Skylanders: Trap Team is packed full of clever ideas and sharp design. It's well presented and well executed, but be warned: if you let your guard down, it'll also crit your credit card for massive damage.

With its cartoon punk press aesthetic, excellent soundtrack and lengthy-but-unpadded campaign, there's little reason not to enthusiastically recommend Charlie Murder.

Equally as good on PC as it is on the Xbox 360. You’ll have trouble tearing the kids away from it, let alone yourself.

The first multiplatform release from Tarsier is a taut grim fairytale of a puzzle-platformer that's perfect to explore on a rainy afternoon.

The potential was there, but Ghostbusters The Video Game is not as good as it might have been. It's fun when it is a ghost-capturing game, but the addition of third-person shooter elements spoils it.

It's still faithfully wedded to its classical framework, but by manipulating the way the audience thinks about what has always been one of the most arbitrary elements of the Super Mario Bros. series, it makes the game even more of a challenge than before. There are new dangers to confront and new reasons to repeat worlds, and this prompted seachange in the way we think about Mario yields results both fascinating and entertaining.

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.

EA's Grand Slam Tennis packs in everything you would expect from a well made tennis title.

Dead Space 3 is an enjoyable action game, but it's unlikely to make a lasting impression.

If you want an RTS that requires a command to be issued every second then you're still going to need that PC, but in the meantime R.U.S.E. in an acceptable distraction for those willing to skirmish online.

Hyrule Warriors Definitive Edition is the best way to play the game, and is a good fit on the Switch. That said, this one’s definitely for newcomers rather than returning players, and the frame rate can still play up in moments where’s there’s just a bit too much going on.

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.

If you aren't entranced by mechanically shallow games like Journey, don't bother. But if you find exploration titles even marginally interesting, Abzu is an absolute must-play – it's the most majestic one yet.

Life Is Strange: Before The Storm gets off to a moderately good start. Its characters are interesting, but the plot is entirely unclear right now, and is moving in a direction I'm not all that invested in.

While it has its problems, Everybody’s Gone to the Rapture is a memorable, emotional ride through post-apocalyptic England, rife with mystery, intrigue, and a sense of the unknown.

A fast paced, fluid tennis simulation. The steep learning curve will put off those wanting a quick, arcade tennis bash, but if you take the time to learn the game it is a rewarding, fun experience.

In the end, Distant Stars is worthy it for the extra anomalies and the novelty of the L-Clusters alone, though it’s hardly a must have. Paradox’s ongoing support is commendable, but the studio has consistently failed to fix issues that have plagued the game for nearly three years now.

A good solid soccer title which builds on previous EA soccer titles. Some glitches here and there and a high learning curve means you will need to stick at it, and might put off newcomers to the series. But an incredible match and graphics engine help to make up for this.

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.

Mafia II is tightly story-driven, extremely linear in execution, and designed to drive the player through a cinematic experience that is the very essence of the game. The world compliments the story, it's not designed offer much beyond the fifteen or so hours of gameplay inherent in the plot.

If anyone had any doubt about Capcom's ability to deliver a frame-perfect fighting engine, they can rest assured their fears are without merit. Sure, there will likely be balancing changes once the masses pick apart the V-Gauge and EX bars, but absolutely nothing at all about the feel of the game seemed "off" to this seasoned Street Fighter veteran.

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.

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.

Simply put, anyone with a capable PC should download this and try it.

Morrowind is a capable add-on to an MMO that's a leader in story and questing, and is only improving with age.

Project Zero 2 is a functional game, but it's really nothing to write home about. It's a great concept poorly executed and even though it has been slightly updated, it still plays as it did a decade ago.

Some will prefer the gameplay of PES 2011 to its EA Sports counterpart (certainly more players than would have in 2010). However, for casual fans and trainspotters alike, the depth and breadth of leagues in FIFA 2011, combined with its continued high-quality gameplay, will leave PES waiting until 2012 for another shot at the title of top football franchise.

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.

Singularity cherry-picks the best concepts from a wide range of FPS titles and stitches them together in a credible, and ultimately successful way.

A whimsical top-down return to arcade classics of yore, complete with suitable sound effects and clever integration of satellite imagery. A nice distraction, but unlikely to hold your attention for long.

A surprisingly sensitive, if flawed, retelling of a harrowing time in human history.

Retro fans will feel acknowledged and loved but everyone else may miss the hype.

Quantum Break is magnificent, pushing the boundaries of what's possible both technically and from a narrative perspective.

World of Final Fantasy could be an ongoing offshoot of the FF franchise, and has all the baggage to prove it.

