The best way to enjoy the classic space shooter today, and it’s just as compellingly addictive as ever, but a lack of online functionality holds it back.

Hand of Fate is unique, offering an addictive and incredibly entertaining experience that anyone can enjoy.

A stunning action game that relies on story and performance over padding and tacked-on game modes, The Order: 1886 will nonetheless divide gamers with its short run time and reliance on cinematic dazzle.

A sequel that definitely builds upon the promise shown in its predecessor. A great combination of fantasy adventure and comedy.

A unique proposition on the 3DS it may be, but Ironfall Invasion has a long way to go to trouble the classics it emulates.

Like Left 4 Dead before it, Evolve is a game that feels slightly under-nourished at times, but which takes the crummy old co-op FPS wheel and totally re-invents it.

Dedede’s Drum Dash Deluxe may be plentiful in Nintendo charm and character, but ultimately, the gameplay itself is one-note and over-stretched.

If you’re looking for something to take up ten minutes of your time and you’re having one of those days where nothing is going your way then hop aboard the Kirby Fighting Deluxe train. If you are looking for a fighting game where you can “smash” the opposition, then other games are available, although I’m not giving you any clues as to what they are.

A more accessible adventure for newcomers this time around, but Monster Hunter Ultimate 4 still hasn't fully shaken off its outer armour.

The SNES-era visuals and bouncy soundtrack hide a universe of complexity, decision making and intrigue. It has a charm that will ring true with gamers of a certain age, and for anyone who is up for the challenge. Yes, The Escapists is challenging, but it is also very rewarding, and something about those little sprites kept dragging me back for more.

It is a powerful and emotionally driven tale that features an incredibly clever structure that is far more intelligent than anyone really gave it credit for at the time. It’s equally intriguing and unsettling spending time in this bizarre version of Hyrule, with characters you have met before…but are different, here.

While Cersei and Ramsay's omission is felt and backdrops still haven't improved on episode one, the story remains strong and Castle Black sticks out as a big highlight for Game of Thrones fans.

Dying Light keeps the best bits of Dead Island, forgets to get rid of the bad, but makes up for it with awesome parkour and a tense day/night dynamic.

Life is Strange presents an intriguing story but one that is yet to find its feet.

At a higher player count, the chaos get's too much, but when it's at its best, #IDARB is a hell of a lot of fun.

Although perhaps more could have been done, Double Fine have implemented a set of changes that make a truly classic title more palatable to the modern gamer.

Good looks and an original premise are let down by questionable scenes and a lack of ideas in terms of mechanics.

Soaring through Hell thanks to the wings on your back adds another element to your A-to-B arsenal, however the repetition on offer stifles flight.

Citizens of Earth is a quirky JRPG with a sense of humour that loves to make fun of American stereotypes.

The best version yet of an all-time classic. It's just a shame that more new content could not have been included.

The clunky controls feel like they have been adapted from another purpose, and made my time with Underground more of a chore than a pleasure.

A simple yet incredibly enjoyable Baseball game that doesn’t take itself too seriously.

Balls-out fun with the undisputed King of carnage, but it won't win over new players.

A decent slab of extra content that feels too disconnected from the main game to be considered essential.

The drop-in, drop-out nature of the stages and easy to pick-up gameplay makes Brothers in Arms 3 the perfect quick-fix of battlefield action.

Kalimba is a fantastic, colourful little game with a unique mechanic, but it's no pushover.

A disappointing add-on to a game already losing its lustre. House of Wolves needs to be better than this, or Bungie may find themselves in trouble.

It’s not perfect, but there really should be no objection to letting Phoenix Wright into your life.

The Hounds should be set loose on this game, as it has no real redeeming features.

A decent enough racer slowed down by microtransactions and an awful story.

Stranger's Wrath remains a good game, but the awful touch controls mean you're better off skipping this mobile port.

