FIFA 15 was a huge disappointment for me and instead of playing it for a year (like I used to do with previous renditions) I buried it on the shelf right after I finished a bitter review. FIFA 16 showed up at my door with flowers and we worked things out. Casual gamer may not notice all the tweaks (i.e. more responsive defenders and better AI), but for me they were invaluable as they helped to rebalance the gameplay and made the game enjoyable again. [12/2015, p.50]

Cities: Skylines 2 meets most of the expectations, it is addictive and gives you incentives to keep coming back. It’s an impressive new standard for the genre, essentially an ultimate city builder with a great potential to become even better. However, there’s a fly in the ointment, namely some graphical glitches, poor optimization, and balance issues involving a couple of features.

The sequel revived my faith in point’n’click games by proving that we do not have to settle for run-of-the-mill dialogues and flat characters. King Art is a seriously talented studio that could make a game about a snail crossing the street and still make me laugh regularly. [04/2015, p.54]

FM 2014 unnecessarily tries to be two games in one. Instead of investing in the intentionally limited Classic mode, the developer should work on increasing the role of the assistants in the primary mode. Changes in the tactics system are sensible, but would be more valuable if the game did a better job at explaining what all the options mean and what the consequences of using them are. [13/2013, p.50]

One of those games that truly deserves the reputation of a cult classic. [03/2014, 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 not just the best game set in Warhammer 40,000 universe we’ve seen in years, but also the best modern space strategy. I need to warn you though – it is brutally difficult. [06/2016, p.48]

Insomniac Games did not just remake this classic platformer. They boldly bombarded it with ideas and then rebuilt it pixel by pixel using methods unknown 13 years ago. The result is magnificent. [06/2016, p.50]

It’s a tiny masterpiece, a merciless, brilliant mockery targeted at gamers, developers and the whole video games business. [02/2016, p.47]

Gnosia is a fascinating and extraordinarily engaging game. It’s based on written word and static illustrations but it engrossed me much more than any AAA title. [06/2021, p.62]

Arceus is the boldest revolution and the biggest leap in quality in the history of the main Pokémon game series. We’ve been waiting for some of the changes since the last couple years, while other are surprising – but all are welcome. I hope they remain in the series, because return to the old ways would be hard to bear.

As all of us I would like games to be ambitious, unconventional, surprising and thought inspiring. But sometimes I just want to blow stuff up and this intense, good looking traditional twin stick shooter satisfies this need perfectly. [November 2011, p.82]

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]

It might look like a Gunpoint clone but instead of stealth you have to rely on your swordmanship in turn-based combat sequences. [09/2015, p.49]

Royal Court is the expansion that all fans of Crusader Kings III have been waiting for. It improves the flawed aspects of the base game and introduces a range of new mechanics – not all of them are as engaging as the titular court, but all of them make the life of a medieval monarch far more interesting.

Sifu is a soulslike beautifully translated into the language of beat ‘em ups. Yes, the protagonist will die hundreds of times, but remarkably fluent combat system, a multitude of surprises, attractive visuals and terrific music will keep hardcore fans of either genre glued to the screen.

An highly enjoyable variation on a template we already know. We had the right to be worried that Xenoblade Chronicles 2 is going to be just a cash grab, because it’s been just two years since XCX, but the developers managed to build another huge, wonderful world and endow the game with its own identity. [01/2018, p.58]

This is how you restore a classic game – it’s old school, but with modern presentation and some great ideas. [13/2013, p.66]

Three years later Dead Cells is still an excellent, highly enjoyable game that hasn’t aged a bit. The Queen & The Sea DLC is a solid set of additions that will make you especially happy if you’re into tough challenges and creating perfect character builds.

