The iPad has the sweetest graphics with a massive screen.

For the most hardcore Civ addicts out there, some of the changes may be a little unfamiliar. But Civilization V retains the ethos of this iconic series, while modernising, simplifying and improving both its look and its feel.

It's the best game on the 3DS and it justifies the purchase of the system all by itself.

Thankfully the combat controls are simple and intuitive.

Its incredible controls and even gameplay really elevate the franchise to new levels.

Guild Wars 2 can be what players want to make of (and take from) it, which is pretty much what every good MMO should aspire to. All up, it's been a resounding success.

As a complete package its clearly an impressive, engrossing experience. Its storyline is excellent, its characterisation, voice acting, score and script are very well done, and its aesthetic is deliciously dystopian. The only fly in the ointment is its binary combat mechanics.

But those controls are what I keep coming back to. Frankly, I really detest playing an iOS game that has virtual buttons. Gameloft has done what it can, but this is far from an ideal platform for first person shooters.

While my iPad 1 struggled with some of the more demanding scenarios (more than two players usually crashed me out of the game), the iPad platform, generally speaking, is perfect for this sort of game.

Grand Theft Auto IV is very much a console-friendly game, and the PC port brings enough problems – albeit ones that won’t apply to everyone – to make me hesitate to recommend it over the original.

Even by the standards of the series, Empire: Total War is epic. It takes the combined real-time and turn-based strategy, and pushes it out into the eighteenth century in style. It's bigger, and it has a hell of a lot more bang.

Rayman Legends offers a surprisingly diverse 12+ hours of gameplay - an admirable feat for a platformer of this type.

Its relative ease makes redoing the challenges very pedestrian, and worse yet, replaying the same dungeon also means reliving all the pre-faffing-about to get there. You have to endure many of the same conversations, cutscenes and menial tasks you already know of and know how to do. Regardless of what decade you played it in, that is not fun.

When all the elements work in tandem, this game is extremely immersive - particularly if you have a 5.1 system (or at least a subwoofer) and an HD TV.

Demon's Soul is it. It will kill you, cap your health, break your sword, make you replay the same half hour ten times over and then kill you some more. But, because of this its rewards are infinitely more exhilarating and satisfying. However, the game isn't completely heartless.

Massive and beautiful. Classic roleplaying at it’s finest

Taken as a whole, as an experience rather than a series of discrete mechanics, this is a game that – if you let it – will draw you into its world…and then let you run loose in it. It feels refreshing enough to breathe new life into this crowded genre, and if you’re an RPG fan – even a casual one – then this should definitely be on your ‘must play’ list.

There is a stack of gameplay here, both in the singleplayer story (which is heavily connected to Assassin's Creed II) and in the multiplayer, which is a series first.

I am going to have to point out that the guts of the action is really quite basic: see zombie, kill zombie. But this game was always meant to be more of the "see zombie, make pithy remark to friend via Xbox live, kill zombie" type.

If you're a multiplayer fiend and like the thought of mowing down zombies with chainguns, this is definitely worth checking out. The thrill of obliterating hordes of screaming bad guys that just want to gobble up your brains really is quite unique and fun. Just don't expect to be getting very good value for money because there's really not very much inside the box.

The PC version mirrors all of the good stuff and can be confidently defined as a title that is going to be hours of fun to PC gamers the world over.

Titanfall 2 is designed just well enough, and with enough layers so to not be entirely derivative. Hero simulations are so vastly abundant in this industry - so if you’re going to play one, you might as well choose from those who do it the best.

Some directionless new systems and pandering historic tie-ins can’t undermine its achievements.

Need for Speed: Pursuit is a ridiculous game. It's totally absurd.

The game looks even more fantastic than ever and a few extra features are on its way for lucky PC users.

Dark Soul's weakest aspect lies in failing to draw the player into something deeper, other than just leveling up and managing to stay in one piece after crossing swords with a Black Knight.

The Ballad Of Gay Tony is the most enjoyable by simply upping the ante a notch, reminding us that even in a city 'where the money is making the plan', you can still have a little fun.

