Baldur's Gate III is an amazing game. While the length can be intimidating and the lore vast - that makes it all the more compelling and the game could easily become one of the biggest time sinks for gamers since the likes of Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim or Elden Ring released. If you're a fan of Larian Studios' previous work, DND, strategy RPGs, or any of the above, BG3 is almost certainly the game for you, and comes highly recommended.

Persona 5 Royal is chock full of amazing music, beautiful set pieces, wonderful characters, and a compelling story that makes its length feel almost too short, despite the opposite being true. Royal is worthy of its shimmering title, and is sure to steal your heart!

But the wonderful storyline and the memorable characters help to make the unbelievable believable. Despite the change in scenery, Columbia still exhibits the BioShock feel that was evident in Rapture.

I can't say if Elden Ring will be something genuinely new or more of the same to players who have already battled through the other From Software titles, but playing it felt to me like something I haven't experienced before. I was incredibly stressed, I considered quitting out of frustration several times, but I never stopped having fun and wanting to play just a little bit longer.

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is PC gaming personified.

Divinity: Original Sin 2 takes what the last game did, and juices it up to levels beyond what the doctor recommends. By maximizing its strengths, and finding new ways to improve on weaknesses, it knocks down barriers and locked doors alike in a power move to rush towards one of my favorite games of the year. Though it does have its flaws in the form of small technical glitches, and one really annoying one where sometimes my characters would stop moving as a party unless I manually did it myself, this is an imperfect gem that manages even in imperfection to put some of my favorite RPGs to shame. Well done Larian Studios, well done!

When the game was released for the major consoles last year, I was annoyed. As a PC user, I was still waiting for Rockstar to release the original Red Dead Redemption on PC. Well, that never happened, and a year after the console versions were released, I was beginning to think that Red Dead Redemption 2 would suffer the same fate. But I’m happy to say that it has finally arrived, and it is a glorious cinematic gaming experience that was well worth the wait.

Whenever I stopped playing this game, all I could think about was how I was going to handle my next run. I’d think about the gods I should look for and the characters I wanted to learn about, I’d think about the next weapon I should try and how frustrating a certain boss was. Then, I’d sit down and play again, losing myself in a world that I could consistently feel myself getting better at. And once I still think about the first time I fully completed a run, beating the final boss. That feeling of accomplishment is something to be celebrated and appreciated.

Overall, Resident Evil Requiem is one of the series’ best outings in recent years. Delivering on the action and scares, the game shows what makes the franchise so special. It can fall into the trap of fan service, but never falters much in what it sets out to do. Yes, it’s February and, yes, it is cliché, but Requiem is already one of 2026’s best and an experience that fans and newcomers won’t be able to get enough of.

Shadow of the Erdtree is not just the best DLC of the year so far, one of the best DLCs ever, one of the best gaming experiences of the year. It is also one of the best gaming experiences ever. It also, not for nothing, did the impossible: it returned the feeling of playing Elden Ring for the first time, for the last time.

It is an outstanding creation I highly encourage anyone to go out and buy this game.

Metaphor: ReFantazio was the game I was looking most forward to this year and it didn't disappoint. I'm glad that we have you wealth of options to choose how we want to play our RPGs, and I am especially glad that there is still a place for games like Metaphor: Re Fantazio, one that feels familiar and new at the same time. It has never been a better time to be a gamer.

Well Blizzard, it looks like you have a fantastic new IP on your hands because Overwatch comes just shy of perfection with addicting enough gameplay to ensure people stay hooked in the same way they stay hooked on your other long standing games.

Kojima and his team saved the best for last, bringing the long running story of Big Boss to a close with a bang in gameplay, though a slightly stumbling run in the story. Despite that, the Phantom Pain a must play.

Fez is a marvel of a game. Rotating its 2D world on the third axis transforms what would otherwise be a forgettable platformer into an instant classic. Paired with smart and satisfying puzzles, Fez provides hours of entertainment at a budget price. It is disappointing that PC controls and additional content come up short but the quality is unquestionable. Fez is a must buy.

Resident Evil 4 is an excellent remake that more than satisfactorily manages to pull in a new generation of players, while still managing to stay true enough to the spirit of the original game so as not to offend the sensibilities of veteran players. While far from perfect, it nevertheless scores high among the long list of prior RE titles. Whether you prefer the original or its remake, however, will largely depend on your expectations from it. Being old is not inherently a sign of quality, but neither is a new coat of paint and a reinvented story necessarily an inherent virtue either.

