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.

Swap Force is another winning entry in the Skylanders series, proving once again that games aimed at children can provide fun for those that detest them. Deep pockets will be required to get the most out of the game, but even the vanilla version still represents value for money.

Advanced Warfare is COD par excellence, a premiere example of the game that's almost a genre unto itself. Its singleplayer is better than most in the franchise, and the multiplayer is probably the best yet.

GRIS is an emotional journey through a beautifully crafted world. Featuring one of the most gorgeous art styles we've seen this year, GRIS deserves your attention. Nomada Studios has crafted a truly memorable experience and as the developer's debut game, they've set the bar extremely high for whatever comes next.

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.

Mortal Kombat X is a mechanically clean and visually grisly release that comes highly recommended for all fans of the fighting genre.

NBA 2K15 is an astounding title full of modes that should see hoop heads playing compulsively until the next one in a year's time.

Madden 16 is the definitive Madden experience, boasting new gameplay mechanics and features that change the game for the better. New and returning players will easily find something to love about this year’s iteration.

The jump from FIFA 10 to EA 2010 FIFA World Cup might not be a big one, but the refinements presented makes the entire experience worthwhile.

Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire are terrific, overlaying several new features on a couple of classic games.

The Frozen Wilds introduces many poorly-designed elements which make it a lesser experience than its brilliant base-game.

Given the game's simplicity, one can rightly wonder why this title carries a recommended retail price typical of a game stamped with the Nintendo brand. Beat the Beat: Rhythm Paradise makes one thing glaringly obvious: it's time for the Wii U.

At times, Hitman: Absolution shines: a perfectly planned and executed assassination provides genuine player satisfaction, an overheard conversation at a train station makes the player feel part of a larger world, or a moment of frantic improvisation when discovered to evade pursuers or silence a witness can be generally thrilling. It's just a shame then that a hefty chunk of the game is padded out with material that isn't nearly as enjoyable.

Taken as a whole, Black Ops II is excellent value despite a hefty RRP. The campaign is genuinely replayable thanks to the branching plot and some truly memorable levels, and the multiplayer trumps that of every other Call of Duty, providing the series' most comprehensive customisation system yet alongside a newcomer-friendly matchmaking system that doesn't ignore the hardcore.

The game’s sense of scale is extraordinary and lovingly detailed. Not a single asset in any of the expansive episodic settings feels misplaced. At night, the mist, the shadows and the trees bleed together to create a game world that is equally beautiful and unsettling.

Katana Zero looks fantastic and has fun fast paced combat, unfortunately the combat is broken up with a confusing and convoluted story. It was all over too quickly, but for people who want more, a dialogue system provides replayability.

The only criticism I can personally level at the game is that after a few hours of play, I was filled with a burning desire to play some Civilization IV, rather than have another round of Colonization.

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.

The fifth entry in the Donkey Kong Country franchise, Tropical Freeze may not contain many surprises, but its an expertly-crafted game with an excess of personality.

Telltale’s Batman is off to a great start, but only time will tell as to if the developers can weave a Bats story that ranks among the upper echelon of The Dark Knight’s adventures.

Don Bradman Cricket 17 builds on a strong foundation to provide video gaming's best crack at emulating a complex and (for the gaming mainstream) niche sport. While we give it an 8/10, in cricketing terms, it's a well-played four.

Quotation forthcoming.

Invisible Inc. flawlessly fuses the stealth-based badassery of Splinter Cell with the tactical depth and ever present potential for catastrophic failure of the XCOM series. A beautiful Cyber-Noir turn-based espionage title that will leave you both frustrated and fulfilled.

Ultimate Edition proves what an outstanding game Gears of War was and is. It's a meticulously-crafted remake, and the online modes are exemplary. Even if you've played the original, it's well worth a look.

The coop campaign mode is extremely challenging and fun to play, yet the best experience to be had with games like Rainbow Six Vegas 2 still resides online in the 16 player lobbies via multiplayer.

The transition to PC hasn't been without problems, but Red Faction: Guerrilla still represents an enjoyable experience for those looking to expand their shooter library.

The Korg DS-10 synthesizer can't rightfully be called a game, it's much more than that. Anyone with even a passing interest in music and a DS should put this on their list.

Watch Dogs 2 is an excellent sequel that ditches the earnestness of its predecessor, pumps up the power fantasy, and turns players loose in a vibrant and engaging city. It's one of the best open world games to come around in a while.

