Pikmin proves that you don't need sex, violence or gimmicks to make an incredible game.

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.

So what is this interactive story that I've been throwing my thumbs at, attempting to guide its fate while being exposed to cracks in the wall that separates its reality from mine? Is it an absurdly smart commentary of video games, a bonkers adventure to watch unfold, a slice of creativity rarely seen in the industry? Is it an experience that has to be felt to be understood, thanks to its talkative AI and whimsical approach? Whatever it is, one thing is for certain: There is no game.

If you are competitive and have a fast internet connection you will have a great time. Just be prepared to pour hours in learning how to do everything.

Fallout 4 carries over a number of problems from the past, and some of the more streamlined changes end up hampering the experience - but despite all of that, it’s a fantastic game that delivers one of the most compelling and addictive worlds this year.

A wonderfully remastered trip into Nathan Drake’s past rekindles some of the joy the franchise has brought to its thousands of fans, but also makes some of its more glaring shortcomings far more noticeable. Still, the best Uncharted Collection you could’ve hoped for is finally here.

DiRT Rally is an unforgiving, temperamental beast at times. But it’s also the very best game in a genre that has been brought back to its purist roots with style and love.

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.

After reading the above, you may think this game is terrible. Here’s the thing though, it really isn’t. Its Saints Row, looking better than ever with some work done under the hood. The trademark humour is there, delivering some hilarious one liners and some genuinely funny dialogue.

While both games have their flaws, they look amazing in High-definition and are a joy to play. There is no denying the sheer amount of value you get from this bundle, and you’ll easily spend hundreds of hours with them. If you’ve never played these games before, now is the perfect time to experience two of the finest JRPGs ever created.

Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate is the best game in the series by far, sporting some welcomed additions and improvements. Ultimately though, whatever complaints there are are minor, as this is probably one of the deepest games you’ll find on the system and one that will have you playing for hundreds of hours.

Dragon Quest Builders 2 refines its formula and cuts out many of the frustrations from the first game, delivering a more structured story and rewarding pacing that lets you see your hard work gradually blossom rather than be swept away. It's an engrossing sequel that is difficult to pull away from, and now far more welcoming to start too.

This game is Tomb Raider through and through, while not being the Tomb Raider you grew up with. The franchise that defined a genre has stopped being schooled and moved from the back seat to the fore.

Nintendo and HAL labs could easily have just made the same game with more puzzles, and nobody would have been upset by that. Instead they’ve upped the complexity, creating a damned near perfect sequel - and something genuinely unmissable for fans of logic puzzles.

The game has obviously been lovingly crafted by a team of developers who live for online multiplayer and they have pretty much got everything right. But at some point someone should have pointed out that a large portion of the gaming audience also like single player and playing just for fun.

The new funky Mode dials down the challenge, but Donkey Kong: Tropical Freeze remains one of the most inventive and exciting 2D platformers. It may not be surprising, or as fresh as it once was, but it's varied and challenging gameplay cement it as one of modern gaming's best platformers.

While Heart of the Swarm definitely sets the groundwork for the next game, it doesn’t do it in a cheap way that leaves you frustrated and cursing at where the game decided to end. Kerrigan stole my heart and made me understand the Swarm. Now my eyes are focused on the Void.

Dying Light: The Following Enhanced Edition is an excellent package from Techland. It’s filled with content, and will keep any enthusiast of the zombie genre hooked for a good, long time.

If you’re looking for something a little bit different, and that can be easily and quickly consumed over two or three days, then Brothers A Tale of Two Sons might be one of the biggest and most pleasant surprises of the gaming year so far.

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.

The huge amount of work that went into modernising and reinterpreting the many visuals, from the ships to the wonderfully abstract nebulous backdrops feel like a massive love letter to both the original game, and to the fans who love it.

What more could you ask for from a themed pinball experience? Zen’s love for the most entertaining sport and its source media is unquestioned at this point, and with their latest foray onto the Nintendo Switch they’ve more than proven their passion. They’ve created the ultimate Star Wars pinball experience for fans old and new alike, a collection of nostalgia that has unlimited pinball power.

An enjoyable romp, a ludicrous explosion of colour, fun and ideas wrapped up in some tight visuals and acting. If you’re stupid enough to dismiss this as a bad DMC game because it’s too shallow for your tastes or not Japanese enough, then you’re also being ignorant and too dismissive to appreciate a damn good action game at least.

Despite having huge shoes to fill and obstacles to overcome, Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag is definitely the best Assassin’s Creed game to date.

Desperados III is an absolute hoot. The best strategy game of the year, cowboys and chaos never felt this good and this revival is one for the ages. It may be lethally challenging, but its gung-ho strategy is a masterpiece of design that’s accentuated by lovable rogues, lively levels and a dedication to its genre that can easily outdraw any challengers to its throne.

Resident Evil 7 has some minor flaws, but overall, Capcom has really done the impossible. In very much a parallel to the very story they’ve been telling for the past two decades, they’ve managed to bring the franchise back from the dead. It’s in the best state its been in years, and I can’t wait to see where it goes moving forward.

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.

Your eyes aren’t the only ones being treated though, with the audio in Horizon 2 being just as spectacular. There’s something indescribably exhilarating about the roar of a car’s engine, and Horizon 2 nails this on the head. It adds beautifully to the immense sense of speed nearly ever car brings, elevating the entire experience to new heights.