The latest adventure game by the developers of Botanicula and Machinarium will once again delight you with its beauty, but will also drag you into its amazing surreal world with a charming story. [10/2020, p.81]

Almost universal admiration for Gris says a lot about the condition of video games industry. It’s just a 2D platformer devoid of any challenge, and instead of evoking true feeling it makes a good first impression (“wow, it’s beautiful!”) and then just glides for a couple of hours using that momentum. It doesn’t actually have anything important to say, it’s just pretty. [02/2019, p.56]

An adventure unlike any other I’ve experienced, brimming with creativity of former Lionhead employees. [07/2017, p.46]

If you value interesting co-op Helldivers is worth checking out, but the developers should have used 10 months since the release of the original PS4 versions to improve the camera and tackle the repetitiveness. [03/2016, p.51]

Great new modes, some minor changes making the game even more enjoyable, tons of licenses (Champions League!), spectacular presentation and the richest, most varied story mode yet make FIFA 19 an excellent entry in the series. [12/2018, p.62]

A surprisingly complex and enjoyable simulation of a correctional facility. [03/2016, p.64]

The latest rendition of the series does not introduce many changes to the gameplay, but offers so much content, that it’s almost impossible to play it all. [13/2014, p.72]

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]

A fighting game that should appeal to everyone regardless of their experience with the genre. Friendly to newcomers (but it does not reward button mashing) and deep enough for the seasoned enthusiasts. [11/2013, p.82]

It’s another edition of the same old thing. One that has nothing to offer apart from what should be offered in the least – and still doesn’t accomplish it well enough to be worthy of any praise. [13/2018, p.76]

If you haven’t played Pokémons since the first Game Boy, give Omega Ruby a try, because there’s just no way you’re going to be disappointed with it. It’s the same game you remember, just better. [01/2015, p.75]

A solid expansion to a great game. It even managed to improve combat which originally already had the best design among all the open world games I’ve played. [01/2018, p.68]

An engaging card game with simple rules that offers a decent single player campaign and does not shove microtransactions down your throat. [08/2015, p.80]

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]

Even though I missed the quality and thrills of San Andreas, GTA IV and Red Dead Redemption, I had more fun with Sleeping Dogs than I expected. It's worth giving it a try while waiting for GTA V. [10/2012, p.54]

Less than two hours of playing time is just right for Abzu’s shallow gameplay. The game offers a hefty dose of “beautiful moments” but fails to make any lasting impact. [10/2016, p.68]

It’s a tribute to the original Ninja Gaiden released in 1988, so the game obviously borrows a lot from genre’s progenitors, but it also adds a lot to the mix and its platforming mechanics are superb. Even though it gets less exciting in the second half, I have to recommend it. [11/2018, p.73]

Although I still do follow the World of Warships PC scene, I find more pleasure in comfort of the ‘lightweight’ console version. Especially now, with crossplay between PS4 and Xbox One which guarantees quick matchmaking either in standard or ranked battles. [01/2020, p.72]

Unique Burtonesque art direction could not avert my attention from the fact that Little Nightmares is one of the poorest platformers I’ve played in years. [07/2017, p.43]

This point’n’click adventure game set in a computer system is a brilliant and beautiful homage to the late ‘90s, when the Internet was a fascinating, messy eyesore. If you feel at least a bit nostalgic about that time period and what the Internet used to be back then, you absolutely need to play Hypnospace Outlaw. The only flaw I found in the game is that its story feels rushed. [11/2020, p.68]

Owlcat Games has made huge progress since Kingmaker. Time limits, randomized elements of kingdom management and other annoying aspects were ditched, while combat and character development return in all their glory assisted by very atmospheric new mythic paths and a bit simple but still cool army management system. For me, the new Pathfinder, Wasteland 3 and Divinity: Original Sin II are a trio of contemporary RPG classics, with the first one being the most faithful to the genre’s tradition. [12/2021, p.64]

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.

The PC edition of Team Bondi's groundbreaking adventure game offers 5 additional investigations (previously released for consoles as DLC) and translated to PC very well. [January 2012, p.52]

Mortal Kombat 1 is not a revolution but rather an evolution that continues the franchise’s good streak. Excellent combat system, solid story mode and some truly noteworthy additions (like Kameo or Invasion Mode) make it really difficult to tear yourself away from the controller. Sometimes you can feel that the series is starting to chase its tail, but for now it’s hard to find a similarly accessible fighting game.

Cairn takes your breath away, and not just because of the lack of oxygen during the climb. The Game Bakers studio revolutionizes the way you move in video games, and its incredibly inventive gameplay brilliantly combines with a story about escapism.

A game of not one, not two, but many tricks. A book as a platform for gaming adventures is a great idea and an abundant source of interesting gameplay mechanics, which the developers at APF willingly snatched, offering a title that is fresh and strikes emotional chords.

