Ultimately, Murder on Eridanos serves as a magnificent send-off to The Outer Worlds. It’ll keep you hooked from beginning to end; it’s a shining example of how to do downloadable content and has me eagerly awaiting the Fallout: New Vegas sequel that only exists in my head.

No doubt some will have expected more of a visual overhaul, but it's hard to find fault with Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection. Both Uncharted 4: A Thief's End and The Lost Legacy still look stunning, and thanks to better frame rates and other PS5-centric features they are more immersive and fun to play than ever before. If you own one or both of these games on PS4 and are considering playing them again, it's well worth upgrading. And if you've never played them? Well, you'd be mad to let the opportunity pass you by again if you own a PS5.

From start to finish, the pacing in Ties That Bind Part II is excellent. You are always given the right amount of time to dwell on the events surrounding you before being snatched away into the next dramatic scene.

King Oddball seems to constantly transmit some sort of secret message to your brain demanding that you give it one last try.

Bugsnax is a joyful, lovely experience from start to finish. With a surprising amount of heart, it'll hit you in the feels time and again - even when you're force-feeding snax down the throat of someone who'd rather keep them as pets (sorry, Gramble). It's the sort of game you can't help but play with a huge grin on your face and, long after finishing the main storyline, you'll want to return to Snaktooth Island to round up more snax and hang out with your new furry friends. You might not be a Grumpus yourself, but Bugsnax certainly leaves you with a fuzzy feeling inside.

BOOR remains an enthralling, charming game that, with its beautifully rendered, challenging levels and innovative central mechanic, will have you hooked from beginning to end.

Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2 is exactly how a remake should be done. It has all the elements that made the original games great, but then adds to them, making the overall package deeper and more rewarding. Whether you’re a fan of the original games seeking a blast of nostalgia, or jumping in for the first time, you’ll be absolutely engrossed in the tight gameplay that this package offers. Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2 is the best skateboarding game available right now. It’s as simple as that.

While it’s unlikely to win over anyone that tried the first and didn’t vibe with it, Blasphemous 2 is undoubtedly a treat for fans wanting to spend more time with the Penitent One. With more variety in terms of both visuals and gameplay, this is a confident sequel that builds on the foundations of its predecessor. And while its story may be confounding at times, we can’t help but be mesmerised by its dark and mysterious world.

For all the 3DS owners out there who, like me, are sick of seeing the deluge of kiddie-focused games appearing in the Nintendo eShop, Steel Empire is a very welcome respite. Outside of the Sega 3D Classics, range this is the best thing to appear on the 3DS in recent memory and is a must-have purchase for any 3DS owner.

Stories Untold places a hidden story within a hidden story; a puzzle that only reveals itself once you piece together its outer layers – and it’s one of the most fascinating and unique tales you can play this year.

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.

It’s fun playing games like Forza Motorsport and Horizon, but Wreckfest offers something that they just can’t: carnage. And that’s enough to make it a must-have.

it’s hard not to be very impressed with what Imperator: Rome has to offer. The feel of the game is exactly what Paradox promised: a true test of management of early civilisation on the brink of modernisation. You can develop your nation and expand to your heart’s content – but like the mighty Romans, you must constantly look outwards to your neighbours and inwards to your own people for threats and disturbances. Imperator: Rome truly has the depth and versatility to become one of Paradox’s finest.

Yakuza 0 remains among the best Yakuza games, and this Switch 2-exclusive Director's Cut is essential for those who are yet to play it. The extra content here, including additional cut scenes and a new Red Light Raid mode, isn't all that impressive, but it doesn't matter much when the base game looks and plays better than ever.

Whether you’re wanting to revisit it, or jumping in for the first time, this version of Quake 2 is simply superb. It takes a genuine classic, improves and enhances it in a myriad of ways, and then gives you more. While some companies would just have delivered a simple port and perhaps thrown in the existing expansions as a treat, the inclusion of the Nintendo 64 version of Quake 2 and a brand new expansion here is truly to be applauded. If you have any love for the first-person shooter genre, consider this essential. And even better, it comes in at a budget price.

It probably goes without saying that I enjoyed almost every aspect of Fragments of Him. The only negative is its very short running time, lasting around two hours; I would have loved to go more in depth into Will’s life and the struggles of his friends and family.

