Spyro Reignited Trilogy is a solid remaster for those looking to play as gaming’s most famous purple dragons.

Dancing in Moonlight uses twelve years of songs to bring the Persona 3 cast the musical tribute they deserve.

Dancing in Starlight pays a loving tribute to Persona 5, but without a stronger setlist it doesn’t stand alongside its fellow rhythm game spin-offs.

It’s just not sure what kind of game it wants to be. It either needed to fully commit to the style of past games or or embrace its new tactical combat wholeheartedly, and it’s disappointing to see it embrace neither. Far from being a triumphant return, Darksiders 3 is easily the low point for the series.

Pool Panic is an absurd puzzle game that breathes new life into the game of pool despite some control issues.

PUNCH LINE fails to engage the player in any way, its play and story lifeless.

Fallout 76 has potential. It’s there, past the bugs and glitches that pervade the experience. Past the frequently disappointing quests and the unfulfilling locales. Past the dreary combat and the multiplayer that is as much a focus of the entire game as it is an afterthought in design. Past the sense that war has changed, and that Bethesda will continue to push Fallout further away from the elements that made the franchise so popular in the first place...Past all of that, Fallout 76 can be enjoyable. But to get that enjoyment, you have to put up with far too much.

Pokémon Let’s Go, Eevee is the genesis of a new beginning for the Pokémon series, giving players of both the traditional handheld games and newcomers alike, or fans of Niantic’s Pokémon Go, the best of both worlds.

Déraciné creates what may be the most enriching world yet seen in VR, but only scratches the surface in terms of actual gameplay.

Tetris Effect combines the simplicity of Tetris with an evocative and awe-inspiring mixture of music and visuals to create an experience unlike any other.

Dadrector’s Cut gives a little bit more spotlight to what Dream Daddy does well but doesn’t undo what the game has never been able to get right.

Castlevania Requiem lets players get their hands on two excellent games, so even though it offers little else, it is still a worthwhile purchase.

Despite the bad press at the start, I have a lot of faith in Dice as a developer and they have delivered a fantastic shooter this year with Battlefield V after listening to their community and taking their feedback seriously.

Hitman 2 is possibly the best version of this darkly comic murder simulator we’ve seen in quite some time.

Despite being a bit niche, for those who are fans of the series or are looking to get into the Leisure Suit Larry franchise, Wet Dreams Don’t Die serves as an ample entry point for both virgins and veterans.

Curse of the Vampire Counts is a welcome excuse to jump back into Total War: Warhammer II, as Creative Assembly continues to impress with their newest faction.

Call of Cthulhu tries to make the Great Old One awaken from his slumber, but fails to make an engaging game in the process.

The whole of Diablo III comes to Nintendo’s hybrid console six years after release, and while it might not be the prettiest, it is the portable-est.

While the The JackBox Party Pack 5 is hard to recommend at full price due to mediocrity, if you liked past entries it could be worth buying while on sale.

This anime-styled fighter goes plus ultra for fans of the My Hero Academia franchise, but its lackluster single-player content feels phoned in.

Red Dead Redemption 2 is the best game Rockstar Games has ever made, as it deftly combines one of the richest open worlds ever made with one of the most compelling stories of this generation.

Soul Calibur VI revives a series that may have been lost to time by learning from what worked best and introducing creative and unique mechanics to its already solid gameplay.

Luigi’s Mansion remains the classic it always was, but it’s little more than 3DS life-support.

The Switch release of Dark Souls: Remastered is sublime, offering a daunting, rewarding experience that you can carry anywhere with no losses. That you can play it in such an intimate way only enhances its themes and its best points, becoming, to me, the definitive way to experience Dark Souls.

While Starlink shot for the moon and missed, it still managed to lands amongst the stars.

Crayola Scoot is one part Splatoon and one part classic Tony Hawk Pro Skater, but lacks online play and longevity if playing solo.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 is a great multiplayer first-person shooter. Each of the three multiplayer modes plays in a number of unique diverse ways, but each maintains that core identity of a Call of Duty title.

If you missed The Escapists, then I would highly recommend getting it on the Nintendo Switch. It’s an enjoyable game with a very interesting premise. For added prison break fun, The Escapists 2 is also available and would be great given the versatile nature of the Switch and multiplayer.

For every step in the right direction, NBA2K19’s price tag keeps it from being a truly outstanding installment in the 2K series.

