Crusader Kings III is a one-of-a-kind experience that mixes intrigue, the ambrosia of victory, and the devastating bitters of defeat.

Split Fiction has proven that Hazelight is simply the best modern studio in the co-op business. Constantly full of excitement, beauty, joy, and downright absurdity, this title earns its place alongside its spiritual predecessor as arguably the best two-player experience on current-gen hardware. Split Fiction is a technical marvel that pushes the boundaries of design without ever sacrificing the notion that video games are fun and should be experienced alongside our friends and loved ones. The narrative isn't always perfect and doesn't climb quite as high as I may have hoped, but the fact remains that there is so much love and care poured into this title, and it's infectious as each subsequent chapter is completed. With a slightly higher level of difficulty, duos of players will have to stay on their toes. The reward for this perseverance and collaboration is a gorgeously presented, bizarre, creative video game that pulls from an unprecedented number of genres and is sure to win you over by its masterful final act.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has exceeded every one of my expectations. Sandfall Interactive's debut title is one of the greatest accomplishments in gaming, delivering a well-paced, polished, and unforgettable experience. From the incredibly impactful and deeply emotional narrative to the enjoyable, challenging, and rewarding combat, Expedition 33 delivers on all fronts. I wanted an old-school RPG that sticks true to its roots while taking advantage of modern game design. I got that and so much more. Four months into the year, this is the clubhouse leader for Game of the Year, and honestly, it's not even close. Do not miss out.

F1 2020 is one of the best racing games of the generation.

Disco Elysium is an impressive RPG that eschews combat for conversations and introduces an engaging world that rewards inquisitiveness.

Resident Evil 2 is likely the single most excellent video game remake ever created and I'm hard-pressed to think of anything else that could even compare.

Donkey Kong Bananza is perhaps the best 3D platformer of the 2020s so far. It has immaculate movement, mountains of incredibly fun content, challenges that genuinely test your skill, and a style so charming that you'll be thinking about it for weeks. Every part of this game comes together to make something cohesive and tightly designed, even in a world that you can fully dig through and destroy nearly every piece of. It's a generational great, an incredible use of the Donkey Kong franchise, and the star of the Switch 2 lineup.

Spelunky 2 takes the ridiculously polished foundation from the first game and blows it out with new content, mystifying secrets, and big-time cave mole jerks.

Animal Well is a masterclass in puzzle design, with tight platforming, set in a beautiful, oftentimes perilous world. It's actually at its weakest when it's just a Metroidvania, and instead, its world and the genre serve as a way to deliver some of the most intricate, interconnected puzzles of any game I've ever played.

“New Horizons makes it easy, appealing, and effortless to hop back in each day and find something new to do and to expand your island even more.

Hollow Knight: Silksong is an incredible game, only held back by a couple questionable decisions. When the game is at its best, it's far beyond any game I've ever played, near-perfect in its design, and a masterpiece that I can't put down. The combat feels incredible, the visuals are stunning, the story is engaging, and the soundtrack is lovely. At its worst, though, it is extremely punishing, forces you into repetitive segments, and feels occasionally purposefully irritating. I love it with all my heart, but if you aren't willing to put up with intense difficulty, it may not be for you.

Marvel's Spider-Man 2 perfectly captures the superhero experience from start to finish without sacrificing smart, thoughtful storytelling.

Ori and the Will of the Wisps is an exceptional adventure that every Xbox One owner should play.

Even if its story falls into many amnesia tropes and the graphics are a bit dated, the innovative and enthralling gameplay coupled with its over-the-top-nature make Bayonetta a wild ride that you won't ever want to get off. Sega has mentioned that they want to do more PC ports in the future and, if they are done as well as Bayonetta, I can't wait to see what they bring over next.

Capcom has created an immersive living and breathing world, allowing players to fully enjoy the charm of the titular monsters within a credible ecosystem. Combined with solid improvements in story and gameplay, Monster Hunter: World is a must-have game for veteran fans and novices alike.

More than anything though, Sekiro is a game that I am endlessly thankful for having spent time with the past few weeks. The moments of elation that I have had playing through Sekiro were unmatched not only in gaming but in my everyday life. It provided a sense of joy that comforted me and made me optimistic when I needed it most. Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is a game I will continue to look back at fondly for years to come because of this.

The Bayonetta games remain near-perfect examples of pure, unfiltered action and spectacle.

Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition is a beautiful example of what the RPG genre is capable of, and it is easy to recommend checking out or revisiting.

Monster Hunter World: Iceborne offers a massive amount of new additions and exciting endgame content that should ensure fans will be returning to the game for years to come.

Dead Cells is likely the defining point of the Roguelike genre, thanks to refined combat and clever blending of genres.

Xenoblade Chronicles 3 is filled with interesting areas to explore, heartfelt character interactions, and an engaging narrative. While having knowledge of the previous games is handy in some respects, this is by and large its own game and can be enjoyed by all players.

Pokémon Pokopia is a truly special, once-in-a-lifetime game that changes the entire landscape of the genre. There may be nothing new or revolutionary here, but that's not the point. We were sold a cute, fun, and charming Pokémon spin-off that could hold our cozy gaming hearts over until something like Tomodachi Life or the next Animal Crossing releases. What we got was a game that questions whether or not we'd be willing to put Pokémon Pokopia down when those games come out.

Tetris is a great equalizer. I think that is Tetris Effect’s greatest accomplishment. Showing me that anyone can play, just like my grandmother did all those years ago. She would have loved it, just like I do.

From beginning to end, Fire Emblem: Three Houses offers an engrossing story that rarely ever loses steam. In more ways than one, Fire Emblem: Three Houses is the most refined entry in the series to date when it comes to the systems that matter most. Whether you’re a newcomer or got your start with Fire Emblem in Super Smash Bros. Melee, this is an exceptionally great title and one of the best strategy RPGs ever made.

As the auteur, Hideo Kojima is at his most unbridled, and as such, DS2 might not be for everyone. With nothing stopping his and his team’s creative vision and their cumulative experiences of game-making, it is one of the best open-world games I have ever had the pleasure of playing, and one that I will be sure to revisit often for the next few years. While the esoteric plot and Kojima’s frequent self-indulgent references and inserts might be distracting and immersion-breaking for some people, the gameplay, visuals, and ambience are its strongest aspects. DS2 is most certainly a GOTY contender, and is truly a work of art that must be experienced if you’re looking for an atmospheric game about traveling through breathtaking views.

Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth is full of content for anyone willing to sink into the beautiful island of Hawaii. While its main story may take a while to boil, and never feels quite as good as the side stories, Ichiban's adventures always entertain and delight.

After all that, it seems a bit dreary to talk about things like price (bleh), but at $8/£6.79, it really is a generous price that pretty accurately reflects the price of a dessert in relation to the main course. Despite calling itself ‘The Last Course,’ it’s hard to imagine that this is the last we’ll see of Cuphead, though the prospect of seeing what else Studio MDHR could come up with is no less tantalising as a continuation of this series.

Resident Evil Requiem is everything that RE fans could want out of the next entry in the series and more. It walks a tightrope of horror and action, but has perfected this balance in a way that delivers a heart-stopping, adrenaline-pumping good time, regardless of what kind of RE fan you are.