An agonisingly in-depth archive of Mortal Kombat’s importance to the industry, this is the kind of kompilation the franchise has always deserved. While its absent online features do put a small dampener on the bundle at launch, the sheer scale of this kollection and the quality of its supplementary materials make it a must buy – even for kurious passers-by who may find themselves discovering the franchise for the first time.

We could not recommend Lara Croft Go enough. Performance issues with the Vita port notwithstanding, this is a near flawless game that exemplifies an attention to detail seldom seen in gaming nowadays. Charming visuals, rewarding and challenging gameplay, and a lot of replayability make this a must have purchase. If you're looking for something that's high quality while also doing something a little different, look no further than Lara Croft Go.

Oddworld: New ‘n’ Tasty is everything that you could hope for from a remake: old issues have been resolved, the levels now flow much more naturally, and the world has never looked better.

An uncompromising edition of a modern classic, this is an essential addition to your handheld library.

PixelJunk Monsters: Ultimate HD serves up a cannon blast of brilliance. At its core is a traditional tower defence game with a gorgeous aesthetic, but its considered gameplay, taxing tactics, and satisfying reward loop will make you dance to the beat of its drum. This will tear through your defences and devour your time like a gluttonous fiend. Don't miss this monstrous hit.

Zero Escape: Virtue's Last Reward is a deep, engaging, and incredibly intelligent visual novel. It's a shame that the game doesn't do more with the hardware, but its meaningful player decisions, taxing puzzle elements, and unforgivably mature themes fuse to create one of the best Vita titles so far.

In some ways it's a shame that Sapienza wasn't Hitman's first mission. With its excellent world-building, well-worked atmosphere, and beautiful setting, the sleepy coastal town is one of the best Hitman missions in recent memory, and it's quality – and quantity – of content should convince most to quit waiting and spaghett(i) this title already.

BioShock: The Collection is the best way to experience the world of Rapture and Columbia. All three games and their DLC look great and, despite a slightly creaky port of the first game, perform well. Unfortunately, series veterans won't find anything new, meaning that the visual upgrade and the convenience of having everything pulled into one package are the only reasons to return to games that you may have already experienced multiple times.

Hitman: The Complete First Season is an experiment gone right. How convenient, then, that IO's triumphant return is also all about experimentation. The canvasses and settings that Hitman provides allows for all kinds of hits, from the wacky to the professional – and the sheer amount of equipment at your disposal only furthers the possibilities. While lacking in story, Hitman has a glorious future ahead of itself – providing the inevitable Season 2 is as good as the first, of course.

Somehow, EA has managed to refine and hone the modern FIFA formula to an even greater degree with FIFA 18. Last year we questioned what more the developer could possibly do to keep the series from stagnating, and it turns out that making a slew of welcome smaller adjustments across the board can really impact the big picture. Some will roll their eyes, but FIFA 18 is yet another fantastic footie sim -- one that takes the ball from the already great FIFA 17 and runs with it.

Simply put, it's an exemplary indie game that has the makings of a blockbuster title – and that is no fairy tale.

The collection represents a great opportunity to jump back to a time when Squaresoft was seemingly unconquerable, and if you're totally new to the franchise, it's difficult to think of a better starting point.

It’s a stunning package, filled to the brim with content both new and old, and barring the handful of small issues, it's a brilliant way to revisit one of the most iconic shooters in video games.

Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound brings the series back to its roots with incredible style. The core gameplay feels fantastic, with satisfying, fast-paced combat and platforming that'll put your skills to the test. With a wealth of challenges to meet and things to find, there's a real richness to each level that gives it plenty of replay value. The wonderful art style is the icing on the cake, and aside from one or two small nitpicks, fans should be very pleased with this throwback adventure.

Assassin's Creed Origins: Curse of the Pharaohs is a great expansion that does a fantastic job of bringing ancient Egypt's spiritual side to life. Channelling the creativity of a clearly talented team, the DLC breaks the series' historical shackles and provides a memorable adventure packed with cool boss encounters. Curse of the Pharaohs is right up there with the best that Ubisoft's franchise has to offer.

DmC: Devil May Cry - Definitive Edition is one of the more thoughtful remasters on the PS4, and its emphasis on modifiers means that you can more or less tailor the experience to your tastes.

