Even for those that would never normally dream of playing a basketball sim this is a great game, although it's best played in small doses.

An inspired use of the usual vampire clichés with some fascinating moral decisions to make, that always impact the game world and its combat in unexpected ways.

One of the few successful attempts to mix politics and gaming is far more entertaining than you'd think.

Irredeemably shallow but effortlessly entertaining, this unexpected tribute to a lost genre will make a beat ‘em-up fan of anyone.

A heartbreaking ending to a fascinatingly ambitious interactive story, that handles the build-up to its final dilemma with impressive confidence and heart.

By Nintendo standards this is no classic, but by anyone else's it's a fun and accessible 2D platformer.

One of the best Kirby games ever made and while the formula hasn’t changed as much as it first seems it’s also one of the most enjoyable co-op titles of recent years.

The best portable Silent Hill game never made with great first person combat and impressive presentation.

A competent but shallow and overfamiliar attempt to replicate Assassin’s Creed style open world adventure in the world of 13th century samurai.

We do sometimes, even if it is briefly, get the feeling we're playing a classic PES game from the series. Still rough around the edges though.

An appealing riff on the Pokémon role-playing formula which, while a little too safe, has enough small deviations and improvements to justify its existence.

A spruced up, lightly streamlined refresh of the classic Ukrainian shooter-meets-survival horror series that retains every bit of its uncompromisingly bleak character and individuality.

It’s a strangely meditative process though, thanks to the plinky-plonky music and ambient sound effects; along with the slow pace of the game supplying an almost ASMR feeling as you fiddle about with the number of spots on each hexagonal tile to get them to add up, whilst feeling absolutely no time pressure whatsoever. It’s a great little game, even if it occasionally dances over the fine line between tranquillity and dullness.

Such an old school role-player that most of its influences predate video games, and although an acquired taste it's clearly a refined one as well.

A polished Metroidvania infused with Africana, whose linearity and overreliance on rote-learning action sequences undermine its otherwise high standards.

A surprisingly lean and mean sequel which amplifies the bloody thrills of the original through its impressive presentation and flexible mechanics.

There’s a disappointing lack of invention in the paper thin story and characters, but the combat and witty dialogue is as good as the series has ever been.

A useful improvement over the last game but one that still avoids instituting any of the serious changes that the series now desperately needs.

Even with its positive changes Lego City Undercover doesn’t feel quite as special as it did four years ago, when it seemed to hint at a new direction for the Lego series in general. In that time the franchise’s release schedule has slowed noticeably, to the point where there are currently no new games announced and rumours suggest that Lego Dimensions might be coming to an end. What happens beyond that is a mystery, but while the foundations of Lego City Undercover are worth building on the rest of it needs tearing down if there’s ever to be real progress.

An expertly crafted clone that finally shows consoles owners what Diablo is all about. As long as you don't mind playing alone anyway.

A distinguished iOS release that manages to replicate almost all the features of the home consoles originals, both good and bad.

The furore over Dexit may be overblown but even without it this is an underwhelming and unambitious attempt to modernise Pokémon and expand its horizons.

The creator of XCOM returns with some interesting new ideas, but without the budget or time to refine them Phoenix Point struggles to offer a viable alternative to its more established rival.

A microscopic improvement on Football Manager 2015, that is as addictive and engrossing as ever but seems to have run out of steam in terms of new ideas.

A mellow paced and captivating game of underwater exploration, crafting, and discovery, that feels more like a Subnautica expansion than a discrete sequel.

A superb remake of two flawed but still interesting entries in the Final Fantasy canon – and certainly far better games than any of the last three.

In many ways more entertaining than the main game, this enjoyable romp through Albion shows Fable III at its best, but gives little clue as to its future.

It often feels unrefined and unbalanced, but the uniquely tactical combat system, and Dark Souls influences, create one of the most enjoyably different fighting games of recent years.

One of the great champions of offline multiplayer returns, and although it brings nothing new to the table at least it lets you race along it once again.

The hack, slash, and loot world of Diablo is brilliantly re-engineered for a small screen but the fun, initial progression is offset by a grinding endgame and/or eye-wateringly costly microtransactions.

A complex and wildly ambitious medieval life simulator that basks in historical detail and will happily take over months of your life, even if its radical sense of freedom can create unintended impasses.

Bizarre, abstract, and completely beautiful. GNOG’s puzzles aren’t difficult but they are strangely entrancing, especially in VR.

Another mini-reboot for the father of FPS, but while it’s less complex and challenging than Doom Eternal it’s still a fine homage to the seminal original.

