Infernax is a great retro-styled title that adds in enough ideas of its own to stand up to modern standards. The gory combat and interesting level design maintain interest throughout, and there is lots of potential for replayability through the different moral paths to unlock. If retro gaming is your thing, then Infernax is a great game to add to your collection.

With strong gameplay and a healthy amount of unique characters, it’s a game that lives up to the pedigree of its developer.

Swarm is not only an attractive looking title but it's one that has similarly appealing gameplay as well. It's becoming more and more commonplace for downloadable titles to take up consumer attention and Swarm is certainly a game that deserves yours.

There's a lot that's new and different in Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope, creating a more freeform, looser feel to the game's world exploration and combat alike. Not all of the changes stick the landing, but the drive to reinvent and evolve is admirable and this is still easy to recommend for fans of the original and turn-based tactics in general.

There’s some rough edges to Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II that keep it from hitting the heights of the 2019 Modern Warfare, though most of its flaws can and will be fixed or improved through patches. Still, there’s an action-packed story to play through, plenty of multiplayer and a light co-op mode, and the promise of more in future. With Warzone 2.0 just around the corner, the future is certainly bright for Modern Warfare 2.

Madden 22 is a clear step up over last year’s entry in the long-running series. Improvements to Franchise mode, gameplay enhancements that feel authentic, and a taut, competitive game of football all make this a year worth re-joining the roster for – assuming that they can get on top of the technical hang-ups.

It might not be as expansive as Clone Wars or as imaginative as the Harry Potter iteration but it is all the more accomplished because of the lack of those distractions.

Batman: Arkham Knight is bigger and bolder than its predecessors, but it’s not better. The plot has some good twists and the exploration of Batman’s character is well done, but overall it doesn’t draw you in like the events of Asylum and City.

Two Point Museum on Switch 2 is a fairly straightforward port to Nintendo's latest console. The minor glitches and crashes should be ironed out quickly, but it's clear that the game simulation does hit the limits of the Switch 2's CPU and larger museums do drop the frame rate. Still, it remains a thoroughly enjoyable and endlessly quirky management sim that's an easy recommendation for fans of the genre and this series in particular. If you can't accept a few compromises, the other platforms are ready and waiting.

Playing Superbeat: Xonic is like going to a nightclub and being force fed Haribo Tangfastics whilst hooked up to an intravenous drip of Moutain Dew. It’s really enjoyable if, like me, you like a good thumping dance tune and a bit of K-pop. Superbeat is a welcome addition to the dwindling PlayStation Vita library and one that will keep you entertained for many train journeys to come.

Full Metal Furies surprised me in just how diverse the gameplay could get in a brawler/shooter hybrid. Some experiments don’t come off, but upgrades change character play styles nicely and the game is a joy to play with others. The teething problems that online play is suffering do make it hard to recommend for those with online co-op in mind, but once it’s all fixed or if you plan to play locally, Full Metal Furies is a decent way to spend a couple of evenings worth of co-op brawling action.

This is the arcade game the 12-year-old version of you was always meant to play. Fast, frantic, outrageously challenging and with the sort of free-form play that requires and rewards player creativity. Infinite State Games have created something very special here. I’ll see you in the skies, just try and beat my high score.

This latest Need for Speed is the best it's been for years, and although it's naturally not going to be a game for everyone (and up against the juggernaut of Sony's exclusive Gran Turismo 5 next week) anyone looking for a solid racing game this Christmas with a significant emphasis on online competition should find this is well worth investigating, especially if you liked the demo.

Deadlink is a great arena shooter with fast-paced action and a banging soundtrack. You’ll be speeding around arenas as hordes of enemies give chase, and you will be challenged. Things can get repetitive, but you'll probably be having too much of a good time to care.

Metal: Hellsinger is exactly what I hoped it would be – a balls to the wall, headbanging, visceral experience that nails the aesthetic and feel of the premise. The soundtrack is superb and perfectly suits the setting and narrative, and everything is carried along by an interesting and well-voiced narrative. Even if you are not a big fan of metal (and why the Hell wouldn’t you be?) this is an excellent rhythm shooter that absolutely slays.

The spirit of Gorkamorka lives on in Speed Freeks, with a frantic blast of multiplayer mayhem the perfect antidote to the grim dark realities of other Games Workshop titles.

Coming off the back of Thomas Was Alone, Volume is a much more ambitious and expansive project, and there’s little sign of this being a difficult second album. It can miss the mark in a few areas, depending on how you play, but this is a clever distillation of the classic stealth genre wrapped up in an excellent retelling of a classic English legend.

