Dark Souls 3 takes the best of each game to create a fantastic level design, great gameplay, superb artistic direction and great visuals. Already one of the best games of 2016.

Xenoblade Chronicles 3 is a satisfying conclusion to the two previous games. It’s a game you devour like an exciting novel, you constantly want to come back, have more. Carried by a mature and captivating scenario, an artistic direction super effective and a refined and complex combat system, the license seems to have finally found its winning formula.

Thanks to a "back to the roots" formula, Criterion succeeded in restoring the right path for the Need for Speed series : the chase HQ style pursuits between the police and the crazed drivers. It manages to do this with an inspired approach, borrowing from the original game or more recent ones, like with the finesse and fun inducing in-game equipment. The Autolog feature is a true revolution community-wise, and the online play guaranties hours of added fun. Can we ask for more ? Yes ; a less "heavy" handling of the cars, for an even more dynamic urban rodeo. The best NFS game since the third installment.

Thanks to its many clever tweaks, Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury give the player many reasons to enjoy a great 3D platformer, now a little bit faster, and with friends around the globe online. Let's not forget Bowser's Fury, a tiny open world adventure which rightfully mixes gameplays from the Wii U and Switch episodes, and delivers a strong experience with a twist.

A gem of sublime darkness. In the same way that an infamous ring did poison the soul of the one wearing it, this game becomes both the burden and the treasure of the one playing it. Cruel, even more so than its predecessor from which it keeps almost everything, Dark Souls offers a singular atmosphere, one where the player is prey, gambles its life with each step he dares to take, and its sanity every time he makes progress towards more evil that can kill him in a single strike. If you feel crazy enough to dive in, though, Dark Souls will possess you like very few can: it's a drug, and it's in the poison it exudes that lies its virtue.

Phantom Liberty is a very solid extension. Its storyline keeps us on the edge of our seats from start to finish, backed up by a scathing mise-en-scène. The DLC draws a great deal of inspiration from action cinema, and exploits every string with brio. It's all carried off by the presence of Idris Elba, an ultra-charismatic actor who shines on screen here. It's just a pity that his character, like other interesting supporting characters, is not exploited to the full. Similarly, Phantom Liberty as a whole doesn't go far enough. Leaving aside Update 2.0, which is available to all without the need to buy DLC, the new features can be counted on the fingers of one hand. A handful of new skills, a new neighborhood, new missions and quite a few new items. An excellent expansion, despite a slight lack of ambition. But it's hard to deny the pleasure.

Tetris Effect is a musical puzzle game instant hit, a must-have for anyone interested in this genre. Unlike so many versions of Tetris before it, it really transforms the formula to make a superb musical trip, and even some kind of sensory journey, able to get you into a second state. Its full compatibility with the PlayStation VR can also bring a higher degree of immersion and you should also try it this way. Apart from the surprising lack of a 2-player mode, we can't see anything wrong with Tetris Effect.

Fez may not be as polished as its pairs, the Limbos and the Braids, but it's the indie gem we were expecting it to be. It's an ode to 8bit clichés for sure, but also a puzzler that will appeal to all the thinkers and explorers alike, filled with cuteness, an awesome soundtrack and atmosphere, and quite a load of secrets to uncover.

Dead Space Remake is more than just a remake, it's a whole new game. Motive has done a titanic job to give a second life to one of the masterpieces of the survival horror genre. Not only its graphics are a real slap in the face and its sound design is absolutely fantastic, but he few gameplay adjustments and the work on the level design offer a real added value. Even those who know the original game by heart will be surprised. An incredible dive into horror and a real "new gen" slap in the face. Now we only want one thing, the sequel, and quickly!

More comprehensive, more varied, better polished, Borderlands 2 still boasts the same strengths than three years ago, only enhanced. It's still a rather brutal FPS mixed with loot-whoring RPG, with a unique design and a super-violent, super-crazy world.

Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade is as expected a strong next-gen upgrade on an already great game. Its 60fps animation and extra chapter makes it all the more delightful. Too bad you had to wait for it to see the true ending. Not fair, Square Enix.

Like every massive monument, Fire Emblem: Three Houses has been built slowly, but surely. The candid though deep links established in the monastery, theatre of a true student life with plentiful lessons and occupations, are used to express the canevas' dramatic intent, exceptionally dark. And this dense universe features an unprecedented scope, also displayed by the scale of battles lead in unison on large maps, resolutely overpopulated. Then the accent put on human relations and the natural, if not organic aspect of the peregrinations resulting from the gameplay evolutions almost appear to push the tactical dimension into the background. This episode is nonetheless based on its imposing heritage of principles, wisely refined to make the whole experience more coherent. Never did the series deploy such opulence, while giving the choice to discover the extent of its richness freely, whatever one's teaching implication degree. A long-term work anyway, accomplished by the masterful triple hands of Intelligent Systems, Koei Tecmo and Nintendo. In a word, grandiose.

FIFA 11 is huge. Filled with licenses and data, amazing production-wise, with photo-realistic visuals and incredibly truthful animations, EA's simulation delivers a convincing gameplay paired with a thrilling atmosphere. From the rumbling of its stadiums to the hit music of its menus, this 2011 edition fills us with joy, as it's surprisingly able to innovate yet again, despite the franchise already being the frontrunner. Praise the 11 versus 11 online play with the ability to play as the goalkeeper. You're more of a manager. The career mode is there for you. Add several subtle additions here and there, and this year yet again, we'll have to call it "the king FIFA". And if the way EA Canada has paved up until now is any indication, it seems the throne isn't ready to waver.

