UFC 5 is a step in the right direction in comparison with the previous installment. Graphics can present some disappointment, but developers further polished the solid foundations of the series, getting one step closer to achieving a diamond-like quality. A must-play for MMA fans.

Alan Wake 2 pushes the boundaries of the interactive medium, surpassing not only previous games from the Remedy, but any other production of this scale. It's a great piece of immersive storytelling but also something so much more. An artistic manifesto? A dialogue between the creator and his creation? Whatever it is, you won't find another game like it.

Ghostrunner 2 is a good, atmospheric and at times quite challenging game. However, it seems that it was created from random pieces, which the developers did not manage to put together in one coherent vision. What hurts the most, however, is that the spirit of the phenomenal first installment has disappeared somewhere in the Cybervoid depths, and a trace of it remains only in the title.

Nintendo icon is back in glorious style. Super Mario Bros. Wonder is one of the best games in the series and certainly the prettiest 2D Mario ever. Developers surprise with innovation, lovely levels and beautiful childlike imagination.

Milestone is betting on a safe sequel. Hot Wheels Unleashed 2: Turbocharged fixes main flaws of its predecessor and offers a couple of novelties. The results are mixed, but it is still a must-have for fans of the original.

Spider-Man 2 takes a while to get into gear and certainly isn't perfect, but Insomniac once again delivers solid results. Side activities are better thought out, traversing New York City is even more fun and delightful to look at and combat still works well. All of it dipped in a truly cinematic sauce, with the "premium" feel of a Sony's first-party game. The sequel is clearly a better game than the first one, which is, after all, the whole point.

Lords of the Fallen is a solid soulslike, if at times a bit too safe. Hexworks' game neatly combines key elements of Dark Souls, Sekiro and even Bloodborne, mixing it all in a well-designed world, with a rich story and few original ideas. However, the game doesn't offer any major innovations, so it's unlikely to be a must-have for fans of the genre.

Total War Pharaoh is unlikely to be a game you will sink hundreds of hours in, due to its repetitiveness and lack of variety. Fortunately, frequently criticized parts of previous games - AI and powerful heroes disrupting the balance - have been improved. Overall, few new mechanics and a new historical period are not enough to add Pharaoh to the "best in Total War" collection.

Thief Simulator 2 brings a handful of interesting novelties, but it doesn't remove the original sin of its genre. So if you had fun being a car mechanic, home renovator or gas station owner, you'll probably find something for yourself here. I spent close to 30 hours in the latest game from CookieDev and although I finished the game with slight fatigue with the formula, I had a pretty good time.

The latest installment of the semi-simulation series represents a reboot of sorts, managing to finally finds its own path and at least partially escape the 'Gran Turismo clone' stigma. Forza Motorsport provides plenty of satisfying racing, but also suffers from lack of content.

After huge worlds and hours-long campaigns, it's time for something shorter and more modest. Adventure on a smaller scale works well in Assassin's Creed Mirage, even if it's simply a well-executed sequel. There's nothing particularly amazing here, but also nothing to pick on.

Revolutionary title change doesn't bring equally revolutionary changes in gameplay, but EA Sports FC 24 is - ironically - the best "FIFA" in years. We're all waiting for big changes in the series and it's not that moment (will it ever happen?), but Eletronic Arts is on the right track to create the perfect game for football fans.

The biggest strength of PayDay 3 is the equal treatment of stealth and open combat. Regardless of playstyle, this heist simulator provides a lot of fun, especially with friends - even if there's no shortage of rough edges that spoil the overall experience. The truth is, that - not counting previous installments - there's no other game like it on the market, and PayDay 3 is simply more thoughtful and better designed in terms of gameplay than predecessors.

CD Projekt Red is in excellent form and once again shows how game expansions should be made. Phantom Liberty is in many ways better than the base game. With the core already finished, developers were able to focus on world building, surprising story twists and side quests. Phantom Liberty was a true delight and my only regret is the fact we won't get another expansion. However, it's hard for me to imagine a better farewell for V.

