Disgaea 7 is a course correction from some of the mistakes made in Disgaea 6. Gone is the slimmed-down character roster that saw many series staples disappear - instead, Disgaea 7 has more class options than any previous game, with entirely new classes and monsters to boot. Gone are the overinflated stat values and the game-breaking unrestricted auto-battle mechanics. The result is a game that feels more ‘Disgaea’ and less experimental, making it a more fitting modern follow-up to the crowning glory that was Disgaea 5 as a result.

While a divisive entry to some, Yakuza 3 remains a highlight of the franchise for me, and it feels good to see this much love given to its restoration.

Live A Live feels like it shouldn’t exist, or was destined to remain hidden away with only a few fortunate fans stumbling upon it in the midst of online forums hosting fan translations of forgotten classics. I’m not sure what inspired Nintendo and Square Enix to bring this game back from the dead for a whole generation, but the fact they went through with it is a miracle. Whether you’re a JRPG fan or simply keen to play something completely different, Live A Live manages to surprise and delight in equal measure while refusing to show its full hand until the last possible moment. I’d argue it was almost worth the decades we spent waiting.

Rocket Arena is a lot more than it may seem on the surface. As a 3v3 connoisseur (i.e. someone with only 2 friends) Rocket Arena is the one I'll be sticking with.

Dragon Quest 7 has always been the series' most ambitious entry - a sprawling anthology of tragedy and hope that attempted things no other Dragon Quest has matched. It was also, frankly, too long. Reimagined solves that problem without sacrificing what made the original special. For series veterans, it's a chance to revisit a flawed classic in its best possible form. For newcomers, it's finally a reasonable entry point into one of the franchise's most rewarding narratives.

A stealth game above all else, Disjunction is a fun journey through a dystopian world. Its head-to-head combat woes can be generally overlooked because stealth is such a major component. It’s clear that Ape Tribe Games put a lot of effort into building up the game’s cyberpunk setting, successfully making Disjunction a game that needs to be played by fans of the genre, or even OG Metal Gear Solid fans.

InKonbini: One Store. Many Stories offers a short but very sweet slice-of-life game that makes you value the quiet moments and fleeting conversations you have with strangers. Much like our favourite convenience store snacks, it offers plenty of flavour in a bite-sized chunk that keeps our appetite satiated until the next eye-catching game comes along. I went into InKonbini expecting something a little different, but finished my final shift pleasantly surprised with just how attached I had become to the game. It’s impressive how it takes small moments and elevates them to such heartfelt heights.

Anno 117 doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but the addition of land combat and the ability to further customize your cities with diagonal roads and decorations brings even more satisfaction to the successful formula of a strategy series with a gameplay formula like no other.

Thanks to its fantastic multiplayer, quality of life changes, and great single-player, Splatoon 3 is undoubtedly the best game in the series. It won’t be changing anyone’s mind if they don’t already love the series and is essentially just more Splatoon, but I’ll be damned if that’s a bad thing.

With its retro-future, animated aesthetic and soundtrack that fits the vibe perfectly, Inertial Drift is a treat for both senses. The twin-stick drift mechanics certainly won’t be for everyone, but if you’re willing to put in a little time, it’s ultimately a pretty enjoyable experience. Inertial Drift isn’t likely to take the top spot as my go-to racing title, but the light-hearted game is a nice break from the more realistic racing sims.

Anyone looking to play a quality platformer hearkening back to the older era should give this a download right away. It's certainly worth the price of $3.99.

Age of Wonders: Planetfall Revelations is an expansion that, for the most part, knows why the original game was good and does more of that. While the Anomalous Site mechanic sacrifices playability for theme, the main story lets the player dive into the mysteries of the past while getting interesting new battle mechanics.

Aside from those infrequent technical issues, this is a smooth, comforting, and narratively rich experience. Moomintroll: Winter’s Warmth's balance of warmth and depth is everything I want from a cozy game in the modern era. I can already anticipate that I’ll be returning to the charm of Moominvalley in a few months, when the Lady of the Cold visits me as well.

