First-person shooter fans might struggle initially with the demanding targeting system, plus a selection of weapons that take into account the accuracy and range of their real-world counterparts.

For fans of CoD online, the enhanced multiplayer experience alone is worth the admission price. We'd go so far as to say it's shaping up to be one of the year's best multiplayer games.

An insuppressibly charming journey of sky-high exploration and Metroid-style underground dungeon crawling, Owlboy offers a whole lot of heart alongside its innovative takes on tried-and-true adventure game staples.

With a bottomless well of rules to learn and secrets to uncover, the endless satisfaction of making it further and further as your knowledge grows, and the looming spectre of death always just a second of lapsed judgement or a quirk of cosmic fate away, Spelunky 2 strikes a perfect balance of incredible complexity and endearing charm to create a replayable package anyone can enjoy.

Controls work beautifully and patience and timing are crucial.

A superior sequel worth the wait. It's another huge, memorable and magical adventure.

Even on the Easy setting, the artificial intelligence is unflinching in its desire to win. If you're up for the fight, victory is sweet.

Kirby's use of touch-screen technology provides a fresh and engaging game.

This exhilarating and atmospheric World War II action game does little to advance the run-and-gun genre, but it is a memorable experience.

Cuphead's running and gunning is strong enough that it would have found an appreciative audience even with more video gamey art, but it's the perfectly executed 1930s animation style that makes it something special. From terrifyingly transforming beasts to the occasional fully-voiced character song, every element here makes it obvious Studio MDHR really knows and loves its source material.

The much-advertised fact that the world can move between different periods of video game history is hugely impressive and slickly executed, but it's in fact only one of this throwback's brilliant subversions. I won't spoil anything else here, but this is a relentlessly inventive game that turns out to be a lot more ambitious than it first appears.

An accomplished shooter providing many fun online modes, engaging solo missions and superb weapons.

With a lovely hand-drawn aesthetic and a modern, meticulous take on old-school design, Monster Boy is a smart and delightful game, both a fitting tribute and an exemplary example of the new breed of side-scrolling adventure games.

While it's not quite as epic as "GTA:SA," the combat within Mercenaries is more focused and polished, thanks to tight controls, amazing graphics and clever physics.

With beautiful visuals and sound, some of the most imaginative stage concepts you'll ever find in a platforming game and a heap of secrets that are rewarding to find and even more so to conquer, Tropical Freeze is one of the all-time greats. It's disappointing that Funky Mode, the only Switch-specific feature besides technical upgrades, doesn't feel as polished as the rest of the experience, but this is an unassailably brilliant game no matter how you play it.

By keeping most of the driving fundamentals, but greatly expanding your competitive options and wildly rethinking the approach to circuits and locations, Nintendo has transformed Mario Kart into a modern yet utterly charming platform for social racing or serious competition. The open-world structure and 24-player races make for an air of chaotic road tripping, yet one that doubles down on the appeal and nostalgia of Mario's wonderful world.

A wonderful game that rewards experimentation and co-operation.

From the swampy bayou location to the more intimate brand of horror on display, RE7 is the result of some unexpectedly excellent creative decisions for a series that has long suffered from identity crisis. It's a polished, confident horror game, and I can't wait to see more.

Unfortunately, exploration and some assignments are marred by long loading times.

While equally entertaining, Partners in Time inevitably lacks its predecessor's impact.

A turn-based strategy mini-game called Chronicles of the Sword is a little dry, yet hypnotically addictive.

Unusual and delightful. You know you are hooked when you cannot wait to see what your furry friends are up to, or spend hours crafting letters or building the museum collection.

The way the scale changes seamlessly is incredibly cunning with areas becoming accessible and later off-limits again according to the size of your flotsam-encrusted orb.

Victories are initially too simple and training dull but professional bouts hugely engaging. Patient defence, careful countering, well-timed combinations and conserving stamina are crucial.

Many clever obstacles, opponents and switches demand co-ordinated effort.

The loading times on the PSP may test your patience, but this is a game entertaining enough to make it worth the wait.

