Mages of Mystralia is an incredible little indie title that offers surprisingly deep gameplay mechanics, that offer some nice replay-ability to a campaign that keeps it short and simple.

Jump Force could have been another great fighter but is held back by dreadful animation, a tiresome main hub, questionable mechanics and a lackluster story. Fans looking for the next great thing in Anime Fighters will likely be left unimpressed and wanting.

4A Games have rekindled my love for the world that was left behind. A post-apocalyptic journey out of darkness with a uniquely eastern European accent. Equally gorgeous and grotesque Metro Exodus is sure to please newcomers and the returning faithful alike. I just wish the road was a little smoother and with fewer bugs skittering about.

Travis Strikes Again: No More Heroes is a maddeningly repetitive experience and should be avoided at all costs.

Astroneer provides a (mostly) tranquil environment to explore with your friends, or by yourself to unwind. The fact that the game doesn’t bury you in a collection loop and actually gives you breathing room to explore and tinker will be a downside for some, but for those with the patience, it’s a game you could easily spend hundreds of hours unraveling.

8-Bit Hordes is a pleasantly diverting and fast-paced “blast”-style throwback to the heyday of the RTS, with plenty of charm. It’s also easy to pick up and play. But its major lack of depth will turn off hardcore strategy fans, and several annoyances detract from what would otherwise be a polished product.

Below is a solid and well-designed game that will challenge every level of gamer. Steeped in mystery, fans of Roguelike dungeon exploring will feel right at home in this subterranean adventure.

Like an old friend come back to life. Ace Combat 7 feels like a neat and tidy resurrection, bringing back everything you missed from flight simulator games, while consequently reminding you why the industry lost interest in them.

Pikuniku is a hilarious game that’s oozing with charm. Its single player campaign is full of moments that make you feel like a kid again, and its co-op mode is surprisingly relaxing. Unfortunately its charm is let down by a clumsy control scheme that doesn’t always mesh with some of the mechanics, and this can create an experience that ultimately feels unrewarding.

New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe is a perfect addition to the Switch's ever-=growing library of excellent games. A huge amount of content, coupled with perfectly executed tight controls makes this entry a must play for any and all fans of the genre.

Beat Saber is possible the best VR experience ever made. It is an incredibly satisfying rhythm game which uses the immersion of VR to evoke a sense of scale, power and energy that hugely enhances the underlying gameplay loop. The mechanics, music and VR environment tap into something deep in your psyche that creates an irresistibly fun and empowering experience.

Just Cause 4 feels uninspired and lacks anything new and exciting enough to keep players hooked. While the moment to moment gameplay is fun and refined, the lack of variety in both setting and structure makes the game fade into the background in a year packed with so many impressive titles.

Despite a growing industry-wide acceptance that open-world games developed for the screen do not adapt well to VR – Gearbox bowled on ahead with their, years too late, adaptation of Borderlands 2. A port with unsurprisingly fails to fix the inherent problems with this transition – with gammy controls and gameplay not well adjusted for the VR medium.

GRIS is an emotional journey through a beautifully crafted world. Featuring one of the most gorgeous art styles we've seen this year, GRIS deserves your attention. Nomada Studios has crafted a truly memorable experience and as the developer's debut game, they've set the bar extremely high for whatever comes next.

With Super Smash. Bros Ultimate, the development team set themselves the lofty goal of bringing together an incredible amount of the franchises back catalogue of characters, stages and other miscellanea. With this much fan service-focused content, there was always the danger that the game would get buried beneath it. But thankfully, the game sits proudly on top of it, in this game that simultaneously celebrates the very history of gaming while presenting a deep, incredibly fun fighting game for everyone and everyone, no matter how you choose to play.

Elegant design, streamlined but effective storytelling, and expertly executed game systems make the Road to Eden a journey well worth undertaking.

Not quite the triumphant return long-time fans had hoped for but nevertheless, Darksiders III is an enjoyable and worthy entry in the series. The biggest issue here is that newcomers will likely find Fury and her world a little too unwelcoming. To those of us who have already shared the trials of War and the journey of Death, delivering Fury’s wrath is a satisfying if somewhat guilty pleasure.

