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.

Badland turned out to be a pleasant surprise. The game takes you on a special journey through a beautiful world. From the environments and sounds to the deadly obstacles and puzzles, all elements work seamlessly with each other and it feels like one harmonious whole.

Assassin's Creed 3 will be the best game of the year for many gamers. It's not the prettiest game, it doesn't tell the best story and doesn't have the most brilliant gameplay. But it portrays a world we can lose ourselves in like no other, which is filled to the brim with interesting characters and content, and it hardly ever bores.

Tunic is a mystical gem full of elusive secrets that only reveal themselves if you take the time to do so. The basic experience of fighting in Zelda-esque dungeons is already very good, but whoever sticks a toe in the mysterious water is soon up to his neck in puzzles.

Super Smash Bros. for the 3DS often feels as good as previous entries in the series, but it takes time to master the controls on the handheld. Thanks to a lot of content and the possibility of refining your favorite characters, you can play the game endlessly.

Shovel Knight is a beautiful tribute to the era that used to be. With it's graphics and gameplay it refers to 8-bit games, but it does have a unique touch of its own. It might be a bit short, but it sure has a strong personality.

Though the commentary is a bit old-school, some important licenses are missing in action and the referee is an amateur, PES is an awesome soccer game. The AI and the many tactical options make the soccer feel very real.

Fate of Two Worlds is certainly entertaining. It doesn't matter if you have graduated from the traditional Street Fighter-school or if you don't know the difference between a Hadoken and a Dragon Punch. This game has over-the-top action and a low difficulty so that everyone can get enjoyment from this. However, it comes at the cost of balance between characters.

Oceanhorn is not quite original, but has enough character to stand alone. As a matter of fact, there aren't many games that reach this level of audio-visual fidelity. Every self respecting handheld adventure gamer should pick this up.

The first Nioh left us longing for more and that is exactly what this sequel gives us. Nioh 2 adds a little extra to all the strengths of its predecessor. Unfortunately, some previous mistakes - such as an inimitable story - are also repeated. Ultimately, however, that is a side issue, because the enormously profound and strong gameplay is amazing. The result is an intense and challenging experience that soulslike enthusiasts enjoy.

Pure strategy, complex but solid controls and an irresistible multiplayer make Frozen Synapse a surprise hit. It's not a beautiful looking game, but ignore the basic presentation, because this is a game everyone should try at least once.

Guitar Hero has become even more user friendly. The experienced player will have a problem with the minor flaws and the lack of improvements. As a party game Guitar Hero 5 has succeeded.

Twin-stick shooter Zenzizenzic offers a pure adrenaline rush with a fantastic soundtrack. Thanks to its roguelike macro-mode every game is different.

This game feels like a game from an alternative reality. It's a 90s light gun shooter in virtual reality. The basic game is short, but the action is intense and very much worth playing over and over again.

Kingdom Rush Frontiers is a wonderful tower defense game. All base elements are there, accompanied by a great upgrade system and absurd enemies. We almost afraid to say it, but we're already looking forward to part three.

Far Cry 2 isn't able to deliver on its expectations, but is still a high quality shooter with lots of freedom and one of the most beautiful settings ever. The developers could have been more creative with the mission structure though.

Professor Layton and the Curious Village offers a great mix of entertaining puzzles, easy and challenging. Even the option to buy certain hints will never let you solve the puzzle. True, the hints will clarify a lot, but will never give you an answer. The game sets your mind at work and you'll soon discover that on any giving moment of the day you start thinking about a solution. If you like puzzle games this one shouldn't be missing from your collection.

Unstoppable Gorg starts of like a pretty standard tower defense-game, but quickly introduces more depth and becomes one of the hardest games of its kind. Combine that with a dosage of good humor and fast gameplay, and it's a fun game when you have some time to kill. But it'll never keep you hooked for long.

Death's Door is a great Zelda-inspired game that relies on exciting (boss) fights and an excellently set up world. The game never really manages to rise above its great example, but is so solid and equipped with such a good soundtrack that this is never a serious problem. Death's Door even has enough surprises in store to keep it fun after the end.

The strong concept of Destiny is finally really getting some meat on its bones. Destiny 2 offers beautiful environments, an effective but light story and detailed co-op action gameplay.

