As such, this is a game for everyone who has ever enjoyed that sweet, sweet feeling of swiping loot from under the corpses of hundreds of enemies – and thanks to this Vita edition, you can do it in style on the bus.

Bomb Rush Cyberfunk is no doubt a worthy successor to Jet Set Radio. That’s not to say the game is perfect; there are some notable issues, such as falling through the floor on occasion, as well as the aforementioned poor combat sections. But those issues don’t detract from this still being one of the most fun games released this year.

Finding the perfect line that lets you kill all the monsters while reaching the exit as efficiently as possible is super satisfying, especially as levels have many shortcuts to discover. Hidden gifts in most stages can be given to White's buddies to learn more about them and unlock special challenges. It's all very elegantly done, and the controls are tight as a drum.

With its watered down presentation, Persona 3 Portable almost feels like an abridged version of the PS2 classic, but it's still well worth playing. A foreboding, ominous atmosphere sells the experience, while the gameplay loop remains as addictive as ever. If you're fairly new to Persona, or perhaps you started with Persona 5, you'll have to persist through some slightly dated design, but don't let that put you off. Persona 3 still stands as a brilliantly broody JRPG.

Dead Space has been brought back in the most faithful manner possible. With the fantastic base experience still very much intact, EA Motive has expanded on it with new content, expanded areas, and more mechanics to help deliver on the vision the game's original creators had 15 years ago. Compared to more modern titles — and other remakes from a similar period — Dead Space disappoints with visuals that fail to justify why it's a current-gen only release. However, it's still a great game to play in 2023, and new quests and mechanics provide more than enough reason to go back to a survival horror classic.

While it certainly doesn't do anything new to win over those who aren't fans of the genre, it does more than enough to sap away the hours of anyone who's willing to wrap their head around its complex workings.

If you’ve already played every hole to death on the Vita, then it’s probably not worth the second membership fee, but if this is your first trip to the clubhouse, then get comfortable – you’re going to be sticking around for some time.

Seeing these ideas come to life and work is such a satisfying accomplishment. The mechanics are so compelling, that the proposition of removing the headset is a sad one. We were utterly engrossed, and definitely wanted more once we made our way through the game’s 60 puzzles.

As we rolled credits on The Midnight Walk, any issues we had technically or otherwise had long since faded away. Instead, what stood out to us was the game’s haunting world filled with pensive storylines, impactful visuals, and an emotionally weighty score. If you’re expecting an engaging survival horror gameplay experience, you won’t find it here. That may have been what we were looking for as we first played the game — especially considering the VR format. But what we got instead was memorable, moving, and evocatively melancholic. The Midnight Walk is not a game we’ll forget anytime soon.

Having spent a lot of time with Back 4 Blood, we think it's well worth your time and, crucially, your money. It's just a lot of fun blowing Ridden heads off or smashing them with a baseball bat like a watermelon in an anime beach episode. It doesn't really deliver a compelling experience solo – the bots are just a touch too stupid for that – but Back 4 Blood ought to become a multiplayer fixture for the rest of the generation to come. Unless they bring out Back 4 Blood 2 in, like, a year.

Samurai Shodown is back and it's arguably better than ever. SNK has delivered a truly gripping fighting game where the tides can turn in an instant, and it's this constant sense of tension that creates a uniquely electric experience. Against a backdrop of faster paced, combo-heavy fighters, Samurai Shodown stands out as a deliberate and excellently judged duelling simulator. Against a worthy opponent, there's simply nothing quite like it on PS4.

If you missed out on this clever take on the zombie apocalypse the first time around, then OMG HD Zombies is a must buy. The fresh undead types and overhauled visuals will offer something new for seasoned slayers, while the sheer satisfaction of the core gameplay loop will delight newcomers. The leaderboards could have been better implemented, but don't let that put you off this hearty helping of guts and gore.

WWE 2K19 hasn’t changed much at its core, but the smaller alterations to the overall package make it a vastly more enjoyable experience to previous instalments. Introducing a proper story to MyCareer gives players an actual reason to play it this year and it's a genuinely engaging experience. The increased depth of the player creation suite means each superstar feels different from the next, while quality of life improvements in Universe will be music to the ears of diehard fans. All of this adds up to make WWE 2K19 the best entry of this long-running series.

