A potent cocktail of authentic 1930s aesthetics, jazzy tunes, ingenious boss designs, and gameplay founded on the fundamentals inherent to the best 2D shooters. Cuphead sure is swell.

With its brutal, agile combat and engrossing slice of cyberpunk existence, you'll desperately want Ruiner to keep the story going.

The best footballing package available, with myriad improvements – yet still unlikely to convert fans of the opposition.

Its generation-long strengths hold true, and just about prevail over an increasingly cynical microtransaction creep. My Career’s jump to an open-world setting throws a new gauntlet down to the rest of sports gaming.

Death of the Outsider uses a smaller scale to create a game that offers up its rewards quicker but without diminishing their payoff.

Marvel vs Capcom: Infinite has a solid core and Infinity Stones make fights tactical. If only it didn't have to live up to the expectations set by its excellent predecessors.

Evolved beyond what anyone imagined, Destiny 2 realises the FPS-RPG dream with a richness, warmth, and player-minded benevolence that needs to be played to be truly understood.

Despite minor complaints, PES 2018 is undoubtedly top-of-the-table where it counts: the pitch. This is PES back on form.

An experience that feels thin and repetitive in spite of its length and new additions, Knack 2 feels like a palette cleanser rather than a main course.

Chloe’s enhanced angst might grate a little, but there’s no denying Before the Storm is going to be another brilliant Life is Strange game.

Absolver feels like a (difficult, sometimes frustrating) step into a larger world, and if you can hang with it, it'll leave you hungry for more.

Mario + Rabbids gives you the action and strategy of XCOM in a way that does justice both to Mario and to the Rabbid’s kooky style. Ubi’s big E3 surprise is an unmissable Switch game.

F1 2017 is another superbly authentic recreation of modern F1. However, the sport’s current complexity will be overwhelming for most, and the returning classic content is nowhere near as good as it should be.

The first Mike Bithell short feels like a pleasant stretch of the grey matter, offering players a story that keeps the intrigue throughout.

While the action sequences might feel like old hat, there’s no denying that Chloe and Nadine’s very personal adventure will go down as one of Uncharted’s best.

Madden 18 shines brightest with its new Longshot mode, but the lack of improvements elsewhere makes this year’s Madden offering an incremental – but still highly-playable – update.

Mixing eclectic elements from throughout the genre’s history, but making them all entirely its own, LawBreakers is an immediate, energised shot of FPS purity, with intelligence, depth, and exhilarating strategy to spare.

Hero-swapping tactics add a unique edge to third-person combat, while humor and heart elevate Agents of Mayhem's typical world-saving fundamentals to memorable heights.

While some of its threads don't always come together as neatly as they should, Fullbright's sophomore effort is a quiet and haunting examination of the ways corporations dehumanize us all.

Stormblood tells an intriguing tale of resistance and rebellion, with well-defined characters, exciting dungeons, and awe-inspiring new classes, but leans just a bit too heavy on the grind.

Splatoon 2’s formula no longer feels original, but it looks great, its controls are tight, and there’s enough variety to give you dozens of hours of multiplayer fun.

The Zodiac Age allows Final Fantasy 12 to realize its full potential, thanks to a wealth of graphical enhancements, a soaring soundtrack, and the addition of the Zodiac Job System.

It's gorgeous, and a clear labour of love, but the controls might drive you, err, N.Sane.

An accessible and captivatingly strange new breed of versus fighting game, Arms is another Nintendo knockout for Switch.

Worth buying for its superb rally sim alone. But the returning racing modes are bland, frustrating and unsatisfying.

With breakneck racing thrills and impeccable presentation, this ranks up there with The Last Of Us Remastered as the best redux on PS4.

Despite some narrative missteps, Tekken 7 is still a compelling, exhilarating experience. Find the right sparring partner and it will entertain you indefinitely.

A thrilling, authentic recreation of Star Trek that brings out the team player in everyone. Just a shame it's such a pain to set-up.

An intoxicating, memorable journey, with smart puzzles and a resonant story.

Injustice 2 isn't the most original fighting game on the block, but it might be the most balanced and thoroughly entertaining one - gear system notwithstanding.

Far from the quick-and-dirty update it might have been, Shadows of Valentia is no Awakening, but an enlightening and worthwhile history lesson.

With a setting that tells a story better than any human voice, Prey’s combat and quests will suck you even deeper into its world.

Despite the blood stains and ransacked rooms, I’m having a blast so far.

At times mechanically clumsy, but artistically sound, Little Nightmares might get on your nerves every once in awhile, but its imagery will burrow into your brain and never leave.

Horrific in completely the wrong way, Outlast 2 is a night-vision journey into frustration. An intriguing story just can’t save the infuriating misery that awaits.

Three years on: still a classic, and with its biggest weakness fixed. If you own a Switch it’s a no-brainer – especially if it’s your first time.

