Video Gamer

Wattam should be played, if for no other reason than to see a designer expressing ambivalence about his own ideas.

It isn’t that we miss the mists of Arcadia Bay specifically, or that we long to retread old ground; it’s the slow etching of stories, scattered with care.

With Shenmue III, we are offered a glimpse into a gifted mind, constantly turning the everyday into play.

Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order has a string of wisely chosen influences, and it delivers on the long-overdue promise of a fun Jedi action-adventure. Bugs and design wrinkles irritate.

A fun collection of events, Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 has some chaff amongst the wheat, but overall, this an entertaining package that will no doubt be a party favourite.

Death Stranding is filled with things that must be seen, a sprawling, genre-spanning sci-fi adventure from a developer like no other. It's tackier clumps of writing and stunt casting seem overwrought, but its direction and its stars shine brightest

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare’s campaign is more throwaway blockbuster than challenging look at conflict, but its mission variety makes for an enjoyable few hours. And even with the disappointing Spec Ops, a wealth of entertaining multiplayer modes makes this a worthwhile addition to any Call of Duty fan’s collection.

Luigi's Mansion 3 is a beautifully animated adventure with satisfying puzzles and gadgets; it suffers slightly for its length, but a deep well of charm and humour win the day.

The Outer Worlds is a kooky space opera with beautiful aesthetics, a deeply engaging cast of characters, and a tightly focused storyline. Kick the hornets' nest, smoke the insects out, or sneak past: your choice might just topple a mega-corporation or two.

An accomplished, excellent remake hampered only by some dated game design, MediEvil is a marvellously macabre medley of mayhem and mirth.

Above all, Kine is a puzzle game. It’s a puzzle game about breaking into the music industry and working hard to earn your dreams, with no certainty of success. Kine sprinkles chirpiness and charm in with the challenge, and I like the ideas it brings to the fore by using robotic instruments who must fit in to the world around them. But instead of feeling empowered and excited, I felt like I was stuck in music lessons in primary school, boggled by the black and white hieroglyphs and tapping keys disjointedly until I hit the right one.

Ring Fit Adventure may see another peripheral eventually end up consigned to a cupboard, along with your Wii Balance Board, Kinect, dance mats, and whatever else. But if you get the bug, it could transform you into your most svelte, muscular, best-ever self. It even reveals a Joy-Con feature I didn't know existed: the IR sensor on the right Joy-Con can read your heart rate. Ring Fit Adventure is just full of surprises.

The Bradwell Conspiracy is a quiet exploration of resistance under capitalism, and the repercussions of a 'better' world. The environments are extravagantly detailed and the puzzles become increasingly intricate, towards a denouement that's shocking yet grounded in our own experiences.

It’s easy to be skeptical of Ubisoft, but I happen to find much to revere in reliability. It’s a solid shooter, with a happy churn of loot, elevated by Jon Bernthal. Fun for the few days it holds your attention.

At times, Concrete Genie can be a little too pleasant, which makes the action-packed conclusion really jarring. Still, the contrast between Ash's fantasy and his reality is truly stunning.

Neo Cab is a captivating exploration of a cyberpunk city, not including the pretty visuals and ambient synth soundtrack. However, its satellite stories gripped me and the core narrative feels like a detour.

I can’t speak for anime fans, but die-hard FromSoftware devotees, as well as those who thirst for a really good vampire game – currently a malnourished bunch – are both parishes to which I belong. And I suspect both will wish for more bite.

The Sojourn is a well-made puzzle game with a firm challenge and fresh mechanics layered in throughout, but the symbolism draped over it all is vague and boring.

Untitled Goose Game encapsulates the pleasure in poking fun without ever turning nasty. And you're a goose, which is great.

Best enjoyed at a breezy remove, Borderlands 3 provides a punchy shooting experience, a massive open world, and some eye-rolling, adolescent humour.

Simogo isn’t one for sequels – we never got a Year 2 Walk or a Device7 – but it would be a shame to never get new material from the Sayonara Wild Hearts. Imagine the sophomore effort: more lasers, more harmonies, more focus. Perhaps the group would look at tackling another genre or a different artstyle. The possibilities… In the meantime, though, I’ll stick my headphones on and enjoy this dazzling debut from my new favourite artist.

A formulaic Metroidvania with satisfying combat and a thick mood in the air, Blasphemous uses its pixel art style and fixation on religious iconography to establish a powerful vision of a forsaken world.

Headspun is intriguing and takes creative risks by blending genres together. It's a shame about those few missing links.

Gears 5 is the accomplished third-person shooter that wants to show you it can be more. It doesn’t always pan out – the open sections are barren, and intriguing plot points have a tendency to peter out – but those incidental interactions between characters on the battlefield are terrific, as is Jack’s influence on the action. And Christ, the detail in its world. Gears 5 is the ultimate showcase for the series; I’m already looking forward to Super Gears of War 2.

Blair Witch is great at building tension and letting you get lost in its unforgiving forest, but sometimes it takes that too literally. It mostly overcomes that, however, thanks to your magic camcorder and superb pooch.