Destiny 2’s first substantial piece of DLC may look pretty, but it’s a surface fix that misses the mark on truly pushing the series forward. [Provisional Score = 6.5]

If you’ve ever wondered what poetry in motion looks like, then Ode’s imaginative mix of music and exploration will leave you with a smile on your face.

A worthwhile attempt to bring one of the most seminal shooters to VR. Gory and visceral lead-based exorcism, let down by some frustratingly inadequate controls.

Xenoblade Chronicles 2 suffers from some technical issues and takes a really long time to kick it into high gear, but when it does, it manages to become a sublime RPG, standing toe to toe with the behemoths of the genre.

Injustice 2 is already a fantastic game, and arguably the best entry in the fighting game genre for 2017. And now thanks to a surprisingly magnificent port, devoid of the headline-grabbing issues that plagued ports of previous NetherRealm Studios games, PC gamers can get to experience all that DC Comics fisticuffs brilliance for themselves in an even shinier package.

A vertical shoot-em-up that does its best to modernise the genre with an upgrade and progression system. It successfully captures the spirit of older games of its ilk, but the perpetual grind may dissuade many players.

If this is a celebration, then it's a muted one. I'm not sure Singstar will ever relive its glory days, but Celebration is a decent karaoke game that doesn't need extra accessories and peripherals. It's fun and infinitely better than singing along to your favourite song on the radio, pretending your hairbrush or potato peeler is a microphone.

A slower episode that sacrifices action for more character development, Telltale’s Batman game is shaping up to not only redefine the dark knight but also his greatest nemesis as Bruce Wayne finds himself caught up in a dangerous game.

The added perspective brings Skyrim’s immense scale to life, giving the 6-year-old game a renewed vigour. As incredible as it is, it’s just not the sort of game that really benefits from VR. Skyrim’s made to be played for long sessions, but most people can only tolerate VR for shorter bursts.

It might be the adrenaline talking, but I seriously got into Just Dance 2018. It’s a silly amount of fun combined with a serious workout and guaranteed to have you grinning along when you pull off a sick move.

L.A. Noire is still a strange, sometimes brilliant game that you should try at least once. But if you’re returning to try and recapture what enjoyment you might have had with it six years ago, you might find yourself staring at a package that hasn’t aged well at all.

The historical strategy game’s enjoyable combat is let down by some frustrating bugs, and a tutorial that rushes through itself. In the end, Numantia really does feel like it needs one or two more rounds of good polish. Still, if you’re a fan of hex-based combat and you’re willing to push through all those issues, there’s a good game lying beneath.

All ages gameplay, a colourful world to explore and a platforming mascot who has some potential to join the legends of the genre in the years to come. Super Lucky’s Tale won’t push your skills too far when it comes to its imaginative level design, but it’ll still be a cathartic way to wrap up the year thanks to its nostalgic focus on the past.

Star Wars Battlefront II is a gorgeous, incredibly fun shooter that builds on its roots with a host of new content, welcome gameplay tweaks and a fun single-player campaign. But all of its improvements are overshadowed by the Star Destroyer of crooked business decisions and terrible progression, making it a hard sell right now.

If you love choose-your-own-adventure games, Hidden Agenda is compelling enough to make for an evening’s entertainment, especially given its price – but it feels more a glimpse of what could be enabled by mobile-connected games in the future, than a showcase of them at the moment.

It’s a simple well-presented trivia game’s perfect for quick, bite-sized casual gaming for the whole family. Its questions aren’t nearly as varied or interesting as the ones you’d find in You don’t Know Jack, but they definitely have broader appeal. If trivia’s something you enjoy, and you miss games like Buzz, Knowledge is Power is lot of fun.

Need For Speed Payback is several bad ideas on four wheels, a drab racer whose potential is rear-ended by an underhanded upgrade system and a story that belongs in a direct-to-DVD bargain bin.

It’s definitely fun in short bursts, and is perfectly suited to the Switch with its casual, light-hearted multiplayer. That said, it’s just not especially engaging or memorable. As far as rhythm games go, this one going to be a bit like Marmite. As a rhythm game. it’s not nearly as quirky or interesting as something like Rhythm Heaven - and as a sports game, it can’t top Wii Sports. As a combination of both, it’s unique - but the sum isn’t as good as its parts.

