Don’t let the name or presentation put you off: this is an impressive piece of interactive storytelling that gets more right than most other games with 10 times its budget.

A daring, and largely successful, attempt to show the civilian side of war, that succeeds as an interactive drama even when it occasionally fails as a game.

Beautiful presentation and an intriguing open world environment, but the misjudged difficultly level is just too punishing – even with co-op.

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

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.

This punch-pulling retro update is charming and beautiful but doesn't quite have the mind to match.

An excellent return to form for one of the most respected 2D fighters in the business, that makes a solid impact despite some gimmicky guest characters.

A significant improvement on the last game and one of the best Soulslikes of recent years, with excellent use of procedural generation and so much variety it’s almost impossible to see everything.

The pace of innovation is only fractionally slower in the second expansion to Relic's superb action strategy, with plenty to entertain new fans and old.

One of the best coin-op collections ever produced, not just in terms of the games included but the excellent presentation and range of options.

The unique art style belies a game that is, for the most part, ruthlessly old fashioned, but in a way that will please old school Final Fantasy fans and maybe even make some new ones.

The best straight pinball simulator for some time, with four well designed tables and a fun multiplayer.

A genuine improvement on the first game, although not without some obvious flaws - and the growing sensation that it's all shlock and no substance.

Someone finally finds something interesting to do with Pong, with this excellent retro homage.

The best Pokémon spin-off for years and an engrossing mix of family-friendly warmongering and engaging turn-based strategy.

An ashamedly old school role-player that nevertheless does its best to attract new players and entertain existing fans.

The original Yakuza has been remade into a sequel to its own prequel, but although it’s perfectly competent it feels outdated compared to the newer entries.

Fascinatingly strange in all the best ways but while the action is solid the strategy aspects are undercooked and the disparate gameplay elements never gel the way they should.

More a reissue than an actual remaster, but the game itself is still as wonderfully unique and entertaining as ever – with some of the most memorable characters in all gaming.

Another disappointing chapter in the increasingly uneven adventures of gaming's mightiest pirate.

One of the weakest individual episodes but with the best ending by far, and one that suggests Episode 5 will be a finale to remember.

Exactly as entertaining as you’d expect from a collaboration between two of Japan’s most talented developers, and one of the best action games of the generation.

The action and storytelling fails to satisfy, but the dense atmosphere and uncompromisingly bleak setting almost makes up for the gameplay failings.

As deep and as beautiful as its legacy demands, but this portable fighter is lacking in solo appeal.

A darkly atmospheric horror puzzle game from the original developers of Little Nightmares, that’s undermined by dull puzzles and too much trial and error.

An excellent port of Capcom's gloriously insane crossover fighter. It may not have the depth of Street Fighter but in the short term at least it's just as entertaining.

An old school computer role-playing game is a rare sight on consoles, but this unofficial predecessor to Fallout is more than just a nostalgia-fuelled curio.

Easily Mistwalker's best game so far and another sure sign that, with a bold enough creator, Japanese role-players can be just as exciting and innovative as their Western counterparts.