Rainbow Six Extraction successfully transplants Siege’s excellent gunplay and reliance on coordination into a tense battle for survival. While its objectives are inconsistent in terms of difficulty, they’re almost always thrilling to complete, and making it out alive with just a few bullets left, with a teammate slung over your shoulder always feels exhilarating. Now, if you’ll excuse me, Lion has gotten himself captured in Alaska again.

Monster Hunter Rise has lost none of its appeal in moving from a Nintendo Switch screen to a PC one. In Ultrawide, with an unlocked frame-rate, it’s the best way to play what may be the franchise’s best entry yet. If you’re looking for deep RPG systems, a T-Rex that breathes fire, and a huge hammer to smack it in the head with, then Monster Hunter Rise is essential.

Final Fantasy XIV Endwalker will tick every box for returning Warriors of Light. Between two fun, distinct new classes to play as, a wealth of new areas to explore, and an often surprising conclusion to a story arc that’s been running for years, Endwalker cements FFXIV’s place at the top of the MMO pyramid. We’re desperate to see where the title goes next, but if you need us, you can find us leveling those new jobs.

Big Brain Academy: Brain vs Brain is one of the most accessible party games available on Nintendo Switch right now. It might not have much longevity, but it’s affordable, easy to pick up and play, and has the potential for some real competitive party play with the right people.

Thunder Tier One is an exciting tactical feast for both solo players and squads alike. There is some wonkiness to its AI, but its tense shooting mechanics and focus on information and visibility make it hard to overlook for fans of hardcore military shooters and tactics game experts alike. It’s not an easy mission, but it’s one you should definitely take on.

Taking both single and multiplayer as a whole, Halo Infinite marks a return to form for a franchise that is in desperate need of one. Its open-world may feel a tad formulaic, but it also houses plenty of emergent gameplay opportunities while continuing to offer huge set-pieces…Multiplayer battle pass progression aside, playing with friends in Halo Infinite feels closer to the glory days of Halo 3 than ever. If you'd been concerned based on prior showings, you can put those concerns to rest – Halo is back, and it might just be better than ever.

Chorus has a slow start as it tries to set out its grand vision of a universe fighting mass indoctrination, while also reckoning with the very base of its power climb. That can make the early couple of hours feel pedestrian. Stick with it, though, and there's fun to be had in throwing enemy ships like paper airplanes and careening through the bellies of huge ships – even if the overall narrative feels largely forgettable.

If you’re desperately seeking a new escape, one that’s an inventive story will have you guessing until the credits roll, Solar Ash is a great pickup. Its level design and the freedom within combined with gorgeous artwork and a magnificent soundtrack make it a genuine treat to play.

Ruined King is both a wonderful glimpse into League of Legends' most nefarious region and an indication that Riot's universe really can open up in new and interesting ways. While we were cynical when it first launched, it's clear Riot Forge, and Airship Syndicate, have plenty more stories to tell in Runeterra – and we can't wait to experience them.

With a huge amount of content to discover, lovingly-crafted dinosaurs that feel truly alive, and the thrill of revisiting iconic moments from the franchise in Chaos Theory mode, this is the closest you’re going to get to running your own Jurassic Park in real life.

Overall, Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl are a must-play. Despite the chibi-style graphics feeling wacky in places, the gameplay overall is fantastic. The changes to the Grand Underground are incredible, offering up a wider selection of Pokemon early on, and Exp. Share really isn’t an issue. Even if you played the original games, BDSP offers many new features to the point where it feels like a new experience. And we won’t spoil it, but the post-game is something all veteran fans will absolutely love, especially if you like battles…and Platinum.

Overall, Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl are a must-play. Despite the chibi-style graphics feeling wacky in places, the gameplay overall is fantastic. The changes to the Grand Underground are incredible, offering up a wider selection of Pokemon early on, and Exp. Share really isn’t an issue. Even if you played the original games, BDSP offers many new features to the point where it feels like a new experience. And we won’t spoil it, but the post-game is something all veteran fans will absolutely love, especially if you like battles…and Platinum.

Shin Megami Tensei 5 is one of the Switch’s best RPGs, which is saying something considering the strength of the genre on Nintendo’s hybrid system. While it rewards preparation and making the most of all of its mechanics, its difficulty may put off some players. Still, if you can persevere, you’ll be rewarded with an intense and unforgettable experience.

