InXile's classical RPG translates beautifully to console, and should be picked up by RPG fans – even those neck deep in that other big post-apocalyptic title.

The 80's return in style with this fantastic remake. Lode Runner strikes back with new graphics and fluid controls. The game is beefy enough to warrant the price tag, and polished enough to warrant our praise.

A well-rounded action title with elements of strategy, traditional hack and slash, and arcade action.

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.

Pokémon: Let’s Go is a fun, light nostalgia trip for long time players, and an easy on-ramp into the Pokémon console games for new players. Its greatest feat is presenting a stunning graphical style and approach which wonderfully blends players desire for 3D Pokémon games with the core tenets of the franchise – setting high expectations for the Generation Eight debut on the Switch next year.

Concrete Genie is a wonderful game for younger gamers. From its stunning graphics and art style to the heartwarming story of childhood and the effects we can have on others, the game delivers its message beautifully. I just wish it could have been a bit longer. It's definitely a bit simple for adults, but if you're looking for the perfect game to play with your kids, I can't recommend it highly enough. It's one of the most lovely little adventures I've been on this year.

Pokémon: Let’s Go is a fun, light nostalgia trip for long time players, and an easy on-ramp into the Pokémon console games for new players. Its greatest feat is presenting a stunning graphical style and approach which wonderfully blends players desire for 3D Pokémon games with the core tenets of the franchise – setting high expectations for the Generation Eight debut on the Switch next year.

The sixth Pokémon generation’s leap into three dimensions is a godsend, maintaining a recognisable experience while giving the aesthetic experience much-needed depth and dynamism. Even with this new presentation, though, the seventeen-year-old core remains the same – a trusty old heart that doesn’t really need to change.

A tendency to crash every now and then aside, Apotheon is a shining example of the Castlevania genre.

It is extremely challenging and if you don’t get too frustrated it will also be tons of fun; either on your own or with a friend. It is classic side-scrolling gaming at its best.

Diablo 3 on the Switch may be a graphical step-down and far from the best place to play multiplayer, but if you’re looking for the perfect platform on which to sink into the end-game grind by yourself – there is no place better to play it.

The different modes have enough variety to add a measure of replay value, with minor changes in the gameplay and some new mazes to chomp your way through.

Some of the jokes can be hit or miss, and the inventory management system leaves something to be desired but DeathSpank is a well presented, highly amusing loot-crawling adventure.

Paladins has its own unique identity and deserves your attention. Hi-Rez studios has crafted a solid online hero shooter with some fun and unique twists on the genre.

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.

The sixth Pokémon generation’s leap into three dimensions is a godsend, maintaining a recognisable experience while giving the aesthetic experience much-needed depth and dynamism. Even with this new presentation, though, the seventeen-year-old core remains the same – a trusty old heart that doesn’t really need to change.

For fans of the series the Deathinitive Edition’s arrival on the Switch is the perfect excuse to go back and relive the adventure, it’s as good as you remember. For everyone else there’s never been a better time to embrace Death.

In Wasteland 2, InXile has a classical RPG that will vindicate its early supporters on Kickstarter.

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

If you got bored with hack-n-slash games a long time ago – and I place myself in that category – then Samurai Warriors 3 just might be the game to pique your interest again with its mixture of huge battles, strategic planning and historical significance.

A Crack in Time is an engaging conclusion to a trilogy that has been thoroughly enjoyed by millions and now seems like a fitting place to say our fond farewells to a larger series and let nostalgia take over.

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.

With a batch of fresh weapons, one or two fun new gadgets, the introduction of a bit of 2D puzzle platforming, and a slew of references for old hands to recognise, the game works as the perfect closer to the series as we know it.

Returning to Aventasia was a delight. I revisited all the sights I loved and caught up with the good folk who made my last foray into their lands such a joy. The fact everything looks exactly like it did all those years ago was a comfort, but I couldn’t help but think they really should have given the place a bit of a spruce up after all this time.

The games industry is full of serious business FPS games and RPGs that blend together in stale genericism. Ni No Kuni sets out to be a unique experience, a beautiful adventure that can be played instead of just watched. While in no way perfect, it achieves its goal admirably.

Crackdown 3 is a refined improvement over the previous two instalments. The single and co-op campaign modes are super fun, and the jumping and combat systems give our character a real feeling of power and invincibility which transfers well to the player. Visually appealing, fast-paced and tons of missions to complete, I would recommend this game to anyone, not just fans of third-person action games. While not revolutionary, it is still a great example of its genre.

