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.

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

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.

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.

Luigi’s Mansion 2 is an excellent puzzler wrapped in charming design, clever gameplay and gorgeous visuals through a lengthy campaign that (mostly) plays to 3DS’ strengths.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

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.

Crown Of The Sunken King provides Dark Souls 2 with an interesting new environment, three punishing boss fights and a host of tasty new gear. DLC at a good price that’s worth the struggle, Dark Souls 2 just got harder.

Far more than just a port or a re-release, Ultimate expands every aspect of Monster Hunter Tri to leap straight to the top of the food chain. A massively rewarding test of true skill and one of the best co-op games out there.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

Superbly designed with a compelling world and narrative to explore.

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.

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.

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

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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'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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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

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.

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

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.