retread of the 90s classics. Fans of the funky alien duo are sure to enjoy it, but clumsy gameplay and some frustrating design choices date it in a bad way. Mixing elements of the two Mega Drive titles works well, and the oddball stylings and music are as good as ever. However, it just feels a bit tired, and maybe could've benefitted from a modern shot in the arm. If you love ToeJam & Earl, this is well worth a look, but fans of other PS4 roguelikes might be less impressed.

Yu-Gi-Oh! Millennium Duels is mainly for the fans. While newcomers may be able to appreciate the depths of this card-based battler, its low-frills presentation makes it a difficult sell.

Dino Frontier’s fun for the few hours you’ll wring out of it, but it could have been so much more. The game is bursting with brilliant ideas, but it never really evolves any of them, leaving an experience that expires long before the cold clutches of extinction have had an opportunity to arise. It’s a shame because with a bit more time in the saloon this could have been a classic – but you may want to wait until it's half-price before pulling the trigger on this release.

The shooting is fun, frantic, and makes for a great two-hour time sink. Not to mention the precision and responsiveness of aiming with Moves is far better than we’ve come to expect even from some of the bigger titles. The downside is you’ll probably never have an interest in revisiting the title after that initial foray.

Squares is a nice time killer that uses the available hardware features really well, but there just isn't enough problem solving involved for it to be considered a great puzzle game. With too much of a focus on testing your reflexes, this is a Vita title that's best enjoyed in short bursts.

There are also some thrilling chase sequences that help to change the tempo of the game, as well as sections where you’ll explore a large part of the school while being stalked by an enemy: a police officer, a ghost, or something even scarier. Unfortunately, it’s often in these sections where the game falters. Movement is slow to make you feel vulnerable, but clues are spread so far and wide that you can often feel directionless and grow frustrated as you wander the dark hallways of the school while you search. Add to this some clunky transitions between gameplay and interactions, texture pop-in, and frame rate drops, and the spooky atmosphere crafted through brilliant sound design is stripped away.

Maglam Lord's got heart, but it's encased behind some disappointingly shoddy design.

It's not especially fun, but at least it's not utterly broken like last year's attempt. Those tempted should buy in the knowledge that you'll get exactly what you expect, and no reality-busting glitches or road-praising crowds.

Sherlock Holmes Chapter One should, on paper, be the best game out of Frogwares yet. It brings back all those satisfying detective features of the past and couples them with new mechanics and interactions. However, many of them are either surplus or frustrating enough to where they sometimes detract from the overall experience. And with a lifeless open world that doesn't run particularly well at even the best of times, it's not an easy recommendation. What fans loved from past Sherlock Holmes instalments is still there, but you'll need to do a bit of overtime to find it.

On a surface level Brawlout is a decent Smash Bros. clone. It's colourful and easy to pick up, but the brawling itself lacks impact and edge. If you're looking for a more casual fighting game experience -- something to play with friends, perhaps -- then it's worth a shout, but keep your expectations in check.

Klaus is a good game that takes too long to become so. The commentary baked into its narrative bleeds into the gameplay resulting in mechanics that are not provided enough nourishment to grow and an exposition that will lose many due to its over-commitment to delivering a message. The initial impression leaves a bad taste, and in a world where first impressions matter, this is difficult to overlook.

Doki-Doki Universe is a unique and quirky timewaster that unfortunately runs out of steam due to a lack of challenge and variety in its gameplay. While the colourful characters and brilliant art style keep it off the scrap heap, those craving a more involved experience would be better off summoning a different title to add to their collection.

Small frustrations aside, Save Room achieves exactly wanted it to do: create a faithful game based on the inventory management of Resident Evil 4. You need to have some love for the feature to get anything out of Save Room, but for those who do, it's an enjoyable enough experience.

Override: Mech City Brawl is good fun with a friend or two sitting on your sofa, but it lacks the kind of depth that a smaller release like this needs to be consistently compelling. The game's got some cool mech designs and watching big robots tumble through buildings is always enjoyable, but it's just not quite enough to carry the rest of the release.