This is still the same Mario Kart as you've played over and over again. You still drive in karts, trying (and failing) to avoid different projectiles while crying foul at the competition. It's also just as addicting as ever.

The Master Chief Collection prepares a new generation of console gamers for one of the best shooter series ever made. This disc offers 4 high end single-player adventures, 106 multiplayer maps and a crazy amount of extra content. This is the game to buy this year.

If you've got nothing going on with Metallica then it seems a little illogical to buy this game. But you'll probably buy it anyway if you're a Guitar Hero or Rockband fan. The game deserves that much attention. Especially Guitar Hero veterans will love the rocky numbers that are enclosed in this package. On the other hand, the little flaws and the inferior career-mode (in comparison to Rock Band) can be too much of a problem for the casual rocker.

The gameplay is timeless, but graphically time has not stood still and this final version disappoints somewhat.

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.

Far Cry 2 isn't able to deliver on its expectations, but is still a high quality shooter with lots of freedom and one of the most beautiful settings ever. The developers could have been more creative with the mission structure though.

Dying, again and again, every time in an unknown world. Roguelikes are tough, but Rogue Legacy makes the journeys slightly lighter with rpg elements that make progress attainable every single run. Rogue Legacy also gets a lot of personality and humor from the addition of character specific traits, like a handicap or disability. Rogue Legacy is tough, hard and unforgiving, but still very accessible thanks to these additions. Just what this genre needed.

When playing the single player, Battleblock Theater is nothing more than a fun 2D platformer that’s challenging enough, but doesn’t do anything exceptionally well. It isn’t until playing the multiplayer that the game really comes into its own and becomes a absurd and very entertaining party game. The controls leave something to be desired and its pace could be quicker from time to time, but thanks to the excellent level editor and a few brilliant mini-games, it takes a while before Battleblock becomes a bore.

Dragon Quest Builders 2 makes the combination of action rpg and sandbox even better. There are so many building styles and objects to use, it is a game to play endlessly. The only thing we could wish for is better controls.

Lords of Shadow defies the boundaries of what Castlevania should be, but it works. The game pulls you in medieval times, but the gameplay, presentation and story are without a doubt as modern as you can get. The ghost of old Castlevania flows through the game, while being fresh enough to make it feel like the start of a new franchise. Both fans and newcomers will find plenty to enjoy here.

This game easily defeats Yakuza 6. Sublime storytelling and great pacing. It's tragedy and comedy all in one.

The Stick of Truth is the best South Park-game ever played, a very fun game in and of itself and gives the franchise a new dimension. Something that only could’ve been done in game-form. It wouldn’t be Obsiadian Entertainment though, if it didn’t have two handfuls of technical issues and design flukes.

It has a strong likeness to games like Ico and Journey. With innovative controls you guide two brothers through a fairytale world. Yet, the game misses the emotional impact to qualify as a real classic.

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.

WipEout Omega Collection is filled with amazing content, but we do basically know all of it already. Especially as some WipEout-games even repeat certain tracks. Other than that it is an awesome collection.

Proun+ is that type of game that you play, then quit and start playing again one minute later. And again, and again.. Is is very satisfying to manouvre yourself through abstract race levels that throw a postmodern colorsplash on you. Mondriaan would be proud.

After Canabalt, Adam Saltsman delivered another great game. Hundreds tickles the senses, tests your patience and agonizes the brain in way we can appreciate. A recommendation for everyone who enjoys a challenge and simplicity.

The reason why Red Faction exists is the fact that we love to break stuff. A thing that this game does best. And it doesn't feel old after a couple of hours, because you can always choose a different way of playing. The boring story, somewhat dull surroundings, and few graphic hiccups won't change that. Guerrilla feels like a fresh new start for the series.

When you first look at it, Geometry Wars seems not very unique. It is a classical twin-stick shooter, but as soon as you are in control, the chaos seems organized and the pulsating music guide you in the right direction. We are, once again, in a trance.

This remake makes us relive the old days in an excellent new look. There are a lot of new gadgets, guns and gameplay elements to keep the adventure fresh. It is a bit odd how the main characters do not really seem to have a lot of chemistry though.