It is just possible that everything is falling into place at the right time for this title. An affordable, massively fun and entertaining take on an old classic done with real class and prowess. This might just be the beginning of another golden age of pinball.

Relaxed and thoughtful, beautiful and moving, Concrete Genie is a delightfully different game that plays out like an interactive animated movie with bags of character.

Tomb Raider Definitive Edition may offer returning fans a nostalgic run through one of Lara Croft’s best adventures, but in 2025 it’s still a remarkably solid experience, especially on the Nintendo Switch 2.

Project Songbird is one of the most interesting and well designed indie horror games of the year so far and shows the sheer range of the genre. Unlike the bombastic Resident Evil Requiem, Project Songbird is not afraid to be more contemplative and intimate in its portrayal of horror and trauma, the narrative carrying you through its puzzles and moments of real peril. Highly recommended for fans of horror and also anybody who appreciates game-making as an artform with a message to convey.

Some elements of the game haven’t aged all that well and the remastering process simply hasn’t addressed them. However, with that still in mind, Twilight Princess HD remains an adventure that deserves revisiting, still offering a great deal for returning fans and newcomer

Aaero is a new beginning for rhythm action games, as it draws on the genre’s past strengths and makes them its own. It has a different outlook – completionists may balk at the improbability of a ‘perfect’ run – but equally that could make it all the more alluring to those looking for a true score attack experience that doesn’t give up its wares so easily. Aaero’s setting may be apocalyptic, but its outlook is full of hope for a genre that still deserves its place in the here and now.

Despite the game's bugs, The Sims 4: Eco Lifestyle is a welcome surprise that surpassed my expectations. Even if you're like me and the idea of off-the-grid living doesn't interest you, there's still enough in this pack that makes it worth a look - just don't expect as much replayability as The Sims 4: Seasons.

A very good game. When you’re on a roll it feels very satisfying, but when you become stuck it can be frustrating. However, Stealth Inc just manages to keep you hooked to play on and beat it. This isn’t fun in the traditional sense but instead a worthy challenge to beat.

There's the obvious full complement of local and online game modes, but the best new option is the Captain Your Country mode.

Omensight scratches so many itches for me. I love murder mystery games and branching, time-manipulated narratives so much. Action games are some of my favorite games, and fantasy worlds that aren’t just more elves and goblins are so much more vibrant. Omensight takes all of these delicious ingredients and confidently tosses them into a boiling pot together. Some of the pieces don’t come together perfectly in the end, but the final dish is still unlike anything I can think of, and I can only hope Spearhead Games delivers just as great of an experience with their next release.

Splicing history with Hollywood, Troy is an exciting new take on the Total War formula. Sega's immense strategy series continues to snowball, absorbing and shedding new ideas, somehow keeping momentum despite that core gameplay remaining virtually untouched.

It’s trashy, loud, single minded and not without a number of annoyances and flaws. However the utter stupidity and carnage of the game is infectious and there is nothing really like this on the PSN so for those reasons, I am going to award it an explosive and controversial: 8.

Amid its gentle but affectionate satire of Chinese norms and customs, Chinese Parents is an accessible and engaging life sim that should resonate with just about anyone who’s gone through childhood and adolescence. Even if you fail, you’ll still have a good time.

Lego Star Wars: The Force Awakens is amongst the best games from either franchise. While the story of a single film has been noticeably stretched out, there’s still plenty of content here for fans to enjoy, and the new additions to the Lego formula help to keep things fresh despite so much familiarity.

Beautiful, contemplative and engaging, Empire of the Ants is a unique hybrid that will delight fans of the natural world.

Moomintroll: Winter’s Warmth is a lovely game. There are some fun quests to undertake in locations that have been designed well, with the added bonus of cutting paths through the snow.

Parkasaurus is a delightful park management sim. Its cute dinosaur designs and relaxed pace will suit all Jurassic fans, despite the obvious lack of Jeff Goldblum.

Despite repeating huge chunks of Death Stranding 1, almost beat for beat, Kojima pulls it out of the bag in the end. The core gameplay loop remains satisfying enough to get you through to the good stuff, but I can't help but feel disappointed just how similar this game is to its predecessor.

Signalis is a thought-provoking and atmospheric title that is a genuine standout for fans of the more cerebral elements of survival horror, although one that does require you to look past some of its more dated aspects.