If your tastes aren’t yet accustomed to the complexity of tactical RPG titles, it’s unlikely Disgaea 1 Complete will take your fancy. In harnessing all the staple features of the genre and bringing an assortment of new elements to the table, it’s more of a game for tactical RPG veterans as opposed to curious newcomers that may find the game overwhelming and otherwise daunting. If your interest is still piqued, however, don't be deterred, for scratch beneath the surface and you'll uncover a commendable remake with exciting new features for longtime fans, and a classic title that still excels in narrative and gameplay alike.

With its peppy presentation and new lick of paint, Konami has breathed even more life into PES with its latest instalment, a celebration of everything thrilling about football. Gameplay is exciting and technical, and the selection of modes varied and replayable to the point where it's hard to see where the franchise will go next - except for fixing some major flaws in Master League and adding some more licenses. Fans of the series need not Pjanic: PES 2018 continues the series' goal-den streak.

DOOM: The Dark Ages goes for something slightly different as it turns back time for a medieval assault on hell’s legions. Not every change pays off, as the introduction of a mech and dragon adds very little to the overall experience. However, when The Dark Ages gets to the FPS action, there aren’t many who do it better than id Software. Take some time to adjust to DOOM: The Dark Ages, and you’ll discover another fantastically ferocious first-person shooter.

There will always be those that lament it for the lack of a single player campaign, but what Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 does for its multiplayer experience is nothing less than phenomenal. Traditional multiplayer has never been better thanks to a few tweaks and additions here and there that elevate the action to a whole new level, while the all new Blackout mode does Battle Royale better than anyone else. And on top of that, Zombies continues to impress us with a plethora of mechanics to engage with and scenarios to complete. As a package, you’re going to struggle to find much better than Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 in the multiplayer market this year.

The horror element is extremely well done throughout the game, and paves the way for an interesting story as you progress through the game, but things can verge on tedious as the gameplay style does feel very back and forth throughout. Fortunately, with each run lasting just a few hours, it doesn't overstay its welcome, and so comes recommended if you like this era of horror games.

Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night is a wonderful love letter to Castlevania fans. It's gothy, camp, and unabashedly old school. But it's also a meticulously crafted game that constantly rewards players for exploration and offers unbridled options in combat. For long-time Metroidvania fans, Ritual of the Night is an unmissable celebration of the genre from the mind of one if its chief architects, while for newcomers it's an accessible entry-point that's easy to pick up and oh so difficult to put down. Let's hope the next one doesn't take quite as long.

While this isn’t technically a new game, it offers a wealth of content not often seen in titles that can be purchased for $39.99, and it’s certainly the most improved iteration of all of the recent BlazBlue releases. Between that and the fact that it’s so inviting to both newcomers and series veterans alike, this is one fighter that you should not overlook.

Iron Galaxy has polished both titles to a contemporary shine. In simple terms, Chronicles of Mystara is the best of the best.

Ghost of Tsushima is a joy to play and a joy to behold. Sucker Punch has crafted one of the most memorable open world games of this generation, buoyed by an immensely satisfying combat system and an engaging, dramatic story. Unlike many of its open world peers, it's a refined and focused experience -- gripping and immaculately presented at its best. A fitting first-party swansong for the PS4.

Fans of the otome genre will find a lot to like within Hakuoki: Kyoto Winds. It offers a rich storyline as well as presenting likeable characters within its well-built world. With personalities based on real-life historical figures, the game offers a charming, albeit brief look at an interesting area of Japanese history, as well as the chance to romance some grade-A anime boys.

While The Pedestrian is a great puzzle platformer, it's not perfect. Probably the most noticeable absence in the game is a hint system. The puzzles can get extremely difficult at times, becoming borderline frustrating even. Additionally, another missed opportunity is in the game’s use of the touchpad. While pressing the touchpad works as the interact button, the cursor cannot be controlled by sliding your finger over it. This nitpick might not affect many players, but it’s still an odd exclusion. Minor frustrations aside, The Pedestrian is a fantastic puzzle-platformer that stands out from the crowd. For those looking for a unique pick-up-and-play experience, it's well worth the investment.

Astro’s Playroom is deserving of every single superlative you’re likely to hear associated with it. As a platformer, it’s a varied and entertaining experience that’s constantly introducing new and exciting ideas over the course of its campaign. And as a DualSense tech demo, it’s similarly effective at showcasing the power and potential of Sony’s new hardware. But perhaps above all, this is a love letter to the legacy of PlayStation, and it feels fitting that as we enter an exciting new chapter from an undeniably iconic gaming brand, we take a moment to remember the milestones that got us to this point.