There is little to recommend about Rambo: The Video Game overall. It does, very occasionally, produce a burst of the most simple, primal enjoyment that anyone can find in shooting digital Vietcong in the face, but every other aspect renders those moments limp. Come expecting the most unsatisfying game likely to release in 2014, leave very happy.

God of War isn’t a timeless classic, it isn’t the golden standard, and it isn’t even amongst the best in its own franchise. Is it bad? No. Is it good? Yes. Sort of. Occasionally… Well, it’s actually pretty darn enjoyable, but only when it doesn’t try to sabotage itself through its repetitive combat and puddle-deep mechanics, its aggravating platforming and tedious “puzzles”, and finally its highly problematic pacing.

Even though the genre's been touched up and improved in more ways than one since its release, Devil May Cry still manages to impress 15 years later. The combat persists as an adrenaline-pumping marathon of reflex-based attacking and dodging, and the ranking system continues to encourage masterful gameplay. In a lot of ways, it's Devil May Cry's simplicity that makes it stand out amongst more modern hack and slashes. There's a big focus on flashy spectacle, but the actual meat of it all is rooted in an impressively tight scope that rarely strays off the path. It's still fun, it's still challenging, it's still Devil May Cry.

Conan is just one more hack ‘n’ slash action title of the late PlayStation 2/early PlayStation 3 era that tries to offer the same thrills of a Devil May Cry or God of War instalment. That’s all right. Nihilistic Software’s creation is a simple and somewhat flawed title, but it doesn’t try to bite more than it can chew. Sometimes you just need something that’s honest in what it has to offer, which in this case is a couple of hours of fun in some cool looking locations and nothing more. There are better picks than Conan, yet it remains a good recommendation to most retro aficionados.

No gaming system has ever enjoyed such support from software houses, so the number of released (licensed) titles is extremely large, certainly exceeding 800, and according to some sources even 1000.

Playing this can make you appreciate the very first Resident Evil, despite its numerous flaws. Parasite Eve starts as a nice, survival-horror-meets-JRPGs kind of deal, but soon ends up as a sleep-inducing, and linear trek towards the end of a story that won't really ignite any interest.

The true test of a game's quality is determined by how well it has aged. More often than not, the first playthrough will be looked upon favourably, simply because the player doesn't know what to expect. Castlevania: Symphony of the Night makes for an incredible first impression, that much is certain. Over time, however, its weaknesses have become apparent. Alucard's solo adventure suffers from mediocre level design and uneven boss fights. Still, in terms of ambition, it remains unsurpassed. Though tarnished, this gem retains its brilliance because it offers so much freedom to anyone who plays it.

Wild Arms 2 is a dramatic improvement over its predecessor. It's got a richer, deeper narrative with more complex characters, and it aims high with its philosophical themes of duality. The gameplay has expanded thanks to its bigger cast of characters, and the puzzles are fun throughout. The music will grab players and easily keep anyone engaged in the adventure, even if it isn't that challenging. It may not reach the lofty ambitions of Xenogears, and it's got a spotty translation, but Wild Arms 2 still manages to be one of the better (and more affordable) JPRGs on the original PlayStation. It comes very close to reaching an all-time classic status, but sits neatly as a cult classic comfort JRPG.

Rhythm Paradise Groove carries a kind of creative electricity that is hard to fake. Every mode, every song and every odd little scenario feels touched by a team that genuinely enjoys the craft of rhythm, and that enthusiasm seeps through the screen. It is not flawless, yet its spirit is so strong and its execution so assured that the imperfections never manage to dull its glow. This is the sort of game that quietly raises the bar for what a rhythm title can be, not through spectacle, but through an unshakeable commitment to making every beat matter.

One Piece Odyssey is a decent RPG with a beautiful world, enjoyable combat, great music, and surprisingly deep customisation. Sadly, its overly linear exploration and some tedious design choices keep it from reaching its full potential.