Kim Snaith
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.
It feels like we've been waiting for it for a long time, but Little Nightmares dev Tarsier Studios has finally delivered its next game. Unsurprisingly, Reanimal feels very much like Little Nightmares in all but name. While it doesn't have the strongest narrative, stellar visuals, an eerie atmosphere and excellent environmental puzzles all more than make up for it.
One of the best FMV games to date, The Run is expertly filmed, set in the gorgeous Italian countryside. Not only does it look stunning, but it's a genuine joy to play, thanks to solid acting, faultless pacing and an intriguing storyline. FMV games may be an acquired taste, but when they're made as well as this, they deserve to be played.
Frustrating and relaxing in equal measure, there's something quite special about Cairn, a game all about climbing a mountain. It perfectly captures the tension and peril of every hand and foot movement while also weaving in some light-hearted story sequences along the way. While every misplaced foot might make you swear, the elation of reaching each incremental goal is quite unlike anything else.
Hilarious and unabashedly silly, Earth Must Die is undoubtedly the best game yet from Size Five Games. Brilliantly written, beautifully animated and with an enviable voice cast, there's so much to love here if you're a fan of point-and-click adventure games.
Massive Monster has nailed the concept of DLC with Woolhaven: it gives fans of Cult of the Lamb more of what they love, but with enough of a refresh that it feels notably different. This is a substantial expansion, adding dozens of hours worth of new content, and with not only new dungeons to overcome but new ways to interact and grow your cult, it's a must-play for anyone who enjoyed the base game.
Made by solo developer and ex-Housemarque programmer Kimmo Lahtinen, Sektori is the closest thing you're going to get to the sweet rush of the likes of Resogun without revisiting Housemarque's back catalogue. It's tough as nails, but with eye-melting visuals and fast-paced twin-stick shooter action, you simply won't be able to get enough of it.
A unique take on the Survivors-like genre that also throws in city building and tower defence mechanics, Monsters are Coming! Rock & Road is a moreish roguelike that will have you repeatedly coming back for more.
Its ridiculous advert starring David Hasselhoff isn't the only brilliant thing about SpongeBob SquarePants: Titans of the Tide. This is an excellent platforming adventure, featuring a great mix of character skills, fantastic level design and plenty of side quests. Even if you're not a fan of SpongeBob, there's a lot here to love.
Cheap and cheerful, Hidden Cats in Rio de Janeiro is a real joy for any fan of hidden object games, particularly if they also love cats. Beautifully presented and packed with personality, it's yet another great entry in the lovable Hidden Cats series.
Beautiful visuals and an excellent soundtrack collide in Lumines Arise, the latest entry in the long-running Lumines series. This block puzzle game is as timeless as Tetris, and as long as you can get your head around the strategies required here, it's going to keep you entertained for dozens upon dozens of hours.