Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is a magical journey and an experience like no other for every fan of Japanese culture and intense video games. Master Miyazaki did it again.

My Time at Portia offers many crafting activities, a vividly colored world that is really pleasant to explore and a main quest line. After a while, crafting requirements might prove to be somewhat of a grinding activity for some people and quests and inhabitants at times feel a bit dry. A pleasant and relaxing experience all in all that could be elevated with a little more invested writing.

Managing to remedy virtually every single flaw one could find in the series' first game, The Division 2 is the greatest possible sequel we could have hoped for, and quite possibly the best "Looter Shooter" game out there at the moment.

Devil May Cry 5 is yet another exquisite game from Capcom. True to its roots, but also with attractive innovations, surprisingly gorgeous and fun, it is probably the ideal sequel to a classic action series.

Standout visuals and an excellent soundtrack set an extraordinary mood, which is sabotaged by streamlined puzzles and a breakneck pace that leave little room for the mystery and characters to come into their own.

With eight more months of development, The Occupation could have been the indie breakout hit suggested by glimpses of its brilliant bones throughout the experience.Technical issues and a punishing save mechanic take the joy of experimentation and exploration away from a game that could have been so much more.

Dead or Alive 6 is a decent fighting game. Although the DLC pricing model is annoyingly expensive, the existing content is enough to make you ignore it and devote yourself to its high-quality gameplay. As soon as lobbies are added, it would be a very good thing for all the fighters out there.

If you enjoyed the previous Trials titles, you already have Trials Rising in your game library, there is no discussion about it. If you've never had the chance to play any of Trials Evolution and Trials Fusion, Rising is a great way to get started.

Its strong points (story and combat system) are more than enough to keep you on your toes for at least 15-16 hours, while the PC version enjoys improved graphics, steady frame rate and a convenient auto-save system. However, Yakuza Kiwami shows its age and we would hardly recommend it as a starting title for newcomers - Yakuza 0 earns that title.

If you can tolerate limited gameplay options and wish to experience fast-paced, simple online battles, Bannermen will hold some appeal for you. Otherwise, if you are looking for more complex systems or your next favorite RTS, you should probably spend your time and money elsewhere.

Alternatively, Far Cry: New Dawn can be easily described as an expansion pack of Far Cry 5. From the graphics engine to the gameplay's heart, the experience is well known, and it will fully please those who would not say "no" for yet another round. Those who are not excited from the latest installments of Far Cry, New Dawn is not here to change their minds.

Gorgeous, vast, hugely atmospheric and full of undefeated soul. A Molotov cocktail of emotional narrative and explosive thrills, this is 2019's first serious Game of the Year contender.

An atmospheric adventure, bolstered by a moody soundtrack and convincing writing and direction. This one was crafted with love for genre fans.

Bury me, my love gives us an inside look of the Syrian refugee crisis that is still ongoing. It does so though the personal story of a couple as told via a messaging app. The PC version is probably not the ideal medium though, as full immersiveness is achieved in the mobile version. A good title for people who have no knowledge of the issues examined.

Savage, uncompromising road poetry. Every word spoken, every line of text written, every character portrayed, all painfully real. Kerouac would have been proud.

An honest, heart-on-its-sleeve tribute to the Quest for Glory games of yore. It does not reinvent the wheel, nor does it aspire to. A pleasantly nostalgic return to gaming's most romantic era.

Resident Evil 2 is an exceptional survival horror game, filled with quality content and the constant sense of being vulnerable. Recreating the familiar horrors of the beloved 1998 classic and imbuing them with a new kind of dread was not an easy task by any means, but the result will certainly please veterans as well as newcomers.

Unruly Heroes, despite having some unfair moments in its second half, is a game made by skillful people, featuring lavish content, gorgeous, bustling sceneries and diverse gameplay that keeps things from getting stale.

Ashen is a decent proposition for Soulslike fans and it may be the ideal choice for someone who wishes to get into the genre before going deeper. Despite the simplicity of its mechanisms and the lack of depth / replayability, it is very enjoyable for both Dark Souls beginners and experts.

At first glance, ATOM might play out like the "Russian Fallout" it appears to be gameplay-wise, but its many layers contain so much more than just a tribute. Fans of old-school RPGs (as well as Soviet nostalgists) will certainly enjoy every single hour (and Ruble) they spend on it.

