GTA V feels like a next-gen game without actually being one. If all the other studious could do what Rockstar can, there'd be plenty of life left in the current console generation. But that's the thing, isn't it. No other developer is like Rockstar. And no other series is like Grand Theft Auto.

It is not often I get lost in a game like I did with Skyrim. Everything about this game screams quality and adventure. While Bethesda hasn't exactly got a track record for delivering bug-free games at launch, this has been a pleasant, polished and amazing experience so far. A much improved third-person view, amazing music, a living breathing world, a menu-system that's amazing and a game filled with interesting stuff to do. Truly a masterpiece.

The Last of Us is a stable and very decent action game, wrapped in an absolutely incredible presentation and story. When it comes to the narrative, The Last of Us sets a new golden standard that every game will be compared to for years to comes. It honestly feels as if Naughty Dog has raised the bar of what games as a medium are able to achieve in this area, and makes franchises like Call of Duty and all its wannabes seem decidedly laughable.

While it might be a tad iterative, Hades II remains potent, razor sharp and brilliantly put together.

Even if the Remastered version only really adds improves textures and better framerate, The Last of Us remains one of the greatest games in recent years. It’s a must-have for any PS4 owners who didn’t play the original, and well-worth replaying for those who did.

Portal 2 expands on everything the first game did so well and makes it even better. Perfectly paced and adorably funny from start to finish, Portal 2 will keep on surprising you and challenge your wit right to the finish. In brief, everyone should play Portal 2, alone or with a friend.

Arkham City is a display of power. Its predecessor was one of the best licensed games ever, but it's as if Rocksteady has found another gear, just as we thought they were already running at top speed. It's an amazing game, and one of the greatest releases this year.

Improvements are everywhere, and if you've already played this gem on the N64, there's enough goodies here to warrant a re-visit. If you're new to the game, there's a whole world of experiences waiting for you. This is the reason to get a 3DS – it doesn't get any better than this.

It's been a year since Mass Effect 2 was first released, and it's remarkable how little has changed regarding its many qualities since then. The stories of Shepard and his crew is still as gripping and well-written, the enormous universe is still as interesting to explore, and the many battles are still as filled with action and tactical challenges. In other words, Mass Effect 2 is exactly as good today as it was a year ago, and the included bonuses more than make up for whatever little nitpicks you might have.

Everything from the pacing, to the artificial intelligence, to the graphics and the music are perfect. This is truly a masterpiece only deserving of the highest grade we can possibly give.

Super Mario 3D World is a sublime Mario adventure. Finding the three stars and one stamp every level contains quickly becomes an obsession, which is a result of Nintendo's brilliant level design.

An amazingly well-crafted strategy experience. Not a lot of chances were taken, but Blizzard knows what works, and it shows. Addiction in a package and sublime strategy.

Better fighting. A great story. Amazing multiplayer. A brilliant ending and a masterpiece from Bioware.

The undisputed king of racing on iOS devices. Playing Real Racing 2 HD brings back memories of the first time we tried Gran Turismo, only much better looking. If you're looking for a serious racing game for your iPad, nothing comes close to this.

Nothing short of a masterpiece. A thrill-ride of intense action and breathtaking set-pieces guaranteed to put a goofy grin on your face. A must have for any PlayStation 3-owner.

The production values are incredible. This is truly an amazing game to look at. This time around the story feels a bit more like something you could get away with if it was a tv-series - too many loose ends and not something that fits a game release schedule. Drake is still great to look at, and the multiplayer is a blast. And you know more than anyone if that is enough for you.

Journey may be short, but it will leave you entranced for the entire ride. You will go from being mystified to intrigued to moved to much more. Throw out your expectations for platforming games and enjoy either the loneliness or the community in the desert of anonymity.

You might not like everything about Simogos' fairly short adventure game. But if you are looking for something different then this is the game to get.

Neither Ico or Shadow of the Colossus can claim to be as unique or sensational as they were when they were first released, but can still offer plenty of magic for anyone in the mood for two good adventures – and they serve as an excellent warm-up for the upcoming The Last Guardian.

Bayonetta 2 is a triumphant return for the series and for Platinum Games. Extreme bosses, a crazy good style and an addictive co-op mode are just the icing on top of an excellent fighting system. Go get it now for your Wii U.

