Remove its witty jokes, countless fun references and memes, and Guacamelee! is still a game more than worth playing. The 'Metroid-vania'-style works well, action and agility complement each other greatly and the challenge is amazingly balanced. Too bad that the cooperative mode just isn't up to standards.

Gorogoa is a very unique game that feels like the life work of the studio or of a master in art. The puzzles are innovative and intuitive, making you feel like a genius.

Yakuza: Like a Dragon initially stands out for its excellent new turn-based combat system. But this cross-gen game mainly impresses as a social critic. Rarely does a game appear that examines class differences, social taboos and social norms so sharply and in such a sharp manner.

NBA 2K14 is a smaller step ahead than we’re used to, but still shines when it comes to game modes, controls, animations and atmosphere. Regarding sports games, this is the cream of the crop.

Darkest Dungeon has a strong beginning with a creepy atmosphere and challenging boss fights. However, the threat disappears after a while and the game gets monotone. Even so, this game is still a very entertaining rogue-like that is worth your time.

Exactly the right things have been made more simple and the essence of the game is still there.

Quotation forthcoming.

This is a very thorough arcade fighter, which offers many different fighting styles and dynamic fights. The controls are spot on and and the new gameplay mechanics are a welcome addition to the franchise.

Spore is a one of a kind videogame. It offers endless possibilities and gives the gamer a game within the game. But in the process of giving you everything you want, EA has forgotten to include some depth and gameplay. As a design program Spore deserves an A+, as a videogame a little less.

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.

Metro Redux is more than just a polished version of Metro 2033 and Metro: Last Light. The bone chilling and haunting game is improved in every way. Thanks to these changes, Redux is the best Metro game you could play at the moment.

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.

Killzone 3 might miss an abundance of multiplayes modes and the singleplayer isn't perfect. But that shouldn't stop you from buying this game. As an experience Killzone 3 waltzes over pretty much all of its competition of the same genre. Guerrilla knows what makes Killzone different from other shooters and combines those elements with some refinements in its controls, variation and style, which makes Killzone 3 into what it always should have been.

F1 2012 is a racing game with guts. It rewards players that invest time in practicing, but those who'd want to take it to the extreme receive even more. Codemasters could've put some more time into providing the game with some new elements though.

Stacking makes use of some inventive gameplay mechanics that lets the player decide what kind of experience it wants to get out of the game. Accessibility, clever puzzle design, a charismatic world and oodles of fun are what developer Double Fine whips up into this delicious little game.

Dice took everything we loved from Battlefield and added more action packed gameplay. Battlefield 1943 offers a great multiplayer experience and total destruction, but tends to get repetitive because of a lack of modes.

Thumper is intense, killing and a nightmare, but when it ends you want to do it all over again. There is not a lot of variety when it comes to action, but the gameplay keeps things interesting.

Axiom Verge looks like a NES-game on steroids, but it is way more than that. Axiom Verge is one of the best games in its genre, thanks to its unique old-school style and tons of secrets to discover.

A mysterious story and original puzzles come together to create an intelligent game for everyone. The game is perfect for all ages and Nintendo has even translated the dialogue to our own language. The only thing missing are some more challenging puzzles and more surprises in the story.

The game is an excellent new addition to the series despite the fact that it knows little innovation. The gameplay goes deep and demands from the gamer some form of commitment. If you're willing to give these extra miles than you will experience a great basketballgame with superb plays.

F1 23 is an excellent representation of the highest European racing class. The races offer excitement and sensation, strategy pays off more than ever and Verstappen wins – as good as always. The theatrical storytelling in Braking Point focuses on pressing issues in elite sports and provides a great introduction to the otherwise excellent gameplay. The new F1 World lays the foundation for a live service. This provides hours of entertainment, but is also obviously designed to keep you in the F1 ecosystem for as long as possible. That incentive is superfluous: F1 23 is rock solid even without this kind of fuss.