As the box says - if you can't wait until "Starcraft 2", then you should give Universe at War a shot.

All but the hardest kernel of strategy fans may be overwhelmed by the micromanagement required and jaded by the long hours of meticulous planning that precede any action, but Hearts of Iron III isn’t designed with casual players in mind. Fans of the series and the genre will find much to be excited about.

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.

A worthy RTS game, but not a worthy successor to the crown.

Arms is a zany, promising new IP from Nintendo that exudes confidence in almost everything it offers. The fun garnered from its gameplay mechanics and enjoyable multiplayer modes is enough to make it feel like a worthwhile package, even though it’s currently a bit light on content.

A thoroughly entertaining game that has a wide appeal for young and old. The low level of violence and simplicity of challenge makes it easy to play. A good solid family game that we highly recommend.

The Sword in the Darkness is the best of Telltale's Game of Thrones episodes yet, and sets up what will no doubt be a dramatic second half of the season.

Darksiders Genesis is not only immediately fun, it is also immediately recognisable as Darksiders despite the move to a new genre and completely different camera angle. Strife is a very welcome addition to the Darksiders canon, and when paired with War they have helped elevate Genesis to the best entry in the series in the post Vigil Games era.

A meticulously detailed World War One flight and combat simulator that will entertain and enthral devotees with its period accuracy.

Liars and Cheats is the third downloadable content pack for Rockstar's Red Dead Redemption. The pack contains a variety of new features to expand the Free Roam multiplayer world including player vs. player poker and liar's dice. The pack also adds a new multiplayer game mode called Stronghold and introduces horse racing.

A solid squad based war simulator, with an amazing open world and stunning draw distance.

Those not yet completely jaded by zombie movies and games will find Dead Nation a very agreeable game, especially those looking for a reasonably challenging top-down shooter.

Transformers Devastation is a loving homage to its '80s cartoon source material that features the slick and satisfying combat we've come to expect from PlatinumGames. Shame it's so bloody short, though.

But all this said, the game is only US $15, and although hugely infuriating at times, still manages to offer up several hours of cerebral entertainment. Bonus points should be awarded if anyone can play the thing through to the end without turning off the background music, which has clearly been lifted from an elevator in a Disney building somewhere, or not pausing to reflect how inappropriate and darkly sadistic it is to caption each death screen with numerically catergorised examples of what deceased children will never experience.

Battlefleet Gothic: Armada is a beautiful game that’s flawed but brilliant. Occasionally obtuse but always entertaining, it’s a wonderfully unique way to experience the Warhammer 40k universe.

Red Alert 3 builds well on its predecessors. The console iteration does feel cluttered and hampered by an overloaded controller, but the game itself is great. RTS's on consoles seem like they are here to stay, and Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3 is certainly not to be sniffed at, particularly if you are a fan of the series.

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.

You can't accuse Infinite Warfare of being light on content, but most of what's here has been seen many times before, and none of the modes represent franchise high points. Also, the multiplayer microtransactions are off-putting.

An exceptional console RTS that solves the problem of having to use a controller to quickly respond to on-screen action. Great graphics and a true sense of an epic global conflict make this one of the best RTS titles to arrive on any console. The online multiplayer mode is a real highlight allowing you to engage in battles that change the face of Europe and the US.

Putting aside the disappointments of PES 2009, on the pitch, the game is still the most realistic football sim on the market. I don’t believe the PES franchise is getting any worse, rather that EA’s FIFA franchise is barking at its heels and surpassing it in some areas.

Sniper Elite 4 improves all areas of the franchise to a greater or lesser extent, and its protagonist remains the only real weak spot.

There's a lot here for fans of the Transformers to admire, but strip away the pop culture veneer and War for Cybertron is a slightly above par entry in the annals of gaming.

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.

While it features the same basic mechanics as its parent title, Dark Arisen plays away from its strengths by locking the player in something of a one-note environment to wage war on mostly reskinned enemies.

A good game made great, Sleeping Dogs Definitive Edition is a flavoursome and entertaining open world action game that can be recommended practically without qualification.

The Hitman Intro Pack is satisfying to play, there just isn't enough of it. This ought to be rectified by the second episode next month, and by then its servers should be stable as well.

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.

While unlikely to be the game that sells millions of gamers on the Wii U as a system, ZombiU is a strong game and its purchase a no-brainer for those who own the console already.

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

Better career pacing, and more customisation options and settings make Tiger Woods PGA Tour 14 is the finest instalment in the series to date.

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.

An excellent FPS horror that mixes action with some pretty good frights. The single-player is exceptional, with some of the best graphics and atmospherics we've seen. Unfortunately the game is not as long as we would have liked and does little to bring something new to the packed FPS table.

