The best ever handheld iteration in the GTA series to date. China Town Wars is a quality production from start to finish.

Afterparty is a fantastic and incredibly funny tale of friendship and the role drinking alcohol plays in society and the effects that drinking has on us. Night School Studio has created one of the funniest games ever made and their version of Hell is fully realised. The stellar voice acting and writing left me smiling from ear to ear constantly. Afterparty is a joy to play and everyone should take a trip to Hell.

Concrete Genie is a unique action adventure game that proves that the brush is mightier than the bully. The game addresses the subject of bullying through the eyes of Ash, a boy who is the latest victim of teenage thugs who destroy Ash’s sketch book and scatter it throughout the now abandoned town of Denska. As you recover the pages you discover that almost every area of the rundown town becomes a blank canvas for Ash’s paintings to come alive…literally.

Marrying the very best of the action-combat genre with the satisfaction of a rhythm game, Hi-Fi Rush is a titanic achievement that offers plenty of both style and substance. Luscious animations, appealing character designs and a hilarious cast help to elevate this title beyond the level of enjoying for the gameplay alone, I was here for the story too. Learning curves and a few too many dry spells in the main campaign do very little to dampen this rocking good time, a must play for action fans.

As close to perfect as it gets. Nioh is a stunning title and is easily an early contender for game of the year.

Resident Evil Requiem is a confident, gorgeous-looking and genuinely scary romp that expertly balances its horror and action elements into one compelling, hair-raising package. Grace is one of the best new characters the series has introduced to date, and a perfect complement to veteran zombie slayer Leon. As the series celebrates its 30th anniversary, Resident Evil Requiem sees the franchise at its strongest in years.

With its much hyped status as a showcase of the DualSesne controller’s fancy new haptic feedback and adaptive triggers, it’s equally important to recognise that like Astro Bot before it, Astro’s Playroom is a fundamentally excellent platformer that commendably stands on its own merits. Equal parts a stirring demonstration of the capabilities of the DualSense and PS5 console as it is an excellent traditional platformer, Astro's Playroom might just be the best pack-in title of all-time.

Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 ReMIX is the best HD collection yet produced, a passion-fueled love letter to patient fans, and a visually arresting introduction to characters, worlds, and gameplay that deserve every beautiful pixel.

Square Enix's labor of love re-imagines two classic RPGs with stunning visual fidelity and enough content to yield hundreds of hours with some of the best role-playing in two generations.

Ni No Kuni 2: Revenant Kingdom is pure greatness. Everything it does it does at the highest level. RPG fans owe it to themselves to experience this gem. Easily one of the best games of this generation.

A wondrous melting pot of Japanese cultural excess distilled into a relentlessly compelling synergy of RPG and action elements, Yakuza 0 arguably represents the consummate entry point for newcomers to the series. Without a doubt, Yakuza 0 is a masterpiece and the first must-have title of the year.

Stuffed with masses of modes and a veritable avalanche of stuff to do, Mortal Kombat 11 is the best the series has ever looked, sounded and most importantly, played. Oh and it doesn't hurt either that it just so happens to have one of the best story modes ever made, too.

It's easily the company’s greatest achievement. The expertly crafted story and the massive world meant for your exploration are just the tip of the iceberg...Easily the best RPG of the year.

Inscryption is an amalgamation of deck-builder and escape room games, and is unlike anything I have ever played before. In an age of video games where uniqueness is at an all-time low, it was amazing to be so surprised at regular intervals. Inscryption will test what you think a card battling roguelite is and its constant twists and turns will keep you on your toes. It's a game where I fully feel like I have sculpted my deck myself; it's wild, it's dark and it's utterly brilliant.

Modern Warfare 2 is an essential purchase regardless of your affiliation with the Call of Duty brand. In short, buy this game now. That is an order, soldier.

Sea Of Stars is an excellent, retro-inspired RPG that I would recommend anyone play, with feel-good characters, intricate and engaging combat, a stunning soundtrack, and beautiful world with a wonderful sense of adventure, friendship and love. While the story doesn't break any molds, its characters are all charming and endearing, to the point where I feel like I'd follow them to the ends of the world and beyond.

