A heady descent into the nightmares of Durer & Holbine, Apocalipsis invokes 15th century mysticism like nobody's business. Solid puzzles, a dead atmospheric and pitch black narrative delivered by none other than Adam "Nergal" Darski of Behemoth fame, place this little gaming curio into a class all of its own.

The wide variety of changes and brand new “apocalyptic” features introduced with the expansion or as part of the free 2.0 update add great strategic depth and new narrative paths, taking Stellaris one step closer towards its destined objective of becoming the ultimate 4X space grand strategy game of our times.

Microsoft delivered a solid remake of a classic old title. Nostalgic for the old ones and a great history lesson for the newer, this is exactly what gamers need while waiting for Age of Empires IV. Legends never die...

One can't help but feel awe when considering Warhorse Studios' attention to historical detail in recreating 15th century Bohemia. Kingdom Come: Deliverance is a truly unique and memorable experience from start to finish, but its hardcore mechanics (that sometimes border on pure LARPing) make it a game that is certainly not for everyone.

Zen Studios upholds its tradition of excellence, whilst paying tribute to one of the most legendary pinball tables of all time. At the same time, they innovate and capture the imagination of pinball aficionados the world over, once more. Anyone who queued up outside of a multiplex circa 1993, needs to experience this.

Dragonball FighterZ achieves its goal of being accessible and entertaining to everyone, while retaining its own personality and a near never-ending depth of a pure fighting title. If you like fighting games just a bit, Dragonball FighterZ should be in a prominent position for your next purchases.

Over The Moon’s incisive look into the nature of conscience and self-awareness reaches new heights in Unbound. A.R.I.D’s dark, dystopian Odyssey continues and the way the second chapter weaves altering perspectives in the solutions of its puzzles, is nothing short of masterful.

For all practical intents and purposes, this is L.A. Noire’s pocket sized, train-hoppin’, indie tramp cousin. Featuring highly stylized visuals and a soundtrack to match, Phyllis Malone’s investigation in the dark underbelly of 1924 San Francisco may be short but will leave detective mystery fans with a very warm aftertaste, much like the finest bootlegged liquor.

Labelling Nioh as "another Dark Souls clone", just doesn't do it justice. The Complete Edition is a package brimming with content, challenging gameplay, deep combat mechanics, Diablo-like looting and a fun crafting system to boot. It does not stick to its peers' blueprint, but it endeavours to evolve in a different beast, and for the most part, succeeds.

Even if Iconoclasts is not the definition of perfection in gameplay mechanisms and it is not the best Metroidvania game ever, its overall quality and mainly its soul leave no room for further questions. It is a game you ought to try.

Setting aside the issues of short duration and the lack of on-line capabilities, Wulverblade is a fabulous brawler, which will surely offer you some exciting moments of pure and high-quality action.

Even though its writing comes off mostly as a well-meaning but adolescently naïve and anime inspired take on the bleak cyberpunk dystopia towards which we are invariably headed, The Red Strings Club piques the player’s interest by constantly throwing a new gameplay mechanic at them, with its social engineering mini-game presenting a rewarding challenge that all cyberpunk enthusiasts will relish.

Doki Doki Literature Club is a visual novella that masterfully manages to creep up on you, shatter the 4th wall with a sledgehammer and land it on your unsuspecting face.

Before the Storm's finale fails to deliver a fitting climax for the portrayal of a unique relationship. It feels hasty and loses scope, making the characters seem illogical and suspends our disbelief. At least the special bond that the heroines had retains its magic and young and tragic innocence.

Spintires: Mudrunner is a soviet saga regarding man’s struggle to tame and traverse the wild nature. Hubris and failure to read the muddy roads result in disaster, only to overcome it as well, as the very essence of the game is to enjoy those failures, gameplay-wise.

Despite its age, Okami HD is a very beautiful and enjoyable experience, as it enchantingly takes us to an era and traditions foreign to the western audience. It offers about 50-60 hours of entertaining gameplay, while it effortlessly passes the message of how we should respect the nature. A bright gem in the game library of those who will honour it.

