Men of War II is a deeply strategic and intense title that makes every decision, whether big or small, mean something.

There’s some peculiarities when it comes to the scenes that were designed where control is taken away, and you can offset this by viewing them in a cinematic mode instead of VR first-person viewpoint, but aside some oddities (mostly early on) with hand positions, collision detection, your arms being weird floating tools, and weapons warping back to your inventory, but you get used to them pretty quickly. Resident Evil Village is another virtual-home run for Capcom’s series, just like Resident Evil 7 was. Oh but why it’s a free DLC item instead of a simple update, I’ll never know.

Whether you’re returning, or you’ve always wanted to play a Dragon Quest game, this is the perfect place to start.

Project Diva f 2nd is fantastic. It’s harder and not quite as good as its predecessor, but it’s definitely very, very fun. It is hard to recommend the game to someone who doesn’t like J-pop and the idea of Divas, but I would recommend downloading the demo of Project Diva f and giving it a try. It’s toe-tappingly good and a hearty challenge, and quite often that’s all you really want in a music game.

Judgment is shinier, prettier, and more powerful on next-gen. Ryu Ga Gotoku has done a fantastic job of improving the game's biggest plus point, the combat, as well as sharpening up the textures and resolution.

Sherlock Holmes: Chapter One is Holmes but not as you know him, with a fantastic and unique story, plenty of crimes to solve, and a sprawling tropical island to explore.

Fans of either genre will enjoy themselves in AirMech Arena, and it may even convert a few naysayers – it has certainly made me a lot more interested in real-time strategy.

LEGO Bricktales is puzzler that takes you back to the early days of LEGO, when the freedom to build want you want took centre stage. There're plenty of opportunities to build, explore, and bask in the gentle humour that we could all do with a little more of.

Despite some clunky movement, Lost in Random features smart combat and a world filled with wonder, mystery, and excitement.

Call of Duty: Vanguard's campaign is meaty, the Battle Pass will keep you going a while, and Zombies is wonderfully addictive.

EA Sports WRC is as good as it gets behind the wheel, with Codemasters once again putting out a racer that feels incredible to play.

Jusant is a strong entry from DON'T NOD that offers a chilled out experience with a balanced sense of discovery, challenge, and beauty.

Whilst the gameplay changes and additions to the game modes are welcomed, NHL 21 feels more like an update than a brand new game.

Part Time UFO is a charming, cute game which is fun to play. However a lack of variety can make it a tad tedious to play at times.

As with Second Son before it, First Light is stunning to look at, and has a wonderful soundtrack, which is hidden for true fanatics to search out and enjoy. The addition of challenges that reward trying different things is excellent, and the battle arena is a solid idea, executed well.

For those that are completists, who want to eke every drop out of their Layton, there is a staggering amount of depth here, not just from the multiple puzzles,but from the way all of the mini-games are directly tied into the main adventure, and the Treasure Hunt mode can actually provide a beneficial reason to keep your idling 3DS in your pocket, lest you have a cheeky StreetPass encounter that will unlock a juicy reward.

WWE 2K14 lacks the kind of measured, patient gameplay that made classic wrestling games so great to play, and sticks to its arcade guns and goes for fun, rather than simulation.

Fitness Boxing 3: Your Personal Trainer offers some solid exercises and a comfortable difficulty curve to help people of all fitness levels.

The longest episode yet, this picks up the ball and runs with it, and looks to be building to a tremendous finale.

Eastward is an enjoyable and arresting adventure, with memorable characters, likeable humour and a central mystery that keeps you engaged throughout.

Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin combines complex rice farming and grappling hook based combat to create a truly memorable experience.

It’s weird to think that with the fourth game, Skylanders has fully earned my trust.

The simple controls allow for an easy entry and the game does a great job of introducing the systems at a slow and manageable pace. Once it gets going it offers a real challenge, which results in an amazing sense of achievement when a level is finally beaten.

It’s not for everyone, but by goodness it is great that things like Labyrinth City: Pierre the Maze Detective are being made.

The Forza Horizon series has always embodied the adventurous and fun side of driving, and the Hot Wheels expansion delivers that in spades.

Mia and the Dragon Princess is a hugely entertaining FMV action game, with great fight scenes and genuinely funny writing.

A few extra bells and whistles would have been appreciated, and the lack of any form of multiplayer beyond leaderboard participation is a definite misstep. Your horror itch might be better scratched by the likes of Outlast and The Evil Within, but Zombi still delivers a solid, immersive experience even without the GamePad wizardry.

OTXO blends Roguelike elements and Hotline Miami to create a beautiful bloodbath that just feels great to play.

Although it is weighed down by some questionable development choices, Prison Architect is a break-out success due to its sandbox alone.

Atelier Lulua is one of the better games in the franchise in recent times. The Switch version is absolutely worth getting if you’ve played the Trilogy (LINK) and wanted a new game to follow those. I’m still annoyed by the lack of an English voice acting option but the fact that this release actually plays very well on Switch even in handheld makes it an easy recommendation. I’m glad Gust has finally managed making their new games work well on Switch. Hopefully future entries are this well optimised for Nintendo’s hybrid console.

