My Hero One’s Justice 2 is a treat for fans of the series. For non-fans, it’s a capable over-the-shoulder arena fighter, with a host of fun and very different characters to avail from. The game does run into some performance issues on the Nintendo Switch, where frame rates can drop during bigger set-pieces, but it’s a fun and enjoyable play all the same.

Just as the 1999 original was a more action-focused Resident Evil game that arguably helped pivot the franchise towards the iconic fourth instalment, this 2020 reimagining feels like last year’s game in many ways, only sped up and thirstier for zombie blood. It treads the line between tension and action impressively, and Nemesis cements his legacy as one of the series’ most enduring creatures. If you’re stuck inside and looking for somewhere to escape, you’ll find Raccoon City more than accommodating.

Whilst a little tricky at times, Paper Beast is an experience every PSVR owner should play at some point as it is quite simply a one-of-a-kind experience. Pixel Reef and Eric Chahi create a gorgeous ecosystem where animals, plants, natural resources, and the elements all work harmoniously to keep one another alive. All of this is done with incredibly complex and beautiful paper creatures that you will marvel at as they walk on by you in the dry deserts and cold tundras. And, when the simulation you are in is over, you might come away valuing the life on Earth in reality, just a little bit more.

The statement ‘you can’t rush perfection’ has never been truer when it comes to Persona 5 Royal. The story is a slow burn, but with emotional payoffs. The enhancements and additions have been made to feel natural and fully integrated into the rest of the games systems. Persona 5 Royal is a shining example of how to reinvigorate a game. It’s a love letter to fans and a fantastic entry point for newcomers. Simply put, Persona 5 Royal isn’t just one of the best JRPGs of this generation. It’s one of the best games released in recent memory.

Id Software’s magnum opus, an epic of the videogame world that’ll be talked about for years to come, Doom Eternal is a triumph. It elevates everything that made Doom 2016 such a success, and keeps the pressure up from the opening minutes to the climactic final boss and falters only ever so occasionally en route. One of 2020’s first essential games, Doom Eternal is a masterwork of first-person shooter design, and sets the bar for what developers should be doing in the genre.

Similar to how Breath of the Wild and Odyssey reimagined 3D Zelda and Mario, New Horizons represents an exciting new milestone for the Animal Crossing series. By truly handing the player the reins, Nintendo has delivered a deeply customisable and effortlessly joyous experience which is, quite simply, an essential purchase for all Switch owners.

The new gadgets, locations and boss fights are all thrilling, but the lack of coherent storytelling makes the emotional pay off for these adventures sorely lacking.

Ori and the Will of the Wisps is an essential Xbox game. Building on every aspect of Blind Forest – from art to music right the way through to level design and combat – this is a sequel worthy of celebration.

Though Team Ninja elevates much of the game from the prototypes the original Nioh was playing with, a few design frustrations (boss setups, camera, hostile UI) prevent the game from being the perfect hardcore RPG experience. Don’t let that criticism put you off, though – once you penetrate the frustration, there’s a genuinely captivating and ruthlessly addictive PlayStation great hidden underneath.

While there are more detailed JRPGs out there, Kakarot scratches the itch of both Dragon Ball and JRPG fans alike.

Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE Encore is a captivating, entertaining take on the best bits of Fire Emblem and Shin Megami Tensei and deserves praise for its inventive battle system and unique setting. The performance, extra content and handheld functionality make this a must for JRPG-loving Switch owners – even ones that owned the game back on Wii U.

Spyro Reignited Trilogy is the perfect Christmas gift for old school video game lover. Those whose childhood consisted of gliding around collecting coins, and those who perhaps weren’t as lucky.

Bubble Bobble 4 Friends is a great addition to the Bubble Bobble franchise, but it's expensive for what it provides. A solid afternoon of gaming will get you to the end credits, but you'll return to do things a little better than before.

Lonely Mountains is far from lonely, it rekindles a feeling of childhood. Of meeting with friends and exploring the woods, daring each other to take jumps or freewheel through water. It’s a game about being alone, by being at one with nature and the bike beneath you.