A masterclass in open-world game design, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt packs every pixel of its gorgeous world with compelling fiction and believable, satisfying role-playing.

Crash Bandicoot 4 on PS5 is pretty much unchanged from PS4, still offering excellent gameplay, but this time with mouth-watering 4K visuals. DualSense use is slight but noticeable; however, useful Game Help guides and Activity Cards make the upgrade well worth checking out for those still collecting secrets.

A stellar remastering of one of the best fighting games ever, Virtua Fighter 5: Ultimate Edition is at the very apex of Sega's long running series and in doing so, its elevated profile will hopefully propel the franchise forward as a whole to heights that it has long deserved. Virtua Fighter is back and it's better than ever.

With Weird West, WolfEye has created an ambitious immersive sim hybrid that sucks you ever-deeper into its gritty, bizarre world of the cults n’ cowboys like a particularly impatient quicksand. It occasionally struggles to translate its combat to a controller as smoothly as it could, but the rest of this package is so damn intoxicating that it matters little in the long run. A masterful game with a fascinating set of stories to tell.

Turbo Overkill proudly wears its influences on its sleeve to weave together a ferocious blast through a cyber retro world. It's chock full of charm with plenty of viscera to boot, and reminds you exactly why you loved all the games it doffs its cap to while simultaneously feeling like its slick modern counterparts.

Easily the best F1 game ever made, rammed full of content that reads like the fans' wish list. Edge of the seat racing backed up by a hearty team management sim, split screen racing and audio and visuals which are edging ever closer to perfection.

I can't say enough wonderful things about Pentiment. The narrative coaxes out a full spectrum of emotions, with its impeccable writing delivering the story with bold strokes, and the visual style is just a pleasure to watch.

Death Stranding 2: On The Beach is a triumph in what it sets out to achieve. This isn't a game interested in converting willing consumers into fans, it's a game that takes bold steps in order to succeed what came before it. If you needed proof that Hideo Kojima is still the titan of the industry that he's hailed as, this game is that proof. I was left truly speechless by the end, and I have a feeling that many others will too.

Norco takes the point n’ click adventure to a despair-stained new plane. I’ve never been so happy to feel unhappy as I did living in this tech-noir graveyard of a world.

What you have essentially got with Super Street Fighter IV is a more balanced Street Fighter game that represents the pinnacle of the franchise's glittering career.

So far, Ghost of Tsushima: Director's Cut is this year's pinnacle of Open World Games. Iki Island is stunningly beautiful and the technical upgrades make it even more enjoyable. Ghost of Tsushima: Director's Cut grandly stakes its status as one of the very best open world games on PS5 that proudly stands alongside the best games on the platform. If you've been holding off playing Ghost of Tsushima, now is the time to get playing.

Nioh 3 represents the series at its most refined and confident. Combat is precise, expressive, and endlessly rewarding, while open-field design gives the world room to breathe without sacrificing focus. Crucibles deliver punishing, carefully balanced challenges that reward preparation and mastery in equal measure.

OlliOlli World is an incredible reboot and the perfect evolution of the OlliOlli franchise. It's vivid and bright levels combined with the creativity in their design make for a deep gameplay meta that will keep you coming back for years. To put it simply, Roll7 did for OlliOlli in 2022 what Sony Santa Monica did for God Of War in 2018.

No excuses can be made now, this is the best time to give Braid your attention and respect is right now, thanks to this commemorative upgrade known as Braid: Anniversary Edition. The cleverness and ingeniousness of Braid's design, puzzles, and the way every interconnected element weaves a thought-provoking tapestry is irresistible and deserving of your admiration. There's no better time to revisit this classic in its restored state, so go and pay respects to one of gaming's most groundbreaking titles.

Look, it's really simple, Burnout Paradise Remastered is essential for fans of racing games everywhere. They just don't make them like this anymore (but they really, really should).

An absolute stellar remake.

Another home run for those wizards at Digital Eclipse whom I hope will never stop weaving their game preservation magic, Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection isn't just a pitch-perfect trip down memory lane, it's a love letter, a tantalising peeling back of the curtain, a look behind the scenes of one of the most legendary and landmark videogame franchises ever made. If you have even the smallest modicum of fondness for gaming's original bad boy, then the Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection is as essential as essential can be.

