At first, we were skeptical about the prospect of open world in God of War, but Santa Monica Studio managed to avoid the typical pitfalls. Here, you won’t find a list of watchtowers to visit, outposts to clear, swarms of respawning enemies to kill. Not to mention that side-quests are far better than typical “kill 10 somethings” stuff. [Issue#229, p.38]

Does Uncharted 4 have flaws? Sure. From time to time, you notice some animation glitches, and in some episodes developers use artistic license in regards to laws of physics too excessively. But the magic of the game is that it makes you forget these flaws immediately.

Overwatch catches you instantly due to the hurricane dynamics of matches and the amazing smoothness of the game engine. There are no problems with the network code which can give odds to Swiss watches. It is impossible to get lost in the wilds of the interface. It offers extremely convenient controls. As a result Overwatch is very easy to learn. [Issue#210, p.68]

It is gratifying that The Witcher 3 holds the quality bar at the highest level to the final credits of his last add-on. [Issue#210, p.74]

You’ll have to deal with people who grew up with no understanding of morality and civility, gain their respect (by force, if necessary) and build bright post-nuclear future with them. Wasteland domination is just a step away. [Issue#203, p.46]

A shining example of what remake should be. [Issue#236, p.24]

No one can avoid their fate, especially if they happen to be a witcher with a very particular destiny. Of course, the end of this story depends on your choice between personal happiness and world’s stability, duty and destiny, selfless love and mutual one – but we all know what Sapkowski’s Geralt would’ve chosen. [June 2015,p.56]

Fast-paced brutal action that still requires you to think ahead and utilize every tool at your disposal – we've been waiting for a shooter like that for a long time. [Issue#244, p.44]

CD Projekt got into a Catch-22 situation with Cyberpunk 2077. Investors wouldn’t forgive another delay, and now no one will forget such a troubled release. Still, even with all its bugs, Cyberpunk is a great game: main story and sidequests are terrific, and Night City is probably the most immersive and detailed city in the history of video games. [Issue#250, page 38]

Beneath the fantastic eyecandy lies a very precise mechanic that rewards tactical thinking, good positioning and ability to make split-second decisions. [Issue#235, p.40]

A game that justifies buying Switch – or, at the very least, renting it for a good while. [Issue#218, p.72]

Despite the initial skepticism, Borderlands 3 turned out to be great. It does have its faults, but for the entire 30-hour campaign it will keep you entertained not only with its main story, but also with sidequests, exploration and searching for the perfect build for your character. [Issue#240, p.24]

Type-O used to be the darkest and most mature game in the franchise, but now this title is usurped by Final Fantasy XVI. At times, the amount of blood, swearing and sex rivals even The Witcher’s. [Issue#262, p.48]

Everything is made just like fans of first few Colin McRae Rallies wanted. Now it’s up to them to reciprocate with high enough sales numbers – and classic rally sims will have a bright future again. [Issue#205, p.42]

Veterans of From Software games may find Bloodborne a tad too easy, as it lacks input hiccups, weird hitboxes and other oddities that noticeably raised the difficulty in Souls-series games. [May 2015, p.62]

At a glance, Super Mario Odyssey is nothing but a peculiar game. After spending a few minutes with it, you find it oddly fun, and after an hour or two you simply fall in love with it. But even that is just the beginning: any time you think you’ve seen it all, Super Mario Odyssey will find a way to surprise and challenge you. [Issue#225, p.56]

Crusader Kings III is definitely a success. The developers made a huge self-evolving world where the players can do as they please. It’s unrivaled both in scale and level of detail. [Issue#248, p.68]

It’s a good thing that Valve didn’t add a digit to the title: from Half-Life 3 we expect nothing short of revolution, while Alyx is “merely” an amazing game. [Issue#245, p.50]

Super Mario 3D All-Stars is for everyone who loves videogames. Hopefully, even though it’s a limited-time offer at the moment, Nintendo will change its mind and 3D All-Stars will be available for purchase even after March 31. [Issue#248, p.58]

A true milestone not only for Legend of Zelda series, but for the industry as a whole. [Issue#262, p.61]

The world is incredibly detailed, so instead of rushing to the next quest objective, make sure to take your time and let it all soak in. [Issue#264,p.58]

Despite being a little inexperienced, Bloober Team delivered a remake as great as Resident Evil 2 (2019). Long-time fans of Silent Hill won’t be disappointed, while newcomers will get to experience one of the best horror games ever in all its terrifying glory. [Issue#265, p.56]

