If you’re a fan of racing games, F1 2017 should be considered an essential purchase — even if, like me, you don’t follow the sport. The racing is seat of your pants stuff just like it ought to be, and its career mode is simply phenomenal and offers tens of hours of in-depth gameplay. With F1 2017, Codemasters may have just made the best Formula 1 game ever, and I just can’t wait to see how they aim to top it.

Unlike some other roguelikes, Songbringer didn’t quite suck me in. The shortcomings in gameplay, variation, and narrative make the desire of another run fade away quicker than most. That said, it is still a challenging, fun and creative example of the genre.

As an introductory episode to a three-part series, Awake absolutely nails it. The action that takes place is pretty low-key — don’t run into Before the Storm expecting epic adventure sequences — but it’s a perfect return to Arcadia Bay.

Warriors All-Stars has quickly become my favourite Warriors game of recent times. The great cast, the huge amount of content and the smattering of unique game mechanics all combine to make a game that’s fun despite its repetitive nature. It’s yet again a ridiculous power fantasy, but this time with more colour, wit and humour. That makes it a winner in my book, despite its couple of missteps.

Comprised of the base game and both parts of the White March expansion, Pillars of Eternity: Complete Edition surely offers more than 100 hours of gameplay for those who succumb to its charms. That’s exceptional value for money, and with the writing and gameplay being so interesting and entertaining, it’s easy to get sucked in.

Everybody’s Golf‘s lack of visual splendour shouldn’t put you off playing what is the most accessible and enjoyable golf game there is on the market though. Creating and developing your own comical golf avatar is wonderfully addictive, and while there are only five courses available, the vast array of gameplay options and features means it’s hard to ever tire of sinking balls until the early hours of the morning, whether online or off. Everybody’s Golf on PlayStation 4 is the best it’s ever been, and that’s all you really need to know.

Ys Seven may be quite old and rather basic, but it’s still an action-RPG that’s worthy of your time. If you’re after a light-hearted romp full of action that proves that solid gameplay is more important than snazzy visuals and complex mechanics, you won’t be disappointed.

Rabi-Ribi’s magic really lies in being relevant right now, as an innovative, deep and well-crafted 2D platformer complete with cutesy retro/Anime artstyle. It’s incredibly good fun to play, engaging and witty, easy to pick up and almost impossible to put down.

If you’re a fan of tower defence games, then you’ll likely enjoy the fun elements that Rock of Ages 2 injects into an otherwise fairly dry genre. It’s much better as a local co-op experience, but if you do jump into the single player, you’ll at least get a guffaw or two out of the wacky cut-scenes. It’s just a shame that the same amount of character and personality don’t run over into the actual gameplay.

It isn’t perfect, and frustration will rear its ugly head from time to time, but for all its quirks, The Escapists 2’s blend of excitement and tension will keep you hooked. Lock yourself away with The Escapists 2 and you won’t regret it.

For its budget price, Yakuza Kiwami delivers more than its fair share of violent crime-filled action laden with a weird sense of humour, and I was glued to the screen for every minute of it.

I can’t recommend The Pillars of the Earth highly enough. Beautiful artwork combined with a deep and rich story make for a compelling experience, and I’m eager for book two of the game to release so I can get stuck back in.

Another fantastic game from Naughty Dog, a developer whose pedigree only seems to grow stronger with each title.

It has some flaws that can suck the fun out of it, but White Day should still be of interest to horror fans looking for something substantial.

Circuit Breakers is incredibly good fun. It might not entirely scratch my gaming itch but if you’ve got a love of arcade action or you’re after a pick-up-and-play game to dive into for a few minutes at a time, Circuit Breakers is absolutely the time-waster for you.

For music rhythm game fans, SUPERBEAT XONiC EX is an essential purchase. It’s challenging but accessible, and the wide range of songs and customisation options available means there’s plenty of content to go at, just as you like it. Every bit as good as the PlayStation Vita but with more content and the ability to play it on a big screen and with a better sound system, SUPERBEAT XONiC EX will push your hand-eye coordination to the limit, but you’ll enjoy every eye-watering minute of it.

