'Shoot me in the face! Shoot me in the face! Come on, shoot me IN THE FACE!', a maniacal guy shouts at us passionately. A neck shot and dead body later, the message appears on screen: congratulations, mission accomplished. It's moments like these that show that Borderlands 2 has found its voice. One filled with uncontrolled anger, sudden mania, crude humor and lots of depth. The planet Pandora will keep anyone in its grip for at least thirty hours with intense shoot-outs, bizarre side-quests and crazy characters.

Nier is as awesome as it is obscure. A game that will be hated by simpletons for its bold approach to the action-rpg genre, and loved by anyone in their right mind for exactly the same reason. The oddly loveable cast, the myriad of different gameplay-concepts (ranging from old school to sheer genius) and the awesome soundtrack make Nier into a roughly hewn diamond, brilliantly shining as the surprise of the year.

The comedic army of undead make placing your aggressive plants in every level a party. The tried and tested gameplay of defending your base continues to be interesting thanks to the right amount of variation at the right time. Plants vs. Zombies 2: It’s About Time was definitely worth the wait.

At last, another one of those unexpected fantastic games for the Nintendo DS. Each DS-owner should buy this game, just to let publishers know games like this are the games we want for the platform. The unique features of the Nintendo DS are well used in this colorful RPG.

Soul Calibur IV just oozes quality. It is a very polished game that is crammed with a variety of different play modes. The game is an absolute must-have for every fan of the genre. Because it is easy to pick up and play, Soul Calibur IV is also suited for those unfamiliar with these games.

With a nearly perfect combination of level design, gameplay, storytelling and a challenging experience, studio From Software delivers a package deal. This game might not be successful for Souls-fans due to its scale and limited gameplay options.

Without a doubt one of the best games available for the Wii. If you haven't had the chance to play the game on the PlayStation 2, then now is your chance. It's more than worthy of your money, thanks to the unique style and great gameplay.

Devil Daggers is an intense first-person shooter that seems to be shallow with a lack of features, but actually has an unexpected depth to it. In every level you will learn something new and the possibility to check out how other people play the game, makes it a very engaging experience.

Rayman: Legends is a little bit like Frankenstein. It has a new face, a handful of Origins and a little bit of Jungle Run added to it, all brought to life through magic. Everything that makes platforming fun is here and is given room to shine.

Despite its exceptionally simple gameplay, Vampire Survivors can compete with the biggest releases of 2022. Everybody has to experience this unique blend of bullet hell, roguelike and Castlevania.

The Wolf Among Us shines thanks to great achievements by the voice actors, a color pallet that jumps out at its viewers and twists that grab you by the throat and refuse to let go. The fairy tale figures are portrayed so realistically, that you can’t do anything but let yourself get submerged in the unusual, American subculture of Fabletown.

Quotation forthcoming.

99 Bricks: Wizard Academy is sympathetic, addicting and challenging. New challenges introduced at the right times intelligently show how much depth the simple ‘build-a-tower-Tetris-game’ can have.

If you are searching for an accessibly stylish and entertaining hack 'n slash, DmC: Devil May Cry is still that great game it used to be, but visually much more attractive. If you are familiar with the game, this re-release still offers great things like a changeable difficulty setting to make your experience an unforgettable one.

NBA 2K15 offers nearly perfect gameplay and thankfully the realistic graphics of NBA 2K are here to stay. Lots of improvement on the different modes as well. NBA 2K15 is a basketball game to love, but the servers are not making the relationship go smoothly.

This special Kickstarter project, which spanned five episodes over seven years, comes to an end. This point-and-click sequence is bursting at the seams with creativity and strange happenings. There is no better writing in video games.

The Phantom Thieves did not just steal the hearts of their targets: also our hearts are stolen. The new cast, carefully designed dungeons and tweaks on the existing mechanics make Persona 5 the best game in the franchise.

Super Meat Boy is a big, scary game but serves its challenges in sweet portions. The fact that you can die anywhere, anytime makes this a good challenge, but the balanced controls ensure there's no frustration involved.

With its amazing story and deep combat system Xenoblade Chronicles 2 offers an excellent sequel to what probably is the best jrpg of the past two console generations.

A great addition to GTA IV and The Lost and Damned. The trailer made us think that the fun, over the top gameplay of San Andreas was making a return, and while the end result doesn’t offer that, the story, characters, humor and the unbelievable amount of detail are still to be topped in any other game.

