Quests are better structured, the dramatic moments abound, and the atmosphere of the northern title is incredibly immersive. There are also, inevitably, small bugs, pathfinding problems, inconsistencies, repeated load times and other annoying issues which punctuate the experience bit by bit.

With Red Dead Redemption, Rockstar simply took the best from GTA and put it in the far west universe.

Emancipation complete for Portal, which gets rid of his "bonus game" condition with a second episode that is certainly no revolution but still manages to justify its new status.

With Red Dead Redemption, Rockstar simply took the best from GTA and put it in the far west universe.

Emancipation complete for Portal, which gets rid of his "bonus game" condition with a second episode that is certainly no revolution but still manages to justify its new status.

Emancipation complete for Portal, which gets rid of his "bonus game" condition with a second episode that is certainly no revolution but still manages to justify its new status.

Quests are better structured, the dramatic moments abound, and the atmosphere of the northern title is incredibly immersive. There are also, inevitably, small bugs, pathfinding problems, inconsistencies, repeated load times and other annoying issues which punctuate the experience bit by bit.

With Hades 2, the studio didn’t just meet expectations, they absolutely obliterated them. Bigger in scope, sharper in writing, and deeper in its mechanics, the game surpasses its predecessor on every level. Where many sequels merely pile on content, this one completely reshuffles the roguelite formula with fearless ambition, while remaining incredibly accessible. It’s a rare tour de force, a masterclass in game design that proves excellence can be pushed even further, run after run. Hades 2 isn’t just a successful sequel. It’s a lesson in design, a celebration of the roguelite genre, and a living hymn to mythology. By managing to elevate a formula already considered perfect, Supergiant has delivered one of the most brilliant sequels in video game history. It’s also a powerful reminder that a game can be demanding, generous, and profoundly human all at once. You don’t come out of it unscathed, and more importantly, you never want to leave.

Even if there is still some reason to quibble here and there, Arkham City is undoubtedly the result of which we dreamed, rich and surprising in many ways. A feat which makes it a must-see title of 2011.

Quotation forthcoming.

Those who expected some kind of a revolution in the StarCraft gameplay with this sequel will probably be disappointed, but the argument doesn't stand for long in front of this tour de force, making StarCraft II the new reference of RTS on PC, and certainly for a long time.

Quotation forthcoming.

No doubt, Rock Band 3 is the new reference in the musical game gender. With its simple gameplay and accurate in all instruments, its flexible interface and well thought career mode, it dusts off the old Rock Band 2.

Quotation forthcoming.

Quotation forthcoming.

The brilliant gameplay of Street Fighter IV is still there, and with 10 new characters and more possibilities for the ancient ones, you know you will fall for it once again.

If the mix of puzzle game and rogue-lite works up to a certain point, it is mainly because Blue Prince makes no concessions on its random nature. Whether you’re 2 or 200 hours into the game, it will continue to be the number one obstacle in your quest for knowledge and puzzles. Despite that, it’s a game that remains fascinating, one that easily obsesses the person who is ready to dive in to make it one of the most striking video game experiences of recent years. For others, it will be far too heavy and uncertain an investment.

Forza Horizon 6 is the absolute apex of the formula. If you’re already resistant to the Playground Games model, this entry won’t be the one to change your mind. But for everyone else—for anyone with even the slightest appetite for arcade racers, Japan, or open-world driving—it is an absolute must-have. It is, without question, the best game in the Forza saga. It buries the competition (which, let’s be honest, has been mediocre for years) through its sheer generosity, tramples over the corpse of monotony, and finally delivers the Japan of our dreams with insolent technical mastery. The king is back, and he’s got a mecha in his rearview mirror.

Quotation forthcoming.

Quotation forthcoming.

The brilliant gameplay of Street Fighter IV is still there, and with 10 new characters and more possibilities for the ancient ones, you know you will fall for it once again.

Its depth can be terribly intimidating.

Quotation forthcoming.

To get it straight, Halo Reach is just what Halo 3 should have been at its release, three years ago.

Quotation forthcoming.

Split Fiction has the quality of holding its sprint over the duration of a half-marathon: its liveliness is impressive, its level design and gameplay ideas fascinate and push the limits right up to the very end of its adventure, without ever running out of breath. It is an intense game, one that gives a lot, with creativity stretching as far as the eye can see—at the risk of sometimes bordering on excess, though it is ultimately quite difficult to pinpoint exactly where. The idea of sharing the whole experience with a partner, then rediscovering everything with another character from a new perspective, only reinforces its sheer generosity. Split Fiction is like an excellent buffet with a myriad of amazing dishes. Don’t eat too much at once, savor its flavors and share them at your pace—you will come away fulfilled, and for once, the digestion will clearly have a taste of "I want more."

What we’ve got here is two games prettier than ever, even much better than most so called next gen games.

Quotation forthcoming.