Grand Theft Auto 5 defines what we want out of a free-roam action game. It also outshines all of its predecessors in every possible way, because it perfects the familiar formula and takes it to new heights.

The most advanced all-around shooter I've played so far, in a sense that it successfully combines some of the most spectacular team based action and enemy AI, very good visuals and impressive sounds, and it does it all with a lot of style.

Half-Life 2 is not perfect. The bizarre decision to include teammates in the way that Valve has, as well as the many and annoying loading times can actually diminish some of the fun factor. That said, this is still a game you don't want to miss.

GTA V on the PC is graphically beautiful and runs like half-melted butter.

In a nutshell, beyond any shadow of doubt, BioShock is an excellent single-player shooter experience. The undeniable quality of this title and its emphasis on true and not pseudo-mature storytelling and character development make it a must-have for every self-respecting gamer.

This game has some of the best atmosphere of any game I've played in recent memory. Everything really builds into playing a really good horror film... The game is simply a work of art.

The Orange Box is a mix of conceptually different products that when combined, provide great entertainment on so many different levels.

Everything BioWare did to improve the game has lead to satisfying results. Such efforts actually redefine how sequels should be made. This was one of the most memorable gaming experiences we've had in recent history.

The defining element of Skyrim is the choices that are given to players in every conceivable way. Weapon upgrades, character development, storyline progress, solving quests, exploration, NPC interaction, are all impressively crafted elements that almost feel like separate games molded into one unforgettable adventure.

The real fun of the Wind Waker is the side quests, extras and the mini-games. While the adventure portion of it is great, I found that playing the side stuff was actually more fun... This game is absolutely huge.

The gameplay factor is much lower for MGS2.

An incredible game.

The A.I. is amazing this time around. It was good in Halo; it is great in Halo 2.

Just after I beat this game, after well more than twenty hours, I feel like I'm just scratching the surface.

Portal 2 is, in short, a terrific game, throwing you headfirst into a realm of intense and brain-teasing puzzles and great humor. The story is richer story this time around too.

It comes down to one simple fact. Players won't be talking about this game much. Instead, they'll be playing it. And that's how it should be. Aside from a few sporadic AI glitches and I cannot honestly find anything really wrong with this game.

Finishing Batman: Arkham City was an immensely rewarding experience. It's a shame the main story didn't last a bit longer. However, we weren't bothered by this, because the game doesn't shy away from offering a ton of content even when you're done with your first playthrough.

The game is brilliant and will keep you occupied for the rest of you gaming days. It's fun, addictive, original, and it merges genres very effectively.

One of the best team based multi-player games out there. They decided to build the whole experience around two teams. Instead of doing a lot of different modes "pretty good", they built one mode really good. The game is so balanced and fun you will never have to insist that the teams switch sides, on a poorly balanced map, for the next match.

It feels smashing to play it, but it’s almost even more fun to watch someone else play it.

On the one hand, the level design feels absolutely superb, showing the sort of versatility and pacing that awesome shooters are made of. On the other hand, this is exactly the reason why single-player feels so short and why it IS so short.

Even though Oblivion might hurt your PC in ways it hasn't been hurt or overheated before, and barring certain technical drawbacks, (one of which would be an occasional AI quirk from the friendly NPCs or a rough-around-the-edges side quest line), Bethesda just pushes the bar in every possible way.

The game feels real enough that you might want to sneak up on a cop on a late Saturday night after playing for a few hours.

Regardless of the fact that I'm not a racing fan, I found this to be a very, very good game, and absolutely hilarious when you think about the fact that it promotes driving like a dick and taking down your opponents with underhanded and brutal tactics.

At last, a true RPG found a home in the rich Star Wars universe. Its amazing depth makes today's Star Wars movies look like a sitcom.

One of the best games I've played this year - a true labor of love; perfectly scalable difficulty levels, great AI, in addition to all of the abovementioned improvements. A definite must buy.

I may not be the biggest fan of WWII strategy games, but this one just goes way beyond anyone's affinities towards a certain historical period.

The huge assortment of high-tech weaponry and the variety of modes, coupled with the superiority of the Unreal technology, rightfully places UT 2004 amongst high-ranking online action games.

Blizzard's remarkable gift for story-telling is now embodied in yet another game. For this very reason, there are probably few people out there who won't be lured by the narrative, marvelously animated cut-scenes, stunning art direction worthy of any preceding achievement from Blizzard, in addition to the carefully crafted characters.

This title restored our faith in the genre and it rises high above the competition. Capcom deserves credit for this one. It's been a long time since we felt this kind of vibe and the best part is, it's a good slice of gaming even for those who are unfamiliar with previous releases.

While Minecraft may not be everybody's cup of tea, I doubt anyone can deny that it's an important step into new territory.

GTA3 suffers a bit from console porting syndrome, and the designers could've worked a bit more on the whole side-quest concept, but I think you'll find that in the end, this is one addictive, intelligent and original game that's definitely worth your money.

The engrossing story blends perfectly with Splinter Cell's gameplay style, which can be best described as genre-redefining. And to top it all off, the visuals are gorgeous and completely intrinsic to the game's genre!

