Every once in a while a game comes along that pushes the boundaries, that takes risks and innovates without losing the qualities that make games so enjoyable – God of War is one of those games. It’s a “best of system” quality game, game of the year material, and more.

A masterpiece of action gaming. Story, production values, gameplay, ... it’s the whole package, and it runs just beautifully on the PS3 too in case you’re interested. Unless you absolutely hate action gamers, you’ll absolutely love God of War II.

Patapon's only drawback is that there aren't enough hours in a day to play as much as you'll want to, and we certainly can't blame Sony for that… or can we?

Portal 2 is really a worthy successor to Portal, and is a great example of a very well-designed, well-implemented game. I recommend it highly.

As I said before, THPS had a good run, but its time to grow up. SKATE is the game that will force us to do just that.

Patapon 2 is a bit different; the first was an excuse to break out the long dormant handheld, the second comes with marching orders - go buy this game. And if you don't have a PSP, make sure you pick one up while you're out… you'll need it to play Patapon 2.

Simply put, it's perfect.

Unless you have taken an oath to reject violence in your entertainment, there is no reason to skip Gears of War 3 – it has everything you could ask from a shooter and does them all with first class polish. If the Gears franchise has come to an end, it goes out on top of its game.

If you like video games, you will absolutely love Dishonored.

All things considered, Valkyria Chronicles Remastered is about as close to perfect as it gets, and deserves all the attention (hopefully) garnered by this release. It was a godly SRPG eight years ago, and the improvements, though limited, for this remaster make the already achieved perfection even better.

Demon's Souls can do no wrong in my eyes. It reinvigorated my love of RPGs and video games as a hobby, not just a job. Its punishing difficulty is a throwback to the brutally unforgiving games of my NES childhood, and the feeling of accomplishment in the face of innumerable odds is truly unlike anything I've experienced with a controller in my hands.

Final Fantasy VII Remake is an astounding achievement. It is an unprecedented gathering of the creative minds behind the original, for which they succeeded in every way in their goal to bring their vision to gamers of today. This remake has ushered in a new era - a saga that will change the gaming landscape as we know it. For now, though, Final Fantasy VII Remake alone stands as one of the greatest modern RPGs ever made, remake or not.

An instant classic that should be kept in a special place in every gamer's collection.

When viewed as a whole, it is clear that Darksiders was made by skilled developers who truly love video games. If there ever was a game that could be all things to all people and tastes, Darksiders is it.

LIMBO is a wonderfully dark experience with its only real flaw being its stunted length.

If you're a fan of the original Punch-Out!!! you probably already have this game. If you're a causal gamer and want a more fully featured Wii Sports boxing-type game, give this a shot. If you're hardcore and starved for a true challenge, give this a shot. And last but not least, if you're as nonplussed with the Wii as I have been recently, give this a shot.

It’s one of those rare games that is more of an experience than just a game and you’ll love being long for the ride.

No game puts you closer to being on a field of battle in World War II than Call of Duty.

It is, hands down, the best RPG of this console generation, but that one minor control issue keeps it just shy of a perfect score.

The Switch version performs identically to the PS4 and Xbox One versions, running smooth as silk, sharp as ever and with no input lag when playing with Joy-Cons, the Pro Controller, in docked or in handheld mode. Surprisingly, online battles (no Nintendo Online subscription needed) work flawlessly, absent of even a hint of lag or stutter. And even at odd hours (yeah, I was playing at 4am, what of it?), I never had any issue finding an opponent to battle against. Dragon Ball FighterZ is a AAA port of a AAA game, and the Switch version is definitely the one to get.

NHL '13 delivers a massive update to the series that has been long awaited by fans.

DiRT 3 is a crowning achievement in the potential fun that a racing game can offer. It just may be that perfect mix of hardcore realistic racing simulation and arcade simplicity with a pinch of that Fast and Furious flavor the kids love.

So back to the big question at hand: is Skyrim too much like Oblivion to the point where it loses credibility? In a word, no. If Skyrim had the exact same game engine and mechanics of Oblivion it would most likely be a contender for game of the year. But by addressing every issue from the last game and improving everything else, Skyrim leaves little room for error for the next game in the series.

The Witcher 2 looks great, plays great, and is a role-playing adventure for the ages.

It's been a while since we've seen a game like this that's been this good.

Flower is as much an experience as it is a game.

Making a return appearance is the very innovative Spies vs. Mercenaries multiplayer with its own set of improvements including a very cool active camouflage for the spies that makes them practically invisible.

For eight dollars, you simply can't do any better than Shatter. It, in all honesty, is about as perfect a game as you'll see anywhere.