Lara Croft and the Temple of Osiris is a solid evolution of the formula established in the original, and does a fantastic job of encapsulating the old Tomb Raider atmosphere and presenting it in a smaller (yet no less involving) world. The platforming may occasionally annoy, and it isn’t the longest game around (even for its price bracket) but it’s an absolute blast to play either alone or with friends.

This collection shows us the best and worst moments of the series, reminding fans what they both love and hate about Kingdom Hearts.

The lack of minigame variety brings the score down a few notches, along with some confusing menus and lack of tutorials. The kids won’t care about any of that stuff, though.

Not a great leap forward for the series, but more Picross is always welcome.

A traditional MMO expansion, delivering more World of Warcraft, while quietly improving its framework through cinematic touches, delivering greater variety in dungeon design, and adding compelling social game undercurrents.

You really shouldn’t play Escape Dead Island. It isn’t fun, and the only real redeeming feature is that it is technically playable.

Fans of the TV show can breath a sigh of relief as, even with graphical hiccups, the foundation for an engrossing story is there.

The usual high quality Nintendo level design and charm makes up for the lack of challenge and longevity.

The excellent multiplayer integration and classic gameplay that just never gets old will be enjoyed by those looking for another Tetris fix.

A stripped-down version of its desktop counterpart that still provides the series’ addictive gameplay.

This really is "more Geometry Wars", but it's been quite some time since we've had a new game. The campaign level design offers something new, but the classic mode is where it's really at.

Project Diva f 2nd is fantastic. It’s harder and not quite as good as its predecessor, but it’s definitely very, very fun. It is hard to recommend the game to someone who doesn’t like J-pop and the idea of Divas, but I would recommend downloading the demo of Project Diva f and giving it a try. It’s toe-tappingly good and a hearty challenge, and quite often that’s all you really want in a music game.

Toybox Turbos is Micro Machines, and that’s no bad thing. Pull three friends together (online or off) and the classic, fast paced, anarchic fun of elimination mode could last for hours. The game still lacks in single player thrills, but that’s an acceptable caveat now that I can once more get together with mates for a few laps around the breakfast table

Every fitness game claims to make keep-fit fun, but Shape Up actually succeeds.

With a fantastic cast of starring and supporting characters, a story that appears to have multiple levels to it, a cracking script, and a hitch-free engine (though it’s the first episode, so let’s revisit that later, perhaps?), Tales from the Borderlands has taken me completely by surprise. As someone who enjoys both Telltale and Gearbox’s games, this is a marriage made in heaven, but there’s so much style and intrigue that anyone can enjoy this.

More than meets the eye, but won't be to everyone's taste.

WWE 2K15 feels like a real step back for the series in many ways, not the generational leap forward that we hoped for.

There are many better indie games on the WiiU, don’t waste your paper on this one.

Gotta catch ‘em all, and nary a Pikachu in sight. Shin Megami Tensei IV marries a bonkers, branching, heavily religious plot to wildly imaginative monster husbandry.

If you’ve played a Lego game before, you know what to expect. It’s full of charm and wit, while lacking much innovation.

An interesting premise, but Rollers of the Realm struggles with its identity.

An amazing first person dungeon crawler for fans of Persona 3 and 4, but not a gateway into the Persona series.

Singstar Ultimate Party completely fails to move with the times, with an overall karaoke package that is inferior to the 2004 blueprint.

Rogue doesn’t bring much new to the table, but there’s more to enjoy than simple fan service.

Perfect for long time fans and new ones.

Even with some hiccups when playing single-player, the attention to detail in this beautiful story all about friendship is bliss.

With the best level design yet, this is more LittleBigPlanet, but the new characters help keep it fresh.

Anyone concerned that this was just another money-spinning “definitive edition” can rest easy. As ever, Rockstar don’t do things by halves, and Grand Theft Auto V on PS4 feels truly next-gen. It’s not just a remake, it’s a testament to the quality of the original that GTA V can effortlessly stand among the best titles so far available on the new consoles and, in many cases, surpass them.

