Planet 2000 isn’t just an unexciting and unspectacular vehicular combat game, it’s a poorly-conceived one. It can be offensively bad on certain levels, mostly the ones that see this as a PS4 release in 2017, but for the most part, its biggest crime is that it’s just subpar and boring.

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.

While Project DIVA Future Tone is a welcome addition to the PlayStation family, it most certainly doesn’t hold your hand when trying to master every song. Hitting that last note and realising you’ve got yourself a perfect or even scraping a pass is the most satisfying feeling ever.

While Project DIVA Future Tone is a welcome addition to the PlayStation family, it most certainly doesn’t hold your hand when trying to master every song. Hitting that last note and realising you’ve got yourself a perfect or even scraping a pass is the most satisfying feeling ever.

Great art, a brilliant soundtrack and a challenging, rewarding survival experience awaits those who have the patience.

It may have the Fate name in its title, but it doesn't present itself like a Fate title. The Umbral Star tells a bonkers story that only a Fate franchise can produce. The game itself is fun and features some awesome animations, but it’s instantly dragged down by terrible team AI and almost no sense of accomplishment.

Channeling its Metroidvania roots, Shantae offers newcomers and genre aficionados alike a taste of what made the genre so great back when it was new and uncharted while offering plenty of upgrades to keep the journey feeling progressive.

A bigger, more varied sequel that still doesn’t feel like it takes the leap it could have. The gravity-shifting gimmick is still a big draw, as is the delightful art style, protagonist Kat, and the clever world design, but the there’s a nagging feeling it could have been even better. It’s still a very good game though, and it certainly offers up something a little different in terms of a console exclusive.

Far less fun than both it could and should have been, Surgeon Simulator ER is undone by poor PSVR implementation and lack of additional content over the previous non-VR release.

A return to form for Telltale and their most notable series. A few of the usual problems still exist, but the world-building and character development is very strong. Based on this two-part season opener, The Walking Dead: A New Frontier is shaping up to be an emotional, visceral ride.

A return to form for Telltale and their most notable series. A few of the usual problems still exist, but the world-building and character development is very strong. Based on this two-part season opener, The Walking Dead: A New Frontier is shaping up to be an emotional, visceral ride.

Right in the death rattle of 2016, Stardew Valley comes along and sits itself down at the Game of the Year table. It’s a remarkable game, warmly familiar, yet fresh as a daisy. In a year where indie games have stepped up to the plate and hit home runs-a-plenty, Stardew Valley is the one that knocks it out of the park and into a neighbouring city.

Though an ambitiously modest venture, Lethal VR nonetheless hits all the right targets when it comes to fashioning a compelling arcade blaster stuffed with enough engaging score chasing activities to keep players busy for a good while.

Ultimate Marvel vs Capcom 3 remains a superb fighter, and one that is at the peak of its power in terms of performance. Beyond that there’s nothing much for the pre-existing audience, but anyone curious about the series heading into next year’s Marvel vs Capcom Infinite may well be tempted to start here.

Steep refines the winter sports template in a way that no other title has managed to this extent; skillfully marrying open-world and social aspects to create one of the freshest genre entries around. Steep is the most fun I’ve had on the digital slopes in a long time.

If you're looking to immerse yourself in a meticulously rendered world for a few minutes at a time, or just relax for a bit after a stressful day, then Perfect has you covered. If however, you're expecting anything, anything more than that then Perfect simply doesn't do enough to maintain interest.

City of Light may shine on occasion, but it too often slips into the darkness of bad writing, plot development, and characterization. A season finale that finally kills the hope of redemption for what has been a thoroughly disappointing Batman outing.

Rivals makes Rock Band 4 a much better experience for the hardcore, whilst throwing a juicy story mode bone to the more casual player. As expansions go, this is pretty much how you should go about it.

One of the best puzzle games of 2016. Addictive, fun and clever.

A really bad experience that should be left in the Dungeon from once it came.

Basic in presentation, and deceptively simple on the surface, Bridge Constructor is actually a surprisingly deep and varied physics puzzle game if you’re willing to invest in it.

Though its meagre duration and challenge make it better suited for younger audiences, The Little Acre arguably remains greater than the sum of its relentlessly charming parts; offering up a point and click affair that reliably elicits laughter and joy from anybody, young or old who decides to pick up that DualShock 4 controller and set off on its grand adventure. Entrancing me in a way that very few games have lately, I cannot wait to see what Pewter Games comes up with next.

A commendable remaster at a decent price point, Darksiders Warmastered gives those who missed out another chance to try an underappreciated gem of the PS3 era. Just prepare for some mechanical rust.

Those looking to jump right back into a tight, predictable multiplayer experience will find exactly that with Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare. A lack of focus overall puts this year’s outing in the driver’s seat over the shark, but Zombies and some saving graces in the campaign keep this from being a total loss.

A strong-willed effort to update the series, Final Fantasy XV rises above its myriad flaws to deliver an odd, beautiful adventure that harnesses the power of friendship to maximum effect. A pleasing return to form for a much beloved series.

Despite colossal expectations, The Last Guardian is a triumph. The tale of Trico and the boy is profound—a beautiful, affecting journey grounded by their relationship.

Lara Croft GO is that rarest of beasts; a puzzle effort that not only elegantly distills the core essence of the franchise with which it shares its namesake, but one which is equally at home on PS4 as it is on PS Vita. There's no getting around it; this is one of the best puzzlers of the year.

Mother Russia Bleeds is a welcome addition to a genre that has been forgotten for decades. Its combat is fun and brutal but be warned It's a game that will drive you up the walls and probably see you break your controller, hopefully you won't break it of your friends head if he's sitting next to you.