Mortal Kombat 1 is a must-have for any fan of the series and for most fighting game lovers. Despite minor flaws, the game is a lot of fun, looks amazing and always runs smoothly. New players may feel a bit lost, as familiarity with at least the previous installment will make it much easier to understand the storyline, but you can have a great time even without that. Mortal Kombat 1 can quickly become number one on the list of the best installments of the series.

The Crew Motorfest cleverly takes inspiration from Forza Horizon and yet somehow manages to maintain a unique identity. The result is not only a worthy competitor to the Playground Games series, but also a great racing sandbox that anyone can enjoy, regardless of their platform of choice.

Lies of P neatly combines the most important elements of soulslike games while retaining its own style and personality. Satisfying combat system, unique world and high difficulty level will satisfy the most ardent fans of the genre, while a set of well-thought-out simplifications will help less experienced players find their way in the dark alleys of Kratu.

Starfield seems to be formed by many great ideas, many of which have not been thought through and refined. Time flies, video games have changed, gamers have changed. Meanwhile, Bethesda stays true to its conservative concept of game development and dusty mechanics, which is disappointing for such an anticipated title. But all of that is only a part of the story, because - nevertheless - Starfield has great moments.

Baldur's Gate 3 is an outstanding and complete RPG. All of its elements work brilliantly and mesh together to create something unique. Calling this game a continuation of the series may be a bit controversial, but it doesn't change the fact that this game is as close to a masterpiece as it gets. Many things are executed much better than in the first two installments, and we finally feel that we have a real impact on the world and events. It's like taking part in the best session of a tabletop RPG.

A unique atmosphere, unhurried narrative and very challenging gameplay. This game draws you in, engages you and will not let you forget it.

Immortals of Aveum is in many respects a successful game, but at the same time it does not offer any fresh ideas. Pleasant gameplay contrasts with clichéd and predictable plot, and the game itself is overall a quite forgettable experience.

What makes Atlas Fallen stand out is its spectacular combat system and nice world. However, in between the combat, the gameplay heavily loses its quality, presenting an uninteresting storyline and unimaginative missions. If you plan to give this game a chance, however, you won't be disappointed by the battles with giants and wielding the power of sand.

Disney Illusion Island is not a bad game, but it is also not outstanding by any means. Compared to other 2D platformers, the game doesn't try to surprise and doesn't bring anything new to the genre. As a product aimed at children, it will work perfectly well, as it is free of violence and negative themes, but adults are unlikely to spend too much time with it.

Remnant 2 is simply the perfect sequel. It improves the elements that already made the first game great and interesting, while not changing what was best in the original. It is clear that the larger budget not only had a positive impact on the visuals and gameplay improvements, but also allowed the developers to unleash their imagination when it comes to world design. It is currently the best soulslike game not focused on melee weapons.

Exoprimal is a technically polished game with an interesting idea and a storyline that can hold interest. Unfortunately, all this fades with the overwhelming boredom and repetitiveness. It won't surprise me if the game soon faces an exodus of players and eventually moves to a free-to-play model.

The inconspicuous title from Scottish Sad Owl Studios is not only one of the best narrative puzzlers ever, but also a dark horse in the race for Game of the Year title. Playing Viewfinder is a fun intellectual challenge and at the same time an artistic experience.

Jagged Alliance 3 comes almost a quarter of a century after the release of the cult classic second game. It's a really decent sequel, combining old-school gameplay with modern trends. It's just a pity that it will be appreciated primarily by experienced gamers, while newcomers will give up rather quickly.

I wouldn't call Synapse a must-have for PlayStation VR2, but it's certainly a unique experience. Basic gameplay and character development are brilliantly executed, so if you decide to pick up this game, you'll be throwing enemies to the ground and bludgeoning them with virtual bullets with a smile on your face. It's just a shame that the small amount of content makes it feel a bit like a proof of concept rather than a full-fledged game.

