This is an event game, the kind of thing you simply need to own ... even if you don't consider yourself a Grand Theft Auto fan.

Rockstar Games has managed to exceed my expectations and create one of the best games of this generation.

An astounding triumph that will certainly stand above the pack this season, Red Dead Redemption 2 is a unique game about unique people. The writing, visuals, and gameplay combine to make an absolute standout of a title, one that has been well worth the wait.

The first-person perspective manages to make a year-old game feel new again, and the changes made to the graphics, gameplay and online mode are substantial. One of 2013's best games is made even better on the PlayStation 4.

Rain falling and bouncing off your gun, a blast of steam fogs your visor and leaves condensation on it, a bright flash of light lets you see your own reflection in the visor. These are just a few of the many effects that make Metroid Prime stand out above its peers. I nearly wet myself the first time I fired my weapon rapidly and noticed that heat waves came out of the barrel.

A crowning achievement for Valve and one game that I thoroughly enjoyed. A few problems do exist such as the crashing and minor engine quirks. All in all, a wonderful PC game and one that fans of the original will love.

The level of polish is near perfect.

An area that kind of let me down was the audio; it features support for Dolby Pro Logic II decoders but it doesn't take full advantage of the hardware. Yes, there's mulit-channel support and the sound does come at you from all sides, but it's not done all that well.

An incredible detailed and large game, Baldur's Gate 3 is a joy for RPG fans and fans of the pen and paper game as well.

If you liked Mass Effect 1 to any degree whatsoever, you’ll definitely love Mass Effect 2 with its improved combat and AI, and cinematics and storyline – sans the glitches we all know and hate from ME1.

The best the series has to offer up to this point.

FromSoftware effortlessly immerses you into the beautiful world of The Lands Between, with challenging enemies, secret treasures, and deep lore tucked away into every corner. This is, without a doubt, FromSoftware's best project yet, showcasing a culmination of all their previous games.

There is a substantial amount of content in Skyrim and while it's easy to nitpick on all the flaws present, Bethesda has still delivered a product that even a jaded gamer like myself can still be awestruck by.

The animation is also top-notch. When you watch Link engage in a sword duel, the fluidity of it is remarkable, and unparalleled. There are just so many times where it blew me away.

What you have here is the most polished, feature-laden, action-packed Grand Theft Auto title to-date. I've had my qualms with the franchise in the past but this is the first time that I was able to sit back, shut off my brain and enjoy the experience.

Media Molecule has created an amazingly fun and deep game that will allow people to create their own games and explore the creations of others.

Red Dead Redemption feels like a new breed of sandbox style gameplay. In the place of flashy cars, provocative women and crazy weaponry is the historically accurate and enthralling realm of the Wild West.

The single-player campaign is boring and ineffective, the action is dull, the level structure is bland and the overall game lacks the oomph and power of the original. HALO 2's multiplayer aspect fares a little better but it's marred by an ineffective matchmaking service and some poor judgment in the balance department.

Like the fungus that infected its deformed inhabitants, The Last of Us is not an enjoyable thing to experience. It’s depressing, exhausting and even disturbing. But , contrary to everything I tell myself, it’s something I won’t soon forget.

The best the series has to offer up to this point. It gives a tantalizing taste of the Wii’s potential and an experience so big, only hardcore RPG’s can compare in depth and breadth.

Hades 2 is a masterpiece. It's something I will probably never stop playing until I unlock everything. The new trope should be if it ain't broke, take a lot of cooler things, an amazing soundtrack, and some of the greatest storytelling, put them all in a caldron, and out comes the king of roguelikes. This also proves, that things do get better...with time.

With far too many action segments and repetitive puzzles, this survival action game gets bogged down by filler. Thankfully the strong last act and great chemistry between leads makes this a must-play, warts and all.

Red Dead Redemption is more than a great western, it's the first time this type of game has been successfully recreated for a home game console.

Portal 2 is a masterful execution of one of the key components of gaming, fun. Valve has really outdone themselves this time, and managed to make me say, "What's episode 3?"

Team ASOBI came out swinging for the fences, expanding on the existing games in the series in every direction. Astro Bot is a delight in every sense of the word. A magnificent tour through Sony PlayStation’s history, the franchise – and the Astro Bot character – has enough charm and chops to now launch forward as PlayStation's premier mascot-driven series. Stellar platforming, a mountain of secrets, and a never-ending sense of discovery and adventure, Astro Bot is a new classic. So. Much. Fun.

This is a skull-smashing story about making mistakes and taking responsibility. While hacking and slashing their enemies, a father and son build bonds of love and loyalty. God of War is a minor masterpiece.

Arkham City is not just one of the best games of the year, but also one of the greatest comic book games of all time!

Last year’s spectacular action/shooter/RPG-lite finally makes its way to the PS3. If you haven’t already tried this on a different platform, do yourself a favor and pick it up.