On many levels Dead Rising 4 is a disappointment, content to riff on the slapstick violence and revive past glories but showing no real desire to do anything new. There's precious little depth and the combat is shallow, while some sections seem designed to show up Frank's inability to cope with tooled-up human foes. Yet there's something weirdly cheerful and festive about Frank's misadventures, about crafting homebrew weaponry and putting it to work.

Super Mario Maker 3DS is a great port, with creation tools that work wonders on the touchscreen and the Challenge mode is a brilliant addition. It's only besmirched by the fact online sharing is so very limited. Perhaps with a future update? We seriously doubt it.

It's not hard to knock Battleborn, but that shouldn't take away from the fact that it can be a blast to play. It still gives you the variety, the sense of growing power and the competitive thrills of a good MOBA, while also dishing out the kind of madcap, crazy shooter action that Borderlands fans have come to know and love.

Big Brain Academy: Brain vs. Brain shines as a party game, adopting a family-friendly approach that evens the playing field regardless of each player's age and experience. We had a lot of fun with our family and friends across the 20 puzzle activities featured in this accessible and budget-priced package. It's just a pity that there aren't a few more minigames (or a slightly more substantial single-player component) for greater replay value.

Space Marine 2 is a brutally fun action game that will be best experienced with friends in multiplayer, and while the gameplay and story itself are serviceable and don't do much to innovate the series or genre, fans of Warhammer or anyone looking for an old-school shooter will have a good time turning tyranid swarms into puddles of blood.

At its best, Fang and their friends' journey is affecting and thought-provoking, and while their time threatens to be cruelly cut short, the time we spent at Volcano High was mostly well-spent.

The final two cases are undoubtedly a huge cut above the others that take place in Kanai Ward, and it's a shame that the game takes so long before hitting its highs. But stick through to the end, and Rain Code eventually delivers a satisfyingly twisty adventure in spite of its shortcomings – helping to somewhat fill that Danganronpa void.

Although Deus Ex GO is a neat little package with great visuals, tricky puzzles and a compact storyline, it's let down by a control system that isn't as tight as its forbearers.

Cottage Living will make a lot of fans happy, and there are plenty of positives in the expansion's attempt to make good on the farming and countryside themes. It's a shame then that a number of aspects hold the pack back from realising its full potential. Henford-on-Bagley is a nice enough world, but errs too much on the safe side to leave a lasting impression.

The graphics are basic and the controls can be tricky. Switching cameras is a nightmare when you can't remember the positions, making the business of stemming the tide of bots a little more stressful than it should be. Yet Starfox Guard turns out to be weirdly addictive.

This isn't quite the indie, arthouse Ratchet and Clank, then, but it's distinctive, unusual and frequently inspired.

Steep gets nearly everything right – it looks great, plays well and has the sort of depth and exploration you'd expect from one of Ubi's open world games. It has some really irritating foibles, but nothing you can't live with. What it lacks is that special something that keeps the action fresh and the kind of compulsive, obsessive hook that would have you coming back for more. It's a beautiful extreme sports game, but oddly forgettable.

If you've never played Until Dawn, the remake is a good time to experience this cult classic. It's as fun and thrilling as it was in 2015. However, while the remake improves upon the original in some ways, the overall improvement isn't vast enough to the point where this version is a must for those who've played through the game once before.

Nintendo has produced a game which is occasionally elating, often frustrating, but which definitely feels like nothing we've tried before. Assuming you're willing to overlook its flaws, ARMS could be a welcome addition to your growing collection of Switch games.

Metaphor borrows defining features of Persona yet executes these ideas in a less meaningful way, and in taking much from the beloved series, it takes a long time for Atlus' latest to carve out its own identity.

Alone in the Dark isn’t a perfect experience or a five-star return to form. However, the game really nails the tone, and it is just a joy to explore Derceto and drink in the spooky vibes of this Lovecraftian detective thriller. There’s enough twists and turns to have you hanging on until the end, even if the latter half of the game feels a little too reliant on action that isn’t quite up to snuff.

It's a cohesive (and pretty saucy by the game's standards) expansion that doesn't quite nail all of its ideas.

