Gods Will Be Watching can be frustratingly difficult, but it's also fresh, unique and aesthetically impressive.

Whether you've never played Abe's Oddysee before or you remember the unique breed of puzzle platforming fondly, there's plenty to love about Oddworld: New 'n' Tasty.

Divinity: Original Sin is challenging, rewarding and compelling. It proves that classic isometric RPGs aren't nearly as dead as publishers would have you believe. It has minor flaws, but they'll likely be gone in a few weeks - leaving a fantastic example of the genre.

An excellent conclusion to The Wolf Among Us that solidifies the strong standing of Telltale's noir series.

A decent co-op addition to one of the PS4's best shooters, but not exactly inventive.

A thoroughly engrossing tower defence game with a couple of unique twists of its own.

Valiant Hearts: The Great War can be poignant and contemplative, but it does undermine itself by including a cartoonish villain. Superb art direction and a genuine interest in its own subject matter count in the favour of a game that is unremarkable in a mechanical sense.

An often exhilarating and tense fighting game that's let down by flawed grappling mechanics.

A passable but not detestable story and characters is Watch Dogs biggest criticism, but the fact that it handles an open world the right way - and adds in a genuinely original multiplayer component - more than makes up for it.

Wolfenstein: The New Order does almost everything right, sliding confidently between gung-ho action sequences to gripping, character-driven story moments. If the pacing were only a little tighter, there would be almost nothing to fault it.

Mario Kart 8 does everything that fans would be clamouring for from a sequel, and it is very well designed. But it does feel like Nintendo isn't really trying to bring us something new here; 'more of the same' is always a great thing when it comes to Mario Kart, but it's not enough to sell consoles, sadly.

A fairly simple RPG, but a throughly pleasant one all the same.

Kirby: Triple Deluxe is a consistently varied and fun platformer that makes smart use of the its 2.5D plane.

The online side of things may not be completely up to par, but World Tour stands as a truly first-rate Nintendo outing. And a must-have for youthful fans of the sport.

More of the same, really - which should make Trials fans very happy.

While the £8.99 monthly subscription charge is hard to justify for any game, this one does a fine job of combining everything we love about the single player experience in a multiplayer environment.

A Crooked Mile is a strong, well-paced entry in The Wolf Among Us series that's missing the technical issues that marred the previous episode.

Whether you're buying it outright or getting it free from PS Plus, Mercenary Kings not only provides something new to get your teeth into, but has plenty of reasons to keep coming back for more.

As a sign of things to come, Diablo 3: Reaper Of Souls is a great expansion pack. It adds in some of the key elements fans were looking for, while creating a whole new campaign to playthrough. Highly recommended, but only if you know you'll get the hours from its randomised dungeons.

MXGP is a surprisingly intense racing game, thanks to the almost superhuman levels of concentration demanded in order to succeed. It's rough around the edges but good fun once you get to grips with its unique racing style.

If you have people ready to play local multiplayer, then absolutely buy TowerFall: Ascension. If not, avoid. It's as easy as that.

If you enjoy videogames that aren't afraid to acknowledge what they are, then InFamous: Second Son empowers you with the tools for fun and a gorgeous sandbox environment to unleash them.

Final Fantasy X is a rare example of a game where the years that have passed in the series have enhanced its status rather than diminishing it - it's an absolute joy to revisit and even Final Fantasy X-2 is a perfectly able companion.

Yoshi's New Island delivers a solid slice of Nintendo platforming, though fans of the franchise will find little that's truly new here.

A ruthless challenge, excellent gameplay and wonderful design are just some of the things that make Dark Souls 2 a truly superb game and an early contender for game of the year. Don’t be put off by the difficulty.

Titanfall is an accessible, well-balanced and intensely enjoyable multiplayer first-person shooter that successfully delivers on the concept of blending human and mech combat.

The brilliant Dead Nation moves over to PS4 with slightly better graphics, a couple of cool new features and... well, that's it.

In the eight hours or so it will take to complete the main campaign (there are plenty of side quests that will extend your play time significantly), there is enough variety to South Park: The Stick of Truth to ensure that the game is always fun and engaging.

The best game ever running at 60 frames per second at a third of the price of most new games? Oh go on then. Resident Evil 4 hasn’t aged a bit.

The maps are bare and play is inherently repetitive... but this is gripping and impeccably crafted entertainment. If you’ve recently bought a new console, don’t let the basic visuals put you off. You’ll be generously rewarded if you stick with it.

The team behind the original Earth Defence Force games finally deliver the sequel that fans have been waiting for. Others may take some convincing, but EDF 2025 is undeniably good fun.

By combining classic Strider elements with a new Metroidvania structure and speedrun tilt, Strider in 2014 is fresh, relevant and fun.

A game with a laser focus on a select few elements, Memories of Celceta is likely to appeal to only a small audience - but that audience is going to have little to complain about.

The Last of Us: Left Behind doesn't feel as essential as the main game, but that shouldn't detract from the fact that it's a no-brainer for those who loved The Last of Us.

