No doubt Rayman Legends is not for everyone. But if you appreciate art and you’re willing to put in the hours for completion, you’ll no doubt be rewarded with a grueling and rewarding platforming experience.

Tweaks to the My Player mode as well as the growth of the Legend concept has led this franchise to even greater heights. A wonderfully tasty mix of presentation and solid gameplay make this game a keeper, even in a year when the actual NBA may never appear.

The wacky world that Gearbox has built really shines in Borderlands 2. It doesn't just work as a means to deliver funny lines of dialogue, though. Here is an established universe providing ample free reign to contrive silly gameplay mechanics that defy both first-person shooter and role-playing game conventions in way that has me convinced we'll be seeing a lot more Borderlands in the future.

It's got a great art style and an interesting enough gameplay hook. But don't let it fool you into thinking it's all about platforming and world turning. It's not. It's a game about taking in information and using it in ways you never would have expected.

Team Bondi did a wonderful job of creating an enjoyable game that takes interactive storytelling to a new level. The production values and graphics are up there with Heavy Rain, but the gameplay is more appealing to longtime gamers.

It's clear that Enemy Unknown was made by people that both really loved the original XCOM and understand how to make games more approachable and enjoyable. Yes, some of those adaptations cause Enemy Unknown to lose some of the bite that the original had, but it's an unquestionably better game for it.

Although Dead Space 2 stumbles in a few minor spots, it makes up for it with its blend of sh.t-your-pants scary atmosphere and non-stop action. It's a game that shoves its Necromorph claws into your eyeballs in the first five minutes and won't pull them out until the end credits roll.

Fan-fu**ing-tastic. It's the sort of game you don't want to stop playing.

Team Bondi did a wonderful job of creating an enjoyable game that takes interactive storytelling to a new level. The production values and graphics are up there with Heavy Rain, but the gameplay is more appealing to longtime gamers.

Dark Souls has hooks, and those hooks are in me deep; I'm already planning my next several playthroughs as different classes, and for a game that is 80+ hours, that's a testament to its gripping quality.

The multiplayer is a cut above the rest, with a ton of options and the ability to customize a huge number of details on any of the maps you set up for Private Matches.

The director’s commentary is completely worth it, especially if you’re a big fan of the original, but you can get that on other platforms for a cheaper price. At the end of the day, Deus Ex: Human Revolution is an amazing game that Director’s Cut only makes better. You should absolutely play it, but weigh your available platforms first.

Dishonored is a good game. It falls flat a bit on the pacing, the AI has a laundry list of quirks that become frustrating real quick, but on the whole the game delivers an experience you won't find anywhere else this year.

The excellent story hooked me in from the opening minutes and I didn't want to let go. With branching paths, multiple endings, and truly mysterious characters to interact with, Virtue's Last Reward will keep you thrilled for hours on end.

A touching account of two young girls struggling to make sense of a world stripped of its humanity, and it is a tale worth exploring. Nevertheless there are moments the gameplay feels disjointed from the narrative, potentially pitting the overlapping stories at odds with one another. Admittedly, it’s wonderful to spend more time with Ellie, especially before her involvement with the Fireflies.

Torchlight 2 might not turn the genre on its head or delve drastically into any unexplored territory, but it is a fantastic action RPG and overall a blast to play, especially with friends.

Small improvements make the game better in ways I didn’t even know I wanted. The ease of online connectivity and interacting with players from around the world makes these games even more immersive and entertaining. Finally bringing the franchise into the third dimension makes the game look and feel like nothing we’ve experienced yet.

If you're digging the dark fantasy of Game of Thrones or the demanding challenge of Dark Souls, buy this game without hesitation.

With Diablo III, Blizzard made one of the most approachable and enjoyable games in the world even better. In fact, aside from the annoying online-only infrastructure, I can't imagine a single thing I would change to make this game better. That's when you know you have a classic on your hands, and that's also when you know you should play this game as much as you can.

LittleBigPlanet PS Vita isn't only one of the best LittleBigPlanet games ever, it's one of the best games to pick up for your Vita. It's got creativity, fun, and challenge – entertainment cornerstones that most people would argue make up a great video game.

New Leaf is a massive game that has broad appeal. No one person in my group of friends was playing the game the same way.

Improves universally over the original, and also manages to be the best looking PC game at the same time. If you're a fan of meaty RPGs or if you've been desperate to stretch your computer's technical legs, you need to play The Witcher 2.

NBA 2K13 improves upon its already solid foundation of basketball gameplay and presentation, and turns it up a notch. Improvements and additions to MyCareer mode as well as the addition of MyTeam mode will provide for great depth this season.

Character drama has rarely been better in the gaming medium, and it most definitely deserves a spot on your hard drive.

The visuals have been massively overhauled to make this the best looking Halo, if not the best looking 360 game to date.

Pokemon X and Pokemon Y are the best, most refined versions of the games to date.

The new definition of how a game should be remade.

Dirt 3 may be the best racing game I've played in the last decade. It's certainly the best one that takes place on surfaces other than tarmac.