This isn't a casual gamer's sim-style racer, but if you're looking for a more authentic driving sim Assetto Corsa might just win your heart.

Aside from the audiovisual presentation, the Advance Wars remake plays it considerably safe. That isn't a bad thing in itself, particularly since the foundations of the game mostly hold up. There is still plenty of fun to be had here. But it also means that this package is less interesting than it could have been.

If you like your Metroidvanias it's well worth diving in.

It is a game that tries to evoke a feeling of discovery at every possible turn, but in doing so loses the element of wonder fairly quickly. Instead, Wonder's strongest moments are when it takes a breather, taking the time to set the scene while letting the platforming do the talking.

Dream Home Decorator isn't for everyone, but those who enjoy renovating homes will be impressed by a generous variety of items and an engaging new career, even if the amount of new gameplay is on the slight side. It's a shame that the pack has launched with a troubling amount of bugs, and anyone considering making the purchase at this moment in time should keep that in mind.

The campaign's story is interesting, and even heartbreaking, but it's weighed down by repetitive gameplay and lurks in the shadow of the great moon that is Modern Warfare Remastered...Then there's the multiplayer, which is the same great stuff that you always wanted with some new, tasty additions, but isn't anywhere near as good as that on offer over in WWI with Battlefield 1.

It may have problems, but Final Fantasy XV is bursting with personality and it's hard to dislike. Like any true friend, you'll learn to love it despite its flaws.

It's clear that a lot of love has been put into making AEW: Fight Forever fun and feel good to play. It's just a shame it falls short in certain areas related to story, features and creation. Despite this, there's a lot for AEW fans to like here and we definitely recommend it, because much like All Elite Wrestling is an alternative to WWE, it's nice to have an alternative in the wrestling game space too.

Engage plays confidently and is a highly enjoyable game when you're thrust into battle, the small innovations pushing the strategy and combat into new territory for the series. But it's held back by bland storytelling that fails to provoke much emotion or convey a sense of drive as you canter towards the next destination on the world map. It's a solid Fire Emblem, but lacks the lasting impact to rank as a classic.

Each course is admittedly rather short so most players will be able to quickly blast through the game in an afternoon or weekend, but it's hard to fault the bizarre bowling of Rollabear for leaving players wanting more.

It's a shame that, despite looking great and having a good concept at its core, some poorly-executed ideas lead to a frustrating experience overall. For a new studio to produce a brand new IP is obviously a mammoth task and commendable, so here’s hoping the team get another chance to get a grip on this universe and tighten up the experience.

Killzone: Shadow Fall's multiplayer just about makes it a PS4 launch title worth investigating, as its campaign is either entirely competent, and at the worst very frustrating.

PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale achieves what its sets out to do for the most part. Sony now has its answer to Super Smash Bros and PS3 and Vita owners have a place to turn to for accessible multiplayer bawls. It's a well-presented game that does justice to its cast of characters, but it could have been something more with a solo campaign of greater substance.

Steel Battalion: Heavy Armor is the first genuine hardcore Kinect game, something that makes it so much more appealing. Despite some flashy visuals and a hard as nails single-player mode, there's a sense that Heavy Armor would be a little dull if played exclusively with a controller.

WWE 2K15 is the equivalent of an upper mid-card wrestler attempting to crack the glass ceiling of the WWE. It's close to achieving its potential, but just comes up short in a few key areas.

Gears of War: Judgment is not a bad game, but one that very much stands in the shadow of its more illustrious predecessors. It is a bit like going back to a favorite restaurant, only to find that the management has changed and it's just not quite the same anymore...Sure, you'll still have a pretty decent meal, but you'll also leave yearning for days gone by.

Lil' Guardsman is charming and novel enough that it's worth playing, but a flawed approach that skirts around aspects of the core idea holds the overall experience back.

The Night of the Rabbit is not without its missteps, but when at its best the game is hard to resist.

Andromeda leaves behind the series' problems in another galaxy only to acquire a whole new and interesting set in this one. What BioWare has produced is our least favourite game to bear its name. Had it not been for this review, we would have given up during the game's hugely monotonous mid-segments, whose sense of physical scale isn't matched by equally towering, or even semi-interesting, design. BioWare is a pillar of the gaming landscape, but somewhere along the line the Andromeda project veered off course. Who knows where this leaves the franchise, but any sequel is going to have to rediscover its focus, or just like the Initiative, fans may also choose to emigrate to pastures new.

