At a time when the biggest companies are shamelessly releasing remasters of titles that are several years old, any fresh IP, especially one set in such a unique universe, is worth its weight in gold. The gameplay and story are compelling, even if it is a production from a bygone era.

L.A. Noire is a new breed of adventure game. It's quality and scale completely eclipse even the most important achievements in this genre and I strongly recommend it as the best interactive detective story of all time. [June 2011, p.52]

Creative Assembly takes us on a breathtaking journey through four of Warhammer’s continents (the map is huge!) and serves all of its gameplay elements in right proportions. It’s a highly addictive game that will consume all your free time one turn at a time. [12/2017, p.48]

No revolution here, but still it’s an absolute must-have for every Wii U owner. [08/2014, p.68]

This game would benefit from one more year of development to iron out some shortcomings but its essence – slaughtering zombies with customized weapons in close combat – is almost perfect. The 'just one more quest' syndrome is here along with fantastic, detailed environments and enjoyable 2-4 players co-op. May the sequel be even better! [October, p.34]

The latest Tropico's sole problem is the fact that the visuals are not very different from the previous game in the series. Other than that it's an immensely absorbing title and the built-in editor along with the ability to share user created scenarios will guarantee its longevity. [October, p.42]

Resistance 3 failed to outmatch its main competitor – the Killzone series – but still is a great game. It's got a tangible atmosphere of threat, a personal story that does not drip with cheap pomposity, a set of 12 fantastic upgradeable weapons that are fun to use and very good visuals (if you don't look at textures up-close). Boss battles are somewhat disappointing though and enemy AI leaves much to be desired. There's also nothing groundbreaking here but good old FPS standards were put together brilliantly. [October, p.44]

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.

The atmosphere alongside with tough moral choices and many other merits makes Frostpunk absurdly engaging. [06/2018, p.58]

Two main new features – tactical defending and physics engine – are a bit disappointing for me. The direction itself was right but the execution leaves room for improvement in FIFA 13. It's still a great game though with a lot of minor enhancements and additions. [October, p.48]

Requiring creativity and spatial imagination, this puzzle game draws you in from the very first minutes. If only it told its story better and dared to be more difficult and bolder, it would be nearly perfect.

If you love interstellar travels, you’ve got nothing to mull over, because right now Elite Dangerous is the best space sim. [02/2016, p.36]

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.

The wait was long, but it was worth it! LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga has a lot going for it, offering plenty of action, many puzzles, rich environments and a very enjoyable co-op mode. It’s still the familiar LEGO games formula we’ve seen many times, but skillfully expanded with new ideas and improvements. A must-play title for both Star Wars and LEGO fans.

The new large area is just a beginning. The car was introduced really well and tweaking it is really rewarding, because all the modifications are meaningful. There are new weapons and enemies (real bosses at last!) and the expansion is well balanced in terms of character development. Lastly there’s a good, skillfully presented story and enough content for 20-25 hours. [03/2016, p.30]

Children of the Sun is an insanely addictive puzzle game cleverly pretending to be a shooter. It’s an excellent title for those who prefer solving problems over spectacular action. The developer knew exactly how to build tension by gradually unlocking new mechanics that increase the difficulty, and as a result this indie gem is more fun than many AAA products.

There are not many games out there that make drifting so enjoyable. But bear in mind that Trackmania may throw you off if you're a fan of traditional racing games. It's also a pity that the puzzles from the previous game in the series are now gone. [October, p.60]

Session: Skate Sim is the best skateboarding game right now. It’s difficult, it’s challenging, but it offers unbelievable possibilities for a video game and is very realistic without going overboard. I’ve been dreaming of something like this for the past 20 years. If you like skateboarding, you must play it.

In its current form FM7 is not perfect (loot boxes!), but when it comes to the most important thing, namely the joy of driving, it’s simply the best racing game available regardless of platform. [12/2017, p.64]

McPixel 3 is as crazy as it is funny. It demands a grasp of Monty Pythonesque humor, but if this requirement is met, every second with the game is a delight.

