Thomas Hughes
Golden Force is an excellent side-scrolling action platformer with some of the best boss fights I've seen for quite some time. With brilliant combat and combo mechanics and four varied islands to explore, Golden Force will surprise just as much as it entertains.
Rogue Heroes: Ruins of Tasos is a fantastic Zelda-inspired, procedurally-generated, action-adventure with one of the most rewarding gameplay loops I've seen in some time. It perfectly captures the styles of its inspirations, while carving its own legacy as a standout Roguelike. I honestly enjoyed every second of my time with Rogue Heroes and can't wait to continue playing in the coming weeks.
Whether you are taking on the game's numerous challenges, or carving your way across the concrete in endless mode, Skate City is the perfect way to kick, push and shove your way through a digital world.
Risk Of Rain finally gets the console release it deserves, a solid port with improved multiplayer capabilities only improves upon the fun had with the PC version. Must have for those looking for a great couch co-op experience.
Square-Enix are off to an excellent start with the first episode of Hitman, the gameplay is challenging while remaining fun and creative. Occasional performance issues do little to spoil the experience, as the level of detail more than makes up for the framerate problems. The game is accessible to both hardcore fans and newcomers alike, allowing players to choose their own play style. Not only is baldy Hitman back, he's back in style.
Mount & Blade: Warband is one of the most unique experiences available on PS4. It's a game that people will overlook due to the slightly out dated graphics, but for those that do take the plunge, a polished and addictive gem awaits them.
Intelligent puzzle design, striking visuals and a soundtrack straight out of late 90s raves make for one of the most interesting titles I've experienced so far this year, even if it is occasionally marred by difficult and frustrating puzzle design.
The city of Kamurocho is packed with interesting characters, fun activities and a number of excellent diversions, all backed up by a solid narrative that throws up as many surprises as it does heartwarming moments.
Metrico+ is one of the more unique puzzle experiences on the PlayStation 4, but it's quirky nature never detracts from the addictive puzzle design. This is a solid experience from start to finish.
Valentino Rossi The Game marks a significant leap forward for Milestone s.r.l, it has created an excellent MotoGP experience, managing to capture the career of biking legend. This is a must buy for fans of The Doctor, and anyone that likes bikes!
New ideas and innovations help move the franchise forward, but a lot of the same bugbears are still prevalent. Until we get a new engine I believe we are always going to be waiting for that truly amazing wrestling game experience. Until that happens, 2K17 is a nice bridge between that gap.
For fans of the series and newcomers alike, Shin Megami Tensei IV: Apocalypse is a quintessential JRPG experience, and one that only has some very minor issues.
Where the story falls short, the gameplay rises up. The fighting is fun to pick up and play, but hard to master.
While many will look at Solo and see a gorgeous art style, those who play it will experience an introspective journey about love. Its delivery of core themes can be a little vague at times, but Solo is one of the most charming titles I've played in a long time.
Wizard of Legend is a welcome addition to the library of procedurally generated roguelikes, offering players a challenging arena-based dungeon crawler with unforgiving combat and a vast number of abilities to choose from. Occasional performance niggles can ruin the experience, but they are few and far between.
With only a few small niggles to complain about, Yoku's Island Express successfully merges pinball and platforming without ever making the former feel like a gimmick. Its beautiful presentation and fun, engaging exploration blend together to create a truly unique experience.
Guacamelee! 2 is a worthy sequel
Kingdom Two Crowns feels more like an extensive update than a new entry to the series, but the base game is still so immensely enjoyable that it doesn't really matter. This is the perfect starting point for new players, and those who are returning might still be surprised by some of the secrets to be found.
Akane is a game that does one thing and does it exceptionally well; its biggest flaw is that there simply isn't enough of it. Give me more damn it!
A lot of love and time has gone into Children of Morta, and the level of polish and complexity across its narrative and gameplay make it one of the most interesting roguelites to date. The difficulty curve and relative brevity of its story may put some off, but Children of Morta is a beautifully crafted, polished roguelite that deserves your attention.