WrestleQuest is definitely the most unique game of the year for me. But I would also like to highlight it a little extra because it succeeds so well in everything it does. In true role-playing spirit, there is a lot to see and discover, and in true wrestling spirit, you take what happens in and outside the ring and make it feel like a natural part of the experience. There is certainly no shortage of well-crafted indie games, and even if WrestleQuest doesn't quite measure up to the very best, its humour, charm and above all unique concept is something that should really be rewarded.

Star Wars Jedi: Survivor is a great continuation of this series. It's overflowing with references and other minor beats that each paint a wonderful and thorough picture of A Galaxy Far, Far Away, and the gameplay is simply an improvement of Fallen Order's outstanding formula.

Once the single player is done and you get used to the awkward presentation, we still have a very solid fighting game and a phenomenal foundation to build on. And at the end of the day, that's by far the most important thing in a game like this. As long as it's genuinely fun to punch your friends in the face, there's no way I'm going to get bored.

Rainbow Six: Siege is still an excellent and entertaining tactical shooter, one that many continue to copy and be inspired by. This isn't changing and frankly if you have the time, skill, and patience to learn this game, you will be massively engaged. However, as far as an upgrade goes, Siege X doesn't really add a whole lot.

It manages to create a similar type of gaming joy that Miyazaki and his FromSoftware team has developed in stages, and even if finesse and deep-rooted mastery are not present to the same extent, it is enough to make you want to play more, and then a little more again.

If you haven't played this in almost eight years or are about to experience the adventure for the first time, this version is either a good reason to do it again or the best way to do it for the first time. It is therefore quite difficult to oppose this new version when it is as fantastic as it is in many ways. Even if I still can't let go of the idea that it really wasn't needed.

The Chinese Room has succeeded brilliantly with their original pitch of The Thing on an oil rig, while infusing the horror with the emotion that characterised a game like Everybody's Gone to the Rapture. It's the kind of game that, with relatively few mechanics, manages to create immersion with great sound design, evocative visuals and believable storytelling.

Puzzling Places executes its simple idea successfully. The clear appearance and calm atmosphere supports light puzzle solving, and handling those snazzy jigsaw pieces makes time fly easily.

The team behind Tides of Tomorrow made a name for themselves with the brilliant Road 96 and Road 96: Mile 0 - both of which were great stories. Tides of Tomorrow is no different, and the game had no trouble keeping me hooked during the 11-13 hours it took to complete. DigixArt are good at telling compelling stories, and they do so again with this game; this time, they spice it all up with this 'asynchronous multiplayer' mechanic, which is certainly a nice gimmick - and which makes the game one of the freshest narrative adventure games we've seen in a long time.

Having lived on the ocean floor in the extraordinarily atmospheric Subnautica, I hadn't thought that this game would trump that underwater experience in terms of beauty, atmosphere and variety, but it has, despite its modest playtime of only four hours.

This is definitely a game to check out if you've ever wondered what it would be like to cross anthropomorphic dinosaurs with that of a Netflix high school drama TV series.

It's not like there's a particularly memorable overall narrative here, and it would have helped Lil' Guardsman to feel as mesmerising on a broader scale as it does when you're just... well, being in it. That said, this is an awful lot of charm for the amount of money it costs.

It's a technically-broad, visually-impressive game with good sound and a complex gameplay structure. It offers an acceptable number of battlefields and just over three hundred detailed troop types, whether you play as Russia or the United States, and there is a lot to be gained on both sides.

If you haven't played it and you like Japanese role-playing games... then it's a no-brainer. Bravely Default Flying Fairy HD Remaster is basically a conservative rehash, but it's a phenomenal adventure at its core that still holds up well today.

Little Kitty, Big City is a charming indie that animal lovers should not overlook. Despite occasional technical hiccups on the Switch, the game's playful objectives and whimsical atmosphere create an engaging experience.

Super Space Club is the perfect game for anyone looking to fill 30 minutes here and there. It's very easy to get into, it's entertaining and fun, and has enough variety so that it doesn't feel repetitive.

Eight years after its original release, Little Nightmares still holds up. The updated visuals just make it even better, and the beautiful lighting, dark shadows, and dramatic camera angles further highlight how excellently the visuals are designed. It's beautiful, freaky, and a little scary at the same time.