A successor mostly in name and less in essence that suffers from limited scope. It tries to attract veterans and newcomers alike, ultimately failing to provide challenge and depth to the former and something innovative and on par with the competition to the latter.

Project Warlock is a tastefully designed throwback to an era of classic shooters and teenage escapism, and as one would expect, shooting things in this game is so damn gratifying.

A really fun game that just doesn't work properly right now due to frequent crashing and other technical issues. It will be worth a purchase eventually, assuming that the developers will keep working on it.

Though not without its share of flaws, Battle Princess Madelyn stays true to the formula of the games that inspired it, eschewing artificial difficulty and keeping all the fun.

While certainly not without its flaws in its initial form of release, MegaCorp, together with the 2.2 patch that accompanies it, offers some of the most substantial gameplay changes and additions we've seen from a Stellaris expansion to date.

An unapologetically hardcore, deliciously twisted take on the turn based tactical combat genre. Come for the dry humour and intriguing anarchy, stay for the deep and satisfying mechanics.

Unexpectedly difficult and demanding, Darksiders III will test your patience and challenge your skills, but it will reward you if you spend the time it deserves.

GRIP: Combat Racing is an exhilarating racing experience. There are some flaws such as a considerable increase in difficulty during the last quarter of the campaign, overly aggressive enemy A.I and physics that, sometimes, take hold in an unpredictable manner, but its bountiful content, beautifully designed tracks and adrenaline-infused action, constitute an alluring game.

A performance masterclass, coupled with impeccable artistic direction and a gripping humanitarian narrative, 11-11: Memories Retold stands as one of the greatest anti-war games to ever grace the medium.

This is HITMAN 2. A remarkable game and a sequel that is mainly aimed at those who played and loved the first game. On the contrary, those who did not get crazy from the previous adventure of the bald agent, will not do so now either.

The last DLC offers a resource management and manufacturing line system that other games offer as a standalone feature. The new mechanics blend nicely with the existing trouble of organizing an efficient city traffic grid, offering welcome challenge. Along with other minor features all in all Industries is a pleasant addition albeit somewhat pricey.

Distraint 2 is about breaking chains. The chains of pain, guilt, sorrow, trauma and the haunting past. Even though mechanically and aesthetically it closely follows the original, it manages the rarest of feats: it becomes a surprisingly lyrical narrative of perseverance and ultimately, redemption.

Its empty and soulless world, completely bland quest design, limited variety of unpolished content that gets repetitive very quickly, plus the typical game-breaking bugs and glitches we've come to expect from a Bethesda title using the same decades-old game engine, mean that Fallout 76 is a game that doesn't even quite manage to appeal to the special "co-op/survival" crowd it wants to appeal to in the first place, let alone old or newer fans of the Fallout franchise.

Tsioque is recommended to someone who wants to play a nice, dark, smart, but not perfect, point 'n' click adventure, while its short duration and the eccentric finale are undoubtedly shortcomings that need to be seriously considered.

The drastic redesign of the tactics screen, a host of useful changes and the improved match engine result in the best Football Manager yet and an essential purchase.

Subversive, sardonic, brimming with wit and a merciless satire of 21st century dating culture. This is the heart and soul of Leisure Suit Larry, updated for the digital age. Extraordinary puzzle design and brilliant writing make Wet Dreams Don't Dry a must-play addition to the Leisure Suit Larry canon. True adventure game fans take note, this is very much the Leisure Suit Larry 8 you've dreamed of and never thought you'd get to actually play.

Heavily atmospheric, this dark descent into madness and ruin, speaks directly to the heart of Lovecraft devotees. A narrative that embraces the core of true cosmic horror.

Beautifully drawn, with simple yet satisfying puzzling at its core and heart and soul to spare. This moving allegory on the atrocities of war and the power of friendship, will stay with you long after the credits have rolled.

Soulcalibur VI is a remarkable fighter that deserves much attention, especially if you are a fan of the genre. Although its somewhat low budget, the game has depth in its mechanisms, rich content and it can be enjoyable for both the casual and the experienced player.

A solid and really quite fun basketball game for fans of arcade action and outrageous dunks.

Unapologetically old-school, the captivating tragedies of the Obra Dinn are in a class of their own. Visually striking and extraordinarily immersive, a must-play for any mystery fan worth their salt.