I really must say I initially expected a slightly more epic feel during certain segments of the game. Some scenes are a bit underwhelming, as is the very ending of the game.

The visuals are spectacular, the sound is awesome, the weapons and combat features are great and there's enough new stuff to keep both fans and newbies happy. Nonetheless, in terms of gameplay, Gears of War 2 hasn't moved the series forward yet, which should undoubtedly be their goal for the next installment.

Despite some of these glaring issues, Mass Effect 3 brings a decent and fitting closure to a long and involving sci-fi story about an epic intergalactic war.

If Kojima wanted to end his time with Metal Gear on a high note, he certainly pulled it off with Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain. Nice work indeed.

A profound storyline, in-depth characterization and dialogue, tons of RPG elements to experiment with, so many side quests that you'd be hard pressed to complete them all and the ability to choose your own destiny and affiliation with the force, makes Knights of the Old Republic an exemplary new chapter of the Star Wars saga, as well as a grand single-player experience that can stand very well on its own.

The fourth installment is a worthy addition to the series. And yet I'm sorry to say that the gameplay isn't groundbreaking, and it almost seems like Naughty Dog was too cautions and not prepared to take any risks. It frequently feels like the series is relying too much on its own reputation.

The game's hardware requirements are high. Really. Take the Recommended settings, add 256MB of RAM and 500Mhz of CPU, and that's what I'd say is the Minimum hardware requirement for this game...Will a few technical issues keep you away from what is the best MMO on the market this holiday season?

It is the perfect crime game.

While many other games try for a Hollywood block-buster feel, Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare pulls it off like no one else ever has and does so in great fashion.

The game just tosses you into a lovely dream-like experience. This experience you probably won’t forget.

Killing a boss is more rewarding than in other games out there, because you know how much practice went into that effort. I enjoyed Bloodborne as much as I have enjoyed the Dark Souls games. That means it kicks ass.

I myself would be prepared to kill a reasonably large number of people to get my hands on it, so if you do happen to own the collectors edition, do pop by with it...alone... and unarmed...

Original, amusing addictive, and most of all incredibly fun and relaxing to play. If we only had more great ideas like these…

The Witcher 3 is an engaging, overwhelmingly lengthy gaming experience with a staggering amount of characters to meet and places to explore.

As far as tactics and empire management are concerned, this is not a (much) more elaborate strategy game, and the AI does have its faults, but this is certainly an infinitely more cinematic and spectacular looking strategy game than before.

If you're asking this gamer for advice - DiRT 2 is a bit aggressive and in-your-face, NFS: Shift is basically a letdown, but Forza Motorsport 3 is the racer to own in 2009.

Rocksteady Studios damn-nearly astonished us with this one. We expected it to be a decent summer action game. In all fairness, we never expected it to be this much fun. Batman: Arkham Asylum outshines every game we've seen this year (so far).

The replay value is very low, and the design is flawed by an inability to skip past sequences, even in replay mode. The playability also suffers by a lack of freedom of movement.

Yes the practice mode is awesome, the multiplayer options are greatly improved and the gameplay itself has been fine-tuned. But for most people, it will come down to the songs. I am sure this set of songs will be just what the doctor ordered for the true Rock fans.

Jamming with friends to some classic tunes that span 4 decades and a variety of genres is a load of fun and a great way to waste an evening. The new features are not enough to convert anyone who can't stand rhythm games to begin with but to anyone who enjoys this kind of experience should go out and add Rock Band 2 to their library today.

It is marvelous what you can get by adding great atmosphere and a good AI to a barely interactive shooter.

You could say that Dishonored has a sufficient amount of alternative paths and mission outcomes to warrant several playthroughs (again, something you won't find in many games today). The PC version was spared of a few graphical issues that appear to be plaguing the consoles editions, so I guess that's another good reason to go with this variant.

Like its predecessor, Dark Souls 2 challenges players and pushes them until they scream in anguish, after having died for God knows how many times. Exciting boss fights, resilient enemies may test your patience more than once, although at the end of the day, so many treasures await in a delightful and mysterious new world.

Bottom line, with the introduction of the Death Knight, Blizzard has done a great job of adding another element of fun in the game.

The game is incredibly polished with a unique set of heroes that are evenly counter balanced. The maps are vibrant and well designed for lots of interesting and challenging rounds. Blizzard has created a very solid foundation with Overwatch and I cannot wait to see what they do to enhance, expand and build on it in the future.

Bayonetta 2 is one of the best action games of this generation, and close to one of the best overall.

The PC installment of the game is every bit as spectacular, if not even more intuitive, than the Xbox game. 'Nuff said people.

Everything that made "Far Cry" good was successfully taken to the next level in Crysis (with the possible exception of the AI). Even if we are looking at one of the biggest hardware hogs ever to grace the PC platform, and despite the AI issues, this first-person shooter comes highly recommended from us.

Another thing worth mentioning about the expansion is definitely the inclusion of flying mounts. This is clearly more than a simple cosmetic addition to the game, as it adds a whole new dimension to world exploration.

