More than six months after the fact, PC gamers can get their hands on Capcom's latest instalment in the Resident Evil series. Significantly optimised graphics, improved aiming, better inventory management and new extras arguably make this the finest version of the title but if you've already played it on a console, there's not enough here to warrant another investment.

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.

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.

F1 2013 is a great game – the best of the series thus far, in fact. For racing fans without last year's game, its acquisition is a no-brainer. However, those with F1 2012 are encouraged to try before buying. There are few changes on last year's formula and Classic Mode's potential vastly outweighs its offering this time around.

Mirror's Edge is a refreshingly different game on the PC platform, with a unique use of the first person perspective.

Ori and the Blind Forest is breathtaking in more ways than one: it's dazzlingly beautiful, cleverly designed, and its demanding platforming will test your patience.

Possibly the best Buzz! title yet - certainly the best we've seen for PS3.

An excellent example of an expansion that does exactly what it should - iron out deficiencies and add a bunch more content without ruining the gameplay.

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

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.

While a disaster on the PC, this game shines on the next-gen consoles. 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.

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.

While it doesn’t reinvent the genre or lend it much additional flare, Smite is still a worthy addition to the legions of MOBA games that are now available.

Initially appearing to be a kid's title, or glorified mobile game ported to the Xbox, Rotastic quickly proves itself to be 70 levels of great action puzzling full of zany humour, lovely backgrounds and nice attention to the smaller details. The physics are perfect, and Tarzan-ing it up is extremely enjoyable, even if you generally prefer games that use more than an eighth of your controller's buttons.

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.

Considering three games in a single package makes for a difficult reviewing process. Those who consider themselves fans of the previous games, but who missed an installment, or those who sold or lost the games ought to consider this collection closely. Similarly, gamers who enjoy 3D platformers will find something to love in these PlayStation 2 pillars of the genre.

Dead Rising 3 is an ambitious and frequently giddy open world brawler that allows players to indulge their silly side while creatively dispatching the undead. The story is a let-down and the missions become tedious, but the sandbox play here is magnificent, despite some technical overreaching.

The novel integration of singleplayer and multiplayer is a brilliant feature in its own right, but it's yet to be seen how region-locking of the servers will factor into this automaton's staying power.

A good revamp of an old classic.

Alien: Isolation expertly captures the look and feel of the Alien universe, and The Creative Assembly's AI-controlled nemesis is an inspired move that will inform the survival horror genre, but the game is held back by some poor characterisation and storytelling.

While it's by no means perfect, Bond fans and nostalgic gamers alike will be drawn in by this modern recreation of a competitive classic.

An old school JRPG in funky, next-gen clothing. Jaded fans of the genre will love the new features.

Episode 2: The Lost Lords represents a significant improvement in both the writing and production departments at Telltale.

This is a truly dark game that has a compelling and mysterious story. You will be on the edge of your seat as the mystery gradually unfolds. The game breaking bugs of the initial release, and the need to mod the game, severely affect the rating of what would otherwise be a very good game.

L.A. Noire remains an absorbing run through crime-ridden 1940s Los Angeles, and the Switch port runs well and looks excellent.

A fun title that epitomises XBLA's theme - quick arcade action for minimal outlay.

Let's forget about the game that pits favourite iconic video game characters such as plumbers and Pokemon for a minute and focus on what this is. PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale stands on its own two feet to show that it, too, has a place in this world.

The Darkness II's less dour, more fantastical take on the shooter is a welcome change of pace to the string of samey combat scenarios publishers have assured us we can't get enough of over the past five years.

While not as complex or challenging as many stealth games, Republique still manages to provide a unique and interesting game experience, and its strong narrative focus and rewards for exploration make it well worth picking up.

Assassin's Creed Origins shakes up the series' combat, loot, and progression, while retaining the atmosphere, impressive open world, and historical bent that has made the franchise so beloved.

Just Cause 3 understands what the essence of the series is – impressively chaotic sandbox action – and it duly provides mountains of it. Just don't expect too much from the story.

Some pop in and loading issues aside, Gran Turismo 6 represents a return to form for Polyphony Digital.

It definitely has its issues, but WWE 2K19 is the best game in the 2K series so far. Packed with content to work through and enjoyable MyCareer and Showcase modes, you’d be remiss not to give it a crack if you’re a wrestling fan.

End of the day, it's a must for fans of Golden Sun or indeed any fan of portable RPG games.

Vampyr is a dark and dour adventure that drips atmosphere. Its shortcomings can be easily overlooked by anyone wanting a character-rich journey into darkness.

A simple yet addictive crime caper whose fun factor and hilarity both increase as players are added, Monaco: What's Yours is Mine is an easy recommendation.