Big Bad Wolf did what Telltale Games’ works promised but could never deliver. A true revelation in the world of non-linear adventure games. [03/2019, p.66]

An excellent modern nod towards the likes of Final Fantasy, and a beautifully drawn, masterfully animated feast for the eyes. [12/2017, p.72]

Is it iconoclastic and anti-Christian? Yes. Humanistic and empathetic? You bet! Indika is not afraid of condemnation, and its developers speak their minds openly and consistently, though sometimes rather bluntly. And the fact that they draw inspiration from Bulgakov, Tarkovsky, but also Spyro the dragon? Well, such are the charms of this religiously engaged metagame.

If you’re still playing Battlefield 1, you should definitely get They Shall Not Pass, as it offers two outstanding maps (and two decent ones) and truly amazing atmosphere. [05/2017, p.63]

It’s not Metro 2033 anymore – Ukrainians look up to the western style of game development now and you have to get used to it. Last Light could have been better, but only a bit better. The atmosphere is amazing, there are moments when the game is poetically beautiful and in terms of sound it’s one of the best titles out there. [CD-Action 07/2013, p.50]

Despite some lack of creativity it’s so good that it’s hard to believe that it’s the first project of a tiny studio. Had brilliant Ori and the Blind Forest not existed, Hollow Knight could have become an official standard for Metroidvanias. [06/2017, p.50]

After RE6 I was convinced that there’s no hope for the series. Luckily there are still people in Capcom who try to preserve Resident Evil’s unique personality as a survival horror where every bullet and every dodge count. Revelations is the best Resident Evil in years. [CD-Action 07/2013, p.58]

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]

One could think that a game that makes you cut down trees, shatter rocks and cook meals will get boring quickly, but it’s not the case with Don’t Starve. Each time you start in a freshly generated world and time and again encounter new things, monsters and events. Even after writing this review I’m convinced there’s still a lot for me to experience in Klei’s new game. [CD-Action 07/2013, p.60]

It will not stop the global warming, it doesn’t cure cancer or even introduce any new trends in game design, but in almost every level it proves that Zelda is not the only must-have title on Switch. It matches the platform’s nature perfectly. [05/2017, p.70]

A fascinating, fresh take on the Arthurian legend. I wish the lore was more elaborate and the interface less minimalistic, but apart from that it’s an addictive, highly replayable dark fantasy rougelike with fast battles, varied character classes, numerous secrets to uncover, and great music. [08/2021, p.52]

After you get used to some crudeness related to the fact that the original is 28 years old, you’ll notice that is hasn’t aged that much. What’s more, visuals were revamped so skillfully that The Dragon’s Trap is one of the prettiest games released this year. [06/2017, p.54]

Wonderful philosophical reflections, a lot to discover, and truly phenomenal brainteasers make The Talos Principle II a dream puzzle game. I’d love more continuity in the dialogues and a stronger impact of my choices on what the androids discuss, but The Talos Principles II is still amazing.

It’s fortunate that this game finally made its way to other platforms, as it’s one of the best entries to the LEGO series, with a cool open world, a fun story full of humor and cultural references, simple but satisfying co-op mode and surprisingly good character animations. [06/2017, p.55]

Sports Interactive did not rest on their laurels and came up with a lot of new ideas. Unfortunately not all of those ideas were great and some of the changes feel forced. [November 2011, p.68]

I didn’t care much for the series after CoJ: The Cartel, so I was very surprised by the fact that the modest digitally distributed effort to return to the Wild West turned out to be the best Call of Juarez ever. It has brilliant storytelling, looks great and offers pure, unadulterated fun. At this price it’s a steal. [CD-Action 07/2013, p.66]

This fresh take on the EDF franchise got almost everything right. Decimating alien invaders is as fun as you’d expect it to be, and the ability to instantly switch between 4 characters (there are over 100 of them to unlock, each with a unique weapon and a special attack!) makes the voxel-powered destruction even more thrilling. I only wish the Switch version ran smoother and the split screen mode wasn’t exclusive to PlayStation. [08/2021, p.57]

