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]

I approached Death Stranding twice. I spent a couple of hours with the PS4 edition and was fascinated with it. I kinda wish I stopped at that and let the game remain a mystery to me rather than complete it later on PC and be disappointed. There are moments when Death Stranding eludes the traditional 1-10 rating system. There are moments when it sets new standards and becomes a truly special experience. But those are just moments scattered throughout tedious gameplay. Still, it is in my opinion one of those games you simply need to play. [10/2020, p.44]

I’ve steered clear of Japanese games since I figured out long ago they’re not my cup of tea. But Yakuza is something else. It was my first contact with the series and although at first I did mind the fact that it trails behind Western competition in many aspects, I quickly ceased to notice it. I know it’s an overused cliché, but damn, Yakuza has a soul! And an exceptional story, one of the best I’ve experienced in games since I started playing them almost thirty years ago. Even if you avoid Japanese games, do yourself a favour and give Yakuza 0 a chance, because it is ridiculously fun and you need to experience it too. [10/2018, p.69]

The new Tomb Raider is not as revolutionary as the original from 1996 but this reboot is the most mature, interesting and friendly entry to the series. For me it is Uncharted on steroids, a game that’s better in every aspect than Nathan Drake’s adventures. [CD-Action 04/2013, p.52]

Perfectly tuned difficulty curve, achievements, unique challenges, over 300 puzzles and gameplay model ideal for sessions that last either 5 minutes or 3 hours. [01/2017, p.75]

Ratchet & Clank’s first-time PC appearance is a great occasion to revisit the amazing adventure or get acquainted with the duo. There’s a condition though – you need a monster computer to truly enjoy this port. Although Rift Apart works surprisingly well on Steam Deck, on an older desktop PC (i7-3930K, GTX 1660 Ti, 16 GB RAM, HDD) I experienced significant framerate drops and sometimes even crashes. On a powerful config (i9-13900K, RTX 4090, 64 GB RAM, SSD M.2) it ran perfectly and looked insanely good, defending the title of one of the most beautiful games in history.

Insane speed and vertical combat make Tribes: Ascend extremely enjoyable and rewarding. And it's free, so it's a sin not to give it a chance. [June 2012, p.78]

It introduces a lot of new content but other than that is worth than the original game in almost every aspect. [01/2015, p.73]

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 remake of Silent Hill 2 is a small step for the players, but a big leap for Bloober Team. Those familiar with the original will undoubtedly ask themselves more than once whether the Polish creators have definitely gone the right way, but no horror fan can pass by this title indifferently.

While other fighting games gradually sink into boring schemes, Guilty Gear still swims against the tide, offering an original, very complex but enjoyable combat system. [09/2016, p.51]

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]

Retro’s creativity is infinite and I simply cannot imagine any platforming fan overlooking this gem. [07/2018, p.77]

Her Story met with extremely different reactions among our staff (from “this trivial babble makes no sense at all” to “the story captivated me and is still in my head”). [09/2015, p.49]

Mario Kart World is an exciting racing game, especially online and in couch co-op. It's not the Nintendo's Forza Horizon though. We only got a mere substitute for it.

Nioh 3 brings the formula developed by its predecessors to near perfection, and the open, yet not overly expansive, world is a great addition. The complex combat system, while requiring skill to use to its full potential, is one of the best in the genre.

One of the best games for new consoles. Maybe even the best one. [Nov 2014, p.58]

The best thing in the space shooters genre, or – to be precise – the 'bullet hell' subgenre. [November 2011, p.83]

Simply put, Heart of the Swarm shows how PC games should be done, however I wish the campaign was longer and more epic (Wings of Liberty did a better job in that department). You can treat the final rating as an average of 7/10 for the single-player mode and 9/10 for the multiplayer. [CD-Action 05/2013, p.54]

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.