It is the best Star Wars game in years. Respawn taps into so much potential in the universe, and it makes Fallen Order ‘A New Hope’ for EA and the future of Star Wars games...Though it isn't Respawn’s best work, Fallen Order is a great project... and that’s the Star Wars we need right now.

While it doesn’t quite meet the lofty standards of those early-2000’s entries, it’s definitely the best Need for Speed we’ve seen in quite some time.

Football Manager is back and its focus on long-term construction of a footballing powerhouse is refreshing for a series that previously felt solely focused on the short-to-mid term. The only challenge you'll have now is keeping in the board's good graces long enough to leave your imprint on a club.

Pokémon Sword and Shield are not bad games. But fun character arcs and inventive, creative designs of new ‘mon are often offset by poor pacing and restrictive world design. The world of Galar is charming, and is a Pokémon interpretation of Britain I’ve dreamed of since I was a kid, but between gating what Pokémon you can catch behind Gym Badges, some half-baked route/City designs and a modest amount of post-game content, Sword and Shield can only be called ‘good’ Pokémon games… not ‘great’ ones.

Pokémon Sword and Shield are not bad games. But fun character arcs and inventive, creative designs of new ‘mon are often offset by poor pacing and restrictive world design. The world of Galar is charming, and is a Pokémon interpretation of Britain I’ve dreamed of since I was a kid, but between gating what Pokémon you can catch behind Gym Badges, some half-baked route/City designs and a modest amount of post-game content, Sword and Shield can only be called ‘good’ Pokémon games… not ‘great’ ones.

Pokémon Sword and Shield are not bad games. But fun character arcs and inventive, creative designs of new ‘mon are often offset by poor pacing and restrictive world design. The world of Galar is charming, and is a Pokémon interpretation of Britain I’ve dreamed of since I was a kid, but between gating what Pokémon you can catch behind Gym Badges, some half-baked route/City designs and a modest amount of post-game content, Sword and Shield can only be called ‘good’ Pokémon games… not ‘great’ ones.

In a world where developers who design experiences for console and try throw them on the PC, Rockstar Games beautifully takes its time in creating a port that both serves the artistic purposes of the original while allowing players to run free in their best open world to date. Just make sure your PC is up to standard...The real verdict will shine once modders get their hands into the files and begin to create some crazy mods for the game – something which may be a major selling point for this PC version down the line.

Mario & Sonic's latest Olympic outing is more of the same, without any real innovation. The new additions of retro and dream events don't fundamentally change up the formula enough to feel like truly meaningful additions, though online multiplayer does add much needed longevity.

Death Stranding is the most unique big-budget game I’ve ever played, a socially-minded injection of inventive ideas into a genre that has long survived by being lazy and brutish. This ambitious formula-flipper is brimming with empathy and carefully courts cinematic influences, an ensemble cast and a world of eye-watering scale, delivering a sticky gameplay loop to tie it all together and create a console generation-defining experience.

Afterparty runs a little short, with the narrative concluding around the five-hour mark. It would have been nice if some of the islands offered a little more content, especially as some are much more important to the story than others.

Luigi’s Mansion 3 acts as an excellent addition both to the series itself and the ever-growing roster of excellent games on the Switch. It’s atmospheric, and will provide fun all the family can enjoy over the course of its relatively short story.

In general, Call of Duty Modern Warfare is a tight shooter that hits most of the parts you expect from a AAA shooter, while throwing heaps of new ideas into the mix. However, the few areas that I'm cold on: Ground War, Spec Ops and the few moments of the campaign when common sense gave way to a desire to shock needlessly… they're a bitter aftertaste to one of the best shooters I've played all year.

Another innovative showcase of the Joy-Con working with the new Ring-Con accessory, the fun-packed RPG mechanics makes Ring Fit Adventure the perfect gateway to fitness for gamers.

Other Ocean's reimagining of MediEvil is a respectful recreation of a unique classic. While some might think that the developers have gone down the safe route of a carbon copy recreation, it's clear that a lot of work that has gone into retaining MediEvil's original charm. The result? A gorgeous display of creative affection for a series limited by its original console confinement.