Dragon’s Dogma 2 leverages emergent gameplay to put forward an action-adventure that’s challenging, thrilling, and constantly unpredictable. Rich in well-thought-out systems and mechanics that feed into one another seamlessly, it’s a game that sinks its claws into you and doesn’t let go.

From the intriguing narrative and wonderful Lunar setting to its multifaceted and moreish combat, Pragmata is a joy to experience. Hugh and Diana’s trek through an AI-powered moonbase gone bad is full of satisfying combat encounters and puzzles in some exceptionally cool environments, with only a few wrinkles.

Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake is an absolute triumph. It brings a gorgeous visual overhaul, addictive turn-based combat, and top-tier quality of life updates to the table. I was wowed by its orchestral score, and by the high-reward exploration throughout. Voice acting is brilliant too – I just wish there was more of it. Overall, this is a shining example of what a remake should be, and playing through this duology has been a real highlight of my year in gaming.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Meetup in Bellabel Park is the definitive way to play the greatest 2D Mario game in a generation. With revamped visuals, entertaining new boss battles, and an Assist Mode for younger players, there’s a lot to love here. The new multiplayer minigames are, admittedly, a bit hit-and-miss, and some single-player content, like decorating Bellabel Park, may not entice owners of the Switch original to upgrade. But still, this is a strong overall package, and a must-buy for those who have never played Super Mario Bros. Wonder before.

The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom is a charming follow-up to Link's Awakening that builds on that game’s beautiful aesthetic while introducing just enough new mechanics to feel truly distinct. The dubious performance and repetitive combat can drag, but this is largely an excellent adventure throughout.

Horizon: Zero Dawn Remastered may not have been entirely necessary, but for just a few dollars it remains a great showcase of the PS5’s graphical prowess. Whether that’s enough for anyone who’s beaten it already will be down to your preference.

If you’ve never played Helldivers 2, the game is now somehow even more fun than it was last year. A third enemy faction, new vehicles and mechs, a ton of new guns and customization options make it feel much more fleshed out than it was when dropping in at launch. With that comes some minor issues, however, many of which could be fixed with some kind of cross-save functionality. Still, if you’ve not enlisted to defend Super Earth yet, it’s time to do your part.

Jedi Survivor is an ambitious and faithful Star Wars adventure. Though far from flawless, its engaging soulsborne-style combat and immersive visuals thrill and delight.

Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater is a fantastic version of an absolute masterpiece, and one I’d wholly recommend to anyone. As a remake, it’s incredibly beholden to the original, to a point that is almost too faithful outside of minor tweaks to gameplay and a visual overhaul. That isn’t inherently a bad thing, but does mean it won’t have too much fresh to offer those returning to it.

Frostpunk 2 is a brutal but beautiful city builder that laughs with you as you try and fail to survive in a treacherous, icy purgatory.

Batman: Arkham Shadow is a full-on AAA VR experience that everyone with a Meta Quest 3 or 3S should try, and people who don't have either headset need to get one to play this game.

Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector tells a radical science fiction tale through an impeccably designed system and a moving narrative rife with themes that are acutely attuned to our times. This is bolstered by a crew of companions who are not only well-fleshed out but offer genuine support during crises - a predicament you’ll find yourself in frequently. The soothing atmospheric soundtrack doesn’t hurt, either.

Lies of P: Overture is an expansion that exudes confidence on the part of developer Round8 Studio, which looks to have already mastered its particular brand of the soulslike format. Overture successfully enriches the entire Lies of P package, with stunning and creative level design and some of the best boss fights in the subgenre as a whole. It’s simply an unmissable experience for fans of the base game.

Nioh 3 is a brilliant evolution of the series’ formula. This third entry mostly heightens the strengths of its predecessors, while simultaneously streamlining and improving things that didn’t work so well. Meanwhile, its emphasis on switching between Samurai and Ninja styles - in addition to a successful shift to a semi-open-world format - makes Nioh 3 the franchise's most fleshed-out and polished experience to date.

Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition brings a massive, must-play RPG to Nintendo Switch 2. Its solid performance and fantastic visuals are technically impressive and a real showcase of what the system can do. Throw in a wealth of Nintendo Switch 2-exclusive features, plus a handy progression sharing system, and you have the best way to play it on the go.

The best indie game I've played in a while, The Alters is an ambitious sci-fi tale that successfully marries several game genres with an interesting plot to deliver a standout experience unlike any other. Supporting all the exploration and base management is a beating emotional heart to this game that makes you eager to push forward and see what will happen next.

Despite small nitpicks such as recycled events and an at-times rough user interface, Europa Universalis 5 is a fantastic grand strategy game. Extremely complex but well worth the effort it takes to learn, this game feels like developer Paradox has learned the lessons of the last 15 years of its games.

One of the weakest (but still entertaining) games in the franchise coupled with one of the best, Ace Attorney Investigations Collection is an inconsistent pairing that remains thrilling throughout.

Anno 117: Pax Romana is a beautiful and refined city builder that’s almost impossible to put down. It’s more approachable than its predecessor and is full of quality of life changes that fans will love, but it undeniably lacks the same level of depth and complexity - especially if you’re starting out in the Albion setting.

Two Point Museum is a fantastic addition to a cozy weekend or long-haul flight. The combination of wacky customer animations, tongue-in-cheek exhibits, and well-written narration brilliantly complements the approachable management systems, keeping me entertained as I focused on making my business a success.

Forza Motorsport’s comeback is an impressive one after its divisive seventh entry and a welcome return to the sim-lite formula after back-to-back entries in the Horizon sub-series. With highly accessible racing and gorgeous visuals and lighting, it’s another strong exclusive for Xbox consoles in 2023.

Blasphemous 2 is not for the faint of heart. The battles can be difficult at times - to a controller-breaking level. However, if you’re a fan of the stresses and strains found in Souls-like games and are willing to learn the moves inside out, then this Metroidvania will reward you with beautiful finishing kills and adrenaline-filled boss fights.

Lost Records: Bloom & Rage Tape 1 might only be the first half of the story, yet even as I rolled credits, tears streaming down my cheeks, I felt satisfied and deeply curious about the chaos its cliffhanger ending had wrought. I’m keen to dig in and unlock the missing pieces of Swann and Co.'s past, one aberrated camcorder clip at a time.

Easily the definitive version of the game, and the one I craved for since playing it the first time around, Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2 Enhanced on PS5 is a triumph. Senua’s bleak, miserable, and absorbing Icelandic tale gets some excellent graphical upgrades and is a staggeringly beautiful with incredible levels of immersion, thanks to its audio-visual execution and exquisite performance and quality on PS5 and PS5 Pro.

Viewfinder is a wonderful demonstration of what games can be and how they can be played. While its story really struggles to come through, the brilliant puzzles, lovely world, and ingenious play more than compensate.

You could tell me Dragon Quest VII Reimagined was an entirely new game released for the first time in 2026 and I’d believe you. At the same time it stays undeniably true to the original, with still enough tweaks to feel more approachable than many other RPGs.

While Bravely Default Flying Fairy HD Remaster will feel incredibly familiar to returning players, this is the perfect way to play an RPG great. One of the best Nintendo 3DS games is back for a new audience to discover, and sometimes knowing when not to change something is an important part of re-releasing an older title. At times, it feels like a lost relic, but I’m glad it’s here again.

Fortnite is the biggest battle royale for a reason. Epic Games has created an ecosystem that you can get dozens of hours of play from without even touching the main Battle Royale mode. The Nintendo Switch 2 Edition is a massive step up from the original Switch, thanks to its enhanced performance, and I can’t think of a better way to play the game on a handheld.