Red Dead Redemption 2 delivers the goods in a way that very little else has done before it, or quite possibly will do again.

Apart from the summoning issue that is found when attempting to play with others, Elden Ring is a triumph. It looks great, it plays like a dream and it provides a world in which you can spend hours, just wandering about, picking fights.

Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree is an awesome expansion. It is hard, but extremely satisfying, and gives you the opportunity to explore Elden Ring like never before. Go and buy it.

I think I would change very little about Hades II. It’s a game that’s so easy to love that I can’t imagine someone disliking it. People who are allergic to roguelikes, perhaps? That’s understandable. But I find it so slick, well-constructed, beautiful and rewarding that I cannot fathom another criticism. To me, it’s as perilously close to perfect as video gaming can get.

Vampire Survivors feels amazing value. It is ridiculously cheap and has a gameplay hook that refuses to let go. I worry that many may take a look at the simple visuals and the Xbox Store description before fast turning away, but I urge you to please try this game. Vampire Survivors is without doubt up there as one of the finest indie games of the year.

Balatro is unique in that when you aren’t playing it, you’re thinking about it. And when you are playing Balatro, you’re really thinking about it.

Persona 5 Royal is as close to the perfect RPG as I have played in a long time. Not since the heady days of Final Fantasy VII will a game grip you so fiercely, refusing to let go. It is deep, it is beautiful and it demands to be played.

Celeste is undoubtedly a modern masterpiece. Its mix of reactionary platforming and problem solving is a breath of fresh air. Its Assist Mode is ahead of the curb in an industry constantly discussing accessibility. The way it masterfully weaves its emotional story about mental health with its brutal difficulty is astounding. Hours of extra content, one of the best soundtracks of all time and neat art is only the icing on the cake for this indie gem.

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt was already one of the best games of all-time, but now the Complete Edition has cemented that legacy and will ensure that it is a game which is talked about for many more years to come.

Hades is an opus, a delectable action game that rewards your skill and reflexes with a tidal wave of rewards and progression. I can’t recall a game as generous as Hades, in terms of how good it is to play, how much the game changes with each session, with how much it gives you for beating it. It’s a matryoshka doll where every doll holds more awesomeness.

The Stanley Parable: Ultra Deluxe doesn’t disappoint and you will enjoy all the new content included! It is buckets of fun.

Not to exaggerate but Split Fiction is a very special game. It’s one thing to aspire to offer variety and bring so many ideas together. It’s entirely another to manage it so successfully, creating a game which just gets better and better and better, as well as managing to stick the landing when it comes to the final act.

Resident Evil 2 remake is a pure masterclass in game design. With ingenious puzzles, enjoyable gunplay and a captivating story to get stuck into, Resident Evil 2 shows just what has been missing from the survival horror genre in recent years and with the graphical prowess creating some truly frightening environments, this is one game that will live long in the memories of both newcomers and veteran horror enthusiasts.

Resident Evil Requiem is a pitch perfect love letter to fans of the series. Capcom has absolutely nailed the dual protagonist mechanic which sits at the core of a truly incredible piece of storytelling. The result is a must-play title for those both familiar and new to the series. Put simply, it’s an absolute tour de force.

If you’re a fan of Forza as a whole then Forza Horizon 4 will not disappoint, and whilst the progression and seasons systems change up the core experience, Forza Horizon 4 still shows the key signs for an exemplary racing experience that must be applauded.

Divinity: Original Sin 2 Definitive Edition is a truly superb RPG experience that delivers a complex but intriguing narrative, some of the most exciting and intelligent turn-based combat I’ve ever encountered, and a shed load of quests to ensure there’s always something to do.

You’ll have a lot of fun playing RimWorld Console Edition and it’s a game that you’ll find yourself constantly heading back to. The PC version is bound to remain superior thanks to the fans that have built up so much content for it, but we should be thankful that we can now boot up RimWorld on our consoles.

In conclusion, play Forza Horizon 5. There has never been a better looking game, and it plays like an absolute dream. It’s full of cars, full of challenge, full of glorious visuals and played out across a world like no other.

Some people might be critical of the length of the game, but for me it’s like watching a brilliant movie, with outstanding writing, great acting and a superbly inventive design.

Playing Braid, Anniversary Edition is like opening the time capsule of a museum curator. The sheer love and care that is gone into filling that capsule is breathtaking. And for those who have never experienced Braid, you’re in for a treat.

