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

An excellent return to form for gaming’s favourite beat ‘em-up franchise and while it doesn’t represent much evolution from the original games it’s still just as much fun as ever.

Forget Worms and all the rest, when it comes to parabola-judging multiplayer mayhem this is the best.

One of the best-looking video games ever made and although relatively shallow the spectacle and excitement of the Star Wars universe comes across superbly well.

One of the best offline co-op games of recent years, with a wonderfully antagonistic premise, that destroys and rebuilds relationships on an almost minute-to-minute basis.

The original was good enough that a Definitive Edition seems unnecessary, but the small additions and improvements only make this gorgeous platformer even more essential.

A solid roguelike with a fun and well-balanced challenge, but it does little to move the formula forward and in certain respects is actually inferior to its predecessor.

Easily the best Transformers game ever, but also a tantalising glimpse of how to transform current action games into something more inventive and imaginative.

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

A fun, cathartic romp through demonic armies, with two fun characters that offer plenty of personality and an interesting alternative to other Diablo style role-players.

A clever management sim that pays homage to both the arcades of the 1990s and the exquisite drudgery of teenage jobs.

A largely unnecessary sequel to what is still the best beat 'em-up on the DS – or indeed any portable.

Its mellow pace, peaceful sound effects, and steady built-in intensity are reminiscent of Nintendo’s formative Game & Watch titles, with Mini Motorways remaining mesmerising throughout.

One of the best Japanese role-players of the generation and a gloriously beautiful game by any standard, both visually and emotionally.

The Settlers goes back to basics, putting a friendly face on complex resource management.

It’s a well-designed game, with a rewind button that lets you instantly skip back to the beginning of courses, and clever use of music to let you know you’re in a challenge rather than just noodling about on the snow. The first mountain is free, with all the others unlocked for a one-off payment.

A successful relaunch of the Shinobi franchise that doesn’t attempt to do anything startlingly new but instead makes do with being a very well-constructed action adventure.

A small but welcome improvement on Fallen Order, that offers little in the way of originality but does have some of the best lightsaber fights and Soulslite action this side of the Outer Rim.

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.

A fantastically well designed and presented roguelike, that makes your heroes’ mental health just as important as their physical well-being.

Even though it's let down by longevity and a lack of ancillary options this still plays like a classic and is one of the best new shooters of its generation.

The series may no longer be the graphical tour de force it once was, but all three Crysis games remain highly playable, your nanosuit’s suite of powers adding a distinct twist to the shooter action.

One of the best story-based games of the year, that manages to capture the joys and pains of childhood (and riding bikes) in a very relatable and compelling way.

A relative low point in Zelda history but still a hugely addictive and superbly well designed adventure.

A good quality compilation of some of Capcom’s more overlooked fighting games, although there are a few filler titles and some unfortunate omissions.

Not a very good argument for why Nintendo shouldn’t make smartphone games, but an imaginative and enjoyable take on Candy Crush Saga and its ilk.

Disturbing yet thought-provoking survival horror sequel, that stumbles slightly in terms of the repetitive combat but is easily the best new entry in the series since the PS2 era.

Technically this is the best Splatoon ever, but the complete lack of anything approaching a new idea is profoundly disappointing.