Another solid, but fairly unoriginal shoot 'em up, Iro Hero's colour coding mechanic adds a layer to the gameplay that elevates it above a bog standard shooter. A cheap and cheerful game to pass ten minutes while a 30GB update for the latest AAA game downloads.

Hard West 2 comes with an enjoyably aggressive twist on XCOM-like turn-based combat, and with a fun way of upgrading your characters alongside, but it's wrapped up in world exploration and characterisation that just leaves me wanting to get back in the fight. There’s a lot of fun to be had in Hard West 2, even if it’s not blowing minds as a complete package.

Sea of Thieves defies modern gaming conventions in brilliant and refreshing fashion, creating a fairly unique sandbox where you and your crew need to find your own fun. It might be in real need of more variety to the quests and activities, but Sea of Thieves’ curious charms are like a siren’s song that keep drawing me back for more piratical adventures on the high seas.

Rocket Arena is an energetic new take on the arena shooter that revels in and rewards skillful play with its projectile weaponry. There's breadth to the cartoony character line up, and while their varied weapons and abilities muddy the purity of the classic rocket arena concept, you'll quickly find a favourite and get to enjoy the frantic scrapping of the game's various modes.

There is a lot of fun to be had with the game; it's fast, there's a fair amount of content, and two different styles of vehicle to master. Unfortunately it's plagued with issues which can spoil the experience somewhat. If you feel you can handle these issues, then go out and get yourself nail'd… damn it!

ANNO: Mutationem’s sublime blending of 2D and 3D visuals is a delight to behold and a joy to experience. Fast-paced combat and competent RPG systems all deliver so, as long as you can accept the incomprehensible plot and naff dialogue, there’s a lot to enjoy.

The adventure section is deliberately lo-fi and banal, the RPG is episodic to fit within the remit of the narrative, and the battle system feels a little under-utilised. But, despite all of these apparent limitations, the game as a whole is really interesting and deserves to be experienced. Whether you’ve faced depression, are living a stagnated life, or are just interested in the interaction between real life and the stories we use to try and explain things, Legendary Gary is a fascinating take on the immersive nature of games. It is the very definition of an indie game, and well worth playing.

Chrono Stone will likely delight and enthral Inazuma fans, particularly with the new additions to the in-match gameplay, alongside its crazy plot, and the returning characters. However, some of the changes are not necessarily for the better, making parts of the game seem too easy, and the plot makes some traditional elements of Inazuma such as random encounters seem out of place.

The tables are beautiful, the score-chasing element is addictive and gameplay feels incredibly solid. The only thing holding the game back is the lack of content and the fantastic, yet narrow community features, which only work if you know friends who are also playing Marvel Pinball.

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.

While it’s certainly more approachable than your typical Monster Hunter game, Stories fails to capture what has made the series such a hit over the years. Sure, the setting is evocative but, as many die-hard fans will tell you, it’s the high octane rush of hunting with friends that forms the true backbone of the franchise. That said, Monster Hunter Stories goes beyond your average spin-off and feels like a genuine attempt to expand this universe instead of simply trying to milk it. From the simple yet expanding battle system to its many ties with the core games, there’s plenty here for newcomers and grizzled veterans alike.

It’s a shame that Pure Hold’em doesn’t come with a few extra modes and more customisation options, because there’s a large, poker-shaped hole in our current next-gen games lineup. Rather than capitalising on the lack of any competition right now, it merely offers a competent package of one style of poker.

Forestrike is an entertaining blend of puzzle game and martial arts brawler, allowing you to experiment with different tactics. The different masters also provide variety with ability combinations that make each run unique. Running into some impossible fights that you simply can't beat and the crashing issue on Switch 2 do take some of the shine off the experience, though.

Slice, Dice & Rice is an extremely competent fighting game. The core mechanics are sound, its visually interesting and it rewards strategic play. It’s just a shame that there’s no one out there to fight against online. With more support, this could be a genuine alternative to the big names of the fighting game scene. Without it, you’re only getting half a game for your money.

Chrono Stone will likely delight and enthral Inazuma fans, particularly with the new additions to the in-match gameplay, alongside its crazy plot, and the returning characters. However, some of the changes are not necessarily for the better, making parts of the game seem too easy, and the plot makes some traditional elements of Inazuma such as random encounters seem out of place.

If you’re looking for a sophisticated car sim, you won’t find it in Road to Guangdong. What will keep you going over its short duration however is a wonderfully authentic exploration of Chinese/Cantonese culture through two very universal subjects: family and food.

Milestone have delivered a fun and different racer that uses rider momentum in an interesting way. However your enjoyment and, probably, the longevity of the game will depend on your interest in the sport or the racing game genre.

TMNT: Splinted Fate is a fun roguelike and utilises the four Turtles well, with each one having unique abilities. The gameplay is fast paced and does introduce some variety early on, such as Gauntlet challenges. However, the story comes across as stretched out to arbitrarily lengthen a game that consists of four stage and four bosses.

LocoRoco 2 Remastered certainly gets the job done and while it is shorter than the original, there’s a ton of side content present. Its charming, minimalist detail looks great on the whole and runs as smoothly as one could hope for. The omission to that is with the low resolution cutscenes, which is somewhat ironic considering the emphasis on 4K in the marketing, but LocoRoco 2 Remastered is more of the same, which can only be a good thing.

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.

Battle Brothers is like a school-yard bully. This video game brute will do it’s very best to break you. It will tell you that you suck. Then it will aggressively inform you that your mum will be performing some sexual favours on it whilst giving you a wedgie in front of the rest of the class. But stick up to this bully, impress it with your resolve and maybe you’ll find that it’ll be your best friend. Perhaps, eventually, as close as a brother. The question is, do you have the commitment to get there? If the answer is yes, then you’ll ultimately - after far too much graft - find a deep and comprehensive strategy RPG. Just be prepared to have to stick with it, as this bully really hates you.

With over 250 vehicles and equipment, Farming Sim 17 is bigger and better than ever. Although it’s still not going to be a game for everybody, this edition is more accessible and complete than ever before. Gamers that have no interest in slow-paced repetitive gameplay will likely be disappointed, but for those that enjoyed the previous games will find that there’s just about enough new features to justify a purchase.

Mutropolis is a decent point and click adventure title with genuine humour and some very good puzzles. However, it's let down by a slow-paced middle act that drags on far too long and some puzzles that could have been better implemented.

House of Da Vinci 2 is a great addition to the escape room genre, and will appeal to genre fans and history buffs alike. The port to PC is mostly well handled, but touchscreen controls on smartphone and tablet are the most intuitive and responsive way to play. While not quite a masterpiece, this is certainly a great way to escape the modern world for a few hours.

Ravenous Devils is a great little time management game available at a bargain price. If you have a taste for Gothic tales and the stomach for some grisly animations then I’d recommend you tuck in.

The mood, the setting, and the pedigree of the writing are all perfectly in line with my interests, but I found the combination of the card playing and having to sit at a PC never truly gelled.

It doesn't quite hit the spot in some ways with its puzzles often too simple and unchallenging but it never feels hugely to the detriment of the game.

Behind the glammed up modernised graphics, this is still System Shock to its core, and there were good reasons why the sequel basically rendered it obsolete. The end result is a game that still ranks as a classic, but you must accept it on its own terms. If you want to explore the history of the horror genre then this is the version to play, but you might want to bookmark a guide to avoid System Shock’s most outdated elements.