Kirby and the Forgotten World is one of the most enjoyable Kirby games yet. The magical three-dimensional game world, countless skills and funny Mouthvol shapes keep you entertained. Don't expect deep combat or challenging platforming, though - the focus is purely on carefree fun.

A Plague Tale: Requiem is a step forward from its predecessor in every way. The game not only symbolizes the coming of age of heroine Amicia, but also Asobo as a developer. The result is a beautiful and heartbreaking story, tainted only by a contrived ending.

A singleplayer version of Gwent, that sounds boring, but it actually is amusing. It's written very well and tactical it knows how to challenge a gamer.

Kyrat is one of the most beautiful game worlds ever. It is so full of adventure that you will probably not even notice that the storytelling is not very strong.

Trials Evolution Gold is a very entertaining game with lots of spectacle, variation and challenges. It’s a shame that Redlynx didn’t go through much effort to create a worthy port to PC’s though, but that doesn’t take away from the fact that it can easily be recommended.

Moss is one of the more unique games for PlayStation VR, without a doubt. The game does not just really use vr to the fullest, it feels amazing from start to finish.

Death Stranding Director's Cut is full of big and small adjustments. Some changes make the game a little more accessible, while others, such as the racetrack, increase the already stark contrast between the more playful and more serious side of the game.

What could I have done differently? Even with the option to rewind time, it is a question you will often ask yourself when playing Life is Strange. A unique story that asks of you to make big decisions, just to blow you away with the consequences.

Tomb Raider: The Definitive Edition isn’t anything more than its predecessor. Yes, the graphics are a little bit sharper and yes, there are voice commands to, for instance, quickly switch to your map. But what has been added isn’t of value. The Definitive Edition is still a great adventure and a high point in its genre, but also only a recommendation for those who haven’t played Lara’s resurrection last year.

Starcraft: Remastered does what many remasters promise to do: relive the old days, without offering the disappointments of and old game. The looks and sounds are much better now and the gameplay is still great.

DmC: Devil May Cry is a fantastic game and a very successful reboot of the franchise. The new Dante is very convincing, just like the dark world and accessible gameplay. The increased accessibility might not fully cater to Devil May Cry-fans of old, but there's something for everyone here.

At its best moments, Manifold Garden is just as good as Portal and The Witness. And while the puzzle game gradually loses some of its power, the infinite, impossible and awesome levels continue to amaze.

InFamous is, in a nice way, a new type of game. The climbing onto building-part is truly from another level, your electric superpowers more than okay and Empire City a place that gives you goosebumps. The basics are so good that it lets you forget the minor flaws with ease. InFamous is a must buy and will offer hours and hours of gameplay.

Papers, Please gives you a simple task that doesn't ask a lot of you. The game outgrows its mechanics though, by appealing to your moral compass and emotions. This indie game will get under your skin, will have you feeling uncomfortable and have you think about yourself, as a person.

Space Invaders Extreme is a surprisingly pleasant sequel to the original game. The gameplay and style have been overhauled to fit more in this time and it only has a positive influence on the concept. The game just works and is a great addition to anyone’s collection.

The Old Republic is a high quality MMO that Star Wars-fan will absolutely love. Graphics, sound and story fit perfectly within the diverse Star Wars-universe. The game owes a lot to MMO's like World of Warcraft and Lord of the Rings Online, however, many things we've seen in other games really shine in the capable hands of BioWare. The Old Republic is a game that will especially impress those new to the genre.

As far as we are concerned, this is an excellent starting point for strategy gamers. Mario + Rabbids feels like a Nintendo game, and a unique one at that. The levels are amazing puzzles and you do not need to know any complex mechanics to have fun with it.

Far Cry 2 doesn't quite live up to its expectations, but its in total a great shooter with more freedom then you can chew. It scores extra points with the original setting and superb transition from real life to your tv. True, the leveld esign could have been more creative, the storyline with a little bit more depth and the thousand and one control points a little less annoying, because that's the reason why Far Cry doens't get that monster score.

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.

In the previous Battlefield games we had to do without the singleplayer mode. Fortunately Bad Company is changing that.

