Mortal Kombat X is as violent, outrageous and over-the-top as its predecessors, but somewhere hidden behind the brilliant new Fatalities and wince-worthy X-Ray moves is a fighting game with actual depth.

If you've ever fancied taking on the toughest challenges a game like Dark Souls has to offer, Crypt of the NecroDancer is probably what you're looking for. But now imagine completing it with a dance mat.

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.

It's fun and accessible, but doesn't offer enough substance to serve as anything more than fodder for a few lazy Sunday afternoons.

It requires patience, a keen eye, reflexes and skill - and the ability to accept that you will die a lot. And sometimes it will seem unfair. And sometimes you will want to throw your controller at the nearest hard surface. But Titan Souls is a fantastic game; a fine example of what is possible with a simple idea, stripped-down controls and a dense atmosphere backing it all up.

Between the new enemy placements, greater challenge, the improved visuals and all the additional bonus content, Dark Souls 2: Scholar of the First Sin is absolutely worth a first look if you're a newcomer to the series - and in the case of returning players, almost certainly worth a second.

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.

Pillars of Eternity is a masterclass in role-playing game development, recapturing the essence of the genre's past triumphs and repackaging them for a universal audience.

Regardless of what label you end up applying to Axiom Verge in your own discussions, the most important one to keep in mind is this: Axiom Verge is a damn fine game.

It's an essential purchase if you're new to the series and love role-playing games, but a harder sell if you've already explored every nook and cranny of the vast and beautiful game world on a bigger and more capable screen.

I want to keep playing, I want to discover its secrets, I want to fight every monster, try every weapon, discuss theories and explore as many of the community dungeons as possible. To put it bluntly, I want to bleed the game dry.

Without question it's the best game Microsoft has published since the onset of the Xbox One era and one that's pleasingly, satisfyingly easy to recommend.

Representing the best of both worlds, it improves on the original game in almost every way, adding the challenge that long-term fans have been craving, without sacrificing its newfound accessibility.

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.

When playing a good skill-based minigame it can be a blast, but these moments are far too fleeting. It's a fun game to stick on when you've got company round from time to time, but don't overdo it or it won't be long before people stop accepting your party invites.

Although the real-time sections are weak, they aren't overused and there's always something interesting coming up.

Cities: Skylines successfully caters for the audience left disappointed by SimCity with a level of accessibility tailored for casual city builders, combined with enough substance to delight veterans of the genre. Colossal Order has learned from EA's mistakes and brought us a game that steers clear of those pitfalls and emerges as a pioneer in its category.

Extra polish would have gone a long way to improving Flame Over's fortunes, but as it stands it's a few embers short of a fire.

It's a very 'pure' game, in that there isn't much else past the central mechanic of combat, and those who might have wanted a huge step up from the first time around will be disappointed. But there were plenty of us out there a-hankerin' for some fresh levels, some new features, and plenty more of the tight, fast fun we all loved last time around.

There might have been some worries when the series ended up in the hands of new developer Gearbox, but they've proven to be unfounded; Homeworld Remastered Collection has been handled with the care and attention it deserves, and is worth a place in the library of any self-respecting fan of strategy games, spaceships or little things flying around going pew pew pew.

OlliOlli 2 is a great example of a sequel done right. The developer has been very astute in identifying areas that could be expanded on, tweaked and refined, while leaving the excellent controls, campaign and daily challenges untouched.

It's by no means a bad game, but it's hard to say it ever drags itself out of mediocrity. Yet at the same time it's an experience that's hard not to recommend.

As it stands, it's a game that could really benefit from some additional content if it's to evolve into the next must-have multiplayer shooter.

Creative Assembly's award-winning strategy now comes in a brand new flavor, and it bears all the hallmarks of a franchise rejuvenated.

Its high level of difficulty means that this remains a franchise not suited to everyone, but its sheer quality means it's infinitely deserving of being given a chance. Take the plunge and allow yourself to be absorbed by the ride - it's well worth it.

A mite obtuse at first and sometimes unfair in its logic, sure, but a recommended game and one sure to have people poring over pulling off their perfect Shawshank Redemption-esque escape for years to come.

With its interesting time-control mechanic and relatable protagonist, Max's tale is off to a strong enough start to suggest that Quantic Dream and Telltale are in danger of being beaten at their own game.

With Dying Light, Techland has most certainly improved on Dead Island's melee-focused, open-world formula, but it still hasn't perfected it.

With its non-linear structure and surreal tone, Majora's Mask 3D sometimes doesn't feel like a Zelda game at all, but it's those who know the series best who will get the most out of its demanding dungeons and its many entertaining side-quests. And with a number of smart improvements that make its frustrations easier to bear, the 3DS version is by far the best way to experience it.

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.

Double Fine has played it safe with this revival, tweaking it only in ways that were necessary to usher it into the 21st century for fans old and new to cherish.

#IDARB already earns a spot as one of the Xbox One's premier party games based on its frantic multiplayer matches, striking a fine balance between skill-based competition and playful silliness.

If you can get past the clumsy controls, you'll see why the Resident Evil series is held in such high esteem and how it kickstarted the survival horror genre.

