Arma III is the best representation of realistic warfare I've seen to date, and I for one can't wait to see what the community cooks up for it. For now, however, it is a bit too skinny for its breeches.

Superfrog HD isn’t a game which pushes the boundaries of what the genre is capable of. In fact I doubt it ever intended to. What you do get is a cute little platformer which I believe would be a great introduction to the genre for kids.

Playing Outlast means embracing that horror and walking in it. Even with a handful of small issues, this is a game that will repeatedly make you jump from your seat and for that alone it is worth a recommendation.

OK, so The Bureau is different to what XCOM fans would be used to, but does that make it a bad game? As a squad based shooter, The Bureau is reasonably good.

Shelter certainly doesn’t outstay its welcome, clocking in at just over an hour for an entire playthrough. It’s a short game with just a few levels, but given the lack of variety it is probably a good thing it’s not much longer.

The blood curdling story which has you twisting between empathy and loathing is truly fantastic, and it’s one of the best reasons to put aside any fears you may have and play this great game.

For the price, Castlevania: Lords of Shadow - Ultimate Edition has a huge amount of content and variety, and is certainly worth a look.

Regardless of its length, Guacamelee is a fine platformer that is lighthearted and entertaining, with plenty of things to fight and laugh about along the way.

Europa Universalis IV won’t be for everyone, but those who like grand scale strategies that Paradox has been renowned for will find this an enjoyable experience. The game had me playing well into the nights and if that is any indication of a great game, then Europa Universalis IV passes the test.

In Gone Home, there are moments of fear, moments of joy, moments of sadness, and moments of peace. In the end, there is acceptance, the kind which comes from a tale naturally concluded and a chapter neatly closed.

Overall Saints Row IV is a marvellously enjoyable game, while still suffering from a few of the complaints that the series has always had. The main quests are great, and although the side missions are not painful to play, they don’t pack the same punch. If you played and enjoyed Saints Row The Third, then picking up this sequel is a must. Equally if you’re looking for a game that lets you act like a badass with special powers, this might be a better superhero game than many others that are actually billed as such.

Although Dusty Revenge is a fun game to play, it is rather short, has an uncompelling storyline and lacks that touch of polish that would make it more memorable.

Fallen Enchantress: Legendary Heroes is without a doubt the best Elemental game to date.

Regardless of how you prefer to play Worms, the potential of this drive for e-sports recognition is sure to add months, if not years, to the longevity of the game's popularity. I, for one, will definitely be adding my roster of worms to the virtual soup of manic mayhem that is Worms: Clan Wars.

If you are a casual racing fan or someone who has not played a racing simulation with any regularity, NASCAR 2013 is not the game for you. The lack of a comprehensive tutorial pretty much prevents you from gaining any sort of entertainment out of it past the first hour or two. But, if you are a fan of NASCAR and its simulations, or if you have plenty of experience with racing simulations, I think you will be able to look past the obstacles and find a relatively enjoyable game within.

Overall, PayDay 2 is an easy experience to recommend. The controls are familiar and, more importantly, tight. Make no mistake, Payday 2 is a tough game and demands that its players work together, but when coordinating with a good team, it provides one of the best cooperative experiences this year.

The variety and attention to detail in a game about repetition is quite incredible. At times decisions you make will even influence future gameplay.

Overall, the story was interesting, the puzzles had just the right mix of challenge and logic, and I enjoyed almost every minute of playing. Nancy Drew: Ghost of Thornton Hall didn't disappoint and kept me riveted until it was over, too soon. I'll be looking forward to the next instalment in the Nancy Drew series – though I might wait until I have some real free time before I buy it!

Megabyte Punch is a decent length for the price, especially if you factor in the tournament mode and custom fight modes outside of the main story.

It is clear that a lot of hard labor went into Citadels, but it is difficult to ascertain whether it was a labor of love. If it was, it never shines through. Citadels feels empty of spirit, empty of passion and the crashes destroy what little fun there is to be had playing it.

Beatbuddy’s soundtrack is simply fantastic, and the way it changes as you play is unique and interesting to play around with. The levels are long enough that you quickly become accustomed to each song and start humming along as you solve the simple puzzles. The overall length of the game is somewhat lacking, but the time I did spend playing was very enjoyable.