RGG Studio have described Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth as their “magnum opus”. Previously, that term had been used to describe Yakuza 5, which felt like a massive game at the time. That is however a game that pales in comparison to Infinite Wealth. The content within is incredible and of such a high standard; it really is quite astounding just how much is in here.

What has been created in Cuphead - The Delicious Last Course is beautiful to behold, the right side (just) of frustratingly hard, and will keep you playing for a while, all as you spend time with Ms. Chalice and work with the new weapons.

Metaphor: ReFantazio is the JRPG of the year, and you’d be remiss to pass on it.

To call Mixtape a ride is a little one-dimensional, as there are so many feelings to be had on the way. A ‘joyride’ fits Mixtape slightly better. A joyride with a tailor-made Greatest Hits tape playing along.

Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance is a seriously addictive turn-based RPG that will impress returning players and enchant newcomers for hours on end. There’s a ridiculous amount of content and a huge roster of demons to engage with, as well as a shed load of welcome additions and improvements.

This is the best RPG I've played this year, bar none, and as such I recommend it to anyone and everyone. The story sucks you in, the game looks beautiful and sounds amazing, and with hours and hours of content to go at, there isn't a mark against it. It’s a rare thing, but this is as close to a perfect game as you’re going to get.

Disco Elysium - The Final Cut is one of those games which only comes along every now and then. It’s a true piece of art, with fantastic writing, brilliant voice acting and highly unusual and unique gameplay elements. There is a lot of game to be had here in terms of pathways and ways of playing through it all, but it certainly deserves the multiple playthroughs it allows.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a stunning game. It is emotional, beautiful and utterly captivating. And that all means it is an absolute no-brainer as to whether you should be playing.

Diablo IV is a blinder. The story, the visuals and the sheer freedom to go and do whatever you want, whenever you fancy it, all add up to make a game that is an essential play.

Everyone knows FromSoftware make hard games, and Sekiro is certainly no different. If anything, it may be even harder than those which have come before it. So, for newcomers it may not be the best ‘entry’ point to these types of games but if you have more than a passing interest in Soulsborne games, then Sekiro is definitely another one to add to this ever-growing list.

I simply cannot think of anything that would make the Dead Cells game experience better. Its hard but not unfair, runs like a dream and plays like a lump of Teflon draped in silk. You need to play this game, and the retro graphics, while they may not be to everyone’s taste, really suit it, ensuring that it is just a pleasure to play.

Small technicalities aside, Resident Evil 4 on Xbox Series X|S is a wonderfully recreated thrill ride from start to finish. Capcom have struck a perfect balance that should keep both veteran players and newbies happy.

F1 2020 is the absolute pinnacle of the F1 video game. What Codemasters have done in recent years with this series is nothing short of remarkable, yet they’ve still managed to continue to push things forward with every yearly iteration. If you’re a fan of F1, purchasing this is an absolute no-brainer, and it is also pretty much a must-buy to anyone who has any inkling of an interest in any motorsport scene. F1 2020 is as good as it gets - until Codemasters create another masterpiece next year.

If you are looking for a truly unique game, with an off-the-walls story, Death Stranding Director’s Cut will be seen as a treat.

Alan Wake 2 is the magnum opus of horror games, but not simply because it delivers some scares. Oozing with creative flair, it confidently flaunts unconventional and even experimental methods of storytelling, which makes it very special indeed.

Rogue Legacy 2 is a fun game that incentivises variety. The different character traits can come together and make truly unique runs that don’t feel repetitive.

Monster Hunter World: Iceborne on Xbox One is quite simply an exceptional expansion to an already exceptional game. Combined, they make one of the best games of the console generation.

Hollow Knight: Silksong is a beautiful, infuriating, visually stunning game with a lot to offer the dedicated player.

Maybe the roguelike elements will annoy, and sometimes luck plays a bigger part than any thoughtful decision making, but even if you do reach the end, Blue Prince will continue to reveal a host more secrets.

Dead Space is a remake done right. It builds on what the original game did well, delivering in terms of tension and environment, adding new layers as it goes. Should you be a fan of what the franchise did in the past, or are just looking to have your spine tingled, I would suggest you give Dead Space a go. And use headphones, yeah?

Nier: Automata Become As Gods Edition has a very deep and thoughtful story, but it requires a lot of time before you get down to it.