Creative, funny, and utterly absorbing, Portal 2 is the best puzzle-platformer game on the planet.

Resident Evil 4 Remake is a masterclass in action-horror. The game not only maintains the spirit and gripping gameplay of the original, but expands on it with some meaningful mechanics and fleshes out areas that were previously lacking. Even if you haven't played the original version, Resident Evil 4 is easily one of the best horror games on PS5 right now and a must-have for your collection.

The Legend of Heroes: Trails to Azure is easily one of the best entries in the franchise. A compelling heart-wrenching story is made better with excellent character writing and world-building, while the fun combat system keeps the best elements from its predecessor and improves it to make it stand out as much as possible. If you have to only play one of the Trails of titles, make sure you play Azure.

FIFA 10 stands in a league of its own in terms of quality. A truly outstanding tribute to the beautiful game.

What Remains of Edith Finch is a journey to discover truth, even if that truth is debilitating. There is a charm and humanity here that’s hard to ignore and even harder to emulate. One in a million is too often used nowadays, but it holds true here.

Hogwarts Legacy is a compelling fantasy-RPG packed with stunning scenery, memorable characters and fantastic combat. Not only is it a brilliant love letter to fans of the Wizarding World, it excels as a game in its own right, so even non-Potter fans will find themselves immersed in its great story and characters.

Fallout 4 captivates with a hauntingly beautiful apocalypse and refuses to let go. Exceptional gameplay is marred by a few flaws, but the Wasteland’s flaws have never been fewer.

Metro Exodus on PS5 is one of the best survival wastelands to explore on the new console. With enhanced textures, stunning ray-tracing and global illumination, and immersive DualSense implementation, what is on offer here is an experience like no other. If you skipped it on PS4 or want to play again, there are ample enhancements here that make the Moscow Wasteland worth exploring all over again.

I was taken back by how much I enjoyed Creaks. For a game I had never heard of, it quickly has become one of my favourite experiences of the year, It's beautiful, enjoyable and everything about it screams quality. Tracking down the paintings and completing their short stories is enjoyable. Along with a great and achievable trophy list, you have a short, amazing experience like no other in recent times. Enjoy people, games like this do not come around very often.

Once Upon A Katamari feels like a confident step back into the series after having a crack at some remasters, and feels like a game that perfectly follows up on what those remasters set out to do. Everything that we all love about Katamari is still here and absolutely kicking. Small reservations with the progression system do precious little to take away from what is - ultimately - one of the most pure and appealing game concepts ever put to players. An absolutely fantastic return to form for a legacy franchise.

Control: Ultimate Edition is the definitive version of Remedy's adventure. Bringing together the worlds Remedy has created under one roof and looking stunning while doing so, Remedy has done a fantastic job of upgrading and improving the experience in meaningful, additive ways, such as the use of the DualSense controller and Ray-Tracing. There isn't a universe more worth exploring and losing yourself in than the one in Control.

A solid start! Episode One of Life Is Strange 2 takes us out of the Bay and introduces us to new characters but retains the emotion and beautiful narrative of the first game. Gameplay and graphics are improved, however, it's too soon to tell if the brothers Diaz are the perfect spiritual successors to Max and Chloe, but I can't wait to find out.

In many ways, Capcom has achieved the near-impossible with the remake of Resident Evil 2. It’s a remarkable labour of design, iteration, faithfulness, and adaptation; a masterclass in knowing what to change, how to change it, and what to build upon. Sure, there are some slight niggles and design choices that perhaps long-time fans won’t appreciate but there’s no denying that Capcom has been bold in its design philosophy and has exuded a confidence and consistency in its execution throughout. The biggest compliment that can be levelled is how the game manages to elicit the same sense of dread and consequence that made the original a classic whilst injecting just enough complexity and modern sensibility to see it emerge from its namesake’s shadow with consummate ease.

Masterfully crafted and executed, Nioh 2 sets the benchmark for action/adventure games that people just have to experience. Team Ninja's latest provides one of the most in-depth combat systems and an addictive loot system that may put all but the best dungeon crawlers to shame. It's quite simple, Nioh 2 has Game of the Year written all over it.

