Avid players of F1 2017 would be wise to wait until the inevitable F1 2019 – unless they really must engage in some multiple choice PR interviews between races right now.

If you’re dedicated to Warhammer 40,000’s world you may get some joy out of this but Warhammer 40,000: Inquisitor – Martyr is anything but to-die-for.

The mixture of level types helps keep the game varied and entertaining, and the frequency of impressive boss battles means slower moments never last for too long. It’s a respectable addition to the shmup genre.

If you enjoyed the original Guacamelee!, this sequel is an absolute must. It’s not going to particularly surprise you in any way, but it’s certainly going to have you grinning from ear to ear as you play. Also, if you liked the original Guacamelee! but found its platforming and bosses a little too hard in the latter stages, you’ll find Guacamelee! 2 to be much more enjoyable.

From its brilliant visuals to its utterly unique gameplay, there’s little here that disappoints.

As long as you can stomach the slow opening stretch and that the game doesn’t quite live up to its title, you’ll enjoy this gruesome spin on the farming genre.

If you want something that’s fun to quickly dip into, and offers a brain-teasing challenge perhaps while something more meaty installs on your hard drive, Tetra’s Escape should fit the bill nicely. It’s a fun twist on other block-based puzzle games, and enough new mechanics are introduced at a regular pace that it never gets stale.

Done Running is good. Clichéd or not, Telltale always knows how to tell a great story. The graphics have improved two-fold and the controls are better than ever, but I had really hoped to see something new in the narrative, especially seeing as it’s the last time we’ll be playing these characters. I’m looking forward to the rest of the season, but I do have my fingers crossed that the narrative gets a much-needed shake-up in the next episode.

Despite its flaws, no other game compares to the thrill and sheer wonderment that beating a monster in a perfectly co-ordinated group can bring.

When it all comes together, Unavowed is practically flawless. In fact, no other point-and-click game has blown my socks off quite like this.

Madden NFL 19 is more of an evolution than a revolution then, but what else did anyone expect? It’s a refinement of last year’s effort with further graphical prowess, more fluidity and a sprinkling of new features. It’s just a shame that its Longshot Homecoming mode is such a let-down.

State of Mind still delivers a stellar sci-fi experience that, while comparable to other entries in the genre, has a character all its own.

Despite all of its problems, there’s just something about Flipping Death that wins you over. The combination of puzzles and platforming is a winning one, especially when served with lashings of humour.

If you’re prepared to stomach the game’s less appetising sections, you’ll still get a little Joy out of We Happy Few.

The aesthetic is beautiful and enchanting. And the storytelling is the crowning jewel of it all.

It’s a game that oozes charm out of every pore. A game that is challenging but does a good job of easing you in. And a game that is simply a joy to play because of its fluidity and the range of combat options available.

Despite its few niggles, Overcooked 2 delivers everything that made the first game so great, but in a bigger, better and more appetising package.

Trago is very effective, if a little short. I found myself playing and replaying it for 70 minutes straight before I even began to consider giving it a break, which shows that it’s just as addictive as the excessive drinking it portrays.

So yeah, go with the Switch. You’ll die, die and then die again, but you’ll always go back for more.

Easy to pick up yet hard to master, it’ll offer many hours of madness for you and your friends.

I actually like the idea of an RPG without the exploration bits, but such a game desperately needs to place more emphasis on engaging and enjoyable combat, which here, is severely lacking.

While it certainly has its moments as an engaging shooter, Sleep Tight might be better being slept through.

It has all the drama you’d want, all the corruption you’d ask for, and the same gameplay as the first, but expanded upon to make it much more enjoyable. The new squad strategy mode is a huge surprise that was neither asked for nor expected, but it gives the game so much more.

All you need to know is that it’s bad.

Remothered generates just as much frustration as it does atmosphere, making it one of those games that you want to love but can’t because it just keeps kicking you in the face.

Small games from smaller studious continue to amaze me with their effortless charm and unbound creativity, and Mugsters is easily one of those games.

True, there are times you will hate oOo, and I came pretty close to deleting the game on more than one occasion. But if arcade thrills are your thing and you can view failure as a learning experience, then oOo Ascension will be right up your street.

