Absorbing VR tower defence that improves on the original game in almost every department, but is let down by a pointless, tacked on narrative.

Still a fantastically well-designed action adventure, but this is easily the worst version of the best superhero game ever made.

A surprisingly daring mix of interactive narrative, role-playing game and life simulator - and nothing like the lazy cash-in you'd expect.

A very compelling mix of roguelike and first person shooter, with highly distinctive visuals and pleasingly difficult tactical choices.

Although it would’ve seemed madness a decade or so ago the complaint that a video game is just too long, or overstuffed with features, is becoming increasingly common. Some developers just don’t seem to know when to say no, and Shadow Of War is a prime example of a game that would’ve been a lot more entertaining as a shorter, leaner experience. Less features, rather than more, would’ve been better, and we’re not just talking about the loot boxes.

One of the best-looking games of the generation and an indie adventure with a serious but subtle message to tell… it’s just a shame it’s still not that much fun to play.

A good value compilation and three of the best Tomb Raiders ever - even if none of them quite deserve classification as a classic.

One of the best console real-time strategies in a smaller, easily digested (or at least afforded) form.

The Duke himself is an outdated embarrassment, but his best game was always ahead of its time – and still has much to teach modern shooters.

A turn-based roguelike set in a universe that’s similar to but legally distinct from Doom, and where every choice you make has immediate and long term consequences.

The new gold standard in console real-time strategies, and one that isn't afraid to invent new ideas as well as reinterpret old ones.

A low-brow mix of Resident Evil 4 and No More Heroes, that is far from the best from either creator but still a fun and subversive shooter.

The original Yakuza has been remade into a sequel to its own prequel, but although it’s perfectly competent it feels outdated compared to the newer entries.

Arguably gaming's most authentic crime story, as well as an excellent roaming beat 'em-up and (thug) life simulator.

A surprisingly unadventurous sequel, given the long years fans have been waiting for it, but the entertaining weaponry just about makes up for the overfamiliarity and obnoxious sense of humour.

The best Need For Speed in several years, which may sound like mild praise but despite a lack of variety this is a fun arcade racer hybrid that respects its roots.

Ambitious, unpolished, and very demanding – in short an impressively authentic update of the '80s classic and an action strategy hybrid almost without compare in the current generation.

An unusually innovative combat system that, although lacking the game structure to properly exploit it, still offers some enjoyably bizarre entertainment.

One of the best Kinect games so far and also one of the most successful Pixar tie-ins. Kids will love it and it'd take a seriously cynical adult not to feel the same way.

The world didn’t real need a Mario Vs. Donkey Kong remake but this is still the absolute best effort Nintendo could’ve made, with tons of new content and the same enjoyable but undemanding puzzles as before.

Grand Slam Tennis was a false start after all, as Sega demonstrates the full potential of Wii MotionPlus.

First released in 2009, the Apple Arcade version is unchanged, and remains a masterclass in minimalist touchscreen interface design, even if its slow pace and singular focus may put off adrenaline fans.

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.

With the spider crawling all over 3D objects there are moments where you’re not sure which way to drag the 2D joystick to get it to go where you want, and occasions when it’s unreasonably finicky about standing in the right spot to attach a web to an object, but in general this is a fun, gently puzzling game of eight-legged espionage.

A fascinatingly bizarre indie thriller that mixes multiple gameplay elements and narrative influences to create a disquieting but consistently compelling descent into cosmic horror.

A dream come true for Beatles fans, but viewed purely as a game it's not a patch on Rock Band 2.

Watching paint dry really can be entertaining, in this relentlessly cheerful mix of platformer and interactive colouring book.

To keep abreast of upgrade requirements you’ll need to watch ads to double your winnings, or pay £10 per month for what amounts to a battle pass giving you automatic gold doubling and the ability to autoplay levels, obviating the need to sit there triggering special moves when their cool downs expire. That may be a fundamentally mindless process, but like most successful incremental games, the steady flow of upgrades proves shamefully compelling, although if we have to sit through one more ad for Charm King we can’t be held responsible for the consequences.