Dishonored 2 exists to make you feel good. It gives you a lot of freedom in accomplishing your goals and keeps your adrenaline level constantly elevated. It’s a shame that it failed to shake off the original game’s drawbacks and is not as stylish. [01/2017, p.38]

Bayonetta 3 turned out to be fresher than I expected thanks to Viola (an additional heroine with her own fighting style), side chapters that reward stealthy approach, and the ability to summon demons who aid you in combat. However, as much as I applaud introducing new features, I must point out that they are a bit less polished than the mechanics we’ve seen before. Despite some little problems Bayonetta is still one of this year’s best games and a must-have for every Switch player.

Sucker Punch has once again created a beautiful samurai story. Its strongest points: graphics, a new arsenal of weapons, the path of revenge against the Yotei Six, and the wonderful Atsu.

Some things about Legendary Edition disappointed or irritated me (no support for the mods, no option to import save files or characters from the original games, no multiplayer in ME3, Denuvo, some bugs and glitches) but as an avid fan who played through the trilogy many times, I enjoyed the remasters immensely. [07/2021, p.28]

It was supposed to be an unforgettable experience, but unfortunately I’ve already forgotten a lot of it. [CD-Action 10/2013, p.74]

A real treasure that requires constant focus and more tactical approach to fighting – button mashing will get you nowhere. Offers fantastic retro visuals and online mode that works great. Third Strike gave me as much fun as Mortal Kombat or Super Street Fighter IV – not bad for a 1200 MSP remake of a 12 years old title. [October, p.76]

FFXII never became the masterpiece it was supposed to be, but it has enough marks of a masterpiece to be worth your time, especially that the remaster was done expertly. [09/2017, p.62]

Years go by and Homeworlds remain the best real-time space strategies ever created. [04/2015, p.68]

Shooter of the year! It plays great, looks spectacular and sounds amazing. What’s more, despite an apparent lack of seriousness it’s not afraid to bring up difficult subjects, mixing comedy and tragedy in a stunning way. It’s a ridiculously good game. [13/2017, p.30]

What a great start to the year! First big premiere already brought us a thrilling game that raised the bar for other contenders for the action game of 2013 title. Ninja Theory did a fantastic job revitalizing the series and I hope Dante stays with them for years to come. [CD-Action 02/2013, p.36]

I was gravely disappointed with the first expansion (Curse of Osiris), so at first I wasn’t even interested in reviewing Forsaken. Now I don’t want to part with it. It does what Reaper of Souls did for Diablo III – not only it improves the original game, but it also noticeably changes the nature of experience, transforming Destiny 2 into a new, better game! What doesn’t change is the fact that in terms of gameplay mechanics and technical execution Bungie’s game is one of the best modern first-person shooters. [12/2018, p.74]

Hrot draws from Quake, Duke and Blood but does it half-heartedly and due to the setting resembles the forgotten You Are Empty more than the aforementioned classics. It holds its own in terms of level design, but you can feel it was developed by just one person.

A perfect finale to the Warhammer trilogy. It will entertain not only the fans of the Old World, but everyone who appreciates the Total War series and is eager to experience battle on a truly epic scale.

When it comes to core gameplay Bastion is rather simple and does not offer anything really new. But it shines in the story department or rather in the way this story is being told. Narrator's voice accompanies you in every step of the way adding to a wonderful atmosphere of Bastion. [September 2011, p.74]

This game is deeply satisfying when you are driving and at times frustrating when you're not (the load times can really get under your skin). And thus – in my opinion – is a bit worse than the predecessor. [June 2011, p.64]

With this brilliant game Sonic at last reminded us why he was once a worthy rival for Mario. [11/2017, p.56]

A curious experiment that is really worth taking part in. [03/2016, p.69]

Rockstar decided that it's enough to carry the classic Max Payne gameplay as it was over to contemporary platforms. This plan was fulfilled quite well but it would be nice to get something more than that. [July 2012, p.60]

Six hours of a good survival game and three hours of a mediocre action game. In its better part it’s the most terrifying title in the series since 2002 (RE1 remake), it never makes you feel completely safe and proves that triple AAA survival horrors are still relevant today. [03/2017, p.40]

