Tim Stanton
- Mass Effect 3
- The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
- The Last of Us
MXGP 2 is a great example of how to take promising ideas, and then squander them all with terrible execution. There’s a decent motocross game in here somewhere, but it’s buried by technical issues like a fallen rider under mud.
WRC 5 sets out with the best of intentions, but poor implementation in many critical areas cripples the fun and leaves it stranded mid-stage.
Steep crams the Alps full of activities, but its systems are either poorly explained or poorly implemented, or both.
Gran Turismo Sport looks great, but a lack of content, some dodgy AI, and an always-online requirement see it limp into the pits. Still, how 'bout them interiors?
Unless you're a die-hard fan of the sport and absolutely must play each new season's championship, then this game is probably best skipped in favour of the inevitable follow up in 2016.
Loot boxes make Forza 7 feel exploitative. This entry in the normally top-flight franchise is also hindered by audio issues and – on Xbox One – super long load times.
Sébastien Loeb Rally Evo is a fantastic rally game with it's heart in the right place, but occasional technical woes stop it from reaching its full potential.
Need for Speed is an excellent racing title with a laid back attitude and plenty to enjoy – if you can get past a few of the glaring design choices that is.
Shadow of the Colossus is available on three generations of PlayStation hardware, but this latest version is the best. The splendid facelift here can't disguise some of its creakier gameplay, but if you've never played it, there's never been a better time to tackle Team Ico's signature game.
Project Cars 2 makes a passionate play for the enthusiast end of the racing sim market. A wheel is damn near mandatory, but the gameplay rewards are huge – when spotty AI and bugs aren't confounding things, that is.
This is almost certainly the best F1 game from the development team thus far, and a real step up from last year. Codemasters has finally hit its stride in the racing genre, with some quality racing sim titles such as this and Dirt Rally.
Watch Dogs 2 is an excellent sequel that ditches the earnestness of its predecessor, pumps up the power fantasy, and turns players loose in a vibrant and engaging city. It's one of the best open world games to come around in a while.
Battlefield 1's campaign is thin as ever, but most will be on board for the multiplayer, which – while simplified compared with recent entries – remains practically peerless when it comes to delivering intense, large-scale battles.
Driveclub: Bikes delivers a top-notch bike game for a very low price. Despite some small nitpicks, it stands out as the top of its kind this generation.
Just Cause 3 understands what the essence of the series is – impressively chaotic sandbox action – and it duly provides mountains of it. Just don't expect too much from the story.
Unravel is a fleeting yet enjoyable experience, with great gameplay and production design. Experienced players may find it too easy, but it's a gorgeous blend of story and gameplay for everyone else.
F1 2017 is without a doubt the finest F1 game ever made, and a superb motorsport game as a whole.
Guerrilla Games' punt on a new IP has paid off handsomely, as despite its silly title, Horizon Zero Dawn is a magnificent open world action-adventure that lives up to its hype.
Dirt Rally is a tough but hugely enjoyable racer that easily eclipses its competitors and is likely destined for the rally video game hall of fame.
If this is indeed the final Metal Gear title from Hideo Kojima, he's gone out on an impeccably-produced high. Although the story doesn't match that of past games, The Phantom Pain's gameplay delivers in a way that only a select few open world games manage.