MotoGP 24 continues on the trodden path of good gameplay in the series. The motorbike feel is excellent, but unfortunately it suffers from the same problem as most sports games where there isn't too much new from last year.

Crimson Desert can be a place where you can lose yourself for months as a player, but don't expect all those hours to be spent on an enriching adventure in a world that, I repeat, is wonderful. I can overlook certain technical issues given the scale of the project and because they may be fixed with a patch, but there are simply too many design conflicts across all the systems operating simultaneously for me to call it a 'masterpiece'. If you can simply live with that and enjoy the journey, even without necessarily understanding where it leads, then this open world is worth a try.

Croc: Legend of the Gobbos was a really joyful experience to play once again after almost 30 years. Despite its shortcomings, the game presented a really lovely feeling, and while it's undeniably old-fashioned in its structure and requires a lot of patience in places, for those who played the game previously, it offers a pleasant nostalgia trip.

With a meticulous, intricate and yet stable management system, Citadelum promises city builders and management titles fans a handful of hours of fun. My biggest regret is that there is no multiplayer option to compete against my friends' empires, but the creations we can download from Steam Workshop make up for that. It's time to crown a new Caesar.

It's not rewriting the script for what a beat em' up should be in any sense, but it's good and solid fun that fans should appreciate wholeheartedly.

Dimfrost Studio has managed the feat of making one of the cosiest games I've ever played, only to completely change its character and become one of the most creepy I've ever experienced.

Every time I boot up the game I get the feeling that I'm about to embark on an adorable and epic adventure and Octopath Traveler II is truly perfect when it comes to offering a fantastic adventure in one of the most beautiful worlds in gaming. But it's not a perfect game.

Akimbot promises to be a noteworthy addition to the action and platformer genre. It not only honours the legacy of classic titles but also reminds us why we fell in love with these games in the first place, while offering a modern twist—which would be a disservice to label it as merely a clone.

It's a huge homage to Jet Set Radio and Jet Set Radio Future, and if you liked those two games, Bomb Rush Cyberfunk is a must-have.

All in all, I think Dragon's Dogma 2 is a great proposition for the RPG genre and a title that delivers on many of its promises of great adventures for players. But despite its many good things, its interesting story and the wonderful feeling of exploration and living a truly unusual adventure, the game has those technical issues that fail to deliver a product as well rounded as it could be.

It's not a flawless project and it has its vices, but the setup, the simplicity, and the minor elements that all work hand-in-hand to make this feel more premium.

If you're a fan of the genre, I'd say this is the best Metroidvania 2023 will see, and I also think it's a must for fans of the first one and a redemption for those who thought it was too stiff.

Docked may essentially be all about moving heavy things, but it does so brilliantly, and sitting behind a joystick on any of the machines is, as we know from an old internet legend, what gives you power. So, I find it difficult to see how this type of simulator could be made in a more entertaining way than Docked actually manages to do.

Even if you've played Ninja Gaiden II before, this is the perfect opportunity to take it for another spin. And if for some reason you've missed this newer generation of Ninja Gaiden altogether, Ninja Gaiden II Black is the best place to start.

I think of Remnant II as more Remnant for better or worse. It's still a very compelling series with tight and engaging gameplay, but there's no denying that it has its kinks too. It's flashier, prettier, has tons of depth, and if you loved the first game, you will have a blast with this follow-up as well.

This year's game is really, really good from a simulator point of view. Sure, the computer-controlled drivers can act like knuckleheads from time to time and visually the game is a bit hit or miss. But if, like me, you love F1 and dream of experiencing what it's like to pull the strings behind the scenes at one of the ten teams, then this is your best bet.

Sometimes it feels as if Outerloop Games has tried to cram a little too much into the just over ten hour long game, which leaves me with a feeling of slight disappointment, where some parts simply felt really rushed. That said, the advantages still outweigh the disadvantages and I had an unexpectedly good time in Timber Hills.

At the end of the day what seemed to me like a slow, average indie metroidvania at first, ended up putting a spell on me by combining a creepy fairytale with some fresh ideas under a gorgeous visual finish.