Everyone's experiences in Elite: Dangerous will be unique to them, and it only takes a couple of mesmerising ones to justify the early grind.

'The Dark Below' has its moments, but it's ultimately an underwhelming and frustrating update. The Crucible maps are a pleasant surprise, and the Raid is excellent, but the story missions and Strike are short lived and more of the same.

Ubisoft may want us to form crews and connect with fellow racing fans, but as it stands, we'd rather just get behind the wheel, turn up the radio and explore this staggering country by ourselves.

Online in Super Smash Bros for Wii U makes an already brilliant game even better.

The Talos Principle ties its seemingly disparate parts together beautifully, making for a game that is every bit as smart as it purports to be.

While Lara Croft and the Temple of Osiris fails to sparkle in single-player, it really comes alive when two or more players join the mix. Working together to solve puzzles and navigate tombs is good, but selfishly screwing over your friends in pursuit of the best treasure is great.

Ultimax is a fine follow-up to Arena and a no-brainer for anyone who enjoyed its predecessor, whether you're in it for the story or the fighting. The narrative is arguably not as memorable this time around, but it's still a wonderful excuse to spend more time with characters you've already spent a hundred hours with and see the mysteries from the previous game resolved.

What this first episode sets up though, holds tremendous potential for the season ahead. And while banking on potential can be dangerous for an episodic game, if Telltale can maintain the precedent it's setting here for narrative risks and twists then the payoff will be all the better for it in the end.

Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker might come at a slower pace than Mario, but it's a platformer that's often just as endearing.

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.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, Pokemon: Alpha Sapphire and Omega Ruby don't innovate, but they do a good job of bridging the gap between old and new.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, Pokemon: Alpha Sapphire and Omega Ruby don't innovate, but they do a good job of bridging the gap between old and new.

Although World of Warcraft has had its ups and downs during its ten-year lifecycle, dynamic expansions like this might be enough to ensure it lasts another decade.

Far Cry 4 may not be a huge departure from its predecessor, but it does take the familiar open-world formula to a new height of madness.

You could do worse than LEGO Batman 3: Beyond Gotham. A lot worse. But if you've played a LEGO game in the last three years and are looking for a new, different experience, you'll be left wanting.

Never Alone is, nevertheless, an important game offering a fascinating window into a rich and ongoing culture among native Alaskans. And if you are open to accepting that cultural exchange then the barriers dividing the people of the world get a little bit smaller, and we all grow closer to never really being alone in the world again.

This is the definitive version of one of the finest games of the last few years, and one that better lives up to Rockstar's lofty ambitions.

In some regards, LittleBigPlanet 3 isn't the giant leap forward it could have been. The floaty physics that hampered the core platforming in previous games have not been addressed, and it doesn't feel like a significant technological advancement, even with the raw power of the PS4 on its side.

PES 2015 lacks FIFA 15's match day flair, instead letting its football do the talking. With exemplary action on the field and a much meatier online mode to get stuck into, football fans are in for a real treat.

That earnest human touch keeps This War of Mine compelling even when you mess up and the rubble all comes tumbling down around you, leaving you just enough hope for the next attempt that you'll dive back in and endure it all again.

SingStar is yet to be dethroned as gaming's number one karaoke franchise, but its latest installment is a lazy update that skimps on features and playlist variety.

While it's true that Assassin's Creed Unity lacks the polish we would expect from the series by now, it's bolstered by its fantastic location, interesting new mission types and deeper emphasis on customisation.

There's more love and care lavished on The Master Chief Collection than you see in countless other big-money, brand new blockbuster releases. The fact that the games themselves are fantastic fun online and off is the cherry on the icing.

It might be conventional as far as visuals and monsters go, but its overall appeal rests in its provision of a living world that can be sculpted and altered in ways both subtle and explicit. So long as you're prepared to put the required time in, Dragon Age: Inquisition has plenty to give.

But when it comes to the story itself, there is a nagging sense that either a piece of the puzzle is missing or perhaps that the puzzle just wasn't as interesting as it first seemed.

Volgarr the Viking feels like the perfect action game, or at least as close to perfection for a side-scrolling action game as there has ever been.

Unlike previous DLC packs, which have left players with more questions than answers, 'Crown of the Ivory King' provides much more information about the world and its inhabitants, giving users a greater sense of closure.

Football Manager has always been more than a game, but it is also more than a football product. It's both of these things in equal measure and updates of this quality will ensure that its legacy remains strong within the sport and among its fan base.

One excellent new addition is the option to test weapons in a firing range before games begin. Having gone into many a battle with the wrong gun in the past, this is definitely something we found useful.

Stealth Inc 2 is a remarkably well-crafted and well-paced platformer, and one of the most welcome surprises to arrive on the Wii U this year.

Its lack of subtlety in its mechanics, it's rather clunky nature and its somewhat dull, basic setting mean it will never be more than a decent distraction: a game to play in between other games, or while you wait until Bloodborne early next year.

This is not a revolution as far as open-world games go, it's more of a compendium of recognizable elements that have been twisted just enough to make them seem new and different for the uninitiated.