By ditching previous entries' clumsy attempts at innovation, Super Mario Party reminds us how fun it can be to crowd around a TV and roll dice with the Mushroom Kingdom crew.

Assassin’s Creed Odyssey is Ubisoft’s latest entry into the franchise, and despite having little connection to its predecessors, remains a solid Action-RPG.

Priced at a lower entry point than most retail releases, Astro Bot: Rescue Mission is a must play for owners of the PlayStation VR headset, even for those who may not necessarily have a fondness for platformers or are turned off by the cute, cartoon-like aesthetics of the game.

Through taking the classic formula and supercharging it, Mega Man 11 offers a welcome return to our sapphire hero, one that will keep dragging players back in.

Fist of the North Star: Lost Paradise may not reach the highs of the Yakuza series that it is so clearly based on, but it’s got more than enough spark to make the journey worthwhile for fans craving something new.

While the platforming aspect of the game doesn’t appear to be as big a selling point as the level creation, the gameplay is still tight and solid enough.

Beautifully trim, transcendently polished, and unexpectedly inclusive, Timespinner is among the most capable endeavours to spring from Castlevania’s picked-over carcass.

The Bard’s Tale IV: Barrows Deep is a great game that is in severe need of polish and bug fixes.

Wandersong is an incredible experience.

Life is Strange 2 sets up a very different story that cares a lot of the original game’s strengths with it, and leaves some of its weaker points behind.

Forza Horizon 4 feels more focused and creative than its immediate predecessors, thanks to a well-designed open-world that readily encourages hijinx.

Guacamelee 2 is a gorgeous, fun game with a sense of humor that makes me want to cry.

With every passing year, I’m consistently impressed how EA are able to improve on an already winning formula, making each new release of NHL a must own title, rather than a glorified roster update.

Chasm tries something new with its procedurally generated map but it failure to create interesting maps results in a lackluster experience.

Valkyria Chronicles 4 stumbles in its narrative, but great characters, a unique aesthetic, and an engaging combat system make for the best game in the franchise since the original.

Little Dragons Cafe is like ordering a delicious meal, and then finding a hair in it.

People will call Donut County an indie darling, and those people will be right.

Naruto to Boruto: Shinobi Striker is an interesting concept, but manages to ruin the experience with its flawed combat.

The definitive way to play the best entry in the Zone of the Enders franchise.

In the grand scheme of things, if you can afford it, Destiny 2 is now easily the best shooter on the market. I absolutely love where Destiny 2 is now, and hope the Forsaken expansion is a glimpse at things to come.

Culturally tone-deaf themes and few innovations hamper a genuinely fun experience.

Strange Brigade has a nice mix of third-person shooting, puzzles, and humor that ends too soon and costs too much.

I firmly believe Insomniac has crafted the best Spider-Man game to date. Whether you are a just a fan of the movies or a devout reader of the comics, Spider-Man is a console exclusive everyone who owns as PlayStation 4 needs to experience.

Fortnite brings a lot to the table with season 5, and while it is certainly worth your time and money, I just wish it could be a tad bit smoother before calling it “perfect”.

Blade Strangers is accessible to players of any skill thanks to simplified combat, but still leaves room for the more competitive players to shine.

Two Point Hospital manages that fine balance of nostalgia and new idea while making for a brilliant and fun management sim.

Divinity: Original Sin 2 Definitive Edition is the best version of the best RPG of 2017. If you like these games and have a console you’d be a fool not to play it.

Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate is not for newcomers, but provides plenty of great action for series veterans.

Dragon Quest XI’s strength lies not in defying conventions, but in refining the concepts its predecessors pioneered to the absolute apex of what a Dragon Quest game can be.

The Messenger’s intricate platforming and charming world make for a surprising journey that must be played.

While it remains similar to its predecessors in plot and structure, The Final Season: Episode One starts the finale off strong.

The Shenmue II & II collection is hands down, the best way to experience these title (warts and all), for both longtime fans and newcomers alike.

A flawed but promising 2D take on the Dark Souls formula.

Yakuza Kiwami 2 is perfect for anyone looking to experience the best of the early Yakuza titles without sacrificing the refined gameplay mechanics and visuals.

Monster Hunter World is one of the best games of the year, and it shines brightly on the PC.

It’s fast and fun; satisfying and elegant. You won’t want to put Dead Cells away.

While unlikely to ever eclipse the popularity of games starring his do-gooder counterpart—lo, art imitates life—Wario's series of wacky microgames nevertheless exudes such raw charisma and fun factor that it's hard not to root for him.