Guilty Gear Strive is one of the best fighting games right now. It grabs your attention with its mind-blowing visual presentation and then captivates you with its intriguing and action-packed gameplay. The flawless online experience and good balance between accessibility and complexity ensure that every fighting enthusiast can enjoy this game.

There was a lot of buzz around The Lost & Damned, but in the end it was all worth it. The game offers a nice storyline with a couple of pretty decent missions, some entertaining side-missions and a very tasteful multiplayer. But, there remains a little voice in our head that says that Rockstar could have done more, because of the repetitive structure of the missions and a storyline that didn't feel like a real surprise. Still, GTA IV is one of the best games money can buy and is, without a doubt, the best in it's genre.

The Delicious Last Course is an almost perfect extension. The game mechanics and animations take the boss fights to the next level, the new way to earn in-game money is a lot more entertaining and Ms. Chalise provides the necessary variation. While the fun may be over too soon, this expansion makes Cuphead even better.

God of War: Chains of Olympus will probably not bring much change to the franchise. This games reaches a high level when it comes to PSP standards. Although the game has a weak storyline and a few bugs, it feels glorious to play.

Monster Hunter Wilds is a masterful evolution for the series. Hunting and exploration flow together seamlessly, the world feels more dynamic and additions like the Seikret and Focus Mode make the experience more approachable without losing the essence. Veterans might miss a certain degree of challenge, but Wilds proves that Monster Hunter can still take a step up on the food chain.

Ghost of Sparta is truly a God of War-game in the most positive sense. It offers spectacular action, incredible graphics and an epic storyline. This could very well be the best PlayStation Portable-game to date.

Let there be no doubt: there couldn't have been a better end to this fantastic trilogy. Again and again your jaw will hit the floor in excitement. God of War III is so polished that the little mistakes will be all the more apparent, but it's nothing compared to what you get: an epic, well balanced action game.

A plot becomes a story, only when the details have been worked out. Bastion shines through the subtle way context has been given to the game world, which is filled to the brim with places of interest and action-packed hotspots. The all-knowing narrator and gorgeous environments duke it out for who has the most to tell. As the player you'll fill the shoes of the laughing bystander who makes off with this very unique game.

The core of the Crash franchise remains intact in Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time. On top of that are very well thought out level design, beautiful graphics and some innovations that bring the series to the present.

Resident Evil 2 is everything a remake should be. The game stays true to the original version, while also offering a totally new experience.

Looking critically at the game, its developers probably realized that you can sometimes go too far in your quest for perfection. The result is a mode that brings the franchise back to the essence of a manager game. Football Manager 2013 is all about tweaking your players and humiliating your opponents tactically, and we're loving it.

Batman: Arkham Asylum isn't just for the fans: it delivers a great experience to all lovers of action games. The game effortlessly combines puzzle-, stealth- and fighting-elements. Arkham Asykum sets the new standard for future licensed games.

Thanks to its layered gameplay, the entertaining singleplayer and impressive cinematography, Injustice 2 is an amazing game that can even be enjoyed by people that are new to the fighting genre.

Very few games have Monster Hunter Tri Ultimate's depth. It's a survival simulator and one of the best co-op multiplayer experiences on consoles. The lack of matchmaking and a decent explanation regarding the game's mechanics are only minor gripes. This is the best the Wii U has to offer.

Dragon Quest 11 is a fantastic jrpg on Nintendo Switch. The graphic concession does not outweigh the addition of an orchestral soundtrack and the Japanese voice-over. You can also play the entire game in 2D, with slightly faster and more direct gameplay. It really works very well on Switch.

Tired of zombies in games? Left 4 Dead 2 makes the done-to-death genre come to life once more! Compared to the original, this sequel is better in every way. The weapons, settings, multiplayer: everything in Left 4 Dead 2 is near-perfect. There’s still no room for single players though, the game is all about working together. But that’s exactly what makes the game so incredible.

If Dead Space was a prototype, then this sequel is the finished product. Dead Space 2 loses some of the frightening charm of the original, but the end result is a much more varied and solid experience.

Football Manager 2011 is the best management game out there. It's not only great due to its Excel-esque gameplay, but also due to the possibilities to communicate with almost everyone. It finally feels like you really are a football manager.

