Into the Restless Ruins is doing a lot of things right, then, but the auto-combat doesn't have the exponential growth of Vampire Survivors to keep it interesting, and whatever story is present is easy to forget. However, again, the game's interesting structure is more than enough to make it well worth a look for roguelike fans.

Ultimately, Ruffy and the Riverside is a game we wanted to like, but despite its attractive visual style and unique ideas, it never really comes together in a satisfying way. While there's some fun to be had running around in the semi-open world, it never evolves beyond that.

In what will prove to be one of the defining games of the PS5 generation, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is a profound achievement of design, gameplay, narrative, and visuals. As all four meet in the middle, Kojima Productions has crafted a cinematic spectacle that flawlessly transitions between action and traversal, all wrapped up in the most absorbing of narratives. An immense upgrade on the first game, Death Stranding 2 is an unequivocal masterpiece.

Rematch is very close to being a brilliant online sports title, and we're confident it can reach its full potential with the right updates and post-launch support. The gameplay has depth, and successful team play is super rewarding. Once it gets past its early teething issues, this has real potential to take off.

Raidou Remastered gives one of Atlus' most experimental PS2 outings a deserved second chance. Better described as a remake, a huge list of improvements, including a superbly reworked combat system, make this a must-try for the developer's modern audience. Raidou remains a uniquely weird and compelling action RPG, and this is its definitive form.

We’re sure that if you’re a fan of the base game, you’ll likely get some enjoyment here, as there are some genuine moments of tension, and we loved getting to hear wee tidbits about the Beira D disaster. However, what it does more than anything else is make us want to go back and play the base game.

If you're a fan of the franchise, then TRON: Catalyst is a title you won’t want to miss. Bithell Games has massively expanded the scope and ambition of its title from the first time out, and the results are mostly successful.

FBC: Firebreak stings a little, because it has so much of what we’re looking for in a co-op shooter. It’s got the killer world and aesthetic, it’s got quirky powers and role based kits, it’s got tight first-person gameplay, and doesn’t require you to grind things out for dozens of hours. However, despite all of that, Firebreak's just fine, and ironically lacks the fire that we expect from Remedy's output. It’s a fun, casual time, but you’ll play it, you’ll finish it, and before long you’ll forget about it and wish you had been playing Control 2 instead.

With so many varied characters to get to know there's sure to be at least one that you fall in love with. But even if you do end up friendzoned or worse, this is an experience that’ll leave you with a huge grin on your face.

MindsEye is a broken, boring mess of a game that has somehow been allowed out in the world. It has little glimmers of something semi-entertaining in there with its cutscenes and story, but it’s bogged down by a vapid large scale map that is at odds with its aggressively linear campaign, and padded out with a dull repetitive gameplay loop that is nothing short of archaic.

The Alters is 11 Bit Studios' magnum opus; a tense, thrilling, thoughtful game that makes you question what kind of person you want to be.

Splitgate 2 is an interesting sequel. In a lot of ways, it fixes the issues we had with the original; it looks nicer, runs better, gameplay is far improved, there’s a lot of content on offer, and the portal mechanic is good fun to learn. It's a great pick for those casual sessions with your mates, but we still can't help but feel underwhelmed by it all. The maps are fine, and the cosmetics are dull as dishwater. If you removed the portal mechanics — which were arguably more freeing in the first Splitgate — you'd be left with a competent, but ultimately uninspired shooter.

There's a fair amount of depth to Star Trucker if you have the patience for it, and it's all presented with pleasant visuals and Americana stylings that lend it a fun atmosphere. There are some potentially frustrating elements and it's tougher than you might expect, but there's a fulfilling and novel game here for sim fans.

It has a real lack of gameplay or mechanical depth, so while it is fun to experience the novelty of its settings, weapons, and enemies, once all that wears off, there isn’t much left to keep you around. The gameplay feels overly simplistic, the AI is incredibly dumb, and it's missing that energy found in most great shooters. We were won over by the charm of Hypercharge, but not by anything else.