For what it is, Goat Simulator 3 excels. It's a bigger, crazier sequel to the viral hit, built expressly to satiate anyone's appetite for chaos. It's the epitome of dumb fun; if you want to switch your brain off and just mess around for an hour or so, this is about as lowbrow as it gets, and we mean that as a compliment. There are some serious performance hiccups, and it's certainly not to everyone's tastes. Even if you love it, the novelty will eventually run dry, but if you're able to go along for the ride and lean into its madness, you'll have lots of fun while it lasts.

If you’re a fan of the original Dusk Diver, there’s plenty here for you to enjoy. Better combat and more time to hang out with the delightful staff of the Tumaz Mart is sure to please, but it's a shame that both the story and many of the side quests are fairly forgettable. Overall, this is a fairly solid hack-and-slash adventure with some really creative dungeons to explore, but it does have a little bit too much busywork and not enough variety.

Dead Island: Definitive Collection is by no means perfect, but it still succeeds in providing you with a substantial slice of flawed but generally fine zombie slaying action. Despite offering a graphical upgrade, though, there may not be much here to lure in those who have played these titles before – especially seeing as no real changes have been made to the core gameplay, and because newcomer Retro Revenge disappoints.

The series’ PS4 debut is very much a case of one step forward, two steps back – and while it lays the groundwork for a great game, 2K Sports has a lot of work to do to unlock it.

Oninaki falls short of being a great action RPG, but it's not without its charms. An intriguing world and story keep things afloat, while an addictive character progression system distracts from repetitive dungeon crawling. This definitely isn't Tokyo RPG Factory's best game, but it is an interesting diversion. With a little more depth, a sequel would be a tempting proposition.

Other game modes feel slightly less frenetic than the campaign and scenario modes, and are definitely the modes to try if you really want to take your time and not feel rushed. There's definitely a lot of opportunity to play the game exactly how you want to, and find the mode that works for you if you feel the competitive options are a bit too stressful.

It's a shame, because so much of what's here is still so enjoyable. The combat is intense, challenging and varied, with a huge number of enemy types to battle against. You've got a ton of weapon options to tailor your build, and the capacity to level up seemingly hundreds of different stats in order to bring the fight to the Mages. It's just that those fights can be so unfair and one-sided due to the more random elements that can throw a spanner in the works. A brave attempt at something new, yes, but ultimately misguided.

While this may only be a very average JRPG at best, despite all of its flaws and framerate issues, Hyperdimension Neptunia Victory is absurdly lovable.

The DioField Chronicle is a decent strategy RPG. Its characters certainly won't live long in the memory, and it can be a an unnecessary grind, but it's well crafted and fairly engaging on the battlefield.

Unfortunately, there are also a lot of bugs present in the game. Characters will glitch in and out of existence while you’re talking with them. Sometimes the whole screen will go black and your character will pop up in a different part of the map when fast travelling. It’s things like this that really stop Potion Permit from reaching its potential, and its charming visuals can only do so much to counter this.

Sniper Elite V2 pins almost all of its hopes on its sniping mechanic, and it enjoys some success as a result. The game's disappointing presentation and lack of variety prevent it from providing much more than disposable entertainment, but with engaging gunplay and some decent replayability options, it's an enjoyable distraction when experienced in small chunks.

In its systems and its storytelling, Romancing SaGa 2 is still a unique RPG -- one that genre enthusiasts may want to experience for its unorthodox methods alone. For all of its strange intricacies, though, this is a flawed fantasy adventure, hindered by potentially significant balancing issues and a horrible looking user interface. As a curiosity, Romancing SaGa 2 is worth looking into, but a lot more could have been done to bring the overall package up to speed.

Completing puzzles unlocks more for you to tackle, and bits of abstruse text will pop up from time to time in an attempt at some sort of narrative. You'll also accumulate Trophies pretty rapidly, with an easily attainable Platinum at the end of it. Really, though, this is nothing more than a highly decorative set of jigsaws. It looks and sounds rather good with its stained glass aesthetic, but gameplay consists of simply moving pieces onto the board until you have the whole picture. That's not necessarily a bad thing, of course; if you're looking for something relaxing to play with no real pressure, this is about as chilled out you can get.