Final Fantasy XVI is something very different from what fans know, and yet by some miracle Square Enix managed to maintain the series' identity. A successful step in a new direction.

Park Beyond starts from a very difficult position, but if the developers manage to fix the bugs and continue to develop the game, it could one day become number one in the park tycoon genre. But there's still a very long way to go, with the most vexing issues being the numerous bugs and underdeveloped management systems.

New Layers of Fear tries to fix the shortcomings of previous two games, but at the core it's still the same game, suffering from similar problems. Polish horror has its appeal, but it's a must-have only for the most ardent fans and those impatiently waiting for the remake of Silent Hill 2 from Bloober Team.

Codemasters had a tough nut to crack in order to please die-hard fans after a frosty reception of F1 22. New game refines aspects of the previous installment, but there's also no lack of new features and changes "under the hood", which will surely be appreciated by the most demanding racing enthusiasts.

Diablo 4 is certainly a tasty proposition for fans of the series, but their appetite may not be fully satisfied. Repetitive nature of side activities and their small rewards steer us towards the storyline, which initially also leaves a lot to be desired. Fortunately, the foundations for further development are solid, the combat is satisfying and the size of the world offers plenty to do.

Street Fighter 6 surpasses its predecessor in almost every respect, with breath of fresh air in a 35-year-old franchise. It's a colorful feast for the eyes and great fun for every fan of 2D brawlers - whether you're looking for a quick match or plan to spend thousands of hours perfecting your skills.

Despite few shortcomings, new System Shock is an exemplary remake. Nightdive managed to get rid of almost everything that made the original inaccessible, while preserving its unique identity. Still, it is not a game for everyone - one has to forget almost everything that games have taught us over the past decade.

Gollum is probably the worst game set in the famous world, repulsive and unstable like the main character himself. The idea was really good and you can tell that the developers know and understand the source material, but the game they made offers outdated graphics, frustrating platforming, enormous amount of glitches and primitive stealth mechanics.

LEGO 2K Drive is an enjoyable racing game, with potential to draw in young and old alike - although LEGO fans will appreciate it the most. It's a shame that the amount of content is limited and the microtransactions strongly encourage you to spend real money.

One of the best games for PS VR 2. Red Matter 2 expertly combines puzzles and impressive graphics. All of that together with intuitive controls creates a mix you can't ignore.

It's no secret The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom was made because Nintendo had a lot of additional content and mechanics they didn't manage to fit in the previous game. What we get in the sequel is a direct continuation of the story on a familiar map, but the new skills and interactions save us from the feeling that "we're playing the same thing.

Redfall disappoints. Arkane Austin decided to take some risks and experiment a bit, but the result is a game whose target audience is really hard to define.

Star Wars Jedi: Survivor is decent fun, but nothing more than that. Respawn lost the charm of the first game, going for "trendy" solutions but executing them in a merely correct way. Instead of betting on a thoughtful development of the formula, Respawn put emphasis on misguided elements that the game didn't need.

The Burning Shores expansion is a satisfying culmination of Horizon Forbidden West's story and a good reason to return to its beautiful world. Nearly twelve hours of additional gameplay on islands built out of remnants of the former City of Angels is a lot of fun for anyone who enjoyed the main game.

Minecraft Legends has its ups and down. Starting with dispatching the same units over and over again is not very interesting but the gameplay improved with settlement defence and new mobs creation. The best part is the PvP mode, with a mix of tower defense and classic strategy. Game definitely requires more content to keep players engaged for longer.

Dead Island 2 turned out to be a very good game, worth waiting 10 years for. It has some flaws, but at the same time it manages to provide a lot of fun. I sat there with a smile on my face, glued to the console until I cleared the map and finished every quest.

Despite minor bugs, Flooded is a very interesting, original and truly addictive game. Fun for dozens of hours.