The multiplayer integration of Fallout 76 opposes the core tenets of the Fallout games at every turn – utterly undermining the core formula. What’s worse, it then fails to justify the multiplayer in any way. Buried beneath the bugs, network issues and multiplayer allowances, it is possible to see what could have been a wonderful single player experience in a fascinating time and location – but one that we will never experience.

Hitman 2 stays true to the series foundations, while also building on the core systems that make its unique stealth gameplay peerless. Some minor story stumbles do little to hold the game back from being the most refined entry in the series to date.

Pokémon: Let’s Go is a fun, light nostalgia trip for long time players, and an easy on-ramp into the Pokémon console games for new players. Its greatest feat is presenting a stunning graphical style and approach which wonderfully blends players desire for 3D Pokémon games with the core tenets of the franchise – setting high expectations for the Generation Eight debut on the Switch next year.

Pokémon: Let’s Go is a fun, light nostalgia trip for long time players, and an easy on-ramp into the Pokémon console games for new players. Its greatest feat is presenting a stunning graphical style and approach which wonderfully blends players desire for 3D Pokémon games with the core tenets of the franchise – setting high expectations for the Generation Eight debut on the Switch next year.

Moonlighter is a wonderfully charming adventure with a gorgeous style. Fans of the genre will have an absolute blast. Managing the store and exploring the many procedural dungeons never grew tiresome and the games upgrade system for both the Town and Will kept me going back for just one more round long into the evenings.

A perfect visual and audio upgrade to a bonafide classic that sadly can do little to bring its dated game play and simplistic design to a modern audience. Fans and kids alike however will no doubt find many hours of enjoyment in this expertly presented package.

The almost perfect marriage of elegant game design, evocative audio, and stunning visuals delivers a gaming experience far richer and affecting than I could have possibly imagined. It’s not without a few flaws, but they are easily forgotten almost as soon as they have passed.

CD Projekt Red have delivered an exceptional adventure in Thronebreaker: The Witcher Tales. One that any Witcher fan should not hesitate to experience. While Gwent is undeniably fun, it falls short of its full potential in a single-player only game with AI opponents.

Spider-Man: The Heist feels like a condensed version of the main game. The new story is immediately intriguing and Black Cat makes for a wonderful addition to the cast. If you enjoyed Spider-Man at launch, you need to check out The Heist.

My Hero One’s Justice stays faithful to the source material and offers a wealth of quality content. The story may be a bit convoluted for those who haven't seen the anime but the depth of combat nuance will keep most fighting game fans happy.

LEGO DC Super Villains is fun, but doesn't reinvent the brick. While playing on the strengths of titles that came before, Villains leans hard into the humorous and quirky narrative one expects from a LEGO title.

New players might feel a bit intimidated and frustrated at times by the many unexplained mechanics, but if the time and dedication is put into it, Spintires: Mudrunner can become a dirty but somewhat fulfilling experience you can return to again and again.

There are hints of a great game buried under the decaying leviathan that is Call of Cthulhu, but they are interspersed with the detritus of too many disparate or poorly executed ideas that those hints feel more like broken promises than unrealized ones.

Space Hulk: Tactics is probably the best video game adaption of the classic board game yet, with decent presentation and some welcome additions. But the faithfulness of its adaption only highlights the limited tactics offered by the board game's basic setup, and its lower budget makes for a lack of polish in some areas. Strategy buffs may be diverted for a bit, but won't fall in love.

Diablo 3 on the Switch may be a graphical step-down and far from the best place to play multiplayer, but if you’re looking for the perfect platform on which to sink into the end-game grind by yourself – there is no place better to play it.

Friday the 13th: Killer Puzzle is a curious marriage of gore and puzzles which unfortunately doesn't quite it right. Fans of the franchise will get more enjoyment than others, but it's hard to recommend this puzzler to any but the most die-hard Vorhees fans.

