I[f] you can get past the cold aesthetic and general lack of character, you will be treated to one of the most addictive and content rich platformers to grace, well, any console...ever.

The game does a great job of switching up the pacing and timing of the gameplay.

The technically improved but fundamentally unchanged Classic Mode arguably remains the strongest aspect of this package, but whichever way you choose to tackle the latest entry in Atlus’ much loved, Etrian Odyssey series, the gameplay and decidedly old school dungeon crawling mechanics remain as strong and compelling as ever.

Despite its unforgiving structure, Galak-Z is a very difficult game to put down. While potentially harsh, it never feels unfair, and with such a fantastic collection of abilities and powers, the options for general badassery are vast.

The gameplay is frantic, fast-paced and unique.

With it’s fast, responsive, and rewarding gameplay, 10 Second Ninja X will keep fans of this type of game busy for a few hours. If it weren’t for two things, I would give the game a perfect score. But sadly, while I was playing, my retries were plagued with an obnoxious glitch that caused my character to shake violently and force me to retry again.

Overall it’s well worth revisiting Fortune City on your PS4.

You’ve played this game a thousand times before. It’s a run-and-gun platformer with pixel graphics and plinky-plonk music. But this is one of the purest, most addicting forms of that genre. It’s the best parts of Megaman and Contra distilled through the brain of a man who only wants to bring you joy, to make you feel that sepia-toned happiness you thought had ceased to exist. There’s a part of your heart that’s become calloused throughout the years, let Kero Blaster make it feel fresh again.

One feature I was particularly pleased to see included was support for legacy controllers.

It would have been nice to have had a multiplayer but I won’t hold that against the game. Ultimately, Invisible, Inc. Console Edition is as challenging as you want it to be.

Enemy Unknown Plus feels like a game behind schedule, rushed to the finish line after the success of the sequel to take and garner the positivity coming from it. It is a poor excuse for an XCOM game, pulling down the pedigree while hiding its best features.

Overall I had a great experience playing this game despite the urge to rage quit from time to time, which is to be expected with a game such as Enter the Gungeon. This is a great little indie title with great elements of combat and exploration.

If you are one of those hipsters of gaming who think that “platformers are not as good as they used to be”, let Ninja Pizza girl teach you a lesson and you know what: Even if you don’t particularly like platformers, you will probably enjoy this game.

Day of The Tentacle is an absolutely fantastic game. There’s a reason I avoided talking too much about the story or puzzles. You, absolutely all of you, deserve to experience it on your own. Perhaps the Vita version isn’t exactly the best way to go, but it’s certainly a fine way to choose if you do so. For 15 bucks, there’s zero reason anyone should pass up the chance to play this well-aged piece of gaming history.

At the end of the day – Vita exclusive or not – Severed is a joy to play, a pleasure to explore and a bloody great game in its own right and because of this, it is very much deserving of your time, money and attention.

Starbound is coming into a genre that most people either love or hate. I really wonder if there is room in someone’s schedule for yet another crafting game. Starbound is certainly a good one of those, but it doesn’t really stand out among the many challengers.

Fans of the 1997 classic will love the respect that Just Add Water has shown to their cult favourite and newcomers will get their first taste of Oddworld, a special series of games which could never be replicated or replaced.

For those who like a bit of puzzle solving now and again, and take a break from exploration, story and action, then Metrico+ is a delight to get stuck into.

Just like Portal, although perhaps not quite as impactful, Blendo Games have come along and changed the way people perceive the environmental puzzler. It’s the finer details though that ultimately let it down; there’s never really a stress test of your skills, and you’re never confronted with a situation where you can use your entire arsenal to overcome the ultimate puzzle. Still, it looks great and, despite a degree wasted potential, plays great too.

With its sprawling story, not to mention the array of side missions available when Shadowrunning, Shadowrun: Hong Kong is a huge game, with mystery at the heart of everything. Its stunning visuals won’t tax your hardware too much, meaning that it can run on PCs half a decade old without much in the way of performance issues, and its open-ended gameplay means that no two playthroughs will be the same.

For anyone new to the Kirby franchise, Planet Robobot’s strong gameplay mechanics, inviting controls and eye-popping 3D provide a perfect starting point. The sheer amount of content along with the flawless soundtrack all contribute to the already incredible package.

Is it worth releasing your Football Manager 2015 and transfer in Football Manager 2016, yes it most certainly is. Prepare to lose many hours to the footballing phenom that is Football Manager 2016.