Cat Quest’s combat can get stale and the lacklustre dungeon design definitely hampers exploration, but the surprisingly entertaining story and cool loot system is enough to keep you engaged to see it through to the end, if, you’re playing in short bursts.

Bigger, bolder and brighter than ever, the LEGO formula remains unchanged in LEGO Marvel Super Heroes 2. While evolution isn’t a building block for this latest entry, fan service, gorgeous visuals and an absurd amount of content certainly is.

It may look lovely and run well, but Sonic Forces' uninspired level design and lack of flow prevent it being much fun to play.

Elex is far from perfect. It can be a frustrating experience and the horrible combat system could be a deal breaker, but it’s undeniably an ambitious title with a promising future.

DOOM is a technological marvel to behold on the Switch, and the fact that id Software got it working at all seems like a miracle. But the magic comes with some heavy concessions, making DOOM on Nintendo’s handheld a more difficult recommendation for Switch players than any other platform.

It's a delightfully irreverent, casual tabletop warfare game that offers some surprisingly satisfying strategy gaming. There are a few fundamental flaws that are overshadowed by slick production values and some wonderfully witty writing.

Call of Duty: WWII is a great entry into the long-running series. Sledgehammer has done a fantastic job in creating a Call of Duty that will appeal to contemporary fans and those fans who might have favourable memories of earlier games in the series. It often walks a fine line between thoughtful representation of World War II and typical Call of Duty flamboyance, but it’s a line that Sledgehammer walks with confidence. The result is a Call of Duty that feels assured of what it’s trying to accomplish, and what it accomplishes is riveting, entertaining and at times hard-hitting.

The game is severely hobbled with cripplingly poor gameplay and pervasive glitches. The exclusion of bigger competitions and some international teams leaves players with a wafer-thin, ultimately disappointing experience.

Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus is a rock ‘n roll rebellion that manages to blend thrilling shoot ‘em up action with heavy subject matter and a narrative that begs players to rage against the machine with as many bullets as possible.

It’s impossible to pinpoint a fault in Super Mario Odyssey, which both elegantly and eloquently surprises and calls back to its storied history. It’s a game full of surprises; one that plays with your expectations and supersedes them in almost every way. If you have a Switch (or are yet to get one), it’s simply essential.

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.

The Evil Within 2 is a shining example of how to expand your game world while still having it remain a focused experience. Minor bugs cannot hinder what is ultimately a bloody (pun intended) good time.

Jydge is superb in its approach to a niche genre. It’s violent, it bends to your particular whims thanks to an onslaught of constantly available upgrades and it never takes itself too seriously as you dispense instant jystice.

2K’s fifth WWE game has all the style and none of the substance of WWE games of old. All show and no actual in-ring talent, everything new in WWE 2K18 is quickly superseded by an uneven graphics engine and a career mode that’s certified G for Grody.

GT Sport isn't for people who want to take racing seriously; it's for people who want to take GT Sport seriously. Superb driving mechanics and pretty graphics do little to hide just how little there is on offer. It asks too much and gives too little.

There’s a lot to love about South Park: The Fractured But Whole. The action is clever, the humour is even smarter and the quiet little mountain town is still as charmingly familiar as ever when you’re not busy farting your way out of danger.

Fire Emblem Warriors does a better job of blending two disparate series than Hyrule Warriors did. Fire Emblem’s ethos remains intact, perfectly accentuating, and enhancing Warrior’s’ patented hack-and-slash gameplay.

The areas in which Total War: Warhammer 2 improves on its formula are plentiful, resulting in one best put together Total War games to be released. While the fantastical Warhammer setting won’t appeal to some, particularly a few of those who’ve enjoyed Total War’s previous historical releases and were expecting more, it’s wonderful to see the wonderful world of Warhammer come to love so expertly and vividly. If you’ve played and enjoyed Total War: Warhammer 1, then it’s a near given that you’ll love what’s on offer here.

