Sektori is a direct continuation of what Geometry Wars did so well: easy to learn, hard to master – all the while including a double shot of Housemarque for good measure.

Assassin's Creed finally arrives where it has always belonged: firmly into the stealth genre, where a mistake is just as deadly as your famous blade. The division into two characters, each with their own weaknesses instead of one superhero finally allows for new, successful impulses for the series. And old Japan is simply gorgeous.

Extensive re-release of an excellent game. Croteam not only improved technical aspects in terms of graphics and controls but also added a whole new chapter as well as compelling audio-commentary.

Silksong spins yarns of pain and freedom into a breathtaking Metroidvania fill of surprise and secrets.

Conrad Roset's second game is a visually stunning parable about life and death - very straightforward, but with a touching story and inventive combat.

Ultimately, Cyberpunk 2077 is one of the most remarkable games you can buy for the launch of the Switch 2. Firsty, because the port proves what Nintendo's console is technically capable of. And secondly because this is just a massive, excellent RPG that has matured nicely, indeed.

Absolum is a game that convinces you of its quality right from the start, only to reveal new strengths with every run and every new ability. Do yourselves a favor.

And the prize for the 'Most Game 2023' goes to South Korea: Dave the Diver tirelessly surprises with new ideas and keeps its catchy basic elements as fresh as good sushi. One of the year's most addictive games.

It's both the funniest and most exciting game story of the year, presented in a package of incredible creative integrity. Dispatch presents the most convincing argument against player-facing generative AI in video games. It's full of life and character that machines will never be able to replicate.

Minishoot’ Adventures is the triumphant fusion of nostalgic dungeon exploration and modern bullet-hell precision – further proof that the best ideas are often the simplest.

On Wii U this stays an essential buy for everyone that hasn't played it yet. It is a very, very accomplished game and great for all the reasons the original was a few months ago, but you don't have to buy it again for the WiiU. Also, it doesn't do much to prove that conversions to this platform are necessarily better than their 360 or PS3 counterparts. It's still 'just' one of the best games in recent years as it was back in summer.

With Mass Effect, Bioware created something really unique. A fascinating universe, that not only rivals Star Wars and Star Trek, but – at least for me – exceeds those. Mass Effect 3 is the crowning achievement for this trilogy. A true masterpiece.

With the Apollo Justice Trilogy, Capcom has released what is probably the most successful Ace Attorney collection for the current console generation. Both the design of the 2D and 3D models in the RE engine and the bonus material are impressive. An excellent example of how to bring back aged games in a successful fan package for the current generation.

Is this the only shape a fresh new XCOM could have taken? Definitely not. What it is though, is a sincere and absolutely splendid tribute to one of the best games ever made; undyingly in love with the source material, but at the same time absolutely determined to be its own beast. 'On the shoulders of giants' one of the final achievements says. Firaxis just put another giant there.

Buy it if you liked the first one. Buy it, if you love it over the top all the way. Buy it if you love video games. Buy a Wii U if you have to. Bayonetta 2 sings all its praises in a celebration to this hobby of ours. But don't make the mistake of not playing it.

The Wii U version reaches hitherto unknown heights which I would never have expected from a direct sequel, let alone in this genre. Which is why I might as well just say it: Rayman Legends is the best 2D platformer of all time. Take that and stick it on the wall Ubisoft Montpellier, you earned it.

The name is a good fit in more than one way. For one thing, because it seeks a justified closeness to Super Mario World, which the game itself has long since found. For another, because you're constantly 'wondering if...', filled with wonder and marvelling at wonderful effects is the predominant emotion while playing.

The Drifter combines everything we love about point-and-click adventure games with modern storytelling, clever controls and the kind of style and character that few adventure games have had since the Lucas Arts classics. This is more than just life support for a genre that has long been said to be dead, it's a highlight for anyone who loves captivating stories.

This balance and rock-solid confidence in the basic architecture of its Action-RPG existence is something the series has worked hard to achieve over decades, and so it's not only understandable, it's the only correct thing to do, for Diablo 4 to build on exactly that. The series brought innovation and upheaval when that was needed at the time. Since then, it is what it is. Diablo. The only true devil in Action-RPG hell.

You'll get everything the fantastic console version had: a feeling of insecurity, respect for the apparently insurmountable, an unparalleled combat system. A nigh on perfect game.

Is the new technology worth the 10 euros if you already have the original in your collection? Yes, I think so. Is it worth buying if you've never played Zero Dawn? The answer should be clear: Horizon: Zero Dawn Remastered is a must-have.

Highly addictive tactical roguelite with flexible rules and endlessly motivating progression. Already one of the candidates for game of the year.

Stunning, deep, and incredibly rewarding - Monster Hunter Stories 3 transcends its spin-off roots to become its own unique beast. A top-tier, premium JRPG experience.

Given the state of our world today, a game about the mechanisms by which violence reproduces itself uncontrollably is even more difficult to digest, but arguably all the more important. It's an ugly, mean game in all the right ways: a blockbuster that has no desire to pander, putting its message above the will to please. Daring.

The fifth game in the series combines the delusions of grandeur facilitated by the most detailed open world to date to super-solid shooting and driving mechanics. Previous lengths have been traded in for a consistently captivating narrative which not only holds everything together, but really makes this game seem more than the sum of its parts. The only remaining question is: Where will – or can –the series go from here? I am looking forward to finding out.

What might be the friendliest extraction game out there might also be the best: Incredibly solid core mechanics converge with a captivatingly beautiful world that consistently produces memorable moments.

Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles is the long-awaited return of the series that I have been hoping for for many years. But it's not just the excellent voice acting that's impressive; lots of welcome and significant changes to the core of the game elevate the experience.

This is not exactly the worst port in the world, but the only glorious thing about it is its sheer existence. But nonetheless, PC-gamers should still be grateful, even if it does not offer the kind of technical improvement that they are used to and have to battle a few odd bugs. But since these are mostly restrained to graphical issues which can be fixed – not always thanks to FromSoftware ... – neither the score nor the conclusion have to be changed: Dark Souls is THE game of the last few years.