The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is, without a doubt, a masterpiece. Its few minor faults do little to detract from one of the very best games ever made.

Red Dead Redemption 2 is a story of endings and new beginnings, of the birth of legends and the consequences that come with creating a myth. It’s all wrapped up in an immaculate presentation, told over dozens of hours and adventures that leads to an inevitable conclusion: Red Dead Redemption 2 raises the bar for the sandbox genre and stands tall as the definitive western game of this or any other generation.

New modes, new ideas and a sleeker multiplayer side that makes GTA V one of the games out there that is worth replaying. Welcome back to Los Santos, the city of opportunity.

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.

Grand Theft Auto V is at home on PC, with Rockstar pouring an incredible amount of effort and work into their long overdue PC port. There is simply no better way to experience the branching story in Los Santos - setting a new benchmark on what we can expect from the highest tier of visual fidelity in gaming.

I was transfixed by the game, truly loved playing it. It is definitely my game of the year, if not my game of the PS3. That said, there were some very, VERY minor things that irritated me.

One of the games on the PlayStation is now one of the best games on the PlayStation 4.

It’s a triumph in storytelling and design, making it one of the most exceptional experiences gaming has ever seen.

BioShock Infinite is no doubt the most profound game I’ve played in a very long time. Take from it what you will, whether it’s an adrenaline pumping shooter experience or a deeper, intellectual experience or both, the almost perfect and flawless game is worth taking the time to play. This game will be rivaled by few for Game of The Year 2013.

The Last of Us Part II is an exceptional experience from beginning to end, uniting its gameplay and narrative into a cohesive unit while also delivering some of the best writing and acting seen in a video game to date. It is undeniably one of the best games I’ve ever played.

Beautifully crafted, satisfying to play and over-flowing with content, Hades is a phenomenal video game that continues to impress long after you complete your first run.

An incredible port of an incredible game, Divinity: Original Sin 2 is just as ground-breaking and clever as it was on PC while running impressively well on the Switch’s lower-end spec.

Super Mario 3D World is vibrant, fun and reaches a new level of excellence for the franchise, creating the right kind of cat-astrophe.

Persona 5 has redefined a genre of gaming and is a must-play title for every RPG gamer. Much like Persona 4 Golden was a reason to own a PSVita, Persona 5 is a reason to own a PS4. Like FFVII made you fall in love with JRPG’s 20 years ago, Persona 5 will steal your heart.

There's not much in the way of new content, but Red Dead Redemption 2 is undoubtedly best played on PC. With scalable graphics options for future PC tech, improved input latency and an already burgeoning modding scene, Red Dead Redemption will continue to shine on the platform for years.

The Phantom Pain is an unusual Metal Gear experience, one that not everybody may enjoy if they cling to systems of old. If they’re willing to adapt and accept this new way of exploring Kojima’s world however, they are going to be blown away, absolutely, and one hundred percent guaranteed. This new open world is one that is begging to be played with, in whatever way a player wishes.

Most importantly, it adds closure. There’s no cheap set-up for a sneaky sequel, no cliffhanger ending. Just the door fittingly closing on a series of great – if unfortunate - adventures. While I wouldn’t go so far as to call Uncharted 4 the greatest game that’s ever been made, it is indeed a remarkable one, and undoubtedly the best the Uncharted series has to offer.

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is more than best-of-hits collection of Smash games past. It’s a tightly woven experience that deftly combines the old with the new and manages to meet the lofty expectations placed on it. It’s incredibly easy to pick up and play, with enough depth and nuance to keep players engaged. It’s the best Smash Bros has ever been.

Inside is a game that simply has to be experienced. Its mystery filled dystopian world is brought to life expertly through tight, thoughtful design, masterful art direction and sublime sound design. Inside isn’t like many other games, because not many others can do so perfectly what it does regularly.

Forza Horizon 4 isn’t as surprising or inventive as the last one, but that’s hardly a slight considering how good it was. Horizon continues to shine as one of the best things on the Xbox. It’s beautiful to look at, it’s fast and it’s unbelievably fun. Forza Horizon 4 is a joyous, enthralling celebration of racing.

Pulling on emotional strings throughout, Journey is every bit the masterpiece on PS4 that it was on PS3.

