There’s plenty of potential here, to make a Monster Hunter clone Western gamers can really get behind, but all its best ideas are sacrificed to endless grinding and repetition.

Geographically speaking this is set in the real world but apart from the co-op options this still suffers the same delusions and deficiencies of previous Ace Combats.

Suitably outrageous and undeniably fun, but even fans of the source material will be disappointed at a fighting game that values spectacle over substance.

No insult to the series' legacy, but a workmanlike sequel that didn't need to be made (or ported).

A disappointingly timid reboot/remake that while competently made does little to add to the Contra formula or move beyond the original games.

Another promising game is ruined by the lure of procedural-generation, which is a particular shame given Sundered’s gorgeous animation and interesting gameplay ideas.

It's spot the difference time again, with another sequel that fails to offer any real improvements.

It’s a bit of lightly addictive throwaway fun, a sense that’s undermined by rounds against overwhelmingly more powerful computer-controlled snakes.

Not an especially good game but as an interactive compendium of pop culture references it's impossible not to be impressed.

For a game obsessed with OTT violence and knob gags this is a surprisingly charming and likeable shooter, if an unavoidably shallow and repetitive one.

The game’s love for Ghosts ‘N Goblins is obvious but its refusal to cater for anyone but hardcore fans results in a frustrating and tedious slog – especially in story mode.

A very disappointing sequel that features a few interesting new ideas but either streamlines the rest or leaves it out on purpose, for you to buy later as DLC.

It's a gift for fans of the show, but in terms of repetition and combat this is just a little too similar to the 16-bit games it seeks to pay homage to.

Sony’s big budget VR game has a lot of novelty value but only manages to combine the worst elements of first person shooters and lightgun games.

One of the more successful interactive movies of recent years, but that’s really not saying much given the lack of gameplay and horror thrills.

A missed opportunity to both evolve the Famicom Detective Club concept and allow Nintendo to experiment with more adult-oriented content, resulting in a game whose only real appeal is nostalgia.

The first Telltale finale where your choices carry true weight, but the inconsistent and contrived characterisation means it comes at considerable cost.

Some minor improvements to the formula, but the dull combat remains an unresolved problem in this lighting fast sequel.

A poignant, slow-paced but ultimately shallow exploration of memory and legacy in a changing world, that also manages to be the world’s first cycle-based walking simulator.

An unremarkable and derivative first person shooter that uses the cover of controversy to hide a game severely lacking in courage and ambition.

For a 27-year-old game with only minor changes this is still an enjoyably taxing tactical role-player but it’s new games this series needs, not more remakes.

Controls on a touchscreen are hit and miss though, which can leave you wondering whether you’ve solved a puzzle but messed up the controls, or simply haven’t figured something out correctly. It’s also a great deal less satisfying than the games it borrows from, even if it does look and sound consistently spooky.

While it’s perfectly playable as a freebie, its monetisation is aggressive, from the recharging energy required to play levels, to repeated entreaties to buy upgrade packs, even if underneath all the sales effort its gameplay remains mildly diverting, and its artwork sublime.

On a technical level this is clearly a better game than its infamous predecessor, but it’s still nowhere near as fun as it should be thanks to its bland design and characters.

A visual novel that offers the occasional diversion into some engaging turn-based strategy but would’ve been infinitely better if it had curtailed it’s long-winded storytelling aspirations.

Technical problems and a lack of difficulty balancing spoil what would’ve been a neat slice of DLC, with some surprisingly good storytelling.

A daring experiment in minimalist gameplay and storytelling, although that doesn't forgive the repetition and high price tag.

An interesting attempt at an isometric Dark Souls, but it lacks the depth and attention to detail of the real thing.