Of our protagonists, though, I'd want to be Ziggs. After all, he's here to light it up, set the world on fire, and break rules in two. After all, that's what the baddest do (sorry not sorry for being the best).

If you’re a longtime Battlefield fan or just seeking a new FPS to get lost in, there’s a great deal of fun to be had here. But in its current state, 2042 falls just short of being one of the best multiplayer titles in recent years.

A lackluster campaign, a soulless Zombies mode, and a fun but diminished multiplayer offering round out a rather weak launch for the iconic FPS series.

Football Manager 2022 is the kind of Football Manager game many would have dreamed of. It fixes almost every weakness in the team, and had us thinking “just one more match” long into the night…It’s the best approximation of the drama and passion of football yet, and it’s downright essential for football fans.

Forza Horizon 5 sets a new industry gold standard for racing game visuals, gameplay, and map design. Our expectations of map design just leveled up with Horizon 5, and it’s another massive victory for Game Pass members who will get it on release day. The good news for players is that there’s future DLC content to come, which will only add to what is comfortably the most exciting next-gen racing game released so far.

Your thoughts on button-based controls aside, Mario Party Superstars is a great entry for party game veterans and newcomers alike. Its minigames are all great, its boards each offer something different, and there's nothing quite like going from being last in a match in the last few turns and then surging into the lead right at the end...Mario Party is back, and it's the perfect way to spend an evening with friends – although you may not talk to each other for a few days afterward.

No matter what you have your sights set on, be it a casual, aimless session with friends, or a dedicated grind through a mapped-out campaign, Rider's Republic is just a blast. Ubisoft’s new action sports game is the most thrilling the genre has seen in years and we don’t see Riders Republic pumping the brakes anytime soon.

While House of Ashes lacks polish thanks to an off-putting 360-degree camera and inconsistent visuals, these are likely to be fixed in the future – it’s just a shame poor Ashley has been done a little bit dirty in the process (and that’s not because she’s covered in blood half the time). All in all, House of Ashes is the standout of the series so far, and if the increase in quality is anything to go by, Devil In Me is likely to be the best entry yet.

Turtle Rock Studios have built a solid game, though it is teetering on a house of cards. If they take the wrong direction with the Corruption upgrades in the future in a bid to monetize the experience via add-ons or DLC, the L4D creators could shoot themselves in the foot when it comes to replayability. Ignoring any card concerns though, Back 4 Blood delivers a rip-roaring party-mode atmosphere and well and truly scratches that long-standing Left 4 Dead itch 12 years later.

Amazon's MMO is an ambitious, player-led experience, but that doesn't forgive a lack of narrative or worldbuilding. For every good idea or unique concept, it feels like it's missing the chance to take the next big step and do something more interesting...And yet, I find myself returning to Aeternum's shores just to passively enjoy its community spirit and stick it to rival factions through the community board. I just wish there was something bigger to hold me there for longer.

Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy delivers superhero thrills and genuine heart with an engrossing story, lovable characters, and fun (if predictable), gameplay...Despite control issues and occasionally holding it back, Eidos-Montréal crafted a game that prevails more than it falters. While it doesn’t break any new ground, like some of the MCU's entries, it still feels like time well spent with its characters.

I understand that Microsoft and Xbox Game Studios would have been worried about Age of Empires III-style backlash, but they’ve gone too far to avoid it this time...Considering many casual RTS fans see Age of Empires as one of the stalwarts of the genre, and would return to play the game just for its fourth release, to see a new riff on the franchise’s 1999 title will disappoint many. I have the highest of hopes for the title ⁠— AOE II is, of course, a testament to how strong the series can be ⁠— but Microsoft has a lot of work to do to make Age of Empires IV its own beast.

If you’re completely new to EA’s NHL series, then by all means, this is a must-play and would be a 9/10 otherwise. For myself, however, I’ve been there and I’ve done this. In some cases many years ago. It’s time for something new.

Metroid Dread takes everything that's good about the franchise and makes it greater. It's a punishing and often nerve-wracking experience that offers huge rewards for persistence and an inquisitive mind. If you only play one game on Nintendo Switch this year, make sure it's Metroid Dread.

If you’re looking to experience shooter royalty for the first time, then Crysis Trilogy Remastered is the best place to start. While the series’ ever-encroaching linearity might make its first entry its most fondly remembered, tight controls and improved movement in the sequels make them well worth a playthrough, too.