From thrilling turn-based combat to incredible artistic direction and a truly engrossing story, this is a hard game not to recommend to players of all preferences, and it has easily cemented itself as a contender for my game of the year.

Disco manages to represent feelings I’ve only ever had when I’ve been drunk when shivers especially channels unusual, almost out-of-body mental experiences that we’ve all had at one point that relies heavily on the quality of the writing. Disco Elysium is not only the best game of this year in my opinion, but undoubtedly one of the best games of the decade.

Despite the camera angle and controller issues, Dark Souls II is a great game.

Coffee Stain Studios has made something special. Satisfactory has the perfect balance of tediousness allowing the game to feel rewarding when creating new factories. However, having only one map with no randomised material spawns will shorten its longevity, (as of now), as there are no plans for a new map or any additional expansions of the current map. This is disappointing to see, as even though there is a lot to explore and thousands of hours that could easily be put into a single save file, players will likely become bored of it over time, and the game will slowly enter a decline in players. If it wasn't for this, I could have comfortably scored the game a 10/10. I must admit that I have put in an embarrassing amount of hours into the game, and will likely continue to do so. I love the experience it offers and highly recommend others to try it out for themselves.

The sound cue that plays when an enemy charges towards you should be enough for you to know to jump over it. You will die a lot, but you’ll always know what killed you, and you’ll always know it’s your own fault for not being fast enough. That’s what makes completing a particularly hard level all the more satisfying. You’ll slowly unlock new colour schemes which simply swap the colour palette.

There is so much to say about Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance, but I'll spare you all the nitty-gritty details about the improvements, both big and small. If I did, this review would become a novel. What I will say is that if you were on the fence about SMT V, or if you loved it, Vengeance is the best way to go. Not only does it fix issues with the original, but the sheer amount of added content is reason alone to pick up this title. Hopefully, Vengeance will put the Megami Tensei name back in the spotlight, right alongside its spinoff.

Ultimately all of its component parts come together to make a game that needs to be played primarily because of how it feels. How it feels to play and how it feels to discover the bits of joy both big and small. There's no other way to do it justice.

By the end of Rebirth, Cloud and the others aren't at the ending of Final Fantasy VII by a wide margin, so the eventual third game rounding out this trilogy is sure to be quite a large one. With a huge amount of content, a deep story, and combat that improves upon the previous game's style, players may end up falling in love with the world of Final Fantasy VII all over again, or alternatively for the first time if they have yet to play this gem and its initial remake. That is not recommended by any means, the game tends to expect you to have played Final Fantasy VII as well as Remake, however, so keep that in mind before you mosey into Rebirth!

Whether you have played the original or not, this is a game for anyone seeking atmosphere, story, and FPS gameplay blended into something amazing. Do not miss this experience.

Tadpole Treble is a game for children, specifically for the child that still exists in everyone. It uses music as a mechanic in a way that I haven’t really seen before. The excellent soundtrack, fun gameplay, and great level editor makes Tadpole Treble a game for the “kidult” in all of us.

Despite being a black sheep of Tango Gamework's library, Hi-Fi Rush is quickly setting itself up to be a standout in popularity as well as genre, having already become a massive hit despite being a complete unknown mere hours before it released. With any luck, the budding success of Hi-Fi Rush encourages more game developers to stretch their wings and experiment. Sometimes stepping out of your comfort zone can really pay off, and in this reviewer's opinion, Hi-Fi Rush epitomizes that.

It could be easy to take a cursory glance at Alan Wake 2 and think it's little more than a collage of genre staples, but the game is so much more. Like the best works in any medium and genre, these references and familiarities feel like homages and love letters, never like crutches. The promising young FBI agent, a creepy cult in the woods, and the sleepy Northwestern town are incredibly engaging because the tropes are backed up by wonderful writing, a palpable atmosphere, and a narrative that's legitimately engaging. It also makes everything that much more satisfying when it twists and turns in unexpected directions. Alan Wake 2 sets a new bar for Remedy, and I can't wait to see what they follow it up with next.

When my biggest complaint is that an enemy is packing a silly hat, I think that says it all. Fashion sense aside, the game is an absolute must-play for any horror fan.

Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth is a special game in that it's a JRPG that runs over two full-time weeks, has plenty of cutscenes and dialogue, and an expansive area to explore, but it never once felt long. There's a constant pull, a strong one, towards the next piece of story, the next upgrade, the next wild experience, and it always ensures you're not left behind by reiterating story points and providing flashbacks. Each component blends together better than ever before, truly making the transition from Yakuza to Like a Dragon complete, and with it an evolution from an inspired game series to an inspiration to others.

Dark Souls III is still often a frustrating game to play, especially after dying and repeating a section a number of times. But it is when you overcome those difficult scenarios – especially those that involve one of the many boss battles – that Dark Souls III shines through.

Despite the early issues I had getting used to the controls and the gameplay, Pillars of Eternity became highly addictive. It was probably the point where I actually worked out a viable strategy for the two characters in my party when in combat and I found myself playing long into the night which, for me anyway, is the sign that I'm having fun.

The Talos Principle: Reawakened remakes and reanimates the 2014 original for a new generation and a new generation of players. Beyond the extraordinarily deep and dense puzzles, beyond the expertly written story and philosophy, and beyond the beautiful art and audio direction, lies a game that succeeds in bridging people's understanding of what a game can be. It is the kind of game I would recommend to anyone, regardless of if they play videogames or not.

While the ever changing aspect of the levels, was probably one of the best times I’ve seen it done, running through the levels over and over, did grow a little tiresome. Especially when there aren’t more NPCs, or things to find (other than chests). But on the whole, if you like rogue-lite (or metroidvania), there is a hell of a lot to enjoy.

It’s hard to level any complaints at F1 2017. It’s one of the best simulation racing games around, with the one caveat being that you probably have to be a fan of F1 to enjoy it. Open wheel racing isn’t for everyone, but if you do enjoy the fastest form of racing around, F1 2017 is hard to pass up.

Many players may not be able to wash out the taste of launch, and may not even poke their heads back into the blinding neon or gruesome yet cool cyberware to see how much has changed, but speaking as someone who entered Night City for the first time post launch, the Phantom Liberty DLC adds a lot to a game that has improved drastically since its release, to the point of nearly being unrecognizable to those who played at launch alone.

TimeMelters has an ambitious premise that could very easily have gotten out of hand for a small, three-person development team, but the experience is an incredibly enjoyable one through and through. However, the small team and modest budget do come through in the form of quite dated graphics and uninspired enemy design. Fortunately, that’s a minor gripe in an otherwise excellent package, and strong gameplay and unique mechanics make TimeMelters an easy recommendation for anyone to whom the premise sounds even vaguely appealing.

Make no mistake, this game is the definition of niche appeal. Its visuals are ugly in a way that is not just visually repellent but deeply unsettling. Its world and lore are in turn, confusing, disturbing, and sickening. Playing its soundtrack above a certain decibel level probably constitutes a war crime. Yet the game demands attention all the same. It's brilliant, disturbing, and endlessly fascinating. I'm painfully aware that not everyone will love Cruelty Squad as much as I do, but those that love it will love it with abandon. For me, it's a one-of-a-kind masterpiece.

Persona 3 is a famous story from an RPG perspective and is considered to be one of the best in the series, so despite the price point if you're a fan of turn based JRPGs or have previously played other games in the series, then Persona 3 Reload is definitely a game to pick up!

In many ways Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 strays so minimally from the path of its predecessor in both a positive and negative sense. In others, it effectively uses the existing blueprint to build on what went well. It is graphically improved, but that makes the visual shortcomings more glaring. It's more hardcore, but more tedious as a result. It has improved combat overall, but makes some confusing choices in that execution. As a simulation of life in the middle ages, and as a character-focused story, it excels as it flaunts those aspects. As a video game, the successes are fewer, and too often the mechanics and pacing get in the way of actually accomplishing something. If you're a player whose natural pace is steadier, you might be the Titanic bound for an iceberg. But if you enjoy a slow pace, if you are that iceberg, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 will reward your dedication in spades. The philosophy of the entire experience is represented well in its cozy moments, like walking through a forest at dusk, as the rain comes down and lightning occasionally lights up the landscape. If you can see that beauty, and appreciate it, you don't want to speed things up.

Regardless of a few small issues, Stardew Valley is a successful send-up to Harvest Moon that truly comes from the heart.

