The amazing artwork struggles to conceal repetitive combat and a game that, at its heart, is incredibly easy. Kids will probably rate it highly, but those who have grown up with the series may tire of it quickly.

Beamdog has enhanced the core game with no affectations or game changing alterations, allowing Torment to speak for itself without being muffled by the clanking and crashing of technical clunk. The result is a spectacular adventure for those willing to accept its various eccentricities and advancing years.

This year's FIFA represents a big change for the long-running series. The core gameplay is fun, The Journey is great, and the improvements across the board all shine to showcase a football game that is absolutely worth playing, whether you're a diehard fan or not.

inFamous is an all-encompassing superhero tale told with care and attention. Sucker Punch Productions have created a fantastic title that will push your superhuman skills to the limit.

BioWare has largely delivered and will have answered many of its critics, but there is not much in the way of innovation here. The Force alignment structure may be systemically unsalvageable, and with little end-game content currently available for those characters who have reached level 50, one wonders whether BioWare will be able to hold on to the more serious gamers and guilds who yearn for a variety of large-scale challenges.

That a crossover as bonkers as Mario plus Rabbids by way of XCOM even exists is to be celebrated, and fortunately it's an absorbing title that's only slightly diminished by some simplistic cover mechanics.

A superb FPS that plays out on the African continent, one of the most spectacular staging grounds to date. The graphics are exceptional and the multitude of missions and side-quests is big enough to keep you occupied for a long time. The AI are one of the smartest to date, actively using cover and flanking you realistically. Truly a sequel to Far Cry which does the original justice!

It may lack the finesse in the single-player that some similar titles have, but it does a great job of making you feel the part as you roll into combat with guns blazing, your squad hooting and bellowing behind you. Add to this the multiplayer which is well rounded and realistic, yet big on the fun, and you have a great experience which could ultimately have you playing for months and months.

The single-player campaign involves a riveting and emotional story, and the inclusion of co-op is fantastic. The game itself however is heavily weighted towards multiplayer, as was its predecessor.

If you were not taken by Dawn of War II's unique take on the RTS genre, then this will probably not change your mind. However if you loved it, or perhaps enjoyed Company of Heroes but haven't given Dawn of War a try, this could be a more affordable entry point for you to get hooked on this wonderful series.

Some teething issues aside, Saints Row: The Third offers up an expertly mixed concoction of hilarity and stupidity that's arrived just in time for the silly season.

Revenant Kingdom is a better game than its excellent predecessor, which makes it a must-play for genre fans and curious folks alike.

Those accustomed to investing hours examining endless story arcs, or searching vast environments for details will certainly appreciate Obsidian's efforts, even if newcomers may struggle to see what all the fuss is about.

Although it won't be met with the slack-jawed amazement of its predecessor, Crysis 2 offers a very stylish and entertaining single and multiplayer experience with an engaging point of differentiation in the range of tactical options open to the player.

Rare Replay is an amazing collection of games at a bargain price, and shows what an incredible run the UK studio has been on for the majority of its existence.

Shadow of Mordor is the single best Lord of the Rings adaptation to date, and one of the very best third-person action games in many years.

Thronebreaker: The Witcher Tales is a wonderful addition to the Switch. While it may not appeal to all fans, those who enjoyed Gwent in The Witcher 3 will find a lot to love. There's enough nuance and strategy for those hungry for a challenge and it does a great job of adding to the mythology of the world and it's excellent characters.

A huge leap forward in co-operative play, Guitar Hero World Tour is a worthy addition to the franchise and will offer hours of fun for anyone willing to pick up an instrument and invest some time. An awesome effort, although not without its flaws.

Planet Coaster is a celebration of everything Frontier Developments did well back in the Rollercoaster Tycoon days, with new mechanics and systems piled on top. Its variety of customisable buildings, scenery, objects, coasters, and rides make for an incredibly special game.

However, as a long awaited cross-over of two of the most important fighting titles in gaming history, it ultimately feels like an opportunity missed - the whole being nowhere near the sum of its parts.

At a mere 800 Microsoft Points, it's hardly a difficult financial decision. If you've never played it before, we can't recommend it enough. Even with its faults, even if you've played it in the past, do yourself a favour and have another go of this much loved classic.

Codemasters really deserve a huge amount of credit for making their first outing into F1 territory such a success.

Gears 5 is a return to form for the venerable series, and though some new ideas and better writing aren’t quite executed to perfection, they bring a welcome sense of freshness to a series where the fundamentals are as strong as ever.

As it stands though, Fight Night Champion presents some excellent fighting packaged in what amounts to two less than perfect game modes.

It manages to stay feeling fresh and thrilling all the way through to the final battle, and it looks absolutely incredible. The story is mostly well paced and told with cinematics of extremely high production value. While the co-op is not exactly game changing, it is a very welcome addition to the series and the game is definitely a lot more fun when played this way.