It’s tense and interesting and while it lacks the polish of some board game conversions – Ticket To Ride or Antihero for example – and is a bit too easy in solo mode, it plays a fine card game.

A beautiful, meditative Lego-based puzzle game for two, that emphasises playful fun over challenge, although to such a degree that it’s all over a bit too soon.

It’s still not as good as Sniper Elite 4, but years of patches and DLC have improved it to the point where this is a viable alternative for Switch owners.

A far less significant improvement on the original than many will have hoped for, but still an enjoyable co-op shooter with a largely unique setting.

It comes frustratingly close to being the perfect Warhammer 40,000 action game but repetitive set pieces and a lack of crunch to the combat means that’ll have to wait for Space Marine 3.

A highly imaginative puzzle game whose clever concepts are frequently used in the least appealing way possible – although they’re imaginative enough that the game remains engaging despite itself.

It’s no Age of Empires, but is a well designed and addictive take on the genre with a generous campaign and online multiplayer modes.

A fantasy musical adventure which has big laughs to match its big heart, while being built around charming, if shallow, gameplay mechanics.

As a PS Vita game this is no more than a competent port, but as a restatement of one of gaming's most enduring fighters it's still good, dumb fun.

An excellent multiplayer and the best version of Battlefield ever on a console, but a lesser game than on the PC and with a very poor single-player mode.

Impressively original, if still fairly abstruse, platform puzzler that challenges you to think as differently as it does.

A fun spin-off that takes some of the best parts of Yakuza and weaves a story that’s at least as compelling – even if a lot of gameplay elements are becoming overfamiliar at this point.

A fantastically charming mix of golf sim and role-playing game, that smooths over its rough edges with its irreverent humour and wild imagination.

A Mega Man sequel that, despite its flash new looks and newb-friendly approach, conservatively touts the same formula Capcom has been using these past 30 years.

Might & Magic: Clash Of Heroes is remade as a highly engaging free-to-play touchscreen gem.

Its insanity is highly addictive, and Bacon is the best of this avant-garde trilogy of comestible foolishness.

It may just be a cynical re-branding of Guitar Hero 5 but if you prefer pop to rock this is still fun.

A serious attempt to get the whole of Skyrim working in VR, but the compromises in terms of graphics and controls are considerable.

Unfortunately, as with plenty of triple-A ports, its touchscreen controls don’t work well enough, their complexity making it all too easy to squeeze off shots when you don’t mean to, which for a silent assassin is a problem. Still, with a controller this is the unabridged Sniper Elite experience, and has its complete list of DLC available, although none of it is included in the initial purchase price.

Team Ninja has done everything to please fans short of making a brand new game, but despite its successes this too often feels like an awkward compromise.

An improvement on the last episode and although some of the storytelling tricks are a bit of a cheat they’re all in the service of an increasingly intriguing plot.

Easily the best of the Dark Pictures Anthology series, which finally manages to serve up some interesting characters and effective horror scenes, with an appealingly gothic atmosphere.

The best lightgun game never to have seen the inside of an arcade as Headstrong outdoes Sega Japan.

Its flaws are frustratingly obvious, but this has some of the most enjoyably original gameplay and visuals of any game this year - on the PS Vita or otherwise.

A solid slice of DLC with an interesting story to tell and some notable new gameplay extras, although the fate of the protagonist is unfortunately fudged.

At last the Earth Defense Force series gets a sequel worthy of its early promise, even if there are still a few unwanted bugs left.

Originally released on PC, the touchscreen version works even better, although at around half an hour’s total play time, with little to draw you back for a replay, this will appeal to a fairly select audience.

Another good value expansion pass from Nintendo, that doesn’t quite make up for the flaws of the parent game but does manage to emphasise its most positive qualities.

A fully-featured mid-generation slab of enjoyable Nazi-shooting, that has only a few unique ideas but still manages to remain compelling throughout.

The road to Sonic's redemption is a long one, but this is a much surer step towards it than any other game in the last 15+ years.

There are many clever, elegantly-designed puzzles, which escalate in complexity to include multiple light sources. But there are also some nasty bugs in later levels, several of which require you to quit and restart the game.

A stunning visual achievement and a mediocre Metroidvania but despite that unevenness this is still an affecting interactive journey with real emotional resonance.

A charming, atmospheric indie game with some enjoyably imaginative puzzles and evocative visuals, whose only real flaw is a lack of longevity.

The furore over Dexit may be overblown but even without it this is an underwhelming and unambitious attempt to modernise Pokémon and expand its horizons.