While visually Sherlock Holmes: The Awakened has moved closer to current standards, in terms of gameplay it still offers less than any other installment of the series.

The original Resident Evil 4 brought a number of revolutionary gameplay changes, and many fans still regard it as the best installment in the series. Returning to such a cult game was never going to be easy. Fortunately, Capcom did very well, creating its best remake yet.

Switchback VR is one of the best games currently available on PS VR2. At the same time, it's a disappointment in terms of graphics and can be completed in one evening.

I was surprised how different Bayonetta Origins is from the main series, with strong gameplay and a nice atmosphere. It's clear that PlatinumGames knows very well what it wants to do with the franchise.

Great combination of simulation and action elements. Lackluster visuals spoil the experience a little, but it's still worth giving this game a chance, because exploring its various gameplay mechanics is a lot of fun.

On a basic level, Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty is a decent game, but it doesn't stand out from Nioh in any way, which makes it hard to recommend without some small print. It will be appreciated by people who didn't play Nioh before - or by gamers who can't wait for more of the same.

This remastered version of one of the more interesting Kirby games not only makes the game look better than ever before, but also adds fresh. Return To Dream Land Deluxe is a successful - if at times too easy - platformer that's plenty of fun.

Scars Above is heavily inspired by classic works of pop culture: pioneering sci-fi cinema and cult video games. The story is decent and the world is rich, but all of that is spoiled a bit by poorly thought-out gameplay systems.

Company of Heroes 3 is in many ways an exemplary sequel. Relic Entertainment improved many aspects of the series, most notably in the tactical pause mechanic, but there's also an excellent and innovative Italian campaign.

Gameplay is the best part of Wild Hearts. Although Omega Force needs to improve performance, we can definitely recommend their latest game even in its current form. Monster Hunter fans will be most pleased, but it may also appeal to people unfamiliar with the genre.

Horizon Call of the Mountain is not only a showcase of PS VR2 capabilities, but also a great adventure. Open world of this well-known brand has been transferred to virtual reality in a successful and highly imaginative way.

New game from Ninja Gaiden's creators offers an interesting combat system and an old-school gameplay, enough for a few pleasant hours of fun. However, a large number of bugs and flaws makes it hard to describe Zombie Squad's adventures as something more than average.

Hogwarts Legacy is a very good game with a few weaker features that do not match the rest. However, the game is made with great care and, as a result, guarantees a fantastic adventure in the well-known world of magic. I would even let someone cast Obliviate on me, just to forget this game and be able to experience it again.

The Cosmic Shake disappointed me in many ways, but I can't say it's a failure, not at all. It's simply a game aimed directly at a particular target group. The youngest SpongeBob fans will have a good time, but the more mature enthusiasts - not so much.

Despite some shortcomings, the remake of Dead Space is the best thing a fan of the series could've asked for, but it's also a great experience for a wider group of horror and sci-fi enthusiasts. Isaac's adventures are still exceptional, with excellent atmosphere, story, and enjoyable gameplay - and all of this is even more intense than before.

Forspoken is a disappointment on many levels, including those that can't be fixed with an update. It's a great shame, because Square Enix's open world adventure definitely had potential. It's not a complete write-off, but the quality is simply too far from other high-budget AAA releases it strives to imitate.

The Parasight's first game impresses from the start, with a fairy-tale atmosphere and a few interesting mechanics. After a while, however, various shortcomings come to light, such as repetitive gameplay and technical issues. There's a lot to enjoy here, but Blacktail won't be a revelation to finish off the year.

Crisis Core Final Fantasy 7 Reunion is one hell of a remaster. It's so effective at masking the age of the game and refreshing the visuals that at times it's hard not to be in awe. You don't have to wait any longer to check out this PSP classic - Reunion is the best possible way to experience Zack's adventures.

