Armored Core VI Fires of Rubicon is too obnoxiously difficult to be fun. There is no real story or any interesting characters Together with the poorly designed HUD, fiddly controls and bad camera, this is probably the most disappointing game of the year.

Loved Alan Wake and Alan Wake's American Nightmare, but this was one of the most boring games I've ever played. What a slog. Wasn't really impressed with anything aside from the graphics. Story was mediocre. Combat gameplay was atrocious. Alan Wake 2 is the worst game of the Year.

It encapsulates everything that makes those epic dogfights from the movies so magical, and puts you right at the heart of it. From throwbacks to particularly iconic moments to the wailing scream of a TIE Fighter at speed, it's all here and it all looks and feels fantastic.

The game captures the setting -cold war espionage- in early 80s very well, the tension between the two powerful countries is well displayed. There is more than enough content here to satisfy players too, but the not-so-great story missions disappointed.

Gears 5 Hivebusters is a must-play for any fan of the series. From its dire situations to its jaw-dropping combat scenes, it's hard to pull yourself away from the action-packed campaign and once you've completed it, you'll gladly play through it again.

Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2, although not completely perfect, is one of the better installments in the franchies in recent years. A solid singleplayer delivers a thrilling rollercoaster with diverse gameplay and settings.

The stars have aligned for Call of Duty Vanguard. For the first time, this truly feels like a full package without any caveats. Call of Duty Vanguard may be the best Call of Duty installment to date with stunning graphics and balanced gunplay. They bring a new and fresh approach to the World War II and D-Day scenario making the solo campaign very enjoyable.

The Last of Us Left Behind is a fantastic piece of art, its very emotional and incredible. You'll be dragged into Ellie's past with a mix of crushing feelings you'll never forget. and Naughty Dog has again raised the bar for all developers who aim to tell character-driven stories. They just don't come better than this.

It's evident that Star Wars Empire at War is crafted with a genuine passion for the franchise, yet it falls short due to a fundamental lack of ambition. While it initially offers an enjoyable experience, it eventually succumbs to a sense of monotony, lacking any singular element that truly captivates and sustains interest. Despite the evident effort and care poured into the game, its failure to reach greatness stems from this absence of a compelling and engaging factor that would keep players invested in the long run.

The individual mechanics come together reasonably well with none being brilliant or outstanding but once you get the way that the game encourages you to play, it works out reasonably well. It's just too bad that it doesn't really hit the peaks that you'd expect.

While Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter initially captivates, it falls short of expectations. The gameplay, unfortunately, becomes frustratingly challenging, lacking the polish and awe-inspiring elements it should have possessed.

Act of War High Treason ratchets up the cool gameplay and techno-thriller storytelling that was introduced in Act of War Direct Action. The naval combat and countryside levels make a change from the urban warfare that ran through the original, but it's the engaging, conspiracy-fuelled storyline that keeps this feeling fresh.

Half-Life 2 Episode One demonstrates how games ought to be made, forged by dedication, imagination and risk-taking. It's an outstanding, stirring experience. Mostly, it's riveting and stirs feverish anticipation of what's to come next, with the sure-to-be-ace follow-up, Half-Life 2 Episode Two.

By taking all that's best from the real-time build-and-conquer template, mixing it with elements of Civilization and Total War, and wrapping it up in an impressive engine, Big Huge Games have taken the genre in a bold and exciting new direction. and Rise of Nations Rise of Legends is one of those games that you can sit down, have fun then look at the clock and realize two hours have gone by, it’s just that addictive.