As music rhythm games go, VOEZ is one of the best I’ve ever played, up there with the likes of Parappa The Rapper, Hatsune Miku Project DIVA X and Gitaroo Man.
Fast RMX may be little more than a port with spruced-up visuals and a smattering of new content, but it’s a bloody good one, so if you have a penchant for arcade racers you should definitely pick it up.
Put simply, Specter of Torment is absolutely brilliant. It’s a slice of classic platforming action that puts a smile on your face from beginning to end.
Simple, violent and rough around the edges, Berserk and the Band of the Hawk is just like its protagonist, Guts, and equally just as endearing in small doses.
There’s something rather alluring about Torment: Tides of Numenera. Whilst its central story is somewhat linear, it’s truly impressive just how personal your adventure can be thanks to the wealth of side quests that surround it and the multiple ways you can deal with each of them.
For Honor has quickly become my favourite online multiplayer game, and one that I’m certain will have me honing my skills, and my blade, for months to come.
In no uncertain terms, Nioh is something special. It’s one of those rare games that surpasses expectations, taking the best elements from a variety of genre-defining titles whilst sprinkling in a handful of its own ideas.
Halo Wars 2 is hands-down the best RTS available on console, and a game that rightfully deserves a place in any thinking Xbox One owner’s library.
Perfection eludes it due to the small amount of screen-tearing and somewhat repetitive sub-objectives, but Sniper Elite 4 is essential for the armchair sniper out there looking for their next sure-fire hit.
The Road to Boruto expansion for Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja STORM 4 offers more of the same over-the-top action, which for many players will be enough for them to part with the cash.
For all of its problems, there’s no getting around the fact that it does have the capacity to entertain for a fair number of hours when played in co-op, meaning ardent fans of the series may still want to consider picking it up.
Whilst the Final Fantasy series constantly shifts in an attempt to expand its audience, alienating many long-term fans in the process, Tales of Berseria is a love letter to Tales fans, reassuring them that the series doesn’t need to change to remain relevant.
Personally, my girlfriend pointing out that the noise basic grunts make before attacking is comparable to someone motorboating a pair of breasts was the highlight of the game for me. Read into that what you will.
To play Yakuza 0 is to deeply fall in love with its characters and world; a challenge that many games try to conquer, but only a handful ever manage to actually achieve.
If you like a good challenge and value quality gameplay over length, which you should, Rise & Shine is a great little title and a great start to the gaming year.
Think of Hatsune Miku: Project DIVA Future Tone as a massive ‘best of’ compilation of her greatest hits that you can play and you can’t go wrong. It’s the kind of game that you’re likely to revisit for years to come.
There’s no doubt that this is the best version of Ultimate Marvel vs Capcom 3 available. It still has the issues that it always has, such as being unbalanced and having what has got to be one of the most aggravating final bosses in a fighting game ever, but the sharper visuals, improved performance and snappier load times more than make up for it.
For ardent fans of Forza Horizon 3, Blizzard Mountain does not disappoint. It offers more of the sublime racing action that the series is known for, but in yet another environment that keeps the experience feeling fresh and engaging.
If you fancy spending some time flying around craggy mountains or crashing down snowy slopes… Steep is your best choice. Whether played alone or with friends, it’ll meet your extreme sports needs and more without the risk of breaking an arm or a leg.
Mother Russia Bleeds doesn't come anywhere near to toppling Streets of Rage 2 as the best scrolling beat'em up, but it has a decent stab at it, making it a recommended purchase for fans of the genre.