Death of the Outsider is smaller, more focused standalone expansion that eschews some of the series’ superfluous mainstays to deliver a core, action-stealth experience. If this is the end for Dishonored, then it’s gone out in style.

Whether you’re pining for the good ol’ days of sim management madness or you’re new to the idea of simulated insanity in the workplace, Two Point Hospital clearly has the cure for whatever ails you.

Desktop Dungeons is a fantastic rogue-like ideal for gamers who have some masochistic tendencies and don't mind spending hours to achieve the personal growth required for success. Those looking for quick and easy rewards should look elsewhere. You'll never look at a goat the same way.

Child of Light's water-colour fantasy is beautiful to behold - but it's the constantly rewarding, explorative gameplay that's keeps it enchanting.

Despite its lingering flaws and often frustrating pacing, The Last Guardian rises above expectation to deliver an engrossing adventure. Team Ico have brought together everything they’ve learnt over their past two games to present a heartfelt tale wrapped in an often-bewildering platformer – even if it took nearly a decade to make it here.

A vibrant and challenging puzzle game, Filament has a slick style that’ll pump positive energy into your brain with every mystery that it throws at you.

Metro Exodus is ambitious, engrossing and at times genuinely disturbing. Above all it tells a fantastic tale set in a world that all the game’s superb aspects work hard to immerse the player in. While ‘the post-apocalyptic Russia’ may not sound like an appealing destination, Metro Exodus is well worth the trip.

MLB: The Show 18 is an incredible game with as much depth as you are willing to handle. It has incredibly intuitive and nuanced controls, entertaining commentary and a swathe of freedom that allows you to traverse the immense depth of the game as you feel comfortable doing. This is a game you can enjoy whether you’re a hardcore baseball fan or someone looking for something new in the sporting genre that isn’t FIFA 2018.

This updated version unfortunately doesn’t do enough to set itself apart from the original but if you’ve never played the original before I highly recommend you pick this game up and prepare to sacrifice your time with this addictive game.

Lethal League Blaze offers up an exhilarating multiplayer game that can be tons of fun both with friends and solo but does feel a touch light on meaningful content.

Pillars of Eternity on Switch is the same fantastic CRPG with great writing, strategic combat and interesting lore but unfortunately dips in quality due to some below par performance and a less than handy translation of the game’s menus to the Switch’s controls.

Warlords of New York is a massive leap forward for The Division 2, a fun diversion that aims to be less repetitive and more engaging. There’s a big picture being developed here, one that’ll make the trademark grind of The Division 2 more addictive than ever before as civil war rages on in the streets of the divided states of America.

Aside from the microtransactions and occasionally tedious load times NBA 2K19 has all the modes, polish, challenges and value you’ve come to expect from the franchise.

Through Splinter Cell: Blacklist, Ubisoft has reminded us of what a force of nature, Sam Fisher truly is. The take-home message is that there's still life in the old dog. While, the game may be a compromise of sorts, with a merger of concepts and ideas, its true success lies in how flexible and rewarding the gameplay is.

The King of the Iron Fist may feel rusty in its sparse selection of story and offline offerings, but the real magic is found online where its arcade spirit keeps it not only alive but also relevant for a wider connected community from across the globe.

The same compelling puzzle adventure that it was on the Wii U, but now on a system that feels far more suited to its bite-sized levels and rapid pace. Its strange control quirks in docked mode make it a less alluring prospect at home, but if you’re looking to kill some time anywhere else you’d struggle to find something this good to scratch that itch.

Wild, adequately beautiful and a reminder of what a real need for speed truly feels like. Burnout Paradise Remastered may not be essential for anyone who has already spent many an afternoon committing its many and shortcuts streets to memory, but as an example of how racing games can fuse euphoria and momentum into one packed package of V8 action? It’s the original benchmark that hasn’t a single ounce of torque.

If you've never tried an MMO, Wildstar may be the game to get its hooks in to you. If you're a veteran, I have a strong feeling that you will like what is on offer.

Islanders is simple and straight-forward but still manages to make each of its city-building runs engrossing with a high-score to chase and procedurally-generated spaces to explore. It's the charming visuals and meditative soundtrack that make your brief stays worth it, enrapturing you in a relaxing aesthetic as you try to survive as long as you can.

Dragon Quest Builders is every bit the captivating building adventure on the Switch as it was when it first released. It’s strong sense of progression, charming aesthetic and easy mechanics make it great for casual play, while its robust worlds and interesting characters make for a charming tale. It takes a misstep or two along the way, but Dragon Quest Builders isn’t an adventure you want to skip out on.

