Alex Varankou
If you can get into its bloody, visceral and unforgiving rhythm, Bloodborne grabs and never lets go. Not until you've seen it all and triumphed over every abomination.
FIFA 14 arrives on next generation platforms with much the same content as its current-gen counterparts, plus vastly improved visuals. As such, it remains a great game of footy and easily recommended to fans who have yet to pick up a copy this year.
Forza Horizon 2 offers almost everything that arcade racing fans crave, and it does so with style.
FIFA 16 makes strong strides forward in gameplay, while offering minor additions to an already great core experience and working to get new fans on the field.
Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain offers an excellent gameplay and presentation package, and if not for a few weakness, it could have been one of the all-time bests. Instead, it's just really, really good.
The third iteration of the Forza Horizon franchise continues to offer the most accessible, fun, and expansive arcade racing experience around.
Forza Motorsport 6 marks the true arrival of the franchise on the Xbox One. From an overabundance of content to great gameplay, the bar has once again been set for simulation racing on consoles.
Uncharted 4: A Thief's End wraps up one of the most memorable action adventure franchises in gaming. The quality has fluctuated a bit, but this final chapter safely brings the series to a satisfying and technically impressive finish.
Forza Horizon 4 shifts the series to a well executed shared online world with four weather seasons, and though not every aspect of the transition is perfect, excellent racing and amazing presentation will definitely entice players to stick around and explore this atmospheric recreation of Britain.
With continually expanding gameplay variety, new online and offline modes, and the introduction of The Journey, FIFA 17 offers an all-around great virtual football experience.
Elden Ring is an unrelenting, engrossing, challenging, and marvelous experience. It brings the Dark Souls formula to an open world setting without skipping a beat, with all of its cryptic nature, punishing combat and wondrous level design. It's still not for everyone, but those who dare enter this realm may find themselves in one of the best games of the year.
Baldur's Gate 3 is a great cRPG that manages to meet the lofty expectations of the franchise name. With excellent writing, engaging story, flexible player choice and compelling mechanics, even its minor second-half stumbles can't prevent the game from getting some of the highest rolls in the genre.
A charming platformer that's both tough and fun, Kalimba is a success in almost every aspect.
Halo: The Master Chief Collection provides a comprehensive look at one of the most notable, and for some fans one of the most important, franchises in gaming.
FIFA 18 is a solid continuation of this authentic and highly polished sports franchise that still manages to make meaningful strides forward.
Finding Paradise is a great sequel that, while perhaps unable to reach the extremely high emotional bar set by its predecessor, manages to be entertaining and heartfelt all on its own. It's an original and engaging world, supported by tight writing and excellent soundtrack, that is well worth experiencing.
Ghost of Tsushima offers a well-designed open world that combines great combat with enticing exploration. The excellent art style brings this unique historical setting to life, and smart design choices help the game overcome its minor flaws.
Forza Motorsport returns to the track with some high quality sim racing, a healthy amount of content, impressive presentation, and enough tweaks to make its familiar formula feel fresh again.
FIFA 15 offers a glimpse into the future with new goalkeepers and emotion system, but at the moment it is only a tease. Regardless of that, this is still a complete and enjoyable experience of virtual footy.
Watch Dogs refines stealth action in an interconnected open world that's worth exploring.