In the end, Rise of the Tomb Kings is hands down the best DLC I’ve ever played for Total War: Warhammer. With a fantastic amount of themed changes and features, the DLC perfectly immerses players on the experience and genuinely creates the feeling of raising an once-majestic empire from the sands of time. It’s as it should be – Tomb Kings do not serve. We rule!

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.

It boasts some of the most imaginative levels out there, and they’re backed up by platforming and combat that feels very familiar yet also surprisingly fresh. Its story has a more personal note, yet fleshes out not just Raz and the characters around him, but the game’s universe as a whole. Simply put, Psychonauts 2 is a triumph in all the ways it needs to be, and this hopefully means that it won’t be the last we see of the series.

With the exception of ranked play, it has everything it needs for the early running. For what we played and how much fun we had, we hope it’s an experience that only continues to grow.

Everything has been enhanced and improved so much, that Bungie at least deserve kudos for all the effort they put in. This is definitely the most complete Halo game to date, and well worth the money. Hell, It may even live up to its own hype.

It’s no surprise that Forza Horizon puts itself right into the mix with 2021’s Game of the Year contenders. Playground Games has been getting it right for a decade now. This is the definitive experience in the series so far, one that excels both on PC and the Xbox Series X. Minimal issues, such as server connectivity, fail to spoil the party that is just crammed with happiness and adventure. A number of small improvements across the board elevates the racer to being best in class; a huge plus for Microsoft with Sony’s impressive-looking Gran Turismo 7 flashing its headlights not too far in the distance.

Batman Season 2 is off to an excellent start. The Enigma is a decent size for a Telltale game, clocking in at around 2 hours 30 minutes, and it honestly feels like an epic Batman movie. And it’s only the first episode of a five-episode season. It has more gameplay than most Telltale episodes too, with something to do every few seconds, meaning it feels like you’re in the movie rather than just watching it and doing a QTE occasionally. It looks good too, with excellent voice acting and very good (and unpredictable) writing throughout. Honestly, I can’t think of anything too bad to say about it. It’s one of the best first episodes Telltale has ever done, and if The Enemy Within stays this good we could be looking at Telltale’s best game. Let’s hope the usual Episode 2 quality drop-off doesn’t happen…

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.

Though there hasn't been much of a technical improvement in the graphics and sound, the whole game feels much more vibrant. The colourful environments of the single player levels extend into the levels from the community too. LittleBigPlanet is just a joyous world to be a part of, even the menu screens have that extra sparkle of creativity poured into them.

If you’re a fan of RPGs, you should really check the game out; the story is engaging and the characters are fun, but it’s the charming picture-book aesthetic and unique combat system that really make the difference.

Stars in Shadow has some limitations that are defined by its indie development, but exceeds preconceptions with the amount of content and its near flawless execution. It’s an indie game truly for the 4Xer to revel in.

Space Marine 2 is an old-fashioned triumph that eschews modern trends and vapid bloat in exchange for relentless, gory action and a fully-featured Warhammer 40K package that’s presented in gorgeous fashion.

If you’re a fan of Dread Lords, then this expansion should absolutely be on your list to pick up as soon as possible. Go download it, I’ll wait.

To put it simply, I Am Alive is one of the most important releases this generation. Ubisoft should be commended for producing a title that challenges many adult themes. The effort is an amazingly brave and thought-provoking one, resulting in a product that is memorable and undeniably unique. People will be talking about this for years to come, and with good reason.

A fun game, especially for rogue-like veterans, who will get its dry British wit and genre in-jokes. The game is basically the next generation of the true rogue-like, much like Fatal Labyrinth was before it.

Remedy have proved that they’re not just a one-trick pony, creating a game that’s starkly different to Max Payne but also deeply referential to it. The clever story, great voice work and presentation all work to sweeten an already sweet deal.

The price tag for these games feels about right for the number of hours that come out of them, and I find myself going back and replaying earlier episodes, which helps me to feel that I got the bang I want for my buck.

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.

I love the combat skills of the general; it makes me feel superior in the battlefield. This game makes me want to know more about the Western Civilization.

1701 offers a nicely presented and deep strategy for gamers looking to sculpt a Caribbean styled empire, with fantastic artwork and interesting gameplay I would highly recommend this for players in the gaming mood to build, rather than destroy.

While many may still argue they’ve taken a too glossy approach to Tiberium Wars, it cannot be denied that it offers at its heart a lot of the core elements that made Command & Conquer the great universe it is.

