A fun, yet involving game. The action is well paced, there’s plenty of differing challenges, and the story will keep you hooked whether you’re a card fan or not.

The plot may be straightforward but the level of detail in the world could inspire countless fan fiction stories.

A masterpiece that deserves your time.

If you’ve never picked up a CKII expansion before, The Old Gods would be the perfect place to start. Saying that, there’s no reason you shouldn’t pick up the other expansions either, but we guess it depends on what you like to play as.

NHL 11 is easily one of the most feature-packed and entertaining ice hockey games ever created.

More time was spent fiddling in the control settings menu than actually getting on with the on-ice action, which speaks volumes of a title that prides itself on such an innovative system.

Bioshock 2 is an admirable experience, one that doesn't compare to the narrative of its predecessor, but carries forth the fun gameplay that was originally inspired some two years ago.

Dragon’s Dogma 2 is as much of an odd RPG as its predecessor and makes little to no concessions, leveraging its many strengths and unique traits to make up for the half-baked bits.

More time was spent fiddling in the control settings menu than actually getting on with the on-ice action, which speaks volumes of a title that prides itself on such an innovative system.

Obsidian has a fantastic history of ambitious RPG titles, but none feel as confident and refined as Pentiment. This is a game that truly understands the intoxicating nature of choice in video games, and rewards you with cynical torment befitting the world it portrays.

Despite a few technical quirks (seriously Ubisoft, patch the save system), a slight shortage of non-cutscene NPC interactions and the occasional lack of constant threat Far Cry 3 is a triumph that stands out from every other shooter released this year.

Torchlight II is addictive, imagination-fuelled goodness. It never gets boring and its "just five more minutes" value is second to none. It may not have an engaging story but I don't think anyone twatting a zombie pirate called 'One-Eyed Willy' with a giant wrench will miss it.

XCOM 2 is everything a sequel should be, keeping the things that everyone loved about the first game while changing things up as much as possible. Turning XCOM into a scrappy resistance force alters the sequel considerably, not necessarily for the better but certainly for an equally interesting and different campaign. The enemy forces and AI have been revamped considerably, making for a hugely nerve-wracking and yet satisfying time, and the sheer variety in missions is superb.

In an age where punishing difficulty is finally yearned for again, Cuphead is a worthy title to the list of the best ways to test your gaming mettle.

NHL 11 is easily one of the most feature-packed and entertaining ice hockey games ever created.

What we have here is a refined and extremely confident product from a studio that has found its feet in the FPS world.

It’s the best damn football game ever made, but only by a gnat’s whisker, and if anything that whisker is merely the updated seasonal player data which separates it from Pro "Evolution Soccer 5."

The Witcher 2 itself is still an incredible title that really makes you feel that you're having an impact on the people and politics of this world, and the Enhanced Edition only makes it better.

This is the latest and most outstanding title in the Total War franchise, any history RTS buff or fan of the series would be psychotically imbalanced should they choose to pass on this.

Bioshock 2 is an admirable experience, one that doesn't compare to the narrative of its predecessor, but carries forth the fun gameplay that was originally inspired some two years ago.

It’s a damn good real-time strategy game and a damn good StarCraft game.

With all those dungeon randomisations, boss events, challenging difficulty, co-op play, loot gathering and the general mayhem of monster slaying, Diablo III is a ride that may tire if binged on religiously but one that'll haunt your dreams long-term to get back to it, just like its predecessor.

Capcom perfected the combat formula over countless releases, but it wasn’t until Monster Hunter: World that they stripped away what ultimately was never much fun to begin with. You spend less time spent preparing, and more time actually fighting. And sales figures suggest, as we all expected, that Capcom really had something special sitting under all that bloat.

To many it'll still seem ludicrous that sports games are worth the purchase every year, but for anyone who's ever kicked a football in their life, this is the definitive choice.

Pillars of Eternity 2: Deadfire is as close to the perfect RPG as one can get. The fantastic setting, grand story, exceptional writing and voice acting, engaging combat all coalesce into an exemplar of its kind. This is the game that sets the bar. This is the game that needs to be aspired to.

