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Having played and reviewed the original release for PlayStation 3 when it launched I can say the PC version of Grand Theft Auto V is no mere port, and that Rockstar Games have learned a great deal from their troublesome GTA IV days when it landed on PC. You'd think GTA V had been purpose built for the PC, and that's because it has been – from the generous array of graphics options, to native keyboard and mouse support – Grand Theft Auto V isn't disguised as a PC game; it is a PC game.
Before playing I didn't expect to be fully enraptured by Transistor, thinking the spectre of Bastion would haunt the experience too much. But neither did I expect Transistor to take that formula and evolve it into something so sublime and handcrafted that tears would roll down my cheek as the credits rolled. From its combat mechanics and customisation, to the narrative and the visually orgasmic art-style, this is an experience to be savoured, to lock yourself away in the confines of your gaming boudoir and revel in its luxurious design and perfection.
Whether you've played past titles in the franchise or not, World of Final Fantasy is a seriously strong JRPG that any fan of the genre should get a kick out of. Emotional, hilarious and deep, it proves yet again that a good RPG is about more than just thwarting a world-ending menace - it's about the journey and everyone who makes it worthwhile.
There has never been a fighting game like this one before, and judging by Marvel vs Capcom Infinite, there probably never will.
A Way Out not only holds itself alongside the best coop titles out there – it surpasses them.
Pillars of Eternity 2: Deadfire is as close to the perfect RPG as one can get. The fantastic setting, grand story, exceptional writing and voice acting, engaging combat all coalesce into an exemplar of its kind. This is the game that sets the bar. This is the game that needs to be aspired to.
Capcom perfected the combat formula over countless releases, but it wasn't until Monster Hunter: World that they stripped away what ultimately was never much fun to begin with. You spend less time spent preparing, and more time actually fighting. And sales figures suggest, as we all expected, that Capcom really had something special sitting under all that bloat.
The Darkest Souls are often the brightest
Those niggles aside, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is an absolute triumph and the best open-world RPG around, maybe even the best altogether. The main story stays interesting, the side-stories are better than the main plots from most entire games, the characters and writing are wonderful, and the acting is massively improved from the last two games.
HellDivers is one of the best multiplayer games of the year. We've anxiously awaited the Steam version, and it delivers every bit of the experience that we've jealously spied over the shoulders of Playstation players for months now. Factoring in the excellent and unique gameplay, the beautiful and variable graphics and environments, the variety of enemy types, the hilarious satire, and the perfect sound, we happily recommend you pick this one up.
If you're a fan of Bioshock you'll be crying by the end, simply because it's over. You'll be shocked at how great it all was.
Overwatch is a fantastic game from top to bottom. The relatively small map selection does little to detract from a game where every character is fun, unique, and important, and every fight is a dynamic, constantly evolving game of battlefield control.
Deus Ex: Mankind Divided is an amazing game and a worthy fourth entry in arguably the best videogame series of all time. It took me 30 hours to finish it and I loved all of it.
If this turns out to be Geralt’s last adventure, it’s a worthy end
A great game with fantastic world building and gameplay, The Division 2's most egregious issues can easily be fixed during its lifetime.
A masterpiece class of game design which surpasses your every expectation.
Yakuza: Like a Dragon reminded me why I loved video games to begin with. I cannot think of a game this year that has gripped me this tightly and didn't let go. Here comes a game brimming with joy and excitement that is earnest with its drama and comedy. It's the sort of game you can gush about for hours, and I will long after this review is published. Anyone who loves RPGs, open world games, comedies, crime dramas, and games PERIOD should have a lot of fun with the newest Yakuza.
A bloody big game, about a big bloody war
Obsidian has a fantastic history of ambitious RPG titles, but none feel as confident and refined as Pentiment. This is a game that truly understands the intoxicating nature of choice in video games, and rewards you with cynical torment befitting the world it portrays.
If you're a fan of RPGs, you should really check the game out; the story is engaging and the characters are fun, but it's the charming picture-book aesthetic and unique combat system that really make the difference. At a knockdown price with all the extra DLC included, there's really no reason not to give it a go.