Ignore the obvious Pokémon comparisons, and you’ll find that Yo-Kai Watch 2: Psychic Specters is a charming RPG that manages to take a familiar idea and easily reinterpret it into something fresh and youthful. Yo-Kai Watch 2: Psychic Specters is the sum total of that experience, a reset on a pair of established games that adds even more to its distinct formula of crossing through to the other side. All aboard the Hex Express for this one.

FIFA 18 makes some notable and important changes both on and off the pitch, but it’s a formula that still often feels at odds with itself. And while EA is trying to recapture its former glory with the series, it continues to lose ground to the competition. Even if FIFA 18 is the best entry in the series for some time.

Bloodshed’s End concludes the Nioh saga on a high note with amazing bosses and a new challenging mode. Not to mention it has some truly nostalgic throwbacks to Ninja Gaiden, and that alone, makes it a worthwhile experience.

Middle-Earth: Shadow of War is Lord of the Rings turned up to 11. Improving on nearly every idea from the original Shadow of Mordor game, it’s a gargantuan sequel in both size and scope.

Pro Evolution Soccer 2018 is the perfect football game on the pitch, but flounders off the pitch. It offers a lot of value to the franchise agnostic but might not be compelling enough to warrant the annual purchase.

Forza Motorsport 7 is the exhilarating, technical racer you expect it to be when you’ve finally put rubber on the track. But outside of that it’s a mess of randomised loot boxes, microtransaction structures, tepid progression and watered down multiplayer support. A real bump in the road for this illustrious racing franchise.

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.

Old-school dungeon crawling with a few modern-day touches, Vaporum attention to detail is wrapped around a tale of steampunk mystery and some fresh ideas.

It’s by no means a great game, but The LEGO Ninjago Movie Videogame does more than enough to avoid accusations of being an egregious cash-in. The simple co-op platforming coupled with the invigorated combat system deliver a game that’s a mindless bit of fun.

Project Cars 2 delivers an outstanding racing experience, unfortunately, once the honeymoon period wears off, the by the numbers career mode does little to captivate in the long run, and the numerous bugs and inconsistent presentation and AI hamper an otherwise fantastic game.

Battle Chasers: Nightwar is as deep as it is gorgeous. I can’t wait to jump back in for some more action this week.

If you love those old-school games that rewards practice and patience through trial and error, Cuphead will likely delight. Yes, Cuphead is brutal and death is a regular occurrence, but it packs in that old-schoool arcade ethos that makes you want to keep trying.

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.

The inclusion of the Infinity Stones and the change to a more measured 2v2 format make up for the slightly slower pace. Marvel vs Capcom Infinite succeeds as a superlative fighting game, it’s just a pity that everything moulded around it doesn’t quite reach those heights. The Story Mode is abysmal and the roster is uninspired. Despite that, it’s still a blast to play.

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.

Atomega may look cartoonishly simple at first glance, but there’s a wonderfully mad game of evolution at play here when you dig deep beneath its blocky surface.

Destiny 2 is action at its finest. An improved expansion you’d say, but a magnificent one at that which nails the idea of what it means to forge a legend.

Ark: Survival Evolved is far from being complete, what with its many bugs and a feature bloat that doesn’t always hit the nail on the head. And yet, it’s still an addictive grind that proves that life can find a way.

Life is Strange: Before the Storm’s first episode can feel like a drag in the beginning, with a weak main mechanic and slow pacing, but it all pays off in the end and manages to become a flawed, but captivating experience.

Everybody's Golf is a reasonably priced game that will give you many hours of enjoyment. Don't let the cutesy graphics dissuade you, it's a great game to play. Even if you own Grand Theft Auto 5.

Despite some minor technical quibbles and uneven voice acting, Observer is a nightmarish gem. Drawing heavily on seminal sci-fi film Blade Runner for its overall cyberpunk aesthetic, this new game from Bloober Team adds fantastic game design and an engaging narrative to keep you coming back despite the terror it induces.

As cute as it all is, it’s surprisingly challenging, and halfway through the third world there’s a bit a spike in difficulty that had me questioning my value as a human being.