The best news about Apotheon is that it does not just look astonishing, but it is also a great, very enjoyable metroidvania game made with passion. [04/2015, p.62]

It’s not as pretty as Hearthstone and its lack of responsiveness is sometimes annoying, but Dire Wolf Digital tackled gameplay mechanics expertly, making The Elder Scrolls Legends Hearthstone’s main rival. [06/2017, p.73]

From the very first seconds of the introductory cut-scene, from the very first notes of the soundtrack HLD sucked me into its masterfully crafted world, alternately engaging me with its intensity and soothing my nerves. Hyper Light Drifter is an instant classic. [06/2016, p.58]

Ultimate Edition is worth playing not only out of sentiment or respect for this Black Sabbath of cover based shooters. It’s worth playing because it’s still a damn fine game and it looks great again. [10/2015, p.54]

The climbing mechanics are satisfying, the frustration you’ll have to endure on your road to mastery is sweet, and Foddy’s commentary is intelligent, but mouse controls are physically tiring and need getting used to. [01/2018, p.65]

Road to Gehenna is extremely hard from the very beginning and therefore was meant for those who already have The Talos Principle down to a science. [10/2015, p.56]

Imagine Heroes of Might and Magic III with VGA graphics and real-time battles, and you’ll get Hero’s Hour – a beautiful nostalgic journey back to the 90s that will try to rob you of all your free time. Add a campaign, improve the AI and give the player more control over the battles and in my opinion you’d get what could easily be a low-res HoMM VIII.

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]

After a hundred hours spent with RE6 I’m still hungry for more. While others complain that Resident Evil reached the gutter, I’m in love with the Mercenaries mode and superb combat system that lets you create unbelievable encounters. [06/2016, p.59]

Reanimal easily surpasses Little Nightmares 3. Although the recently released game was perfectly fine, it was the Swedish developers who took a step forward, which proved necessary to keep the idea fresh and simply not boring.

The phrase “reversed Darkest Dungeon” springs to mind immediately. Groups of heroes delve into dark dungeons, suffering bodily and mental wounds as they face hellish monsters in an attempt to reach the evil lord. The difference is, in Legend of Keepers you are the evil lord – and it’s so much fun! The only flaw I need to point out is that it’s quite easy to find a combination of monsters which makes it possible to finish every dungeon without much effort. [07/2021, p.55]

Dying Light 2 is a solid sequel that creatively amplifies the pros of the predecessor. Its multi-layered story is engaging and the player’s choices have actual impact on the game’s open world. Admittedly, there are some shortcomings, but not substantial enough to ruin the overall very positive impression. I had tons of fun playing DL2 and sometimes lost track of time.

A surprisingly solid tactical game with interesting characters and well-written (even if sometimes too long) dialogues. [06/2016, p.64]

I had tons of fun with the PC version of Horizon Zero Dawn. I appreciated the story, enjoyed exploring the vast, remarkable world crafted masterfully out of extremely diverse elements, and found defeating the largest mechanical beasts to be deeply satisfying every single time. Additionally, the Complete Edition features The Frozen Wilds expansion, which is not only large, but also visually stunning. [10/2020, p.56]

All those who can’t get over the fact that Nintendo forgot about F-Zero can now play a really decent indie substitute. The same goes for all of you who miss Wipeout. [02/2016, p.63]

Magic Flute stands out from the crowd thanks to its good visuals, wonderful music and well-designed puzzles. [12/2015, p.73]

Project_Hel might not be as great in terms of level design as the base game, but it’s a fun DLC that tells a good story and provides more space for combat, which results in more intense, more violent gameplay.

I’m highly impressed with Ironoak Games’ debut. If you’re ready for a long and painful (the difficulty level is so high!) but immensely satisfying wander across colorful fantasy realms, do not delay and buy this wonderful roguelike. [07/2018, p.48]

Tunic might seem like a mere homage to The Legend of Zelda, but despite similar gameplay mechanics it’s a great game in its own right. It’s a surprisingly complex mix of a metroidvania and an RPG with a heavy emphasis on exploring the world and uncovering its secrets. Sometimes it might be frustrating, but I’m sure it will charm many.

Monster Hunter Wilds is a no-brainer for dedicated fans of the the series, but it may also appeal to fans of... hack'n'slash games, provided they can ditch the isometric view, battles with dozens of enemies and dark fantasy atmosphere in favour of epic duels and a full-on Japanese feel.