Including both the original and a new enhanced version of the classic tactical RPG, Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles is fantastic for fans and newcomers alike. The enhanced version is the real draw here, though, mostly because of its revised story and full voice acting, which really adds to the experience.

Soul Hackers 2 is yet another stellar JRPG from Atlus. It may take many of its themes and gameplay elements from other JRPGs within the company’s umbrella, but it somehow still manages to feel unique thanks to its fresh setting and characters. Whether or not you’re familiar with its predecessor or the Shin Megami Tensei games in general, this is a must-have if you want to conquer dungeons while exploring an intriguing vision of our future.

With its fantastic visuals and thrilling gameplay that tasks you with dealing with enemies in both the background and foreground, Neon Inferno is a run-and-gun shooter that's not to be missed.

A short but utterly compelling detective game that has you searching through a retro Wiki-style website, Lost Wiki: Kozlovka is mysterious, intriguing and delightful. Considering this is largely the work of a solo developer, any puzzle game fan should consider this a must-play.

Bayonetta & Vanquish 10th Anniversary Bundle is a must-have, especially for those who haven’t yet played either of these stunning games.

For console owners, Age of Wonders: Planetfall is a rare treat. It’s not only a 4X strategy game that they can play from the comfort of their couch, it’s a bloody good one at that. It doesn’t do the best job of getting players up to speed, but once they have everything figured out they’re in for what is perhaps the best strategy experience currently available on console. It just requires a little bit of patience and persistence to work through a confusing first few hours. After that, there’s little to disappoint those seeking to display their colony-building prowess.

For shoot ’em up fans, Rolling Gunner + Overpower truly is a treat. Everything about it – from visuals to gameplay – is top-notch, ensuring that you have a big grin on your face from the moment you boot it up until you decide to turn it off. But the amount of difficulty options here, and the features introduced by the Overpower DLC, make this accessible to newcomers, too. We reckon this will be remembered as a classic in years to come.

It’ll probably only take you two or three hours to make your way through Let Them Come‘s campaign, but it’s an absolute joy from start to finish.

I feel like Traveller’s Tales is going to be hard-pushed to outdo themselves on another LEGO game that feels as enjoyable to play as LEGO City Undercover. It’s a brilliant addition to the franchise, and I’m so glad that other console owners finally get to enjoy it outside of the 2013 Wii U version. If you enjoy well-voiced characters, some silly jokes and inoffensive yet brilliantly addictive gameplay, look no further. If you’ve ever played a LEGO game and even slightly enjoyed it, you will love LEGO City Undercover.

The Last Door Season 2 was exactly what I expected it would be. It’s scary, the story is amazing and weird, the music is beautiful, and overall, it was just a wonderful series.

The board is beautifully designed with fun animations and sounds as well as music. Dozens of different cards and traits are available, so gameplay never gets stale – it is simply a relaxing and entertaining way to spend several hours. Grab Evolution if you love board games and are looking for a new fantastic challenge.

What really makes From the Gallows stand out as one of the better episodes this season is that in and among all the action and drama, there are some really touching moments of laughter and love.

Dragon’s Dogma 2 is a huge upgrade over its predecessor, offering a grander adventure that’s full of choice, consequence and discovery. Every journey you make, big or small, has the chance to be full of wonder, whether it’s due to finding valuable loot or encountering a fearsome enemy that’s rewarding to combat. Its lack of hand-holding in some regards still might deter some players, but for those who value a sense of adventure, Dragon’s Dogma 2 might just end up being the highlight of 2024.

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.

If you’re looking for a game to both frustrate and entertain while on the bus or on the sofa, then Hotline Miami Collection should be your first pick.

While plenty of levels will look like a Super Mario Maker level from hell, they more often than not are so intuitively designed that you may understand its complexity before you even realise it.

Placing you at the centre of a mystery, Atomfall gives you the freedom to achieve your goal in numerous ways via its engaging and rewarding leads system. Captivating from beginning to end, you'll enjoy exploring its various locations, meeting its quirky NPCs and engagaing in combat. Then, once you've discovered one ending, you'll likely jump in again to discover another.

Risk of Rain mixes the perfect levels of fun and challenge and looks damn good doing it. It’s a bloody good game.