This is what it was supposed to be from the start. A year and a half worth of improvements later, little bites and pieces of new DLC content, finally layered underneath a fun and expansive experience in War of the Chosen, this feels like the XCOM 2 I wanted to have. And, having finally made peace with mission timers has forced me to play a bit more recklessly, which seems like a necessity when everything is on the line. Turn off the mods and experience XCOM 2 in the way that it should've been from the start. Firaxis has made XCOM 2 as fun as XCOM: Enemy Unknown and Enemy Within, while still bringing a different flair to the series.

It is a game that will be more to the taste of Bloodborne players than Dark Souls players, but if you enjoy tough yet rewarding gameplay, and an interesting world exploration, filled with scenery and intermittent boss fights, Sekiro will be for you.

Despite the nitpicks, Monster Hunter Wilds is a fantastic game and a fun iteration in the franchise. It's definitely showing it's growing pains, but what it does right, it really does right. It's energetic and exciting and worth the hunt when it's running well. It's quality of life improvements might rattle some, and we'll see how long the stay, but for me they really worked perfectly. Now if only the fix the dang multiplayer!

All things considered, XCOM 2 really is a great game.

On the whole, it’s a fantastic game. Each and every boss fight is an experience that keeps you on your toes, never knowing what craziness to expect next. Cuphead’s use of style also feels far from novelty: the light, cartoon exterior conceals a dark subtext which fits perfectly with the grim realities that 1930s cartoons would often parody. Cuphead is a truly unique platformer, well worth a buy (and did I mention the bosses?)

With all that being said, should you play Mullet MadJack? The short answer – YES. The long answer – YEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSS! All jokes aside, if any of what I said sounds fun to you, give this a shot. Even if you don't like rogue-like games, I think you should give it a shot. I know I'm uniquely in the core of it's core demographic, both aesthetically and gameplay wise, but I think what is here is fun enough for just about anyone.

Kill Knight is a challenging but rewarding twin-stick shooter that will appeal to fans of the genre. While its steep learning curve and unforgiving difficulty may deter or frustrate some players, those who persevere will be rewarded with an intense and satisfying experience. And although the gameplay can be somewhat repetitious, particularly when you’re still getting the hang of all the button combos, mastering the movements and watching mayhem unfold is a pure joy.

Regardless of its length, Guacamelee is a fine platformer that is lighthearted and entertaining, with plenty of things to fight and laugh about along the way.

While not everything has panned out as brilliantly as I had hoped, I have to say this is the most fun I’ve had with a Civilization game since III (I know - heresy).

Since picking the game up, I've already sunk over 40 hours into it and I don't see that stopping any time soon. We are back to what Battlefield is all about, and it's never been better as far as the multiplayer is concerned. It is the stuff dreams are made of, the very thing that Battlefield 1942 strived to be all those years ago but was limited by hardware at the time. It may not be the single player experience some people may be looking for, but for the multiplayer massive-scale shooter fan, this belongs in your library of games. It has crawled through the mud, bludgeoned previous entries, and taken its rightful place as my favorite Battlefield game to date.

It’s just Starcraft, with some new additions here and there, but that’s all we were expecting, and it’s great.

The Broken Isles, New Dungeons, PVP "Honor Leveling", and World Quests offer more than enough to sate hungry fans on the next leg of the journey of World of Warcraft.

As with its predecessor, Deadfire is a truly engaging RPG in which there is always something interesting to do, or something to stare at in wonder. So much so, that hunting down Eothas - is - almost the distraction. The archipelago has lots of problems that are in need of a Watcher’s touch and most are intriguing enough that you want to get to the bottom before you progress the main storyline. If that is not the sign of a great RPG, I don’t know what is.

While it’s unrealistic to say that DOOM Eternal will be the last FPS game you’ll ever play, you’d be hard pressed to convince me that there will ever be one to top it. I’m not even sure another entry to DOOM could push the genre further than DOOM Eternal has. It’s beautiful destruction, a hurricane of violence, a symphony of being a pure, bonafide bada**. It’s a love note to the 90s and a lesson to modern FPS games that vintage and modern can live side by side, and when done correctly makes a legend for the ages. DOOM Eternal is the best first-person shooter and that’s the bottom line.

Shadowrun Returns: Dragonfall- Director’s Cut is the best available version of an already great game.