Given the price of Universal Classics Pinball equating to under £3 per table, it’s bloody good value and even though Jaws lets it down, I’d highly recommend adding this pack to your Pinball FX3 collection.

Make no mistake, Monster Hunter World is one of the best games on the Xbox One and, with the promise of free updates, will remain one of the most played games of 2018.

Like any hardcore simulation game, Microsoft Flight Simulator is simply not made for everyone. The lengths to which the game goes to accurately recreate cockpits, dials, and the general controls of aircraft is astonishing and this commitment to realism will hook aircraft buffs. But outside of some occasional digital tourism, more casual pilots might not have much to latch onto here.

Quake II is a great value package, well priced and showered with love and care. It may not go on playlist rotation, but it’ll be hard to turn down a game of Quake II when asked.

Ori and the Will of the Wisps on Xbox One is an amazing work of art that happens to double as a truly fantastic game. Moon Studios have outdone themselves here with an emotional, engaging, difficult but above all enjoyable game that should delight gamers everywhere.

A bursting-at-the-seams package full of things to discover, all while welcoming newcomers and pleasing veterans, Street Fighter 6 is most certainly a game of the year contender. This is the perfect fighting game.

In all, Curse of the Dead Gods on Xbox is a game that is easy to recommend to anyone looking for a challenge. It is is always hard, always difficult, and has not a shred of mercy built into it. In fact, you need to be on top of your game in order to make it to the bosses, never mind to take them down. But should you fail, you can always put your finger on why you did so. The gameplay is complemented well by the overall design; the enemies are great, the Temple looks amazing and the mechanics of the corruption and the light is very well-realised. While it won’t be to everyone’s taste, if a challenge is something you seek, Curse of the Dead Gods will provide it.

Once Monster Hunter Wilds has its teeth into you, you won’t want it to let go. With all the endgame, post-release and inevitable expansion content coming in the near and distant future, Monster Hunter Wilds is another sublime time sink.

It may take a while to get going at first for new players, but get over that first hour of pretty much just cutscenes and the game completely opens up into one of the finest examples of storytelling in gaming. This, along with the sheer abundance of side activities and people asking for a punch, makes Yakuza 0 an exquisite game, and a perfect benchmark for newcomers to dive straight into.

If you haven’t played Mass Effect before, the Legendary Edition provides the perfect opportunity. If you are a veteran, you owe it to yourself to play through them at least one more time in this collection.

The new characters are fun, the gunplay is as cool as ever, and the additional mechanics add an extra layer. The only fly in the ointment is that the sheer amount of fights do start to get repetitive, but with a crew, Borderlands 4 is about as good as it gets.

There’s lots to love about DEATHLOOP, along with its sizzling style and refreshing gameplay structure. However, in practice, reliving your day over and over does come with limitations.

At every turn, I was left almost breathless by the beauty and ingenuity in COCOON. It’s a staggeringly brilliant game with which words cannot really do justice.

Sea of Stars manages to modernise a dated formula by raising the bar for all future 2D RPGs. It’s a whopping slice of nostalgia pie with a beautiful art style and engaging gameplay.

If you are a fan of the sport, are looking for a new online racer, wish to involve yourself in a lengthy career or just prefer to smash out a quick time trial or two, Codemasters’ F1 2019 delivers on all fronts.

It’s wonderful to see a studio master their craft, and produce the stone-cold classic that represents everything that they’re trying to achieve. Josef Fares and his team at Hazelight have been noisily making the case for cooperative experiences for some time now, and with It Takes Two on the Xbox it feels like they’ve been vindicated. Find someone else to jump onto this roller coaster with - a loved one if you can - as it’s an experience you will want to talk about and share repeatedly. Now, let’s just hope it opens the door to more games like it.

Enticing Richard Garfield to the Slay the Spire deckbuilder was Roguebook’s first act of brilliance, but many others follow. In the hex-based exploration it’s taken the genre’s dullest moments and made them the most engaging. In the deck-optimisation, it has fully handed the keys to the player and said ‘let’s see what you can make’. The possibilities, as the adage goes, are endless, and it gives Roguebook a truly infinite feel.

Tetris Forever is a beautifully crafted, utterly fascinating and surprisingly educational love letter to one of the most significant video games ever created, warts and all.

