The most accessible Tekken in ages keeps you on the edge of your seat with its top-notch gameplay mechanics which ensure that what happens on screen is always unpredictable and exciting. A new worthy king! [08/2017, p.48]

A truly amazing tribute to H.P Lovecraft. [09/2017, p.66]

This is exactly how legendary games should be revived: with respect for the source material, enhanced and expanded, not tarnished or turned upside down. Quake II Remastered offers the main campaign, two original mission packs, a completely new expansion and Quake II 64, and thanks to a handful of improvements plays even better that 26 years ago.

Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope is a surprisingly refreshing sequel based on the same concept but not afraid of substantial changes. Some encounters seem out of context and the story is lackluster, but the game benefited greatly from reworked combat system (ditching squares for free movement was a good idea after all) and significantly increased emphasis on exploration. For me, it was one of the best gaming experiences of 2022.

It’s hard to leave the main menu screen because of the music that plays in the background. It’s worth to press ‘start’ though because if there is one thing that came out better than the soundtrack, it’s the gameplay. [13/2019, p.64]

Legion took me back to the times of World of Warcraft’s greatest splendor, to the era of The Burning Crusade and Wrath of the Lich King. It miraculously revived a game that was already dead to me. [11/2016, p.44]

With its atmosphere, brilliantly written characters, action-packed missions skillfully set in the open world, and multitude of side activities, Red Dead Redemption can still rival games released years (and console generations) later. I recommend it even to those who don’t much care for the Wild West setting.

It’s a perfect remake and I think the only people who might be disappointed with it are… the die-hard FromSoftware fans. You see, the new Demon’s Souls shows clearly how much Miyazaki’s games have evolved throughout the years. The Dark Souls series simply does everything better. The remake looks like a prototype in comparison, while still being way ahead of other developers’ achievements in this genre. [01/2021, p.46]

Fans of Sony’s mobile platforms have been envious of Nintendo’s Ace Attorney series for years and longed for an equally good whodunit. Now 3DS users will be envious of Danganronpa 2. [13/2014, p.69]

Turbo Overkill is an action game that throws in pop-culture references at every step and draws heavily on the genre’s achievements but combines everything it borrows in a surprisingly creative way. And unlike many retro shooters that end after four hours, you can actually get your fill of this one.

Kaiju Wars is a fantastic title for the fans of old-school strategy games and kaiju movies. The best turn-based tactics game I’ve played this year offers tons of content with a long story mode at the center, exciting combat, stylish visuals and excellent soundtrack.

Hellblade II is a Celtic-Nordic odyssey that focuses on the issue of working through universal human traumas and on a natural depiction of the world as perceived by a person experiencing psychosis. The sequel is an audiovisual masterpiece with a strong message, even if it still seems very limited on a gameplay level.

Interactions between visual effects, electronic soundtrack and player’s attacks are almost narcotic when you play Rez Infinite using PS VR. [13/2016, p.77]

A phenomenal sequel that brings the adventures of Henry of Skalitz to a a satisfying conclusion. A bold, atmospheric, brilliantly written game loaded to the brim with content. Its only problem at the moment are the bugs, so keep your fingers crossed that they get fixed as soon as possible.

Quality of individual games differ but as a whole The Master Chief Collection is amazing. [13/2014, p.70]

With backtracking done the way it should be done, properly balanced difficulty level and great level design Axiom Verge is the best love letter to Samus in years. [07/2015, p.70]

A twin-stick shooter elevated to an art form. [09/2017, p.74]

Keeper combines post-apocalyptic and surreal tropes in a coherent way, far from the phantasmagoria of AI. The story of the lighthouse and its bird companion is something worth discovering, regardless of whether we like adventure games or find this genre unfamiliar.

Typical roguelikes are usually a nightmare for me, but Crown Trick turned out to be pure pleasure. Its synchronous turn-based gameplay gave me +50 to calmness and +10 to good mood, as I could take all the time I needed to plan my steps. I actually felt I was playing a turn-based tactical shooter rather than a roguelike. Apart from being fun, the game looks and sounds cool. [01/2021, p.60]

It is very hard to avoid comparing Immortals to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Despite obvious inspirations it is a typical Ubi-game with all its pros and cons, an inventory screen copied almost exactly from Assassin’s Creed, and a store with premium items. Anyhow, it’s Ubisoft’s most interesting game in years, definitely worth checking out for its satisfying exploration accompanied by simple combat and tons of good puzzles. [01/2021, p.62]

The latest Prince of Persia is a well-designed and masterfully executed game with smooth and satisfying gameplay, challenging platforming elements, demanding boss fights, and a combat system that offers a lot of possibilities. It’s only January and I already have a candidate for the list of the best titles of 2024.