Stories, stories, stories. RimWorld sets you up for an ever changing game in which only your engagement remains the same, potentially for hundreds of hours. And when you’re done with the vanilla version of RimWorld, there are thousands of mods that enhance or change the game in such a way that it is all fresh again. I am in awe of RimWorld, and it deserves a Big Fat 10 out of 10.

This is a game that appeals to all gamers, not just fans of rhythm games, but it’s a damn good rhythm game regardless.

The Swapper is a game that perfectly blends gameplay, story, aesthetics, and mood to shine as a perfect experience of the type of experience only video games can deliver.

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is a love letter to the original trilogy. The game portrays the famed archeologist in the same way that the earlier three movies did - as an inquisitive treasure hunter who is often butting heads (both figuratively and literally) with the Nazis. The trademark Indiana Jones ingenuity is prevalent, whether it is using his trusty whip to get from one ledge to another, or using scattered objects to distract or incapacitate those that stand in his way. Most of the puzzles provide a challenge and the upgrade system requiring Adventure Points to open up the skill books encourages players to explore further. The homage to the movies goes even further with the iconic red line moving across the sepia world map indicating the flight pattern as he travels from one location to the next along with the signature score from John Williams. Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is the sequel to the movies that fans of the original trilogy wanted.

I’m not sure there is enough extra content to warrant a purchase from FIFA 13 unless you’re a diehard fan and want the up to date player lists, but if it’s been a couple of years since you’ve looked at a FIFA title, then there is no reason why you shouldn’t be getting FIFA 14.

Hollow Knight is one of the best 2D platformers I’ve ever played - it is a beautiful, quirky and dynamic game; challenging yet rewarding; mournful yet brimming with hope. When it comes to console, it’s going to cause a real stir.

With a game that has players re-living the day on multiple occasions, you’d be forgiven for thinking that it would become stale. But each day plays differently as you learn clues to the visionaries and their daily patterns. And even though the Eternalists inhabit the same locations when you visit at the same time period, the skills and weapons you have acquired and imbued with Residuum allows gamers to play each section in a completely different manner. Whether you want to play a stealthy style game and methodically take out your enemies as you uncover the island’s mysteries, or blast you way through groups of Eternalists, Deathloop allows you to do so. But no matter which style you choose, it is so satisfying once you finally close the loop.

Pipistrello and The Cursed Yo-Yo is a must-play for anyone who loves Metroidvanias or classic Zelda-style adventures. It's full of heart, brimming with quirk, and clearly made with love. The visuals are gorgeous, the world is rich, and every mechanic feels thoughtfully crafted. It's absolutely time well spent.

Long in the making, Divinity: Original Sin offers the beautifully deep intricacies of an old-school RPG that does not in any way feel old-fashioned. What a great and unique experience.

Fortunately, Dead Space does provide the player with one way to ratchet up the intensity. If combat doesn't scare you, then you can always turn on the Impossible difficulty setting where if you die once then it's game over (the remake has helpfully added the option to continue playing at reduced difficulty, the original would just delete your save entirely). I would highly recommend checking out the Impossible difficulty, even if you're not the sort that generally goes in for challenge runs, if only because it gives the game a sense of urgency and tension that it otherwise lacks.

Return to Monkey Island follows the tried-and-true formula of past titles whilst adding a new flavour to the series. The vibrant visuals and wonderful voice acting are surpassed only by the quality puzzles and humorous story. And although I found most of the puzzles reasonably simple, this may be due to my veteran status when it comes to point-and-click adventure games. Return to Monkey Island is a wonderfully nostalgic journey with old friends and new, one that has me helpful that a further sequel is just over the horizon.

While it may not win any awards in my book, Monster Hunter Stories 3 is a fun way to pass time, and a great game for newcomers to the JRPG genre. The turn based combat mechanics are solid, and there is a lot to unlock. The story and characters are fun to watch and exploring the environments is never boring. Here’s hoping that Capcom can refine this formula, and truly bring their A game with the next instalment.

The bar for modern horror remakes is justifiably high. The expectations for a series that has not seen a worthy entry (in many fans' eyes) in at least two decades might be even higher. Silent Hill 2, somewhat unexpectedly, delivers on both. We've got great voice acting, writing that understands the assignment, and gameplay to mesh it all together.

