In trying to subvert expectations, The Last of Us Part II discards the best aspects of its predecessor to provide a rote revenge tale that is ill-considered, ending on a note that makes everything — all the violence, all the loss, all the struggle — feel utterly, hopelessly pointless.

Divinity: Original Sin II on the Switch does a wonderful job of staying true to the original PC and console versions with no major drawbacks — even if the menus can be their own mini-boss.

No matter how many times you find yourself escaping the Underworld, this game will keep bringing you back for another round.

An all-consuming epic, Crusader Kings 3 marries its grand strategy with more involving RPG elements to create one of the best games of 2020.

Psychonauts 2 is a wildly creative, engaging, and thought-provoking masterpiece that bears the standard for all 3D platformers going forward.

Resident Evil 4 is a worthy companion piece to survival horror royalty that's sure to go down as one of the year's best games.

F1 2020 is not just a great Formula 1 game but also one of the best racers released this generation, thanks to its responsive driving, wealth of options, and in-depth game modes.

One of the most intoxicating and dazzlingly dense RPGs of its generation that deserves to be in the GOTY conversation.

A faithful remake that does exactly what it needed to do while adding plenty of its own ideas, Resident Evil 2 is now as terrifying in 2019 as it was in 1998.

Dragon Quest XI S is an excellent version of an excellent game and, if you have the time to spare, an enjoyable JRPG for the whole family.

New Horizons is a great continuation of an already fantastic series of games, and paying back Tom Nook’s loan has never been so fun.

A brave, ridiculous survival horror game that oftentimes needs to be seen to be believed, Alan Wake 2 showcases a developer at the peak of their powers.

A brilliant superhero game, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 largely improves on the core formula while telling the most intimate, dramatic story yet.

A beautiful sequel that successfully manages to improve on almost every aspect of the original, Ori and the Will of the Wisps is one of the best Metroidvania experiences you can find.

Having seen this case through to the end and witnessed every last revelation Ghost Trick has to offer, I can confidently say its reputation is well-deserved. Fiendishly clever, excellently paced, and endlessly full of surprises, Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective truly deserves its time in the spotlight.

Videoverse joins an immensely charming, detailed snapshot of early 2000s online fandom with an intermeshed web of heartfelt and incredibly human (sub)plots.

A sublime fighting game masterpiece from a company at the peak of their powers, Street Fighter 6 is utterly incredible.

With upgrades and improvements made to practically every aspect of the game, F1 2019 looks stunning, and gives driving enthusiasts plenty to get to grips with.

Tekken 8 appeals to both the casual and hardcore playerbase, with a great selection of modes, training tools and additional gameplay depth. 2024’s fighting games are off to an excellent start.

Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth sun-baked adventure expertly improves on the last game’s formula, while giving enough space for both of its leading Dragons to truly shine.

Even the most jaded of battle royale fans will find their interest rejuvenated by Apex Legends thanks to Respawn's attention to detail, superior gunplay, and fantastic innovations, though the loot boxes and progression system certainly need addressing.

Sekiro is a tremendously fun and difficult game -- everything from the combat to the world itself is crafted in a masterful way. Even after spending around 40 hours to beat it, I still want to come back for more in the coming weeks.

DUSK has found a fantastic home on the Switch, where its top-tier throwback FPS can bloom in all its bloody, wretched glory.

Deathloop is an awesomely entertaining ride with stealth and puzzle elements that help make it feel like the big crazy sci-fi adventure it wants to be.

Unity of Command 2 is an excellent evolution of the series that retains, improves, and builds upon the already high quality of its predecessor.

Super Mario Maker 2 is the ultimate package for both casual and dedicated Mario fans.

Despite being four years old this year, Downwell is still as maddeningly enticing as ever and, thanks to the multitude of ways of playing, might be at its most compelling on Switch.

DOOM Eternal is a bloody masterpiece of glorious violence that may well be the best the series has ever been.