If Dead Space was a prototype, then this sequel is the finished product. Dead Space 2 loses some of the frightening charm of the original, but the end result is a much more varied and solid experience.

Buy LittleBigPlanet and you won't have to nag about the lack of games for the Vita again. It's an ingenious platformer, a collection of arcade games and a huge app store in one. All these elements make a creative and artsy whole, and its beauty is astounding. Even if you don't like what's already there, you can just create what you would enjoy.

This game is almost in every way bigger and better than its predecessor. There is a gigantic variety in parts, objects, themes and styles. Plus the newly added single-player mode that is a great inspiration.

Street Fighter X Tekken isn't as ground-breaking as Street fighter IV, but it offers a wholly different and most of all innovative look on a well established formula.

Ocarina of Time is still just as much fun to play. The gameplay turned out to be as timeless as we hoped for and the graphics have been improved to compete with nowadays standards. There are a few points of irritation that show that Ocarina of Time 3D is the remake of a thirteen year old game, but don't diminish the game whatsoever. This is still meant to be played by gamers of all ages and sizes.

Ys: Memories of Celceta is a joy to play. It isn't a technical marvel and doesn't get an award for originality with its story, but the practically perfect combat system reconfirms developer Nihon Falcoms thirty years of experience creating action RPGS's. Memories of Celceta is incredibly fun, addictive and a must have for any RPG-loving Vita owner.

With excellent controls, a good amount of modes and a great gameplay experience, this Wii version scores better than its competitors. It's the best golf sim to date.

The God of War Collection offers a unique possibility to experience two of the best action games ever for a reduced price. The addition of HD-graphics set it on par with temporary games. The ruthless hack-and-slash action and the fantastic level design are even now a step above many other games on the current console generation.

Metroid Dread combines the old, trusted Metroid formula with enough fresh ideas to revive the 35-year-old series. Never before has Samus been so fluidly controlled and the action so spectacular. The EMMI is an exciting break from standard exploration, but every part of Metroid is equally well thought out. However, optional upgrades hardly add anything in most cases and it doesn't want to be as free as Super Metroid. They are minor missteps for a game that puts Metroid back on the map.

The upgraded versions of the Uncharted-games are great, especially for Drake's Fortune. The changed shooting system and the upgraded visuals are making the game even better than before.

Braid is a rare gem in the gaming world. It combines a wonderful audiovisual presentation, a philosophical story and ingenious puzzle gameplay into a brilliant gaming experience. If one game would deserve it to be called art, Braid would be that one game.

Rome 2 is the product of years of experience and the work of a studio that finally found the perfect harmony between RTS and turn-based. The developers changed certain parts drastically, but created a game that can surprise you at any time and offers a great deal of depth.

Mirror's Edge is a unique experience. The controls work great and the visuals and music fit perfectly with the rest of the game. That such a unique concept contains a few flaws, like the short story mode and some frustrating gameplay moments, isn't a shame in the least. This experiment is a succes!

Boom Blox is a fantastic game. The puzzler can certainly be called a classic in it's genre. The puzzels are diverse, challenging and are fun to play. The smoothness of the controls and the the physics of the buildings are something which we have never seen before.

Battlefield 1 is an excellent game, thanks to the awesome setting. The characters and the well-written story make the singleplayer just as worth while as the multiplayer. We are impressed.

Sayonara Wild Hearts can compete with stars such as Robyn, Carly Rae Jepsen and Tove Lo. That may sound strange, but as an interactive pop album there's no bigger compliment.

The Old Hunters honors Bloodborne in its deepest form. The uniquely designed, eery worlds offer a great place to enjoy the awesome fighting system. You will never feel safe, but you will often feel satisfied.

Our thumbs still hurt from the original, but Olliolli2 makes us just as addicted as the first. More content, more tricks and higher scores; this really is the perfect sequel.

This might be the best RPG 2017 has to offer. The Gambit system and the MMO-like fights are very modern and the rest of Final Fantasy 12 is still a joy to play.

Divinity: Original Sin still is a great RPG. We enjoyed the new features such as spoken texts and small tweaks in gameplay. The only thing that was tricky was to control the game with the controller instead of the keyboard and mouse. And that split-screen co-op is still as amazing as it used to be.

This wonderfully crafted psychological drama does not only offer a story on a level rarely seen in videogames, it also boasts an excellent audiovisual presentation and an eye for detail. The few minor flaws in the core gameplay don't hurt the experience at all.