Mortal Kombat is a morbid celebration of recognition. The game does everything you'd expect from a product of the franchise. Especially online the qualities of the fast gameplay come to fruition, but offline the game doesn't let down by any means. It's too bad though, that the storymode, a large part of the singleplayer, isn't more than a few cutscenes intertwined with a bunch of fights.

Crysis Warhead is a short but more than powerful extension of Crysis. The meager five or six hours that you'll be spending on the game are going to be packed with beautiful nano-suit adventures. The graphics still look like a digital Mona Lisa, your freedom seems endless and the story is getting clearer. Until the next big Crysis is coming out, this one will do just fine.

The real fans undoubtly have DMC4 in their homes already and may think the positive in the game outweights the negative. With that said, the game wasn't able to win us over like "God of War" did. Devil May Cry might have a better fighting-system and more boss battles, but falls short aside from that. Not a must-have in the genre at all.

After the Hot Persuit remake lifted the Need for Speed franchise to new heights, Criterion does it again with Most Wanted. The emphasis on free-roaming, social interaction and over-the-top action with impressive cars make the new Most Wanted a very refreshing racing game. Everyone who likes speed and competition, even in the slightest of forms, owes it to themselves to play this game.

The game looks beautiful and plays back well, but leaves no lasting impression. Uncharted: The Lost Legacy is not a must play like The Last of Us: Left Behind. This solo add on feels like something we have already played, but it does offer two other cool characters in key roles.

Quotation forthcoming.

This Xbox 360 edition is the best Worms game to date, but the concept could definitely use an overhaul.

Split/Second has great graphics and introduces a couple of interesting new gameplay modes, but in the end the weak controls in the PC-version, the cheating AI and the lack of variety keeps this game from becoming truly great.

Hogwarts Legacy offers *the* promised Wizarding World-simulation in an open game world, with a deluge of content that Harry Potter-fans can sink their teeth into.

Etrian Odyssey IV: Legends of the Titan is a double sided blade that cuts both ways. It´s the most accessible game in this series of traditional first person dungeon crawlers, but offers enough resistance for both newcomers and veterans. And where there's a challenge, there's satisfaction.

Resident Evil Village is more than a worthy sequel to the seventh part. The game cleverly manages to scare players through various gameplay styles. With an imposing game world, effective thrills and a variety of secrets, the game sets a course that we would like to see in future installments.

DJ Hero is all about one thing: experiencing music, that one moment where you are totally in the zone and the music becomes part of you. With 93 great mashups that is no problem at all.

Black Mesa is a lot of things. It's one of the best mods ever made and a package that offers every Half-Life fan what they want. It's also a chance for newcomers to get to know a game that has been put on a pedestal over the years, in a relatively modern way. But more importantly, it's a very special and entertaining look into the history of shooters.

It seems almost impossible to not have a special place in your heart for Bulletstorm. People Can Fly could have spent more energy in creating a more substantial multiplayer, but the singleplayer and Echoes-mode make up for a lot, if not all of it. The unique gameplay, ballsy humour and colourful environments make us take our minor griefs with the game for granted.

FTL: Faster Than Light is basically an incredibly simplistic spaceship simulation. The choices you make during the game, make for a complex and challenging experience though. Graphically it might look fun and cartoony, but it's an incredibly hard and unforgiving game in which a small mistake can lead to a game over screen. Despite the high difficulty it's a game that you'll restart constantly, because you'll want to improve on yourself and because it'll stay fun.

Fallout: New Vegas does not introduce shocking new gameplay elements, but it combines excellent atmosphere with a story that is worth checking out. The game has many memorable moments and incredible depth. Which is why it is a shame bugs, long load times and disappointing visuals take some punch away from the experience.

Dragon Quest V shows a lot of similarities with Dragon Quest IV. What makes this title a little bit better than Dragon Quest IV is its storyline. The gameplay tweaks just add up to an already terrific concept. That's why Dragon Quest V scores better than its predecessor.

