Adam Byrne
It's maddening, beautiful and downright frustrating all in the same utterance; an unpredictable, oftentimes surprising, experience that gives and takes in the same breath. It's more like the sport that it's trying to replicate than ever before and oddly enough that's not always as laudable as one might think. Though not as refined as optimally as one would hope, there is undoubted progress in this year's FIFA.
No doubt, Don't Starve will split opinion squarely down the middle, but for those willing to put the man hours in it there's undoubtedly a proverbial treasure throve of depth at hand. Either way, Klei Entertainment's offering is a refreshingly robust and intriguing title which sets the wheels of Sony's PS4 indie proclamation firmly in motion.
Stray has managed to meet the lofty expectations put upon it once it became known that you would take control of a lone cat within a dystopia punctuated by scores of neon lighting. While some may say that it's hard to miss with a setup like that, what developer BlueTwelve Studio has managed to fashion from the composite parts is something truly special and has us yearning for more.
Moving Out's accomplished blend of pick-up-and-play mechanics mixed with the sincerity in which it delivers its humour and aesthetic make it some of the best local multiplayer fun you'll have this year.
Though some curious issues persist, there's no denying that the Spyro Reignited Trilogy is a stunning effort that every platforming aficionado and fan alike should grab with both hands and not let go until every last gem is wrung out.
FIFA has rectified the majority of its shortcomings, providing a confident marriage of fluid, dynamic never-say-die football and just enough content to undoubtedly tie footballing fans over for as long as their free time permits. Simply put, this is best FIFA in years.
Fez is a resounding success, marrying a stunning score, innovative gameplay and a gorgeous art direction into a complete interwoven package. Little Gomez's journey is one of discovery and wonder and should rightfully find its home on PlayStation 4's across the land.
The enticing narrative, interlaced with gripping story-mechanics, all culminating in a fittingly poignant finale make Transistor a game that deserves to find its home in as many PlayStation 4's as possible.
At its apex, Tom Happ's brainchild unequivocally proves just how far video game development has come in such a short space of time and that you can in fact teach an old dog new tricks.
Capcom has achieved the near-impossible with the remake of Resident Evil 2. A remarkable labour of design, iteration, faithfulness, and adaptation; a masterclass in knowing what to change, how to change it, and what to build upon, Resident Evil 2 in 2018 emerges from the shadow of its namesake with consummate ease.
From Software's Bloodborne is a triumphant success in what's arguably been a lackluster generation thus far. It's taken just over a year for PlayStation 4 to get its first fully fledged must-have title. Thankfully for us, it's finally arrived. Bloodborne is an undisputed revelation.