An improvement over its predecessor in every way. The intriguing story could be told in a more captivating style though.

While the minigames clearly don’t manage to reproduce the fascination of the “old” Rabbid days on Wii, for kids and families the screaming bunnies deliver some short term entertainment.

No surprises, no innovations, just the proven gameplay virtues of the predecessor, now for up to four players. But that doesn’t only raise the fun to be had with the mix of action, platforming and puzzles, it also makes it more confusing.

This might be the surprise hit of the year. Combining intriguing puzzles and an interesting story you’ll find that your brain will be as challenged as your skills.

The scenario feels fresh, the dialogue puzzles are the highlight of this adventure, that overall is not challenging enough.

Pretty retro design isn’t everything. While the art design is creative, the action remains simple. Games like Resogun or Child of Eden deliver way more tension.

Limbo was and still is a thrill ride with an almost perfect assembly of melancholic dark moments as well as challenging and suspenseful platforming sequences.

It looks classy at first, but in the end it as merely an average board game in a well known universe.

Classic rhythm game with a high challenge level. If you can get past the idea that you’ll be humming to J-Pop you’ll find an exceptional music game.

As a philosophical stroll in the park The Old City sparks your interest. But where Dear Esther manages to draw me into the world, this one tries very hard to lock me out.

It can be very entertaining like its predecessors. But while there you could focus on rescuing civilians here the game needs to be rescued and revitalized. Too many bugs and crashes keep the motivation down.

A well executed modernization of the third series generation. Nonetheless Gamefreak needs to come up with something new when it comes to the old fashioned basic fight mechanics. It keeps you glued to the screen as always but I found myself asking for a change of direction.

Merciless, brutal and forceful – a nice entry for Telltale into this fantasy world. Don’t expect any gameplay surprises though.

The art direction is worth mentioning but not worth the entrance fee since the mechanics of this vertical shoot-em-up are as basic as anything.

It is a step in the right direction - but nothing more. While the more tactical fight system plays refreshingly different from the past-gen versions it still lacks refinement and balancing.

The mobile version of this tactics gem is every bit as good as its PC and console brethren.

Solid story-based arcade racer with huge open world. The online mode is conceptually interesting, but in the end in this form it is a half-baked addendum.

Arcade minimalism close to perfection and manic action: Geometry Wars is back. Seriously: If I hadn't owned a console already I would buy one just for this game.

Well written spin-off of the loot shooter series that focuses on characters and story while delivering humor and charm. Nice job, Telltale.

This is a content monster. With crisp controls and support for up to eight players, this is party mayhem at its best. Unfortunately the online-mode can’t deliver once more.

For patient fireworks aficionados a neat waste of time. It lacks challenge and functionality though.

I welcome the slow paced combat which puts soul balancing and character exchange before abilities. The surprisingly deep story also is a breath of fresh air. But not all is well, especially in the engine department.

An interesting combination of documentary and classic videogame experience.

Snack size puzzler with too little variety in every aspect, whose challenge levels are as high as the potential for frustration.

The concept actually works. The change of perspective as well as the new art direction build a solid foundation. But under the surface nothing really comes together.

At its core Sanzaru Games delivers a classic jump&run. But clumsy controls and a considerably slower pace than you’re used to from other Sonic adventures make it a tedious platformer.

Holy hedgehog, what have they done to you? Sonic hit another low. The fights are monotonous, the puzzles don’t deserve the name. Add to that framerate issues, an unreliable camera and other technical faults. Did I forget something? Yes. This isn’t entertaining. Not at all.

The tactical as well as explosive action delivers and gives me loads of options. I am changing the skirmish with my behavior, I can play it to suit my play style, from straightforward attacks to sneaky head shots. But I also find myself in the middle of a mountain range theme park with animals more fierce than any herpetologist could imagine while the map throws places at me that I rather want to discover myself.

This is more than a “definitive edition”. With all additions and improved visuals that didn’t leave a stone unturned even frequent visitors of past-gens Los Santos will find something that will make their return trip worthwhile. And if you didn’t play it yet: Welcome to open-world heaven.

There is no hero in shining armor, you don’t even know what the soldiers are fighting for. What matters are you and your bitter fight for survival. Every day is a struggle against hunger, disease loneliness and loss of hope. Relentlessly and without judging 11Bit Studios show the dark side of armed conflicts, the suffering, the scars. It is a software monument against war – brilliant.

For the occasional game of pool you won’t be disappointed.

It still is a charming mix of Jump’N’Run and editor. But while Sumo Digital managed to enhance the latter, the light footed magical approach to the Story of the first got lost – obviously that was one of Media Molecule's specialties.

The plastic heroes deliver a solid experience as you have come to expect from the Lego games. And while the locations are among the most memorable ones as of late in the building block series, the signature humor got lost somewhere in space.

