Demeo is a fun and accessible digital board game, evoking games like HeroQuest with its turn-based dungeon-crawling. In VR it's a pleasingly tactile experience that's great to share with co-op friends, but if you need or prefer to play on a TV screen? Well that's still good too.

Cosmonious High makes being the new kid in class feel truly special. It's not quite as universal as the "robots do human things" humour of Job Simulator, but never gives up on being positive, from the alien character designs, to the vibrant colour palette, and the sandbox of simple puzzles and powers to use. It's just missing that half step of complexity as a VR experience.

If Blood Bowl 3 does one thing right, it’s that it really makes me appreciate that Blood Bowl 2 exists, which right now is a far superior game in all aspects. For now, save your money and wait to see if this one gets any better.

The Last Clockwinder is a delightfully charming puzzle game suitable for all ages. With almost unlimited solutions to the puzzles and no time limits it's rather relaxing. It may not have the wow factor of some the other games in the PSVR 2 launch line up, but it's well worth a look.

Atomic Heart is a bit of a surprise. It's not perfect and the open world is an unneeded dilution, but when you're in the story missions it's always entertaining, despite occasionally dragging things out a little. It can be a bit strange, but it's the self aware kind of strange that can be a bit charming. And the robots are pretty great.

Leaning on the power of PS5, Kayak VR: Mirage is filled with wonderful locations to visit around the world and explore with paddle in hand. It looks stunning and makes for a great way to demo PSVR 2 or VR in general, but personally, I was left wanting something a little more.

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.

Theatrhythm Final Bar Line is a labor of love that is worthy of loving back - it's game packed to the brim with iconic songs, unforgettable characters, and fun excuses to revisit and collect them all. Accessibility options, versatile difficulty levels, and simple yet addicting multiplayer help make a great package even greater. Any Final Fantasy fan owes it to themselves to dive into this game and take a musical trip down memory lane.

Like A Dragon: Ishin is a really fun spin off for this long-running series. Many of the big characters from the mainline Yakuza games, bar some of the newer games, are recast as new ones but none of the impact is lost. Edo Period Kyo is a great city to explore with plenty to offer players, and the combat styles are really fun to experiment with, even if Brawler is a bit wasted. The long wait for a Western release has been worth it.

Octopath Traveler II manages to improve on almost every aspect of its predecessor, whether they needed it or not. The exploration is deeper with more nooks and crannies to nose your way through. The combat is far more intricate, giving greater options to build your party and skillset, and a large degree of player choice. The visuals are absolutely beautiful, and the sound design is phenomenal once again. Honestly, Octopath Traveler II has basically negated the need to play the first title, and I cannot think of higher praise.

With a positively batty sense of humour, What The Bat? is a thoroughly daft VR successor to What The Golf? and the best baseball game I've played in years – also the only baseball game I've played.

Wild Hearts has proved to be an immense surprise. It navigates the line between well-worn ground and exciting new innovation immensely well. It’s the best non-Capcom hunting game we’ve ever had, and a hugely enjoyable action RPG in its own right.

Horizon Call of the Mountain is an ideal showcase for what PlayStation VR 2 can do. Stunning PS5-powered vistas and a great blend of intuitive climbing and combat make this a must-play game for anyone picking up the next generation headset.

Despite its clear and comprehensive flaws, Wanted: Dead is still weirdly likeable, and will undoubtedly find a similarly strange and unique fanbase to worship at its feet.

Metroid Prime Remastered is fantastic. We’re just a couple hours in, but it’s every bit as good as I remember it being, without the disappointment that can so often be felt from revisiting a childhood favourite.

A few tweaks to a shooter from 2007 aren't going to covert anyone in to a schmup fan, but for those who already are, Raiden IV x Mikado offers a lot.

We Were Here Forever certainly grew on us the more we played, with some great brain-teasing puzzles that really make the most of the split player perspectives (though we did give up on the walkie-talkies).

