The leap that the NiOh series has made from game to game bodes well for the future. NiOh 3 can already compete with the best representatives of the soulslike genre. The exploration itself may not yet have that sense of wonder that was present in Elden Ring, and the recycling of enemies is a bit of a nuisance, but I consider NiOh 3 to be the best instalment in the series, and its heart, the combat system, really shines here.

Blizzard's new game has two different faces and both of them show clearly, that Heart of the Swarm is a truly great game for both fans of storylines and scripted missions, as well as for avid online players, that dream of defeating the entire Korean nation during some kind of tournament. Blizzard continues to release boxed expansions and that's a good strategy. Buying a big add-on, full of new content for the price of several DLCs is an excellent offer.

Bayonetta 3 is a good game and the best genre representative since Devil May Cry 5. The developers really strove to breathe some fresh air into the series. At the same time, however, it's disappointing as a sequel, as it plays it too safe.

An enjoyable and very spectacular campaign that gets more intense with every mission, a decent multiplayer that should provide many hours of great fun for the lovers of fast-paced action, excellent audio and visuals - this game has everything that defines a real blockbuster.

After nearly 60 hours with Ghost of Yotei I can confidently say that this game elevates Tsushima into a new level, and introduces lots of well made innovations. It is a game with its own identity, a beautiful world, great exploration, and a cool story with a satisfying finale.

It could seem that after almost two decades Ed Boon and his team will have had enough of the Mortal Kombat series. New Netherrealms game proves something entirely different. Even though the creator of this crazy and brutal universe had admitted during interviews that he would like to start something new, he still treats Mortal Kombat with heart. Only to have it torn out and smashed into pieces in fountains of blood for the players' entertainment. The newest installment in Mortal Kombat series is an absorbing, thought out, atmospheric and at the same time absurd game.

Homeworld Remastered Collection is one of the best reissues ever. This package has been prepared by fans for fans. The graphics look phenomenal, the gameplay model did not age at all and the satisfaction after completing some more difficult missions is as big as it used to be 15 years ago. Gearbox simply nailed it.

MachineGames does it again - The New Order was terrific, and The New Colossus is pretty much the same level. The new Wolfenstein appeared in 2014 out of nowhere and became one of the best shooters ever. The sequel is very similar even though the "wow factor" isn't as evident. It is a joy to play such a big and well-made game that focuses only on single player. Bravo!

Rebooting Tomb Raider is the best thing that could have happened to the series. The game is full of story-wise emotions and superbly directed action scenes, and it still has a very strong human factor. I'm rarely this positive about a game. Crystal Dynamics took a risk that won't appeal to some orthodox fans, but all in all the developers have succeeded. The most important thing to know is this: the new Tomb Raider is one of the best action-adventure games I have ever played.

DmC isn't exactly what fans wanted - many changes could have been avoided, and the combat system seems too simple. The latter is most painful to all the hardcore gamers, that have perfected their fighting skills in previous games. On the other hand DmC is a really good game that keeps you glued to the screen until you see the final cut-scene. The best way is to approach it without prejudice and don't compare it to older installments. DmC isn't a fifth game in the series, it's a spin-off (much like Price of Persia from 2008) and I'd be glad to get a sequel of this particular game (it has more potential in many aspects).

Black Flag is a better game than Assassin's Creed III, but it still isn't as good as our first meeting with Ezio. Ubisoft has managed to create the best game about pirates (really!), but their story isn't as universal, as Red Dead Redemption was in the "western" category. But don't get me wrong - Black Flag is really, really good. Besides an excellent Animus story, the part in Abstergo's offices is truly great. I'm really curious what the future holds for the series - this time in true next-gen fashion.

Silent Hill f has the quality and courage to finally break the curse cast upon the series. Moving away from the American town has brought a freshness and depth to the story that I haven't seen in the series since SH2, and changes to the combat system are working well. Silent Hill has finally found its way and emerged from the fog reborn. Disgusting, poignant, digging deep into the psyche. Wonderful.

Bastion is an arcade game with some RPG elements and an uncomplicated mechanics but definitelly it's a game with a soul. It's lovely, colorful and offering a lot of joy just thanks to its looks. Supergiant Games introduced us to an unusual game, a next step of evolution on the way of rich storyline that doesn't limit itself to reading notes and talking to NPCs.

