Overall Transistor certainly shows how far Supergiant Games have come from Bastion - which was a great effort. Unfortunately, it’s missing some essential elements in an RPG (such as the aforementioned grinding) making a few bosses harder than they should be.

Liqua Pop is not what we'd call a 'chill out' game; however it's perfect for killing a few minutes here and there, has good replay value, and is suitable for all ages. Just be prepared to work up a sweat… and for some puzzled looks from passersby, if you're playing it in public!

What really sold us on the game was the audio. If it wasn't the John McEnroe ear bashing in practice, or the wonderfully choreographed commentary in each match, it was that little bit extra where you have the option to choose your own serving exultation. All are perfectly done and top off what feels like a realistic play experience.

This is a game with a number of mediocre elements, being released in a season already crowded with other shooters. However, the main thing it does well – capture the spirit and fun of the Bond movies – is enough to draw in a number of people.

While others might give it a miss, physics majors and pool sharks will definitely get a kick out of this game. And, at a price of $15.50 (and a download size of just 400MB), it certainly won't break the bank for a few hours of solid gameplay either.

Eye Pet is one of the most innovative virtual pet titles around, and a seemingly natural step in the evolution of the genre. Although it’s marketed towards the kids, even adult gamers may find a spot in their collection for this innovative little pet simulation.

Ultimately, serious though they are, the bugs won't stop me from playing. After the huge cliffhanger this episode ended on, I cannot wait for the next one to see how the series concludes. I said it in my last review and I'll say it again here; Telltale's The Walking Dead is one of 2012's best surprises.

If senpai doesn’t notice you, give Kokurase a call.

While it's not every day that emails about "underpant games" make it through my spam filters, I'm particularly glad this one did. It's indie gaming at its finest.

Speed Racer is a game that gets a lot of things right but it never goes that extra mile. The license probably does make the game better than it should be but that doesn't mean you should give it a miss.

Despite its problems, Gravity Rush Remastered is a refreshing change of pace, and a thoroughly enjoyable game to play. While not an improvement per se of the PS Vita game besides the graphics, it does bring Kat to the larger PS4 audience, and will undoubtedly win a few hearts. Especially with the less than average price for a PS4 game.

NBA Live ’10 certainly delivers on a lot of levels with decent graphics, excellent realism and detail but most importantly is plenty of fun.

Space Marine is solid. Dependable. If intense combat carnage is your thing, you will enjoy this game. If you're a fan of the 40k universe, you will enjoy this game even more. If you are into neither of these things… well, there's always the demo to try out. It never reaches the heights of the top echelon of third-person action games, but it's a good start.

Pokemon White Version 2 is an enigma. It's simultaneously a solid Pokemon game, with loads of content and value out the wazoo, but also deeply disappointing thanks to the developers continued refusal to revamp the core of the age-old experience.

Given Knack’s format the online options aren’t deep, but they are pretty cool.

It’s a diamond in the rough, though, and this jankiness is a mild distraction at worst. The appeal of Mafia III is the stories it tells – both the textual narrative, and the multitude of emergent ones that come from simply existing in a place as rich and complex as New Bordeaux. It certainly has its flaws, but in balancing the over-the-top action of a crime game with a pointed look at real-life racism, and in its fantastic re-creation of the ‘60s American South, Mafia III has achieved something special.

The end result is a solid exercise simulator for the more determined work-out fiends.

Virtual Tennis 2009 is definitely a more detailed experience than what we’ve seen in Wii Sports.

The better stealth mechanics, the improved load screens and interfaces, and new character models are just some of what make the Metro worth another run through.

Unfortunately the potential for a compelling story to vault Lara Croft back into legendary status did not materialise, and what you get instead is a pulpy action-adventure with a straightforward, MacGuffin-chasing story in the same vein as the reboot, right down to the cadence. The world Crystal Dynamics created here, though, is packed and has more to explore, more action to witness, and loads more tombs to find. So switch your brain off during cut-scenes, and save that mental workout for the tombs and for the path least taken.

One of the better JRPGs on a system that’s full of them.

If you can endure the clunky combat that pervades much it – and if I can, you certainly can too – you’ll find a wonderful game in Yakuza 0. It tells a captivating story in its own right, and it’s also a perfect jumping-on point for the series, especially with Yakuza Kiwami, a remake of the first game, due out later this year. If nothing else, do it for the karaoke, hostess clubs, and the chance to make a difference in the life of an up-and-coming dominatrix.

A strange, charming dating sim with a lot more depth than first meets the eye.

At the end of the day, this certainly is an enjoyable download, and value for money. Honestly though, I can't recommend it to people with PC's. The download is huge and it's not the best introduction to the series. Who does that leave?

Just don't play it for extended periods on a big telly - I'm not predisposed to game-induced motion sickness (I've never gotten it before) and Duke makes me want to hurl if I play it too long.

