Rarely a dull moment means you always have something to do, and the games can be quick and decisive, or hard won - depending on the skill of your opponents.

A lot of the enjoyment you'll get from The Sims Medieval is not in completing quests as quickly as you can, but in taking a bit of time to just wander around the kingdom, interacting with different characters and throwing a tomato or two at the sim stuck in the stocks.

There's been a lot of comparisons between SkyDrift and Wipeout - in fact it's how the game was pitched to me when I was given it. The thing is, Wipeout - and its sequels - while matching SkyDrift for fun, are quite different in style. In fact, I'd be more inclined to say that this is like the love child of Mario Kart and Crimson Skies. Crimson for visuals, and Mario for ridiculousness.

It's filled with fun!

Michonne offers an intriguing perspective on the overcooked zombie apocalypse theme.

Delightfully infuriating.

A respectful and highly polished game which is sure to please nostalgic fans, but also hopefully introduce whole new generations to a game that came out in the mid-90’s. In an era where games are becoming more complicated and leaning towards epic storylines, it’s refreshing to hoon around as a crazy bandicoot and test those old-school platforming chops that I earned from my younger days all over again.

Got a PSP? Awesome! Strike now. This is well worth your time and money. You won't be disappointed. Got both? Get the DS version. Better graphics don't trump the touchscreen.

It's fun to play, looks great, has plenty of content, only costs 400 points and that money goes to charity - if you're at all interested in Lumines, Tetris, electronica or having a good time, it would be churlish not to plunk down the cash.

Questionable presentation aside, Shin Megami Tensei IV is a solid game. Even with advancements in accessibility, it won’t be for everyone, but fans of JRPGs should definitely check it out.

Overall, if you missed DmC when it arrived in 2013 and fancy a hack’n’slash game along the lines of Bayonetta or Ninja Gaiden, then this PS4 edition is certainly the best way to experience the game.

Rocksmith is worth checking out for intermediate guitarists, especially if you’re of a generation that recognises a lot of the artists in the track-listing. It’s also worth a shot if you’re an accomplished player, but for complete new-comers to guitar who have never picked one up before, it might pay to get a few of the very basics down with a tutor (or knowledgeable friend) first.

In my opinion this is the best kind of arcade game: long sequences of button mashing and shouting at your friends to “get that guy!” before trying to figure out exactly how the Boss can be beaten.

The audio also deserves a mention, with detailed commentary from ESPN’s Scott Van Pelt and the Golf Channel’s Kelly Tilghman. If it impresses me, then it is safe to say that fanatics of the sport should be able to while away many hours of their time with it.

Every brick placed and every button pressed is a little bit magical.

The absolute best part of the game, though, is the soundtrack. Hand picked by Pharrell Williams, the list surprisingly contains a large number of tracks produced with beats by Pharrell. If anything’s gonna make you a baller, Public Enemy followed by Missy Elliot and then Busta Rhymes will make you a baller. The only thing missing is the Monstars.

Molemen Must Die manages to be both “mindless” fun and a thought-provoking piece of art. It’s an over-the-top action platformer that’s easy to dive into and hard to put down, full of goofy humour, cute pixel art, and pumping music. But it also has something to say, and it does so with style and nuance, further proving that fun and insight aren’t mutually exclusive.

A game that’s more terrifying when there’s nothing happening.

The gameplay in DW8 is really quite a step up from DW7.

Adorable, clever, and creative.

An extremely solid action thriller that Activision probably should be more loud and proud about.

Guitar Hero 5 still rocks the set and is a must buy for those getting a tad bored with World Tour.

As was the case with so many games from the Golden Era, the pros in Pirate’s Curse far outweigh the cons. If the Super Nintendo has a special place in your heart, like it does in mine, this is a game you’ll want to waste no time in picking up. Even if you’re of the misguided opinion that other generations are better (hint: you’re wrong), if you like platforming, pirates, genies, or just good games in general, Shantae and the Pirate’s Curse is worth your attention.

