A built-in codex features a treasure trove of historical research, all of which has fed into this version’s immaculate creation and, while its various systemic changes will annoy some, there’s no denying that its representation of historical Baghdad is a joy to explore.
While the enormous popularity of FUT continues to dominate the playlist, all other modes tag along as expected.
Motorfest is a real looker, at least when cruising between races when it’s possible to safely look at the surroundings.
It really looks the part: the family members all resemble their on-screen counterparts (including the hitchhiker and the cook) and the locations and discordant soundtrack are highly evocative of the source material.
This is a good package with plenty of scares, although at times it can feel a bit much, like being bludgeoned by a haunted fairground ride.
It was obviously released way too soon and currently sits in the rough.
Resident Evil 4 has never looked or sounded so good, and for new and returning players alike, this is now the definitive way to play.
It’s strange to see Call Of Duty so circumspect but overall this is an impressive package.
Immortality is a remarkable moment in gaming and it’s hard to imagine how Sam Barlow could ever top it.
The Quarry is a superb piece of interactive horror, featuring great performances and animation so impressive that you can easily forget it's not a real film.
This is audacious, epic storytelling filled with wonderful characters and spectacular locations, the likes of which we've not seen since and we're unlikely to see for some time.
The Warhammer aesthetic is authentically translated, including the various disgusting Nurgle mutations that increasingly plague the land.
While Resident Evil Village doesn't add anything transformative to the genre, it liberally pays homage to some of the very best bits from a series that's – incredibly – endured for more than a quarter of a century.
No matter which Star Wars film is your favourite, all of them have been lovingly recreated with the same care and attention to detail.
Elden Ring is slightly more forgiving than Hidetaka Miyazaki's previous games, such as the Dark Souls series and especially Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice; this one has a generous fast-travel system and stealth is a viable tactic.
Extraction's high difficulty, even on the easiest setting, walks a fine line between alienating casual players and giving hardcore survival fans something to chew on.
Among all the Sturm und Drang, it's ultimately an intimate tale of familial bonding, and a story that will stay with you long after it ends.
It does feel a little sparse at present but much more is promised, and based on the support given to previous entries in the series, its future is in safe hands.
With a solid multiplayer mode on offer, there's enough here to keep fans occupied over Christmas at least.
It's technically audacious, with big storytelling and compelling character design.