RDR2 is one of the best games of recent years that gives all the other popular “sandboxes” a thorough ass-kicking.

It’s neither a revelation nor a reimagining of the good old series, just a really, really fun platformer without the usual drawbacks of this genre.

Baldur's Gate 3 isn't a great game. It is a sloppy sketch of a great game.

The amazing art direction and style are on double duty in The Last of Us, because the game’s designers did not think its universe through. Yes, monsters are not the focal point of this story, but only three types is too few for a campaign spanning 12 to 15 hours. There are also human bandits, but a few encounters – and you’ve seen them all.

A few insignificant nitpicks aside, this is a prime example of a modern slasher, a crown jewel of this genre, a new definitive killer app for PlayStation 4.

However predictable the ending of BioShock Infinite is, it is the journey that counts, and you will not go away disappointed.

Elden Ring is massive, sometimes to its detriment. A thorough walkthrough might take up more than 100 hours to complete, and at some point it becomes clear that From Software did not have enough manpower to produce that much unique content. Still, it remains incredibly addictive even after those 100 hours pass…

It took CD Projekt RED three attempts to create an epic masterpiece. You will laugh, feel sorrow, and reflect on important matters in-between killing hundreds of monsters in a spectacular fashion. You will embark on a long, wild adventure tempted by the myriads of tantalizing “?” signs scattered across the map. In other words, I know what you’ll be doing this summer.

The narrative, the bread and butter of The Last of Us, is a mixed bag. On the one hand, it has powerful moments that only the boldest studios can create, massive cliffhangers and it’s vicious towards the game’s main characters. Some scenes even caused internal conflict within me. Yet at the same time, Druckmann’s story is rife with plot holes, contrivances, teleporting characters and inexplicable behavior — dramatic tension takes precedence over structure and logic, and it looks very jarring at times.

Epic, beautiful, clever, melodic, riveting game. Right now, it has just a few small (hopefully temporary) flaws, and absolutely no rivals on the horizon.

Persona 5 took the best parts of its predecessors and carefully evolved them without making any earth-shattering changes. The result is a more or less traditional Japanese RPG, but it’s so good that I’m ready to go on a limb and declare it one of the best JRPGs of the decade. If not *the* best.

Hades is so captivating that you can easily spend days trying to escape the realm of the dead.

The fourth installment of Uncharted is exactly what you were waiting for: awesome action sequences, kick-ass graphics, and, finally, a full point in the story of Nathan Drake.

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is the first game in the series in a long time that I enjoyed. It expands the classic JRPG and FF VII Remake. And there is no doubt that Square Enix saved all the most interesting and exciting things for the final part of the trilogy.

In Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree, the developers went a little overboard with bold ideas. And yet the story of Miquella is smoothly integrated into the monumental epic of Elden Ring.

An interesting concept, a weak execution.

Blood and Wine should be used as an interactive workshop for other developers to show them how to create awesome game expansions.

I fell in love with Team Fortress 2 because in that game, you win by being smart and considerate instead of quickly sniping off everyone you see. Overwatch improves on this concept tenfold.

Bayonetta 2 is nothing less than the best game in its genre, and it’s a solid reason to buy a Wii U.

Metal Gear Solid V is amazing at times, and I enjoyed playing it, but there are so many embarrassing blunders and contradictions. Rich tactical gameplay vs an almost dead world. Fun HQ management and interesting characters vs an unfinished narrative and boring side quests. In some regards, this is a huge step back from previous Metal Gear games.

The best way to experience Shadow of the Colossus — play a couple of levels at a friend’s or use the Share Play function. This game was a hit in its time, on its original platform, but we all moved on, and now the remastered version feels archaic, especially its gameplay.

Paradox Interactive will be growing Crusader Kings 3 for years to come, but don’t be afraid — this is not an early access release, but a full-fledged game that often makes you stay “just for one more turn.”

Resident Evil 4 is a good remake. It is not as creative as RE 2 reincarnation, and it follows the original too diligently, but it still looks very decent.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's Souls-inspired, turn-based combat system can ruin your mood. If you can handle it, you'll discover a rich, surreal world with an interesting story full of emotion.

You could, if you wanted, berate ZA/UM for having loading screens between tiny rooms, minor bugs or their numerous love letters to Black Isle Studios, but nitpicking Disco Elysium is just… pointless. It's a one-of-a-kind game that channels the wildest ambitions of their creators and defies isometric classics instead of blindly imitating them.

If you’re a fan of hardcore games, try Dark Souls 2. It is not as memorable as its predecessor, and yet it is still a phenomenal experience.

Alan Wake 2 is good at times because of a director’s work, but it often fails to deliver as a horror and action-adventure game.

A few years ago, Spelunky was a unique phenomenon. Now, when its ideas have been adopted and improved upon by Super House of the Dead Ninjas, Binding of Isaac, and Rogue Legacy, this remake is simply first among equals.