This is the most exciting arcade racer we've played in years. It makes Burnout 3: Takedown feel like a laid-back Sunday drive. A masterpiece of handheld gaming that will give any of the arcade racers on "proper" consoles a run for their money.

A beautiful magnum opus. A modern shooter with polish and a sense of detail that makes Halo: Reach the new reference title for first person shooters. An engaging single player experience and a brilliant multiplayer game. One of the best shooters ever.

Xcom for iPad is an ambitious project. Most of the content from the console and PC versions have been crammed onto the tiny screen quite well. Unfortunately that comes at a price. The framerate isn’t amazing on iPad Mini and it’s clear that the game was designed for a bigger screen originally. Touch has been implemented admirably and apart from missing multiplayer (which is promised in an update) and the ability to chose colors for your troops this is definitely one of the deepest turn-based strategy games for iOS.

Forza 4 offers the most well rounded experience to date. It oozes of love for motorsports and car culture, while giving you easy access to the cars of your dreams on the most beautiful and and challenging tracks across the globe. It has enough width and depth to satisfy both arcade and simulation fans, and Forza 4 conquers the genre throne once and for all.

Gears of War 3 towers over its otherwise great predecessors with a campaign so finely tuned that you'll have a hard time putting the controller down. There's the same dissonance between the macho-wit of the characters and the bombastic drama that the series has always suffered from, but that is easily forgiven in light of the rock solid online component and the exemplary options for co-operative play. Shooters don't get much better than this, and if you own an Xbox 360, there's no reason not to get this game.

The most refreshing Zelda game in a long while, and yet additional proof that Nintendo knows how to utilize the 3DS like no one else. An essential game for the platform.

Dark Souls II has lost none of its relentless difficulty, and the many improvements make it a great experience for veterans and newcomers. But it may not be for everybody. Still a highly recommended experience if you thirst for a new action role playing game in your collection.

Oozes basketball atmosphere in a way that we've never seen in any other sports game. 2K Sports have made a game that's difficult to pick up if you're still a basketball virgin, but once you've learned all the moves, there's plenty to explore in this entertaining and challenging release.

Without a doubt the most elaborate, polished and streamlined expansion for Blizzards MMO-monster yet. Cataclysm is so well-done that it makes The Burning Crusade, the first expansion for the game, look crude and old fashioned by comparison. At the same time, though, it has an odd feel of finality to it. Like World of Warcraft is reaching the end of what it's capable of doing. The game is aging gracefully, but you have to wonder where it can go after this.

Copious amounts of entertainment, and plenty of well-thought out console-only features. Highly recommended for all fans of action RPGs.

It's doubtful whether it's ever been possible to get more entertainment for your money than this, and the 1200 MS points will be well spent no matter what type of gamer you are.

Dead Space Remake is a faithful, loving and gentle update of everything that made the original game iconic, and if you liked Visceral's game, then you can safely reinvest.

When the inevitable next mainline game lands in four-five years, I do hope Insomniac shakes it up a bit, but until then, AAA open-world games don't get much more entertaining than this.

Halfbrick knows the endless runner/one button platform genre like the back of their hand, and it shows. Jetpack Joyride hits all the right marks, and ends up being more addictive than cotton candy laced with cocaine.

LIMBO's puzzles are as devious as the game is gorgeous, this game will have you planted in your seat from beginning to end. Not a long story by any means, but buying this stylish adventure should still be a no-brainer.

Hi-Fi Rush is a well-crafted and, at its core, simple action-adventure, and as the game's style, humour and bubbly personality rub off, it's not hard to like this game.

Mark of the Ninja stands out as something special, not just compared to other Xbox Live Arcade titles, but to the stealth genre as a whole. A highly entertaining and clever stealth game that no genre fan should miss.

Dead Space 2 is an absolute treat for anyone who thinks there's to much goofing around and too little trembling with horror in today's games. And even if you're not exactly on the lookout for a scary game, Dead Space 2 still comes heartily recommended as it is a fantastic journey from start to finish with an enormous concentration of quality.

"Huge but accessible" is the best way to describe Civilization V. You could accuse it of sacrificing depth in favor of overview and clarity, but we choose to see it as a game trimmed down to the most essential and fun parts of the series. Civ is more relevant than ever.