Despite stumbling at the very beginning Red Dead Redemption 2 cements Rockstar Games’ place at the very top of the games industry. It’s been eight years and well worth the wait.

In spite of some odd missteps, Soul Calibur VI is overall an improvement over its predecessor. Its new and updated mechanics bring a breath of fresh air to the Soul Calibur formula to keep veterans interested, and as a reboot is an ideal starting point for newcomers.

While Starlink may be a bit expensive for some, there's a tremendously fun game hiding beneath the toys-to-life options. The core combat loop stays satisfying throughout the journey. It's a great first entry in a new IP and I'm excited to see what else Ubisoft does to expand on the universe and gameplay.

It definitely has its issues, but WWE 2K19 is the best game in the 2K series so far. Packed with content to work through and enjoyable MyCareer and Showcase modes, you’d be remiss not to give it a crack if you’re a wrestling fan.

Sinner: Sacrifice for Redemption nails its combat but loses ground almost everywhere else. This Souls-like boss battler leans too heavily on its inspiration and has no sense of itself as a result.

If you’re a fan of Call of Duty multiplayer offerings - boy howdy do Treyarch have an instalment for you. But, if you’re in it for the single player, you’re going to be severely disappointed – though hopefully that’s not a surprise, considering we’ve known there would be no campaign for five months. The combination of Multiplayer, Zombies and the brilliant new Battle Royale mode Blackout, offer a multiplayer feast. A smorgasbord of experiences which makes it feel like a package which will remain interesting, fun and exciting far beyond the release of the next annual COD instalment.

Valkyria Chronicles 4 can feel like a clone at times, but a small iterative change makes a meaningful difference to an otherwise identical experience. I felt like I was playing a game preserved in time, which was semi-refreshing after a decade of absence, but my thoughts might change if Valkyria Chronicles doesn’t eventually.

All in all, Giana Sisters: Twisted Dreams - Owltimate Edition is a great platformer that lets you get by as you learn and feels great to ace once you nail the skills. It looks cool, works well in both handheld and docked modes, has tight controls, and enough depth to make replaying its copious content worthwhile. Recommended.

Astro Bot Rescue Mission feels like a greatest hits of platformers from a bygone era. The stunning implementation of PSVR truly elevates the game to a magical place. I really can't overstate just how much you need to play it for yourself.

Super Mario Party may not do everything perfectly, but it's easily some of the most fun I've had the Switch since launch. The boards are a bit dull but the overwhelming amount of great new minigames makes up for any short-falls with aplomb.

Forza Horizon 4 continues the incredible success of this series, taking its already lofty achievement to even greater heights. The team at Playground games have created a title that cleverly balances realism with fun in a dynamic, beautiful world with a wide range of exciting and meticulously designed events and activities.

While the full-fat FIFA 19 experience delivers in spades, the Switch version feels dated and is lacking in key gameplay improvements — even some from years ago. Unfortunately, it’s easily the worst way of experiencing FIFA 19 this year.

After 14 years, Blizzard still knows what's at the heart of WoW, while proving it's not afraid to try new things. While not every new feature is a home run, the expansion's tighter focus on the war at home reminds players about what made Warcraft so popular in the first place.

Do you want to feel like a detective? Do other games keep giving you ‘all-seeing vision’? Do you wish you could actually solve problems on your own (more-or-less)? Look no further.

They've done it folks, Insomniac has made one of the best superhero games I've ever played. Marvel's Spider-Man is yet another exclusive jewel in both Insomniac Games and Sony's crown. They're going to need a scepter to go with that thing soon.

Last year I named Divinity Original Sin II the best game I had played this millennium. This year I need to amend that statement. Divinity Original Sin II – The Definitive Edition the best RPG I have ever played. Its transition to console might not be a smooth as I would have liked, but there are a slew of improvements and welcome additions that make it more than it was, and the exceptional quality of the game is undeniable.

Daedalic Entertainment’s State of Mind wants players to explore the idea of what is it that makes us us, but never provides the player any real opportunity to do so. You simply follow the path and mark off another check mark. In the end all you’re really doing is little more than counting electric sheep.

