Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced is a great remake of a classic game and does a great job of walking the tightrope between respecting the original source material and introducing new content and modernizing aged features. Cut content is a shame, and the game’s more repetitive elements don’t age well, but there’s a lot to love here for new and returning players. The overhauled combat, beautiful world, and chock-full map truly got the game’s hooks in me — all over again.
Tom Clancy's The Division Resurgence is a supreme example of a major console series making the jump to mobile and sticking the landing. Gripes like level-gating and the need for powerful hardware to get the most out of the game do hold it back a little, but translating the core Division experience to the small screen with a wonderful recreation of post-apocalyptic New York, a moreish loot-to-improve loop, and satisfying cover-shooter action means that long-time fans of the series and newcomers are very well served.
From the intriguing narrative and wonderful Lunar setting to its multifaceted and moreish combat, Pragmata is a joy to experience. Hugh and Diana’s trek through an AI-powered moonbase gone bad is full of satisfying combat encounters and puzzles in some exceptionally cool environments, with only a few wrinkles.
Channeling true JRPG excellence while putting its own western twist on the genre and turn-based combat, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is an absolutely belting game. It has exquisite writing and story craft, wonderfully stylish and multifaceted combat, and is a blisteringly beautiful assault on all the senses from top-notch voice acting and audio to some of the most beautiful environments I’ve seen in years. It has the scope and execution of a game built by hundreds of developers, not a few dozen, and is easily an early game of the year contender.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows is a massive success and a winning combination of stealth and steel. It’s a fantastic entry in the open-world RPG line of games in the stealth series and the most refined version of that style yet, with satisfying and rewarding exploration, brilliant combat, and a dual protagonist system that really works.
Just like real-life golf, PGA Tour 2K25 is a hearty mix of satisfaction and frustration. The former comes from its excellent shot crafting and wonderful shot-to-shot golf play which is moreish and multifaceted. The latter comes in the form of disappointing commentary and audio, a dizzying amount of transition screens, some missteps in skills, and the glaring absence of the most famous courses and tournaments which still keep it firmly in EA Sports PGA Tour’s shadow.
Star Wars Outlaws serves up an extremely enjoyable open-world Star Wars experience that proves the wait for such a game was worth it. While there are a few frustrations, the mix of beautiful worlds, a crime-rich underworld, compelling and tense missions with multiple routes to success, and a host of scoundrelly things to do, makes it a superbly fun experience.
Still Wakes the Deep is an incredibly atmospheric, tense, and gripping first-person horror game. With a tremendous sense of place, superb voice acting, and creepy horror elements, it’s a small but punchy experience that we fully recommend despite some hand-holding, simple puzzles, and the story being a little too short.
Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2 is a bleak yet deeply absorbing game - and one I’ve not played anything like before. Combat is a little simplistic, and some parts are pedestrian, but the remarkable visual and audio design, performances and acting, the intriguing narrative throughout, and a beguiling world that has one of the strongest senses of place I’ve experienced elevate the game wonderfully.
Rise of the Ronin is a robust and enjoyable open-world adventure across 19th-century Japan. It features superb combat, an intriguing Bakumatsu-inspired setting, and a world with so much to do. However, its identity feels a little unclear at times and some repetitive missions, plus bumpy visuals, hold it back.
The Invincible deploys its source material brilliantly in terms of style, aesthetic, and story, however a lot of slow parts, empty spaces, and over-simplistic mechanics and puzzles mean it never really hits truly stellar heights.
Quantum Error is an intriguing and solid horror game - though never gripping or truly outstanding. At its best when you’re a firefighter using your specialist skills and tools, the title has an original premise and story but is let down by weird over-the-top cinematic stylings as well as odd pacing, as well as characters and dialogue carved out of oak.
Assassin’s Creed Mirage returns the series to its roots with enormous success. Basim’s well-paced journey from street thief to master assassin is full of stealth-focused action and enthralling investigations, and should please fans of the series with its intrigue and heart.
Lies of P is as slick and well-done as it is dark and mysterious. With weighty combat, cool weapons and tools, and some exquisite - though very creepy - enemy design, it’ll scratch the ‘souls’ itch for many, despite a few blemishes.
Atlas Fallen is a solid but uninspiring open-world fantasy RPG with brilliant movement and traversal but not much else. In a crowded field of fantasy RPGs, it doesn’t have the level of finish, characters, and story to make it a truly memorable experience.
Viewfinder is a wonderful demonstration of what games can be and how they can be played. While its story really struggles to come through, the brilliant puzzles, lovely world, and ingenious play more than compensate.
PGA 2K23 is a fine golf game that builds on its predecessor in every way, with fabulous gameplay, shot craft, and depth.
NHL 21 is the best hockey game around by default – but it seldom genuinely stands out from this generation's pack.
PGA Tour 2K21 offers the best stroke play in years, with deep and rich shot and swing craft. Only a lean career mode proves its handicap.