Rain is a moving yet quiescent exploration of a very real emotion. It manages an unsettling but tranquil tale that wants you to confront your own fears of being alone. It does so with story and gameplay in unison, though it could have told us a lot more by saying a little less.

I forgot how happy I could get while angry.

Another worthy release in a successful series. They've stuck to a tried and true formula: beloved characters, fun, variety and a fast pace, which is easy to play for the whole family.

Visually this is one of the best games on the PlayStation Portable - easily comparable to PlayStation 2 quality from the cut scenes to the in game models; and it plays well too.

And yes, it is another Sims iteration, but at the same time this one feels clean and fresh. The emotional interactions are really interesting, and the combination of these with different Sims' personality traits and aspirations can make for some great unpredictability. Despite what’s been left out, The Sims 4 feels like it’s heading in the right direction.

This is by far the best free to play MMO out there at the moment. Its well polished, with good sound effects, well detailed tanks and terrain and regular updates and maps.

If you're looking for something with an edge that's able to say "look at me, I'm different" and pull it off, look no further. Zeno clash is a winner and comes with a shiny NZGamer.com recommendation.

It's surprising how much you are driven to obtain 100% of the secrets or achievements - no more so than the younger players, who will happily explore areas again and again just to get that elusive gold brick.

When you take into account that Payday is an indie game and the promise of potentially more levels down the lines as downloadable content, there is very little reason to not pick this game up.

Fun, a little repetitive, but totally replayable, just wish the middle of the story was better.

A true successor to the Puzzle Quest throne and the new puzzle game RPG champion.

All I'm saying is that is does kind of feel a bit like Nintendo are resting on their laurels. All the effort has gone into developing a classic Super Mario Bros. game on a new system, with new controls and new visuals. It can't help but be good because it's SMB.

In terms of playability, it's challenging (and often blisteringly hard), a la development studio Harmonix's other monster hits: Rock Band and Guitar Hero.

Innovative in terms of gameplay and most importantly, is pushing the boundaries of what we can expect on the “kiddie-friendly” console in terms of adult subject matter.

Offers more content than you are bound to find in most games and is one of the best value / fun for your money games to come out this year.

A challenging and genuinely frightening experience...As a survival horror, Alan Wake succeeds admirably, and comes highly recommended. But as a self-proclaimed "psychological action thriller", it falls short of its ambition.

Smooth controls, gorgeous visuals, and memorable online combat prove that this game is still dressed to impress. Recommended for fans of Halo and Vanquish.

It's fantastic, and filled with excitement. "Fantastic" that such a good title has been part of the initial release, and the "excitement" comes from seeing the obvious graphical potential inside the machine, waiting to be exploited by future developers.

At first glance this game may seem tilted at a younger audience, with its cutesy-style graphics, but don’t let this exterior fool you, as your brain will come close to melting point with some of the levels.

No Going Back is a fitting end to the second season of The Walking Dead. It's well written, expertly paced, and comes to a conclusion that is surprising, distressing, and pays a clever homage to Season One...But therein lies the rub: Season Two is good, and great at times, but it never reaches the lofty heights of its predecessor.

A seriously impressive game. It’s a little on the short side, and has a few little quirks all its own, but there’s no question that Guerilla Cambridge have delivered the goods. I still can’t quite believe the technical feats it accomplishes, to be perfectly honest.

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.

Project CARS 2 is not for everybody, yet at the same time, it also kind of is. Primarily it wants to be a racing simulator – a goal it certainly attains – while at the same time being approachable enough for the less enthusiastic. The game’s ambition as a serious racer, and it’s desire for you to meet that challenge, nevertheless come across stronger than its acceptance of low level players. You can play Project CARS 2 on the most lenient settings possible, yet you’d also be missing out on the more authentic driving experience the designers chiefly had in mind.