As a long time fan it fills me with so much joy to see this story come together so well. Along with the new jobs, amazing new zones, and some much appreciated gameplay tweaks, this is potentially the best expansion we've seen for Final Fantasy XIV yet.

God of War III is the best entry in the series, hands down, and one of the best action-adventure games of this generation. Kratos' journey comes to an end, along with the trilogy, in an explosion of fluid combat, mammoth environments, and a superb narrative.

A stunning expansion to a fantastic game, Hearts of Stone builds expertly on the Witcher universe by introducing a compelling story and memorable battles.

Uncharted 3 sets the bar for adventure games, it's an epic journey that you'll want to relive over and over again.

Borderlands 2 is by far a giant leap ahead compared to its predecessor, but it's also one of the greatest games to finish off this generation of consoles. You'll get lost under enormous piles of loot, a good-enough story that's surpassed by side missions, and an absolutely hilarious cast of characters. This all comes together in a giant package of joy.

Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail delivers in all the ways players should expect a FFXIV expansion to do so, and upped the quality bar with a graphical update that really makes it a beautiful expansion to explore. Long time players might find it to be a bunch of old stuff done up in a new way, it's in many ways an improvement from what's come before, and that's all I can ask for.

Taking a formula made famous by Minecraft and refining it in every possible way is what makes Dragon Quest Builders a fun and enjoyable experience through and through. The only thing holding it back is your own lack of imagination.

Chock full of an overwhelming supply of retro-gaming goodness, FOX n FORESTS will take retro fans back to a happier time with an all new adventure to experience. Though challenging, it is done in all the right ways, and the story presented like a fairy tale will leave a smile on your face long after the rage face has dissipated.

Though it sticks rigidly close to the template that made the original such a success it ultimately matters little - Guacamelee 2 is one of the finest platformers of the year.

Patrick's Parabox is an excellent puzzle game that you'll want to be going back to not just to clear its 364 puzzles, but because it is the perfect cerebral-cozy game that has a calming yet exciting vibe as you solve puzzles and relax with a soundtrack that amplifies your ability to enter a calm flow state of thinking. The pacing of each new mechanic and rule to the puzzles is great, and discovering each new mechanic as you solve a puzzle only makes you want to play the next puzzle more to see how creative developer Patrick Traynor gets with it, and he certainly doesn't disappoint.

Dying Light 2: Stay Human has been a long time coming, and thankfully it's worth the wait. I loved the time I spent exploring Villedor; finding random events and scaling buildings took me back to the old days of Assassins Creed II. While I wish I wasn't being timed on the occasions I went into a dark building or decided to explore at night, it's a minor issue to overlook when most of the game is so brilliantly executed and fun to play.

Combining the transversal and exploration of Assassin's Creed and the combat of the Batman: Arkham franchise, Monolith Productions has created not only the best title in the Middle-earth franchise, but probably the best action title of the year.

Remarkable is one of the most appropriate ways to describe Atomfall. So many triple A games these days are situated in American cities and smother you with their American cultural values, but Atomfall is as British as a Yorkshire Pudding, and thus it's an absolute treat. The array of difficulty options, the elegant scenery, the incentive to discover and go off the beaten path, and all the pleasant sights and sounds of Atomfall make it an unforgettable and outstanding survival game that is irresistibly moreish and well-worth your time.

Thanks to some excellent all-new content and the most polished HD remaster the series has yet seen, Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue successfully and beautifully sets the stage for the big showdown of light versus dark in Kingdom Hearts 3. A must-have for fans, and a primo starting point for newcomers.

FIFA has rectified the majority of its shortcomings, providing a confident marriage of fluid, dynamic never-say-die football and just enough content to undoubtedly tie footballing fans over for as long as their free time permits. Simply put, this is best FIFA in years.

Arranger: A Role-Puzzling Adventure is a wonderfully inventive iteration of the classic tile-puzzler that manages to blend well-realised gameplay with a particularly contemporary story that will strike a chord with a great deal of people who play it. Every aspect of Arranger is bursting with personality and care, and I couldn't help but love every moment I spent with Jemma and her chaotic powers. Playing with a good pair of headphones is essential.

