Mario’s greatest multiplayer outing is back – and the timing couldn’t be better. Eight years on, 3D World is still an utter joy, combining the kind of inventive level design that Mario 64 and Galaxy fans love with the cutesy, accessible charm of the NMSBU games. Combine that with a bonus six-hour expansion that takes the crown of being the weirdest Mario outing to date and there’s undoubtedly enough here to put a smile on your face.

F1 2021 delivers the high-octane racing everyone is used to but mixes in greater multiplayer options through two-player career and the new social online lobbies and the addition of a compelling and well-structured story mode.

Brimming with style and boasting slick combat, Zenless Zone Zero’s few stumbles are easy to look past. While it’s much smaller than the massive open world of Genshin Impact or the galaxy-spanning tales of Honkai, it's all the better for it.

You absolutely can't go wrong with what is easily one of the most impressive open-worlds in gaming. Whether you plan on staying for a week, or hanging on for dear life for years to come, Forza Horizon 5 has more than enough to keep you busy and smiling across jungles, deserts and active volcanos.

Once Deathloop steps back and lets you explore Blackreef in your own way, you’re presented with an expertly crafted world that changes as you poke and prod away at it. By doubling down on a handful of mechanics, Deathloop is a much sleeker, much more immediate experience than other Arkane games. I’d struggle to pick out a sub-par moment, or a target that was anything less than iconic. I feel that with Deathloop, one of the world’s best studios has put its best foot forward, offering up a painstakingly curated selection of reasons why it simply does it better than most. Deathloop is the most compelling reason to buy a PS5 yet, and a game that is destined to be referenced by future titles for years to come.

Sitting somewhere between remake and remaster, the asking price is steep, but The Last of Us Part 1 is a beautiful version of one of PlayStation’s best ever games.

Ruined King: A League of Legends story is one of the best turn-based RPGs released this year. Featuring extremely smooth mechanics and exquisite visuals, Ruined King can keep players glued to their gaming chairs for hours at a time. How much League of Legends lore Ruined King reveals is easily the cherry on top, too. There's a thrilling story within for everyone who chooses to give the game a try, one that comes highly recommended.

After years of struggling to get into the series, Borderlands 4 finally hooked me. The fresh world of Kairos, a mostly new cast, and refined gameplay make exploration and combat genuinely fun. Side quests, collectibles, and boss battles are rewarding, and the story sneaks up on you when you least expect it. A soft reboot that works for both newcomers and longtime fans.

Playing Mini Motorways is as much a chance to enjoy the game’s puzzles as it is an opportunity to unwind and refocus. I went into Mini Motorways expecting a fun and quirky puzzle game and ended up finding so much more. The Steam release is definitely not one to ignore.

Taking three of the best sci-fi RPGs of the last twenty years and putting them into one package with a variety of quality of life and visual upgrades nets out as you’d expect: the Mass Effect Legendary Edition is essential for Reaper War veterans and newcomers alike.

Ninja Theory hits its apex with Hellblade 2, combining decades of cinematic experience with a thought-provoking action drama that you’d never expect to see as a console exclusive.

Alan Wake was already considered an exceptional game and over a decade later, this adventure holds up strong. Finding myself completely captivated, Remedy left me wanting more, even after completing the DLC. It’s regrettable that Remastered’s cutscenes have problems and I hope they can be patched, but ultimately, it’s a fine job. If you’re a fan of mystery thrillers, I cannot recommend Alan Wake Remastered highly enough.

An expertly crafted narrative and two fascinating main characters make for a lovingly crafted sequel that is well and truly worth the 13-year wait.

Lila's one night of adventure provides a delightful few hours of relaxed gameplay in the chilled-out village of Sainte-et-Claire on a fateful rainy night. Highly recommended for those without much time, and in need of a respite from normality.

