Though the new Longshot mode is ultimately a disappointment and the gameplay hasn't changed much, Madden NFL 18 is still an excellent pigskin sim despite its lack of competition. Welcoming for newcomers and deeply detailed for die-hards, this year's edition of the long-running franchise is certainly not a Maddening experience.

Concrete Genie is a warm, joyful experience that embraces creativity in a unique way. Painting your way through Denska is effortlessly fun, and the genies that help Ash through his adventure are delightful. While this main thrust of the game is well realised, combat feels like an afterthought, as it's stashed away right at the end. This and a couple of smaller issues hold the game back from greatness, but taken as a whole, this is definitely worth playing -- and pretty as a picture, too.

With its action taking place on a playing field, the scope and structure of Blood Bowl 2 initially feels smaller in scale than you tend to expect from most turn-based strategy games.

If you could do with more Watch Dogs, you'll have a rocking good time with this continuation – but don't expect any deviations from the original title's solid but predictable template.

Side missions and a score attack mode with leaderboards are available once you're done with the Campaign and its daft story. These provide a little more challenge, but there's only so much mileage to get from what is quite a concise game. It's not going to last you that long, then, but it fills that time with stylish, flashy fun that makes you feel like an unstoppable agent.

Between the limitless multiplayer, bulging single-player content and extensive list of trophies, you'll be busy for a very long time.

You'll know with a single glance whether you're interested at all in playing The Awakened Fate Ultimatum. It's a niche hardcore RPG with an undoubtedly Japanese style of storytelling, falling victim to almost every cliché in the book throughout its duration – but doing so unashamedly.

A short runtime paired with a comparatively steep price shouldn’t be enough to keep you away from The Lost Bear. The title’s simple gameplay may not challenge you, but the overwhelming charm of the title should win you over. Between the calming soundtrack, beautiful art direction, and delightfully impressive environmental depth afforded by the platform, The Lost Bear is a cute and worthwhile addition to your VR library.

Atelier Ryza 3: Alchemist of the End & the Secret Key is the biggest Atelier game to date. Ryza and her friends are just as charming as ever and this is a fantastic way to end the trilogy. The vibrant open-world areas are a joy to explore, and the slick combat and engaging alchemy system will keep you entertained throughout.

There's no kidding that Guitar Hero Live is a very fun game, it just feels like it cares more about the money than it does about the fans.

Wizard with a Gun is an enjoyably frantic twin-stick survival shooter. Although its iffy controls and occasional frame rate drops dampen the experience, its extensive crafting, upgrades, and base building systems overshadow the issues. If you're a Don't Starve fanatic or just after an enjoyable co-op title, we'd recommend giving Wizard with a Gun a shot.

Fresh and frantic, Stikbold! A Dodgeball Adventure is a pleasant surprise, with moreish multiplayer and a beguiling, unique style that sets it apart in a crowded genre.

Game of Thrones: Episode 4 - Sons of Winter doesn't hit quite the same highs as its immediate predecessor – but it's likely to prove the most impactful instalment to date.

On the surface, Shining Resonance Refrain is a largely unremarkable Japanese RPG, but dig a little deeper and fans of the genre will find an accessible adventure that comes together surprisingly well. Cliche characters and predictable plot elements prevent the story from really taking off, but there's an endearing quality to how the game presents itself. Combat's fun, progression is straightforward and rewarding, and dating sim elements add a certain charm. Refrain's like a quick and easy summer anime -- it's certainly not a classic, but it's good fun while it lasts.

Last Day of June is a beautiful rumination on the ways death and fate are indelibly intertwined. It's also a competent puzzler with a winning sense of style. Repetitiveness and a slightly predictable structure stymie the proceedings somewhat, but never enough to ruin what is an otherwise lovely experience.