A gleefully tongue-in-cheek throwback to shooters of yore, Shadow Warrior offers fantastic melee combat and a truly beautiful world to discover and then slaughter in.

Tomb Raider: Underword manages to impress on so many levels.

Black Ops is a competent shooter that comes packed with compelling multiplayer modes and additional content.

Sorcery smartly updates only the gameplay side of its source material, allowing the original writing to shine through. Though likely too simplistic for hardcore gamers, players looking for a quiet, absorbing role-playing experience will find much to enjoy.

Minor issues aside, Ridge Racer 3DS proves to be a solid arcade racer with plenty of content to justify the price tag.

It's what the pack shot suggests - an honest paint-by-numbers shooter set in the Old West. The story might be over too soon, but the multiplayer will hold your attention for much longer. A definite improvement over the original Call of Juarez.

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.

The first level of the game does a great job of introducing you to the world of Condemned. This game has thick (and I mean thick) atmosphere. Almost every level oozes with evil, tension and fear.

Those expecting a quantum leap forward in this release will be disappointed, however the multitudes of people eagerly anticipating the kind of clever twists and darkly humorous social commentary Lionhead excel in will not come away empty handed. The trip to Albion is well worth the price of admission.

After 14 years, Blizzard still knows what's at the heart of WoW, while proving it's not afraid to try new things. While not every new feature is a home run, the expansion's tighter focus on the war at home reminds players about what made Warcraft so popular in the first place.

Its characters aren't much chop, but The Evil Within 2 coughs up some gruesome enemies and scares, while mostly justifying its shift to an open world design.

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.

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.

Lara Croft and the Temple of Osiris is a capable twin stick isometric puzzler best enjoyed cooperatively, some bugs and missing polish notwithstanding.

Perfect for old-school Sonic fans.

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.

It’s as good a shooter as you’re going to get on the PSP until Sony find room for a second thumbstick.

Simply put, Band Hero is a more family-focused, pop-orientated version of Guitar Hero 5, with a new drum kit. It's just as much fun as you would expect, but we recommend you check the track listing carefully before you considering purchasing it.

Battle Chef Brigade serves up a delectable fusion of disparate flavours that create a dish far greater than its parts.

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.

Blend the arcade style gameplay of the classics, some new and improved features and superior visuals - the result; Tekken 6. The hours of entertainment that can be had with the Tekken series is fantastic and Tekken 6 by all means does not fall short.

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.

It would have been nice to have seen Call of Duty evolve with more determination over the last four years. Perhaps a newer engine, a longer campaign, or a change of location outside of those already featured. But it's hard to deny that Call of Duty – the Modern Warfare brand in particular – is a product of its own success, and a product of its consumer appeal. It exists in the way it does because it sells, and it sells because it's predictable.

Most gamers should find many solid hours of entertainment in this title, and most racing game fans will probably wish they could live in it.

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.

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.

F.E.A.R. 3 has faced numerous challenges to even be noticed in a sea of comparable titles this year. Despite being lumbered with a the dregs of a story even Alan Duff wouldn't accept royalties for, the adaptation and evolution inherent in the wildly challenging co-operative and online multiplayer modes will likely endear this creaky franchise to a whole new spectrum of gamers.

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.

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.

Is it the best game to release on the new generation of consoles? Most likely. But does it live up to the hype of its many, many ‘Best of E3’ awards? Close, but not quite.

Super Smash Bros. makes the leap to 3DS with aplomb. Its deep, addictive combat makes it the best fighting game on the system.

Warhammer II is a worthy successor to its older brother, and fans of either series will relish the chance to throw themselves into its immersive world. However, those same shop-worn Total War tropes that were pretty past it last time have surely well and truly earned a peaceful retirement now.

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.

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

City of Brass is a fairly standard rogue-lite that distinguishes itself with its setting, visual stylings, and fun-as-hell whip.

Trials Fusion delivers exactly what one would expect: the usual high-class core gameplay in a new setting. It's not radically different to other games in the series, but for the moment, that's completely fine.

Thanks to top-notch mechanics and the deep well that is Greek mythology, Ascension is a winner. It may not be the absolute best God of War game, but it's certainly worthy of the moniker.

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.

A classic arcade game is brought to XBLA the way old titles should be. With a fresh coat of paint but still keeping the same feel and magic that made it great and popular in the first place.

