Relax – this is very nearly the Doom you've always wanted but never really thought you'd get. By focusing on DOOM's brutal, ultraviolent heart iD has created an all-action FPS in the old-school style, but with next-gen looks and a handful of mod-cons. It's not going to reinvent the genre, but it might help you rediscover all the good stuff that used to make it tick.

The enemy AI is deviously smart, and will not hesitate to take advantage of every trick you can think of and more. That also only means it is all the more satisfying when you finally learn to outsmart it, making Skulls of the Shogun a must for all hardcore armchair generals.

Resources can also be used to open shops, which can upgrade your weapons, magic and skills to help you survive further into the dungeon. Each dungeon run is scored, with your ultimate goal to reach a score of 10,000,000, hence the game's title. It will take dozens upon dozens of attempts to even come close to that score, but each failure is met with the compulsion to try just one more time in this addicting RPG puzzler.

Football Manager 2014 is as much about removing the restrictions of past installments as it is about introducing new content.

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.

A thoroughly enjoyable fighting game, striking a wonderful balance between shallow action and simulation. Personality issues aside, once the bell rings, the action is superb, offering incredible levels of strategy, not to mention some of the most impressive knockouts we've ever seen.

Hotline Miami is an odd experience. Missions flow between stealth and combat with split-second tactical choices reinforced through trial-and-error. The context for that gameplay is brutal beyond measure, though the game also provides a rare opportunity for reflection.

It isn't a bad story, with plenty of intrigue from its setting and characters. The issue comes in when it tries to take a leap into the realm of allegory, where it never ties itself together thematically in a satisfying way. In that way, Transistor is like a virtual croissant. It is layered and delicious, but there is a lingering airy emptiness to it that makes it hard to fill up on just one.

Pikmin 3 expands and improves upon the systems that made the original games such a joy to play...While we would have liked to seen the development team make better use of the Wii U's features, Pikmin 3's stunning visuals, fiendish puzzles and incredible boss fights have seen it blossom into another treasured Nintendo franchise.

Bayonetta Origins is a charming spin-off adventure with unique mechanics, beautiful visuals and an engrossing soundtrack that always suits the mood. It's a triumph on its own merits. While the gameplay develops at a satisfying pace, some fans of the mainline series might find it lacking in some complexity. But with a chance to delve deeper into the Bayonetta world and follow along this coming-of-age tale, it’s hard not to recommend this game to fans of the series and newcomers alike.

Tiny Troopers 2 is a bigger, and almost better, game than the original. The structure is favored more toward in-app purchases this time around, which sadly interferes with the difficulty balance more than it needs to.

An interesting and, importantly, fun game with enough going for it to keep you coming back, trying out new and different things and generally helping out in one of the most violently dodgy election campaigns ever seen.

It isn't perfect and whether or not it surpasses its predecessor is up for debate – this is a story that is different in scope – but Hellblade 2 is one of the standout experiences of the year so far and has been worth the wait.

It's not necessarily Batman's finest hour and doesn't move the series forward in any significant way, but it's likely to attract fans the same way that crime attracts Batman.

Project Cars is a game that requires practice, patience and a whole lot of skill. It's not the easiest game to pick up and play, but it's definitely one of the most rewarding when you put in the time and finally nab yourself a podium finish.

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.

It's easy to get a kick out of seeing how high the scores can get, but the game is as much about the gambles you take and the planning along the way. There's a deceptive simplicity to Balatro due to its roots in poker, and it uses that to its advantage to reel you in while regularly finding new ways to surprise you.

Diablo 3 was always going to be a great fit for console given its intuitive and infectious gameplay, but Blizzard deserves plaudits for the skill with which it has handled the porting process.

While some could rightly criticize The Unfinished Swan for what it is lacking, sometimes an empty space can still speak volumes. Just spray a dash of paint, and you may see that it isn't all that empty after all.

Fans of the original will wolf down everything this revamp has to offer, and if it passed you by back in 2006, this is the best way to experience it for the first time.

When the whistle blows and the action is go, PES 2013 is easily a match for FIFA, coming closer than ever to wining back its crown.

Not everything new that Black Ops 2 introduces is a success, but what works - from the branching narrative to more flexible multiplayer customisation - makes it the most unique Call of Duty yet.

F1 2012 is an example of a franchise maturing and growing as it becomes more established and successful.

Everything is presented with a whimsical charm befitting of the Toy Story name. The levels can get quite challenging, requiring actual planning instead of rewarding random shots, but the simple pleasure of knocking down block structures is so rewarding that it is a difficult game to put down.

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.

At times, Volume may fly too close to its Metal Gear Solid roots - creator Mike Bithell has unashamedly noted 1998's stealth 'em up as a distinct source of inspiration - but what it lacks in immediate originality, aesthetically at least, it makes up for in innovative, engaging, and challenging level design.

It reaches highs that some Halo recent entries still haven't reached, and due to some unfortunate pacing, some of its biggest lows, too. All in all, its timeless combat ensures that old fans can soundly enjoy it once again, while newcomers can fully appreciate why it's always been so highly regarded.

The different racing styles provide a hugely diverse experience that really highlights Codemasters' strengths as one of the best developers of racing games.