Why Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve is worth your attention, as well as Marvel’s Wolverine, Onimusha: Way of the Sword and more.

For a game that’s reached its eighth numbered entry there’s not a great amount of buzz around Ace Combat, but that’s a damn shame because Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve is one hell of a good time.

It achieves this by leaning into what helped Top Gun Marverick soar at the box office: the pure elation of soaring through the skies at breakneck speed. Ace Combat 8 lets you do that time and time again, with 30 missions to take on. They’re surprisingly varied, too. Some focus on classic bomb drops while others see you escorting a VIP. There’s even the odd stealth mission to keep you on your toes and it helps sink you into the world all the more, even though many of them turn into a classic dogfight.

That’s never a concern because the underlying controls are incredibly polished. Ace Combat has made a name for itself with its more approachable arcade-style action and that rings true here as well. On PS5 the DualSense implementation also helps sell the package and will inevitably bring a smile to your face as you feel the g-force trembling under your fingers.

The game’s story meanwhile is actually surprisingly busy, following a fake top-tier pilot who was invented as a means for propaganda, warring international factions and the ghost of a former pilot in your ear that only you can hear. There’s a lot at play here, and Wings of Theve can feel a bit too much at times, but it has to be respected for trying to go all out.

That’s Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve an all-out barrage on your senses that leaves nothing on the table. It may not have been at the top of your list, but if you’re looking to take a gamble on something new, it’s hard to imagine being disappointed with this one.

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Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve is out now on PS5, Xbox Series X/S and PC.

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Marvel’s Wolverine (PS5)

Throw Wolverine in a superhero line-up and there’s a good chance your average punter would be able to pick him out – such is the love that follows the.

The cup of PS5 exclusives hasn’t exactly been overflowing this generation, so it’s easy to understand the excitement surrounding everybody’s favourite yellow-spandex-wearing slasher Wolverine. But while it’s a solid entry for the hero, it’s still not quite able to hit the same highs as PlayStation’s own Spider-Man games.

Set before the creation of the X-Men, Wolverine exists across two timelines. The first is a blast from the past that investigates Logan’s spotted history and the development of his relationship with Nathaniel Essex as well as current day antics that see him charting a new path.

You should expect a much more linear tale than Spider-Man – the game lacking the same sprawling open worlds. A different direction is not inherently a bad thing, but fans of the Spider-Man series are definitely going to feel more restricted as you’re gradually funnelled from one fight to the next. If anything, it does feel as though Wolverine is a tad too long and would have benefited from an even more streamlined narrative. Still, Wolverine also has to be commended for confidently staying in the quiet moments, allowing you to take a breather from the bloodshed while build on the core characters a little more.

And bloody Wolverine is – Insomniac heavily leaning into two of the charter’s most known qualities, violence and aggression. Combat is both brutal and bloody as your mow your way through foes mashing a variety of buttons and specials, building up your skill tree and releasing your rage meter that ramps things even more. Wolverine is not afraid to spill a bit of blood and it’s fun to seamlessly flow from one enemy to the next, even if it never really gets past the surface level.

If you’re a Wolverine fan or just want to let out some old-fashioned rage with a big-budget, highly polished action slasher, Marvel’s Wolverine is bound to hit the spot. We just hope for a little more depth if the developers get a second stab.

Hot Wheels: Infinite Rush (PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch 2, PC)

When Hot Wheels Unleashed launched in 2021 it took many gamers by surprise –embracing the colourful fun and whimsy the age-old kids’ toy has offered for decades, and backed up by some pretty solid driving mechanics.

Hot wheels Infinite Rush tries to hit the Nos on the series by taking a few cues from the beloved Burnout Paradise by offering up an open world and bevvy of new activities, but it does feel as though the developers have bitten off a little too much this time around.

In Infinite Rush you’re free to speed around four unique islands, each with their own distinct look, but they unfortunately lack substantial personality. Unleashed had visual identity by deploying the iconic orange track around a range of locations – leading to plenty of fun with scale.  Infinite Rush feels far safer and a little lacklustre as a result.

The driving on the other hand, remains as enjoyable and polished as ever, so it’s a dream to whip around in all sorts of fun new vehicles. The designs look great too,

Onimusha: Way of the Sword (Switch 2, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC)

Capcom is having one hell of a 2026. Hot off the heels of both Resident Evil Requiem and Pragmata, we now have Onimusha: Way of the Sword – a series return after more than a decade in the shadows. But despite all the odds seemingly being stacked against it, this action title is something special indeed.

Way of the Sword’s story isn’t going to win any awards, but does well to set the stage. Playing as newcomer xxx you find yourself taken down in the game’s early moments, only to be sent back to the land of the living with a magical gauntlet in tow. Said gauntlet not only gives you additional strength and abilities, but allows you to suck the souls of your enemies – acting as various currencies.

Balancing the act of grabbing these souls before they vanish while managing various threats was always enjoyable, as is the combat overall. It’s slower and more considered, and features a posture meter, but it never feels unattainable to the levels of a Souls game. It’s consistently engaging and incredibly flashy – with an incredible number of animations that would purely be reserved for the special finishers of lesser games.

It’s also worth noting how darn well this game plays on Switch 2. The game will be locked to 30fps by default, but can be unlocked to push for closer to 60. It’s not always consistent, but it’s still a remarkable effort for a game this size on the platform. An easy recommendation.

Dune: Awakening (PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC)

Originally released on PC a year ago, Dune: Awakening is the perfect opportunity to jump back on the Dune bandwagon, especially in time for the third film at the end of the year. Even though this  single- and multiplayer Open World Survival game might see you control a custom character, you’ll still be able to find and side with the Atreides or the Harkonnen via unique stories. That’s in amongst a smorgasbord of building, crafting, base management and more.

But although this PS5 is delayed, it benefits largely from that waiting in the wings. The reasons for that are twofold. Not only does is this release devoid of the many bugs and niggles that makes it a largely problem-free release, but it also enjoys a single-player option.

Yes, Dune Awakening can now be played in its entirety without having to deal with any other pesky players – the world simulated with NPCs who prevent the experience from feeling isolated. For console gamers just wanting to indulge in the world of  Arakas, it’s a huge boon, especially considering the fact that you don’t need to worry about accidental world wipes as well.

The control scheme is a little unconventional and will take some adjustment, but that’s largely understandable considering the move from PC.

If you want to head to Arakas before the Dune fandom starts all over again at the end of the year, this is the perfect opportunity with the best iteration of the game so far.