Pix the Cat is a fiendishly addictive arcade experience.

While Disney clearly had children in mind when designing Disney Infinity, the toy-infused fantasy worlds are excellent fun for youngsters and adults alike. Despite being held back by a couple of framerate issues and screen freezing problems, this cornucopia of physical and in-game joy still manages to cast a spell over its audience, offering swashbuckling action, magical adventures, and practically limitless creation and customisation options.

Mini Mech Mayhem is a fun, clever, and silly game all at once. Its strategy is deeper than you may be expecting, and while the learning curve can be steep at times, it’ll definitely entertain -- particularly if you have friends to play alongside.

It may be sneaking onto Sony’s handheld more silently than the cunning raccoon at the centre of its adventures, but The Sly Collection provides the best platforming antics that you can currently find on the pocketable format.

All in all, it seems as though Madden as a series won't be deflating any time soon.

Saints Row IV does everything in its presidential power to create a sandbox experience that constantly rewards and always surprises – and it succeeds. Despite the reused assets, a few questionable design choices, and the sometimes shaky technical performance, there’s still nothing in gaming quite like mowing down alien scum in a nitrous-charged golf cart, all while blasting Haddaway’s What Is Love from the radio. That’s what makes Saints Row special.

Everything aside from the story is simplistic, but it doesn’t matter if the puzzles are non-existent or that the graphics are basic, because The First Tree packs an emotional narrative and is a game that every indie fan should play as a result.

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.

Yakuza 5 has just about everything that you could ever dream of -- from karaoke and darts to fishing and, er, snowball combat -- but it's the immensely in-depth character-specific activities that steal the show. Whether it's Kiryu's horribly addictive taxi driving quests or Saejima's reflective survival-based hunting expeditions, you can lose hour after hour after hour to Yakuza 5, but it always feels like there's a new obsession just around the corner.

A classy white-knuckle mix of music and action, Aaero delivers a great gaming experience.

Observation uses the unfathomable vastness of space to wonderful effect, conjuring a palpable sense of both isolation and dread that rarely falters across the six or seven hours it'll take for you to see it though. Minor quibbles with some aspects of the storytelling and a couple of quality of life issues don't detract from what is an engrossing adventure that thrills far more frequently than it frustrates.

While some of the gameplay ingredients don't necessarily work that well together – with the combat in particular leaving a bitter aftertaste – you'll at least be able to cleanse your palate with another draft of its fun base building and resource management, and that'll keep you coming back for more servings.

Overall, RAD is a great time. A simplistic roguelike with a humble, yet ingenious mechanic. Its biggest downfall is a lack of multiplayer, which is disappointing, as teams of different mutants roaming the Fallow would’ve provided a new level of fun and extended replay value. That said, for what it is, it’s well done. The variety in its power-ups, map generation, and character selection keep things fresh, and the gameplay evolves alongside the mutating characters to remain entertaining and addictive. Throw in witty dialogue, a super-looking dystopia, and a wonderfully thought out soundtrack, and you have a roguelike that is truly rad.

The DLC is let down by a dwindling online user base, but get a group of friends together, and the reasonably priced add-on will almost always hit the mark.

Apotheon is not perfect, but it's still more than fit for a God. Minor crashing and design issues aside, this gorgeously presented action platformer packs plenty of variety beneath its pottery-inspired shell.

Under Night In-Birth Exe:Late achieves an ease of entry to allow newer players to experience and immerse themselves in traditional 2D fighting action, without sacrificing depth in the higher tiers of gameplay.

Statik is an excellent PlayStation VR puzzle game: it's cleverly designed puzzles with subtle environmental elements keep your mind ticking from start to finish. Accompanied by impressively detailed visuals, it puts most virtual reality titles to shame, and is a must buy – even if it's a bit on the short side.

Even with the frustrating - and completely optional - touch controls and lack of an online multiplayer mode, Lumines Electronic Symphony is the best in the series.

