XCOM 2 is very much the same game as the first, but that is good news as XCOM is a modern classic. Firaxis has not been lazy though: the enemies are new and the threat is bigger than ever before. The classes have become a lot tougher and the campaign plays with the concept of being switched between humans and aliens.

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.

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.

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is a fantastic adventure. The storytelling is excellent, the direction is sharp, and the gameplay is surprisingly fun. This is exactly what Xbox needs: a solid single-player game with its own unique identity.

Mario and Luigi: Brothership brings together the best elements of the previous titles in the crumbling Concordia. It plays great, is again sharply written and looks beautiful. When fighting, it is mainly the exciting boss battles that stay with you, partly due to the extra layer of strategy that the new Battle Plugs bring with them. But it is the characters that you meet along the way that make Brothership an unexpectedly emotional experience.

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.

Not everyone will take the time and trouble to get the maximum out of what Yakuza 4 has to offer. Whoever does will be amazed by its marvellous story, bizarre amount of content and the deep and intrinsic characters. The lack of challenge and the notion that many of its aspects already existed in the third part, aren't relevant enough to detract from the total package Yakuza 4 has to offer.

Hyrule is a world where you want to be in. It’s so beautiful, with countless interesting people and exciting dungeons. So it’s no surprise that playing Spirit Tracks is truly a pleasure. The fighting, riding the train or solving puzzles: it’s all great to do. Spirit Tracks is a fantastic new addition to the series.

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.

Dragon's Dogma 2 is one of the best open world games to date. With its free combat system, the company of quirky pawns and the lively game world, this second part offers the ultimate adventurer feeling. It is still a complex RPG with many underlying systems, but they all work together to continuously provide your gaming experience with unforgettable moments.

Trials of Mana is one of the best games from the 90s, which can now finally be played legally in English. The localization of that game alone justifies the high price tag of what is basically a collection of old ROMs. It’s a really nice nostalgia trip that comes with another classic as a gift.

​This game makes up for the things that were holding its predecessor from being amazing, and offers a lot of new ideas that work well. This is the best Etrian Odyssey we have ever played, no matter if you go for the new story mode or the classic adventure.

Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth's road trip is enchanting and wonderfully written, meandering between emotional and absurd moments. The battles remain great and the soundtrack is overwhelming, but it's the charming environments and characters that make Rebirth a triumph. Every location you visit feels like a small vacation with your best friends.

Anno 1404 has excellent production values and gameplay, visuals and sound complement each other well. The eastern theme gives the game a new dimension, without getting overly complicated. It's a great game to start your summer holidays.

​This is a surprisingly deep puzzle game that is hard to put down. It is really down to you if you succeed, cause this game does not involve a lot of moments of luck. The longer you play, the better you will get at it.

Gears of War 3 isn't filled with surprises, but thanks to a perfect pace and constant new set pieces, the game remains in your disc drive to the end. Thanks to the multiplayer – which is easy on newcomers – the durability of the game is also an impressive feature. Epic has listened to the community, used the feedback and created a fantastic closing chapter in this trilogy.

With its slick presentation, inventive controls and the most comprehensive single-player experience the franchise has ever had, Street Fighter 6 is more accessible than ever. The game looks great and plays even better. This is without a doubt one of the most fun fighting games of recent times - and therefore one of the best installments in the series.

Dark Souls 3 is the perfect ender for FromSoftware's praised trilogy. The game combines the best elements from the other games into one awesome package.

Heavy Rain is a unique experience. It’s not a traditional game, but that isn’t a problem, because the strong story, fantastic gameplay and impressive acting make up for it. An emotional adventure in the life of real characters. An interactive drama of which we would like to receive more in the future.

The impressive thing about Far Cry 3 it that it really sells the sensation of being on a tropical island. The huge, open world, gripping story and great sense of freedom will make you lose yourself in it. It's as complete as any game can get and can keep you occupied for hours on end without boredom setting in. The bad artificial intelligence is the only smudge on this otherwise sublime experience.

The single player campaign alone makes this first Starcraft 2 expansion worth the two-year wait. The campaign feels like a complete game, thanks to unique gameplay that’s been tailored for the Zerg. In the multiplayer it’s recognizable for what it is, but it lengthens the life of StarCraft 2 with new units and maps. Heart of the Swarm offers countless new possibilities for new strategies, without it affecting the balance or accessibility negatively. Along with seemingly unlimited amounts of small changes, HotS makes StarCraft 2 better than it already was.

Shogun 2 is an homage to Shogun: total War. We'll never look back though, knowing that Shogun 2 is simply a better game, thanks to the strongly improved gameplay and a turn-based section that knows even more depth this time around.

ZombiU is the perfect Wii U launch game for adult gamers: there's violence, monsters and it's actually quite scary. Because the death of your character is permanent and zombies are very hard to take down, playing ZombiU guarantees sweaty hands. The GamePad adds on to this experience by pulling you even further into the game world. ZombiU is scary, unique and only possible on the Wii U. Nintendo couldn't have wished for a better launch game.

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.

Braid is unique. It's a brilliant little puzzler that takes you on a great, confusing and challenging adventure. The music will still sound in your head for days after playing. Backwards. Get this game, you’ll love it.

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.

Hurray, the combination Mechs, sports and virtual reality is a fact. Rigs offers a futuristic experience we could only dream of. There are enough options to make this first-person action game very comfortable to play. A very strong start for PS4 VR.

NBA 2K13 is once again the game any basketball lover should own. The gameplay is very refined, it's filled to the brim with authenticity and there are enough modes to keep you playing for a year. The presentation has also been raised to new heights, with the help of Jar-Z, and manages to suck you into the game even if basketball isn't quite your thing. NBA 2K13 is an example for every other sports game and every sports enthusiast should give this game a chance.