If you can handle the rough and ready and are focused squarely on making your own content, there’s something in here for you. If not, ignore Infinity 2.0 and hope Avalanche iron out the kinks for next year’s release.

Dead Island caters to a variety of play styles. Those after a quick, tense singleplayer campaign can race through it, or alternatively players can take their time and explore the expansive island of Banoi. Either way, the zombie horde will occasionally prove overwhelming and the game includes more than a few frights, but the best way to play the game is co-op with friends.

Far Cry: New Dawn offers fans of the series much of what they have come to like about it and does some good work as a direct sequel, but its reduced scope has led to some changes that are not for the better, and it definitely stands as a minor entry.

Days Gone is an ambitious new IP that borrows heavily from its influences. It still maintains its own identity and features some genuinely fun gameplay. It's unfortunately held back by countless technical issues, but if you're willing to tolerate these, the moment to moment gameplay is enjoyable. While there's nothing revolutionary about the game, it's worth a go if you're a zombie fan.

The Escapists is a break out success for Mouldy Toof studios. A must-play for indie gaming fans with a little patience.

A somewhat nostalgic wrestling title that fails to hit the standards set by the Smackdown vs. Raw franchise. Good fun though, even with the simplified controls.

Asura's Wrath has a great story, and manages to offer genuinely enjoyable entertainment despite being light on real gaming substance. As a full price game though, it is hard to justify the cost. For those who can get it on special, it is something worth playing simply as a new experience.

Lords of the Fallen copies, but it does so from great sources in a mostly competent fashion, and adds in a few neat systems of its own.

Might and Magic X is an unabashedly old school RPG experience that, despite on or two high notes, often only serves to remind us why so many of these mechanics were relegated to history.

Probably best to consider this game as a track pack for Guitar Hero World Tour, with looser timing and an arguably better choice of songs. It does seem like money grab however, and we can't help but think offering it as a DLC pack may have been a wiser move.

In Unit 13, there's no confrontation. There's no challenge. There's pointless bloodshed, but it doesn't ask the player why they did it, why they wanted it; it just assumes that's what gamers want and moves on to the next setpiece.

Farpoint is the best realised and executed VR experience I have played – one that gives me hope that we have just begun to scratch the surface of what can be achieved in the medium. It’s unfortunate that the ending of the game and the resolution of the PSVR hold it back, but regardless, it's an enjoyable shooter with a great story.

This is not Gran Turismo, but nor does it claim to be. A solid racing title for fans of the prancing horse, and those that simply like to admire from afar. Think simulation rather than arcade and you'll have a ball.

Driveclub is incredibly well put together but slightly bland, and is hampered by a lack of distinct personality.

Sébastien Loeb Rally Evo is a fantastic rally game with it’s heart in the right place, but occasional technical woes stop it from reaching its full potential.

This is no cut-down, dumbed-down version of its full sized counterparts. Guitar Hero: On Tour goes to great lengths to prove you can make beautiful music - and a real ass of yourself - absolutely anywhere.

His previous foray into videogames left the self professed P.I.M.P. more than a little L.I.M.P. But Swordfish Studios have pumped the lead back into 50 Cent’s pencil with the very respectable Blood on the Sand.

Loot Rascals is a unique roguelike whose bright and breezy presentation contrasts nicely with its intricate systems and ferocious difficulty.

A cool concept for a puzzle-block game that is unfortunately hampered by an overly aggressive AI and a real lack of multiplayer opponents on XBL. If you can get a friend or two together though, you'll have a blast.

A decent, fun game, but the excitement is much too short-lived.

You can appreciate what BioWare are trying to do, but personally I am tired of collecting new crew members. I have a fine and full crew; so for myself, right now I would rather have more missions that develop the main story further or give me new ways to interact with the current crew members.

Ghosts will disappoint those only in it for the singleplayer, although – Extinction aside – the multiplayer feels like just more of the same. Those who play online will still get their money’s worth, but a proper evolution of the series’ mechanics is now desperately needed.

Telltale recalibrates with episode one of Minecraft: Story Mode, returning to younger audiences with a story that’s charming and accessible, and opening a surprisingly nuanced conversation with its players. Older audiences, though, may find its path a bit too well-trod.

A worthy addition to the systems repertoire, and one that fills the gap nicely between pointless dreck (Nintendogs 3DS) and full-on gaming experiences to come.

No Man's Sky was never going to live up to the hype, but sadly even those with tempered expectations are likely to be somewhat disappointed. It is by no means a terrible game, it just feels unfinished and empty.

ScreamRide is fun, but it’s not the Daliesque experience it’s so desperately trying to be.

A solid game with fantastic sound and visuals. However, unpolished aspects of gameplay will cause frustration. Ultimately, Force Unleashed is unlikely to be remembered for anything other than its excellent story.