Inside isn’t as impressive in terms of the physics based puzzles as Limbo was six years ago, but it doesn’t make them any less enjoyable now.

Europa Universalis IV won’t be for everyone, but those who like grand scale strategies that Paradox has been renowned for will find this an enjoyable experience. The game had me playing well into the nights and if that is any indication of a great game, then Europa Universalis IV passes the test.

Dispatch isn't a perfect game, but it's about as perfect a game for me as I've played. AdHoc has crafted a wonderful superhero world that I hope to revisit, but more than that, they've created a remarkable cast of characters filled with nuance, growth, humour, tragedy, and everything else that you want to see in great stories. I cheered. I cried (on the inside). I laughed. What more can I ask for? As a good experience should, I've been left wanting more, and I'll be the first in line to pick up whatever this studio does next - Dispatch or otherwise.

Total War: Warhammer 2 is a promising sequel: it shows those lore based mechanics that differentiate factions taking centre-stage. We also see issues from the first game being streamlined and resolved. This makes me incredibly hopeful for The Mortal Empires campaign, combining both the first and second game maps (which is being released in a month or so). It also makes me hopeful for future DLC and the third game in the series, because if the gameplay is this good right now… how good will it be then?

Marvel's Spider-Man: Remastered is a fantastic game full of classic Spider-Man charm, with fantastic movement and smooth combat that emphasizes the nature of the web-head. With a compelling story and good character moments, this reviewer is going to be very much looking forward to Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales when it comes to Steam, and Marvel's Spider-Man 2 when it finally releases. Here's hoping it will be soon.

In my time with World of Warcraft, I can say without a shadow of a doubt that Warlords of Draenor is the best expansion yet to the game.

West of Loathing is the rare game that makes me want to explore every nook and cranny to find new quests, new texts to read and most importantly, new jokes to laugh at. It’s been a long time since I’ve laughed this much while playing a game, and I look forward to exploring West of Loathing again and again in the future.

In Gone Home, there are moments of fear, moments of joy, moments of sadness, and moments of peace. In the end, there is acceptance, the kind which comes from a tale naturally concluded and a chapter neatly closed.

As a said earlier, I loved the Tomb Raider reboot a couple of years back and must admit I had been looking forward to doing some more treasure hunting as everyone's favourite English heroine. Rise of the Tomb Raider hasn't let me down. Although there aren't too many differences in the gameplay, the story has been written so well that it makes the game feel fresh despite the similarities.

Total War: Warhammer seems like what the Total War franchise should have been all along, and after playing it I’m not sure I want to go back to the real-world Europe or Asia again anytime soon. Above all else, I don’t think I can stand losing the personality the battles have adopted. While it’s cool to see real historical figures and eras, games here just seem so much more alive. Total War: Warhammer has become the best of both of its worlds.

Overall Saints Row IV is a marvellously enjoyable game, while still suffering from a few of the complaints that the series has always had. The main quests are great, and although the side missions are not painful to play, they don’t pack the same punch. If you played and enjoyed Saints Row The Third, then picking up this sequel is a must. Equally if you’re looking for a game that lets you act like a badass with special powers, this might be a better superhero game than many others that are actually billed as such.

I love shooters, I love RPGs. I love racers, narrative driven experiences, indie games and AAA smash hits. About the only games I don’t love, are Tetris clones. Death Stranding hits different for me. I love the game, I have had an incredible time with it. I enjoy the simple but addicting gameplay loop, the sprinkled moments of action, and overall I enjoy the long winding narrative that sometimes takes a few too many pit stops along the way. However, it easily ranks among one of the bleakest games I’ve ever played.

A few things hold it back from being a complete success, but these can largely be overlooked in favor of all the things the game does right. Never before has a game made four words fill me with such excitement and anticipation. "Pilot, prepare for Titanfall."

With a good balance of a quality campaign, multiplayer, and cooperative modes, there’s something for just about everyone to enjoy.

Dishonored 2 may not rank as one of my personal favorites of the year, but it does build greatly upon everything the original put in place. Characters, lore, gameplay, settings... literally everything has been improved upon. The replayability is once again very high, but alas it still suffers from being on the short side if you're not one to plan the perfect approach. Dishonored 2 may not be the best adventure title ever, but it certainly is one of the most interesting.

