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

A notable improvement on the original, although most of the changes are still just doodling in the margins – as the series waits for a more substantial overhaul.

An occasionally biting satire of post-Brexit Britain, that also happens to be one of the best – and shortest – graphic adventures of 2016.

One of the most unlikely remasters of 2016 is also one of the most enjoyable, as long as you like retro shooting, cowboys, and robots.

A little more linear than usual, but Shantae and her friends have never looked or played better in this amusingly silly Metroidvania.

A New Frontier is definitely Telltale’s best attempt at serious drama since The Wolf Among Us, but it still makes mistakes that other series have already learned to avoid.

A partially successful soft reboot, with some of Telltale’s best storytelling – even if many of your decisions still make precious little difference.

The most authentic-looking Warhammer 40K game so far – when it’s working properly – but the action is disappointingly shallow and repetitive.

The best version of Harvest Moon, or indeed any farming sim, ever made – even if it doesn’t move the concept on quite as far as you’d hope.

A real Super Mario game on smartphone might have seemed impossible at one time, but this has all the polish and charm you’d expect of a top flight Nintendo game.

An underwhelming finale to what has been a consistently disappointing season of Batman adventures, with weak storytelling and bland visuals.

The combat might never feel as clever as the visuals and narration but this is still an engrossing and distinctive action role-player.

The best snowboarding game for a long time, with an excellent open world environment… and some very odd, and unnecessary, flaws.

A fun mix of Dark Souls and roguelike, and although the microtransactions create their own problems it does mean everyone can now experience a Suda51 game for free.

Not quite up to the same standards of its predecessors, but this is still an emotionally draining and beautifully realised story of friendship against the odds.

At times it feels like a reanimated corpse itself, but as mindless and predictable as it may be Dead Rising 4 is as much fun as the series has ever been.

Some of the best 2D Mario levels in years, but the lack of online options means the construction aspect is unnecessarily limited.

Destined to be as divisive as all modern Final Fantasy games, but it’s the story and characters that disappoint more than the capable combat and exploration.

Not a great trio of remasters (although also far from the worst) but Assassin’s Creed II’s best qualities still make it one of the highlights of the franchise.

It’s a shame it isn’t a full remake, but The Dark Descent remains one of the most frightening and atmospheric video games ever made.

The best theme park sim of the modern era, even if a few underdeveloped elements mean it’s not quite the ultimate roller coaster ride yet.

Fans of co-op shooters (and zombies) will love it, but the lack of modes and options does limit the appeal.

Playing as the bad guy has never been so disturbing, but despite all the nuanced decision-making the underlying gameplay is never as interesting as the premise.

Another engrossing example of traditional Japanese role-playing, that’s still accessible enough for anyone to enjoy – as long as they’ve played the first one.

The best Pokémon game yet, that expertly combines the best elements of the old games with a mountain of new features and wonderfully odd creatures.

The best Pokémon game yet, that expertly combines the best elements of the old games with a mountain of new features and wonderfully odd creatures.

Every bit as intelligent and daring as its predecessor, and if you’re prepared to be equally creative while playing it then Dishonored 2 offers almost endless rewards.

It’s still lacking a certain je ne sais quoi, but this is a definite improvement on the first game and a serious alternative to GTA V.