All in all, Painkiller: Black Edition is a mixed bag of goodies. [Black Edition]

You will either love or hate Sam 3 based on what it does, and what it aims to do. It's a Serious Sam game, in every way, for better or worse.

It's a light game but with a lot of entertainment for 800 Microsoft Points, and while you might not play for hours at a trot I daresay you'll keep coming back to it. Burnout Crash doesn't quite have the weight for me to call it a must-have, but it's certainly a must-strongly-consider.

It's a light game but with a lot of entertainment for 800 Microsoft Points, and while you might not play for hours at a trot I daresay you'll keep coming back to it. Burnout Crash doesn't quite have the weight for me to call it a must-have, but it's certainly a must-strongly-consider.

The game formerly known as Double Fine Adventure is a fine adventure, but definitely one best taken as a whole rather than in two parts.

It's a fun, frivolous sci-fi narrative with just enough strength of writing to provide some memorable moments of dialogue; satisfying combat and set-pieces; and a competent grasp of pacing. After some bad experiences with the genre, Binary Domain has convinced me that there's still some value in cover shooters.

A great strategy-RPG hybrid that’s a patch or two away from being an exceptional one.

Like Crusader Kings II, Europa Universalis IV retains the depth and complexity of its forebears while offering newcomers a way into the absorbing strategic shenanigans of 15th-18th Century power politics.

The nature of the title means repetition (both in the reuse of assets from the original and the game's mechanics getting a little over-familiar) will burn players out eventually, and for OMD veterans this may be accentuated by the short gap between releases.

The Brigmore Witches does honour to the base game it expands on.

It’s all the little changes that make the game more enjoyable and more squad-friendly. A few of the armies are a bit repetitious, but the skins and voice work are unique enough to give each army an independent presence.

Metal Gear Solid: Ground Zeroes is a short, but mechanically very sound, sandbox stealth appetiser for The Phantom Pain. Just be aware that its value is in experimentation and replaying scenarios, rather than lasting narrative.

BioShock Infinite adapts to stealth with surprising ease, and the art design is as spectacular as ever. Irrational's final release may somewhat lose the plot, but if you've been on board this long you can likely tolerate the incredible leaps of faith it demands.

A fine version of Bejeweled that, as with other games in the series, is a surefire way to see those precious hours tick away.

Like its PSP ancestor before it, Lumines is once again a must-have title for a Sony handheld. Simple, yet full of depth and a still a pleasure.

I must admit they proved that there were changes that needed to be made as this is clearly the best Tribes game out there.

A whimsical Roguelike(like) that’s as dangerously addictive as it is addicted to causing danger. To you. And all of your precious hats.

Arrowhead has managed to capture the essence of the original Gauntlet in this fast and fun co-op experience.

The joy here comes from the interaction and the allowing of yourself to be caught up in the world on offer. Yes, if you're over the age of 12 or not a Disney fanatic you'll grow bored of it but everyone else will be having a great time.

An intelligent and rewarding puzzler in the Portal mould, highly recommended for genre fans.

The best the series has ever been at welcoming newcomers, but veterans might find the improvements lack impact.

In the strict application, and importance, of strategy in regard to your success, Rome: Total War is to most other strategy games what chess is to tic-tac-toe. Far from flawless, Rome is, unquestionably, an enjoyable and immersive game.

A breath of fresh air in the adventure genre. Considering the level of detail that has gone into its design, the exceptional musical score, an overall enjoyable pace, a good story, over 40 hours of gameplay and 2 possible endings, this a title worth owning.

A tense and engaging spaceship command roguelike, FTL's only real flaw is that it doesn't differ enough after multiple playthroughs.

Despite some annoyances, this is a fantastic close to Borderlands 2, and comes highly recommended.

This is just the kind of game to remind you what smaller, imaginative developers can do while others are focused on big explosions and less personality.

A touching and bold portrayal of World War One in wonderful animated style, Ubisoft Montpellier’s Valiant Hearts shows that videogaming doesn’t have to be an Anthem for Doomed Youth.

Good old-fashioned fun that never takes itself too seriously, but packs a surprising level of depth and complexity.

If you like shooting infinite hordes of monsters from a top-down perspective, Crimsonland is one of the best options you have.

For the most part, I'm deeply impressed. In terms of sheer gameplay mechanics SWTOR is a WoW-alike, yes, but it's a highly polished WoW-alike, and that does make a difference.

I think I feel for The Wolf Among Us what most people feel about The Walking Dead‘s first season, insofar as I can forgive it pretty much every fault it has because of the way it perfectly blends characters, setting, atmosphere, and plot.

Those who've never played Crysis before and who fancy an excellent shooter with a goodly amount of freedom shouldn't hesitate to pick this up. This sort of action hasn't really been done much since the game first launched, and it's rarely been done better. If you already have Crysis and a PC that can run it, though, you can safely skip this: while a worthy port, it doesn't quite match its originator.

Sound-wise, Moment of Silence pulls the game off practically perfect. The voice-overs for the characters all seem professionally done and add an extra touch of polish to an otherwise solid game experience.