Aside from the “who the hell thought this was a good idea” boss battles, Guitar Hero III is a must-buy for vets and newbies alike.

A great game that does an incredible job of bringing the player into its world. Just don't play it alone late at night.

The story is engrossing, complete with plot turns and surprises, and although it starts slowly you'll soon be complete caught up in it.

Not much else can be said about Black and White that is any different from what I made clear in the first paragraph; these are the two best Pokemon games yet, and by extension, two of the very best Nintendo DS games ever released.

Not much else can be said about Black and White that is any different from what I made clear in the first paragraph; these are the two best Pokemon games yet, and by extension, two of the very best Nintendo DS games ever released.

As a gamer, you really owe it to yourself to play this one through, whether you are new to the series or you've been around since Demon's Souls came out and shocked the world.

Incredible graphics, a compelling storyline, and an immersive experience. All of these features are expertly combined in Max Payne, creating a candidate for game of the year.

With 12 new fighters and tons of extras along with several tweaks to existing fighters Ultimate Marvel VS Capcom 3 is quite a value for $40!

Marvel VS Capcom 3 is definitely the sequel that you have waited all those years for.

In a world where some game franchises seem to just be releasing uninspired updates, MLB 13 The Show shows what happens when the developers really care about their game, both the video game and real world variety.

Games like Killzone 2 don't come down the pike very often, but when they do it is your duty as a gamer to purchase, play and love them. When it comes to action and/or shooting, nothing else even comes close.

Totally packed with new features that Sims fans will love, and if you like animals, you'll absolutely love it. It is always great to see an expansion pack that adds so much life to a game - quite literally in the case of The Sims Unleashed.

Overall, I can honestly say that I would recommend this game to anyone. It's easy and simple enough for younger kids to enjoy, but also has enough subtleties and innovative gameplay that even the most core gamers would enjoy it.

It's a dream game for Dragon Ball die-hards, a great new way to test your skills for fighting game nuts and an all-around great experience for everyone else in between. The story and arcade modes present plenty of challenge and things to keep you occupied, and the roster is large enough to make no two battles feel the same. And, refreshingly, the online modes appeal to not just those who have immersed themselves in online battles for years, but newcomers and even just the mildly interested as well. At present time, the PS4 version looks to be the one to get due to a few issues with the Xbox One's online capabilities, but both versions perform even better than you might have hoped. For a game with nearly a full year of hype behind it, Dragon Ball FighterZ delivers in ways that will exceed even the most lofty of expectations. This is a fighting game for the ages.

Blasphemous is a gothic horror masterpiece that can't be missed.

Our heroes from the Trine universe are back at it again, whether they want to be or not.

A masterpiece of adventure gaming.

If you were around for the glory days of the NES and SNES or you simply disagree with the notion that all modern games need online play and 3D graphics, then Wario is the game for you.

Red Dead Redemption 2 is as much an experience as it is a game. It will completely immerse you in the Old West, giving you an understanding for what life was like during the end of the 19th Century and making you appreciate what it must feel like when your way of life is coming to an end in a changing world. Rockstar has outdone itself in creating such a rich and deep virtual world, and you'll love every minute that you spend exploring it.

With this HD update, the Pro Skater franchise is back on top. Check this out as soon as humanly possible.

NHL 14 delivers a solid lineup of improvements and much appreciated tweaks to the franchise. It's not without some lingering issues, but luckily most of those are contained to the off-ice portions of the game and are trumped by impressive amounts of polish.

SuperChargers is as good as the Skylanders have ever been, and old fan or new, this is a ride you really need to strap in for and enjoy.

Brawl is fun, both alone and with friends, and if you’re a completist like me (completist: a gamer who refuses to stop playing a game until they have unlocked all the secrets and done everything there is to do), you’ll be looking at literally hundreds of hours of fun before you get even close to finishing.

An even better storyline and a city with a lot more character.

Batman: Arkham City sets the standard against which future superhero games will be judged.

GTA V continues the game series' tradition of raising the bar for open world action games.

Red Dead Redemption is a fantastic game and arguably the finest Rockstar has ever produced. The production values are amazingly high, the gameplay is varied, challenging and nearly always a blast and the old West is as alive as any video game world yet seen.

The Evil Within is easily the best survival horror game I have played in a long time.

Does for the World War II first person shooter what "Saving Private Ryan" did for the war movie. Brothers in Arms is the definitive World War II action game and should be experienced by everyone who enjoys a quality shooter.

Even more amazing, and difficult, than Dark Souls.

One of those rare games that is not overly complex, but provides a challenging and fun gaming experience. It never seems to get old or boring.

It packs plenty of punch.

