Sadly, while the game does have its fun moments here and there, the game breaks apart with monotonous and predicable combat, boring side quests and poor pacing. It’s one for the hardcore fans, but even then, I’m not sure how well they can admire this.

Too me, all platformer releases from Nintendo should be a direct feed to the best innovation the company can offer. This gets someway up the flagpole but falls short of hitting the top.

I safely believe that Dynasty Warriors 8 is the best entry in the mainline series to have ever been conceived. All the upgrades to the combat and the new features are what were needed to keep the series going forward. It manages to smartly add new things without disrupting the core concept of the game, which is surely what people who like these games are after.

The actual game has smooth and responsive controls, an appropriate soundtrack and a particular lean-back quality that I do enjoy, allowing me to quickly jump into a game that is pretty relaxed and simple to play. But that is just enough.

For us to fight monsters, Yuke’s have created a monster of their own. I wish the apocalypse had never been canceled. No one should have lived on to see this hideous travesty of a game.

Bringing something from the past to the present can feel refreshing when its entire heritage is lost in the current version of the genre, and even though this version isn’t as polished, as good-looking or as smooth-running as the PC version, it’s still a blast to the past.

Although, the game overall was not a letdown, as I got exactly what I expected, with a story told like some crazy paradox by a character you can’t help but enjoy.

It makes me sad that I’m not seeing more modes added with each of these new releases, but at the same time, the gameplay remains just as great as ever. When I am playing Valley, my love for the series explodes, as I’m having so much fun blasting down a muddy road, doing a loop-de-loop, or performing a barrel roll in the air (Peppy Hare would be proud) that the problems no longer bother me.

Toki Tori 2+ is what it is: a bright puzzle game with lots of pushing and pulling, manipulating and exploring. If you enjoy a good puzzle-platformer that looks beautiful, feels natural and consistently creates a challenge without the frustrations of getting stuck, then this one is a no-brainer.

For a fantastic price of £3.99, fans should not hesitate picking up The Walking Dead: 400 Days. It might move at lightning speed, and we might not get the most out of these new characters, but the sense of drama coming from these short stories makes for a tantalising time.

Garfield’s Wild Ride can’t overcome the licensed app blues. Whether you play this on an iOS or Android device, it’s probable that the experience will be underwhelming, if not frustrating.

Maximus is a great game that suits the iPhone beautifully.

Overall, Denpa Men 2 is a vast improvement over the first with the addition of a rather large over-world to explore, a classic RPG soundtrack, a seemingly shallow story that evolves into a deeper (but still comical) tale as you progress, and great 3D visuals with the dungeons actually looking deep due to the semi top-down view.

Jack Keane 2 might not be the smashing excellence in the genre that The Walking Dead was praised for last year, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t give Jack Keane 2 a try if you like a bit of delightful comedy in your adventure games.

So many things about Strength of the Sword 3 work wonders. It’s beautiful, elegant and fun, with details in all the right places.

Company of Heroes 2 might tread familiar ground, but that ground is an amazing foundation.

With the addition of a fun multiplayer mode and some clever challenges to keep a player coming back, this could have been something special, though sadly it ends up a simple game with solid mechanics but little replay value.

The core game itself and the platforming is still respectable enough to warrant a check though.

If you’re looking for a multiplayer fix, then look elsewhere, as you will be solely disappointed with the wreckage of online cooperative play – a mode that spoils this otherwise solid video game.

If you are looking for a refreshing tower defence title, then there is something in Prime World: Defenders you will enjoy. People who are more fussy with their choice of tower defence games might find this to be an ambitious title with problems.

Codemasters still brings that balance of simulation and arcade racing with great graphics, quality sound and solid gameplay, but what stops GRID 2 from being this generation’s swansong racing game is its sheer lack of any real new ideas that made the first GRID such a cutting-edge racer for its time.

At the end of the day, one detail is all that matters about the The Last of Us: its single-player campaign. Naughty Dog has taken what it’s learnt from crafting the Uncharted franchise and spun that experience into a more down-to-earth, realistic adventure that shines with storytelling excellence, great combat, tense atmosphere and the highest quality in presentation, making The Last of Us one of Sony’s best exclusives for the PS3’s ever-growing library of great games.

There are parts of Remember Me that are likeable – smart, even – and sit teetering on the brink of potential greatness. It helps that it’s backed up with an attractive location and strong atmosphere, which saddens me more that one of its core features – the combat – is not engaging enough to transfer the game into greatness. Mix that up with linearity and its simple climbing sections, and Remember Me is prevented from being anything more than a decent title that will most likely be forgotten by most and remembered by so few.