Tales from the Borderlands may be light on gameplay, but it's long on entertainment. An easy recommendation for fans of adventure games and the Borderlands series alike.

This means that the real value to Top Spin 4 lies not in its career mode, but in online play and the 'King of the Court' mode which turns tennis into a school yard game of 'winner holds the court'. This is fully customisable and offers the potential for hours of good competition between friends. Sure, it's not 'real' tennis, but it's certainly fun.

Despite all these criticisms, UFC 2010 is by no means a bad game. As a matter of fact, it's still pretty fun. Thing is, I can see the incredible game that it could be, and am disappointed that it's not quite there yet.

If you have the patience, then Monster Hunter Tri delivers the kind of gaming satisfaction that very few others can.

Assassin's Creed III is different to the titles that have come before it. It's an open-world game with strong stealth inclinations, rather than a stealth game set in an open world, and for Ubisoft to manage this delicate evolution without entirely alienating an existing core of stealth gameplay enthusiasts is a remarkable feat.

Halo 5: Guardians is Halo evolved. The campaign ends with a whimper but is great until that point, and Warzone ably expands the series' peerless multiplayer.

Skyrim now fits in your pocket. It runs shockingly well on Switch, and there are even motion controls if you want 'em. What's not to like?

This game is rock solid with some of the most spectacular and fast paced gameplay.

Clearly the best artist-specific Guitar Hero yet, Metallica captures the intensity and pace of one of the most influential bands in history. It's a no-brainer for purchase if you're already a Guitar Hero fan, and looks sure to become a party favourite amongst those who appreciate extremely loud music.

No More Heroes 2: Desperate Struggle is a game you're going to either love or loathe. If the original tweaked your interest then this is a must-buy.

First and foremost, Darkest Dungeon is a concept game that has hit its mark perfectly, a tonal masterpiece where everything from the art to sound, writing, difficulty levels and gameplay features contributes perfectly towards the whole picture that the developers aimed to paint. Turn off the lights, place a single lit candle next to your monitor, and creep hesitantly forward into its dark spaces; the way ahead will be hard, but the rewards are substantial.

A fantastic, frantic combination of pretty much all the highlights of previous Civilization titles rolled into one single package. Finally, a worthy way to experience Sid Meier's legendary franchise on your console!

DiRT Rally 2.0 is a master-class in how to do the rally genre justice. While it certainly presents a steep learning curve, rally enthusiasts will find a lot to love in Codemasters' latest entry in the highly-revered DiRT franchise.

Spore is comprised of four fairly basic phases that would rate poorly if released individually, and one mighty, awe-inspiring final phase that could be a contender for game of the year by itself. It's stacked all wrong, but who cares - it's all worthwhile in the end.

"Quotation Forthcoming"

When played alone, Need for Speed: Most Wanted feels too large and too empty, a game devoid of compelling content and one that doesn't provide enough reasons to play. When played online, however, it is instantly transformed into a far more vibrant, manic and exciting place to be.

It might be a little overwhelming for series newcomers, but to these people I say: have patience, from what I've seen so far, it'll more than likely be worth it.

The bottom line is that while it offers veteran FPS players nothing new, Killzone 3 does boast some of the best console FPS graphics yet, and very slick gameplay to go along with it. Lack of innovation and the horrible story aside, it's an outstanding release that all PS3 owners should get their hands on as a matter of priority.

F1 2012 is a must-play for Formula 1 enthusiasts who also count themselves among the ranks of racing game fans. The feature set is simply too rich, the attention to detail too great to turn it down. More casual racing fans will have a harder time justifying a purchase. It's a steep learning curve, and quite an investment of time to function at high levels. Either way, it is certainly an achievement.

If you're a dedicated NBA fan then there might just be enough here to keep you occupied. If not, there are better alternatives on the market.

Frostpunk is a bleak and challenging colony builder/survival title that will either give you more respect for your boss, or have you rallying your co-workers to oust them.

As a companion product to the original game, Crysis Warhead is a vast improvement on Crytek's vision. It may be more compact, but the enhanced AI and optimised CryEngine 2 will keep you coming back for more.

The game is well balanced from the beginning to end. The story and beautiful cut scenes will be enough to convince anyone that this game is worth indulging in.

The Lost Legacy eases off the set-pieces and globe-trotting, to its detriment. However, the heartiest of Uncharted's staples – its characters, camaraderie, and cutscenes – are here in abundance, and overall it's an extremely capable action title.

In spite of some odd missteps, Soul Calibur VI is overall an improvement over its predecessor. Its new and updated mechanics bring a breath of fresh air to the Soul Calibur formula to keep veterans interested, and as a reboot is an ideal starting point for newcomers.