It’s been a while since I’ve played a JRPG quite as captivating as Shin Megami Tensei V. Its dangerous world is a pleasure to explore, and recruiting a small army of demons is shockingly addictive. Some may be disappointed by the lack of story scenes, but I enjoyed the fact that it just lets you get on with developing your party without any fluff; the focus here is on the journey. If you’re a Shin Megami Tensei fan or into RPGs that favour gameplay over storytelling, consider this a must-have.

Despite a story that could have been better, and perhaps a bit more guidance in the early rounds, Battle Chef Brigade Deluxe’s absolutely gorgeous hand-drawn style erases most of those problems.

Playable with or without PSVR, Rez Infinite is a fantastic game that deserves a spot in your PS4 game collection regardless of whether or not you’ve played a previous version of it.

A new Ninja Gaiden for a new generation, Ninja Gaiden 4 features combat that's faster-paced and more intense than ever before. It's the most accessible, too, thanks to a range of difficulty levels and assists. It's just a shame that its new protagonist isn't a little more likeable.

For Formula One fans, it’s easier than ever to recommend F1 22. Significant changes have been made here to not only keep the game up to date, but also more immersive, more expansive and more fun. The only real disappointment is F1 Life, which feels a like a good idea in principle but very poorly executed. And of course, the lack of a story mode will be a let-down to some, too. Ultimately, F1 22 takes a couple of steps forward and couple back, but where it matters – in its gameplay and stellar career mode – it’s still very much at the front of the pack.

In terms of thrills and spills, Resident Evil 3 offers what is perhaps the best Resident Evil campaign ever. There's less busywork to bog you down, allowing you to move through the game at an enjoyably brisk pace. And while it is no doubt more action-focused, it's incredibly tense at times.

With its intriguing narrative that keeps you on your toes and some genuinely creative puzzles, Luto is a first-person psychological horror game like no other. It has an important message, but its dark subject matter means that it perhaps isn't suitable for those sensitive to themes of depression and suicide.

Ghost of Tsushima was a great game when it launched just over a year ago. And now, in the form of a Director’s Cut, it’s even better. It seems trite to make a big deal over the visuals not being massively upgraded for next-gen when the game looks so phenomenal anyway, and what has been added – 3D audio and DualSense support – is enough to make the upgrade fee worthwhile for those who already own the original game and want to take on the new Iki Island expansion. That itself is largely more of the same, but its thoroughly engaging story that lets us learn more about Jin Sakai isn’t to be missed by those who were entertained by the game’s main campaign. And so, what else is there to say, other than for newcomers, Ghost of Tsushima: Director’s Cut on PS5 is absolutely essential.

If heavy metal has you running for the hills, then BPM: Bullets Per Minute won’t convert you. But for everyone else, this is an adrenaline fuelled heavy-metal ride that you’d be daft to miss.

With It Takes Two, Hazelight has cemented itself as one of the most creative and talented developers of today. Not only does It Takes Two look absolutely fantastic, it’s a delight to play and its story is wonderful; sometimes moving, sometimes utterly hilarious. It’s essentially your own interactive Pixar movie – co-op gaming really doesn’t get any better than this.

Whether you’re a fan of strategy games or the Marvel universe, Marvel’s Midnight Suns should be considered a must-have. Even more so if you’re a fan of both. This is an ambitious title that offers dozens of hours of engrossing gameplay, full of battles that will have you on the edge of your seat, and party building that will have you carefully weighing up your options. One of the best superhero games ever made, Marvel’s Midnight Suns will grip you from the outset with its unpredictable story, and its gameplay makes you feel like the one with all the power.

If you’re looking for something unique with a great replayability factor – and most of all, lots of fun – then SpiritSphere is worth checking out.

The Wild Eternal is simply enchanting. It is unbelievably immersive, incredibly moving, and teaches us all an important lesson in hardship, friendship, and the meanings of life and loss.

Tetris Effect: Connected is perhaps the best Tetris will ever be. If you enjoy the classic block puzzle game and like the idea of playing to a backdrop of beautiful audio and visuals, then you’ll absolutely love it. With a huge amount of content, including a truly original multiplayer mode, this really is an incredible game – and it feels right at home in a handheld format. Sorry Tetris 99, you’re not the Switch’s best Tetris game anymore.