Crisis Core Final Fantasy VII Reunion is essential gaming for Final Fantasy fans — not only because it brings a much beloved game into the modern day, but also because Zack was heavily teased ahead of the next instalment of the Final Fantasy 7 Remake trilogy.

Sand Land is all set to be your new favourite anime, with compelling characters, enjoyable combat and great anime visuals in video game form. You might just find that Akira Toriyama has saved the best for last.

Lumini is short, but sweet. What the game lacks in content is easily made up by the blissful audio and artwork, which absolutely make this a little gem of a game.

Fans of the series will appreciate the plot twists, whilst newcomers can get stuck into a well-grounded Resident Evil game that is so far living up to its heritage.

Frostpunk 2 remains one of the most compelling city builders and survival games in recent memory, and it's survived the transition to console in remarkably strong form. That said, if you have the option of playing on PC, that remains the best place to play.

For a certain nostalgic generation of gamer, it’s hard not to fall in love with Headlander’s retro futuristic stylings and the kind of “what if…” set up that wouldn’t feel out of place in a Terry Nation TV show or a film like Logan’s Run. The combat and and boss fights let it down, but this is an eminently enjoyable twist on the Metroidvania genre.

More maps, local and online multiplayer and stacks of secrets to unlock make this undoubtably the definitive version. We're impressed.

Dosa Divas is a culinary adventure worth going on, its unique flavour combining solid turn-based combat, a simple cooking minigame, and a story that will make you reflect on your own relationships. It's a game that explores how food and meals can be experiences that bring people together. If nothing else, Dosa Divas may inspire you to get in the kitchen, put some dishes together and share those meals with others.

Freeing Luigi’s Mansion from the GameCube’s back catalogue, Grezzo’s remake of the game for 3DS is fantastic, going far beyond a simple port. That said, the 3DS isn’t always the best home for the ghostbusting action and the controls feel a bit too slow and awkward when it counts.

For them to successfully steer one of their flagships back on track, Capcom has done what many thought was unthinkable. It was less than twelve months ago that the publisher released Umbrella Corps, at which point I – and no doubt many others – were ready to call time on the series. Resident Evil 7 definitely has a handful of weak points, but it’s by far the best AAA survival horror game we’ve seen in quite some time.

The Textorcist: The Story of Ray Bibbia takes its portmanteau of a title and develops it into a refreshingly original and enjoyable blend of typing games and bullet hell boss rushes. It's also a clear love letter to the horror staples of the 1980s and affectionately captures the look and feel of that era. The result is simultaneously divine and devilish.

Samurai Warriors holds onto its status as the best of the three Warriors series. Omega Force has refined their aged formula with a focus on narrative, more challenging combat, and more rewarding character progression. Let’s just hope they can hold onto this momentum.

Ys VIII is, without a doubt, a huge step for the franchise. In stripping away a lot of the usual narrative tropes the series is usually known for, Nihon Falcom have put a fresh spin on the franchise that puts characters and small moments over grand adventures and vast mysteries. Tied together by a fast-paced combat system and great music, the negatives of Lacrimosa of Dana are far outweighed by the positives, and this is a game that any JRPG fan would be a fool to sleep on.

Behind the chilled out vibes of OlliOlli World's new art style, happy-go-lucky characters and eccentric customisation, this game takes Roll7's flow-state side-scrolling skating to new heights. It's a tad more welcoming for newcomers, but even OlliOlli 2 veterans will have plenty of new tricks to learn and master through its increasingly wild and challenging levels.

If you like shooting zombies with friends, then Zombie Army 4: Dead War is the game for you. There's a few new twists and several layers of progression now thrown into the mix, as you battle undead Nazis once again, but this is classic undead sniping action through and through.

If you called Owlboy a piece of art, I would nod my head and agree wholeheartedly. This game, in visuals alone, is a masterful achievement. For those breath-taking visuals to be matched by equally beautiful characters and unique gameplay moments just elevates it even further. The beginning of the game is a bit too slow, and sometimes the gameplay was merely okay, but those are minor blemishes on a video game experience that is absolutely worth your time, and definitely worth the decade that it took to bring it to life.

Expeditions: A MudRunner Game continues the series legacy in emphatic style, with a true pioneering spirit that’ll keep you coming back for vehicular adventures for months to come.

If you’re a fan of the kind of ultra-difficult, ultra precise platformers that gained popularity a few years ago, then 10 Second Ninja X is right up your alley. It doesn’t reach the same heights of controller breaking frustration, which is probably a good thing, but with minimalist controls, short and to the point levels, and a whimsically silly story, there’s quite a lot to like here.