Proper Vita debut of the Tales saga overshadowed by occasional incomprehensible design decisions.

In its best moments it delivers gruesome strategy, where every lost soldier counts, where every lost conflict is permanent. But it also shows old problems and bland mission design.

If you missed out on The Wolf Among Us, now is a good time to enjoy the entertaining fairy tale crime story in all its glory, and on PlayStation 4 technically better than on the old systems.

Shark vs. human in a tense atmospheric setting. Unfortunately it lacks variety.

It could have been a gorgeous new beginning for the franchise. And in many ways this is the best Assassin’s Creed since Brotherhood. But with technical glitches, serious framerate issues and bugs you start to think if Ubisoft bit off more than they can chew.

Technically enhanced version that adds even more content to the Portal-style puzzling.

This PS3-classic didn’t lose any of its magic. The visuals are beautiful, the turn based tactics challenging as always.

Quite entertaining comedy adventure that builds on a “Groundhog Day”-theme, but keeps getting lost in illogical and strangely connected puzzles.

If you know the original strategy gem be aware: This is rather a visually updated remake than a new iteration. But nonetheless the concept still is as fresh as interesting.

A fun but very short return to Codemasters’ arcade roots.

It feels good and the minimalistic visuals draw you in, but soundtrack and content are disappointing.

A beautiful short story about friendship, that serves as a link between To the Moon and its successor.

It is a labor of love and homage to classics of the 8-bit-era, where the badass difficulty level of Mega Man is combined with the mystical design of Gargoyles Quest and a catchy chiptune soundtrack.

While at its core it delivers the same experience as the past-gen-versions the initial hiccups like the license management for the previously bought DLC make this conversion feel rushed.

Solid but boring simulation based on a decent visual foundation.

Not only does it feel unfinished, even with what is there you encounter a lot of issues.

While in the beginning the battles are as dramatic as they are dynamic, in the end you’ll rather remember the clunky UI and the basic story.

A fascinating mix of roleplaying, rogue-like dungeon crawler and tower defense, that demands a high frustration threshold.

This PES delivers a stability in the build-up and situative elegance – almost like in the good old PS2 era. But with an unstable online mode even a few days after release as well as a few visual shortcomings this is only one more step back to greatness. It will still take a while to get there.

Shay Cormac is the most mature character of the franchise. His motives are believable, his destiny comprehensible. The team draws a vivid picture of the former antagonists – but the recycled mechanics lack this depth even more with this ending to the North America trilogy.

One thing is certain: Once this game gets you hooked, it will eat away every spare hour you have. The football crazier you are the more you’ll get out of it. But be aware that the new features alone are not necessarily worth it, if you have last years’ version, which serves as the solid foundation for the annual relaunch.

More playground than living breathing world. BioWare opens a gigantic fantasy theme park. But unfortunately the only thing that is epic is the amount of content. Story, character behavior, quests and minigames are a mere shadow of the studio's former glory.

Even though the addition of futuristic weapons and new movement options could mark a paradigm shift, the campaign is as always: explosive and well-paced but in the end meaningless and bar any surprises. The multiplayer on the other hand is exciting and fresh and will keep you glued to the screen for a long time.

With the focus shifting to the next-gen athletes, this is a tuned down version that doesn’t offer the content nor the fascination of last years’ wrestling extravaganza. The rock solid foundation is still there, though.

Charming, bubbly and intelligent adventure with creative puzzles for one or two players.

This is not enough, EA. Although you’ll notice significant improvements over last years’ version, compared to 2Ks slam dunks this is conservative low level college basketball.

What the…? The original fascination we had with the franchise as a well rounded karaoke party game is gone. From all that was good almost nothing remains. I want my old SingStar back.

While the concept still works on the console the greatest horror lies in the technical execution, which is really terrifying with its frame drops, lowres textures and meager sound design.

A sobering comeback of a once more than decent offroad franchise that doesn’t deliver the content or variety of older iterations.

Every minute in this uncommon setting is more satisfying than the usual map crawling in other action adventures. But in the end the story can’t deliver and with the omission of the PS3s’ motion controls an essential part of the experience is missing.

Just Dance is Just Dance is Just Dance. Ubisoft didn’t change the formula, took a little bit off here, added a little there and focused more on community. The DLC-incompatibility is a needless nuisance.

Following in the footsteps of Dark Souls you can look forward to tense moments, a high challenge level and a lot of deaths. But you will dread the ridiculous dialogue and superficial world design.

TRI shows a clever concept but is afraid to explore its depths and lacks a decent narrative.

Even though I admire Platinum Games for what they have achieved this is merely an underwhelming license that showcases a solid fighting system and a bland narrative.

Another well conceived and executed indie platform puzzler with improved controls on Wii U.