Part of the fun of TOCA is unlocking the new tracks and vehicles and to do that you need to win, no matter which mode you're playing in, after all, you want to get to the good stuff and both game modes offer this variety.

A rather good multiplayer first-person shooter which can be enjoyed without the need to plonk down any hard cash.

Soul Calibur V is a game worth your time and effort, mastering its systems and dispatching opponents in a blaze of high-tempo violence is immensely satisfying. Newcomers may find the going a little tough, but the well-balanced cast means you'll not be left biting the dust for too long.

Hi-Rez has created a fast paces fun FPS that has successfully bridged the gap between MMO and shooter. Well worth a look.

The Imperial Guard wasn’t the most obvious choice for Assault, but it seems to fit in just right. There’s enough to love about their style of play for beginners and veterans alike.

Runner 2 is a bit of a one-trick pony, but it’s a trick that’s done so flawlessly and with such variation that I don’t mind seeing it again and again.

A top-notch racing game that artfully straddles the line between arcade and simulation, without being either too daunting or too simplistic.

As a whole package Call of Duty is soundly, confidently and expertly put together.

Diablo is back! This expansion is exactly what the franchise needed and the future looks bright for Blizzard's ARPG.

Almost the opposite of its predecessor: a lesser story that isn't particularly well told, but with a staggering amount of exploration, side-quests, post-game content, and surprisingly deep mechanics.

A superbly written adventure that ticks most of the important cyberpunk boxes, and throws in a lot of solid puzzling to boot.

It might not be what Devil May Cry fans have been praying for, but it's a damn good game in its own right. It's like that, and that's the way it is.

A very solid ARPG that brings some of the genre's best elements together mashing them up into a melting pot of free to play goodness.

The thing that does keep it different is that fact that each character has access to unique weapons and spells, which makes it worthwhile to go through the game with each class of character.

A worthy expansion that refreshes and improves XCOM: Enemy Unknown in just about every way that matters.

Falls just short of the oppressive tone it's aiming for but makes up for it with a satisfying and well-written narrative.

Perhaps a little short and a touch too narrow, but Sniper Elite 3 pretty much gives you a huge Nazi-filled playground, a sniper rifle, a satchel of explosives, and then waves its hand and lets you sort it out your own way.

It has lots to offer, particularly for experienced gamers who like their racing games with a slight excess of difficulty.

Submission system issues aside, UFC Undisputed 3 is a great recreation of an incredibly complex sport. Compared to a TV broadcast, fights can still feel slightly mechanical but perhaps that's a symptom of videogames in general rather than the design of this particular one. If you like the UFC, this one's a no-brainer.

With some new areas, some new enemies, a great new main quest, and a welcome spike in difficulty, Traitor's Keep provide hope for any Fable III DLC to come.

Instead of playing on former glory, EA have done an exceptional job of ensuring the series continues to evolve. New accessories, cleverly designed mountain ranges and an addictive multiplayer mode make this an attractive investment.

For a game about dandy robot businessmen trying to fleece a robo-miner of his hard-earned gains, it’s surprisingly charismatic. A laid-back Dig Dug with a gentle scattering of Metroid.

We loved worms when it first started, hated it when it lost its way and, with the launch of Worms 4 Mayhem we're big fans again.

Another solid expansion for The Sims 3 that, while not changing any fundamental aspects of the game, provides yet more charming ways for your little computer people to fail or succeed in their virtual lives.

A stealth-horror game designed, with precision, to make pretty much every single activity and objective as uncomfortable and tense as possible.

The short version is this: Tales from the Borderlands' second episode is just as good as the first, and considering I'm not eager to pile on the praise for an episodic series that still has a long way to go, that's really saying something.

If you're lacking the time-attack obsession gene, or get easily discouraged by tricker games, Dustforce probably isn't for you. Everyone else, get your brooms at the ready.

Asura's Wrath is, without doubt, one of those games that some people will love for one reason and others will hate for the very same reason. I say embrace the madness and run with it. Let your inhibitions regarding quick-time events and cut-scene heavy games go and, if you like the kind of anime this is based on, you might just find a gem. I did.

MX is probably the finest off-road racer to date. A long-awaited and worthy heir to the Motocross title and definitely worth the asking price. Highly recommended.

Our test team had one little niggle about the play diagrams. We would have loved to see detailed explanations of the plays, perhaps even with animations. It can be daunting for newcomers to see the arcane drawings - the lines, the symbols, the quirky names - and then have to understand and employ them effectively.

Though it sometimes struggles to reconcile its genre-constrained combat with its lofty storytelling goals, BioShock Infinite exhibits ambition and a boldness of theme rarely seen in FPS titles.

This is the first entry of a rebooted franchise and it’s a really, really good one. There’s still plenty of room for both Lara and the game to grow, and I’m eager to see these mechanics – and Lara’s character – evolve as this series hopefully continues.

It's not easy to identify with specific characters as a result, meaning (despite their historical origins) they can feel throwaway because they don't stick around long enough to grab your attention and tickle your curiosity. That's not to say they're poorly written, there are just too many to make things feel cohesive. I guess what I'm trying to say is that sequences in Assassin's Creed 3 tend to feel like episodes of a TV show, rather scenes from a movie.

