The 10 best video games of 2016

In some ways, the fourth title in Naughty Dog's wildly successful action adventure series looks like the archetypal join-the-dots sequel. This wonderfully entertaining game is effectively about marriage – or, more accurately, the things we have to learn about ourselves to maintain long-term relationships. Nathan lies to his partner Elena and leans heavily on his friend Sully, but has to learn to be less selfish and irresponsible – a lesson made all the more urgent and poignant by the arrival of his troubled brother, Sam. That a big popcorn blockbuster is exploring these themes so engagingly and movingly is a testament to how this medium has matured over the last five years. Meanwhile, we also get everything we want from a lavish big-budget game: astonishing visuals, imaginative locations and some truly thrilling set pieces – the Madagascan marketplace scene is a classic. Even if you don't fall for the love story, you'll fall for the well-paced, well-engineered action – and if the ending doesn't get you right in the gut, you're not human.