Amazingly hand drawn backgrounds and characters, together with a crispy atmosphere, offer a unique Norse vibe to this crafting/survival 2D experience. Suggested for diehard fans of the genre or for those looking for a Scandinavian themed setting. Otherwise it suffers from a barebones combat system and pacing issues that make the game repetitive and cumbersome after a while. It works as a whole but doesn't stand out against similar titles.

Addictive and compelling beyond all reason, belief or expectation. Thronebreaker is an epic RPG-Puzzle game hybrid that completely immerses and enthralls, thanks to its impeccable art direction and attention to detail.

Undoubtedly, AC: Odyssey as a game has quite a few issues: bad AI, the strangulation of the player with hundreds of missions and missed opportunities on the RPG level. But it does something also very important: it includes a huge and impressive world, capturing successfully the Ancient Greece aesthetic and it manages to be truly entertaining and unimaginably addictive.

Blizzard plays it safe, incorporating few innovations while trying to salvage the lore situation of Warcraft due to its constant escalation. Despite all this, BfA remains an entertaining expansion with a lot to offer in endgame for a casual player.

A highly stylized game with the intent to look pretty. However, all this glaze seems too superficial and 2K Sports seemed to prioritize the incorporation of micro-transactions instead of meaningful improvements and bug polishing. The best basketball sim is still enjoyable and the best out there but 2K Sports need to pick up their game and not become complacent.

Old-school Bard's Tale is back but, ironically enough, it could have used a bit more time in the oven. Still, the combination of intricate puzzles, exploration and satisfying turn-based combat will certainly appeal to fans of the genre.

Monster Hunter: World offers unique gameplay of high quality. However, the whole package could have been an order of magnitude superior if it included a properly designed online party system and the port from consoles was better taken care of. But even like this, MH:W is worth every penny it asks.

Although the UWP requirement is possibly a dealbreaker, Forza Horizon 4 is a must-have for every "virtual" driver out there, created by people who are really in love with cars.

Possibly the most topical, vibrant, relatable and contemporary writing in the video games art form right now. Dontnod creates a tour de force of "magical realism" and if Roads is any indication, Life Is Strange 2 will feature heavily in Best of Year lists in a few months.

If you had a good time playing the two previous Tomb Raider games, the same will happen with Shadow of the Tomb Raider. However, its issues with respect to story, characters and the unbalanced gameplay structure show a lack of solid vision on how the trilogy would be implemented, which in no way ends satisfactorily.

Clever profound, narrative elements which target a mature audience are hindered by gameplay elements which are intended for rather inexperienced players. The lack of gameplay identity or - better- the confusing amalgam of its elements really spoil the happiness.

More than an open love letter to Sins of the Fathers, Lamplight City is a first class detective mystery that succeeds in creating an atmospheric and believable alternate historical setting, whilst allowing us to fail in spectacular style. Highly compelling.

There are not many new things under Planet Alpha's alien sun when it comes to platforming and revolutionary gameplay. However, it manages to provide a pleasantly colored tale of alien exploration and mystery to experience in your living room. Not a classic, yet a decent title with memorable visual aesthetics.

Metroidvania at its best: big map, well-hidden secrets, intense fighting mechanisms, demanding platforming and really a lot of chickens.

A suspenseful stealth/action strategy game with a strong Cold War vibe and quite a few original ideas. Not all of them land as well as they should have, but Phantom Doctrine is still a deep and engaging experience for fans of the ‘XCOM’ genre.

A ten hour journey to our near future, featuring an aesthetically pleasing art style and a very human drama that successfully lands the philosophical questions of being and wonders about the limits of what is human and what existence is. Not a traditional adventure but a well-directed cyberpunk experience.

Dead Cells can be unbalanced and unfair at times and after 25-30 hours the fatigue from repetition and grinding becomes noticeable, but overall its gratifying, fluidly animated combat, many builds and branching levels will you keep engaged for that time, if not more.

Pure, delicious, gothic-flavored anarchy. Flipping Death consolidates Zoink’s position as the heir apparent to Double Fine’s Throne of Video Game Humor and delivers on every front imaginable. Fans of sharp writing and offbeat humor, this one is a true delight.

A love letter to an after-hours, twilight New York that you’ve been dreaming of your entire life, Unavowed boldly innovates within the genre whilst delivering an adult, hard-boiled narrative of loss, terror and unexpected redemption.

The moving, fitting climax of a true epic. The Banner Saga took four years to complete and is living proof of what a strong vision, flawless artistic direction and well-tuned game mechanics can achieve when working in perfect synergy. If the screenshots speak to you, you will find here a game that is truly in a league of its own.