The game is pure destructive fun, but that purity comes at a cost. There is no score, leaderboard, or even a level star system, which may turn off some players who want a record of their gaming accomplishments.

Castlevania: Lords Of Shadow - Mirror Of Fate is an ambitious title with great boss battles, wonderful visuals and intuitive combat, making it a good fit for the Nintendo 3DS. But it won't be to everybody's taste.

Each dungeon has its own theme and unique enemies, but once you learn the enemy patterns there is little incentive to go back through one you've already completed. Even the infinite dungeon recycles enemies from the rest of the game, making Deep Dungeons of Doom a fleeting but fun mobile adventure.

Visiting familiar Zelda locations and wiping out hundreds of enemies offers brief but satisfying bursts of mindless enjoyment, just don't expect to be engaged in the same way as a full series release.

It's a stylish game with fun platforming, smooth combat and mostly good stealthy bits - and a definite improvement on its underwhelming predecessor.

As a budget bundle, Saints Row 4: Re-elected and 'Gat out of Hell' is worth considering if you're looking to waste a few weekends before this year's influx of blockbuster releases.

While utterly unlike the original game in any discernible way, Zaxxon Escape makes for a fun ride in its own right as the speed increases every second you survive.

It's a shame that Reunion's fumbles, from its handling of Double Exposure's events to Max and Chloe's ending feeling unearned, drag down its brighter moments. Despite being underwhelmed by the conclusion to Max and Chloe's story, Life Is Strange as a whole still means a lot to me, and going forwards I see no reason why we can't have new stories in the series' universe.

Corpse Party: Book of Shadows has its moments from a storytelling perspective, but it would have benefited from more interactive features. There's some morbidly creative horror for readers to sink their fangs into, but don't expect to encounter any believable characters or award-winning wordsmithery.

If you're looking for Frogger, this is the best mobile version. Just turn down the grating music and don't expect much replay value from the bonus modes.

While Buried at Sea - Episode 1 is well-written, intriguing and presents new questions by the end to tantalisingly set up the last installment, it also doesn't feel like an essential piece of content that enhances BioShock Infinite from a narrative point of view.

If you can wrestle through the controls though, Castle of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse is host to imaginative levels, clever camera work and an abundance of Disney charm to keep you happily playing for hours.

A mixed bag. On the one hand, it's capable of stirring up nostalgia like few other remakes, and looks fresh and vibrant on the surface. On the other, it's in need of a patch and has had all of the challenge sapped out of it.

The combo system makes it a unique spin on the Flight Control formula, so that climbing the leaderboards takes some skill along with endurance. However, those who are not particularly competitive with leaderboards may find that the joke wears thin in the time of only a few trips to the bathroom.

At least GT Racing 2 doesn't make you wait for repairs like in other mobile racing sims, but the constant downtime that accompanies upgrades gets in the way of an otherwise smooth ride.

That said, the iOS version is superior for the simple fact that the mouse controls on the computer are more fiddly. We recommend that you try out 10,000,000, but if you have an iOS device, playing with the touch screen is the way to go.

Wraithborne's beauty is only skin deep, leaving a repetitive action game with sluggish controls once the shiny coating is peeled away.

While the slow level advancement hampers the game's pace, Nutty Fluffies is still a fun, if occasionally frustrating, ride on iOS.

Is Curiosity a good game? No, not by a long shot, even if it could function properly without the constant server problems. But that's really the point, it seems, to experiment on how long people will continue to play even while knowing that it isn't good.

The whole game is tied together with a surprisingly lengthy story and the high production value art expected of a Square Enix game. And once players get the hang of the story, a challenge coliseum lets you put your deck against other real players for item rewards and competition for a top spot on the leaderboards.

Businesses & Hobbies' disjointed nature ultimately means it doesn't realise its full potential – though this can be somewhat mitigated if you have invested a fair bit into The Sims 4. Having a decent range of packs helps to take greater advantage of the customisable side of business gameplay and make up for some of the expansion's flaws.

