Far Cry 3 remains the series' peak, but Far Cry 4 is a lovely-looking, accomplished offering that suffers from lacklustre writing and an odd lack of purpose.
A beautiful, fascinating exploration of a world that may soon be nothing more than fantasy.
These are intriguing times for gods in games. If the collapse of Peter Molyneux's Project Godus is an apocalyptic turn of events for the genre Populous gave life to, a new breed of "god sim" is on the march - one that seeks not to portray a god but to mechanically enact the uncertainties that make us wonder if deities exist. Breath of Life is a remarkable contribution to this highly select field. Its strength is that it looks at the same predicaments as Portal and Bioshock from a compelling angle, unburdened by lore, but it doesn't quite have the spark to be breathtaking.
Sledgehammer's second swing at a DLC pack is a modest hit, but lapsed Advanced Warfare fans may return to find that few others have.
Double Fine's Massive Chalice takes XCOM's DNA in a fresh direction, but doesn't exceed it.
Over quickly and hardly exhilarating, but illuminating in a way games rarely bother to be.
The road warrior provides a thrilling adventure, but the rust-ridden story can't keep up with the chase
Both genuinely original and a smart physics puzzler, but aggravating in places, Mushroom 11 falls a few inches short of a classic.
Where Treyarch's single-player struggles, the deftly tuned multiplayer soars, delivering a Call of Duty that's rich with options.
A crowning achievement for Vlambeer, and one of the finest action-roguelikes ever made.
Witty and melancholic, Gone Home is a triumphant exploration of a beautifully textured family space.
Blow does it again. Exquisitely layered puzzles populate a world that will keep you guessing.
Coldwood Interactive's plushy puzzler may warm the heart, but it rings hollow once the novelty of the yarn mechanics has faded.
A gloriously ghoulish horror game with some trippy transformations, held back by what it borrows from other releases.
A leaner, hungrier Far Cry from a bygone age that falls slightly short of achieving its potential.
Uneven, bleak and unflinching. You won't enjoy it, but it's one of a kind.
Hitman rediscovers its agency in this strong start for IO's episodic series.
The opportunity to revive Robot Wars in the wasteland makes up for some inessential new missions and a brief runtime.
Dark Souls used to feel like a gigantic trap. Dark Souls 3, for better and for worse, feels like home. The third in the trilogy is bewitching while it lasts, but may not leave you wanting more.
Doom's superb campaign makes up for underwhelming multiplayer in id Software's remarkable comeback.