It seems NHL 12 and FIFA 12 teams were sharing ideas, as the hockey game also boasts of tweaked defending and a new physics engine that works good usually but not always. In general there are a lot of enhancements but the game plays more or less the same as the last year's edition. [October, p.74]

It’s basically the same great game we’ve played before but prettier and even more enjoyable. Actually the Tomb Raider series never offered so much fun. [13/2015, p.32]

PUBG’s version 1.0 not only brings a new map, but primarily introduces numerous crucial gameplay improvements to a game which was already hard to resist. [02/2018, p.28]

If you want some painless and enjoyable guitar lessons, go buy Rocksmith 2014 Edition. [13/2013, p.74]

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 best simulation of football, but only slightly better than its predecessor. If you’re planning to buy a new console I recommend waiting for the next-gen Fifa 14. [12/2013, p.48]

Regardless of the platform (PC or PS4) Beat Saber is one of the best VR games ever created. I know that slashing flying cubes with lightsabers might not sound like much fun, but believe me that it is, in no small part thanks to the fact that your movements are recreated in the virtual world perfectly. [02/2019, p.33]

Image & Form once again proves that enjoyable basic mechanics are key to success. Shooting is so well executed in SteamWorld Heist that it kept me excited throughout the whole over a dozen hours long campaign. [02/2016, p.69]

The developer failed to eradicate all the bugs from the previous game but it doesn’t change the fact that Enemy Within can be honestly recommended both to veterans and those who want to check out a tactical turn-based game for the first time. [13/2013, p.62]

Despite rather average controls and a few stretched out moments Luigi’s Mansion 3 remains one of the best Nintendo games of 2019 – and a proof that vacuuming can be proper fun. [01/2020, p.80]

If I was to recommend any installment of the series, it would be Dance Central 2. [CD-Action 02/2013, p.70]

It’s the most enjoyable shooter I’ve played in a long, long time, a brilliant mix of different flavors that you simply need to try. [13/2016, p.52]

Dragon’s Dogma II is a fantastic sequel. The greatest strength of this game is, once again, the abundance of unusual ideas, mechanics and various cool little things that give it a unique feel. However, it’s a shame that Capcom didn’t find the courage to make a bolder step forward and ditch some annoying outdated elements. While it’s a very good game, it’s easy to imagine it being even better.

Armored Core VI is not your typical action game. It’s a game about building robots, going into battle and verifying the effects of your engineering efforts. The enormous possibilities of modifying your mech, the undying joy of combat, and the hefty challenges you need to overcome greatly outweigh the little flaws on this diamond.

I simply can't imagine Battlefield's multiplayer mode without this brilliant DLC. [February 2012, p.60]

Dragon Quest XI clings to tradition, but when you buy a DQ game, you don’t expect a revolution. You expect vibrant characters and thrilling adventures and that’s exactly what you get, amplified by the level of execution unparalleled not only in the series, but in the whole genre. [11/2018, p.66]

Fast, uncomplicated MOBA for almost everyone. [08/2015, p.50]

Codemasters finally reminded me why I loved this series before Dirt 3 and Showdown happened. [08/2017, p.54]

The best hack’n’slash I've played in recent years. If the visuals are not the most important aspect for you and what you crave is a juicy adventure in a growing world (subsequent acts are on their way) full of monsters to slay, skills to acquire and loot to collect, you need to give Path of Exile a try. [13/2013, p.60]

An unobvious reinforcement of PlayStation’s range of exclusives. You can love Returnal, you can hate it, the feelings can even be simultaneous. Even though it’s tough love, there’s something about this game that makes you scream into a pillow and then try again. And again. And again. [07/2021, p.44]

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

It’s nice to see old friends again and relive fond memories, but if Modern Warfare somehow failed to enrapture you back in the day, it most likely won’t do it now. [13/2016, p.40]

Ender Lilies is one of the best metroidvanias of recent years. What immediately caught my attention was its unusual combat system based on summoning spirits that attack your enemies, but I also enjoyed the dark, oneiric and slightly melancholic atmosphere of this beautiful, varied world. Hunting down bosses, discovering shortcuts, and a checkpoint system that resembles Dark Souls’ bonfires give Ender Lilies a distinct soulslike aftertaste. [09/2021, p.64]