The Escapists 2 is an ingenious and sometimes frustrating romp with a rewarding experience that’s often just out of reach. A follow-up to 2015’s deliciously popular prison-escape simulator, The Escapists 2 stays true to fans with more freedom and level variety but fails to endear detractors.

Agents of Mayhem is a fun game, but it’s also lacking in what we’ve come to expect from the makers of one of the funniest franchises since Rockstar’s Grand Theft Auto 3 stole our hearts nearly two decades ago.

If you’re looking to re-experience the original StarCraft in a new super-polished form, then I’d definitely recommend jumping into StarCraft Remastered.

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.

Uncharted: The Lost Legacy is a tightly compacted Uncharted experience that leans heavily on the established structures and mechanics from the past. But its new choice in cast and creative, emotional tale that really makes the brief journey shine - from one massive action spectacle to the next.

Occasionally cumbersome controls and a generic sci-fi aesthetic do little to deter from a tight, addictive and explosive shooter.

Nidhogg 2 is a brutally bizarre tug of war with swords, an attractive grim spectacle of steel and blood that just so happens to be one of the most addictive experiences of the year. It’s a bigger take on the magnificent original game, while avoiding feature bloat as it retains its simple charm with its ghastly and delightful new art direction.

Unfortunately the boss encounters and disposable side missions sully whatever good this content had going for it. Still, despite my grievances, I feel as though Team Ninja are finally finding their groove with the DLC and I’m hoping that the final one will knock it out of the park.

Season 2 of Telltale’s Batman saga is off to a grand start, nailing all of the traditional beats that you’d expect from a dark knight game while staying true to its vision. Epic and ready to set up the caped crusader against an even deadlier menace in the months to come, Bruce Wayne’s world is once again fraught with peril and tension.

Inherited PSVR hardware issues aside, Superhot VR is to date one of the best games you could possibly play on the platform. Its expert pairing of challenge and empowerment make for an exhilarating shooter experience, that has you thinking and reacting in equal measure to feel like a lighting fast action hero.

If you can get past its frequently frustrating controls, there's some decent zombie-shooting fun to be had in Arizona Sunshine.

Tacoma is a captivating tale that messes with established tropes in a way that Fullbright might become known for. Although it spins its wheels at the start, this slow and methodical journey through the lives of a small group survivors is one with some fantastic twists and turns, and one that should stick with you long after its conclusion.

Patapon’s primal rhythmic challenges and its keen real-time strategy blend together to create an unusual yet still unique game that’s as charming as ever. It does however, feel better suited to being played on a handheld than on the big screen.

It’s a fun diversion, but I think that four years on it’s a case of too little, too late and Brain Training’s lost much of its charm. If you feel that information addiction has gotten the better of you or that you need to improve your focus, Devilish Brain training may be worthwhile – but it’s both tedious and sparse.

Miitopia is a quirky and entertaining RPG-lite in very short bursts, but unfortunately the game doesn’t have all that much to offer outside of a few goofs. The lack of substantial player involvement leaves it feeling too automated and the experience grows stale, fast.

The roguelike elements didn’t quite work out for me, but I’m sure Sundered will find its audience. Though I learned not to hate them, I would have preferred if the game stuck closer to tradition. It becomes a good game, but until you really become acquainted with how it works, it can be a frustrating and monotonous slog.

Solstice Chronicles M.I.A is a competent shooter, with its dynamic threat level leading to tense, frightening moments. The constant dread forces an engaging and tactical risk vs reward style of play - but the often awkward controls and derivative story let it down.

There are still some core narrative issues with the main characters and the game can be a bit too easy at times, but the new job system alone made this journey back to Ivalice so much more enjoyable. Whether you’re returning or playing this game for the first time, Final Fantasy XII is a JRPG that deserves to be played.

Pyre is a fun, deep and strategic game with a gorgeous aesthetic. But it's the way the music and themes stick with you long after the credits roll that really makes it a worthwhile experience.

Kirby’s Blowout Blast is the very definition of short and sweet. It’s a lunchtime diversion, that doesn’t pack any surprises but does at least have a somewhat addictive speed-running nature if you’re not easily distracted.

