Being a fan of RPGs is not a prerequisite for enjoying a well-done remake of an unlikely cult classic. Super Mario RPG might not have the deep narrative or challenging combat that the genre is known for, but it does offer a very entertaining, epic and timeless journey of good versus evil, starring Mario and and his friends, which will delight any fan of the franchise.

Convergence: A League of Legends Story is another success story in the League of Legends universe. With Ekko at the forefront, Double Stallion has managed to create a solid and fun Metroidvania, perfectly combining precise platforming with intense combat, without losing a drop of the personality of this intrepid hero.

Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door, recognized as one of the great GameCube classics, is back, this time on the Nintendo Switch. The improvements are clear to see in a remake that highlights the original's greatest qualities, without ever losing the charm of the GameCube's unique atmosphere. The sublime art direction and delightful soundtrack are still present and make this the best way to experience what will go down as the biggest and best Super Mario epic to date.

Dead Island 2 is like a good B movie. It's imperfect, but it doesn't commit to more than it's capable of offering. Incredibly entertaining, it keeps in the foreground what makes it stand out: the destruction of zombies, without a single shred of shame. It doesn't revolutionize the genre and never breaks free of the genre's moorings, but it's a real pleasure to smash zombies - from zombie number 1 to zombie number 1000.

Humankind doesn't reinvent the fire nor the wheel, but it brings freshness, new ideas and visual beauty to a niche genre, with systems deep enough to win over 4X fans and a visual interface that open the door to new ones. Although the artificial intelligence leaves a little to be desired and some systems need tweaking, the cultural evolution mechanic allows for very interesting flexibility and dynamics.

Football Manager 2023 wanted us to gawk at the new licenses, but it forgets that the franchise has become immortalised by the authenticity of its gameplay and not the logos of teams or competitions. The Champions League and Europa League have a new look, but it is through the new Squad Planner and recruitment system that FM23 truly stands out from its predecessors, although some tactical systems still have a clear edge in the game.

NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139 is an extremely well-thought-out remaster that puts our resilience to the test, with a fantastic story and captivating characters. It does not completely let go of its origins, which at times are somewhat painful. It's a difficult love affair, it demands a lot of our time but it rewards us with one of the most curious and interesting stories of its genre.

Atelier Sophie 2: The Alchemist of the Mysterious Dream managed to captivate me as a beginner of the JRPG genre. There's a story that, though it doesn't truly stand out, left me just interested enough to be able to experience the hours of alchemy, in a sort of Next Gen Connect 4 game. The turn-based combat system is also incredibly welcoming for newcomers, and the whole campaign has this unique ingenuity about it, even when we're fighting interdimensional threats or water dragons.

Stray is the perfect game for all cat lovers. Not only does it gives us a full experience of a cat's life, but also a narrative that is impossible to ignore, especially when the mission is to save the world. In a city with vibrant colors, enigmatic sounds, unlikely friendships and full-fledged mischievous threats, what keeps Unity together is the resilience of an orange cat who doesn't give up hope of finding his family. Stray has an implicit lesson or moral, just like any good story told to a world in constant wave of skepticism, disbelief and uncertainty.

With Pacific Drive, Ironwood Studios has achieved a game with an intoxicating and mysterious atmosphere, which introduces something new to a rather saturated genre through a fresh approach, anchored in systems that complement each other in an extremely intelligent way. Apart from one frustration or another, Pacific Drive is a highly recommended experience for all Survival fans.

MotoGP 22 keeps Milestone's Series in the lead when it comes to motocycling simulation. It falters for not risking enough, despite introducing the nostalgic Nine Season 2009 mode. Career Mode is as solid as ever and the driving is as solid as it has ever been, although the graphical quality leaves a bit to be desired. On the track, however, it's yet another victory lap.

Forza Motorsport is back. The driving is muscular, the emotion is very present and the visuals are capable of giving us a truly fun, accessible and complete experience on the asphalt. Whether you're using a controller or a steering wheel and pedals, Forza is ready to take you trough high speed, well-designed and modeled circuits. Despite a meager single-player experience, the multiplayer mode has grown in size and strength and is capable of providing hours of fierce competition. There are several aspects that can be improved, but this title strikes an interesting balance between casualness, simulation and competition that builds a solid foundation for an excellent racing platform in video games.

Dying Light: The Beast refines the best elements of Dying Light, with a more concise, frightening, immersive and challenging world, without the chaff we saw in the previous one. The combat is visceral and bloody, and even with a monster inside Kyle Crane, you never feel invincible, thus maintaining a palpable tension from start to finish.

Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe is undeniably an improvement over the Wii original. The new features in the remaster may not be enough to convince veterans, but it's still a fantastic and fun experience for those who like to play in the company of the young and inexperienced.

Mario Golf: Super Rush is another Nintendo title that promotes fun, specially when enjoyed with friends. This is not a game to be played for many hours daily, nor can you expect an experience like Odyssey. Instead, Nintendo churns out a sport in simple practice with all that's charming about the Mario universe, creative mechanics that extend it’s entertainment element.