It’s a shame that such smooth controls, great audio and classic visuals were wasted on a game that is just so outdated.

With a little more care put into the game’s story and more unique special objectives, Jane Wilde could have been something great.

Even though it’s unassumingly tucked away in the 3DS‘ eShop, Fallblox is frankly a great little game.

While we shouldn’t ignore its problems with the flow of the story and illogical puzzles, this shouldn’t stop anyone who is a follower of the genre from jumping into this world of magic and talking animals to enjoy one kid’s dream of a delightful summer adventure.

It’s the summer blockbuster movie of the arcade-shooter world, then – a short but mildly enjoyable piece of entertainment, and that’s not necessarily a bad thing to be.

If you’re looking for a handheld game that oozes quality presentation and attractive story but don’t mind some of its simplicity, then take Soul Sacrifice for a taste; it just might pull you in.

Ultimately, that is the very core of Deadly Premonition’s appeal; underneath the poor visuals and poorer gameplay, it still manages to surprise you once players dig deep into the story, an analogy that holds true about the fictional residents of Greenvale. It’s just unfortunate that what could have been the definitive version of the game ended up being the worst performing.

Last Light has the mechanics of a great shooter that is built alongside a brilliant atmospheric and refreshing world that anyone who is fed up with shooters being the same would do well to give it a shot.

A well-done port for newcomers to the game and at the same time a reminder that Resident Evil can be a great game with quality atmosphere without having to succumb to the big-budget, AAA nonsense that plagues the industry.

For a game that was created by just two students, it’s an accomplishment to be incredibly proud of and I know that I’ll be gifting a few of my friends this game throughout the year, even if it is only to drive them crazy with confusion too.

If you want to shoot people in a different way and have a tolerance to learn, then ShootMania is the place to go and do that, and the future can only look brighter once the community floods the game with their creativity.

Dead Island Riptide is a stop-gap extension to the franchise that is enjoyable in small doses, but disappointingly fails to address problems that plagued the original game.

If you are a fan of its Anime aesthetics, or at least willing to tolerate them, the game will suffice as a budget title with an average amount of content to play through.

Fine for an hour at a time, but shouldn’t be treated as anything other than a lower alternative to better games doing the same thing.

Dragon’s Dogma itself is a fantastic title with some innovative ideas for the genre. If you never played it, then I strongly suggest buying the Dark Arisen release, especially if you love western-esque RPGs; and for the budget price, you are getting one quality video game.

Anyone who enjoyed Mortal Kombat 9 is going to enjoy this game, and fans of DC Comics will also like the great representation of heroes and villains. It is a shame that the fatalities that made Mortal Kombat so popular aren’t here, but I think that was one of the problems with Mortal Kombat VS DC Universe. You can’t really show Superman ripping off Batman’s head, so leaving half-arsed fatality attempts out of the game is probably a good thing.

Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor’s Edge never had much of a chance of matching the quality of its predecessors, but it would have at least sufficed as a decent game. The unforgiving difficulty and poorly-planned gameplay restrictions only bring to light the still-present flaws of the original game rather than cover them up.

It’s a very rewarding game, not just in its mechanics, but with the plot and its possibilities of altered scenarios playing out.

RPGs are usually very long, and as many of us have grown up, we simply don’t have the time to play through them anymore, making Evoland an extraordinary journey through a much simpler time that won’t be forgotten anytime soon.

There is no doubt that Sanzaru Games played it safe with Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time. Fans will feel right at home with the game’s structure and gameplay layout, almost like this was made exclusively for the fans, since they haven’t had a new entry in the series for quite some time.

Few games have felt as smooth to control and fun to play through as Drinkbox Studios’ latest and greatest hit, and if the upward climb from Tales from Space to this title is any indication, the company’s next efforts should be something to look forward to with baited breath.

Chopper Mike is an admirable first project for a developer gone solo. It’s cute, easy to pick up, it plays well, and its presentation is endearing (even if not mind-blowing).

Apart from that issue and sometimes unresponsive building mechanics (which I only rarely encountered), Terraria is nearly perfect for what it is and unlike any other game you’ve played in a very long time. If you’re a fan of replayable, explorable and challenging games, you need to try Terraria. Most importantly, the game is incredibly fun, and that’s something I can dig.

It manages to blend rhythmic platforming with the runner genre tremendously well, creating a cocktail of pure enjoyment from start to finish, and is accessible enough that anyone can get into.