You won’t even notice that you’ve already spent dozens of hours with MH4U and you will understand why whole Japan is addicted to it. A strong candidate for the best 3DS game. [05/2015, p.75]

Something more than just a homage to LucasArts classics. Broken Age built its own identity brick by brick, drawing inspiration from its ancestors, but not mindlessly. [06/2015, p.56]

A perfect balance between an RPG and a strategy game, between turn based gameplay and lively action. Although it has some flaws, I was able to turn a blind eye to them, as it offers at least 20 hours of great, absorbing fun. [CD-Action 08/2013, p.70]

Improvements in this edition might not be essential, but it’s still a brilliant game. Simply brilliant. Once again I spend every spare moment either playing it or thinking about it. [13/2014, p.75]

Improved animation fluidity and collision detection made OlliOlli 2 a near-perfect arcade game. [07/2015, p.75]

An uncommonly ambitious detective story featuring a huge range of well-written characters and breathtaking soundtrack. [09/2016, p.65]

One of the best strategic/puzzle games you can download to your phone. [13/2016, p.82]

I was waiting for a game that would blow me away and break the oligopoly of Battlefield and Call of Duty. Here it is. Titanfall shows that online shooting does not have to be confined to contemporary battlegrounds. [05/2014, p.42]

The best mobile game I have ever played. [09/2016, p.66]

A groundbreaking voxel-based engine makes demolition more fun than one could imagine. But it’s the amazing amount of mods (maps, tools of destructions, gameplay changes) that turns Teardown into an absolute blast for everyone who enjoys breaking stuff.

If you haven’t played the original edition, prepare for one of the best stealth/shooter games of recent years and above all a really good story and incredible music. [01/2014, p.65]

At last! Diablo III became the game I was looking forward to. Reaper of Souls does more than just improve the original – it reinvents it and helps it reclaim the hack’n’slash throne. [05/2014, p.50]

Sometimes someone comes up with an idea so brilliant that others wonder how they didn’t think of it earlier. Crypt of the NecroDancer – a rhythm-based roguelike – is an example of such brilliance. [06/2015, p.60]

I’m perfectly aware that Rodeo Stampede does not enrich my life in any way, but it’s so cute and enjoyable that I don’t consider time spent playing it wasted. [09/2016, p.69]

The Stanley Parable once again charmed me with its narrative and its constant toying with the player. There’s not much game in it but despite that (or maybe because of that) it says a lot about other games and gamers. It’s a brilliant, one-of-a-kind title, now available in a richer, longer version.

Apart from some lesser features, Snowy Escape introduces the Far East theme (finally!), offers a couple of often-requested new activities (e.g. snowboarding), and lets you choose lifestyles for your Sims. It might well be my favorite expansion for the game. [01/2021, p.77]

The developers of F1 25 have clearly learned from the mistakes of the previous instalment. The game is definitely reminiscent of the golden days of the series - offering Formula 1 fans the most complete and polished instalment in years.

Cartoony graphics contrast with a mature story that deals with a serious subject of climate changes caused by human carelessness and is devoid of humor. Instead of puns and wordplays we get well written, intriguing dialogues between believable characters with vivid personalities. [August 2011, p.66]

Pokémon Pokopia is the best Pokémon game in years. It brilliantly combines addictive gameplay and interesting level design with the beloved franchise, creating a polished and fresh blend of several genres.

It's been a long time since any triple A title gave me as much fun as this humble indie game did. It will keep you entertained not for hours or days but for long weeks. It's worth every penny. [August 2011, p.68]

It’s the best MOBA since League of Legends, pure and simple. [06/2015, p.66]

Hellblade can disappoint you with repetitive puzzles, linear structure and the fact that it was stripped down to most basic, indispensable mechanics. But Hellblade is not about gameplay. It’s about darkness and fear and despair. The emotional weight of this game is unbearable. Forget about The Last of Us, To the Moon or Telltale’s The Walking Dead. Hellblade is soul-crushing in a way I never thought a game could be. Remember Requiem for a Dream? That’s what Hellblade does to you. I will NEVER forget Ninja Theory’s masterpiece. [10/2017, p.38]