I wanted to both scold Bravely Default II for its many flaws and kiss it for some stellar moments when it shone like a diamond. At the end of the day the latter decisively outweighed the former. The game boasts one of the best combat systems I’ve seen in jRPGs, towns that are a work of art, and a breathtaking soundtrack. If you like the genre, there’s a chance you’ll fall in love with Bravely Default II. [04/2021, p.48]

If anyone can introduce anything interesting into a runner genre, it’s Choice Provisions. Runner3 is one of very few such games that use their automaticity to their advantage instead of suffering from it. All levels are handcrafted, so there’s a true sense of progression and getting better by the hour, and the soundtrack is outstanding. [07/2018, p.51]

Modern Warfare 3 deserves a 10/10 in a 'Call of Duty game' category, but we already know all its tricks, strengths and weaknesses. Some of the series' elements were successfully recreated in other titles but none has gathered them all on one disc yet – and this is why MW3 still wins. [December 2011, p.38]

What looks like a straightforward side-scrolling shooter with some platforming elements quickly turns out to be a rich (tons of items and upgrades!) and highly addictive roguelite. [10/2020, p.75]

At first I looked at Mind Scanners as a copy, but as the story progressed, the game distanced itself from Papers, Please and developed its own identity. It’s rather short, but gives reasons to try different approaches, while the varied array of patients along with some random elements make every playthrough different. [07/2021, p.75]

The collection lacks some important games but still is a treat made with love and thoughtfulness. [10/2015, p.70]

The fifth chapter of this brilliantly creative and polished indie game is the best thing I’ve experienced in gaming in recent years. [10/2020, p.76]

In many aspects The Origami King is the best game in the Paper Mario series. It’s brimming with intelligent humor and it looks and sounds better than any of its predecessors. Unfortunately, combat is more challenging than before while still being superfluous (there’s pretty much no incentive to engage in it), so after a couple of hours I started avoiding the chore of fighting whenever I could. [10/2020, p.78]

The game was designed to be controlled with eye movements and blinking, but as this system doesn’t work perfectly (sometimes I had to open my eyes very wide and blink very dramatically for the game to notice), I appreciated the fact that the mouse works too. The immersion might have suffered, but it was a price I was willing to pay to be able to enjoy the story without any issues and frustration. And the story is what makes Before Your Eyes great – it only lasts two hours, but still managed to surprise me and pluck just the right emotional string.

A modern take on the cult classic Master of Orion. The drawback is that while it offers almost perfectly executed traditional 4X gameplay, it fails to throw anything fresh on top of it. [07/2017, p.40]

Despite recycling Paper Jam Bros. never looks like a half-hearted effort. [02/2016, p.69]

Vampyr is unique. It’s not beautiful, its combat leaves much to be desired and its limited budget shows, but if you choose to turn a blind eye to these flaws, it will captivate you with its mature, morally ambiguous story and a series of dilemmas that usually lack a “right” answer. [07/2018, p.60]

Street Fighter 6 boasts a superb combat system and provides a lot of freedom in terms of developing your character. Unlike Street Fighter 5, it offers many game modes from the get-go, but unfortunately World Tour is not as interesting as Capcom had us believe it would be. On the other hand, Arcade features excellent environments and pretty character models, but disappoints with its story. Despite those downsides it is a great game smartly designed to be both accessible to newcomers and appealing to veterans.

The Delicious Last Course offers more of what we loved about Cuphead, namely challenging, brilliantly designed boss battles and wonderful animations. It also introduces a third playable character and a handful of new equipment. I only wish the expansion was much longer – after all, it spent four years in development.

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]

A huge, lively space bazaar is overwhelming at first, but you tame it little by little and get into a bitter-sweet routine. It’s a lesson in accepting permanent destitution, limiting your ambitions, and enjoying small things. If you’re after a breathtaking story, you’ll be disappointed – as opposed to those who take pleasure in constant exploration and have a knack for trading. [03/2017, p.68]

Accessible difficulty level, varied enemies, colorful stages and 3DS port developed by legendary M2. [10/2015, p.75]

One of the best mobile turn-based strategies. [10/2015, p.75]

Whereas the first game won our hearts as a love letter to cherished RPG legends (Baldur’s Gate, Icewind Dale, Planescape: Torment), this one tempts us with its own unique flavour. The series moved away from the tried-and-true medieval fantasy setting in favor of seemingly dissonant elements (quasi-Nordic gods, strokes of traditional high fantasy, pirate mythology in the vein of Stevenson’s Treasure Island, culture of the Caribbean) that somehow fused together exceptionally well. On top of that its scale is noticeably bigger and there are tons of various improvements. All that makes Deadfire precisely the sequel it should be. [07/2018, p.66]