Call of Duty: World at War has a good, but not so memorable single player experience and a fantastic multiplayer. The cooperative mode is the best thing about the game, so people without Xbox LIVE Gold should wait for the game to appear with a budget price.

To get the most out of Chaos Rising you should also have Dawn of War II. Still, the improved campaign, new maps and addition of the Chaos Space Marines to the multiplayer won’t disappoint both new and existing players.

Playing this charming game feels as authentic as the first, even though this one is not a collaboration between Ghibli and Level 5.

Blasphemous 2 plays much better than its predecessor in many ways. The focus is more on dexterity and exploring the game world with your newly discovered skills. The lack of friction may have lost the soul a bit, but in return you get a wonderfully varied metroidvania that you can explore to your heart's content.

It must feel lonely at the top, but F1 2018 does forget to make changes to the faults of F1 2017. It still is a very deep Formule 1 game with challenging gameplay options.

Crysis 2 is an amazing game that doesn't live up to its full potential. The storytelling is au contraire to the new action system and amazing visuals, quite horrible. The game plays like a dream though, contains amazing actions sequences and offers enough variation in its somewhat linear missions. But it's the Nanosuit that makes Crysis 2 stand out from the crowd, which is also the case on the multiplayer front.

Rare Replay shows other developers and publishers how you release a collection of classics in the right way: thirty games for thirty euros, including fun extra's. The collection also is a good way of getting to know Rare's portfolio. A must-have for fans and newbies.

Hitman 3 manages to find an excellent balance within the existing formula. The levels are very diverse and full of options for devious assassinations. At the same time, Hitman 3 underlines that there is not much more stretch in this formula. Still, it is a worthy - and welcome - conclusion to the trilogy.

Shadow of Mordor combines different parts of other successful games, like Assassin’s Creed and Batman: Arkham City, but the game has a unique selling point: the Nemesis-system, which really makes Mordor come to life. Even though the story is insignificant here, Shadow of Mordor remains a fun and original game.

These games are practically the same as they used to be with a few extras, which is great if you haven't played them, but if you have there is not much to gain from these new versions.

Guitar Hero World Tour offers a more than welcome evolution to the series. With superior instruments, a powerful tracklist and extremely addicting gameplay it has already earned a place in Guitar Hero history. Playing the guitar is still going strong, but with the change to play the drums or even sing a line or two, the game offers enough variation. Not every new feature is a direct hit, but if you liked any of the previous Guitar Hero games than you will have no trouble in liking this one. And if you're looking for the best music-party game the choice is even easier. What are you waiting for? Rock on!

The ambitious PlanetSide 2 tries to make a massive and chaotic shooting game more alluring, in which it hasn't succeeded completely. It's a never ending, somewhat brainless deathmatch that is quite entertaining thanks to is firm and well balanced fundamentals. If the development continues on this path, PlanetSide 2 can only get better.

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.

Except for the new graphical coat it was given, Might & Magic: Clash of Heroes is a very accurate port of the excellent DS-game. It could have been a tad faster though, keeping the console audience in mind. It's a shame though, that the few flaws of the game's formula have not been addressed.

This action-adventure game offers a perfect mix of gameplay elements, although each of them separately come of as a bit stale. Combine this mix with an intriguing story, and you'll end with a meal that'll fill you up the brim, which will likely be toppled by the delicious HD-dip sauce that comes with it.

Thanks to a new engine and the new mode The Journey FIFA 17 feels brand new. We are glad that the game is still authentic, though it does not really shine. The gameplay can feel a bit slow and it is often frustrating. FIFA 17 is a solid game, but it sure has some rough edges.

Guilty Gear Xrd -Sign- is only meant for the most fanatic players of fighting games; gamers that are practicing year after year hoping to compete at EVO. Though Sign is looking better thanks to the new engine, it offers a lot less characters than its predecessors.

F1 2010 is the Formula 1 game we longed for. There are some remarkable flaws and 'living the live' isn't that great, but even Schumacher would be excited about the race-experience itself.

Sound Shapes is an interactive piece of art. The easily accessible gameplay makes for a fun 2D platformer on its own, but the music and visuals really turn some heads. Even when creating something in the editor you'll think you're in paradise, a place where everyone can be an artist.