I was pretty disappointed with Nidhogg 2. After a few hours of playing I don’t see myself going back to it any time soon. The weapon changes and graphic changes were enough to turn me off. Although the game can be fun to play for a few minutes at a time, all of the extra additions were just a little too much. I’ll stick to playing the original, I think.

Despite its few missteps in repetition and a few bland design choices that stand out amidst a wash of personality, there’s no denying just how much fun this game is.

Night Trap: 25th Anniversary Edition is an important game that’s worth experiencing. It’s just not a particularly good one.

I’m not going to beat around the bush; the Switch version of Severed is easily the best yet. Being touch based, the Switch’s responsive and gloriously large screen means that the gameplay shines brighter than ever before. Severed‘s unique, almost papercraft-like art style is really showcased on the Switch too, bringing its haunting world to life.

This is a game with a long, arcing story that takes some awkward, colourful teens through their turbulent teenage years with a fun and vibrant world to explore, charming characters to befriend and a turn-based combat system with a surprising amount of depth once you look beneath the surface.

It successfully picks up the pace and raises the ante without abandoning the themes of friendship, personal growth and responsibility that made the first episode such a great start to the season. Whether you’re a Minecraft fan or not, this well-woven tale of dilemmas and derring-do will have you on the edge of your oddly blocky seat.

Those who have grown up playing Mega Man games, however, will absolutely love it. The controls are responsive, performance is solid, and the number of added features and challenges is commendable, making Mega Man Legacy Collection 2 a must-buy for fans who long for a taste of nostalgia.

Though it has some minor issues that undoubtedly hold it back a little, Sine Mora EX is a fantastic side-scrolling shooter, cram-packed with enough content to keep you playing in the long term. The high level of difficulty may be off-putting for those who aren’t overly familiar with the genre, but those who persist will find a game that looks great, sounds great and is ultimately very rewarding.

When played in VR mode, Rez Infinite soon becomes one of the most compelling arguments for the existence of the format. And Area X? Well, it just gives us hope that a sequel will eventually be made that well and truly blows our tiny minds.

Matterfall is perhaps the least essential Housemarque title in the PlayStation 4’s catalogue, but it’s still a cut above the majority of the competition. Had there been more variety to its levels, some additional features and a tweak or two to the gameplay it could have stood toe-to-to with the like of Nex Machina, but as it is, it just doesn’t feel like the well-rounded package that we’ve become used to.

An audio and visual tour de force, Observer doesn’t pull any punches. It would appear that Layers of Fear was simply foreplay for Bloober Team; a warm up for the full-on fuckfest that Observer is. Combining investigation, exploration, stealth, puzzles, and a near constant barrage of horror, Observer is a meticulously created game that rarely puts a foot wrong. If you think you have the stomach for it, this could be one of the biggest surprises of the year.

A Sonic fan couldn’t really ask for more than what’s been delivered by Sonic Mania. It’s got the gratifying Sonic physics, responsive controls, thrilling speed, open levels and brilliant bosses. It truly is a return to form for our favourite speedy blue hedgehog, which is ironic considering that it’s not made by Sonic Team.

ICY: Frostbite Edition is a distinctly average title. It definitely has its moments, particularly when you stumble into the game’s stranger locations and end up having to deal with a colossal mutant tree or similar horror. Plus, never knowing whether you’re “right” is a wonderfully unsettling sensation. But you’re still left with a narrative that fails to draw you in, an oddly out of place combat system and a superficial survival mechanic, making gameplay middling at best.

If you fondly remember the original Crashday or are in the market for a content-filled, action-packed driving game, you’d be wise to consider picking Crashday: Redline Edition up. It won’t break the bank, but it’s very likely to put a huge smile on your face.

There isn’t really anything to be said negatively about Defiant Honor, other than, like Dragon of the North, I just want more. But Nioh is more than enough, I’m just greedy. I will be eagerly awaiting the final DLC, and the pain it will bring me. Don’t let this game slip away. Experience its ever growing brilliance.

Ninja Theory ought to be praised for what it’s achieved – an adult story that’s told like no other, combat that’s skilful and harrowing, unique environmental based puzzles and light, scenic adventuring. It’s just a shame that some of Hellblade‘s gameplay components at times feel forced.

