Where it takes mechanics from others in the industry, it improves upon them; where it introduces new ones, you slap your forehead in amazement that it hasn’t been done before. Breath of the Wild is development done right, and damn near the best game you’ll play all year.

It is possibly the best open world that you can visit, held back by a main story that’s a bit too archaic. On the whole, it’s still highly enjoyable, so I would still highly recommend you dig into it. You’ll definitely get your money’s worth.

Super Mario Odyssey is a phenomenal return for Nintendo’s mustachioed mascot, and (whisper it) the worthy successor to Super Mario 64 that fans have been longing for.

The scope of Baldur’s Gate 3 is scandalously large and, what’s more, Larian Studios manages to make good on every detail. It’s up there with the greats, an adventure that any avid role-player will revel in, and one that few will ever regret embarking on.

The level of interactivity in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, its puzzles, and the feelings you get while playing it are beyond compare. It’s not perfect, but you shouldn’t miss out on it because this is a fantastic game.

Vampire Survivors’s Ode to Castlevania DLC is an incredible labour of love for the very games that inspired it. It includes heaps of content, fan service, and just pure effort into such an amazing piece of extra content.

As stylish as ever and filled with tons of new content and improvements, Persona 5 Royal is the very best JRPG of this generation that deserves to steal all of our hearts.

A perfect, charming platformer that will delight players throughout the entire journey. This is an easy recommendation and a must-play!

Where most games excel in one single area, God of War manages to deliver on every front, providing players with one of the best experiences we’ve seen so far this generation.

Hades II builds on everything that the original had and manages to double the content while still keeping its Supergiant Games feel. It has unrivaled roguelite elements that prioritise player skill over randomisation, and content aplenty that you won't be left wanting for more.

ELDEN RING is the most accessible entry to a FromSoftware title to date, with plenty of things to explore, do, and enjoy. Those even mildly interested by the premise should give it a shot.

God of War: Ragnarok is a fantastic title, building from its predecessor's already phenomenal combat, though the story wasn't everything that I hoped it would be.

Some odd priorities, excruciating pacing, and weak character writing keep this intriguing game from being excellent, even if its gameplay and presentation have received large improvements.

The three-pronged combination of satisfying moment-to-moment combat, a plethora of long-term permanent upgrades, and an intricately woven story that seamlessly unfolds make Hades a dangerously enjoyable game.

With its rich story, compelling characters, and wealth of different ways to approach any situation, Divinity: Original Sin 2 is a title that plants its flag in the tactical RPG genre and stands heads and tails above its competitors. Requiring plenty of patience to learn the game mechanics and to absorb the immense amount of story thrown at the player; this title may not be for everyone but if you’re willing to invest the time this title is one that will be played over and over for years to come.

Vanillaware have done a wonderful job of bringing Odin Sphere up to date whilst still keeping what made it so endearing originally. If you are after a combat focused game with a compelling setup and a beautiful, painterly aesthetic you really can’t go wrong with Odin Sphere: Leifthrasir.

Weighing in at over 100 hours of gameplay, Persona 5 is one that you will want to spend time with. Brilliant voice work, a decent translation and solid gameplay mechanics make this one of the best RPGs I’ve played in a long time.

Uncharted 4: A Thief's End is visually stunning, and the best we've seen on console. Naughty Dog have produced a fine farewell to one of PlayStation's most beloved characters.

A fantastic and stylish twin-stick shooter, with a great level of polish.

Resident Evil Requiem is a game that uses the full history of the series and creates one of the most stellar gaming experiences I’ve come across for a long time.

Forza Horizon 5 looks phenomenal, plays well and is practically flawless. It is undoubtedly the best entry in the series and has the most detailed open world in any game to date.

Blue Prince takes the roguelike formula, throws in DIY architecture, and manages to combine them to form a pretty impressive tale of intrigue and a very fun puzzler. The simple mechanics make a complex whole with great puzzles and reason to play run after run!

When people say that you could spend 80-100 hours in this game and enjoy every second of it, believe them because there is so much variety to enjoy here.

The most complete Street Fighter title to date, Street Fighter 6 is a must-play for fighting game fans, and one to consider even if you’re not familiar with the genre. An engaging, stylish beat ‘em up that could well be king of the mountain for years to come.

Incredibly, the most impressive game at the start of the new generation is a niche Japanese game I had to import from France in 2010. If you have to try one Souls game, I would suggest making it Demon’s Souls.

For a port of an older Wii U title, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe feels like a brand new game that everyone can enjoy. Whether this is your first Mario Kart or your eighth, there's enough here to satisfy your thirst for racing.