Overcomes its issues thanks to its glorious visual design, it’s upbeat attitude and the fact that, while feeling a little more forced this time around, it remains a highly entertaining and endlessly charming adventure that ultimately delivers an experience that is more than the sum of its individual parts.

Shin’en did a spectacular job creating a beautiful, fun high-speed racer that filled a huge void on Wii U.

I love the new Guitar Hero experience, but more specifically I love Guitar Hero TV mode, which more than makes up for the forgettable Live mode.

I could not recommend this game enough, it is by far my favourite game ever and if you haven’t played it you should, even though I’ve spoilt it in this review (YOU WERE WARNED).

This episode is without a doubt, one of the most emotional, dramatic and tense episodes in the game so far.

If you want fast paced action heavy moments, this isn’t for you. What the game does offer is mystery, intrigue and beautiful design. The game isn’t very long, but doesn’t need to be anything more as it feels compact, interesting and felt like a movie.

It was a pleasant surprise to find out just how much fun this game really is, it’s a fantastically refreshing take of the classics Lemmings formula and for its current price of £9.99 it is definitely worth every penny.

Incredibly deep and challenging.

It expands many features and explores more of the deeply rich story that has been long-established since the original Guild Wars released. It is a fantastic experience and definitely goes among my personal top 10 games ever played.

It captures what I love about rhythm games and constantly challenges me and my reflexes. The menus aren’t too obtrusive, the variety of music keeps the game fresh, and it has an inspired aesthetic that really draws you in, and I certainly found myself bopping my head to the music.

The somewhat clichéd plot, the inconsistent tone of the dialogue and the likeable, but ultimately forgettable cast do hold this game back from greatness, but despite these issues, Bravely Second: End Layer remains one of the finest JRPGs of the past decade and a welcome reminder of what can be achieved on the Nintendo 3DS’ ageing hardware.

Even with the marginally sour taste left in my mouth after visiting the extensive marketplace, it’s still one of the best multiplayer games I’ve played on the Xbox.

The game draws you in and doesn’t let you go and I’m glad with all the hype around all the latest AAA releases its nice to go back to simpler times and play a game that isn’t all about a short story that can be completed within 20 hours of game play you have to simple objectives that stay the same, find the teleporter and stay alive as you go running through the levels looking for something that you swear isn’t there until you find it tucked away in a little corner of the level.

The most inventive seemed to be the BB-8 mini-game which unfortunately was let down by clunky movement and irresponsive controls.

The Age of Decadence is worth every penny.

By modern standards, casual players will find Maldita Castilla EX a difficult game to progress through. It’s by no means unfair, but it can be frustrating to have to continue again and again from the same screen while you try to figure out a particular enemies attack pattern, or a certain platforming rhythm. The game is old school through and through, and makes no apologies for providing an experience on par with the classic Capcom platformers of yesteryear. More importantly, with varied levels and tight mechanics, it’s just great fun to play.

The game has a simplistic style but still feels playful and vibrant, with a fun narrative giving the gameplay purpose. I would certainly recommend this game if you like a challenge or playing with friends.

Despite its dated mechanics and lack of new content, new players will certainly find a lot to love in this grand adventure.

Call of Duty: Black Ops III hosts a large range of new and game defining elements, from a compelling new zombie storyline to a fast new movement system, as well as fleshed out new campaign characters and diverse multiplayer specialists, making the title a must buy for both a series veterans, and new players alike.

Despite Kratos proving as wholly unpleasant as ever, God of War III remains a stellar action adventure, one that looks better than ever in 1080p and 60fps.

Disgaea 5: Alliance of Vengeance has so much content it’s just at times amazingly overwhelming. The amount of quests to do is staggering.

An awesome collection of games in one package. They offer diverse modes, with tight controls and visual flair. The new challenges and unlockables offer something intriguing for those who have played the games before, while the new difficulty modes offer replayability and another layer of depth.

I loved everything about The Bug Butcher. I have been looking and looking for a fun, simple game that I can play to kill time. Most games that come out nowadays that you can play to kill time blow. Sometimes I don’t want to play a game that is gonna take me hours to get into or is too complicated.

It’s a beautiful throwback to arcade games of bygone years. From its awesome combat, powerups to taking on massive bosses and visiting varied environments it’s a game that’s worth checking out.

People were yelling, screaming at each other, cheering and laughing, and that made it clear that Move or Die got it right. The biggest shame of this new generation of gaming compared to the 80s and 90s is that, though the graphics are better and the games are still fun, we’ve lost that sense of togetherness when it comes to multiplayer. I don’t mean that in a supportive ‘kum ba yah’ sort of way. I mean when you’ve got a bunch of friends over and you’re knocking their controller out of their hands, throwing cushions at each other across the room, yelling obscenities so violent that it’d make your mum give you a riotous wallop, and laughing until you cry.