I parted with Soma with the same feeling that came over me while I was watching “Matrix”, “Interstellar” or “Inception”. Once again someone came up with something no one thought of before and took me for an amazing ride into the unknown. [12/2015, p.40]

Underneath innocent, cartoonish visuals you’ll find quite complex mechanics that force you to make tactical decisions and constantly keep you on the edge of your seat. Unfortunately at the final stages of the campaign the game becomes unfair and frustrating rather than demanding. [01/2018, p.43]

The figurines are great (the car from the starter pack became my son’s favorite toy!) and the really good platforming gameplay will keep both parents and their kids occupied. [12/2015, p.47]

The fact that the Photo Mode is one of the emphasized features tells everything about how necessary this remaster was and how much effort was put into it. Yes, the textures are sharper, the lighting is better, but the difference is not breathtaking, because the game was already stunningly beautiful before. It’s not how I imagined Kratos’ assault on PS4. So why such a high score? Five years later it’s still an exceptional game and I envy everyone who is to experience this grand adventure for the first time. [09/2015, p.43]

Attila does for Rome II what Napoleon did for Empire: Total War – it expands the elements that were good, skillfully covers up the shortcomings and presents some ideas for the future. [04/2015, p.50]

The terrific concept, the amazing music, the minions bustling around the retrofuturistic secret base of my own design – there was a moment when I was deeply in love with Evil Genius 2. Hours later I discovered that it drags research out frustratingly and the choice of rooms you can build is too narrow considering the length of the scenarios. What’s the point of having a multistory facility if all the floors look the same? Still, it’s a fantastic game that will make all fans of Dungeon Keeper feel right at home. [06/2021, p.46]

This great mobile slasher has PlatinumGames written all over it. Wonderful art style, superb combat, fascinating Yokai, the soundtrack, the story, the characters – pretty much everything clicked in World of Demons. The developers did a fantastic job and now they can finally focus on giving us Bayonetta 3. [06/2021, p.48]

Revisiting Dunwall was very rewarding and also motivated me to complete the original campaign of this great game for the second time. [CD-Action 06/2013, p.77]

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]

This safe sequel bursting with fun is probably this year’s best incarnation of a guilty pleasure. [06/2021, p.52]

Just like Sniper Elite 4 before it, the latest addition to the series takes the crown of the best game for those who prefer to employ stealth and kill from a distance rather than engage in direct firefights. Its X-Ray kill cam is still loads of fun while impressively large, detailed maps offer lots of freedom and many additional challenges, so it’s a shame that uninteresting story, poor AI and flawed physics hold it back.

The enemy AI needs work and the game’s budget was too low for the developers to polish all the details, but with its spacious environments perfect for extremely long shots (headshots on moving targets from 1500 meters are awesome!) and interesting combat scenarios turning sometimes into puzzle-like situations, Sniper Ghost Warrior Contracts 2 is definitely worth recommending as a well-designed, really fun game. [08/2021,p.68]

The PS4 edition of WoT is the prettiest of all HD versions but upon arrival offers less vehicles than its siblings on PC, Xboxes and even mobile devices. [03/2016, p.57]

Everspace 2 is a great space combat game infused with the spirits of Descent, Freelancer and Elite: Dangerous. To some degree it also resembles Diablo or Skyrim in space. You roam around planetary systems and complete missions, while upgrading your ship with heaps of varied armor pieces, weapons and gadgets. Overall, it is a very good game with tons of content, but sometimes you can notice that the developers had to cope with a limited budget.