A game which clearly delivers richness and varied pleasures. Granted, it's not perfect, especially from a purely technical standpoint, and it will probably not surprise as much as its illustrious ancestor did back in 2000, but its generosity, the excellence of its artistic direction and cyberpunk universe, supported by a sublime soundtrack, draw us right in for a long adventure from which it's very, very difficult to break free. I can't wait for a follow-up that could be freed from the constraints that clearly limited what the developers ambitionned to deliver originally... because Deus Ex Human Revolution still marks the return of true cyberpunk in videogames. Let's pray it doesn't leave us again for another 10 years.

A solid Tower Defense, with nice production values and perfect gameplay balance. Probably one of the better games of its genre, with a surprising ability not to bore the player during the waves of ennemies.

L.A. Noire is undoubtedly a foray into a new kind of adventure game, and most specifically of investigation games. Beyond the technology, which is not perfect but still breathtaking, its a brilliant example of actors' talent and humanity, both at the service of gameplay. With polished writing and a tight plot, and well-described atmosphere, it's easy to overlook some of its shortcomings in order to dream of the future it gives a glimpse of. A title that we'll remember years from now.

Death Stranding 2 isn't a great game, but a great work of art, far from the usual blockbusters. In more ways than one, it's not the kind of experience that everyone puts their hands on. You need to have a discerning eye, an open mind, and a certain curiosity for oddities, in addition to accepting that its structure and gameplay loop are absolutely redundant. If you approach it like any other title, it can be long, even boring at times, too easy certainly, and lazy in many ways. But the real experience lies elsewhere: in its concept of sharing and hyper connection, as well as in its deserted open world that we dress up with our creations while trying to put the pieces of a fractured and frightened humanity back together. It is also found in its convoluted main plot and its universe, which is difficult to approach but intriguing, and which keeps us on the edge of our seats until the end. It's a AAA UFO that sometimes goes overboard and doesn't particularly seek to please everyone, but it should still leave a lasting impression in one way or another. Love it, adore it, or hate it, Death Stranding 2 will leave no one unmoved. And just to be able to achieve such a contrast is art.

Let's be clear, Horizon Forbidden West is one of the most beautiful PC games currently available and a real graphical marvel.

Simply put, Lone Echo is the best VR game ever released. An immersive experience with fantastic mechanics, and well-written that makes us almost forget we're in a video game. Brilliant!

Resident Evil 9 Requiem is certainly one of the best games in the franchise, and for a very simple reason : it is the ultimate mutation of a formula that has evolved over many years of research, experimentation, successes, and failures. It is the synthesis of an entire series, from its main titles to its many offshoots spread across nearly 30 years of existence. Two experiences in one that come together to form a whole that will keep us on the edge of our seats from start to finish, despite some pacing issues and a few missteps along the way, though these are quickly offset by well-executed fan service and brilliant execution.

Squids Wild West doesn't have the element of surprise of its predecessor, nor even a deep revolution in its concept. But its highly-polished world and its accessible yet enticing gameplay make it a must-have for this platform.

Despite some bugs and average production values, Firaxis convincingly restores XCOM to life: its difficulty, management and tactical gameplay are there. Very nice to explore, Enemy Unknown leaves you with but one desire: to play a sequel that is richer and prettier than ever. Get to work!

Monument Valley is a captivating and intelligent puzzle game that offers a short but amazing trip.

It's hard not to fall for such an offer, of 3 great games for less than a full retail HD game. But at the same time, one can't help but notice some lazyness in the remastering process. Efforts have been reduced to a minimum, with no additionnal content whatsoever, and there are even some technical shortcomings (frame rate drops on MGS2 and 3). For the nostalgia, for the collection, for the fans, or those who never had the chance to play them, it's still a cult saga with memorable sequences.

With a perfectible but thrilling solo, Battlefield 3 adds a new weapon to its arsenal. But its main one remains, no doubt, its multiplayer, as comprehensive and awe-inspiring as ever. With killer production values, one will forget the annoyances of Battlelog and Origin. It's a must-have.

Anticipation for Dead Space 2 was especially high. It could have gone to the dark side, forgetting about those moments when the tension rises... and nothing is clearly shown. But for the best, it was able to keep its soul intact. And by raising the bar in all aspects (production values, horror, pace), it appears as the definitive master of the survival/horror genre.

Sometimes, even the most ambitious dreams come true, but their appreciation still depends on people's aspirations and imagination.

A game which clearly delivers richness and varied pleasures. Granted, it's not perfect, especially from a purely technical standpoint, and it will probably not surprise as much as its illustrious ancestor did back in 2000, but its generosity, the excellence of its artistic direction and cyberpunk universe, supported by a sublime soundtrack, draw us right in for a long adventure from which it's very, very difficult to break free. I can't wait for a follow-up that could be freed from the constraints that clearly limited what the developers ambitionned to deliver originally... because Deus Ex Human Revolution still marks the return of true cyberpunk in videogames. Let's pray it doesn't leave us again for another 10 years.