Fatshark's new co-op shooter takes us to the grim darkness of the far future, with plenty of war behind every corner. And while a lot has changed since Vermintide 2, old problems are also making a comeback, which may discourage from the Swedish studio's latest proposal.

Another successful entry in the storied franchise, which probably won't be much of a surprise. Criterion Games didn't try to reinvent the wheel and completely change the face of Need For Speed, taking instead the best parts of previous installments and supplementing them with a few original ideas.

The Callisto Protocol is an engaging action horror, focusing on close combat and a powerful, oppressive atmosphere. It's a shame that the storyline is merely serviceable, but fortunately there's also the visceral, fun gameplay, the best we've seen in survival horrors in many years.

Marvel's Midnight Suns is an original blend of seemingly unrelated genres and mechanics: turn-based card battles, extensive story and dialogues, base development and even exploration. Surprisingly, ingredients of this explosive mix turn out to fit together quite well. It's just a shame that none of them have been properly polished.

The Devil in Me disappoints as the finale of The Dark Pictures anthology's first season and proves that Supermassive Games still can't successfully replicate the success of Until Dawn. The gameplay model is now seven years old and needs a major overhaul. Without it the second season may be just as average.

Floodland is not one of these small, independent gems. Compared to Frostpunk, I didn't feel a challenge, while the overall atmosphere and a certain "fakeness" of the world makes you feel like you're not really a leader. I can't say it wasn't fun however, as the game offers a very dynamic gameplay. It's also not too difficult, lasting around ten hours. There's not much to come back to after a single playthrough, which is a bigger problem.

Evil West combines brilliantly designed, satisfying combat inspired by mechanics from the new God of War games with deep and engaging - but also humorous - story about America.

Thanks to solid foundations of the first game, as well as mostly successful changes and new features, Warzone 2.0 is one of the best multiplayer games on the market. After ironing out technical issues - which will certainly happen, given the size of the franchise - we'll be able to safely call Warzone 2.0 an almost perfect game.

What the Bat will certainly appeal to fans of its golf predecessor. Absurd humor of the tasks works equally well in VR, while variety and brevity of challenges make you lose yourself in the cartoon world, unable to stop completing level after level. It's just a shame there's not much to come back to once the adventure is over.

Developing and improving Digimons can be very engaging, but it's not enough. The combat system in Digimin World: Next Order is not really well-thought-out and the story is not interesting, even for a moment.

Interesting story and great combat system can't hide the issues, like poor graphics and very high entry level for new players. Fans of western RPGs like Witcher 3 will most likely skip Tales of Berseria, even though it's definitely worth checking out. And fans of Tales of series? They are probably deep inside the campaign already.

Nioh offers long hours of satisfying gameplay - in very specific form, interesting mostly for fans of the Souls series. Great combat system and constant challenge keeps us engaged, and the adventure is well worth the time, despite lackluster story and lore.

There's definitely something addictive in the new Hitman, especially when revisiting the same locations over and over again - thanks to interesting challenges. Level design is impressive and multiple ways to eliminate targets will keep you occupied for a long time.

It's hard to imagine a more effective revolution of a storied franchise. Resident Evil 7 makes us want to be scared while we discover the secrets of an old mansion. The visit in the Baker's house is sufficiently short to leave you terrified and patiently await the next Resident Evil.

Despite being undead, vampires are a breath of fresh air in The Sims 4, even if it's the only expansion pack in our library. Developing and testing various abilities, creating new vampires and decorating the goth houses is just fun.

Yakuza 0 is a specific game that demands turning a blind eye on some elements, like mediocre graphics, technical shortcomings, long cutscenes and slow story. If we can accept these issues, Yakuza offers a rich world and hours upon hours of gameplay. Seems like the best moment to check out this Japanese fenomen.

Rise & Shine is always beautiful and sometimes funny, but most certainly tiresome. Proper balancing of the difficulty level to make every moment satisfying is not an easy task and the developers from Super Mega Team mostly failed in this regard.

