Batman Arkham Shadow is a proper game with VR and not simply a VR game. This is a true must-have for Batman fans.

While I wasn’t jazzed with Scars Above and the way it tried to incorporate Soulslike elements, Team Ninja has certainly found its groove in Wo Long Fallen Dynasty. It’s very familiar, yet not, and with combat mechanics and a storyline that’ll keep you going.

Midnight Suns is long and overloaded with systems (I didn’t even mention the light/dark faux-morality system, or new game plus, or levelling up your dog), but it is fun, both its combat and its superhero friendship simulation. The combat is good enough to keep you wanting more, and the story and character moments interesting enough that I didn’t mind how much they punctuated the flying fists and swinging swords. Making fighting alongside Wolverine as interesting as having a fireside chat with him is a tough ask, and Midnight Suns has nailed it.

Playdead has greatly improved how it delivers a story, but hasn’t moved away from ambiguity. The latter three-quarters of Inside cheapens the otherwise refined package, only saved because the studio is the undisputed master of horrific puzzles. Ending aside, it’s definitely worth a look.

If you enjoy story-driven affairs with choices that impact the world in which you’re playing, Pentiment is worth a playthrough. The historical narrative adventure is perfect if you don’t want to play something that requires a high level of skill, but you still want to enjoy a rich history and impactful choices.

Surviving Mars will easily offer hours upon hours of city-building gameplay for those interested in the genre and, like me, those who really aren’t but love a bit of sci-fi. It comes highly recommended.

Like A Dragon is a revitalised game full of fresh ideas and proves that the series won’t be re-treading the same ground with Ichiban in the driver’s seat. If this is the first step into the new age of Yakuza, I can’t wait to see how bonkers the next game will be.

While Raidou himself is a silent protagonist, he’s still given a lot of character in the way he moves and dresses. I had a great time unpacking the game’s wild story, and knowing that a sequel to this game already exists has me hoping it will receive the same love in the future – because I want to see what Raidou the 14th gets up to next.

Somerville does for Inside for what Inside did for Limbo. While the means of gameplay has evolved into a 3D realm, it's more an emphasis on an actual narrative that sets it apart.

While I did warm to new Like A Dragon protagonist Ichiban quickly, you can’t forget the OG. It’s great to see Kiryu take a victory lap in this tightly designed, smaller-scale story before the next big chapter kicks off in January 2024 with Like A Dragon Infinite Wealth!

Unlike the previous two Zelda remasters on Wii U, Skyward Sword HD is more about updating a game designed for the Wii’s waggle to work well on a handheld and with a conventional controller. With that focus, it delivers a version of The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword that is much easier and more natural to play from start to finish.

Pikmin 3 is still a delight all these years later. Its well-crafted levels and strategic exploration still hold up, and are improved by the addition of a full two-player co-op mode that fits perfectly — as long as you have an able accomplice.

While it’s not perfect, The Devil in Me is a clear demonstration that Supermassive is learning from the grand experiment that is The Dark Pictures. It not only finishes Season 1 with a bang, but has me incredibly excited for what’s to come.

Easy to start, sometimes difficult to understand, and challenging to master, FBC Firebreak is nevertheless a fun little sideshow while we wait for Control 2 proper. An extraction shooter at its heart (though only to a different floor and not from the Oldest House proper), it’s a lovely juggling act that tasks you to balance shooting, puzzles, and environmental hurdles. Enjoyable alone, with friends, or randoms, Firebreak is either available at a low cost ($39.99 USD) or ‘free’ if you’ve got Xbox Game Pass or PlayStation Plus.

Having spent more time with We Happy Few, I couldn’t be happier. Arthur’s story is clearly the longest, though the game’s additional two parts — with a different protagonist in each — are equally as enjoyable. They’re thankfully unique in that each part doesn’t merely feel like your character has been reskinned.

