Grand Theft Auto V is one of the best sandboxes that video games have to offer. Where massive worlds often are plagued by boring missions and lifeless areas, Rockstar has managed to make an incredibly engaging game that still retains a humongous and lively world.

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild surprises with its gorgeous visual effects, spectacular horizons and the vast freedom given to players. Sadly, the open world is often empty and soulless, lacking a proper soundtrack, characters or stories that make for a truly unique experience.

Red Dead Redemption 2 is a triumphant open world experience that has plenty of engaging content in terms of whacky activities and side quests, while all the same while delivering constant cinematic and believable human drama. This is so much more than «just a cowboy game» – it's a game whose many systems and rich universe feel quite unlike anything else.

The renovation of Grand Theft Auto V is a success. The game looks great on the new consoles and from the new first person viewpoint it also feels different.

Super Mario Odyssey is a joyous romp through the past, present and future of Mario's extensive history. The game is incredibly fun and charming, with interesting riddles and challenges at almost every turn. A few things could've been done a lot better (looking at you, motion controls and Broodals), but this is still a must-play for gamers of all ages and sizes.

Quotation forthcoming.

A brilliant and impressive journey that adapts to your every move.

Elden Ring is the culmination of everything Dark Souls brought before it, mixed with a fresh take on the open world genre that leaves no hand held with minimal boring sequences or clogged quest logs. Despite a few growing pains and the real fun beginning a few hours in, Elden Ring is what every game in its genre should strive to be; a challenging, mysterious adventure that never ceases to amaze, only getting better the more time you spend in its dark, yet absolutely beautiful world.

This epic role-playing game might be Bethesda's best game yet, and offers an unique and spectacular world filled with fun. The freedom ensures a great experience for both the casual and hardcore gamer, as you're free to play the game how you like.

Tears of the Kingdom is Nintendo's full realization of the vision Breath of the Wild started, trumping it in every area.

Naughty Dog has created a exciting and emotional adventure, packed with a great cast of characters, impressive voice acting and beautiful visuals. A varied selection of enemies offers a diverse challenge, and you often have to change strategies to get by without using up your resources. The multiplayer is functional and well done, but is eclipsed by the amazing single player adventure.

Except for the Left Behind DLC, none of the other additions actually add to the experience. The game is just as good as it always has been, but with improved graphics being the only real selling point, the package is not enough for a second buy.

A gumbo of immaculate gun play, a story that stays stimulating until the very end and one of the most remarkable worlds seen in any game combines into this fantastic symbiosis. The sandbox genre has a new king, and his name is John Marston.

Astro Bot is incredibly charming and deeply nostalgic, all the while delivering creativity on par with some of the best Nintendo has to offer. There are a few minor hiccups along the way, but beneath it all there's an undeniable playfulness that will resonate with both new and old PlayStation fans alike.

Whether we're talking about the exploration, combat system, or the story, God of War is nothing short of a masterpiece.

With one of the best open worlds in any game and an immaculate mix of great side missions, tons of content and a fantastic atmosphere, Batman: Arkham City stands among the greatest action experiences in recent times.

There was already a lot to appreciate about Metroid Prime on the GameCube, and on Nintendo Switch it works better than ever before. It feels much better to be able to play with regular joysticks, and the graphical upgrade makes the game one of the most impressive Switch launches yet.

Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is still, thirteen years after its initial release, one of the best adventure games out there. The refurbished 3DS-version looks stunning with its improved graphics and the control had been successfully adapted for the handheld console. Games like these are the reasons we love gaming.

The PS3 version offers the most complete Mass Effect 2 experience. Even if the cartoon representing the story of the original Mass Effect, though nice to look at, seems a bit redundant, ME2 is still a game that everyone should experience and enjoy.

Bioshock Infinite is a visionary piece of entertainment where the gameplay, characters, art style and story all come together to make what undoubtedly will be considered one of the best games of this generation.

Despite its shortcomings and eagerness to wrap things up, God of War Ragnarök feels like a better game than its predecessor in almost every aspect.

The Last of Us Part II is just as good as the original. The writing is consistently great, making for a dark and deeply emotional story that paves the way for incredible character growth and tons of exciting stealth gameplay. Parts of the game could be more streamlined; looting tends to detract from the moment-to-moment drama; and the environments lack something in terms of variety, but almost everything else is really, really well made.

Divinity: Original Sin 2 is a vast, masterfully crafted RPG, brimming with creativity. The hunt for divinity is a stunning journey, traversing enormous areas, packed with fascinating content. Larian Studios' newest epic will go down in history as a modern classic.

