WWE 2K25 is the best wrestling game of the modern era, with the improvements made to the gameplay and the 2K Showcase mode being fantastic additions and My Rise featuring the best storyline yet. But it’s let down by modes like The Island and MyFaction that feel tailor-made to get players to open up their wallets and purchase VC.

Atelier Yumia is a must-play RPG. Its open-world exploration is incredibly moreish and the battle system is quick and responsive. Best of all is the ingenious alchemy system which makes crafting feel rich, rewarding, and accessible - even for someone who typically hates crafting in games.

Just like real-life golf, PGA Tour 2K25 is a hearty mix of satisfaction and frustration. The former comes from its excellent shot crafting and wonderful shot-to-shot golf play which is moreish and multifaceted. The latter comes in the form of disappointing commentary and audio, a dizzying amount of transition screens, some missteps in skills, and the glaring absence of the most famous courses and tournaments which still keep it firmly in EA Sports PGA Tour’s shadow.

Split Fiction is the third co-op game from Hazelight Studios and arguably its largest and most imaginative to date. It packs an array of captivating mini-games into a linear, yet highly rewarding platformer, laced with Hazelight’s trademark storytelling to keep you on your moral toes. Players will have fun recognizing the vast pop culture references that have been peppered throughout Split Fiction, which deliver a unique twist whilst nostalgically returning us to the early days of gaming.

Two Point Museum is a fantastic addition to a cozy weekend or long-haul flight. The combination of wacky customer animations, tongue-in-cheek exhibits, and well-written narration brilliantly complements the approachable management systems, keeping me entertained as I focused on making my business a success.

Monster Hunter Wilds is a bold and bustling continuation of its predecessor’s approach to streamlining the once-niche series. By stripping away some of the more frustrating elements of the past, and focusing on getting players into hunts as quickly as possible, Monster Hunter Wilds has the potential to launch the series to new heights. Aside from some head-scratching omissions, Monster Hunter Wilds is a collection of the greatest hits from past games, one that finally delivers on the promise of a truly vibrant and living open world.

Don’t be put off by its absurd name or ridiculous premise; Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii provides a sincere and heartfelt adventure that successfully marries the series’ penchant for engaging power struggles with high-octane swashbuckling action. For existing fans, it’s a superb follow-up to Infinite Wealth. And for newcomers, it’s an excellent onboarding experience thanks to its myriad of fun and accessible gameplay systems.

Lost Records: Bloom & Rage Tape 1 might only be the first half of the story, yet even as I rolled credits, tears streaming down my cheeks, I felt satisfied and deeply curious about the chaos its cliffhanger ending had wrought. I’m keen to dig in and unlock the missing pieces of Swann and Co.'s past, one aberrated camcorder clip at a time.

Tomb Raider IV-VI Remastered delivers a welcome visual overhaul to The Last Revelation, Chronicles and The Angel of Darkness with excellent character models, detailed textures and revamped lighting working together to wonderful effect. The modern control schemes across the collection are frustratingly cumbersome but some great quality-of-life improvements and the excellent photo mode features make this remaster a must for longtime fans.

Avowed is an excellent first-person fantasy RPG that features slick combat feel and moreish exploration. Its setting of the Living Lands is rich in atmosphere and has an ethereal quality that made me want to uncover every nook and cranny. Obsidian’s writing is as sharp as ever, and the cast of party members is both charming and highly memorable.

More like Bizarro to Superhot's Kal-El, Cold VR's flip to slowing down time while in motion offers some incredibly fun gameplay moments that are also enhanced by great presentation. It's too bad that the game often lacks the polish of its biggest inspiration through bugs and occasionally wonky design.

Despite the glossy Unreal 5 sheen, Ninja Gaiden 2 Black is unapologetic in its 360-era game design that is as frustrating as it is refreshingly no-nonsense. While modern audiences might bounce off some of its old-school quirks, when its blood-gushing, limb-severing action clicks you'll understand why it deserves to be as highly regarded as Bayonetta or Devil May Cry. For the definitive experience, purists may still want to stick with the original (which is backwards compatible on Xbox) but this is still a superior remaster to the last-gen collection that offers the best of both versions.

Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 is a triumph, weaving complex systems together in an incredibly immersive medieval world that remains a joy to explore even after countless hours. The story is thoroughly enjoyable, despite some iffy voice acting, and the challenging combat is a blast to master, all making for one of the best RPGs in years.