While I'm not a fan of baseball or sport micromanagement games, I can still appreciate Out of the Park for what it is, a solid game that has a butt load of features. Anyone who is a fan of baseball or games like Football Manager should definitely check this game out.

Bzzzt is definitely everything I want in a retro-style platformer. It's fun with great controls and music to make you keep going even after 100 deaths. I cannot recommend this game enough.

I Was A Teenage Exocolonist is not short of becoming an exemplary title in fantastic writing and storytelling, and easily my favourite entry into the visual novel genre thus far.

Overwatch is a punch to the face for multiplayer shooters. It mingles quick-fix, objective-based gameplay with a deep tactical core and intelligent meta, forming a game that is simply perfect in short bites and thoroughly satisfying to play for hours on end.

A masterclass in fighting game design, perfect for both new and old players alike.

It’s certainly not a game for those looking for a more relaxing trip through mythical Japanese inspired locales, but whoever decides to stick with Sekiro through its hardships are bound to experience one of the most rewarding and memorable titles of the year.

Blood and Wine held all the components to make a great final adventure, but failed to truly capitalise on any one of them. If you’re looking for a good final experience to cap off your monster hunting career, go finish Hearts of Stone again – this one’s rather underwhelming.

An excellent start for a beginner, and a great delve into the medieval period for history fanatics to boot.

Capcom faithfully recreates their beloved masterpiece; the Resident Evil 4 remake will bring the classic story to a new generation and I firmly believe they will love it.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a masterpiece from start to finish, a beautiful and deeply moving journey.

This is the pinnacle of Formula 1 in videogame form. In a year fraught with difficulties for real world motorsport, Codemasters have delivered a solid experience that should keep you in the hot seat, especially with the immersion factor of the new My Team mode.

Resident Evil 2 is a wonderful recreation of a believed original that, not only recaptures the glory of that game, but also improves upon it from a visual and gameplay standpoint. All in all, don’t miss out on this one.

Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age - Definitive Edition takes an already amazing JRPG and gives it just enough to make it even better. Noticeable performance drops aside, this is one title everyone should experience.

New Horizons is simply the best Animal Crossing game to date. New features have been expertly developed, the pacing is perfect whilst retaining the magical charm the series has always been based upon. The latest in a growing line of must-own Switch titles.

Hollow Knight: Silksong manages to be a surprisingly great sequel to a title that was all-too difficult to follow up. If you're a fan of the series, you'll find no better way to feel back home than in this sequel, but newcomers should still stick to exploring Hallownest for their first venture.

Compelling and strange, Slay the Princess is a unique, expertly-written visual novel.

Both a decent language learning tool and a good game, Shujinkou pulls off a pretty impressive feat here. Some of the controls are a little more complex than I would like, but everything else is spot-on.

Will of the Wisps isn’t just a fantastic follow-up to an already great game, it’s a brilliant metroidvania in its own right, and arguably the year’s first major must-play release.

Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective is one of the most rewarding puzzle games that I have ever played. With an awesome aesthetic, great music, and a story full of twists and turns, this game will keep you coming back for more.

Not only is Hi-Fi RUSH an incredible looking title, it absolutely nails the rhythm action genre with superbly stylish gameplay, and a soundtrack you can’t help but groove to.

Despite being very hard, and a little bit repetitive in places, this is a fine addition to a game that was already one of my favourite puzzlers of all time.

Honestly, if the Low and High Rank portions wasn’t as polished and an incredible experience to go through. This score would be 7/8 margin just because compared to previous games, the rotating event quests, RNG investigations for RNG loot, reduced weapon and quest pool, and less challenging solo player end game. But, with the incredibly constructed world, incredible combat experience, and cohesive experience, the downpoints are more just demands for more content.

An amazing display of passion and attention to detail wrapped up in a lighthearted and anime-like adventure! Call me Mei and Ducky's #1 fan.

A fun but challenging strategy game that blends a fun time-travel aesthetic with great turn-based mechanics. Interesting time pressure gameplay makes every battle rewarding. Heartily recommended.

Devil May Cry 5, while seemingly shallow on the surface, conceals its greatest features and true experience for only the dedicated to discover. The satisfaction of finally overcoming a block in the game that held you back for so long is where the real experience lies, and the game demands that you not be weak of heart to reach it. Put in the time and effort that the developers expect of their fans and you’ll truly be able to reap the rewards and see DMC5 for what it is; a truly off the wall, batshit insane romp through the best the genre has to offer.