Film-to-game adaptations with this level of clarity and vision are incredibly rare, with The Great Circle letting players inhabit a pitch-perfect Indy in his prime, complete with all the whip-cracking and fascist-punching that implies. But even for those unfamiliar with the franchise, this is a seriously satisfying period pulp adventure.

Battles are spectacular, thanks to the detailed animation of units, and provide instant feedback on your progress.

With a deep but logical fighting system, heaps of gruesome over-the-top violence and a lovably insane cinematic story mode, Mortal Kombat 11 is an excellent fighting game that should have something for just about every fan of the series, let down only somewhat by a greasy and convoluted customisation system driven by loot boxes and grinding.

Spectacular visuals, ruthless opposition and gritty, tactical gunplay make this intense entertainment for solo soldiers and a hoot to play online with friends.

With near endless creativity, thoughtful puzzles and a lot of laughs, Luigi's Mansion 3 offers a smart and theatrical haunted house with a huge amount to see, do, collect and play around with.

From entry to entry, the biannual Forza Motorsport series doesn't change a whole lot at its core. But this latest entry strips back some of the bloat, fixes some missteps of past games and pushes the envelope further than ever before when it comes to graphical proficiency.

This is a game that will thrill long-time fans and introduce brand new ones to what Sonic is like at its very best. Far from the tone-deaf reinventions and cynical cash-ins of Sonic at its worst, this is a love-filled celebration that also proves there is life in the 25-year-old original concept yet.

Serving as both a quirky Zelda spinoff and a sequel to 2015's rhythm-action indie hit Crypt of the Necrodancer, Cadence of Hyrule is a polished and charmingly inventive game sure to appeal to fans of either franchise. From the Rougelike dungeon and item design to the inspired musical remixes, this crossover has worked out better than anyone could have expected.

Offering a fresh take on Super Metroid while updating the franchise for modern audiences and supplanting the sluggish (but narratively important) Metroid II, this return to form is everything a 2D Metroid game should be. Not every modernising addition to the classic formula is as well-polished as it could be, but this is still one of the best entries the series has to offer.

One of the best new features is the Speed Kill, a stealth attack that requires timed button presses for successful take-downs - a brilliant addition to the already exhilarating game play.

Although the platform-leaping action is easily criticised for lacking originality, levels are inventive and varied.

While too many are dull head-to-head encounters, the solo missions sharpen your skills.

Echoes of Wisdom marks a welcome change in protagonist and introduces a brilliant new approach to items and combat, but it’s otherwise business as usual for the series; this is a beautiful, joyful and surprising fantasy world to explore, with just the right mix of nostalgia and innovation. It's a stellar debut for a new heroine (despite her name being in all the series titles), and an instant classic.

The best in the series to date, this brain-over-brawn tactical shooter successfully delivers all the action of a first-person shooter at just half the pace.

Magnificent on the Xbox 360, this could be a contender for game of the year.

Few strategy games are more accessible. Players of any ability will find the interface simple to navigate and advisors constantly remind you of mission objectives.

Fans of racing games should look at picking this up, regardless of how many wheels they usually prefer to race on.

It's glitzy, ditzy and full of glam, but it will also leave you battered and bruised.

With more complex combat, a slimmer and harder-hitting story, more interesting characters and better performance, this is a superior game to its predecessor in every way except for the fact that there's less of it. A perhaps unintended consequence is that I find myself caring less about a full-fledged future sequel following the adventures of Peter Parker and his rich friends. I'm really hoping we see more of Morales.

Even just interacting with villagers is enjoyable, particularly when they bow down in fear, applaud your courage, or swoon at your handsome looks.

This is a stunningly successful modernisation of the franchise, a beautiful representation of one of the most engrossing societies in history and great story. The old bones of the Assassin's Creed series are definitely here, but for the most part the game's been reinvigorated with RPG mechanics and a more thoughtful, exploration-based style.

The Outer Worlds is a well-written, novel, gorgeous roleplaying game, made for today using some of yesterday's best tricks. If you fall into the trap of using fast travel it can feel like ticking off to-do list items instead of adventuring. But if you force yourself to slow down and let the sharp dialogue, otherworldly vistas, and intriguing characters work their magic, it's one of the best roleplaying experiences of the last few years.

