Despite a surprising amount of repetition within the single-player campaign, Far Cry 3 is a wonderful shooter with lots of secrets to discover and a huge game world to explore. Taking place in a stunning environment and featuring a compelling narrative, as well as an excellent cast of characters, Far Cry 3 offers hours of enjoyment, something which is greatly extended thanks to its competitive and co-operative multiplayer modes.

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.

Its finely-tuned balance between character classes, collectable loot and level progression are unmatched in the genre, earning the crown in its name.

Life Is Strange 2 is an entirely new story with an entirely new cast of characters. Its only link to the first game, based on the first episode, is that it takes place in the same universe – but that was perhaps the best direction Dontnod Entertainment could have taken. Starting virtually from scratch has allowed the developer to experiment and push themselves as storytellers, and the result is a more grounded and mature story that has real potential.

Still, despite its short length and lack of replayability, time playing The Swapper is most definitely time well spent. The clone-based puzzles are superb, while the addition of a thought-provoking narrative is the cherry on top of what is an excellent puzzle/platformer.

Hitman: Absolution does have a few flaws, but these certainly don't take away from what is a polished and in-depth package that turns killing into a fine art. Hitman purists may decry the latest title, but in our opinion the balance between stealth and action is just right. Most importantly, you feel that you always have the freedom to bring death in any way you choose. The world is your oyster; now go kill in 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.

However, what you get out of Gone Home is a top-class piece of interactive storytelling. Considerable care has been put into all aspects of The Fullbright Company's debut title, and the end product is a roaring success that may hit home closer than you would expect.

It becomes difficult to tear yourself away from Rogue Legacy, as the repetitive flow is brilliantly augmented by randomly generated traits and dungeon layouts.

Combined with the lack of true innovation, it means that Rock Band 4 only ever achieves Wembley Arena-level greatness - rather than Wembley Stadium-filling excellence. But this is all about pure enjoyment, and after such a long absence and an over-complicated third release, it's a welcome return to form for one of the pioneers of the rhythm action genre.

It brings together all of its systems to create narratives that unfold organically and that are easy to get lost in. You may encounter the same hitchhikers or the same quests across two different runs, but the stories won't be the same. It's about the journey, not the destination.

Yakuza: Like A Dragon was poised to be the biggest of the series yet and it’s clear that Ryu Ga Gotoku have delivered. Pushing the cult series into brave new places, it’s a rich experience that’ll leave you wanting to explore every inch of Yokohama, and with a cast of characters you’re bound to fall in love with, it's bombastic and fun with a capital F. An essential for fans of the series and even newcomers.

It's the little things that add up to make F1 2013 feel a cut above the previous game. Revised handling, more gameplay modes and the new tyre and rule changes definitely add a lot of depth.

On the smaller iPhone screen the tap-heavy controls can often lead to confusion though, with mis-taps moving when you mean to attack and generally getting you into bad situations during combat. Echo Prime is definitely a game that benefits from the larger iPad screen.

The game is worth its asking price for its sheer volume of content alone, and while not all of it is gold, you'll find as much bang-for-buck value here as in any other multiplayer online adventure on console, subscription-based or otherwise.

Ultimately, Rock Band Blitz is a smart and satisfying extension to the Rock Band platform. It should be a no-brainer purchase for Rock Band enthusiasts, but it's also a worthy purchase for anyone who wants an addictive and at times chaotic rhythm title without the fuss of plastic instruments.

Full of multiple themes that probably shouldn't work, but do. The end result is a solid hack 'n slash title set against jaw-dropping visuals with more than its fair share of eccentricities.

Tales of Graces f is a tale worth telling and a game well worth playing.

A severe lack of additional game modes and revolutionary new features means that many of the tweaks will only really be noticeable to hardcore fans. Casual onlookers can rest assured, however, that Madden NFL 12 is one mighty fine football game and worth checking out if you've been on the bench for a few years.