Dance Central is by no means a perfect game. A disappointing multiplayer and a music selection with no real sense of fun detract from the experience. Even so, as a release title there are hours of entertainment to be had alone or with friends.

FIFA 16 is an excellent football game, but while the gameplay tweaks and minor improvements make it the best FIFA yet, the limited scope of new additions and modes make it feel like EA has missed an opportunity to completely establish itself as the king of the football sim.

Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire are terrific, overlaying several new features on a couple of classic games.

Rock Band is more than a simple video game, it's a highly interactive social experience. There's enough depth and fun here to keep you and your friends entertained for months. A must-have for the festive season!

The massive game world and highly detailed units provide hours and hours of entertainment for anyone who can appreciate a slower paced and highly cerebral RTS.

The Banner Saga 2 isn't mechanically distinct from the first game and its story suffers second act syndrome, but it's nonetheless a cracking title that will both satisfy and leave players in desperate need of the trilogy's closing act.

DropMix is an extremely accessible and entertaining toy that provides a nice entry point into the world of music mixing for kids. The tech is really impressive, and even though the game aspect is fairly simple, young ones will love it.

Like Dead Space before it, this one’s a class act, through and through. Heed the censor's warning though... this is no kiddies' title.

An astoundingly realistic basketball game with some of the greatest environments and graphics seen to date.

Despite some issues, Resident Evil: Revelations is a damn fine demonstration of what the 3DS is capable of, and can be acknowledged as the best action game currently available on the handheld. However, where it falters slightly is as an ambassador for a return to former glories for the Resident Evil franchise.

Superhot is a highly effective expression of the gamer's neverending desire to perform cool action, but it also manages to perform some nifty narrative tricks as well. A clever, minimalistic, and totally badass indie gaming highlight.

The Division 2 is easily the best of its type; it has the right balance of fun, challenge, dopamine loot drops, and sweet graphics that all but guarantee I’ll be playing this one for a long, long time to come. If you haven’t jumped in yet and think this might be for you, hesitate no longer - Ubisoft has absolutely nailed it the second time around.

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.

It doesn't change a whole lot, but improves on most of the weak spots from the original. The most fulfilling and fun title in the series yet, and as a bonus, it's playable by the whole family.

If you've played any previous version of Bejeweled, then Bejeweled 3 consists of exactly the mental image you're formulating right now. PopCap know they can't fix something that isn't broken.

Shift 2 is an enjoyable racing game and you could do worse than to lay down your hard-earned for it. However, it's difficult to shake the feeling that it's merely a prettier version of the first Gran Turismo game. In a genre in need of a breath of fresh air, Shift 2 isn't it.

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.

With great dungeon designs, enjoyable turn-based combat, and a new story that adds context to the turn-based action, The Fafnir Knight makes for an excellent addition to the 3DS library and an excellent homage to Heroes of Lagaard. Recommended.

An excellent platforming hack'n'slash title that pits the best elements of some of our favourite games against the forces of Hell during the apocalypse. An epic title that is well polished and well implemented, even if the game mechanics feel a bit familiar at times.

4A Games have rekindled my love for the world that was left behind. A post-apocalyptic journey out of darkness with a uniquely eastern European accent. Equally gorgeous and grotesque Metro Exodus is sure to please newcomers and the returning faithful alike. I just wish the road was a little smoother and with fewer bugs skittering about.

The challenge may be a little steep for newcomers, but PixelJunk Shooter 2 still lives up to the standard of quality and fun Q Games has consistently delivered.

Less of a distinct entry in the Tekken series, Tag Tournament 2 is more like a DVD Collector's Edition Boxset - everything the series has produced previously has almost been rolled into one convenient package for fans to sink their teeth into while they await Tekken 7. With nearly five dozen characters to master, a huge range of character customisation options available, a customisable soundtrack and a seemingly endless army of foes waiting online, Tekken Tag Tournament 2 will keep fight-fans busy for a long while to come.

A must for Skyrim fans.

Some missteps have been made between the first game and this sequel but Dragon Age II stands on its own as a solid, brawling RPG, and is a worthy addition to the world of Thedas.

Hitman 2 stays true to the series foundations, while also building on the core systems that make its unique stealth gameplay peerless. Some minor story stumbles do little to hold the game back from being the most refined entry in the series to date.