It has some real navigation issues, but once you get past those, this is a title that anyone with a PSVR helmet should be checking out. After all, there's no better use for virtual reality than to peer through the eyes of a giant Golem and smash things to smithereens.

With a clear design meant to accommodate players of all ages, Tilt Pack feels like a great addition to any player’s library and is a great choice for playing with friends. Although the objective of each round is the same - to be the last rectangular block standing - the dangers faced in each different arena and the power ups that can be obtained keep the game exciting. There may not be much to do after a while, but Tilt Pack feels fresh every time a group dives in, making it a perfect choice for short, frequent games.

Victoria 3 is a grand strategy game with perhaps too much depth and complexity for genre newbies, and genre veterans might find the simplified warfare a turn-off. That said, I am wholly invested. It’s the most sandboxy of the Paradox lineup so far and I’ve been enjoying my time with it immensely. It is gorgeous, impressive, and absolutely worth the time it takes to learn. Now onto my fourth playthrough. The World Welsh Order will rise, mark my words.

It's advised that people play this gem of a game on PC in order to experience the best version of Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire, but the drawbacks of the console version can be overlooked by people who are really patient or don't mind messing around on their phone every couple of minutes when going back to a town to restock on times.

Even with current bugs and shortcomings, it's been hard to stop playing. 14 hours later, I still want to take just one more turn.

In terms of the rhythm genre, AVICII Invector doesn’t necessarily blow me away overall, other than the cathartic connection I had during some of the levels. But if you’re a fan of the genre or AVICII and his music, AVICII Invector is definitely a well-executed game that should be added to your collection.

Power Wash Simulator is a darling escape into a profession I never knew I had any passion for. I’m not saying I’m about to quit writing and start going to town on my nan’s filthy patio, but there’s something about living a distant occupation through the medium of video games that pulls you in and refuses to let go.

As a longtime fan, it's a little frustrating. Luigi's Mansion and Fire Emblem are evolving, but Pokémon doesn't seem to want to. And as long as it stays fun and lovable, it doesn't have to.

As a longtime fan, it's a little frustrating. Luigi's Mansion and Fire Emblem are evolving, but Pokémon doesn't seem to want to. And as long as it stays fun and lovable, it doesn't have to.

As a longtime fan, it's a little frustrating. Luigi's Mansion and Fire Emblem are evolving, but Pokémon doesn't seem to want to. And as long as it stays fun and lovable, it doesn't have to.

Despite some repetition and bloat that makes Assassin’s Creed Shadows’ final stretch drag more than the rest of the game excites, its brave approach to exploration in a gorgeous world, heartfelt personal stories, and satisfying tweaks to the formula still make it stand as one of my favourite entries yet.

Tokyo Ghoul:re [Call To Exist] is the rare anime cash-in that is both ambitious and chocked full of content, and one that franchise diehards can eagerly sink their teeth into and be able to take a deep, stiff drink from.

Silicon Dreams is a tremendous detective game. The way you grill these androids for information is highly engaging. I was surprised many times by the responses I got from my interrogations and the narrative continued to get more and more compelling as I went on. If the idea of delving into the minds of androids to see what makes them tick sounds like a fun time, then you should experience the dystopian nightmare that is Silicon Dreams.

There are teething issues and a reluctance to let go of the past, but it’s also a daft Sonic game with a charming story told in the most competent way we’ve seen in years. Sonic might not be back in the big leagues yet, but he’s catching up. Like Sonic Adventure all the way back in 1999, Frontiers could give the series a new lease on life - Sega has to ditch the old ways and let it happen.

Pacific Drive takes each genre it tackles in a bold new direction, and creates something that’s not necessarily unheard of, but feels entirely unique in its design, care, and the way in which it pulls you into its world. You’ll immediately begin to care for your car as you keep it safe, and exploring the Zone consistently provides new, refreshing things to keep you engaged and daunted. Though the milder aspects can feel repetitive, it adds to a worthwhile experience that is absolutely worth playing.