While the Console Sims 3 paints its picture with broader brushstrokes than its PC counterpart, it still captures all that's great about this series. The customisation, irreverent humour, bizarre character creation options, and online exchange features are all here, with good design and time-suckingly great gameplay.

Cutesy and colourful, Life Goes On takes a core concept from most games, flips it, and embeds it in an environment with reciprocating elements. The result is an engaging puzzle platformer that delights more than it frustrates. The ending credits sequence is also one of the most charming things I’ve seen this year.

ROTT might not a the game that you will play for ever. It might not even be a game you will finish. But it will make you forget about your mortgage, your job, or your fear of missing out. For one or two fleeting hours, you’ll be a kid again, and that selfish pleasure is worth it.

Got a kid who's into Toy Story? There's a lot here for them to sink their teeth into, and thankfully it's not all bad.

What it’s done is added a real human element to the SimCity genre. Where before people were really just another resource to control, they now bring some personality to the places they inhabit. This makes for a much more unpredictable and interesting game, in my opinion.

The persistence across campaigns makes you feel like you’re really participating in an active war. How well you hold up against the Nazi forces proves you as an adept officer of war. The voice acting and in-game chatter adds greatly to that experience. It’s only a shame that the PC is left with so few graphical options.

Even in plain old two dimensions, first-person coastering is edge-of-your-seat stuff. I can only imagine what it would be like with virtual reality.

An incredibly fun (albeit seriously depraved) experience. If you're a fan of side-scrolling games and aren't easily offended, grab the demo at least - just be sure and play it long after the kids have gone to bed.

There is just so much content to the game, that players will find themselves inevitably in the middle of a frenzied grab-a-thon.

In the end, once you've gotten to grips with the awkward controls - which, again, could take a few hours - you'll start to understand why this game has been given the praise that it has.

The new prehistoric setting is amazing: swapping armed soldiers for tribesmen, a rifle for a bow and arrow, and er, regular elephants for woolly elephants - it all creates a very different atmosphere...However a lot of the game feels like déjà vu for anyone who’s played the previous one. The same setup of missions, the forming of alliances and expanding your territory, the same crazy-old guy character with a dead animal on his noggin, and even the same hallucinogenic discovery missions are all lifted straight from it. Not necessarily a bad thing, but it does make Primal feel like a spin-off rather than it’s own game.

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

Different mechanics, same great Danganronpa storytelling.

As good as this game is, it just feels slightly numb on the small screen.

It’s worth a look for fans of the genre and even someone looking for a well-rounded racing experience on the Sony handheld.

A thinking man's FIFA, but still lacks that variety and depth.

The graphics and sound are predictably polished, and should delight any Harry Potter fan with their faithfulness to the movies… albeit in block form.

Tales of Hearts R won’t convert anyone, but fans of Japanese RPGs would do well to pick this up.

Viking: Battle for Asgard is a solid action game that takes elements from Creative Assembly’s Total War series, and adds quick time events and sand-box gameplay. It’s a great romp if you don’t mind the button bashing.

It's cheap enough, has loads of personality, and shows the kind of promise that suggests that a sequel (should we be so lucky) will knock it out of the park.

But collecting stuff is what Lara Croft does. And when it looks and plays as well as this, there is a lot of enjoyment to be had.

Got a kid who's into Toy Story? There's a lot here for them to sink their teeth into, and thankfully it's not all bad.

But collecting stuff is what Lara Croft does. And when it looks and plays as well as this, there is a lot of enjoyment to be had.

Overall, Dragon Quest Heroes is a game I enjoyed a lot and would recommend to anyone who likes JRPGs, especially if you’re a fan of the source material.

If you are looking for a mascot-based tennis game that doesn’t have “Mario” in the title - and a better variety of characters - give Sega Superstars Tennis a swing.

A fantastic app for anyone who wants get a bit more active.

Mafia 2 is a fun game, with a stellar environment.

Frustratingly-addictive, with tons of replayability possibilities and some minor issues.

The story that The Pillars of the Earth tells makes it worth sitting through a few tedious puzzles and the odd bug. This is just the first part of three planned, and I can’t wait to see how the rest of the game plays out.

I’m willing to sacrifice aesthetics for a good kick-around any day.

Competent, compelling gameplay, but with an uneven tone.

Poor online play doesn't stop you from getting a few mates around for an old fashioned side-by-side slugfest, and this is where Accent Core (and the franchise in general) delivers in spades.

Etrian Odyssey II Untold: The Fafnir Knight is another solid entry in a great RPG series. More of the same will appeal to old fans, while a deeper, richer story mode and more forgiving difficulty make this a perfect jumping on point for newcomers.

Total War: Attila is as painstakingly difficult as it is rewarding.

Wonder Boy (Girl): The Dragon’s Trap is an excellent throwback to old school gaming but with a wonderfully adapted new paint job. You feel all the highs and lows of platformers in a family-friendly and super cute environment.

The best JRPG this side of Atelier Rorona Plus.

Really proves authentic flight combat simulators can work on consoles.

