Warface is a perfectly fine free to play shooter that looks nice, but it does very little to differentiate itself from certain other military shooters that are on the way.

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.

In Team Sonic’s attempt to move on from the old days, every new idea has been thrown into the mix and the game slowed down to allow for this...It’s just not very Sonic and the core of what makes the early games great – speed and simplicity, have been lost in this Lost World.

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.

The covers tend to drift into cruise ship territory too often but given the extensive song library, eclectic choices and millions of options, Wii Karaoke U gets away with it.

There's a lot to like about Final Fantasy 14, but it really is reliant on your ability to overcome a lot of the issues the MMO has had for years. Final Fantasy fans will need to know what they're getting into, but once they do there's a thoroughly engrossing game to absorb yourself in.

Whether a future patch will rectify a lot of problems with Takedown: Red Sabre or not is irrelevant; Serellan should not have released a game this unfinished in the first place. The core of the game could be good, but not until a number of issues have been resolved.

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.

It's a playful excursion into basic mercantile capitalism, striking the same tones as games like Euro Truck Simulator, turning the apparently mundane into tangible entertainment. Built upon sturdy foundations, and executed effectively, Rise of Venice is a simple game with simple core, but enjoyable all the same.

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.

An average puzzle platformer that is saved from mediocrity by strong visual and audio design.

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.

It’s a shame the plot and enemies ruin things a bit, because Outlast is a truly effective survival horror for the most part.

Bright, bold and beguiling, Puppeteer reinvigorates the humble platformer, with its unashamedly honest and engaging design. Problematic physics and sluggish story aside, we think you could do a lot worse than pay to see this show.

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

At its most basic, shooting guys in the face in Killzone: Mercenary can be enjoyable but never gives the player any credit in any other facet of the game. Not to mention a repetitive, uninspired mission structure and pocketfuls of missed opportunities, the campaign length coming in at just under four hours.

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.

Whilst another sturdy entry in the series, and Clan Wars will be the quintessential Worms game for the near future, we're thankful for Team 17 taking a break from the series.

Lost Planet 3 gets the hard stuff right and is ultimately likeable, but its gameplay just isn’t capable of sustaining any warm feelings you might harbour for it.

Killer Is Dead packs the style and swagger that's defined Suda 51's output to date, highlighted by the smart, well-designed boss battles. It's only really let down by awkward pacing and the padding between those boss battles.

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.

Undoubtedly a game that has been through development hell, but nonetheless a surprisingly entertaining - if flawed - Mass Effect style shooter.

Pokémon Rumble U is a crushingly basic and boring game, even by Pokémon spin-off standards.

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.

Due to its mature, breathtaking narrative, perhaps we sometimes forget that BioShock Infinite is, at heart, a true FPS. Clash in the Clouds, on the other hand, will shoot you in the face if you try to forget it.

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.

A tranquil amble from the Swiss Alps to the middle of the Mediterranean, blemished by an overzealous approach to all things cinematic.

A sub-par strategy RPG paired with a selection of Namco Bandai's, Capcom's and Sega's most cherished franchises.

Dynasty Warriors 8 is hardly a revolution for the series but the overhauled combat, compulsive Ambition Mode and wealth of content will leave long-term fans happy.

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

An arduous game fraught with inept combat and tedious characters, you'll be lucky to even get halfway through DARK without baying for blood.

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.

With little to no improvements made over the home console editions, Epic Mickey 2 on Vita remains an underwhelming experience and one that is difficult to recommend. More effort on gameplay and less on simply jamming Disney characters in our face would have helped.

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.

A brilliant and evocative story, superb combat mechanics and an interesting multiplayer component, The Last Of Us is one of this generation's best.

With more to do than ever before it might seem a little strange to dock Animal Crossing: New Leaf for feeling repetitive, but in truth too little has changed to really celebrate this latest 3DS release. It'll eat your life whole in an instant, though, that much is clear.

As it stands, Remember Me is a series of mediocre gameplay ideas stapled to a pretty, hollow shell.

Fuse is two games. As a four-player co-op shooter with friends, it's light, frothy fun that ticks along at remarkable pace with inventive weaponry. On your own, the AI of your team-mates drags the entire experience down and kills the fun.

An arcade racer in simulation clothing, GRID 2 has lots of surface thrills and spills to delight racing lightweights but lacks substance for those who want to dig deeper.

This is the definitive version of Velocity Ultra, but not because of its fancy new graphics and effects. Velocity Ultra is a perfect match for a console that can be carried around with you, and if you've yet to play the game then this is the way to play it.

Blade Wolf isn’t the most essential DLC, but the kind of person that goes through everything on harder difficulties without being hit will get a few hours out of it.

People who missed Revelations the first time around will find an enjoyable and fully fleshed out Resident Evil experience - while not spectacular, it's certainly closer to the original games in terms of atmosphere than the modern outings. RAID mode and Infernal difficulty also offer compelling reasons for Revelations veterans to grab the HD version.

Good rather than great, this is a retro platformer that does exactly what its peers did 20 years ago while barely changing a thing. If that’s what you’re after, you’ll love it. Otherwise, it’s easily outclassed.