A gorgeous surrealist trip masquerading as a puzzle game and a soulful meditation on the true troubles of mankind, wrapped up in Jason Roberts’ evocative artwork, Gorogoa speaks directly to an inner child that you believed long gone. Essential.

Star Wars: Battlefront 2 is a typical case of a remarkable game that took a shot in its foot, due to some wrong business decisions by the publisher. Even if the game includes some great features, it is preferable to be on standby mode until it is decided what will happen with the microtransactions and how they will affect the gameplay's balance.

Football Manager 2018 finally offers some new and exciting features in addition to the usual incremental improvements over last year’s version. We’re still not completely happy with the match engine and the overly bloated interface but this year’s FM is a good purchase.

Oriental Empires is an impressive debut from Shining Pixel Studios. It is apparent that a great deal of work was put into it, especially on aspects like the trade system. It manages to convey a immersive portrayal of centuries long Chinese conflict. The combat system though feels somewhat raw and counter-intuitive for a hex-based TBS, making combat more troublesome than fun on the long run.

The Inner World: The Last Wind Monk is a worthy sequel to the first game and it offers just what you would expect from a point 'n' click adventure: a wonderful fantasy world, a beautiful story to tell, funny dialogues and a lot of smart (and sometimes crazy) puzzles.

theHunter: Call of the Wild clearly provides with a realistic feel of hunting. Seasoned hunters would adore it, but it may push away casual players.

A stunningly beautiful game that is significantly enhanced in content and replayability by the Encounters DLC. If you enjoy trekking through Everspace’s varied space environments in search of loot and adventure then the Encounters DLC is a must-buy.

Outcast: Second Contact succeeds in bringing the experience of the original game over to the modern era, despite some of its issues. The work done in the visual and music department is worthy of applause and most of the design changes are spot-on. If some of the missteps regarding the controls and camera system, as well as the bugs that are present, were avoided then the overall score would have been quite a bit higher. As it stands, if you have fond memories of the original and want to relive that experience, Outcast: Second Contact is a very faithful adaptation that will take you upwards of 18-20 hours to finish.

Hand of Fate 2 is a clearly superior version of the first game, including remarkable improvements in some aspects (roguelike elements, deck building) and small to some others (combat), but it's a totally well-made game that can keep you busy for hours.

Mare Nostrvm offers a great combination of the WEGO system and of the chaotic feeling that naval battles offer. A great number of Historical Naval Battles are available to be resolved in the historical or the alternative way. The game though is hampered down by the spartan visuals and a barebones UI.

Ayo: A Rain Tale is a magnificent game that examines the serious issue of drinkable water transport by children under extreme conditions. Unfortunately, it fails in conveying all the sentiments it could have and ends up being rather superficial despite its entertaining gameplay.

A co-op FPS by nature, by being structured and marketed as MMO, Destiny 2 unavoidably gets compared to games from both genres. Its MMO side is simply insufficient due to the lack of content. If Bungie could adopt the subscription model, this game would have simply been just an expansion of the first one, as they are as close to each other as World of Warcraft expansions are to each other. However from the FPS standpoint, Destiny 2 is ticking many boxes. It is correct in its core mechanisms, it has juicy gameplay and it is a worthwhile title that should have been a bit more ambitious with its design.

The latest CoD game’s Single-Player Campaign could be regarded as a missed opportunity of sorts, mostly opting to stick to established clichés and “wow” moments (with a few notable exceptions) instead of producing something truly unique and memorable. Its Multiplayer modes, on the other hand, are for the most part a welcome throwback to the glory days of “Modern Warfare”.

Wolfenstein II is the new reference point for blockbuster single-player narrative in the FPS genre. Despite its small technical hiccups it improves the gameplay elements of its predecessor, features an over-the-top story which will keep you constantly on edge. Bigger, badder, better is the only way we can describe it.

After several years, AC: Origins is the first Assassin's Creed game that we can recommend without hesitation. It's definitely not perfect, some gameplay mechanisms have not been fully exploited, some others have remained attached to the past, but the scales are clearly positive. It is huge, addictive, entertaining and the series are now going to the right direction. Hopefully they will continue to follow up on it.