The game isn’t particularly long, and doesn’t offer too much of a challenge, but it has fantastic characters, stunning design and characters that are unique and interesting.

The plot alone is worth the price of admission, but with some fantastic audio/visual design and a fundamentally brilliant battle system, this rather unexpected Wii U exclusive ranks amongst the finest JRPGs of the generation and a genuinely unique curio that all Wii U owners should try.

While it’s over sooner than you’d like, Gunman Clive 2 is a gorgeous little indie game regardless of if you’ve played the first title or not. The gorgeous level design and constant variety make this a short burst of challenging fun that every 3DS owner should own.

A surprisingly detailed, enjoyable construction simulator with a staggering amount of depth.

It probably doesn’t do enough to warrant a double-dip for those who have already experienced the game on last-gen consoles, but despite the lack of a noticeable overhaul, Dishonored remains one of the best first person action games on the market.

A bright, funny game to be played here which tells a good is brimming with charm and revives a genre which is slowly dying out, the turn based genre needs a life line - this is most certainly it.

Samorost is quite simply one of the most beautiful games that I have played in recent times.

Every part of this game from the menus, to the characters, to the maps are very cute, colorful and vibrant.

It might not have a ton of content, it’s still lacking online play of any kind and the fact that there are only a handful of stadiums to choose from will certainly be an issue for some, but what is here is almost universally fantastic with the brilliant fundamentals combining beautifully with an array of minor but nearly always effective details to create what is a polished and incredibly likeable sports game.

The stripped back mechanics and simplified gameplay might not be for everyone, but few shooters manage to appeal to both a Western and Japanese audience while somehow delivering an experience that is as fun for the casual gamer as it is for the hardcore.

NHL 16 is probably the most inclusive NHL game to date. The on ice trainer will help new comers in a way that NHL has never done before, even someone like me who has been playing the game for a number of years seems to have improved, breaking bad habits like favoring the glove side or poor cycling of the puck in the offensive zone.

When you complete a puzzle, you feel such a sense of achievement, you keep playing to feel it again. You need this game in your library and, with this remaster, there has never been a better time.

With over 80 hours of gameplay, Wastelands 2: The Director’s cut is a challenging but ultimately rewarding adventure. It’s a pleasant blend of Baldur’s gate adventure and XCOM combat that actually works really well.

From the puzzles reflecting ideas, concepts, and even past conversations to the optional rooms requiring lateral thinking that is brought up several sectors after the room that needs it, The Turing Test truly will test you.

Overall the game experience provided by Laser Disco Defenders is fantastic, and will definitely be a fixture on the first page of my Vita’s wall, everything just fits together perfectly. It is incredibly challenging whilst remaining fun.

I’m not going to say it’s a bad game. I can definitely see glimmers of an awesome game here and there, and can totally understand why so many people consider it a masterpiece. But, it just wasn’t for me.

In a world where the fascination of a zombie outbreak is now currently huge do to mainstream media, Plague Inc: Evolved is the game for you if you want to simulate your own outbreak.

The Division is a visual feast. From the dynamic lighting to the realistic environments, taking it all in can be breathtaking at times.

A great game. It falls short of excellence by a whisper, but as the developers have put out four major updates for free on Steam over the past year, I have high hopes for the future. It’s a labour of love, for sure, and one which I’m confident will continue to be updated in the future.

It’s fantastic value for multiple hours of arcade action.

Minor issues aside, Kings Quest: A Knight to Remember is an excellent adventure game that will please both seasoned gamers and anyone that’s new to the genre.

Project Mirai DX certainly delivers plenty of content to go with its uniformly great gameplay and fantastically cheerful art design.

Despite the slightly underwhelming visuals and the rather brutal initial learning curve, Nobunaga’s Ambition: Sphere of Influence is an otherwise unmitigated success and fine example of how the strategy genre has the potential to strive on home consoles.

Apart from the slow pacing, this is probably the finest space sim we’ve ever played.

A very creative and original story as well as gameplay. It has a unique style which give it life. A few added controls and some minor graphic and menu changes, and I Believe I could really get into this game.

As impressive as it is to have a game of this quality from a single person, there’s not enough to really justify it. This is a saturated market and there’s already great shoot ‘em up games that have more content but cost less. It’s a few hours of solid fun you might occasionally revisit with friends but it’s not much more than that.

