Richard Seagrave
While it lacks online multiplayer, you might want to pick up Gear.Club Unlimited 3 if you like the idea of developing your HQ in Japan, competing in races to unlock new features and put together an impressive garage of cars. You'll have to put up with a handling model that isn't all that impressive, however, and some will rue the lack of assist and difficulty options.
Its fast-paced combat system is one of the best in the genre, and BlazBlue fans will love the large number of playable characters. Throw in some truly eye-catching visuals and BlazBlue Entropy Effect X is a must-play for action roguelike fans.
Go along with its absurd story, and chances are you'll have lots of fun with Romeo is a Dead Man, even if its combat can be scrappy in places. This is Grasshopper Manufacture's most polished game yet, and as ever it's full of amusing quirks and gameplay features.
A first-person survival horror game with a story steeped in Spanish history, folklore and religion, Crisol: Theater of Idols may borrow from the likes of Resident Evil but it manages to stand out thanks to its creepy enemies and clever blood bullet mechanic.
With its new open field format, Nioh 3 is undoubtedly the best entry in the series yet, giving players more freedom to explore and making the experience feel more seamless. Add on top of that additional new features, such as the ability to switch between samurai and ninja styles on the fly and being able to freely respec, and you have a stellar example of just how good the Soulslike genre can be. This is an early game of the year contender, without a doubt.
My Hero Academia: All's Justice truly is a treat for fans of the franchise, offering multiple substantial game modes and a huge roster of playable heroes and villains. It's not very welcoming to newcomers, however, and its Team Up Mission mode isn't always all that exciting to play through.
An open world arcade racer, JDM: Japanese Drift Master may not be as pretty or expansive as its peers, but those who love getting sideways will still find lots to love about it. The drifting focus here makes the game feel relatively unique, and while there are no multiplayer options, its campaign should keep players entertained for a considerable amount of time.
Carmageddon is back, reborn as a roguelike racer with heaps of car combat. The core gameplay is fun, but Carmageddon: Rogue Shift is ultimately let down by its near non-existent event variety.
Already one of the best JRPGs available, Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade is truly impressive on Switch 2. The visuals are astounding whether you play handheld or docked, and while it's not flawless, performance is solid. Throw in new Streamlined Progression features which make the game more accessible than ever, and you have a must-play, especially for newcomers.
With its comic book visual style, isometric viewpoint and focus on crafting, I Hate This Place is a unique entry in the survival horror genre. It's just a shame that it's let down by gameplay that feels rough around the edges and a lacklustre story.
Taking inspiration from Elden Ring, Code Vein 2 is an ambitious sequel which presents players with a vast open world to explore. It can feel a bit lifeless at times, but it's rewarding to venture into its nooks and crannies nonetheless. And everything you do helps build your character, an endeavour which proves to be a highlight of the game, along with manipulating time to build bonds with your companions.
MIO: Memories in Orbit is yet another challenging but rewarding Metroidvania for genre fans to sink their teeth into. It suffers from many of the frustrations typical of the genre, such as difficulty spikes and troublesome backtracking, but its unique visual style and intriguing world make up for it.
Putting you in control of an expanding team of cats, hell-bent on reclaiming their city, Clawpunk is a riotous 2D action game with a style all of its own. Its roguelite elements mean that it starts tough but gets somewhat easier over time, though there are unlockable modes that offer an increased challenge. It's just a shame that sometimes it can be a little too chaotic for its own good.
Thanks to its retro-styled visuals and old-fashioned gameplay, Terminator 2D: No Fate genuinely feels like a blast from the past, and that's not necessarily a bad thing. While it's rather short and it's disappointing that there's no voice acting, it perfectly captures the essence of the classic film and remains fun to play throughout.
Putting you in the shoes of a forensic analyst, She's Leaving challenges you with searching a large and foreboding house for valuable evidence in a missing persons case. It's a short but engaging affair, with the only real annoyance being a stalker-type enemy that you're ill-equipped to hide from.
With its ridiculous story, unique visuals and brilliant soundtrack, there's a lot to like about Skate Story. Its gameplay is the weakest link here, though, with fiddly controls and other issues introducing a level of frustration that might push some players away.
Tasking you with exploring an abandoned lunar base and investigating what happened to it, Routine is a first-person horror game that will have you captivated from beginning to end thanks to its tense atmosphere and engaging puzzles.
Sleep Awake has an interesting premise, and makes nice use of full motion video to assist in blurring the lines between what's real and imaginary. It's just a shame that it's not as engaging to play as it should be. And it's not all that scary, either.
Aside from some minor issues, more often encountered when playing alone, Marvel Cosmic Invasion is one of the best beat 'em ups currently available, and an absolute treat for Marvel fans.
It's quite short and rather rough around the edges, but The Last Case of John Morley has an interesting case for you to crack. Just don't expect anything too ambitious or impressive.