After 23 years Day of the Tentacle is still so much more than a curious archeological find. It’s an important chapter of genre’s constitution, still reminding us how point’n’clicks should be done. [06/2016, p.42]

The best metaphor for Cyberpunk 2077 is Johnny Silverhand himself. A messiah, a mix of Kurt Cobain and Che Guevara, a talented singer who loves to shape his own legend and has a charming personality but loses the struggle with his own demons. The same goes for the game. It tells a great story and forced me to ask myself difficult questions, but many of its gameplay mechanics do not evolve and its technical state upon release was abysmal. Cyberpunk’s true hero is not a person, but Night City – a vibrant, living creature of great diversity. The beauty of the metropolis is striking. [01/2021, p.22]

A truly huge RPG with nice visuals, enjoyable combat system and a lot to do besides the main storyline. [08/2015, p.78]

Dirt Rally goes back to Colin McRae Rally, relinquishing all that modern Ghymkana nonsense and returning to the simple elegance of old rally titles. It’s also a game that makes you earn your triumphs and therefore makes them much more precious. [02/2016, p.52]

Do you remember “Top Gear” episodes in which football matches were played using hatchbacks? The same idea is the cornerstone of Rocket League – one of those jewels that do not care for bells and whistles (though it does look great) and Kevin Spacey in the credits, instead focusing on squeezing every last drop of fun out of a simple concept. [09/2015, p.60]

One component of the original Twilight Princess refused to be transferred into HD. It is, unfortunately, the most important one – the game’s distinct atmosphere, that vanished almost completely. [05/2016, p.61]

Tower defense turned into a card game and for me it’s the best Plants vs. Zombies game in years. [13/2016, p.82]

At first glance, this year’s installment of the Codemasters’ Formula 1 franchise might seem very similar to the game we played 12 months ago. However, the improved driving model and the revamped, more engaging story mode make F1 2021 a significant step forward and the best game in the series. [10/2021, p.52]

Generations is a sort of a greatest hits compilation that will benefit newcomers the most. [10/2016, p.70]

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]

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.

Skillfully designed difficulty curve and multitude of challenges make very enjoyable time spent with The Talos Principle fly by. [02/2015, p.63]

The best economic simulation game in years. Cities: Skylines does everything SimCity wanted to do and is one of the best ways to spend free time that I can think of. [05/2015, p.68]

I’m not emotionally attached to Metroid series, so for me Samus Returns is just a solid metroidvania game with a bland art style, devoid of the spark of individuality that turned Ori, Apotheon or Hollow Knight into memorable gems. [12/2017, p.45]

A masterpiece that you simply must play. I feel stupid for not having done it on PS2 12 years ago. [03/2017, p.49]

For some reason jRPG and Ghibli did not click as superbly as one could hope for. Instead of expected perfection Ni no Kuni is just a very good game. But should we really complain about that? [CD-Action 02/2013, p.46]

A compelling cooperative experience mixing Left 4 Dead, Minecraft and Aliens franchises. [07/2020, p.56]

Wasteland 3 should actually be called Fallout 3, as it has much more in common with two legendary Interplay/Black Isle Studios games than any later entry to the Fallout series. If that’s not a sufficient recommendation, let me put it plainly: Wasteland 3 is the best turn-based post-apocalyptic RPG in many, many years. Yes, at the time of writing this review there were many gameplay and technical issues that needed to be addressed as soon as possible, but the fun this game offered made it very easy to look past them. [11/2020, p.46]

A traditional, well-designed dungeon crawler that requires both quick fingers and a sharp mind. [01/2015, p.72]

RPG of the year and a must-have for everyone who values good story delivered in a cinematic fashion and supported by outstanding sound and graphics. [13/2014, p.58]

I can’t express how delighted I was with the first episode. Unfortunately later the game lost some of its magic and oscillated between decent and really good. Despite that fact it’s by far the funniest thing I’ve played in years and I can’t wait to get my hands on the second season. [13/2015, p.63]