Though the breadth of the upgrades that the PS5 brings to WRC 9 is expected and somewhat unambitious to an extent, the truth is that developer Kylotonn has provided a delectable coat of polish to what is already considered to be one of the finest rally games in years. If you've got a PS5 and you want a rally racing sim to cut your teeth on, they don't come any better than WRC 9.

Resident Evil Village combines the best of the past 25 years of the franchise, bringing a compelling adventure that should appeal to action and horror fans alike. With massive locations offering a wealth of exploration and hidden goodies, a meaty campaign with some decent unlockables, Village is the franchise at the top of its game.

MARVEL vs, CAPCOM Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics is exactly what it says on the front and so much more. This collection is a triumphant return for a selection of games that many thought lost to complicated industry red tape, and it comes back with some serious bite. The 6 fighting games in this collection are almost perfectly preserved for new hardware and modern audiences, with a suite of additional features to fill out the experience into both a preservation effort and a deep-dive into Capcom's history with Marvel. While it might take a bit of work for newcomers to get to grips with these classic games, the effort is well worth it for one of the most well-realised crossovers in gaming history.

The Walking Dead: The Telltale Definitive Series is the complete package. If you haven't yet experienced Clementine's genre-defining journey through the zombie apocalypse and fancy a few bonuses thrown in for good measure, then this is absolutely essential. Not to be missed.

Cat Quest II has everything that made the first game so enjoyable. It has added co-op and a few new features that make it different enough for returning players to enjoy while maintaining its charm and great style. It's fun, simple and fun for everyone, while the art style and animations are to die for and a lot of players will fall in love with it. It's a breath of fresh air in the overcrowded role-playing game genre and is a delightful experience to savour.

A combat-free, refreshingly wholesome and decadent exploration focused yarn, Eastshade celebrates the spirit of discovery with aplomb and feels like the closest you'll get to a digital holiday.

Modern Warfare 3 doesn't reinvent the wheel by any means, but there's no denying it's a damn good action-packed blockbuster, and maybe the best Call of Duty to date.

A fiendishly cunning effort that oozes challenge and style, DEADBOLT is a must-have for fans of stealth puzzlers everywhere.

Unicorn Overlord is yet another standout game from a revered developer that sets out to innovate on classic strategy conventions. It achieves these goals with style and substance, resulting in a game that strategy afficionados should absolutely consider jumping into. While I don't think this title is a particularly good entry point for newcomers to the genre, this game is clearly aware of its audience and it plays to those strengths. Spectacular.

On a handheld that hasn’t had many must-own titles lately, Resistance: Retribution is an enthralling experience that portable gamers shouldn't pass up.

The Dark Pictures: House of Ashes is the best entry in the series yet, packed with gripping storytelling, compelling characters, and solid performances. Your choices feel impactful, and seeing your relationships grow or fall apart based on your decisions carries a lot of weight. With tons of collectibles, an improved camera, and solid pacing, House of Ashes will keep you glued to the screen until the credits roll.

An immersive, cinematic experience that excels in atmosphere, scares and exploration. It might prove a bit of a culture shock for those used to the action-orientated antics of RE4/5, however.

Minit is fresh and unrelentingly charming little action RPG that does more with 60 second bursts of gameplay than bigger budget efforts manage to do with 60 hours. If you're after something truly unique, Minit should be your next stop.

Neo: The World Ends With You offers up something all its own while still keeping its roots in view. Some slow pacing and long-in-tooth writing doesn't keep Neo from being a delightful RPG. If the art style and music don't take you, then the combat and its mechanics will.

Some disappointing soundtrack modifications didn't hamper my time with Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3+4, as its truly timeless and nostalgic gameplay experience ultimately reigns supreme.

Much like the baseball season, fans are going to look back on this title as one of the best in recent memory. The experience it brings is rich and genuine, and -- as corny as this sounds -- it feels like you're right there in the ballpark. MLB 09: The Show will go down as a classic envisioning of American's favorite pastime.