A pleasure to play, pure Mario of the highest caliber. Doesn't quite reach the heights of the amazing Super Mario Galaxy 2, but still an excellent platformer, and a must have for 3DS owners.

Easily mingles with the best games of the year. It seamlessly carries the legacy of the original, and does so with flair and style. Most importantly it makes you think, which is all to rare nowadays.

It's easy to knock Gameloft for blatantly ripping off other games, but you have to be impressed with the level of quality in which they do it. And while N.O.V.A. borrows more than a few ideas from the Halo series, it also shows that iOS is more than capable of delivering a full console experience that can easily stand on its own.

A terrific recreation of the sport, where everything comes together brilliantly. The new controls are sharp, and you'll find yourself wanting to play just one more game in order to master a certain drible or improve your personal score record.

Rayman Origins, the predecessor to Legends, was one of the best platform games of this generation, and Rayman Legends has it squarely beat across the line. It may well be that the main character is 18, a practical lifetime in game terms, but he certainly doesn’t feel that way. Rayman feels refreshing like few others.

Hands down the best game in the series so far. Everything is bigger, better and brighter, the combat system is vastly improved and the new weapons and tricks are very welcome. There's plenty of stuff to do, loads of side missions, and the new addition of recruiting and training other assassins is a brilliant one. The controls feel a bit wonky on occasion, but that's all we can complain about. Heartily recommended for fans and newcomers alike.

A furious arcade racer for adrenaline junkies everywhere. Every race will put your heart in your throat and a tickle in your stomach, and the new Autolog feature, that recommends races for you based on your friends' activities, is nothing short of brilliant. Winning a race is one thing, but smashing your mate's previous record while doing it is just awesome. Fans of sim-style racers will probably hate it, but if you like arcade racing, this is about as good as it gets.

It's hard not to like Fez. Try for yourself and see if you won't be hypnotized by its labyrinthine cubism.

Everything we hoped for and expected from Gearbox's anticipated sequel. Takes just about every aspect of the first game and polishes them to a shine, making it hard to ever look back. One of the games that has made us laugh the most in recent times.

One of the few games you must not miss if you own an iPad. We'll even go as far as declaring it the best tower defens game ever.

While it maintains close mechanical proximity to the games that came before, Requiem is solid proof that what Capcom has built has a fundamental appeal, and, more importantly, a quality that few can match.

It's nothing short of exemplary how Firaxis has taken a true classic and updated it for modern times without compromising the essence of what made it great. XCOM: Enemy Unknown is a worthy heir and more than lives up to our expectations.

Combining Fez, The Room and Journey into a piece of art is no small feat, but Monument Valley succeeds. Here is something that can be played and enjoyed by almost all ages. A tiny masterpiece bordering on genius. And there is a great puzzle game beneath the gorgeous paintings, it is not all about looks. Get this for a great one to two hour journey.

Engrossing, challenging and exciting entertainment, spiced up with a solid dosage of humor and kitsch. A blast from the past that still holds up today, if you know what you're getting into.

Battlefield 3 is amazing. The single player campaign is definitely the weakest link, even though it's more than just decent. The co-op missions are fun, but online multiplayer is the main reason you should get Battlefield 3. Here, the game doesn't disappoint in any way and stands as the strongest entry of the series so far. This is the best multiplayer experience I've had this year.

If you loved the first Infinity Blade go nuts: there's more history, variety, refinement, details and equipment combinations to Infinity Blade II. A deeper weapon system that feels almost like a choice of class make it much more fun to rinse and repeat the levels. And there is a actually a story hidden in the game this time around. Good stuff and yet another prime example of how to do an iOS-game.

All of the features make this an impressive drawing app, but it's the little extras that really turn Colors! 3D into something special.

Exactly as fast and colorful as the original. The sheer amount of content and gaming joy on offer here makes it easy to recommend.

A worthy sequel to Battleheart that lets you fight with a single character. An insane amount of class customization combined with a charming style in both audio and graphics and a great story ensures at least 15 hours of great adventuring. After that there is arena and a new game plus. This might simply be one of the best action roleplaying games on iOS.

Vastly superior to all its karting competitors. Once again, Nintendo has filled its tank with the finest fuel you can imagine, and anyone who gives the gas pedal even the gentlest of squeezes will be hard pressed taking their foot off it again.