Sonic Mania Plus is a return to form for Sega’s most iconic character. It takes all that is old and makes it new again.

Semblance is fun game that nails the fundamentals, but the limited scope and brevity don’t allow it the opportunity to really shine. Puzzle-platform fans will enjoy what is on offer here but will be left wanting for more.

Paladins has its own unique identity and deserves your attention. Hi-Rez studios has crafted a solid online hero shooter with some fun and unique twists on the genre.

The experience of playing a game like this on the handheld mode of a Switch is also a joyous one and has lent to me having more fun with these games than I ever have before.

Vampyr is a dark and dour adventure that drips atmosphere. Its shortcomings can be easily overlooked by anyone wanting a character-rich journey into darkness.

Runner3 is a fun – if flawed – continuation of the Bit.Trip Runner series. While its stages are beautiful and the whimsical nature of it all is charming, the heavy difficulty spikes make you really work for any sense of enjoyment.

Detroit is great step forward for interactive storytelling, with the impressive scope of its branching narrative and world ultimately overcoming the continued failings of David Cage’s writing.

A pocket-sized noir adventure filled with genuine charm and challenge that doesn’t really feel all that comfortable on console.

In the end, Distant Stars is worthy it for the extra anomalies and the novelty of the L-Clusters alone, though it’s hardly a must have. Paradox’s ongoing support is commendable, but the studio has consistently failed to fix issues that have plagued the game for nearly three years now.

Hyrule Warriors Definitive Edition is the best way to play the game, and is a good fit on the Switch. That said, this one’s definitely for newcomers rather than returning players, and the frame rate can still play up in moments where’s there’s just a bit too much going on.

City of Brass is a fairly standard rogue-lite that distinguishes itself with its setting, visual stylings, and fun-as-hell whip.

Frostpunk is a bleak and challenging colony builder/survival title that will either give you more respect for your boss, or have you rallying your co-workers to oust them.

39 Days to Mars manages to make steampunk more than tolerable with this charming and innovative adventure game, developed by Christchurch designer Philip Buchanan.

God of War is a genre redefining epic, a triumph for SCI Santa Monica, and the single best reason to own a PS4 in 2018.

Far Cry 5 is a handsome, mechanically dazzling, engaging title fused to story that doesn't deliver despite early promise.

Sea of Thieves isn't a complete game. Much of what's present is enchanting, but repetition will claim most before the kraken does. Check it out on Xbox Games Pass for a month, or hold out and hope that it is filled out in time.

While it's certainly the definitive Attack on Titan game, A.O.T 2’s repetitive missions and lackluster online mode will quickly turn stale the freshness of the updated gameplay.

Revenant Kingdom is a better game than its excellent predecessor, which makes it a must-play for genre fans and curious folks alike.

Yakuza 6 delivers the series' signature poignant story, and is probably the best Yakuza has been narrative and production-wise. However, the game's trademark diversions have been trimmed back.

With Into the Breach Subset Games rewrites the tactical gameplay rulebook by removing most of its pages. In doing so, it has created a superlative strategy game.

The Station tackles with some of life's biggest questions with finesse, and will have you pondering it all long after the credits roll.

Crossing Souls is heavy on nostalgia, but somewhat shallow when it comes to gameplay. The result is a lovingly crafted ode to an era that's neither bodacious nor bogus.

PUBG on Xbox is a shambles, but I utterly adore it. It's strategic, messy, strange, and hilarious. Consider this a hearty recommendation delivered with several huge caveats.

Shadow of the Colossus is available on three generations of PlayStation hardware, but this latest version is the best. The splendid facelift here can't disguise some of its creakier gameplay, but if you've never played it, there's never been a better time to tackle Team Ico's signature game.

An accessible yet thoroughly entertaining competitive fighter, Dragon Ball FighterZ is a game for low-levels and super-elites alike.

Hacker's Memory mostly builds upon its capable predecessor, but despite an interesting cast, some tedious content holds it back from true greatness.