While nothing that The Rogue Prince of Persia offers is genre-defining, its pieces combine into an experience as rich as the Persian kingdom itself. Controlling the Prince is a joy, the progression path is smooth and the dopamine hits are delivered with a rhythm matching the thumping soundtrack. It might not have the depth at the highest levels of play to match the titans of the genre, but if you want a fun, beautiful and largely frustration free experience, spending some time with the Rogue Prince is well recommended.

While some of it feels a little dated and the side missions don’t diverge as much as they could, the overall package is a deeply engrossing fresh way to experience an old staple for any Dragon Ball Z fan.

Undead’s follow up doesn’t reinvent the wheel – nor provide a fully polished experience despite a move from CryEngine to Unreal Engine 4 – but does offer a marked improvement over the original.

An enjoyable romp, equal parts platformer, shooter, and puzzler.

Judged as a shooter, Farpoint is as generic as they get; thankfully, Impulse Gear’s effort has other things going for it. The side-story is rewarding, even if some of it goes without resolution, and its immersive visuals alone make it a treat to play.

Herein lies the appeal of The Crush House: it can function as a Big Brother camera operator simulator for those looking for that (especially on lower difficulties), but it also offers up a compelling dark side for those with a bit of patience. That, paired with an incredibly low price tag of $24.99 AUD, makes this title one that I’d happily recommend to those in either camp.

Great fun, a solid golf game that should provide hours of enjoyment to those wanting to climb the Tour ladder or merely get out for a hit.

Who knows how long it will last, but Rivals had me clearing a permanent place to store the plastic drums and guitar once again, items that were long ago retired from the lounge room. It took Harmonix a year and an expansion pack with a hefty price tag, but Rock Band 4 is once again a headline act.

This one’s for fans of the franchise and fans of the genre. After a long drought on consoles, Tekken is back — and with a vengeance. Innovative enough to keep long-time fans happy, this release manages to stick to what it does best. Get ready for the next battle.

After ploughing through the tutorials though and spending a little more time, you do start to appreciate just how detailed a game like this is.

Make no mistake, F1 2016 is pretty, but in some areas and not others.

No More Heroes 3 is kind of a mess – but it is a FUN mess. If you’re looking for some fun sword fights against aliens with designs too weird for Katamari Damacy, you might just find your sweet spot.

Shin Megami Tensei V Vengeance is all about building a more streamlined and player-friendly experience. While the game’s difficulty hasn’t gone anywhere, it feels like Vengeance is doing its best to make you enjoy that experience and remove as many roadblocks as possible. The new Canon of Vengeance story is big, exciting and entirely unapologetic about taking a different path to the original story – giving returning SMTV players just as much to enjoy as new players. Playing on PS5 rather than the original Switch also let me enjoy the game’s world in much greater fidelity, and Vengeance takes full advantage of that to show just how gorgeous its huge maps are. While its combat is not for the faint of heart, the game’s rich, branching story offers plenty to enjoy over multiple playthroughs.

Issues aside, Europa Universalis 5 has been an utterly incredible introduction to a whole new gaming world for me. It’s wonderfully welcoming yet entrancingly absorbing, and I can’t recommend it enough to anyone interested in getting into the grand strategy genre.

All in all, I was surprised at just how well the Persona/Musou combo works.

While it is a bit of an odd duck in the series – many of the unique elements such as voice acting were reverted in the subsequent release of Dragon Quest IX – VIII it still holds a special place in the hearts of many gamers. The re-release also offers curious first-timers such as myself the ability to experience this hard to find gem in its full glory, rather than the tweaked versions available to smart devices. If you’re ready to stomach some old-school hangups with your goofy fun, this one’s worth a look.

Kirby and the Forgotten Land is a delightfully delectable game – Kirby eats what he wants and takes you along for a short and sweet ride. The rare blend of linear levels following 2D guidelines, played in 3D, suits Kirby as well, if not better than, the Mario games that will draw comparisons.

As a recreation it highlights how good the original games were for their time. Challenging, original, addictive and damn fun to play. If you’re in your 30s, it’s absolutely worth a trip down memory lane. If you were born after the original games were released, give it a crack, even if only for the opportunity to experience some quality video game history. You’ll probably find you’ve been working on a perfect line or combo for a few hours before you realise it.

