13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim is an incredible feat of narrative engineering everyone should experience, made all the more appealing by it's gorgeous art and enjoyable, deep strategy gameplay.

The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom is a gorgeous, brilliantly clever game in a series that continues to be unique and innovative.

Dragon Quest Builders is a crafting game that's a joy to play even all these years later, and it runs brilliantly on both PC and Steam Deck.

While still very much the same game, Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered is gorgeous in every way, improving on the original in different ways.

With the enhancements and ability to play anywhere, The Zodiac Age on the Switch is everything I wanted from a portable release. It was obviously not feasible to have this on Vita but I’m glad Square Enix put this on a portable because the gameplay perfectly suits portable play and it is the full game with even more features than the PC version that was already a step above the PS4 version. I know its unlikely but the only thing I’d want more from this version is the ability to sync my save with Xbox One since I have that version as well.

Ironically, Bravely Default is one of the best Final Fantasies in years. Taking the very best of 8/16-bit entries of the series, and bringing them up to date with some beautiful graphics, clever features and engaging gameplay, this is a must for someone looking for a more traditional JRPG.

Star Wars Jedi: Survivor is bigger than Fallen Order in every way, offering excellent combat and traversal, as well as a fantastic story.

It may not be genre-defining like its progenitor but it’s easily the best shooter on the current crop of consoles and one of the finest first person shooters of recent years.

Paranormasight tells a gripping story full of murder and mystery, with some moments you simply have to experience yourself.

The Switch port is almost excellent.

If you’re interested in competitive gaming and really need something new to sink your teeth into, you do not need to look any further than Battlerite. Balanced, fun characters, unobtrusive monetisation, and refined to give the core experience of competitive gaming. Battlerite is exceptionally good.

Shredder's Revenge isn’t an overlong experience – but it is also generous in terms of content, challenge and replayability.

Metro Exodus PC Enhanced Edition presents the original game along with all the DLC and greatly enhanced ray tracing technology.

One Btn Bosses is one of the best games I've played this year, and the fact it has managed this with only one button is remarkable.

On PS5, Control is sublime. The atmosphere is almost palpable, helped by sound direction that keeps you on edge all the time.

Frostpunk 2 requires your patience and ability to make tough decisions, but rewards you for sticking with it and respecting its systems.

Miles Morales manages to improve on the fantastic game that came before it. Insomniac Games continue to be on fire with perhaps their best game ever.

Million Onion Hotel is a quirky and addictive arcade action game with a strategy element that has been a blast to play over the last few weeks.

Batman: Arkham Shadow is the most authentic and immersive way to make yourself feel like the Caped Crusader that I’ve ever played.

Solium Infernum is one of the most exciting and enjoyable strategy games of recent years, offering a fresh approach to the board game genre.

Isles of Sea and Sky is a box pushing game brought kicking and screaming into the modern era, and it's so damn compelling.

People expecting true greatness will be slightly disappointed. A worthy offering and an improvement over Dragon Age II, Inquisition nevertheless plays it too safe, and relies too heavily on Origins’ better elements to succeed. Still, if you’re looking for a vast, complex, multi-branching, old school RPG epic, there’s currently nothing else on next-gen consoles to top it.

The Binding of Isaac: Afterbirth+ is my favourite version of the game having played it across literally everything it has released on.

Tunic is gorgeous, managing to build a world full of mystery and opportunities for exploration, with a wonderful sense of exploration.

Each level takes plenty of skill, and you’re given some great abilities and weapons to execute your attack, even if the levels take a long time to complete.

It would be easy to sit and reel off a list of things Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS doesn’t have, but it’s better to focus on what it is. And what it is, is a functionally excellent, portable version of Super Smash Bros.

By no means as bad as people make out, X-2 is a strange but worthy inclusion, but it is likely to be the story of young Tidus that leaves a lasting impression.

Shovel Knight is a genuine success.

This isn’t just the best Hearthstone expansion to date, it's one of the best expansions I’ve had the pleasure to play for any game.

PES has refined year on year in this generation, continuing to improve, but PES 2017 is the crowning moment. With different tactics and styles that are effective, and unique players, great goal feel and lovely control, PES 2017 just feels so good to play. It may well be the greatest football game ever made.

DJMax Respect is getting very close to being my favourite rhythm game on PS4 with its eclectic song selection and fantastic design.

Cook, Serve, Delicious! 2!! Is a fantastic conversion on the Switch. The touchscreen controls are super and HD Rumble is excellent. This release is everything I wanted in a Switch port of the game. I can only hope for a physical release in the future. This is the only version of the game you can comfortably play while actually cooking as well (don’t do that).