The cliffhanger, on the other hand, is perhaps the best so far – at least, in the way my game ended, it was – and episode four is set up to be the darkest and most twisted yet. I can’t wait.

It’s colourful and challenging, has enough depth to keep you going back for more, and you can play it with friends.

If you’re not already a fan though, there’s a good chance that the games included will have you scratching your head as to why they’re so highly revered.

If you’ve even the remotest interest in trains, whether as a passenger or would-be-driver you’ll get a lot out of Train Sim World; hop on board and you won’t be disappointed.

Taking between five and six hours to complete the main story, Pirates of the Enchiridion isn’t the longest game you’re going to play this year. It’s not even the most original, or most engaging. But it has charm, fun, and character in droves.

I can’t help but wonder how much more fun the game would be if its enemies weren’t quite so numerous and resilient.

For a game that contains no dialogue, Youropa is filled with charm from start to finish.

With its great presentation and pounding soundtrack, Super Destronaut DX is one hell of a retro inspired title.

A joy to play. It oozes happiness, it makes me smile, and I absolutely love it.

Starman offers a pleasant couple of hours to sit and relax while focused on the game.

The Path of Motus is a game with heart, but that’s not enough to make it an essential excursion. You’ll find some fun here if you take the trip but be prepared for an uneven and sometimes frustrating journey.

It’s clear that Tempest 4000 is pretty good then. But there’s just one thing wrong with it: it costs too much.

Gorgeously made, challenging in every way, Candle is a game that shines brighter than you’d expect.

It certainly lacks the punch and awe of the more inspired RPGs of late, and it shows the more you play.

It’s just as entertaining as any other LEGO game. But that’s the problem. It doesn’t stand out in any way.

Danger Zone 2 is hugely enjoyable. The only thought on my mind as I finished up getting all of its platinum awards was that I wanted more.

Its unique power up system isn’t enough to save All-Star Fruit Racing from being any more than mediocre, however.

PSVR owners should definitely give this game a shot if they are itching for an engaging, lighthearted, and challenging puzzle game. Esper nails it without going overboard. Plenty to love, so little to complain about. Unless you can’t figure out the puzzle. Then there’s a tonne to complain about. But that’s your fault. Not the game’s.

If you’re a fan of platform games or roguelikes, 20XX comes highly recommended. And if you’re a fan of Mega Man it’s pretty much essential.

Thankfully though, Holy Potatoes! A Weapon Shop?!’s charm and sense of humour helps give the game more longevity than its gameplay loop alone. Its witty dialogue and groan-worthy character puns will keep you chortling along even after you’ve got a little bored of going through the same menus.

The Lion’s Song is certainly a unique story from start to finish. Those that enjoy a relaxing point-and-click are sure find this one to their liking. It requires a bit of patience in those cumbersome moments in the middle, but it’s well worth it for the beautiful art style, harrowing soundtrack, and truly creative take on the point-and-click genre.

For someone like me who lost interest in the Shining series long ago, Shining Resonance Refrain is an absolute delight. Although it doesn’t resemble anything like the strategy RPGs and dungeon crawlers I first fell in love with back in the 90s, Shining Resonance Refrain is a charmingly sweet JRPG with an engaging combat system that hides hundreds of tricks up its sleeves.

It’s one of the best fighting games available on Nintendo Switch even with its issues, and it’s yours for a bargain price. If you want a fast-paced fighting game that has got huge amounts of character, you really can’t go wrong.

Taken in small doses, the game can be a fun, challenging experience – as long as you step away before frustration sets in.

de Blob is a prime example of a game that has stood the test of time because of both its simplicity and originality. Its gameplay is timeless, its humour tickles the young and the old, and its soundtrack is both dynamic and infectious. This Switch port still doesn’t address the game’s camera or control issues, but they’re worth working through to enjoy an experience that rarely fails to put a smile on your face.

Sure, the controls are complicated. And the special move types feel a little unnecessary. But this is Mario. The man was made to be over the top. I was foolish to expect anything less.

In 2009, Red Faction Guerrilla proved that just one mechanic can elevate a game to be something much more than it actually is. And surprisingly, in 2018, Red Faction Guerrilla Re-Mars-tered proves that that still stands.