It is hard to argue against the fighting action being and looking superb in Tekken 8. A decent amount of new features will try and get newcomers interested, but they don’t feel too intrusive that veterans will feel like they need to re-learn new characters either. Both the Story and Arcade Quest mode could have been handled better, which for two of the headline features is disappointing. But the actual fighting is the best it’s been in Tekken; the cinematic moments are a real plus point as you get a brief second to appreciate how good this game looks.

Hollow Knight isn’t just a Metroidvania game, it goes above and beyond that, taking the genre into the modern age. The visuals, sound design and level layouts are absolutely gorgeous, the variety of enemies and customisation is astounding and the difficulty level just makes you want to go back again and again.

All in all, Persona 4 Golden is an absolute triumph; very much golden. It isn’t quite as good as Persona 5 Royal, but the difference is like a hair's breadth. There’s a great story, tons of content to get involved in and some superb combat and exploration opportunities.

Resident Evil 4 - Separate Ways is the perfect example of how to deliver DLC. It’s familiar but new, expands on both the gameplay and story of the base game and at a low price, is an absolute steal.

Sam & Max: The Devil’s Playhouse is a madcap mystery brimming with creativity, showing there is life in the old dog (and rabbit) yet.

Come and join the mission to rejuvenate the marvellous place that is Stardew Valley; it’ll be the best farming experience you’ve ever had.

After the release of Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2 on Xbox, we can definitely say that the franchise is back. After the disaster of Pro Skater 5, and the so-so remake on the Xbox 360, this is easily the compilation that brings the Tony Hawk’s franchise back into the gaming spotlight.

Destiny 2: The Final Shape is the best expansion that has been added to Destiny 2. The story arc truly draws to a close, but there is still much to get on with - exotic quests, new chapters and a whole new area to explore. They make The Final Shape a must play if you are a Destiny fan.

Fuga: Melodies of Steel is the turn-based RPG that you didn’t know you needed, but most definitely do. Being able to chop and change your team of hearty children makes the action exciting, the harsh difficulty keeps things interesting as you plot a course towards bringing down the Berman Empire, while the ingenious Soul Cannon serves its purpose brilliantly as a last resort.

Some legacy issues remain in Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty and Update 2.0, and I have had to load a previous save up on a couple of occasions due to various bugs. And the pacing for Phantom Liberty can be a bit questionable as you sit and twiddle your thumbs for the next story mission. But that’s primarily due to the writing and plot being of such a high standard. Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty grabs your attention instantly, and refuses to let go until the conclusion.

Injustice 2 is accessible to all, introduces a diverse roster of characters and provides plenty to do. Don’t delay, join the Injustice League today.

Promenade is a lovingly crafted platformer that may catch you off guard. I went in with no real expectations, and as a result ended up being pleasantly surprised every step of the way.

Despite a few minor setbacks, Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds is Sonic Team’s valiant effort to compete in the arcade racer market; when your game contains an abundance of characters, maps, game-modes and mechanics all of the same calibre, it can easily go toe-to-toe with even the Mario Karts of the genre.

I guarantee you will have never played anything like Immortality. It’s a compelling enigma, but one I am glad to have had the privilege to soak up and enjoy.

Everything considered, N++ is an absolute gem. Anyone who wants a platformer should buy this game.

At the end of the day, Tetris Effect: Connected on Xbox is just Tetris. It’s the game we’ve all played a million times over, it’s a game we all know like the back of our hand, and it’s a game in which we can rack up the highest of high scores with our eyes closed. And that, that feel of familiarity, is quite possibly the only thing that is holding Connected back from utter greatness. Yes this version looks great, it plays brilliantly, it sounds awesome, and it could well be the best Tetris experience yet, but at the end of the day it’s still Tetris... yet it is still as stupidly addictive as it ever was.

ARC Raiders does a great job delivering on a satisfying and fun extraction shooter. Encounters with other players will range from exciting to frustrating, and ARC enemies often have their own set of challenges to overcome, but these things are what make the experience unique and rewarding.

Humanity is a great game. Pretty relaxing initially, things build as progress is made, until the latter levels come across as proper tests.

Better late than never, but Final Fantasy XVI’s arrival on Xbox is a very welcome one. If you can stomach the unnecessary entry fee for a two-year-old game – or wait for a sale – then a thrilling action-RPG awaits.