A thoughtful update to a classic JRPG that brings it to a whole new audience. With a shiny lick of paint and some fantastic interface changes it’s the best way to experience Shulk, Fiora and Reyn’s epic adventure.

Dark Souls III is everything I could have wished for as a fan, and a marvelous conclusion to one of the greatest modern trilogies.

Rhythm Doctor is an addictive rhythm game where you heal patients by syncing to their heartbeat, backed by great music and a story you won’t want to miss.

Another solid entry into the F1 franchise for Codemasters. It’s nice to see them expanding the game to represent how drivers work their way up into the F1 roster from the F2 feeder series. Being able to build your driver up from (an albeit short) F2 career really lends credence to the story of your driver making their way up through the ranks.

A beautiful, challenging game that is supremely polished in every area. A fantastic blend of tactical combat mixed with metroidvania style progression. Combined with an interesting and very quirky setting makes it a compelling package overall.

An experience that pulls from gaming’s best (and worst) bits to create a wholly unforgettable few hours. There is No Game: Wrong Dimension, is not just a game: it’s something very different and a little bit special.

Whilst this isn’t a game that represents great value, it’s still excellent fun. Bowser’s Fury is a nice, if a little short, addition to a game which didn’t get the attention it deserved due to the failure of the Wii U.

Psychonauts 2 is an absolutely fantastic game, and I can say that with certainty. Double Fine took an amazing concept that was ahead of its time and proved that they could do it again. The very few issues I had with the game were minor and had absolutely zero bearings on my overall enjoyment of the game.

Tetris Effect is a beautiful journey to the rhythm of blocks falling that provides the ultimate means of escapism.

The Séance of Blake Manor is an intriguing detective game with a horror twist that makes every minute count (quite literally). Though it can be a bit wordy at times, it is definitely worth the price of admission.

Final Fantasy Remake Intergrade is technically impressive. Fixing many of the original release’s technical issues while also improving the game for next-gen hardware. INTERmission offers an excellent character edition with that of Yuffie with some excellent gameplay to boot. Intergrade is simply more of the best parts of Final Fantasy VII Remake.

Separate Ways is an absolute blast, with Ada being a fun character and the story and new additions to Ada’s campaign are incredible.

Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is a strange, wonderful experience I am glad I picked up. The improved combat system, gripping narrative, and beautiful locales make it worth the long stretches fighting up hills.

Horizon Forbidden West is a fantastic sequel, and despite some issues, is absolutely worth the play.

Cuphead in The Delicious Last Course is a must-play for people who enjoyed the original game. If you found Cuphead too challenging, then chances are you will still find it pretty hard even with the inclusion of Ms. Chalice and her special abilities.

While fun, challenging, and hilarious, I Expect You To Die 3 is unfortunately not perfect. The loading times could be better, and there was the occasional stutter despite it being natively on the Meta Quest 2. But that’s about it! I had a blast playing it, and I really look forward to I Expect You To Die returning.

A fantastic cooperative experience that hits positive notes throughout its entire journey, It Takes Two is the magnum opus for a studio that seems to keep getting better and better.

Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2 remains true to the original with updated graphics and the original soundtrack. Occasionally cameras will struggle to find the right angle to follow the skater but this is a great game to play alone or with friends.

Alan Wake 2 is a thrilling follow-up to its original, with a rich, intertwining narrative and genuinely terrifying moments. Aside from some combat pitfalls, it’s a nearly flawless sequel.

A collection of some of the best metroidvanias in one package, this is a definite recommendation to both fans and newcomers. Though some minor issues hamper it a bit, they are severely outnumbered by the good.

Battle Suit Aces is an amazing homage to the mecha genre while providing a fun experience all on its own. A must-have for any fan of the mecha genre or card games.

Injustice 2 is a fantastic fighting game with great visuals that is a lot of fun to play casually but with enough depth to master. The new Multiverse mode will keep you playing for a long time while you build the perfect Batman.

Don't start this game if you value relationships, your job, your social life, and having free time. Stardew Valley will take all of that away from you, but it's okay because it's a great game.

A Short Hike is a tightly-crafted, charming, and heart-warming game that comes in a bite-sized package for a delightfully low price.

A must-have for any platforming fan. Nearly everything is perfect in this game. If the soundtrack was a bit more memorable and the game didn’t stutter when a new song played, I’d give the game a 10 without question. But unfortunately, I can’t look past all the deaths this glitch caused me or how bored I was by the new list of songs.

