Disco Elysium is one of the most interesting games we’ve seen in decades in terms of its themes and writing. A conversation heavy investigative RPG that leans very heavily on the genre’s pen and paper roots. We’ve not seen this type of RPG in quite some time, and certainly not one as well executed as this. If you like your RPG’s densely worded I think you’ll find a lot to like here.

Call of Duty is undeniably a piece of propaganda fiction that glamorises and bolsters the image of war, as well as the perspective and ‘righteousness’ of western forces. That said, the campaign of this reboot of Modern Warfare tries heavy handedly, and at times problematically, to more fully and authentically tease out the ethics, complexities, and perspectives of one of our world’s biggest current conflicts. Though far from perfect, there is still absolutely some important ideas and experiences for players in this campaign, ones that may even open your eyes to a new way of thinking about warfare and the people in it - especially when thinking about ways that we can and should be fighting here in New Zealand, by accepting the refugees of these conflicts and contributing as much aid as possible.

While Death Stranding will surely be the most divisive game of this generation, there is no arguing that it offers new ideas on pushing the medium forward and shows that games don't always typically have to be "fun". The story is beautifully presented and is surprisingly restrained and focused for a Kojima title. All of the actors put on amazing performances and while its gameplay will be too slow for many, those willing to peel back the layers will discover a thoughtfully designed experience that will leave you ruminating for weeks after finishing.

The Outer Worlds, much like a solar eclipse has blocked out the rest of the genre with it's excellent systems and setting. Obsidian have delivered one of the best games of the year and in my opinion the best RPG of its kind in years. From it's jaw-dropping visuals and design, to the hilarious world and its colorful cast of characters, The Outer Worlds represents the new benchmark for the genre and is a masterclass in player choice. If you hold even a passing interest in RPGs, stop everything you're doing and play it right away. This is a very special game that deserves all of the recognition I'm sure is coming.

Luigi's Mansion 3 is yet another excellent Nintendo exclusive and is the perfect antidote to the doom and gloom that runs rampant in the horror genre these days. It may not do everything perfectly, but from a technical side, I'm hard-pressed to think of a better-looking game on the Switch this year. It may not have the challenge some are looking for, but when the rest of the game is this wonderfully presented, it's hard not to just get sucked right along for the fun-filled, spooky adventure.

For fans of the series the Deathinitive Edition’s arrival on the Switch is the perfect excuse to go back and relive the adventure, it’s as good as you remember. For everyone else there’s never been a better time to embrace Death.

Shadowkeep is taking its first steps in a newly focused Destiny that might not offer a lot, but strongly delivers on what it does. While it's hard to say whether Bungie can maintain this promised trajectory for the course of the expansion, the signs so far are encouraging.

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Complete Edition is something of a technical marvel on the Switch. Through what seems like techno-black magic, CD Projekt Red and Saber Interactive have ported one of the generations best games with smart compromises made to deliver the full experience. The game plays excellently on the small handheld and while the quirks and bugs found in the original release are still present, they're massively overshadowed by just how incredible the game is in almost every other way. If the Switch is the only console you own, and you're a fan of adult RPGs, it's an essential addition to your Switch library.

Grid is a great looking game and features some excellent driving and physics. It's let down by a questionable damage system and boring design. From the games dull menus to no-frills racing, there's just not enough here to separate it from the pack.

Trine 4: The Nightmare Prince re-establishes the series as a leader in the genre. I can't remember the last time I played a puzzle game that made me feel so smart and satisfied. It's magical world is full of wonderful inhabitants that further bring the world to life. If you're even remotely interested in puzzle games or are just after your next great co-op experience, you owe it to yourself to play this one.

Concrete Genie is a wonderful game for younger gamers. From its stunning graphics and art style to the heartwarming story of childhood and the effects we can have on others, the game delivers its message beautifully. I just wish it could have been a bit longer. It's definitely a bit simple for adults, but if you're looking for the perfect game to play with your kids, I can't recommend it highly enough. It's one of the most lovely little adventures I've been on this year.

Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch is just as charming and endearing now as it was when it first came out almost a decade ago. While it does look and play better on PC it would have been nice to see more improvements and a few quality of life additions to bring the game up to modern standards.

Ghost Recon Breakpoint doesn't do anything new but still provides a lot of fun, if you're willing to slow down and play tactically. The game falls short in many areas and doesn't quite keep up with it's competition but shooter and stealth fans will have a blast. Performance issues do hinder the experience and some questionable design choices left me baffled. If you're a huge third-person shooter fan and love open-world games, you wont regret giving it a shot, provided you check your expectations at the door.