It's not the most mechanically complex game, has a middling and quite forgettable core storyline, and it's over in a flash, but otherwise this is a delightful and charming title that will effortlessly entertain for a few evenings.

The Expanse shines as an alternative to the sleek space-age dream of franchises such as Star Trek, with its scrappy, survival sci-fi setting pairing perfectly with the gritty art-style and choice-driven narrative of Telltale Games.

There should have been a boss or two where I as a player had to become a bit strategic and defensive to beat it, which I think would create more variety overall. However, this is a small complaint about an indie game that, in summary, offers brilliant FPS action drenched in character and passion.

I wish there was just 10% more though, just a little extra dimension that could give the game a little more depth, but at the same time it's pretty clear that Buckshot Roulette is exactly what the creator wanted, and that's something to admire.

Eden Genesis promises to be a standout title in the precision platformer genre. With an engaging narrative, solid performance, and challenges that will test even the most skilled players, this game has the potential to become an immersive and rewarding experience for those seeking a true challenge.

Life is Strange: Double Exposure's sense of surprise doesn't hit with the same force as Life is Strange did nine years ago, but it has managed to re-engage me for a few hours to catch up with a character I've long wanted to see, and leave me with a sense of personal enrichment after playing it. A tempting title for anyone in need of a story in the cold autumn nights ahead.

Overall it feels that the WWE 2K series is back for real. This year's version is light-years better than the disaster WWE 2K20 and also a step up from last year.

Planet of Lana II: Children of the Leaf does not set any new standards for the genre and continues in the footsteps of the first game, so if you liked Wishfully's debut game from 2023, this sequel is a no-brainer.

Externally, the PlayStation 5 version looks very good. The main characters, familiar from the movies, do not look exactly identical to their predecessors, but they still make their point, complementing the plot parts of the story during the dialogue sections. In terms of voice acting, the main attention is naturally focused on Indiana Jones, and Troy Baker succeeds in this area excellently, raising the atmosphere across the board. However, the supporting characters are not always up to the task, as the more open adventuring can sometimes cause unintentional repetition in dialogue or activation at the wrong moments.

I think Oblivion Remastered is a skilful re-release of a legendary game that will bring out the nostalgia in most who have lived with the story and Martin Septim's battle against Mehrunes Dagon for almost two decades. Bethesda and Virtuos has kept the atmosphere and skeleton of what Oblivion was and updated it to feel fresh. Oblivion is a product of its time, and I don't know if new players will be able to live with the jank and awkwardness that the rest of us find charming today, but as a beautiful and shiny time capsule, Oblivion Remastered is everything you could want. No more and no less.

Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney Trilogy looks quite beautiful, but this is more due to the original design than any new improvements.

Darwin's Paradox! may be here for a good time, not a long time, but what a good time it is. Bringing classic platformers up to more modern standards, it proves a short, sweet, mechanically sound experience that I'll gladly take more of if ZDT Studio wants to bring this plucky octopus back to our screens.

Rise of the Ronin is going to draw a lot of comparisons as more people get their hands on it, and even though it does take inspiration from a lot of successful games, Team Ninja's work in creating a great action RPG packed with addictive combat, excellent traversal, and a story that keeps you hooked throughout should not be diminished.

If you choose to take on Elemental: Reforged, you'll get a competent 4X game with slightly dated graphics and not the most knowledgeable of AI opponents. Thanks to the fact that you do so much else during the course of the game, it rarely gets boring. Although this title is the best in its series, I think certain competitors like Age of Wonders 4 offer sharper experiences today.

It's a more concentrated and slightly simpler game than its brilliant second instalment, which really expanded every part and is better in my opinion. But if you scale it all down, it's still the same concept. You're treated to fantastic puzzles and a really nice facelift that makes it definitely worth experiencing. Even if it was then followed by something more grand and even better.

Rematch is a very good game. It's the game I've wanted for so many years, and I'm overjoyed that it's finally here. It's both fun to watch and fun to play, and I hope Sloclap succeeds in the seemingly impossible task of convincing players to pay for something that, in many ways, looks like a free-to-play title.

