Matt Adcock
Criminal Girls 2: Party Favors is a niche release for sure, but it's also a solid RPG experience which is ideally suited to the Vita. If you've got Sony's handheld device and an open mind regarding how female fighters should be motivated, then this is a slice of good quality JPRG that can provide many hours of battling pleasure. Just take our advice and try not to play it in public.
100ft Robot Golf delivers a winning combination of sci-fi anime and nicely playable golf. It won't win any awards for production values, but it's such a fun solo experience and manic laugh in multiplayer that you'll be happy to look past that. Importantly for PlayStation VR owners, piloting a 100ft Robot is a joy in virtual reality mode – but the core gameplay works fine in the standard not-as-cool regular mode.
Wayward Sky would be a fun game as a "normal" puzzle-'em-up, but the sheer sense of scale and winning use of PlayStation VR elevates it to another level. With a nicely designed sky fortress which is easy to explore and lots of puzzles to solve, this is a great beginners VR game.
If you're a fan of turn-based strategic battling or just fun RPGs, then Superdimension Neptune VS SEGA Hard Girls is a highly recommended experience. Surprisingly, given the perceived lack of love and support for the Vita in the West, this is actually a great time for RPG fans to own Sony's handheld.
The World to the West is a fun brain-teasing challenge which is worth a look for those who like to mix up their puzzling with some combat and exploration. It's no Zelda-beater, but for those seeking a PS4 alternative, you need only go West.
With genuinely fun gameplay, a groovy mix of weaponry, and a decent control scheme, Comet Crash 2: The Kronkoid Wars is a quality addition to the real-time strategy genre and should definitely be checked out by budding armchair generals.
With Under Night In-Birth Exe:Late[st], we've got another deep Japanese fighting experience on the PS4. It doesn't have the looks to go toe-to-toe with some of the shinier games out there, but as Han Solo said, "she might not look like much, but she's got it where is counts". If you can get past the mad title, this is a portal through which to jump in to the virtually endless realm of combat experimentation.
Guns of Icarus Alliance is a bold new addition to the PlayStation multiplayer roster. If you're in the mood to invest some time in becoming the best of the best as a team, there is much airborne fun to be had on board your shiny steampunk airship.
Insane Robots is a classy and fun new spin on a tried and tested concept. It runs like a dream on the PS4, looks nice, and is entertaining both solo or in local multiplayer.
Shadows: Awakening is a deep action RPG which brings a literal new dimension to the tried and tested Diablo format. It's a great choice for those looking for a meaty fantasy time-sink, and while it does stumble occasionally, it delivers many hours of engaging hack-'n'-slash gaming.
Commander Cherry's Puzzled Journey is a barmy title built around one imaginitive mechanic. Using the PlayStation Camera to bring yourself into the action is a neat novelty, but it does have a shelf-life. It's also not for those that are opposed to moving more than their thumbs. Still, if you're looking for something a little out-there, then this is an interesting option – and the fact that it offers an excuse to actually use the PS4's underutilised camera is just the cherry on the top.
The Witch and the Hundred Knight: Revival Edition is undoubtedly a Marmite game, even more so than its niche Nippon Ichi siblings. For JRPG fans who missed this on the PS3 and are willing to sink hours into mastering its various systems, menus, and combat skills, it can prove to be a worthwhile battle-'em-up. For everyone else, it may be too much of a commitment – unless being bossed around by a super demanding, foul-mouthed evil witch is your cup of tea.
If you're in the market for an effectively twisted dark fantasy roguelike adventure coupled with a functional turn-based tactical strategy combat system, a walk down the Plague Road might be in order. But be warned that despite it's distinctive art style, there isn't much to recommend this against the less sick competitors out there.
If you've a hankering for a fun Japanese RPG, then The Longest Five Minutes is a decent option. Battles can be a little lopsided, but with an intriguing story and a unique structure, these are five minutes worth experiencing for fans of the genre.
Pumped BMX + doesn't really do anything particularly wrong, but it lacks that je ne sais quoi needed to keep its wheels going around. You'll happily bunny hop into this one for a few short sessions, but once you're done, you'll likely find yourself leaving this bicycle out to rust.
Primal Carnage: Extinction feels like a great concept which has just not had enough "shine" put into the end product. Basic menus and average production values could be forgiven if the gameplay was killer, but dinosaurs deserve to be more badass and exciting than this. So while there is some dino fun to be had here, this is a game that will likely be left on the virtual shelf and left to turn extinct.
Siegecraft Commander is a good idea which very nearly works. There is a lot of game packed in, and if a decent multiplayer community can be formed then it could be a fun one to be part of. The problem is the wonky control system which never quite feels right and undermines much of the good stuff on display.
If trudging around a nice-looking hell is what you're after then there may be a little merit in investing in Infernium, but for anyone after a decent gaming experience – be it horror, puzzle, or walking simulator – then this just doesn't cut it.
Fans of the main Touhou games may find this an amusing diversion but there is very little of worth to recommend this to anyone else. Ultimately, unless battling stunted characters with clunky 3D models in sparse arenas is your idea of a good time, Touhou Kobuto V: Burst Battle is a deeply unnecessary title to invest in.
Watch Dogs 2 is a solid extension of the series and not the complete load of ctOSS it could have been. It's not quite the Assassin's Creed 2 of Ubisoft's hacking brand, but it's certainly a fun-packed, exciting ride, which benefits from less generic mission design and a vibrant open world to enjoy.