Field of Glory II, coming from strategy powerhouse publisher Slitherine and Byzantine Games, offers what is to be expected. A digitized version of the tabletop version, offering pleasing visuals, automated calculations and dice rolls and an asynchronous multiplayer mode, on top of plenty historical battles and a campaign mode. Those that are not familiar with those surroundings will find themselves in a non-streamlined, hardcore turn based tabletop simulator, that requires many hours of study to make sense.

In "Brave New World" we manage to get a real glimpse of the unique and magical relationship that Chloe and Rachel shared. These two characters are fleshed out exceptionally, but the episode faces pacing and directional issues, only saved by the emotionally charged finale.

Its humor might be a bit more “streamlined” and toned down compared to the utterly extravagant instances we experienced in The Stick of Truth, but The Fractured But Whole remains an excellent South Park game that is sure to delight fans of the series.

The grinding nature of Battle Chasers: Nightwar does not condemn it to oblivion, as all the other parts of it are nearly great and the game becomes often really entertaining. If you know what to expect, then invest without remorse in a remarkable but far from perfect RPG.

The Evil Within 2 consciously focuses on the entertainment factor, leaving behind the heavy gothic dread of it’s predecessor. The resulting game is a surprisingly addictive horror fan playground, expertly expanding on every single mechanic encountered in the first game and providing a thrilling “haunted house” ride for genre fans.

A Hat in Time is a 3d platformer that offers unadulterated enjoyment, marred only by some slight technical issues, such as camera hiccups and occasional clipping. After the credits have rolled you' ll be craving for more, so some additional content in the form of extra chapters and power ups would be welcomed. On the whole, a great game and a worthy contender for the throne of the genre, on PCs at least.

Ruiner is a truly magnificent ode to Akira and Ghost in the Shell. It builds a brilliant world with a lot of narrative undertones for you to grasp, should you wish to. The physical ultra-violence is only the entry point to the dystopian atmosphere of the game. All the gameplay elements are complex enough without being overbearing to the player. You'll find yourself easily juggling through skills while you deliver carnage. In Ruiner, everything seems to have fallen into place: artistically, narratively, technically. Give it a go, you'll be amazed at how good it is.

ELEX is an old-school RPG, with all the pros and cons that come with it. Sometimes it is so crude that it's charmingly unpredictable. Beyond the few technical shortcomings, it is a fully satisfying role-playing game in an era that tends to forget the "role" part.

Despite its “loose” treatment of established Tolkien Lore, Shadow of War manages to showcase once more why the Nemesis System is one of the greatest gaming innovations in recent memory. However, a title that manages to take the cancer that is microtransactions in a Single-Player game and metastasize it to the next level cannot, in all good conscience, be awarded a higher score than this.

Larian Studios created the flagship of modern computer RPGs and a genuine classic. Divinity: Original Sin 2 is a true must-buy for every RPG fan.

Cuphead will push you to your limits. It is tough, punishing and it doesn't hold your hand, on the contrary, it requires your full persistence and devotion to its mechanisms. In the end, the feeling of success after each victory is indescribable.

Inmates has its share of creepy moments but it's mostly horror done by the numbers. Puzzles are rather easy and the story build-up won't thrill veterans of the genre, but it may have something to offer to newcomers.

Road Redemption's flaws seem irrelevant next to the raw amusement it offers. From its rogue-like campaign to its online or split-screen multiplayer, it is an incredibly successful spiritual successor to Road Rash and a worthy remastering of that carefree 90s Arcade gameplay.

Terroir is a visually simple yet pleasing game, presented as a vineyard simulation Tycoon game. Regretfully it's not quite there yet, missing the depth and mechanisms of a Tycoon game, although it can be pretty fun at times. Sadly its current state is not deemed as acceptable for leaving early access.

Now that all episodes have been completed, we can say that Bear with Me is a decent point 'n' click adventure worth taking a look at, even though it will not change your life or push your brain cells to its limits.