An intense love letter to old action movies. [01/2016, p.71]

The audiovisual beauty, the diversity of the gameplay and the dynamism of the combat system make Neva a worthy representative of the artistic platformer genre, but it lacks the visionary element known from Gris.

KotOR on Switch is the best KotOR there is, I have no doubt about it. It runs smoothly and loads quickly, so nothing prevents you from savoring the excellent story. You just need to be aware of the original game’s flaws – it’s a just a port after all.

The largest country of all available in ETS2 at last is as vast and varied as it should be, thanks to 20.000 kilometers of new roads and 15 new cities. [02/2017, p.55]

Marvel’s Midnight Suns is an innovative mix of different genres that does many things well. Its combat system is satisfying, characters have depth, the atmosphere is great. However, you have to search for the game’s strengths under a massive pile of bland, tiresome dialogues that constantly keep you from actually playing, lame humor and endless tutorials.

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]

Grounded captivated me with its survival layer and the atmosphere of its wonderful miniature world. Then it discouraged me with a couple of ill-considered design choices, including ones that artificially extend its length in a tiring manner. Ultimately, however, I kept coming back to Obsidian’s game not because I had to, but because I wanted to. Despite having devoted 60 hours to Grounded, I can’t shake the feeling this backyard still holds many secrets and I’m eager to discover them.

When you launch Steel Division, you should be aware of what you’re dealing with. There’s a lot of old school strategy depth here – so much that many may simply drown in it. [08/2017, p.68]

A brilliant, deep strategy game that offers a lot and at the same time leaves much room for growth, which probable means it will ripen over the years. [08/2016, p.62]

Duskers would be perfect if it wasn’t for an exaggerated impact of randomness on gameplay. [09/2016, p.53]

A great game both for those who like to polish their tactics for hours and those who just want some fun in a spare moment. [02/2015, p.66]

Every level of this platform game brings a new challenge and a new surprise and that results in an extremely high playability. [September 2011, p.75]

A fast, demanding shooter with a huge potential for the future. It's basically CS: Source, but the maps are more polished and the game looks better. [11/2012, p.64]

If someone had told me couple of years ago that Assassin’s Creed would become a full-fledged action RPG that would not look out of place on a shelf next to The Witcher 3, I would have snickered. But here I am, over 80 hours into Odyssey and still unable to believe that really happened. [12/2018, p.44]

Forza Motorsport lets you enjoy the atmosphere of racing and recreates driving sports cars brilliantly, but it definitely needs updates that would introduce more tracks and some graphical improvements. However, minor shortcomings do not take away from the pleasure of experiencing the game’s excellent driving model which is close enough to a serious simulation but at the same time accessible to mass audience. In terms of gameplay it’s undeniably the best Forza ever.

At last I found a game that filled the void left in my life by Knights of Pen & Paper. Despite some technical issues Loot & Legends earned the space in my iPad for a lifetime. [11/2015, p.67]

It’s obvious that SCS Software put a lot of effort into this expansion, as the new map is the most detailed and therefore the most interesting of all available. [02/2018, p.34]

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]

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.

Snufkin: Melody of Moominvalley is a musical adventure game that draws skillfully from the rich world created by Tove Jansson. I only wish this perfectly designed, charming and warm title with wonderful visuals and sound was longer, because it took me just 4 hours to complete everything it has to offer except one bugged side task.

“I’ll just take a quick look at it”, I thought. “That’s a good one”, Invisible, Inc. thought and then stole 17 hours of my weekend. [07/2015, 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]

This successful, extremely stylish soulslike card game tells a magical story about mourning. It offers a fantastic system for creating cards from ingredients, engaging battles and exploration, and skillfully encourages the player to test different decks.

The prettiest, most interesting and funniest point'n'click adventure game of the last couple of years. It would be a mortal sin to miss out on it. [CD-Action 13/2012, p.60]

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.

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]

The game's real resolution seems lower than 720p but still cars are very detailed and the dynamic weather system is unrivalled. Overall, Codemasters did well to improve on F1 2010 but there still are some minor issues to be dealt with. [October, p.64]

There are still a couple of months left until New Years Eve, but I can already risk a statement that Chivalry 2 is one of the best games of 2021. It’s hard to express the feeling of a massive adrenaline rush as you storm castle walls in the middle of a huge siege. The brutal combat system is brilliant, not overly complicated yet nuanced, and Torn Banner did an excellent job at balancing the game on every level – from weapons to controls to classes to maps and spawn points. I only wish there were more modes and maps. [09/2021, p.22]

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]

Lost Judgment is the sequel we needed. The story and combat are still the game’s strongest features, while the previously disappointing detective elements were improved. Some mistakes were made along the way (stealth sections, climbing), but overall it’s a great successor of Judgment. [12/2021, p.50]

I was disappointed to see the return of the old, a bit obscure user interface and the biggest pain in the neck – the inability to attack diagonally in close combat. I was also once more let down by the story which is awkward at times and ends too abruptly. [06/2016, p.52]

The X360 edition is a kind of an introduction to the Minecraft's world and concept – some of important gameplay mechanics were lost in the process of simplification. [July 2012, p.87]

Not for Broadcast is a witty, hilarious satire of the world of media. It teaches you not to trust your TV set and makes you genuinely pity the poor bloke who tries to manipulate you.