It's about halfway through Fahrenheit that the wheels start to wobble. The game begins to veer away from its complex murder-mystery beginnings into the realm of pure fantasy, with a final chapter that can be hard to stomach.

One of the best new features is the Speed Kill, a stealth attack that requires timed button presses for successful take-downs - a brilliant addition to the already exhilarating game play.

A triumphant survival horror blockbuster with strong replay appeal, but some players will lack the patience to cope with its considerable demands.

More new elements would have been welcome, but The Sith Lords is another epic and fascinating Star Wars adventure.

One of the best new features is the Speed Kill, a stealth attack that requires timed button presses for successful take-downs - a brilliant addition to the already exhilarating game play.

Unlike other games of this ilk, there's no movie presentation - you're never fooled into thinking you are taking part in anything other than a videogame.

Fantastic animation, incredible art design and an intensely challenging fighting system ensure Virtua Fighter 5 is a game PS3 owners will be proud of for months to come.

A wonderful game that rewards experimentation and co-operation.

Retro in style and content, nevertheless this feels remarkably fresh.

Comprising the most complete version of the original retro minimalist masterpiece Mudds, its tough but fair sequel and the unremarkable but fun multiplayer puzzle game Mudd Blocks, Collection is an excellent value and a welcome return for the series to where it all started: a Nintendo handheld.

There are a couple of perplexing flaws in the design, such as the inability to go prone or jump over low walls and fences, but suspend your disbelief and you'll be gripped.

The 24/7 create-a-player mode is hugely addictive, letting you train your character and complete increasingly tough challenges. ESPN's weaknesses are a limited defensive game and shallow franchise mode.

Beautiful, weird and unexpectedly complex, there is at times a deep reverence for gaming's most famous brand here, and at other times an overwhelming urge to pull it apart and make fun of it. At the same time though, Kingdom Battle sets itself apart by avoiding the running and jumping that made its main character famous, focusing instead on an impressive strategy shooter design that would have been great on its own but is made even better with the addition of Nintendo's familiar properties.

Convincing physics have been brought into play to improve the feel of passing, crossing and shooting - a feature that brings FIFA more in line with the current simulation champ, "Pro Evolution Soccer."

Enthralling.

Loading times and a clumsy menu system are disappointing, but building your ranking is satisfying.

While it's not quite as epic as "GTA:SA," the combat within Mercenaries is more focused and polished, thanks to tight controls, amazing graphics and clever physics.

For players that skipped Sun and Moon, there is more than enough new stuff here to make this the ultimate way to play. Returning players will definitely be left with a strong sense of deja vu, but if they finished everything last year's game had to offer and were hungry for more they could still get their money's worth here, especially if they're up for a big dose of nostalgia.

The intriguing storyline, scary setting and unique battle system make for a frightening and memorable experience.

Anyone who enjoys South Park is bound to love this game, as it's essentially a 20-hour-long episode where you get to direct some of the action. The video game aspect of the experience isn't perfect — aside from still-pretty-basic combat system navigating around the town is a bit clunky and the crafting system is mostly an excuse for you to find humorous things in people's trash — but this is a cool RPG wrapped in an excellent and uniquely South Park adventure.

The amusing story missions are fast and offer plenty of variety.

The eye-watering speed is exhilarating and enhanced by stomach-churning nitrous boosts.

With gratifying combat, practically unmatched visual grandeur, a new focus on exploration and some of the most interesting locations and characters at the high-budget end of modern gaming, Gears 5 is an incredible leap forward for the original cover-based third-person shooter series.

The best addition is multiplayer action. Up to 10 nearby mates can battle wirelessly and faraway foes can be challenged online. But purists might consider changes such as a hold box for troublesome pieces, previews of the next six blocks and infinite spins to be far less welcome.

One of the best new features is the Speed Kill, a stealth attack that requires timed button presses for successful take-downs - a brilliant addition to the already exhilarating game play.