Simplification and removal of some key components harms the game, though there’s still some great stuff here for younger gamers and those willing to grind their way to it through the tedious story.

There are glimmers - when Metro: Last Light lets you free to investigate on your own accord - where this game feels genuinely compelling. The repetitive nature of the gameplay invariable becomes a pain to push on with, however. Plenty of potential, but far too restrictive.

The accessible brother of the Guilty Gear and BlazBlue titles, ArcSystem Works has done a fantastic job twisting the Persona series into a fighting game spin-off.

Zeno Clash 2 is a much bigger game than the original, although it’s not quite as open world as you’d have been led to believe, as you’re still confined to certain areas while you go roaming.

It's feisty, fun and co-op friendly, so as pick-and-play brawlers go, there's little to complain about with Sacred Citadel. Make the trek on your own, however, and it's a slightly different story owing to a rinse-and-repeat sameness that's harder to deny when it's just you eyeballing the same old swarms of enemies over and over again.

Blood Dragon shows what’s possible with a bit of creativity and imagination, taking Far Cry 3 fundamentals and twisting them into a glorious love letter to 80s action movies.

Diverse, stuffed with content and challenging, Soul Sacrifice might not be the game to save PS Vita but its attention to detail and stellar execution means it is one of handheld's best.

There's nothing else quite like Deadly Premonition. Part surreal story, part murder mystery, part survival horror, it might swing from great to awful and back with alarming regularity but it's always entertaining and always captivating.

Star Trek is a bargain bin purchase for fans of the franchise and little else. It's average in every sense of the word, but even that is marred by a number of flaws and bugs.

The accessibility and sheer amount of content gives Injustice: Gods Among Us a single-player life most fighting games cannot compete with, which makes it more of a shame that the netcode lets the package down.

Content-wise this is more than worth it's full priced retail release however, but a lot of assets are reused – whether from the original or repeated themselves within the game – so you will revisit locations of uncanny similarity.

One of the best strategy RPG games of recent years, let down by a typically Japanese story and a couple of smaller niggles.

Colourful, brimming with character and entertaining, Guacamelee offers more than enough content for its low fee to make up for its lack of depth.

It certainly won't appeal to everyone, but ShootMania casts off the unnecessary reliance on perks and weapon loadouts for a multiplayer shooter experience that is considerably more involving - and rewarding - than any Call Of Duty game.

It's hard to describe just how shockingly awful this is. From the ridiculous difficulty to the broken combat to the lack of online co-op, Double Dragon II: Wander Of The Dragons fails in every way possible.

Defiance does enough new that you won't be disappointed providing you know what you're in for. There's something compulsive about its quest grinding, but at the same time they do lack the variety and depth of world necessary to make an MMO everlasting.

The smart online modes and novelty of Legends Of The Majors do enough to justify a sequel, in what's a solid if unspectacular edition of the long-running Tiger Woods series.

Brilliant fun in both campaign and multiplayer modes, there's something here for those who want to push their platforming skills and those who want an accessible online smack-'em-up.

If you’re looking for your first fighting game on Vita, the fast and accessible gameplay combined with rock solid netcode makes Dead Or Alive 5 Plus an easy choice.

There are a lot of faults here – the messy map design, the awkward cover system, the surprising co-op fumble – but Army Of Two: The Devil’s Cartel manages to make its core action of shooting things engaging and fun, and that’s what will pull you through the game.

Come for the Minecraft similarities, stay for Terraria's own sense of self-worth. Hours of exploratory gameplay, incremental improvements and just a handful of jaw-on-floor surprise deaths. It's Dark Souls put through a Minecraft filter.

It’s easily the best third-party port on the console right now, and as a result, should be racing to the top of every Wii U owner’s most wanted list.

It’s hard to deny that the original Bioshock was praised so highly because it was so unique. Bioshock Infinite retreads a lot of the same ground, at least mechanically, but with parts that aren’t nearly as diverse or varied as its predecessor...Its enemies are uninspired and its world not nearly as rich, but that still doesn’t stop Bioshock Infinite having the tools to give you a great time all the same.

There's enough new – even outside of is sombre atmosphere and unique art style – to make The Bridge an entertaining puzzle game.

God Of War: Ascension delivers another strong Kratos outing, albeit one that does slip into a predictable routine a little too often. Fans will still get plenty of mileage from Ascension though and multiplayer is excellent.

As great as SimCity is - and, it really is - a combination of unnecessary server issues and hiccups with the Glassbox engine tar what would otherwise be the best SimCity game yet.

Lego City: Undercover is a good idea – it just hasn’t been built in quite the right way.

It's been worth the wait, as the eccentric Darkstalkers offers a refreshingly unique spin on fighting games while online play keeps up with the frantic speed of the game itself. Highly recommended.

While the new weapons do have a place in Gears Of War: Judgment, none of them have enough impact to encourage players from abandoning the traditional Lancer plus Gnasher combo although that dramatically changes in multiplayer.

While Blizzard's attempt to evolve StarCraft II's gameplay is more successful in the multiplayer suite than single player campaign, this is still the most polished RTS experience out there and if you're passionate about StarCraft II it's simply must have.