Every decision is appropriately weighted against a thematically sensible in-game resource. Sometimes you’re weighing up Hope vs "Discontent, or Discontent vs time, or skilled engineers vs coal, or scout exploration vs an increasingly sick population in need of heat. It’s all tied to something solid, in a way that makes sense, and in that way Frostpunk achieves its goal as an empathetic, story-driven city-builder.

While there's still gore and violence by the corpse-load, this cinematic adventure feels far more reminiscent of the father-daughter relationship in The Last of Us than the testosterone-soaked Devil May Cry challenger the franchise started as.

Ropey dialogue may keep this from being a must-play experience, but if you’re looking to embark on a compelling and surprising c0-op adventure with a friend, A Way Out is more than worth the price of entry.

Level-5 has still put together a wondrous and whimsical RPG to lose yourself in for many hours.

More future primitive than highly evolved, there is some fun to be had here, but ultimately it’s a game that adds nothing of substance to either genre or franchise.

While we thoroughly enjoyed our 4-6 hours with Kirby Star Allies, it definitely was lacking in some areas on top of its short length. Levels are decisively easy and lack extra exploration, boss fights are simplistic, and the minigames are fun but shallow. It’s difficult not to feel like Nintendo was playing it safe when designing it.

Just be aware going into this one that after a few outings, you’ve pretty much seen what Rare’s pirate epic has to offer. Sea of Thieves is a “make your own fun” game, but its difficult not to feel like the developers could’ve made a little more fun for you. Sail, stare at the water, and live the life of a corsair — ultimately, its longevity will come down to you and your crew.

I wish I could say Kiryu’s sendoff was the best Yakuza game of the bunch, but last year’s Yakuza 0 still stands out. Yakuza 6 succeeds, though, despite its shortcomings. It’s definitely the best looking, most technically impressive Yakuza game. And The Song of Life is its most heart warming (and heart wrenching!) story.

Strip away the need for it to be a Metal Gear game, and Survive is a surprisingly solid survival adventure game. There are moments of pure excitement in the game when you are defending a single point from oncoming enemies using cobbled together equipment and limited resources.

Into the Breach really nails the idea of “flow” — making a game not too hard, not too simple, maintaining just the right about of stress and excitement. Its main Vek-thumping loop ranges from “I might actually do this” to “Yikes I’m barely hanging on.” But in the rare case of comfort, there are additional challenges to ensure you’re in that sweet spot of stress.

Age of Empires: Definitive Edition is a must-play for series vets looking to recapture the nostalgia of their first RTS experience, and well worth a look for new players looking to understand the roots of the RTS genre.

Nostalgia purists wanting to play Secret of Mana in 2018 are recommended to pick up a SNES Mini and enjoy the original in glorious HD. There’s not enough in the way of improvements in this remake to warrant the attention of the old guard.

These are two of the most enjoyable and finely crafted action games ever released. While the lack of meaningful new content or resolution bump is a bit disappointing, if you’ve yet to experience these bats–t crazy but beautiful brawlers, this is the perfect time to discover what makes the Bayonetta series so bewitching.

Despite its lack of polish, Kingdom Come: Deliverance is an engaging ride. If players are willing to embrace the beauty of history and the challenge of survival in a world that cares nothing for its inhabitants, role-playing doesn’t come much more satisfying than this.

Dissidia is undeniably attractive and enjoyable to play. However, the steep learning curve and amount of time needed to master makes it a fighter that’s not for the faint of heart.

This is the Shadow of the Colossus that you thought you played over a decade ago, unfolding before your eyes. Every second as sad, as spectacular, and as exceptionally unique as it ever was. And worthy, indeed, of creating more memories with.

No matter which way you prefer to play, Subnautica is an incredibly engaging experience. It’s one of those games that you can play for 10 minute chunks, or lose four hours without noticing.

Quite simply, this game is gorgeous. With huge and beautifully atmospheric landscapes for you to hunt and gather across, the new graphical grunt afforded to the devs has resulted in a brilliantly immersive world. Little plants retreat when you walk near. Colourful insects flutter and glisten across the horizon. It’s a functioning ecosystem designed with love and care and the locales you find yourself exploring are every bit as memorable as the monsters themselves.

Dragon Ball FighterZ has managed to prioritise competitive play while still packing in the hyper-stylised, fill-your-entire-screen special effects the franchise demands. The moves are super cool, and the fact they don’t obscure vital telegraphing is even cooler.

In a game that’s supposed to be all about skill-based multiplayer, it’s baffling that so many crucial elements of your load out can be bought through loot boxes.

PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds is one of the most compelling video game experiences to come out in years. That its stood out in a year filled with some of the best games ever is a testament to how brilliant it really is. It’s the sort of game I talk about in excited, quick bursts with friends, the kind I think about when I’m not playing it.

It may lack the mechanical variety and elegant sophistication of say, What Remains Of Edith Finch, but despite that, Before The Storm still manages to be one of the finest gaming experiences in undoubtedly one of the medium’s best years.

Battle Chef Brigade is yet another wonderful addition to the Nintendo Switch library of games. Its quirky dialogue, clean art style, and clever implementation of gameplay mechanics make the game stand out. That being said, the game is a bit guilty of a monotonous grind and the puzzles become more of a nuisance rather than entertaining.

Despite the poor narrative, there is some fun to be had throughout the 9 or so hours it’ll take you to beat Lost Legacy. While it’s definitely not the globe-trotting adventure of a full, numbered Uncharted, this expansion has a few great moments of its own.

Even though it feels little more than a setup, it’s still an intricate setup, with a lingering promise of big emotional reward.

It’s this sense of streamlined player experience that really defines Destiny 2. Where the first game had you grinding for hours just to experience increasingly diminishing returns, this is a sequel that trims away its processor’s frustrations, firmly putting fun first.

For players that appreciate classic run-and-gun combat, punishing difficulty, constantly learning from failure, and breathtaking art, Cuphead’s experience will not disappoint.

It’s a little hard to achieve that goal when relying on “been there, done that” tropes like an innocent girl juxtaposed with evil motives and supernatural powers. But there are new, interesting things at work. These get better as the game goes on, culminating in a satisfyingly climactic endgame sequence.