This Worms release is by far one of the best in recent memory and does an excellent job of providing fresh graphics that remain true to the original style.

There's a huge amount of potential in this sequel, and it has gameplay you'll keep coming back to time and time again. A must-have for any true skating fan.

DJ Hero is simple to pick up and learn, but also difficult to master. I am yet to get a 100% score on Medium Difficulty, and I think I’m doing quite well.

When Soma is able to stretch its legs and be the horror game fans have been waiting for these past five years, it delivers in giant terror-inducing waves. Sadly, some inconsistent pacing and clunky mechanics weigh it down, leaving us with a good game rather than a great one.

Forget what you have come to expect from an NFS game, because SHIFT takes the series away from the street scene and into the grown-up world of motorsport. It makes a few mistakes along the way, but with great looks, solid handling and some unique features, there is plenty of fun to be had behind the wheel.

With the holiday calendar chock full of titles, Saints Row: The Third stands out as a holiday retreat, to be sampled again and again whenever a healthy dose of stress relief is required.

The game is a triumph for pure racing aficionados, and is without doubt the best racing simulator available on the PS3. The only real disappointment is that we knew it would be, and hoped that the wealth of new features long touted by Polyphony would be produced with the same level of dedication and perfection shown in the heart of the game.

There's a huge amount of potential in this sequel, and it has gameplay you'll keep coming back to time and time again. A must-have for any true skating fan.

Grim Fandango Remastered makes a terrific game widely-available once again, but more could have been done to update this returning classic.

Fallout 4 is a welcome return to the wasteland. An interesting and well-told central story is hobbled by the open world, but this is Fallout and that open world is a joy to explore. PC players will justifiably grumble that the game is obviously designed first and foremost for a couch and controller experience.

Oddworld: New 'n' Tasty is an excellent example of how to remake a game. A must for returning fans and newcomers alike.

With its extensive licenses, bold and complex yet accessible gameplay, unparalleled online offerings, excellent tutorials, and clean presentation, FIFA 14 may only be a small step up from last year's game, but it remains a fantastic offering overall.

New Super Mario Bros. U is hardly a groundbreaking release. But it is a beautifully-presented demonstration of the franchise's fundamentals, with just enough extra content to hold back accusations of creative bankruptcy.

The game asks you to explore and to experiment, be it where you are questing or with the character you are building. If the idea of another MMO levelling grind sends shivers down your spine, Rift may not be something to invest your time in, but if you are in the market for a new world to explore that is at once both recognisable and original then Rift may just be for you.

Hitman: Sapienza is a great episode marred by server issues. Not everyone is having them, but if you are, you can't progress or access community or live content.

Project Cars 2 makes a passionate play for the enthusiast end of the racing sim market. A wheel is damn near mandatory, but the gameplay rewards are huge – when spotty AI and bugs aren't confounding things, that is.

Ape Out's near-perfect procedural polyrhythmic gameplay and music stays fun and exciting throughout. The games unique art style lends itself perfectly to the chaos and murder carried out by the games titular ape. While it can be a bit on the challenging side at times, the tight gameplay and frantic action will keep you coming back for 'just one more run' long into the night.

FIFA 18’s new additions and modes make it the most compelling FIFA experience to date, and the franchise continues to demonstrate why it’s the best football game in the business. Minor complaints aside, FIFA 18 is the biggest and most welcoming football game to date.

Unfortunately Vanquish is short - about six to seven hours on first play through – and there isn't a swathe of bonus content. That said, this is the only game I have ever completed and immediately restarted, ever.

Another fantastic effort from EA, building on solid foundations from last year's iteration. Enough entertainment to keep you on the fairway for months to come.

A brilliantly conceived and well executed platformer, with enough aesthetically, musically and socially pleasing innovations to warrant a purchase.

The campaign is really where the bulk of the entertainment is to be had, despite the astonishing omission of any kind of co-operative play. It's just a shame the writers felt as if they needed to try to impress the audience with such B-grade subject matter.

If you’re a fan of Call of Duty multiplayer offerings - boy howdy do Treyarch have an instalment for you. But, if you’re in it for the single player, you’re going to be severely disappointed – though hopefully that’s not a surprise, considering we’ve known there would be no campaign for five months. The combination of Multiplayer, Zombies and the brilliant new Battle Royale mode Blackout, offer a multiplayer feast. A smorgasbord of experiences which makes it feel like a package which will remain interesting, fun and exciting far beyond the release of the next annual COD instalment.

Battlefield 1943 not only delivers an excellent game but impresses on just about every level. If you have ever wondered what World War II was really like, this is about as close to the experience as you’re going to get.