Blood Bowl 2 has reached its most integrated version. Changes in this expansion are crucial and essential in every case. For those who had tried the title earlier now it's a good chance to come back. Newcomers should be aware that although this title requires a lot of dedication it's highly rewarding at the same time.

Marvel VS Capcom: Infinite's primary goal is for the player to have fun with it, allowing him to do many and fancy things with a little bit of effort, but also has the depth for anyone who decides to look under the hood.

The greatest digital pinball experience in the world right now, with it’s fun-factor tearing through the stratosphere thanks to its support of cross-play and the ingenious implementation of competitive play. No matter your play style or preference, Pinball FX3 will meet, exceed and redefine your expectations of the genre.

A nice and satisfying ending to one of the most faithful representatives of traditional point ‘n’ click adventure games in modern days. Well done SkyGoblin.

The very good did not get even better this year. The NBA 2K18 is a real jewel that was not wrapped so well as it should be.

Although one could argue that TWW II is more of an expansion than a full title, Creative Assembly’s commitment to furthering the campaign map and the sheer excitement provided by the main campaign “quests” for each race, elevate its status to "must buy" title.

Dishonored: Death of the Outsider is a pure, albeit not complete Dishonored experience. That said, fans of stealth gameplay should definitely play it.

The introduction of machine empires has been a much-requested feature since the day Stellaris was first released. Paradox decided to take action, and the result is perhaps the most high-quality DLC for the game to date. You Will be Assimilated. Resistance is Futile.

Codemasters carefully combined the successful and well-aimed F1 2016 with the Classic Cars mode of F1 2013, along with various other improvements, thus managing to give us the most complete F1 simulation experience up to date.

An atmospheric tour of the 12 Colonies of Kobol, before the Fall, during the first Cylon War, that happens to be a fun tactical strategy simulator as well.

A brilliant expansion that overhauls the base game in interesting ways and adds a substantial amount of high-quality content. A necessary purchase for every XCOM fan.

Due to its demanding nature and deliberate style of gameplay, Darkwood may not be up everyone's alley. Nonetheless, it's undeniably a survival horror done right case, entangling the player with its reverie-like ambience in a gnarled realm of mildew smells and ghastly aberrations.

Players who appreciated what Tyranny has to offer will definitely enjoy Bastard's Wound, as the side content it introduces is of the highest quality and true to the standards set by its developers. Those looking for more substantial additions to the game’s main storyline, however, might find themselves a bit let down by it.

The game is a great adaptation of a very complex book. Dive into medieval ages, follow fascinating characters and make tough choices. Pillars of the Earth has stunning visuals and an amazing soundtrack. Although it's not a very challenging game, you can still have a good time with it.

A decent tribute to teenage angst, aimed exclusively at original "Life is Strange" fans. The first episode tries -a bit too hard- to say things that we already knew, about the special bond between Rachel and Chloe. Ultimately it makes us ask ourselves: "Are prequels really necessary to further an already established and excellent story?"

Victorian gaming’s most adorable nose caricatures are back with a vengeance. The audiovisual presentation is top notch and the wit is razor sharp but a plethora of bugs and a sense of playing through a game that could have benefited from two more months of testing, will keep this from stealing the hearts of new initiates. For veterans of Episode One, it’s satisfaction guaranteed, provided that the technical issues are swiftly eliminated.

Crafted with pure love and soul and aimed with deadly precision at the heart of every thirtysomething who grew up on Blyton, Pratchett, Addams, Lovecraft and Poe, The Darkside Detective, with its’ sublime synth soundtrack and razor sharp wit, is an absolute treat for anyone who had the good fortune of growing up in the 80’s and 90’s. Miss at your own peril.

Last Day of June is a bittersweet, pastel colored shot of a story about loss, grief and dedicated love. A successful mix of Ovosonic's artistic vision and Steven Wilson's haunting, melancholic tunes. As such, it provides a storytelling-based experience, with a nice touch of time-tweaking mechanics.

The unholy, snake-oiled, cow-punchin’, bean-slinging offspring of Dink Smallwood and Freddy Pharkas, West of Loathing is a hilarious, engaging odyssey through the mythical West. The brave player who overlooks the stick-man art direction is in for an extremely rare treat. Comedy of this caliber in video games is indeed rare to come by.