Most importantly, it’s fun. The super hero-infused setting though opens it up to players who aren’t quite as enthusiastic about fighting games, but they’ll get the least out of it. Most players will, instead, get their kicks from having their friends around on a beery Friday night; finally putting paid to the question of which spandex-clad metahuman would win in a fight.

Nidhogg is yet more proof that a simple concept with a simple goal can work, and work well. In a way, it reminds me of a Super Smash Brothers Melee tournament; simple combat and pure competition, that’s what makes Nidhogg so amazing.

It's your typical Battlefield experience, filled with vehicle and infantry warfare as well as large, destructible environments. If you're a fan of the series, you will not be disappointed. If you're not a fan, this might just make you one.

It’s rare that a game allows me to use my failures within itself to build a unique narrative, and that in itself allowed me to approach Torment: Tides of Numenara from a new light. Ironically, the lack of a Game Over led me to be more cautious as I know the world has evolved, even if just by a tiny bit, as a result of my failures.

A game about conducting heists from behind a pc screen? It sure sounds mundane and complicated. Blendo Games though, have somehow managed to pull it off with ease in Quadrilateral Cowboy. They’ve put together a highly polished, surprisingly enjoyable product - one which every gamer should at least consider playing at some point.

Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice is a prime example for anyone making the case that video games are a powerful art form. Creatively ambitious, it’s exceptionally well-thought-out and implemented – making it striking at both a sensorial and psychological level as it delves deep into an exploration of life with psychosis. It has its gameplay flaws but remains must-experience for adult audiences. An instant classic for this generation.

Kirby: Planet Robobot might be easy, but it’s an equally satisfying platformer to play on the go with the 3DS. It’s an adventure that the round pick hero begs you to join him on, and you’d be hard pressed to be dissatisfied with the journey.

Mario and Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser’s Minions is a mouthful, but this remastered classic is a keen reminder as to why the series has maintained such a high bar of RPG quality over the years. Its established formula and rhythmic pace make it a hard adventure to put down, even if some of its parts are more superfluous than substantial.

A calm and restrictive level on first glance, episode six of Hitman is teeming with poetic kills, intricacy and intrigue as it sets up a subtle tease of things to come in future seasons for Agent 47.

Splatoon is a vibrant, colourful and innovative competitive multiplayer shooter that's beautiful, addictive and undoubtedly fun - but a lack of maps and modes could hurts its lasting appeal.

When Tearaway Unfolded is good, it is stupendous. With an excellent aesthetic and tons to offer. However, the slow points and repetitive aspects rob it of some of its charm, especially when they drag on for far too long. While an excellent kid's title, be warned that some sections might just make them cry in frustration instead of delight.

TrackMania Turbo is damn near perfect for an arcade racer. Its difficulty and progression system may chase away some, but those who stick around for the long run are in for some truly rewarding speeding.

With one of the most addictive turn-based battle systems you’ll find today in a JRPG, Tokyo Mirage Sessions was a blast to play. It’s just unfortunate that the story and characters were about as bland as flavourless rice cakes.

If you're never played any of the Ace Attorney games, this would be a perfect starting point. It's exactly what you'd want an Ace Attorney game. Simply put, it's a masterpiece.

It's fresh enough to the point that it's alien, yet it's still Call of Duty underneath that futuristic surface.

ICEY IS a neat idea, that admittedly, probably won’t be for everyone. What does beat at the heart of ICEY, is a perfectly acceptable action game with fluid visuals, style and energy. All of which contains an interesting twist on the experience.

A clever, well-written appreciation of classic Point-and-Click Adventure games that should definitely be checked out by fans of the genre or anyone looking to recapture that Lucasfilm nostalgia

Faithfully adapted, bristling with depth, beautifully written and gorgeous to look at, Stygian: Reign of the Old Ones is a fantastic role-playing game that’s hampered by a frustrating and tedious combat system that is sure to turn many players away in the early goings.

Episode 3 falters in some areas but it was never enough to hurt the overall experience. With heartfelt moments and an incredible climax, this game proves that it can stand tall amongst the giants in the genre. I felt a bit disheartened by the incredibly slow and slightly boring second episode, but this one proves that this game is still hella awesome, and yes, I just said hella.

Fast Racing NEO wears its F-Zero inspiration on its sleeve, and manages to fill the void left by that series conspicuous absence. As its name suggests its fast, but it's also clever, beautifully designed, challenging, and above all, fun.

