Murray Robertson
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.
This is a brave new take on the genre. Its varied mechanics are quick to learn and hard to master, and it's worthy of attention from anyone tired of the endless cycle of military shooters.
It may lack GTA V’s detail and polish, but its hacking mechanic is likely to inspire many more games to come.
While it lacks a compelling narrative and the content feels rather slight, Titanfall is a supremely confident, energetic and thrilling game which has the potential to shake up this stagnant genre.
Motorfest is a real looker, at least when cruising between races when it’s possible to safely look at the surroundings.
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.
Like its esteemed predecessors, there's plenty here to encourage repeat play.
It's technically audacious, with big storytelling and compelling character design.
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.
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.
Cold War is a brilliant – if short – campaign, and it boldly ushers Call of Duty into the new age of consoles with typically gorgeous presentation and a fun, twisty tale that joyfully exploits the entrenched paranoia of its novel setting.
Watch Dogs: Legion is a technically ambitious game which manages to capture the essence of its real-world location, including some of its real-life socio-political battles.
It's a shame that the multiplayer remains underwhelming but the campaign is outstanding.
It’s strange to see Call Of Duty so circumspect but overall this is an impressive package.
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 triumphant adaptation of the beloved franchise, and here's hoping it heralds an exciting new era for Indiana Jones.
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.
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.
RDR2 presents players with a huge, realistic and varied environment to explore, brought to life with the kind of weather, lighting, shadow and particle effects that its forebear could only dream about.