Games of the month: It’s time to boot up your console.

HAVE YOU ever wondered what it’s like to be a bee, soaring through the skies, buzzing around looking for pollen? What is seen as small and insignificant is made epic and grand in Bee Simulator. Players have to pilot a member of a hive whose tree is at risk of being cut down. While it is an educational experience at its core, multiple gameplay modes and challenges allow for a fun time. These include collecting pollen, racing against your fellow honeybees, as well as defending yourself against threats using your powerful stinger. Different locations and a high level of world interaction ensure there are always exciting discoveries to be made, while a split-screen mode means that the game can be enjoyed with friends. Bee Simulator also features a musical score from The Witcher 3 composer, Mikolai Stroinski.

PALM CITY never sleeps. Day and night, drivers race along the neon-soaked streets and highways, pursuing glory and street cred. Meanwhile, the cops are in pursuit of them and they’re piling on the heat. Paint will be traded and rubber shredded as the racers vie to conquer the coastline.

Need for Speed Heat is the latest instalment of

EA’s popular racing franchise. Boasting an impressive list of branded vehicles, including the Polestar 1, the game features high levels of car customisation. Right from community-designed decals to extensive body replacement parts, there are many ways for you to stand out in the line-up.

Players even get to choose an avatar and deck them out with fashion brands such as PUMA and END Clothing.

Palm City is an all-new open world waiting to be explored, with both the environment and characters intricately detailed. Players also get to choose from two distinct game modes: Sanctioned races during the day to make some money and underground street battles to earn rep. Be warned though – should you take the illegal route, the local five-O aren’t merciful. Your friends may be the same, if you opt to challenge them – which is possible thanks to the game’s online multiplayer option.

THE NEXT generation of the global Pokémon video game series has returned. Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield take place in the Galar region, a place where Pokémon not only live alongside humans but also wield unique powers when pitted against each other. Take part in epic face-offs, deploying Pokémon in their Dynamax form and unleashing their Gigantamax powers to defeat your opponents. The Battle Stadium also serves as the place for Rental Teams and Online Competitions where you can compete against many trainers from around the world.

Galar itself boasts a beautiful and expansive environment that players can explore. When stepping into the Wild Area of the region, team up with other players in the new Max Raid Battles and take down a wild Dynamax Pokémon or even set up a camp and prepare a delicious meal.

Pay attention when you’re deciding between Sword and Shield. You never know which new and exciting Pokémon might be in each game.

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