Even without the online option though, Shufflepuck Cantina is a challenging and wacky trek through the stars.

Hundreds is certainly worth a look for those craving a challenge on their iPad, but only for the most masochistic gamers.

There's no doubt that The Sims 4 is all the richer for 'Get to Work', but it is merely one small step towards building the game into a worthy successor to its classic counterparts and satisfying a vast fan base.

The Sims 4 takes a step forward in some ways, while taking two steps back in others.

Stellar Blade is a hard game to pin down in the end. The combat really sings in its moments and the boss fights are some of the most memorable you’ll encounter in this genre, but it’s bogged down by a bland story, uninteresting characters and the need to make boobs wobble in every second of every cutscene. There’s some fun to be had in there if you can look past its issues, but in an age of games costing £70 or over, whether it’s worth that is entirely questionable.

Joking aside, Flockers has character and is satisfactorily challenging for the most part, but is a dish best served in bite-sized chunks. This being the case, home consoles don't necessarily feel like the optimum platform for the game, so we'd like to see those sheep herded towards tablet pastures in the future.

With the game constantly forcing you to stop playing, eventually you'll find that it isn't even worth coming back to anymore. No matter how fun the puzzles may be, they're only fun so long as you can play them, and Where's My Water? 2 makes every effort to avoid being played.

When the action is go and events are in full swing, Mario & Sonic at the Sochi Winter Games is a flashy and fun mini-game compilation for all of the family. Like an Olympic athlete with an injury problem, however, it's more likely to be remembered as a game that never quite lived up to its potential.

Fractured Soul is fresh and clever, but it will probably appeal most to masochists.

Giant Boulder of Death is just pure silly fun, and well worth a download for a cathartic burst of destruction after a stressful day.

Iron Fisticle can still shine for single-screen co-operative play, since having a friend along allows for co-ordination that cuts through the monotony. But while the random enemy patterns were intended to extend replayability with a different challenge each time, the way they are actually implemented ends up making levels feel more uniform.

With this being EA's sixth add-on to the game, fresh ideas are beginning to look thin on the ground with concepts from previous packs re-emerging. That said, Sims fanatics will always be hungry for new content, so there's no reason why this won't be another roaring success.

Immortals of Aveum is the perfect example of a mid-tier experience. There’s some good ideas in there – and some things are executed well – but with so many others not feeling quite right, enjoyment will really vary person to person. We hope Ascendant Studios gets the chance to have a second shot at casting a spell on the genre. If given the space to jettison some tropes and really focus on their concept, there could be something really special here.

While there's good fun to be had in co-op mode, and players who like their shooters chock full of zombies won't be disappointed, this feels likes a somewhat limited package on the whole.

Like most party games, Wii Party U is a hit-and-miss affair. It features a wide selection of fun, albeit overly familiar mini-games, which are complemented by a decent number of unique and innovative multiplayer experiences. It's hampered by a few frustrating design choices, and the thrills are largely short-lived, but it's still a worthy addition to any party over the festive period.

While it's pretty to look at, The Gods: Rebellion offers an inconvenient control layout and relies too heavily on lengthy arena battles. At moments it shines, but those moments are few and far between.

Games like HeartGold and SoulSilver, and the more recent Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, won over fans because they elevated the originals – either by adding engaging new features and areas, or by reimagining their visual style in order to capture the way players felt their beloved childhood games used to look. Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl struggle on both these counts, meaning they can only really be recommended to die-hard fans of the originals. Luckily for any newer fans of the series, there are plenty of other, much better, Pokémon games to dig into.

A very familiar experience, but it's also one that is well-presented, well-designed, and, most importantly, enjoyable to play.

Games like HeartGold and SoulSilver, and the more recent Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, won over fans because they elevated the originals – either by adding engaging new features and areas, or by reimagining their visual style in order to capture the way players felt their beloved childhood games used to look. Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl struggle on both these counts, meaning they can only really be recommended to die-hard fans of the originals. Luckily for any newer fans of the series, there are plenty of other, much better, Pokémon games to dig into.

Loot Hero is a short experience, with it possible to reach the dragon in under 10 minutes, but the difficulty increases each playthrough to encourage you to charge through it all again.