This is how you do DLC. Superb value for money that truly gives you a reason to revisit one of 2014's best games.

The concept and writing will draw you in, while at the same time the ridiculous puzzle design pushes you away.

A charming little sandbox adventure that you make yourself.

This War of Mine wants you to care about the people who have been affected by the war, rather than soldiers on the front-line. Via conflicting thoughts the characters have, the cast’s paper-thin stories and an elementary crafting system, it never fully reaches its potential. But the moments where you’re racing across an outpost trying to dodge military fire and robbing someone blind right before their eyes; those are the points where this war does genuinely feel like mine.

Insane moments are blended with genuine, heartfelt ones, and the juxtaposition doesn’t diminish either, but instead serves to emphasise them. Visit Kyrat and you won’t regret it.

A Bird Story is a fantastic and short pixel art visual novel that you need to experience.

Unity is immensely good fun to play, even though an average story combined with a number of smaller issues let it down. That said, the improvements to free-running and combat make the experience very enjoyable. The best part of Unity is Paris itself, and just how good everything looks. The city is full of interesting things to do, and when you factor in some enjoyable co-op and the brilliantly overhauled assassinations, you’re left with a solid adventure that just isn’t quite as revolutionary as you might have hoped.

People expecting true greatness will be slightly disappointed. A worthy offering and an improvement over Dragon Age II, Inquisition nevertheless plays it too safe, and relies too heavily on Origins’ better elements to succeed. Still, if you’re looking for a vast, complex, multi-branching, old school RPG epic, there’s currently nothing else on next-gen consoles to top it.

PES 2015 doesn’t reinvent the wheel completely, but is a noticeable improvement on its predecessor, with some brilliant new inclusions that make it feel more on a par with other sporting peers.

In terms of pure content, Halo: The Master Chief Collection is simply massive. In terms of the content itself, this package is astounding. Four of the best shooter campaigns ever made, in one box, all running at 1080p at 60fps, Halo has never looked so good. Throw in over 100 multiplayer maps and a bevy of Halo themed extras and you have a recipe for a true system seller.

Muppets Movie Adventures is light on content, light on ideas and doesn’t truly respect the Muppets who star in it. It’s a £2.99 iOS game packaged into a full priced Vita release. There are PS1 games available on the Vita that would be a much better use of your money and more enjoyable for your kids to play.

It’s merely a fine, uninspiring story, with well delivered dialogue and art, but lacking that something that can truly engross those that are eager to set sail.

The whole game is a large pile of harmless fun for a saturday afternoon when nothing much needs doing. If you’re a grown-up fan of the series, then this is the game for you.

Football Manager 2015 doesn’t take the formula and mix things up too much this time around, but what it has added, gets you even closer to realising your dream of becoming a bonafide football manager. Plus, you can attend the FA Cup final while wearing your Roy Keane pyjamas in the comfort of your own home, and it doesn’t get much better than that.

Freedom Wars is a decent enough Monster Hunter-esque game that the Vita really needed. It’s not without its faults, but while I may have explained these at length, they are not enough to detract from the overall enjoyment of the game.

With the addition of a new dimension and brand new weapon types, Advanced Warfare’s multiplayer feels great. It’s fast paced, it’s smooth, and it feels rather well balanced. Add to that a genuinely compelling single player, and Advanced Warfare does enough to reignite anyone’s interest in the series.

Ultimate NES Remix brings the terrific NES Remix series to the 3DS, making the leap from console to mobile with consummate ease. Ultimate NES Remix feels right at home on 3DS, with the variety and challenge breathing new life into some of Nintendo’s most iconic titles. I don’t think it matters who you are: if you like video games, you will love Ultimate NES Remix.