Sackboy: A Big Adventure is an unexpected pleasure. Overshadowed by the likes of Spider-Man: Miles Morales and Demon’s Souls in Sony’s launch line-up, it’s gone far beyond our expectations – to play it is to love it. An immaculately made 3D platformer with huge amounts of charm, if you’re after something that will never fail to put a smile on your face you ought to consider picking it up alongside your PS5. With its cutesy looks, responsive controls and oodles of imagination, Sackboy: A Big Adventure goes further than ever to make Sackboy the PlayStation mascot he deserves to be.

While you're not likely to remember its story in a few months' time, and the erratic driving of friendly civilians may frequently alarm you, its gameplay shines and that's what's important. Setting you free in a stunningly realised open world, Far Cry 5 gives you all the tools you need for tens of hours of outrageous fun. Factor in online co-op and the user-generated content of Far Cry 5 Arcade, and you have one hell of a compelling package.

Fighting games just don’t get much better than Guilty Gear XX Accent Core Plus R, and that’s all you need to know.

With a large, beautiful, varied open world, a compelling central mystery, interesting side-quests and top of the field gameplay, Horizon Zero Dawn is easily Guerilla Games’ best effort yet and by far one of the best games this generation so far.

Offering closure on a long-running saga while also entertaining on so many fronts, Yakuza 6 may feel smaller in scale at times, but that still doesn't stop it from being a mighty fine game.

It's challenging, and it might take a little while for you to warm to its world and protagonist, but Cronos: The New Dawn is yet another brilliant survival horror game from Bloober Team. You'll be on the edge of your seat throughout this tense and atmospheric adventure, hopping between the past and the future while blasting enemies that grow more powerful if they manage to merge.

Star Wars Outlaws perfectly captures the essence of the much-loved franchise, making you believe you've actually stepped into its world. Locations are densely packed with things to do, and whether you're sneaking around or engaging in an all-out firefight, it's always a blast. Add in the Syndicate system which means your actions have consequences, and you have one of the best Star Wars games yet.

The farming/life sim space is bursting, and with many games offering a similar premise it’s hard for anything to truly stand out. Indeed, on paper Coral Island sounds very much like any other. But in practice, it’s one of the most satisfying games in the space and one I know I’ll be going back to for months to come. It looks fantastic, it offers a robust mission system coupled with endless player freedom and has some genuinely unique ideas to boot. What more could you want?

Judgment is more than “more Yakuza”; it’s a markedly different beast that, despite using assets from Yakuza 6, re-introduces you to Kamurocho through a new set of eyes. Tak is brasher, smarter, and more inclined to use brains than brawn, and the characters he goes up against are surprisingly grounded. Altogether, it's a thoroughly delightful detective adventure.

Zero Hour has even more excitement, character development, and story details and is a truly great way to end an amazing series.

A great addition to a series that is turning out to be one of Telltale’s best. The combat continues to improve, the story is fantastically written, the choices are tough in the best way, and everything really feels like a cohesive package.

This is not a game you play for its challenge; it’s one you play for its gorgeous design and beautiful but subtle storytelling.

Supermassive Games takes the Dark Pictures series into space with Directive 8020, and with the introduction of new gameplay elements such as stealth, you're more immersed in the action than ever before. Add in its brilliant presentation and gripping story and you have one of the best Dark Pictures games yet, and a must play for fans of space-horror.

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.

The sense of being constantly on the edge is what makes every lap of every race exhilarating and great to play.

Improved over its predecessor in just about every way, PowerWash Simulator 2 is the ultimate in cleaning sims. New locations, new tools and a brand new home hub make washing away dirt and grime more enjoyable than ever, and while there's the occasional grumble, it's not enough to spoil the zen-like nature of virtual powerwashing.

A lengthy game with puzzles around every corner, The Talos Principle 2 is another triumph for Croteam. We wondered how the developer would top the phenomenal first entry in this mind-boggling series, and it’s done so by providing a veritable feast of varied and engaging puzzles, backed up with thoughtful philosophy and stunning visuals that heighten its light exploration elements. If you play just one puzzle game this year make it this one. In fact, we’d go as far to say that The Talos Principle 2 is one of the best puzzle games of all time.