While Death Stranding will surely be the most divisive game of this generation, there is no arguing that it offers new ideas on pushing the medium forward and shows that games don't always typically have to be "fun". The story is beautifully presented and is surprisingly restrained and focused for a Kojima title. All of the actors put on amazing performances and while its gameplay will be too slow for many, those willing to peel back the layers will discover a thoughtfully designed experience that will leave you ruminating for weeks after finishing.

A powerful storyline with a great open world environment that truly is exciting, exhilarating and, well, pretty musical really. You will be awed as you tear through the landscape in your hotrod, throwing flames into the night as you listen to heavy metal over the Deuce's tape deck.

If you're a fan of Live Arcade games and you've got some MS Points burning a whole in your virtual pocket, then this should definitely be part of your collection. If you're a bit more picky about what you play though, try out the demo first.

Despite being an average FPS game, Dark Athena manages to provide solid entertainment, mainly due to the inclusion of Escape from Butcher Bay.

A perfect visual and audio upgrade to a bonafide classic that sadly can do little to bring its dated game play and simplistic design to a modern audience. Fans and kids alike however will no doubt find many hours of enjoyment in this expertly presented package.

Control is a mesmerising dive into the warped world of the supernatural that sets a new high bar for world design alongside its bizarre, yet compelling story, and power fantasy combat.

Marvel Vs Capcom 2 delivers the retro arcade fighting style that many adore and successfully integrates modern features through XBLA. If you are a fan of the classics, and love a good ol’ button mash, you are in for a treat.

At sixteen years young, Mario Kart has now made it to the Wii. Whilst fans of the series may lament some of the changes, it generally works well on the new platform. The focus has shifted away from a heavy skill requirement towards simply offering more entertainment.

If you're looking for something a little new in the racing genre then you can't go wrong picking this little gem up.

Enter the Gungeon is a terrific roguelike shooter whose sense of humour and exacting design make for tricky bullet-slaying fun both alone or with a friend.

When it's not busy pandering, titillating, and falling back on fantasy clichés, Dragon's Crown is a sound, nostalgia-tinged experience.

Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch is just as charming and endearing now as it was when it first came out almost a decade ago. While it does look and play better on PC it would have been nice to see more improvements and a few quality of life additions to bring the game up to modern standards.

This remake of one of the most memorable campaigns in FPS history is an anniversary worth celebrating, but if you were never a fan of the original it's unlikely to change your mind.

If you really like JRPGs, then I’d absolutely recommend you give Child of Light a try for its creative and slick integration of RPG mechanics. If you’re more interested in the sidescrolling aspect, you can probably pass on this one.

Birth By Sleep is an epic PSP title that provides an excellent (if a little belated) entry point for the series. The original Kingdom Hearts was a bit convoluted for the uninitiated (like myself) and Birth By Sleep has piqued my interest in all things Square Enix once again.

The Last Guardian can be frustrating gameplay-wise, but the connection you'll feel to its beautifully-realised yet intractable companion creature leaves no room in your heart for such concerns. Somehow, this game was worth the wait.

A handful of smaller gripes such as the awful soundtrack, lacklustre menu and pre-game presentations, and – in the review build we received – constant replays that couldn't be switched off don't really diminish the experience too much. Fans squabble over the best football title with the passion they usually reserve for supporting their respective teams, but there is room for both PES and FIFA in the marketplace, as both serve very different audiences. That said, this is undoubtedly the best PES yet, but Konami's big problem will be getting people to give it an honest try.

Mists of Pandaria has a lot to offer players. Its tone and style are a drastic departure from the super-serious-business of previous expansions. And that is commendable.

Forza is still the jack-of-all-trades motorsport video game that will appeal to fans of cars and racing them. The passion is still there, albeit slowly being crushed under the ever-growing mountain of poor design choices and cash-grabs. For returning fans there are precious few reasons to upgrade other than the extra cars and tracks. As someone who’s been playing these games since the original, the direction that has been taken is disappointing to say the least.

A good starting point for newcomers to the franchise - and indeed the genre; however fans and veterans may see it as an RPG in a strait jacket.

Rockstar has gone all out to make a great street racer with this latest Midnight Club release. Packed with hours of gameplay and incredible visuals, you'll probably still be playing as your Christmas dinner gets cold.

The Vanishing of Ethan Carter is a compelling interactive novella that draws players in with its beautifully atmospheric setting. The slow burn narrative doesn’t quite land the final emotional punch it’s aiming for, but it more than satisfies on every other level.