Hyper Void is fun every now and then, but there simply isn't enough content for us to recommend it to all of you. Instead, we're going to say that devout fans of the genre should be quick to jump on it, while everyone else waits for a price drop.

Branching storylines, cool combat, and rewarding RPG elements work in tandem to form a memorable adventure, but one that needlessly stumbles and falls over various technical issues. This certainly isn't the true ending that we were hoping for.

The controls are the big downside here, then, because it’s practically impossible to recreate the “feel” of the arcade original on a pad.

Life Is Strange: True Colors had every chance of becoming the series' best game to date, but it's been let down by arguably its most important element: the story. Wonderful character work can only go so far carrying a narrative that just isn't particularly exciting. And while Alex's power crafts one interesting scenario after another, it too isn't enough to offset those dull plot points. With an awful framerate to boot, Life Is Strange: True Colors falls short despite everything it has going for it.

There's a bunch of minor technical problems, and a recurring annoyance in which you're often given your next location at the end of a conversation, meaning you've got to just sit there hovering waiting for them to tell you where to go rather than telling you first and then talking on the way. But at least you've got sweet tunes to listen to as you drive in the form of Cloudpunk's stellar synth soundtrack.

Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin thinks that it's Daniel Craig's James Bond but it's actually Austin Powers. There's barely a moment in the game that isn't stretching credulity, be it the absurd writing, bewildering story, or inane characters. There's a host of technical issues, too. But somehow, despite everything, it manages to fail upwards and be a pretty good time. Maybe we've lost the plot but we liked it.

Fun in short doses, it does enough right to warrant a quick look, but even though creating your own weird and wonderful traps is the title's main draw, the gameplay can outstay its welcome when the difficulty level begins to rise.

Mass Effect's gameplay is unashamedly stuck in 2007. It's unpolished, frustrating, and much of it feels unnecessary. Fortunately, the plot and writing are enough to carry the experience. If you've already dipped into either of the series' superior sequels, prepare for a learning curve if you absolutely must explore the franchise's roots.

There's a likeable premise lurking within Haunt the House: Terrortown, but the game is far too obtuse to take advantage of it. Some players may have fun exploring the tiny title, but the developer needs to ensure that its future releases boast better communication and more content, or risk scaring consumers away.

Fans of 3D platformers will likely have a decent time with it, particularly if they enjoyed the original, but there are enough frustrations that hold this game back from being an easy recommendation.

Isonzo is a decent game. Solid in many areas, but never one to show off, the title delivers a good gameplay core, and offers it up at a reasonable price. Performance problems aside, good gunplay and interesting maps are enough to make the experience worth it, at least in the short term. A campaign or a large pool of maps could certainly enhance the value of the title, but even without it, you have a lean, satisfying experience that will be especially appealing to anyone with an interest in the First World War.

The decision not to release the drum controller in the West is a baffling one, as it robs Taiko No Tatsujin: Drum Session of its identity. However, if you're willing to give it a shot with a regular pad, there's a challenging rhythm game here for you to master, with a wide variety of tracks and seamless online play. The lack of extra modes is a shame, but if you get hooked on this game's unique brand of beat-matching gameplay, the climb towards better scores should keep you going for a good while.

Road Redemption feels like a PS2 arcade racer, for better and for worse. The high speed violence is fun to play in the decent roguelite campaign, online, and single races, and a cheesy tone keeps it down to earth. Visually, it's a generation behind, the controls take some getting used to, and there are undeniable performance problems, but there's a certain boldness and "screw you" vibe that somehow overrides these issues. If you're looking for a straightforward game to let loose in, this is a deeply flawed yet surprisingly enjoyable biker brawler.