Doom Eternal’s combat encounters are, quite possibly, the best in the genre. Snappy movement, a varied arsenal and executions, alongside a soundtrack that mixes atmospheric synths with pounding drums and devastating downtuned guitars all feed into the game’s trademark frenetic action. There’s unrivaled euphoria in crushing a demon’s head underfoot before moving on to kill hundreds more of his friends in equally brutal ways. Really, the only thing holding Doom Eternal back from reaching its full potential is its platforming which – although improved – take up too much time that could have been spent doing what Doom Eternal does best: letting you shoot the literal Hell out of scores of demons.

As far as the 360-specific additions are concerned, there are a few extra environments and characters for you to get your teeth into, but the core of Joe Danger is resolutely the same as its PS3 cousin. And for once, that's a fantastic thing. If you enjoyed Trials, and if you like Sonic or even Tony Hawk, you owe it to yourself to give this a try.

The decision to let Criterion tackle the Need for Speed franchise has paid off massively. They've produced one of the simplest, yet endlessly engrossing racers of the generation, which is all down to their superb ability to balance how each race plays out.

The Witcher 2 can be frustrating, but it's also a game that will suck you in and keep you talking about it for years to come...Frankly, it's the best game ever just for the giant chicken in the forest of penises. Stick that as our quote, Metacritic.

The best survival game ever released, and an indie game that goes toe to toe with AAA titles out there.

Yes – the campaign is probably the weakest element of the game on balance, and one needs to look towards future Spartan Ops episodes to see what will become of that mode, but taken as a package this is a game that Halo fans, including this Halo fan, can seriously enjoy. Plus, it looks amazing.

Outside of Championship Manager’s excellent scouting system then, Football Manager 2010 has left the pitch under a banner that displays yet another convincing scoreline.

Hitman III is a fascinating finale to the franchise that shyly continues the series’ tradition to iterate and improve on each entry.

There's issues and niggles here and there in the amount of Career Mode repetition of event types and environments, as with many racers, and the game is almost devoid of innovation in all modes other than the brilliant Gymkhana – but perhaps an evolution rather than a revolution was all that was needed for DiRT 3.

If you're a casual gamer then steer clear, but If you have both the time and the inclination to devote a lot of time to learning the sometimes over complicated set up then you'll have more fun than some kind of space pun I can't think of at the moment.

An excellent game in its own right, Heavy Rain lingers in the conscience long after the final credits, but it feels less like a revolution, more like a precursor to something genuinely fresh and groundbreaking.

Just perfect game pacing, splendid atmosphere and top-rating production value.

The Yakuza series is one of the best at what it does, being an Action-RPG with explorable locations. The games in this collection are dated, but even so, they perform well today and are still enjoyable to play. For players who have played before on console, pick this up if you want updated graphics and the ability to play through the series again without having to worry about backwards compatibility on consoles. For fans on PC who haven’t played the full saga, I highly recommend the Collection as it’s important to understanding the story of Yakuza, and is plenty fun to play, even if it’s dated. For any players who are new to Yakuza, I recommend first checking out Yakuza 0 or Yakuza Kiwami, they are better starting points, the Remastered Collection is not the best place to jump in.

There's issues and niggles here and there in the amount of Career Mode repetition of event types and environments, as with many racers, and the game is almost devoid of innovation in all modes other than the brilliant Gymkhana – but perhaps an evolution rather than a revolution was all that was needed for DiRT 3.

Indiana Jones’ triumphant return to video games is a memorable adventure that gives fans everything they wanted while concocting a delightful mix of systems and design philosophies that no one had anticipated.

What we have here is a refined and extremely confident product from a studio that has found its feet in the FPS world.

Deathloop turns both succeeding and failing into learning experiences and never makes you miss the lack of a quicksave option. It’s a mean feat that sets it apart from other games, and one of several reasons why it should be on the list of any immersive sim fans out there. It might not be Arkane’s best game and Blackreef may struggle clearly defining a personality for itself, but it’s certainly no stranger to great moments.

Dead Space 2 is a more than worthy successor to the original, adding plenty of oomph to the series and a solid multiplayer experience to boot. We would have preferred more puzzles and a little less linearity, but that doesn't stop us wanting a third Isaac outing.

DiRT 2 is without doubt the most comprehensive and utterly playable off-road racing game we’ve ever played. The overall racing experience is never anything but pleasurable, the depth and range of challenges on offer lending massive longevity and the presentation is also nothing short of exceptional.