Quotation forthcoming.

There's little to complain about here. The singleplayer, multiplayer and zombie-mode ensure you won't be able to put down your controller for a long time to come. Black Ops isn't just a great game, it's a great Call of Duty. A bigger compliment can't be given to Treyarch.

There's little to complain about here. The singleplayer, multiplayer and zombie-mode ensure you won't be able to put down your controller for a long time to come. Black Ops isn't just a great game, it's a great Call of Duty. A bigger compliment can't be given to Treyarch.

It's obvious that Joe found his place on the iPhone and iPad. Joe Danger Touch surprises time and time again and entertains with beautiful levels and excellent controls. A great recommendation and a better game than its predecessors.

Tropical Freeze is so good as a perfect platformer with amazing level design and a perfect soundtrack. Funky Kong is a fun addition and it makes the game a bit more accessible.

Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 4 is a sublime RPG. There isn't much wrong if we look at the fundamentals or the overall feel of the game. Even the fact that the game appears on the obsolete PlayStation 2 doesn't affect the quality of the game says enough. And on top of that, the game will be in stores at a reduced price and with a free soundtrack. Nothing less than an instant buy.

God of War Ragnarök is more God of War, but in the best way possible. If you enjoyed the last game and wonder if the sequel meets expectations, than the short answer is: yes. You won't be disappointed.

Dear Esther changes a simple hike into an emotional journey. Not just a (short) game, but truly an experience.

On its surface, Fez looks to be a simple, charming puzzle platformer with a cool three-dimensional twist. Dive deeper into this wondrous world full of pretty pictures and beautiful chip tunes music, and it'll reveal a second game within Fez: a brilliant puzzle game that gets under your skin and can keep you staring at the screen for hours on end.

Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake is actually perfect as a remake. This game manages to recapture the original experience to give you that old feeling, but in a modern guise. The team has remained incredibly faithful to the original. On the one hand, that is excellent news, because it makes this the best way to play this classic. But that also makes it a game made for JRPG fans from the very beginning. For that group of gamers who sat behind an NES or SNES late at night, slowly traveling through a dungeon on their way to the final boss. It is very nice that this faithful remake exists for that specific group of veteran gamers, alongside far-reaching remakes such as that of Final Fantasy 7.

Soul Calibur IV just oozes quality. It is a very polished game that is crammed with a variety of different play modes. The game is an absolute must-have for every fan of the genre. Because it is easy to pick up and play, Soul Calibur IV is also suited for those unfamiliar with these games.

The amazing, relaxing gameplay we love is now available in a beautiful new look. The new quests and crafting systems are great for both newcomers and fans of the series and it is great to see Animal Crossing grow without losing its charm.

South Park: The Fractured but Whole is exactly what we hoped it would be. Technically this game is a lot better than its predecessor with more depth, more dynamic gameplay and a crafting system.

Shelter is the nature version of Journey, with as a major difference that you have something to lose. The game is serene and tense, linear in a way that it feels natural, beautiful and simply special in every way.

The best of Finnish studio Housemarque is coming together in one amazing game filled with extremely difficult fights.

The ending of The Witcher 2 makes for a very big let-down. But rest assured: the rest of the game transcends all of the RPG-standards that were made over the last few years. It still eats away at us though, that the game could have scored an easy ten out of ten.

Props to 2K Games for delivering such a strong sequel. Bioshock 2 offers an absorbing experience, runs smoothly, plays like a dream and has a fantastic story. This is how games that are driven by stories should be. Already one of the best games of 2010.

NBA is about passion, story and impact and the 2K-series shows that off like no other game. Any game of basketball is an amazing experience. Basketball fans already know this, but it's time the rest of the world starts playing.

Cities: Skylines is a great citybuilder that makes us forget SimCity, even though it hurts a little. It is big and beautiful, plus we love the controls, but it does come with some annoying bugs.

DiRT 3 is the result of the decades of experience developer Codemasters has in the racing genre. The game merges different disciplines and forges them into a whole that make for a very powerful foundation. Just a few small misdemeanors that stand between this game, and it growing into the stuff of legend.

The time when Metroid-fans felt neglected is finally over! A remaster of the first Prime has appeared. It could've been a simple port with upscaled textures, but the upgrades in this new version are so huge that you can almost call it a remake.