All of Thumper is quite the sight, particularly in VR. It’s dark and moody; blacks and reds fill your screen, transporting you to some sort of ethereal nightmare. But you’ll likely be transfixed on the action, completely absorbed in Thumper‘s strange but fascinating world. There really is nothing else like it. And try as we might, it truly is impossible to fully summarise the wonder of Thumper into words. It’s one that really does need to be experienced first-hand to be fully appreciated.

Seriously slick and responsive to play, The Rogue Prince of Persia will likely win you over instantly thanks to its stylish traversal. Add to the mix some wonderful storytelling, a world that's a joy to explore and challenging (but rewarding) combat, and you have one of the best roguelike platforming games of recent years.

Does Back From Hell “redeem” the initial disappointing release? In my eyes, absolutely. Like a medieval sinner turned to a life of holy demon-slaying knighthood, it claws its way back into the light over a pile of steaming gore-matted corpses. And if that’s not metal, I don’t know what is.

Bundling up two classic JRPGs and enhancing them in numerous ways including tidying up their visuals and making meaningful quality-of-life improvements, Suikoden 1 & 2 HD Remaster: Gate Rune and Dunan Unification Wars is a genuine treat for fans and newcomers alike.

The marrying of Mario and Rabbids may still feel like a strange choice, even five years on from the first game, but Ubisoft and Nintendo have once again proved just how well this mash-up can work. Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope does the impossible by making the oft-impenetrable tactical combat genre approachable – and a heck of a lot of fun. Combine that with gorgeous, colourful visuals and fun platforming and exploration, and you’ve got one of the Switch’s best games.

Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2 improves on its predecessor in numerous ways, making it a must-play for fans of dark, cinematic adventure games. Visually it's unparalleled, offering photo-realistic characters and environments, and its audio design is spectacular, too. It's just a shame that its combat gets repetitive all too quickly – but in the grand scheme of things, it's a small price to pay.

From the charm that oozes out of the hand drawn simple animations to the writing that is absolutely on point from start to finish, West of Loathing really is something quite special.

It’s not cheap, but then what’s the price of laughter and happiness?

Fleshing out the story of Resident Evil 4 while adding new mechanics and challenges, Separate Ways is everything you could ask for in an expansion. But what’s really impressive here is just how much there is to it. This is an essential purchase for any Resident Evil fan, offering yet more intense encounters and atmospheric bouts of exploration. Capcom could have just called this in, but instead it’s delivered an offering that’s better than some full games. Indeed, we’re left wondering if we prefer this to the actual main campaign of Resident Evil 4. That’s how good it is.

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.

Kirby: Planet Robobot sets a new gold standard in a franchise already renowned for excellent platforming.

With its stunning visuals and unique mechanics, Lords of the Fallen has quickly become one of our favourite Soulslikes. Its setting may be derivative, but it’s so well realised that you likely won’t care, especially when you’re switching between the worlds of the living and the dead, each with their own monstrosities to deal with and treasures to find. Hexworks has created something that genuinely feels like a successor to Dark Souls, leveraging the power of next-gen to push the genre forward. And so, put the mediocrity of the original Lords of the Fallen out of your mind: this may have the same name, but it stands head and shoulders above its predecessor in every single way.

Pac-Man, Galaga and Dig Dug are classics for a reason and I can’t help but recommend this collection to everyone.

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.

Little Nightmares II is a true evolution from the first game. Tarsier Studios has done a fantastic job in creating a world that's even more terrifying, brought to life with absolutely sublime art and sound. Sure, there are a few frustrations along the way, but they aren't what will stick with you. What you will remember, long after you've turned off the game, is just how magnificent and macabre Little Nightmares II is.

As you'd expect, Forza Horizon 6 is the biggest and perhaps best entry in the series yet. Its recreation of Japan is absolutely brilliant too, with some truly scenic locations to visit and race across. It's just a shame that Playground Games plays it a little too safe, with this essentially feeling like Forza Horizon 5 and Forza Horizon 4 before it - but with a new map.

Nothing will prepare you for the sheer joy however that is your ability to manipulate time; not only because it’s a great gameplay tool, but also because of the gorgeous visual effects that it brings to the table and how it enables you to affect the game’s world.

Whether you’re a fan of WWE or wrestling in general, WWE 2K24 is pretty much a must-have. As ever, it’s a comprehensive package that has something for everybody, and with its enhanced gameplay and expanded creativity options, it’s a title that you’ll likely go back to again and again. It’s assuredly the best WWE game in a very long time — and might actually be a contender for the title of best wrestling game ever.