Dragon Age: Origins is much more than a game – it’s the glorious revisiting of Bioware’s past and a look at where they are going in the future.

Reaper of Souls, in conjunction with the Loot 2.0 patch, finally brings us the Diablo III we want and that fans deserve.

Rayman Origins is the best 2D platformer this year, one of my favourite ever made (it's up there with Yoshi's Island), and the one game out in November everyone should play. I don't care if you've got other games to play – this one will make you feel good inside.

While in my opinion it has a few flaws that hold it back from true all-time-classic status Divinity: Original Sin is an excellent, beautifully designed and engaging RPG that absolutely never gets boring.

DiRT 2 is without doubt the most comprehensive and utterly playable off-road racing game we’ve ever played. The overall racing experience is never anything but pleasurable, the depth and range of challenges on offer lending massive longevity and the presentation is also nothing short of exceptional.

Rayman Origins is the best 2D platformer this year, one of my favourite ever made (it's up there with Yoshi's Island), and the one game out in November everyone should play. I don't care if you've got other games to play – this one will make you feel good inside.

So, Paradox have done it again – learning from the design of Crusader Kings II, Europa Universalis is an excellent starting foundation.

Creative Assembly has been a busy studio in these last couple years between the releases of the first Total War: Warhammer and its downloadable content, but they did not rest on their laurels with the sequel. Total War: Warhammer 2 is one of the most engaging and awesome marriages of turn-based and real-time strategy out there. Whether you’re sitting on your high horse among the elven factions or unleashing primal fury as the bestial races, there’s a great deal of enjoyment to be had that will keep you busy hour upon hour through multiple campaigns, skirmishes, and battles. Total War: Warhammer 2 continues to hoist the bar even higher for both Total War and Warhammer.

Iconoclasts is a kind of game that no AAA studio could ever have made. It has all the mechanics, visuals and other easily judged elements that a video game needs, and nailed down really well too, but it also has a less tangible feel to it that just endears it to the player. Even among other nostalgic pixel-art metroidvania games, this one stands out, and ought to be remembered as one of the indie greats.

Bayonetta is an assured, impeccably well-crafted game overflowing with enough offbeat ideas to fuel a million action games, and if we were doling out medals of our own, we'd award Platinum Games with the highest possible accolade. Simply put, Bayonetta is worthy of nothing less than pure platinum.

It’s improved upon the previous Ratchet and Clank platforming formula, and has excellent pace and a lot of secondary games to play, from finding all the Zoni to competing in a galactic tournament. Adults may find it a bit slow, though I’m fond of the title because of its wholeness. Few titles these days share that quality.

In every way, DJ Hero 2 is an exceptional successor, and a great rhythm game for this year.

Supreme Commander is not without a few hitches, mainly AI orientated, but it is plainly a fantastic ride and has had a lot of passion poured into it from Chris Taylor and Gas Powered Games. Honestly this is one of the big A-list titles for the RTS genre, any self respecting gamer who’s into the real-time strategic scene must, MUST, have this war behemoth among their collection.

A decent addition to Shogun 2's content library, although we still think a slightly missed opportunity to do something truly special.

Still, for those who take the time to persevere, New ‘n’ Tasty proves to be as delectable a treat as Abe’s original Odyssey all those years ago.

For 2013, there's more than enough to keep fans happy, and while it sometimes seems worth it to skip the latest version of Football Manager, the overhauled multiplayer and game mode variation makes this an essential purchase as ever.

It’s the best game to bear the Tomb Raider name, and the best action-adventure title I’ve played in ages.

It’s a sequel that plays it safe, but in doing so provides a polished, refined take on the series’ formula that caters to both veterans and newcomers. It offers hundreds of hours of monster slaying at release, while also providing a sturdy foundation on which Blizzard can build as it revs up its post-launch support.

Despite performance quibbles and a repetitive endgame for the campaign, Total War: Warhammer is an exciting strategy game that stands on its own. The four factions offer unique playstyles with compelling strategic options, and the hero units, fantastic creatures, and monstrous enemies make for spectacular battles that are almost as much fun to watch as they are to command.

As the name suggest, expect more enemies, and a harder fight for survival.

Dragon Age: Origins is much more than a game – it’s the glorious revisiting of Bioware’s past and a look at where they are going in the future.

