Humanity’s invention and weirdness makes it the perfect tonic to an increasingly risk-averse industry, offering a welcome return to the kind of eccentric oddities that endeared millions to PlayStation in the first place.
This cutesy origin tale replaces the guns and sex appeal of the original action series with fairies and cuddly toys
This colourful multiplayer platformer was largely ignored when it first came out in 2011 – is it worth a second look?
This wonderfully weird creature-hunter has an unending supply of memorably unhinged, massive foes; it may not be an all-timer but it's fun while you're fighting
Three musicians pick up the emotional and practical pieces after their singer dies in this comforting and warm game of fiendish headscratchers with a phenomenal soundtrack
One man and his dog traverse the English countryside after an alien invasion in this haunting, wordless game: a masterclass in foreboding sound design and minimal storytelling
Technical problems and an evident lack of development time take the shine off this ambitious new outing for the world-conquering critters
Where many western games yearn to be seen as the height of sophistication, craving the critical kudos of an HBO drama, Bayonetta 3 stands defiant in its absurdity. Like its predecessors, this is destined to go down as a cult classic – a dizzying dance of demon-dicing delight. Its crude, whiplash-inducing narrative means it certainly won’t be for everyone, but the best things in life rarely are.
Nintendo's deft touch is missing from this crossover game from Ubisoft that fails as a Mario outing but succeeds as a turn-based battler
Seven beautifully unpredictable genre stories, each designed by a different manga artist, are playfully rendered in this novel remake
Mixing the colour palette of 80s comic books with post-apocalyptic bloodlust, movement in this fluid game feels sublime. Until you get shot in the head
This grainy, gore-soaked katana caper slowly morphs into a compelling meditation on vengeance
Overgrown theme parks feature in this kid-friendly, cinematic romp through a cutesy wasteland
More than a quarter of a century since the cuddly critters were first sent in to battle, the magic of those early adventures has finally been recaptured
For those feeling worn down by the daily grind, this calming skater, with popping pastel colours and a soothing soundtrack, is a charming alternative
This unquestionably beautiful game about saving a planet from an encroaching black hole boldly goes where few have remained awake
Ugly, unpolished and ultraviolent – Suda51's kitsch curio fires on all cheaply made cylinders
The Ascent is an atmospheric power fantasy, a cinematic cyberpunk escape where you can disengage your brain and indulge in copious virtual violence. If you’re a Game Pass subscriber, it’s worth a try – at £25, it’s harder to recommend.
While it may not push the franchise in a bold new direction, Let’s Go feels like the perfect stopgap before next year’s brand new Pokémon Switch outing. And with a whole new generation of kids now discovering Pokémon for the first time too, we can’t think of a better way to introduce them to the wonders of Kanto.
Thanks to both its shocking cruelty and its awe-inspiring potential, this stunningly well-realised recreation of the Wild West is the first game world that truly mirrors our own. Rockstar’s latest playground is a place that’s equal parts brutal and beautiful, and somehow, like in our own reality, the weight of your decisions in this game world have just as much potential to delight you as they do to terrify.