SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom - Rehydrated is a solid remake that perhaps stays a little too true to the original. The updated visuals bring the game more inline with the original cartoon series, but some dated game design holds the port back from being truly exceptional.
Whether you're looking to carve your way downhill at breakneck speed or you want to show off your best tricks, Shred! 2 – ft Sam Pilgrim is more than capable of fulfilling your dreams of becoming a downhill legend.
For the flaws that it has, Fade to Silence is an ambitious game that provides a unique experience in a crowded genre. The world is stark, cold and unwelcoming, and there's a discomposing atmosphere that always puts you on edge. Fade to Silence isn't for everyone, but for those who want to experience a harsh, unforgiving world, this is just the ticket - just don't rush into permadeath mode right away.
Zarvot is a unique experience that's right at home on the Nintendo Switch. It's commitment to manic, arcade shooting is one of its biggest strengths, but this unfortunately highlights the game's weaker elements, namely the platforming. The narrative is ultimately the stand out feature here, as the nuanced character writing highlights the surprisingly profound overarching narrative in a way that keeps players engaged.
Darksiders III, while more limited in scope than its predecessor, provides a tighter, more deliberate experience that elaborates on the lore we've seen so far. The smaller world of Darksiders 3 may disappoint some fans of the previous game, but this feels like a reboot of the series. Poor PC performance, a lack of side-objectives and some unimaginative world-design point to a game with ambitions bigger than its budget, but Darksiders II is a fun and challenging experience that kept me engaged across the length of its story.
Spellforce 3 is an ambitious game that manages to blend fun RTS segments with traditional isometric dungeon exploration in a neat RPG package.
Dragon Quest Heroes 2 is undoubtedly a step in the right direction, but it doesn't feel like a big enough leap. There are minor gameplay improvements that result in a more unique and refined experience, but at it's core the game is still struggling to pull itself away from the Dynasty Warriors series.
Ride 2 manages to improve on last year’s release, but still struggles to shift itself above a niche racer for fans of the sport.
Dead Rising HD Collection is a great experience for those wanting to get into the series before Dead Rising 4, unfortunately the Collection offers little more for fans of the series.
Headlander is a funny, well designed game with an excellent aesthetic, it's a shame that a few shortcomings let it down in the long run
MXGP2 is a step forward for the series, not a huge leap forward by any means, but the improved bike and rider controls bring enough to the table to keep things fresh. Motocross fans are likely to be pleased, but those not into the extreme sport might not find it as enjoyable.
Sébastien Loeb Rally Evo is a game that exceeds expectations. It never fully outshines the competition, but it does enough on its own to make it worth your attention.
Death Squared is an intelligent puzzler that challenges single and multiplayer gamers alike.
At its best, Yooka-Laylee reminds me why I fell in love with colourful platformers, it's a love letter to childhood nostalgia. At its worst, Yooka-Laylee reminds me why we moved away from platforming games: odd design choices and occasional bugs sour the experience.
For those wanting a game where stealth is the focal point, and not a subclass you choose, Aragami is most definitely for you.
Steep is a solid experience that accomplishes what the developers set out to do. They have a created an impressive world that is both fun to explore and addictive to conquer. The multiplayer feels like a bit of a letdown due to a lack of variety but it is still fun exploring the world with friends
I went into Nitroplus Blasterz: Heroines Infinite Duel Review quite skeptical at first, but what met me was a solid fighting game. The story is a big naff, but it looks great and plays well. That's all you need from a fighting game right?
A colourful world, an emergent soundtrack and tight controls make Ynglet one of the most memorable indie games I've played in some time. On occasion, the level design could be a little confusing, but it was never enough to ruin my experience. From start to finish, Ynglet is an exhilarating adventure based in a stunning world.
Exo One is an enjoyable other-world experience that challenges players with the mastery of an alien spacecraft. Tight controls and great physics more than make up for the odd repetitive spot, making Exo One an absolute must for anyone with an Xbox Game Pass subscription. Even without one, I’d still recommend picking it up.
The Ramp is a minimal skateboarding experience that acts as more of a tool than a video game. At face value, it is an enjoyable experience that's perfect for a quick skate, but those looking for a bit more depth might be better off looking elsewhere.