A lack of new levels and the omission of online play definitely damages the title, but the wonderful level design, intuitive controls and addictive gameplay makes it easy to overlook such glaring faults.

Feed Me Oil 2 is a fun and charming puzzle game that won't leave you stuck scratching your head over a solution for hours.

The developers have crafted a competent third-person shooter in most respects, but the awkward integration of key elements from the XCOM strategy games, such as an in-depth squad system, result in a somewhat disjointed offering.

Kinect Sports: Season Two is a case of one step forward and one step back. Games such as darts, golf, baseball and skiing are intuitive, responsive and make wonderful motion-controlled mini-games, while American football and tennis are poorly executed and offer little in the way of enjoyment.

As it stands, the Steam copy of Dungeon Hearts fails to fulfil its potential. It's visually charming if a bit bland, and the core mechanics are a solid base for what should be an enjoyable game, but it ends up being little more than a decent distraction.

If Far Cry 3 was the dinner entree when it released last year, then Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon is an ice cream sundae on top of a slice of chocolate cake for dessert. It goes a bit farther than it needs to for some of its parody, but the game's core is as strong as ever wrapped in a love letter to the '80s vision of cool.

It comes as no surprise that Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games is another colourful, fun and accessible package offering plenty of family-friendly kicks. While it hardly deserves a gold medal for design and presentation, Wii owners will get some festive thrills out of this one.

Time Surfer is essentially more Tiny Wings with a rewind feature, which for some fans will be enough, but won't convert anyone who wasn't already fond of the game it's based on to begin with.

The upside is that the rebalanced difficulty makes Trials Frontier the perfect entry point for new players, but series veterans will have to keep waiting to get their full Trials fix on a smartphone.

If not for the unfortunate shot restrictions Pangolin would be a hard puzzle game to put down. As it stands, you'll want to take long breaks between play sessions, but it's still a journey worth taking.

If you have the space and are already a Nike+ convert, Nike+ Kinect Training is a fantastic workout supplement, offering a diverse range of exercises, online functionality and a number of unique features. Unfortunately, occasional Kinect sensor issues ensure that while Nike+ Kinect Training is better than most fitness games on the market, it's still not a patch on getting out and joining a class, or simply going for a run.

Noble Nutlings is a solid first effort for Boomlagoon, offering fun, fast-paced courses and a wide-eyed cast of squirrels that we likely haven't seen the last of.

The slim amount of content is more tolerable for an iOS game though, giving leaderboard chasers an action-packed shooter that is fairly unique among smartphone and tablet games.

If you already own the original on PS3 or Xbox 360 there's not an abundance to write home about. If you don't, Crimewave Edition is still worth your time, but it's far from the perfect score.

Virtual Fighter 5: The Final Showdown shows its age when compared to triple-A contemporary fighters, but it works well as a budget-friendly downloadable release. While the single player modes don't offer a wealth of longevity, there's enough bang for buck value to be found in the online multiplayer to keep the fanbase happy.

While the game should be commended for its engaging plot and compelling narrative, more intuitive puzzles would have made Zellner's investigation far more enjoyable.

While The Dark Knight Rises doesn't quite live up to its cinematic namesake, Gameloft deserve credit for capturing the feel of the Arkham titles if not the depth and challenge. It's very true to the film without being a classic in its own right, so the so-called Nolanites will no doubt find something to appreciate here.

Clumsy Cat should seem instantly familiar to any cat owner. As the loving household pet, your goal is to go through the house and wreck as much of the house as possible before your owners return home.

Chronicles: China is a valiant attempt at expanding such offerings, but it doesn't hit the bar of quality or originality that its genre peers have already set.

With better controls, Fix-It Felix Jr. could actually be something really special on mobile devices. Even with its faults, Fix-It Felix Jr. is still a charming homage to classic 8-bit gaming.

Despite the five-year gap between releases, Crush 3D takes a few steps backwards in terms of visual style and presentation. Other than a rather limited and lacklustre selection of new levels and StreetPass features, it also offers very little in the way of brand new bonus content, making it difficult to recommend to anybody familiar with its PSP counterpart. Despite its shortcomings, however, Crush 3D gets it right where it counts.