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.

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.

Incredibly fun and worthy of a multiple playthroughs, Avalanche's latest will hopefully spur other developers to construct similar love letters to arcade gaming's glory days, whether they have a triple-A engine at their disposal or not.

If you like your games huge with a sort of sandbox feel to them then you definitely can't go wrong with Yakuza 3.

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.

Gears of War 4 is a confident offering across campaign and multiplayer from The Coalition. There's hours of fun to be had here, especially in the updated Horde mode.

Over all, it is one of the more enjoyable Wii games out there, certainly the most adult in its humour, and I didn't feel like an idiot playing it. I recommend it to anyone who has ever enjoyed an on-rails shooter.

Battlefield 1's campaign is thin as ever, but most will be on board for the multiplayer, which – while simplified compared with recent entries – remains practically peerless when it comes to delivering intense, large-scale battles.

An excellent title which does a decent job of balancing its sim and arcade elements. Great graphics along with fifty fully licensed jets and satellite imagery to give you a satisfyingly authentic experience. The inclusion of a fantastic co-op mode makes the game even more worthwhile, and there's nothing like taking to the skies with some friends.

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.

Elegant design, streamlined but effective storytelling, and expertly executed game systems make the Road to Eden a journey well worth undertaking.

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.

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.

Love it or shove it, Final Fantasy IV on the DS is a challenging, RPG classic which still offers plenty of bang for your gaming buck. While it is essentially the same old book with an updated (3D) cover, fans both new and old will delight in the extreme makeover.

This is no incremental update. The AI, the animations and collision detection are dramatically improved and the detail given to player faces is genuinely impressive. The only thing holding NBA 2K14 back it seems is Visual Concepts compulsion to change their control scheme annually.

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.

Much will no doubt be made of the similarity between Reckoning and Skyrim, but both offer sufficiently different experiences to keep all RPG fans attentive. Those growing weary of Skyrim can certainly look to Reckoning to provide another world in which to become wholly absorbed, and although not professing quite the sophistication or polish of Bethesda's juggernaut, there's plenty here to cause Hallmark to run out of "I'm Sorry, Please Forgive Me" Valentines cards this year.

There's no denying that Total War: Warhammer is an enjoyable and accomplished title. But it's also one that takes few risks, and so a sense of what could have been occasionally floats over its crowded battlefields.

This is a great game, and plays as it should. If it weren't for the multiplayer it would be a near perfect score as Bizarre Creations are owed something for going out on a limb with the genre!

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.

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.

We loved the wireless aspect of the Wii Fit board. While the unit is quite pricey, it's still much cheaper than a gym membership and far more engaging – plus the whole family can use it. Overall it's a fantastic investment.

MLB The Show 19 is another fine entry in the series, with Sony San Diego doing what they do best. The new Moments and March to October modes offer some dynamic new ways to play, while the rest of the game finds a strong balance between engaged control for the parts that matter, while offering an autopilot for the things that aren't for everyone.

Rage is a strange beast, at once very deep and very shallow. Though unlikely to win game of the year, there is still much to like about what is on offer. There is heart here, and there is fun to be had, but unlike in the past this most recent release by id Software is not going to change the world.

Fun for all ages. While there's nothing new to speak of, fans of the GameCube version may enjoy a revisit; however those who missed Pikmin the first time around will get the most bang for their buck.

The Brigmore Witches shares its predecessor's lack of narrative propulsion, but is nonetheless a compelling package that all who own Dishonored should locate and devour. Several new elements expand the core title's already generous gameplay options, and the two conclusions to Daud's bloody saga are both satisfying.

Yet another quirky PSN title that just screams replayability. It's challenging, but ultimately may prove too frustrating for the casual gamer which it appears to be aimed at. Nevertheless, good value for money and definitely one for the platform/side-scroller freaks out there.

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.

At its heart, this is a well-developed and in-depth RTS game. Highly recommended for hardcore RTS fans - but perhaps a little too complex for beginners to the franchise or genre.

While majorly different from ‘traditional’ Pokémon fare, Shadows of Almia provides a satisfying RPG-lite adventure for players of all ages. Varied puzzles and a wide range of Diamond/Pearl era creatures to chase give the game widespread appeal and charm.

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.

All components of Three Fourths Home harmonise to produce an entrancing short story that nonetheless could only work as a game.

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