It’s definitely better than the sum of its parts, yet it’s hard to state exactly why it’s fun and refreshing to play. Consequently, it makes it rather hard to review it and to recommend it, as it’s definitely going to be a love-hate affair for many.

It’s pretty clear Ubisoft has taken an inward look following mediocre offerings in the recent past – and not just among the AC franchise – and made an attempt to correct them. That is commendable in its own right, but even more so for how much better Syndicate is as a result.

Gripping character work complements deep combat.

Madden 16 offers plenty to core gamers, and now caters to those wanting to pick-up-and-play.

If you own a brand spanking new Wii U, buy this game and give your imagination a workout.

The control pad is used for skills and your inventory, but outside of this none of the motion control or other features are used.

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.

It's not hugely long, offering only a couple of hours or so worth of unique content, but that's really not the point.

If you like Splinter Cell: Conviction and want to get stuck into more action without any annoying narrative to get in the way, the Insurgency pack is likely just what you're looking for. Just don't expect quite the level of execution the original is deservedly acclaimed for.

A solid, engaging, and charming adventure title. Fans of the genre would do well to pick it up and ponder its secrets. Independent developers deserve our continued support, and sometimes that means rewarding them for dusting off old recipes, and cooking them well.

It’s probably one of 2014’s most hyped games, and it delivers on some levels. It is just let-down by the fact that Watch Dogs promised so much two years ago when it was revealed.

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

BioShock Infinite puts the relationship between Booker and Elizabeth right at the core of your experience. It is absolutely central to how you interact with the game. But in a genre where you can’t see Booker’s feet, let alone his face, this throws up insurmountable and unavoidable barriers to how closely you can truly engage with Booker and his relationship with Elizabeth. Again, these challenges are self inflicted.

For its target audience then, this game is a winner. The up sell also has to be the education value. The game teaches new words and encourages them along the way to become more proficient at using a keyboard.

This is recommended for fans of the series, or RTS nuts looking for the latest fix, but for more casual, curious folk, I reckon it could be worth waiting for the first expansion pack.

The menu system for character management and upgrades is particularly well done, albeit in a style that is at odds with the rest of the game (more modern in styling).

The Escapists is a wonderfully deep and complex puzzle game that reels you in further and further as you make progress from one prison to the next.

More nostalgic than your nanna’s box of baby photos.

There is a lot for Wargamers to like about this game. It's not just challenging from a tactical sense, but it's ease of control and its scale also make it a fun game to play. If RTS games are where you get your kicks, you won't be disappointed with this one.

It looks stunning, plays nicely and has enough gadgets and hardware to keep Ratchet and Clank, together or on their own, hitting those platforms for a while yet.

One of the best things about Crackdown is that it wastes no time in throwing players deep into the action.

While not every element of the game is on the same level of polish, the overall package gives you so much to do that you could conceivably be running around Bullworth for several dozen hours.

So, is it worth buying two years in a row? The answer is probably a bit of a cop-out. No, it’s not. But, this is only because annually released sports sims never are. But – and this is a big “but” – Longshot is different, and it’s an experience worth having. MUT has never been more engaging, while online is packed with modes and runs great. Madden has never been friendlier to new players, and, who knows? Like me, you might learn something new about football.

As a game it is by no means revolutionary - but titles don't need to be the new black to be good. Anomaly: Warzone Earth has definitely got enough bells and whistles to keep casual players entertained.

It’s a breath of fresh air in an incredibly stagnant genre, and even though I’m not exactly a big fan of shooters, I’m enjoying this one. That said, the Xbox 360 port does feel a bit wanting - not due to graphical reductions, which are to be expected, but due to the overall lack of polish.

What is particularly interesting about Colonization, as against the Civ games, is the relationships between the different factions. There isn't, for example, the same emphasis on war.

As it stands right now, Payday 2, while it won’t be for everyone, is a lot of fun. Although the stealth mechanics are basic, there’s enough strategic depth and teamwork required so that stealthing missions can be challenging, and extremely satisfying when successful.