Microsoft Flight Simulator features some really impressive, even groundbreaking technologies that allow it to procedurally create entire Earth. [Issue#249, p.74]

Blitz definitely can be qualified as a success. The seemingly impossible task – to port a thoughtful, slow-paced game to a platform that’s all about instant gratification – was accomplished. And the product is not a Frankensteinian monstrosity, but something new, fast-paced and captivating. [Jan 2015, p.100]

If you were a fan of the original FF VII, go ahead and add another 5 points to the final score. It’s a perfect remake: it faithfully follows original game’s storyline, is filled with fan-service, but remains approachable by complete newbies. [Issue#245, p.38]

It’s interesting to see how your playstyle affects personality of your character. Low-chaos Emily remains optimistic and somewhat naive; so an alchemical laboratory makes her remember her childhood and lessons she received. The same laboratory, however, would stir some very different feelings in high-chaos Emily – namely, she’ll start musing about pouring acid down Delilah’s throat. [Issue#214, p.40]

TW: WH never slips into a routine, gameplay keeps player on tenterhooks from the beginning to the end. And thanks to the diversity of the factions – it’s quite replayable. At least five times. [Issue#210, p.86]

Forza Horizon 4 sets a new mark: from now on, any open-world racing game that doesn’t feature passing of the seasons will feel like it’s missing something very important both for immersion and variety. [Issue #233, p.50]

No matter how many studios try to replicate the formula, From Software is the only one that can deliver authentic Souls experience. [Issue#259, p.36]

Frankly speaking, we did not expect much from "The Dark Side". Therefore, the adventure of dark trinity – orc, vampire and she devil – became a pleasant surprise primarily due to the unexpectedly well-designed questing system. More good news – tactics have remained virtually unchanged. [September 2014, p. 68]

Great parkour, gory combat, improved story and beautifully detailed open world make Dying Light 2 the best game of the last few months and a very strong contender in game of the year race. [Issue#258, p.38]

Ubisoft Montreal managed to make Egypt not only beautiful, but extremely atmospheric. When you’re admiring the city and a mounted patrol rushes past you, you always get that urge to step aside to avoid getting trampled, even though you know you can eviscerate them all in a blink of an eye. [Issue#225, p.32]

Mercilessly colorful futuristic city where virtually every element can be used for high-speed movement is likely to leave a newcomer more than a little confused. But once you become accustomed to it, mundane walking becomes almost physically painful: you’ll want to jump on the wires, bounce off the roof of some car, slide down the rails and never touch the sinful earth again. [Dec 2014, p.82]

Most obvious are the efforts of artists and designers: Sera after two decades of peace looks much more vibrant, and every location – even local mines – is instantly recognizable. Gameplay, on the other hand, hasn’t changed in its core – but it’s much more polished now (which is especially noticeable if you compare it to recent remake of first Gears of War). [Issue#213, p.50]

Despite its direct relation to Wii U version, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is nothing less than gorgeous, with its scintillating colors, varied decorations and abundance of interesting details on tracks. It’s a perfect game for parties, but online championship is where your driver skills are really put to test. [Issue#220, p.74]

Rich storyline, impactful choices, difficult fights and great adaptation of pen-and-paper mechanics make Wrath of the Righteous a true RPG gem. [Issue#255, p.34]

This rather short, but very eventful journey will send Astro up in the air, out to the deep waters, or even inside gargantuan monsters. [Issue#265, p.70]

If you have a Switch and at least 50 hours of free time, if you can handle the stress of losing progress due to manual saves, if you like complex story, nuanced mechanics and turn-based combat – you definitely have to play Shin Megami Tensei V. [Issue#257, p.72]

There’s a definite focus shift from tactics to strategy – which is risky, considering that tactical combat had always been a staple of Total War series. It couldn’t be avoided, though: unlike Medieval and Rome settings, China simply lacks variety in troops types. So fights end up being very predictable – while Chinese politic field is anything but! [Issue#239, p.48]

EA Canada has done an excellent job. Yes, there are some rough edges like too many player errors during throw-ins or kicking the ball over side line in cases where it would be better to kick it to the middle of the field. Too many hits on the goal posts and bar. But developers have managed to conquer new heights where they will sure nest and polish this flagship series, until the time comes for a new breakthrough. [Nov 2014, p.96]