39 Days to Mars manages to make steampunk more than tolerable with this charming and innovative adventure game, developed by Christchurch designer Philip Buchanan.

While the full-fat FIFA 19 experience delivers in spades, the Switch version feels dated and is lacking in key gameplay improvements — even some from years ago. Unfortunately, it’s easily the worst way of experiencing FIFA 19 this year.

A distinctive, pretty and involving RPG from developers Jupiter. Solve puzzles, train your character and monsters, enjoy a futuristic storyline across multiple worlds and meet a cast of interesting characters.

For every positive aspect found in Crackdown 2, there's a handful of negative ones. The game is frustratingly bland, lacking in innovation and it really feels like less of a game than the title it's meant to follow on from.

Crossing Souls is heavy on nostalgia, but somewhat shallow when it comes to gameplay. The result is a lovingly crafted ode to an era that's neither bodacious nor bogus.

A James Bond movie tie-in that unfortunately lacks any of the gadgets and fun aspects we expect from 007. Treyarch have created an enjoyable shooter that fails to live up to expectations, and is far too short to be considered anything special.

A faithful game conversion of the popular animated TV show, The Brave and the Bold casts a familiar hero in a series of madcap adventures with friends and foe alike. It's not perfect, but it sure is fun.

No game does zombie carnage as well as Dead Rising, but tired storytelling, repetition, and technical shortcoming hamper the experience. What's left is a bland game that leans too heavily on its impressive central combat mechanic.

The Cave clings to some genre tropes that we could do without in 2013, but the game is redeemed by its wicked sense of humour and wonderful presentation. A must for puzzle fans.

Vander Caballero's puzzle-platformer isn't important because of its puzzles or its platforms – it's important because of what it is outside of that, an autobiographical fable that goes uncomfortably deep into a cycle of abuse and addiction and its long-reaching effects on a naive young boy.

All 4 One is a worthy addition to the Ratchet & Clank stable and, judging by the popularity of the drop-in/drop-out style of co-op gameplay that the Lego series has proven so popular, might just be where the future of the franchise lies.

Vampire: The Masquerade – Coteries of New York is a hell of a mouthful, but one that you should at least take a nibble at. The streamlined gameplay and engrossing story make it an approachable title that artfully embraces The World of Darkness. While its relative lack of role-playing depth, linearity, and brevity may be off putting to some, when taken for what it is there is a lot to enjoy here.

There's potential in expanding the Warhammer: 40,000 license beyond the strategy genre – something Relic has done with great success in its Dawn of War series – but there's also clearly a lot of work to be done.

One of the better 'mini game' collections out there, with a good variety of games and a nice difficulty curve. The only real down is the lack of online multiplayer.

Sorcery isn't the game that will bring the hardcore to the Move. It's not the game that makes the Move indispensible. In fact, there's little or nothing that couldn't have just been mapped to a standard controller. But it's a novel and polished experience that offers something fun for the younger player, while their gaming parents can at least appreciate it objectively. They may even end up finishing it, while no one is looking. It's a surprisingly enjoyable experience.

Sure, it's another expansion to the immensely popular Guitar Hero franchise, but a worthy one nonetheless. If you love Aerosmith then it goes without saying you'll love this. The wireless controller is the icing on the cake.

Lego The Hobbit is a handsome game, but it's also proof that the formula Traveller's Tales employs for most of its Lego titles simply doesn't work for everything it adapts.

My Hero One’s Justice stays faithful to the source material and offers a wealth of quality content. The story may be a bit convoluted for those who haven't seen the anime but the depth of combat nuance will keep most fighting game fans happy.

A decent, fun game, but the excitement is much too short-lived.

You won't be buying this game for its (un)exemplary graphics or "innovative" control method, but if you're prepared to sink hours into it, there's fun to be had.

The developer missions may be ordinary but the Adventure Creator that comes with the expansion supersizes the incredible creative license of the original game.

Ghost Recon Wildlands is a fun romp in a huge world that allows you tackle each encounter in as tactical or non-tactical manner as you please. Your fellow players are what bring this game to life, so best not look at this as a single-player experience.

To the player willing to take the game at a slower pace, with a focus on pure stealth and without the artifice of in game assistance Thief will deliver the goods. For everyone else the reward may not be worth the effort.

After much fanfare, EA Sports UFC taps out disappointingly early.

Beyond: Two Souls is unquestionably an important release, but excellent performances by Willem Dafoe and Ellen Page belie a structurally unsound narrative and truly benign gameplay.

A somewhat nostalgic wrestling title that fails to hit the standards set by the Smackdown vs. Raw franchise. Good fun though, even with the simplified controls.