For want of a better term, What Remains of Edith Finch is a playable family tree. Hidden revelations and unpredictable tragedies complement what is an unnerving but somehow warming experience.

Mewgenics is an eclectic, strategy-filled experience. I’ve never played a game that combines cat breeding with tactical, turn-based battles like this. It was worth the wait.

What Dragon’s Dogma 2 does well is the wonder of exploration and adventure. The world is beautiful, the Vocations are flashy, and the fights are bombastic. A hearty recommendation for old hats and fresh faces alike!

AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES- nirvanA Initiative is an amazing point-and-click adventure and an even better murder mystery. I truly believe that it belongs on the shelves of most gamers, but I really am mad about that one puzzle. Also, 9 is a really funny score if you’ve played the game.

Nier: Automata is an absolute masterclass in game design. It surpasses expectations time and time again resulting in an experience not to be missed by fans of action titles.

The formulaic plot, and some immersion-breaking moments don’t take away too much from this being quite a fun adventure, with a ton to do and return to.

Monster Hunter Wilds is an incredible entry into the franchise that provides a fun and smooth gameplay loop and a beautiful world to explore and hunt in. It’s Monster Hunter at its finest.

Dead Cells: Return to Castlevania is a must-buy for any fans of Dead Cells or Castlevania, it's a breath of fresh air for those who have played the base Dead Cells in the past, plus the music is fantastic.

A brilliant return to the old-age of PlayStation. Unapologetically fun, Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart, is relentless with the charm and the action. A must-play for anyone who’s managed to beat a scalper to get a PlayStation 5.

A great, if disjointed, continuation of the demon killing franchise. Visually stunning, tight controls and satisfying combat make for an exciting and enjoyable experience.

Rogue Legacy 2 has taken everything you loved from the first title and improved on everything, this is an incredibly addictive roguelike with customisation options to make it accessible for everyone no matter your skill level!

Despite being a fan of the XCOM series as a whole I never expected this new entry to be as polished, intricate, immersive, beautiful and exciting as it is. XCOM 2 is not only one of the greatest strategy games of all time, it’s also one of the greatest videogames of all time.

A charming precision platformer with a pleasant story about mental health. Gorgeous graphics, beautiful music, and fantastic platforming had me coming back for more despite my thousand deaths.

Chained Echoes is a fantastic JRPG that captures everything we love about turn-based RPGs on the SNES but improves on everything we didn't love. With a new battle system, no random enemies to encounter, and the ability to have eight characters on your team and switch without using a turn, Chained Echoes is a must-play.

The Crimson Diamond is a cosy retro-style murder mystery with an excellent story, enjoyable puzzles, and a charming protagonist. This is a must-play for anyone who loves text-based adventure games or wants an accessible, modern entry point into the genre.

MULLET MADJACK is more than worth your time and money, a perfect culmination of artistic vision.

The Talos Principle II exceeds the highs of the previous game, bringing a deeper story and a visually stunning world alongside the exceptionally well crafted puzzles we saw in the first game. In my opinion, one of the best puzzlers I've seen in a long time.

Kill Knight manages to mix hectic and ultra-responsive arcade gameplay with a fun layer of resource management and strategy to create a great challenge to bite into. The visuals are splendid, the enemies never stop coming, and the battle is glorious!

A great addition to a genre that most don’t even bother developing for anymore in the shadow of the titans, defying that trend and standing out as a serious competitor. Great mechanics built with an already well-received engine make the game genuinely fun to play, and the variety of small additions really add up to make it feel like a whole game, which others of the same genre struggle with. It’s still a battle royale game, so it won’t be for everyone, and there are a few concerns with balancing and new content, particularly for the future. But seeing as how it’s free you have no excuse not to download it and give it a go.

A near flawless roguelike, Shogun Showdown flaunts excellent depth, and an easy-to-learn but hard to master gameplay loop.

Ignoring leaks and datamines, the return to Switch feels like a revival and if this is supposed to be the B-Team’s game, I think I know what games I’ll be more interested in moving on. But that said, for a Monster Hunter game, the core game is only just better than World at launch but is open about stopping you from progressing further until a later date.

Civilization VI is most definitely the best base-game installment of the franchise yet. There are so many gameplay mechanics included here that it feels like it’s already had a large expansion. I can’t wait to see what Firaxis could possibly add to improve on an already spectacular and complete game. But as much as I hate to say it, with so much to learn this is one of the least accessible games in the series for newcomers. Still, with beautiful visuals,step-up in AI competence, and so much to do, for returning players this is the best Civilization game in history.