Alan Strawbridge
A deceptively difficult puzzle game hiding behind a chilled aesthetic which will be appreciated by those who are up for the challenge.
Magic mushroom design, endearingly wacky NPCs and visually plush environments are mixed with simple and fun gameplay countered with patience testing level repetition adding up to a fairly unique short and sweet FPS.
Fans of the sport will love the authenticity and vast tweaking options onboard, while the rest of us can enjoy a decent two wheeled off-road racer which looks the part. It's just a shame about the tedious loading times.
A deliciously compulsive simulation of a busy restaurant which tests your mental agility and finger dexterity to the full. Humourous presentation and the couch co-op are the icing on the cake.
As accurate a representation of rally driving as you'll get on this generation of consoles, replete with a punishing learning curve and zero tutorials. Aside from the unrewarding Rallycross department, Dirt Rally 2.0 delivers an impassive and accomplished high speed rallying experience.
An old skool arcade racer wearing a brand new pair of breeches - get past the tough learning curve and get into the zone and you'll be a happy futuristic drifter.
Codemasters have managed to improve their F1 game once again in 2019, and have added another entire echelon of cars and drivers from the F2 proving ground. The racing itself looks and plays faultlessly and is accessible enough for beginners and non-F1 fans.
An admirably niche racing game which gets the look and feel of truck racing just right, but manages to get the single player career experience all wrong.
A shallow but stylish and challenging single-player space blaster, which despite the forgettable storyline, offers a good few hours of alien ass-kicking at a budget price.
Turn off your mind, relax and ram someone off the road. A definitive festival of wrecking which nails the damage modelling and weighty feel of the cars perfectly, Weckfest is a must for anyone with even the smallest fondest for racing and wrecking.
A combination of a laudable driving experience and exquisitely modelled official rally environments across 14 countries means WRC 8 delivers the goods and deserves your attention.
A dated and niche license receives the game that it deserves - shallow, simplistic and unsatisfying. Turn left before you get to the checkout.
An enjoyably sedate outing around the suburbs, marred by the antiquated and dull visuals, Bus Simulator nonetheless provides a good chunk of all too real simulation of public transport.
With absolutely nothing new to bring to the table except the pointless 'Nemesis' feature, GRID treads water in spectacular fashion. It looks and sounds amazing, and plays like an arcade game which has aspirations to be a simulator, but with no realistic car damage to penalise reckless driving, it becomes a long drawn out affair.
A serene and pretty aesthetic sits atop a brutal but satisfying arcade downhill bike game which wears its retro stylings and simplicity with pride. A fine game for all and not just for MAMILS!
An unnecessary release which cobbles together pieces from other, better racing games into a competent but dull experience. Save your cash and grab a copy of Burnout Paradise Remastered instead.
An inspired attempt at something new, like an Americana graphic novel read through at a snails pace. The lovely meditative quality to the gameplay eventually becomes somewhat frustrating because of repetition, the limitations of the concept and how much the player can interact with the characters and stories. Regardless of these shortcomings, anyone looking for some fresh ideas in their games should give it a try.
Headliner: NoviNews tries something new in gaming - managing a news desk and influencing the welfare of the citizens with each day of published and suppressed articles. With a good balance of moral decision making, 2D exploration and interaction with NPCs, the only thing really missing is any depth. After a few repeat plays, you'll have had enough which is a shame as the few hours when the material is fresh is both enjoyable and thought provoking.
Despite having to rustle up the occasional cup of coffee or tea, this is one of the least interactive games to grace the PS4.
Kentucky Route Zero is a game for those who are happy to slowly digest the measured nuances of a text heavy, but visually stunning and thought provoking adventure. Narrative weirdness abounds but it is anchored by a cast of charming and gentle characters who you will grow to love.