The game is bright, fun, fast, and runs on modest systems surprisingly well. And surprisingly bug-free for something out of the EA stable. Have things really improved in the Quality Control Dept at EA? Lets hope so, because with most EA titles, it’s the bugs that hold them back, not the gameplay.

A truly spectacular soccer title with exceptional player animations, ball handling and gameplay to boot. The AI will provide a significant challenge, but the implementation of one of the most advanced and complete online modes will mean that this game will truly last you a long time.

But if you're not playing a kart racer with friends either online or split screen, you're not experiencing the best the genre has to offer. Against other players, the field is leveled and ModNation holds its own.

His work gives the game much of its charm, but even Gollum himself can't push this 12-hour puzzle-shooting-platformer adventure past 'above average' and into 'great'.

With solid gameplay and an authentic Halo experience, Halo Wars certainly is an appealing choice. It's only let down by the weak story and characters which seem pulled together to bind the various game elements.

A solid racing title that whilst not completely free of issues still manages to be hugely entertaining.

SSX's first foray since 2008 is not perfect by any stretch of the imagination, but the core game is as addictive as it ever was. In lieu of any other serious contenders on the horizon, there's enough of it here to keep the groms happy until the next run.

Blacklist should be the best Splinter Cell yet, but it’s held back by some unperceptive AI, the odd gameplay quirk, and a sub-par story. Even so, it’s still a great game, and both those put off by or attracted to Conviction’s action focus will find much to love here.

With so much content from the rest of the series present here, Tekken 7 is a celebration of the franchise up to this point. The amped-up combat mechanics and the poignant conclusion to the Mishima story are all steps forward, but they are countered by a number of steps back. The lack of a tutorial, forgettable soundtrack, and absence of some staple gameplay modes may alienate newcomers and leave veteran players wanting.

The numerous aesthetic accomplishments and mechanical improvements in Metro: Last Light are undone by uneven attention to detail and a lack of player agency.

Catherine is very challenging, even on normal difficulty, and the waking life segments aren't for everybody. It is, however, extremely rewarding to finally make it to that next landing after 30-odd heartbreaking attempts, and the controls are seldom to blame for an errant death. At Catherine's centre is a sharp, cel-shaded look, but the periphery is a soft-focus blur, reflecting Vincent's uncertainty and the slippery nature of his reality.

A real challenge to... you know, that other sandbox game... Saints Row 2 expands on the original with a dizzying level of complexity. Stilwater is back and bigger than ever - there's so much to see and do you'll be entertained for hours.

Vita owners thirsty for new titles will rightly give an arm and a leg for this one, but they should know ahead of time that it can be hard on the ol' swipin' appendages.

Beautiful art style, well rounded characters, familiar humour, and heart. At first glance, Broken Age is a visually stunning, polished homage to the adventure games of the past. But it’s over all too quickly, without enough challenges to satisfy, or enough innovations to drive the genre forward.

When it's not broken for local players, WildStar is an assured and busy sci-fi MMO that will win over players with its underdog pluck and aesthetic charm.

A Plague Tale – Innocence is the type of game that comes around rarely in the risk adverse gaming space. Bleak and beautiful it will leave an indelible mark on any gamer willing to enter its rat-infested world.

There's certainly no shortage of racing titles vying for your attention this year, arcade or otherwise. Blur however combines the thrill of high-speed racing with well considered combat, and can easily be regarded as one of the better examples of the arcade racing genre.

Sony Bend have created a portable version of Resistance that has all the negatives of the franchise with hardly any of the positives.

Hustle Kings is an easy to pick up pool title accessible to the masses on PSN. Despite a few shortcomings, it'll keep fans entertained for some time to come. It is an excellent virtual pool game, nothing more, nothing less.

Amusing characters and some pretty graphics make for an entertaining game of golf, and the online play is an added bonus.

WoW Classic offers exactly what fans wanted – an untouched version of a game that came out fifteen years ago... warts and all. Thankfully, Classic captures much of the magic that made the game such a phenomenon in the first place. Whether fans will still overlook this in the months to come remains to be seen, but for now it's a fantastic trip down memory lane.

A competitive fighting title that weaves a compelling narrative between its super-powered clashes, Injustice is accessible yet deep, and the fan service and character roster on display should see it garner a wide audience.

Battlefield 4's PC multiplayer represents years of learning distilled into a peerless online experience. Its singleplayer may also be peerless, but for all the wrong reasons. A must-have for multiplayer FPS fans.