Despite its minor camera and screen tearing issues though, Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun is great for those looking for a challenge. Its mix of stealth, strategy and action is a highly enjoyable one, and with its wealth of missions and bonus objectives there’s plenty to go at.

Seven hours or so after starting your adventure the main quest will be over, but it speaks volumes that you’ll probably still want to go and explore the world and grow stronger still. It’s not because Cat Quest is deep or meaningful, it’s because it’s just fun, and that’s all a game needs to be.

There are a few moments of frustration, but there are also times where it – dare I say it – surpasses Dark Souls in my mind. At the very least, it’s a colourful, compelling, sci-fi Souls-like, and a great way to pass the time while waiting for FromSoftware’s next announcement.

When I sat down to play Batman: The Enemy Within – Episode 1: The Enigma, I was glued to my seat until its thrilling conclusion. While lengthier than most Telltale episodes, the time still went by in a flash. In the end I was left on tenterhooks, shocked and eager to get stuck into the second part of the story.

Stripped of the need to generate moolah, or injected with a heavier dose of strategy, Vostok Inc could be a stellar venture. But the bottom line is that this game’s pockets of excellence are stifled by an awkward mechanic that turns your interstellar journey into an unappealing, pan-galactic grind.

For fans of the long-running series, buying King of Fighters ’99 on the Nintendo Switch should be a no-brainer. It’s a great game given new life on a new platform – what isn’t there to love?

For a genre that is continuing to grow thanks to the monumental success of Overwatch, Gigantic is a bigger splash than I expected.

DeadCore doesn’t quite knock Portal off its podium but it offers a wild, well-paced, otherworldly ride that is well worth taking.

Those hankering for a wildly robust and addictive competitive experience should absolutely take a dip into the neon-drenched waters of Splatoon 2. More so than Mario Kart 8, it offers a level of customisation, depth, and sheer fun that is rarely found anywhere else.

The Infectious Madness of Doctor Dekker is a fantastically compelling, suspenseful slow burn that shows just what can be done with a medium that, for years, has been misused and misunderstood. Look past its clunky parser and you’ll be in for one hell of a head trip.

Tacoma is a beautifully told story filled with real characters and real emotion that you won’t be able to put down until you’ve experienced it in full.

Initially, I was really taken with Redeemer. The violent action, slick controls and impressive visuals made a great first impression. After three hours of play, however, it became a slog to work through.

Although Marooners is fun, it’s limited. Once you’ve played it a few times, the novel concept of spontaneously switching between mini-games becomes familiar and quite frankly, a little bit dull. It’s a great choice if you have a spare few minutes with your mates, but its lack of content can’t really compete with some of the bigger party games on the market.

Fate/EXTELLA: The Umbral Star makes for an entertaining hack and slash experience which feels right at home on the Nintendo Switch. It’s admittedly a little pricey at £49.99, but for those looking for some Dynasty Warriors style action, it fits the bill quite nicely.

Cladun Returns: This is Sengoku! has awesome gameplay, great character creation, a catchy, old fashioned soundtrack and a thriving world full of surprises to find.

In a world plagued by stripped-back indie experiences grasping to evoke an element of nostalgia, I can at least praise I and Me for attempting something wholly original for the puzzle/platforming genre. But what could have been a mighty stride forward disappointingly feels more like a half step.

All of the components – the humour, the horror, the puzzles, and the characters – of The Darkside Detective add up to create one of the most entertaining and rewarding point and click games I’ve ever played.

Theseus is a story brimming with excitement and wonder, thrown into an experience ripe for improvement. Developer Forge Reply picked a great myth to tackle, and one that works astoundingly well in VR. The shortcomings are too numerous, however, to be overlooked.

Solstice Chronicles: MIA is an enjoyable experience. Most of the gameplay is engaging, and when you’re using all its mechanics and systems as intended, it’s fun and gels well.

Super Cloudbuilt‘s frenetic nature means it won’t be for everybody – it starts challenging and only gets harder from there – but for those who can keep up with its breakneck pace and conundrum like levels it’ll be addictive and utterly mesmerising.

I really wasn’t expecting to be taken as much as I was with Infitite Minigolf. With its cutesy visuals, fun gameplay and strong editing features and customisation options, I couldn’t help but constantly smile and enjoy myself during my time with it.