We Happy Few is a game that deserves some more time to improve. As it stands, it offers some truly interesting characters in a well realized and intricate story, that unfortunately have been hampered by an overall unpolished feel.

Overcooked! 2 may not feel like a fully realized sequel, feeling mostly like more of the same with just a dash of new mechanics and online gameplay, but I suspect that's enough for most fans of the original game. I'm certainly not burnt out just yet.

Yakuza 0 is a great game, and it’s PC port keeps the game’s charm completely intact.

Beautifully hand-drawn artwork coupled with turn-based strategy and meaningful decisions.

Sausage Bomber is Light-hearted, hilarious, and full of addictive chain reactions.

A bland and repetitive experience, offering almost none of the quality found it the games that inspired it.

Ys: Memories of Celceta is a good port on the PC, but weak visuals and a forgettable story hold it back.

Slime-San mimics what made titles such as Super Meat Boy so different, but despite being beautifully unique, it never reaches the same type of greatness.

With its impeccable presentation, its focus on history, and its ability to remix its challenges to make decades-old games feel brand new, Mega Man X Legacy Collection 1 + 2 is a necessity for Mega Man fans.

Gunheart is an over-the-top arcade shooter that plays excellently in both 2D and VR modes, thanks to the inclusion of some tight and fluid controls.

Octopath Traveler is a sublime mélange of classic role-playing sensibilities and modern conveniences that speaks to this RPG aficionado's soul.

Tempest 4000 is a love letter to fans of the original and Tempest 2000 on the Atari Jaguar, for everyone else, the game is a fun but hard to master, arcade-style, synth-heavy romp.

Dead In Vinland tries to blend the best of multiple genres, but when combined those once worth-while features become a single idea that many times works, yet at others simply doesn’t.

Another excellent addition to the Switch’s expansive library of quality platformers.

Shining Resonance Refrain manages to bury its many interesting ideas under repetitive gameplay and a dragged-on story.

The Lion’s Song is a masterclass in storytelling and a great fit for fans of portable Switch gaming, especially those looking for a narrative-driven experience.

Earth Atlantis innovates by bringing in ideas from the metroidvania genre to its shoot’em up shell, creating an experience that is unlike any other.

Sonic Mania Plus adds more to a game that was already perfect.

Just Shapes & Beats’ excellent soundtrack spawns intricate levels in a stylish aesthetic that is sure to challenge even the most dedicated players.

The Crew 2 has a beautiful open world, but average driving, strange design choices and weak multiplayer prevent it from utilizing it to its full potential.

Considerable compromises were made on a technical level, but Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus is still one of the best shooters on the Nintendo Switch.

Captain Spirit’s use of a child’s imagination to contextualize a dark, poignant story sets up a strong foundation to build Life is Strange 2 upon.

Unravel Two is a clever and endearing take on the original’s formula, but doesn’t come through on its cooperative premise.

Lost in Harmony brings some imaginative ideas to the table, but those ideas are a struggle to enjoy due to the game’s somewhat sloppy execution and even sloppier port job.

Mario Tennis Aces just feels lacking in ever sense of the world. Lacking real tennis rules, basic quality of life options, series staple characters, and really any personality at all.

To a fault, Fallout Shelter is the same game that you can play on any other platforms. The gameplay loop is simple yet engaging, though the lack of variety in the mid and end game remains disappointing. For newcomers, Fallout Shelter is an okay game that can casually occupy your time. But if you’re a veteran, I can’t see any reason why you should play this version.

In its current state Jurassic World Evolution is entertaining, but barebones as a business sim. Where Frontier really got things right was the dinosaurs themselves, they are simply the best versions of these prehistoric creatures in video games to date.

Curse of the Moon is a nostalgic trip back to the era of classic Castlevania games, warts and all.

The Queen and The Crone is a disappointing DLC that adds little to Total War: Warhammer II.

Smoke And Sacrifice is by no means terrible, but while its asking price may be lower than other known RPGs and its story is at its core interesting, its gameplay can at times also be just as fundamentally lacking.

BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle has some issues, but the gameplay is exciting and deep enough that fans of any of the franchises on display here will have a good time.

If you’ve been searching for a story-driven, narratively engaging vampire game with plenty of atmosphere, Vampyr is right up your alley. If you’re looking for a snappy, tightly controlled ARPG, you might want to look elsewhere.