Stealth Inc: A Clone in the Dark sneaks past the usual tactical espionage action tropes, serving up a fast-paced adventure that's enjoyable in short bursts. While the release could have used a little more visual impact, the leaderboard loop is moreish, and there's plenty to do. Keep your viewfinder focused on this one, and don't let it slip you by.

Do not underestimate Salt and Sanctuary: it'll chew you up and spit you back out, drawing from From Software's modern action RPG blueprints and translating the hard-as-nails gameplay to two dimensions. It demands your attention, never holds your hand, and rewards your patience and skill. Some players will find the lack of information too obtuse and difficulty too harsh, and a few cheap enemies and well-hidden traps will certainly frustrate. For those willing to go the distance, however, this is an intricate and fulfilling game just waiting to be conquered. As far as Souls wannabes go, this is one that's certainly worth its salt.

Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition is an exceptional port of an already entertaining escapade, but outside of the extravagant visuals, there’s not a whole lot to sweeten the purchase a second time.

You’ll steadily gain access to new characters throughout your adventure. Not only are they wonderfully entertaining during the story, but they also have unique abilities in battle that can really mix up how you fight. It keeps the game feeling fresh and interesting throughout the 30 or so hours that it takes to reach its conclusion.

Freedom Planet 2 is another excellent 2D platformer from developer GalaxyTrail. The adventure boasts some fantastic levels to explore, a wonderful soundtrack, and an assortment of playable characters with unique abilities. There are some issues with enemy hitboxes and some aspects of its level design, but Freedom Planet 2 is still an enjoyable experience nonetheless.

The Long Dark is a strong survival title, possibly even the strongest of the entire genre. A beautiful but dangerous Canadian wilderness provides the backdrop to a challenging but largely satisfying fight for survival. While micromanaging every facet of your well-being while trying to survive might sound tedious in description, it actually ends up being fun, satisfying, and even tense. With three more episodes to come for this title's story mode, there's already tons of content to chow down on. Just watch out for the wolves.

All in all, Night Springs is a short excuse to revel in the oddities of Alan Wake 2 and Remedy. Whether it’s comedic, horror-tinged, or genre-hopping, the developer is just having loads of fun with this DLC. We’d love it to be a little longer, or perhaps even include another episode or two, but what’s here is a reminder that Remedy is one of the most original and unique developers in the game right now.

The latest in a long line of zero-grav racers, Redout: Lightspeed Edition is one of the best examples of the genre. It takes the best elements from those that came before it, and throws in some of the coolest things we’ve seen out of a racer in some time. The stitched together Boss Races are a particular standout, offering a phenomenal look into many of the tracks from the title all at once. Throw in beautiful level design with an exceptional colour palette, as well as great music and the best feeling of speed in the genre, and Redout comes away with 1st place among zero-grav racers for now.

The campaign may have some low points, but attacking bases and liberating towns is some of the best fun that you'll find on the PS4 this year.

With an incredible variety of things to see and do, WWE 2K14 provides dozens of hours of content that both wrestling veterans and newcomers alike will enjoy. It’s unfortunate that some of the series' previous niggles remain, but we’d like to think that these issues will be eradicated by the time that we get to grapple next year’s inevitable PlayStation 4 release.

The beauty of Islanders is how simple it all is. Unlike most building-based strategy titles, you're not scrolling through endless menus looking for the right bits and pieces. Instead, the game presents you with two different building sets every 'turn'. You pick the one that you want, and then you place each piece on your island(s), with thoughtful placement earning you more points. For example, throwing all of your lumber mills together will net you negative points, while properly spacing them out, and putting them alongside trees, bags you bonuses. It's really easy to find your rhythm, and watching your score steadily increase is satisfying. Meanwhile, if you're just here to relax and create detailed island dioramas, Sandbox Mode is the way to go. Here, you can build to your heart's content without having to worry about score modifiers, switching islands at will. And it helps that Islanders is very aesthetically pleasing; there's real satisfaction to be found in the simplistic art style as you decorate each landscape.