Tense, dynamic, relentless. Even though the campaigns lack a solid narrative this is a refreshingly different real time tactic game that delivers adrenaline by the bucket.

MXGP captures the motocross feeling and delivers decent dual-stick controls to keep bike and rider under control. Unfortunately technically the off-road travels don’t seem optimized for PS4.

Everything is reduced to the absolute minimum: character development, story, presentation. Luckily the tense turn-based firefights work well enough to save the game. Nonetheless you’re better off with Wasteland 2.

It is loud, it is silly and wonderfully weird. The mixture of skate action reminiscent of Jet Set Radio, the ludicrous weaponry Insomniac is known for and open world rail shooting delivers an arcade action overkill I haven’t seen in quite a while.

It offers you a decent amount of content with the open Chronicle mode taking all the glory. Aside from that don’t expect the Samurais to stray too far from the proven formula.

Intense tactics with a very unique pace.

Shadow Warrior offers thoroughly entertaining old-school-action, blood and gore.

Solid “no-frill” point & click adventure with rather predictable story and well integrated but very simple puzzles.

This is the bag of potato chips for turn based strategists: Once you start, you cannot stop. With aliens, satellites, xeno mass and all the other futuristic flair it not only plays distinctively differently, but culture, ideology, affinities and research are exceptionally connected. You can look forward to a sleepless fall and winter.

The return to his creative roots mutates to a “best-of-Mikami”-showcase, sacrificing fresh ideas on the way, resulting in decent survival horror that can’t compete with the likes of Silent Hill, Outlast or Alien Isolation.

This is not just better than the predecessor, but it stays mysterious, dangerous and challenges you with puzzles rarely seen in a dungeon crawler.

Harmonix succeeds on a variety of levels. Fantasia works well as a rhythm game. It works well as a movie game that builds on the films’ premise and history. And not to forget it shows that Kinect can be a welcome addition to the gaming experience.

Challenging, precise, fast: This tower climb offers you good clean fun.

Good ideas, frustrating result. While the concept is ambitious, the clumsy controls ruin the fun.

Visually and technically the Umbra witch showcases what Wii U can do. And even though you won’t get wowed as much as in the first bewitched action let me assure you: This is still one hell of a ride and easily one of the best action games of this year.

The brutal combat, the cops and robbers attitude, the explosive narrative are as entertaining as they were two years ago. And although it of course looks better on the new consoles it doesn’t do the hardware justice.

I can’t help but hope that Codemasters is focusing already on the F1-premiere on the new consoles instead of focusing on fine tuning this update that still shows a convincing foundation.

At first glance this is a dream come true for creative gamers. The custom worlds look neat, the mechanics give you a lot of freedom from action-adventures up to sports games and retro revivals. But you’ll definitely need to spend more time to get decent results than in the LittleBigPlanet-series. On top of that there is a distinct in-app-purchase-flavor.

Even though this is not the “real” continuation of the beloved shoot-and-loot-series and still shows some elements that might have been bugging you before, you’ll get plenty of hours of fun out of it.

Solid atmospheric 2D-Horror with excellent sound design. In terms of gameplay it stays mediocre though.

A challenging race against time and points that delivers pure adrenalin.

Creative Assembly managed to capture the claustrophobic and dark atmosphere of the film classic. Sometimes the totally unpredictable xenomorph will push you over the edge of frustration, but in the end the suspense and tension will win you over again.

There’s no other sports game that comes even close to the drama and direction the revamped career is offering. Plus you’ll get a plethora of on- and offline modes. But when it comes to core mechanics the differences to last years’ version are only subtle.

With Evolution's pedigree in mind this is not the racer every PS4-fan was hoping for. The challenge system provides a good amount of fun and motivation but in terms of general content, it leaves a lot to be desired.

Story and humor are less entertaining than in the last years, the mechanics are a mix of well known elements on one side and entertaining new ones on the other. And while the trap masters are little more than overpriced doorkeepers, the trapping concept is cool and technically very well presented.

It could have been a decent game, if the fighting system would be more refined, if the AI would react better. Like this it is little more than a tech demo to show the immense power of CryEngine 3. And as this, it is very powerful.

The activities are interestingly connected, but balancing problems and finicky controls make this platform puzzler a frustrating encounter.

If there is one aspect of modern stealth action it would be the pacing. Sometimes you feel like a hyperactive squirrel taking or killing everything that crosses your path. Styx is different: He demands thoughtful planning and that you take your time. And if you do that you’ll get a challenging and experience that is engrossingly different, albeit far from being perfect.

It shows a lot of potential but at the latest when you get to the grinding stage (which is fairly early), you’ll find that the mechanics can’t back up all the potential there might be.

Minimum’s Titan mode feels fresh. The skirmishes based on protecting the giant deliver great dynamics on the battle field. Which makes it even worse that Minimum is plagued by poor balancing, bugs and connection problems.