Agony. It's a pretty fitting name.
Pillars Of Eternity 2: Deadfire is a truly superb RPG from the masters of the genre. Unlike, say, a Bethesda game or even The Witcher 3, this isn't an accessible entry point for curious newcomers; it's a game that demands the kind of attention and commitment that is rare in 2018. However, if you have that mindset – and the time – then you'll discover one of the deepest, densest and most rewarding Role Playing Games in years.
So, like many others over the years, War Machine is a serviceable DLC map pack and nothing more. There isn't anything here that alters the dynamics of the gameplay, no new modes or ideas – just good, solid environments in which to do the same kind of battling you've been doing for years.
Some fans may feel aggrieved at the removal of certain modes. Season mode is now completely absent, meaning you'll have to battle through the entire 162 games if you want to complete a year in Franchise Mode, and some of the creation options have been stripped out of the game entirely.
Subset games has achieved a mastery of the microdrama, and as such, Into The Breach is about as essential as indie games get.
There's always a temptation to cut indie studios some slack. Clearly, Past Cure has a much lower budget than most action games, and it's refreshing that the team didn't use crowdfunding to get their project off the ground.
EA Sports UFC 3 is a fine attempt at recreating one of the most complicated sports on earth; a dynamic, exciting and often thuddingly violent fighting game that makes marked improvements to its striking game, but just like poor old Francis NGannou, still needs a lot of work on the ground.
Sledgehammer takes Call of Duty back to its roots, refining rather than redefining the series for the best entry in years.
A bizarrely hollow yet mechanically competent open world action RPG that struggles to justify its own existence.
LawBreakers is an inventive, electric and expertly engineered classic competitive shooter that deserves your time.
A misguided attempt at parody, underpinned by a poor sports game by anyone's standards.
David Jaffe returns with an obnoxious, sketchy shooter that packs a surprising - if not entirely pleasant - punch.
In a banner year for first-person shooters, Respawn delivers what might well be the best.
With noble intentions but scrappy delivery, Verdun is a bit of a mess.
Gearbox's blend of shooter and MOBA is generous and inventive, but the marriage of genres doesn't fully convince.
A characterful and generous shooter, though its lack of balance is a thorn in its side.
This is a shooter with ambition, designed with skill and craft, and rich with tactical possibility. If it had the punch and physical feedback of some of its less-intelligent genre mates, Evolve could have been a classic. As it is, we'll have to do with a monster with plenty of bark, but not quite enough bite.
Havoc's a very decent package overall. As part one of the Season Pass, this is a strong chunk of content for the sharpest COD in years. It mixes fan service with proper map design, and gives those still addicted to that ADS snap more reason than ever to keeping plugging away towards that next prestige.
A triumphant return to the top for footballing's favourite son.
A stunning and packed basketball sim, with a PC version finally on a par with consoles.