We had amazing strategy games, crazy party games as well as some incredible characters and stories that show that gaming is firmly an art form that deserves attention and respect.
Into the Breach
Platform: Nintendo Switch, PC
Genre: Turn-based strategy, roguelike
This is an amazing little strategy game from the studio that brought you FTL. You're a trio of mech pilots who travel through time, saving alternate timelines from the destructive, bug-like vekk.
It's a set of mini strategy challenges where each mech has a specific set of abilities and it's up to you to use these skills and your positioning to complete turn-based challenges over 5 turns.
Great for… sci-fi fans, chess players and puzzlers who like their strategy in small, tightly crafted and satisfying servings.
Red Dead Redemption 2
Platform: PlayStation 4, Xbox One
Genre: Western action-adventure, open world
The next instalment from the Grand Theft Auto studio Rockstar. This long awaited rooting tooting sequel is a masterclass in open world gaming.
Alongside action and exploration, RDR2 has a varied and engaging set of characters whose stories interweave masterfully, making the story a real joy to play.
Great for… those who yearn for the untamed prairies of the old West, and if you like a decent story with engaging character interaction.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
Platform: Nintendo Switch
Genre: Crossover platform fighter
This series brings some 70 fighters from across a staggering number of franchises together for a massive, yet easily accessible brawl.
Where else can you get such a group of gaming icons like Mario, Link, Pikachu, Mega Man, Sonic, Pac Man, Solid Snake and Ryu together all at once?
Great for… fans of any video game ever, families, friends, or of you like the idea of fighting games but not learning tricky combos.
Spider-Man
Platform: PlayStation 4
Genre: Action-adventure, open world
In an entertainment landscape saturated by superheroes, this web-swinging simulator from Insomniac Games still manages to shine.
It's partly the lovingly and painstakingly created virtual New York stuffed with challenges, bad guys and collectables, but mostly it's that swinging through it is the most fun way to traverse any open world game ever made.
You know they did something right when almost every reviewer says the phrase “it makes you feel like Spider-Man” at least once.
Great for… urban explorers, collectors, and action gamers
Monster Hunter World
Platform: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC
Genre: Action role-playing
If big swords and big dinosaurs sound like a great combo, then look no further. Monster Hunter is like a series of boss encounters that you can take on alone or team up with friends to tackle.
Something about seeing a pair of massive monsters interacting with each other as you scramble for cover is tremendously addictive. The sense of accomplishment you get when actually felling them is unmatched as well.
Great for… someone looking for a series of rewarding, physically impressive challenges and the odd looting spree in an immersive world
Florence
Platform: iOS, Android
Genre: Interactive story, minigames
More of an interactive story with a series of minigames throughout - Florence gets a shout out for its adorable indie style, thoughtful, resonating story and excellent writing.
It's a little something for mobile gamers that offers far more emotional depth than even most triple-A titles on consoles and PC.
Great for… those who appreciate an accessible story with an instructing, recognisable emotional story.
Tetris Effect
Platform: PlayStation 4, PlayStation VR
Genre: Puzzle
Who knew that a VR version of this classic block-stacking puzzle game would be such a hit? You're basically dropped into a trippy interactive music video visualisation which adjusts based on your performance.
Tetris, we're proud of you. You've come so far from your humble beginnings.
Great for… Tetris players looking for a new spin on a classic or newcomers looking for the best possible introduction to the game.
God of War 4
Platform: PlayStation 4
Genre: Action-adventure
Next up is the PS4 exclusive that many gamers are calling a masterpiece and one of the best combat experiences ever made.
Kratos, the eponymous god of war, has left ancient Greece for a more Nordic setting where over the top action as well as some unexpectedly tender parenting scenes await him.
Great for… action fans and those looking for a decent story to go with it.
Celeste
Platform: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC
Genre: Platformer
Here's an incredibly tight platformer that will rival the likes of genre heavyweight Super Meat Boy.
Climb atop the mountain to discover the mystery awaiting you whilst collecting strawberries and facing your inner demons along the way.
Great for… if you want a rewarding platformer with responsive controls and great replayability
Hitman 2
Platform: Playstation 4, Xbox One, PC
Genre: Stealth
Despite its name, this is actually the 7th in the series, but the second of the rebooted games. You can expect memorable and diverse missions that take place all over the planet.
In typical Hitman style, there are a staggering number of possible variations and discovering overheard snippets of story line, dressing up as a giant bird and killing your target in cruel and inventive ways will definitely keep you coming back for more,
Great for… jacks of all trades and gamers who think outside of the box.
Dragon Ball FighterZ
Platform: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC
Genre: Fighter
This game has perhaps the most amazing 3D anime style ever seen in video games, pictures don't do it justice so go watch some 60fps footage of gameplay.
Arc System Works have created a real love letter to the original Dragon Ball series, with each characters move, even the smallest of jabs being one they really used in the manga or anime.
Great for… fighting game fans, even if you're on the casual side
A Way Out
Platform: Playstation 4, Xbox One, PC
Genre: Action-adventure
With couch co-op experiences an unfortunate rarity in modern gaming, we really have to grab good ones with both hands when they come along.
Fortunately, A Way Out came along and gave us a perfect excuse to bust out the second controller and escape from prison with a partner.
Great for… a pair of gamers looking for a game to play together that gives you some laughs and plenty of drama
Detroit: Become Human
Platform: PlayStation 4
Genre: Adventure, interactive story
Adventure games have come a long way since King's Quest and Space Ace. With Detroit you'll get a near-future game with branching paths, heavy decisions, puzzles, and heartbreakingly permanent repercussions to your actions.
It has some of the best video game mocap ever performed and a powerful story that will get you more invested in your player characters than you thought possible - don't miss it.
Great for… people looking for an engaging, thought provoking story and cutting edge video game mocap
Overcooked 2
Platform: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC
Genre: Simulation
From the publishers of the famous video game Worms, comes the sequel to their bombastic team-based kitchen simulator.
Work as a brigade of chefs to prepare dishes in a range of impractical, zany and downright dangerous locations whilst the orders never stop flying in.
Whilst it's incredible fun with a partner, it'll definitely make you re-evaluate whether you think you could start a business with them, live together, even continue your relationship.
Great for… a small group who like their fun slightly on the frantic side.
Minit
Platform: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC
Genre: Adventure, puzzle
Taking inspiration from the original The Legend of Zelda game on the NES, Minit is a top-down puzzle game where each life lasts only a real-time minute.
What at first seems like an annoying limitation soon becomes an addictive exercise in exploration and rewarding, bite-sized progression.
Great for… retro gaming fans and puzzlers who like a little pixel exploration.
Beat Saber
Platform: PlayStation 4, PlayStation VR, PC
Genre: Virtual reality, rhythm
This is what VR was made for. Beat Saber is like Dance Dance Revolution except you're chopping up advancing blocks with a pair of lightsabers.
Its stupidly fun and a really easy way to get someone who's never been in a headset to experience VR.
Great for… those who love lightsabers and a little boogie in equal measure.
Frost Punk
Platform: PC
Genre: City-building, survival, strategy
PC gamers may feel a little short-changed given the incredible console exclusive games their non 'master race' companions got to enjoy this year.
Luckily Frost Punk arrived to give them an absorbing, steampunk city building sim offering solid resource management with an addictive set of challenges to get stuck into.
Great for… city planners in the making who don't mind having to make tough decisions here and there.
This roundup was supposed to be a fun exercise, so please don't come for us if your favourite is lower down the list or didn't make it! Do feel free to join us for a hearty debate on Twitter or Facebook and let us know what you’re looking forward to in 2019.