Evil Genius 2 improves on the original in every way. There's the obvious, such as the improved tutorial, graphics, and interface. Beyond that, influencing minions is easier, it streamlines tasks, you have more control over minion capacity, there’s a fast-forward option to reduce empty time, and the crime lords themselves have much more personality, helped in no small part by the star-studded voice cast. The only drawback is on the World Stage. Quests usually involve dispatching different minion combinations, and while it does affect how you balance your lair, the lack of variety means non-story quests feel stale fairly quickly. It’s easy to overlook, though. With its fantastic ‘60s art style, swanky soundtrack, and compelling, in-depth management, Evil Genius 2 is one of the best strategy simulators around.

OlliOlli World’s Void Riders Expansion isn’t long, but the new mechanic is implemented seamlessly. Who doesn’t want more levels, anyway?

Much like OlliOlli World, Rollerdrome strikes the perfect balance between engaging gameplay, score-chasing, and challenging progression, this time with an ingenious shooting/skating premise. It’s so much fun and I couldn’t put it down.

Although Neon White goes by in a blur, that fast pace is only made greater with excellent level design, fun characterisation, and so many little secrets to find. Though I was expecting to be entertained by Neon White's gameplay for a few hours, its likeable cast and surprisingly sincere geekiness has managed to stay in my mind long after the credits have rolled. It's hard to really grasp its long-term staying power but Neon White has secured its place on many lists for the end of the year.

Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door is a timeless RPG that older and newer fans should definitely check out. To this day, it’s still one of the best Mario RPGs available and is easily the best in Nintendo’s Paper Mario series. If fans want more quality Paper Mario games for the next Nintendo system, definitely pick this up.

Tribes of Midgard has absolutely sunk its fangs into my leg, and I’m not even trying to shake it off at this point, if anything, I’m kind of happy to have a game I’m this taken with. The mix of genres is done masterfully, and the potential here is off the charts. That’s to say nothing of the fact that it’s hard-as-nails, is going to be getting loads of updates, and is also rather pretty to look at too. If any of this sounds good to you, I implore you to dive on in, you won’t regret it.

Blemishes aside, it’s hard to see NieR Replicant ver. 1.22 as anything other than a masterpiece. Beautiful and tragic in equal measures, it’s a feast for the senses, a true epic, and an utterly unforgettable experience.

Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment is a must-play canon entry that finally completes the Tears of the Kingdom saga. Moving beyond the "what if" story of its predecessor, this Switch 2 title uses its fun, combo-focused Warriors game style to deliver crucial Zelda lore, detailing Zelda's descent into the past. With excellent combat features like Zonai artifact integration and formidable new characters like Mineru, it’s an essential purchase for any fan of Breath of the Wild.

Dying Light: The Beast is a joy to play as a newcomer to the series. If you've been on the fence about the franchise, it serves as a fantastic entry point offering a decently sized map and an addictive gameplay loop that will see you loot, craft, and dismember zombies left and right.

Stray is a wonderful exercise in organic worldbuilding with enough heart to hold its own against the best of this year. Despite having no people in it, Stray is one of the most human games I've played this year.

Unsurprisingly, Xenoblade Chronicles X Definitive Edition Nintendo Switch 2 Edition is the best way to experience a JRPG classic. If you're not enthralled by the story, the game can feel like a bit of a drag, but even then, it's got a strong hook with its deep RPG mechanics and an ace up its sleeve that is mech combat and exploration, making the journey absolutely worthwhile.

With its deep storytelling, living world, and brutal but satisfying gameplay, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 has set an early benchmark for RPGs in 2025—and for me, it’s already a strong Game of the Year contender.

Lost Records: Bloom & Rage is a phenomenal narrative adventure from DON'T NOD. It expertly blends supernatural elements with a deeply personal coming-of-age story.

Split Fiction is a heartfelt cooperative adventure that celebrates friendship and teamwork with consistently engaging mechanics that never overstay their welcome. Despite minor flaws, its impressive level design and spectacular final sequence make it a standout experience best played with a friend. Hazelight Studios has once again pushed the boundaries of the co-op genre—leaving us eager to see what they’ll create next.