Thankfully NBA Live 15 is an improvement over the diabolical Live 14 but that doesn’t mean it’s perfect – in fact, it’s far from it. Scoring jump shots is still overly difficult, your team AI isn’t up to muster and tall players feel slightly overpowered. However, the pick and roll functionality combined with the freestyle passing can result in some great plays that, for the first time in years, make NBA Live fun to play.

Although Gabriel Knight: Sins of the Fathers is still a great story, with some really gripping sequences and a great cast of characters, the Anniversary Edition doesn’t really add much to the experience.

Costume Quest 2 may look appealing on the outside, but dull combat and repetitive quests mar a good storyline and some interesting ideas.

A fun challenge when played alone, and a blast with a friend, but Eko really should have put more effort into re-polishing it for the next-gen release. Still as addictive as ever, and the extra modes – Barricade in particular – are such comfortable fits that its surprising they weren’t always there, but it’s still a way from perfect.

The story is a mish-mash of instantly recognisable boys-own adventure tropes, culled wholesale from the adventures we have witnessed in games, literature and movies past. You wont remember much about the lesser Quartermain once the game is over, but you will enjoy the fun Survival mode which gives a bit of longevity and is terrific fun to play.

While the ideas aren’t all perfect, it’s still a marvellous and unique precision puzzle platformer when it focuses its ideas.

The Legend of Korra is a poor title that offers little in the way of fun. The combat is the highlight, but even then it mostly consists of button mashing and has multiple irritating elements.

The promised freedom of choice and replayability in this interactive story book is, unfortunately, paper-thin.

It has derivative elements, undoubtedly, but they’re clearly meant as homage and built upon rather than outright aped. It’s not a showy, flashy, trailer-friendly game..., and it’s not going to set the universe aflame with its functional, stock storyline – but it is immensely compelling all the same. Dark, brutal and challenging, Lords of the Fallen is a surprisingly deep and playable game, and could be one of this year’s most promising new IPs.

Samurai Warriors 4 is likeable but not loveable. There’s an illusion of depth here, but overall this just makes it more frustrating when you realise it’s as deep as a puddle.

It’s a real breath of fresh air to travel around an open world with such wild abandon, and the variety of enemies combines with the general movement to make fun the most important aspect of the whole package.

Most impressively, perhaps, Harmonix have implemented Kinect with confidence and skill, so that it never feels like a chore or a gimmick, instead it is the perfect control method for conducting and crafting magical melodies.

Race The Sun absolutely nails what it sets out to do, and it’s a game you will play in short bursts every day. While the initial feel of the game might be a slight grind thanks to the bare-bones ship, your perspective will change a few hours into the game as you start unlocking more things and as your score starts making its way up on the leaderboards.

Fluster Cluck is a game devoid of ambition. It looks, feels and sounds like a mobile game, and the loose mechanics aren’t helped by a premise that goes stale inside of half an hour.

Senran Kagura Shinovi Versus attempts to take the busty series into the domain of the 3D brawler, but comes off as a “musou” game without the strategy and with less interesting combat.

This dancer has still got the moves, but could do with learning a few new routines.

If you can look past the inconsistencies, DriveClub is a great racer.

Despite a lack of massive changes, NBA 2K15 is still the premier basketball experience that I don’t see being unseated any time soon. The gameplay is as satisfying and fun as ever, and when combined with the TV style presentation it is amazingly realistic.

MXGP lacks a bit of polish, then, but spend a few races working out the difficultly that suits you before you dive into the career and it really is a decent racer, even if it’s not a massive leap from the PS3 and 360 versions.

Don’t be put off by its claims of spreading maths to the masses – it never feels like a lecture. Any improvements to your number skills seem more like a happy coincidence, as Twelve a Dozen entertains more than it teaches.

Solid AI and intelligent level design add up to one of Cyanide’s best games, and hint at the possibility of future greatness for this fledgling franchise.

Disney Magical World may not be revolutionary, but it feels like an evolution of the Animal Crossing model.