Doom: The Dark Ages is a good shooter at its core, but as a follow-up to two of the best FPS games ever made, it falls a little flat. The new defensive combat feels like a step back, with movement getting a significant nerf, and, while Doom Slayer is still an exciting character, the story focus feels out of place.

Make Way is a superb party racer. Its arcade driving is incredibly approachable and the focus on improvised course creation means that it can be enjoyed with friends time and time again.

Battlefield 6 isn’t the most exciting or innovative entry in the series so far, but it still delivers one of the strongest multiplayer offerings yet. Well-designed maps and the returning class system elevate matches, which especially shine in the new Escalation mode. It’s just a shame that the quality of the online play does not extend to the single-player campaign.

Capcom Fighting Collection 2 is by far the best and most well-rounded compilation of fighting games the studio has put out so far. There’s truly something for everyone here, from the ocean-deep mechanics of Capcom vs. SNK 2 to the madcap party fun of the Power Stone games. Capcom Fighting Evolution is still a dud and could’ve been replaced with literally anything else, but this is an otherwise unmissable collection for both local and online play.

MIO: Memories in Orbit doesn't quite hit the highs of the genre greats, but developer Douze Dixièmes clearly understands what makes a Metroidvania sing, with a stylish, thoughtful, and enjoyable adventure. It starts slowly, and a few elements aren't fully realised, but this is a fabulous game for newcomers and fans of the genre who will feel right at home.

It might not be the most challenging platformer around, but this updated version of Kirby and The Forgotten Land is a worthwhile upgrade for existing owners or a fantastic starting point for newcomers. The new Star-Crossed World expansion makes excellent use of the base game, though I’d have still appreciated trickier boss fights and maybe some more Mouthful abilities.

Starfield is a technically solid systems-heavy role-playing game that works well with a surprising degree of polish compared to previous Bethesda RPGs. Despite this, Starfield has no sense of character and the story lacks impact.

Jusant is an engrossing epic adventure that captures climbing’s heart-racing thrills and serene meditations. There’s immense satisfaction in navigating Don't Nod’s vertical puzzle, and the dizzying views are guaranteed to take your breath away.

Yakuza Kiwami 2 has been ported effectively to Nintendo Switch 2, with performance that compares well with the PS4 version in both handheld and docked mode. Sure, some of the technical issues from the past still stand – the targeted 30fps framerate and occasional drops cause gameplay to lack the fluidity of the first Yakuza Kiwami – but the streamlined combat, engaging story, and typical zaniness of the series is strong here. The Dragon of Dojima still gets a solid outing on Switch 2.

Helldivers 2 delivers on the promise of chaotic fun through superior firepower. Whether you’re slaying enemies with your friends or slaying your friends while enemies are also present, if you’ve got the crew, this is a guaranteed good time.

Mortal Kombat 1 takes the series back to its roots but also innovates with exciting new aerial combat, a game-changing Kameo system, and a thoughtfully designed roster to be the most mechanically deep and engaging entry in the franchise yet.

Cairn is an extremely good and beautifully made climbing game that is exceptional at executing the one specific thing it's trying to recreate. If you go in knowing that and are on board with it, then you'll find a tough yet massively rewarding experience, but some frustrations could cause others to completely bounce off it.

Even though A Highland Song follows a simple premise and linear narrative, its manipulation of depth and levels within its environment creates an immersive atmosphere. It’s a short, and occasionally frustrating adventure, but a gripping one complete with compelling musical segments and incredible design.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 is an outstanding first-person shooter package that offers a thrilling blockbuster campaign with some of the best graphics on the market. Its polished multiplayer is fast-paced and intense, bringing the franchise to new heights despite a few poorly balanced maps, and the cooperative zombies mode is the absolute best it’s been in years.