A heroic remastering of the decade old Fable shows the new generation has a lot to live up to. Definitely worth a play to see gaming’s modern heritage at its sharpest and brightest, with extensive remodelling and cleverly integrated new controls and gameplay additions.

No, Tomb Raider didn’t really need the facelift - but that doesn’t mean we don’t appreciate it. Stuffed with the same frantic fire(bow) fights, compelling exploration and breathtaking cinematics, this re-re-booted Tomb Raider is every bit as gripping as we remember. And at least we know how to beat the Tomb of Ascension this time.

The standard-bearer for Kickstarter funding does not disappoint, Double Fine providing us a game within a traditional genre that manages to feel both fresh and significant.

A fantastic score-based game that can be let down by its controls when aiming for the highest scores. All the same completely absorbing and the perfect PS Vita game.

The emotionally affecting narrative steals the show and highlights Stoic's skill for storytelling, while combat is more commendable than spectacular.

Expertly balanced and mechanically brilliant, you can't do much better than Nidhogg when it comes to local multiplayer. There are concerns about Nidhogg's online mode, but Nidhogg's best played in person in any case.

Don't Starve is an incredibly satisfying survival-exploration game that understands how to foster the joy of discovery.

Superbly designed with a compelling world and narrative to explore.

Bravely Default matches all the cosy warmth of traditional themes and familiar role-playing customisation systems with fresh concepts and interesting twists that use many of the 3DS most underused used features. The game provides the JRPG genre with a much-needed shot in the arm.

It’s just more of the same, but isn’t that what we all wanted? The whole thing is executed with real style and class, and deserves to be huge.

Funny, intriguing and effortlessly charming, Broken Sword 5: The Serpents Curse is an old fashioned point and click romp that feels like a breath of fresh, Parisian air.

A fairly barebones fighter, but an entertaining one all the same. In time, it could be an excellent Xbox One exclusive.

An enjoyable - if ignorable - single-player campaign with some fantastic graphics coupled to an excellent multiplayer mode.

Sure, the series may have taken a few missteps in the past few years, but this does show that somewhere, away from the Star Wars character cameos, unbalanced, ludicrous custom fighters and overblown story modes written by the writers of some children’s cartoon - the soul still burns.

Technically impressive, but limited on new ideas. Drivatar is the closest to innovation Forza 5 comes, but needs more depth to be worthwhile.

Tearaway uses the PS Vita's features without feeling gimmicky, and is an exceptional example of originality in the genre.

This is a game you need to own a Wii U for. There’s enough new that it shouldn’t be seen as a rehash of past glories, and there is a wealth of variety crammed into the game.

Dead Rising 3 is more of the same, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t compulsive, time-absorbing and – most of all – fun...At best it’s an unoriginal concept well-executed, at worst it’s an Xbox 360 game hastily ported over to Xbox One. Ignore the technical limits, however, and you’re in for a good time.

An odd mix of the familiar and the radical – one which, despite not having the makings of a classic Zelda adventure, does more than enough to cement itself as a masterful quest in its own right.

It's quirky, it's weird and it's dark - Stick It To The Man is also brilliant and its effortless combination of bizarre humour and tricky puzzles is infectious.

This is a traditional Ratchet & Clank game that sticks to the humour, imaginative weaponry and gadgets what has served the series so well over the years. It might be short on new ideas but this still feels fresh and it's a lot of fun.

It's a mixed bag for Call Of Duty: Ghosts as the brilliant, balanced multiplayer and thrilling Extinctions mode makes up for an unusually flat single-player outing and wasted Squads mode.

The single-player component is an uninspired yet enjoyable enough aside, while the multiplayer component - however great it may be - hasn't really enhanced the series in any tangible way. Great fun, of course, but more of the same. Good news for Battlefield fans, if nothing else.

Ubisoft needs to dial it down. It has the gameplay, it just needs to present it in a fashion that doesn't spoil an otherwise completely absorbing set of characters, locations and gameplay tools.

Much like inspecting the evolution of Rooney’s fascinating mop, you’ll need a magnifying glass to identify the follicles of change that make a real difference to the Football Manager experience.

A good but underwhelming entry in the Arkham series that often feels more like an update than a true sequel.

Phoenix Wright’s triumphant return to the courtroom has been matched by a game worth of such an event. Sure, it is more of the same, but with more variety, a new set of great characters and it looks really nice to boot.

The Stanley Parable might not prove that videogames are art, but it is an intriguing - and original - game that plays around with the tried-and-tested tropes of player choice in gaming.

A punishing tactical JRPG in a deceptively cute wrapper, The Guided Fate Paradox is for those who love Disgaea but wish it was just a little more complex. The difficulty of dungeons ramps up at an overwhelming pace, and doesn't ease off.

An assured and stylish first entry in The Wolf Among Us series that retains many of the hallmarks of Telltale's previous games while also providing us with a game that is unique in tone and setting.

It’s such a shame to see Quantic Dream make the same mistakes they’ve made in the past, because it feels like Beyond: Two Souls could be shaping up to become by far the best thing the developers have done until that hope is destroyed by the games’ poor second half.