A veritable Matryoshka doll of dark delights, executed to perfection. The turn based combat completely engrosses and could have been a game on its own, but Weappy went the extra mile: they delivered one of the darkest, truest video game narratives of the year.

If you learned English by obsessively typing “PICK UP DAGGER, THROW DAGGER” a hundred times a day, forever, this is for you. If you followed a White Elk into the forest and fallen in love with a Dryad and the Gods listening in on Erana’s Peace, this is for you. Made unapologetically for the die-hard Quest For Glory fans, Hero-U exceeds the sum of its parts to deliver an experience that is part journey through time, part heartfelt tribute to an innocence you believed long lost and a damn addictive game in its own right.

Even though Inquisition-Martyr does a lot of things right, the surprising technical issues and the combat gameplay, which is more superficial than it actual looks like, do not do it any favors. However, and despite the issues, it remains the best representation of the W40K universe lore in videogames.

If you like roguelike games and the idea of managing a store or even if you want to try something special, away from the ordinary indie games, Moonlighter is a good choice.

A faithful remake of the original trilogy, seen for the first time on PCs. Original late 90’s gameplay in a modern and aesthetically pleasing realization, with welcome additions like the timed challenges for all three titles. A remake done right and the best version of the game across all platforms.

Beautiful, distinct while superficial with some serious shortcomings compared to Planet Coaster. It may glitter but it is not gold…

A very solid title that offers quite a lot in a uniform package. Its main drawback is the severe lack of a community on the PC platform, essentially restricting the multiplayer play to “couch-battles” or private online matches.

Horizon Chase Turbo is a decent arcade racing game, which knows exactly to which target group is focusing. If you feel that you belong to this target group, then you should give it a chance, hands-down.

Antigraviator has tight controls, great sense of speed, branching courses and is for the most part enjoyable, but multiplayer issues, little content (especially in gravs and modes), unfair difficulty in a couple of leagues and tedious money farming, keep it from reaching its true potential.

A worthy, meaty addition to one of the decade’s defining tests of gaming spirit and personal mettle. Come for the Farmstead, stay long into the night, proving that your will is stronger than any nightmare. This is Darkest Dungeon at its best.

Smoke and Sacrifice is a remarkable Action-Adventure with beautiful aesthetics and cohesive crafting and itemization, blemished with backtracking and repetitive fetch quests. But, in all honesty, the most glaring flaw that becomes apparent about halfway through the story, in an otherwise enjoyable game, is the lack of really memorable, immersive moments, whether pertaining to enemy encounters, topography, or incentive to keep exploring.

An atmospheric, hardcore gothic narrative of high ambition. Dontnod’s direction and writing completely overshadow Vampyr’s technical and mechanical limitations, delivering a highly engaging, morally challenging interactive experience you will remember for a long time to come.

Stylishly exaggerated and ultra-violent, irresistible 70’s funk guitar licks and a script that pays homage to the finest of poliziotteschi, this is Europe’s impeccable sneer of an answer to Hotline Miami.

A collection that is primarily based on the player's nostalgic mood, offering twelve classic games and a decent online mode. It is a nice recap for newcomers too, although it will not, perhaps, keep them occupied for too long.

An uncommon mold of RPG and turn-based strategy, BATTLETECH demands time, planning ahead and good micromanagement. The vast choices of mech customization and its strategic elements will reward you with a lot of satisfaction. Invest and become immersed in its cosmos.

Sublime surrealist humor, this one speaks directly to the heart of every 30-something that's seen one more Monday than they could possibly take, at the office. Refreshingly clever and difficult puzzles are an additional bonus and we'd absolutely love to see more games in a similar mold by 11sheep.

A truly inspired and horrific depiction of Hell, attempting to prop up a mechanically nonexistent survival/horror early prototype for a game. Even the toughest of pentacle carving black metal fans will have a hard time pretending that they actually enjoyed and ‘got’ Agony.

Unforeseen Incidents proudly displays the “I Want To Believe” poster on its wall and boasts virtually irresistible artistic design. The puzzles are rock solid and will please the hardcore, challenge-starved adventure gamers of yore. The story sticks a bit too close to tried-and-tested conspiracy theory clichés and is the one element that keeps the game from attaining ‘modern classic’ status.

