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Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island is the gold standard for mystery dungeon games. Every system, item, and mechanic come together in endlessly dynamic ways, reaching levels of emergent and exciting gameplay that I've never experienced in the world of roguelikes.
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is a beautifully crafted experience that fans old and new will absolutely love. It almost goes too far in correcting the first game's linearity with broad open areas stuffed with things to do, but there's also key additions to the combat, and the story running through this middle chapter is masterfully retold. Really the biggest problem you'll have once the credits roll is knowing that it will be far too many years before we can finish the trilogy.
Lara's original trilogy has been lovingly restored with the launch of these remasters, offering a definitive collection that bundles the core games and their expansions. However, dusting off these old relics in the name of nostalgia may come with a nasty surprise. Don't worry, there are no mummy curses, snake pits, or swinging pendulum axes, though the clunky controls will definitely take some getting used to (again).
Alisa is a real standout in the world of indie horror games, both in terms of aesthetic and gameplay. It's very tough when you first start in the mansion but once you get to grips with the controls and enemy patterns it becomes relatively easy to work through the game. It ends with plenty of scope for a sequel and there are many unanswered questions so hopefully one appears. Still, in the here and now, if you like the look of the screenshots then I can heartily recommend playing in this dollhouse.
Whilst Train Sim World 4 does the train sim part quite well, the world part is incredibly lacking - it comes with only three routes in the base game and the others cost significantly more than you might expect. All of those routes are in North America or Europe, even the DLCs, which would make it a much smaller world than the one I live in. If you love trains and have plenty of train sim money, Train Sim World is a good option for running routes. Just be aware that you'll probably be paying more than is reasonable.
Lysfanga: The Time Shift Warrior is a great puzzle action game that plays out very differently than you might expect. Whilst it holds onto some of its best puzzle ideas until relatively late in the game, the layered time-shifted combat is very satisfying as you take multiple runs at each encounter, trying out new skills and approaches as you go. All in all, Lysfanga is a good time that offers plenty of repeat value.
A naked shower scene away from being an official Starship Troopers game, Helldivers 2 is gloriously daft fun when you can get a group of friends together to play. It's just a shame about the matchmaking and crash bugs at launch.
Trepang2 is a clear love letter to the FEAR games, taking heavy inspiration from that series and mixing in some optical camo and monsters that aren't a scary little girl with an increasingly horrendous backstory. It's not a perfect game and it is a bit short, but once you trigger the slo-mo and start blasting, you won't really care.
Foamstars is a vibrantly inventive take on the hero shooter and Splatoon, though the bubble will quickly burst for those who can't gel with its floaty, fluid-based gunplay.
Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden is a fantastic piece of storytelling, and it gives you a compelling world, people and lore for you to delve into. While it labours in some areas, you can put your own personality and feelings into this largely linear adventure, making this a game and a tale that deserves to be experienced.
Naruto X Boruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm Connections is a disappointingly dull entry in the series. You have to wonder where CyberConnect2 will go from here.
Jujutsu Kaisen Cursed Clash is a failed cash-in on an incredibly popular manga and anime franchise, that doesn't seem to understand what makes that franchise so popular to begin with.
Momodora: Moonlit Farewell a game unlike any other - a metroidvania with a truly unique aesthetic that blends all my favorite things into one unforgettable package. It may be the final chapter in the Momodora story, but I can only hope there are plenty more games from Bombservice to come.
Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League is a perfect example of how live services can sap all the energy out of a game experience. The story, the character and gameplay all range from good to fantastic, but the missions grow stale before too long, the loot system's few bright spots are tarnished by the chore of everything else you earn, and the story and characters all but evaporate once you reach the endgame.
Anomaly Agent is a fun and furious action platformer, mixing fast-paced combat with an awesome soundtrack.
Granblue Fantasy: Relink is a fantastic anime adventure, and one that will delight fans of the series.
Persona 3 Reload is a dream come true for Persona fans. With far more than just a visual uplift, this is very much the best possible edition of the game, even if it can't quite be called 'definitive'.
The Legend of Steel Empire is a fun side-scrolling shooter set in an interesting alternate history timeline. The gameplay is easy to get to grips with, allowing people of all skill levels to deal with enemies. However, the short length of the campaign is not truly worth the asking price, so I'd recommend waiting for a sale to pick it up.
I hate being negative about a game but I found Evil Nun a soulless and unenjoyable experience. Even without the bugs and glitches the whole repeating loop is dull and derivative rather than immersive. If this is your kind of horror game then there may be something for you to enjoy but you should be playing Amnesia or Alien: Isolation instead.
Despite three years in Early Access, it's hard to recommend Graven at launch. From odd design choices to bugs and progression issues, the unfortunate conclusion is that Graven is a real missed opportunity.