Born in truly independent fashion, Out of Line gained its space and collected accolades throughout its development cycle. The result of this project (which was started by college students) is a great puzzle-platform experience, with a distinct art style and a story open to interpretation. The short campaign doesn’t stop the emotional attachment with protagonist San and the fellow adventurers we find along the way. The Portuguese studio made something out of very little, intelligently using the game mechanics it introduces throughout the campaign

Amnesia: The Bunker is the best horror experience in the entire franchise. Frictional Games has fixed some issues with previous games, and wanted to leave the "free horror" label behind. The Bunker has the ability to blend the real terror experienced throughout WW1, and adds the fantasy of the monstrous creature that we used to in Amnesia storylines. The Bunker will, from now on, be the model to be followed by all those who base the terror gameplay experience in “walking simulators”, showing that there are more survival resources than just the legs to run.

Biomutant conquers a prominent place in the ever-expanding universe of open world games. While it doesn't innovate in the mechanics it employs, it implements them intelligently, giving us plenty of reasons to explore a vibrant and gaudy world filled with adorable creatures.

Ubisoft delivered what it promised. Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora is another beautiful canonical piece for the stunning Avatar universe. With a new storyline and characters on a yet unseen continent, the open world game offers a unique experience in terms of exploration and combat, giving the player the exciting experience of becoming a true Na'vi.

Obsidian already has its name established in the market, but Pentiment came to present a new talent from the producer. The game explores an impossible-to-ignore narrative and a progression scheme that captures the attention of any player, even those who are not fans of the genre. This is an invitation to Celtic music, rural landscapes, medieval habits and ancient arts such as illuminations and woodcuts. The story of a murder becomes the perfect excuse to explore the disturbing streets of Tassing, a city full of secrets to be revealed.

EA SPORTS WRC is a notable improvement in the saga of World Rally Championship games. The introduction of the builder mode, along with a well-structured career mode, makes the single-player experience fun, motivating and immersive. The driving system caters for all types of players, from those who play with controllers and in a more casual way to those who prefer a simulation environment. Codemasters presents a robust game, with a few rough edges but a truly fun driving experience. Now it's time to get behind the wheel and tear up the gravel.

Riders Republic comes with a lot to give, and one might argue that it may give too much. The Ranking and Item Unlocking systems distract from an experience that, at its core, gives us the best radical sports game since the SSX franchise. Ubisoft presented us with one of the most earnestly fun titles of the year, despite some unfortunately typical choice from the company. The biome diversity and the sheer amount of events, with Mass Races being the standout, culminate in one of the most pleasant gameplays in this genre.

After several Home Runs and Strike Outs, I can say that I am as big of a baseball fan as I ever was, having even looked up some games during the weekend - which is probably the biggest compliment I can give to MLB The Show 22. It walks that fine line between pleasing veterans with deep, hardcore gameplay and leaving space for newcomers to understand the basic mechanics of the game and the sport itself. Despite little differences to last year's version, it still offers a solid experiences for baseball and sports fans alike - who knows, other sports simulator may even get some tips from what PlayStation Studios are doing.

Overall, F1 23 is in good health and is recommended to all fans of the sport. It positions itself on both the arcade and sim racing sides as a competent and improved game over its predecessors. With the ability to provide a more authentic and immersive experience for players, as well as a unique perspective through Breaking Point 2. It might be far from perfect, but it's a big step in the right direction. We look forward to the future of the franchise.

Mario Party is the Monopoly of videogames, we don't always dedicate many hours to it, but it's important to always have one "on hand". I believe that the main stage for this Super Mario Party Jamboree will be the living room with groups of friends jostling for scraps of digital glory, the pinnacle of the social gaming experience, but investing in the online element makes sense in order to increase its relevance and longevity. It's already the third in the franchise on the Nintendo Switch, a console that continues to enrich its catalogue for this Christmas. Regardless of the rumours, if you don't have one yet, this should be the best option.

The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom has a lot of merit and begs to be played, especially by fans who have been clamouring for something new in the series. It's also a proof of concept, courtesy of a new studio, showing that Nintendo intends to explore new avenues of gameplay, which in the future may result in iterations that further separate Link and Zelda as playable characters. Maybe with another character who shall not be named, you know, to complete the Triforce.

Assassin's Creed Mirage is a return to the past in more ways than one. More focused and cohesive than its recent predecessors, it leaves the chaff aside to focus on what's really fun. The reduced size suits it perfectly and anyone who missed the classic Assassin's Creed action will feel right at home in the city of Baghdad, which is possibly one of Ubisoft's most captivating recreations.

Even if it loses some of its lustre in its final stretch, it's impossible to deny the magic and charm of The Plucky Squire. Full of surprises, charming moments and homages to classics, it goes beyond a simple tribute to the games that inspired it and still manages to be genuinely funny, for adults and children alike.