This is not only one of the best action game of 2018, it's a modern classic that gives new life to a genre that we thought was starting to fade away.

With a faster combat mechanic than ever, better visuals and the same challenging gameplay as before, Dark Souls 3 delivers an adventure that will hook you up for many, many hours. It might not be as good as Bloodborne, mainly because some technical flaws, and a little less appealing world – but it’s close enough.

There are only a few titles that can give four players in the same room the same rush that Super Mario 3D World does. The improvements in the Switch version are few, but appreciated. In addition, these change the game so much that even veterans should take a look at it. The extra game Bowser's Fury is the icing on the cake and gives you a playful open world sandbox where proven elements meet new features. The result is simply a complete package of sheer platform entertainment.

Fire Emblem: Three Houses is a new start for the series that also got the new ideas of its predecessor right. Although the weapon triangle is still missing, what we get this time turned out to be much deeper and better. It takes time to experiment and switch between different job types, but in the end you can have an army that is completely unique to your particular game type. And when we are tired of fighting, it is extremely gratifying to exchange all that for pure conversations and lessons, while still giving our characters experience points. Fans who were discouraged by Shadows of Valentia can thus breathe peacefully. Fire Emblem: Three Houses shows that the series is back on its feet again, better than ever.

While Dreams is a brilliant tool for home creations, after a few days we have seen all the Super Mario clones that we can take. Nearly all the titles feel have an "under construction" beta feeling. The question thus becomes, is it really worth spending money to beta test games for other creators? Of course, for those with a preference for homemade games, the answer is a resounding "yes". But for those who have never been aspiring game designers, it would have been more optimal with a cheaper lite version of Dreams, without the creation mode.

It took a while, but with Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1+2, the series is finally great again. Sure, it's a little strange that the series reaches its former glory in a remake where the track design and gameplay are largely intact compared to the 20 year old original games, but it shows what a perfect concept Neversoft created over 20 years ago. Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1+2 is not only the perfect game for old fans who want to relive the happy days of life, but also for new players who want an easily accessible yet deep skateboarding game.

Horizon: Zero Dawn doesn't reinvent the wheel – but it delivers an immersive action experience, set in a gorgeous world with lots of mysteries and thrilling encounters.

For anyone with a fondness for intense action games spiced with Japanese oddities Nier: Automata is a must. Platinum Games have made some of the world's best action titles - and Nier: Automata is their best game yet.

Hazelight is back with the puzzle-filled adventure It Takes Two. Just like in their previous games, the whole adventure revolves around cooperation, but this time in a much more charming and almost excessively varied form - where it sometimes can feel like we are thrown between completely different games. But somehow, the adventure never feels disjointed, rather the opposite. Right from the start, both the world and the gameplay feels perfectly synchronized, and it is a joy to tackle all the obstacles that stand in our way.

Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart is everything we wanted from this long-awaited sequel: fast and entertaining action with a great deal of nostalgia. This truly is action-packed, somewhat brain-dead, platform entertainment at its best.

Xcom 2 is not going to leave anyone let down. It’s hard as ever, and at the same time it is better balanced and smarter designed than Xcom: Enemy Unknown. Firaxis is starting to master the concept, and we can’t wait to see what they have in the expansion pipe for this one.

Despite the overall feeling of familiarity, Dishonored 2 delivers such an impressive sense of variety and atmosphere that the game sits among the best gaming titles of 2016.

This brilliant sequel takes all the best parts from its predecessor and turns it up to eleven.

Arkane Studios latest shooter grabs you directly with it's mix of smart gameplay and mysterious storytelling. While the time loop concept is engaging, it's the freedom of mixing between various gameplay styles that makes Deathloop more addicting than other games in the same genre. Although it can get a little tedious with the large amount of intel that is dropped simultaneous from time to time.

Metroid Dread offers the same old "Metroidvania" concept as before, but also adds completely new exciting and surprising features. The "just one more try" feeling is also constant and does not let go of us until we have really managed to unlock everything.

