Elden Ring
from £41 / PS5, PS4, XSX, XB1, PC
With Fromsoftware’s trademark difficulty and a richly imaginative world that doesn’t hold your hand, this ambitious action RPG is a crowning achievement. There’s so much to lose yourself in here: lore hunters will have a field day combing through the world’s mythology; speedrunners and those who thrive on challenge will relish figuring out the best weapons to use and where to find them.
Even for most of us mere mortals, Elden Ring is an event: an invitation to greatness. Stuff says ★★★★★
Majestic and daunting, this is like no other open-world action RPG
Hades from £15 / all platforms
Just when you think you’ve seen all this hellish roguelite has to offer, a new tweak yanks you out of your comfort zone. It quickly becomes very addictive… and even if you’ll have to face numerous setbacks, few games make you feel so godly.
Stuff says ★★★★★
Great even if you don’t like roguelites …and if you do, it’s the best there is
Deathloop from £19 / PS5, PC
With meaty combat, organic exploration and lots of ingenious puzzles, this is a wondrously accessible adventure that’s easy to pick up but impossible to stop playing. It’s flawless in pretty much every way, from its design style to its soundtrack.
Stuff says ★★★★★
Not just one of the best games of 2021, but one of the best games ever
Halo Infinite ★★★★★ from £34 / XSX, XB1, PC
The best Halo since the original trilogy – and it’s included with Game Pass. Forza Horizon 5
★★★★★ from £45 / XSX, XB1, PC
This stunning fifth venture into the Horizon is the pinnacle of open-world racing. It Takes Two ★★★★★ from £20 / PS5, PS4, XSX, XB1, PC
A masterful co-op experience that will live long in the memory.
Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart ★★★★★ £40 / PS5
Consistently fun and incredible to look at, this is a PS5 must-have.
Metroid Dread ★★★★★ £37 / Switch
Samus Aran’s latest adventure is the perfect showpiece game for the Switch OLED. Psychonauts 2 ★★★★★ from £39 / XSX, XB1, PS4, PC
A story that brims with imagination while also addressing very real issues.