Xenoblade Chronicles X is like the dream of a child: big robots, dinosaurs and aliens come together on a planet filled with wild and beautiful locations. It sounds ridiculous, but it works perfectly. Well, may be not perfect, but Xenoblade Chronicles X sure comes close to that.

Shoot‘em-up-fans will get their needs filled on the PlayStation 4, because Resogun is actual space crack. It combines this ultra-classic type of game with everything a hyper modern console has to offer. The old-fashioned blasting of spaceships has never been this pretty or intense. Take into account the challenging, but mostly very awesome selection of worlds, and before you know it you’ll be hunting for high scores for hours on end.

Soma combines elements of BioShock, Telltale's The Walking Dead and our worst nightmares into one phenomenal horror experience. Technically speaking, the game is not great, and the horror can sometimes be predictable. But if you can live with that, you will be stuck to your screen for at least ten hours.

That Need for Speed Shift was going to be more of a simulation wasn't a big surprise when Slightly Mad Studios got the job. It is however a surprise that the game ended up being this good. Thanks to the cockpit-view, the sense of speed and the eye for detail, Shift takes the Need for Speed-series back to the top.

Gran Turismo 5 is like a restored classic car: beautiful on the outside and it drives like a dream, but in time you'll miss the modern parts that new cars have.

Developer Black Box has made a great evolution on the successful concept of Skate by making Skate 2 a bit smoother and by giving San Vanelona a drastic make-over. The new features are more than welcome, even though they sometimes lack finesse on the technical level as well as the way you move your character throughout the game, preventing the game from getting a higher grade.

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.

Darksiders II embraces the ancient dungeon-principles from games such as Diablo and The Legend of Zelda. This traditional mixture makes the series unique today and a pleasure to play, what unfortunately doesn't take away from the fact that Darksiders II plays it safe compared to its predecessor. But we can hardly call that a flaw, because Darksiders II delivers on what it does best, and that for over twenty hours.

Borderlands mixes up RPG and shooter and this works well. Don’t expect a Fallout 3 though, because this is an entirely different product. This really feels more like a shooter at most times.

Fandango is the best adventure game ever made and this remaster means a new generation of gamers is able to play it. The newly added directors commentary and controls are fresh, but the game itself stays true to its original.

The graphics might sometimes be a bit old school, the quality of Age of Empires 2: Definitive Edition certainly is not dated. This is still one of the best real-time strategy games ever made.

Animal Crossing mixed with Metroid is not an everyday combination, but in Spiritfarer it works exceptionally well. Managing your own boat full of colorful animals goes very well with exploring land and sea freely. The game also treats a heavy topic in a beautiful and sweet way: death.

This classic point-and-click adventure about point-and-click adventures is a great choice for people that love point-and-click adventures. If you are a part of that niche, congrats, you will love this game.

F1 2019 does not offer groundbreaking innovations. It remains a solid approach to motorsport. Especially the addition of Formula 2, a modern multiplayer, and small surprises within the career mode make this the best edition in years.

Fallout 4 stays at the same level as its predecessor, but the open world gameplay has expanded quite a bit and is highly entertaining. The option to rebuild the Wasteland from scratch is great for both players and future modders.

Baba is You offers up one brainteaser after another and that is simply not for everyone. We wish this game had a hint system, cause staring at the same thing for hours can be dreadful.

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.

His moustache remains the same, but other than that Mario finally went for a new and modern look. New Super Mario Bros. U does honor the history of the old plumber and brings back all the known characters and worlds, which are now more alive than ever. The graphical leap also allows for more experimentation with gameplay, which shows in a more challenging and fresh platformer than you might expect.

Trine 2 is what the original should have been. The world looks like a fairytale come to life, puzzles are more original and the online mode is a logical addition. But thanks to the lack of new gameplay elements, Trine 2 often feels like a polished version of the original.

UFC 2009 is a delicious fighting game and hopefully the start of a successful franchise. A franchise Mixed Martial Arts-fans have been waiting for. The learning curve is pretty steep, but it makes the taste of success, when you do get the hang of it, a lot sweeter. A must buy for fighter fans.