Wilmot's Warehouse is a game about categorising and sorting items that will test your spatial reasoning as well as your ability to recognise patterns, and it will make you feel smart while doing so.

A spiritual successor to Fallout: New Vegas in every way, The Outer Worlds is better written and more polished than we've since come to expect from the franchise it emulates.

It’s an extraordinarily well-made game that shows no signs of slowing down, and which performs very, very well on PS5.

Once upon a Jester is absolutely delightful from start to finish, packed with utterly charming characters and fabulous musical numbers.

Roboquest is just an uncomplicated, fun time that clears the palate after all the Soulslikes and open world adventures we've had this year.

Ys VIII is a fantastic new action RPG from Falcom that is great for getting into the excellent Ys franchise and one that has a ton of quality content and sublime combat.

For anyone craving a test of their mettle in bite-sized chunks and lacquered over with Team Ninja's trademark combat genius, Nioh 2 is utterly essential.

If you’ve never played The Witcher 3, you should try to play on Xbox or PC, but if you want to get up close and personal, this is a fantastic version of a truly brilliant game.

If you've never played Vanquish and Bayonetta before, I cannot recommend them highly enough. They provide very different experiences, but both take combat to the next level and neither one feels dated, even though they released 10 years ago.

Octopath Traveler II is a spectacular sequel, and the easiest recommendation I could ever give to RPG fans.

Football Manager 2022 is about as close to the real thing as you can get, with some nice improvements that make it the ultimate experience.

Two Point Hospital on console was well worth the wait, and you can buy the Switch version with confidence, and that's the doctor's orders.

If you’re a fan of the series, you’re going to want to play this--Yakuza 0 encapsulates the zaniness of Japanese culture with spectacular side missions, and is aided by it’s own satisfying combat and recreational activities.

This is a superb port of one of the finest arcade sports experiences of them all, and instantly becomes an essential purchase for Switch owners.

Big, bright, bold, and bursting with content and heart.

In terms of pure content, Halo: The Master Chief Collection is simply massive. In terms of the content itself, this package is astounding. Four of the best shooter campaigns ever made, in one box, all running at 1080p at 60fps, Halo has never looked so good. Throw in over 100 multiplayer maps and a bevy of Halo themed extras and you have a recipe for a true system seller.

Same Stitch concludes Telltale's second season brilliantly, and Joker is shown once again to be Batman's greatest foe, written beautifully by the guys at Telltale.

Pikmin 3 Deluxe has blossomed on Nintendo Switch into the complete package. With excellent coop and bags of content, it's an experience not to be missed.

A simple yet incredibly enjoyable Baseball game that doesn’t take itself too seriously.

In yet another fantastic entry, you're treated to more fluidity in combat, a gorgeous world to explore, and so much to do outside the main story it's ridiculous.

The Rise of the Golden Idol is a seriously clever detective game, with exceptional design that helps you solve its mysteries yourself.

An enjoyable little rogue-lite with a mountain's worth of replayability, Heroes of Hammerwatch is the perfect game for killing a little time either alone or with friends.

From a hopeful beginning to a heart-wrenching conclusion, Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons is an endearing and emotional adventure that will resonate strongly with anyone who has a younger or older sibling.

Return to Monkey Island feels like a bridge linking some of the absolute best point-and-click adventures of gaming’s younger years with the sensibilities of the modern world.

A top game and the best of its kind. It suits all comers, and is the most complete management sim yet.

Whether you're a veteran of the genre or a relative newcomer, Planetfall will keep you plotting and planning your rise to glory for a long time.

It's great to see this series on the PlayStation 4, and you'd be daft not to give it a go. Fantastic track design, a stunning soundtrack, and plenty of game modes makes this one of the best racers out there.

Worldless is a beautiful game that blends the joy of exploring a Metroidvania with seriously compelling timing-based combat.

A glorious looking debut for Ratchet & Clank on PS4 that retains the superb ebb and flow the series has always had. It doesn't do a huge amount new, but what's here is great fun.

Valkyria Chronicles IV’s playbook is a beautifully illustrated, tactical delight.

Football Manager 2021 is a deep, detailed football management sim that rewards you for paying attention to your team. From the board of directors to your under-18 team, if you are willing to put in the time to achieve success, every win reaps tons of satisfaction.

Kirby and the Forgotten Land adds challenge and adventure in a way that the series has never seen before. An essential purchase and a lovely surprise.