Tried and true mechanics get a much-needed refresh in the most interesting and engrossing Pokémon adventure in many a year. Take Magikarp's advice and Splash out on this at once.

The jump to 3D does wonders for a series that was starting to show its age, with a host of new monsters and revamped old ones pulling together to create a completionist's worst nightmare and a Pokémaniac's dream game.

Like Spinal Tap said, there’s a fine line between clever and stupid. Shadow Warrior treads that line carefully, but not before chopping everything to bits. Good stuff.

There's nothing quite like Lone Survivor on PS Vita and its unique psychological horror tale will likely keep players involved to the end.

While a sequel to the first game in the series, A Brighter Darkness does more than doff its cap to the original, bringing tweaks to the gameplay that offer fresh ways to play with the best loved characters making a welcome return.

FIFA 14 has dragged the franchise out of videogame purgatory and injected character back into it with some significant gameplay improvements. AI oddities and a poor interface fail to mar a genuinely rewarding and enjoyable football experience.

The game isn’t perfect, but it certainly comes recommended. To borrow one of football’s many clichés, PES 2014 is a great base from which the series can kick on to bigger and better things.

It's a brave move to delve into the mechanics of a classic, but Nintendo was right to do so. These changes can easily be forgiven, and as a result Nintendo has created a masterful recreation of one of its most cherished games of yesteryear.

Whether you were burned by GTA 4 or not, GTA 5 remembers what the series is all about: emergent sandbox fun and a helluva a lot of murder. You need to play it.

The next step in the ArmA franchise makes it slightly easier for newcomers to jump in and mods to create for it, without taking anything away from the hardcore.

A Machine For Pigs is an almost flawless exercise in lurking horror that’ll send shivers down your (wait for it) swine.

And if there’s one thing you can say about Dead Or Alive 5 Ultimate that you can’t say about another other fighting game, this is the only game where you can counter a punch, snap someone’s neck and boot them clean off a cliff in one swift move.

A comprehensive reworking that does its grand legacy proud, bringing it up to the date in blistering fashion and polishing it for a new generation is all Creative Assembly could ask for, and it's precisely what they've done.

It’s a big game too, and once you find yourself hooked, it’s eminently replayable...Of course, with length comes tedium, and there are times where Diablo’s relentless grind can become mercilessly wearying.

Rayman Legends is an excellent platformer that is more than worthy of your time. Tight controls, incredible art design, varied gameplay and some clever ideas combine to create an endearing world that is both pleasurable and satisfying to move through.

It might look childish, but in so many ways this is a Platinum Games experience through and through. Deep and rewarding combat, entertaining characters and plenty of hours of gameplay - even without all the collectables and tougher difficulties. A must-have for every gamer, whether you own a Wii U or not.

Those who play the game stealthily and/or replay levels to experiment with different solutions will get more from The Brigmore Witches than those who rush through with a combat heavy approach, but that’s always been the case with Dishonored.

Saint's Row 4 is a game that is greater than the sum of its parts. While its systems are lacking in depth, the game provides so much variety and so many tools to play with, that it's hard not to have fun.

Payday 2 is the best multiplayer game you'll play this year, but as a result should be avoided if you love to play single-player.

Laidback and enjoyable compared to the frantic and difficult nature of the original, DuckTales Remastered is a textbook example on how to pull off an HD remaster with love and care.

A fantastical journey that's equal parts Dungeons & Dragons and Streets Of Rage. Play it.

It doesn't always follow through on its intriguing ideas but even so, Tales Of Xillia has enough spark, invention and content to keep most JRPG fans happy.

An unsubtle, explosive idiot of a game, that's actually far smarter for knowing it's so stupid. Lovely labyrinthine levels, huge guns and even huger guts, it's a bit of a corker.

Cloudberry Kingdom stands a tier below Super Meat Boy, Ms 'Splosion Man and N+. It's good fun but multiplayer aside, it lacks the spark needed to really make it stand out among the competition.

A super slick and highly entertaining side-scrolling hack-'n'-slash game. Your Vita needs this game.

Expensive for an expansion pack, perhaps, but considering it comes with Gods And Kings and has some fantastic additions to vanilla Civ 5 then it feels totally worth it, especially for fans.

Not quite a classic, but not too far off, Stealth delivers something the Vita hardly has in abundance and does so with the kind of smart game design that makes for an addictive ride.

A brilliant game that retains the entertainment of the original Pikmin games but still feels as unique as ever. A Wii U must-play.

Game & Wario’s a game, a label it wears proudly in its name, and it delivers entertainment in spades. Get it.

Cellar Door have taken the frantic bursts of roguelike, woven them all together and created a game with near-limitless longevity that may just snare you for good.

Stainless Games creates another solid adaptation of Magic: The Gathering, but plays it safe by delivering a product that does little to improve on last year's game. It's the FIFA of collectible card games.

If you've already played the PC version there isn't enough new to consider a second go - unless you really loved it - but it's an impressive port all the same and a fantastic coup for the PS Vita.

A little too much of an emphasis on the emotional side of World War 2 detracts from the otherwise brilliant RTS game, regardless of whether you favour single-player or multiplayer.