Overcooked 2 is a lot more of the same, but it’s a well-rounded sequel that improves on its established gameplay with small, clever refinements across the board. Add to that new online multiplayer support, a quick-fix Arcade mode and more devious kitchens to conquer, and Overcooked 2 is a perfect choice for your next co-operative craving.

While still definitely a family-oriented franchise, Skylanders: Superchargers is also a whole of fun for adults. Vehicular gameplay adds a whole new aspect to the gameplay, although it also makes the pull to buy ever more toys feel even more necessary.

Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia isn’t just an old game with a new coat of paint that brings everything from cinematics through to voice acting into a more modern age of gaming. It’s also a prime example of how the fundamentals of a classic game can still resonate today with newer audiences. Good game design stands the test of time, something that Shadows of Valentia has plenty of.

It might not quite hit the highs of Bowser’s Inside Story, but it’s still essential; yet another must-have title to the 3DS’ ever-increasing library of incredible first party games.

Push past the convoluted mechanics and daunting start of Trials of Fire to be greeted by a deep and engaging deck-building rogue-like that’s meticulously designed, generous with content, and rewarding to play.

Fast-paced and humorous with deep combat, this space romp should be required in every PS4 owner's library.

Despite some excellent puzzle design and classic Layton aesthetics, it doesn't always feel like the game takes advantage of what the 3DS can do. Professor Layton and the Azran Legacy is a fantastic addition to the franchise. A must have for any puzzle lover.

I think the developers are on to something really special here, and if they properly end it off in the next and final episode, Life is Strange will stand as a giant in the genre. Now, all that’s left is to wait for the finale, and what a long and gruelling wait it’s going to be.

Sunset Overdrive’s stylistic gameplay and juvenile attitude doesn’t make it a title for everyone. It is, however, an incredibly fun, visually beautiful open-world title that exhibits the best parts of what a sandbox game should be. Tight, stylish movement, engrossing combat and chaotic online fun makes Sunset Overdrive a no brainer for any Xbox One owner.

Dynamic and dangerous, there’s no other fighting game like Samurai Shodown on the market. After a decade away, this latest chapter proves that idea once again with the sharpest swordsmanship combat around that manages to unleash a barrage of modern cuts while still retaining the magic of the original game.

A brilliant adventure packed with some of the best dialogue gaming has even been medium to, Firewatch manages to engross you from the moment it begins and throughout its fittingly brief tale. Even if the journey is far more captivating than the eventual destination, Firewatch is more than worth the price of admission. Wyoming and its mysteries await.

A great port of a fantastic game, Torchlight 2 still holds up as a great example of an ARPG dungeon-crawler that is unfortunately plagued by some annoying bugs and control scheme limitations.

After rocking the world with guitars and other assorted musical stylings, Fuser feels and sounds like the logical next step for Harmonix. It’s colourful, brimming with positive energy, and the musical mash-ups that you can potentially create aren’t just surprising, they deserve to be heard around the world. If a steady flow of DLC keeps Fuser alive, I’ll happily hop back into the DJ booth to create a few more surprise hits.

With a wicked sense of humour, loads of visual flair, and a surprising amount of cerebral satisfaction packed into its deceit-filled race against the clock, Overboard! is a delight. It’s one to keep within arm’s reach when you’re in the mood for short bursts of frantic, but low-effort, fun.

As a driving simulator, Gran Turismo 6 excels at bringing you an unparalleled driving experience, but as a racing game it falls short in a variety of ways that while still good, hold it back from being a truly great modern console gaming experience.

A vast, emotional experience that offers many hours of gameplay. Would benefit from more storytelling in the actual game instead of outside media, as well as a few other minor tweaks, but still a fantastic journey that is lingering with me days after watching the credits roll.

Genshin Impact may be one of the biggest surprises of the year: A free-to-play RPG that gives players an absurd amount of freedom and content to dip into. Some barriers can still be found in the absurdly rare drop rates for premium characters and the world shows some growing pains, but you’re still receiving a gorgeous fantasy world that doesn’t press-gang you into spending money on it.

It was rather refreshing returning to Guild Wars 2 after an extended absence. With mountains of fresh and exiting content, Guild Wars 2 Heart of Thorns is most definitely worth it if you’re a fan of the franchise. The new map is beautiful to behold, and there is friendship around every corner.

If you’re looking for a tactical, turn-based strategy title that’s oozing charm, humour and playability without sacrificing depth, Skull of the Shogun is worth the investment, and a shining example of the genre on consoles.

