The investigations themselves are great examples of story-telling.

Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm Legacy is nothing short of an impressive compilation that includes some of the craziest battles in gaming. Even if you're not a Naruto fan, it's hard not to love every second you spend bringing out your inner ninja.

Ys Memoire: Revelations in Celceta is a great action RPG that has stood the test of time and this Day 1 Edition is a superb treasure trove of goodies that any Ys fan will cherish for years to come.

Metal Gear Survive doesn't come close to offering the same level of immersion that past Metal Gear games did but it's still definitely one of the most addictive survival-based gaming experiences that I've ever played.

Super Mario Party Jamboree is definitely one of the best games in the entire franchise and my personal favourite one so far. If you're looking to have a party with local friends or online friends-to-be, be sure not to ignore your invite to this shindig.

I had an excellent time with Ys X: Nordics and it's outstanding that after all these years, Adol's adventures are still taking him to such refreshingly different worlds that are home to distinctly memorable characters. It makes me wonder: where will he end up next?

BlazBlue Entropy Effect X is one of the best roguelikes thanks to its action-packed combat, strategic upgrades, huge variety of characters, superb animation, and constant sense of reward. If you love 2D action games then you'll have a wonderful time with this impressive package.

If you're a fan of super-tough 2D platformers and still haven't played Slime-san then purchasing this Superslime Edition should be a no-brainer. With oodles of addictive content that'll keep you busy for days, you'd be a goof not to download this sucker.

Shin Megami Tensei V is a solid evolution of the series with updated graphics and a thoroughly enjoyable overworld traversal system that rewards exploration although the battle system and monster recruiting remain a little too familiar.

Astro's Playroom is perhaps the best pre-installed console launch game that I've ever played. In fact, it's so good that it provides even more incentive to get your hands on a PlayStation 5.

With a slew of destinations, contracts, and targets to entertain you, HITMAN World of Assassination - Signature Edition provides hours and hours of top-notch sandbox stealth gameplay so get to it and start killing, chums.

Atari Flashback Classics for Switch is one of the biggest and best classic game compilations ever produced. Not only are there a ton of enjoyable games for any kind of gamer, everything is implemented spot-on for big screen or on-the-go retro fun.

For all that Ys IX: Monstrum Nox does that's new, there's no denying that it's still a tried-and-true Ys game at its core. Although I wish it took more risks with its setting and gameplay, it's still a great action RPG that fans like me will love.

Towa and the Guardians of the Sacred Tree is a roguelike where the more you play it, the better it gets. With so much variety in its combat thanks to an awesome cast of characters and flashy unlockable spells, those who love to experiment will be downright hooked.

I love Grapple Dog so much that I hope to see Pablo come back for many more swingin' adventures. From its fantastic 2D platforming action to its rewarding collectibles and its adorable world to its quirky cast of characters; this delightful dog has it goin' on.

If you're a fan of Spyro or 3D platformers in general then Spyro Reignited Trilogy is a must-play compilation. The amount of variety and charm contained within these 3 games is superb and each of them holds up beautifully today.

The Legend of Dark Witch was a blast back in 2014 and it's still a treat to play 5 years later. Whether you're new to the series or not, it's a must-play game for any 2D action game enthusiast.

Tchia is a highly enjoyable and varied coming-of-age adventure game with a ton to see and do. The possession mechanic is a ton of fun, the sights and sounds are undeniably attractive, and it has a good dose of dark humour to top it all off.

Yars: Recharged is by far the best Atari Recharged game so far and one of the most enjoyable twin-stick shooters that I've ever played. With its impressively strategic elements and brutally difficult challenges, I can't stop wanting to play it so I think I'll go do that now.

As a long-time fan of Rune Factory, I was pleasantly surprised by Guardians of Azuma's additions. The beautiful traditional Japanese setting, engrossing village-building mechanics, and increased transparency around relationships all come together to make for a great time.

As a Pac-Man fan, I love Pac-Man Museum+ as it features a fantastic variety of fun-filled games while also including clever challenges and a virtual arcade that you can decorate however you wish. Now, all we need is a Pac-Man World compilation.