If you take the time to really get lost in the game, you’ll feel the pride and love that From Software has poured into it - and maybe at the end of it all, you’ll end up loving it too

An impeccable role-playing game, and one of the finest games ever created. Whether it's as large as tracking the Wild Hunt or as small as delivering a love letter, The Witcher 3 makes Geralt's actions count in the most incredible ways - creating a world begging to be explored for countless hours on end.

Demon’s Souls is an unrelenting blast from the past, reforged with numerous quality of life changes and looking better than ever thanks to the PS5 hardware that gives this old-gen classic a true next-gen update.

This singular vision is perfectly at home on consoles. The experience is mirrored more or less perfectly on the controller and the addition of split-screen is a welcome one. Its characters, world and combat are a breath of fresh air in a stale genre. Though new content would not have hurt this supposed Definitive Edition, Original Sin 2 is perhaps the most compelling Role-Playing Game in a decade.

Super Smash Bros. for the Wii U is a no-brainer. If you own the console, there really is no reason for not owning the title already. There is enough content, fun, and joy to keep players busy for perpetuity.

With improved visuals, accessibility, more content and a newly invigorated Battle Mode, Nintendo has demonstrated a masterclass in spiffing up an older game - giving us Mario Kart at its very best.

Blizzard have set a new example for the FPS genre that others will need to follow. Overwatch reaches near perfection with its polish and charm. It's fun, addictive, and will keep players hooked for a good, long time.

Bayonetta 2 is something new blended with something familiar, improved in every way possible. Few other games can top it for sheer audacity and ballsiness, and if this is the last time we’ll ever see the leggy witch, then she’s going out with one hell of a bang.

Dragon Quest XI Definitive Edition is a monumental game. It highlights everything the original already got right and adds so many unique features that enhance an already phenomenal experience. It’s a stand-out success for JRPG’s and RPG’s in general, both a modern epic and classic in every sense of the word.

Forza Horizon 3 is a truly astonishing game and one that should not only be classified as one of the best driving games available right now, but one of the best games available, period.

Every bit the genre-defining, captivating adventure that it was 13 years ago, Shadow of the Colossus reminds you yet again just how masterful design and keenly focused art direction never age. But it’s Bluepoint’s respect of these elements and the smart decisions to tweak and improve them that make this the most definitive version of the Team Ico classic you’re likely to ever get.

Inside is a game that simply has to be experienced. Its mystery filled dystopian world is brought to life expertly through tight, thoughtful design, masterful art direction and sublime sound design. Inside isn’t like many other games, because not many others can do so perfectly what it does regularly.

Occasionally obtuse and slow, Disco Elysium excels at delivering one of the best role-playing game experiences in a very long time with exceptional writing, world building and mechanical immersion.

A Link Between Worlds blends nostalgic familiarity with newfangled fantasy, introducing innovation with sacrificng any of what made its forebear great. It's an incredible adventure for fans old and new.

Resident Evil 2’s remake highlights just how great Capcom’s first sequel in the Resident Evil series ways, but does it in a way that makes it the most compelling entry in the series thus far. It’s smart changes merge with the classic design expertly, while its atmosphere is rich thanks to gorgeous lighting and incredible sound design. It’s a reminder of the past, but this remake would be a fine direction for the future of Resident Evil.

Animal Crossing: New Horizons is a game that manages to be wholeheartedly cathartic, relaxing and adorable for every second you play despite some legacy flaws and clunky menus that may vex just a little too much.

Diablo 3 may have been first on PC, but it is most definitely better on console.

While the game occasionally shows its age in several departments, it more than makes up for it by crafting one of the finest Zelda adventures ever made and being irresistibly charming.

A truly revolutionary take on rhythm platforming games. It’s got a fun story that is expertly told through the game’s dialogue, animations, and most of all music.

While there's still a bit of a steep learning curve for newcomers, NBA 2K17 offers up everything an NBA fan could ever want in a single package.

Monster Hunter World is an addictive, thrilling but ultimately satisfying experience. It’s the perfect starting point for newcomers, but it also has all the depth that long-time fans enjoy, making this easily the best game in the series.

It’s more of the same, then – but when you’re getting more of one of the year’s best games, that’s not something to complain about.

