Sam Aberdeen
Resident Evil 7: Gold Edition doesn't provide a drastic change to the phenomenal experience of the base game, but the additional content is rewarding enough to warrant another visit to the dreaded Baker mansion.
Astro Bot: Rescue Mission is charming, intuitive, and above all, an absolute delight to play.
It's the quintessential way to experience Catherine, especially for those who may have missed out on this gem of the decade. The story, a relatable one of regret, commitment, and facing the music, should resonate with those looking to get emotionally invested in a great, timeless romance.
For as much as it rewrites the rule books of what a video game remake can be, it also honours the original in ways that will certainly please fans. The combat is captivating and entertaining, the visuals are often jaw-dropping, and the world design is top-class from a developer who is no stranger to vibrant and detailed worlds.
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2 is easily one of the best remakes in gaming, and does the legacy of the series and Tony Hawk's name proud after a few stumbles. The graphics are great and the stellar visual upgrades to classic locations makes it feel so much more than just a skateboarder's playground now.
Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales arguably does a lot of things better than its predecessor. The gameplay and combat have been refined, the swinging is the most fun you could ever have in a modern Spider-Man game, and the story is focused without feeling padded out or prolonged that it overstays its welcome.
Marvel's Spider-Man Remastered can proudly stand on the podium with some of the best remasters in video games. Thanks to all that the PS5 offers, it vastly improves and upgrades the experience to make it the most next-gen feeling it's ever been.
The Nioh Collection is a great bundle that offers truckloads of great content across both critically acclaimed Nioh titles, complete with all the bells and whistles you'd come to expect from remasters.
Mass Effect Legendary Edition is a classic trilogy completely revitalized and improved for new and old fans to experience. The vast number of technical improvements really gives it a fresh coat of paint, all the while tweaking and enhancing the gameplay fronts to make them superior to their originals in almost every way.
The new UI tweaks, slight gameplay changes, small bits of story content and more all add up to a worthwhile and wonderfully bizarre package that still proves Kojima Productions have truly crafted a game unlike any other.
Thanks to a likeable cast of fleshed-out characters, an immersive atmosphere drenched in evil and a gripping story with a sinister setting, it exceeds expectations and trumps the highs of Man of Medan, Little Hope and in some cases, even Until Dawn.
There's an ebb and flow to Halo Infinite's rhythm that perfectly balances exploration, combat and storytelling. It all synergizes in an experience that feels unique without alienating fans; feels familiar without retreading old ideas; and feels nostalgic without relying on the past.
Some minor framerate drops and odd pacing are hiccups in an otherwise phenomenal package that crafts a gut-wrenching and emotional story, elevates Amicia to one of the most compelling female protagonists in gaming and vastly improves upon every facet of its chilling and unique premise.
The combat is jaw-dropping and stylishly energetic, never letting its foot off the brake. It also attempts to make the most out of its multiverse premise.
Fans are going to find a lot to love with Motive's careful and almost masterful handling of the original, while newcomers will find an exciting horror ride that awaits. It may not be as game-changing as the Resident Evil 2 remake, but I can honestly say that it feels good to have Dead Space back.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is a worthy successor to Breath of the Wild and one of the best games on Nintendo Switch. While it won't win over players who weren't swept away by its predecessor, the sequel does everything in its power to be a true evolution of the formula. Inventive gameplay, a gorgeous presentation, beautiful soundtrack, and incredibly immersive exploration all add up to create a near-masterpiece of endless possibilities.
For fans of Bloodborne (and Sekiro, to an extent), Lies of P is absolutely going to deliver on all those dreams of a spiritual sequel. It's a masterfully crafted Soulslike that doesn't do anything innovative but simply doubles down on what works - and shoots for the stars.
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown is exceptionally good and marks Ubisoft's best game in years - a shot of old-school 2D platforming action that jolts the franchise back to life.
Tekken 8 stacks content in an excellent feature-complete package, boasting the great Heat system, refined yet accessible gameplay and one of the best story modes ever put to a fighting game.
Persona 3 Reload is a worthy remake that adds modern touches to the combat, UI, characters and storytelling, further enhancing an already unforgettable RPG experience.