The experience is so phenomenal, it deserves to be in the conversation about the best Zelda game of all-time, if not the best games of all-time. When I say Breath of the Wild is a must-play title, it’s not hyperbole, you simply must play this game.

Super Mario Odyssey is exactly what we all expected, a great 3D Mario game. It doesn’t shake up the formula, but it nearly perfects it. This is the collect-a-thon platformer that people have been waiting for, a chance to bring the genre into the modern day gaming environment. All it took was a massive expansion of scope.

BG3 is a highwater mark for choice-driven RPGs and the new standard to which basically every other major RPG will be compared. I feel bad for Starfield at this point and for game developers in general. Larian Studios has set the bar incredibly high. Still, I hope other publishers will see it as an example to let developers have time and creative freedom to make incredible games without all the bloated live service and microtransaction bullshit. Also, you can play this game in four-player online co-op or even split-screen locally on a single PC, and in this day and age, that may be one of the most impressive features in BG3. If you love RPGs, you owe it to yourself to play this game.

This is the Metal Gear universe as it was always meant to be.

God of War takes everything good about the franchise and elevates it. Almost every aspect is polished to a fine sheen, with a particular standout being the world itself, and the new emphasis on telling a mature and meaningful story that explores remarkably complex themes. God of War sets a new bar for storytelling and world building in games, and transforms Kratos from a one note character to a fascinating man with a story worth hearing. If you have a PS4, this is a must have title.

The Witcher 3 is a huge game sure to satisfy fans of the genre and the series, and does a great job of welcoming new players by just being damn fun to play. While the combat falls short of Shadow of Mordor and games like Skyrim and Dragon Age: Inquisition both do many individual things better than this title, The Witcher 3 undoubtedly deserves a place beside the great action RPGs of the modern era.

If you are the type of person who is going to raise a stink over Ellie being gay or Lev being trans or the game suggesting that self-centered individualism is toxic, and you know who you are, just stay away. This game isn’t for you...But for everyone else, this is one of the greatest masterpieces that the PS4 has produced. I’ll admit, I came into this title with a skeptical eye, ready to knock it down a peg from all the praise other critics had been giving it, but even with that pre-existing bias, I can’t deny that this is an amazing game, and you should play it.

Hades is a shining example of what the roguelike genre can be. The combat is fast and frenetic with an unbelievable number of options to tailor Zagreus’ fighting style to your liking. Though the story isn’t remarkable, everything else is in this gorgeous must-play indie title on Nintendo Switch.

Stop whatever it is you’re doing right now, and go play this game. Divinity: Original Sin 2 is a definitive game-of-the-year contender, and one of the best RPGs to be released this entire decade.

Persona 5 is a JRPG that deserves to be played, period. There are few other games that understand their genre as well as Persona 5 does. It knows exactly what Persona fans, JRPG fans, and gamers in general want to see. It’s not just a game, it’s an addiction, and if you give it a shot you too will find yourself playing and replaying Persona 5 for the better part of 2017.

Have you ever wanted to get your blood pumping and your feet moving but couldn’t make it to the club? Beat Saber is the remedy.

I can’t say that Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End is Naughty Dog’s best game (that honor goes to The Last of Us, hands down), but it is the best game in the Uncharted series with probably the best and most appropriate and comfortable ending to a series. If you own a PlayStation 4, the game is a must have. If you’re looking to buy a PlayStation 4, this should probably be the first game you get.

Smash Bros. Ultimate is a fantastic game no matter what type of Smash player you are. Casual, hardcore, or complete newcomer, this is one Switch title you don’t want to pass up.

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is the definitive Mario Kart experience. It’s got the most complete roster of characters, tons of tracks, a litany of game modes, and an ultra-polished presentation mixed with pitch-perfect gameplay. A must play for all Switch owners.

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 lives up to the hype, reinventing itself for a new decade of technological possibility. Accessible but challenging, and with mind-boggling graphics, this entry from Asobo will continue to be the gold-standard for years to come.

Overwatch could very well come to dominate the hero shooter genre. There's plenty of room for improvement around the edges, but the core is strong enough to make this another huge hit for Blizzard.

Forza Horizon 3 is a visual feast and an impressive entry into the Forza line-up. The Australian environment feels and looks realistic, with lush rainforests tapering away into the red and dusty outback. Whether you’re a casual racing player or a motorsport enthusiast, Forza Horizon 3 will meet your expectations of a non-simulator racing game. The handling of the vehicles is, as always, finely tuned like only a Forza game can deliver.

Shadow of the Colossus is a veritable masterpiece from top to bottom and will surely be remembered as one of the greatest games ever made.

Celeste is one of the most entertaining 2D platformers in recent years. It'll defeat you from time to time, but its inviting controls, level design, and presentation will keep you coming back until you persevere and overcome every challenge thrown your way.

I’ve never laughed this much while playing a game. Well-read, nihilistic, dark, and intellectual, Disco Elysium is like your favorite poli-sci professor huffed paint and ran naked through the quad.

Resident Evil 2 is loyal to the original where it counts, while also upgrading the experience with beautiful visuals and modern gameplay conveniences. It’s so loyal that newcomers might find it a touch archaic, but for fans of the original, it’s an absolute joy to play, and a fantastic horror game in its own right.

New Horizons is a great evolution for the Animal Crossing franchise. As always Nintendo has integrated some amazing innovations into the formula, but in the process made some really weird design decisions that detract from the fun.

Ori and the Will of the Wisps comes with some outstanding quality of life improvements over the gameplay of the original. The inconsistent performance won't completely break your engagement, but it will affect it. That said, there's just no denying that the world of Ori is one that's easy to get lost in and fall in love with.

Monster Hunter: World is the type of game that will take over your life. The world is massively detailed with tons of things to do and it will undoubtedly end up yielding some of the very best gaming moments of the year -- guaranteed.

With Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, From Software has proven once again that has no qualms about pushing its own boundaries. The studio has made a name for itself by creating incredibly difficult games, but the breadth of innovation spread across the Dark Souls series, Bloodborne, and now Sekiro shows how good the studio is at defying fan expectations. Sekiro isn’t perfect, but like the various Soulsborne games before it, From’s latest shows the wisdom in pushing players beyond their pre-conceived limits.

Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition brings one of the best Nintendo RPGs to the Switch in grand fashion. The updates are great, and everything that made the original release an outstanding game is still present here.

Dead Cells takes the best gameplay elements from Metroidvania and rogue-lite games and combines them into something that sinks its hooks into you and won't let go.

Dark Souls 3 was clearly tailored to draw dedicated fans back in for one final adventure, though it’s nice to see From Software also put some effort into making the signature combat more accessible to casual players. Still, if you’re thinking of picking the game up on launch day, I’d advise you to wait and see if the infamously bad framerate issues have been addressed.