FromSoftware proves yet again that they’re masters of their craft. Every aspect of Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is just so lovingly crafted that any flaw feels like a droplet in an ocean of brilliance. Sekiro is the full package with immensely satisfying combat and an intriguing world to explore and discover.

Rayman Legends takes everything that was great about Origins, and using a combination of black magic and near faultless design, manages to make it better.

Though the first game’s starting to show its age as far as visuals go, the relentless action remains timeless. Fast, frantic and frivolously fun, it’s still worth playing. The sequel, however, improves upon everything; deliver a more focused, more nuanced and more refined. It’s a glorious masterclass in design and flow.

Astro Bot would stand tall as a platformer on its own, but it genuinely uses virtual reality to elevate it beyond that. Delightful and joyous, It’s one of the best VR games to date, and an essential part of every PSVR library.

Xenoblade Chronicles Definitive Edition proves that it is still one of the best examples this genre has to offer. A new coat of paint and smart gameplay changes brings this classic up to date for a new generation of gamers.

Majora’s Mask is a testament to the idea that fantastic game design never ages. It’s engrossing while pushy, unique while also familiar and filled with contrasting charm and dread. If you have a 3DS it’s a must-have – and a good reason to pick one up in the first place.

A chimera of genres, Dead Cells succeeds in forging its own path with incredibly polished combat, retrotastic art design and drawing the right amount of influence from the past.

Pillars of Eternity is a wondrous return to form, the latest and greatest from a recent move to revisit RPG classics. It's certainly the best RPG experience I’ve had for many years, and a massive part of that is how it approaches its story telling.

Titanfall 2 is a far more “complete” package then that the first game was, offering one of the best single player campaigns in first person shooter, and a robust and cleverly nuanced multiplayer. It's everything the first game should have been.

Dark Souls 3 fires on all fronts providing equal measures of mystery and exhilaration. If this is truly the last Souls game then FromSoftware has ended this series off with a heck of a bang.

Super Mario 3D is a great game to play solo or with friends and shows off some of Nintendo’s best level design yet, while Bowser’s Fury is an inventive take on the Mario formula that’s more generous with its content than it ought to be. Both games make for a fantastic bundle and should be checked out by fans and non-fans alike.

Tetris Effect is a visual and auditory treat that bombards your senses with exploding colours and punchy electronic songs. But it’s real triumph is combining this with the delicate nature of Tetris, retaining the precise gameplay while also marrying it effectively with the beat of a drum. Tetris Effect is meditative, exciting and incredibly difficult to put down.

Fire Emblem: Three Houses doesn’t change how it plays on the battlefield, but its greatest advancements lie in the moments between the horror of war. The bonds forged between comrades in arms, the drive to really get to know the cast who you spill blood with and the opportunity to truly learn about the finality of death all combine across a vast and sweeping fantasy epic that’ll leave you breathless by the time the credits finally roll.

Apex Legends is a surprisingly different interpretation of the Battle Royale formula that introduces new rules for engagement while also refining many of the issues the genre has grappled with for months. It's ingenious tagging system and clever character abilities make it a multiplayer shooter that's easy to pick up and play, but also deep enough to sink hundreds of hours into for months to come.

Dreams is so many ideas at any given time. It is ambition given form, imagination given vibrant life and unlimited possibility waiting to be shaped with your hands. Unique and inspiring, there’s no other game that even comes close to reaching Dreams and its intuitive approach to creating content and an experience that you never want to wake up from.

There’s a fine line between a remake and a remaster, and Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1+2 doesn’t just expertly balance on it, It pops a 50-50 nose grind, rides that line with a devil may care attitude, and lands the trick perfectly. The biggest name in skateboarding is back, and better than ever.

World War I is hard material to tackle, but DICE have managed to do it respectably enough. Battlefield 1’s campaign is memorable, and it’s multiplayer, brutal. The latter doesn’t necessarily provide a whole new experience, but a coat of paint from The Great War certainly makes the series feel nice and fresh again.

Horizon Zero Dawn is a love letter to the finer details, as they reinvigorate an open-world setting in startling ways. Its tight combat and engrossing world are icing on a package that just shines from all angles, making it an easy recommendation to not only play on PS4, but to buy one in the first place.