Few games have the confidence and swagger of Deathloop. Packed full of charisma and wit, it's a game that can be played your way, with your own style and cunning. A very accomplished package of gameplay features supplies the goods, and the time loop delivers fun and deceitful opportunities over and over again. Deathloop may be the final game out of Arkane Studios to hit Sony consoles, but the developer goes out with an undisputed bang.

While 1001 Spikes’ extreme difficulty may pose a barrier to some, masochists will enjoy every minute of this punishing platformer. Tight controls and massive replay value make this a brilliantly brutal experience – and one of the PS4’s better side-scrollers to date.

Assassin's Creed Valhalla: Wrath of the Druids is one of the series' best expansions. In its beautiful but sombre open world depiction of Ireland, it provides an intriguing story that combines history and folklore to great effect. A range of new weapons and armour sets help sweeten the deal, while more engaging combat scenarios keep you on your toes. If you're already a fan of Valhalla, this Emerald Isle adventure is very hard to fault.

While not flawless, this title offers an incredible sci-fi story about paranoia and the self, while sprinkling Arkane’s always excellent gameplay on top. While things like the psychic powers fail to justify being in the game mechanically, the creative weapons and multiple gameplay approaches help to make the exploration of Talos-I really shine. Between the rewards for searching through the environments, and the fact that the game is a visual treat, a venture through this deteriorating Cold War-era space station is definitely worth your time.

A delightful history lesson in the technical pixel-artistry of CPS brawler design, starting in 1989 with Final Fight as a genuine classic, and then continuing through the 1990s with fondly remembered street fisticuff games and hack-and-slash fantasy titles. Over twenty years later, Capcom's style and craftsmanship showcased in the coin-ops previously unavailable on console -- Armored Warriors and Battle Circuit -- justifies a purchase of the Capcom Beat 'Em Up Bundle in its own right.

Monster Sanctuary is a delight. Exploring the interconnected world with your team and discovering cool new monsters is always fun, but it's the process of developing your favourite companions that makes the game so hard to put down.

Strike Vector EX delivers fun and frantic airborne mech combat action, and while it is only a short lived diversion in single player, it really shines in multiplayer. This one's packing a ton of customisation and an addictive core battle sensibility that will keep you engaged, and it represents a great alternative shooter to the likes of Call of Duty or Battlefield.

Who or what the titular Déraciné may be is unclear, but don’t let that dissuade you from walking through this wonderful title. A charming cast of characters pair with an incredible environment to explore, while the stirring soundtrack helps to elevate an already good title. Throw in the great narrative, in and of itself a rarity in VR at this point, and you have one of the best titles available thus far for Sony’s headset.

It Takes Two is an excellent co-op adventure. While it stumbles on certain narrative aspects and not all the performances are winners, it more than makes up for that with its brilliantly fun and ever-changing gameplay. Forcing two players to work in tandem in countless ways, the game embraces co-op play wholeheartedly, and the variety of gameplay and environments makes it a joy to play from start to finish.

Hunt: Showdown is a terrifying experience that is unlike anything else you’ll find on PlayStation 4. Horror fans will find a lot to love, as will fans of unique shooters, and the game has already established quite an audience on other platforms. More content will inevitably trickle out in the coming months, but for now this is the kind of scare-fest that’s easy to recommend – an addictive, nerve-shredding title, but one that feels like a wonderful (and somehow horrible) first step in a long road.

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is just good old fashioned fun. Its simplistic gameplay lets it down a little, but with vibrant environments brought to life with stunning detail, excellent writing and performances across the board, and a fun globe-trotting Indy adventure that nails the tone and feel of the film series, we had a blast from start to finish. If you’ve been holding off from playing The Great Circle, then now is the time. The PS5 takes an already brilliant adventure and makes it even better.

Ys: Memories of Celceta doesn’t bring anything new to the action RPG table, but makes such strong use of its combat that it’s still hard to put down. It may not have the most engrossing narrative or original ideas, but it still manages to keep you hooked throughout the course of its campaign.