If you haven't played Cyberpunk 2077 before and are curious about the game, this is a version you will have fun with and be impressed by. If you have played it before and are eager to run through it again, I would say that the entertainment value will vary depending on your tolerance for graphical downgrading. It certainly doesn't look like it does on a top-tuned PC, but there's nothing quite as eye-catching about Switch 2, and CD Projekt Red has done an impressive job of bringing it all together.

Nintendo has certainly done a decent job of updating two masterful adventures, but they could definitely have added more content or held back a little when it came to pricing. As it stands, it's impossible to ignore that this package feels a little greedy based on what you get in exchange for your hard-earned money. Sure, if you've never played Super Mario Galaxy or its eminent sequel, I can, without hesitation, recommend that you purchase both games. In terms of overall gaming enjoyment, you won't be disappointed, as these are two awesome platform titles that still hold up, and then some. However, if, like me, you're old school and have already rescued Princess Peach in both of Mario's galactic adventures, you can skip this new version with a clear conscience, or alternatively dig out your Wii console and experience the nostalgia that way. The games are still as phenomenally good as you remember, and the improved graphics may add some much-needed polish, but not much more than that.

Vendetta Forever is a puzzle game disguised as a shooter, and you'll get a kick out of spinning around yourself to clear a room of enemies while ducking to avoid their projects. It has that 'I've-gotta-try-it-again' feeling and it's definitely a game worth checking out if you're looking for a good and accessible action game to knock the dust off that PSVR2 headset.

Add to this the fact that the game includes local wireless combat, or that you can do the same with your avatar from World Tour mode, and you have an extremely versatile and functional version of what is one of the best fighting games of the moment.

Red Dead Redemption on PC is still an unforgettable game that both new players and fans of the series should experience. Despite its age and visual limitations, it still delivers legendary entertainment value that undoubtedly makes it one of the most memorable western experiences imaginable.

Admittedly, the game is definitely not for the faint-hearted, who don't like being as powerless as Katja is at the beginning, but if you like exquisite dystopian horror atmosphere, then this is one of the best games in the genre since Alien Isolation, in my opinion. In any case, I was on the edge of my seat the whole way through.

The Plucky Squire is an example of playful and imaginative creativity that we rarely see outside of Nintendo or games like Astro Bot. Unfortunately, it doesn't reach the same heights as similar games.

For a game that brings together a slate of ideas that frankly seems a tad strange at first, Kill the Brickman is a wonderful and effortlessly entertaining combination. It's intuitive and straightforward yet complex and filled with challenge, and it's memorably unique and strikingly strange.

Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe is a delight of a remake that bumps into some of the similar issues of its predecessor, but still manages to be an incredibly engaging and charming platformer all the same.

Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn is a massive achievement by A44, let's not forget that. This is a relatively small team that has spent years realising a game that in almost every way competes far outside the team's normal weight class. In that sense, it's amazing that there aren't more compromises or failed design attempts, because there are very few things you can point to that really don't work here. It's not for everyone, but for me this has been solid summer entertainment, and for that reason it's pretty easy to recommend to anyone with a penchant for this formula, as long as you can overlook the jank.

So, while I can't say whether you'll find much joy in finding all of the collectibles and having to explore Kairos, especially multiple times as you level up the different Vault Hunters, I can promise that Borderlands 4 is a step forward for this series, an improvement on Borderlands 3, and a title that shows Gearbox still has ideas, some on the mark and some not, for elevating and innovating with its tried and tested formula.

It requires patience and multiple runs before everything truly clicks. If you jump in solely because everyone is praising it, you might bounce off it entirely and end up wondering what all the fuss is about. Ball X Pit is best enjoyed at your own pace, by understanding and embracing its roguelite nature. Do that, and you'll eventually find yourself immersed in the addictive chaos it brings to your console or PC.

Despite its flaws (which will hopefully be fixed in future patches), RGG Studio's work remains a true gem of an action game, and the best gateway to the fantastic action Yakuza series.

While Ride 6 doesn't take any huge steps forward compared to what we saw in the fifth instalment, all the additions are on the positive side. The Career has more options, you can now ride on gravel, there's a plethora of motorcycles and tracks, and overall it's a great motorcycle experience.