When two outrageously detailed character models are slugging it out, EA Sports UFC 3 feels sublime. Incredible animations paired with a weighty physics system mean that you feel the thrills and spills of every bout. Unfortunately, the clunky ground game combat fails to hit the same highs, and the campaign – which is a novelty to begin with – loses its lustre after a few rounds. There’s still a lot to like here and more than enough content to sink your fists into, but it still feels like there’s a bit more refinement required before this series achieves G.O.A.T. status.

Despite its UI issues and missing features, Civ VII is still an enjoyable and addictive experience. Its new mechanics provide a fresh foundation which will no doubt be expanded on over the coming years with more content. If they can get over the substantial formula changes, hardcore fans of the series are more likely to be forgiving of the game’s shortcomings and probably won’t regret their purchase, but more casual players may want to sit tight until the title has been patched and padded out with more content for a more complete experience.

Dungeons of Hinterberg presents itself as a virtual vacation, and it can really feel like one at times. Its chill concoction of combat, conversations, and puzzle-solving is always entertaining without being too challenging or obtuse. Come for the dungeons and you end up staying for the people.

Assassin's Creed Odyssey: The Fate of Atlantis - Episode 2 is an improvement over Episode 1, and we're looking forward to seeing how things play out in the final chapter. Hades' hellish realm may be a barren wasteland, but it's got a density that Elysium was missing, and some of the side quests are especially well crafted. Throw in a handful of great boss fights and Torment of Hades stands as one of the better DLC episodes that Odyssey has offered.

Decay of Logos is a game that’s an absolute joy to get lost in. It’s not going to hold your hand, and it expects you to indulge your curiosity by exploring hidden pathways and seeking out the land's dark secrets. While the combat can be quite tough, it feels much more accessible than games like the Souls series - it won’t take too long before you’re ducking and dodging like a pro.

The Wolf Among Us: Episode 4 - A Sheep’s Clothing may feel a little flat due to a lack of compelling content, but we’ll have to wait a couple of months to find out if the groundwork laid here pays off.

Ironically, the biggest sticking point with King of Fighters XIV is the one aspect designed to make it more appealing to outsiders; the new "Rush" mode allows even complete newbies to look like combo-crunching experts, but it's likely to divide opinion with serious players who prefer to rely on their own skill and knowledge when it comes to unlocking the game's most potent moves.

That it's a simpler co-op title than its peers is a double-edged sword. It's an incredibly accessible game, but the necessity to cooperate isn't as strong, and it may not hold your attention as much because there's less going on. Still, it's almost impossible to hate this easy-going effort.

Oreshika: Tainted Bloodlines' story could have done more with its fascinating premise, but the real meat of this experience comes in the form of its constant and dynamic gameplay systems, which allow for a superb sense of progression.

Unit 13 showcases the strengths of the PlayStation Vita fairly well, with the quality of its core gameplay complemented by the accessibility of its mission design. Some of the objectives let the format down, but for the most part the game is perfectly suited to its parent platform.

Cave Digger 2 is no technical showpiece, and annoying little issues do have a tendency to pop up just often enough to be a distraction. Pickaxe swings often don’t register right, you can find yourself lodged into nearly inescapable crannies, and hand tracking has a tendency to bug out occasionally. So, Cave Digger 2: Dig Harder is still a delightful diamond in PSVR2’s launch catalogue, but its intermittent issues and wanting variety cause it to lose some of its lustre.

Beholder: Complete Edition is a fun strategy game. Its gorgeous yet subtle dystopian aesthetic illustrates a totalitarian world on the brink of revolution, with an interesting set of characters and soundtrack to boot. But while it’s geared towards player agency, it can feel like you're under the thumb of the state more often than not, and that means you may feel forced to walk a path you didn't necessarily choose.

Knockout League’s colourful cast of characters look chunky in PlayStation VR, and stepping into the ring with them is an immersive treat. The puzzle-like gameplay sticks rigidly to the Punch-Out!! format and can feel like you’re memorising attack patterns rather than engaging in a real fight, which grates in the later bouts. That said, fun minigames and great attention to detail make this an unexpected treat – just be prepared to earn your victories physically because even the fittest specimens will feel this game in their legs.