I feel The Walking Dead is so special that five to ten years from now people are still going to be talking about it and referencing its importance. I imagine this series will be the first to make many gamers cry, it is that emotionally powerful.

The concept is good and the combination of play styles almost works; however the driving and chase aspects of the game really let it down. When you strip away this and the action elements of the game, it is basically a puzzle solver.

Strangely, what holds this title together is not its gameplay, but its place. As a stealth-action game it has its flaws. But sometimes experience wins out over action. Dunwall is full of death, disease, and dishonour. Just being there is enough.

If you played the original, then this is a no brainer purchase; if you haven't, then you are in for a lot of gameplay hours that will both challenge and enthrall you.

And there you have it: three Metal Gear Solid games for your HD console, updated with care, and still with all the elements of the series you may love or despise. The lack of the original MGS is, once again, really stupid. But otherwise, if you're a fan of these games, you shouldn't hesitate in grabbing these versions if you're looking to play them again.

A great game, and it has largely delivered on all of the pre-release hype. We do however warn you that if you are looking to buy the PC version, don't be surprised if you have some issues. It certainly knocked some of the gloss off the game for us.

Even if this is your first taste of the franchise, if you like horror, violence, severed limbs and bodies crushed into seeping bloody pulp, then the dark depths of dead space is just the place for you.

With around 25 hours of solid gameplay in one sitting and a huge replay value to try out new endings and character developments, this game deserves a proper outing. Don't expect to sit down and blast your way from start to finish – because although it might be possible to do so, you'll definitely be missing what Deus Ex has on offer if you do.

Although it offers nothing new, it refines the series with crisper visuals, improved flight controls and the addition of Clank’s solo missions. If you weren’t a fan of the series before this won’t change your mind, but fans will enjoy it.

If you're not a hardcore PC super-score hunter, the controls are fine (and you're competing in a walled garden with other 360 gamers anyway) and the addition of an excellent online mode only adds to the already comprehensive depth of content on offer.

Here's a quote that sums up the entire review - "I forgot I was playing this on a PSP!"

Battlefield 1 is not the enlightened superior rescuing us from sci-fi boredom. Its refreshment is largely skin deep, and none of the new additions change that; not the horses, not the trains, not the blimps, not the bayonets. Change the guns and skins to a modern flavour and you’d never know the difference.

This is the first sign we’ve had that Destiny just might become the game many think it could be.

The Association shows great statistical depth and nice opposing management AI, and My Player provides a long and in-depth journey from proving yourself in the combines, to the draft, and eventually to press conferences, playoffs and stardom.

Aloy’s quest through the post-post-apocalypse is one of pros and cons. Encounters with robotic wildlife are equal parts tactical and reflexive, but fights against humans are awkward, and the camera is unwieldly. The world is lush and gorgeous, but traversing it can be a chore. Horizon Zero Dawn is a breath of fresh air, and a welcome departure from Guerrilla’s previous offerings – but the journey takes some missteps.

The Association shows great statistical depth and nice opposing management AI, and My Player provides a long and in-depth journey from proving yourself in the combines, to the draft, and eventually to press conferences, playoffs and stardom.

The car models are fantastic, essentially moving the graphics of the arcade racer into the realm of the driving sims.

So very obviously a labour of love, above and beyond being simply a money spinner. If you like The Beatles, and want to play their music, this is the game for you. If you’re not into them at all, of course, stay well away – while the minor gameplay enhancements are well and good, it’s not enough to keep non-Beatles fans captivated.

At the end of the day, Shadow Complex is about shooting things, which is good as that's what the game does best.

I found Deus Ex to be very entertaining overall, but the lack of consistency with the first and third person camera angles, and the poorly conceived controls, do take their toll.

An amazing looking game with amazing gameplay.

Trusting other players for quality levels is risky business, but making your own is creative heaven.

Ultimately, if you have NHL 10 there is no real reason to get this.