The sights and sounds alone make Hogwarts Legacy the dream Harry Potter game fans have been longing for. There’s an intriguing mystery to unravel, though you’re bound to spend most of your time exploring a wealth of side content, visiting virtual landmarks and roleplaying as a Hogwarts student. That said, it’s more successful in being a sandbox teeming with nostalgia rather than a stand-out action RPG in its own right, let down by gameplay foibles and spellcasting combat that quickly slides into repetition.

Hi-Fi Rush is an utterly beguiling new take on rhythm-action, combining some of this generation’s most impressive visuals with music and mayhem.

Deliver Us Mars is another engaging science fiction tale with something to say about our modern world. This message is wrapped in a more personal story this time around, that’s bolder in how it tells it, and mixes it well with broader action and puzzling, so it’s just a shame that the game can’t match that ambition with some technical weaknesses even on the latest consoles.

Jurassic World Aftermath Collection brings the tense experience to Switch mostly intact, but the Quest version - and the upcoming PSVR2 port - remains the best way to play.

SpongeBob SquarePants: The Cosmic Shake is a decent 3D platformer filled with all the SpongeBob humour you'd expect, but it feels like a step back when compared to the far more imaginative Battle for Bikini Bottom: Reheydrated. The lack of alternate characters or costume abilities really hurt it, as does the very linear level design, so while there’s still fun to be had but I was left with a general feeling of disappointment.

Season: A letter to the future is a melancholic and touching ode to the things we leave behind, while the world continues on regardless. It’s beautiful, and those of an inquisitive nature should step into its world to create memories of their own.

EA Motive have done incredible work with the Dead Space remake to bring a horror classic up to date, injecting true horror back into the genre alongside considered changes and expansions to the original story. It’s hands down one of the best remakes ever made, and it’s like playing Dead Space for the first time all over again. Welcome back, Isaac.

OmegaBot is a solid side-scrolling action platformer, but it lacks that certain something to really stand out. The platforming is decent, but could be better especially when using weapons as a jump assist, while boss design leant too far in the direction of bullet sponges.

Neptunia: Sisters VS Sisters has some fun ideas and absolutely beautiful visuals, but with an incredibly flawed combat system that fails to learn from its predecessors, we're ultimately left with another clunky spinoff that fails to move the needle for the franchise. There's so much room for exploring new, exciting, and impactful ideas in the world of Neptunia, but Neptunia: Sisters VS Sisters is adamant in taking another step sideways rather than pushing the series forward.

Forspoken was once one of the big reveals for the PS5 in 2020, but aside from using the SSD for open world magical parkour and the ultra quick fast travel, it is difficult to really see how it takes advantage of the latest console generation. The world of Athia looks good, and the combat is full of flashy magic, but there's no major side quests to divert from repetitive activities and a predictable main story.

A Space for the Unbound is a wonderful and intensely emotional experience. If you’re interested in dark psychological scenes mixed with day to day life and appealing anime inspired visuals, you’ll be extremely happy.

Monster Hunter Rise remains one of the best action-RPGs of recent years, and the PS5 release is a perfect example of what should be going into this kind of port.

Fire Emblem Engage balances the series' past and its future, offering a renewed focus on the tactical gameplay, an endearing cast of old and new faces, and the best visuals the franchise has ever seen.

Unusual Findings is a good point and click adventure that will appeal to fans of the genre and nostalgia addicts alike. It doesn’t do anything to reinvent the wheel, though, and does suffer from the occasional moment of obscurity or needing to talk to every character again to discover a new line of dialogue. If the style and setting appeal, though, then there is a lot to love here, not least the pixel art and liberal use of pop classic ‘You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)’.

Lone Ruin is a solid roguelike twin-stick shooter, though this style and form has been done better elsewhere. There's a decent challenge and some replayability to be found as you repeatedly venture into the ruined city, but its brevity and lack of narrative drive fall short of the genre's greats.

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.

Path of the Midnight Sun is well worth a look if you’re a fan of turn-based JRPGs. If you enjoyed the old Final Fantasy and Fire Emblem games, then there's a high chance that you'll love this.

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.

Blacktail is a beautiful adventure steeped in Slavic dark fantasy, though this setting sometimes sits at odds with its pan-Atlantic voice acting and script.