CastleStorm isn't a perfect game but it's definitely a good one. It may not have been the successor to Zen Pinball 2 that we expected, but it is definitely one worth our time.

If you know what you’re signing up for - incredibly hard gameplay followed by a lot of repetition - then you will definitely enjoy it.

Vivid descriptions of the setting and the people you are talking to help to liven up the game, but never enough to make you forget that there is no voice acting. It also lacks the depth you would expect from something set in so rich a universe and, as it stands, Shadowrun Returns does not surpass a classification that goes beyond “a fun little RPG”.

Unless you want to complete both endings and complete your collection of cogs, the game is a little on the short side. But with such a wonderfully presented story and artwork, there is no reason why you wouldn’t run through Freedom Fall again.

The Raven: Legacy of the Master Thief is an easy experience to recommend. The mystery is well-written and expertly delivered. At times, it feels as if gameplay is a support to narrative instead of the other way around, but it remains cleverly crafted and fun.

Hexodius is the kind of game that you’re likely to forget a week after finishing it. That is, if you're not bored to tears by the time you do finish it. Trust me when I say that there are many more experiences that are better worth your time and money, because this is the kind of game that will make you ask yourself “Why did I buy this again?”

If I was twelve again I might had enjoyed the game more, but as it is, Leisure Suit Larry Reloaded falls well short.

Once you have figured out what the game expects of you, it is hugely addictive. Toki Tori 2+ is a brilliant, charming puzzle platformer that will keep you entertained (though frustrated) for hours. And without the hand-holding, solving those tough puzzles is all the more rewarding.

There are certain moments where everything clicks, where the stars align and you’ll feel like the dark puppetmaster you should feel like the whole game, and most of these moments are because of the powers.

I don’t think Valley is the strongest of the three games which make up Trackmania 2 but you will still have fun if you play it. I certainly did, and will continue to do so. Now, if you’ll let me, I’m going to go and conquer that wall ride that’s been bugging me.

Magic: Duels of the Planeswalkers 2014 isn’t a substitute for the real game, but it’s clear that it’s not trying to be. Its narrower scope of cards and options work well to introduce new players to the game, as well as give veterans a quick fix.

Company of Heroes 2 is a wonderful game. The gameplay elements work remarkably well.

Despite the occasional control annoyance and underdeveloped trait system, this is a fantastic game that I am going to spend many more hours with to continue building my legacy.

Deadpool is a game that suffers in ways that should probably bother me a lot more than they do, but there’s no doubting that I had a good time while playing it. I was entertained. I laughed out loud on more than a few occasions.

Taken as a whole, Stadium presents the best Trackmania 2 experience. It offers every feature found in last year’s Canyon and for half the price. More importantly, Stadium has adopted the bulk of the community, so new players would be advised to choose this better, cheaper option.

Aside from that one small complaint, Knights of Pen & Paper is a tribute to games from the 8 bit era as well as to pen & paper role-playing. There is an unmistakable charm in the simplistic 8 bit looks and musical score and the game hits a level of immersion that rivals many a triple-A title. Simply put, they don’t make ‘m like this anymore.

Gunpoint is fun, innovative, simple, engaging and a whole host of adjectives that would take far too much time to write out. So I will say this instead: Play this game because you won’t regret it.

With over twenty hours of content and a paltry $8 price tag, Unepic is worth experiencing, even if to re-explore a childhood fantasy.

As it is, there are too many frustrations, and I didn’t feel compelled to keep playing on the merit of the puzzles alone. You will get a lot of hours out of it for your money though, along with an engaging storyline.

You can play Marvel Heroes through without spending any money on it, and it will be a decent experience for you. However, the inelegant handling of multiple characters, along with the lack of any real difficulty means that it doesn’t quite reach the heights of other games in the genre. But it is the only game of its type where you can play as your favourite Marvel characters and that is certainly something that will draw many people in.

With a little less linearity, some easing of the hand-holding, and more focus to what works in the story, a follow-up could be fantastic. For now, Remember Me is simply a 'Good' way to spend ten hours.