By sticking to tried and tested survival horror staples, The Evil Within effectively creates a sense of tension and fear, something which makes the descent into darkness all the more terrifying.

It's a game capable of delivering real moments of magic, but is too often marred by inconsistent Kinect controls that can turn those feelings of joy into frustration.

NBA 2K15 builds on the foundations laid down by its predecessors, providing an all-star basketball experience marred only by online issues.

So who is F1 2014 aimed at exactly? Well, with a 'very easy' difficulty setting, more forgiving handling (unless you turn assists off) and shorter, customised race weekends, F1 2014 is probably the most accessible iteration yet.

The inclusion of playable villains does just enough to prevent a tried and tested formula from turning stagnant, but with Disney Infinity and Nintendo's Amiibo amping up the competition in the toys-to-life category, future Skylanders titles may have to do more to cement the series' position as market leader.

This a remake done right and the care and attention that has been invested in it will delight existing fans - hopefully winning over some new ones, too.

It may not be wholly original, but thanks to a compelling Nemesis System, Shadow of Mordor forges its own unique path, which marks it out for praise.

It's a frantic game packed with stunning set-pieces, thrilling boss battles and a fantastic combat system, even if it doesn't deviate too far from the original.

'Curse of Naxxramas' is an expansion positioned towards more seasoned players, acting as welcome respite from the climb of the Ranked ladder or the unpredictable gauntlet of the Arena, and rewards with powerful cards you'll keep using long after it's over.

Driveclub isn't necessarily the innovative or revolutionary game that we were expecting, but that doesn't make it a bad racer. Far from it.

Alien: Isolation is one of the most faithful video game adaptations you're ever likely to play, coming across as an homage to Alien and a like-for-like recreation of the used future Ridley Scott introduced us to in 1979.

It keeps you on edge just enough to pique your curiosity for what the next mystery will bring, and marries that mystery with an eerily beautiful world worth being curious about.

While fundamental gameplay problems make it difficult to create a truly exceptional gaming experience, Disney Infinity 2.0's real strength lies in the creation aspect itself, something which makes it ideal for a younger audience.

Sherlock Holmes: Crimes & Punishments is not without its issues, but it is loyal enough to its source material and the adventure genre to make it worth a look if you're a fan of either.

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.

The greatest accomplishment of Super Smash Bros for 3DS is that the core battle system works so well on a handheld device. Once again Nintendo has demonstrated exactly how to bring a home console game to the small screen without compromising on concept and content.

Barring a slightly more restrictive career mode, Forza Horizon 2 more than builds on the solid foundations laid down by its predecessor. Forza Horizon 2 easily records a podium finish ahead of what is going to be a busy winter for the racing genre.

D4: Dark Dreams Don't Die may just be the beginning, but it is easily one of the most delightfully bizarre trips of the year. It won't always make sense, but there is a consistent earnestness to its oddity that somehow makes it all work in harmony of '80s saxophone riffs and overly-affected Boston accents.

FIFA 15 may not be brimming with new ideas and game modes, but it is the most polished and enjoyable version of the football sim yet.

As a tribute to a franchise's greatest moments, it's almost unparalleled in its breadth and attention to detail, and whether you're a long-time fan or someone who has only skimmed through a few core entries, there's no better way to revisit the series.

Based on my time with the game so far, I would certainly recommend making a date with Destiny.

Wasteland 2 might be daunting to newcomers, then, but its a sequel that successfully captures the strategic depth and black humor of the original...Brian Fargo and his team at InXile have delivered a quintessential role-playing experience with infinite possibilities.

Roundabout is simply overflowing with personality, offering the best bad acting around and clever missions that even make the aggravating city exploration worth plodding through.

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

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.

Still, despite its flaws, there is a lot of fun to be had in Fantasy Life. The job system is extensive and mastering each skill compulsive, while decorating apartments provides a nice break from the repetitive missions.

Still, it is gorgeous - there's no denying that. Gorgeous, stylistically interesting (if derivative of Edward Gorey) and with some wonderfully creative ideas behind it, Murasaki Baby is a game to welcome with open arms. It's just not a great game to welcome with open arms.

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.

Yes, Hatoful Boyfriend is a dating game with a bird gimmick, and that alone will be enough to keep many players at arm's length. But to pigeonhole your time at the St. Pigeonation's Institute as a mere gimmick would be a grave misjudgment of a game that is far more delightful and unexpected than even its bizarre premise would suggest.

With gorgeous visuals, great presentation, intuitive controls and deep game modes, Madden NFL 15 is undoubtedly the MVP of American football games.

For us, nothing in First Light ever really stood out. It's well polished, but plays it so safe that there wasn't anything to really love or hate. Perhaps using it as a taster before investing in the full fat Second Son experience is a good idea.

While we hesitate to call it a game-of-the-year contender, the Vita needs more titles like Velocity 2X, a game that's equally effective when experienced in short bursts on the move, or in the kind of marathon sessions that tablet and smartphones cannot compete with.

Although both games are thematically grim at times, we thoroughly recommend Metro Redux to both series newcomers and fans of the original titles.