Inside is absolutely astonishing – a prime candidate for game of the year. Avoid spoilers and play it ASAP.
Darkest Dungeon is a tough, atmospheric and rewarding RPG whose sanity mechanic, narration, and indelible aesthetic set it apart from the pack.
Despite a troubled development, Doom is a confident, cracking throwback that pays loving tribute to its much-vaunted forefathers while bringing the noise via cutting edge tech. In a world awash with sci-fi hitscan shooters, it's a breath of fiery air that will delight as it melts faces.
Superhot is a highly effective expression of the gamer's neverending desire to perform cool action, but it also manages to perform some nifty narrative tricks as well. A clever, minimalistic, and totally badass indie gaming highlight.
Destiny 2 is the game everyone hoped its predecessor would be; a massive, polished, breathtaking beast in a class of its own.
Wolfenstein II's stealth, gunplay, sprawling levels, and different abilities offer plenty of scope for a variety of player approaches, while its excellent writing and voice acting serve a great story that successfully manages to blend an often serious tone with moments of levity and pulp. It's an affecting yet cathartic title, and one of the very best games out this year.
Its novel use of mechanics, its comic writing, and its retro aesthetics make Super Time Force a sure bet for those in search of light entertainment.
Batman: Arkham Knight is a visual treat. This sets a high standard the gameplay and story largely match, and the result is a closing chapter that's easy to recommend.
Lots of little details impress, like the specific way a Covenant jackal will beat off an attacking Promethean crawler with his shield if you watch them fighting, or the swoops of alien bird creatures screeching around the skies. And it all hums along at the high frame rates that certain sections of the gaming populace seem very concerned that it should.
Rise of the Tomb Raider is a big-budget title that delivers a breathtaking adventure with all the trimmings.
In Wasteland 2, InXile has a classical RPG that will vindicate its early supporters on Kickstarter.
When it's not broken for local players, WildStar is an assured and busy sci-fi MMO that will win over players with its underdog pluck and aesthetic charm.
Skylanders Superchargers provides what we've come to expect from the series: high production values, fun for all ages, and reminders that you could spend a whole lot more on additional toys to play with.
Lego Star Wars: The Force Awakens dutifully follows the pattern set by prior Lego tie-ins to a fault, but it's nonetheless a sound title your kids will love.
Sniper Elite 4 improves all areas of the franchise to a greater or lesser extent, and its protagonist remains the only real weak spot.
Don Bradman Cricket 17 builds on a strong foundation to provide video gaming's best crack at emulating a complex and (for the gaming mainstream) niche sport. While we give it an 8/10, in cricketing terms, it's a well-played four.
Far Cry 5 is a handsome, mechanically dazzling, engaging title fused to story that doesn't deliver despite early promise.
Its characters aren't much chop, but The Evil Within 2 coughs up some gruesome enemies and scares, while mostly justifying its shift to an open world design.
Gears 5 is a return to form for the venerable series, and though some new ideas and better writing aren't quite executed to perfection, they bring a welcome sense of freshness to a series where the fundamentals are as strong as ever.
Super Mega Baseball is an enjoyable throwback to a time when sports games were for everyone rather than just enthusiasts.