Death Stranding is a masterpiece of game design which surpasses your every expectation.

Flawed as its presentation of the young Lara story may be, Tomb Raider is a great game first and an interesting story second. The latter certainly stumbles frequently throughout, but I was never put-off enough to actually stop playing - chiefly because the gameplay I was indulging in was so persuasively fun. That’s what matters in the end.

Overall, the quality of the tables is extremely high, and you'll most likely need to play for hours on end before you discover everything each has to offer.

I’d recommend giving the tactical puzzles a go before you begin a campaign, they’re fun challenges giving you a specific task and only take a single turn to achieve them. To me they really highlight the tactical diversity of Panzer Corps 2, a game where order of movement and positioning can turn a certain defeat into a grand triumph. If you love maneuvering to cut off an enemy and softening them up with artillery or a strafing run then you’ll enjoy the intense small scale actions you’ll find in every mission.

A bold take on the long-forgotten FMV adventure genre, Her Story might be old-fashioned and light on what some might describe as traditional gameplay, but its sophisticated narrative and entertainingly novel take on detective work both allow it to soar far beyond the zenith of its seemingly outmoded remit.

Nioh 3 is a fast, relentless, and tough thrill ride that maintains a great sense of progression while rewarding exploration and player freedom. The sheer amount of options is overwhelming, while opening the door to the souls-like genre for newcomers with its Ninja Gaiden-inspired action.

StarCraft 2: Heart of the Swarm embodies an evolved RTS that shows Blizzard has taken on even more superior genes from other gaming greats, even when those greats coincidentally happen to be of their own creation. If this is what happened since Wings of Liberty, then we should be in for a real treat when Legacy of the Void drops out of hyperspace.

It may feel like just more Dishonored, but Arkane have improved everything they could’ve and made a truly satisfying sequel. We just hope it’s not the last.

A very rewarding game, it provides hours of simple fun, and with all the extra content to unlock you might be immersed in this game for a long time. However non-fan gamers might find LSWII to be somewhat repetitive and eventually even boring.

MW2 is spectacular in all the right areas; building and refining on the most solid of bases. And although its political heart might not be in the ‘right’ place, at the very least it might make a few people think rather than skim through on muscle memory and twitch reactions. That’s a rarity in itself, and something to be respected in an age of apathy.

A brilliant homage to the 2D fighters that birthed it and brilliantly plucks features equally from more modern fighters as well as adding a few new ones of its own. Definitely brilliant – just not quite perfect.

The additions that change the gameplay do make enough difference to those schooled in the ways of hockey, and the goal tenders being made more real is a big boost to how 'authentic' the whole thing feels. But is it worth it for those who like it but who don't know their Jarome Iginlas from their Sergei Samsonov? You've got to say no, even if it is, yes, still a great game.

3rd Strike Online Edition provides a lick of paint that improve the dated visuals considerably.

Gearbox Software today owns the Homeworld IP and remastering the originals might seem a ‘cash grab’ at first glance, but considering the enormity of their effort to bring Relic’s space RTS masterpiece of the late 90s and early 2000s into today’s gaming arena, they more than prove their commitment.

Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus is easily the best single-player FPS of 2017, but it has surprising problems. The story is great, well-written and well told, and goes to places both dark and humorous, but it leaves a lot left over for Wolfenstein 3. The levels are fantastically designed with many ways to approach them, but occasionally you’re not sure where you need to go and there’s often not enough variety in the levels – we’re not sure we want to see another metallic Nazi base ever again. And the combat’s just fantastic. We loved every moment of it and we’re certain we’ll want to play it again, but to be honest… The New Order was a little bit more satisfying.

DmC does a fantastic job of being immediately recognisable as a game belonging to the franchise, while also providing an experience that will introduce those unfamiliar to it. It's sleek and cool, providing a frantic and flowing combat system that underlies and defines it from the get-go. Dante doesn't just look cooler, he plays cooler, and this may well be the series' finest hour.

From Software might have started this genre, but Ninja Theory is hot on their heels when it comes to quality. Nioh 2 is an achievement. It’s equal parts challenging and rewarding, with a loot system that rocks, a combat system that is deep and nuanced, an online component that adds to the experience, and great performance on PC. I haven’t enjoyed myself this much in a long time. If you enjoy games of this subgenre and haven’t yet experienced Nioh 2, the time is now. Jump in, test your mettle, and become the samurai that world of Nioh so desperately needs.