At its best, Expeditions offers more of the absorbing, slow, and high-risk driving that made MudRunner and SnowRunner such cult successes. It's a clever formula that now has slightly more user-friendly packaging, making it easier than ever to get into. There are still wrinkles, in particular with visual performance, and there's no doubt that this remains a niche that not all petrolheads will love, but if you're on the lookout for something a bit more zen, it's another great entry in the series.

DiRT purists will feel put off by Showdown's unruly sense of style, but Codemasters is clearly coveting a different audience with its latest jaunt on the race track. Slick multiplayer and an outstanding roster of activities make for an enjoyable ride, even if it is a predominantly exhausting one.

Despite some low-res textures, a pleasant art style tops things off nicely, and a decent range of comfort options is there if required. The Last Clockwinder isn't a big, showy experience, instead using VR to really root you to the puzzles. Enjoyable throughout and no longer than it needs to be, this is quietly one of the better games among PSVR2's launch lineup.

A short second half and some technical issues let it down, but Darksiders II is still a fantastic, ambitious action-adventure that does plenty right. The combat is satisfying, the upgrade systems are full of possibility, and at its high points it not only hits the right notes but slices them clean through. If you're after a large scale fantasy adventure that makes you think as well as fight, Darksiders II is where it's at this year.

For a $5 price of admission, Three Fourths Home is a must buy for those looking for a unique experience. After three playthroughs, we're still thinking about the Meyers family and have questions that we want answered. Those looking for an actual game to play, though, should know that this may not be an experience for them.

This second chapter picks up the ball from the first episode and runs with it.

Ghost Recon: Future Soldier has several technical flaws and leans too much on the story devices conceived by several other modern day shooters to its detriment, but where its campaign diversifies with elements of stealth, teamwork and gadgetry it really shines. It's the multiplayer that turns out best, however, focusing on fewer modes of good quality that encourage co-operation rather than all-out killing.

If you're a fan of Vampire Survivors and have exhausted every last bit of it, this game is well worth exploring for more of that same flavour.

Simply put, Luffy and his crew's latest adventure is a joy to play.

The set pieces are thrilling, and the music fits brilliantly at driving the gameplay, one example being the energetic tune for Mission 5's snow bike chase. There's even an out of the blue 3D scaling section in Mission 4, which feels like playing Space Harrier in a tunnel. The genre demands epic boss battles and Blazing Chrome delivers, as the final sixth mission stands out as one big, fantastically designed boss level.

While a few technical issues hold back the game’s waterfall of brilliance like a small dam, you still won’t want to miss out on the creativity streaming from this pretty pitcher.

Cyber Shadow isn't afraid to just be what it is: an unapologetic, retro-inspired action game. Steady upgrades mean you'll be introduced to new mechanics for most of the adventure, keeping things interesting all the way. An old-school challenge awaits, and while it's mostly a fair fight, checkpoints can be a little far apart, and some bosses might stop you in your tracks. Still, if you're looking for a rock solid side-scroller, this is absolutely worth your time.

If it isn't already clear, Narita Boy is a great indie adventure. It's got satisfyingly slick gameplay, and the visuals are a delight. But perhaps the true star of the show is the stellar electronic soundtrack. Whether it's twinkling ambient tunes or booming synth chords, the music is superb.

Resident Evil 7: Biohazard always faced an uphill battle in comparison to the two other PS5 upgrades, and the mountain has proven too much. While the game looks and runs better, it's still a long way off Resident Evil 2 and Resident Evil 3. It's like playing a really good-looking PS4 game rather than something native to PS5. Still, at least the game itself remains a cracker.

With engaging tactics, deep customisation, and addictive team-based gameplay, Breachers is one of the best shooters yet available for PSVR2.

If you're looking for some high-octane, arcadey action with a fiendishly gripping gameplay loop, then this comes highly recommended.

Simply put, succumbing to the slash-'em-up's slaughter has never been easier.

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.

