Nathan Misa
Assassin's Creed Odyssey is a huge leap forward for the series towards a deeper action role-playing experience. The sheer ambition and amount of content available in Ubisoft's latest historical sandbox – quests, NPCs, side-activities, collectibles, historical landmarks, locations and secrets – is staggering, and it's easy to get immersed in what is a truly spectacular open-world rendition of Ancient Greece, the Aegean Sea and its many different islands and warring states. This latest entry will especially resonate best if you enjoyed the different direction last year's Origins took.
One of the best RPGs ever created makes it to consoles with a staggering amount of gareat new content.
State of Decay 2 is an immersive and mechanically interesting zombie-survival gameplay experience - whenever the bugs aren't plaguing player progress.
Ni No Kuni 2: Revenant Kingdom delivers plenty of charming moments
A Way Out is an ambitious co-op only, split-screen only adventure game with a compelling story, interactive environments and fun ideas that's a little messy in execution but fun with a friend.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance delivers on its ambitious promise for a realistic, grounded open-world medieval role-playing game, with engaging and complex gameplay systems, weighty and tactical combat and an interesting main story slightly let down by a lack of polish and technical issues on launch.
Monster Hunter: World is the best entry in the long-running action RPG series to-date, accessible for both new players and returning fans expecting the in-depth gameplay systems and rewarding hunt/craft/explore loop we all know and love.
Episode 3 of Life is Strange: Before the Storm provides a satisfying conclusion to Chloe Price and Rachel Amber's many emotional dilemmas, tying in neatly to the original series while presenting its own unique twists and turns.
L.A. Noire receives a straightforward remaster best suited for returning fans looking for a prettier image and new players wanting an ambitious open-world 1940s detective thriller.
A below-average Japanese hack 'n slash with repetitive combat and an over-reliance on fan-service and titillation to carry players through its cliche story and several cringe-worthy character interactions.
Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus is a continuation of everything that made Wolfenstein: The New Order work. A very strong character-driven war story, creative alt-history sci-fi setting and ultra-violent, immensely satisfying first-person shooter gameplay.
Life is Strange: Before the Storm - Brave New World is a emotional roller-coaster, but in a good way. Strong character development and genuine twists that make for a solid sophomore entry in this three-part prequel.
With the exclusive content from Bony Spirits and Fleshy Souls and all new content, Yokai Watch 2: Psychic Specters is the definitive release and best jumping point into the wacky JRPG series.
Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser's Minions is a blissful trip down nostalgia lane thanks to its excellent graphical overhaul and engaging new side-content.
Marvel vs. Capcom: Infinite is a serviceable, albeit disappointing fighting game release. Solid enough gameplay mechanics and flair dampened by a terrible main story mode, unappealing character designs and a lack of general polish.
Knack II is a fun beat 'em up platformer best suited for kids and families and shines best with its seamless co-op and more varied action-combat - the story and hero is still dull as ever, though.
Absolver is an ambitious and unique indie fighting game/action-RPG with ample character customisation, compelling PvE and PvP content and an engaging martial-arts focused melee combat system that rewards practice.
Episode 1 of Life is Strange: Before the Storm is a fun and well-written return to Arcadia Bay with similar complex themes, extensive character development and ‘hella' interesting high-school drama.
Dr Kawashima's Devilish Brain Training: Can you stay focused? is full of puzzle-solving exercises and creative mini-games perfect for convenient pick-up-and-play. For casual gamers and even non-gamers who enjoy genuinely challenging brain-teasers.
Hellblade offers an engrossing single-player cinematic experience coupled with Ninja's Theory's tight melee combat systems and responsive controls. An enthralling sensory onslaught for the eyes and ears.