Basically, no matter what floats your boat, there’s a good chance that The Crew 2 has it. And that’s why I can’t help but love it. Warts and all.

NieR: Automata is a product of auteur game making at its finest.

If you don’t mind that its career mode doesn’t really have much pizzazz, MXGP Pro will provide you with many hours of dirty racing activity.

The role of Chris in Life is Strange 2 can only be speculated, but if he turns out to be an important figure than this short title gives us a more readily available connection to him. And even if he’s only a passing character we still get the feeling of a more realised world that Dontnod has created.

If you’ve ever been fond of strategically dropping bombs to flummox your opponents, it’s a winner.

If you appreciate great art and design, and enjoy solving puzzles, don’t even hesitate to pick up Figment. You won’t regret it.

Its rewarding gameplay is bolstered by its attractive visual presentation. And each and every one of its music tracks will have you tapping a foot on the floor as you play. But what really makes it stand out from the crowd is its variety. When you’ve grown tired of one mode, which will take awhile, you’ll simply move onto another. Ultimately, Lumines Remastered is just fun, fun and more fun.

There is some joy to be gleaned from the game and if you’re avid follower of the Anima series you’ll enjoy picking through the game’s lore. Dip into it by all means but, stylish as it is, Anima Gate of Memories: The Nameless Chronicles does relatively little else to distinguish itself.

Wreckfest isn’t overly pretty, but its damage engine is unparalleled; Bugbear just needs to find more ways to add to its ridiculous nature, because that’s where the game really excels.

Old-school dungeon crawlers aren’t all that common these days, so The Lost Child made for a refreshing experience. A little more depth – and better balanced difficulty – in the combat wouldn’t have gone amiss, though. But even as it is, The Lost Child is worth picking up.

An intensely replayable game, but not just because of how fun it is. Hidden collectables, for instance, are scattered throughout each stage that help unlock even more content beyond the original 100 levels.

Overall, BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle is a mixed package. While its character roster feels anaemic, its gameplay entertains in all the right ways.

Jurassic World Evolution may not be the deepest management sim ever, but it embraces its subject matter with gusto.

Despite its fun art style and great arcade feel, Soccer Slammers doesn’t capture the magic and spirit of the sport it emulates. A lack of depth, an unbalanced system, and a small offering of control takes away from what could be a great little time killer.

The changes made to Taishi aren’t perfect, and it’s a shame that combat has suffered as a result, but overall it’s a valiant attempt to make the game more accessible to a wider base of players. Nobunaga’s Ambition: Taishi is a game that feels like a more approachable version of what’s come before, both for returning players and new ones alike.

If you own a copy of Prey and want a reason to go back to it, pick up Mooncrash without a moment’s hesitation; it’s absolutely essential.

When it’s not challenging your reflexes it’s challenging your brain. And when it’s doing neither of those, it’s tugging on your heart. It’s a game that’s masterfully created, building on the gameplay offered in its predecessor but making it more punchy and enjoyable. But more importantly, it doesn’t compromise the single-player experience by adding in Yarny’s new friend; it simply enriches it.

If you’re a fan of side-scrolling beat ‘em ups, have an open mind when it comes to humour, and don’t mind the odd bout of tedium, you’ll probably like Shaq Fu: A Legend Reborn quite a lot; just like me. Technical issues do pull it down a little though; just be aware of them, and its ability to offend, before you buy into it.

Playing it felt like a mix between watching an over-the-top anime and playing an advanced match-three puzzle game. The voice acting in itself was enough to keep me going back to it, let alone the ever-changing puzzles, fun and hilarious characters, delicious-looking sushi and adorable sprites.

While Fox n Forests is never going to be remembered as a classic, it’s certainly just as good, if not better, than many of the platformers of yesteryear that people cling to with rose-tinted glasses.

Visually identical to its predecessor, the additions made in this outing are more like scrapings than noticeable steps forward. With Ride 3 just around the bend most casual fans might be better off waiting. Anyone returning to the perennial racer may not be able to help but have a sense of déjà vu.

Die For Valhalla‘s unique gameplay elements accompanied by some glorious 2D artwork help make this one more palatable in the long run than most.