Bravely Second is one of the few JRPGs to play purely for the gameplay. While the story is good, the writing tends to spoil one too many potentially great moments with unnecessary fluff and comedic skits. On the other hand, everything else about the game is fantastic and was more than enough to hold my attention. Though the writing may make you cringe, the fun and incredibly deep battle and customization system makes this an easy recommendation to any JRPG fan.

A solid title that will make fans of the Civilization franchise extremely happy, and might even attract some new players - if they can survive the initial challenge.

Assassin’s Creed Origins is a pharaoh’s tomb chock-full of shiny treasures for gamers, especially those fascinated with Ancient Egypt. The side quests may feel a little repetitive, but the credible, nuanced characters and diversity of the main plot make up for it. And with so much to explore and do in its jaw-dropping setting, Origins is exceptional.

Tales of Vesperia stands as one of the best entries in the long-running franchise. Any issues I may have are minor compared to everything this game gets right. The Definitive Edition will be a treat for both returning players and newcomers alike.

Anno 1800 can become confusing and complicated over time, what with the in-depth nature of this civilization sandbox franchise. But those willing to step up to the challenge are rewarded with a gorgeous and comprehensive game, built on micro-management and period-set obstacles and factors that nudge you along in your mission to build the next great island metropolis. For what gaming experience it represents, the franchise looks and feels great.

Resident Evil: Village is equal parts terrifying and empowering. It’s haunting, tense, and filled with all kinds of gruesome action you’ll only ever see in a franchise that revels in its campy nature. Fans of the franchise will no doubt pick up on its familiar beats, but that’s for the best as it strikes a happy balance between fresh and familiar.

Choice is the driving theme in Far Cry 5, a game which opts to venture out of its comfort zone while fine-tuning every aspect of what makes the series so great. It’s incredibly relevant, Montana is a gorgeous slice of new terrain that is fraught with peril and the road ahead that Far Cry Arcade represents is exciting to say the least. Simply put, the fifth numbered chapter in Ubisoft’s series of madness, freedom and exploration is Far Cry perfected.

Necrobarista is a touching, emotional journey that features an excellently written and easily lovable cast of characters. While the “memories” within the game are frustrating to unlock, it wasn’t enough to detract from an otherwise excellent experience.

A consistently compelling progression curve, gorgeous world, and a staggering amount of fun content makes Immortals Fenyx Rising a truly fantastic game, even if it is rather derivative at times.

In the end it is still Call of Duty and if you aren’t a fan of the run and gun mechanic then you are probably not going to be a big fan. However if you’ve ever enjoyed any Call of Duty game since World at War you are going to love this. Easily the best multiplayer I’ve experienced in years along with a strikingly unique single player campaign plus a bucket load of extras and a massive community to enjoy it with. You can’t go wrong picking it up this year.

It all feels like a bit of a missed opportunity. Had it been a compilation of all three numbered God of War titles, it’d be easy to recommend without hesitation, but as it stands now it’s only really worthwhile for God of War neophytes.

Dragon Quest 7: Fragments of the Forgotten Past is a huge but extremely charming and endearing game and stands as one of the best JRPGs I’ve played on the 3DS.

Gears Tactics isn't just one of the biggest surprises of the year, it’s a vulgar display of power starring everyone’s favourite beefy boys in a bloody new direction that’ll test your trigger fingers with pure heavy mental action.

Plants Vs Zombies: Garden Warfare 2 is gloriously silly in the best way possible and excels at a grass-roots level thanks to some of the tightest gameplay around.

A stunning remaster of one of the greatest game trilogies of all time. Whether you've played them before or just want to relive the magic, this is definitely worth picking up.

There is no doubt that this expansion offers some great value to newcomers, offering them the whole Company of Heroes 2 multiplayer component for as little as $12.99. For those who already own the game, the new factions and maps will offer differentiation, but not a great deal of value.

Darksiders Warmastered is a more than capable upgrade for a game that is almost seven years old. Fortunately, the core gameplay itself is just as satisfying and brutal today as it was in 2010.

Its shallow narrative and bland protagonist detract, but those looking for a finely-crafted open world game that eschews parody and satire for an overall darker tone will have a great time in Watch Dogs' digital Chicago.

A truly deep and compelling 4X game that will keep players busy for hours. What it's lacking in ability to pick up and play, it makes up for by delivering a beautiful experience for those who are willing to keep at it until they understand it all.

ABZU is at home on Nintendo’s Switch. The simplistic, but vibrant visuals shine on the Switch’s screen, and the system doesn’t falter in its presentation or performance. There’s perhaps a little more aliasing than you’d find on its bigger console and computer counterparts, but the three-hour long adventure has been faithfully ported.