While Mario may have stumbled a bit in his last few releases, Super Mario 3D World proves that Nintendo is still one of the finest makers of platform games out there. Everything from the visuals, the music, character animation and level design is incredibly well thought out and implemented, and it is one of those games that's worth buying a Wii U to play.

StarCraft II proves that old game mechanics can still work if done right. The game is fun to play in singleplayer, but its true excellence is stated in the best realtime strategy multiplayer yet to date. It´s an instant classic which will be played in many years to come.

The 1.0 version of the indie phenomena is still obviously unfinished and flawed in many ways, but it's so easy to forget that when you're building your dream castle, exploring scary caves and vast mountain ranges and having a great time in its blocky world.

Persona 4 Golden is part detective novel, part teenage simulation and part asian RPG – all being important pieces which combine to create some of the most memorable and entertaining moments I’ve ever had with a JRPG.

Persona 5 is a game that contains all of the brilliant elements from the series. It also has made the series' most irritating concept into something that you don’t have to play, and you’ll be totally fine without it.

Although Mass Effect 3 may be quite far from beeing the best role-playing or shooting game out there, it certainly concludes one of the most intelligent and epic science fiction universes shown in games. As both the best game in the series and an instant game classic, this is truly an experience no gamers should miss.

Link is back in the best shape we've seen him in for years. The puzzles and challenges are brilliant, and the motion controls really shows you how to do something right. This 25 year old kid is still as relevant as ever.

The most complete and engaging game Supergiant has ever made. By playing with the genre the developers have found unique variations and solutions that almost makes it difficult to call this a roguelike.

The best version of one of the greatest games of all time, and one of the best Resident Evil games ever.

Uncharted 4: A Thief's End is a fantastic game. Almost everything is a bit more polished than the earlier games, with better gameplay flow and with more possibilities for approaching situations your own way.

This is the definitive action game. This is a game that stands on the shoulders of giants, and stretches even further.

Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception's visuals are absolutely stunning, from beautiful and life-like surroundings to characters that look like they could walk into your livingroom any moment. And when Drake returns this time, developer Naughty Dog has perfected the balance between storytelling and gameplay. They've practically ticked all the boxes this time, and Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception may very well be one of the best games this year.

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth offers a lot of new questions while answering others. It has the best combat system in the series, and is a massive feast – especially for fans looking to lose themselves in its sprawling world.

Quotation forthcoming.

Quotation forthcoming.

After 5 games with build-up, we are left with a staggeringly good game that delivers both quality and entertainment beyond all expectations. It is both big, beautiful, varied and very, very fun.

Blue Prince is a brilliantly designed, atmospheric puzzle game that masterfully blends exploration, strategy, and storytelling, making it a strong contender for Game of the Year.

Geralt is back and better than ever. A huge, beautiful world filled with adventure and improved combat mechanics makes The Witcher 3 a Game of the Year-contender.

Street Fighter 6 is a triumphant return to form, sporting some of the most engaging new mechanics, character designs and onboarding tools in the series to date.

Offering amounts and quality of content that makes previous FromSoftware DLCs pale in comparison, Shadow of the Erdtree is as challenging as it is beautiful, with a host of new characters, awesome weapons, and areas that beg you to explore and find them.

Demon's Souls Remastered kicks off a new generation of console games with a bang. This recreation of FromSoftware's original Souls game is nothing short of stunning, though at times a bit too faithful. Despite some rough edges the experience still holds up well, and reaches all new heights thanks to Bluepoint's amazing attention to detail.

Undertale creates immersion in its own unique way. Completely freed from the standardized techniques modern games use to entice players into their simulations. Great soundtrack, an innovative combat system, and some really memorable characters makes this a quaint little piece of entertainment, despite some flaws.

Fire Emblem: Awakening is the most accessible Fire Emblem game to date, but still manages to stay true to its core. With a wealth of customization options, tons of characters to meet, pair up and develop, and a rock solid strategy RPG foundation, it is easily one of the best games on the 3DS today.

The core mechanic from the original game is still there, but it feels more refined and polished than before. Though the amiibo integration feels like an after-thought it's still a fun party game to play with your friends.

Despite its outdated and confounding design choices, there's something deeply engaging about Metaphor: ReFantazio. The story pulls you in and the combat is excellent, making for an experience that's highly enjoyable - though at times incredibly frustrating.

With a completely rehauled Battle Mode and the inclusion of all previously released DLC, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe stands as the strongest game in the series since Double Dash, and is a must for any Switch owner who wants a seemingly never-ending source of pure gameplay fun.