Graceful Explosion Machine is the gaming equivalent of empty calories. It's pretty to look at, super smooth, and has some interesting weapons, but there's no real hook to keep you sustained beyond the act of moving around and blowing up aliens.

Evoking the essence of late-'90s platforming without significantly modernising it, Yooka-Laylee is a game with noble aspirations, grounded by clumsily flawed execution.

Masterfully balances the needs of old and new players alike – but online teething problems are a curveball Sony has to overcome for the game to truly prosper.

Thimbleweed Park is like the HD remaster of a lost LucasArts adventure from the '80s, with all the hilarious, self-aware dialogue and sometimes frustrating design of the era brought forward into the 21st century.

The voice acting is outstanding, the music is genius, the art style is so slick it'll raise your personal coolness level just from being in close proximity to it. Playing Persona 5 will make your hair glossier, increase your vocal range by an octave and add 7.32 years to your overall life expectancy. Play it enough times and you'll likely not only be able to levitate but also make a perfect omelette while in midair. It's THAT good.

Andromeda provides an interesting premise and story, but is let down by poor combat, excessive padding, and over-complication.

While it's certainly not perfect, Nier: Automata is nonetheless a breath of fresh air that will challenge your thumbs as well as your thinking - a game with hydrocarbon heart and silicon soul that will stay with you long after you've set the controller down.

A stunning open world, brutal combat, and deep customization combine to bring Ghost Recon roaring back from the dead.

The most freeform Zelda yet, without sacrificing the charm, fun or quality you expect from the series. Nintendo’s finest work since Super Mario Galaxy.

A deep and gratifying medieval swordfighting sim that risks putting off newcomers. Persevere and the rewards are well worth it.

An open-world that tailors to each and every interest, Horizon: Zero Dawn keeps combat fresh, with an intriguing protagonist to match.

Blitz mode aside, Halo Wars 2 sticks with a tried, tested and slightly tired RTS formula that's competent, but lacking in depth and originality.

Huge levels and an incredible array of new ways to take down your targets make Sniper Elite 4 a killer addition to the stealthy series.

Though it doesn't outshine Dark Souls, Nioh's distinctly Japanese setting, thoughtful level design, and demanding difficulty lead to some supremely satisfying payoffs.

Sew-tably adorable, Yoshi’s delightful platforming makes a charmingly inventive addition to the 3DS line up.

A successful resurrection of Hitman. Deft systems design and great levels, slightly let down by production issues and online restrictions.

A brilliant reinvention for the series and great horror game in its own right.

Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8: Final Chapter Prologue is essential for the faithful, flummoxing for newcomers, and a promising start to the series' life on PS4.

While a bit disappointing on the mini-game front, Yakuza 0 remains as strange and charming as ever, with the best story and combat the series has seen in years.

When Gravity Rush 2 sticks to its strengths, it soars; it’s a shame that its stale mission design and clumsy controls keep it from getting too high off the ground.

Super Mario Run is an excellent and smart step into mobile gaming for Nintendo, but difficulty spikes might frustrate casual players.

Batman: The Telltale Series squanders its potential with a messy story obsessed with retreading older Batman tales.

Watch Dogs 2 builds upon the strengths of the original game, whilst polishing up aspects that lacked depth to deliver a coherent, comprehensive experience. Its diverse cast and (mostly) thought-provoking narrative trump the occasionally repetitive, maddening gunplay, and though the urban youth humour occasionally falls flat, for the most part its characters feel, talk, and react convincingly. The lengthy story mission alone offers hour after hour of combat and exploration but, unlike the original, I'm left wanting more once it's all over… and this time, for all the right reasons.

Steep looks stunning and offers plenty to do and see, but unfortunately gets repetitive too quickly.

A moving adventure starring an extraordinary companion. Framerate issues intrude, but don't let them stop you from finishing this wonderful game.

Not always thrilling, but Dead Rising 4 feels like the series getting its sense of fun back. And that's a great thing.

Missing features are balanced out by excellent additions, but if you want the world to see your work, stick to the Wii U version.

Even when it stumbles, Final Fantasy 15's ambitious open-world, fast-paced combat, and the humanity of its four leads make it a fascinating adventure to behold.

A wonderful recreation of Skyrim, which remains - despite rough edges and badly-aged elements - one of the greatest RPGs ever made.

A comfort blanket of a game that appeals if you’ve played none or all of the series’ entries. Sun and Moon’s mix of classic callbacks and cheerful changes are super-effective.

A comfort blanket of a game that appeals if you’ve played none or all of the series’ entries. Sun and Moon’s mix of classic callbacks and cheerful changes are super-effective.

Any criticisms of Dishonored 2 feel like nitpicks of a thoroughly entertaining, mechanically complex, impressively realized world, just like the first. My primary playthrough as a stealthy, nonviolent Emily clocked in at over 15 hours - and though I sometimes found myself wishing for more character development in the overcrowded story, I was never for a moment bored with the otherworldly abilities of my agile assassin.