God of War is a fantastic game in every way imaginable. It offers an amazing world, balanced combat and an emotional story - this is one of the best PS4 exclusives.

Killzone II is without a doubt a diamond in Sony's line-up and already a game that has GOTY written all over it. Its feels more than refreshing to play a sci-fi shooter with realistic gameplay. In single player you'll be dazzled with details, a strong AI and beautifull graphics. And even though it's all going to be over in a blink of an eye, it gives you enough satisfaction to last a whole lot longer. As a delicious dessert you'll get the multiplayer, which is so addictive that it almost turns into the most important part of the game. Killzone II is something to be proud of as a Dutchman.

DiRT 3 is the result of the decades of experience developer Codemasters has in the racing genre. The game merges different disciplines and forges them into a whole that make for a very powerful foundation. Just a few small misdemeanors that stand between this game, and it growing into the stuff of legend.

This is the moment to buy a Wii U, if Mario Kart means anything to you. The game is gorgeous and very fun to play thanks to a high degree of polish. The lack of Battle-Arena's is a shame, just like the lack of support for the gamepad, but that doesn't keep it from deserving a high score.

With Pokémon X and Y, GameFreak finally delivers on the big promise: a Pokémon game in which the pocket monsters actually come to life. That the game is also filled to the brim with content, makes X and Y the ultimate Pokémon generation.

The Magic Circle is an unfinished game in which you play a game about a game that is unfinished; a satirical opinion on the games industry and community. The voice acting is spot on, the world is minimalistic but rich and the unique game mechanics and strong story are making you wonder if you are playing the game, or if the game is playing you.

With Pokémon X and Y, GameFreak finally delivers on the big promise: a Pokémon game in which the pocket monsters actually come to life. That the game is also filled to the brim with content, makes X and Y the ultimate Pokémon generation.

It seemed an impossible mission: take a classic and old-fashioned series and make sure newcomers and hardcore fans are happy. With a fantastic cartoon style, awesome characters and balanced puzzles this game is better than we could have hoped for.

BioShock's arrival on the PS3 is long overdue, but it's still a lot of fun to play through. BioShock is still a must-have for every PS3 owner. The graphics haven't aged that well, but it's not that much of a problem, because if you start with the game you'll have a hard time putting down the controller.

Battlefield 4 is the best Battlefield yet. It has more maps, more modes, an improved progression model, brings back the Commander mode and finally introduces a map in which all vehicles and weapons can be tested at anyone’s leisure. We haven’t even brought up Levolution yet. We couldn’t have asked for more from a new iteration, except for a decent campaign maybe.

Climate change is not a new thing for Civ, but it has been missing in a few games. It may sound strange, but it is very nice to have it back in Gathering Storm as it adds a lot of depth.

NBA 2K14 plays big on emotion on the PlayStation 4. From Lebron's frown to the friendships of your own player; a basketball experience has never been implemented in a game this well before. This realistic environments make the actual playing of basketball flourish. The result is not only a prettier NBA 2K14, but a better one at that.

To the Moon is about life and death. It's almost art in the sense that it can truly make you care for what happens in the game. It pretends to be a traditional JRPG and it plays like a point-and-click adventure. It comes with some restrictions, but the sublime story telling on offer here will linger in your thoughts for a long time.

In case you didn't get it: Metal Gear Solid 4 is THE reason to buy a PlayStation 3!

Football Manager 2014 finds improvements in its details. That makes it the best, most expansive and mostly most accessible football management simulation ever, without sacrificing its depth.

I've rarely had so much fun while reviewing a game. The boss fights are as entertaining as the build, Doom icons (pun intended) are introduced with verve, there are countless cool settings, the gunplay is more or less the best in the genre, the combat arenas feel like morbid monkey cage games and the game wraps it all in a sauce of subtle humor and lots and lots of metal. Doom Eternal does nothing weird compared to its predecessor, but this game is much better in almost every way. And part one was already so good.

Super Street Fighter IV: 3D Edition is a perfect port and then some. Everything its bigger console-version brother had, you'll see return on the smaller screen of the 3DS. The extra options are fun additions, but don't really improve on the game itself. That brings us to a nice and simple conclusion: are you sick of Street Fighter IV yet, or what?

Anno 2070 pushes the series to incredible highs and is amongst the best in its genre. The easy to learn controls and rules, new online options and the way you can build while preserving nature all make this the best strategy game of 2011.