3rd Strike Online Edition provides a lick of paint that improve the dated visuals considerably.

It's testimony to Harmonix that the Dance Central series has become an essential purchase for Kinect owners. Having two players in front of the screen is tremendous fun, and adds to the game's appeal massively.

Total War: Warhammer 3 makes it easy to lose countless hours spilling blood across its lush fields and rugged mountains, even before its Mortal Empires campaign inevitably turns it into a behemoth of a game. If you’re even remotely interested in the series or Warhammer Fantasy, this is one you won’t want to miss.

Bastion is not just a great game: it's a beautifully articulate, heartfelt and poignant work of fiction.

There's issues and niggles here and there in the amount of Career Mode repetition of event types and environments, as with many racers, and the game is almost devoid of innovation in all modes other than the brilliant Gymkhana – but perhaps an evolution rather than a revolution was all that was needed for DiRT 3.

The deed system is so simple yet so great; it’s a real surprise it hasn’t been included much before.

Desperados III is like a decadent cake. It’s very rich in detail and design, and highly recommended, but that richness is for a certain palette that won’t appeal to everyone. Yes, it can depend on trial-and-error and the loading times can be unsavory. But it’s been awhile since a game plagued my thoughts like Desperados III. Getting a plan to work is a blast, and some excellent characterization prop up the mechanics nicely. Mimimi Games is a worthy successor to the Desperado franchise, and III will convert skeptics.

Lizardcube has perfected its craft of elevating retro games for the modern era. The gorgeous 2D graphics feel fresh yet oddly nostalgic, which is mirrored by the fast, fluid movement that feels like the natural progression for 2D platformers. Not everything is polished. Some parts of the level design, menus and UI don’t live up to the heights of other aspects of the game, but this doesn’t wholly retract from an experience that will delight 2D platforming fans new and old.

A consistently thrilling and explosive tale that states its case as one of 2012's best. I'd be hard pushed to find a game that has made me scream with excitement on such a regular basis, as the compelling narrative and rewarding gunplay conglomerate into a truly spectacular product.

The additions that change the gameplay do make enough difference to those schooled in the ways of hockey, and the goal tenders being made more real is a big boost to how 'authentic' the whole thing feels. But is it worth it for those who like it but who don't know their Jarome Iginlas from their Sergei Samsonov? You've got to say no, even if it is, yes, still a great game.

It has an appeal to it that cannot be denied. Gameplay is there, the soundtrack is there, and the pieces fall together well. Whether you see yourself playing with a turntable controller or not is up to you, though chances are if you’re unsure, you’ll find yourself trying it out at a party or friend’s house very soon.

Enemy Within makes for an incredible, and fresh, journey as you fight to save the world one more time, and it’s definitely worth picking up eventually. We would totally understand though, if you wanted to wait for a steam sale or something.

In every way, DJ Hero 2 is an exceptional successor, and a great rhythm game for this year.

Guitar Hero 5 is definitely the highest point of the series, since it passed into the hands of Neversoft. Activision's game has some very interesting ideas like Play Party, Avatars in game and a lot of game modes to have fun with your friends. Some imperfections in the packaging still restrict the final judging, but all those who loved World Tour can buy this chapter without remorse.

There’s a bounty of new swag, interesting characters and quests to be had in these isles of Mania and Dementia; a great expansion to an already great game.

The problem is that when it works, it works, but when it doesn’t, it really doesn’t. Luckily, the game’s low points like the horrible binary stealth system and the bugs and lack of QoL are either fixable or vastly outweighted by the good bits, and the overall tally still ends up being much higher than the average of many other games out there. That’s helped a lot by the moment-to-moment gameplay, which pays off just as much as the story beats; the movement system lets you climb almost any short object, vehicles are weighty to drive and have fantastic interior and exterior designs, and guns feel properly loud and heavy. It’s story and narrative kept me glued to the screen, and everything – from sex scenes and romance options to Keanu Reeves trying to kill you or help you throughout the game – are remarkably well done. Cyberpunk 2077 is a game crafted with love, and it shows...A remarkably well-executed open world game whose great heights exceed its profound depths.