DOA5+ is a must-have for PS Vita owners, as it has a lot of content you don’t normally get with other games in the genre – and it’s portable.

Rotolla isn’t a game that you’ll play for hours on end, but it’s a game that you’ll come back to when you’re on the bus or waiting in a line. By definition of a ‘microgame,’ it succeeds entirely, being a small game that’s based on replayability and high-scores instead of a full world.

Iron Galaxy has done no wrong with this beautifully cared for port of the two Darkstalkers games. The only negative is that the use of the arcade version means that Darkstalkers 3 is missing a few characters that appeared in the console version, but apart from that, this is a port full of love and care for the franchise.

It’s a game that has a core mechanic done decently, but has “generic” written all over it for everything else. Add in the throwaway, barebones multiplayer and there isn’t anything here worthwhile for anyone but hardcore sniper fans.

If you’re reading this review because you have never played a Bioshock title before or didn’t like the previous games but like the look of this one, then please, go play it. I am certain you won’t be disappointed.

EA continues to make the look and feel of the Tiger Woods series distinct from any other franchise, and the marked improvements to the game allow me to confidently state that you’ll enjoy it more than other title in the series.

Unfortunately, that isn’t the case and what you’re left with is a game that is overall enjoyable, but one that you are too embarrassed to recommend to friends. It shows that trying to attract players by using outdated internet jokes is nowhere near as efficient as simply creating a fun experience.

Syder Arcade is visually incredible and the music and sound effects only add to the atmosphere that it generates.

I was ready to expect “just another Gears game,” except I was pleasantly surprised by what I got to play. Sure it’s not completely new, but People Can Fly has moved Gears of War in an alternative, more arcade-feeling direction that I can totally get on board with.

The reboot is a complete success. I enjoyed every second of the single-player campaign, from the huge sequences to the little moments that are integrated perfectly with the gameplay.

It’s worth it as it is the best game on the system – Persona 4: Golden is a must play, even for fans who have already previously completed the game.

As a complete package, God of War Ascension has its fair shares of excitement and disappointment. There is no doubt this is a good game with fantastic-looking graphics, quality combat mechanics and a fun, if somewhat experimental, multiplayer; but the problem lies mostly with the single-player.

Ultimately, Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 Plus is a case study that just because a game can be ported to a handheld doesn’t mean it necessarily should, especially if it suffers from downgraded visuals, spotty framerate and imprecise controls. Newbie players who never played the console versions may end up less frustrated out of ignorance, but a game that originally relied on tight controls and smooth gameplay should not have to endure such drawbacks just for the sake of going portable. It may earn points as a novelty to have the game on the go, but the cost of portability is too much of a disservice for a great action game optimized for consoles.

It’s a different style of hunting – an experience that is based on fast speed rather than methodical strategy – so if that sounds like your cup of tea, then Ragnarok Odyssey will offer hours of fun. Just don’t go in expecting a deep experience, as this is the Dynasty Warriors of the monster hunting genre.

If you’re looking for a new puzzle-platformer game, look no further - Pangolin is fantastic!

Overall, Drip Drip looks great, sounds great and is a heap of fun.

Sure it has some shortcomings with its scripted AI design and linear levels, but at a cheap entry price of £9.99 and some solid cooperative gameplay, this is for gamers looking for some fun with friends.

Overall, the game is fun but I’d definitely recommend playing in small chunks.

Much like Dissidia: Final Fantasy and Super Smash Bros., Persona 4: Arena is a fighting game spin-off tailored for the fans, first and foremost. Whether or not those fans also enjoy the fighting game genre in addition to RPGs, there is enough content and callbacks that make this purchase a no-brainer.

From the initial trailers, Special Forces: Team X showed some promise, but after spending some time with the game I find it hard to recommend it to people, especially with the problems it is faced with at the moment.

I can imagine some Metal Gear fans might not enjoy this style of gameplay, but if any are willing to give it a shot or if you are a fan of high paced action, then you owe yourself to jump into Revengeance’s stylish and exceptional top class gameplay and have a slash of a time.

Scored as a trilogy and compared to the first two titles, the game scores lower than the previous two. But this isn’t the same style of gameplay and we weren’t lied to about it being changed. It’s a different type of game and should be played like one.

These are only minor complaints, as the game itself is very polished and delivers exactly what it promises – fast paced action with that great arcade feel. For the low price of just £3.52 ($4.99), it’s definitely worth picking up.

There is really nothing astonishing about this game. The anime (and the manga) does it all so much better – go spend a couple of hours watching that instead.