Dead Space is also surprisingly long for a shoot-em up, taking over 10 hours to complete. Although parts of it seemed repetitive (often you’ll find yourself trekking through identical corridor after corridor) the combat sequences were varied and enjoyable thanks to the need for different techniques to get through them.

Fundamentally there are improvements, but the game doesn’t feel completely balanced as a whole and the pace of matches is sometimes uneven. It happens often between console generations and while FIFA 14 on Xbox One is certainly no cheap port of the current-gen edition - I can’t help but think that the next rendition will truly take the franchise to the next level.

It was one of the best, if not the gold standard for sports genre video games last year, and it looks set to re-claim that title yet again this year.

Nier: Automata is brilliant. Its mature storytelling is filled with intrigue and philosophy explored through fascinating character work that delves into the depths of the human experience and the complications inherent in artificial intelligence. Combined with some incredibly tight and fluid gameplay that pulls together a multitude of ideas with ease, it’s made all the more impressive by the multiple endings and massive replayability. Taro and Platinum Games deserve praise for creating a game that values the player’s time with regular rewards, and one that deserves to be experienced.

It's a clever concept, and the game offers surprising depth once you get past the repetitive 'weak enemy' battles of the first half hour.

NHL 10 is a great game, hampered only by a lack of anything new.

With its beautiful graphics, excellent voice acting, inspiring music, fantastic story and script, and amazing gameplay, Uncharted is nothing short of a winner – it’s Game of the Year material.

Just keep in mind that the d-pad on the 360 controller is probably the worst thing since cancer (seriously, it's that bad) and that the game has a few issues that really do need resolving. If you're lucky enough to have a decent controller, however, don't let the bugs stop you getting on board - it's solid Street Fighter action to its very core.

If you're a fan of military shooters like Modern Warfare, and/or are looking for an extremely solid multiplayer game, look no further.

If you appreciate hilarity and good puzzles, check this out now!

A great experience. Those who have had the joy of playing it on the PS3 or XBOX360 won't find anything new here, but for everyone else, this is one fantastic little portable title.

All of the changes made in this version are improvements. The only thing left to do is get rid of those damn coins!

The difficulty curve might scare some people away, especially those who haven’t experienced an XCOM game before. There are a few little technical hiccups like certain alien enemies going invisible during their attack animations, or damage numbers taking a few seconds to show after an attack has played out. However, these things are easily ignored and I can still highly recommend XCOM 2.

In the end, I love this game. While it’s a slow starter plotwise, Dishonored 2 builds up wonderfully to a satisfying conclusion, with plenty of memorable challenges along the way. But more than anything else, it’s fun. It’s a gorgeous, deep, enjoyable piece of work, and I highly recommend it if you like stealth, exploration, or cool steampunk Portugal. See you in the Void.

Minecraft isn’t for everybody (fortunately, there’s a free demo that you can try), but for those who will hear its call, it’s easily one of the best games available on Xbox One.

Regardless of the fact that it’s basically a third version of the same title, Ninja Gaiden Sigma is a well put together game with an interesting storyline and some inspired settings.

It’s - once again - the best version available, and the updates really are significant this time around.

From the moment the game begins, to the moment the credits start rolling, it’s obvious that Moon Studios were crafting this out of love. While most may play a second time to earn every achievement, many will just want to experience the fantastic presentation one more time.

The learning curve is steep, and it can be hard to keep up with all the made-up words if you're new to the series, but it's all worth it in the end. This is a fun world to inhabit, and the narrative weaved throughout is deeply satisfying. Not afraid of a little complexity? Then get this game.

Hearthstone is a well-executed and fun card game, one which lives the “easy to learn, hard to master” mantra to the utmost.

BioShock 2 is a game developed for all those square-eyed shooter fiends who wanted to explore the ocean floor, shoot-em-up with others online, and never play one of those annoying pipe-puzzlers again so long as they lived.

I’ve had an absolute blast with Civilization VI. I found it easy to approach, and loved how deep I could choose to go with it. The number of options to completely customize my civilization, and how drastically different each play could be thanks to the randomly generated maps made each match a challenge.