Packing four incredible action games from the mid-'90s into one nostalgic package, Mega Man X Legacy Collection might not feature the entire X saga but it's certainly the best of it.

Car handling is impressive. You can really feel variations in surfaces and the car losing traction if pushed too hard. Passing in heavy traffic takes skill and patience.

Momentum might not be important to the AC series anymore thanks to its shift towards RPG-lite but its other original key pillar, history, is utilised better than ever here. Not the specifics of what once happened, but the depiction of life elsewhere, elsewhen, and how well that is incorporated into core gameplay loops. With a clearer, more deliberate focus on the past in Valhalla, the series' future is bright.

While the battles can get exhaustingly repetitive, most players will have monstrous fun.

A wonderful game that rewards experimentation and co-operation.

Many have tried and failed to craft an accessible and satisfying turn-based strategy game in the years since Nintendo abandoned Advance Wars, but Wargroove is near perfection. From the slick animation and funny writing to the deep tactics and diversity of play options, this is more than just a throwback or homage.

The dialogue and plot are as cheesy as the pizza Dante gobbles while slicing baddies but the presentation is astonishing.

This smaller-scale adventure looks and plays a lot like last year's excellent blockbuster, but with the personal journey of a pair of new protagonists offering a refreshing change of perspective. Even when the action got a little too familiar, my affection for these two women and their fractious journey together, as well as the beauty of ancient India and its treasures, made for an engrossing experience.

The best realistic shooter on the Xbox, at an outstanding price.

The only thing more fun than watching Hulk cut loose is actually being the one controlling his every outburst. Ultimate Destruction is a rare comic-to-game adaptation that perfectly captures the Marvel comic style.

Ultimately the most memorable and enjoyable parts of Village are all contained in its meaty middle section; a melting pot of inspirations and inventive all-new horrifying scenarios that, in certain moments, marries the best parts of the series’ two greatest entries. Unfortunately those moments are fleeting, but the game manages to frighten and excite throughout.

Visually, the game is spectacular, but the 3D engine demands a fairly powerful PC - the bigger the battle, the slower the performance. Thankfully there are plenty of graphics options to fiddle with.

Car handling is impressive. You can really feel variations in surfaces and the car losing traction if pushed too hard. Passing in heavy traffic takes skill and patience.

The graphics are spectacular, rivalling the intense scenes in Top Gun, especially in the after-action replay mode. It's easily the slickest of the Ace Combat series.

Navigating the menus and many options can be seriously intimidating for the uninitiated, thanks to some complicated design features.

Retro in style and content, nevertheless this feels remarkably fresh.

There are a couple of perplexing flaws in the design, such as the inability to go prone or jump over low walls and fences, but suspend your disbelief and you'll be gripped.

A wonderful game that rewards experimentation and co-operation.

For players that skipped Sun and Moon, there is more than enough new stuff here to make this the ultimate way to play. Returning players will definitely be left with a strong sense of deja vu, but if they finished everything last year's game had to offer and were hungry for more they could still get their money's worth here, especially if they're up for a big dose of nostalgia.

It's about halfway through Fahrenheit that the wheels start to wobble. The game begins to veer away from its complex murder-mystery beginnings into the realm of pure fantasy, with a final chapter that can be hard to stomach.

Our favourite move isn't actually documented in the game's manual but if you do a little net search you'll find a way to force your foes to turn their rifles on themselves.

The fact that it's got the deepest story ever seen in a fighter simply adds to the realistic feel of the brutal combat within.

With splotchy, shimmering visuals and stunning reactive jazz albums that play along to your every charge, swipe and limb-separating bash, this gorilla escape simulator looks, feels and sounds amazing in equal measure, and it all combines for an uncomplicated but addictive good time.

There's certainly enough here to keep you busy for months, and if anything, it's a great excuse to return to what is an undeniable classic.

From the depth of its world-building and its gratifying combat to the unexpected twists of its story and a handful of truly unforgettable kaleidoscopic fighting sequences, this is an inspired game that manages to match its crazy, beautiful, otherworldly storytelling with action that's every bit as good.