Simply describing Pyre‘s spectacularly outlandish battle system doesn’t do it justice… Pair that with a wonderful cast of characters, a riveting story, and enthralling music and visuals, and you have nothing short of a compelling game that demands your time and attention.

While the mixed reviews of Yooka-Laylee made people question if 3D platformers were just a thing of the past to be forgotten, Unbox: Newbie’s Adventure shows that new things can still be done in the genre to produce some real gold dust.

I’ve spent hundreds of hours playing video games before now and, at the conclusion, felt good for having completed it… but it’s those shorter games, games like Pinstripe, that stick out in my mind as having formed a real connection and left a lasting impression.

Video games don’t have to equal violence. Knowing that no monsters await you around any corner, and that no band of rogues is out to kill you is strangely liberating. Put down your guns, your swords, and your bows and arrows, and step into the world of Yonder just for an hour or two. You might just love it.

Cars 3: Driven to Win isn’t really a bad game. It can be fairly enjoyable in short bursts, especially in co-op. At the same time, however, it’s not what I’d call a good game either. It’s decidedly average, chock full of content and variety, but let down by being prescriptive, uneven in difficulty and quite frankly, a bit dull.

Redout is one of the most delightfully high-octane, edge-of-my-seat racing games in recent memory. It’s a thrilling adrenaline rush of an experience. It’s a finely-tuned joyride that’s been polished and balanced until it shines in a cornucopia of flashy colours.

Hero in Residence is a sterling start to Minecraft Story Mode Season 2, an entertaining, engaging outing which shows that that the series is capable of doing more than retreading old ground.

In many ways, Iron Crypticle is old fashioned to a fault – the lack of persistence and awkward 8-directional movement and shooting mires it in the past, bereft of any modern gameplay enhancements.

Bulb Boy is a wonderful addition to the Switch, especially if you’re looking for something a little more unusual.

If you have inhuman hand/eye coordination or really do like inflicting inner turmoil upon yourself, then you probably should consider picking AFTERGRINDER up. You’ll probably get a kick out of it, you sick bastard.

Nongünz is really something special; a shooter with brains that’s not only haunting, challenging and utterly compelling but, thanks to its procedural nature, is hugely replayable.

If you’re after a game that’s fun to pick up and play, GoNNER is well worth the asking price. Its unique visuals, great soundtrack and wonderfully responsive controls make it a title you’ll go back to again and again; perfect for a portable device like the Switch.

Compared to some past entries, Song of the Dark Swan‘s visuals look even more vivid and sharper than ever before, and altogether are more beautiful to look at. Even if you don’t particularly enjoy this simplistic style of game, you can appreciate the well-crafted artwork.

Though this fun piece of software does what it needs to do, the limitations of the 3DS’s abilities, the lack of direction and the painstaking work that is required makes RPG Maker Fes feel like a let-down.

With its charming papercraft-like visuals and enjoyable 70s themed soundtrack, Serial Cleaner can be a lot of fun if you have the patience for it.

Minor grievances aside, the fact remains that Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age is easily the best version of the game. Those who were deterred by it the first time around are unlikely to warm up to it this time, as its divisive battle system remains completely in tact. That being said, the sweeping narrative and endearing cast of characters, alongside the drastically improved character upgrade system, provide an expansive and refined role-playing experience that still manages to charm even a decade after its original release.

Black the Fall definitely isn’t for the casual gamer; it’s crazy tough, but for someone looking for a fun challenge it’s worth a try - or two, or three... since you’ll be dying. A lot.

By no means is No70: Eye of Basir perfect, but coming from a little-known developer, there’s a lot to be applauded for an ambitious first major project. It looks beautiful for one, with gorgeous lighting effects that bring every area to life, and great audio design that really complements the game’s atmosphere.

Ultra Despair Girls’ loop of exploring dungeon-like areas, mowing down waves of Monokuma bots, and switching between the ranged combat of Komaru and melee barrages of Genocide Jack… means you’ve got a third person shooter unlike any other.

Drifting Lands takes two fantastic genres and marries the best aspects of them together with flair, creating an original and massively addictive experience that deserves to be on your radar.

Arizona Sunshine is straight-up fun to play, and the game’s sound design is particularly noteworthy… Pop on a set of decent headphones and the 3D sound comes alive with braying zombies all around you, with things becoming nerve-wracking pretty quickly.