As a study in human behaviour and survival, and as a story-based game of exploration, SOMA is absolutely a success. But as a horror game, it’s just not possible to overlook the feeling of boredom created during the monster encounters that are so integral to the experience as a whole, and that the game is at least two hours longer than necessary.

It’s still an extremely worthwhile game though and provides an entertaining, if harrowing, experience. But those damn PDA entries remain incredibly irritating to the extent that STASIS remains only ‘very good’ rather than excellent.

I would highly recommend Steredenn to both fans of the genre and newcomers alike. Yes, like any game it isn’t perfect and could be improved on in a number of ways, such as the bosses aesthetics and rewards system. However, it ‘s tight gameplay and addictive nature kept me coming back for more time and time again.

For any fan of the warhammer franchise it’s a must have, but even someone who knows nothing about it would still have an unbelievable experience. Warhammer: End Times – Vermintide scores [80] as some people might be slightly put off by its online only gameplay.

Else Heart.Break() is blazingly modern in design, antiquated in execution

A joy to play. If you are a fan of old school side scrolling platformers like Metroid and even Aladdin, then you will definitely enjoy Shantae. Everything from its graphics to its difficulty is straight from the 90s, but luckily for us brought into the future.

A fantastic game that had some incredible moments. The world design is awesome, and uses some clever ways of revealing the scope of the worlds you explore. The bosses are the key moments of the game. They are gigantic, interesting and varied. I would have liked to have seen a bit more combat variation and wished that movement felt a bit quicker, but in general it’s a game that’s well worth checking out.

The Chronicles of Teddy is an absolutely fantastic game despite these flaws. I loved every moment of the charming, musical platformer. Each facet of the game, even if its lifted from another genre, come together to create what is easily one of the most unique Indie games available for the PlayStation 4. You owe it to yourself to at least give this game a good try.

Earth Defense Force 4.1 isn’t a game with an amazing story and the graphics are often less than impressive but the gameplay is addictive and easily accessible.

One aspect of this game that I really like is the inclusion of a psychiatrist who speaks to you between chapters.

For all its sloppy seconds and used structures, I can’t help but feel a little disappointed in the end that the developer didn’t try to evolve beyond just being another clone.

Overall, I found Stella Glow to be a true delight, and really did open my eyes to the SRPG genre. With its tight combat and fast mechanics, to its great character development and overall wonderfully engaging story, I really, really did enjoy my time with the game.

It might lack the polish, budget and variety found in BioWare’s big budget work, but this group of highly motivated ex-BioWare developers have created something special all the same, something built out of passion and a will to do something new.

This episode has a perfect balance of puzzle solving, decision-making and strong storytelling.

Many will ultimately be put off by the Naruto name and the big ‘4’ slapped on the front cover, but I can assure you, despite the deep lore and intimidating title, this is the most accessible, beautiful and downright fun Naruto game of all time.

SMITE has excelled in terms of online gaming and has definitely encouraged me to explore this genre more. Very interactive, very entertaining and definitely a game I will come back to in the near future.

Full Moon Rampage is a twin stick shooter, with rogue like tendencies, and even a smidgen of RPG mechanics, thrown in a boiling pot of Voodoo magic goodness. Over The Top Games have released, what could be the Indie game of the year. Maybe of all time for the Xbox One console. You see, when you have a game that takes the previously mentioned ingredients, and mix them together on a low heat, cooking them to perfection, you create Full Mojo Rampage.

Whether it will garner the kind of global success that it deserves remains to be seen, but as it stands, an argument could be made for King of Fighters XIV being the finest brawler of the generation.

It might not do anything particularly new for the now well-worn roguelike genre, but Shiren the Wanderer: The Tower of Fortune and the Dice of Fate does so many things right that it’s hard to get too down on its apparent lack of originality.

This dual-stick shooter RPG hits like a mammoth and secures a notch on the “must-play” board.

This game isn’t going to be a sensory spectacle with all the whistles and buttons of a big budget game. But the real secret behind this game is the database and engine.

Homeworld: Deserts of Kharak is a great game and it can be even more further down the line, it is definitely worth a purchase for all classic Homeworld fans looking for nostalgia or those looking for a new RTS it is a very good option all around.

A great game for point and click enthusiasts and a welcome introduction to anyone new to the genre.

Despite its departure from Rainbow Six’s story driven roots, Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege provides the means for an array of new multiplayer focused features ranging from unique weapon modifications, to several new specialists.

This for me is one of the best indie offerings this year and I would say it is worth the price point for sure, do yourself a favour and give it at try if you think at all it would suit you.