Sakurai has done the impossible - resurrected a franchise long thought dead, given it some fresh new kicks and produced something glorious. Irreverent, self-referential comedy has rarely fit a Nintendo game so snugly.

Regardless of the validity of pushing Anno away from a historical setting, Anno 2070 once again proves that the real-time strategy genre is alive and well, and should be considered seriously by any armchair dictator with a lot of spare time.

Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D does a lot of things well - it's a challenging platformer that understands what made the original Donkey Kong games tick and updates it for a new generation. The problem is that it doesn't go far beyond the boundaries set by the originals, and some of the fresh additions don't fare well in this port.

Darksiders II might be a long journey, but it is one that is enjoyable the whole way through. Developers Vigil Games have built upon the core established by its predecessor in some intelligent ways, sculpting one of the most enjoyable gaming experiences of the year so far. While some slight technical glitches and control issues mar what would otherwise be an incredible title, Darksiders II is a true delight and a game well worth playing.

This game has no outstanding issues that would pull its rating down apart from the frustration of not perfecting that jump!

After 18 months, have developers Bungie managed to create a title that can live up to the expectations of millions of Halo 3 fans, as well as carve out its own legacy? Quite possibly, but it's not all smooth sailing for Microsoft's darling.

This is a great example of what can be achieved if fun is the primary aim. Massive tricks, amazing scenery, hugely modifiable bikes - what more do you want?

As much as we love remasters, it is not often they are as justified as Crash Team Racing Nitro Fueled has proven itself to be. The well-balanced difficulty of this games map and AI fills a niche in the Kart Racing genre that is sure to delight multiplayer parties and provide a healthy challenge for both nostalgia-filled millennials and newcomers alike.

PixelJunk Monsters is a quirky, fun tower defence game that will have you laughing, and crying, as you try to beat each level.

Kingdom Hearts III is a love letter to fans and the perfect end to a saga seventeen years in the making. Backed by a strong cast of characters and a near-perfect combat system, Sora and friends' final journey is sure to please both new and old fans alike.

It manages to stay feeling fresh and thrilling all the way through to the final battle, and it looks absolutely incredible. The story is mostly well paced and told with cinematics of extremely high production value. While the co-op is not exactly game changing, it is a very welcome addition to the series and the game is definitely a lot more fun when played this way.

While not a triumph, Mankind Divided is an extremely enjoyable cyberpunk adventure with enough content and gameplay options to keep fans of the franchise happy. The main story lacks impact and drops off completely at the end, but the missions are almost universally fantastic, allowing you to flex your cybernetically-enhanced muscles in a multitude of ways.

MLB The Show 20 marks another solid entry for the series. New additions to the fielding game are welcome and fans of the sport will find a wealth of systems and modes to enjoy. It may be a bit overwhelming for newcomers, but offers a great range of tutorials to get payers up to speed. There's a lot of game here, provided you enjoy the sport. While it wont make you a fan if you weren't already, it's still the best rendition of the sport you can enjoy from the comfort of the couch.

Dragon Quest Builders is an entertaining RPG, a marvellous builder, and simply a tremendous game all-round.

Like Bastion before it, Transistor is a pleasure to play and an involving experience from start to finish. Its mature story and evolving combat will keep you engaged to the very end, and have you longing for more.

Splatoon 2 doesn't reinvent the wheel, but its refinements and tweaks are all for the better. Besides some niggling – though hopefully fixable – issues, this sequel is something Switch owners should well and truly check out. It's a blast, no matter which mode you choose to play.

Yakuza 6 delivers the series' signature poignant story, and is probably the best Yakuza has been narrative and production-wise. However, the game's trademark diversions have been trimmed back.

Additions to this year's Madden title have truly made it shine. The franchise just keeps getting better and better!

Magic 2014: Duels of the Planeswalkers represents both significant value, and an excellent introduction into the collectible card game.

Just Cause 2 is an amazing title and certainly looking to be one of the best sand-box games of the year. It may not reproduce Grand Theft Auto IV's immersive storyline, but the level of fun to be had in Just Cause 2 is virtually unparalleled.

Resistance 3 gets a whole lot right with a handful of inspired design choices that help it to stand out in the largely predictable first-person shooter market. Even so, some of that first-person shooter unoriginality remains meaning Resistance 3 never quite reaches its true potential.

If you were a fan of Braid, or like puzzle games in general, I really can recommend this one. The puzzles themselves are neat (if not hair pulling at times) the presentation is superb, and it's certainly something a little different.

Like Mary Shelley's gothic creation, you'll come to discover that Lords of Shadow is no monster, even if its ubiquitous quick-time events will occasionally see you reaching for your pitchfork.

Final Fantasy VII: Crisis Core ranks up there with the best, showcasing the PSP’s audio-visual capabilities and delivering an RPG experience we won’t forget in a hurry.