GamesPlatformerAstro BotAstro Bot leads PLAY’s Hot 50 gamesWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
GamesPlatformerAstro BotAstro Bot leads PLAY’s Hot 50 gamesWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Future, Sony)
Who says it’s a quiet period for gaming? This year’s annual Hot 50 might be one of the hardest we’ve had to put together, with so many we wanted to put on the list, and loads we couldn’t find room to include (though we’ll have more in issues to come, of course).
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Astro Bot
(Image credit: Future, Sony)
What wasn’t difficult was our picking our top game, which also features on the cover: Astro Bot. The little guy isn’t just back to set another platforming high bar, he also represents a resurgence of family friendly fun that’s been lacking in the high-budget space for a while. PS5 owners must agree too, given pre-orders seem to be going strong.
We’ve gone hands-on with the little guy’s big new adventure and we’re impressed so far!
Lego Horizon Adventures
(Image credit: Future, Sony)
The more who get to play PlayStation’s medium-leading games, the better, we say – and the blocky take on the series is a superb new approach. Playing some of the game ourselves, dare we day it might be Aloy’s best yet?
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The Rest Of The Hot 50
(Image credit: EA, BioWare)
That’s far from all. We’ve finally got in-game footage and a release date for Dragon Age: The Veilguard; Lost Records: Bloom & Rage continues to impress us with its narrative; and Monster Hunter Wilds is taking the beastie battler to a whole new level. Plus Star Wars Outlaws, Assassin’s Creed Shadows, and Marvel Rivals, and a lot more.
The only thing we’re more worried about than finding the time to play it all is the critical hit to our wallets – there’s so much to play.
Blumhouse
(Image credit: Future, Half Mermaid)
We also take a closer look at Blumhouse Games, the gaming division of the horror movie film distributor that’s backing indie creators to bring us a new generation of terror. With five new games in the works from a variety of developers, there’s plenty to get excited about.
Reviews
(Image credit: Atlus, Sega)
Reviews are all about cutting-edge updates too. SMTV: Vengeance is a stunning PS5 debut, Elden Ring: Shadow Of The Erdtree isFromSoftware’s biggest and best DLC to date, and Alan Wake II: Night Springs delights with bite-size episodes. And that’s just the start!
Crazy Taxi
(Image credit: Sega)
Ya ya ya ya! Crazy Taxi drifts into view to pick us up for another ride. This might be a classic game feature, but it still feels as good to play now as it did back then.
We also celebrate 15 years of Batman: Arkham Asylum, sneak back to the PS2 with Sly Raccoon, as well as spotlighting other past favourites.
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(Image credit: Future, Sony)
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More about platformer"We were honouring Sonic’s holistic history which includes both designs": 13 years on, Takashi Iizuka reveals why Sonic Generations need twice the ‘hogsTeam Asobi’s gigantic 2024 proves it’s time to free Astro Bot from PlayStation’s past
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“We were honouring Sonic’s holistic history which includes both designs”: 13 years on, Takashi Iizuka reveals why Sonic Generations need twice the ‘hogsTeam Asobi’s gigantic 2024 proves it’s time to free Astro Bot from PlayStation’s past
“We were honouring Sonic’s holistic history which includes both designs”: 13 years on, Takashi Iizuka reveals why Sonic Generations need twice the ‘hogs
“We were honouring Sonic’s holistic history which includes both designs”: 13 years on, Takashi Iizuka reveals why Sonic Generations need twice the ‘hogs
Team Asobi’s gigantic 2024 proves it’s time to free Astro Bot from PlayStation’s past
Team Asobi’s gigantic 2024 proves it’s time to free Astro Bot from PlayStation’s past
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GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS
1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
1
Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
2
Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
3
Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”
4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”
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Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”
5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”
5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”
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Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”
1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
1
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”
2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”
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Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”
3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
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Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
4
The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
5
Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”
1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”
1
Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”
2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
2
Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
3
Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
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4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
4
Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”
5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”
5
Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”