If you're a fan of The Last of Us, you should download Left Behind immediately. The expansion exudes quality, and lives up to the high standards set by the base game in every way. Naughty Dog are the kings of the cinematic gaming experience, and unique in their ability to create believable and human characters that we empathize, laugh and cry with. Left Behind confirms that without wavering.

A huge sandbox that promises a lot and absolutely delivers on every promise. Developed characters, great missions and a living, vibrant world makes this one trip you will not forget. Ubisoft could have easily been satisfied with just delivering a great solo game, but it throws in a great co-op and multiplayer with potential as well. This just became one of the best shooters of this year.

Every bit as good as the version for the home consoles. If you've yet to play this game, you're missing out on 60 levels of pure platforming bliss. Our only gripe is the lack of multiplayer, but if anything, that just made us appreciate the spectacular level design even more.

There's little to criticize about Torchlight II, especially at such a generous price. It feels as if Runic Games knew exactly what they wanted to do with their sequel. You can almost hear the game say "welcome home" to those of us who've longed for a spiritual successor to Diablo II.

One of the best roleplaying games of yesteryear just got a little bit better, and if you're even remotely interested in the genre, this is a game you have to play. The Witcher 2 is every bit as excellent with couch and controller as it was with keyboard and mouse.

Small perfect levels, breezy controls and colors that just pop off the screen. Make no mistake, though, Rayman is in no way just a quick snack. The later levels are ruthlessly hard, but when you finally nail them, you will have no doubt that this is the way a mobile platformer should be done.

Gameloft takes their Modern Warfare-clone and improves on everything. A good singleplayer campaign complements the awesome multiplayer mode. Lots of perks, killstreaks and great variety in the maps (which this time around are much larger end better designed). This is truly Gameloft's finest game yet, and the best shooter on iOS!

Forget the semi-lame beta. This is the real deal. Diablo III is as addictive as ever. A beauty to enjoy with friends and a great experience. The story might not be the best ever, the music not as bombastic as we could want, but the gameplay is intact. And so is the loot. Oh yes. The loot. Well, back to the game we go. There is a another nightmare to be had.

FIFA 11 is a rock solid football game that in many ways nudges the gameplay in the right direction. But the developers should have a look at their Madden-colleagues, as FIFA needs to rediscover itself in many of the aspects that don't directly influence the gameplay, so the yearly update doesn't just become business as usual. The goal every year is to come as close to the real football experience as possible, and you only get that when you show and understand the drama outside of the pitch, too.

Does everything you'd expect, and does it with some of the best level design the series has seen so far. Still, there aren't any of the major innovations that could have made this game something really special. Instead, it's "just" rock solid entertainment for your handheld.

EA has outdone themselves once again and delivered perhaps the greatest soccer game of all time. If FIFA 12 broke all sales records for sports games, we can easily imagine FIFA 13 doing the very same thing.

A shining example of longevity, and if I didn't have to sit here and write these words, I would be back in front of the TV, trying to get that next star or reach the top of the leaderboards. This is a gem of a game, and luckily one that Xbox 360 owners can now enjoy as well.

One of the best multiplayer games of 2010 just got better. The Vietnam setting means that most of the hi-tech gadgets from the main game are gone, which leads to a combat experience that is more up close and personal. The new levels are excellent and sufficiently different, the visuals are great, and the audio nothing short of fantastic. If you like Bad Company 2, this is an absolute must-have.

If you are into rock music you will love the track list. And as a bonus Rocksmith 2014 truly teaches you to play the guitar or bass. Just don’t expect to be held in the hand if you are a total beginner or challenged if you are an experienced musician.

Halo 4 offers more of the same, but still manages to be packed with crazy moments, a delightfully tight story and pure joy for all your senses.

Gorgeous action platformer with a deep combat system and some very tricky platforming segments. Some of the best fun PSN has to offer.

Codemasters remain the kings of the rally genre, as they are simply better at all the important aspects of the essential rally experience than any other developer. But whereas Dirt 2 was a huge leap forward from its predecessor, Dirt 3 feels like a much smaller step, and may leave long-time fans of the series wanting more. Still, it's the best rally game around.