It’s a responsive, smooth experience, but Ancient Amuletor lacks the depth it needs to be a truly worthwhile PSVR title.

If you’re already previously invested in Operation Babel: New Tokyo Legacy‘s universe, characters and gameplay, then I’m sure there’s a lot to like here. However, for a newcomer to the series, the lack of tutorials is frustrating, the environments and world are visually bland, and the gameplay loop not engaging enough to make me want to come back for more.

If complex, entertaining battles float your boat, and you can tolerate the lack of diversions or deviations, then you’ll be in your nostalgic element with God Wars: Future Past.

If you love classics like Streets of Rage or Double Dragon and long for the arcade cabinet experience of the past, Kung Fury could be what you’re looking for, but its short length, frustrating mechanics and lack of variety really hold it back.

Despite a repetitive structure and some boring dungeons, Toyko Xanadu‘s action-based combat was effective in keeping my interest. The characters are also generally quite likeable, with their relationships and quirky personalities coming off as genuinely enjoyable.

With The Crimson Court, I feel like Red Hook is taking us even deeper into Lovecraftian parentage, not just in expanding its supernatural mythos and pantheons, but also by delving deeper into the sense of tragedy, the sorrow of fragile mortality that must be a part of all horror.

Bar some buggy controls and slightly mediocre gameplay, it might have been an enjoyable blast of nostalgia… But Starfighter Origins flaunts its influences so brazenly that it’s difficult, no matter how much I tell myself that it was made by a small team of indie devs, not to compare it to those giants of the genre.

If you can get your head around the concept that you are just a regular soldier… then you’ll find an incredibly unique experience in Rising Storm 2: Vietnam.

If Valkyrie Drive -Bhikkhuni- sounds rather crazy, that’s because it is. And that’s why it astounds me how tedious it manages to be the majority of the time.

As far as co-op experiences go, Serious Sam’s Bogus Detour is up there with the best. Even in single player, you’re in for a damn good ride.

I really don’t get what the developers were trying to achieve with Valkyria Revolution. It pretty much takes everything that was good about the prior games and just throws it out of the window, replacing it with tedium and banality.

The few interesting ideas Zombeer has with regards to art-style, setting and voice talent, are all squandered due to an overall lack of presentation and polish.

What it lacks in story, Arms makes up for it in style, character and utilisation of the Nintendo Switch’s bells and whistles.

In my eyes, MotoGP 17 is the best instalment of Milestone’s MotoGP efforts yet. The Managerial Career really adds a great deal to the package, and the racing itself keeps you on the edge of your seat due to its authenticity.

On PlayStation 4 The King of Fighters XIV was impressive, and on PC it’s even more so. Being frank, I think it’s the best 2D fighter out there, all things considered.

Despite its originality, Perception is only worth a look for those who can see past its shortcomings in pursuit of a fairly compelling narrative.

The developers have created a very interesting world, and the brilliant atmosphere coupled with varied gameplay makes for a very worthwhile experience. Sure, some of the mechanics of Get Even could have been a little more polished or refined, and perhaps some players will be turned off by the intense surrealism employed by the game, but if you can look past that and stay for the ride, it's definitely worth it.

Starpoint Gemini Warlords is a solid space strategy game; an eye-pleasing time-eater which will more than sate your desire for galactic conquest.

Aerea‘s story is great, the concept is lovely, but the execution doesn’t hit the right note. It’s colourful, full of bombastic music and character, but lacks depth and fluid gameplay mechanics.

Housemarque has done it again; Nex Machina is a brilliantly action-packed shooter that’s engrossing, addictive and absolutely sublime from start to finish.

If you’re looking for a new word game, or just something to keep you entertained for hours on end, then Spellspire will be well worth your investment.

I take my hat off to developer Kyle Seeley for being able to create such a realistic-feeling experience from something so simple, but just one that made me very glad my teenage years are well and truly and thing of the past.

What LKA has created here transcends being “just another video game”; The Town of Light is an incredibly important insight into a dark part of history that, thankfully, most of us are too young to have lived through.

Monolith is clearly a game with a lot of heart and it shines through with every moment.