Bringing NeuroVoider to the Switch was a real no-brainer for Flying Oak, it’s a good slice of rogue-like action for this terrific machine.

Darkest Dungeon is a game that makes you learn a lot from both your mistakes and from yourself.

The Death Stranding Director’s Cut on PC is well worth it for fans and for those who missed it first time around.

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

It may not be The Witcher game you expected, but Thronebreaker: The Witcher Tales is an exceptional addition to the series, and a must-play for all Gwent fans.

Insane moments are blended with genuine, heartfelt ones, and the juxtaposition doesn’t diminish either, but instead serves to emphasise them. Visit Kyrat and you won’t regret it.

Clever, different, but sadly all too brief. Moss might not be the singular game to justify the purchase of a PlayStation VR, but it is one of a growing number of PSVR releases that build up a decent list of reasons to pick one up.

Death Stranding Director's Cut is a magnificent game, bringing in plenty of new stuff that genuinely improves the overall experience.

Terraria on Vita is a joy to play and just different enough from everything else to stand out.

This really IS the Definitive Edition of Tomb Raider, but only because of the graphical overhaul. If you had issues before with the direction in which Crystal Dynamics have taken the character, or with the occasional intrusion of gameplay elements like levelling up and Lara’s ability to carry six weapons in invisible holsters, you won’t find anything here to change your opinions.

Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown is a fantastic return to the franchise's roots, and one of the strongest examples of the genre I've played.

Not only is it one of the most beautiful games I've played in recent memory, but it has some new mechanics and ideas to keep you playing.

Outer Wilds is good-looking and quite unique in its subgenre, and there's a compelling, intriguing mystery to solve that will keep you guessing as you progress across the galaxy.

The Switch version is definitely the best way to experience the game right now but it has a few issues that affect the release overall more than the port which is great.

Marvel SNAP is a straightforward deck-builder, with simple mechanics and gorgeous card designs that'll keep you playing.

From the comprehensive career mode to the fun of Rallycross and Joyride, Dirt 4 is one of Codemasters’ best. And it’s the best rally game by quite some distance.

Radiant Historia: Perfect Chronology is a great package for people who never played the original and are looking for a great RPG but it doesn’t offer enough good new content for people who played the original on the DS.

Easily the best game the Rabbids have ever been in and quite possibly Mario’s best non-Nintendo spin-off.

Full of colour, humour, and challenge, Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time is a storming return and a great follow up to the original trilogy.

One of the best games of 2013 is finally out on consoles. If you haven’t done so already, you owe it to yourself to experience a beautiful story and some very clever, but understated, game design.

If you played Disgaea 4 on PS3 or haven’t played it at all, the Nintendo Switch version is definitely worth getting.

This is brilliant, it’s everything I wanted the game to be and maybe even a little bit more.

Tactics Ogre Reborn is a fantastic look at the history of tactics games, and is still a blast even now.

A great remaster of a timeless classic RPG that must be experienced by anyone looking for a great combat system and memorable characters.

Kentucky Route Zero is a masterful piece of interactive storytelling. Mysterious, mercurial, and exquisitely beautiful.

Hypnospace Outlaw is an incredible nostalgia trip into the Internet of the 90s, with great investigative gameplay and emotional moments.

Probably the best way to get into the series, and the best way to bring yourself back up to speed before Kingdom hearts 3 is released.

It’s the style that shines through, though. I said it when Persona 4 Arena came out and it stands true for Ultimax; Persona 4 Arena is the most stylish fighting game ever, and a gem of the genre to boot, thanks to its combination of appealing and genuinly cool aesthetics with ocean deep gameplay.

A collection of pure gold. Even the few less-famous titles are worth a look, and the inclusion of a handful of last-gen diamonds makes it unbelievable value.

Lonely Mountains: Downhill feels very much at home on the Switch, and as such comes with our full endorsement, even if you haven’t already experienced it on another format.

OlliOlli World is a beautiful game, but the gameplay gets very frustrating after the first few worlds.

Dark, compelling, and occasionally unflinchingly brutal, Shadow of Mordor is Lord of the Rings for grown-ups. It’s not just a good game based on an established franchise, but a fantastic game in its own right and one that deserves to be judged purely by its own merits, and not by what has come before.

Not only is Thronebreaker: The Witcher Tales a great game in its own right, but it's also a worthy entry into the franchise and lore.

Ultra Sun and Moon feel like the definitive version of an already fantastic game. With plenty to do after the credits have rolled, and new content sprinkled across the story, this is a fitting swansong for Pokemon on the DS family.