My Hero One’s Justice is a perfectly adequate fighting game, and a good adaptation of its source material - but it's not much more than that. It provides a great opportunity to play as some much loved (and hated) characters, showcasing the variety of powers each has on offer while being a fun, engaging, and challenging anime-based title, but it's not quite the heroic effort that we were hoping for.

A fun throwback to a number of different beloved titles, Iron Crypticle is fun in short bursts and can be a blast with friends. Yet, aside from the charm of the 8-bit visuals, there isn’t an enormous amount here to keep you dungeon running once the initial novelty wears thin.

Our biggest criticism is that Sloane’s movement can be glacial, even when she breaks into a sprint, and that makes the constant backtracking a bit of a chore. You do unlock fast travel points and shortcuts, but you’ll feel like you’re going through the motions at times as you amble your way around the same streets and locations.

For the most part, Ghost Recon: Breakpoint is an enjoyable open world excursion, provided you know what to expect -- and let's face it, you probably know exactly what to expect. Its loot and gear score systems seem more than a little tacked on, but much like many of Ubisoft's other open worlders, there's a moreish quality to Breakpoint that's difficult to deny. In co-op there's potential for a lot of fun, and the freedom that you're given in both building Nomad and tackling missions is the game's greatest strength. However, an eye-watering number of microtransactions leave a sour taste, and a parade of annoying bugs give the release a disappointingly rough feel. Robust but bloated, Breakpoint is a mishmash that has its fun moments, but its identity is MIA.

A Plague Tale: Innocence deserves respect for daring to be different, funnelling you through a bleak European backdrop that’s seldom seen. Despite some neat ideas, though, the stealth and puzzle mechanics drag, and the story can’t quite make up its mind about what it wants to be. Furthermore, while the presentation is spectacular, the project lacks polish in key areas and overstays its welcome at times.

Redout 2 won't be worth the effort for a lot of people. It is rewarding, sure, but to be brutally honest, part of us thinks that you should just boot up WipEout Omega Collection instead and save yourself the trouble.

A fun first-person action game this may be, Killing Floor: Incursion rarely serves as anything other than just that. Its fluid play style and control scheme make decent use of being able to draw, aim, and holster your weapons with realism and ease, though it’s 4-5 hour campaign is often repetitive and lacks a little inspiration.

If you're looking for a fresh way to solve nonograms, this game's worth a gander, but others may not want to put on the specific brand of thinking cap required here for long.

The Shapeshifting Detective is an interesting idea that seems to have love and care put into it. Unfortunately, it’s a little too basic, and despite the gimmick of changing into other characters, becomes dull after about an hour of play. The actual narrative is an interesting case however, with additional hinted backstory for your main character, which is somewhat compelling. The visuals and tone are good too, but the hit and miss acting and slow pace make for a slightly underwhelming shapeshifting whodunnit.

It can't decide if it wants to be an RTS or a platformer, so both areas feel like they're not achieving their full potential. The presentation is gorgeous and it's enjoyable thinking about the smaller creatures in our world differently, but Empire of the Ants tries to be too much at once. The multiplayer is fun for a time, but lacks the depth seasoned strategy players want. A focus on either the story or RTS would have helped a lot.

White Night does a lot right, delivering a great story which only dips slightly in the run up to its conclusion.

Marvel vs. Capcom: Infinite is more complete than Street Fighter V, and its accessible bouts fare favourably – even though they’re likely to divide long-time franchise fans. But this package lacks the polish that you’d expect from such a high-profile title, and even accounting for its forgettable story, it still winds up feeling light. While it’s all largely agreeable, we’re yet to be convinced that this title is a knockout – let alone a Hyper Combo finish.

Lichtspeer's saving grace is its exceedingly satisfying aim-and-throw gameplay. Simple and yet devilishly compelling, it's the one trick up the game's sleeve that'll keep you coming back for more, despite some very challenging sections and so-so bosses.

Starlink: Battle for Atlas can’t decide whether to take its toys-to-life concept seriously, or drop it completely. It has a good, if somewhat repetitive, open world experience to offer, but it’s held back by mistakes that aren’t entirely its own fault.