It's not quite a complete reinvention for the series but Infinite Warfare makes some refreshing changes to deliver a confident and exciting shooter.

World of Final Fantasy's opening hours show a lot of promise for fans and newcomers alike, but the longer you spend with it, the more its lack of depth becomes apparent.

Intelligent, creative, and never less than thrilling, Titanfall 2 finally realises the series' true potential with verve and polish.

Skylanders Imaginators is rich with customisation options, and a genuine sense of fun makes this a brilliant addition to the series.

Battlefield's tried and tested multiplayer feels wonderfully at home in the WW1 setting, and the solo campaign tells interesting - if historically lightweight - stories.

A game of inspired highs diluted with pedestrian lows. Worthy, but achieves less than its true potential.

An already amazing journey into synesthesia achieves its full potential with PS VR and Area X.

A varied and fulfilling selection of pretend-o-fights, bolstered by new features which don’t all work exactly as intended – but show tantalising promise for the future.

The second best rally game on current-gen, after Dirt Rally. A straining game engine is its biggest issue, but accept its few shortcomings and you’ll find a fun and engrossing rally sim.

London Heist is the clear winner experience-wise and there’s terrifying joys to be found underwater in Ocean Descent, but it’s a shame that there’s not more to shout about in this uneven collection.

Gears of War 4 is a focused, confident exercise in how to relaunch a franchise. As effective as a direct sequel as it is a soft-reboot, it’s a game crafted of thought, wisdom, and objective calculation blended with a real passion for finding the fun. It may err slightly on the safe side in its campaign, but it does so understandably, in order to strip the series back to what matters, and re-evolve it with a carefully considered outlook.

They say the devil’s in the detail, but Color Splash proves quite the opposite. In the minutiae it excels, while many of its broader systems hit a little wide of the mark. Despite its flaws, it’s very difficult to dislike, perhaps because every niggling issue is quickly followed by a moment of grin-inducing silliness or awe-inspiring beauty. This might not be the return to classic Paper Mario that its devotees have been awaiting, nor is it a bold reinvention that vindicates Nintendo’s need to innovate. It is, however, one of the most heartwarming games you’ll play this year.

Horrifically brilliant, Until Dawn: Rush of Blood is simultaneously what you want and don’t want VR horror to be. A blood-drenched fairground ride of cackling delight. Step right up.

A brilliant slice of Bat action that lets you make the most of being the World’s Greatest Detective. Don the cowl. It’s worth every penny.

Combat could be better, but Dragon Quest Builders combines RPG structure and freeform creativity to great effect. It's Minecraft for people who hate Minecraft.

Impossible to recommend ahead of the PC version because of some issues with the port, but nonetheless one of the most unique experiences on console.

NBA 2K17 continues the theme of excellence that has made the series so popular. It’s slick, smart, and deep. It is the model that all modern sports video games should aspire to be, appealing to virtually every type of player and fan.

Not the transformative experience offered by this year's PES, but still unmatched in the genre for atmosphere, licenses, and finer details.

Assured creativity and a smart eye for systemic refreshment make for a confident and classy expansion.

A superbly-produced, feature-rich racing game. Too much of it may feel like busywork and filler, but few other racers are this slick or feature-packed, and it certainly has moments of magic.

A long-overdue return to form that finally surpasses Pro Evo's PS2 glory days – and, assuming presentation woes are fixed, lays the foundations for an all-new footballing empire.

Littered with bugs, excruciating load times, and a severely padded ending, ReCore is a great example of good ideas, flawed execution.

Spirit of Justice strikes right to the core of what makes Ace Attorney games great: bold, dramatic narrative, a ridiculous sense of humour, and outstanding writing. The first truly superb AA game in years.

Whether or not you dig its new look, KOF 14 offers everything you could want in a fighting game: refined gameplay, a bevy of appealing characters, and accessibility that gives way to complex depth.

New running features makes this the most balanced and enjoyable Madden yet, but a few awkward sights and sounds will remind you that it’s just a game.

Mankind Divided is full of great moments, from the lengthy journey across The Throat of Golem City, to the simple pleasure of crouching in a Prague bank, wondering how next to proceed.

No Man's Sky is impressive, unusual and staggeringly vast. Despite some moments of tedium, its gravitational pull will keep many players perpetually engaged.

Absolutely gorgeous and a joy to behold, but sticks too close to Journey's formula for its own good.

Headlander has a few rough spots, but its 70s retro/sci-fi aesthetic and head-swapping gameplay are out of this world.

I Am Setsuna aims to invoke the spirit of classic 16-Bit JRPGs like Chrono Trigger, but its obtuse combat and monotonous pacing keep it from reaching those lofty heights.