All the usual weapons of lovely overkill are back — and some are even better. My favourites? Airstrikes, Wormageddon, Banana Bomb and the brutal O.M.G. Strike. The 80+ weapons that make up the total of your arsenal will leave a satisfying twitch in your trigger finger.

Kiwami 2 is the best example of reviving the past I could hope for.

Need For Speed Payback represents EA’s answer to where most racers are headed -– massive worlds, large car lists, extensive customisation options and plenty of things to do.

Elden Ring Nightreign won't be every FromSoft fan's cup of tea, and this is especially true if you're a lone wolf.

Emily injects new abilities, alongside some different weapon upgrades. There are excellent new environments to go with a similar story that doesn’t really go anywhere; it’s almost a clone of Corvo’s original desire to clear his name of wrongdoings amidst a powerplay. It makes for a very good action-stealth adventure that genuinely encourages playing by your own rules. But whereas we praised Dishonored 1 for being one of the most unique triple-A games of last-generation, that inherently isn’t the case with its very good, but very safe, sequel.

I enjoyed the game so much, I immediately tracked down its predecessor, Sparkle Unleashed, also available on Xbox One.

Laser League is a budget-priced gem. An instant party favourite, I could see this developing into a proper Esports phenomenon like Rocket League.

Nothing comes easy, there’s a lot to learn and you’ll struggle for hours on end at times -- but if you’re ready for a rogue-like experience, Nioh 2 has perfected the genre.

The Coalition’s multiplayer offerings make up for an inconsistent campaign in Gears of War 4. Even then, and as much as I hate to admit it, what’s been presented has me eager for more – even though I would have preferred some resolution in this title, thank you very much. Gears fans will love it and newcomers should find enough to get them geared up – pun intended – for more.

Combat is by far the biggest selling point of Rage 2, and Avalanche Software should be proud of a title that continually draws comparisons the super-tight Doom reboot in my mind. I live for combat within Rage 2 and get sad when I have to get into whatever shitty vehicle I’m driving to get to the next combat experience. The open world represents boredom and padding to me, but it’s worth the slog for the combat.

Prison Architect is an excellent sandbox, a throwback to the days of Bullfrog’s Theme series that forces you to balance an eye for aesthetics with pure functionality. Those who don’t need to be led by the hand to explore the deep systems at play will find an excellent simulation to lose themselves in, with online sharing options providing a huge selection of prisons to explore, tear down and rebuild.

Redfall is a truly exciting experience. It's great solo, has the potential to be great with friends -- especially if someone has a save so I can access that last 17 Gamerscore I need, thanks. It’ll be perfect for anyone who's loved an Arkane game -- sci-fi, fantasy or otherwise -- in the past.

It’s not a normal movie in that the interactivity of a video game provides a personal connection to what’s going on. It’s not simply a video game because it plays with standard conventions, and — similar to standouts like Alan Wake — manages to leave you with more questions than answers. I might not need to play it again, but I sure as hell want to start discussing it.

Metro Exodus feels like a solid simulacrum of someone else trying to make a Fallout game, for all the benefits and drawbacks that entails. Its maps are fun to explore, and effort has been put into making the side areas rewarding in both narrative expansion and bonus upgrades to your gear. That said, Exodus doesn’t have the same handle on ambient storytelling and visual interest to drive you to investigate every corner of the map.

Because of its macabre nature, The Medium won’t be for everyone — and certainly isn’t a killer Xbox app — but it’s definitely worth a try if you’re an Xbox Game Pass subscriber.

The Crew 2 won’t be seen as a game that defines the genre, but it’s definitely one that adds fun and variety to it, and even if you’re not a hardcore racing fan. It’s worth checking out.