Rift has and offers more than we can expect from such a new online-RPG. The game has an amazing level of polish and reeks of pure quality. And even though we've seen all elements of the game before, studio Trion managed to give every one of them their own twist, what makes the whole larger than the sum of its parts.

Virtue's Last Reward is as obscure as its title might make you suspect. Most gamers have never heard of this game and most of them are might as well steer clear from it. But those who are up for a large dose of storytelling and traditional puzzles, couldn't wish for better entertainment. We have an excellently written science fiction horror story and interesting relationships between the main characters to thank for that.

Keep an eye on Ronimo Games. Without any notice they released an RTS game with a new and fresh perspective. This approach does have it disadvantages in the form of difficult camera positions, but in the end Swords & Soldiers is all about have a blast. With special thanks to the original gameplay, good graphics and great humour.

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.

Child of Eden is proof that the phrase "better with Kinect sensor" isn't meaningless. The game is challenging and plays wonderfully. Even with the controller it remains to be a special experience that seamlessly blends sound, music and video. It's a given that you'll play this game a lot, but that doesn't take away from the fact that only five worlds and a short story mode make it feel very limited.

Ape Out mixes action, stylish visuals and amazing jazz so well, it is too bad it is such short lived. However: this great, hypnotizing game is definitely one to experience yourself.

Leo's Fortune is a custom made platformer for iOS, that plays wonderfully and entertains from beginning to end. Once you get going you'll find borrowed gameplay with an original twist and incredibly high production values.

Gris is one of the most beautiful games of 2018. Amazing drawings come to life in a unique platformer that stays fascinating throughout.

This might be a free add-on; the content and fun is as good as the full story. The controls of Plague Knight feel so different and the surroundings feel brand new. This is a great excuse to play Shovel Knight: Plague of Shadows again.

FIFA 18 has a great tempo and offers good field occupation that make new tactics and actions possible. FIFA 18 is a full package, especially thanks to the addition of female teams, Ultimate Team and The Journey.

Vanquish is no greater literature, but that's ok. It's pure pulp, and combined with all the basic shooter-elements that are woven in professionally, and the absurd mix of explosive gameplay and cheesy one-liners, this is one strange but satisfying package. A fantastic game for the fanatic gamer and one of the biggest surprises of the year.

Vanquish is no greater literature, but that's ok. It's pure pulp, and combined with all the basic shooter-elements that are woven in professionally, and the absurd mix of explosive gameplay and cheesy one-liners, this is one strange but satisfying package. A fantastic game for the fanatic gamer and one of the biggest surprises of the year.

Shin Megami Tensei 4: Apocalypse is a nice remix of its predecessor, but it is a bit shallow. However, we do love this cyberpunk adventure with its refined gameplay mechanics.

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.

It seems almost impossible to not have a special place in your heart for Bulletstorm. People Can Fly could have spent more energy in creating a more substantial multiplayer, but the singleplayer and Echoes-mode make up for a lot, if not all of it. The unique gameplay, ballsy humour and colourful environments make us take our minor griefs with the game for granted.

Nintendo successfully adds another dimension to Picross. Thinking in three dimensions takes some getting used to, but after a while you can create the most beautiful figures from the grey blocks.

New surroundings and a twist to the story are exactly what Assassin's Creed Origins needed.

Atmospheric images, a filmic soundtrack and very strong acting make Detective Grimoire an experience for everyone. The game offers original and varied puzzles, intuitive controls and a play style that forces to exploring its beautiful world. Enchanting, challenging and interesting to the very end.

Lumines was a strong puzzle game when it first came out and that has not changed. The Switch version does suffer from framerate issues a bit, but other than that this is an amazing experience.

This is what it feels like to be Neo in The Matrix. The simple but amazing surroundings combined with the original principle that time only changes when you move, makes Superhot an amazing experience.

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.

