A fun roguelike beat ’em-up that manages to expand the genre beyond its arcade roots, with relatively deep combat, excellent animation, and four very different playable characters.

A milestone in fast action VR games, which solves most of the problems with motion sickness while also being an excellent first person racer.

We’re always wary of neo-retro games that just try to copy what already exists but Tanglewood is fascinating for the fact that a game like this could’ve existed back in the Mega Drive era but nobody thought to make it. But whether you take this as a lesson in changing trends in game design or simply a homage to a beloved console Tanglewood is a real triumph. We’re glad the Mega Drive isn’t dead and we take this as proof that it really can live forever – not only in our hearts but also on Steam.

An excellent start to a prequel series that taps into the same style of sincere storytelling as the original, making a previously unsympathetic character seem vulnerable and likeable.

The DS is the definitive version but this still does some things better than the home consoles GTAs.

One of the best Dark Souls clones so far and while some things are near identical the co-op features help distinguish it as something more than just a straight copy.

Butcher Bay is still one of the best movie tie-ins ever, even if the new Assault On Dark Athena is not.

One of the best Metroidvania games around, with some inspired visuals and great use of its Ancient Greek setting – despite some minor issues with the gameplay mechanics.

The best ever portable Shin Megami Tensei, with an interesting spin on the tactical role-playing genre.

Puzzles soon become multi-layered memory tests, especially when you’re trying to pare back the number of moves used, and there’s no hint system, so you’re on your own (or on YouTube) if you get stuck; although the tinkering and eventual epiphany is where the real joy lies.

We’ll be returning to the game multiple times over the months and years to come. And unless something goes terribly wrong we’re sure that 10/10 will come eventually. But for now you’ll just have to put up with what is merely one of the best new fighting games of the generation.

Star Wars and pinball fans are equally well served here, with what are arguably better tables than the actual real machines.

A worthy follow-up to Limbo, that challenges in terms of both its fiendish puzzles and its harrowing storytelling.

Originally released on PC and consoles, its geometric world and point ‘n’ click interactions are right at home on a touchscreen, making this a wonderful way to introduce yourself to its estimable charms.

The Dishonored saga comes to an elegant, if not entirely satisfying, end with a spin-off adventure that is almost as good as its full price predecessor.

Another Microsoft exclusive arrives on PlayStation 5 and this one is marginally superior to the Xbox version, with excellent DualSense support and ironed out performance.

A typically assured mix of standard Japanese role-playing and MegaTen's more provocative ideas.

A fabulously detailed racing game with a huge car roster and engrossing single-player modes, slightly marred by forcefully encouraging you to perform practise laps before races.

The best Resident Evil since number 4 and that's despite a number of compromises in the story mode, but very much helped by the superb graphics and online mode.

It may be short on gameplay surprises, but it's long on visual shock and awe.

It was already a worthy follow-up to the Tomb Raider reboot, but with all the DLC, and some interesting new extras, this is not only a good game but also a great bargain.

As you progress across its worlds the complexity layers on, with new powers and gardeners constantly being added in what is a clever, likeable, and surprisingly deep game.

The best Professor Layton game so far and an excellent update of the original template, which makes full use of the 3DS's extra abilities.

The loss of London Life leaves a nasty taste in the mouth, but its absence doesn't affect the main game which is probably the best of the series so far.

An unexpectedly brave attempt to once again rewrite the rules on Pac-Man, resulting in another near-classic arcade experience.

It still feels more like a remix than a wholly new game, but New Leaf combines stress free entertainment and inescapable addiction in a more beguiling way than ever.

One of the best roguelikes for a long time, whose randomised abilities work perfectly to add variety and unpredictability to its tale of an 80s style post-apocalypse.

The last great Katamari game and in terms of everything but the soundtrack the better game of the two, even if the novelty barely stretches across two titles.