So if you are looking for a thrilling Pacific theatre WWII shooter and don’t mind having to master it to gain the respect of your fellow players, you should definitely be playing Rising Storm right now.

The Swapper is a game that perfectly blends gameplay, story, aesthetics, and mood to shine as a perfect experience of the type of experience only video games can deliver.

For the patient gamer willing to spend time with a game and learn its quirks, Expeditions: Conquistador is a definite boon. The branching storyline, seeing the long-term consequences of your actions and the already-mentioned people and equipment management will assuredly entertain those who used to play Sid Meier’s Pirates! and new fans alike. For me personally, this is one of the best and most unique games that I’ve played this year.

Primarily marketed as a multiplayer game, I was a little disappointed to see that there are very few people playing online. Granted, I’m more of a single-player gamer and I enjoyed my time with the single-player missions but these are not fleshed out enough for me to want to play them over and over. The real Leviathan: Warships experience is meant to be consumed online where you compete against human players that employ ever changing tactics and unlimited surprises.

Element4l is founded on solid mechanics, fresh gameplay, and a undeniable sense of style.

Indeed, if you are a gamer that doesn’t spend much time in a single sitting, then GRID 2 will suit because of the short, speedy events. I was personally disappointed by the short length of the Endurance races, but can overlook my disappointment somewhat. The rest of the game plays really well.

Stretched out levels, punishing design, and imprecise controls make for an experience best avoided. It is a shame because there are some great ideas here, they just need a little more time and development to become consistently fun.

It may not be filled with as much variety as I would have liked to see in a god game, but Reus nails down its core mechanics and creates a very enjoyable game in the process.

If you’ve played the original Metro title, you’ll definitely want to pick this one up. But, like me, if you hadn’t set foot in the Metro landscape before, then you might wish you had given the quality of the sequel.

Call of Juarez: Gunslinger is essentially a shooter, but it is a good shooter for any fan of the Wild West. The story is enjoyable and the little twists and turns along the way keep it interesting and even funny even though you are basically doing the same thing over and over again: shooting at minions until you get to the final encounter of each scene.

Just like the zombies that the Resident Evil brand was built on, Revelations proves that there might be life after death (or at least severe downward spiral) after all.

Fez is a marvel of a game. Rotating its 2D world on the third axis transforms what would otherwise be a forgettable platformer into an instant classic. Paired with smart and satisfying puzzles, Fez provides hours of entertainment at a budget price. It is disappointing that PC controls and additional content come up short but the quality is unquestionable. Fez is a must buy.

After Deponia’s rather positive reception, however, I expected more from Daedalic. The dialogue being rather childish is to be expected from a 12 year old protagonist and I’d consider this game aimed at the younger generation. That being said, the difficulty of juggling multiple quest lines simultaneously is not for the easily distracted, or the easily frustrated.

The team at Brawsome have definitely aimed for the retro feel especially with the top-down pseudo-isometric view, reminiscent of the middle-era Ultima titles. The simple gameplay and controls make this a game that anyone can play in short bursts or for extended periods, and with the addictive nature of the puzzles be prepared to look at the clock and wonder where the time has gone.

The game is very well done and interesting to play and with the option of four player co-op, which means four Van Helsings and four Lady Katarinas, I cannot but give the game my highest recommendation for any Action RPG fan looking for a thrilling experience. Get this game, dear reader. You will not be disappointed.

Pinball FX2 is just good fun if you fancy a quick game of pinball. The ball physics are great, the visuals are top notch and, barring some dodgy voice acting here and there, the audio adds to the experience too.

Thunder Wolves is exactly what it promises to be and nothing more, nothing less. If you are in for some action, by all means give this game a try. But if you want more from your games than single-minded shooting and explosions, then look elsewhere.

However, in the case of Zack Zero, rest assured, no such grace need be afforded. It is a convoluted mess, it is not fun to play most of the time, and its many sins overwhelm its scant virtues.

