Kim Snaith
Mixing together adventure, stealth and a gripping narrative makes Tides of Tomorrow a very intriguing prospect indeed. It's just a shame that its novel 'online story-link' mechanic isn't as enjoyable as it should be, leaving you feeling like you're existing in someone else's shadow rather than carving out your own path through this unique world.
Vampire Crawlers is a weird spin-off, as it has almost nothing to do with Vampire Survivors other than it exists in the same world and contains the same characters and items. And yet somehow, this fast-paced dungeon crawler manages to be just as moreish as the game it is derived from.
Making use of a 1930s cartoon aesthetic, Mouse: P.I. For Hire is absolutely brimming with character and personality. It looks incredible, and it plays well too: this is a fun (if casual) first-person shooter that will keep you entertained from start to finish.
Undoubtedly one of the best roguelike games out there, Hades II offers up fantastic fast-paced action, gorgeous visuals and an excellent story steeped in Greek mythology.
As its name suggests, Find My Frogs is a game about, well, finding frogs. And gnomes, and insects, and other bits and bobs. With a gorgeous art style, this is a seriously pretty and relaxing hidden object game that's well worth its discount asking price.
It's beautifully presented, and the puzzle of packing boxes is mildly satisfying. But A Storied Life: Tabitha lets itself down in its storytelling, which is little more than a messy headache of ideas. If you were hoping for something to rival Unpacking, this isn't it.
Find Your Words is very short, and has a few issues – but considering it's available for free, any problems are easily forgiven. A cute little adventure about a non-verbal child communicating via a binder full of symbols, it's a must for any kid – or indeed any grown-up wanting an hour of cosy escapism.
A turn-based RPG with a unique presentation, People of Note not only looks fabulous but it's a joy to play, too. It mixes together traditional RPG elements with puzzles and music to make a game that isn't afraid to be different.
Who knew that combining Scrabble with Balatro would be so compelling? It's a crossover that works so well, and if you're a word game fan, consider Beyond Words an absolute must-play.
Zelda meets Dark Souls, Tombwater is a fantastic action adventure set in a Lovecraftian reimagining of the Wild West. Tricky combat is king here, but thanks to difficulty options you can choose to focus on exploring the rich world around you and uncovering its secrets. This is a real hidden gem, and one that really should be on any action-adventure fan's radar.
A fitting end to Max and Chloe's story, it's a real joy to have these two iconic characters back together again. While the story, revolving around Caledon University and Abraxas, might not be quite as gripping as it should be, this is still a very strong entry into the series, with brilliant visuals, stellar voice acting, and a great mixture of puzzle-solving, evidence-hunting and exploration.
One of the best survivors-like games currently available, Grind Survivors sets itself apart with a persistent weapon mechanic. Meaningful upgrades, excellent visuals and silky-smooth action all help to make this a game you're not going to want to put down.
It might not offer up anything particularly new or exciting, but Ariana and the Elder Codex is a solid metroidvania adventure game with an enjoyable narrative. Multiple difficulty levels make this readily accessible too, so this combat-heavy romp never needs to feel too challenging.
Hatsune Miku and picross might seem like an odd combination, but it works. It's a shame that music feels like an afterthought here, but as far as picross games go, this is one of the best you can get on PlayStation.
As beautiful as it is enjoyable, The Artisan of Glimmith is a relaxing puzzle game about arranging shapes to complete stained glass windows. With a wealth of puzzle types and different difficulties, this is a joy to play for anyone who likes to while away the hours solving classic puzzles.
Very short but powerfully sweet, Pieced Together is a cosy scrapbooking game that reminisces over the course of a childhood friendship. It's not only fun to play, but a powerful reminder of how precious childhood friends can be.
A roguelike Metroidvania about a witch and a magical hat, Never Grave is beautiful to look at and a joy to play thanks to silky-smooth combat and traversal. It's just a shame that making progress can feel too much like an uphill battle.
Reminiscent of Link to the Past but with enough charm and ingenuity to boldly stand out, Under the Island is a gorgeous and imaginative action-adventure that tasks you with saving your home island. It's utterly joyous, and even the odd spike in combat difficulty isn't enough to spoil your fun.
It may be let down by its lack of original soundtrack and the fact that four of the five games here are practically identical. But the museum content makes Rayman: 30th Anniversary Edition a worthwhile purchase for fans – and there's no denying that Rayman still stands the test of time as one of the best platformers from the 90s.
It's short, and rather basic in terms of features, but Aerial_Knight's DropShot gameplay loop of shooting enemies with a finger gun as you fall out of a plane is fun while it lasts.