Let’s forget about terrible cutscenes directed by Spike Lee – the game itself is still a joy to play. [12/2015, p.54]

With its 100% old school gameplay (rocket jumps, strafe running, medkits, three lives, killer speed) Wrack is a worthy heir to id Software’s tradition. [Dec 2014, p.79]

There were dozens of Dragon Ball games, but Xenoverse still managed to surprise me with fresh approach. It’s still primarily a fighting game, but the developers went for many features associated mainly with MMOs. [04/2015, p.56]

Even though you can briefly describe Genesis Noir as an adventure game with occasional puzzles, in fact it’s a completely unique, extraordinary experience unlike anything I’ve played. [06/2021, p.58]

A very enjoyable game rich with well-designed modes, none of which feels forced or redundant. [12/2015, p.55]

Alan Wake 2 looks like a true AAA game, but experiments with form and content like an ambitious indie title. Since it sounds like typical Remedy, are there no surprises? On the contrary! In my opinion, despite some annoying bugs and clunky combat, it's the best game the Finns have released since the first Max Payne.

One of the best RPG games for 3DS. [03/2014, p.77]

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.

Dandy Ace is a fun, vibrant roguelike with its own distinctive personality and a cool combat system. [06/2021, p.65]

I’m happy that Outer Rim not only introduces new content but also refreshes the game as a whole, making it much more enjoyable. Still no dedicated servers though. [06/2016, p.54]

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

Remastered edition tried to get rid of some nuisances of the original, but still it’s a game designed for an old, very limited console. However, if you wish to catch up on classics, first go for Ocarina of Time, then obligatorily check out Majora’s Mask. [04/2015, p.59]

Still fresh, still creative, still atmospheric. Two chapters released earlier as DLCs and included in the Complete Edition are absolutely on par with the original content, but despite this addition the game remains quite short. [06/2021, p.68]

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]

The Last of Us Part I is the best way to experience the wonderful story initially told in 2013. However, the original game, and especially its remaster, stood the test of time really well, so it’s difficult to justify remaking it so soon without substantial improvements to the gameplay and selling it at this price.

Not only is this budget hack’n’slash a quality game, but it also introduces to the genre a small but refreshing novelty – the ability to jump over obstacles and bounce off walls to reach areas inaccessible to typical Diablo slayers. [09/2015, p.53]

Citizen Sleeper – an enjoyable journey into a mind trapped in a stolen artificial body – is a game where the story is more important than gameplay mechanics and the questions that arise along the way are more important than answers. This narrative game that creatively combines the randomness of dice with some survival and management mechanics does not fully deserve to be called a „Disco Elysium in space”, but the association is basically correct.

Avalanche pulled out the big guns – the Star Wars license. Along with new characters and Play Sets came many additions and cool new features in the Toy Box mode. [06/2016, p.56]

A great remaster of the best “single-player MMORPG” ever. The original seemed to have everything it needed to shine, but some external factors (poor marketing, the closure of 38 Studios) robbed it of success. I’m happy to inform that the remastering was done expertly and this charming, fun, unpretentious game resembling Fable is still worth both its price and all the hours needed to complete it. I’m really happy I got this chance to revisit Amalur, and I want to believe that Re-Reckoning foreshadows the revival of the franchise that died prematurely years ago. [11/2020, p.48]

This is the most advanced and maybe even the best edition of World of Tanks. This is how the PC version should look. [10/2015, p.52]

Faeria falls somewhere between Hearthstone and some more tactical card games like Scrolls or Duelest. I wish its artistic direction was farther from Blizzard’s hit, but at least Belgians managed to evolve gameplay to some degree. A nice touch is that Faeria can be enjoyed without resorting to microtransactions. [06/2017, p.75]

The developers of this atmospheric point’n’click adventure succeeded at something very important – the puzzles are not just annoying hurdles on your way to the finale, they are inherent to the setting and the story. I enjoyed my time with Strangeland very much and the only flaw I can point out is the rushed, banal ending. [07/2021, p.35]

Unpretentious and very enjoyable game of rolling a drop of mercury through increasingly complex levels. [November 2011, p.83]

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]

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

For on open-world action RPG developed by a handful of people, Biomutant makes a very striking impression. It’s hard for me to imagine someone not falling in love with the beautiful, unique world conjured up by Experiment 101. Sure, the game as a whole is not perfect, but if a sequel is ever created, I’ll be the first in line to play it. [07/2021, p.38]