Rollerdrome isn’t going to be for everyone. If you’ve got better reflexes than I and find things to be less of a challenge than I did, you can test your meddle against other real-world players thanks to online leaderboards in addition to an unlockable “Out for Blood” mode that amps up the difficulty (no thanks). If that excites you, then you certainly shouldn’t hesitate.

The bottom line is this: adjust your expectations about Black Myth Wukong as a proper Soulslike, and jump on in if its setting and mythos interests you.

RiME is exactly the game I like to slowly work my way through. A deeply atmospheric world with some challenge, without frustrating me with its obtuse inner logic (cough cough, The Witness, cough). The boy is endearing as an avatar, shouting and scrambling his way along with you, and the soundtrack would put anyone at ease. Sit back, relax, and shout some urns apart.

Trying to drive from solitary waypoint to waypoint proved a massive challenge; I must say, I prefer a straight-up racing line on the roadway, showing me what I should be doing. For those who don’t need that, there’s not much difference between each console’s powerhouse.

This is a title available as part of Xbox and PC Game Pass subscriptions, so stop reading what I’m saying about it and jump on in if you’re a horror movie or asymettrical horror game fan. The best part is, Achievements stack on both platforms — obtain a heap playing on the Xbox version, and they’ll basically auto-pop when you jump into a match on PC. Cross-play is certainly available, though I’m not sure if cross-progression is limited to Game Pass or not. That said, there’s a strong core here and I hope the issues currently experienced are sorted soon.

Pleasure Planet excels in every way over its predecessor. Puzzles are challenging but fair; each failure made is clear-cut and understandable (though with that said, it’s best to save more often than simply rely on the auto-save). One or two puzzles suffer from a logic gap or have elements that simply work themselves out, inexplicably, to progress a thread, but they’re quite uncommon and largely forgivable. I never experienced the states of hopelessness and futility that Space Tyrant was often plagued with.

These little bothers don’t matter in the end, as Banishers‘ rough edges are easily compensated by its charm. I had a ball meeting the inhabitants of New Eden and making judgements accordingly. I reckon you will too.

Infinite Minigolf is a simple, engaging little title that will keep you entertained for hours on end. While it mightn’t provide the endless experience its title claims to provide, its price point should be enough to forgive it.

The series’ monster and equipment design has always been high-quality, but the cartoonish presentation of Stories simplifies the art style without losing any of its flair.

The Sinking City is a mixed bag; a riveting mystery that’s far less linear than anything Frogwares has ever done. It’s very rough around the edges however, likely to cause as much frustration as it does enjoyment. Fans of Cthulhu or Frogwares’ past titles will definitely want to go for the ride, while others might want to wait for a week or two — at that point, you’ll at least have some guides to walk you through some of its head-scratchers.

Like inclusion of Rin, Catherine itself is a tricky one; you’ll love it and hate it almost in the same thought. That’s not necessarily a terrible thing though — it’s an extremely unique experience that you owe it to yourself to at least try if you haven’t already. That said, consider that you can get the initial experience on a multitude of platforms for a fraction of the price.

It took an entire generation, but I am delighted to see Career mode finally have its moment in the spotlight in FIFA 21. The changes to Career are all for the better, even if some still feel rudimentary, and it breathes new life into a staple that has felt somewhat ignored. The rest of the package comes across as both the culmination of a generation and a cross-gen game.

Playing — and being successful — on hard difficulty doesn’t seem to provide increased rewards to correct that gripe. In fact, that imbalanced risk-reward system is further spotlighted when considering a starting player’s weaker attributes. They seem to really impact play at a disproportional level, especially when compared to previous iterations of TopSpin. That, in turn, plays into new shot systems which provide more winners from perfect shots and more mistakes if you’re powering your shot too much or too little.

Dramatic Labs has created something special with Resurgence, populating the Star Trek universe in very much the same way that Picard Season 3 has just done; there are also a few other parallels in there that I’ll leave for the player to discover. The resulting work has left me envigorated and enthusiastic that the developer can revisit the crew of the Resolute sooner rather than later, continuing to explore the final frontier.

