Pixel Dynamo

A masterfully-crafted, scarf-swaddled allegory. Take the trip.

Despite its technical shortcomings, Fallout 4 is still a delight to play, and serves as a reminder of what an experienced team like Bethesda can accomplish with their expansive open worlds. Those looking to lose days, weeks, perhaps even months of their time to a game will find more than enough here to keep them satisfied.

Hyper Light Drifter is an exceptional game. With a beautifully mature pixel art aesthetic, seamless sound design, highly refined, often punishing gameplay, and a unique world full of secrets, it's a fine example of what can be achieved by an indie studio - or any studio, period. The oblique presentation and certain aspects of the gameplay might well drive some gamers away, however.

Exceptional fun

The point and click renascence has arrived

Constantly testing, endlessly fun

Wandering around Paris is a real treat, visually the game looks great and Ubisoft Montréal has done a solid job of the visual and audio design. The crowds chatter away in French, adding a backdrop to the scene, while events of significance are spoken in English, allowing you to quickly pick them out. In terms of content, the main game was really enjoyable, while the sheer breadth of side content borders on intimidating.

Prepare to 'Feel the Game', and not feel fresh air on your skin for a while

A stunning audiovisual, platforming achievement

Lara's had a rough ride to get where she is, but Rise of the Tomb Raider is definitely a game of the year contender and a promising sign of where Crystal Dynamics is taking the series. The game is tight, from both a narrative and gameplay standpoint, and it's got plenty to do. If you were a fan of the 2013 reboot, Rise expands upon the foundations set on Yamatai to offer a bigger, better game.

Every element of Dark Souls III reinforces the others, from the broad, contiguous sweep of its stunning yet desolate world to the tiniest, menacing croak of a waiting basilisk. This triumphant summation of the series to date sets a new standard for action-RPG gameplay, and is a landmark achievement in game design.

Rare's back—and better than ever

Daventry's changed a bit, but it's still got heart

So many ways to die

Warlords of YAY-nor!

Freeform, creative and compelling, despite the odd rough edge

All in all, Reaper of Souls has made a number of huge leaps forward for the Diablo franchise, introducing a new level of random generation that isn't entirely intrusive in the form of Rifts. As well as restoring purpose for your farming escapades from Bounties, the game has newfound freedom. Adventure Mode is a very welcome improvement; the monster hunting experience enthralls and compels, thanks to loot changes and class rebalancing.

Impressive? Absolutely. Timeless? Let's wait and see

Luftrausers arrives at a point where the indie game market is stronger than ever, with developers continuing to raise the bar in terms of product quality. With the aforementioned strife that Ismail and his team have undergone through the production process, it wouldn't have been a surprise to see this title banished into mediocrity. But make no mistake, this game is up there with the best of them.

Balancing demand for careful planning and perfect execution, Nuclear Throne is a frantic funhouse of procedurally-generated carnage.