Naruto-philes will love the new features and authenticity, but it probably doesn’t pose enough of a challenge to keep fighting game fans enthralled for long.

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.

Death of the Outsider is a fitting conclusion to the Dishonored franchise. It embraces everything the series is known for, while offering up smart refinements and more immediate player agency. If not for some pacing issues and narrative missteps in the final act, it could have been the best entry yet. Instead, it must settle for being merely being great.

Trackmania Turbo isn't substantially different from other games in the series: it's polished, fleet, and enjoyable. That makes it a great purchase for long-neglected console players, but it offers less to series veterans on PC.

Detroit is great step forward for interactive storytelling, with the impressive scope of its branching narrative and world ultimately overcoming the continued failings of David Cage’s writing.

Far Cry 5 is a handsome, mechanically dazzling, engaging title fused to story that doesn't deliver despite early promise.

Lego Star Wars: The Force Awakens dutifully follows the pattern set by prior Lego tie-ins to a fault, but it's nonetheless a sound title your kids will love.

Like many of its big stars, the WWE series shows its age more with each passing year, but the latest model proves there are still a few cans of whoop-ass left in the tank.

It's not doing anything revolutionary on it's own, but serves the loyal audience with the best offering Nintendo can muster – and that's pretty good indeed.

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.

Fun, innovative, and unique, Gravity Rush is well worth your time, bringing an original action-adventure from the small screen to a bigger one.

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!

This is almost certainly the best F1 game from the development team thus far, and a real step up from last year. Codemasters has finally hit its stride in the racing genre, with some quality racing sim titles such as this and Dirt Rally.

Yoshi's Crafted World is another successful main game Switch debut for one of Nintendo's favourite characters and is wonderfully accessible for every kind of gamer. The games adorable art style is a joy to behold, and it's always fun to play with a friend in co-op. It may not be perfect, but it's a lovely little adventure that should be experienced by all fans.

Tacoma's augmented reality cast allow it to tell its engaging story in a unique way. It's a slow burn of a game that deftly interrogates interpersonal relationships in an engaging sci-fi setting.

A platformer that admits it (probably) doesn't need an epic story.

Touted as being the pretender to the throne of MMO games, expectations for Warhammer Online were running high. Whilst brilliant in a lot of ways, the lack of polish and a fundamental flaw in the game dynamic does not bode well for its longevity. It is certainly worth playing, but it will leave you wondering why it was not finished before release.

All in all, Giana Sisters: Twisted Dreams - Owltimate Edition is a great platformer that lets you get by as you learn and feels great to ace once you nail the skills. It looks cool, works well in both handheld and docked modes, has tight controls, and enough depth to make replaying its copious content worthwhile. Recommended.

Dawn of War III is a Storm Shield-solid title carrying a few minor irritations. It can't possibly leave the blast crater its predecessors did, but it's still an absorbing, invigorating, chaotic RTS with the firepower to impress.

Valkyria Chronicles 4 can feel like a clone at times, but a small iterative change makes a meaningful difference to an otherwise identical experience. I felt like I was playing a game preserved in time, which was semi-refreshing after a decade of absence, but my thoughts might change if Valkyria Chronicles doesn’t eventually.

Put that aside and enjoy Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 for what it is: a brutal and rewarding game that knows what players expect, and delivers it with well-earned confidence.

Moonlighter is a wonderfully charming adventure with a gorgeous style. Fans of the genre will have an absolute blast. Managing the store and exploring the many procedural dungeons never grew tiresome and the games upgrade system for both the Town and Will kept me going back for just one more round long into the evenings.

Call of Duty is undeniably a piece of propaganda fiction that glamorises and bolsters the image of war, as well as the perspective and ‘righteousness’ of western forces. That said, the campaign of this reboot of Modern Warfare tries heavy handedly, and at times problematically, to more fully and authentically tease out the ethics, complexities, and perspectives of one of our world’s biggest current conflicts. Though far from perfect, there is still absolutely some important ideas and experiences for players in this campaign, ones that may even open your eyes to a new way of thinking about warfare and the people in it - especially when thinking about ways that we can and should be fighting here in New Zealand, by accepting the refugees of these conflicts and contributing as much aid as possible.

Not quite the triumphant return long-time fans had hoped for but nevertheless, Darksiders III is an enjoyable and worthy entry in the series. The biggest issue here is that newcomers will likely find Fury and her world a little too unwelcoming. To those of us who have already shared the trials of War and the journey of Death, delivering Fury’s wrath is a satisfying if somewhat guilty pleasure.

Never boring and often exhilarating, The Old Blood is another polished love letter to an older breed of shooter. While not as deep or interesting as The New Order, this standalone expansion provides enough visceral entertainment and interesting story beats to keep players more than engaged for its 6-8 hour running time.