A pleasant and undemanding game clearly aimed at younger players, Emerald Ranch may still interest adults who want to chill out with some lovely horses. Defying all expectations, Horse Tales: Emerald Valley Ranch is actually rather good.

High on Life is a conflicted game. On the one hand it's a solid shooter that often feels like more than the sum of its parts, and comes with an engaging art style and ideas, but the sense of humour is just so subjective that it's hard to recommend to anyone that isn't a die hard Rick and Morty fan.

Heidelberg 1693 is a neat action platformer with some memorable enemy design and boss battles, but it often feels as if the level design is at odds with the limitations of the weapon that sets the game apart. Still, I feel suitably proud that I managed to finish it and it still comes recommended for fans of titles like Ghosts n Goblins.

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Complete Edition is as essential now as it was seven years ago. Whether you're looking to play the game for the first time or have been waiting for this free upgrade (and bonus quest) before revisiting, then this is the perfect time to start. It's a masterpiece and still stands at the top of its genre.

Need for Speed Unbound is the best arcade racer of 2022, and a real statement from EA and Criterion. Why it’s snuck out with so little fanfare will be one of the mysteries of the year.

The Knight Witch could have been fantastic. It was so dang close to being something very special thanks to its fantastic visuals, great gameplay and compelling story, but it's instead plagued by frame rate issues and awful difficulty spikes rearing their slappable faces to ruined the fun. Fingers crossed Super Mega Team takes the time to thoroughly patch The Knight Witch and make it the game that it deserves to be.

We can confidently say Dead Space fans will delight in its bloody mutant-shredding carnage, Striking Distance Studio using the classic 2008 horror as a template while inventing new and interesting gameplay ideas of its own.

Gungrave G.O.R.E is a decent game. It's not the best shooter, but it is often very entertaining if just for the spectacle. It has a few issues, mostly in level design, and the story isn't particularly memorable, but there's plenty of fun to be had in chainsawing your enemies with a transforming coffin.

Marvel’s Midnight Suns exceeded my expectations to be one of my favourite games of the year. With a good Marvel story and the ability to make friends on top of excellent turn-based tactical combat systems, Marvel’s Midnight Suns is a super experience.

My return to Calradia wasn’t entirely jubilant, though Mount & Blade 2 Bannerlord is a game I’ll likely stick with, simply due to my love of the original. A wealth of new systems and activities help this sandbox strategy sim feel more alive than ever, though the busywork required to get anywhere can feel like a grind. Overall, existing fans will rejoice while newcomers may look on unimpressed, unsure what all the fuss is about.

Somerville is a fantastically evocative game as it depicts an everyman's journey through a War of the Worlds-like alien invasion, leaning on countless sci-fi tropes and ideas along the way. Disappointingly, it's undercut on a number of levels by controls and a detached feeling and hastiness with some parts of the story it's telling.

Tactics Ogre: Reborn is a lovingly rebuilt remake, and one that all tactical RPG fans should experience.

Evil West is an old-school banger, a reminder of the quick and sharp fun that action games can deliver. It has some flaws here and there, but the meat of the game is fast-paced and endlessly entertaining combat. Smacking vampires into clouds of red mist with a giant lightning gauntlet is something that every video game needs.

Dying Light 2: Bloody Ties distills all the highlights and flaws of the main game. If you want a little more story and a bunch of new timed trials to tackle, it’s only £8, but it won't change your mind about the game. If you originally came to Dying Light 2 for zombies and are disappointed, this won’t change your mind, and if you’re here because you want to fight like a gladiator in an arena, this definitely isn’t the place for you.

Pokemon Scarlet and Violet feel like the awkward second evolution of one of its starters. It's growing into something resplendent, it's showing signs of an exciting second type, but it's got that weird vibe of a 20-something that hasn't quite figured out who they actually are. Add that weirdly stretched feeling to the constant technical oddities and you've got a game that's undoubtedly good fun, but it's still not even its final form. I can't wait to see what Pokemon becomes, but it’s not quite there yet.