New Horizons always has something new in store. For example, on the way to your regular fishing spot you can suddenly make acquaintance with a hippie, fly to his island and come back with some great photos. [Issue#244, p.58]

Persona 5 is an incredibly rich, detailed and nuanced fantasy JRPG/school-life sim that may very well take more than 100 hours to complete. A must-see for everyone except people with strongest aversion to Japanese culture. [Issue#220, p.78]

As far as remakes go, Resident Evil 4 is very solid, but very safe, to the point of losing some of the original’s spark. Early RE games used to be unashamedly goofy, and RE4R seems to be afraid of that legacy. [page 64]

Gearing process works like a charm to keep the player addicted – after all, who wouldn’t want to get new pauldrons for Batman or a whip for Catwoman? [Issue#220, p.40]

Smoke-filled skies, destroyed buildings, ever-present dirt, trenches and heavily armored beasts, clouds of poisonous gas and panicked feeling that you’re being shot at from every direction and there’s not a square inch of ground that’s truly safe. The setting feels not just grim – more like apocalyptic. [Issue#214, p.52]

In 11 years that separate the original Demon’s Souls and its remake, Souls game formula didn’t change much – but it definitely hasn’t gone stale. [Issue#250, page 46]

Kingdom Come isn’t perfect, but it’s unique. If its deliberately slow pace doesn’t click with you – skip it, the storyline here isn’t something to suffer gameplay for. But, if it does click, you’re guaranteed to spend dozens of hours in virtual Bohemia, poaching hares and stalking bandits through the woods. [Issue#227, p.36]

Let's not go around in circles – the secret of Divinity: Original Sin and Larian Studios’ success is pretty simple. They took best practices from MMORPGs and carefully placed them into their own cozy co-op for two. That was a clever decision because all the innovations appeared after the heyday of RPG in the late nineties in one way or another were made in the MMO. [September 2014, p. 56]

Infinite Wealth is a kaleidoscopic parade of everything that made original Like a Dragon great. Except there’s more of everything, and everything is more interesting than before. [Issue#263, p.66]

Introduction of open world led to action slowing down a little, but new lore and world-building more than make up for it. [Issue#241, p.30]

The game is not technically astounding, even against the backdrop of last year's Need for Speed Rivals. Horizon 2 is certainly very beautiful, but its beauty comes not from technology, but from artistic field. There are very soft and warm sunsets, refreshing summer rains, and really dark nights – every detail done in the right color and carefully accentuated. Each element works on a holiday atmosphere and you absolutely do not want emerge from it into the dank October evening. [Nov 2014, p.82]

In the sequel, battles became more tense, but at the same time more controllable. As you unlock more tactical options, you all but eliminate influence of RNG on your anti-alien campaign. [Issue#206, p.56]

In some respects, R&C remake all but copies original game: same mini-games, same fighter flights, even some locations are basically copy-pasted. Still, Insomniac realized that industry standards have moved on, so it follows the original formula only when it holds up well. [Issue#209, p.70]

Who would have thought that the union of two studios which didn’t have a single prominent game between them will yield a game worthy of all possible attention. This exciting and entertaining Action RPG adopted some Dark Souls’ basic mechanics but managed to preserve its own unique face. [Dec 2014, p.60]

Bend Studio made a great game with a rich, believable and captivating story. They’ve also resisted the lure of trends: there’s no multiplayer, no lootboxes, no “game as a service” plans – just a very solid (and finite) singleplayer experience. That makes it a rare gem these days, maybe one of the last of its kind. [Issue#238, p.42]

Great level design, dangerous enemies, good gunplay and intriguing story come together to deliver an unforgettable game. [page 38]

Normally, the fact that you can’t play the campaign without another player would be a downside, but A Way Out is an experience that simply won’t work without a friend by your side. [Issue#229, p.66]

One of the cornerstones of War Thunder is that player’s skill is more important than his wallet. Premium vehicles offer no combat advantages, there is no “microtransaction-only” ammo or consumables, so no amount of cash will buy you a spot on the top of the food chain. [Issue#216, p.56]

Every aspect of Astral Chain is captivating in its own way. [Issue#240, p.42]

DS3 would’ve made an excellent sequel to original Dark Souls, but, as it is the trilogy finale, we expected something more than simply retreading familiar paths. On the other hand, it still has the series’ best feature – mystery. While other developers happily shove everything of interest in their games in player’s face, FromSoftware consciously conceals important details from casual observer. And for this unique approach, a lot of shortcomings can be forgiven. [Issue#208, p.44]

