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.