Agents of mayhem is a game that can appeal to gamers fan of shooters and open-world games, but the uninspired design choices and the repetitive gameplay turn it into a moderate-rewarding game, ideal for discount periods.

With a script that could have easily come from the haunted pen of H.P. Lovecraft, a haunting, minimalist string soundtrack by Carlos Viola and a genuine understanding of what constitutes true, primal terror, The Game Kitchen brilliantly concludes The Last Door’s narrative with an adventure that will richly reward players looking past the ultra-retro presentation.

Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice is not a game. It’s an example of what people with vision, scope and means-for-the-purpose can achieve without being burdened with demographics of marketing to a target audience. It’s a true testament of what the combination of art and science can result in, using video games as a medium of expression. Buy it. Switch off the lights. Put on your headphones. Turn it on. And live the best experience of 2017.

The Long Dark’s long-awaited story mode, ultimately fails to stand on its own. It rather serves as a tutorial for an extremely robust, utterly unforgiving and uncomfortably realistic extreme winter conditions survival simulator game, that transcends Unity’s limitations to deliver a unique experience aimed at a very narrow and specific audience. Future episodes may tweak the story mode into a cohesive entity that can stand on its own, but in its current state, the Long Dark is aimed exclusively at the hardcore survival enthusiast.

A delightfully tongue in cheek death cult simulator, whose excellent aesthetics stumble over a very high randomness factor. Each new game relies more on blind luck than strategy in its early stages, painfully taking you out of the “Our Fish Lord Cometh” fantasy and reminding you of the underlying mechanical structure. Still, quite a refreshing “shot” in between more demanding games.

A dark, unforgiving descent into one family’s darkest secrets, brilliantly stylized and exquisitely paced and acted. Hauer is in top form as the cynical, tired, end-of-the-road Detective Lazarski and Observer lives to subvert any possible genre expectations you might approach it with.

Redeemer is a brawler which definitely has a lot of remarkable elements and proves that the developers were willing to create something good, but ultimately the recipe broke down on the road, ending up with a game full of "yes...but" arguments.

The Rise of the Necromancer makes a solid attempt to revive a comatose patient. Although the “new” vintage class brings a breath of fresh air and ties organically with the gameplay direction the series has taken, it does not solve the numerous endgame issues of Diablo 3. Fans would enjoy the re-emergence of the priests of Rathma, the rest will most definitely find other games of the genre to be more enjoyable.

Sundered is a game with great graphics but uninspired and monotonous design. The unfair difficulty and the poor handling of enemy distribution make Sundered a missed opportunity.

Aven Colony suffers from a mild identity crisis. It converges many base building sims in one, never collapsing under that weight but never excelling either. All in all, it's a pretty decent and stable colony sim and even manages to offer some moments of otherworldly poetry.

ESO: Morrowind is a fantastic addition to the base game, including exceptional writing in quests, a new class and PvP battlegrounds. Despite some minor issues, the game is worth your time.

Housemarque's new proposal glorifies the motto "simple idea"-"great execution", so if you wish for a stunning twin-stick shooter that will turn off your mind and will sharpen your reflexes, Nex Machina should be one of your first choices. If online co-op option is added in the future, then it will be hard to find reasons for not getting it.

Sardonically funny, addictive, with unique style and a versatile soundtrack, Serial Cleaner is one of the sleeper hits of the summer.

This combination of exploration, mystery, and psychological thriller is what manages to make Get Even a decent proposal, thus overlooking its weaknesses in the action segments, the sometimes slow development of the plot, but also the totally mediocre visuals, which remind us of a production from 2013.

A blood soaked, stylish-beyond-reckoning testament to the art and alchemy of flawless video game design. The Crimson Court provides a substantial addition to one of the greatest, most obsessive tests of gaming character ever created. Indispensable.

Conarium may estrange some diehard adventure fans due to its easy puzzles and streamlined mechanics but I believe that everyone can appreciate its gripping story and roaming the untrodden halls of inhuman ruins in pursuit of forbidden wisdom.

