FEAR 2 doesn't manage to cause panic like its predecessor because Monolith uses the same well-known techniques again. But it's still fun to follow Alma. This time, it's more uncertainty than fear that keeps you playing.

Looks and plays great, but the career mode lacks lot of elements from earlier games.

Great tactical depth and varied turn based combat in a dark SciFi setting. Interesting scenario, but disappointing story line.

Innovative detective role-playing game in a highly interesting world in which your decisions have far-reaching consequences.

Once you've turned off your PC for ten minutes you'll want to go back and play some more, just one more level. If you like Tower Defense games, it's a clear must-buy.

A convincing reboot of the popular Thief series in virtual reality with exemplary immersion and clever microphone use.

if you aren't interested in animals and pets, this is not for you. But if you do, this is the perfect add-on with endless possibilities.

Technically clean PC port of Yakuza history with many configuration options, well suited for newcomers.

Despite a thin story, Star Wars Outlaws: Wild Card scores with improved sneak passages and lots of atmosphere.

Layers of Fear is a great experience, recommended for everyone who doesn't need monsters in a horror game.

Quotation forthcoming.

Banishers is an insider tip for fans of great stories full of tough decisions who can overlook gameplay weaknesses.

Indirect controls, random battles, no diplomacy – can this be fun? Yes. Lots of upgrades, exploring the map and the colorful fantasy setting will get you hooked right from the start, including the just-one-more-mission effect. A real insider tip.

Devil May Cry 4 may not be a very subtle game, but it sure is a lot of fun. Ripping whole armies of demons to shreds at breathtaking speed or watching a mighty end boss giving kudos to you in "over the top" cut scenes - things like these create that special feeling of power. There are some weak spots like (levels are re-used, a few annoying mini games and riddles), but action fans should give it a go anyway.

I am really looking forward to the next mission, the next dialog, the next puzzle. As in a solo role-playing game flat. And this is not an error but a boon.

Even 14 years after the original, it's still a very unusual 3D platformer with lots of clever ideas and a wacky design.

Victor Vran offers motivating and dynamic battles and it's twice the fun in co-op mode.

A really nice feel-good game.

Creepy disturbing family drama with feature length and escape-room-flair. Shallow gameplay but intense - especially in VR.

An entertaining game, but no revolution of the adventure genre and quite similar to the first game.

Quotation forthcoming.

Brilliant co-op hit with first-class gunplay, yet Helldivers 2 still needs a few more patches.

It looks like a twin to the first installment, but offers new gameplay elements and a lot of fun. Having to repeat the main quest in every new game is a bit annoying, though.

The content of Empires & Ashes is really good, but it's just not what Age of Wonders 4 needs.

Mordhau is for me almost something like Asterix for adults.

The combination of action and tower defense seems exotic at first glance, but quickly manages to hook you. However, there are limitations to the combat system.

It's not polished and sometimes slow-moving, but full of cool sci-fi stories once you get into it.

The story may be a bit thin, but as far as gameplay is concerned, Hitman is an assassin's dream come true.

In Terra Nil you spend time demolishing your buildings - for the sake of nature.

The story is pleasantly complex.

Bursting with creativity, but also with ambition.

The most bombastic open-world title of the year is like a playground that works better, the more you lower your brain activity. Brain off, fun on.

The Hot Wheels DLC for Forza Horizon 5 delights with a crazy rollercoaster open world but lags a bit in scope and atmosphere.

Jalopy is the simulation of hearts and pain: car lovers with nostalgia for East Germany experience fun, the rest probably more hate.

Although Chuchel is short and hardly demanding, it still works because of the clever puzzles, the humor and the lovely graphic style.

A strong and challenging multiplayer title.

Rise of the Ronin is a challenging open-word souls-like with versatile and dynamic combat and an unused setting.

Thrilling real-time tactics game that stays true to the series' roots in a very satisfying way.

Hob is a charming action adventure that shows the journey is more important than the destination.

Extremely demanding, extremely intense. But to be a hardcore success, Insurgency: Sandstorm still needs optimization and bug fixing.

Quotation forthcoming.

No linear levels, no historical correctness. Medal of Honor: Airborne needs getting used to, but then it's World War fast food - easily digested, very entertaining and over much too soon.

The most beautiful landscapes, the most captivating sword fights and the most believable online world to date. Age of Conan is still a work in progress, but already fascinating and managed to captivate eight of our editors over the last few weeks. There are some technical problems, but if Funcom keeps on improving the game it could be the other big MMO next to World of Warcraft.

Intense and gripping, but fair survival horror that is oozing with suspense and a creepy atmosphere.

This spinoff doesn't need to hide in the shadows of the other titles of the series. This stealth 2D platformer is very motivating with diverse gameplay.

An old-school action blockbuster that should make 16-bit fans very happy. Everyone else should know what they're getting into here.

This morbid kid brother of Hades offers motivating combat and reward mechanics, numerous fighting styles, yet no storyline.

Not a Prince of Persia like any other. But one that you should definitely give it a chance.

Fast-paced story shooter that combines thrilling battles in slightly monotonous levels with a cool sci-fi atmosphere.