Very few dungeon crawlers are as rewarding as Mary Skelter 2. Even with its few easily forgivable flaws, its supremely satisfying gameplay shines through while its cast of characters remains charming even though they inhabit such a twisted world.

As a puzzle game enthusiast of over 30 years, I must say that Princess Farmer is one of the best puzzlers that I've ever played. It's hilarious, thoroughly fun, and features an absurd amount of variety. If this is just season 1, I can't wait for season 2.

Never Grave: The Witch and The Curse is one of my new favourite 2D action games thanks to its clever combination of gameplay structures, consistently rewarding sense of progression, variety of enemies and skills, and gorgeous presentation that ties it all together.

I'm very happy that GUNDAM BREAKER 4 is as great as it is and hope to see many more games in the franchise make their way westward. The fact that it's accessible and fully-featured means that any mech enthusiast can easily enjoy what's here.

My gaming chum and I had a wonderful time with MARVEL Cosmic Invasion so if you enjoy beat 'em ups then playing this gem of a game is a must. In fact, I think I'll put a little cape on my physical copy when it arrives in March.

A fun laid-back exploration experience and it has the unique honour of featuring the largest open world in all of gaming. However, don't go in expecting an exciting or challenging campaign because it's simply not either of those things.

Marsupilami: Hoobadventure is one of those games that has no right to be as good as it is. Even after over 30 years of playing 2D platformers, it really took me back to why I love the genre with its intuitive and rewarding gameplay and cheerful presentation.

Sea of Stars is an excellent retro-inspired RPG that will make you happy to explore its packed and beautiful world. It may get a little stale at parts for various reasons but what's here is still undeniably special.

Hitman 2 offers stellar stealth gameplay that lets you complete your goals in countless entertaining ways. The additional modes expand on this fun formula and I look forward to seeing more maps become available. In short, this is a must-buy game for genre fans.

The Alliance Alive is a wonderful and easy to recommend JRPG. This Switch version offers updated graphics and a reworked menu but not much else to make it worth double-dipping if you already own it on 3DS.

Atelier Ayesha remains one of the best games in the long-running series and this DX version is a great excuse to play it if you haven't already. It's such a wonderful adventure that Ayesha's memories will welcomely become yours as well.

If you love the 16-bit era as much as I do then purchasing Sega Genesis Classics should be mandatory. With loads of must-have games and hidden gems, you're bound to spend hours upon hours reliving one of the best eras in gaming history.

If you love shoot 'em ups as much as I do then you'll have an absolute blast with Natsuki Chronicles. Its clever and vastly different modes make for top-notch shooting entertainment whether you prefer the steadily-paced story or action-packed arcade gameplay.

It may not be entirely comprehensive yet Mighty Switch Force! Collection contains 3 excellent puzzle platformers that any fan of the genre will love. Mastering all of the content here is a rewarding task that's sure to span many hours of puzzle platforming fun.

Star Ocean: The Divine Force successfully reinvigorates the RPG franchise with an interesting story and characters as well as beautiful settings. D.U.M.A. also makes it fun to zoom around the map and fly through the air on the battlefield. Although the graphics are hit and miss and there are some quality of life improvements needed, Star Ocean: The Divine Force is a JRPG that's definitely worth your time.

Although Raiden V: Director's Cut isn't a substantial step up from the vanilla version, what's here still makes for an incredible shoot 'em up that's a must-buy for those who don't already own the original Raiden V.

I'm super-happy that a puzzle game as rewarding and whimsical as Tempopo exists so if you enjoy gradually working out elaborate solutions to complex scenarios, you'll be absolutely smitten with what it has to offer. Plus, it's so cute! And the music's great.

Forza Horizon 5: Hot Wheels is a thrilling ride that pushes the boundaries of physics and even allows you to build and share your own tracks. It's a great example of an expansion that mixes up the gameplay of the base game enough to make it worth owning as well.

As one of the most underrated games from its generation, NieR can now find a new audience who are sure to appreciate its jaw-dropping story, pitch-perfect tone, and super-rewarding boss fights.