Do yourselves a favor and buy Planet Robobot. Both its gameplay and wonderful visuals are worth it. [11/2016, p.73]

Luftrausers has just one gameplay idea but executes it in a best way possible. [05/2014, p.67]

Buying Crypt of the Necrodancer is one of the most rewarding investments you can make while holding a mobile device. [11/2016, p.73]

This is how VR titles should be done! Moss: Book II cleverly uses the potential of PS VR, offers immersive and varied environments, surprisingly creative challenges, great animations and engaging gameplay. What’s important, it doesn’t cause any discomfort or nausea. It’s a pity that it is quite short, though.

Pikmin 4 is an example of a perfect sequel. The designers introduced relatively small changes which turned out to be crucial in terms of gameplay, thus proving that you don’t need a revolution to create a game that lets fans rediscover the series.

Hi-Fi Rush is a wonderful reminder of why we play games in the first place. The point is to enjoy yourself, to get away from everyday reality for a moment, to have an amazing adventure, to feel rewarded when you make progress and to smile at the thought of returning to the colorful world on the other side of the screen. This brilliant rhythm/action game gives you all that and much more.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II offers excellent, perfectly toned-down multiplayer that – unlike the previous games in the series – requires good but not superhuman reflexes. Guns feel better than ever and the extremely dynamic, huge Ground War is a great mode for a Battlefield fan. Modern Warfare II is simply the best online shooter available. What’s more, the single player campaign is outstanding too. Missions in its second half might disappoint those who expect to have their finger on the trigger all the time, but amazing graphics and some really cool assignments make bearing with those gameplay experiments worth it.

The atmosphere of horror is overwhelming and proves that in 2019 there is a place for a Resident-like story in which the modern visuals heighten and not lessen the fear. It’s the best Resident Evil ever. [03/2019, p.40]

A frustratingly difficult game that I couldn’t get enough of. [10/2017, p.59]

I was surprised by how much this new incarnation of Destiny appealed to me. New worlds are brilliantly designed, sound and visuals are top notch, combat feels great (those headshots!). This is how the first Destiny should have looked. [12/2017, p.50]

If the forthcoming episodes keep this emotional rollercoaster so unpredictable and surprising, we've got a strong candidate for the adventure game of the year award. [September 2012, p.78]

Avalanche Software made us wait a long time for the effects of their efforts, but today I can only take my hat off to the team behind the game and admit it was worth it. Hogwarts Legacy is not just an amazing gift for Harry Potter fans, but above all an excellent action RPG that provides many hours of fun. It brilliantly fulfills a child’s dream of a journey to the world of magic, for which the credit goes primarily to the gameplay and world designers, because what the writers delivered is sadly no better than fan fiction.

The single player campaign is a thrilling ride through incredibly varied locations. I would rate it 8/10 but the multiplayer unquestionably deserves 10/10 – I can't think of any way to improve it. Especially the Horde 2.0 and Beast modes are terrific. Visuals are fantastic too – one glance is enough to notice the improvements in the Unreal Engine. As a whole Gears of War 3 is an outstanding, platform defining game. [October, p.52]

A brave, flashy, self-destructive spectacle that made me chuckle like a madman right up to one of the best endings in the history of video games. [12/2017, p.58]

In terms of story (ambitious and mature) Automata blows every other AAA title from last couple of years out of the water, which evens out the fact that action sequences are no match for Bayonetta. I might have rated the new Zelda 10/10, but Nier will stay in my memory longer. [05/2017, p.50]

Shadow of the Erdtree is a great, challenging add-on to an excellent game. It’s filled with surprising lore, chock-full of new content and, above all, well thought out. Distilling what’s best in the base game worked great and we can only regret that this first Elden Ring DLC is also the last one. I want more!

I wish everyone who develops platform games understood movement mechanics as good as Image & Form. SteamWorld Dig 2 is a very good game in every aspect, but the cherry on top is the joy that comes from running around, jumping and climbing. [12/2017, p.62]

Dave the Diver is the best thing I’ve played this year and I wish I had more such stellar games in my life to help me escape the grey reality. Its gameplay loop is terrifyingly addictive and the “one more dive syndrome” lies in wait for anyone who decides to check out this dark horse of the GOTY race.