Dead Trigger 2 already had amazing visuals, and with the refinements to the controls it now plays almost as good as it looks. There is still some tedious grinding and repeated missions, but overall this is a mobile first-person shooter done right.

Final Fantasy XIV newcomers might have to jump through hoops to access the new content, but believe us when we say it's worth the effort.

The World Ends With You: Solo Remix is a massive game for iOS, and it gets a gorgeous visual upgrade over the DS original. However, it's hard not to feel that it's priced too high for the iOS market, especially for a non-universal app.

Who would have thought that a budget digital title would actually outshine some of the big guns of the PS Vita launch lineup? It's the perfect amalgamation of old and new that will please MotorStorm fans and the nostalgia brigade alike.

Even though a watered-down version of the game is available to play for free, Super House of Dead Ninjas on Steam is a great time-waster and comes recommended.

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.

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.

Assassin's Creed Syndicate is an acrobatic lunge in the right direction for the series. It's a more stable offering than Unity ever was with engaging protagonists, a monster of a city to get lost in, and some shrewd tweaks to the time-tested formula.

Pragmata is an incredibly fun experience that's full of satisfying combat, progression and unlocks, providing constant dopamine hits of sci-fi sounds and meaningful upgrades. This charming action-adventure deserves to be a massive hit and you should take a chance on one of this year's best games.

It is unforgiving and brutal, but in the best of ways that challenges players to carefully consider each step. For those who don't shy away from a challenge, ZombiU may just be the best reason to own a Wii U at launch.

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.

Marvel's Spider-Man 2 touches on huge progressiveness on the outskirts of its story, but similar to the big-budget retellings of the wall-crawler, it could go so much further. We've seen Spidey do New York so much before, and it's a total undeniable classic. But with great power, comes great responsibility. A responsibility to push forward culture, representation, opinion, and acceptance. Marvel's Spider-Man 2 has made a great start, but we have so much further to go.

Camera adjustment issues aside, inspired level design and creative puzzle mechanics make Blast-a-way an easy iOS recommendation.

Puzzle and Dragons Z is worth the price of admission alone, making this a more than worthy addition to any puzzle fan's 3DS library.

What's impressive is just how many interesting levels and puzzles the developers have created with such simple and admittedly limited controls. Across 80 levels, One Tap Hero never feels like it's running out of steam, with the exciting promise of more to come in future updates.

Rovio has gone above and beyond making Angry Birds 2 the best entry in the series so far, from its polished-up graphics to the new challenges it has to offer.

Quite simply, Castle of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse is one of the best platformers Sega has put out in years.

In many ways, it feels like the Aliens game we should have been given back in the 16-bit era when the movie series was still relatively new. Whether it has been worth the wait is debatable, but this is certainly a worthy addition to the DS library.

WarioWare makes a welcome return, providing the familiar fast-paced microgames action that fans will be accustomed to. Filled with quirky charm, this Switch entry doesn't disappoint. The new character gimmick, however, does get in the way slightly despite adding a neat twist to some of the microgames.

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.

But thanks to some welcome tweaks and neat 3DS-specific features, for those that want to slowly savour paying a mortgage, picking fruit and making friends with weird animals in short but sweet daily bursts, New Leaf is the best Animal Crossing yet.

Overall, Resident Evil 3's gameplay is solid, fun and thrilling, it's definitely worth playing at some point, but tragically it's all too short lived.

Skylanders Giants is a worthy sequel and recommendable to anyone who was a fan of the original. To have the best time, you should ideally begin with new Skylanders instead of breezing past half the campaign with your existing characters, but thankfully the novelty of the toys hasn't worn off and the actual game behind the grand concept still remains a blast.

Sonic: Lost World is a fresh and unique take on Sega's mascot that recaptures everything that was great about his 2D adventures, rights the wrongs of his 3D outings, and takes him into uncharted territory.

Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag isn't perfect, but an intriguing story, great cast of characters and improved stealth gameplay helps steer the series over choppy waters.

If I Am Alive were to be described in a single word, that word would be bleak. It is unapologetic in its presentation and unafraid to cross lines that most games never dare to approach. Those crossed lines are certainly through its subject matter, but also in its gameplay through the possibility of causing permanent damage to your stamina bar. It all comes together to make I Am Alive an uncompromising game of survival, quite unlike anything else on the Xbox 360.

Much more than an amalgamation of two classic series. The game builds on Street Fighter IV's award-winning formula by introducing innovative new mechanics, and the result is one of the most tactically rich fighters on the market.

Leon and Jake's campaigns, in particular, are hugely entertaining, showcasing the survival horror genre at its best. While Chris's campaign might well prove that two's company and three's a crowd, the excellent plot, cast of characters and additional content should ensure that Resident Evil 6 is revisited more times than Tall Oaks' pharmacy.

As Resident Evil continues to follow the Michael Bay school of thought on tension and Silent Hill struggles to finds its identity, Project Zero is really among the premier survival horror game franchises.

If you're a FIFA 17 fan, go ahead and buy it – you won't regret your purchase. Just be aware that, right now, EA's game can't match the standard of the new console footie king – PES 2017.

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.

While Starbreeze Studios may have some trouble convincing die-hard Syndicate fans to open their hearts and minds to the series' new style and direction, its multiplayer offering should breach many a gaming session for some time to come.

Where Kingdom Rush Frontiers really succeeds is its variety though. The sense of monotony that often plagues tower defense games never sets in, with tons of variety both in settings and enemy types so that you're always facing some fresh challenge.

The core puzzles are identical to last year's game, so Cassie's Contraptions fans may not feel the need to buy the same game again, but brainteaser fans will enjoy the creativity from the community-built stages.

While Split Fiction doesn't necessarily break new ground, it's an entertaining ride and delivers a polished co-operative experience with an infectious level of enthusiasm. As the end credits rolled, my colleague and I agreed that we wouldn't have minded at all if the game had been extended by several more hours. It's to the game's credit that it never threatened to outstay its welcome, and felt fresh throughout.

It may not be the most progressive title of the PS Vita's launch lineup, but it's a worthy addition to its stable.

The game does what the series has excelled at since day one, provide an accessible golfing experience that anyone can enjoy. Unlike some of the other titles in the Sony platform's library, this one doesn't rely on gimmicks. Its focus is solid gameplay, depth and charm, and it has these things down to a tee.

Bananza is a lot of fun, but it's also a game that I wish I could have appreciated more. If its particular brand of sandbox gameplay had clicked with me, I might have considered calling it a Nintendo classic. Despite this, I still found the main campaign to be a wonderfully imaginative ride. DK and young Pauline's team-up is bright, colourful, and full of charm, and is a worthy addition to the Switch 2's early line-up of games.

Crush! is a clever puzzle game that isn't afraid to push your reflexes, while being perfectly suited to playing a quick round or two on the go.

Dear Esther offers many strengths; a non-conventional premise - at least compared to traditional games - a genuinely interesting tale, and a lavishly crafted world to tell it in. It's overall linearity is disappointing, especially in such a captivating place, but it otherwise delivers a refreshing experience that will stay with you long after it's over.

Quantum Conundrum is a fun and thought-provoking take on the physics-based puzzler. It's quirky and challenging with enough depth to its mechanics to keep players persevering when the going gets tough. If lateral thinking is your thing, you can't go far wrong with this one.

The core Plants vs Zombies gameplay is still as strong as ever, so there is still tons of fun to be found in the sequel. But after the first game's carefully crafted difficulty curve, Plants vs Zombies 2's grinding can make it feel like a more inconsistent experience.

Even when progress slows down, the game's light strategy and thrill of opening a new pack of cards is hard to deny, making The Collectables a surprising treat in the overcrowded sea of free-to-play games.