Dead Space 2 only stumbles a bit with its added multiplayer, but when it comes to single player, if this game could scream out in space, its voice would be heard.

World War II finally gets the epic strategy game it deserves.

Call of Duty 4 easily earns its place among the elite shooters available for the Xbox 360.

The Evil Within 2 is every bit what a sequel should be - bigger, better and more pleasing than the original.

Having not played a tennis video game, real tennis match, or watched much of professional tennis, I was able to pick up the mechanics quickly thanks to the training and became addicted to the career mode. But as is the case with all sports games, the longevity relies entirely upon your own interest in the sport. By using basic RPG elements, streamlined gameplay, and having robust options to choose from, Top Spin 4 is an easy choice for tennis fans and non-fans alike.

The yardstick that will be used to measure strategy games for some time to come.

The sound in the game is also phenomenal. The sound is so well done that you can sit still and listen, and you'll be able to tell the direction that guards' footsteps are coming from and whether or not they are coming towards you.

Come for the engrossing single player campaign, stay for the addicting multiplayer.

Chinatown Wars proves that it's not only possible to fit an open world Grand Theft Auto game on the DS, it's possible to make a very good Grand Theft Auto game for the DS.

Classic RTS gameplay that's as good as it gets.

Being a fan of almost every genre this game has smashed together into one has made it highly enjoyable, and the ending had me hoping that the next installment (should they choose to make it) gets in the development queue soon.

The game's developers have done an outstanding job of pushing the Xbox to its full potential and the result is a game with incredible atmosphere and a fully immersive environment.

One of the coolest menu systems ever to be seen a video game. If I'm mentioning a game's menus in a review, then you know that they have to be pretty darn cool.

Simply a terrific RPG that is so well polished you might need sunglasses to play.

The online mode is not something for the casual player, but if you take the time to learn to play the game right and to study the layout of the maps it can be an exciting experience.

Burnout Revenge is the best arcade racer to date. Welcome to next-gen.

A well-designed, well-executed paragon of strategy gaming, although mouse-click maniacs may be disappointed that the game requires more thought than the typical RTS.

Stardock has managed to make a great game even better.

What once was old is now new again and it still maintains that same classic gameplay that helped it to achieve its legendary status.

Saints Row: The Third is a game that takes everything that's fun about gaming and turns it up to eleven.

L.A. Noire is as much an experience as it is a game, and its unique gameplay and engrossing story make it one of the "must play" games of 2011.

Sucker Punch delivers another knockout game.

Sets the standard that all future stealth action games on the GameCube will be measured against.

Overall, Project Overlord is a fantastic piece of DLC that either extends Mass Effect 2 for those still playing it or reignites the fire in those of us who loved it but have moved on.

So much fun to play that you probably wouldn’t be too disappointed if it didn’t support Xbox Live. Oh but it does, and playing Crimson Skies against up to 15 other players is an absolute blast.

Ni no Kuni gets so much right, and is an amazing and timeless game.

A completely engrossing ride on the Spanish Main. All that’s missing is the smell of rum and powder.

Overall, Rock Band 3 does a great job of refining the music game experience while at the same time pushing it forward by blurring the line between playing a music game and actually playing music.

Resident Evil HD Remaster is the ultimate version of the Resident Evil remake and it still looks just as amazing as it did back when the original game first released.

Revenge is a dish that Burnout serves up hot, and you'll savor every bite.

Overall, Inquisition is an impressive game.

If you miss retro side-scrollers, or simply like guacamole, this game is a must play.

Put simply, Daxter is not only a great game for the PSP, it would make a great game on any platform.

Let yourself get the itch, and you'll be constantly amazed as the game's hour count ticks higher and higher with no end in sight.

NieR Automata: Beyond Gods Edition was a total shock to me with how much I enjoyed it. It takes a very solid experience for me to enjoy an RPG lately and NieR grabbed me quite well from the beginning and kept me entertained throughout. It's the type of game where I want to do everything that I possibly can just to make the experience longer - a type of game I rarely find nowadays. I went into NieR Autamata with no expectations other than the good gameplay that I usually find from Platinum Games, I went away floored with a near perfect action game.

The game improves upon every aspect that helped to make the last two Deus Ex games so much fun to play. Human Revolution deserves every bit of hype that the game has gotten since its unveiling and it is a sure contender for game of the year.

Action Henk is simple, but knows its strengths and plays to them throughout, and the result is a fast-paced, highly enjoyable experience.

By golly, Cuphead is a swell shooter and then some! Music, graphics, gameplay - it's got it all! If only the animators Ub Iwerks and the Fleischer brothers could see this great work that they inspired...