Sid Meier's Civilization 7 successfully evolves the long-running strategy series with a wealth of engaging new systems. Swapping Civs is smartly implemented and the focus on distinct ages prevents matches from dragging on, though the samey Legacy Path system and basic diplomacy mean that it’s not quite the best entry yet.

Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector tells a radical science fiction tale through an impeccably designed system and a moving narrative rife with themes that are acutely attuned to our times. This is bolstered by a crew of companions who are not only well-fleshed out but offer genuine support during crises - a predicament you’ll find yourself in frequently. The soothing atmospheric soundtrack doesn’t hurt, either.

Eternal Strands is a light and breezy fantasy action RPG that's elevated by its innovative use of physics-based magic that makes even minor combat encounters feel novel. It's also thrilling to take on the larger foes, though this is more short-lived than the likes of Monster Hunter.

Sniper Elite: Resistance is another great entry into a relatively overlooked stealth franchise. While the game feels a little more like an expansion pack to Sniper Elite 5 rather than a full-fledged sequel, it still hits the highs of the previous entry with great level design and satisfying sniping. Meanwhile, the new Propaganda Challenge mode offers a nice arcade-style distraction.

Donkey Kong Country Returns HD is finally a definitive way to play Retro Studios first Donkey Kong adventure that’s untethered from forced motion controls of the Nintendo Wii or the performance of the Nintendo 3DS. However, outside of that, it brings nothing new to what is probably the weakest entry in the series, apart from a high price point.

Dynasty Warriors Origins is an incredibly confident and successful revamp of a series that desperately needed it, offering up the most absurdly satisfying ‘1 vs 1,000’ gameplay backed up by surprisingly nice visuals, rock-solid performance on console, and a belter of a soundtrack. The core Warriors identity remains intact, but the change to a sole playable protagonist does end up feeling like quite a strange choice in the end.

With 33 Heroes to play as, best-in-class presentation bookending matches, and a free-to-play monetization model, Marvel Rivals is almost too good to be true. There’s balancing issues, and some core problems with the way objectives play out, sure, but given that Marvel Rivals has only just launched, the future is very bright indeed. For now, you’ll be able to jump in and have a blast, whether you’re looking for a competitive challenge or casual fun.

Alien: Rogue Incursion is one of the better survival horror VR games I’ve played, with a superb setting that's let down by monsters that are scary in not quite the right ways.

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 builds on the engrossing flight model of its 2020 predecessor and finds substantial new ways to turn the impressive 1:1 Earth replica into a structured experience. But even after its disastrous launch, the streaming tech powering it seems determined to keep you from the good bits.

Legacy of Kain Soul Reaver 1&2 Remastered is the new gold standard that all modern remasters should strive to achieve. Developer Aspyr has taken Crystal Dynamic’s classic tale about a betrayed vampire seeking revenge and delivered an impeccable visual overhaul while maintaining the brooding gothic majesty that won Soul Reaver a legion of fans back at the turn of the millennium.

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle has all the components of a thrilling adventure ripped straight from the silver screen. Its global locations are intricately detailed and a joy to explore (despite suffering from lackluster visuals on Xbox Series S) with secrets hidden around every corner while the combat system is developer MachineGames at its best. Paired with flawless voice performances and incredible motion capture work, it’s sure to go down as one of the greatest Indy adaptations in history.

Infinity Nikki‘s vibrant world design, quirky mechanics, and engaging gameplay loop make a splash in the very crowded and highly competitive free-to-play market. Just beware of timegating and gacha systems that are likely to stymie your progress and enjoyment.

Mouthwashing is one of the shortest horror games I've played but it's going to stay with me for a very long time. Bleak, nasty, and downright scary, it has a lot to say and doesn't hold back.

Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl is one of the most haunting and atmospheric survival games of this generation. Small bugs and AI issues here and there mean that it is a little rough around the edges but the game’s world, atmosphere, and combat are breathtaking. Stalker 2 holds nothing back and forces you to play by its rules and is all the more refreshing because of it.

Planet Coaster 2 offers great new content, gorgeous updated graphics, and some much-needed quality-of-life updates. Pools and flume rides add a torrent of fun to your parks and offer the same kind of creative freedom the series is renowned for. Meanwhile, updated pathing and scenery tools help to smooth some of its predecessors’ rougher edges. There are still some wrinkles and quirks to ride design but Planet Coaster 2 is definitely a step forward.