A wasted opportunity to create a modern take on System Shock, with the dull storytelling and action overshadowing the otherwise effective puzzle elements.

A small but worthwhile expansion for one of the year’s best games, that provides a welcome hint of more difficulties to come.

A reasonable port of the PC original, and certainly the best SimCity clone on consoles, but missing features and awkward controls narrow its scope and appeal.

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

The crossover between the two classic puzzlers is a bit of a gimmick, but the huge range of modes for both games makes this the best version of either for years.

Dragon Quest continues to be the most successful partner for Dynasty Warriors, but the pace of improvement remains painfully slow.

A compelling story well told, and although it’s still not very interactive the variety and artfulness of the presentation feels like something only a video game could do.

Sniper Ghost Warrior 3 feels like the equivalent of a straight-to-video movie, and one of the really bad ones that don’t even have any washed-up actors you’ve sort of heard of. Instead it’s just a cheaply-made, unwanted sequel to a franchise that should have never got past the first one. And yet somehow it’s still the best the series has ever been.

One of the scariest video games ever made, or at least it is for the first few hours – before it succumbs to wearying repetition and frustratingly unfair set pieces.

It has some unfortunate gameplay failings, but in terms of disturbing atmosphere and surprisingly serious subject matter this is one of the best horror games of the year.

The story campaign is a bit of a chore, but the multiplayer is an exciting mix of RTS and MOBA – and may just be the next big thing in strategy gaming.

The definitive version of one of the greatest multiplayer games ever, with a vast array of courses, characters, and the best Battle mode since the SNES days.

The one LucasArts game that didn’t need a remaster gets one anyway, but it can’t do anything for the game’s brevity or lack of challenge.

One of the best retro remakes there’s ever been, and although the gameplay sometimes shows its age the graphics are amongst the best of the year.

Despite some notable missteps, this peculiar mix of macabre storytelling and 2D puzzle-solving still has an interesting story to tell.

Mr. Shifty could’ve have worked perfectly as a spiritual sequel to Hotline Miami; especially given how poorly served it was by its own sequel. But while Mr. Shifty is serviceable and occasionally enjoyable, it’s hard to recommend even at is fairly modest asking price. But while it will be quickly forgotten, it has reminded us just how good the original Hotline Miami was… and how much we’d like a proper sequel.

Unlike many Japanese action games of this type, it’s not impossibly hard on the lower difficulty levels, and all the different elements are introduced at an agreeably easy pace. Bayonetta herself may want to punish you but the game just wants to entertain and surprise. A goal it achieves with a cocksure level of competence that is surpassed only by the witch herself.

It’s a pity the pricing isn’t as accessible as the action, but this is a fun and unusual online shooter that suits PlayStation VR surprisingly well.

An inspired mix of graphic adventure and Majora’s Mask style time travel, that offers some of the year’s most inspired puzzle-solving.

One of the most unique-looking shooters of recent years, but not necessarily in a good way. Especially not when the action is this unrefined and purposefully annoying.

The price alone will put most people off, but underneath that, and the obnoxious dialogue, is one of the most original first person shooters of the last gen.

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.

A charming and emotionally honest interactive story, despite distracting flaws in terms of both the script and presentation.

It perfectly fulfils its brief of being a new Banjo-Kazooie game in all but name, but Yooka-Laylee’s reliance on nostalgia may struggle to find new fans.

One of the most influential rhythm action games ever made, but the graphics and gameplay definitely show their age – remaster or not.

A tedious trawl through the worst aspects of roguelikes, turn-based strategy, and bad interface design. Only somehow less fun than that sounds.

Despite a few rough edges this is easily the best new graphic adventure since the ‘90s, and a game that can stand toe-to-toe with the rest of the LucasArts pantheon. More importantly, it’s a game who’s focus on dialogue and character has an awful lot to teach modern games when it comes to telling a ripping yarn.

A great concept with a perfect mix of retro modern gameplay and aesthetics, even if the idea never evolves to have real legs.

What’s most unforgiveable is how imprecise slugcat is to control. We know there’s the whole slug side of things to consider, but he’s a lot heavier than he looks in the videos and because of the procedural animation he often doesn’t respond as quickly as you need him to. Add in the boredom and repetition from having to constantly hibernate and the game proves to be very aptly named: it’s dull, miserable, and makes you want to stay inside and do something else instead.