Puyo Puyo Tetris mixes two classic puzzle formulas into one seamless experience that'll keep you hooked. Although it's far from the complete package, what's here will surely keep any puzzler fan entertained for hours.

When it comes to multiplayer fun, you can't do much better than Super Mario Party. The variety of modes and mini-games is so phenomenal that you'll gladly boot it up whenever you have friends or family over. That is, until Super Mario Party 2 releases.

Date Everything! is a love letter to the very concept of love in all of its many forms. Try as it may, AI will literally never make something as beautiful and authentic as this. Thanks to its lovable, well-written, gorgeously designed, and impeccably voice-acted cast of characters, it effortlessly achieved a love ending with me and I think it could get one with you, too.

Neptunia ReVerse is a wonderful iteration of a lovely RPG classic that both fans and newcomers can enjoy. With oodles of content, a nifty new mode, and even a fishing mini-game; it's hard not to have a blast while playing through Neptunia's debut adventure on PS5.

Rubber Bandits is one of the best competitive multiplayer games out there. Whether you want to challenge your friends locally or steal loot online, you're bound to have a blast with its wide range of silly scenarios and wacky weapons.

Due to the busy art style and slippery controls, it took a little while for Xenon Valkyrie+ to get its hooks in me but as I improved, everything started to open up and I had an extremely enjoyable time battling enemies and searching for its rewarding secrets.

Tales of Berseria was a great entry in the series back when it originally released and it still is today. This is an excellent RPG to pick up if you're looking for a thoroughly entertaining story although the enhancements aren't anything to write home about.

Super Mario 3D All-Stars is brimming with charm and fun. It's surprising that these games released so long ago because they have held up beautifully and thoroughly prove Nintendo's brilliant level of creativity over the years. Here's hoping for many more games to come.

Hands down, Slime-san is the best super-tough 2D platformer that I've ever played (yes, even better than Super Meat Boy). So, if you're looking for a new experience to test your gaming skills then you can't do much better than this.

I'm having a wonderful time with WILD HEARTS and I can't wait to take on more monsters with online folks as I have a few tricks that I'd like to show off. Overall, this is a phenomenally fun and fully-featured monster-hunting game that I'm sure you'll love.

Digimon Story Time Stranger excels in a lot of ways, especially with its ridiculous amount of Digimon that are great fun to experiment with. Although I'm a newbie to the series, I must admit that this lovely RPG adventure made me a fan.

Captain Tsubasa: Rise of New Champions may seem like a niche title but it's sure to appeal to anyone who enjoys arcade sports games, especially ones with a steep degree of difficulty. Its flashy, challenging, and intense matches truly hit a home run. Oops, wrong sport.

The First Berserker: Khazan definitely feels old-school in its approach but its vast assortment of super-tough bosses and oodles of extras that are great fun to master make it stand out as an excellent Soulslike. Plus, you can wear goofy jars on your head.

G-Darius is a top-of-the-line shoot 'em up and this HD iteration is a fairly nifty updated version of the classic albeit with minimal additions. That being said, when a game is this good, bells and whistles don't really add up to much.

Grip: Combat Racing not only brings back the exciting racing gameplay of the highly underrated Rollcage series, it manages to make it even more enjoyable. Factor in online play and you're left with one of the best arcade-style racing games ever made.

High On Life 2 presents such a constant barrage of ridiculous humour and memorable gameplay scenarios that it can be a great deal of fun. At the same time, its core gameplay is quite simple and not everyone will appreciate its world's cynical albeit colourful lens.

Super Mario Maker 2 does a fantastic job of laying the foundation for a seemingly endless supply of 2D platforming fun. Aside from some major issues with its multiplayer and a few other goofy decisions, it's an overall excellent experience.

If you're looking for a cute and chill fun time then you have to play Hello Kitty Island Adventure - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + City Town because it's so full of adorable characters and rewarding content that it's hard to stop thinking about once you put it down.

Even with its shortcomings, Sayonara Wild Hearts is an absolutely mind-blowing experience that gamers of all types must play.