It was buggy on its release 15 years ago and is consistent with that today, with occasional crashes and visual glitches even on a recent iPad Pro. It does work though and it’s a lot of game – and a chunky 10GB download – to take with you on the train, even if its touchscreen controls can sometimes be a bit fiddly.

Despite the remasters changing nothing, and being based on the inferior versions of the original games, the innate quality of Ninja Gaiden 1 and 2 shines through in this surprisingly enjoyable compilation.

Sony’s first experiment on the PC is just that, with a disappointingly glitchy port of one of the PlayStation 4’s most technically advanced exclusives.

Business as usual with a mediocre single-player campaign and one of the best multiplayer experiences in all gaming – although one severely compromised by playing it on the Xbox 360.

An enjoyably distinctive survival game, in terms of gameplay, visuals, and an unusually affecting story.

Each run sees Turnip Boy battling through different zones of the bank, twin stick shooter-style. You need to help him steal as much as possible, then head to the exit before the law arrives. Initially that’s quite a short process but runs get longer as you purchase better equipment. The relatively compact map and swiftly (for a roguelite) acquired list of upgrades are nicely suited to mobile play.

Colourful golfing action with a fascinating complexity to each swing – and a stealth workout – but relatively few courses.

A charming and beautifully constructed virtual train set, with an immaculately designed interface whose elegance helps make up for the game’s brevity and lack of challenge.

One of the most impressive technical achievements on the Switch, which even manages to make improvement to the PC original – although it’s rather expensive and the original is beginning to show its age in design terms.

The original RPG puzzler still has its issues, but this remains a worryingly addictive timewaster.

A colossal achievement in puzzle gaming, with a very cleverly conceived setting and story, but the lack of variety and reward becomes stifling.

Even if it lacks some of Evergarden’s complexity, it’s an interesting process of discovery that does its best not to rush you, letting you soak up the ambience while working out how its pieces fit together.

Its biggest problem is touchscreen controls, the joystick and buttons regularly proving elusive and making precision platform stages just as nightmarish as you’d expect. But get past those moments of finger-slipping, iPad-hurling frustration and you’ll discover an unusually well-made and inventive tour of gameplay from the last three decades.

An action-packed journey through medieval France that alternates between visceral violence and rural beauty, although its puzzles and action sequences occasionally feeling undercooked compared to its well-drawn and believable characters.

A perfect fighting game for beginners and one of the best uses of the DC universe so far in games, even if it still only feels like the tip of the iceberg in terms of unrealised potential.

A modern 16-bit role-playing with inspirations that range from Stranger Things to Persona 5, with elegant turn-based combat and a knowing wink to the genre’s more established tropes.

Three great 2D shooters, lovingly recreated and, in the case of RayStorm and RayCrisis, updated for the modern era – even if some corners have been cut.

No fun at all on your own, but together on the same couch this is one of the most entertaining co-op puzzlers of recent years.

Yu Suzuki’s classics remain as unique and fascinating today as they ever were, if you can tolerate the painfully slow pacing and wooden dialogue.

Whether it justifies all 170 million of its downloads is open to question but there's no denying this sequel is prettier and even more addictive than the original.

A welcome sequel to the original Tales From The Borderlands, that negotiates the franchise’s loud mouth humour to deliver a surprisingly nuanced and intelligent slice of interactive storytelling.

A welcome new remaster of two of the PSP’s most iconic exclusives and while they’re as flawed as ever this is arguably the definitive version of the games.

Not an evolution like the last game, and certainly not a revolution – there’s a great deal of fun still to be had in Trials Fusion but unfortunately not much in the way of new ideas.

A well-crafted and occasionally imaginative dungeon crawler that is let down only by its questionable presentation and sky high difficulty.

There have been far more than just three Ratchet & Clank games over the years but it's still a franchise worth celebrating, in one of the better HD collections so far.

EA's latest DS game is half platformer, half puzzle game, all fun (well, three quarters at least).

Proof that WiiWare can be a genuinely interesting and innovative service, with the best version yet of this imaginative and innovative indie platformer.

Impressively well produced and extremely playable, but there are few changes from last year and the microtransactions are still obnoxious.

Assassin’s Creed gets back-to-basics with a shorter, more focused – if slightly less polished -campaign, and a return to an impossibly beautiful looking early-era Middle East.

Even without microtransactions, loot boxes manage to spoil another potentially classic game, although the core combat and co-op atmosphere still shine through.

Charming and relaxing is not how you’d describe the average action role-player but this wholesome Dragon Quest spin-off is an enjoyably undemanding, family friendly adventure.