Devil May Cry 5 Special Edition doesn’t offer any massive surprises for veteran fans, but as a fresh chapter for newcomers? It makes one of the best action games of the last generation one of the most thrilling of the new generation.

What it lacks in raw innovation it more than makes up for in pure joy. Mario Kart 8's bare-bones presentation is offset by its solid core racing, and is an essential purchase for every Wii U owner who appreciates fun.

Super Mario Maker makes creating levels an easy, effortless exercise – letting true design shine through rather than hindering ideas by muddling with software. It’s just a pity that it takes too long to truly wrestle that power from Nintendo’s strict hand-holding.

Ori and the Blind Forest: Definitive Edition - while superfluous - makes a near-perfect game even better. If you haven't played it, now is the perfect time - and even if you have, it's worth revisiting.

Nier Automata is unforgettable. The gameplay is all sorts of Platinum Games fun but the story is what will remain with you long after it’s done.

Crystal Dynamics have effortlessly done the impossible with Rise of the Tomb Raider, crafting a sequel that is superior to their reboot in every single way possible. It’s a bigger, more expansive experience that has a captivating narrative, engrossing gameplay loops and an absolutely stunning presentation. Rise of the Tomb Raider is one of the best action games ever crafted, and a generational leap forward as the series looks towards the horizon. Lara Croft is in good hands.

So far, Ori and the Will of the Wisps has taken my breath away. It’s possibly one of the most aesthetically gorgeous games I’ve ever played, even if some parts do feel like they’ve been ripped straight from the first game and the soundtrack is masterful in every sense of the word. [Provisional Score = 90]

I think it's impossible to put down your controller once you finish Rift Apart for the first time, and not have a smile on your face. It's a game that's chicken soup for the soul, nourishing and positive content that's just incredibly wholesome to consume. Loud with its setpiece moments and surprisingly introspective with its emotional haymakers, all of its style and substance comes together to create not only a colourful, and wonderfully mad showcase for the PS5, but also the definitive Ratchet and Clank adventure for the next generation of gaming.

XCOM 2 manages to improve a formula that had almost nothing wrong with it to begin with, adding a sense of urgency to the already unpredictable nature of its turn-based combat. It’s a rewarding experience, if not sometimes cruelly unfair.

Dishonored 2's story beats are perhaps a little too familiar, but it makes up for its narrative trappings with open-ended gameplay that rewards exploration and creativity. To call Dishonored 2 a stealth game is a bit of a disservice, because you can play it any way you like.

If you were ever hesitant about jumping into Injustice 2 due to the fragmented nature of fighting games in the new age of content delivery, then rest assured: Injustice 2 is 2017’s best fighting game made even better in 2018.

Pokemon games have always taken dozens of hours to complete. And X and Y is no different, as you'll have your head focused on your 3DS for weeks to come.

Ori and the Blind Forest doesn’t add anything new to the genre of gaming that it was inspired by, but few other games can match the polished gameplay and humbling difficulty of this charming little fella.

The original Super Mario Maker is an enduring bit of software, but this makes up for just about every one of the original’s transgressions and adds a full-fat campaign to boot. It’s lovely stuff, offering a world of infinite Mario that has a little something for everyone.

Devil May Cry 5 is a masterpiece in action. It has heart and charm in its epic story that comes full circle on the series. It looks sexier than the sun setting over a billionaire’s collection of cars that are parked on a Santa Monica strip in California. It plays phenomenally well and will leave you drenched in sweat and satisfaction when the end credits roll, while wishing for more of its sassy attitude.

Monster Hunter Rise is fantastic from start to finish. It feels like a game that many will come to consider an essential on the Nintendo Switch thanks to its stunning graphics, addictive gameplay loop, consistently engaging combat, and bountiful bowls of unlockable content. Oh, and fighting alongside giant cats and dogs is simply too cool.

Fire Emblem Fates: Revelation is a game that strikes an incredible balance between narrative, combat and creating an family first and an army second.

With reimagined cities, diplomacy and research progression, Civilization feels familiar enough for veterans while making a lot more sense for newcomers. By far the best Civilization experience we've seen in years, only slightly tarnished by slow load times and art that occasionally feels out of place.

