10. Scarlet Nexus
Scarlet Nexus puts you in the shoes of a psychokinetic soldier in a near-future alternate reality where substances from brains give people extrasensory superpowers. Stay with me. The fun of the combat can’t be overstated. Your main attacks are melee, but with psychokinesis, you can hurl objects and debris at enemies from around you. You can even collect more psychokinetic powers from friends as you progress through the story - which has some great performances.
9. NIOH 2
Will a difficulty approaching Soulsborne territory, NIOH 2 isn’t a game for the fainthearted. But for those up to the challenge, you’ll find a beautiful game set in the times of the samurai. With some of the deepest combat systems we’ve ever come across, there’s definitely a steep learning curve, but once you get the hang of it, it’s all the more satisfying for it.
8. 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim
13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim might not have garnered the headlines compared to other games released this year, but we’d consider it one of the most essential plays of recent memory. A tale of 13 teenagers who get swept up in a war between mechs and kaiju, it features time travel, multiple dimensions and other twists, all the while never feeling overwhelming. It combines accessible gameplay with an outstanding narrative and art style, and it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to call playing it a transformative experience. If you own a PS4, you need to play this game.
7. Final Fantasy 7 Remake
A total ground-up reimagining of one of the most iconic Final Fantasy instalments of all time, FF7R puts you back in control of Cloud Strife as he and his allies fight the Shinra Corporation in the city of Midgar. The game completely overhauls combat, visuals and story to offer something that will please fans of the original, and offer a completely new experience that will please newcomers and long-term fans alike.
6. Kingdom Hearts 3
A long time coming for fans of the series, Kingdom Hearts 3 is proof that you don’t always need to be able to follow the story to enjoy a game. Infamously convoluted, the Kingdom Hearts storyline has great payoff if you invest in it, but can easily take a backseat to the pure fun and nostalgia offered by an RPG game that takes a tour through your favourite Disney movies.
5. God of War
This 2018 revamp of the classic series should technically be the sequel to 2010’s God Of War III, but the tone is so different you can’t blame them for naming it for a different generation. Gone are the orgies in exchange for Fatherhood. You’ll still find gore, but it’s no longer indulgent. This perfectly woven story is told through almost faultless gameplay and creates one of the best games available right now - full stop.
The best value for money game on this list is Mass Effect Legendary Edition, which is three legendary sci-fi action RPG games bundled into one. Mass Effect is one of the most critically acclaimed video game franchises ever. But if you needed another reason to buy, Legendary Edition soups up the series with better load times, 4K graphics, and over 40 DLCs from across Mass Effect’s lifetime. An absolute steal.
Horizon was the greatest surprise of 2017, and protagonist Aloy has already become a mascot for Playstation. Horizon is set in a world where feral robots dominate a planet populated by a primitive society of humans, and this concept informs the worldbuilding in every way possible. From story and environment to costumes and weaponry, design breathes life into the world, and hunting down giant mechanical dinosaurs makes the experience all the sweeter.
As if the gameplay wasn’t enough, what sets Persona 5 apart from the crowd is the innovative design - everything from the menu screens to the gameplay visuals ooze style. The gameplay is traditional, loveable turn-based combat with some overworld puzzles thrown in. If you’re a completionist, there are over 100 hours of gameplay to enjoy. The grand story, loveable characters and visual style create a game that is truly unique in its genre.
Set in a huge and beautiful game world, spilling with rich characters and story, The Witcher 3 will be talked about for years to come. It’s a masterpiece of game design. But be warned - combat is a lot more tactical than it seems. If you’re used to rushing in, you’ll find this game very difficult. There are also two huge DLCs that rival standalone games - making this an unmissable experience.
4. Mass Effect Legendary Edition
3. Horizon: Zero Dawn
2. Persona 5
1. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