SoulCalibur VI is an accomplished package and a fighting game that just feels great to play. In many ways it returns to the series' roots with a confidence that's been missing from previous entries, and the result is an approachable, entertaining, and rewarding weapon-based brawler. This is the most assured SoulCalibur since SoulCalibur II, and it certainly shows. At the time of publishing this review, we haven't been able to test the game's online features. Once online multiplayer is up and running and we've spent some time battering filthy casuals, we'll update this review with our thoughts and republish.

Star Ocean The Second Story R is exactly what it needs to be: a faithful remake of a classic PS1 RPG that greatly enhances the experience for both new and returning players. A wonderful visual overhaul combined with numerous quality of life improvements and expanded battle mechanics make this a borderline must-play for anyone who's looking for an old-school adventure. Although the underlying PS1-era design does still have some rough edges — particularly in the storytelling and combat balance — it's hard to knock such a well crafted revival.

Arc System Works squeezed a staggering amount of fighting action into this portable rendition of BlazBlue: Continuum Shift. Not only are you getting one of the deepest fighting games you're ever likely to encounter, you're also getting more playing modes than you'll know what to do with. But be warned - if you're one of those fighting game fans that likes to be able to pick up a fighter and become skilled quite quickly, this is probably not the game for you. Button mashers need not even apply.

DIRT 5 sees the franchise drift back to an arcadey experience, and it's a great success. Despite some technical issues here and there, this is a rock-solid off-road racing game from top to bottom. Brilliant handling, festival-style presentation, and a wide variety of ways to play make this one of 2020's standout racing games. If you've missed the showy style of DIRTs 2 and 3, you're in for a treat.

SteamWorld Build is a delightful and very satisfying foray into the city-building genre. The two gameplay modes complement each other well, offering two very different but equally pleasing ways to gain resources. While we do wish the story could've lasted a little bit longer, the addictive gameplay and slick presentation makes it very easy to recommend.

If you’re a fan of hockey, this is not a game you want to miss. Given how long EA’s hockey titles have remained an underwhelming exercise in repetition, the fact that Super Blood Hockey approaches the frozen sport with such creative spark is incredibly refreshing. An oddball genre mashup that blends fighters with hockey even better than NHL Hitz, this is a delight. With a razor sharp sense of humor, and great, concise gameplay, this title manages to sneak an awful lot of quality into a small package, while still allowing room for its goofier moments to breathe.

SUPERHOT is excellent. It may lack the physicality of its virtual reality alter-ego, but it makes up for this with a mind-bending story and an on-point menu system. The slow-motion shooting is still super satisfying, and the added locomotion makes for a different kind of cadence to the PlayStation VR version. Buy both editions if you can, as they complement each other nicely and are unmissable in our humble opinion. Now, tell all of your friends.

Ultimately, the extra bits draped around the core experience are the real star, offering up a helping of charm and wit that help sell the title as a cosy little experience worth your time, even if you might not have much cause to return to it once you’re done.

Fight'N Rage borrows heavily from classics like Streets of Rage and Final Fight, but its combat does a great job of building on the basics without making things too complex. Your fighters have combos, special moves, sprints, evasive hops, aerial attacks, throws, and even parries if you learn to exploit enemy attack patterns. You can definitely button mash your way through much of the game -- on easy and normal, at least -- but pulling off a perfect series of blows and watching your unfortunate foe explode into a pile of bones is seriously satisfying.

The game nails absolutely everything it sets out to accomplish, with the exception of maybe the controls. While the cursor system functions adequately on a controller, the title is definitely better suited to a mouse and keyboard. Additionally, placing items behind other objects or trying to tuck them into corners will very often be uncooperative. But these are minor obstacles on the way to enjoying such a uniquely wonderful game.

Unlike the Jedi Outcast port, Jedi Academy includes the multiplayer component. It’s been brought forward to the new age exactly as it once was, which means all of the jank and lack of balancing are still present. Don’t let that stand in your way though. Despite the relative lack of polish, wildly swinging lightsabers at one another is a blast. The multiplayer is just as fun as you remember it being.

