Despite its rough edges and myriad of issues, the heart that's present at the centre of Clive 'N' Wrench is evident throughout, and it's safe to say that this is a labour of love and homage to a genre that enjoyed its peak around 25 years ago. And while there is praise to be had in certain respects - indeed, fans of the genre may well find some merit here - Clive 'N' Wrench is ultimately a little too raw and unevenly cooked to be put on the pedestal alongside its famed influences.
Alone in the Dark is a success in more ways than it's not. There are notable issues preventing it from reaching that upper echelon but nonetheless developer Pieces Interactive has crafted an engaging experience with enough charm that fans of the series, or indeed the genre, will no doubt lap up.
While it's a jack of all trades and master of none, there is a distinct charm inherent with Avalanche Studios' take on Mad Max and provided you can get it cheaper than its full price listing you could certainly do a lot worse.
First out of the gate in what will be a bevy of survival titles in the coming months, The Callisto Protocol is a solid maiden effort from developer Striking Distance Studios and one that has laid the groundwork what is hopefully to come.
Synapse is a confident outing that offers some of the most compelling moment-to-moment gameplay available on PSVR2. And while it may feel a little samey over its three-run duration, there's little doubting that what's here is worth the price of entry alone.
As good an entry as we've seen in recent years, FIFA 22 is a step in the right direction for EA Sports' oft-faltering series and has laid a foundation for what will hopefully be positive changes going forward.
Despite early fanfare very much focusing on Kero Kero Bonito's catchy theme song, and on just how outlandish a game the initial trailer seemed to show it as, the actual fact of the matter is Bugsnax is a real success, a game chockful of charm, wit, and plenty of heart - and one that revels in its eccentric trappings and delivers a meaningful adventure that'll ensure you never quite want to leave the inhabitants of Snacktooth Island after all.
Despite the lack of career mode improvements, FIFA 19 is a faithful representation of the sport we know and love, complete with unparalleled bells and whistles. But it falls a bit short of the mark of being the definitive experience we had hoped for this year.
Aside from some niggling pitfalls – many of which will be mitigated or exacerbated by your level of patience – Snake Pass is a success; a delightful throwback to the classic puzzle platformer of yonder that levels a keen eye on trying to expand modern control sensibility.
Housemarque's Dead Nation: Apocalypse Edition harbours all the addictive pick-up-and-play qualities synonymous with everyone's favourite PS4 indie developer - providing a thrilling zombie romp, with fast, fluid mechanics and controls. And while it may not strain the PlayStation 4's considerable capabilities by any stretch, the inclusion of some new leaderboard-based modes coupled with the innovative streaming feature make this a welcome addition to the PS4 indie roster.
All eventualities considered it's a matter of refinement rather than revolution for PlayStation's best-loved worm-based series, with developer Team17 tinkering and toying to make Worms Battlegrounds the most definitive entry in the series to date.
It can feel desperately unfair at times – bordering on blatant cheating – but the fact that you'll unwaveringly persevere speaks volumes for FIFA 15's distinct appeal. A must for footballing fans.
Though plaudits will be rightly levelled at its appearance, Harold Halibut is equally as impressive when it comes to its narrative, world-building, and how both are realised. Despite being relatively light in gameplay terms, the game packs a punch where it matters by sticking its landing and proving beyond doubt that the answer to the meaning of life may be closer to home than you think.
Fires of Rubicon offers a new frontier for the Armored Core series, demonstrating developer FromSoftware's ability to weave its recent success and confidence back into familiar territory, while at the same time demonstrating that you can indeed teach an old hound new tricks.
Distilled from the composite parts of developer Team Ninja's prior efforts, Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty opts to delve deep into the fundamentals of high-stakes combat and delivers a pulse-pumping experience that rewards anyone willing to step up to the plate.
Super Monkey Ball Banana Mania boasts a triumphant return for everyone's favourite primate puzzler, bringing along with it potentially 100s of hours of gameplay that long-time fans and newcomers alike will easily go bananas for.
Brimming with charm and immediately accessible – while still harbouring a degree of mastery if you put the time in – Ghost Town Games' sequel is impossible to dislike and again flies the flag proudly for the lost art of couch co-op gaming.
Aside from some perplexing omissions, Tekken 7 is a roaring success where it truly matters; in its mechanics, its dynamism, and its ability to engage the player through its concise presentation. Make no mistake, the King is back.
A thoughtfully crafted love letter to the sort of titles that many of us forged our gaming mettle with.
The addition of 'The Journey', the engine shift to Frostbite, and the strides towards a more unpredictable, methodical representation of The Beautiful Game render FIFA 17 a game certainly worth playing. Of course, while other players in the game, primarily that of Pro Evolution Soccer, are racing ahead in the gameplay stakes, much like Balotelli, you can never quite rule out FIFA to come out swinging when it matters.