It looks like a simple little game, but give it some time, acquire more cards and it will surprise you with its unfolding complexity and addictiveness. Admittedly, initial loops are boring, but ultimately I spent hours on end with Loop Hero and had tons of fun. [05/2021, p.38]

This mobile MOBA won me over with two aspects: substantial damage inflicted by characters and strong emphasis on tactical approach. [10/2015, p.76]

The game follows in her predecessor’s footsteps, but many new ideas for puzzles, unique environments and creepy scenes make it a fresh, engaging and surprising experience from start to finish. Everything that worked well in the original Little Nightmares now packs twice the punch. [04/2021, p.60]

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]

It’s a fantastic, albeit rushed, XCOM for beginners. And a whole lot of freshness in the franchise. [07/2020, p.43]

My first impression of Curse of the Dead Gods was that someone mixed Hades with Darkest Dungeon. However, such a simplification would be unfair, because the game does more than just borrow successful mechanics. It adds its own interesting ideas to the mix and the result is a pretty dungeon crawler with an intuitive and satisfying combat system. The environments could use more variety and I would welcome a story to follow while hacking and slashing, but overall Curse of the Dead Gods is a great, highly addictive game. [05/2021, p.46]

Regardless of whether you call Superbrothers a game or a concept album with an interactive visualization, I will not forget this adventure for a long time. [June 2012, p.58]

It boasts some great improvements over the previous game of the series, but does not evolve the formula in any significant way. It looks better and lets you glide in a wingsuit, but its scale is not surprising anymore. It lets you unleash wonderful chaos in unscripted skirmishes, but its story missions fail to enrich the experience. All the same it is my kind of game. I love playing with its systems, I appreciate the effort put into JC3 and I return to Medici from time to time for condensed doses of havoc. [01/2016, p.48]

If you love Portal, The Witness, or The Talos Principle, you’re gonna enjoy Relicta. Its puzzles might get a little tedious in the long run (they are all based on magnetic gloves), but I really enjoyed them throughout most of the campaign. What’s important (to me at least), the story is not just a quick, half-baked addition to the puzzles, but a valuable element of the game. [10/2020, p.90]

Unbounded is a part of a franchise strongly associated with consoles but somehow turns out to be average on X360 and one of the best arcade racing games in years on PC. On PC it just plays better (even with a keyboard!) and is extremely rewarding. [June 2012, p.66]

Requiem is the quintessence of modern Resident Evil. In a single story, it combines first-person survival horror tension with unrestrained action presented from a third-person perspective. AAA game refined down to the last detail, but lacking in innovation.

Kaze and the Wild Masks will make every fan of classic platformers feel right at home. It borrows the best elements from the legends of the genre, but never feels like a cheap copy. It doesn’t try to be innovative, but it looks great, delivers fun in spades and never gets dull, as literally every level has something new to show you. [05/2021, p.62]

No surprise here – another remarkably enjoyable title from the series that’s been a definition of a perfect sports game for years. [12/2013, p.66]

Laser League is exceptionally enjoyable thanks to its simple rules, thrilling gameplay and the fact that you almost never find yourself in a completely hopeless situation, so the result of the match is uncertain until the very end. The AI could be much better balanced (sometimes it can neutralize you whole team with one crazy maneuver, sometimes it acts completely thoughtless) but you always have online play (with no ranking mode though, which is a shame). [07/2018, p.84]

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.

If Lovecraft and Poe could play The Last Door, they would be delighted by its remarkable atmosphere. [05/2016, p.44]

I just finished Antichamber. I feel satisfaction I haven’t experienced after completing any game in many years and for the first time in ages I learned something about myself while playing. It’s hard for me to expect anything more from a game. [CD-Action 04/2013, p.82]

The main storyline could have been longer and more thrilling. Despite information that both parts are not going to be closely linked, the ending of Part 1 seems to be a prelude to something larger. [11/2015, p.46]

A trip to the vast Crystal Desert is worth every penny if you’re mainly into PvE (the new maps are one-time affairs though due to lack of meta events), but it does not offer much to those who prefer PvP or WvW. [13/2017, p.44]

Torch City is really impressive. Every district has its own unique style and all the environments are extraordinarily detailed. The game’s atmosphere is fantastic, exploring the wonderfully designed world is very engaging and the combat system is great. Just go on and play it, unless you’re allergic to backtracking, because F.I.S.T. relies on it quite heavily. [11/2021, p.27]

Anno 117: Pax Romana rejects the industrial revolution, replacing it with stable evolution. New mechanics and improved production chains add freshness and character. A harmonious, patience-demanding strategy where less can mean more.