One of the best role-playing games ever made, Japanese or otherwise, and beyond that simply one of the most stylishly told interactive stories you’ll ever experience.

As satisfying an ending as Dark Souls was ever going to get, with some shocking story revelations and memorable boss battles.

The experience is especially well suited to the 3DS, and although this is supposedly the last of the series we do hope some kind of compilation can be made for the Switch. We won’t mind if there’s never another sequel though. For in a world where no franchise is ever allowed to die a dignified death it’s nice to know that Qbby has been all that he can be, and that his final adventure was his best.

A welcome return for one of the forgotten masters of Metroidvania, and an excellent example of how to remaster a retro classic.

In so many ways this feels like a driving game from another age, but no matter how much you miss old school arcade racers FlatOut 4 will end up driving you crazy.

Adding a true open world to the Monster Hunter formula works just as well as you’d expect, even if this sequel is still a long way from perfecting the concept.

Gorgeously presented and cleverly designed, this impressively realised Metroidvania excels in every area except originality.

What could have been an all-time classic action role-player is let down by a surprisingly poor script and unengaging characters.

Despite the pedigree of the developer, and some unusually disturbing subject matter, the main enemies in this survival horror are frustration and boredom.

A very welcome compilation of two of the best story-based games of recent years, that manage to transcend their anime presentation and apparent absurdity.

A Lego version of Minecraft sounds too good to be true, and while this isn’t as versatile as Mojang’s classic it does offer a fun alternative for young builders.

Another excellent expansion for the indie classic, and arguably the equal of the original in terms of retro thrills and 8-bit mentality.

Only one game in five is any good in this five-games-in-one compilation, whose brazen recycling of old content is equal parts embarrassing and cynical.

As an open world co-op shooter there’s a lot to enjoy here, at least until you realise how shallow and repetitive the underlying action is.

No matter what it says about the potential usage for the Switch’s touchscreen this is a beautifully presented and enjoyably novel rhythm action game.

It may still be an off-brand F-Zero, but this is closer than ever to the real thing, and with some impressive graphical and multiplayer options.

A fantastic mix of explosive action and thoughtful storytelling, that results in one of the most unpredictable and ambitious action role-players of the modern era.

A highly imaginative puzzle game made all the more entertaining by its argument-inducing co-op options.

Bomberman itself is still a classic, and works very well on the Switch, but the insanely high price makes this impossible to recommend.

The best Zelda there’s ever been, and very possibly the best video game ever made.

That Torment: Tides Of Numenera is still a thoroughly engrossing experience despite its issues speaks volumes, and we’ve no hesitation in describing it as a worthy sequel to the original. But even so, this does not seem the best vehicle for its story or gameplay ideas. And it’s ironic that a game set so far in the future is relying on technology and concepts that are clearly decades out of date.

That Torment: Tides Of Numenera is still a thoroughly engrossing experience despite its issues speaks volumes, and we’ve no hesitation in describing it as a worthy sequel to the original. But even so, this does not seem the best vehicle for its story or gameplay ideas. And it’s ironic that a game set so far in the future is relying on technology and concepts that are clearly decades out of date.

An astonishingly shallow and repetitive game even by Dynasty Warriors standards, and one that’s unlike to satisfy even the most hardcore fan.

Another impressive PlayStation VR tech demo, but as a game, and the long-awaited return of a beloved franchise, the experience fails to satisfy.

A knowing tribute to some of the greats of action gaming, and a highly competent 2D shooter in its own right.

One of the best new fighting games of the last several years, and all the more exciting because of its originality and accessibility.

State-of-the-art visuals help create one of gaming’s most entertaining open worlds, even if the gameplay doesn’t quite reach the same standards.

A disappointment given the quality of the first volume, and although the new Mercenaries-eque mode is fun the two story missions are not.

Easily the best real-time strategy on a console, and a fast-paced, accessible wargame that every Xbox owner should try and experience.

A significant improvement on previous entries, with better stealth and AI making the sport of Nazi-hunting more enjoyable than ever.

One of the best offline multiplayer games for years and yet more proof that the bow and arrow is gaming’s most entertaining weapon of choice.

It’s not the fact that you’re controlling a perambulatory candle that’s the oddest thing about this game, but that its story is so oddly affecting despite its absurdity.