Elden Ring Nightreign is a very interesting game that’s likely going to divide FromSoftware fans. It’s not the hand-crafted RPG that we’ve come to expect from the storied developer, but it does manage to take much of the gameplay depth of Elden Ring, and retrofit it into a fast-paced multiplayer experience. While we don’t think it really holds a candle to games like Dark Souls 3 or Elden Ring, it isn’t really trying to. This is basically FromSoftware having some fun with its IP, and with a squad of friends, Elden Ring Nightreign is a blast.

From one odd scenario to the next, to a T manages to be just as quirky and ludicrous as it is personal and touching. The overriding emotion, though, is one of joy. to a T is the perfect pick-me-up, guaranteed to make you smile no matter the circumstances.

EA Sports F1 25 is overall another rock solid entry in the annual franchise. The driving is reliably good fun and impressively flexible, and the return of Braking Point is a welcome one, even if it's not the best story ever told. A robust set of modes means there's something for everyone, and it looks and sounds great on the whole. One or two career mode changes might ruffle some feathers, and navigating the game can feel slow, but by and large it's a podium finish for this F1 racer.

Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time is a surprisingly monstrous outing. It can be a seriously addictive RPG adventure, utterly stuffed with things to see, do, and eventually master. The grind can be a bit overwhelming at times, but Level-5's trademark charm and well-designed gameplay loops should keep you coming back. This is vibrant all-ages fun, pretty much from start to finish.

Deliver At All Costs’ greatest strength is its ability to reinvent itself, but its missions lack tension and its story is a bit of a misfire. If you really enjoy that isometric era of GTA games, then you’ll find fun in this physics-heavy escapade – but expect bumps and blemishes, because this is far from the perfect package.

Even with the baggage of its PS2 origins, Onimusha 2: Samurai's Destiny is a welcome trip down memory lane.

Blades of Fire is a well-made and lengthy action adventure romp that will test your combat skills, provided you can see it through. Taking inspiration from some of gaming's greatest hits, it never quite manages to reach those lofty heights itself, let down by a generic setting and lacklustre art direction. Still, it offers some interesting concepts, with combat and crafting mechanics that remain satisfying throughout.

RoadCraft takes the intricate off-road fun of MudRunner and SnowRunner, and melds it with involving micro-management and building aspects, resulting in a fantastic experience that's the dev's best vehicle sim to date. With eight big maps full of ruined environs and treacherous conditions to contend with, a huge array of complex vehicles to master, and co-op play to maximise the fun of it all, this is a big old blast of a thing, a huge sandbox that's got excitement, depth, and challenge in spades.

Yet another timely reminder that Capcom has been the king of its craft for decades now, Capcom Fighting Collection 2 superbly digs into the Dreamcast era of the Japanese publisher’s iconic output. While its commitment to arcade conversions means you’re missing some of the single player modes from the various included titles’ home console ports, there’s simply so much quality content on offer here that it’s hard to complain, with the likes of Capcom vs. SNK 2 and Street Fighter Alpha 3 Upper having legitimate claims at being some of the greatest fighters ever made.

The Precinct is an impressive sandbox romp. Fueled by a dynamic crime system that offers up hours of fun, bite-sized objectives, it's a very difficult game to put down. Every patrol is different, and although tedium does start to set in as the campaign approaches its conclusion, it's still easy to appreciate the intricate and tight design of this ode to old cop movies.

Age of Empires 2: Definitive Edition is a wonderful example of modernising a classic game, providing new quality of life features and a fresh coat of paint while retaining its original feel. For hardcore RTS fans who are itching to pick something new up this is a must buy, and an adaptable AI difficulty level means there’s something for everyone.

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.

It’s cute and colourful, then, and something you can zone out with while you listen to a podcast or watch something else. But it won’t live long in the memory, even if its urban backdrop and light-hearted style offers an appreciated change of pace.

DOOM: The Dark Ages goes for something slightly different as it turns back time for a medieval assault on hell’s legions. Not every change pays off, as the introduction of a mech and dragon adds very little to the overall experience. However, when The Dark Ages gets to the FPS action, there aren’t many who do it better than id Software. Take some time to adjust to DOOM: The Dark Ages, and you’ll discover another fantastically ferocious first-person shooter.