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.

Metro Awakening is a solid first VR entry for the series. It's not going to be loved by everyone, but it will be by fans of the Metro franchise who want to explore the horror-filled passages in a more immersive medium as well as those who like a more gradual plot.

Lego Horizon Adventures is a funny platformer that avoids adapting the source material’s complex lore and opts for simple, repetitive levels that become tiresome quickly. However, despite heartfelt vocal performances and beautiful world design, Lego Horizon Adventures fails to reach its full potential.

Engaging and approachable, New World: Aeternum mostly nails the modern MMORPG experience with its refined and cohesive game world and intuitive combat system. Crafting and gathering remain a highlight here but all types of players will find this game worthy of its upfront price of admission. That said, those looking for a wide range of high-end raiding content will be better served elsewhere and the game also suffers from an unfocused and muddled art style.

While Mario & Luigi: Brothership doesn’t reinvent the wheel, it’s a solid RPG with fun mechanics and lovable characters. New additions like Luigi Logic and Plugs make for satisfying combat, while overworld exploration benefits from the new Bros Moves and ample puzzles with a decent amount of variety. However, the game does suffer from what is emerging as the Nintendo Switch generational curse; frame rate drops, as well as some pacing issues in the late game.

Slitterhead won’t be for everyone due to its quirks, it’s a bit clunky and reuses content frequently. But behind its issues lies one of the most unique titles of the past few years. With a great mystery story, impressive world-building for a debut, and a possession mechanic that adds an extra strategic layer to combat. Slitterhead lives up to its pedigree.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 is an outstanding first-person shooter package that offers a thrilling blockbuster campaign with some of the best graphics on the market. Its polished multiplayer is fast-paced and intense, bringing the franchise to new heights despite a few poorly balanced maps, and the cooperative zombies mode is the absolute best it’s been in years.

Batman: Arkham Shadow is a full-on AAA VR experience that everyone with a Meta Quest 3 or 3S should try, and people who don't have either headset need to get one to play this game.

Horizon: Zero Dawn Remastered may not have been entirely necessary, but for just a few dollars it remains a great showcase of the PS5’s graphical prowess. Whether that’s enough for anyone who’s beaten it already will be down to your preference.

Failing to take the franchise into new territory and held back by its ties of the past, there’s simply nowhere for Life is Strange: Double Exposure to go except aimlessly in circles.

Dragon Age: The Veilguard is a mightily impressive return to the fantasy series offering engaging combat and a charming cast of supporting characters - but it never quite escapes the orbit of its predecessors.

Fear the Spotlight relies on tension and atmosphere, delivering a quick gaming experience that's reminiscent of 90s slasher movies. It's appealing to both newcomers and seasoned horror fans, making it an impressive little game.

Sonic x Shadow Generations bundles the original Sonic Generations and a new Shadow Generations campaign in one thrilling package. Whether you’re a fan of Sonic’s rival-turned-ally or not, his side of the game is filled with some of the best, most well-designed levels in the series’ 3D history.

Enotria: The Last Song’s stacks of gameplay systems and offbeat terminology make for a fairly convoluted soulslike experience. However, it brings some cool ideas to the table when it comes to combat and traversal. That, and it’s a simply gorgeous world set against a backdrop of Italian folklore, makes for an incredibly compelling experience. The relatively short length compared to most soulslikes also makes it a digestible game that's worth playing at least once.

Just Dance VR would have been perfect a few years ago, but the dated track list and the fact that it doesn't take full advantage of the VR medium leaves me wanting more.

With a strong focus on visual upgrades, this rebuilt take of the 2015 horror romp can feel more like a remaster than a remake. Still, if you've never played the original – or you're a seasoned Blackwood Mountain survivor seeking the game's definitive version – Until Dawn is an easy recommendation.

Whether you’re familiar with Atlus’s flavor of turn-based RPGs or not, Metaphor: ReFantazio is an essential play. The developer has built on its legendary ‘press turn’ combat with the innovative Archetype system, allowing for an unprecedented amount of customization and party composition when compared to its other popular series. Throw in a constantly gripping, politically-charged narrative and a diverse cast of wonderful characters and you have what is absolutely the best RPG of the year and a certified modern classic.

Super Mario Party Jamboree doesn’t break new ground but takes the best of the series’ past and present to make a big celebratory package, best experienced at get-togethers where the real magic (and carnage) happens.

Throne and Liberty is at its core an old-school player-versus-player MMO with a defined focus on world and large-scale group combat. While graphically stunning, an average combat system and a potentially divisive monetization model hold back this otherwise extremely competent MMORPG.

Silent Hill 2 is a visually stunning remake that captures much of the original's ambiance, but it could be more delicate with its difficult themes and pacing.

It’s easy to dismiss EA Sports FC 25 as a glorified reskin of EA Sports FC 24 – and in many respects, it is – but the customarily small tweaks made to graphics and gameplay add up to a near-perfect sports game experience. This is total football.