Pokemon Scarlet and Violet feel like the awkward second evolution of one of its starters. It's growing into something resplendent, it's showing signs of an exciting second type, but it's got that weird vibe of a 20-something that hasn't quite figured out who they actually are. Add that weirdly stretched feeling to the constant technical oddities and you've got a game that's undoubtedly good fun, but it's still not even its final form. I can't wait to see what Pokemon becomes, but it’s not quite there yet.

With a revelatory open world to zip around and entertaining boss battles alongside the more traditional Cyber Space levels, Sonic Frontiers is the best that Sega’s hedgehog has been for years.

Football Manager 2023 is the most complete football management simulator yet, offering players tons of depth, but also letting them decide how deep they want to go. Just like real football, Football Manager 2023 captures the highs and lows of match days while engrossing you in this virtual football world.

Star Ocean: The Divine Force isn't the best JRPG of the year, but it's still full of heart, charm, and an unforgettable adventure. The game might have some lifeless character models and slightly janky AI, but the script brings those characters to life, and the AI is easy to ignore when the rest of the gameplay experience is so refreshing. This is the kind of fresh and fun Star Ocean sequel that long-time fans have deserved.

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.

A Little to the Left is a charming and refreshingly cosy puzzle game to sink into. From the tone of the puzzles to the mischievous intrusions of a fluffy white cat, it's a simple delight, only let down by a few more obscure puzzles and fussy controls for certain object interactions.

If Optimus and pals didn't show up now and then this could be any on-the-rails shooter. There is nothing exciting or original to see here, and the lack of enemy types is unforgivable when there are thousands of Transformers to use. Why aren't the Stunticons racing around the roads in the first couple of levels? A missed opportunity with an occasional hint of what could have been a good game.

WRC Generations is a fitting conclusion to KT Racing's time with the WRC license. It's like a farewell tour, a greatest hits collection, and a new album all at once. There's a lot that regular players will have seen before, from returning rallies to the latest refinements of the accessible but challenging racing, but the new Rally1 cars add a little spice to the top tier rallying, and Leagues and the sheer wealth of stages to race on could ensure this game is still getting plenty of mileage a couple of years from now.

A beautiful, great-sounding narrative adventure that loses its way with annoying and idiotic characters, drawn out exposition, and a distinct lack of challenge.

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.

Kratos has come a long way since first flinging himself into the Aegean all those years ago. God of War, as a series, has come a long way too, pushing the boundaries of hack and slash action to their goar-soaked limits, then breaking free of a years-long slumber to become one of the biggest names in modern gaming. As our own winter approaches, God of War Ragnarok makes for the perfect adventure to lose yourself in.

It Takes Two on Nintendo Switch is a welcome and solid port of a modern co-op classic. The usual caveats around the game graphics apply – if you can play on a higher-powered console, then you should – and you’ll have to figure out your own voice chat solution if playing online, but this is the same great game that Hazelight released last year.

I adore so much of Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous, from being able to play as an undead lich, to how the story adapts to that choice like you're playing through an incredibly detailed dark fantasy book. That's why I'm almost devastated by the game's lack of polish. It's unbalanced, there's bugs that forced regular restarts, and the console UI isn't suited to managing a crusade, which isn't as interesting as kingdom management. If this is your kind of game, you're better off trying to play on PC. Otherwise, you can join me in enjoying the game despite itself, or play Kingmaker until this has had some significant patches.

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.

Frog Detective 3 is definitely the most important game about a scooter-riding frog you'll play all year. It's a heartwarming and effortlessly charming finale for the adventures of this silly, shy, super-talented turtleneck-wearing frog pal. In a world where triple-A game remakes and hundred-hour RPG mega games rule, it's always such a nice breath of fresh air to dive into a game like Frog Detective 3 that does so much, and so well, with so little.

Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashed has potential, but game balance, a lack of content and some uninspired gameplay makes me want to come back to it after a few updates. Busting ain’t making me so feel good right now.

A crazy, over-the-top spectacle that’s uproariously enjoyable, with its only restraint being Nintendo’s handheld hardware.

The Chaos; series has remained one of the most iconic visual novel series for years, and with good reason - despite some dated visuals and slow pacing, both titles offer jaw-dropping stories full of winding twists and incredibly well developed characters. The pacing hiccups, length and obtuse ending requirements won't be for everyone, but if you're trying to explore the history of visual novels and want to play the biggest ones, you owe it to yourself to add this double pack to the list.