Resistance 3 is without question the best game in the series so far, and a real showcase of what we all knew Insomniac could achieve.

Beautiful to look at and packed full of compelling content, Assassin’s Creed Origins ranks as one of the best entries in the series to date.

Blizzard hasn't done anything new here, but what they have done is taken the genre of "shooty-shooty, bang-bang" and injected a dose of colour and personality, delivering a game that's enjoyable, eye-catching and crammed with just the right amount of depth and accessibility that will grant a tremendous amount of replay value to establish an audience.

Tough, tactical, and totally uncompromising, Ready or Not delivers a standout experience for those after something smarter than your average shooter. Every encounter demands precision and patience, with real consequences for poor decisions. Ready or Not is a must-play for fans of methodical, high-stakes gunplay.

Ghost of Tsushima elevates the existing open world adventure template with a fantasy-free Samurai adventure that deftly pays loving homage to the Samurai cinema of old. While your mileage may vary according to your level of open world fatigue, Ghost of Tsushima undoubtedly remains not only one of the best open world romps money can buy and a stunning PlayStation 4 exclusive, but also Sucker Punch Productions finest effort to date.

Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age is right up there with all the acclaimed classics that have enjoyed great remasters, making the original product better without changing its fundamental execution.

Hell Is Us is a game about the depravity of humanity and the consequences of our actions. Almost everything about Hell Is Us is crafted to perfection, from its incredible environmental storytelling to its characters and world. Though some may find it difficult to progress due to a lack of direction, its exploration becomes a key to its success. Its combat is fun with plenty of mechanics to mess around with, but it could have done with a little more enemy variety.

Sleeping Dogs offers one of the strongest narratives in recent gaming and drags you through the gritty streets of Hong Kong's mob underworld in the process. Its gameplay doesn't offer many new ideas, but it delivers what it promises. Namely, an engaging story, fun combat, slick driving, and solid gameplay.

Square-Enix put together a fine collection of its first Final Fantasies, adding in some features that bring a bit of a modern touch without losing too much of the original varnish. Not all games work perfectly with these features, and the games still show they were made 30 years ago, but the final package delivered a nostalgic burst worthy of the franchise namesake.

Arizona Sunshine 2 shows just what fun the PSVR 2 can be if utilized correctly. I had a blast blowing off limbs of the undead and participating in some extremely satisfying reload animations. It may not win awards for its story, but it's easily one of the best titles to utilize the power and technology of the PSVR 2. There is endless fun to be had alone or with up to four buddies.

Strong proof that MGS works on handhelds, even if Peace Walker isn't on it.

With a massive character roster, great online mode and solid gameplay mechanics, Tekken Tag 2 is easily one of the best brawlers on the market and a triumphant return for the series.

I cannot overstate the hilarity in this game. The combat is fun, if a bit tedious at times, but it never drops the ball on consistently delivering humor in oddball situations, built around a cast of lovable characters. With a little luck, you just might learn something you were never taught in highscool.

Assassin’s Creed Unity delivers a stellar narrative and a beautiful backdrop for one of the most palpable historical times in history. With complementary combat tweaks and the addition of co-op, Ubisoft has more than outdone itself in bringing 18th-century Paris to life.

New systems and combat evolution make South Park: The Fractured but Whole an improvement from its already great predecessor.

Iceborne takes what’s already fantastic and nearly doubles the original game in size. If you haven't played Monster Hunter yet, now is the time to start.

Death's Door is everything you hope to get out of an indie game. An addictive challenge, an intriguing little tale and enough content to keep you going back. Unhindered by budgetary restrictions, Death's Door delivers on all fronts. The gameplay feedback from combat is implemented so well that you forget just how simple it is. Better still, it's made all the more excellent by the DualSense controller. Fans of Action RPG's will not want to miss this indie treasure on PS5.

Though not without some flaws inherited from the previous game, Warhorse Studios has nonetheless done it again with Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2. An eye-wateringly authentic, historical open world RPG that will utterly take over your life with its evocative depiction of Medieval Europe and frequently hilarious side quests, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 is the single most immersive medieval power fantasy there is and the first essential RPG of the year.

A true next generation football experience unlike any other.