All in all this remaster is a fresh coat of polish on an already solid foundation, improving the visual and aural quality of the games (Most notably the original Mass Effect) as well as adding multiple quality of life changes and improvements that make certain that Mass Effect Legendary Edition will have fans new and old ready to hunt down Saren, travel past the Omega-4 Relay, and take Earth back, some all over again, and some for the very first time.

Playing the remastered Homeworlds is a trip through memory lane. Carried by the original’s fantastic story, the series has been restored to the point that it feels and plays like a brand new game.

Overall, Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus is exactly what a sequel should be. It doesn't try to make drastic changes, it tries to improve upon what made the first game so enticing and such a stand out in 2015. The end result comes out as something that accomplishes that end, and yet more. By changing things just enough from a gameplay perspective, changing the locales and daring to take the story down an even darker path, Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus has kept the fun while also making the player feel the emotion of BJ's battles, his pain and rage, even his heartbreak. Unless you have an unwavering core, this game will take you on one hell of a rollercoaster ride of emotions, guns blazing all the way.

It is always a concern when developers attempt a reboot or remake of a classic game, and whether or not it will live up to the high expectations that gamers of the original have. Tomb Raider is one of the few that have lived up to the expectations.

Nioh 2 isn’t a game for everyone. It requires real dedication to learn to an even functional level, and it’s not a game that lends itself to quick pop-in sessions or returning to after playing something else for a while. But, like a coconut or your really introverted friend, there’s beauty to be found beneath the hard exterior. Team Ninja has made a fantastic addition to the still-young souls-like genre, and I’m incredibly happy that the experience is no longer limited to the PlayStation consoles.

With some interesting backstories for each of the characters, some cool abilities - particularly with Isabelle, and some lovely settings, Desperados III is an enjoyable, albeit slow, puzzle-solving experience. But it is that same methodical experience that won’t suit all gamers, especially those who want some quick-fire action.

There's real depth here, and if anything I've described sparks your interest, I wholeheartedly encourage you to give it a try. Lizardcube clearly poured their heart and soul into this project, and it shows in every frame.

Between the three factions to unlock in addition to the two starting ones and the generous number of faction cards available to unlock- not to mention the ability to make and share custom challenges online- this is a game that’s easy to come back to time and time again. And you will want to come back. While it’s easy to cast aside a game that takes inspiration from another as too derivative, it’s hard to complain when the results are this fun. Monster Train proves that, sometimes, it’s good to be bad.

In all Fantasy Life i is an incredibly solid game that has a ton of charm to it. The gameplay is simple but addicting, and the quality of life features that were added compared to the 2014 game make The Girl Who Steals Time a very enjoyable experience. The story beats can feel a little repetitive at times, as can the mini-games all bearing out similarly to each other, and real time based events can be a bit of a pain. But all of that aside, Fantasy Life i is a game that this reviewer would gladly recommend to anyone that prefers a more cozy vibe to their fantasy genre.

Despite my few complaints, Assassin’s Creed: Odyssey truly is an incredibly entertaining game that proves Origins was no fluke. I’m back on the hype train, baby, and I can’t wait to see where the next stop is (even if I wish it’d rest at the same station for another year or two). No longer a simple stealth game, but instead a massive, detailed, sprawling roleplaying game, Odyssey just might be one of my favorite games of 2018 so far.

I’ve certainly had my share of fun and amazement soaking up what bits of Night City’s world that I could in my 80 hour playthrough, but nevertheless with a bad taste in the mouth when so many glitches and inconsistencies pulled me out of its overall experience.

If you go into it looking for a game that doesn't give you an easy go of it and expects you to concentrate and really invest in the challenge, then you will find a satisfying and genuinely exciting game here. If you go in expecting tons of flash and colourful presentation then you may be sorely disappointed.

Both paid DLC packs and free updates are planned to bring about new cars and cosmetic changes, and if developer support continues, Rocket League could turn into something truly special. Even as it is though, it quickly became one of my favourite games of the year, in a year where we’ve already had a huge number of great titles.

Injustice 2 is a big, bold, expansive love letter to fans of DC comics and fighting games in general, and its sequel improves on the original in most every way. A deep roster ripe for customization and enough quality game modes worth spending time with will ensure you’ve got enough to keep you busy for quite some time. Though a few issues hold NetherRealms’ latest back from being truly exemplary, there are enough positives here to keep the whole experience feeling pretty super.