Serial Cleaner is a brief yet surprisingly addictive blood-soaked stealth game, provided that you can survive long enough to get past its steep difficulty spike.

Splatoon 2 is a far more robust, polished game, with heaps more content than its debut ever had, but still sadly retains some of its biggest shortfalls. An absurdly addictive formula of gameplay that remains unique and inviting, but with an encompassing online infrastructure that’s sometimes at odds with itself.

The Necromancer adds mechanical depth to a game which has hidden the obvious for quite some years. It's an incredible class that's fun to play but extremely overpowered at the moment. [Provisional Score = 80]

It looks nice, and it’s fun to play for a short while - but it’s such a pallid production that it just feels like a shadow of the game it could have been. Micro Machines deserves better.

Cryptark is unforgiving and merciless in its approach to balancing roguelike elements with a deeper sense of exploration and survival. It may not be to everyone’s tastes, but anyone looking to salvage a lengthy dungeon-crawler in space that is heavy on action and challenge will find plenty to love here. And scream about, when a perfect run is cocked up by the ship teleporting in a few heavy reinforcements right on top of you.

That’s You! definitely can be fun, but it just doesn’t have the longer-term appeal that the simpler, but more outrageous games from Jackbox have. Still, as an early look at what’s in store for future PlayLink games, That’s You! Is an able demonstration of party potential.

It’s ambitious, imaginative and often intriguing and does its best to deliver something fresh and unique. Unfortunately, Get Even fails to nail down the fundamentals, resulting in a sadly disjointed, overwrought experience.

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.

More than twenty years after the manic marsupial first graced the PlayStation, the return of Crash Bandicoot isn’t just welcome…it just feels right. A throwback to a more positive time, Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy is a testament to timeless game design and an example of a remaster done right by two studios split across two eras.

The sensation of rubber recklessly drifting across the sand, of splattering across your face and a grumpy Scotsman calling out the course before you as you violently swerve around corners. Rally racing is mental stuff and Dirt 4 captures that manic joy perfectly. The full fearless package of graphics, guts and glory.

Where Resogun may have been a spiritual successor to Defender in many ways, Nex Machina finds its roots in games like Smash TV and Robotron. Nex Machina is the sort of game that Housemarque does best. Accessible, hopelessly addictive arcade gaming. And they’ve nailed it – again.

ARMS is another great new IP from Nintendo that shows their growing commitment to robust, competitive online games. Its elegant flow of fighting is supplemented by numerous options of continued experimentation, with a strong suite of game types to keep you playing for hours on end.

With a bit more polish, and less of a lingering sense of obligation to hold on to the licence, MXGP could grow to become a premier racing sim, but right now it’s muddy at best.

Brushing its hilariously goofy teamwork aside, Star Trek: Bridge Crew is a shallow, repetitive experience that even the most optimistic Star Trek fans will struggle to sink their teeth into. It’s a missed chance at making piloting your own craft a pleasure, and a sore disappointment.

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.

WipeOut at its best has always been gorgeous on the eyes and smooth on the ears with a soundtrack that matches the beat of the game. WipEout: Omega Collection is that sensation wrapped up in striking 4K visuals that helps define it as the definitive WipEout experience.

Oh Sir…The Insult Simulator! looks charming, but on a list of things I’d rather be doing instead of playing it, French-kissing a live jackhammer rates higher on my schedule.

Farpoint makes the act of shooting feel exhilarating and accurate with the new Aim Controller, but just about everything else in this first-person shooter fails to live up to the billing PlayStation VR desperately need. A trite, boring shooter wrapped up with some poor decision designs and frequent bugs that’s just incredibly disappointing.

As an exercise in nostalgia, or an introduction to one of the most seminal fighting games, Ultra Street Fighter II: The Final Challengers is great. Its new modes, characters, and features are ultimately disappointing though, making the definitive edition of Street Fighter II less meaningful than it should be.

Sniper Ghost Warrior 3 should have been a better game. Disassembled, it had all the parts needed to give the thrill of the one-shot one-kill calibre that it deserves. The assembled game however, completely misses its target as it comes off as a mismanaged product that fails to deliver on its promises.