Double Fine did a great job at recreating the spirit of the original Psychonauts. Playing the sequel, I felt like I travelled to the past to spend some time with my favorite childhood game once again. Imprecise controls are a less welcome throwback to 2005, but fiercely intelligent humor, brilliant writing and tons of unconventional ideas make it easy to turn a blind eye to this and some other flaws. [11/2021, p.28]

An engaging interactive film that also offers quite cool gameplay. Everything that is best about it stems from excellent screenwriting: humor, interesting characters, and an epic finale.

Driving a Formula 1 car in F1 2012 is more pleasant than ever. Developers dealt with problems that infested the previous edition two years ago but flaws of various calibers are present and prevented me from rating this game higher. Still it's the most accessible Formula 1 simulation ever. [12/2012, p.44]

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]

Golf Story came out of nowhere and stole my heart with its original sense of humor, use of HD Rumble, cute visuals and multitude of ideas for using golf in most unconventional ways. Don’t get discouraged by the whole golf thing though, as Sidebar’s game is actually a really good RPG that happens to borrow it’s mechanics from golf titles. [13/2017, p.50]

It’s more an adaptation than a regular remake and I’m OK with that. It’s also the best modern Final Fantasy – even if wordy and quite slow at moments [06/2020, p.34]

They say you never get a second chance to make a first impression, but Wild Run introduced so many vital improvements that in my case it caused love at second sight. [01/2016, p.63]

Probably the most surprising DLC of 2023. Unexpected and engaging, Valhalla digs into Kratos’ past more boldly than Ragnarok and God of War from 2018. It’s an absolute must-play for fans of the series, especially since it’s free.

The game plays on emotions with ease and I think only a heart of stone could prevent you from feeling moved by some scenes. [Nov 2014, p.62]

This is hands down the best Hitman game ever. True, it could’ve been longer and better written, and I would welcome a proper multiplayer mode, but these are just side dishes, while the main course tastes amazing. [01/2019, p.52]

Dozens of hours of hacking and slashing done so well and so addictive that you could swear it’s Blizzard’s game. [05/2016, p.56]

Jonas Manke accomplished something incredible. The game he spent five long years creating on his own is relaxing, enjoyable, and above all surprisingly full-bodied. It looks and sounds great, there are no technical issues, and it can compete with titles developed by larger, more experienced teams in pretty much every aspect. It’s a great little game that I wholeheartedly recommend. [10/2021, p.42]

Dishonored could well have been the fourth installment of the Thief series, but there are also traces of BioShock and Half-Life 2 here and there. If you compare it to these paragons it's a bit disappointing, but it still shines among this year's games. [12/2012, p.60]

There is no denying that Pokémon was a strong inspiration, but Monster Sanctuary has its own identity, a vast, beautiful world, and many diverse creatures to catch. The game is unique, because the developers managed to combine turn-based combat with a traditional 2D metroidvania. Do not fear the platforming sections though, as they won’t break your fingers like Ori and the Blind Forest does. [02/2021, p.39]

The StarCraft II finale offers a decent but not breathtaking campaign and some tweaks to the multiplayer which now promotes quick, aggressive expansion. [01/2016, p.66]

This cute, well-designed and relaxing little gem takes playing with light and shadows to the next level. Its gameplay is based on the cooperation between a little girl that’s afraid of light, and her shadow twin who helps her in her journey through magical, a little surrealistic and beautifully drawn environments. [02/2021, p.42]

If you like early Fallouts and other traditional 2D RPGs, if you think X-COM games from the 90s were awesome, if you enjoy reading sci-fi classics – this game was made for you. The story set in the alternative 1970s is not perfect and it’s obvious that the developers had to work with a tight budget, but Encased makes up for it with sheer fun. Actually, I think I haven’t enjoyed a game so much since Wasteland 3 was released. [11/2021, p.48]

Helldivers II is an incredibly exciting cooperative shooter that has benefited greatly from abandoning top-down view in favor of third-person perspective. This change made battles against bugs and robots even more spectacular, while gunplay and using stratagems became much more fun.

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]