As a package, the Winters' Expansion is a necessary addition to any Resident Evil fan. The added content for Mercenaries is just the temptation needed for new players to take on the mode’s challenges (or a reward for those that already have), and Rose’s story is a perfect conclusion to the Ethan Winters saga. Personally I can take or leave the third person mode, but it’s a nice inclusion nonetheless. I’m certainly intrigued by the prospect of where the series will go next and would heartily recommend a return to the Village as a necessary destination whilst you wait for the Resident Evil 4 Remake.

With Batman dead, his four proteges have big boots to fill in Gotham Knights. Thankfully Warner Bros. Montreal has largely pulled it off, creating a Gotham City that's filled with things to do, and letting the four characters' contrasting styles show in combat and their personalities come through in the story.

As an overall package, Jackbox Party Pack 9 is another hearty five-course meal of fun party games. Some games take a little time to grasp the concept or lack a certain pizazz, but there's the dependability of Fibbage 4, inventive format of Roomerang, and even the trivia game Quixort finds an interesting niche to tease your brain with. A good entry in the long-running series, but not quite an all-timer.

Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection gives PC gamers their first taste of Nathan Drake’s amazing adventures. It would be nice to have the original trilogy remasters on PC as well, but this is still a great chance to experience two of the best action games of the last decade.

A Plague Tale: Requiem gave me the chills. The graphics, sound design and writing are all phenomenal, and the gameplay is fantastic. There are a few issues with sneaking sections feeling samey, the puzzles being a little too easy, but these are forgivable for just how excellent Amicia and Hugo are as characters. If you enjoyed the first game, or you’re just looking for something narratively compelling, Requiem is the game for you.

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.

Scorn is clearly a labour of grotesque love, feeling unlike almost any other game out there. The alien are satisfying, the lack of handholding adds to the sense of a hostile world, and the nihilistic drive of the game in subjecting your character to further degradation really makes it stand out. It is a game that will live long in the memory, but it is the very definition of a divisive experience.

Overwatch 2 has a lot of common ground with the original, but it's managed to take what we know and breathe a new life into a landmark hero shooter. The fact that it’s now free-to-play means more people can enjoy this truly wonderful shooter, though the monetisation feels heavy handed compared to other games.

PGA Tour 2K23 is a good improvement over its last iteration, making things more accessible with the 3-Click system and the Topgolf mode. There's still areas for improvement, but this is definitely a step in the right direction.

Lego Bricktales is a wonderful adventure that's full of the charms of playing with the iconic construction toy in real life. It's a gorgeous digital rendition with all its exquisitely crafted dioramas a delight to behold, and with puzzles that lean on Lego's greatest strengths. Just beware that the Switch version is hampered by intrusive performance issues in places.

Dakar Desert Rally promises a lot, and delivers on a good portion of it, recreating the renowned rally event in spectacular fashion. While players may have to wait for all of the features on their wishlist, there's a huge amount of enjoyable rally racing to get stuck into.

The best thing about Marvel Snap is that it requires so little effort to play yet has brilliant strategic depth. Matches are so quick that you’ll rarely feel the sting of disappointment upon defeat, while each win pushes you towards the next card reveal. Like any live service game, it's constantly evolving with balance patches a roadmap teasing new content and features. Let's just hope we'll see the developers lessen the grind and give players more ways to unlock their favourite Marvel heroes and villains in future.

FIFA 23 is the most expansive game in the series' long history; women's football has never been better represented, there's fun new activities like Volta Arcade, and there's still all of the classic modes. Still where FIFA 23 takes steps forward in some areas, it could still be better in others. The action on the pitch is fun and engaging, but the user interface can be clunky, and modes like player career mode feels like an afterthought with largely superficial changes, compared to the investment in Ultimate Team. FIFA 23 is the end of an era and goes out on a high, but still has the hallmarks of the series' gradual yearly evolution.