A perfect accompaniment to the SoulsBorne series, with plenty of unique ideas of its own and some of the best combat of the generation.

Free-to-player Fire Emblem is pretty much exactly what you’d expect, but it’s an entertaining introduction to the real thing.

A perfectly competent platformer, perhaps Yoshi’s best since Super Mario World 2, but one that is far less unique than its visuals suggest.

In an ideal world it all would’ve been included in the main game, but if you can get past that this is a great set of DLC extras.

The ‘80s nostalgia is laid on so thick you could almost choke from it, in this joyless proof that too much nostalgia can be a bad thing.

An excellent reinvention of the Hitman formula that gives existing fans almost everything they want and makes itself highly accessible for newcomers.

A loving homage to PS one era JRPGs, but its small innovations are suffocated beneath a dead weight of clichés and conventions that in most cases were better off left to the past.

The comparisons to Portal are many, and obviously intentional, but this smart and ambitious first person puzzler is no mere clone.

A much more interesting story and lead character than usual for the series, but the weak script and aging combat system fail to make the most of it.

Gorgeous graphics but gormless gameplay leaves you wishing you were playing any of the dozens of other games this indie dud attempts to parody.

An intelligent, thought-provoking, and extremely creepy adventure, that proves that survival horror can be more than just shooting zombies.

An inspired mix of old school Resi game design and modern presentation, and the best VR options so far in a major release.

An interesting test of your VR mettle, but also a reminder that once the novelty wears off VR titles need compelling gameplay as much as any other game.

The most entertaining Yakuza game so far, that’s part gangster epic and part surreal Japanese nightlife simulator.

Not the deepest wilderness survival game in terms of gameplay, but certainly one of the most atmospheric and thought-provoking.

Simple, charming, and considerably improved on the 3DS. Dragon Quest isn’t for everyone but this bridges the gap between retro and modern games very well.

Just as charming as the original, but the improved combat and clever new gravity abilities make for a notably better game.

A notable improvement on the original, although most of the changes are still just doodling in the margins – as the series waits for a more substantial overhaul.

An occasionally biting satire of post-Brexit Britain, that also happens to be one of the best – and shortest – graphic adventures of 2016.

One of the most unlikely remasters of 2016 is also one of the most enjoyable, as long as you like retro shooting, cowboys, and robots.

A little more linear than usual, but Shantae and her friends have never looked or played better in this amusingly silly Metroidvania.

A New Frontier is definitely Telltale’s best attempt at serious drama since The Wolf Among Us, but it still makes mistakes that other series have already learned to avoid.

A partially successful soft reboot, with some of Telltale’s best storytelling – even if many of your decisions still make precious little difference.

The most authentic-looking Warhammer 40K game so far – when it’s working properly – but the action is disappointingly shallow and repetitive.

The best version of Harvest Moon, or indeed any farming sim, ever made – even if it doesn’t move the concept on quite as far as you’d hope.

A real Super Mario game on smartphone might have seemed impossible at one time, but this has all the polish and charm you’d expect of a top flight Nintendo game.

An underwhelming finale to what has been a consistently disappointing season of Batman adventures, with weak storytelling and bland visuals.

The combat might never feel as clever as the visuals and narration but this is still an engrossing and distinctive action role-player.

The best snowboarding game for a long time, with an excellent open world environment… and some very odd, and unnecessary, flaws.

A fun mix of Dark Souls and roguelike, and although the microtransactions create their own problems it does mean everyone can now experience a Suda51 game for free.

Not quite up to the same standards of its predecessors, but this is still an emotionally draining and beautifully realised story of friendship against the odds.

At times it feels like a reanimated corpse itself, but as mindless and predictable as it may be Dead Rising 4 is as much fun as the series has ever been.

Some of the best 2D Mario levels in years, but the lack of online options means the construction aspect is unnecessarily limited.

Destined to be as divisive as all modern Final Fantasy games, but it’s the story and characters that disappoint more than the capable combat and exploration.

Not a great trio of remasters (although also far from the worst) but Assassin’s Creed II’s best qualities still make it one of the highlights of the franchise.

It’s a shame it isn’t a full remake, but The Dark Descent remains one of the most frightening and atmospheric video games ever made.

The best theme park sim of the modern era, even if a few underdeveloped elements mean it’s not quite the ultimate roller coaster ride yet.