PES 2018 improves the amazing gameplay of last year, but it does include some things we have disliked about the franchise.

Call of Duty games deliver exactly what is expected, but Treyarch did make some interesting changes in the multiplayer mode. The battle royale-mode is an awesome addition to this fresh Call of Duty.

Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night offers fans of Metroidvania games exactly what they've been hoping for. Seldom does a Kickstarter promise actually come true. Bloodstained feels a bit old-school, but mostly in a good way.

Dice took everything we loved from Battlefield and added more action packed gameplay. Battlefield 1943 offers a great multiplayer experience and total destruction, but tends to get repetitive because of a lack of modes.

Ghost of Tsushima is the Assassin's Creed that Ubisoft will never make. The game lets you play the ultimate samurai - or assassin - in a beautifully designed feudal Japan, but it consists largely of generic activities that are now stereotyped for this genre.

Tetris 99 is an original way of playing a classic puzzle game. The battle royale'esque concept works out perfectly fine for a game like Tetris.

Kid Icarus: Uprising is the best Nintendo 3DS-game, that you don't actually want to play on a 3DS. It has a fun single player, a cool story with and a well excecuted multiplayer. Unfortunately, you're bound to get cramps in your hands and fingers if you don't use the stand that comes with the game.

Gunpoint is a 2D-indie game with razor-sharp pixel-art, atmospheric music, the best auto-save in recent years, humor and a story with well-done moments of choice. The most important element is the Crosslink-puzle-mechanic. This system gives you so much freedom to reach different solutions, that the developer doesn’t even know them all.

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.

Smite brings change to the young, but little innovating MOBA-genre by giving the player direct control. Instead of viewing the game from above, you're given a first person perspective and the game has you aiming your attacks yourself. This feels very refreshing and makes for a very active and intense experience. Aside from that, Smite stays true to the genre and a good balance, variety in skills and countless items to use, which make a good MOBA.

The ending of Life is Strange 2 has a slow start, but as soon as the episode starts, it is on until the intense conclusion. This time the political themes are not treated so subtly, but the game manages to close the story of the Diaz brothers in a surprising and meaningful way.

Astro's Playroom is on the very short side and that is a great pity. This game illustrates that the new DualSense controller is much more than a gimmick, but is also a formidable platformer bursting with detail and vision. Sony, please turn this into a full game.

Lara Croft Go is less balanced than Hitman Go, but it offers the same relaxing puzzle fun. In this compact version of Tomb Raider Lara gets to visit beautiful locations that are full of treasures and interesting puzzles. Too bad the game is a bit short, because we like the innovative gameplay.

Guacamelee 2 is not the most surprising follow-up, but it does offer challenging fights and platform action with a lot of new moves. We had hoped for more of a surprise though.

Despite being a spin-off from a spin-off, Persona 5 Strikers doesn't feel diluted. It retains almost everything that made Persona 5 so good, but it replaces turn-based combat with mindless combat. That's a shame, but otherwise Strikers is an excellent outing.

Guild Wars 2 goes back to its roots. The new zones offer an upbeat and exciting adventure filled with better events and challenges than Heart of Thornes.

Since the announcement of No More Heroes it was clear that this is a special game. Good humour, nice fights and a great graphic style makes this game a real quality product. Although the game has some minor points, it's a 'must-have' for everyone who likes the genre.

The long awaited Shin Megami Tensei 4 unfortunately isn't as progressive as its predecessor, but does offer a memorable adventure in a decaying Tokyo. Familiar elements have been improved and dressed in a modern outfit without it being at the expense of the strong core formula of the series.

Halo 3: ODST is a great game that transcends its label of add-on. The singleplayer is powerful, Firefight is brilliant and the extra disc with the Halo 3 multiplayer is a great bonus. The price tag makes the game a must-buy for every Halo-fanatic and a great entry point for those who are unfamiliar with the series. It remains a point of discussion if the hype around Halo 3 was justified, but with Halo 3: ODST, Bungie deserves every praise it receives.