With Gears of War 4, The Coalition demonstrated the essence of Gears, but with Gears 5 the developer finally dares to take steps forward. It's the impactful campaign that makes Gears 5 a strong game.

Fight Night champion fights the good fight in upholding the tradition that each part is better than its predecessor. It's realistic, atmospheric, spectacular where necessary and exercises an approach on sports that other sport-games only dream of. It's too bad though that EA decided to give players who pay an extra fee an unfair edge over their online competitors.

Resident Evil 5 starts with bang. An original setting and zombies that are just waiting to get shot are a perfect start. But a soon as your surroundings changes from a beautiful African landscape to dark and boring industrial complex, the gameplay turns a bit sour and transforms into a standard action game. An action game with the limitations of the horror genre. Resident Evil fans are probably dying to know how the story unfolds, but gamers with little knowledge of the previous games will find it nothing more than an average action game.

This second collection of ports is an ode to the growth of developer Ready at Dawn. Chains of Olympus feels like good practise, but Ghost of Sparta can stand tall next to the console God of War-games. Together they form a lovely, if not always consistent collection of adventures for Kratos to fight through.

Vainglory proofs that a MOBA belongs on a mobile platform as well as on PC. The game offers a very well designed environment with a solid multiplayer experience. It is a pity there is not a lot of characters in this game. But we do like the fact that it is very suitable for newbies.

Dark Souls is the Dark Souls of all Dark Souls and it deserves a remaster. Period.

The first episode of Tales from the Borderlands offers us a typical Telltale experience. We do not love all new gameplay mechanics, but the new setting, intriguing characters and humor make up for it. This is a good start.

Forza Motorsport is an ode to motorsport. Here it's still about petrol, roaring engines, gravel traps and old-fashioned circuits. It is the representation of a culture as it once was: loud, theatrical, bold and yet also a bit masculine. It leads to an intriguing game: never before has it been so cool and exciting to race through the fog at Spa Francorchamps with a souped-up Toyota Celica or a factory version of the Porsche 911 GT3. The only thing missing? A good and varied single player.

Top Spin 4 lacks the polish of a truly fantastic game, but does have a potent balance between accessibility and depth. This fourth instalment is on all fronts better than its predecessor and works especially well online. It's a nice overture for the new tennis season.

UFC Undisputed 2010 kicks the original game on almost all accounts. The gameplay has been tweaked until it's almost perfect. It's too bad the new modes aren't as good as we'd have hoped and the lag is really irritating. But overall, this is as good as you can get with the fighting sport. A better product compared to the original in almost every way.

Monster Hunter Tri is seriously addictive. You keep on looking for the best weapons and it feels like a reward when you find something better. Then there are the fantastic online options, where four hunters can bring down a big monster. The only downsides are the rough edges, like the sometimes tricky controls and basic animation.

Outland is without a doubt a good game. The switching between light and dark works well in this platformer, and gets assisted by great smooth gameplay. Include the cooperative elements and you've got a game that belongs at the top of downloadable titles. That Outland doesn't belong to that elite is because of the sometimes very artificial and stale level design.

Rayman Legends is still a brilliant platformer. The strong level design and the tight gameplay work together very well. The Switch edition however, does not really offer a lot more than the original game.

Gears of War 4 is a best of-game, offering all the things we love about previous Gears of War games. It's obvious The Coalition knows the franchise, and respects it.

​343 Industries is not Bungie and that shows in Halo 5: Guardians. It is a unique Halo game that offers the series a new future. The single player has the feel of a triple A science fiction epic, while the addictive multiplayer often makes us reminisce about Halo 2 in those good old days.

Even on your cell phone, San Andreas is a big and entertaining game. Even now it looks great and some parts have even been tailored to the platform. Touch controls could be better, but that doesn't take away from the fact that you'll have a great time with San Andreas for a few Euros.

F1 offers a wide array of options, but when it comes to driving behavior it is not the best. However, this is the best Formula 1 title since Grand Prix 4.

There aren't any huge changes compared to previous outings, but just like last season, Football Manager 2012 is the best football manager available. A new training system and proper online mode would be appreciated next year though.

There is not much to complain about because Skyrim still is an amazing game. The fact that you can carry it anywhere, makes this version pretty intimate.