F1 2020 feels really rewarding with its fast-paced and realistic racing with plausible on-track happenings and mishaps, making the game all the more intense than any version before it. Playing the race weekend with all its goodies is almost hypnotic as you drive laps over and over again, searching for those optimal driving lines and set-ups. After the race, you’ll find yourself soaked in sweat as you have been so intensely focused on driving. F1 2020 is a perfect remedy for not getting to see the whole F1 season this year.

I found its story to be genuinely engrossing as it involves much more than eliminating street gangs and taking out the leader of an international crime syndicate. Saints Row IV is a long game as well, taking me close to fourteen hours to finish (and I still had a large number of side quests and Diversions to complete).

I am a huge fan of open-ended action games, and this one just really did the business for me. There is still just so much action in the game and the storyline is so interesting that it's hard not to just sit back and say wow, this is a fun game.

Dragon Quest Builders 2 is the definitive edition of Square Enix’s crafting RPG. Not only does it fix issues from the original, but it also expands upon its predecessor with a larger scale and more content. On the other end of the spectrum, the sequel doesn’t drastically change the formula. Quality-of-life improvements make it easier to customize your structures and engage with the campaign, but it’s more of the same. If the original offering was enough for you or you didn’t like it in the first place, this game won’t change your mind. But if your goal is to enjoy the best version of an immersive and charming crafting RPG experience, then Dragon Quest Builders 2 is a great place to start building.

This is not the second coming, and despite the trumpets blowing, they herald not that which would save us from the rest of First Person Shooter-dom. We find instead, quite simply, a damn fine game and one hell of a good time. And for my money, that’s enough.

A simple rogue-like shoot’em up adventure with tons of replay value that manages to add so much to its original incarnation that I can say without a shadow of doubt that, yes, The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth was worth remaking.

One the greatest games ever to grace a console. It's fun, simple and has a great replay value. Once you get past the 16-bit gameplay graphics, you're sure to find a lot to like about Lunar 2.

Thanks to the Switch edition’s versatility, combined with the free and exclusive Super Mario mash-up pack, this is one of the best versions I could have started out with and is an ideal purchase for fans on-the-go and newcomers alike.

Considering the Switch game’s price point is higher than the Wii U version ever was, it may not even be a cost-effective first choice if you happen to have both systems on hand and don’t mind lack of portability. All things considered, Tropical Freeze is one of the best platformers on either system, and regardless of how funky you’re willing to go, it’s worth gobbling up, especially for old-school Nintendo fans.

Anyone who played and enjoyed Dishonored will recognize that its sequel meets or exceeds what players enjoyed about the first game. Excellent level design and a convincing world are coupled with a rich suite of weapons and abilities, guaranteeing that every enemy encounter is an opportunity for creative mayhem (or cleverly avoiding it). An underwhelming story, rote voice acting, and aging graphics aren't enough to do more than tarnish what is at core a fantastic and fun experience.

This is a perfect example of a fighting game that was done right. The only thing that was really lacking in the game was more depth in the offline modes.

It's hard to hide the fact that the game has great replay value, excellent gameplay mechanics, and a very intuitive storyline.

Despite the fact that it came out last year, Pushmo was going to be on my Game of the Year list for this year. After all, I barely played it last year, and that's all the matters. Now that Crashmo is out, though, which features not only better gameplay and production values, but also a better NAME, I'm happy to place it in the position that Pushmo had been occupying in my list before-and probably in an even higher position.

Some may scoff at a Mario RPG, but this turn-based masterpiece is perfect for the increasingly popular DS, featuring solid combat and trademark Nintendo feel.

I really thought fighting games were on there way out a couple of years ago. But with games like Mortal Kombat there is now proof that life still exists in this genre. In fact Mortal Kombat provided some of the most enjoyable gaming I have had in 2011. If you're a fan of the series or looking for a new game to sink your teeth into, Mortal Kombat is definitely worth a look.

This isn’t so much a game as it is an experience and it’s something that I recommend everyone should experience. While the controls can be troublesome and there are a few gimmicky moments, this is probably one of the most emotionally powerful stories of the year.

The third iteration in the famous franchise continues to domintae the weapons-based fighting genre with the even larger cast and smoother gameplay engine.

The steps forward for NHL 12 might not be as monumental as NHL 11 was, but at the same time they didn't have to be. NHL 12 is a must purchase for hockey fans or even those who have passing interest in the sport.

NCAA Football 11 is a great game of football, it has some shortcomings, but those are overshadowed by an all around excellent football game that I found to be one of the best the series has put out on this generation of consoles.

I always thought Final Fantasy XII is way ahead of its time when it was first released. Playing the remaster version has cemented that thought. The game still feels fresh and modern even after a decade. Everything I had ever expected from a modern day JRPG is still present in Final Fantasy XII - the open-ended exploration, well-designed interconnected areas, sprawling cities with various NPCs which change as the story progresses on, and seemingly endless side-quests and optional enemies, dungeons and hidden treasures. Final Fantasy XII is nothing short of a timeless masterpiece that I cannot recommend enough.

Star Wars Pinball is a great collection of themed tables, and it manages to fit as many references from the series to please any Jedi or Sith Lord. Of course, if you’re not a fan of either Star Wars or pinball, I would first recommend Zen Studios’ other pinball tables or other Star Wars games. But if you adore the franchise, this is a fun and addictive way to re-experience the galactic fantasy world. The Force is strong with this one.

CrossCode is a superb passion project that has numerous qualities making it definitely worth playing. Even though the story didn’t work too well towards the end, it certainly left me wanting more. The strong character writing made getting to know the colorful cast highly enjoyable. The gameplay has a lot going for it and maintains a solid degree of variety without breaking consistency. CrossCode is definitely a game of the year contender for me that continues to impress.

Nintendo ports over the hugely addictive GameCube sim, and adds more features and online play to the DS. A definite addition to your DS gaming library.

While not every promising idea Tomb Raider has is pulled off successfully, it nevertheless turns in a tense and memorable ride that combines modern game design with its forebears’ adventurous spirit in some exciting ways. Some of its missteps may well come at the cost of your enjoyment, but most can’t hope to hurt the adventure in the long run. Although it never fully finds its identity, this is a game and a story worth seeing through.

I highly recommend Devil may Cry. It’s a great action game that hangs with the best the genre can offer. Combine that with its cool aesthetic and engaging characters, and you have the first can’t-miss release of 2013.

After falling in love with the delightfully quirky original, this sequel proves to be just as fun and addictive. Just don't expect it to last too long.

Dance Central 2 is by far the best Kinect game out to date. It is also one of the only games that actually make you feel like the actions you are doing are being properly scored and accounted for in the game. Whatever Harmonix is doing behind the scenes to get so much out of the Kinect other developers should take note because it truly is incredible and deserving the price of admission.

Gorgeous hand-drawn art fits perfectly the game. The colors are vibrant and the sprites are extremely expressive and detailed. However, the animation and battle effects look really stiff and rough. The worst are the spells effects, as they look more like animated stickers playing over the target than real devastating magical effects. But this is just a small nitpick and doesn’t affect the overall experience. Fell Seal: Arbiter’s Mark may lack polish and grace but it remarkably pulled off a rewarding gameplay loop that will keep you coming back to it for hours. Pick it up if you’d like to experience a well-made tactical RPG reminiscent of the golden age of the genre.