Despite its disparate elements you've probably seen before, you've never played a game quite like Promise Mascot Agency, a game that smashes together a crime drama story, management sim mechanics, and open world exploration. While there are some rough edges and repetitive aspects, this hangs together thanks to an engrossing story, compelling progression, and unusual but likeable characters. Greater than the sum of its parts, this unique game has cult hit written all over it.

Sairento on PlayStation VR may not be a big-name title, but it deserves to be. Excellent combat, unique movement mechanics, and a steep learning curve make it a must-play for anyone looking to unleash hell in VR.

It’s fair to say that Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch didn’t really need a remaster at all, but we won’t look a gift horse in the mouth, and choice is a good thing. It’s undoubtedly nice to have this standout last-generation title running so smoothly on PS4, and it’s just so tidy. After all, it’s also fair to say that this was and is a truly special game. Far more narratively focused than its sequel, this is a tentpole title for lovers of traditional Japanese role-playing games.

Skullgirls doesn't rework the fighting game template; there's no massive overhaul of 2D scrappers, no single big idea that makes it stand apart from others in the genre. It takes what works and adds a few flourishes of its own, and that's a solid enough foundation for a series that we'll certainly see again.

There's almost too much to talk about with Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time, but rest assured that this is a return to form for the series. It might be tough, even a little mean at times, but this is the proper sequel fans have been asking for. With so much to see and do, this is a stylish, confident 3D platformer that brings Crash back at his best.

But if you're willing to take a chance on Hatsune Miku and her sugary sweet brand of pop, then you'll find an incredibly well-crafted rhythm game that is welcoming to new players while providing just enough of a challenge for veterans of the genre.

The central puzzle mechanics are still clever and there are many different ways to tackle them. Crossing a perilous chasm could be a job for Amadeus’ levitation, Zoya’s rope, or some combination of everyone’s abilities. Multiplayer is back, so you can group and navigate the Rube Goldberg environmental design as a team. Aside from some impressive boss fights, battling the prince’s shadow creatures is the games weakest aspect. Combat feels stiff and imprecise, but that feels like a mild quibble about such a consistently pleasing experience.

If you’re nostalgic for the 90s and genuinely enjoy minigame compilations, Arcade Paradise is utterly essential. The title’s tongue-in-cheek tycoon gameplay and simulator window dressing serve as the backdrop for dozens upon dozens of video game parodies, spanning a GTA-style Pac-Man clone through to an OutRun-inspired futuristic racer. Not every idea shines, but the sheer density of content alone means you’ll never get bored. And with an addictive progression system that’s forever tempting you with something shiny on the horizon, this release actually lives up to its name: it’s truly an arcade paradise.

House of the Dead 4's crawl onto PSN brings the zombie-infested action of the arcades right into your house of the living. At about the same cost as a pocketful of quarters, you can grab a friend and Move controllers and relive the arcade experience from the relative safety of your home.

Frustrating gameplay niggles aside, this is an indie release that executes a tried and tested formula well, while also building upon it with some enjoyable, fresh systems.

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.

Planet Coaster 2 is a worthy sequel to the original and it seems Frontier has really listened to fan feedback and delivered what fans have been longing for. If you liked the original then you'll love this follow-up, but genre newcomers could find the sheer spectrum of options here a touch overwhelming.

It doesn't have the flair or the polish of a heavyweight like Final Fantasy XIV Online: A Realm Reborn, but it's certainly worth trying if you're looking for seemingly never ending adventures on PS4 – with or without friends.

EA Sports PGA Tour proves what the publisher is capable of at its pomp: this is a jaw-droppingly beautiful sports game, with a sublime selection of licensed courses and a surprising amount of depth. Its demanding swing mechanic is slightly let down by a sluggish frame rate, but its single player is boosted by a strong sense of progression – and in multiplayer there’s tons to do. This is an impressively strong effort overall, and a sign of good things to come ahead of the company’s other anticipated comeback, EA Sports College Football.

Gratifying combat, enjoyable platforming, and an impressive list of abilities help Ender Magnolia: Bloom in the Mist comfortably overcome any minor missteps, however. Aided further through vibrant graphics and flawless technical performance, Adglobe and Live Wire have once again come together to showcase Metroidvanias at their best.