ICO and Shadow of the Colossus stands out from the crowd, offering a deep and engaging story that keeps you going until the end credits. Not as groundbreaking in 2011 as when they first came out, but still with a unique and emotional gameplay. Pure quality - now in HD.

The Witcher 3 was already an incredible title to begin with, and with Blood and Wine it becomes even better. The new region of Toussaint does not simply bring us more of what made the original game so great, it expands on it and offers an environment and a plot line that - in some areas - exceeds that of the main entry.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a breathtaking and emotionally rich JRPG with one of the genre’s best combat systems, crafted with such artistry it rivals the classics it’s inspired by.

Dishonored is a love letter to everyone who has longed for more stealth action games in the vein of Thief. With its vast levels, openness, and its plethora of different ways of play this is a game that should be a great fit for practically everyone.

LittleBigPlanet started a movement, and with its immensely powerful tools, this sequel might very well repeat that. LittleBigPlanet 2 is a great game and a fantastic tool – now it's all up to the players to create new content.

No matter if you're a super serious flight sim enthusiast who could find yourself flying a passenger flight across the Atlantic and land the plane using a real flight map, or just want to play around in light aircrafts over the Alps, Microsoft Flight Simulator has a lot to offer.

Quotation forthcoming.

Bayonetta 2 is an exhausting, but incredibly fun game that through it's fantastic combat system will both challenge and reward you in equal amounts.

Metal Gear Solid V is the best playing game in the series by a long shot. You choose where and how to do missions, and if sneaking isn't your thing that's fine too. The base-building is a good addition, and ties into the story and world superbly. The story is a slow burn, but goes out with a bang.

Forza Horizon 3 is big, bold and beautiful. There's always something new to see, do or drive, and the game's mix of colorful, vivid graphics and an amazing soundtrack leaves the player with a constant, happy feeling. However, when compared to Horizon 2 there isn't all that much new stuff here, and the game's progression system is less than stellar, actively making huge parts of Australia feel empty and meaningless for hours upon hours.

The depth, the possibilities and the realism make this a must have purchase for those interested in baseball. A title that truly rewards those who commit themselves to the game.

A timeless masterpiece that has gotten the respect and love it deserves in this new version.

Bungie says a fond farewell with Reach. The Single Players does nothing new as supposed to the previous games, but Reach is more defined by its excellent depth in multi player than anything else.

Forza 4 gives us the most complete experience of all the Forza games. The physics are better, the multiplayer and career modes are improved and there are more cars and tracks than ever before. But there are few truly new features for the racing enthusiast. Where is the dynamic weather and night racing?

Crusader Kings III is a massively engaging grand strategy game, delivering beautiful visuals and a UI which is much more pleasing to the eyes when compared to the previous title.

Despite its somewhat lackluster story and a few wearisome sci-fi sequences, Split Fiction is a solid next outing for Fares and Hazelight. The game delivers a plethora of charming vistas, some truly engaging gameplay mechanics and great co-op innovations through most of its 12 hour journey.

Gears of War 3 is the definite pinnacle of the series. The third chapter about Marcus Fenix and his gang of brutes is exciting from start to end, and an incarnation of everything that Epic Games has learned during the last five years.

By trying to please so many different players the game will probably not satisfy anyone completely. Resident Evil veterans will feel like it is a bit too simple and unfaithful. New players will wonder about the 90s logic in spending so much time looking for keys so you can politely unlock doors when your backpack is loaded with rocket launchers and oversized shotguns which could just as easily have blown them off their hinges.

Banananza had me hooked from the first levels, delivering tons of chaotic charm. A must-play for Switch 2-owners.

Dark Souls II takes everything built up with the two previous games, improves upon it and results in a fantastic action adventure. Hard as nails, and equally satisfying gameplay with a good variety of bosses and enemies.

Animal Crossing: New Horizons is an ideal continuation of a established series that delivers all the right improvements without sacrificing the good feeling of homeliness.

While the overall improvements aren't too severe, the new tackling and physics systems drastically change how the game is played. FIFA 12 feels like an entirely new game in many ways, the question is whether you're ready to try something new or not.

Trials Evolution lives up to its name by offering a better learning curve, visuals, environments and multiplayer integration than its predecessor. At 1200 MS points, this is easily one of the best value Xbox Live Arcade games in years.

While the overall improvements aren't too severe, the new tackling and physics systems drastically change how the game is played. FIFA 12 feels like an entirely new game in many ways, the question is whether you're ready to try something new or not.

Factorio is really about continuously improving your factory, and each improvements makes it a bit easier for yourself. Instead of using a god-perspective, the player is personified creating a more tense gaming experience. As technology progresses, hard tasks become trivial, but planning is getting more and more important.