Getting people playing together wherever the Switch is, is the machine’s USP and Snipperclips is the game that realizes that vision most effectively.

There is much to see and do with The Cowabunga Collection, and whilst the games are arguably all eclipsed by the recent Dotemu reboot, there are still some blinding retro classics and so many extras to enjoy that this collection is a great value trip through your childhood console and arcade memories.

A noir art style, terrifying atmosphere, and an enjoyable narrative lead White Night towards success only marred by a few irritating mechanics here and there.

Tropical Freeze has been given a new life on the Switch. The huge improvements to load times and resolution bump ensure newcomers will get the definitive experience of one of the best platformers out there but I still think there isn't enough to warrant a day one purchase for people who already experienced this game.

This is one of the easiest games to recommend to rhythm game fans. I still think Superbeat Xonic is a better overall game for newcomers to the genre, but rhythm fans are likely going to get all the games anyway and this is well worth the money.

With a unique take on perspective, light and darkness, Tandem: A Tale of Shadows is a fun puzzler to be enjoyed by gamers of all ages.

There’s so much to like about Rebellion’s squad shooter that most of its negative points cease to matter very much. It’s not perfect by any stretch, but it’s a confident romp by a developer that knows its audience.

A brilliant online experience that is tense and strategic, but one that really needs to be played with friends to get the full experience.

Northgard is a must-play game for fans of the genre and could serve as a very good starting point for the newcomers who are just discovering RTS games for the first time.

Spitlings is good old fashioned multiplayer arcade fun. Enjoyable solo or with friends, this toothy adventure is full of fun.

Akka Arrh is a super cool game which is impossible not to like, and very difficult to put down.

Concrete Genie has some stunning visuals when you're free to paint, and the story is interesting enough to keep you playing until the end.

It’s a shame Career Mode has seen such little love this year, but regardless, there are enough changes overall that FIFA feels a very different game this year. They’ve not reinvented the wheel, just put shinier trims on it, and perhaps this isn’t the year that the presentation needed to take centre stage.

If you’re looking for something challenging and a little different to lose yourself in for a few hours, ICEY is super cool. Puns absolutely intended.

Axiom Verge may not be much more than an homage to Metroid, but it's a very good homage.

As far as finales go, From the Gallows is pretty good. There are some great interactions between the brothers, only let down by the treatment of one of the character's deaths.

Oddworld: Soulstorm is probably the best Oddworld game, and the Switch port doesn't disappoint.

A love letter to days of ninja platforming past, Okinawa Rush is a tough-as-teak challenge that will keep you glued to your Switch.

Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin is a decent action RPG, but it's occasionally weighed down by unnecessary mechanics and inconsistent difficulty.

Cold, hard battle strategy meets the warmth of human interaction and politics to create an engaging and addictive experience.

Regardless of whether you play on your TV or in handheld, Superliminal remains a clever, inventive and entertaining puzzler on Nintendo Switch.

Thanks to its creeping sense of dread, Wraith: The Oblivion - Afterlife is probably the best VR horror game you will play this year.

In a big year for fighting games, Marvel vs Capcom Infinite squares up to its rivals confidently. With a healthy amount of content, it makes up for the lacklustre launch of Street Fighter V, despite not being quite as good.

Fantastic writing and voice acting abound in the deep, fantastical world of Divinity: Original Sin 2. Despite some massive difficulty spikes, its gameplay is incredibly rewarding and great fun.

EA Sports FC 25 has a focus on tactics that are mostly noticeable, and while Rush is a cool new mode, it does feel pretty similar to last year.

Smoke and Sacrifice is a dark and compelling adventure that deserves to be played.

Stealth Inc. was made for handheld gaming, and to have it available on another platform is a bonus. No matter which edition of the game you purchase, you can expect some simple old school gameplay and modern-day challenge that can be enjoyed everywhere.

If you love rhythm games and bass heavy music, this is one you’re going to want to check out. The levels are gorgeous, and the gameplay is straightforward, but challenging especially towards the end.

Lover Pretend is a great Otome game full of romance, with a fantastic film industry setting that you won't be able to put down.

Its mix of chance games and combat is unique, while there’s enough variety and replayability to keep you coming back. Not perfect, but highly recommended.

The true BBL story is gripping and an absolute must-play for anyone with an open mind who is a fan of visual novels. The game doesn’t make things obvious, though. I had no idea this route existed until I actually put in the effort to do more endings, and I’d recommend you do the same. If nothing else, it’s nice to see Devolver and Mediatonic bringing something so new and unusual to Steam.

Blood Bowl 2 appears to specific tastes, but offers a detailed and rewarding challenge.

The Suicide of Rachel Foster tackles some tough issues but in a respectful way. Surrounding it is a mystery that will intrigue and surprise right to the end.

