Gears of War 2 is almost the epitome of a videogame sequel. It offers essentially the same gameplay experience as before, and yet at the same time it has been improved and expanded in almost every aspect.

The difficulty of the problem-solving you're tasked with is perfectly pitched, and if you do get stuck, the very subtle hint system may be all you need to help you along. You never feel overwhelmed and the gameplay doesn't become tedious or as frustrating as it can in other adventure games.

For those who crave a bit of old-school platforming with a few unique twists, it’s an essential purchase.

It’s innovative, refreshing and blends different mechanics from other genres exceptionally well.

If the prospect of playing an online fighting game that strikes a satisfying balance between old-school brawlers and modern action games appeals to you, I honestly can’t imagine that Anarchy Reigns will disappoint.

Regardless of the sometimes-weak combat, this is role-playing at its finest.

It’s fun, creative, and lasts just long enough to make you wish there was more. This is the definitive version of Guacamelee! and quite possibly the best next-gen game currently available.

A truly excellent racer that we'll no doubt still be playing this time next year, this is one Blur that even the Gallaghers would admit to liking.

Whether or not the PT hype-ship has finally sailed in to the distance, you should pick this up and give it more than the viewing of a YouTube Let’s Play.

Valkyria Chronicles is a game that deserves to be played by everyone. It’s so innovative, fresh and blends different features of other genres so well that you’d think Sega WOW had already done this before.

A must have for any iOS gamer, I just hope that Ubisoft add more content in the near future.

Few games have felt as smooth to control and fun to play through as Drinkbox Studios’ latest and greatest hit, and if the upward climb from Tales from Space to this title is any indication, the company’s next efforts should be something to look forward to with baited breath.

Overall, Guilty Gear Strive is a fantastic entry in the series that should be given a shot by anyone who enjoys fighting games or wants to get their fingers on some hyperactive 1-on-1 action with friends or the online community. Now I’m jumping back online as I just cannot get enough of the smell of the game.

The developers have woven in a great sense of humour and an almost excessive amount of love. Fans of the genre should be making it their mission to play this game, which is a steal at 69p on the App Store.

Red Faction: Guerrilla never ceases to excite or satisfy. It constantly rewards players throughout the single player campaign and always manages to introduce something new to change the way the game is played. It’s a thoroughly enjoyable adventure in an original and believable (if not exactly realistic) setting, and sets a totally new benchmark for technical achievement in a video game.

Inside is a pure consistent work that manages to play to its own strengths in very smart ways.

Simply put, Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD Remaster is the most complete package for one of the most celebrated entries in the series. Not everything included has stood up to the test of time, but the sentiment of the whole being better than the sum of its parts describes this HD collection perfectly.

Retro-styled Indie games are all too common these days, almost as much as fan-made Sonic games. Freedom Planet, however, manages to be a cut above both categories while still eliciting those same feelings of nostalgia that too many games rely heavily on, not to mention some of the most refined and entertaining 2D gameplay seen in any generation. The Switch port is also as perfect as it can be, with no slowdown or load times of any kind even in handheld mode.

While it doesn’t reinvent itself with this final large dump of content, what is here in Blood and Wine is some of the best parts of The Witcher 3 dropped into a beautiful and refreshing new land with fascinating stories and characters, and all given for a generous asking price.

Although many fans were initially worried about Deck Nine taking the helm for the prequel to Life is Strange that fear now seems totally unjustified. Their vision for the series, as showcased in the first episode, is proof positive that the much loved characters are in safe hands. Brave New World is yet another piece of lovingly crafted evidence that should banish any lingering doubt about the developer. They are a highly capable team and a near perfect fit for this series.

Everybody’s Gone to the Rapture is a wonderfully poignant, moving sci-fi journey.

You have to feel truly sorry for any future artist-specific rhythm games, because it would take an enormous amount of effort to top The Beatles: Rock Band, a game very nearly bigger than Jesus.

Overall, Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island is a worthy addition to the PC roguelike library. It offers a challenging and rewarding experience that will appeal to fans of the genre and, in all honestly, the biggest issue I have with this PC port is entirely down to the apparent lack of people playing it, which is hardly the fault of the game itself, which is excellent. Other than that, this PC port is well-executed, with slightly enhanced visuals over the Switch original and its bags of charm, depth, and replayability make it a must-try for any roguelike enthusiast. Whether you’re a seasoned Shiren veteran or a newcomer to the series, Serpentcoil Island is well, well worth a visit.

Treasure Tracker may not bring the near endless innovation seen from a brand new core Mario release, but I do not hold that as a criticism against it. Instead, it manages to be engaging enough to be both compelling and charming in its own unique way – that very much suits it’s titular character.

People have complained that Magicka is too complex or confusing, but they're missing the point. It's a game about wielding immense power, but having to be clever to use it properly.

Lili is a simple game that focuses mainly on exploration and chatting to people other than combat. It's a breath of fresh air and a pleasure to experience.

Football Manager 2013 is an innocent drug that is always in the back of your mind, processing the possibility of a match outcome after another click of the mouse. When you are mesmerised to that level, it's hard to say anything other than this is a brilliant piece of videogame entertainment for fans of the beautiful game.

Nier: Automata is a brilliant, slick action RPG pumped with so many cool and distinct features, and a story that that I could keep talking about all day, but let’s not spoil what should be experienced, nor bore everyone with mechanics and finish up the review with a final statement. Nier: Automata is a thrilling piece of entertainment, one that sticks out for being unique, for being refreshing, and that little bit bonkers. With so many quality games released so far in 2017, Nier: Automata‘s brave approach to bring something outlandish makes it a worthwhile investment. By combining the madness of Yoko Taro’s stories with Platinum Games expertise in adrenaline action, it has enabled it to deliver an exceptional and solid paced video game, with both teams complimenting each other in this sequel that improves on everything wrong with Nier, while blowing your freaking mind after reaching its full conclusion.