The King of 3D fighting is back: Tekken 7 is such a great entry to the series. Gameplay-wise is brilliant, its graphics are stunning and the available roster is satisfying. One of the best fighting titles out there.

A product of love and devotion which may not excite a new gamer who is accustomed to today's handholding tactics and accurate gameplay mechanisms, but for those who have lived through the years of gaming "innocence" will hardly be able to hold back their tears by watching how gorgeous the game they used to love as kids has become.

RiME is the essence of the Mediterranean soul, with its joys and its toils. Tequila Works is making a name for high quality art direction and aesthetic value, delivering a short but deeply emotional experience with its latest release.

Syberia 3 may have some touching moments and interesting characters, as well as puzzles consistent with the game's lore, but questionable gameplay choices, technical issues and a weak ending that doesn't offer any conclusion, leave a lot to be desired.

Mages of Mystralia is definitely an enjoyable game, maybe one of the most fun games of the year, but undoubtedly it had the prospect of something more grandeur. Perhaps the inevitable sequel will do the trick.

An emotional and heartfelt farewell to the daughter of an entire generation of gamers. The power of the narrative is such, that Telltale manages to pull one last rabbit out of it’s battered, mangled hat. As Clementine walks into the sunset, we know that we can never go home again. Telltale knows it too. It’s heartbreaking and it’s beautiful. And it’s also quite alright.

Unfortunately, DoW3 aims high and shoots low. Although its single-player campaign is sufficient enough, at its multiplayer aspect the game looks like an awkward cross-genre hybrid which tries to combine too many elements and fails to find a distinct identity of its own. Many simplifications away from Relic’s previous titles (eg. cover system) only make matters worse. A good enough game, which does not live up to the expectations of its name or its predecessors’ past.

The “blindness” premise commits narrative suicide by effectively presenting the player with a complete, yet terribly drab view of the game-world. Furthermore, no real sense of danger or urgency is ever created and the game’s narrative falls victim to genre tropes once too many. The very definition of a noble failure, Perception fails to engage the player on an emotional level and crumbles under the weight of its monotony.

An amazing debut from Pixelated Milk, featuring a refreshing, deep, and satisfying combat system. Honest old school design, without any tiresome grinding. We anxiously await their next game.

NBA Playgrounds is a refreshing title that provides a full arcade basketball experience. Many basketball fans will be satisfied with its massive roster and hundreds of dunks and moves, although some gameplay mechanics need re-balancing.

An idea that does not overstay its welcome, enhanced by a great narrative and truly remarkable art direction. Be on the lookout for future publications by Cavalier Games and Tequila Works.

Charlie Murder is a top-shelf beat' em up, that comfortable shares the "throne" of action/beat' em up games with indie titles such as Castle Crashers, and coupled with the low price, it is a must-buy for fans of the genre.

An idea that does not overstay its welcome, enhanced by a great narrative and truly remarkable art direction. Be on the lookout for future publications by Cavalier Games and Tequila Works.

For all practical intents and purposes, this is System Shock 3. Arkane Studios has salvaged Looking Glass’ throne, gorgeously decorated it with alien glass from the valleys of Neptune and now comfortably sits on the immersive sim throne, presiding over one of PC gaming’s founding and most influential genres. A masterclass in every respect, Prey is a very strong contender for 2017’s Game of the Year award.

Everything that was good in Conquistador is taken to its next level of evolution with the change from the Strategy/RPG formula into a more "traditional" RPG experience in Viking. Fans of Logic Artists' first game and of the RPG genre in general are sure to be delighted with this authentically Norse experience filled with intrigue, cultural conflict, exploration and conquest.

Shiness: The Lightning Kingdom is a desperately moderate "western" JRPG that hardly will satisfy a devotee of the genre, and I would not suggest it to someone who is not familiar with the genre, unless its serious problems with the battle system are fixed.

Highly stylized and in turns deliciously horrifying and mysterious, Little Nightmares completes the “Unholy Trifecta” alongside Limbo and Inside, of the decades’ essential puzzle platformers.