A simple idea that is acted upon with great focus and substantial ingenuity to produce a complex and compelling puzzle game.

For fans of the original game, Total War: Warhammer II is a great follow-up. Creative Assembly has created something both new and familiar, keeping that central core intact while transporting players to a part of this universe ignored in previous video game adaptations. That change of setting and the narrative drive of the Great Vortex will be enough for most, alongside a suite of smaller, more subtle changes. There’s also the exciting prospect of new armies, campaigns, and other features that are no doubt just around the corner.

Shadow Gambit: The Cursed Crew is a challenging tactical game with a fun story and characterful crew. The varied missions do a good job of giving you plenty of options for how to tackle them, leaning into different crew abilities. There's a few rough edges, but Shadow Gambit: The Cursed Crew’s treasure hunt is well worth partaking in.

A great game, despite the camera doing its best to spoil the party. However, this version is hard to recommend to those who have already ploughed through Sigma; there's nowhere near enough new content to warrant that.

LEGO Party is everything you want for a Friday night in with the family. Silly, funny, and accessible, finally Mario Party has some competition.

Nobody said being a giant tentacle monster was easy, but Tentacular’s mix of physics puzzles and quirky story and setting does make it rather fun.

There’s a lot to enjoy here in a well-rounded package, with plenty of replay value thanks to the range of different heroes, collectibles and high-scores to aim for, as well as the online and offline multiplayer options.

It’s amazing to drop back into Cult of the Lamb with the Woolhaven DLC, and the harsh new reality it imposes on your cult. I just wish it came a few years sooner, so I hadn’t forgotten everything from my last run in 2022! If you’re new to the game, this won’t be a problem, but if you’re old hat, it may be better to start New Game+ and get back to speed, rather than jumping in late, low on resources and struggling more than you need to through your first few winters.

Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga is the most ambitious Lego game yet, and despite the occasional technical mishap it delivers a daring and often delightful romp through the most iconic film franchise of all time.

Pentiment is an excellent dialogue adventure that takes all the best aspects of Obsidian’s previous titles and marries them to a distinguished aesthetic. The whole game feels like a medieval manuscript brought to life and there is very little out there like it. While an interest in the historical setting would obviously add to the experience, the writing alone is good enough to draw any fans of adventure games in and there are so many superb details that really show the depth of the developer’s engagement with their influences. If the past is a foreign country, then grab your passports and get ready to be illuminated.

Not A Hero is another great title from Roll7, and another must play title for fans of games that make you pull out your hair with their difficulty, but give you the best feeling imaginable when you clear a level.

Donkey Kong Country Returns HD is a fine remaster of the Wii platformer, bringing along all the tweaks from its Nintendo 3DS port. It's not much more than that, but it’s still a great platformer.

Considering its budget price, Kingdom Hearts 2.5 HD Remix is a steal. Clocking in at well over sixty hours, the collection oozes with quality and that classic Disney charm, all bundled up in a gorgeous high definition package.

It’s easy to dismiss Hardline out of hands as being too far removed from Battlefield’s typical setting to be worthy of the name, but even as Visceral ride on the brands coattails, they’ve had the confidence to adapt that core gameplay to suit a new setting. That’s not just true of the multiplayer, but also the single player story and its compelling tale of drugs and police corruption.

Cairn is a unique, slow, and surprisingly relaxing game where you occasionally lose your grip and fall to your death. There's a heartfelt story running through the ascent to the top of the mountain, survival elements as you manage limited resources, and accurate feeling climbing, but soaking in the gorgeous environments, making discoveries and mastering the climbing are a joy. Cairn is a unique game that stands out from all the rest.

It's true that the 360 versions run cleaner, with quicker load times and there's no force feedback for Dual Shock 3 owners, but it's still absolutely worth the money for PS3-only gamers.

Astrologaster is an incredibly original and fantastically designed experience that really captures the feel and tone of the Renaissance. From the impeccably researched astrology diagnoses to the infamous postscript of ‘coitus after consultation’ this is the most accessible way into the world of Simon Forman you could ever hope to find. Whether you mean to or not, you’ll certainly learn something about one of the most eccentric characters in Renaissance London – just don’t follow any of the medical advice. Trust me, I’m a doctor.