Forgotton Anne is, without a doubt, a wonderful adventure, with a story and exquisitely animated characters that put the player in a pensive mood, while the puzzles and platforming bring the desired alternation between storytelling and action. I believe, however, that the game would have benefited a lot from a higher gameplay difficulty and more tough/grey morality choices, elevating it to an all-time classic status.

Having already put about 700 hours into Stellaris so far, the new anomalies, event chains and various storylines added by the Distant Stars story pack managed to fill me with a sense of wonder that I hadn’t really felt again since first playing the game back in May 2016.

State of Decay 2 is enough of an improvement upon the first game of the series so as to appeal to its core fans, but we'll probably have to wait for future DLC in order to see more innovative additions to its gameplay.

In the wake of my first complete Deadfire playthrough, I can conclude that it is a wholly improved sequel in virtually every aspect of its predecessor, and a highly entertaining RPG which will certainly be a candidate for GOTY 2018.

The Force is strong with Zen Studios, as they continue to deliver immersive, top-of-the-line and in the case of the Anch-To Island table, highly challenging pinball experiences, to beginners and veterans alike.

Tower of Time isn’t going to break any new ground and some aspects of it are relatively streamlined, but overall is an enjoyable Dungeon Crawler. Its story is quite engaging, the environments brim with detail, there are lots of stuff to find and combat is well designed, though a tad repetitive in the long run.

Frostpunk is a very unique and atmospheric survival experience that manages to make us reflect on aspects of our very selves and the society we live in, even though this is not quite achieved with the variety we would expect from a City-Builder game or the deep personal connection that This War of Mine managed to forge.

Dead in Vinland is a game with profound management mechanics. Quite demanding and full of challenges, it is bound to keep you preoccupied for a long time.

Warhammer: Vermintide II is a sequel done right and then some. Improved in all its aspects, it will challenge seasoned and new players alike with its difficulty and demands of tactical planning. Definitely worth checking it out.

Subnautica is an atmospheric, wonderful survival game full of surprises. You never know what to expect every time you dive in the depths of the ocean.

Far Cry 5 is another "safe" title from Ubisoft, which includes well-crafted shooting mechanisms and a vast map full of activities, however the game's script is dismantled from its free-roam structure. Definitely, you will spend a lot of time by playing everything that the game has to offer, but in the end, the experience is dangerously similar to his predecessors.

Into the Breach is a marvel of "board-game" design, its components organically tied together to form a game with immense tactical depth. Everything seems to have fallen into place. One could claim that Into the Breach is a complex, evolved form of chess. We would not have it any other way.

Super Seducer can only be seen as a relic of a thankfully bygone era and may only crack a smile with its cult vibe. The whole PUA idea has already been criticized and no-one is expected to take it seriously. Other than that it's a sort of visual novel with linear progression that glorifies the quantification of flirting and the conditioning of people to Pavlovian techniques.

Osmotic Studios provides yet another sharp critique of our age with their own flavor of dystopia that tends to sync with our world. Though this second installment successfully manages to immerse the player into the role of a governmental investigator, it falls a bit short on pacing and character development in comparison to the original.

Ni No Kuni II does not innovate, showing no remarkable mood to deviate from its safe zone, but this is also its charm. Allied by very beautiful visuals and an incredible soundtrack, Revenant Kingdom is highly recommended to traditional JRPG enthusiasts who know exactly what to expect from a game of its kind.

Final Fantasy XV made the long wait worthwhile and it is a very pleasant entry to the series. Gameplay is as challenging as needed, visuals and sound reach a high level, as opposed to its main story, which without being bad, it suffers from poor presentation.

Visually stunning and gorgeously animated, Ghost of a Tale comes off as an overly-ambitious labor of love. The fact that despite its multitude of technical issues and sorely missing voice-overs it manages to capture the player’s heart and imagination and take him on a journey to lands long forgotten, is a testament to its quality.

Surviving Mars manages to capture the poetry of K.S. Robinson's Red Mars, while also introducing new ideas and inspiration to the city building sim genre. There are some unpolished edges and missing menus but as a whole it is a relaxing and creative sim that has a lot of potential.

In spite of some shortcomings, Remothered: Tormented Fathers managed to take me on a short trip to an era, where horror games were a terrifying experience, with a notable effort put into aesthetics and atmosphere. As the first entry in a planned trilogy it's a worthwhile attempt, it has however some room for improvement. The foundations are solid and I will definitely be keeping an eye on the following installments.