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.

The Gunstringer spins a familiar yarn – a double-crossed outlaw is back from the grave and out for revenge – but the conceit that it's all a play (complete with cuts to a live audience whooping and hollering a victory or booing the introduction of a corrupt banker) works brilliantly, and it's impossible to participate without a grin mysteriously emerging where a player's game-face scowl normally resides. Fun and funny, it shows that perhaps Kinect has a use beyond dance and exercise games after all.

Shadow of the Colossus is available on three generations of PlayStation hardware, but this latest version is the best. The splendid facelift here can't disguise some of its creakier gameplay, but if you've never played it, there's never been a better time to tackle Team Ico's signature game.

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.

A Bunnylord, gruesome pixellated deaths, politics by force, and sliding while shooting...After reading that, you already know if Not A Hero is for you.

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.

The experience of playing a game like this on the handheld mode of a Switch is also a joyous one and has lent to me having more fun with these games than I ever have before.

Boasting some clever innovations and generally smooth execution, Civilization: Beyond Earth is a sure bet for fans of the long-running series.

As movie tie-in games go, this is actually rather good. It flows well, is visually impressive and maintains sufficient pace and excitement to keep the young player tuned in for many hours.

It's still an exciting, tough fighting game, and it's infinitely preferable to some of the attempts at shaking things up that we saw in the past.

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.

Shadow Warrior 2 is much like its predecessor: a gore-spattered first person kill-fest interspersed with lowest-rung lowest brow humour. Both of these elements are executed to excess, giving us a game that is equal parts head and eye-rolling. Still, it never stops entertaining if you have a taste for it.

Episode 2 contains all the elements we've come to expect and deeply admire from a Telltale series, but it's too thinly spread to achieve top marks.

UNO Rush is a new take on the traditional UNO concept. Making the game faster and more intense will definitely appeal to some players who found the original too slow. A well rounded and well made title that is sure to be enjoyed by many, though the fast paced gameplay won't suit all players and all skill levels.

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.

Yooka-Laylee is an unabashedly old-school platformer with modern presentation. It is challenging and occasionally infuriating, but it’s also extremely rewarding. Playtonic have proven that just because something is old, that doesn’t mean it should die.

Warhammer 40,000: Regicide is what every kid who played Battle Chess back in the day wished it could have been. It enthralls, but a lack of content and variety may see the majority of players move on far sooner than the game deserves.

Mass Effect: Andromeda is a paradox: it's both disappointing and excellent. A mammoth title, it delivers tons of great content, but hamstrings itself with a poor first few hours, a few horrible systems, and some uninspired scenarios. Even so, it's pretty great.

Even if gamers may have to wait for something truly definitive, Mortal Kombat represents significant, praiseworthy progress for the series. A joyful respite for long-battered fans and a highly entertaining, bloodied distraction for the rest.

While a disaster on the PC, this game shines on the next-gen consoles. 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.

Shadowkeep is taking its first steps in a newly focused Destiny that might not offer a lot, but strongly delivers on what it does. While it's hard to say whether Bungie can maintain this promised trajectory for the course of the expansion, the signs so far are encouraging.

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

More in-depth than its predecessor, Box Office Smash updates the Xbox 360-dedicated franchise with a ton of new questions, a couple of new puzzle modes and online play. Still a great way to entertain the family on those long winter nights ahead.

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.

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.

Rain won't tax players the way other puzzle-platformers might, but what it lacks in challenge it more makes up for in atmosphere and story. An aching, moody title, it will nonetheless charm those who brave its inclement climes.

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.

God of War III Remastered is a must-buy for those that missed out five years ago, but while the game's not full-price, veterans are probably better off waiting for a PS4-native sequel.

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.

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.

As movie tie-in games go, this is actually rather good. It flows well, is visually impressive and maintains sufficient pace and excitement to keep the young player tuned in for many hours.

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

Portal: Still Alive is ideal for Xbox 360 owners who want the Portal experience without any hassles. Log in, download, and play - but beware, it's not exactly a small file.

An accessible yet thoroughly entertaining competitive fighter, Dragon Ball FighterZ is a game for low-levels and super-elites alike.

Spider-Man: The Heist feels like a condensed version of the main game. The new story is immediately intriguing and Black Cat makes for a wonderful addition to the cast. If you enjoyed Spider-Man at launch, you need to check out The Heist.

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.

CD Projekt Red have delivered an exceptional adventure in Thronebreaker: The Witcher Tales. One that any Witcher fan should not hesitate to experience. While Gwent is undeniably fun, it falls short of its full potential in a single-player only game with AI opponents.