The aesthetics, soundtrack, and writing here are wonderful and more than reward the patience required to fully unravel the game’s mysteries. Playing it resulted in an immersion that went beyond my niggles with the gameplay. It is clear from my comments here that the game won’t have the universal appeal to match the political and social importance of its themes and message. It is a game that should be played by many, but that will probably frustrate as many as it ensnares. It more than lived up to my expectations and if you are interested in exploring the ways in which games can go beyond other media in their use of narrative then it is unmissable.

I really like Borderlands 4. I like it on the story front, gameplay front, mechanical front, and just all of it really. I have every intention of coming back to it and replaying it with the DLC characters in later playthroughs, and while the endgame stuff isn't that fleshed out yet, I have faith that it'll improve as time goes on. Let's just hope everyone else can enjoy it without bugs soon too.

Conscript is a worthy entry into the Survival Horror genre and comes highly recommended. It takes all the ingredients of the genre and marries them to a vital and under-represented part of history in video games to create a standout title that deserves a wider audience.

Phineas and Ferb: Day Of Doofenshmirtz is a fun action-platformer for the Vita that never feels stale. Each mission has a unique moment to it, so you’re never quite sure what to expect next. It looks good and colourful and the writing of the story matches the tone of the cartoon. However the lack of voice acting and Doofenshmirtz, despite being billed as a central part, does take away somewhat from the experience, since the humour would be better with vocal delivery. If you are looking for a good game for the Vita though, that doesn’t take too long to complete, then Day Of Doofenshmirtz could be worth your time.

Legend of Keepers is a delight to play. It has such character, both in its looks and humour, that it feels unique when compared to other games out there. For those who want to work hard to create undefeatable monsters and dungeons, there’s plenty of scope to carve out your success. It's definitely a title to try out for yourself, even if you’re not usually one for this type of turn-based indie RPG.

Peaky Blinders: Mastermind offers one of the most essential puzzling experiences of 2020. The masterminding may come to an end far too soon, but when it does the the sublime gameplay mash-up you've just had will make you realise that Futurlab have forged an entirely new genre: rewind time strategy. Peaky Blinders: Mastermind is so good that it compelled me to go and watch the original TV show. Now, how many games based on a franchise can say that?

The Banner Saga 3 closes the book on an incredible saga of turn-based action and dark, haunting storytelling. It’s hard to make player choices and branching narratives successfully payoff over the course of three games, but Stoic Studios have done just that. It’s a shame that they never tried to revamp or update the sluggish combat speed along the way, but that’s a small price to pay for a once in a lifetime narrative experience like this.

Easily the best co-op game of 2016 so far and will hopefully set living rooms afire with its accessible, often hilarious culinary hijinks. It’s certainly a game I’ll continue to revisit, roping in anyone willing to sit down and pick up a controller.

Warhammer 40,000: Chaos Gate – Daemonhunters is a great take on the turn-based strategy genre, encouraging front-foot combat with a strike force of empowered Grey Knights at your disposal. It takes a while to get going, the situations and enemies you encounter lack a bit of variety, but this is an accomplished effort that's easy to recommend to fans of Warhammer 40K and XCOM alike.

The melee combat may not be as technical or strategic as some hardcore fans might like, yet it’s hard to deny the appeal of Chivalry 2’s dismembering deathmatches. Those first few sieges are truly enthralling as watch waves of red and blue troops smash against each other. Over time it may lose its edge though Chivalry 2 is still one of the most fun and unique multiplayer games out there.

51 Worldwide Games showcases Nintendo doing what Nintendo do best. They’ve taken a simple idea, and put it together in an utterly charming way. There’s so much here to enjoy, cramming in a host of games and experiences that could keep you, your family, and your friends playing together for many years to come. Best of all, you can't lose any of the pieces!

The Walking Dead: The Final Season is off to a terrific start. With the best graphics of a Telltale game to date, excellent characters who are all superbly performed and a central mechanic that sees the challenges of being a responsible parent come to the fore, this is the most excited and engaged I’ve been about The Walking Dead in years. Thanks to a clever character setup that sees Clementine and AJ’s relationship echo that of Lee and Clementine from the original series, a palpable sense of foreboding has already been established.

It’s a clichéd line but that doesn’t stop it from being true: if you loved Moving Out then you’ll love Moving Out 2. It’s a whole lot more of the same chaotic multiplayer action you’ve come to expect. Sadly, when you get your mates around to play, you’ll likely just focus on the early levels, as the game once again loses its way and gets far too hard in the latter stages. A focus on straight-up non-stop silly fun would be much appreciated if there’s a Moving Out 3.