Sonic Frontiers is obviously a love-it-or-hate-it sort of game so thankfully, I love it. The fact that there are just so many fun things that you can do at any given time makes my brain happy and I'm looking forward to a sequel. Please make it happen, Sega.

Gears of War 4 is an impressive return to form.

I'm amazed at how well Autonauts' many elements come together to form a simulation experience that manages to be as satisfying as it is open-ended. Throw in an adorable presentation and a well-executed campaign and you're left with one great sim game.

Demon's Souls is an excellent game whether you're new to the franchise, have only played the Dark Souls games, or are a fan of the original. However, if you fit in the latter group like I do then you may be disappointed by its less visceral yet admittedly gorgeous world.

Although Disgaea 4 Complete+ isn't a substantial upgrade to the previous iteration, what's here is still a fantastic SRPG. Therefore, if you don't already own it and are a genre fan then I recommend picking up a copy.

Chained Echoes isn't a perfect old-school RPG but it sure as heck is top-tier. I imagine that if it released on PS1 back in the mid-'90s, it would have either been a huge hit or gradually garnered a massive cult following and how many games can you say that about?

If you have even a sliver of child-like wonder left in your heart then playing Wattam is a must. Uncovering its exceptionally imaginative world as you interact with a diverse collection of oddities makes for one captivating and hilarious adventure.

Mafia II tells one of the best character-driven stories in all of gaming and it does so in a masterful way. Its gameplay may not deviate from genre norms yet it remains a wholly immersive and gripping tale that you'll want to see through to its jaw-dropping end.

SAND LAND is an unexpectedly beautiful game that's filled with heart, super-fun vehicle-based gameplay, plenty of laughs, and some of the most rewarding exploration out there. Definitely don't let its dry-looking world fool you into thinking any less.

I absolutely loved my time with Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero and hope that it marks the start of many more sequels as I'm excited to see where Marona's adorable adventures take her next.

Blades of Fire is an excellent Soulslike that boasts a unique and cohesive blacksmithing theme throughout with visceral combat and plenty of secrets to uncover. Its more frustrating moments are hurdles that you'll gladly overcome for more of its sweet weapons-based action.

Snow Bros. Wonderland is simply one of the best co-op games that you can play right now thanks to its varied and rewarding campaign as well as its wonderfully adorable presentation that's so cute, it'll make you want to clang Nick and Tom's oversized heads together.

Another classic Mario RPG has made its way to 3DS in this remake of Bowser's Inside Story. The updated graphics and enjoyable Bowser Jr.'s Journey wonderfully complement a title that was already packed full of fun gameplay variety and hilarious absurdity.

Fans of the Persona series will delight in this dungeon crawling sequel that features characters from the 3 most recent mainline titles. If you can get past the initial difficulty, you'll happily spend hours in this lighthearted and challenging labyrinth-filled world.

Record of Lodoss War -Deedlit in Wonder Labyrinth- is a great Metroidvania that any genre fan will love. The adventure may be over well before you'd like it to be but it's sure to satisfy from start to finish with its unique gameplay elements and memorable game world.

This latest Tales title is definitely on my shortlist of the greatest. Watching the story unfold as I travelled the world with a collection of folks from all walks of life was a lot of fun. Thankfully, the developers added some variety in the overworld maps and if the dungeons were more interesting and sidequests played a larger role then I could see this being a contender for one of the best modern RPGs.

Modern additions to the classic Resident Evil formula have made Resident Evil 2 an excellent remake although I am a little disappointed with how the 2nd Run campaigns are handled.

Guilty Gear -Strive- rocked my socks off with its gorgeous visuals, kick-ass music, and tight fighting gameplay. I can't wait until it releases so I can spend hours beating up all sorts of folks in its impressive online multiplayer mode.

CrossCode is one of the best indie games out there. Its blend of old-school and contemporary gameplay elements is phenomenal and the wonderful cast of characters and distinct story are the icing on the cake. I highly recommend it.