A gorgeous and atmospheric remake that improves on the original in almost every way.

Marvel's Spider-Man 2 delivers some of the most fun and exhilarating traversal mechanics in any game ever. This makes it a blast to explore its colorful open world, filled with engaging combat, fun collectables and great one-offs. The game does however falter somewhat in the story department, especially in an overly messy third act that's nowhere near reaching the consistently emotional peaks of its predecessor.

A brilliant remake of one of the best Zelda games ever made. The motion control is fun, but at the same time limited to the technology today. Although I miss the opportunity to make notes on the map, this is the same fantastic game you remember.

The whole game is over far too quickly, and the whole feels too fragmented and superficial to stand among the best. Aesthetically, the game is exceedingly interesting, but the interactions are somewhat trite. Still, its conceptual uniqueness makes it a game worth playing.

It is one of these games that is the full package. It has engaging mechanics that really make you want to play, it has a visual style that really highlights everything the game is trying to do, and it has some of the best and most varied music I've heard in a while.

Stunningly beautiful and hauntingly atmospheric, Limbo is a modern day masterpiece. The puzzles are balanced and intelligent, and the art direction is phenomenal. This is one of the classics you owe yourself to experience.

Ever wanted to rule the world? Civilization V gives you all the tools you need to do just that, and boy is it addictive. This is a game absolutely everybody needs to try.

Mario is back! In a classic Mario-fashion you jump your way througheight worlds, where you battle goombas, koopas and the main meaniehimself, Bowser. This game is never particularly difficult, butgradually advanced to a challenge that feels just perfect. Fun, varied and guaranteed to make you smile.

Monster Hunter: World throws you into a dangerous and beautiful world where lethal beasts lurk around every corner. Capcom has made many improvements that turn this into the best game in the series.

Deus Ex: Human Revolution offers incredibly flexible game play, a strong role-playing system, tons of action and a quite good story. All taking place in a dark and intriguing future. It is up to you to determine whether humankind will go forward as either man or machine.

Even though a 8x8 battle grid seems like small area, it can hold a lot of tactical decisions. The biggest strength in Into the Breach is the great variety of mechs, weapons and thus strategies. It is comparable with Sunset Games' first game, FTL: Faster Than Light, but is improved by featuring a deterministic battle system, where chance no longer plays any role. It is a game where you'll die often, but still want to play again and again.

With extremely rewarding combat, a plethora of fun characters, polished graphics and the series' most ambitious story to date, Tekken 8 manages to stand out as one of the most engaging fighting games of all time.

The series is back where it all began and Shogun 2 is both at tribute to the original and a testament to how far the series have come. It's a solid game with excellent gameplay, but prone to becoming a bit monotone after several playthroughs.

It's been a while since I've played a game that deserves a top score as much as Rayman Legends. It's a thrill from start to finish, and I grinned from ear to ear each time something new and exciting happened.

This expansion is a demonstration of story-telling excellence by CD Projekt Red. The combination of interesting characters, great writing and directing, as well as beautiful new scenery makes this DLC a great addition to one of the best games of the year. A must-have for every fan of The Witcher series.

Yakuza: Like a Dragon is the perfect entry point for anyone curious about either the Yakuza-series or JRPGs as a whole. It's a fantastic game with a great story, great gameplay and myriad little distractions.

Recycling weapons has never been this fun. Borderlands improves and expands on everything in the predecessor. It's bigger, better and even more hilarious than anything you could have hoped for.

It takes its time to get things going, and it shows its age in multiple areas, but when it all comes together it’s hard to put down Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition.

Much like Link's Awakening before it, Majora's Mask takes familiar Legend of Zelda clichés and turns them on their heads. It still works as a Zelda game, while it feels fresh and new at the same time. In spite of being a fifteen year old game it holds up incredibly well, and the improvements made in the 3DS version only adds to the experience.

A gorgeous game that lacks a truly engaging story, and that falters in the later stages.

There's nothing you haven't seen before. It only takes a bright solid, arch-depressive medieval world, mixes it with a fantastic battle system and pushing the limits of your patience to the extreme. The result is unique in all the right ways.

With it its isometric perspective, real time combat system, great focus on roleplaying and a decent chunk of side content, Pillars of Eternity is a giant ball of playable nostalgia. You don't have to have played Baldur's Gate or Icewind Dale to get the most out of this gem of a game. It fits just as well for new players as it does for old veterans.

Square Enix has worked wonders in porting this gorgeous game over to the Switch 2, with the lower resolution and frame rate the only noticeable downgrade. If you've been waiting to play this game on the go, now's the time to jump in and explore Midgar.

Quotation forthcoming.