"Dragon Quest VIII is one of the best classic jRPGs" - this notion still stands today, in 2017. Fans of the genre certainly can't miss it and there's a chance this fantastic adventure will be interesting even for people who prefer different games.

Gravity Rush 2 is a big surprise. It's not just a repeat of the previous entry, but a richer, more interesting and colorful world that you just want to visit again and again. Fascinating adventures of Kat and her friends are definitely worth your while.

Ten hours of platitudes about the brave Marines, vile aliens and treasures of the past - that's Space Hulk: Deathwing in a nutshell. Areas and atmosphere are impressive, which unfortunately can't be said about gameplay, optimization, and slapped-on cooperation.

Beholder is an interesting and quite original title, even if it doesn't offer anything extraordinary in terms of gameplay. Strengths of the game lie within the peculiar theme and the need to make hard decisions.

Specific and abstract humor in Maize will most likely narrow down the audience. You can feel the Monty Python and classic adventure games' vibes, but Maize has enough character to defend itself as a standalone title. Too bad the price is quite high for three hours of gameplay.

Only a decent product. Batman: The Telltale Series has interesting moments, but also problems with scenario and poorly written interactions between characters. Overall it's just an another example that Telltale needs to rethink the well-known formula and introduce changes.

Icey is a fantastic combination of a great slasher and intriguing story, with original narration. It could seem strange at first glance, but it's a great game, unique and engaging.

The Dwarves is a big disappointment. King Art tried too hard to stick to the books and released an unfinished product that offers neither challenges nor interesting plot. Serious limitations in gameplay, not very interesting interactions between characters and poor overall quality make the story about brave dwarves difficult to recommend.

Boredom, simplicity and lack of challenges in later stages of campaign force us to run around without much purpose, consider the meaning of life, analyze yesterday's events or just plan tomorrow's dinner. That's how you know it's time to turn off Dead Rising 4.

It's fun to visit the mountains in Steep from time to time and enjoy a pleasant ride down the slope or one of the more exciting challenges. It's important not to Overstay the game's welcome, since Steep can quickly become rather boring and monotonous.

Orwell is a fascinating game. Osmotic's title allows you to feel the impact of the stuff we leave behind in the Internet every day. It's a story about a balancing act between freedom and privacy. Orwell's engaging story will drag you in and inspire a cold shudder when you realize the consequences of our actions.

Final Fantasy XV is a good game, suffering after years of chaotic development. It's definitely worth checking out, but bare in mind That Square Enix have not managed to make a "Final Fantasy for everyone", like the company claims. All we get is an approach to find the golden mean, not always a successful one.

The Last Guardian is one of a kind and very difficult to compare to anything else in video games, perhaps besides Ico on PlayStation 2. You can feel the touch of developers who previously managed to offer something this unique and special. This adventure invites you into a fantastic world and impresses on every step, even if it sometimes also tests our patience.

Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun manages to resurrect a genre without a good representative for almost a decade. Minor shortcomings of this title can't lessen the satisfaction of every successful mission or a smart move around enemies.

Frontier Developments went with well-known concepts, improving selected mechanics and tools. Gameplay is fun and reminds us of the best times in the RollerCoaster Tycoon series, but Planet Coaster lacks something truly original and unique.

It's hard to recommend the new Super Mario Maker for people already familiar with Wii U version, but it's a great proposition for 3DS enthusiasts. Handheld conversion offers equally good gameplay and few additional functions, but less in terms of internet integration.

Owlboy is a charming game, with amazing graphics, interesting story and great heroes. It's also quite long, providing more than 10 hours of gameplay. D-pad's title definitely shines, as one of the best projects in saturated world of indie games in recent years.

Dragon Ball Xenoverse is not as surprising the second time around, and sometimes disappoints - when counting the elements imported straight from the first game. Cooperation with friends could be fun, but single-player soon wanes. A sequel should offer more.