What is Guitar Hero trying to do? It's not pushing in any straight direction, but in every which way, making owners everywhere enjoy the lowest common denominator. As a rhythm game, there's no comparison, but as a music game, one in which players can enjoy the songs they are playing...that's something that needs to be seriously addressed.

The controls for the PC translate quite well from the console, you can tell from the menu it’s a port and not a natively developed game.

A game that demands your total attention, it will consume it, and you’ll need to refine your skills in order to get anywhere. If you don’t think you’re up to that kind of challenge then you may want to pass, and seek something a little more forgiving. For the real racing fans, and gear heads among the gaming community, you’ll want this – want this bad!

In all, Kill It With Fire is shockingly fun for its simplicity. A game that wields excessive violence against the spider menace as many have wanted to do for so long, or perhaps at least joked about doing. The environments are very quaint and nice, which makes the surprising amount of destruction gamers can pull off all the more entertaining and appreciated, and the spiders that fill them are smart and sneaky little buggers since they can and will hide behind objects… including debris if gamers are a bit too eager to blow everything sky high. Definitely a worthwhile title if you want to kill some spiders.

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.

If you’re just getting into Sam and Max, Night of the Raving Dead isn’t a bad place to start and definitely worth the cost, though you’ll miss out on some of the in jokes.

For $20 on Steam, it's a hard deal to beat.

The “it’s not a game” crowd will invariably struggle to see the appeal with Abzû’s monumentally relaxed pacing, but they will arguably be the ones missing out here. An absolutely resplendent experience that is thoroughly and generously stuffed with memorable moments, Abzû’s beguiling audiovisual presentation lends it an atmosphere and sense of place that very few, if any, games can match. This is the very apex of videogame escapism.

It's a Masterpiece in my eyes and I rarely use that term.

Despite minimal flaws, Inscryption masters the experiment of blending a card game and horror into a bizarre mindtrip.

With precious few of those quality gameplay moments and a plot that limps along in need of focus, unfortunately Force Unleashed 2 ultimately fails to live up to the interest of its broken but far more compelling predecessor.

The likes of Flatout and Motorstorm have provided ample competition in the mud-filled Americana stakes previously, but there's something about the driving model in Showdown that satisfies in a fashion that few other games manage. Whether that's a result of simple expertise or just iteration over a number of titles is something only Codies can answer, but whatever the formula was for the success, you have to be happy they've gotten here.

I was surprised by Planetfall, lest of all because I was never a big fan of Age of Wonders – not because it was bad, but because it never grabbed me. This entry was different, however, with the focus on 4X expansion and the draw of close-range squad engagements with ranged weapons, bombardments, and customisable heroes was enough to get me invested, and was put together well enough to ignore most of the flaws in the squad combat system. They are still noticeable and frustrating enough to force me to take a break every once in a while (even when constantly winning battles), but if you are looking for an engaging, sci-fi 4X with more character and presence than the abstract grand-strategy Stellaris, Age of Wonders: Planetfall is the game for you.

Revenge of the Titans is what you get when you inject some real indie love into a tired genre - style, innovation, experimentation and instant playability. Some may find themselves frustrated with a customization approach that leaves room for epic failures, but most will find the open-ended nature of it all quite refreshing.

A very good expansion, only let down by some restrictive government options, a bad commonwealth AI system, and Stardock’s continued refusal to stop people from playing with each other.

As with Avernum, HoMM3’s sheen has not been dulled by the vitiating properties of time; instead, its unique blend of roleplaying and strategy is just as alluring 15 years on.

Total Chaos’ remake can be orthodox to a fault, but it’s a polished evolution of a fascinating blend of survival horror and shooter that never lets off the gas.

The Campaign might only last around 6-7 hours, but there are plenty of reasons to go back, ensuring that Gears of War: Judgment feels more than just an expansion pack to its predecessors.

Sine Mora is not only a breath of fresh air from a developmental perspective, adding new ideas to a old, yet ofter over-used genre, but it's also fun. Few games nowadays manage to look good, play well, and still offer a level of enjoyment on par with games that haven't existed since the Nintendo 64 era, but Sine Mora manages it.

Easily the most insane and downright fun 2D shooter I've played all year, if not ever. And yes, I did say Vuvuzela sandwich creatures with forks for legs.

FoGII:M consistently creates memorable battlefield moments. Winning a critical melee that collapses an enemy line and turns the tide of battle. A cavalry charge that unexpectedly smashes through an enemy flank. On overzealous charge that ends up in the rear of the enemy’s lines, isolated and vulnerable. For those looking for a more strategic experience, FoGII:M will fall flat. If you want tactical battles or a digital tabletop miniatures experience than FoGII:M is for you. The only thing missing from this digital tabletop experience is painting your army.

