Senran Kagura Burst Re:Newal is a breath of fresh air after the fumbles of the last few games in the series. I got on board with this franchise for the unique characters and addictive combat, and this game has both of those things in spades. It’s a treat to see the origins of the cast redone on home console, but if you’ve never played a single game in the series before, Burst Re:Newal is the best this franchise has to offer for you.

Coridden is quite simply one of the coolest concepts I've played in absolutely ages, and as a big fan of co-op games, is immensely refreshing. I adore this game, and I really hope we get more from this from the team at Aftnareld to shows off more of what they can do, because their first attempt is a triumph of ingenuity.

Unfinished Business is a great evolution of Teyon’s take on RoboCop, with the more focused narrative and progression helping the story to push you through some combat encounters, whilst also adding some excellent lore to the wider world of Alex Murphy. If you enjoyed the first game, and maybe even if you didn’t, then I can recommend this return to Detroit. You have more than ten seconds to comply, but resistance is futile.

Mario Kart Live is a wondrous and magical toy that combines real world and digital play in an incredible way. It’s a shame though that not everyone will have the space, or the money, to experience it.

Equal parts puzzler, platformer, fighter and cutesy collection of pixels, Jumpala is certainly an intoxicating concoction. It is also equal part superb. For those prepared to put the time in to find online rivals then this is a competitive experience to be savoured.

The simplistic set up helps to distill Space Pirate Trainer's essence as a score attack shooter. Later waves are certainly frenetic, but even with powerups, explosions and shields it doesn’t result in complete sensory overload, allowing you to concentrate on besting your previous effort. Topping your best scores is addictive stuff, let me tell you! At one point I managed to get the 31st best arcade score in the world. It’s dropped and I now linger in the 70s, but I’ll get it back. I’ve nearly finished my training.

Auditorium HD is as pure a game as we've seen on the PlayStation Network: a beautiful, well measured game that's confident in its own concept enough to play off a single idea throughout every level it offers. A little bit raw around the edges, but a wonderful game.

Islanders: New Shores is a gorgeously vibrant and chilled experience, one that brings a zen-like vibe to the city-building genre. Accessible and addictive, you’ll wish you could stay in paradise just a little bit longer.

LEGO Batman 2 may have suffered from the series' collective fatigue in a few places, yet still stands as one of the best, most enriching puzzle platformers to grace home consoles.

PES 17 is another example of Konami’s football series regaining some of the charm and style that made the series so great in the past. The game controls well, it looks good and it’s a lot of fun to play. It’s a big step forward on the path to reclaiming its crown, but it isn’t quite FIFA’s empire just yet. With a few improvements to the likes of MyClub and some parts of the game, the series could be there soon.

Disney Infinity 3.0 steers the series back on track after last year’s small spanner in the works. It’s a fun and enjoyable game that never outstays its welcome while also striving to innovate within the existing framework.

Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 might not be as much of an evolutionary leap forward as Super Street Fighter IV was to Street Fighter IV, but it's a step in the right direction.

For the ultimate golfing experience, look no further. Everybody’s Golf VR may be missing some of those multiplayer options and a meaty career mode, though fits itself in a tidier, more focused package pitched at a great price.

With its immersive world, branching narrative, and lifelike character work, Until Dawn will have players on the edge of their seats while pounding them with jump scares and a bone-chilling soundtrack. Having previously worked on ports and smaller titles for Sony, Supermassive Games have shown that they can play with the big boys and we can’t wait to see what they come up with next.

The Ancient Gods Part 2 is an insanely fun ending to the saga of the Doom Slayer. While the narrative aspect of the DLC is a little underwhelming, what really matters is that I got to fight two high-speed buffed Marauders at once. Doom Eternal rocks.

Ultimately, for all its storylines and RPG elements, Defender’s Quest is very much about the tower defence at its core, with all the other systems in the game either informing the core experience or accommodating it. That tower defence gameplay is exceptionally strong, full of options and customisation, and the other missed opportunities do little to take away from that.

Sheltered is a well crafted game that is quite tough at first to make progress in, but once you’re used to its systems there can be a rewarding experience.

In The Persistence, the team at Firesprite have concocted a rogue-lite survival horror whose atmosphere and hard hitting combat feel fantastic in VR. Thanks to an impressive array of comfort options it’s also amongst the best PSVR experiences we’ve had, and for owners of Sony’s headset it’s damn near essential.

It’s hard to say whether this episode of Telltale’s Game of Thrones series is a genuine standout piece of work amongst their other stuff, or is simply elevated due to some of the other episodes in this series being far less exciting. Nevertheless, it’s still a thrilling experience, and looks to be working towards a superb finale for the series.

Many contenders have tried to take the asymmetrical crown from Dead by Daylight, and while Killer Klowns from Outer Space might not necessarily be better than DBD, it's a fun alternative that can stand on its own two (Klown) feet.

The Ascent has got all the grimy character that you would want from its sci-fi cyberpunk setting, and there's a great combat system to go with it. Simply put, The Ascent deserves your attention.

Routine is one of the best linear narrative experiences I’ve played this year and is well worth the lengthy wait for release. The atmosphere and aesthetics combine to create a game that oscillates between unnerving and genuinely terrifying whilst the surreal and philosophical storyline will hook you all the way to the game’s conclusion. I’m looking forward to a host of video essays dissecting the narrative in the near future.

One thing they never tell you about parenthood is that you should prepare to play a lot of Monster Truck video games. If that's you, you should do yourself a favour and skip straight to Hot Wheels Monster Truck: Stunt Mayhem. It’s easily the best Monster Truck themed game out there right now. Most importantly, it’ll keep your youngster busy whilst you wash the pots, order a food shop, and get the hoovering done – what’s not to like?

For Uncharted die-hards it's a no-brainer. Yes, these are maps you've likely inhabited for hours on end but they're so well put together that you can't really fault Naughty Dog for extending their lifespan. At £6.49 you can certainly do a lot worse, especially if you're enlisted in the Fortune Hunter's Club; the Uncharted 2 map packs may have been almost half price but it's worth pointing out that these only came bundled with two and not four.

It is an update but the features added are substantial, this seems to be a reworking of the title as opposed to just adding in trophies and shipping it.

As with PaRappa, LocoRoco hasn’t been idly slapped together – there’s a thoughtfulness and diligence there, preserving the original look and feel of the game in a way modern audiences can now appreciate.

Panzer Paladin is the kind of game I dreamed of as a kid. A flashy and colourful platformer with nearly a hundred weapons, over a dozen levels, cool anime art, and even the ability to draw my own weapons? It's a tall order, yet Panzer Paladin manages to deliver. Its sharp combat and even sharper visuals kept me glued to my screen for hours, but there were times where I struggled to engage with the best parts of the weapon system. Managing durability and an overflowing arsenal ended up being far more of a challenge than any of the platforming or enemies within the game.

Reining in on the supernatural, Tell Me Why is a more nuanced, intimate and mature story that explores family trauma that challenges our memories and relationships, while making another bold step in representation for video games.