Bad Bots may be going for a retro feel but it doesn’t bring anything new to the genre. I had fun for a while, but it was short lived, much like the campaign itself. This is a game you could play through over a lazy weekend but there’s nothing compelling enough to bring you back to it once it’s over. Buy this if you’re looking for a quick burst of action, otherwise it’s probably not worth the money.

As a follow-up to Of Orcs and Men, War Logs is a let down. If you only have $20, however, supporting a studio as intrepid as Spiders is worthy endeavor and there is fun to be had here. Still, caution is advised.

Although frustratingly hard in places, most of the time Monaco is a delight to play. It looks great, has a wonderfully fitting soundtrack, and has simple gameplay while maintaining a high level of precision required to be really successful.

Playing Dyad is nothing short of mesmerizing. The rapid blend of color and sound draw you into the experience like no other and refuse to let go. While it may seem overwhelming, the smart build up ensures it remains manageable, even for players unfamiliar with this style of game. While the achievement system is a bit of a let down, the gameplay and replayability more than make up for it.

Papo & Yo is a unique game. It handles its themes extremely well, and the world is simply amazing to behold. Though the game is not without its faults, chief among them a lack of difficulty and challenge, Papo & Yo should be played at least once. Trust me, the journey will be quite worth it.

Although Riptide features a New Game Plus mode, I find myself calling it a day. I enjoyed the game, just as I enjoyed the original, but that's the thing: I enjoyed it -just- as I enjoyed Dead Island. Riptide offers very little to keep the franchise fresh and instead focuses on giving us more of the same. For series newcomers, Riptide is undoubtedly the better game. As a fan, I was happy to receive it, but until a numbered sequel comes along, my time in the tropics is through.

For now, however, Sacred Citadel is only recommended for fans of the franchise or genre. There is fun to be had here but only in small bursts, so it's hard to recommend the $15 investment. With a disappointing combat system and ineffectual character progression, the game falls short of its potential.

The new features and the new game modes certainly make the Cubemen 2 an improvement on the original and for the small price tag it is certainly worth a look.

Another World is a short experience, and those five words are the only negative ones I can come up with. Despite getting (embarrassingly) stuck on some puzzles, and having to play the game’s last sequence a few times, I finished the game in about five hours. Yet I didn’t feel gipped, I didn’t feel let down, or like there should have been more to it. As I watched the game’s ending, I just felt a sense of satisfaction. This was five hours of my time that I enjoyed immensely, frustration-inducing moments and all.

Defiance lacks the humor of Borderlands but retains all of the gun-hunting and combat that made that game great but the bugs and interface issues are a problem. Patches will surely address these but that does not take away from the fact that the game suffers for its week-one presentation. Even with the solid core to pick it back up, it may be difficult to convince people to come back. If you can get through its shortcomings, Defiance is well worth a look.

The lack of AI, disappointing campaign and overall bland graphics lead to a rather listless gameplay experience. Technically, Cities in Motion 2 is a capable game but there is little joy to be had in a game where all you are doing is setting up new lines and occasionally checking if they still run efficiently. This was somewhat true for the original as well but that game had far more character and pulled it off gracefully. This, unfortunately, does not.

Anodyne is a game that, despite one very problematic gameplay element, manages to play with a tried and true genre and create something new and exciting.

Sang-Froid: Tales of Werewolves is a brilliant game, peppered with original ideas, a unique setting, and an interesting premise. It is a clever amalgamation of asynchronous tower defense and synchronous brawling. It teems with pride and gusto, and should be lauded for attempting something bold, fresh and inimitable. It just needed a little more love, a little more time, and much better visuals.

The Cave is a game that showed lots of promise, given those pulling the strings, and when it’s great, it’s really great.

Evoland is a cheap, short adventure game and if you are looking for an afternoon trip down memory lane, the ten Euros it costs is not that big a price to pay. If however, you are looking for a good indie game to spend a few days with, you will be better off looking somewhere else.

All in all, the combat and gameplay is unchanged, and I’m OK with that. Even in a world of beautiful advanced RTS titles like Starcraft II the game holds up remarkably well.