Blue Prince is easy to recommend if you've read the description of the premise and found the idea itself compelling. It's the idea that wins here, and maybe in the future developer Dogubomb can work with this diamond of a premise and polish some of the edges to make the player feel like they have a little more control over each outcome.

The Finals has that detailed, extensive and bombastic sound that Battlefield used to have but today lacks. It also flows well and in the end it's easy to like The Finals. For a completely free game, this is absolutely perfect.

Simple but effective and engaging combat, a neat story wrapped up in an interesting, quirky world. It makes Lost in Random: The Eternal Die a game that's very difficult not to like, even for an aging grump like me who has all but had it with the idea of roguelikes, roguelites, and any other like or lite.

Crow Country is a very well-composed horror adventure that blends the best of the past without us having to pull our old Sega Saturn out of the closet.

Minishoot's Adventures has nothing new to say about twin-stick shooters, shmups, or the typical Zelda formula. It's the things you know, just remixed in an innovative way, and perhaps that's enough. It doesn't change your relationship with these respective genre frameworks, apart from convincing you that these frameworks are flexible enough for this sort of thing to be entirely feasible, and that's probably a victory in itself.

If you've eaten too much after this year's extraordinary role-playing buffet, you can easily let this serving go by in the first instance, but if you have an appetite for more and an interest in the universe, Warhammer 40,000 Rogue Trader is definitely worth a recommendation.

If you're looking for a nostalgic multiplayer action game that you can play with the family (there's also split-screen here), then Hypercharge: Unboxed is not a bad option at all.

In my experience, Bulwark: Falconeer Chronicles keeps you entertained in different ways at all times. There's no stress about resources, but you will be busy scouting for captains, defending trade routes and optimising resource flows in your cities. And if you're really just into relaxing and city building, there's always the Free Build mode that's as casual and relaxing as it gets. It's a game I've really enjoyed playing so far and in my eyes it lives up to its promise of being a relaxing, sandbox city builder. My only real point of criticism is that I keep struggling with the controls using a PlayStation 5 controller. But other than that, for the price you pay on launch this is definitely worth a try if you're into city building games.

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba - The Hinokami Chronicles 2, despite certain limitations, comes to accompany once again the fans of one of the most quality and popular anime of the last decade, which also takes advantage of the synergy with its last arc to call to try it to a larger base of players. If you're a fan of Demon Slayer, you shouldn't miss it.

Army of Ruin is an incredibly pleasant surprise, and along with Dredge is one of the best indie games of the year for me. While it can be argued that this is more like Vampire Survivors in a revamped guise, the visuals do wonders to keep the playability fresh, and with a superb focus on the game mechanics, it offers an adventure that can stand alongside its competitors without shame.

If you're into puzzles, writing down all the details in a notebook to remember everything, and love these kinds of adventures, we would definitely recommend it. And even though it has its pros and cons, it's a game that delivers what it promises, in a short period of time, for people who don't want stories that last over 40 hours.

This is the best city builder of the year set during the glory days of the Roman Empire. If you are interested in history, enjoy building cities, managing logistics, and want to see something grow in your capable hands, this is for you. It's a natural continuation of the Anno series and feels modern despite the fact that we've travelled back in time. I highly recommend this if it sounds like you'd enjoy it and you have a capable computer at your disposal.

If, like me, you've been thirsting for more SWAT, it's really time to get this and with tactics, strategy and patience set off on Los Sueño's worst criminals.

It's clear as day that Blackbird Interactive has a love for the brand. Everything both sounds and looks as you would hope it would, and the overall whole is a step forward from the original in a good way.

Sucker Punch may be playing it safe, but the fantastic world and effective revenge plot still give Ghost of Yotei its own identity. It's still a series with clear limitations, exemplified by the monotonous mission design and old-fashioned stealth, and it's disappointing that Sucker Punch has not done more to rectify these issues, especially since they also plagued the first game. But it certainly has its qualities: from epic duels to exploration built on curiosity, it serves up both the fantasy of being a vengeful spirit and a flesh-and-blood person with dreams of a better life in an excellent way.

Diablo IV is a great, truly enjoyable game every fan should play. The core story, highlighted by the superb cinematics and excellent voice acting, leads you through a highly detailed and fascinating world.