The Outer Worlds 2’s collection of medium-sized immersive sim-like sandboxes are brimming with detail and avenues for creative exploration. There are some minor missteps, however, namely in moments where the pacing slows down to a trudge, making for uneven momentum in how the adventure plays out. Like Obsidian’s finest games, its latest offering teems with brilliant, witty dialog, strong anti-capitalist themes, and a plot where your decision-making can lead you down truly unpredictable paths.

There’s a lot packed into F1 23 for fans of the motorsport, as well as more casual sim racing fans. This year’s release brings back the surprisingly compelling Braking Point campaign alongside immersive, highly customizable career modes full of decision-making and driver and team development. Throw in the all-encompassing F1 World mode and you’ve got a feature-rich package that’s sure to please most racing fans.

Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 + 4 is the best Tony Hawk has ever been. The 1 + 2 remake set the standard, now 3 + 4 has elevated it by offering more goals and content, extra customization, and introducing new levels. It's not an easy game to master due to a high skill ceiling, but once you get to grips with it, chaining together long combos is so satisfying. Roll on the Underground remakes.

The NBA series has never been short of things to do for long time fans, but the way NBA 2K26 knits together its vast array of online and offline modes now makes for some of the best on-court action the series has ever seen. I grew to enjoy last year’s game, but I’m enraptured with this one right from the first tip-off.

Super Mario Party Jamboree doesn’t break new ground but takes the best of the series’ past and present to make a big celebratory package, best experienced at get-togethers where the real magic (and carnage) happens.

This PSVR 2 exclusive rendition of Hitman is an absolute delight, and a prime example of the games the system desperately needs. If you own the PlayStation headset, you won't regret playing this superb VR sandbox.

Counter-Strike 2’s wall of noise and violence will feel impenetrable to newcomers but a welcome upgrade for long-term Counter-Strike fans. It’s the best competitive shooter on the market, but it’s so difficult for new players to get on board that it won’t be for everyone.

Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds isn’t just the best racing game of the year; it brings a confidence and energy that the genre has rarely seen over the past decade and a half. Especially as arcade-like experiences have largely given way to more straight-faced sim racing affairs. CrossWorlds offers a metric ton of things to do, with loads of tracks, characters, vehicles, and unlockables. The racing itself is also plenty addicting, thrilling, and - most importantly - blazingly fast. Some side modes feel a little underbaked, but this is an incredibly strong package where you absolutely get what you pay for.

Octopath Traveler 0 is another excellent RPG in this new-era classic franchise. But while there's an awful lot to love here, this entry also shaves off some of the unique identity that Octopath has carved for itself. Tell me this is Final Fantasy, and I'd believe you.

Dragon Age: The Veilguard is a mightily impressive return to the fantasy series offering engaging combat and a charming cast of supporting characters - but it never quite escapes the orbit of its predecessors.

Just Dance 2026 Edition is a confident and innovative entry in the long-running party series. With beautiful music videos, strong choreography, a varied track list, and fantastic new camera controls, this instalment is the best yet.

The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered has single-handedly restored my faith in remakes and remasters, allowing me to experience a true classic for the first time that I’d simply have never played otherwise. Tweaking the original game slightly but leaving many of the quirks fans have grown to love strikes a near-perfect balance between old and new.

Ninja Gaiden 4 is the best game Team Ninja has put out since Nioh 2, and for co-developer PlatinumGames it’s easily its strongest project since 2019’s Astral Chain. A boisterous, blood-drenched character action game, Ninja Gaiden 4 combines the rock-solid difficulty of its predecessors with Platinum’s prowess for satisfying, fast-paced combat. Some levels do drag on with dull platforming sections, but few games this year match the unapologetic thrills of Ninja Gaiden 4’s brutally brilliant combat.

Wargroove 2 is a successful sequel as well as an impressively moreish game of strategic challenges in its own right. Whether you’re a newcomer or a veteran of the genre, the tailored difficulty settings and roguelike Conquest mode provide plenty of avenues into its compelling battles.