With all the wit and charm that you would expect from Gilbert and Grossman's writing, Return to Monkey Island is a decades-long reverie made reality and absolutely essential for fans of the series.

No Place For Bravery has some real strong points and I really enjoyed the story in particular, but they're counterbalanced by weaker elements within the combat that meant I wasn't really excited by the whole package. It's a decent effort that will kill a few hours, but not much more than that.

Farthest Frontier is one of the most compelling city-builders we’ve seen in a long time. [Early Access review]

The DioField Chronicle delivers a unique real-time spin on the usual tactics RPG experience, but it's marred by a boring story, unlikable characters, and inconsistent presentation. While the one saving grace is the addictive and always rewarding combat, missions fail to deliver the evolution or variety that some might expect. Overall, it's an interesting game, but not an altogether great one.

The Tomorrow Children is a weird, unwieldy game that had me sighing at just how obtuse it is while still somehow simultaneously entranced. The social action concept is a strong one though moment-to-moment gameplay will quickly become too much of a grind for most players. Hopefully it can find a new audience but, at the very least, it will help rehouse those fans who adored the original release and mourned its server shutdown.

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.

Serial Cleaners comes with a new style and attitude, taking inspiration from some of the great crime films of the 80s and 90s to tell a four-sided tale. It's an enjoyable return for the original game's quirky take on crime scene cleaning, but only takes a few small steps forward, leaving the limits of its stealth-action gameplay evident to see.

ORX is already a whole heap of fun, melding a batch of ideas together in convincing fashion. With the benefit of more development time this has the potential to become a bonafide classic. [Early Access review]

Madden 23 is still Madden, but little more. If you’ve been wanting an NFL game that offers something wholly new, or one that can match the NBA 2K series for production values, then this isn’t the place to find it. However, there’s some key incremental improvements happening here which make Madden 23 a tighter, more engaging experience for fans, and one which will happily see you through this year’s NFL season.

Disney Dreamlight Valley is already proving itself to be a feature-rich and engaging game, with a really addictive “one more quest” feel to it. Once the issues are fixed, and with some more characters added to the game, this could become the best Disney game in years. Now, if you excuse me, I’m off to continue plugging hours into the game until I get Stitch in my valley as they’re teased in the loading screens and I want to befriend them.

Made in Abyss: Binary Star Falling into Darkness retains very little of the heart and soul that made the anime and manga it's based on so appealing and engaging. There's a promising survival RPG campaign in the Deep in Abyss mode, hampered by some annoying game design decisions, but the fact that you're forced to trudge through a barebones adaptation of the anime in order to unlock it just makes a bad experience even worse.

Splatoon 3 is a bit like your mum making your favourite meal when you head home for the holidays. It’s been a few years since the last game — while there have been some great improvements and additions, it’s the same old Splatoon we know and love, and that’s still pretty great.

Steelrising's Parisian setting and tireless robotic enemies help it to stand out from the growing Soulslike crowd, though its mechanical heart still ticks with the same carefully crafted and unforgiving style of combat. If you want a Soulslike with a bit of a difference, or maybe one that's got an assist mode to help ease you into the genre, Steelrising is well worth considering.

Digimon Survive is an exciting alternate take on the tone and style of the Digimon series. It doesn't execute things flawlessly - those opening chapters are a bit of a chore and the tactics gameplay is simple with a capital 'S'. Still, when things kick off and the story starts to come together, it's a suspenseful and gripping journey that I'm glad I got to experience.

Thymesia is a game that show’s the developer’s potential, but doesn’t reach the heights of its opening promise. While the combat is fast paced and fun, it is marred by hitbox and timing issues, and the story and lore lack depth to draw you into the mystery of Thymesia.

Jojo's Bizarre Adventure: All-Star Battle R is the Jojo game that the world needs right now. While the online offerings are slim, this is still a love-letter to the original series and is packed head-to-toe with references, callbacks, and unforgettable moments. It's easy to grab a friend and appreciate the additions to the roster and changes to gameplay offline. It's even easier, if you're a Jojo fan, to boot the game up and smile ear-to-ear seeing how much attention to detail has been put into the game. If you're a Jojo fan, you need this video game.