Without a doubt it’s one of the most original shooters ever created, but I must warn you that if you don’t get hooked on challenges, you’ll be done with the game in about 3 hours, because it’s how long the campaign takes. [10/2017, p.72]

A shooter with a roguelike’s soul, Risk of Rain 2 is pretty much devoid of any deeper meaning, but at the same time perfectly executed and brilliant in its simplicity. [11/2020, p.33]

My infatuation with the game didn’t fade after tens of finished levels. And even if it’s safe to say that it looks like Poly Bridge’s winter DLC, the developers introduced so many innovations to the genre that every bridge builder fan will surely love splattering the innocent skiers blood on the snow. [03/2019, p.60]

It’s the best Persona game to date and when you reach end credits after a hundred or so hours, it’s hard not to feel the pang of sorrow when you realize that the huge, multilayered story is over and you have to say goodbye to virtual friends you’ve made. [06/2017, p.34]

Arkham City is a wonderful game that we expected it to be but regrettably despite all the enhancements it introduces it is not clearly better than Arkham Asylum. [November 2011, p.36]

Attractive gameplay mechanics resulting in a unique flow, flashing neon visuals, crazy level design, quick pace and trance soundtrack make Octahedron hard to resist. [06/2018, p.68]

The only thing this brilliant game lacks is the ability to race at night or in the rain. Apart from that it offers almost everything – trying out hundreds of detailed cars on numerous beautiful tracks I felt like a kid in a candy store. [November 2011, p.44]

All Dragon’s Dogma’s drawbacks (i.e. repetitive quests, occasional boring backtracking, poor checkpoint system) become irrelevant when you focus on what this game does well (i.e. truly impressive combat), because it does it better than any other action RPG. [03/2016, p.36]

Insomniac made us wait long for new Ratchet & Clank adventures but it was worth it. Looking like a Pixar movie, Rift Apart is the first truly next-gen title and the first proper reason to buy a PS5. It is absolutely stunning in almost every aspect – from guns and story to optimization and use of adaptive triggers. It’s a pity though that inter-dimensional portals were not used to their full potential, and both playable characters (the second one being the female lombax Rivet) differ only in appearance. [08/2021, p.28]

It’s not just a game, it’s a phenomenon. It lets you explore literally the whole planet – cities, mountains, lakes, rivers, even my house was there – from the cockpits of 20-30 (depends on the version of the game) airplanes. Flying experiences are also great and vary from machine to machine. I’m sure I’ll be returning to MFS for years to come. [11/2020, p.38]

Ghostrunner 2 is not the sequel I expected. Instead of just “bigger and improved”, I got a real rollercoaster of crazy events, brilliantly designed levels and new additions that turned a one-dimensional story into a futuristic anime. From rushing down neon corridors to riding a motorbike through wastelands to exploring cyberspace – everything offers incredible experiences.

Conversations with your comrades are more meaningful and have a stronger emotional charge than combat or solving problems. Citadel is a great way to bid Commander Shepard good-bye. [CD-Action 06/2013, p.58]

Vampire: The Masquerade – Coteries of New York was an introduction to the World of Darkness, whereas Shadows of New York is a specific story with a predefined protagonist, that would allow the writers to really show their craft. And show their craft they did! I was falling asleep playing Coteries, but Shadows held me in its grip for 10 hours straight and finally convinced me that being a vampire is awesome. [11/2020, p.40]

A miniature work of art, full of radiant colors. A pixel perfect animated film. Unbelievably well polished. A candidate for the biggest surprise of the year. [03/2019, p.74]

Black Ops 6 is a Call of Duty unlike any other: smarter, longer, better thought out, offering far more options and playing with all sorts of genres. A successful redemption after the flop that was Modern Warfare III.

The old guard sent us a beautiful postcard from the year 1987 and I don’t hesitate to announce that Thimbleweed Park features Gilbert’s best script in at least two decades. [05/2017, p.66]

A unique game for connoisseurs that still weep over Fallout’s fate. The Age of Decadence is minimalistic in terms of technology, but its depth in almost every gameplay aspect is astonishing. [03/2016, p.48]

Every time I recall my favourite scenes from Grim Fandango I’m flabbergasted by how much life the developers breathed into their story about the land of the dead. It’s just throbbing with energy and creativity and it’s one of the most spectacular games I’ve ever come across. [03/2014, p.60]

Restored Land has transformed Dying Light: The Beast from a very good game into an even better one. The issues I complained about after launch have been fixed, and the addition of survival mode offers a great opportunity to revisit Castor Woods.