Bots are Stupid provides a unique take on 2d platforming by swapping jumping with typing out commands.

A lovely game. There’s a ton of charm and I still can’t get over how well the developers used this monochrome aesthetic. The comic book style and the kickass soundtrack are icing on the cake.

There's a lot to like in Jagged Alliance 3. The merc management system is solid, the gear works well, and combat can be very satisfying.

Bringing forward all of what made Wii Fit so great in the first place, then adding new features and the Wii Fit Meter means that Wii Fit U is an excellent package designed to get friends and family playing games while getting fitter.

Loadout is the type of game that you honestly can’t believe you’re getting for free. The amount of fun you’ll have, the amount of customisable options and features on offer, will leave you with an experience that most wouldn’t mind paying for at all.

Skelattack is an indie platformer filled with charm, thrusting you into a beautifully designed world. It's punishing and frustrating, yet it always gives you the tools to plot your success.

A compelling plot, grounded characters who aren't instant heroes, crafting and upgrades without arbitrary levelling and some beautiful environments to solve your way around.

Zenless Zone Zero is just an incredibly good time presented with supreme confidence and verve by a developer that knows exactly what its doing.

Disgaea 1 Complete is the definitive version of the first game in of the best tactical RPG franchises ever.

It’s good, but there’s a moral choice at the end that doesn’t really pay off, especially when you can come back afterwards and try the other option and in effect get the same result. But, like a good book, what’s here is great for its run-time, and it’s a good game for its budget price.

Cities: Skylines is a blast to play on Xbox One, but I wish they hadn’t left out the fast forward feature and also added the other expansion that are available on PC to this release.

Tempo is a new and original take on the shooter genre - just don't be put off by the QTEs.

A step in the right direction, Disney Infinity 3.0 proves that the franchise still has legs, and isn't out of fresh ideas just yet.

Definitive Edition is not quite an essential purchase – especially if you already played and finished the original release – but it’s definitely worth picking up if you’re hankering after the kind of open world criminal action that doesn’t take itself too seriously.

Hatch Tales: A Heroic Hookshot Adventure deserves its place in the pantheon of retro platformers on the Switch.

The Nobody Saves the World Frozen Hearth DLC provides fun new challenges and two new well-designed forms to experiment with.

UFC 4 has a much better submission system, as well as more fluid clinch mechanics. The Career Mode has got some nice improvements, but it still feels like a similar experience to its predecessor.

I’m glad this has such a great portable conversion because it is absolutely worth playing if you enjoy those pickup and play experiences like Super Meat Boy. It even has video capture to share those epic moments.

Although You Suck at Parking gets harder and harder, it plays superbly, and the inventive nature of the tracks will keep you hooked.

An atmospheric horror that remains faithful to the groundbreaking original movie, Blair Witch works well on Switch, though not without one or two technical issues.

Even if you played the original releases, Metro Redux is still an attractive proposition. The improvements to 2033 are substantial, while the more minor tweaks to Last Light simply refine a fantastic experience.

Under Night In-Birth Exe:Late[st] is a great middle ground between the Street Fighters and the anime fighters that exist today with a deep and yet accessible gameplay and great tutorial.

In a lot of ways this is improved from Kikuya in a lot of important ways even though it isn’t as content rich. The lower asking price definitely helps. If you only have a Switch and want to sample the Otome genre, this is a nice entry point.

One Piece: Unlimited World Red Deluxe Edition on Switch is the best way to experience Unlimited World Red and exactly how a licensed game should be.

Humorous and well-designed, Counterspy is certainly worth investigating if you like your espionage in short, fast-paced chunks.

It’s great to see crashing as a major game mechanic back with a bang, Danger Zone 2 is the smash ‘em up we’ve been waiting for since PS2 era Burnout.

Crysis Remastered Trilogy will give plenty of players a chance to revisit three classic games, with improved visuals all round.

Rad is a great roguelike that constantly evolves to give you plenty of options the more you play, with unique mutations and a different world to explore on each playthrough.

Sine Mora EX is an excellent shoot em up with a dark narrative and some really nice boss fights and is only held back by a few flaws and its asking price.

BAKERU is a lovely Japan inspired action platformer, with novel drum-based combat and sensational collectables to gather.

A game like no other, and even though it can be hard to play at times, it still offers a unique and rewarding challenge.

Leo’s Fortune proves that on-screen controls can work well when the gameplay is designed around them. A visually stunning iOS game that runs smoothly and justifies the premium price, with no in-app purchases to speak of, means the game feels high budget despite it coming from a small team. Another good game, then, and one iOS users should be checking out as soon as possible.

Madden NFL 20 is a great American Football game, and whilst it's better than last year, some of the mainstay modes could do with an overhaul.

Gori: Cuddly Carnage is a character action game full of blood, swearing and clever ideas, and if that doesn't excite you I don't know what will.

Lethal VR’s lack of Global leaderboards means your high score chasing is restricted to local friends and family, but there’s still plenty here to keep you from taking your headset off.