DropMix is an extremely accessible and entertaining toy that provides a nice entry point into the world of music mixing for kids. The tech is really impressive, and even though the game aspect is fairly simple, young ones will love it.

Battle Chef Brigade serves up a delectable fusion of disparate flavours that create a dish far greater than its parts.

Star Wars Battlefront II's campaign is merely okay, and its multiplayer is hamstrung by an awful upgrade system. There's also the spectre of loot boxes hanging over it like a Lightsaber of Damocles. However, it looks and sounds amazing, and gameplay-wise delivers the goods.

Skyrim now fits in your pocket. It runs shockingly well on Switch, and there are even motion controls if you want 'em. What's not to like?

Assassin's Creed Origins shakes up the series' combat, loot, and progression, while retaining the atmosphere, impressive open world, and historical bent that has made the franchise so beloved.

L.A. Noire remains an absorbing run through crime-ridden 1940s Los Angeles, and the Switch port runs well and looks excellent.

Hob is a beguiling action adventure that's hamstrung by its platforming and a sub-par second half.

The Frozen Wilds introduces many poorly-designed elements which make it a lesser experience than its brilliant base-game.

Doom on Switch has no right to be as good as it is. Some compromises aside, you’re getting the full, current-gen experience of Doom (minus SnapMap) on a console you can take anywhere. It’s a technical marvel that, besides a few issues, demonstrates what’s possible on Nintendo’s new hybrid.

Call of Duty: WWII is a step back into the grounded realism the series has been sorely missing for years. While its single-player campaign isn’t anything to write home about, the new additions seen in multiplayer and the return of Nazi Zombies make for a package well worth playing.

Wolfenstein II's stealth, gunplay, sprawling levels, and different abilities offer plenty of scope for a variety of player approaches, while its excellent writing and voice acting serve a great story that successfully manages to blend an often serious tone with moments of levity and pulp. It's an affecting yet cathartic title, and one of the very best games out this year.

Super Mario Odyssey is an innovative masterpiece that takes an already creative series to the next level, demonstrating that there is no limit to the adventures that can be had in games or the ways they can be played.

Gran Turismo Sport looks great, but a lack of content, some dodgy AI, and an always-online requirement see it limp into the pits. Still, how 'bout them interiors?

Hand of Fate 2 improves on its solid predecessor, but it's a couple of cards from a royal flush.

WWE 2K18 is in desperate need of an overhaul. It's an entertaining game in WWE Universe mode, but most else is beyond retirement age, and many complaints fans have had for years have not been addressed.

The Fractured But Whole is more of the same. It's occasionally hilarious, but often misses. Not even an updated combat system and interesting new skills can disguise that fact that it is just The Stick of Truth in a different and less-interesting costume.

Its characters aren't much chop, but The Evil Within 2 coughs up some gruesome enemies and scares, while mostly justifying its shift to an open world design.

Forza is still the jack-of-all-trades motorsport video game that will appeal to fans of cars and racing them. The passion is still there, albeit slowly being crushed under the ever-growing mountain of poor design choices and cash-grabs. For returning fans there are precious few reasons to upgrade other than the extra cars and tracks. As someone who’s been playing these games since the original, the direction that has been taken is disappointing to say the least.

Ruiner's cyberpunk carnage and soundtrack evoke Hotline Miami, even if the gameplay doesn't quite measure up. It's a spectacle, but it's over too soon.

Marvel vs. Capcom: Infinite doesn't electrify the way its predecessor does, but it's nonetheless a competent and chaotic, newcomer-friendly yet deep competitive fighter with a huge amount of fight style flexibility.

Frustration and reward go hand-in-hand in Cuphead. Your fingers will feel the pain of extended play sessions, but your face will be fixed in a fierce (albeit slightly pained) grin.

Warhammer II is a worthy successor to its older brother, and fans of either series will relish the chance to throw themselves into its immersive world. However, those same shop-worn Total War tropes that were pretty past it last time have surely well and truly earned a peaceful retirement now.