Portal is still the champion of the genre, but Q.U.B.E. does a very good job at providing interesting, varied and increasingly challenging puzzles. [10/2015, p.53]

A very ambitious game that has much more than just ambition going for it. Immersion and visuals are top notch, parkour was more enjoyable for me than in Assassin’s Creed, and it’s also hard to find equally good and satisfying melee combat anywhere. If only the story was less cliché and developers had more time to polish the game. [03/2014, p.83]

Hardspace: Shipbreaker is what happens when passionate developers and artists set out to create a “worker simulator”. Blackbird Interactive came up with a fantastic idea for a game, made it real using an excellent physics engine and wrapped the whole thing in stunning graphics.

In terms of gameplay mechanics it’s a very simple game but it does much more for understanding democracy than any citizenship lesson. [13/2013, p.72]

Juggling three weapon types in this spectacle of destruction is really rewarding, especially if you aim for high scores and keep your enemies alive as long as possible to annihilate as many as possible simultaneously. [04/2015, p.67]

Storytelling in 80 Days is so rich and polished that this adventure becomes your own. [12/2015, p.65]

The Centennial Case: A Shijima Story is a great movie and an engaging detective game. The story is its strongest point and even though not all deductions seemed well-grounded to me and gameplay mechanics resemble simple jigsaw puzzle, solving the mystery gave me a lot of satistaction.

A nameless ronin sets his foot in a seaside town of Amihama, where he immediately gets entangled in the conflict between nationalistic rebels and pro-British shogunate. What happens next? Whatever you want to happen, because WotS4 gives you such freedom of choice that every adventure lasting two hours can be different. [10/2015, p.56]

Assetto Corsa Competizione is a full-fledged simulator but it’s scanty in terms of typical game content. However, a multitude of settings to play with and an advanced driving model will keep racing fans occupied for hours on end. What’s also worth mentioning, is the fact that the game takes full advantage of DualSense’s features, which really improves the overall experience.

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

OlliOlli World is a fun, very accessible game that lets you easily pull of many tricks, fly over chasms and slide on dinosaur bones as you explore an enticing wacky world. What I don’t like about Roll7’s latest creation, was its narrative side, a sudden difficulty spike by the end and the lack of a good level editor.

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

The latest game by No Man’s Sky developer is not only enjoyable to play, but also pleasant to look at. Despite visual simplicity it will charm you with its style and vibrant colors, bewitch you with its fairy tale atmosphere and sooth your senses with subdued soundtrack. If you’re looking for a puzzle game that won’t overheat your brain but will provide a couple of hours of varied fun, give The Last Campfire a chance. [11/2020, p.59]

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]

With its distinct visual style, interesting, complex gameplay mechanics, and merciless difficulty level, Othercide is a treat for anyone who enjoys challenging turn-based tactical games. [10/2020, p.50]

A mix between Three Kingdoms and Thrones of Britannia, Troy is a solid game that has a lot to offer and guarantees many hours of addictive fun but might disappoint loyal Total War fans with some of the changes (e.g. diplomacy). If you’re new to the series, be prepared to power through the overwhelming beginning, fortunately with the help of one of the best tutorials I’ve ever seen. [11/2020, p.60]

One of the best stories among indie games of recent years. [10/2015, p.60]

Great visuals, wonderful unique atmosphere, Icelandic voice-overs and an opportunity to familiarize yourself with some Norse mythology. I highly recommend this gem! [12/2015, p.69]

Beautiful, cute and wonderful. Unfortunately also very short. [04/2015, p.67]

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]

An exciting idea and a great execution. The joy of watching vegetation regrow successfully replaces the satisfaction of seeing your metropolis thrive in traditional city builders. Terra Nil is a pretty and rewarding game with a valuable message and it’s a pity it offers nothing besides the campaign that left me with overwhelming feeling of emptiness.