Though it is capable of annoying at times, Onrush is hands down a brilliant arcade racer. It's a constant assault on your senses, and thanks to its stellar track design and energetic gameplay you can't help but keep going back for more.

Exploring London and uncovering secrets is always an engaging affair, and the combat never fails to get the adrenaline pumping. But trumping it all is the freedom that Vampyr grants you to be a devious agent of the undead or a doting doctor. Often the choices you make won’t be so clear cut, but that’s what makes Vampyr so interesting. It doesn’t simply deal in absolutes, but many shades of grey.

It’s just a shame that my enthusiasm and interest was eventually fully deflated by obtuse puzzles that offer no guidance and ultimately feel superfluous to the game. Get rid of them altogether and you’ve got a gripping interactive story that’s dying to be told. But with the puzzles as they are, STAY is reduced to feeling more like a badly-designed old-school adventure game. I’m gutted.

Bundling up the base game with its expansion and the Assassin Masks DLC, it’s a sizeable game available at half the price of a standard release. For fans of good, old-fashioned stealth, it’s a bit of a no-brainer, really.

Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition is really meant for those who, like me, missed out on the previous versions. And for us, it's a fantastic package.

If Mulaka is proof of anything, it's that there is a definitive impact when games are made by more diverse voices. Mulaka feels deeply personal.

If you've ever been a fan of Ikaruga and own a Switch, this port is absolutely essential. It's also essential if you've never played the game before but have an interest in bullet hell shooters. Demanding you to remain alert at all times and change polarisation to suit your situation, Ikaruga is a shooter that stands in a class of its own. Its ingenious twist on a tried and tested formula makes it an unforgettable classic, and being able to play it on Switch is simply glorious.

It's hard not to fall in love with Smoke and Sacrifice, simply because it is a beautiful game. But you shouldn’t pick up this game for the aesthetics alone; its whole design and premise is on point, altogether making for a fascinating survival experience.

For anyone who has grown up playing any of these classic Street Fighter titles, Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection is absolutely essential.

There's definitely some joy to be had from Detroit, particularly if themes of artificial intelligence and sentience intrigue you. But there are other games and movies that do more with them (Soma, for example). For a game that relies so heavily on its narrative to carry it, Detroit: Become Human fails to excel.

Endlessly joyous.

Give the game a few hours, and you'll find yourself sucked into its damp, wonderful, varied world. Even if you haven't played the first Pillars of Eternity. Carefully crafted and complex, but never offensively so, Pillars of Eternity 2: Deadfire will satisfy even the most demanding role-playing gamer.

The combat may be slightly repetitive, but you’ll be too busy enjoying the story and saving the world to care.

Despite its issues, it's easy to love I Hate Running Backwards. Playing it brings nothing but joy, even when you're dying time and time again. It's fast-paced, frantic and fun, just how a shooter should be. And it's got the brilliant sense of humour that runs though all Serious Sam games.

I enjoyed my time with Oversight, but I’d have liked to see more cohesion in its storytelling, a longer running time, and a concrete idea of what exactly I was working towards.

Bar the technical improvements and additional online functionality, there's nothing else new here.

Exploring every nook and cranny of dark, desolate environments in which grotesque creatures can be lurking around every corner very much appeals to me. What Space Hulk: Deathwing Enhanced Edition is lacking is finesse in its execution, however. And it's also lumbered with the fact that Space Marine Terminators are big, bulky things that surprisingly aren't much fun to play as.

Despite its shortcomings, Wizard of Legend is still wonderfully put together.

Death Road to Canada is still as brilliant as ever. It's a fun, challenging, quirky road trip simulator full of more zombies than you can shake a spiky stick at. Despite a few minor niggles, Death Road to Canada has me hooked; I'm going back for more at least once a day for a few hours at a time.

Trailblazers is entertaining when playing against the CPU, but best when played with real people. The A.I. is no match for other competitors' emergent strategies, and you can't put a plan into action very well with it either.

Episode two, Hide and Seek, has me deeply involved in its dark and foreboding world, and just like last time, I’m eagerly awaiting the next episode.

Its surfeit of busywork does it no favours, but if you can immerse yourself enough in the game to overlook that, you'll find that State of Decay 2 offers more than enough to quench your shambler-smashing, apocalypse-braving thirst.