What everything adds up to is a game that’s half good. If the more unique and compelling idea of the war was expanded upon, the title could have been much better.

You’ve already played a game like Rush Rover, but that doesn’t mean this little timewaster should be ignored. A dualstick roguelike, the shooter borrows liberally from various recent releases, delivering a wholly unoriginal yet generally well-executed experience. Playing as a mining machine, your role is to clean up randomly generated environments populated by rogue robots.

While the game doesn’t look particularly pretty, it does run at 60 frames-per-second on PS5, and the developer has implemented haptic feedback and the adaptive triggers, which help communicate the feel of driving a gigantic double-decker. Post-release support is en-route, too, promising new school bus-inspired gameplay and trams, so there’s a lot of life left in this one even once you’ve mastered the extensive content available on day one.

A less focused outing than its predecessor, Lost Sphear gets lost amid its various, undercooked systems, and it fails to successfully consolidate its many inspirations. It’s a pleasant enough game with a nice aesthetic, but we doubt we’ll be looking back on this one with too much sentimentality.

While Telefrag VR might be light on content, what is there is fairly impressive. Each of the game’s maps and weapons have strong identities that set them apart from one another, and the gameplay is exciting as well as polished. But ultimately, we’re just really worried that not enough people are going to show up and play. Finding a match proved tricky almost immediately, and if this trend continues, there may not be reason to add content going forward, which is not what the title deserves. Prove us wrong. Please.

There’s no doubt that Firewall Zero Hour’s tactical combat works well in virtual reality – in fact, the fledgling medium adds a lot to this FPS, allowing you to naturally gesture to teammates and intuitively check your corners in a way you couldn’t on a standard display. But while there are some structural and technical issues that we have confidence First Contact Entertainment will be able to fix, it’s the question marks over its community that make it a tough sell. It’s a chicken-and-egg situation that’s unfortunate for everyone involved, but it’s something that the developer would have been aware of when it embarked on creating an online-only multiplayer shooter for an install base of a few million headsets. Good as the game may be, it's something you need to keep in mind as well.

Wreckreation isn't quite the arcade racer many fans have been waiting for. Its super-fast racing action and emphasis on taking down rival drivers recalls fond memories of Burnout, and the game's focal point — the ability to build your own challenges and courses wherever you please — has bags of potential. Unfortunately, iffy physics and handling and a lifeless open world let the side down, but there's still fun to be had in this open world racer, especially if you can gather some pals for some online shenanigans.

Metrico is a visual and auditory delight: a sumptuous treat of a game with presentation that consistently impresses. However, a short running time, combined with occasionally shonky controls and a slightly frustrating central premise means that its gameplay never really lives up to its grand graphical grace.

Loot Rascals is an intriguing and infectiously charming roguelike. Its central mechanics are tense and engaging, and the meta-mechanic surrounding them provide a satisfying gimmick. Unfortunately, its card-based stat system offers little strategic variety, and its procedural generation can be frustrating.

We're a bit at odds with ourselves on Sonic Superstars. Fundamentally it's a really enjoyable side-scrolling Sonic title, but the two big ticket features — chaos emerald powers and co-op — are arguably the worst parts of it. While the emerald abilities have their uses, co-op just doesn't mesh with this gameplay at all. We can absolutely recommend this as a solo experience, as there's a lot to like about the fresh art style, largely great soundtrack, and multi-layered level design. Throw in a friend or two, though, and it quickly gets messy.

While this game is a good addition to the existing lore of the Planet of the Apes franchise, it offers little in terms of actual gameplay. The plot of the game is strong, but it's just not enough to totally carry the experience. Final Frontier feels like a valiant attempt at storytelling in a new environment, but it just doesn't quite stick the landing.

World War Z has all the makings of a good co-operative experience thanks to its comprehensive class and weapon variety, but its objective-based gameplay can’t quite live up to the same standard. You’re sure to find enjoyment in fending off swarms of the undead and the multiplayer is a real highlight, but it's unlikely to pull you away from better multiplayer titles for long.