PLAYSTATION GAME OF THE YEAR

RUNNER-UP GOD OF WAR

Developer/publisher SIE (Santa Monica Studio) Format PS4 Kratos’s return is a welcome redefinition of gaming’s grumpiest antihero as a caring, sharing, monster-tearing dad. Fatherhood suits him, it turns out – he’s as capable of tenderness as eye-gouging, gizzard-ripping aggression, and his journey with son Atreus to scatter his wife’s ashes is a spectacular and even occasionally touching treat.

RUNNER-UP ASTRO BOT RESCUE MISSION

Developer Asobi Team, SIE Japan Studio Publisher SIE Format PSVR In a year we were reminded that Spyro The Dragon – like Crash Bandicoot before him – inexplicably still has legions of fans, Sony produced a 3D platformer with a degree of wit and invention deserving of genuine acclaim, and a mascot worthy of PlayStation. If there’s an Astro Bot revival in 20 years’ time, that’s one anniversary we’ll happily celebrate.

WINNER TETRIS EFFECT

Developer Monstars, Resonair Publisher Enhance Games Format PS4, PSVR Tetsuya Mizuguchi tried, and failed, to secure the Tetris licence 15 years ago. Clearly he suspected then what we now know: that Alexey Pajitnov’s seminal puzzler is a perfect fit for a Mizuguchi sound and light show. Spectacular yet restrained, heart-pounding yet blissfully relaxing, it’s not only the best PS4 game this year, but arguably Miz’s best game to date.