Triangle Strategy masterfully accomplishes its blend of rewarding SRPG gameplay and engaging choice-driven story. If you're a fan of narrative-heavy games and tactical grid-based battles then it's a must-have game.

It may be a niche JRPG but Death end re;Quest is impressively innovative in both its storytelling and battle system. If you're even mildly curious about this kind of game, I highly recommend giving it a try.

I had a blast with SHINOBI: Art of Vengeance as its modern gameplay approach, enjoyable combat, and stunning presentation really make it stand out as a worthwhile reimagining of an iconic series.

FANTASIAN Neo Dimension is a jam-packed RPG that blends retro and modern elements wonderfully in both its presentation and gameplay. So, if you have fond memories of games like The Legend of Dragoon then you need to play this.

ARKANOID - ETERNAL BATTLE is a superb modern adaptation of the iconic arcade game that will easily appeal to newcomers and long-time fans such as myself. I'm definitely looking forward to playing it against actual players instead of just the AI.

Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Hinokami Chronicles 2 brought me back to the glory days of anime fighters and made me excited for what the future has in store for the genre. With so much content and visceral combat that's exciting to simply watch, it's one superb fighter.

DRAGON BALL GEKISHIN SQUADRA is one of my new favourite online multiplayer games thanks to its incredibly fun and frantic large-scale battles that keep you strategising and forging ahead while taking in the awesome sights and sounds which will make any fan light up.

Stray is a delightful adventure full of beautiful visuals and endearing characters. I thoroughly enjoyed my time exploring the post-apocalyptic city from the unique perspective of a feline who's dedicated to helping out the remaining robotic residents.

Train Valley is a superbly challenging game that strikes the perfect balance between track-building sim and arcade-like structure. If you enjoy tough games that'll keep you strategizing as you think on your feet then I wholeheartedly recommend it.

Mario Tennis Fever is absolutely the best game in the series so far and if you enjoy the back-and-forth of the sport as you take in all of the wonderfully charming sights and sounds then this is a must-play game that really shines in multiplayer.

After over 20 years, Cotton Fantasy was worth the wait as it's bursting with enjoyable shmup gameplay set in a bubbly and very silly world. Plus, the fact that it features such a diverse-playing cast of characters is sweeter than a bowl full of Willow.

Atelier Lulua is up there with the best that the series has to offer. Although it doesn't do anything exceptionally unique, it's an enjoyable and rewarding adventure set in such a memorable and charming world that you'll find it hard to put down.

R-Type Final 3 Evolved is bananas with both its absurd level of difficulty and its vast amount of content to enjoy. So, if you loved your time with R-Type Final 2 then you'll have a blast blowing up Bydo in this badass sequel as well.

Disgaea 7: Vows of the Virtueless is a substantial step-up from the previous game and it's bursting with so many zany mechanics and party customisation options that it'll make your head spin. Trying to master some of the missions will still give you a headache, though.

Megadimension Neptunia VIIR is possibly the best game in the series. It may be a remake of a game that came out only a couple of years ago but there's enough here to delight both hardcore fans and newcomers alike.

Keeper is one of the most unique and captivating games that you'll ever play. With so many unexplained otherworldly sights, you'll feel like you visited some strange yet beautiful alien planet that you'll think fondly back on long after the credits roll.

It's hard to believe that a 3D action game as supremely enjoyable as Devil May Cry 3 released 15 years ago. It's a modern masterpiece that genre fans need to play even if they already have dozens of times before.

Goblin Slayer -Another Adventurer- Nightmare Feast is the kind of game that doesn't give a good first impression but after a while, it really opens up in impressive ways so stick to it and you'll see that it's one great SRPG.

People like to call games the Dark Souls of whatever but Dark Souls is the Spelunker of action RPGs. With gratifying gameplay that constantly makes you stay on your toes, I'm very happy that this classic is back and it's more fully-featured than ever before.

Rune Factory 5 delivers an addictive mix of farming and dungeon crawling. Although it doesn't leave a great first impression, if you stick with it then you'll spend hours exploring memorable dungeons, befriending lively villagers, and growing your crops all year round.