The atmosphere presented by Supermassive is absolutely effective in getting you on edge; jumpy, uncertain of what’s to come next.

If you’re already a fan of the series, you’ll love this. If you’re new though, you’d better be dedicated as this takes a long time to learn, and longer to master.

If you enjoyed what Control had to offer then you should be fairly satisfied with this first expansion. The Foundation doesn’t really do a whole lot new, and it doesn’t seem to learn from its mistakes, especially considering it has one of the worst checkpoints for a boss encounter yet. But if you want to get even more lost in this enthralling world that Remedy has created, then it will be hard not to pass this one up. Just stay clear of all the cats.

All things considered, Underground is a true evolution of the MMO, provided those who had a passing interest in it can be bothered jumping back in.

Despite a feeling of being watered-down, Dishonoured: Death of the Outsider is a DLC-length standalone title that provides a satisfying resolution to the franchise. Fans of the original iterations will appreciate the added content, and those who’ve been meaning to play past games can get a reasonably good idea of what the entire package can deliver.

While Maneater is certainly a title that works for me in terms of its humour and an engaging core gameplay loop, its graphic nature means it’s not going to be for everyone. If you don’t mine a little gore — okay, make that a lot of gore — this unique experience should be right up your alley.

Final Fantasy fans will appreciate the level of detail and nostalgic cameos both in the narrative and monster designs, but newcomers of the series may be left overwhelmed. That said, the Pokémon-lite aspect of capturing mirages, and training and transforming them to more powerful beings, is addictive fun. While the dialogue is poorly written with often dry humour awkwardly delivered, you can’t help love the adorable chibi character animations.

In the same way that Mario + Rabbids was great for battles on the go using your Switch, so too would be Tactica. While you can certainly pay for the privilege to do just that on your Switch, Persona 5 Tactica is yet another Xbox Game Pass title. That means you can play on the go using Xbox Cloud Gaming and your smartphone of choice without the need to lay down any additional cash. If you’ve somehow got some space that’s not being taken up by a pile of shame, give it a go.

It’s an easy recommend for series fans, just don’t expect it to be the lumbering behemoth that was Payday 2… yet.

Local multiplayer is where Fast RMX slots in nicely as part of the launch line-up. At $28, it’s got the price right.

While both Astro Bot and The Plucky Squire are about creativity and joy, the latter manages to get in its own way in comparison. The result is jarring.

My prevailing feeling on WWE 2K23 on the whole is that it’s a welcome, if small, step up. Nobody who is coming over from WWE 2K22 will really be wowed by anything here, but the cumulative minor updates, iterations, additions and improvements are all very good and very welcome. Your mileage will vary depending on how worthwhile an overall modest update to last years title is to you, but for my money the few dozen hours of excellent sports entertainment that the pair of new MyRise stories and the Cena Showcase provide are worth the price of admission on their own, and WarGames is the juiciest possible cherry on top.

As conflicted as I am about Starlink Battle for Atlas, one thing is clear: if you’re buying it, you should definitely get the Nintendo Switch version. Not because you get the extra Star Fox content, but rather two in-game starships — that advantage means your chances for survival instantly double without breaking the bank.

The Switch version of the game plays largely like the original console release, though offers some motion controls that should be turned off. As with most re-releases on Switch, it’s definitely worth a look if you’re a fan of the genre/franchise and haven’t played before.

Mario Strikers Battle League is a lot of fun, but unless you commit to online play, it’s here for a good — but brief — time.

Fans of the original will surely enjoy this — keeping what I’ve said in mind — while those that are intrigued by its concept should get out the original first. Engage accordingly.

Just Dance 2017 is a massive step in the right direction.

At the end of the day, this does feel like a Star Wars experience. There are several subtle, and not so subtle, nods to the movie that tie it in nicely. The simple overall design of the table will welcome new players, while the deeper design decisions will give more experienced players a run for their money. Is this my favourite Star Wars table? No. Is it a good Star Wars table? I can say wholeheartedly, yes.

The Surge does a wonderful job of presenting a Bloodborne-style game in an entirely new sci-fi setting.