It’s obvious how much progress Ubisoft has made in terms of quality of side activities: in Watch Dogs 2 they have their own cutscenes, dialogue and interesting set-ups. Even something as benign as taxi missions isn’t limited to moving someone from point A to point B: for example, you may get a fare who writes a blog about extreme lifestyle, so she’ll want you to make some risky jumps in your car. [Issue#214, p.36]

The second game proves to be faithful to its predecessor in terms of lore and atmosphere, and simultaneously manages to break new ground in gameplay. It makes us look forward to further evolution of the series in a potential sequel. [Issue#252, p.48]

Mario games still set the bar high for all 3D platformers, and Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury is a good remaster of an already excellent game, which will please both newcomers and old-time fans. [Issue#252, p.64]

It’s easy to get overpowered to the point where you can enter a melee completely naked, and emerge victorious. But still, you’ll find yourself putting on your best armor just because it feels right. KCD2 isn’t about powergaming – it’s about immersion in a very unique setting that’s obviously a labor of love. [Issue#266]

No two ways about it – Tekken 7 is a success. Sure, it would be better if the campaign was longer, if it still had Fight Lab training mode and every single character that ever appeared in the series was playable; but still – base roster of 36 fighters, great performance and flawless combat mechanics make Tekken 7 more than worthy to be called an editor’s choice game. [Issue#221, p.70]

No one does Call of Duty better than Treyarch. [Issue#203, p.50]

Nomada Studio is very open about Neva being inspired by Hayao Miyazaki’s works. And I have to admit – they’ve really hit the mark: the game is very heartwarming and emotional. [Issue#265, p.82]

Cadence of Hyrule might be THE surprise release of the year. Not only Nintendo let third-party studio to use its IP, but the result is on par with mainstream releases of the big N. [Issue#239, p.67]

There was no need for this lifeless open world; Phantom Pain would work much better as a series of “sandboxy” missions that include only the to-be-infiltrated complex and some space around it, like in Hitman: Blood Money. Still, the most important thing of all – stealth gameplay – is top-notch. [Issue#201, p.46]

In addition to constructor mode, the game also has a solid single-player story with over 100 levels. SMM2 will have you race, fly, explore labyrinths, solve puzzles and fight monsters – every interesting concept of the past 30 years found its place in this game. [Issue#239, p.72]

Awakening’s world is much smaller than Breath of the Wild’s Hyrule. But within the island’s depths lies something that was missing from the last game – eight difficult, multi-layered dungeons, each with its own theme, traps and puzzles. [Issue#241, p.66]

Why would a celt undertake a journey to Helheim, which has nothing to do with Celtic mythology? How come a historically correct pict from Orkney islands manages to find a mythological place in the first place? And why there are so many voices in her head? The premise of Hellblade raises a lot of questions, and the game answers most of them in due time. [Issue #222, p.70]

One of the major Pyre’s features is that you can’t die. Sure, a fight to the death is nothing if not stimulating, but death is still a release – and no one escapes Downside that easily. Actually, inability to die is akin to a curse, because, although you can’t die – you still can lose. And you will have to find strength to keep going despite that loss, despite having let down your teammates and friends. [Issue#222, p.56]

Vanillaware’s signature style is evident in every scene of 13 Sentinels. Both long-time fans and newcomers will enjoy this gorgeous Japanese game.[Issue#248,p.42]

Engaging, difficult and charming metroidvania with an amazingly low price. [Issue#244, p.54]

Well-designed metroidvania elements, prominent storyline and dynamic action – Metroid Dread delivers on almost every front. [Issue#255, p.28]

A very unique MOBA where you can lose most of teamfights, lag behind in terms of levels, and still win the match thanks to map mechanics and NPCs. That’s why HotS isn’t a “simplified Dota 2” – it requires strategic thinking and ability to prioritize tasks properly. [Issue#199, p.68]

There are multiple ways to complete each mission, and to spur player’s imagination, developers offer additional challenges – for example, a playthrough with no firearms, or a pacifist one. So, even though Blades of the Shogun only has a dozen missions, it will keep you entertained for a long time. [Issue#216, p.40]

Bloody, brutal and visceral shooter franchise was given a tactics treatment – and the end result is surprisingly good. Gears Tactics is one of the best games in the genre this year. [Issue#246, p.36]