The graphics are the best of any in the franchise and the musical score is perfectly aligned to the medieval setting. But Sims fans might be disappointed by the lack of freedom in this release, whereas RPG fans will probably appreciate the structured gameplay and character development laced with The Sims's typical light-hearted humour.

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.

Tiny Metal: Full Metal Rumble attempts to fill the void left by Advance Wars, but struggles meet expectations. Several issues with the games UI lead to more frustration than fun.

Full Throttle Remastered is as good now as Full Throttle was back in 1995, and that’s about as glowing a recommendation as I could possibly give. It may not provide the longest ride ever produced, but with a new coat of paint, a refurbished engine, and some sexy after-market exhausts, this is one retuned and restored beast I unreservedly endorse for one and all.

Unfortunately a complete lack of characterisation, derivative gameplay, and a difficulty setting that's clearly meant to make a winner out of even the most incompetent makes Shadow Planet 2011 Xbox Summer of Arcade's first inessential release.

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.

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.

There is certainly room for a thoughtful shooter or fifty among the brain-dead gorillas that currently populate the genre, and what is on offer here in that regard is encouraging, even if it's not executed to the highest standards. The Line's dramatic punches would have landed with a lot more force had the in-game macho quotient been dialled back a few notches and had all involved not made the choice to speak through clenched teeth, but it does represent a welcome step in the right direction.

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

Despite feeling like an expansion to Saints Row: The Third, the ridiculous story missions and the excellently-implemented superpowers make Saints Row IV an enormous amount of fun.

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.

Crysis 3 looks stunning and ticks all the right boxes, but the game doesn't do enough to distinguish itself in order to earn the higher marks.

Hob is a beguiling action adventure that's hamstrung by its platforming and a sub-par second half.

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.

Strider is basic fare to snack on between larger courses in the release schedule. Double Helix has easily attained its unambitious goals.

Jaded by the current crop of MMORPG's? Tired of the endless band aids in the form of patches designed to disguise the boredom? Sick of the grind? Come over to the all new world of Aion and experience the art of MMORPG at a new level.

World War II is coming back into your living room with Hell's Highway, a solid, squad-based tactical shooter. Aside from some minor glitches and a lack of decent multiplayer the game is stunning, with a movie-like story that is gripping and emotional. A must buy for WWII shooter fans, and fans of the series.

Gunslinger is a solid return to form for Techland, anchoring their colourful arcade take on the Old West in a story told with a great deal of heart and good humour. If only other parts of the game showed such originality.

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.

Beautiful Desolation is an essential entry in the Adventure Game genre and should not be missed. Gorgeous visuals, and evocative sound design compliment an exceptional sci-fi story filled with mystery, pathos, and good old-fashioned adventuring with some modern flair.

A charming ‘chill out’ game best suited to younger players. A good candidate for the Christmas stocking.

A thoroughly entertaining game that has a wide appeal for young and old. The low level of violence and simplicity of challenge makes it easy to play. A good solid family game that we highly recommend.

Friday the 13th: Killer Puzzle is a curious marriage of gore and puzzles which unfortunately doesn't quite it right. Fans of the franchise will get more enjoyment than others, but it's hard to recommend this puzzler to any but the most die-hard Vorhees fans.

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.

With interesting characters, refined mechanics, and a few excellent new additions, Assassin's Creed Syndicate reminds us what's great about the series. Even those turned off by the bugfest that was Unity will be won over by this terrific entry. It's the best Assassin's Creed game to come along in a long while.

Super Mario Party may not do everything perfectly, but it's easily some of the most fun I've had the Switch since launch. The boards are a bit dull but the overwhelming amount of great new minigames makes up for any short-falls with aplomb.

An entertaining, comical and sometimes downright ridiculous RPG adventure that will keep you entertained for many hours. One of the most substantial Xbox Live titles to date.

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!

A solid 90's style platformer with some tacked on minigames and a reasonable multiplayer angle. Good fodder for a trip down memory lane, and beautifully animated.

The question MAG makes us ask is, does this title herald the approach of massively multiplayer online games for next-gen consoles? It's a bit rough around the edges, but with any luck we'll look back on MAG and admire it for its ambition, and consider it a step in the right direction.

The game’s familiar format means instant gratification, and the option to download new tracks is a major draw card for us… plus it’s excellent value for money and damn good fun, to boot.

UFC 2 is hard to get into and not as rewarding to play as it should be, but its smart system design, presentation, and generous helping of content should keep UFC fans occupied – provided they make it through a gruelling training camp first.