Street Fighter 6 is the best, most welcoming fighter I’ve ever played. From the presentation to the content, to the way it prepares you to fight in ranked and the stability of the online component, it’s easily the best and most complete Street Fighter game Capcom have ever made. With an enjoyable, World Tour mode that can sink hours of your time, to a thriving community-driven Battle Hub and all the prerequisites you expect from the genre, this stands alongside the best games released this year and is set up to be played and enjoyed for years into the future.
Separate Ways is a well-designed piece of content that provides a non-stop, action-packed tour of what we’ve already played while adding in some clever ways to traverse familiar terrain, seeing it from alternative perspectives. Ada’s abilities only add to the experience, freshening up the core loop just enough to keep you interested but her story also dovetails brilliantly with what we’ve already played while setting things up for the future. Whatever that might be. Capcom have expertly weaved in previously cut content and even added in a few surprises that you may not catch on just one playthrough. While it doesn’t massively change the formula from the game you’ve already played and standard enemy variety – beyond bosses – isn’t overly different, it’s a healthy length with great variety and an essential component of the wider RE4 story that you simply must check out.
The Talos Principle 2 is a stunningly presented sequel, with glorious visuals, breathtaking soundtrack, and a semi-open world environment you’ll want to explore every inch of. Its puzzles gradually, smartly evolve with the game and its ideas stay interesting and fresh, but it’s the compelling conversations and thought-provoking dialogue that you’ll stay for, presenting intriguing scenarios and heart-wrenching moments. Some issues around performance and end-game puzzles aside, this is an important release for the genre, a successful sequel in every sense, and a must play whether you’re a fan of the genre or not.
This franchise deserves to have a future, whether that’s through DLC packs over the next year, a full sequel or even a series of mobile games. Whatever the case may be, as Wii U to Switch ports go, Captain Toad is perhaps the best of the bunch and certainly the most welcome. Essential for any Switch gamer
Final Fantasy XV is one of the finest RPGs ever made
The Last Guardian is the game we needed in 2016
Hatsune Miku is so much fun to get to grips with and will consume you if you allow it
Silence may just be Daedalic’s finest hour and, minor gripes aside, is the modernisation of the adventure game we’ve all been waiting for.
Shu is still a beautiful, poetic platformer that celebrates the best things about the genre as opposed to the worst.
Old Man’s Journey is a stunning game and one of the most pleasurable reviewing experiences I’ve had in some time.
Ubisoft has achieved the impossible, they’ve not only given Mario his own XCOM game, they’ve created a third-party franchise that should remain a Nintendo staple in years to come.
A solid and serious thriller with a story that can punch you right in the soul
The Hidden Ones might just be the most important piece of Assassin’s Creed DLC to date.
Burnout Paradise Remastered still has lessons to teach the young lions of today and remains so much fun!
Pokemon Let’s Go is enchanting, refreshing and delightful. A few design choices and slight concerns aside, this is one of the easiest recommendations I’ve made this year.
Overcooked 2 is just everything you loved about the original game but so much more, better presented, and even more entertaining. This sensational little game can now be played with anyone at anytime anywhere in the world and that’s just the most wonderful thing. Whichever format you play it on, Overcooked 2 is an essential ingredient in your online gaming diet.
Donkey Kong Adventure offers so much new content to sink your teeth into that you’ll forget the amount of time that’s past. It’s well worth the price of the games’ Season Pass alone and is a DLC that proves the success of Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle was no fluke. Without doubt, one of the most polished, entertaining expansions of the year.
For the most part, Luigi’s Mansion is a great and welcome port on 3DS with many neat new features and additions to enhance and add longevity to the overall game.
The Heist strikes a good balance. Offering a thrilling start to this exciting Season Pass, while giving us lots to look forward to in the coming weeks. Slight Street Crime fatigue aside, The Heist easily ranks up there with the best DLCs this year with its quality in narrative, generous offerings, and its ability to continue iterating on an already excellent game.
Shadow Warrior 2 is an entertaining, mechanically solid, and gorgeous looking skirmish for PC owners