It’s a very solid game, lacking any surprises or a wow factor, but boasting outstanding level design, very satisfying exploration and beautiful graphics. [11/2018, p.68]

I’m delighted that after so many years the developers managed to find a room for improvements that enrich the experience in such meaningful and impactful ways and got another inch closer to blurring the line between Football Manager and reality. It’s hard to believe, but the game is even better than it was. [01/2018, p.66]

The first season of the traditional point’n’click with tons of absurd humor got a remaster. The graphics are much better (especially the new lighting that makes the environments look almost modern) and the adventures of the crazy detective duo are still funny as hell, but I think some jokes got too old for younger audience. [02/2021, p.44]

Superhot makes everything you do look unbelievably stylish, but offers so little content that three hours with the game was enough for me. It needs more varied enemies, a broader arsenal, larger stages. I believe Superhot’s innovative mechanics can be squeezed for more and I’m looking forward to a sequel. [04/2016, p.54]

The rich Marvel Universe and Traveller’s Tales’ Lego series is a match made in heaven – instead of dozens of bland droids, pirates or guards this time we got the roster of over 100 interesting and varied characters. The gameplay remained mostly unchanged and is rather easy but there is always something cool going on to keep you interested. The best Lego game to date. [01/2014, p.60]

A good port, but just a port – there’s no new content here and the visuals haven’t changed since the original PC versions. [06/2015, p.61]

At last F1 is a game it should have always been – a feast for both hardcore Formula 1 fans who expect a proper simulation and those who want to pick up such game for the first time. It’s unbelievable that Codemasters’ series needed six years to reach the level of MicroProse’s unforgettable Grand Prix 4. [11/2016, p.52]

Despite some flaws Gemini Rue is an extraordinary game that will offer good times not only to point'n'click fans but also to those gamers who lost track of the genre around the Beneath the Steel Sky era. [June 2011, p. 71]

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]

Resurrection is a bundle of two slightly renovated classic games of the series – Darkstalkers: Night Warrior and Darkstalkers 3. It’s fun but I don’t see much of a point in such re-editions. What we need is a brand new Darkstalkers game. [CD-Action 05/2013, p.80]

Trigger Happy Havoc is an unsettling journey, an absorbing moral dilemma and a brilliant, tangled criminal story. [05/2016, p.60]

Lifting heavy things was never so fun! Moving Out 2 is a very enjoyable game that truly shines in the local or online co-op mode. The level design is stellar, while the variety of objectives makes this gem difficult to put down.

A perfect dungeon crawler for everyone – for those who want to spend a couple of hours building the optimal party and don’t care for elaborate story (Classic Mode), for those who prefer predefined characters with distinct dialogue lines (Story Mode), for those who expect to die in the first encounter with two yellow hedgehogs (Expert Mode), and for those who don’t want any trouble at all (Picnic Mode). [04/2016, p.63]

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.

Order & Chaos Online is not yet perfect but in its current form is already a mature MMORPG not very different from what World of Warcraft had to offer on the day it came out. Which is even a bit scary considering that consoles are still waiting for a game like this and on PCs Blizzard's masterpiece doesn't have a really worthy competition. [July 2011, p.69]

The world may not remember it for years to come but here and now it’s worth giving it a chance – mostly because of the tragicomic atmosphere of the narrative, well fleshed out characters, and remarkable and funny dialogue. [13/2019, p.46]

King’s Quest might look quite modern, but it hasn’t forgotten its glorious heritage. [10/2015, p.58]

It’s not a great roguelike, it has some technical and design issues and the cool idea behind the whole game carries it only for so long, but at its best Cult of the Lamb guarantees immense fun spiced up with black humor and a phenomenal soundtrack.