I really enjoyed Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector, especially travelling between different locations. The new dice system is a bit too much, though, and little would have been lost if only one of the broken or glitched dice concepts was used. The story and writing are still great, though being spread across a wider setting means it does lose some of the magic of the original.

Trials of Mana is an exciting new step for the Mana series, breathing new, fully 3D life into a SNES classic that was left inaccessible to English fans for decades. The inventive and memorable story of the original game blends perfectly with the flashy new real-time combat system, and while muddy textures and a lack of co-op prove to somewhat sour the experience, this is still a stellar action RPG remake that anyone can get a kick out of.

Super Cloudbuilt is a stunningly well realised game. It’s fun and frantic, yet the player is always in control. How much you enjoy this game will really depend on how much of a glutton for punishment you are. Cloudbuilt is frustratingly hard, but those with the patience and skill to persevere will find a rich and rewarding title with a great deal of replayability, returning to each level to find the optimal routes and looking like a boss whilst doing so.

Romancing SaGa -Minstrel Song- is an incredible non-linear roleplaying experience, and the ultimate game to lose yourself in. The lack of direction and open-ended storytelling can be overwhelming at first, but if you dive into it and take your time with it you'll end up crafting an incredible adventure that's all yours.

While the story is serviceable as a backdrop, it’s actually the environments that steal the show. Gliding around and exploring the levels is relaxing for the most part, apart from a couple of moments of disorientation. The artwork throughout is sublime and the music fits it all perfectly, though it sits along titles like Bound, where the art and experience also outshine the plot. If you have a PSVR and are keen to play something that doesn’t take too much effort while providing some great visuals then How We Soar is a worthy pick.

Tales of Berseria feels like a Tales game made just for me. There’s so many games in the series now, and I’ll never play them all, but the characters and the narrative and the combat mechanics of Berseria just click with all of my tastes so well. For some, the lack of gameplay innovation might be a turn off, but for me, a classic Tales gameplay system combined with a unique narrative led to a fantastic experience. Fans both new and old would be doing a disservice to themselves if they didn’t check this game out.

Attack on Titan 2 is one of the strongest anime video games I’ve ever played, not because of a perfect story mode or graphics, but because it creates a unique gameplay experience that could only ever be done with an Attack on Titan game.

My Hero One’s Justice 2 is a great brawler. It carries on the fine work put in on the first game, wraps the more recent story beats into a playable form, and buffs the already excellent visuals up to a new Shonen shine. It’s not a great jumping on point for newcomers, at least story-wise, but it remains a fun, approachable fighter based on one of the best anime shows of recent years.

You Will Die Here Tonight begins as a great indie homage to Resident Evil and then develops to be a fantastic take on survival horror in its own right. While there are a few unpolished aspects here and there the overall experience is a stand out in a genre that is so often defined by slavish adherence to tropes and traditions. Any self-respecting fan of survival horror owes it to themselves to face the evil residence and find out the true horrors awaiting within.

One Piece Odyssey is the ultimate adventure for a diehard One Piece fan. It's touching to be able to revisit the people and places making up some of the series most iconic story arcs in a way that feels rich and immersive rather than skimmed-through and streamlined. Some quirks in the overworld exploration and a few combat design flaws might make this a but of an unpolished RPG on paper, but if you've spent the last two decades with Luffy and his crew, then the shine and charm of One Piece Odyssey is undeniable.

As strange as Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle sounds on paper, there are some really good ideas in the mix. Having XCOM's battle gameplay presented in a more light lighthearted fashion and greatly enhancing character movement are both excellent touches. It’s not perfect, but there’s a lot to like from this unlikely combination.

Individual elements of the game are superb, but the juxtaposition of a grim war and puzzles and platforms just doesn’t quite work, and the game as a whole cannot live up to the emotional heft and gameplay of the last twenty minutes.

Playing Before Your Eyes in VR brings your even closer to embodying the life and times of Benjamin Brynn. There's some quibbles from the jump to VR, but Benny's tale remains a beautiful told story that's well worth experiencing.

Ys X: Nordics maintains a lot of the qualities that this series has come to be known for. Some of those qualities aren't necessarily a positive, like the familiarly linear dungeon encounters and the less-than-impressive visuals of the game, but a lot of it works great. Combat is the best it's ever been, naval gameplay is a fresh and welcome addition, and Ys X: Nordics introduces refreshing character moments with Adol and Karja that I'm desperate to see more of in the next entry.