I named the vanilla release the best game I had played this millennium in 2017, and the Definitive Edition on PS4 the best RPG I had ever played in 2018. 2019 sees Larian’s RPG opus become portable and it is as fantastic as ever. It is easily the deepest, richest, and most rewarding game on the Switch. In short Divinity Original Sin 2 – Definitive Edition the best game on Nintendo Switch.

The Legend of Zelda Link's Awakening is an extremely well done remake and stays true to the original in all of the best ways. The wonderful new art style and score make this hands-down my new favourite way to experience this classic. The lack of hand-holding may make things challenging for first-time younger players, but a solution is thankfully never too far away. Whether you've played the original a hundred times or have never experienced it at all, the Switch version is far and away the best way to play it today.

WoW Classic offers exactly what fans wanted – an untouched version of a game that came out fifteen years ago... warts and all. Thankfully, Classic captures much of the magic that made the game such a phenomenon in the first place. Whether fans will still overlook this in the months to come remains to be seen, but for now it's a fantastic trip down memory lane.

Jet Kave Adventure looks good but feels uninspired and altogether too easy for the type of game it is. Considering the strong competition on the Switch, it's hard to recommend this one to any but the most die-hard platformer fans or the younger gamers out there looking to dip their toes in the genre.

By taking elements of iconic 90’s horror staples, Invader Studios have resurrected a Frankensteined horror experience that is far less than it’s borrowed parts. From the glacial pacing to the ponderous in-game action Daymare 1998 rather than invoking terror instead delivers tedium.

When most people think of the looter shooter sub-genre, they think of the Borderlands series. Borderlands essentially created the mould for what a looter shooter should be. Lots of shooting and lots of looting. I don’t think any other looter shooter loots or shoots as well as Borderlands 3 does. Borderland 3 is the best game in the series, not by breaking the mould, but by expanding and deepening it.

Daemon X Machina does enough to satisfy those wanting solid mech combat. Good looking effects and blisteringly fast paced combat, coupled with tight controls makes this one a must-play for fans of the genre. Despite nailing the mech side of things, the game boasts one of the most unlikable roster of characters I've encountered in years. Despite the forgettable story, the game managed to hold my interest for the duration; I just couldn't tell you what it was about...

The Sinking City features a genuinely interesting story and setting but is let down by performance issues and very poor combat controls. Traversing the city is often a chore and will have you hitting more dead-ends than a night of speed-dating. The Switch port is the worst way to experience the game and I can only recommend it to the most die-hard Lovecraft fans.

Gears 5 is a return to form for the venerable series, and though some new ideas and better writing aren’t quite executed to perfection, they bring a welcome sense of freshness to a series where the fundamentals are as strong as ever.

NBA 2K20 is a surprisingly fully featured offering on the Switch. The game controls beautifully and the Switch does a decent job on the graphical side of things. Some particularly egregious microtransactions do show up but thankfully, these can be ignored for the most part. 2K20 is hands down the best way to play basketball on the Switch right now and should be picked up by any fans of the sport.

Ultimately Greedfall is an OK game. It is neither good nor bad. It is however the best game Spiders have made to date, and that gives me hope that they do have a great game in them. I just hope they stop trying to emulate and instead try to innovate.

Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey is a wonderful idea that fails to deliver on almost every level. While it can be breath-taking to look at, it is a tedious chore and needlessly unforgiving. I applaud Patrice Désilets and his team for attempting something new and fresh, but great ideas alone do not make for great games.

Despite being developed by one of the best action game studios in the business, Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order falls short of its predecessors. Gameplay more often than not turns to button mashing monotony and is only briefly satisfying when playing with a new character.

When played with a group of friends The Dark Pictures: Man of Medan is an undeniably fun experience. However, the main story and core game feel rather skeletal when not being filled out by the real-world flesh and blood of your nearest and dearest. Bugs and performance issues constantly nag, but the real disappointment is that as a horror story Man of Medan is not even close to being as smart or fun as its predecessor. I hope the next entry in The Dark Pictures anthology can recapture the gore and glory from Until Dawn.

Astral Chain is one of the most exciting new IPs I've played in years. From its stunning combat design to its gorgeous visuals, it packs a punch in almost every area. Combat feels incredible and the Legions add a huge amount of options to how you tackle any given battle. Some may fault the game for its more quiet moments and investigations, but the contrast they offer to the frantic action, feels near-perfect in its execution.