Behind the warm and inviting visuals lies a treacherously difficult platform game. But Donkey Kong Country Returns is as fun as it is hard, and goes to show that the old school 2D platformer is alive and well. There are plenty of gimmicks and new ideas along the way to keep things fresh, and the graphics are absolutely gorgeous.

Tearaway is beautiful, well-designed, fun to play, and a must-buy for all Vita owners.

The improvements over the last-gen version may not be huge, but the more you play, the more noticeable they become. EA has used the added power to streamline and refine the recipe that made FIFA 13 and 14 great on the old consoles.

We have seen the adventure before, but this time everything feels polished, even though the sound is getting old. The menu is simple and touch works like a charm. The best Pokémon ever.

The game Diablo III should have been from the start, and an absolute must for anyone who likes Diablo. With the massive injection of new content and total renovation of several core systems, Reaper of Souls in many ways feels fresher than Diablo III did two years ago.

One of those gorgeous gaming experiences that will quickly win you over and put a smile on your face for the rest of your playthrough. A charming, beautiful and entertaining 2D platformer.

Spelunky manages to be even better than the sum of its parts: A charming retro style that encompasses both audio and graphics, razorsharp controls, a constantly challenging and changing platform world. Spelunky is the best excuse to stay inside this summer.

Things have a tendency to gets low if you’re playing multiplayer with Diablo-newbies, as the inventory interface is rather slow. But once you’ve got it figured, Diablo III on console is an great experience and an excellent port, that even manages to dodge some of the issues from the PC version and adds a few new tricks. Well worth getting if you don’t own the PC version already.

There’s little doubt that Pikmin 3 is the best game of the series, and even if we’ve seen most of it in the previous games, they’re so old by now that the experience feels new and fresh again.

A cute and charming platformer that is much more forgiving than its Nintendo-comrade New Super Mario Bros. The unique setting provides plenty of surprises and new takes on classic platforming elements, especially in the first couple of hours, and the game is certainly fun. However, there's not a lot of challenge here, and not a lot of discovery or secrets to keep the longevity after you reach the finish line.

The implementation of Football Manager Classic is a stroke of genius, as it serves the needs of players short on time, while still providing the core experience in a new and more accommodating packaging. The fully-fledged manager experience remains the star of the show, though.

Capcom has done a truly amazing job of cramming one of the deepest action games onto the iPad.

At its core it could be classified as a point'n'click advenutre, but the combination of wonderful graphics, great sound and a fascinating, gripping, funny and thought-provoking story makes it something much, much more. Sword & Sworcery is an audiovisual journey unlike anything else. Buy it. We need more games like this.

Neon-colored retro-entertainment that's perfect for short sessions. There's not much in terms of depth, though.

It's impressive to see how thirteen years later, Radiant Silvergun is still among the finest shoot 'em ups ever made.

If you're not familiar with the series, it might seem odd that Capcom hasn't spent more time updating the graphics or the 4:3 display format, but those in the know will be pleased to see that playability has been the main focus of this update. Anyone who's already dedicated large amounts of time to Street Fighter III can dig out their arcade stick and venture online without worry.

Rayman Fiesta Run might not be as great a platformer as Legends or Origins, but it takes the formula from Rayman Jungle Run and refines and expands that. With a harder difficulty and an option to cheat a bit, it caters for both the casual and experienced gamer. It is simply a fantastic platformer for mobiles.

A fantastic sequel to a delightfully simple strategy game. Rest assured that you can easily play it without running your head into any paywalls. And that fact alone makes PvZ2 one of the best freemium games in recent times.

The graphics and atmosphere are well done and colorful on every screen, and while the characters are a bit too talkative, they are also funny and sufficiently silly. But the story and gameplay seem entirely detached as usual, and it's a shame that the story devs and puzzle devs apparently didn't have more meetings together.

Dance Central 2 has obviously been made with passion and love, and isn't just a quick cash grab. Compared to its predecessor, it has better songs, more forgiving gameplay and the option of two-player dancing, which is easily the most important addition.

Bastion is like the love child of the visual style and calm of Braid and a refined and trimmed version of Torchlight, and one that manages to exceed well beyond our expectations. There are a couple of missteps, and the story could do with a little more bite, but other than that there's no reason not to throw your money at this game and stay indoors a little longer.

A charming and highly addictive racing platformer with plenty of staying power assured by the excellent level designer tool. Great value.