If you want the full flight/action WWII experience on the Wii then pick up a copy of Blazing Angels: Pearl Harbor. However if you've got a tenner to spare or some Wii Points to use up – and from the perspective of value for money – this is well worth a look.

It may be all a bit familiar for seasoned Pokémon gamers, but there's enough content in Fossil Fighters to keep even a cynic entertained.

When the wondrous becomes the familiar and we begin to peek behind the warped Victorian-Gothic façade, we discover an action platformer that lacks strong differentiation.

Falcon Age offers a rich and refreshing experience that focuses on a few key elements and nails them precisely. While the experience certainly feels more tailored to VR, it's still a wonderful journey on a normal TV screen. A wonderful world and egregious art style make for an engaging playthrough, despite some overly-simple combat mechanics.

Below is a solid and well-designed game that will challenge every level of gamer. Steeped in mystery, fans of Roguelike dungeon exploring will feel right at home in this subterranean adventure.

It’s fun to furiously trumpet and get to smashin’ stuff as Tembo for a while, but before too long you’re reduced to hoping he makes his way over to a better sequel – or possibly the Virtua Fighter roster.

The Sims 4 is a visual and mechanical upgrade, but it's missing many of the things Sims fans are used to.

Unity simply isn't ready for release. The majority of its new systems aren't refined enough, and its existing ones are showing their age. It's still intermittently enjoyable, but a serious step down from last year's Black Flag.

Perhaps then, the biggest THQ has made is that they have explicitly created a fitness game rather than camouflaging exercise within the game, such as Fighters Uncaged or the plethora of dance titles on the market. Until this happens, and until the social aspects of the game are improved or a punchable man-shaped peripheral is released, gamers are going to find few reasons within UFC Personal Trainer to take their workouts from the gym into their living rooms.

Although there are problems with the PC version, Mercenaries 2 has a great deal of potential. It's a back-to-basics title that allows you to destroy pretty much everything around you, and you'll have no end of fun doing so.

Time has rendered Resident Evil Zero somewhat toothless and frustrating, but this HD offering is still an enjoyable throwback that goes down better thanks to some generous helpings of cheese.

If you're contemplating Homefront as an inclusive package, forget it. Consider it to be a better-than-expected multiplayer distraction at best, and wait for E3 in June to see if we get an apology for the campaign and an explanation as to how the sequel will be better.

The blurb on the back of the Virtua Tennis 2009 cover states “The World’s No.1 Tennis Series Returns” – but the big question is: Does it return with anything new? The answer is no, nothing worth making a song and dance about anyway.

Despite some stunning art direction and a rich story complete with interesting and complex characters, Enslaved fails to provide a compelling game play experience to complement its artistic and narrative strengths.

It's not a bad game but it is outstripped by developer Gaijin Entertainments other offerings within the same market. Unless you're someone who really must get to the chopper, there are far better flight simulators available, including the excellent IL-2 series. Granted, it's not on consoles, but they really aren't the weapon of choice for simulations.

When played with a group of friends The Dark Pictures: Man of Medan is an undeniably fun experience. However, the main story and core game feel rather skeletal when not being filled out by the real-world flesh and blood of your nearest and dearest. Bugs and performance issues constantly nag, but the real disappointment is that as a horror story Man of Medan is not even close to being as smart or fun as its predecessor. I hope the next entry in The Dark Pictures anthology can recapture the gore and glory from Until Dawn.

Invizimals is a great idea perhaps realised too soon. It never feels as cohesive as it should due to technology limitations, and for that reason it's hard to promote it as a well constructed gaming experience. But we'd sure love to see a sequel that irons out the bugs.

Mages of Mystralia is an incredible little indie title that offers surprisingly deep gameplay mechanics, that offer some nice replay-ability to a campaign that keeps it short and simple.

“In Too Deep” gets The Walking Dead: Michonne off to a rocky start, with the introduction of uninteresting characters, a drab story, and a flat ending. Yet the exploration of Michonne’s past and her emotional demons is fascinating, and offers much potential for the future.

Mario Tennis Open is light, comfortable fun, yes. This much is a given. But, like many franchises that have run for seventeen years or more, it raises the question of what, exactly, it's doing to stay relevant. How is it trying to be something that commands players' attentions in a sea of works fighting for their money and time? How is it justifying its existence, the resources that went into creating it? In Open's case, it seems the answer to all these questions is 'by being on the 3DS'. And that's really not good enough.

Blood Money and Absolution are great games but even with the enhancements they are showing their age, not only when compared to the most recent entries but also to each other.

The game plays just like a movie as you hack, slash and wall-run your way through the game in control of Rubi, a sexy female assassin. Over-the-top acrobatics and slow motion moves allow for some pretty high levels of gore. Unfortunately it's all been done before, and WET doesn't really seem to do much of it overly well.