Even though Rainbow Moon does push the retro adventuring vibe, it is an absolute joy to play. If you played RPGs in the 1990s, developers SideQuest Studios have made a game for you. If you've never played an isometric strategic RPG before, it's still a game for you. In fact, everyone should play Rainbow Moon.

A game so twitchy, it may just ruin your controller.

It’s an interesting, stripped down version that still has a lot of fun packed in. This comes with the proviso of playing alongside decent players, of course.

I wouldn't say you're ready to start your own label with a PSP and a pocket full of dreams or anything, but certainly your start in the world of commercial hip-hop and electronic music making has never had a more accessible leg up, or been so much fun.

I guarantee that many of you will be surprised at how many hours of enjoyment you'll get out of this game - and this is from someone who thinks golf is just a great way to get struck by lightning.

The most grim episode yet, for better or worse.

A good game. It pays excellent homage to the film series (even though it's set before the movies), and is a really solid MMO.

It loses points for having a dull singleplayer mode, but if it is viewed as your training ground for the multiplayer it starts to make more sense. The multiplayer is so fast paced and convincingly pulled off it is a blast to play, even with the controls being a tad hard to get used to.

If LeBron’s your guy you’ll love 2K’s latest release. While there’s not a lot new, aside from the compulsory King James worship, the game is a fitting end to the current console cycle.

But, with four player split screen and 3D support, those with a big enough telly are in for some incredibly intense, high revving racing. Sure it's chaotic and epic and it starts out too easy and hits a point where it becomes too frustrating. But, and this is most important thing, MotorStorm: Apocalypse is exciting and thrilling and awesomely fun from the moment you start playing.

All these tweaks and changes are nice, but it’s the new modes that provide most of the value here.

It’s an interesting, stripped down version that still has a lot of fun packed in. This comes with the proviso of playing alongside decent players, of course.

Even if you don't have a 3D telly (and who does?) and despite the issues with the career mode, you still get a game that's enjoyable looks fantastic and plays great.

Worms W.M.D. is a Well Made Distraction that I Would Most Definitely recommend.

It’s an interesting, stripped down version that still has a lot of fun packed in. This comes with the proviso of playing alongside decent players, of course.

Rocksmith tries to walk that fine line between a game and an educational tool, and sadly it gets confused a lot of the time. It has evolved the music rhythm genre of gaming, which is brilliant, but it has forgotten how much fun rocking out with your six-string should be.

Absolutely nails the core gameplay.

While the gameplay will seldomly challenge any experience gamer, there is a definite appeal due to the simplicity and sense of achievement with all of the hidden extras.

Very similar to its predecessor, but it now comes with a proper two-player mode, an improved Break it Down mode, and lots of other small improvements. If you enjoyed the first game, you will certainly enjoy this one.

The game itself will take you a good number of hours to complete – there are over 150 puzzles spaced out between cut scenes and other adventure elements. However, the puzzles provide little in the way of replay value, so you probably won’t find yourself going back for a second play through.

Madden 10 is still, in almost every way, a quality title. It’s a game packed with detail, drama and fun. So don’t be surprised if it’s around for another twenty years.

The fighting is as frantic or as tactical as you want to make it. It's easy to get started, but has plenty of depth. And, lets not mess around, there's a lot of very fit, very brutal men, handing out vicious, blood splattered beatings.

It's not the most original idea for a game and there may be some technical issues to be worked out. But, from the all the unlockables, the endless mixture of clothes, rewards, weapons, mods, and kill phases like 'Let me spray you with my awesome', Gotham City Impostors has plenty of awesome to go round.

What Metro: Last Light does best is establish and maintain a tone. It is sad. It is hopeless. It is grim. Wonderfully, thought provokingly, and very enjoyably grim.

It's a good effort, and still has lots of good points to enjoy throughout the game, but unfortunately will go down in history as the weakest of the series.