While only the first episode, Game of Thrones is off to a fine start with Iron From Ice.

As a RTS Homeworld: Deserts Of Kharak doesn’t actually have much new, but it’s still one of the better releases for the genre in a long time. In many ways it feels like a modern Westwood classic, but most importantly it evokes the same feelings of complex strategy that you might have had when playing the original Homeworld games.

With precious few of those quality gameplay moments and a plot that limps along in need of focus, unfortunately Force Unleashed 2 ultimately fails to live up to the interest of its broken but far more compelling predecessor.

This could have been a great game, so it's a shame certain things are holding it back - still, it's addictive, interesting, highly enjoyable, and so credit where credit's due.

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.

Episode 3 is back up to the quality of Episode 1, and is easily proving to be the best series Telltale's ever put out. If you're not on board the Walking Dead train by this point you're missing out, period.

This could have been a great game, so it's a shame certain things are holding it back - still, it's addictive, interesting, highly enjoyable, and so credit where credit's due.

This could have been a great game, so it's a shame certain things are holding it back - still, it's addictive, interesting, highly enjoyable, and so credit where credit's due.

It's seriously one of the best adventure games I've played in years that has words in it (I'm looking at you, Machinarium). It doesn't just tell a good story, it's tightly plotted too.

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.

A cult classic, a rare and crazy gem that demands your full attention from start to finish. The conversion from Wii to PS3 hasn't been entirely without fault, but it's still well worth picking up, especially if you never experienced it the first time around.

Dungeons is not what we were expecting, and that's completely fine with us. With clever and enjoyable gameplay that turns the tower defense genre on its head, this one is a real keeper.

One thing’s for certain though, this game is huge.

Just wait until you get to the end. It's a curious ending but well worth the Odyssey.

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.

For those who are already fans of the series, I’d suggest Crystal Souls is an essential purchase. For those none the wiser to Spiderweb Software’s extensive back catalogue, there’s no better time to join the fight.

Ninja Theory has been successful in using the talent that they have had at their disposal to enhance the gaming experience making Enslaved one of the best surprises of the year.

The writing is getting tighter with each pass and the folks at TellTale really seem to know what they want from the series and where they’re going with it, and I’m happy to be along for the ride!

A worthy purchase certainly, but only if you’re prepared to accept Far Cry 3.5 rather than Far Cry 4.

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.

Tempest Rising wears its C&C influence proudly, and while this overreliance on tradition limits its full potential, Slipgate Ironworks’ overall effort is remarkable and must be celebrated.

Technical hiccups aside, Blues and Bullets is a raucous and relentlessly entertaining inaugural entry into the episodic adventure genre.

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.

Vigil is on to a winner here. By bringing together a host of old-school mechanics, something oddly fresh is created. It would be a crime if this is the last we see of the series, as Death's story indicates the Darksiders universe is only going to get stronger with time.

If you enjoyed the first game, my bet is that you’ll really enjoy this game. If you’ve never played a Valkyria Chronicles game before and enjoy strategy and tactics mashups with some distinct aesthetics and gameplay flavor, this is the perfect game to jump into the series with.

This is a recommended play for fans of “control-freak” games like Theme Park, Theme Hospital, The Sims and Red Alert-genre programs.

Star Renegades had me enamored from the opening cutscene and sunk its claws deep with its tactically-sound combat, incredible aesthetic, pulse-pounding soundtrack, great story elements, and superb writing. I wish that its meta progression elements were more significant and that it didn’t insist on being yet another rogue-lite, but I still felt compelled - even after some really sour defeats - to come back and fight the good fight against the Imperium...Put simply, Star Renegades is one of the best indie game experiences I’ve had all year. Full stop.

The authenticity and attention to detail in Dragon Rising is to be applauded.

Only a few clunky systems, a couple of irritating puzzles, and a brief playing time let the game down, and none should put you off buying. Between this and Machinarium it seems post-apocalyptic adventures in robot civilisations are a safe bet for excellent puzzling.

If you have any prejudices about mobile games, look past them and get stuck in – Warhammer 40,000: Deathwatch Enhanced Edition is the real deal.

Despite its linearity, I'd argue that The Medium is a genuinely chilling ghost story that's sure to leave a lasting impression. The splitscreen effects make for quite a few memorable moments, and there's no denying the growing sense of accomplishment as you solve difficult puzzles and make your way through the cursed resort. It may not be on the same level as some of its inspirations, but I'd definitely recommend The Medium to any fan of classic survival horror.

Small nitpicks aside, Wolfenstein: The New Order is a fantastic game.