It's the 'Simple Life' personified, with all the benefits of running a successful lifestyle block - minus the muss 'n' fuss (not to mention backbreaking labour). Allow yourself a good hour for the learning curve, though.

The Conduit proves that the Wii can produce FPS play mechanics that are easy to control, however the lack of a cohesive story coupled with bland environments ultimately lets it down.

Red River resembles a game six months of tweaking away from being a masterpiece. As it stands, it's intermittently thrilling (particularly in the larger firefights), but fans of the Flashpoint series will be disappointed by the relatively narrow battlegrounds of Red River and newbies may be utterly bored by the time the first handful of missions are completed. There's definitely room in the FPS world for the kind of cerebral, tactical shooter that this game aspires to be, and beyond a slack initial offering are riches that hint at how great Operation Flashpoint: Red River could be.

A great addition to the series that shies away from the mindless killing-fest of other horror games on the market today, yet stays true to the atmospheric horror adventure of its roots. Great to play in the dark – if you dare.

Knack 2 makes better use of its protagonist's abilities – and like any good sequel, throws a few more into the mix – but there isn't much story to support the revamped gameplay. Even so, excellent sound and level design get Knack over the line.

Sea of Thieves isn't a complete game. Much of what's present is enchanting, but repetition will claim most before the kraken does. Check it out on Xbox Games Pass for a month, or hold out and hope that it is filled out in time.

The beauty of the Junior series is that it doesn’t matter who you are, or how old you are, it’s just all about having fun with some wacky looking characters. It's great entertainment all round.

Tumble VR is let down by the frankly piss-poor tracking of both the DualShock 4 and the Move controllers, making the precise block placements the game sometimes demands tricky.

When The Occupation works, it’s a thrilling investigative adventure that allows the player freedom to explore and chase leads in a way that feels incredibly exciting. Frustrating controls can be overlooked, but unfortunately, the bugs in the game are incredibly persistent and capable of completely turning a promising experience into one that’s too annoying to go on.

Q.U.B.E. 2 is a welcome addition to the puzzle genre but is not without its technical hiccups on the Switch. While it struggles occasionally under the hood, if you're willing to look past these shortcomings, there's a fun game with its fair share of brain-bending challenges for die-hard puzzle fiends.

A pared down, stylised version of previous NFS titles with a few new gimmicks. Best suited to younger gamers.

Mad Max has the basics right and looks great, but beyond the first few hours it's a monotonous grind.

Valhalla Hills is charming, but it lacks compelling problem-solving scenarios, is too repetitive, and has players relying too much trial and error to progress.

Whether you have an hour to sit around and knock off 30 levels or just a few minutes between trains, Ivy will feel like a worthwhile purchase.

Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 has some good ideas, but is held back by conflicting graphical styles and some dull events. The game is made for multi-player and those with enough controllers will find some fun to be had. It's a shame there wasn't just a few more great 3D mini-games or team events to mix up the more boring events.

A solid game with some interesting twists, but overall it's about interacting with dinosaurs and killing them. The story feels quite superfluous, so don’t have any expectations of a gripping sci-fi tale - but do expect lots of shooting and killing.

The Lego Movie Videogame follows the instruction manual too closely, hitting the same same plot points as the movie, and even rehashing some of its gags. This is the kind of tie-in we thought we'd seen the back of.

Dadliest Catch is a wily, outstanding title in the vein of infamous freeware QWOP. With awkward controls, volatile physics and formidable environmental puzzles working in compelling harmony, Dadliest Catch makes the player the architect of physical comedy in a brilliant and idiosyncratic way.

Heroes of Ruin would like to be the 3DS' Diablo, the 3DS' Gauntlet, the 3DS' Hunter: The Reckoning. Unfortunately, n-Space fails to endow the game with challenging gameplay or engrossing storytelling, apparently hoping that the solid multiplayer will draw audiences. In a marketplace where there's nothing new under the sun, we need a more interesting hook than that.

Daedalic Entertainment’s State of Mind wants players to explore the idea of what is it that makes us us, but never provides the player any real opportunity to do so. You simply follow the path and mark off another check mark. In the end all you’re really doing is little more than counting electric sheep.

FIFA Manager 09 contains every detail a micro-management nut could possibly want, and probably a few they won't. For the mainstream football game enthusiast this will probably be a snore-fest, but the true management fan will be more than satisfied with the depth on offer.

These gripes aside, however, there is still plenty of satisfaction to be gained from MLB 2K11, for both baseball devotees and curious cricket-fans alike.

Complex mechanics wrapped in a overly-childish shell leaves the latest entry in the Pokemon series feeling like a missed opportunity with no clear target audience. From it's dire gameplay, to its tedious mechanics and terrible story, there's little to love here. This unfortunately is one you definitely do not want to catch...