Large selection of classes, good AI and wide variety of missions make Fire Emblem: Three Houses one of the best turn-based tactics. [Issue#240, p.50]

Graphics, UI, gameplay, combat mechanics, character interactions, story – sequel does everything better than the original Pillars of Eternity. [Issue#230, p.66]

Perfect reward system, very tactile gunplay and great visuals make Division 2 the best loot shooter on the market, and one of the best co-op games in the recent years. [Issue#237, p.36]

A great entry point for people new to the Warhammer 40k franchise, as well as a nice throwback to the action games of old. No open world, no Souls-like mechanics, no “meaningful” story choices. Just you, your bolter and a whole lot of enemies to mow down. [Issue#265, p.72]

ICEY is as normal of a platformer as The Stanley Parable is a normal adventure game; and though it will take just a few hours to find all hidden endings, Easter eggs and achievements, the experience is more than worth it. [Issue#217, p.84]

Years of experience in slasher-making helped Team Ninja create captivating, nuanced and difficult combat system, which is good enough by itself – but then they sweetened the deal further with Diablo-style equipment hunt. As a result, it’s really, really hard to put Nioh down. [Issue#217, p.62]

Acreus came out just a few months after Diamond & Pearl remake. Isn’t that too soon? Actually, no. Pokémon Legends: Arceus is the most innovative, revolutionary, and maybe simply the best Pokémon game of the last decade. [Issue#259, p.48]

Josef Fares wasn’t kidding when he said that It Takes Two is unlike any other platformer: it’s amazing how many various mechanics and ideas found their place in this game. [Issue#253, p.32]

It perfectly captures the essence of “Starship Troopers” movie without quoting it directly. Good gunplay doesn’t hurt either, and a healthy dose of friendly fire chaos brings some spice into the mix. [Issue#263, p.42]

Although the narrative is fairly linear, there are enough branching paths over the course of the game to make it feel like your actions matter. That allows Detroit to still be fun even on multiple playthroughs – and for an interactive movie, that’s a rare praise. [Issue#231, p.68]

There is one major caveat, and it’s the amount of content. You’ll keep seeing the same dynamic events over and over; same goes for PvP maps. Not to mention there’s only one raid, and it accommodates only 6 people. Still, Destiny 2 remains a fun Diablo-like FPS, and it works surprisingly well on PC, so if you’ve skipped console-only Destiny 1, it’s definitely worth a look. [Issue#225, p.42]

Thronebreaker drifts ever further from Witcher 3 version of Gwent: now there’s only two rows, for example, and victory conditions vary from battle to battle. But on its own, Thronebreaker is a very enjoyable experience. [Issue#234, p.36]

Anthropomorphic animals of Night in the Woods are far more humane, honest and touching than human-like robots of many other games that try to tell a simple, down-to-earth story. [Issue#218, p.58]

DMC 5 takes the best from previous titles, like over the top action and nuanced battle system, adds a great new character and makes the best use of modern technologies. [Issue#236, p.20]

You're going to visit Olympus, Monsters Inc, Toy Story, even Winnie the Pooh – and each world is created up to the highest standards. [Issue#236, p.44]

It must’ve been very tempting to fix some quirks of the original, to make a legendary game a bit better. And maybe add something that had been planned back then, but wasn’t finished in time, or perhaps brush up the dialogues. Luckily, team behind Special Edition avoided all these temptations and delivered a game that’s 99.99% faithful to the original (the only joke that got removed is “Fony” logo on a TV) [Issue#209, p.66]

The first half of the game takes place in believable, but not exemplary colonial buildings on Mars. Only when Marine gets to Hell does the game really get into gear: the number and strength of opponents begins to match Marine’s phenomenal murdering skills, and Doom finally transforms into a fierce, high-speed shooter that’s all about holding your own in the middle of a demon’s horde and making sudden comebacks when all seems lost. And yet, even in Hell the game manages to give you breathers to explore and look for secrets. [Issue#209, p.52]

Despite some silly dialogues and animeish looks of characters, Fates has two (three, if you throw in DLC campaign) well-made tactical games with RPG elements, both with distinct flavor and unlike one another. [Issue#209, p.80]

It’s a great hardcore game that can enrage even the calmest person on Earth. Cuphead is difficult and unforgiving, but at the same time you can’t help but come back to it over and over until you learn the patterns of yet another boss and finally manage to knock him on his back. [Issue#224, p.34]