The latest games aren’t necessarily the best games of the year but they’re those that stand out the most. They’re the ones you’ll be talking about and playing for hours after they’ve hit the shelves whether for their captivating stories, the enveloping atmospheres, or just their unstoppable gameplay.

While many sequels are iterative updates to an existing formula, XCOM 2 rises above its predecessor with a fresh perspective and a revamped combat system that provides an endless number of possibilities for players with experience. It’s one of the few titles that manages to feel both kid-friendly and mature while still being a fun game with smarts that don’t overpower its innate fun factor.

As the first non-Squaresoft game to make use of the brand-new Unreal Engine 4 software, Brutal Legend shows that old-school action can still pack a powerful punch. The game is a blast of nostalgia, combining the stark beauty and grandeur that can be found in PS1 classics, as well as modern action games.

Despite some of the most site tedious grinding in the genre Spec Ops: The Line is an excellent shooter that’s more focused on story than before. It’s the most engaging installment to date in the series, with a sci-fi setting that’s both accessible and difficult to sympathize with and a character that’s easy to relate to but difficult to sympathise with.

Final Fantasy XIV is back in the good books of fans despite the lack of content. This comes after a time of lows that began with Warlords of Draenor. The reason for this is due to a new focus on storytelling and an ongoing commitment from the development team to improve the experience through a variety expansions, making it one of the few subscription MMOs that you’ll want with.