Great port of a great title. Zombie games are all around us, but Bend Studio managed to squeeze every last drop out of this worn out setting. Everything is well-designed and polished in Days Gone – the believable world and characters in it, the distinct post-apocalyptic aura, the crafting, the thrilling combat and spectacular encounters with bloodthirsty hordes. In addition, this version is well-optimized and runs smoothly on a mid-range PC. [08/2021, p.48]

I thoroughly enjoyed playing through Ghost of Sparta for the second time and Chains of Olympus for the third time, in Full HD for a change. A must-have for all Kratos fans and for action games fans in general. [October, p.78]

What it lacks in storytelling, it makes up with sheer brilliance in something far more important – the gameplay that pushes the 2D platformer genre to its limits. The game sparkles with creativity and the developers’ clear love for games. [03/2019, p.82]

If you haven’t played Fast Racing NEO on Wii U (or you have and you want more of the same, but prettier), if you miss F-Zero, if you can’t wait to get your hands on the new Wipeout, don’t think twice about buying Fast RMX. [05/2017, p.71]

Some say God of War Ragnarok is a below-par effort from Santa Monica Studio, because in reality it’s just a glorified PS4 game. You know what? Just ignore those voices. It’s an excellent sequel whose story perfectly sets the evolving relationship between Kratos and adolescent Atreus against the backdrop of key events from Norse mythology. The scale, the visceral combat, the end of the world looming on the horizon… Play this game, it’s worth it.

I was flabbergasted by what two largely unknown studios managed to achieve. Lords of the Fallen is not just a creative take on the formula introduced by From Software, but also a game that can rival the greatest recent RPGs and looks like Monica Bellucci and Sophie Marceau from their best years. [Dec 2014, p.40]

This game convinced me to buy Xbox One and for me FH2 is the only racing game that should be taken into account this year. [Dec 2014, p.54]

The shield and melee weapons haven't changed the character of Doom, it's still fast, furious and brutal. Despite my initial misgivings, The Dark Ages swept me away completely, which I particularly appreciate given that Eternal is, in my opinion, one of the weakest instalments in the series.

BoxBoy is the champion among puzzle platformers and the only flaw I can think of is that the game lasts for a couple of hours while it should never end. [06/2017, p.59]

Put away Dragon Age, forget about Risen, let The Witcher be and don't wait for Skyrim. The feelings of fear and suspense that accompany you when you enter a new chamber in Dark Souls' castle cannot be described. You must experience it for yourself. And then suddenly die, of course. [November 2011, p.72]

12 hour long expansion almost as good as the original game. [12/2015, p.42]

I had a lot of questions in my head when I launched Bayonetta 2 for the first time. Is it possible to design a combat system as awesome as before, make it familiar, but not hackneyed? Is it possible to outshine the closing moments of the first game? The sequel needed just a couple of minutes to dispel all my concerns. [Dec 2014, p.62]

Everything about Dark Souls III is great, but it fails to push the series forward. Bloodborne and both previous Souls squash it in terms of ambition. DkS3 is like a compilation album by your favorite band – you enjoy listening to it because you love these songs despite having heard them so many times before, but there’s no room for even a tiniest surprise. [06/2016, p.34]

Daemonhunters is basically XCOM in Warhammer’s clothing. While it has little in common with the original Chaos Gate, it will measure up to the expectations of most fans of turn-based tactics games.

Anyone who dreamed of exploring Skyrim on the go or during prolonged toilet sessions, will instantly forgive a slight downgrade needed to ensure fluidity (the game almost always runs at 30 fps). Apart from some visual trade-offs and a bit of exclusive Nintendo content (e.g. Link’s outfit) it’s the same game you know and possibly love. [01/2018, p.50]

SteamWorld Build will not push you up against the wall and leave you shaken like Frostpunk or grip you for hundreds of hours like Anno. Its ambitions are smaller, but it’s a beautiful, easy-to-digest and highly polished little simulation that will keep you captivated from the beginning to the slightly hollow end.

Don’t let your judgment be clouded by other people’s opinions influenced by terrible server problems they encountered when ArcheAge was launched. It’s a really good, beautiful game. [Dec 2014, p.76]

A truly next-gen game that I will invest dozens of hours in. You will not find another shooter like Battlefield 4, so complex, with such verve and so full of goodies. [13/2013, p.40]