Returnal is a brutally tough but satisfying roguelike journey that is buoyed by its addictive combat and myriad of weapons, items and upgrades that ensure the journey doesn't get stale. Its narrative is gripping and unsettling, its visual aesthetic is arresting and despite a high level of difficulty, it's a damn joy to play.
Song of Horror manages to provide atmospheric horror, but its lack of quality characters, unapologetically slow gameplay and heartbreaking save corruption bug make it a game that just isn't worth the time.
Cris Tales may not be as feature heavy as the JRPG classics it takes inspiration from, but it oozes whimsical charm with a vibrant anime aesthetic and a likeable cast. The gameplay, while serviceable, may get stale towards the end, but Cris Tales is still a title I'd recommend taking a chance on.
Twelve Minutes starts off strong and pulls you in with an intriguing premise and interesting gameplay loop but is let down by a poorly executed shock twist, finicky controls, and occasionally obtuse puzzle design.
In Sound Mind tells an interesting story and provides an intriguing combination of first-person exploration, puzzles and shooting, but it fails to have the impact it could've had due to bland visuals, mediocre combat, and the fact that it's a horror game that isn't very scary.
Although not without some frustrating moments, Metroid Dread is a great experience, offering up an engrossing journey full of engaging exploration and challenging combat that is proof alone that 2D Metroid is worthy of a renaissance.
Solar Ash is a visually pleasing adventure that pulls you in quickly with its swift and elegant movement mechanics and a snazzy synth soundtrack. Despite the strong start, the experience begins to lose its grip the longer it goes, with unreliable performance and mundane combat.
Moonglow Bay starts strong with its emotional story and initially solid gameplay loop of fishing and cooking. Unfortunately, bugs and the lack of variety quickly become its downfall, resulting in an experience that grows more bland and frustrating to play the further you progress.
Horizon Forbidden West is an absolute treasure that is not only a welcome sequel to Horizon Zero Dawn, but also arguably one of the best games to grace the PlayStation 5 thus far – with a solid claim to being the best native PS5 game yet.
Sifu's deep combat and ageing mechanics aren't for everyone, but those keen to roll with the kicks and punches will find one of the most satisfying and addictive brawlers of recent times.
Tunic is an isometric action adventure with colorful visuals, fun exploration and well executed combat, though its insistence on lack of player guidance can make for a few frustrating moments.
Though its narrative isn't cohesive, Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga is the most complete and content packed Lego Star Wars adventure to date, with expanded combat, welcoming accessibility, and great presentation.
Silt feels reminiscent of iconic puzzle adventures like Limbo and INSIDE, but its lack of originality and story see it fail to be as memorable.
Mothmen 1966 is a welcome first entry to the 'Pixel Pulp' series of interactive retro adventures, telling a quality story about the Leonid Meteor Shower of 1966 and the strange events that surrounded it. Unfortunately the gameplay fails to be anywhere near as interesting, but the package is not without its charm.
With an enviable amount of content across its various modes, a brilliant soundtrack, solid visuals, and an already insanely large player base, Splatoon 3 is a brilliant game I wholeheartedly recommend picking up. If it can fix the issues with its online matchmaking, it can be even better.
Airoheart attempts to recreate the magic of The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past in its own image, only to see itself let down by its painfully average storytelling and lack of direction in its dungeons.
God of War Ragnarok is a captivating and engrossing adventure that builds itself up from the sturdy foundations of its predecessor, creating something truly spectacular in the process.
After a slow start to the series, The Devil in Me is a satisfying end to The Dark Pictures' first season with its fascinating setting and improved gameplay leaving me excited for the second season.
Rewarding exploration, enjoyable bike traversal and a gorgeous world make Season: A letter to the future a journey worth embarking on.
Although the outdated visuals, weird bugs, and technical mishaps do set the game back a bit, SpongeBob SquarePants: The Cosmic Shake is still an enjoyable but basic 3D platforming experience. It may not reinvent the wheel, and it feels like a game made during the PS2 era, but what it lacks in creativity is somewhat made up for by its solid platforming gameplay, humorous writing, and lovable cast of characters.