It's a bold attempt at marrying real-time strategy values with MMO elements, and although it's difficult to judge the game until a community has built up around it, the early signs are very positive.

Dishonored's open-ended approach is a commendable one, but we felt the way it cheats the player out of the best ending if they choose the 'wrong' play style to be a bit frustrating. However, while it's a little short, Dishonored is ultimately a very enjoyable experience, with a vivid, unique world that will surprise whoever steps into it.

Consume Me offers an inventive take on narrative design in gaming. In how it blends mechanics and story, it uses the power of the medium to create something that's uniquely engaging and empathetic, and leaves a lasting impact that helps to cement it as one of the year's best indies.

Hearkening back to the original Dark Souls, the expansion is impressively intricate, challenging and extremely fulfilling.

Mortal Kombat on Vita is a solid port of a top-drawer fighter, but little more than that. if you already own the home consle edition, it's pretty much a question of how much the opportunity to play it on the go with added mini-games appeals.

For all of its drawbacks, when the whistle blows and the game kicks off, PES 2012 offers a satisfying, unpredictable and utterly enjoyable game of virtual football.

Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War's campaign is tight, slick, and lots of fun, it almost avoids getting totally bogged down with militaristic mumbo jumbo, thanks to a barmy plot, and fun, albeit cliched characters, and most importantly, genuinely creative and impressive gameplay mechanics, that don't involve shooting. Sure it's as short as ever, but given it's one part of the package that includes zombies and multiplayer, it's easily the best Call of Duty story for many years, and perhaps one of the best shoot-em-up campaigns, too.

For those who haven't played Limbo before, or for those who simply want to play it again while riding on the bus, you can download the iOS version with confidence that it is just as creepy and well-crafted as on any other platform.

Wii Fit U really does take advantage of the software and hardware available, even if there are a lot of individual devices to keep track of.

Smooth Operators takes a significant time commitment to build up your company, but it will have its hooks in you long before then. This sort of cyclical design has flourished on smartphones and tablets already, and now removed from free-to-play constraints it progresses at a much more natural pace.

As only the first of five episodes, it is difficult to tell how the series will play out and evolve from here. However, The Wolf Among Us: Episode 1 - Faith makes a fantastic first impression and has us eagerly awaiting the next chapter of Bigby's story.

It's a unique take on the war-based theme, and will evoke your inner voyeur, dazzling in its moments of exposition as well as its suggestive junctures.

Wayward Souls is an intense challenge, but that only makes the feeling of reward all the greater when you finally succeed, and unlock the next multi-floor deathtrap to explore.

Sqwords offers a new type of puzzle that will have wordsmiths mulling over their smartphones and tablets for hours.

If Vicarious Visions has proven one thing with Skylanders Swap Force, it's that the toy-to-life genre is showing no signs of becoming another ephemeral fad. The game takes the series to a new creative peak without compromising the level of fun and charm that has helped Skylanders attain the status of global phenomenon.

Archangel is slow to get started, but after gaining some abilities and spells the pace of combat picks up for a satisfying and long-lasting dungeon crawler.

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.

Sniper Elite 3 treads that fine line between realism and fun, but it comes together well, providing cheap kicks for those who enjoy over-the-top sniper kills, and a modicum of tactical depth for players looking for something more substantial.

Dark Souls is intentionally stubborn and mysterious throughout, and seemingly resists your efforts to improve, but that's all part of what makes it so enjoyable.

If you can find a team of friends to enlist into your squad, Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: Wildlands is, well, wild. However, the sheer amount of travelling, planning and stealth required for numerous missions doesn't lend itself to online co-op with random drop-in muggles. But steaming through an endless line of ridiculous drug kingpins in a big world with an even bigger arsenal is intoxicating fun that'll keep you coming back for another hit. Just pick the right squad, or you'll become a literal ghost pretty quickly.

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.