Cheesiness aside, Assault Horizon is an endlessly thrilling and mature addition to a franchise that continues to soar above its competitors.

Even more so than the likes of Child of Eden or Okami, El Shaddai is one of those rare games that's worth playing simply for the quality of its art direction alone, crushing the idea that only games with standout gameplay are deserving of your time.

Assertive: The Sports Interactive lads have had a solid pre-season, I think Football Manager 2015 can really crack on for top honours from here.

Whimsical, witty, and beautiful: this is a sumptuous adventure with all of Double Fine's usual care and attention lovingly lavished throughout.

If you want a complete reboot of the multiplayer shooter genre, you won’t find it here...But if you want a fast-paced, frenetic shooter with a set of mechanics that mesh surprisingly well; a strong David vs Goliath vibe; and a ridiculously polished experience? If you want a really good multiplayer shooter – and that’s coming from someone who generally gets bored with most after a few days? If you want a game with a design ethos that isn’t focused on just aping what’s already there, and – while not revolutionary – shakes things up enough that it feels wholly unique? If you want these things, Pilot, then prepare for Titanfall.

Hardship and displacement in a Nordic-inspired world make for a splendid, and splendid looking, RPG.

This remake of the legitimately classic Gabriel Knight takes a few missteps, but succeeds in putting the 90s adventure in contemporary digital hands.

Big guns, big explosions, big waves of enemies, and full co-op support. A bit like a side-scrolling Serious Sam, then, only with more guns and more fishnets.

Sure, you can dig out your old Tribes titles to fulfill the same craving, but Hi-Rez has provided a contemporary alternative that's free at the point of entry and not exactly costly to pick up long-term. That's something of a triumph.

A tight, funny, smart, focused, super-violent 2D cover-shooter that works a whole hell of a lot better than you might expect.

Racing fans looking for something a little different, whether you have the original or not, should check this out, it's fast, furious and fun, essential ingredients for a racing game.

It would've been nice to have trickier combat or more real RPG bits and bobs, but as an interactive South Park title, this hits pretty much every mark. The Stick of Truth is puerile, authentic, and constantly hilarious.

A heartfelt love letter to gaming's past that's sometimes a little more smitten than is healthy.

A few technical problems mar what is otherwise a mix between a fantastic rhythm-action game and a fantastic method of learning an instrument.

Arguably the best of this year's crop of Summer of Arcade games. Dust is a visually stunning love letter to gaming's past and a great Metroidvania game in its own right, and you shouldn't hesitate to pick it up.

For the price, it's an admirable effort. Expedition mode alone will keep you occupied long after Euro 2012 is over.

It has a near flawless presentation and expertly juggles the two genres it incorporates.

A well-paced, well-observed and suitably vicious opening episode, showing that Telltale’s latest series is up to the task of matching the theme and tone of the Game of Thrones source material.

An excellent example of storytelling, Enslaved: Odyssey to the West is a journey well worth taking.

Not just another indie platformer, Thomas Was Alone is a unique narrative-driven experience that succeeds in combining its many different elements.

There are certainly a few things that could be improved, but they are minimal when you consider the overall quality of the experience that surrounds them. Gentlemen, start your engines!

The simplistic nature of the game can also turn off many hardcore gamers and the length and difficulty of the game may seem a bit short and easy.

Short, but beautiful. The Wolf Among Us continues to impress.

Veterans of this game type will rightly nit-pick at aspects of the combat, lack of espionage diplomacy options (this one does hurt a bit) and certain AI behaviours, but there should be no argument that Endless Space is one of the best 4X titles to appear for a good long while. It hasn't quite delivered the incredible potential it offers; but it's tantalizingly close.

From the first moment to the last (and the final boss fight really has to be seen to be believed) Ms. Splosion Man urges you to succeed by dangling forthcoming treasures in front of your nose, while at the same time trying to kick your legs out from under you. It's a vicious mistress, but one with rich rewards.

Open for Business isn’t one of those expansions that are so good that they make you want to go out and buy the original game just so you can play it. Having said that, this title is the best of the three expansions currently available for "The Sims 2."

It’s hard to fault a game that's as bold and unpredictable as We Love Katamari.

A surprisingly successful effort at wrapping an RPG around a rhythm game. Come for the Final Fantasy name, stay for the music.

It retains all of the core features of its console brethren but has the advantage of being portable.

One of the most involving space sims released for a while and it's only let down by a complex and rough interface design and the dodgy voice acting.

Like its winsome protagonist, Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag is fixated on pursuing the riches of high-seas piracy and seems reluctant to be drawn into convoluted Templar plots. The most self-aware Assassin’s Creed title to date, and one that makes the most of some aging mechanics.

Overall, MLB 12: The Show is another solid installment of the baseball franchise that any fan of the sport will love. Sony took some risks in the gameplay department, which I particularly didn't care for. However, after switching to the ones I prefer it was just like last year's version.