This is a brutally unforgiving game that demands constant attention from its players, but it's the kind of attention that I have been all too happy to devote. Thanks to its stellar combat and memorable boss fights, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is a proud reminder of the fact that FromSoftware doesn't require the crutch of an established formula to deliver an arresting experience.
The Division 2 is by far the easiest recommendation at launch this genre has had in many, many years, and is very well positioned to become the definitive looter shooter experience out there.
Gears 5 is one of Microsoft's best games this console generation. It's a package that's brimming with content, and has top-notch stuff on offer for you no matter what you're looking for. With its campaign, it successfully revitalizes a franchise may had feared was becoming stale, while with its online component, it continues to be on the top of its game, the way the series always been since the day it was born.
A Plague Tale: Innocence isn't the largest, most expansive game you'll ever play, nor does it accomplish new things in the areas where it does place its ambitions, but it's stronger for it. It's a focused story-driven experience completely free of bloat or unnecessary attempts at lengthening its runtime, and knows exactly what it wants to do. It delivers an emotional and effective tale, while also implementing simple mechanics in constantly engaging ways to make sure that it's not always all about the story.
Simultaneously fresh and familiar, Judgment is an excellent first step forward for the Yakuza universe after the conclusion of Kazuma Kiryu's story.
There's no two ways about it- if you own a Switch, you need to own Super Mario Maker 2 as well.
Remedy Entertainment is a studio with a storied history, so to say that they're at their absolute best here is no slight praise, and it's not praise that's easily given- but Control is just that good. Whether it's a story you're looking for, or engaging gameplay with mechanical depth, Control has more than enough up its sleeve to keep you rigorously engaged from start to finish.
Packed with content and brimming with incredible artistic and creative flair, The Fate of Atlantis serves as a more than satisfying conclusion to this massive Greek odyssey.
The Witcher 3 on the Switch is, miraculously enough, a decent-looking, well-performing, portable version of one of the greatest games of all time.
Death Stranding is definitely an acquired taste, and its slow pacing and deliberate gameplay might not be for everyone, but its mechanical depth, its desolately beautiful and haunting world, and its confident and stylistic storytelling nonetheless make for a continental trek worth experiencing.
Time and again over the years, the lesser-known of Nintendo's iconic Italian duo has made his mark, demanding to be given the recognition and love that he deserves, but never before has he been the star of a showing as excellent as Luigi's Mansion 3.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons is the culmination of the series' formula, the zenith of everything Animal Crossing is about, and one of the best games Nintendo have produced in years.
Risk of Rain 2 has that crucial "one more run" quality that the best roguelikes need to have, and offers a deeply compelling and addictive experience that proves that Hopoo Games can make a good roguelike regardless of what it looks like.
This will probably be the standard that roguelite games will be following for years to come- or it should be, at any rate. If nothing else, Hades is easily the best game Supergiant have made to date.
Firing on all levels, and missing on practically none, Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time is a must play for everyone.
Watch Dogs: Legion is definitely the best game in the series so far- and dare I say, one of the most engaging and inventive open world games I have played in years.
Assassin's Creed's third crack at the massive open world RPG formula is also its most confident, making for a streamlined yet sprawling adventure that ranks as one of the best the series has delivered since its inception over a decade ago.
The Pathless knows where its biggest strengths lie, and it constantly leverages those strengths to craft a hypnotic, rhythmic, beautiful, and captivating adventure.
With Football Manager 2021, Sports Interactive have once again delivered a game that countless fans will happily be pouring hundreds of hours of their lives into.
Hitman 3 represents the peak of the series, of IO Interactive, and of the social stealth genre.