Football Manager 2017 offers inclusive functionality, making sure your decisions as a manager can either win you the trophy, or bankrupt your club. It's fun, but it starts to feel like little more than admin after a while. That, I suppose, is the point.

King's Quest: Once Upon a Climb may lack complexity, but it more than makes up for it with strong storytelling and effusive charm.

Is NBA 2K18 an all-around slam dunk? Not quite thanks to unscrupulous microtransactions, the undercooked Neighbourhood, and mediocre/annoying storytelling. However, despite these fumbles, NBA 2K18 still delivers wildly when it comes to the ability to just play basketball better than any other title without having to leave the couch.

Volume is a must play game for anyone who claims to be a fan of the stealth genre, while still being a suitable entry point for stealth game virgins. It's gentle while still posing challenges, even if gaming veterans will find ways to cheese the system. The script and voice acting take it to a whole new level of greatness.

Despite some boring locales and an over-reliance on the darkness just for the sake of it, Amnesia: Rebirth is an excellent horror game with some fun puzzles, well-written characters, and genuinely terrifying moments.

A more civilised game for a more elegant franchise, Disney Infinity 3.0 has found its groove this year, with a an improved and flexible Toybox that'll keep the younglings busy for hours.

Blood Dragon is everything that you loved about action movies from a forgotten era, mixed with a healthy does of cheese, Michael Bien, punchlines and some superb music. It's not just worth the buy. It should be an essential part of any game library.

It’s also the work of a studio that’s obviously comfortable and confident with VR, who knows what works and what doesn’t in a medium that’s not completely opened its wings. It lets you tinker and play around, gesticulating and gesturing (even letting you flip the bird), with the realisation that immersion’s at its best when that sort of irreverence can be embraced. The whole affair’s buoyed by incredible performance capture, great voice acting and facial animation – plus a Grime soundtrack that captures the essence of London’s dirtier underground.

A truly solid JRPG that combines deep combat, intricate strategy and customization with cute and funny story-telling and characters. It doesn't offering anything particularly new to the genre, but it's still a perfectly enjoyable experience.

Pokémon Sword and Shield is everything that you love about pocket monsters and then some. With an emphasis on sharpening what works and ditching more bloated elements aside to create the best region yet for the franchise, Pokemon Sword and Shield is pocket monster catch ‘em all mania at its very best.

Despite the cut content, New Super Mario Bros Deluxe remains the most feature-packed, and dare I say fun 2D Mario game in decades. If you missed it on Wii U, own a Switch and love Mario, platformers, fun and just plain good games, there’s no reason not to get New Super Mario Bros U Deluxe. There's just no real reason for those who've played it already to get it again.

Luftrausers is the very definition of replayable insanity. It’s difficult,intense and feels smooth when you master the controls. And yet you’ll come back for more in a new and improved Rauser time after time, with the constant flow of action never getting old.

A stacked package of single-player and multiplayer offerings, Call of Duty Modern Warfare may not hit every mark that it fires but this ballsy reinvention of the franchise is still the blockbuster benchmark that is thrilling, thoughtful and terrific.

The Switch version of South Park: the Fractured But Whole is a straight port. It’s a good game that will appeal to anyone who has a love of violently tolerant rednecks and children caught up in increasingly bizarre situations, but a few loading time issues stop it from being the best way to play.

True to the franchise, this is unadulterated God of War. While the insight and motivation of the character is highly enjoyable, the game doesn't do enough new things to make it as impressive as the huge creatures and levels it portrays.

As the sum of its parts, LEGO Dimensions is something special. It’s witty, it’s fun outside of the box and it boasts enough talent to get you hooked on a gateway drug to acquiring a collection of plastic blocks in the future. It’s more than just toys to life, but a combination of physical and digital experiences that blurs the line between the two to create an experience which clicks brilliantly with its concept.

Pokémon Sword and Shield is everything that you love about pocket monsters and then some. With an emphasis on sharpening what works and ditching more bloated elements aside to create the best region yet for the franchise, Pokemon Sword and Shield is pocket monster catch ‘em all mania at its very best.

Despite being a simplistic platformer with a few story issues, Puppeteer is downright charming, adorable and amazing to see in action. It's not your usual guns and bullets kind of game, but then again, it's a breath of fresh air in an industry that is filled to bursting with those games.

The story’s nonsense, but the actual minute-to-minute air combat makes up for that. It’s almost always a joy to play, with combat that’s empowering, satisfying and spectacular.