Azur Lane: Crosswave has a well-written story mode that runs as deep as the ocean, but the combat that strings these story scenes together is as shallow as a kiddie pool. It's wonderful to see fan favourites interact, and the voice acting adds a lot to the already charming story mode, but it's a shame that the gameplay fails to leave as much of an impression as the narrative and art did.

Kentucky Route Zero is a game that I’m still thinking about days after reaching its conclusion. Though it’s slow (maybe too slow for some) and introspective, it’s also an exceptionally engaging interactive experience. If you are into the slow burn kind of story then this is definitely for you, but if you’re not then you may bounce off of the Zero.

A fun and funky sequel, Patapon 2’s bolstered roster of cheerful eyeball folk make for another welcome trip soundtracked to the beat of Pata Pata Pata Pon. It’s a shame then that the remaster feels incomplete, offering an experience that’s fundamentally less comprehensive than the PSP original.

Kunai is an expressive, stylish and retro-tinged metroidvania that kept me engaged the entire time I played it. The feeling of slowly mastering the rope-kunai and being able to flawlessly swing around environments and flank enemies was incredibly satisfying. I only wish the rest of your abilities in the game had the same kind of skill ceiling to reach, because without any cool reasons to deflect bullets, why bother having the ability to do so in the first place?

Warcraft III: Reforged is built upon such strong foundations, yet manages to be somewhat unremarkable in 2020, mired by technical hiccups and Blizzard’s clumsy messaging.

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.

I really wanted to like Bookbound Brigade, but its flaws are too great to overlook. There are moments when it all comes together and you get a real sense of achievement from navigating a tricky section of traps or figuring out a nice environmental puzzles, but these are too often overshadowed by boring combat and the chore that is getting around the world. Unlike the books and stories that Bookbound Brigade is inspired by, good writing is not enough to salvage this story.

An enjoyable way of spending an hour or two, but a lack of significant progress combined with a fairly ordinary career structure, uninspiring user-created tracks and rocky online performance means that you won't be running home from school desperate to play the next level.

Stories Untold is a very interesting and engaging horror title, building a huge story that taps into your imagination before expertly drawing that scope back in. A couple of puzzles don't quite stick the landing, but the game is engaging over its three hours.

Kingdom Hearts III doesn’t go in the direction some RPG fans will no doubt have been hoping for. It’s unashamedly over the top in just about every way, from its barmy story and stunning presentation to its huge cinematic battles. There’s plenty of depth here too, though you’ll need to find your bearings first.

Golem is a game with some great ideas and flourishes that ultimately falls short through the simplicity of its gameplay. Combat is just too simple to stay exciting for long and constantly forces you to defend, and soon gets repetitive as you fall in battle and have to slowly trudge back through the world. Golem has a beautiful world, but I have no real inclination to return to it again.

A rollicking space adventure, Journey to the Savage Planet has the smarts to make you laugh out loud while taking shots at consumerism and big business.

A deeply challenging iOS Souls-like that begs to be played with a controller, Pascal’s Wager indicates a true maturing of gaming on Apple’s platform.

The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners is an excellent VR game that stands out from a lot of what the medium tends to be associated with. The weight of the combat combined with the constant worry that the undead and the living both bring combine for an incredibly gratifying experience. Throw in crafting, the solid writing and meaningful quests and you've got a pretty special game on your hands. This is definitely worth a look if you can stomach more zombies. I mean, kill them, don't eat them.

Rugby 20 is like a Northern Hemisphere team's World Cup campaign. It's full of big ideas and good intentions, but a shock defeat here and an expected loss to the South's big boys there, and it soon comes off the rails. There's some fun to be had, but it's often at the expense of the game, not because of it.

Darwin Project is a fun and bold twist on the battle royale genre which doesn't take itself too seriously. Grab your bow, your axe and getting out there swinging.

Super Crush KO is a great brawler-shooter. Vertex Pop has managed to create a game that feels fresh right until the very end, and one that offers a lot of replayability. There's some good humour within to deal with the absurd situation Karen finds herself in, and the gameplay just flows very well. Super Crush KO is an early highlight for 2020.

Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot displays unparalleled care and respect for the iconic story arcs it adapts. The original music is there, original Dragon Ball characters return, and pivotal moments are gorgeously animated. If these were stories being presented in video game format for the first time, it would be a mind-blowing experience. Unfortunately, Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot doesn't push the envelope enough to warrant sitting through the Cell Saga for the umpteenth time and seeing Frieza get obliterated yet again. If you've played a Dragon Ball Z game before, you've basically played this one.

Barring Sol Divide, this is a great collection of shooters from one of the best in the business. If you’re a fan of the shmup that hasn’t made the leap into these titles on Switch, now’s the perfect time to do so, even if it does only just manage to justify its price versus picking up the games separately.

Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE Encore feels particularly timely. The world hasn’t been the brightest, most hopeful place in recent years, but leading a team of cheerful, committed teen pop idols against demonic entities makes it feel that much brighter. This is a game that’s dedicated to hope for the future, and that creativity is an integral component of that. I’m willing to believe them too.

If you're new to the series, Transport Fever 2 is a great place to start. The campaign offers a gentle introduction to transportation logistics, while the late game guides you through managing modern cities. The new demand and production mechanics may annoy some more experienced players, who will also notice that this game isn't as much of a step forwards as Transport Fever 1 was over Train Fever, but fans will definitely find endless hours of replayabilty as they grow and master their transport empire.

With the Atelier Dusk Trilogy Deluxe Pack, the entire library of PlayStation 3 Atelier games is now playable on modern systems. While the Arland trilogy broke ground by being the first 3D entries in the franchise, the Atelier Dusk games trade technical innovation for narrative, introducing a strikingly solemn and mysterious world inhabited by gorgeously designed characters that won't be soon forgotten by anyone who plays these games.

PC players have been rewarded for their patience; Monster Hunter World Iceborne on PC is the definitive version of one of the best games of the last decade.

There's not much actual story in Story of a Gladiator, but it's probably the most fun I've had on my PS4 in the past year. Equal parts fun and painfully hard, Brain Seal Ltd have created a compelling and hopelessly addictive 2D brawler, survival hybrid. Are you not entertained? How could you possibly not be?

Despite a handful of issues issues, Tools Up! is a co-op game that does the impossible and actually makes DIY fun! It might even inspire you to do some real-life DIY. Nah, who am I kidding? That extractor fan is going to stay well and truly un-extracted.

Cuisine Royale is a surprisingly fun battle royale. It won't compete with the likes of Fortnite for player numbers, but if you fancy something different with its own irreverent sense of humour, then I'd recommended giving it a go.

Dr. Kawashima's Brain Training for Nintendo Switch is a solid return for the series, mixing classic minigames with a handful of new ones that use the Switch's various capabilities – and which exclude those with a Switch Lite. Just as with the original, it's going to be easy to drop in for a few minutes a day and test yourself, but this isn't really doing much more than the DS games.

In an industry still obsessed with lifelike visuals, gratuitous violence, and tear-jerking stories, Wattam is a welcome remedy. Though short-lived and bizarre is its design, it has a joyous cleansing effect that will have you grinning ear to ear.