Sometimes a plan just doesn’t come together and it’s clear with Army of Two The Devil’s Cartel that the series has no future beyond this generation of games. It is a shame to see the potential this series once had thrown in the garbage. There’s nothing to find of interest in this final entry in the franchise so the most sincere advice I can give to you, dear reader, is this: move on and play something else.

Alien Spidy is a platformer that features challenging level design and nice visuals, but the gameplay is not there to back it up. The scoring targets are often too hard, and are made worse by the poor movement controls. There is potential for a good game here, it just lacks the overall quality needed, which is a shame.

But the wonderful storyline and the memorable characters help to make the unbelievable believable. Despite the change in scenery, Columbia still exhibits the BioShock feel that was evident in Rapture.

Retro/Grade is an experience rhythm fans should have. 24 Caret Games have masterfully embedded the rhythm genre into its most unlikely setting, and the result is a game that is both unique and proven fun.

Overall, Shattered Haven is a decent game for its low price. It features a standard narrative with a few twists and turns to keep things interesting.

The Showdown Effect is a good game, and if you're a fan of platform-based competitive online, it's one of the best offerings available today.

It is always a concern when developers attempt a reboot or remake of a classic game, and whether or not it will live up to the high expectations that gamers of the original have. Tomb Raider is one of the few that have lived up to the expectations.

Nazi Zombie Army is obviously meant to be played socially. The single-player experience gets boring and frustrating rather quickly.

So, the visuals have a retro look, the jazzy background music is kinda cool, there are some Worms-style comical weapons and although there are a number of different game modes and a range of maps to play, the gameplay is still pretty much the same for all.

Were it not for the fact that SimCity’s servers have been so broken, the above criticisms would have been all there was to complain about. Unfortunately, the decision to design SimCity to only work with an online connection is adding a truckload of other things.

Once I got going, I found it hard to stop running, jumping, sliding and smashing my way through the hundred and twenty levels Runner 2 had to offer. The gorgeous visuals combined with the fantastic soundtrack and addictive gameplay make this an excellent game, and it is great value for money.

For all the moments of greatness that Brutal Legend has, it is brought down by a lack of unified gameplay structure.

March of the Eagles is a great game, but it’s the same game you have played before.

The single player mission is a tad on the short side (although I have recently played Borderlands 2 and that has a lengthy main story in comparison) and as was the case with the original Crysis, sort of peters out near the end, but the multiplayer modes make up for it.

The mission structure is repetitive, the basic gameplay is far from engaging, and I might even have fallen asleep at some point while playing. Impire is monotonous, banal and boring, and I can’t wait to forget about it in the coming weeks.

Everything in the game has been done before, and done a lot better. To top it all off, the game is often buggy, spawning players in the middle of enemies, giving false score and player count readings, and saying there are new items unlocked when there aren’t (or visa versa).

Following Duke Nuken: Forever, Gearbox needed a hit to show that they could do more than Borderlands well. If their next game doesn't deliver, Aliens: Colonial Marines may well be remembered as the game that began their downfall.

Despite a few flaws, The Bridge is a very good puzzle game.

In reality, Dead Space 3 could almost be regarded as a stand-alone expansion pack for Dead Space 2. The single player gameplay is largely identical to the previous instalment. But, since I found Dead Space 2 an enjoyable experience, I find no fault with that at all.

No Time to Explain is insanity at its finest and funniest, with plenty of ludicrous scenes throughout the game. But the fun and fast paced gameplay is brought down by imprecise controls and hideous boss fights designed to test your patience. There’s a good game somewhere in here, it’s just a shame that I have to suffer to find it.

Retrovirus is a functional shooter that suffers from difficulty spikes and a too-small online community. It’s like Tron with its wild conception of what the inside of a computer could be and breathes life into the lifeless. For a setting so well realized, and so much fun to explore, it is worth the cost of admission.

Despite these minor criticisms, the game is brilliant. Having played it both with friends and alone, it is obvious that this game is -supposed- to be played with friends. When playing alone, it feels a bit repetitive, but when you add two friends screaming commands in your ear and a third one laughing manically as he plots your demise, this game is pure candy. If you enjoy playing this kind of game with friends, you will love Dungeonland. If you are a friendless loner, however, you might want to give it a miss.