While Disney Illusion Island isn't a particularly long game, it is one that feels instantly memorable. Dlala Studios has captured the charm that Disney has been missing for years and offered it up in an interactive medium that never fails to be fun and overflowing with charisma.

Even with a fair chunk of the extra content feeling lacklustre, the core content, AKA the base game that launched back in 2020, is so good that it elevates The Last of Us: Part II Remastered out of middling waters.

The pace is fast, there are any number of enemy ships to shoot, plenty of content and a successful framing of a space war that I learn just the right amount about. There are definitely parts of the upgrade system that didn't need to be there in my opinion and parts of the game's soundtrack that don't quite fit, but those are small complaints for a game that on the whole entertains on the grandest of premises.

DeadToast is a developer that knows how to do simple things but very, very well. Shotgun Cop Man, like My Friend Pedro, is a thoroughly entertaining action platformer that doesn't require much of your time and yet feels effortlessly replayable and fun. The thumping metal soundtrack and the simplistic art direction work wonderfully in the game's favour (even if the bullet hell is sometimes a bit much to track, but when isn't that the case for bullet hell games?), and the way it constantly manages to build and introduce new systems, traps, enemies, and weapons means that you never become bored or tired of the formula. This is another fabulous indie action game from a developer that I truly wish we could see games from on a more frequent basis than once every five-to-six years.

The original Ghostrunner gave us a simple premise and great action which combined to give us a thrill we didn't know we needed. Its sequel then steps in much more confidently, fleshing out the world, introducing new characters, while still giving us the same irresistible formula that charmed fans in the first place.

I'm not going to complain too much about the fact that 397 hasn't really reached 'final release' in terms of functionality and content. Le Mans Ultimate is basically a really good racing simulator whose online racing portion easily competes with the best of the genre and whose tyre physics, FFB and graphics/sound do the same. If Studio 397 is given time now to continue building, polishing and expanding, I have no doubt that this could become the new ruler of the sim racing genre.

If you like the series already, this is a must-have purchase, but if you are new to the Metal Slug experience, I still recommend that you give this an honest try. It's not a masterpiece by any means, but Metal Slug Tactics is a hell of a lot of fun to play. What more could you want?

The game without ads became a lot less frustrating. Unfortunately, the analogue stick controls are a tad too slow, but otherwise it's an excellent port, and fortunately there are still touch controls if you're playing handheld.

Cassette Beasts is an example of what a more mature and difficult Pokémon could be. The new additions to combat, exploration, and quest design all make the world thrilling to explore, and the sprite/pixel combination shows that there's still plenty of potential for monster-catching in this art style.

Aaero 2 is definitely not a game for everyone. It has a fairly narrow audience and you might be a little worried that it's going to get lost in the crowd of games coming out these days - because it deserves better.

The game delivers a unique and visually stunning experience that immerses you fully in the world of an ant. While there are areas for improvement, such as the repetitive soundtrack and limited unit options in multiplayer, the game's impressive visuals, realistic sound effects, and varied story missions make it a memorable entry in the RTS genre.

It's a shame that Cities: Skylines II has performance woes because it is undoubtedly the best of the year in its genre.

This is a thoroughly enjoyable and entertaining title, suitable for both League of Legends fans and newcomers. The Mageseeker stands out perfectly as its own unique game.

As it stands, Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket is extremely simple, and therefore quite enjoyable to engage with, and besides, after the first hour or so, you can easily just check in every day or two and open some packs.

At the end of the day, Mario vs. Donkey Kong is simply, effortlessly fun, and that's what you come to the moustachioed plumber for.

Undisputed is exactly the boxing game I've been waiting for, for over 13 years. It looks fantastic with realistic damage and plays well thanks to the excellent and complex controls. Unfortunately there are some minor issues with repetition in animations and commentary, but if you can look past this, I see no reason not to dust off your boxing gloves and punch someone in the face.

There is no doubt that F1 23 is an absolutely brilliant game. It sounds fantastic, looks spectacular and has rarely offered such an entertaining, accessible experience. Regardless of whether you're an already devoted fan or a curious newbie. F1 has rarely been better.