At its core, Thomas Was Alone is a celebration of the differences between people, and as a celebration its puzzles are far more concerned with offering a hurdle to overcome rather than obstacles to fail. It's a subtle difference, but an important one.

While transforming vehicles don't completely change the game from Anomaly 2's predecessors, it does offer a few new strategic twists on the series' already strong gameplay.

Company of Heroes 2 is a worthy sequel to a classic RTS, honoring its roots and handling its subject matter with the utmost respect. There are times when it will feel very familiar to series veterans, but sticking to your guns is no bad thing when they have never let you down in the past.

Super Mario Maker already has so much potential, but its true brilliance will only be apparent once it's out and it starts to create prodigies. Whether Super Mario Maker is a gateway to infinite Mario levels or an outlet for your creativity, you will still find unlimited value within.

Combine spot-on controls with dozens of fish to discover and a wonderful sense of humor, and it would be ridiculous not to download Ridiculous Fishing.

The game isn't as innovative as other recent Mario efforts and not as novel as previous New Super Mario releases. It's still one of the best 3DS games on the market, however, and we strongly suggest saving some of your own coins in order to buy it.

The cast of Midnight Suns is split between members of the Avengers (Doctor Strange, Iron Man, Captain Marvel, etc) and the Midnight Suns themselves – a crack squad of younger heroes assembled to tackle demonic issues. All sorts of fun tensions arise from these groups interacting, all supported by some really strong writing. The only thing that lets it down is the sometimes janky production values, and we often felt like particular lines or moments would have been better delivered in a single comic panel with a distinct facial expression, rather than Midnight Suns’ middling character models. If you can look past this, though, then you get some really funny moments with a cast of characters that genuinely feels like it’s been assembled with care – a feeling which extends throughout the entire game and which is a welcome surprise for this big-budget IP-driven title.

Soul Sacrifice is undoubtedly one of the deepest and most interesting games available for Sony's handheld. The dark fantasy style and slightly repetitive missions might put some people off, but if you're looking to invest a lot of time into a game and don't mind sacrificing your social life, Keiji Inafune's latest is just the game for you.

With better server consistency, Hybrid could hold onto gamer attention long after the big hitters like Halo 4 and Black Ops 2 are on shelves. Hopefully the servers will improve in the future and the player base will stick with the game in the long run, but neither of those things can be relied on with any degree of certainty. For now, Hybrid is a fun but flawed experience, with sheer brilliance waiting for those patient enough to join a match.

Whether you're an ardent fan who has logged into Destiny every week since launch, or someone who set down the controller the moment the credits rolled at launch last September, everything has been tweaked and changed for the better for everyone.

Like a faint Pikachu attempting to escape a rare Poke Ball, Pokemon X shouldn't fail to draw you in and hold on tight, even though it's not quite the mega evolution we were expecting.

Halo 4's combination of modes offers a very impressive package. The campaign offers a familiar but genuinely captivating ride, while Spartan Ops and War Games both take multiplayer in some welcome directions that'll undoubtedly hold your interest in the coming months.

A bright, colourful and tasty blend of all your favourite multiplayer shooters, it will leave you with a big smile on your face and feeling good inside.

The Sims 4: Eco Lifestyle is an impressive expansion that emphasises not only green living but also community. The biggest success stems from how the core features come together in a cohesive way to make your neighbourhood feel connected, backed by Evergreen Harbor's memorable world.

After an opening act bogged down by tutorials and dodgily scripted story sequences, Watch Dogs removes the shackles, takes some chances and begins to live up to its own hype...Despite its pacing issues, Watch Dogs manages to tell a worthwhile story that's backed up by some novel new ideas in both single and multiplayer.

Mankind Divided is neither as revolutionary as Deus Ex was 16 years ago nor The Witcher III and MGSV were just last year. That doesn't change the fact that it's a brilliant Deus Ex, giving you a rich, exciting cyberpunk world, a compelling storyline within it, and the freedom to explore it almost any way you wish...In terms of both stealth and combat it's a big improvement on the last game, while it still has the deep storytelling and lavish background detail we've come to expect. If you're in a mood for a dark, sci-fi conspiracy thriller with some meaty themes, put those mirrored shades on your face and get stuck in.

Pacing issues aside, Riptide GP2 is the mobile spiritual successor to Wave Race and Hydro Thunder fans have been hoping for.

Much like TV's Strictly Come Dancing, Just Dance 2014 adopts the same tried and tested formula that has seen it become one of this generation's premiere party games. It doesn't take any risks and fails to innovate, but thanks to its superb soundtrack, hilarious dance routines and much-needed online mode, it's worth dusting off those dancing shoes for one last jive.

New Little King's Story should be commended for the way it amalgamates several complex genres into one fun and accessible package. It will almost certainly appeal to RPG fans more than real-time strategy veterans, but the elements it draws from both genres complement each other exceptionally well. Although players familiar with the Wii version will notice more than a few similarities, most of the comparisons drawn will no doubt be favourable.

Like any good vacation, you'll return home at the end of it with lasting fond memories. But unlike most vacations, with Hohokum you always have the opportunity to revisit them whenever the mood strikes.

Despite its often infuriating difficulty, Road Not Taken is a fascinating journey where how you play it makes all the difference.

While the addition of eight new stages might not be enough to lure back fans of the original, but with its accessible new game mode, gorgeous visuals and plethora of challenging and diverse levels, Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D is almost guaranteed to attract an army of new followers.

Mario Party Superstars is the strongest outing for the long-running franchise since at least the early GameCube days. It doesn't take many risks and admittedly lacks imagination, but this party leans on nostalgia and understands why these games are so popular among longtime fans. It's a well-executed and highly enjoyable return to the series' roots while remaining largely accessible to first-time players.

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.

The main slight against Antichamber is its personality, or lack of. It's visually interesting but also feels atmospherically empty and austere. If you can embrace that, though, and you have enough patience to crack the obstacles in your way, there may not be a puzzle game this year more rewarding as this one.

Like Ocarina of Time before it on 3DS, Nintendo once again proves that it has a deft hand at reviving its classics, preserving their timeless essence while making them easier than ever to revisit for new and old audiences alike.

Harmonix has clearly listened to and addressed any criticisms levelled at the original, resulting in an improved sequel that rarely misses a beat.

Limited multiplayer options aside, Lumines Electronic Symphony blends puzzle, rhythm and visuals together in an almost euphoric way. What looks like a humble block-shifting affair at first glance is actually one of the best titles in the PS Vita's launch lineup. Throw in one of the best soundtracks you're ever likely to hear and we have an excellent purchase on our hands.