Nevertheless for this Dragon Age fan Trespasser was a hugely satisfying end to Inquisition, and the final choice alone will have huge ramifications. Roll on Dragon Age 4.

Two Point Hospital was one of the best games of 2018, and the Pebberley Island DLC doesn’t let it down. While the first level relies on crazy weather and useless janitors it’s merely a way to get you up to speed before the true, imaginative, creative weirdness of levels 2 and 3. The game forces you to change up your tactics, and throws you real challenges you’ve never faced before. It’s clever, and tough, and it’s never less than incredibly fun. It may be only three new levels, but if you need some more Two Point Hospital in your life, you won’t do better than visiting Pebberley Island.

While it’s true some of the tasks open to you in Red Faction: Guerrilla can feel a little repetitious, even laborious, they’re vastly outweighed by the sheer fun you can have taking the land and EDF apart.

Overall, it's obvious to see why Jak and Daxter makes the perfect choice for a HD collection, and I knew that I would enjoy returning to all 3 of these games. What I didn't expect was to feel that the most relevant release in the package is the original, a type of game that simply doesn't get made any more.

In the end, Rise of the Republic is a capable expansion that acts as a bonafide prequel to Rome II, providing dozens of hours of fun to fans of the game and its time period. It even pushes the envelope further, adding new features to the campaign and making the fall of Rome a two-battle endeavour instead of a simple siege. Creative Assembly continues to surprise with their ongoing high quality support of Rome II, and Rise of the Republic is yet another notch on that increasingly busy belt.

The authenticity and attention to detail in Dragon Rising is to be applauded.

Great fun, if not exactly the step forward we were hoping for. New players will have a fantastic time gunning for best times and whizzing through the air, while old Trackmania legends will either take to the new challenge, or wonder why it's just the very same experience all over again.

Alien Isolation is a nerve-wrecking, stomach-twisting, bowel-moving, edge-of-your-seat experience and is unlike every other game out there.

While Ubisoft may have fundamentally failed to grasp the commitment behind learning actual guitar, the product behind it is sound. It may be a steep initial outlay to play, but if you're serious about learning guitar, this one will put you on the right path, while entertaining you in the process.

A wonderful last hurrah though, as expansions go. With the new ships and tech, the internal divisions along with everything else, there's hundreds more hours of fun to eek out of this game.

A capable indie strategy title that does more with its Lovecraftian setting than most similar games of the past decade.

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.

For all its slight foibles, Just Cause 2 is hugely entertaining, and despite the creeping feeling of repetition beginning to set in as you destroy your 500th fuel tank or collect your 1000th item, there's more than enough freedom to pull off ludicrous stunts and experiment with your weapons, vehicles, parachute and grappling hook to make you want to extend your stay in Panau's sandbox paradise indefinitely.

I’ll admit, it’s taken me this long to feel the need to expand Cities: Skylines above it base offerings. Now I understand why. Each expansion brings heaps of free content to owners of even just the base game, so you might only pick up the full bag if it focuses on what you need. For me, Mass Transit feels unnecessary; whereas for others that may have been all they ever wanted. Green Cities is like sugar in this case. I don’t need it, but I want it.

Overall, Sniper Elite 4 has so much to offer its players and successfully caters to a wide variety of people. The fact that the Campaign can be played solo or entirely co-op is awesome, making it easy for players and their friends to jump in and out of the story as often as they please. Experiencing each mission for the first time is just the beginning of an on-going learning experience and the more familiar you become with the maps, the better sniper you’ll become.

Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord is very much a superior sequel in so many ways. It’s still a bit of a brick wall to get past in terms of understanding its finer points, but keep hammering away and you will find them.

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.

A tremendously well optimised PC port of one of the better Japanese action RPG franchises out there, God Eater 2 Rage Burst gives a great account of itself on PC to the point that you nearly forget that Monster Hunter even existed.

Much like the evolution of trains in Railway Empire 2’s history-spanning campaign, the game itself has learned lessons from the original and forged ahead with a stronger outing all around. While it has a compelling competitive edge to it, the game is best when things are serene.

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

To be honest there is very little that Backbreaker does wrong. Its only real drawback is that it is not an official NFL licensed game and misses out on the major draw of taking a team to the Super Bowl.

Exciting, clever and ultimately addictive.

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.

Although Resident Evil 4 is a superb remake, it still exists in the shadow of what made the original so important. However, the parry system stands out as the most welcome change to the largely familiar proceedings. At its core, the game remains the same stupendous spectacle of action horror it always was, but with arguably even higher intensity.