Firaxis took the essence of the beloved 1994's classic X-Com and didn't just perfectly modernize it, the Civ-makers even expanded the great concept with new mechanics to deliver an even deeper experience. Thanks to the addictive gameplay, Enemy Unknown is easily the best tactical game since Jagged Alliance 2 and my personal game of the year.

Sporting a memorable combination of superb stealth gameplay and gripping action, Dishonored offers simply one of the best single-player experiences in videogames this year.

Due to AI improvements and the players' better pathing, PES 2013 feels smoother than last year's incarnation of the series. Coupled with new features like PES Full Control or player ID you get the best PES so far on next generation consoles. Too bad though that the AI still tends to be absent in some situations and that the graphics haven't been improved since 2010.

Especially the new offense AI with its new pathing routines makes FIFA 13 worth buying. But also the other new features like First-Touch-Control and tactical free-kicks enhance the franchise's playability. Add the large variety of game modes and licenses and you get one of the best sports games on the market.

This year's F1-Game is much more than an update. With its improved gameplay and graphics and the many Formula-1-contents F1 2012 is one of the best racing games available – although the rules-system and the AI aren't perfect yet.

If you love to laugh and shoot at the same time, Borderlands 2 is for you. The remarkable humor oozes through the whole 40 hour long game and is the glue that keeps the otherwise not-so innovative game together. Gearbox managed a pimped version of the original game but dared not to try something new.

It's got pretty much everything the community hoped for: powerful combat, tons of loot, cool classes, fun bosses and varied environments. The main downsides are the overall lack of fresh ideas and weak storytelling. But even so, with single-player, LAN and online game modes, a fair amount of content and a mod editor to be released soon, the game comes as a complete package for a ridiculously low price.

Animation Arts has again created a felicitous adventure in its well known adventure series Secret Files. Secret Files 3 (Geheimakte 3) brings great and diversified puzzles (for experts maybe to easy sometimes) and again mixes a fictitious story with real historical events. Even the mini games are fitting in and leave you the choice of two levels of difficulty. Orchestration, dramatic and cinematic presentation in Secret Files 3 are great and the game even provides several playable characters also as endings - depending on the decisions you make. Although the game lacks optimization of animations and the graphic presentation is getting kind of outdated due to the age of the engine, the game still looks pretty good. Overall it's quite a recommendation for all adventure gamers.

This modern version of one of the best competitive games of all times does a good job in introducing new players to this highly tactical and skill-based gaming experience. If you are a veteran of the old days – CS:GO might disappoint you. It sure looks nice but lacks the precision that made CS 1.6 so damn good. It´s still a very good Counter-Strike, though.

After reviewing this game, I realized something important: we definitely need a new console-generation, because these multiplatform-titles for PS3 and Xbox 360 really drag down some otherwise graphically impressive games. Good though, that Sleeping Dogs looks visually way more impressive on PC. I wasn’t expecting Sleeping Dogs to be that much of a hit-game but after my time with it, I enjoyed myself quite a lot.

The game is not perfect in any way, but it still manages to deliver its premise successfully with great design and fluid combat. RPG elements are a neat new feature, however, the story is uninspired and bland and some levels cannot keep up in quality.

With the clever religion system, the renewed combat and the extra content, Gods & Kings is a must have for fans of Civ 5. The small number of new scenarios is a small letdown though. But at least the ones included kick ass, especially the steampunk scenario.

The idea of combining vampire and werewolves with own skilltrees sounds great. However, the realization is imperfect. The quests are exciting and the landscape is in most parts great, but there are still some boring parts. It seems like Bethesda's B-team was at work.

A pricey expansion with only few additions? Not enough for those who played the original Sins. But as a package for newcomers this Rebellion is a fantastic offering – a complete, refined strategy game that still ranks among the best in the genre.

Ubisoft deliveres a fairly competent shooter with more than decent content. Fans of the series might not like the more action-oriented, streamlined structure of the newest iteration. And the promising online-mode has yet to overcome some quirks!

A solid third-person shooter that delivers intense action and a compelling setting, but relies too much on established mechanics, rather than delivering something new. The story however really stands out - a grim and challenging reflection on violence is something you won't find in any typical shooter. Fortunately it's also missing that dull patriotism you've come to expect from today's military action games.

Despite the new setting Max Payne 3 captures the cynical dark atmosphere of the series perfectly. New gameplay elements like the cover-system are implemented very good, but the lack of innovation makes the action a bit tedious towards the end. Nonetheless Rockstar delivers a good game and even more important: it deserves the name Max Payne.

Especially with the graphical design and the music and sound of the game Daedalic did a good job. The pen&paper-gameplay has been well embedded but the facial animations are rudimental. In general the puzzles are very diversified but lack hints most of the time. Therefore the game is at some points quite challenging, but in a few places even frustrating. Although Chains of Satinav is a very good adventure game with a convincing atmosphere in the world of The Dark Eye.

To elevate an enthusiastic fan mod like Iron Front to the level of a retail game, it definitely needs more work done than this wannabe-WWII-clunker. Horrible AI and an interface that would have been considered outdated in 1944 make this game about as impressive as a constructing a fake Tiger tank from a Fiat Panda, cardboard boxes and a few pounds of paper mâché.

Yesterday is a good adventure, which is different from the further Pendulo Studios games in it's style. The story about satanic cults and intrigues is present in a comic style and contains mystery and even horror elements. Most of the puzzles are logical, although too easy and often lacks alternative solutions. Yesterday kind of stands in it's own way and does not use all available possibilities to create a great game out of the story and characters. It's a proper game for genre beginners with nice graphics and presentation, but it's very short and veterans will be underchallenged.

Risen 2 transcends its shortcomings by boasting a wonderful living and breathing world and a refreshing new setting, masterfully crafted and executed. Although the combat is way too easy and the ending comes much too suddenly, Risen 2 is a great role-playing experience for any fan of open world games.

Excellent graphics, brilliantly designed levels and a chaotic but funny coop-mode: Rayman Origins is a triumphant comeback for Ubisofts limbless hero!

With good graphics, smart puzzles and a ton of secrets to discover Legend of Grimrock pretty much hits the mark. Sure, it may not be for everyone, storytelling is weak and to call it old-fashioned would be an understatement. But if you ever cared about classics like Dungeon Master, this one is for you. Not only a love letter to Old School Dungeon Crawlers, but also fine game in its own right.

A decent game with an original premise, good graphics, varied missions and solid multiplayer - it's a complete package for a low price, despite its strategic limitations. The shallow story and poor voice acting really hurt the experience, though.

Thanks to gunpowder and cannons, battles at land and sea are much more engaging than in the original. Add the well thought-out changes on the strategy map and it's purse-friendly price tag and you have one great addition to the Total War-series.

A great finale to a remarkable series. While Mass Effect 3 may not be perfect, the stirring story, smart writing and fast combat still make for an exceptional experience.

Finally! Alan Wake arrives on PC almost two years after it hit consoles. Was it worth the wait? Yes! Does its age hurt your eyes? No! Should you play it? Definitely! Alan Wake is one of the most creative and thrilling story-adventures we've seen so far – but you shouldn't buy it if you are expecting an action game.

The Darkness 2 introduces stunning new comic-book-graphics and some subtle, yet reasonable gameplay-changes. Further strong points are superb English (and solid German) voice-acting, an entertaining four-player-coop-mode and the bleak atmosphere throughout the game. The story is interesting, but not as gripping as in the prequel, and most of the boss-battles are pretty lame. Furthermore, the USK-version is heavily cut.