Banner Saga 3 is a fitting end to the brilliant trilogy. It’s a deeply emotional journey and from a development point of view, this is an excellent job well done.

Doom Eternal on Xbox One manages to be bigger, bloodier and somehow better than its predecessor. iD have built on their successful comeback from 2016, retaining what makes Doom great, whilst also subtly adding to it. Simply put, It’s the first must buy Xbox One game of 2020.

It could well be overwhelming for some, but on the whole, if you give it time, the visuals, the soundtrack, the concept and the gameplay of Manifold Garden will more than deliver.

For what it is trying to do, it is hard to fault Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2 on Xbox One for practically anything it does. It accurately and lovingly recreates the original games whilst adding tons of new content and ideas - it just perfects the formula.

Chained Echoes is a very accomplished JRPG that is well worth playing, mostly thanks to a great story and some classic retro feels.

Marble It Up! Ultra is a game that will have you staying up late at night, chasing leaderboard times and going all out for bragging rights.

That new addiction? It's found in Soulstone Survivors. If you're familiar with the genre, dive right in, enjoy the depth it allows; embrace the grind for an eternity. And if you're new, green to this new found world, good luck - you're about to lose a whole chunk of your life.

Kingdom Come: Deliverance II builds upon the foundations already in place, offering a more polished experience with improved visuals, a larger world, and a deeper narrative.

Cult of the Lamb has made a follower out of me. Recruiting followers, building a base, and running through a gratifying loop of fighting, looting, and dying all merge into an incredibly satisfying game.

Neva is a brilliant game. It strikes a perfect balance in terms of length, and the visuals and soundtrack are exceptional. The story, told without words or lengthy cutscenes, is full of heartbreak, hope, and beauty. The gameplay is fun, challenging, and engaging and that all means Neva should be seen as a contender for a game of the year slot.

Having already established itself as one of the best fighting games of the previous generation, in its upgraded form Mortal Kombat 11 Ultimate on Xbox looks set to wear that crown into the new generation of consoles. The combat is some of the best in the genre, and you can make your favourite character – from the generous offering of 37 – completely your own with the amount of customisation options.

You will adore Beacon Pines from start to finish, mostly as you get hooked by the impressive and unusual narrative. Ultimately it's a game about the power of story and the decisions you make when choosing different narrative paths, but it’s helped along by the warmth of the characters, ensuring you’ll want to invest time and emotion into the hunt for the perfect ending.

Yakuza Kiwami 2 on Xbox One is an excellent addition to Xbox Game Pass, and another solid entry to the series. It is a culmination of the series so far that has arrived on Xbox in 2020, until Like a Dragon releases later in the year. Hopefully, the remaining titles of 3-6 can release on Xbox, because Kiryu and Haruka’s journey is only just beginning. But if this is the last ‘Kiryu’ Yakuza game, then it’s been a wild ride.

Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus is another example of how to do a FPS game right, and even though the single player format may not be as popular as it once was, Wolfenstein II delivers much of what many of us would love to see more of in the future.

Apex Legends is without a doubt a fantastic game. It may be lacking a solo or duo option, and it may have a few very niggling issues, but all-in-all it’s a fantastic addition to the Battle Royale genre.

F1 2021 is probably the most in-depth, customisable and amendable F1 racer to date, so much so that there’s little that any fan of the sport could ever really want more of. Yes, it would have been nice to see Codemasters go deeper with their Braking Point story, yet it's extremely tricky to find anything too critical of what they've produced with F1 2021. After honing their skills with some glorious F1 racing experiences over the years, once again the latest edition manages to be the finest yet and should be the go-to racer for any fanatics of the sport.

Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice is a must buy for all gamers, especially those who love character, story and adventure. The performance, design, and journey are all amazing and the gameplay is hugely enjoyable as well, with a little bit of a challenge thrown in for good measure.

Before I Forget on Xbox is an important game, mainly because of its subject matter and how it deals with a condition that can affect us all. It's a story told with compassion and beauty and will certainly be something that sticks with you long after it has concluded.

ENDER LILIES: Quietus of the Knights does almost everything right, with varied level design, a multitude of enemies, a good progression system, and a beautiful soundtrack.

The Forgotten City is a game that many will thoroughly enjoy. It's got a great story at its centre and keeps delivering a standard of distinction in narrative design and dialogue throughout. The time loop dynamics and puzzle solutions are clever and will always make you smile.