Anyone who can rally up some friends simply needs to give Among Us a try and feel the brilliant tension that builds up within the group as trust deteriorates and everyone becomes suspicious. [12/2020, p.42]

“Huge mechs, a ruined city, and a hot female teacher in a latex suit”, is how one of the game’s characters described his visions. That’s, in a nutshell, the essence of this unique, crazy RPG where you face kaiju in turned-based combat one minute, and follow weird conversations of high-school students the next. And there is nothing wrong with that. [12/2020, p.70]

Echoes of Wisdom is a must-have game. Abandoning metroidvania roots turned out to be a great idea. Phenomenally designed skills are reminiscent of Breath of the Wild or Tears of the Kingdom, while finding summons and learning their uses has a kind of Pokémon magic to it.

A wonderful game utilizing fighters, mechanics and modes that had been cleverly developed for almost a decade. [05/2016, p.69]

Star Wars Jedi: Survivor is a game Star Wars deserved. Even if you were not convinced by the previous installment, the sequel is still worth giving it a chance. Not only does it further improve those elements that worked well before, but it also fixes some of Fallen Order’s flaws with minor changes and makes Cal more interesting as a character. It’s the best Star Wars game published by EA and one of the best ever created. However, it could’ve used more polish, because various bugs and shortcomings spoil the fun too often.

How good Starfield is depends on how much you’re willing to forgive it. Skyrim developer’s new RPG caters to a specific audience and although you can feel at every step that the eons-old “Bethesda game” formula is wearing out, Starfield can still be an extremely addictive experience.

Following in the footsteps of Disco Elysium, this is another political and existential crisis presented as an RPG, though with its own distinctive style and satirical edge.

Battlerite is a paradise for those who cherish fair play above anything else. It’s a game of pure skill, devoid of any random elements. No critical hits, no scaling, no artifacts, no spells etc. Every ability deals the same amount of damage every time it is used. The gameplay is transparent, fast-paced and satisfying. [01/2018, p.62]

Gaijin Games once again managed to find a reasonable balance between trivial gameplay rules and gradually rising, pleasantly challenging difficulty level. [CD-Action 05/2013, p.75]

Huge pixels, old school top-down perspective, 8-bit animation and choice of colours convincingly recreate the mood of 1989 – the year Hotline Miami's story takes place in. Fortunately there's also plenty of excellent, unconventional and engaging fun for mature gamers. [CD-Action 13/2012, p.76]

My first experience with Control was underwhelming due to my base PS4 not being powerful enough to do this great game justice. Now I wish I waited for the next-gen version. The Ultimate Edition finally looks and runs as it should (however, if you want ray tracing, you’ll have to accept 30 FPS) and also offers two expansions that tie the story to Alan Wake. [04/2021, p.34]

It’s a very good game, but it was tailored for a specific audience. If you put the story above everything else, you’ll have a great time playing The Forgotten City. However, if you’d like to feel the adrenaline rush at least once in a while, it’s probably not a game for you, because there’s barely any action here. Oh, don’t be afraid of the whole time loop thing – this integral mechanic is forgiving and won’t erase your progress without a serious reason. If it resets, it’ll be a consequence of either wrong choices or a conscious decision. [10/2021, p.32]

Frostpunk 2 is a great city builder. Complicated, offering plenty of possibilities, beautiful looking. Unfortunately, the spirit of the previous installment got lost somewhere in all this complexity, while the moral dilemmas got blurred in a flurry of gameplay mechanics and sliders.

Stretched between two generations of consoles, Spider-Man: Miles Morales is more of a teaser than a real showcase of PS5’s capabilities. It does not feel like a full-fledged sequel either, but the original’s gameplay mechanics still work great, while new gadgets and skills related to electricity are fun to use. [13/2020, p.54]

McMillen’s dungeon is really worth revisiting. Afterbirth does not introduce any spectacular changes but offers tons of new content. [01/2016, p.73]