Rarely ever putting a foot wrong, Split Fiction has set a new standard for co-op gaming. This is an absolute delight from start to finish, packing in some of the most wacky and creative ideas you'll have ever encountered in a game. It's as endearing as it is joyous, and providing you've got someone to play with, you'll love every minute of it.

Ori and the Will of the Wisps is game that’s hard to not love. It made me want to scream and shout a few times – a certain chase scene that was truly demanding and a final area that relies heavily on trial and error included – but for every moment that frustrated me, there were ten that amazed me. The platforming is crisp, combat is engaging, and the world just begs to be explored. Mix in drop-dead gorgeous visuals, a score to die for and a story that will break your heart, and Ori and the Will of the Wisps will make you glad to be alive.

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.

Ys IX: Monstrum Nox might just be the best Ys game yet. More emphasis on storytelling and a wider range of gameplay elements makes for a game that’s a little more absorbing, and one that also gives you some time to breathe between all the fast-paced action. It takes a little time to get going, but once the narrative is in its stride you’ll want to know more about the Monstrums that battle by your side, and what secrets the Prison at the heart of Balduq holds. Add on top lashings of entertaining combat and a soundtrack that’s a pleasure to your ears from beginning to end, and you have a game that’s simply a joy to throw yourself into.

Old Skies is a time-travelling point-and-click adventure with a compelling narrative that drags you in deeper with each questionable, time-altering decision. It's not short on heart, either, though you'll have to play to discover if protagonist Fia gets the ending she deserves.

Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales was a brilliant game when it launched in 2020, and it remains so now. Its origins as a standalone expansion means it’s noticeably shorter than Marvel’s Spider-Man Remastered, but it has a more enjoyable story and improved gameplay. It makes swinging through the streets of New York City, combating crime as you go, an utter delight. And this PC port is pretty much flawless.

With the addition of the new Clubs mode, this is the most competitive entry in the series yet, and it’s also the biggest thanks to the three new rallies that have been introduced. But more importantly, it’s the best-playing WRC game to date, going toe-to-toe with the DiRT Rally series. At this moment in time, WRC 9 is the closest thing to a perfect rally game we’ve got.

There’s no doubt about it, DiRT Rally is the finest rally game currently available on Xbox One.

I have been seriously charmed by Stardew Valley; there certainly isn’t much about it that I dislike. I like its subtle tactical elements and time management that thread through all of the activities you can do. It’s without a doubt currently my favourite game this year, and I feel it might take something pretty incredible to knock it off.

There’s something so very enthralling about Strange Horticulture; the way it lets you take the lead and figure out everything by yourself will really appeal to those with an analytical mind. The story could perhaps be a little more engaging, but it serves its purpose. Ultimately, it’s going to be Strange Horticulture‘s puzzles, its delicate but eerie presentation, and its satisfying and calming gameplay that will keep you hooked. Something very special awaits for those curious enough to enter Strange Horticulture.

Honestly, if you’re a fan of Road Rash you really must check Road Redemption out. Fast, brutal and huge amounts of fun, it hits all the right notes to make it an unmissable slice of arcade racing with an abundance of combat. It looks nice, has a rocking soundtrack and a surprising amount of depth. A Road Rash fan really couldn’t ask for more.

To play Yakuza 0 is to deeply fall in love with its characters and world; a challenge that many games try to conquer, but only a handful ever manage to actually achieve.

Ruiner’s budget presentation does little to sully what is otherwise a challenging, addictive and sublime twin-stick shooter experience. Whether you’re head-hunting a particularly nasty criminal, taking on a group of cyborgs or arduously battling against a fearsome boss, Ruiner is action-packed, stylish as hell and fucking awesome. In fact, it just might be one of the most memorable experiences I’ve played this year. Just play it on PC if you can though, yeah?

I had the most fun when I was forced to think tactically, manoeuvre for effect, take an enemy down quick, and reposition myself and my team to deal with the next threat.

It’s not perfect, but Ori and the Blind Forest: Definitive Edition is one of those games that everyone should play at least once. Its combat can be a little frustrating at times, as well as its platforming, but by making effective use of the Soul Link system they don’t have to put an end to your fun.