Nostalgics will enjoy innuendos to pop culture, everybody else a slender, picture-pretty puzzle adventure that also speaks to your emotions.

L. A. Noire: The VR Case Files focuses on the strengths of the main game, but the story suffers.

It's in bad taste, disgusting, difficult to digest - so it's a true and worthy South Park game. It's captures the humour and has lots of great ideas. Still, it's no RPG, it's all about the fun we all know from the TV series.

High Hell's refreshing honesty and unfamiliar naivete have kept me entertained for at least a few hours...A minimalist, very entertaining and action-packed low budget shooter with the right dose of chaos, humor and madness.

The strategically and optically convincing TGC skillfully introduces new ideas into the genre. Very generous and fair Free2Play system!

Thrilling survival adventure with a large, lovingly designed game world that comes to life thanks to many different insects.

Another well-done Souls-like from the Nioh devs, whose setting and silly story you either like or better ignore.

Wasteland 2 is like a granny. A bit shaky, and you have to understand that she comes from a different generation - but lovable and sometimes blessed with impressive age wisdom.

Dead Space 3, despite its strengths in presentation, atmosphere and sound remained well below the class of its predecessors. Too bad if you consider that this is probably due to targeting a wider audience.

Quotation Forthcoming.

Breathtakingly beautiful and quite easy puzzle adventure without violence, fights or player deaths.

Rise of the Ronin is a challenging open-word souls-like with versatile and flexible combat, as well as a fresh setting.

Beginner-friendly diesel punk shoot 'em up with additional game modes and challenges that only real masters will manage.

UBOAT is a worthy successor to the Silent Hunter series that sets its own accents.

Greater than Starfield's ambitions is only the RPG's wasted potential. It still is a fun space trip, though.

This jump & run is a must-buy for every fan of the genre. Even beginners should take a look because Limbo shows that you don't need DirectX 11 or a huge story - just two colors and a lot of love.

Great first season with great characters and coherent story. More interactive story than game though.

Above all, the first four Settler games benefit from the purely technical changes. All seven have aged with dignity.

The best job of all may be to cound the daily revenue for The Sims 3 at EA, but this add-on probably comes quite close. Even though it's a bit more of the same, it's hard to escape the typical Sims charm.

A Way Out hits the heart of thriller fans and combines an intricate gangster story with simple co-op gameplay that welds gamers together.

If you want to rule over Europe you can look forward to complex trading and city building. For military strategist it may fall short.

Less complex, but very demanding castle-building game that impresses above all else with its massive number of troop units.

And the mod-tweaking of my science fiction troops and commanders brings additional depth.

Visually stunning, but gameplay-wise shallow Free2Play game about fashion.

Quotation forthcoming.

Atmospheric strategy game with high entry hurdle that is worth overcoming.

A great Metroid-style action adventure with fantastic presentation. Could have been a bit longer and demanding though.

If you liked FlatOut, you'll love Wreckfest. Drily presented, but wonderfully brutal full-contact racing with impressive physics.

Homeworld 3 impresses with groundbreaking space battles but disappoints with a trivial campaign.

Action-packed, yet demanding multiplayer fun, but it lacks variety and depth in the long run.

A fantastic driving experience, but the career mode is disappointing and there's no weather system.

Have you been playing World of Warcraft for such a long time, that streets in Stormwind or Orgrimmar have been named after you? Why not try a free alternative? Runes of Magic is really impressive. There is no pressure to buy anything, it's easy on beginners and at the same time a complex game thanks to the rune system and dual classes.

Overwatch 2 does some things differently than its predecessor, but it doesn't pass as a sequel.

Quotation forthcoming.

Dark fantasy RPG with highly tactical and intense turn-based combat, but weaknesses in city building and character development.

Brain off, trigger finger on. It's easy to forget the simple visuals and it's ideal for a quick game.

Once again Paradox offers a strategy game on a global scale, perfect for retirement, taking a year off or spending your life in solitude. It's dry presentation is full of statistics and details. If you've got enough patience, this game could keep you occupied for years.

Hotline Miami 2 is indeed a fun and exciting action spectacle, but also a little disappointing successor of a great game.

Dungeon Siege 3 is clearly better than its predecessors and fights are real fights, not just interactive graphicsl demonstrations. The story around Jeyne Kassynder is good entertainment.

A great action game with new characters, but the new version keeps the weaknesses of the original and re-uses a lot of levels.

Quotation forthcoming.

If you like exploring, this is for you. If you prefer survival games, don't expect too much.

The paradoxical bottom line: The Settlers: Rise of an Empire is a diversified and motivating game, not because of it's innovations, but in spite of them.

The dense atmosphere and gripping survival action ease the pain caused by the weak story and the unappealing protagonist.

Quotation forthcoming.

Motivating and entertaining adventure game with interesting decisions, great character design and strategic diversity.

Anyone who can not make friends with a rather broad-based, but then always repetitive content and attaches importance to a story or multi-layered characters, is wrong with Dauntless.

An entertaining, professionally produced mainstream racing game for a mainstream audience. 95% may rejoice. I am one of the other 5%. [Heiko Klinge]

Dead Island 2 knows what it wants and does it just right. The zombie slasher is good solo, but even better in co-op.