Not only is it highly recommended among its app store peers, it stands well alongside much more expensive console games as well.

Blizzard haven't set out to reinvent the wheel with Diablo III, opting instead to release the ultimate version of a wheel that's already beloved by its niche audience.

With crisp graphics, great sound (mainly in the form of the excellent commentary), and surprisingly playable gameplay, NBA Jam for the iPhone is well worth picking up, even if (or perhaps especially if) you're not a basketball fan.

A small evolution in multiplayer and a definitive end to the story. Despite being a solid, well-rounded experience, I felt there wasn't enough difference or progression in use of technology to really rate the game higher.

FIFA 11 is big. It's packed to the brim with virtual football action, all of it bigger and better in some way than last year's version.

LBP for Vita is truly incredible, and arguably the definitive version of the experience.

By and large FIFA 13 is chock-full of content. The online aspects are so in depth now there is no doubt you could play FIFA 13 for all eternity if you so chose, which really represents excellent value for gamers.

New content that’s less like busywork, and more like meaningful progression.

While it may not be as ground-breaking as the games it draws its inspirations from, this samurai’s tale represents a return to form for the developer. With precise and purposeful combat, foes that demand your respect, and a world of fantastical folklore, Nioh is a fine action RPG worthy of anyone’s attention.

A worthy successor to its elder brother. Compared to what came before, it's a more mature experience - and a more complete game.

While there are still some issues on the bench and in the locker room, on court, where it counts, NBA 2K13 still dominates.

It looks nice, moves at a good clip and you always feel like you’re able to control the car and know exactly when you lose your grip. The Flashback feature feels like something with a lot of promise and we can’t wait to see what the next racing game that rolls out of the garage at Codemasters will be like.

Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor takes the combat of the Batman games, the stealth and exploration of the Assassin’s Creed games and combines them into a really fun package.

A truly spectacular game. Of all of the possible results that may have sprung from the circumstances that now surround the development of the Halo franchise, Halo 4 is the most welcome (and surprising) imaginable.

It doesn’t make massive changes, but instead just tweaks a very successful formula and expands on it with a swathe of new content to explore. One of the most impressive things about Final Fantasy XIV is the way it breaks down the casual/hardcore dichotomy, and Stormblood doubles down on that with a wider variety of endgame content for players of all persuasions. A few stumbles aside, the story it tells is great and decidedly Final Fantasy-esque, and takes players through some of the best locations, dungeons, and encounters that this game has seen yet. This is still the best MMORPG on the market, and I’d encourage anyone who’s on the fence to dive in.

More than just DLC. It’s a core part of the Bloodborne experience.

While the competitive future of Injustice 2 is currently unclear, one thing is certain: NetherRealm have created a highly polished fighter. With a campaign mode that blows the competition out of the water, fights that pop, and an extensive customisation system, the Chicago-based studio has done right by the DC license.

You’ll get frustrated, I can guarantee it – but that’s the point. It doesn’t offer tutorials, because the game is confident in your ability to prevail. It’s a treatise on our ability to develop and grow, as we attempt to make sense of the unknown.

A great single player campaign that pays homage to the original, but the multiplayer is forgettable.

There's nothing really special to report in terms of the controls.

This game is superb and although there are some still slight glitches, offers the most comprehensive and realistic football games on the market.

Tough but rewarding.

The very best, like no one ever was.

It might not be the best vertical shooter ever – that honour goes to Ikaruga’s predecessor Radiant Silvergun – but it is easily the best game on Xbox Live Arcade and indeed the Xbox 360 itself. Purchase immediately.

Watching a robbery go down with detached movie-convention-predictability and suddenly realising you have to intervene can freeze you up like Paul Henry spotting a mustache on a lady. It adds the third dimension that makes this game a game. In any case, it's an entertaining variation on screaming, "Don't go in there!" at a flickering screen in the dark.

On top of the single-player, DiRT 3 includes a welcomed split-screen multiplayer for head to head racing. But more welcomed is the large number of mad online party modes to try out.