Despite a couple of compromises regarding the controls, we still find it difficult to stop playing Super Mario Maker 2. Creating your dream courses has never been more fun, and what we lose without the Wii U stylus we gain back through the large number of accessories and the 3D World Mode. The concept of downloading new courses can i theory keep the game alive for years to come. It could very well be the last 2D Mario you'll ever need to buy.

Monster Hunter Rise takes the very best from its predecessor and adds features that give the hunt a whole new dimension. Features that makes it really hard for us to stop playing. Just a word of warning for newcomers: This is not a game you learn in an afternoon.

Civilization is still one of the most addictive series in gaming, and the new installment offers some really interesting additions. The sometimes stupid AI is a bit of a letdown, though.

With the new World of Warcraft-expansion, Blizzard manages to bring new life to a widely beloved mmorpg that's been on the decline for ages. The Demon Hunter Class, new, intriguing zones and questlines and extended character development possibilities combine to form the greatest WoW-experience to date.

Following up on an already excellent game like Doom 2016 is no easy task. Doom Eternal however, manages to kick it's precursor on all counts. The world is more engaging and varied in design. The monsters are rawer and bloodier while the weapons are more imaginative and have tons of modifications. Too bad that we also have to build our character in a role-playing like mode and are forced to watch the uninteresting story. It slows down an otherwise near excellent adrenaline-filled rush of a game.

It’s hard not to see Nioh as a Dark Souls with Japanese mythology. But as soon as you get used to the mechanics, Nioh has several features that make it unique. Aside from some less inspired stages, and slightly outdated graphics, this is a perfect action game – and one of the best there is in the genre.

It's not tough to be impressed by Injustice 2. Those who prefer to play alone have a ton of content with a varied degree of difficulty to conquer, while those who prefer real opponents have a robust online mode with several smart features to explore. Whether you are an amateur who play for fun or a professional there is something for you to do. And who doesn’t want to give Superman a slap in the face?

The Witness is not a game you want to rush through. The tempo is, at least compared to most games today, really slow0paced and you will frequently get stuck. But as soon as you start to understand the structure, one of the smartest designed worlds ever starts to unfold. It perhaps isn’t for everyone, but for those who take the time, it will be one of the strongest experiences of the year.

The Nioh Collection consists of two demanding games in the so-called Soulsborne genre, a genre that in its best moments dances on a fine line between frustration and joy. The two Nioh games offer over 100 hours of just that. It is extremely difficult and frustrating, but also rewarding and fair. In this Playstation 5 incarnation, the two games are better than ever, but at the same time the jump from the original versions is not massive. If you are a fan of the genre and have not played the Nioh games before, however, this is the perfect opportunity.

Final Fantasy VII Remake is everything we expected and then some. The premise is the same as in 1997, but there is still plenty of new material for those who want to explore more of Midgar and its inhabitants. In addition, elements such as the story and the combat are more like a modern take. That makes this throwback even more pleasant.

Astral Chain is a different take on Platinum Games action formula and deserves a chance if you're a fan of their previous work. Although the battles never quite reach the same level of finesse and variety as in Bayonetta, there are still a occasions in the game that come close. The interaction between our character and its Legion is the big draw, but unfortunately there are times when we are forced to fight without it. Half of the times because our Legion attacks straight on, the other half because we ourselves fumble around with the right stick. But if you have plenty of patience, Astral Chain works superbly at least until it's time for Bayonetta 3.

Pokémon Sun and Moon are the best Pokémon games since Gold and Silver. Game Freak has built a solid ground for the future.

Gran Turismo 7 includes the best parts of Gran Turismo Sport, and also marks the return of the classic Gran Turismo single-player campaign. We also get a few new game modes, enhanced gameplay and in parts amazing graphics. Although the realistic environments can look a bit drab at times, and some races are a bit dull, Gran Turismo 7 is the most complete and unitary car game so far.