The world of Below Zero is much smaller than its predecessor’s, but it is still an absolutely brilliant survival game that tells an interesting story set in a fascinating environment. Additionally, it is more friendly towards less experienced players, and managed to get rid of some technical issues that affected the original Subnautica. [08/2021, p.78]

Dozens of hours of pure fun! Super Mario 3D All-Stars is a journey through an outstanding series, a feast – well, actually three feasts – for those who love platformers. Super Mario Galaxy alone makes this package worthwhile, but even the lowest rated among these games (Super Mario Sunshine) boasts a Metascore of 92! [12/2020, p.38]

Bethesda’s games were never perfect but they made up for their flaws with a promise of a grand adventure. It’s not different this time – Dragonborn reminds us why we loved Skyrim. [CD-Action 02/2013, p.54]

The game's presentation might have aged but fortunately the fun it provides hasn't. Final Showdown is also a great gateway into the world of fighting games, as it's very accessible yet hard to master. [September 2012, p.57]

6 new stages and 5 new characters – sounds great until you realize that ‘new’ means ‘borrowed from Street Fighter X Tekken’ (with the exception of Decapre, which is a Cammy clone with an interesting move set). [Nov 2014, p.61]

A complex, polished and really pretty game that has nothing to be shamed of even when compared to Sid Meier’s Civilization. [13/2014, p.44]

A great looking game that successfully blends different genres and offers the most distinctive setting from all Supergiant’s titles. Its ending and lack of online PvP along with framerate drops disappointed me though. [10/2017, p.48]

With its dated, slow combat system, no intention to evolve the series, bugs, and no tension, The Banner Saga 3 is sadly just a game you tick off to get closure, not a spectacular finale. [10/2018, p.82]

Thatgamecompany stole our hearts with Journey, and Sky looks like a natural evolution of that concept, as it draws from the ideas, mechanics, setting, character movement and art direction of its predecessor. The problem is, you can only surprise people once with a specific trick. Even if it’s focused slightly different and puts greater emphasis on online features, this “new Journey” will never make the same impression as the original, fresh experience. [09/2021, p.61]

A Plague Tale: Requiem tells an engaging story set in breathtaking sceneries of 14th-century France where enchanting flowery meadows contrast with battlefields reeking of corpses. For the most part, it’s a safe sequel, but some improvements to the formula gave the game a chance to win over those disappointed by the extreme linearity of its predecessor. Requiem offers open, sometimes very spacious environments with multiple paths and hiding spots, but it’s a shame that mediocre AI can’t keep up with more freedom and possibilities given to the player in terms of dealing with enemies.

Although it’s lacking in certain parts of the overall experience, Kojima’s latest seems like a middle finger shown to the portion of the industry which seems to have lost the capability to design an open world game without RPG elements and a ‘service’ component. [13/2019, p.34]

Far Cry 5 is exactly what you would expect from a Far Cry game and not much more. It does the open world really well, but the bland story drags it down. The game touches a sensitive subject, but doesn’t have guts to actually say something and couldn’t convince me even for a minute that what’s happening could be real. What the franchise obviously needs is a new beginning, a leap of faith Assassin’s Creed Origins was brave enough to take. [05/2018, p.56]

Videoball’s designers managed to achieve both sit-down-and-just-play simplicity and surprising depth. [10/2016, p.52]

Reignited Trilogy looks like a Pixar movie and proves that while many other genres have changed significantly over the last 20 years, the recipe for an enjoyable platformer stayed the same, at least in many aspects. Of course nowadays people expect more from any game and Spyro does feel archaic but its wise design stood the test of time, especially if you look at the remake through the eyes of a child (either literally or metaphorically). [01/2019, p.50]

A wonderful gem, an absolute must-have for all RPG veterans and a great history lesson for those who didn't have the opportunity to enjoy classic dungeon crawls. [June 2012, p.76]

The 2020 edition is the most realistic virtual football I have ever encountered. After learning the gameplay’s basics you get a lot of fun and each passing hour makes it even better. Shame that after finishing the career, checking out the multiplayer and playing a few exhibition matches there is nothing left to do here. [12/2019, p.64]

In contrast to Emily or Corvo Billie does not offer the sense of true power, which might be disappointing to some, but to me was refreshing. Death of the Outsider provides just five missions, but one of them is so good and so extensive that I replayed it over and over again to find every alternative path and hidden event. [12/2017, p.70]

Battlefield 6 listens to the community and successfully returns to what we know from parts three and four. EA DICE has abandoned controversial ideas, giving us the best installment in the series in years. It's a bit conservative, but very playable.

It’s ugly as sin (upscaled 800 x 600 resolution) and there are no animations but this indie rougelike/puzzle game is addictive as hell. [02/2014, p.63]

One of the best looking 2D titles of this year and a game that you can spend 50 or 100 hours with and still not have enough. And if you have three friends to enjoy the co-op mode with, Dragon’s Crown is amazing. [13/2013, p.64]

People who spent dozens or even hundreds of hours with Crusader Kings and the Europa Universalis series will like Crusader Kings II and appreciate the fact that this is the most polished game by Paradox Interactive. Others will probably quickly get bored. [June 2012, p.82]