If you've played Shadow Tactics, the high quality of Desperados III will come to you as no surprise. This game checks off all the mandatory elements of the stealth tactics genre: lots of ways to complete a mission, an intriguing story (and less obvious than it seems initially), cool characters, and a difficulty level that motivates, but doesn't frustrate.

The new Indiana Jones is a game that would rock my world in 2014. Today it’s a game that struggles technologically (Uncharted 4 looks better) and gameplay-wise, with some additional issues. Still, I can’t help but like this game. I see all the flaws (some were really irritating), but I liked the puzzles, the protagonist and some very cool scenes. I had a lot of fun, and my main issue – regarding the immersion-breaking AI – is very personal.

Rockstar does it again. The new Max not only reminds us of his old tricks, but shows some new as well. Every minute you spend with Max Payne 3 gives you lots of fun and thanks to modes making you want to play again and a solid multiplayer the game won't become boring too soon.

Resident Evil VII is an amazingly done return of the famous series. The change of perspective is like a breath of fresh air, the story is engaging and interesting, the atmosphere is superb and everything runs smoothly. The 11 hours we spend on the Baker farm prove that Capcom is in great shape. A few months ago I wouldn't have chosen RE7 as a game of the year contender, but now I'm not so sure.

Rise of the Tomb Raider is a game that is built on the solid foundations of the first installment of the rebooted cycle and as such it works great. Unfortunately, because of the few novelties (e.g. heavily modified crafting system), the game is no longer the emotional roller-coaster that it was during our stay on Yamatai island. As a next installment in the series the adventures of Lara Croft work well, but the famous Miss Archaeology won't come away completely unscathed from a duel with Uncharted 4.

Playerunknown's Battlegrounds is a superb example of adapting the battle royale gameplay model. This is a true phenomenon and an event of the year but it's far too soon to call it "game of the year". PUBG is more of a late early access - tons of things got better over time but that's only the beginning.

Rocksmith isn't really a game the same way Guitar Hero is. It's more of a complex educational software that uses the look of a video game for better motivation. You could easily use YouTube videos and Guitar Pro tabs instead - and thousands of self-taught guitarists do. Fortunately putting everything in one place and using nice game-like graphics create a product that motivates better than any "usual" software does.

Forza Horizon 2 is a much better game than its predecessor. It doesn't try to get additional money from the player, offers a completely open world and is more skillfully designed. Additionally the player receives beautiful, smooth graphics, tons of cars and a cool atmosphere. Right now Forza Horizon 2 has no real competitor in the arcade racer genre.

XCOM: Enemy Within is a really good expansion for an excellent game. After a few hours of gameplay it's impossible to think that we used do play without it. And even though there's no new campaign, there's so much new stuff, that you can happily rediscover Enemy Unknown. This expansion isn't cheap, but the money definitely won't go down the drain.

Wildermyth is my personal game of the year. Sure, the final grade may not suggest that, but I just know that I'll be returning to this world many times. It's not perfect, but its strength lies in a simple concept, tons of meaning hidden between the lines and a lot of charm that stole my heart. I want more surprises like this.

It's hard to say anything more about Luigi's Mansion 3, other than "it's cool." Not everything works perfectly, but it definitely is a very good game - weird, but good. It brings fun, but not emotions. It's memorable, but it doesn't make for a good game to talk about with friends. Still, if you own a Switch, you should be happy with the purchase.

Respawn Entertainment's new game is worthy of recommendation. The single-player campaign is a welcome and well made addition. On the other hand, multiplayer has been altered in a minimal way but that's ok - if it works well don't "fix" it. Simply put, Titanfall 2 is one of the best shooters around. Period.

Despite technical issues you simply have to notice the quality of Dragon's Dogma 2. The developers ignored the trends and created a game focused strongly on a great idea for exploration and combat. It's a truly unique action RPG.

I had a fantastic time with Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon. The gameplay is genuinely addictive, and the storyline is structured in such a way that after each mission I immediately wanted to launch the next one to see what interesting the next stage holds. The "one more mission" syndrome works so strongly that the game gets stronger with each hour spent with it, so I had a serious problem to put the pad down. The fun has been looped in a way that works perfectly, and if you like a non-stop flow of fast-paced action, you should be delighted with the new creation from FromSoftware. There is no shortage of moments from which adrenaline almost buzzes in the veins.

Back to Karkand is an enjoyable expansion, that increases the value of Battlefield 3 itself. You should look at it in a most positive way, but we still hope for more. DICE have hit the nail on the head and have given the fans a solid piece of great fun.