Music and sound effects are great.

It would be a real shame if it ended up as unnoticed as "Grim Fandango."

Halo: Reach is a well-designed and intricate shooter experience; one of the best on the gaming scene today.

The unprecedented level of cinematic quality, the fun combat coupled with the customary insightfulness of writing is what makes this game a must-have. It's what makes BioWare still stand out as one of the top in their field.

You don't have to be an avid racer to enjoy this one. Forza 4 is flexible in this matter, catering both to hardcore racers and those less experienced in racing games.

While Battlefield 2 doesn't make any huge leaps over its predecessor, it is a very, very good game, and the more you play it, the more you'll notice how good it is. DICE Sweden knows their stuff.

There’s a touch of brilliance to this game. You feel the incentive to play on, because solving a puzzle unlocks a new door and you enter into another uncharted and mysterious world. We love the music and the retro-style, pixelized art. Fez harks back to 2D classics, so if you’re anything like me, nostalgia should kick in almost instantly.

There is not even one aspect of it deserving disapproval, and it is with extreme partiality that I claim that it is one of the best RPG games ever made.

This is undeniably a terrific and well-polished action game.

The game is addictive and considerably lengthy; a RPG fan's dream.

The game's true crowning achievement: This game has excellent AI. Hands down.

One of the most enjoyable platformers we've experienced in recent times. Mark of the Ninja is a really nice surprise and definitely one of the best indie games we've tried this year.

Another thing that impressed us was the relentless AI, which doesn't waver throughout each mission and in random spots on the map.

Infinity Ward has restored my faith in gaming by producing a very mature, complete and meaningful project. Call of Duty is action at its finest, but told well enough not to offend those of us looking for a little more meaning and substance in our gaming.

The ending is, of course, something I do not wish to spoil for you guys, but it needs to be said that Assassin's Creed 2 comes to a decent conclusion. So much so that I cannot wait to find out what the folks at Ubisoft Montreal have prepared for the franchise's next outing.

None of the improvements are revolutionary enough to attract people who were initially (or at some point) put off by the concept.

Bayonetta is an exceedingly challenging action game and there's no doubt you'll spend a lot of hours playing it. Every so often it does become too chaotic for the average player.

What’s the most amazing to me, aside from forcing myself to think of any flaws and not finding any other than server issues, is how I rarely play a game more than once, yet there’s something about Diablo III that just beckons to the very core of my soul.

The musical score is monumental in a sense and it reminds me of that theme song in "Gladiator" - the one which plays during that scene when Maximus is walking through a crop field near his home.

The incredible playability, loads of details and hidden features on each level, twenty good songs, a lot of movies about each rider in the game and the level editor really make this CD worth having.

If we look past the minor bugs, the combat feels intense and the controls feel perfectly natural. The Chronicles of Riddick just feels right on the PC and it's as if this was a PC game from the get-go.

Apart from some minor bugs and several strange solutions Civilization III has to offer infinite possibilities and extreme replay value.

It looks better than the original, it plays better than the original, it has a lengthy single-player campaign, a lot of scary moments, non-stop action and, on top of that, an engaging brand new multiplayer mode. So, what more do you want?

The gameplay in Civilization 5 is still as addictive as ever.

Visually, it's a feast for your eyes. Gameplay wise, the skill-based action combat system keeps encounters exciting even when fighting creatures below your level. ArenaNet has gone to great lengths to provide a variety of ways for players to occupy themselves as they explore the game world, harvest resources, craft and so on.

It is the total package. It has excellent gameplay, lighthearted humor, and flawless graphic and audio execution.

Empire: Total War would've have made a serious Game of the Year candidate if it did not exhibit so many technical hitches.

The movement and the animation of the lead hero in third person is by far the best I've seen in a video game to date...Raven managed to pull off something a few game companies ever managed, and that is to take a classic to the next level.

The only downside here is that at some point the game may still feel like you're going through yet another generic loot fest, ultimately offering very little substance to those gamers who expect a richer story and a connection with the in-game characters.

I loved every minute of it.

As rich, inspiring and epic as strategy games get, and (save for Blizzard's "Warcraft III") it's possibly the most immersive strategy game we have seen in quite some time... [Yet]the AI could've been better.

The Walking Dead represents a jewel in the realm of episodic adventures. This game will shock you. It'll make you cry and curse. One of the most memorable gaming experience we've had in a long time. Don't miss out on it.

Dark Souls 3 is a never-ending maze, filled with brilliant secrets, dark perils and wonderful treasures. Bear in mind that losing yourself in such a world has its price and that price is endurance. It can get frustrating to the core, but facing up to the challenge feels grand.

It has so many moving parts that work so incredibly well together with an unbelievably rich history and mythology.

There's just so much that when I think about the experience of Morrowind, my mind goes into sensory overload and shuts down. There is that much going on with this game.

In spite of certain drawbacks, I went through the entire single-player campaign and had a great time. Things were moved up a notch in Fable II (a bit more than just a notch, actually), but on the whole, you can expect the same kind of experience as in The Lost Chapters. We mean that in a good way.