Despite all these negative qualities, you can get back to basics with select side-missions, ghost challenges and unfettered exploration.

Fire Emblem: Shadows of Valentia is really fun and easy to play in short bursts — just like any good handheld game should be. Some of the new gameplay mechanics are cool, but it wouldn’t be a huge loss if they disappeared in the next installment.

It’s a good thing that Virginia is such a neatly-packed experience, because I definitely needed to run through it twice to get a firmer grip on the story being told.

Despite a largely forgettable story, Strange Brigade has a lot of charm because of its campy nature and likable, chatty characters. While best in groups, this will also suit patient types who’ve got a good shot and lots of time to kill. Kudos to Rebellion for taking a chance and delivering something wildly different from Sniper Elite.

In the end, it’s best to look at Broken Roads as the answer to “What if Fallout but Australia?” Fans of any CRPG will immediately recognise a lot of what Broken Roads is going for, and those with more old school tastes will feel right at home nestled deep in the West Australian outback.

Immortals Fenyx Rising is fresh and fun, offering up an exciting new IP I hope to see more of. That said, its endgame pacing issues certainly don’t do it any favours, nor does the timing of its release.

While you’ll get a lot of enjoyment from your time with this title, FromSoftware has definitely refined and improved on the design and mechanics in the more recent released Souls games. Without a doubt Bluepoint Games has delivered a brilliant remaster of a niche game that not a lot of people had the chance to play originally. Demon’s Souls is worth checking out on the PS5. But if you’re looking to see what makes FromSoftware so amazing at what they do, you’re going to find a better overall experience in one of their newer titles like Dark Souls III, Bloodborne, or Sekrio: Shadows Die Twice.

LEGO Party is a worthy contender to Mario Party; you’ll need to decide if its strengths and weaknesses appeal to you. With noticeable framerate drops during fly-throughs, even on PS5 Pro, I’m also a bit concerned about how this will actually play on a Switch.

If you are vehemently opposed to narrative experiences with very light gameplay elements, Wayward Strand may not be something you will gravitate towards. For fans of the genre, it would be hard not to recommend. I – who usually prefer the third-person, open world flavours of the month – found myself thoroughly entertained by its charming cast of characters and its uniquely compelling storytelling style.

If you’re looking for more mini-games on your Nintendo Switch, or have fond memories of Smooth Moves over on the Wii, this one’s for you. Just make sure to stretch afterward, especially if you’re saddled with a bunch of squat poses.

Its gameplay loop means you’ll be able to have an entirely different experience with each playthrough — despite somewhat single-minded races — and a new story to tell with each run. If you’re into the genre or looking for a potential time-sink, jump on in.

Neither F1 2017 nor Forza Motorsport 6 offer the level of customisation and detail that this game does, but if I’m honest, it’s those other two games that I’d rather jump back into.

While I called Just Dance 2017 a step in the right direction, Just Dance 2018 feels like a side step. There’s a decent selection of 40 modern, contemporary and even K-Pop songs to jive to, but a major portion of your library will disappear after three months (unless you want to pay to keep it all going). New modes are decent but come the cost of the removal of others. That all said, Just Dance 2018 is relatively inoffensive; it’s a great purchase for those who didn’t grab last year’s iteration.

While it may be the remaster none of us asked for, Ty the Tasmanian Tiger is a fun, nostalgia-filled title that’s relatively easy on the eyes and won’t be a problem for most PCs.

I’m not a car person. Or, if I need to be, the car person in me still prefers Forza Horizon to Motorsport for the stuff around car racing that isn’t just hardcore car racing. I’m certainly no expert, but I think car fans will love this. That said: is it for everyone? No.

The small problem that surrounds this title is that it plays quite a lot like Chapter One and — though better — still has that general feel of Sinking City. It also will serve to frustrate many because of the way it doesn’t attempt to hold your hand as you play. If you don’t mind that duopoly of deja vu — nor a bit of trial and error — then jump right in.