Its mere existence proves that the RTS genre, despite the flood of MOBAs in recent years, is very much alive and well. It’s clear that Blizzard have poured every resource at their disposal into making the definitive StarCraft II experience. The result is something truly special. Legacy of the Void should not be missed.

Diablo III Eternal Collection is a comprehensive package that bundles together all the new content and reworked mechanics Diablo III has seen over the years, which works incredibly well on the Switch’s limited hardware. It’s just a shame some control schemes aren’t as engaging to play with.

World of Warcraft Legion makes up for Warlords of Draenor’s transgressions by fulfilling its promises; rewarding end game content and a compelling, inclusive story.

If you’re new to the franchise, you’ll be a bit under pressure to read up on characters and events from the first game, but it caters to new players (or those who have simply forgotten everything from the first game) well enough, is one of the best story-telling experiences I’ve had in recent memory, and is otherwise bloody fantastic isometric RPG.

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.

Nioh is an absolutely engaging game, that’s soul-crushing, yet addictive and satisfying. Nioh continued to impress to the very end, delivering an enthralling experience that's challenging, but fair in its execution.

It’s agonizingly cute, addictive and packed with content. Animal Crossing New Leaf should please fans both young and old.

A story told with deft delicacy while not pulling any punches along the way, If Found is a gorgeous slice of storytelling told with deceptively minimal inputs and maximum talent.

Mortal Kombat 11’s Ultimate Edition is NetherRealm’s finest hour polished up further for a new console generation. Packed with content, further refined, and open to a wider audience than ever before, Mortal Kombat 11 is still a violent masterpiece that draws first blood with its new roster additions.

The proof is in the pudding, and I'm happy to say that I went from an absolute beginner on guitar to feeling some level of mastery (on some songs, at least). It may not teach you all the guitar theory or how to read music, but it is a fantastic tool for learning and enjoying the guitar.

Subnautica harnesses feelings and fears we experience in reality and uses them to drive us to want to survive in this alien world and find our way back home. It is simply you versus the vast, unknown expanse of the ocean.

It's a small mobile game but the complexity of the gameplay and graphics definitely surprised me. A solid title that you just have to try.

There’s a lot to like about Injustice 2, which is a remarkable fighting game. It’s easy to be disappointed with fighting games, which are usually barebones experiences with little to do outside of multiplayer. This is as complete an experience as you’re likely to get. A high-octane, enjoyable cinematic campaign bolstered by a wealth of other single player content, and a multiplayer mode that’s stuffed with features. It’s a joy for fans of DC and fighting games.

The Witness offers challenging, if somewhat repetitive puzzles in a world soaked with unique artistic style. If you like maze puzzles, have the patience of a Shaolin monk and are interested in an experience that can only be described as challenging, repetitive and yet meditative - this game is for you.

Final Fantasy VII Remake isn’t the retelling of a cult classic that you’re expecting it to be. It’s a lengthy and deliberately slow-paced walk down the Midgar memory lane that leisurely basks within the warm glow of nostalgia, but at the same time it’s an exhilarating and cinematic explosion of action that not only celebrates the impact of the game which rewrote the rulebook for an entire industry in 1997, but also everything else that followed in its genre-defining wake.

It's the same old Pokemon that you know and love, but shinier than ever thanks to the graphics. X and Y doesn't shake the age-old formula up when you examine it closely, but it really doesn't need to as it shifts the franchise into a more modern age.

Astral Chain is one of Platinum Games’ most complex and satisfying action games to date, with combat that’s suitably fast but far more purposeful and careful in execution. Its gorgeous world and enticing premise are betrayed by an uninteresting story and characters, but there’s little else to fault when you’re teaming up with your legions and solving cases across different dimensions.

Guilty Gear's latest chapter is its most accessible one yet, a righteous display of power and attitude that unleashes the sickest of heavy metal guitar licks and unrelenting style. Its online matchmaking may still need some work before it's ready for the main event, but Arc System Works has delivered a captivating display of coolness and action.

Pokémon Sun and Moon may take its sweet time getting you hooked on its battle monster formula, but once they’re in they’re never coming back out again. Even after twenty years of Pokémon games, Game Freak still has a few surprises and tricks up their sleeve with their most vibrant Pokémon game to date.