One of the most rewarding games I've played on the Vita.

A truly unforgettable experience - the only downside is the frustration level. With a bit of tuning, and maybe a minimap, this bad boy might well have scored maximum points - as it is, the difficulty is going to eliminate much of the audience as surely as a huge rolling boulder might squish a stray peasant.

Four great maps and a bunch of tweaked weapons and vehicles, all for the annoying price of about NZ $30. Casual fans might want to wait until this thing sees a price drop, but if you're heavily invested in your Battlefield 3 multiplayer then you'll get a lot out of these new maps.

Unfortunately, it is also evident that 2K Sports bit off more than they can chew, by trying to make the MyCareer mode more compelling with the introduction of Spike Lee’s story.

MXGP2’s excellent physics and gameplay mechanics makes it a game-changer in the motocross genre.

For me however, I’ve found Beyond Earth to be the Civ-equivalent of reading a John Grisham novel: you know it’s not really the best of its kind, but at the same time it is quite more-ish.

Perfectly bridges the gap between casual games and hardcore shooters.

Mindless, stupid fun.

Yes, the graphics aren’t great (but they are cute), there is only one speed (which could take a while for Sims fanatics to get used to), and things move along pretty slowly. It’s still a really good game.

With its accessible gameplay and cute graphics and theme, it’s a winner for all ages.

A new direction for the series manages to lose what made the original so special.

If you can overlook a few big problems, or just can’t afford to upgrade your PC, the console port of Sacred 2: Fallen Angel still provides a solid action RPG with top notch visuals and a truly epic soundtrack thanks to Blind Guardian.

It's fun, looks great and will make you chuckle - you'll just be frustrated a little more often than is entirely forgivable. Very definitely worth a look, though, even if you thrashed the first one.

Just playing through the game won't keep you occupied for a huge amount of time, but trying for top times and tinkering with the level editor will keep more dedicated players busy for absolutely ages.

A game so good no changes were needed.

All psychotic fantasies aside however, Buzz! Quiz TV is an excellent party game that is sure to entertain a wide audience.

Once again, the Big N delivers with a unique gameplay experience, visuals that are, in the very least, fun, music and sound effects that hark back to a simpler time and any gamer's holy grail - a giant, luminous space banana. Happy climbing!

Making what is a highly successful music driven rhythm game into a rhythm driven music game might seem like a potentially dangerous idea. But it works.

Scott Pilgrim vs The World: The Game is also incredibly good value.

With a combat system that requires simple combos to achieve signature techniques, as well as activate Logia powers and Haki, each moment feels geared toward a faithful recreation of the source material. While it may only be a game for those who already love the series, Burning Blood delivers fans a boat load of fun.

Story woes and Link Twoguns’ ridiculous official name aside, Hyrule Warriors Legends has plenty to offer, whether you’re after carefree hack ’n’ slash combat or something more tactical. Even if it’s just the Zelda dressing that’s got your attention, the Musou series staples at the core of the game, so often written off as “mindless” or “boring”, will have you hooked.

But considering the speed of your movements, the hardware still does an admirable job of tracking your Ninja gymnastics.

Ultimately this version of OutRun isn’t the most complete, and doesn’t have a huge amount of depth. What it does do well, though, is boil down the most exiting parts of the racing genre and deliver arcade-style thrills to your living room.

Some minor annoyances and bugs aside, Symphony of the Machine takes a simple puzzle mechanic of light redirection, and makes it a little challenging – while also surrounding you with a beautiful world waiting for your to manipulate the weather.

The Gunstringer is fairly short, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. Half the enjoyment, after all, is in the freshness of the game's insanity. The problem is that there's little incentive to go back and play levels again.

Between sniper missions, marking targets for air support, gunning from choppers, warming your knife, close combat and laying suppression from a distance, MoH should deliver everything shooter fans are looking for.

Another reminder that shameful, when done well, isn’t that shameful at all.

Overall, while Limbo's back-story is strangely absent, it can stand on the unique visual style and deceptively difficult platforming/puzzle gameplay alone.

Fable III is a massive game targeted directly at those who like their open worlds anchored by a plot which they can get into without getting swallowed.

It's a competent first pass 3D pocket football game, of that there's no question. It's fun to play and the 3D genuinely aids in comprehension of the proceedings.

Unfortunately, the commentary, though not noticeably repetitive, sometimes gets a long way behind the action.

Because of the unusual gameplay characteristics, Dissidia is not a pick up and play game. You really have to invest yourself into the experience to really get anything out of it. Once you do though, the bite sized battles are a great way to pass five minutes.

It contains enough content to warrant an actual off-the-shelf product, so it’s really encouraging to see it so cheap.

Some story bump up would have been nice, to be fair, but hopefully there's a single player story addition coming up soon too. Pretty please, Ubisoft?

An interesting fresh start for The Walking Dead, but it all feels a bit too familiar.

An interesting fresh start for The Walking Dead, but it all feels a bit too familiar.