In spite of it not being quite original, it’s an enjoyable effort all the same.

The developers have woven in a great sense of humour and an almost excessive amount of love. Fans of the genre should be making it their mission to play this game, which is a steal at 69p on the App Store.

It is not a bad piece of DLC by any means, but I feel that it does not shout out a message of “You Need This” like some other expansion packs might.

As a standalone game for newcomers to the franchise, the story will leave you baffled compared to someone who would have experienced Corpse Party, and in that regard, looking at its way of storytelling comes off as a disjointed tale of horror that can give you a gloomy (in the right way) and uneasy time. However, I see it this way – go play the first Corpse Party and see how you feel about it. If you want more, then jump into Book of Shadows and enjoy it for what it is.

If the prospect of playing an online fighting game that strikes a satisfying balance between old-school brawlers and modern action games appeals to you, I honestly can’t imagine that Anarchy Reigns will disappoint.

The concept sounds fantastic, and there is potential in setting a game up like this, but in reality, The Cave’s take on telling a story like this ends up making it a fun but flawed adventure game.

Strike Suit Zero also fills the void of a genre that has long been forgotten on the PC, and maybe with the interest in this game, we will see the genre flourish once again in the near future.

The Revolution DLC pack for Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 is the first major downloadable content that Treyarch have released for the widely popular game. Probably the most anticipated additions to the game are a Zombies map and a new Zombies game mode to go along with it.

If you fancy just driving over things and crushing cars, buses and caravans, give it a go.

Level-5, along with the amazing localisation work, took the experience from their background and created an adorable RPG that will be remembered for ages to come.

City Conquest is a good, solid game, taking the traditional tower defence and RTS genres and creating a hybrid of sorts.

For what it presents, the game works on so many levels. It is a landmark experience and one that deserves repeated playthroughs, if only to try and make it to the end unscathed. Not perfect by any means, but then is anything ever really perfect? I'd argue not. We are all perfect in our imperfections; by this outlook, so is ZombiU.

This is a title that gets most of the important parts right when it comes to an action game. It makes you feel like a bad arse, thanks to the cool-looking combat and easy-to-produce combos, but remains deep to allow people to delve into the system and pull off some wild moves.

There is definitely something to like with Guardians of Middle-Earth and Monolith has done a good job breaking down the key points of MOBA and bringing it to consoles with its own controls.

It's an ugly, uncomfortable game that fails in so many areas a platformer shouldn't.

The game is more of the same, with some slight refinements, which would be an issue if the game was not so fun and addicting as it is.

LEGO: LOTR does enough to be interesting and is a recommended title for anyone who is in the process of a Middle-earth binge.

It's not a bad game by any means, and it does fix some problems with the controls that plagued previous games, but having the story that essentially makes Agent 47 less of a hitman and more of an espionage hero, makes Absolution a decent stealth game but not a fantastic Hitman game.

So should you buy this game? Well, that depends on your answer to two questions. First – do you have time on your hands? Second – are you willing to play one of the best RPGs ever? If so, take it from me – three weeks, two days, and 95 hours later, I'm still loving this game. You'll love the new upgrades to the original content, and don't be surprised if the game makes you rethink what you thought you enjoyed about RPGs.

As it stands, PlayStation All-Stars: Battle Royale is a cool, if limited, way to celebrate the history of Sony's time in the videogame business. It is just a shame that some of the ideas that give the game its own identity spoil it.

For only £8.99, Nano Assault Neo is a gorgeous, challenging game worth checking out. Just don't go in expecting the next Geometry Wars, and you'll be pleasantly surprised and forgive its shortcomings.

If you have one of the other console versions, I could not really recommend this over those, especially considering the vastly different price point. A nice effort, but it hits the post on this occasion.

As confusing as the story may be, as well as some frustrating gameplay mechanics that could have been more finely-tuned, Sine Mora is still a solid shoot 'em up that is perfectly captured on the Vita.

Virtue's Last Reward is a quality game that will surprise you. It will make you want to speak about it to people months after you have finished it. They aren't many game stories that make you do that, but the ones that do are normally exceptionally well-written with stimulating plots and shocking twists.

I'll go on record and say that this is the best kart racer in some time (yes, even better than Mario Kart 7) – now that's saying something.

For what it is, Chaos on Deponia is… well… it's an adventure game. If that equals fun to you, then I have no question that you should invest in this series, as there are hours of good times waiting for you.

Insomniac took a risk with this title, but I think it has paid off. It is a fun game to play with a friend and is worthy of being called Ratchet and Clank.