An intense experience. ZombiU delivers one of the most intense experiences in recent history. Moody, violent and suitably tough, it managed to keep me playing long into the night. [Jan 2013]

Pointless violence is fun and this viking showdown is good for some old-fashioned arcade smashing especially in multiplayer mode. It's an debut to old Amiga games. Back then all you needed was a joystick with two buttons. [Jan 2013]

Trine 2 has aged exceptionally well. This Finnish platformer is one of the best looking Wii U launch titles, although it's initial appearance happened over a year ago. This game is a solid platformer, which combines action and puzzles in just the right proportions.

The best Skyrim expansion yet. [Jan 2013]

Wow, what a crappy game! No thanks! No thanks! No thanks! [Jan 2013]

Devilishly hard, but also very rewarding. Sharp controls, sugary colours, plentiful fan service and for the most part highly successful track designs combine to make one excellent arcade racer. [Jan 2013]

The latest offering in the Ratchet & Clank series fails to innovate, instead opting to blend overused formulas that other games have done better. The current road for the series seems bleaker with every passing installment. [Jan 2013]

A unique piece of beautiful and thrilling massive scale war. It's not for the lone warrior, but with a few friends or a larger outfit the battles become larger than life. Long term, some goals requiring and rewarding longer planning and actual defending your conquests are needed to keep things fresh, just farming certificates and unlocks goes only so far. [Jan 2013]

A stunningly beautiful and bittersweet adventure about love and loss, burning brightly with the magic of Studio Ghibli, hampered only by a repetitive combat system lacking tactical elements. [Jan 2013]

An entertaining minigame collection. The games are quite well fleshed out. [Jan 2013]

Although Mario's newest adventure isn't the most innovative platformer, the game sticks to the basics and does them right. The chaotic multiplayer mode, sweet graphics and excellent controls ensure, that the plumber stays on the throne. [Jan 2013]

This Lego adaptation is by far the best block adventure yet to come. Although the game still suffers from the trademark issues of Traveller's Tales, the package is a solid adventure. The Middle Earth is available for roaming, the levels are constructed with care and the overall feel of the game is excellent. [Jan 2013]

Hill Climb Racing is a lot like a casual version of Trials with a highly addictive structure. [Jan 2013]

Kiddie version of the Formula 1 circus is easy and boring, although it tries its best to imitate chaotic Mario Kart. Perhaps next year, then.

The patch fixed the awful route AI, and now the game is OK'ish, but somewhat bland. What it still most needs is more speed, both for the game and vehicles, and much less waiting. The FPS parts are as awful as Mr. Myrik's nasal British accent. [Jan 2013]

Armoured Edition is an excellent superhero's sandbox. The BatGamePad-gadgets work nicely. [Jan 2013]

Welcome back, old classic! You still got it! [Jan 2013]

What, no French revolution? For Europeans, birth of the United States is not really very interesting time nor environment. And after Ezio (or Haytham Kenway), Connor is bland, irritating protagonist. Game is also full of chores that add very little to the experience. [Jan 2013]

Gabriel Knight is a prime example of an excellent adventure game. This tribute is almost as good as the Jane Jensen's work and it's just the first episode of the game.

Concentrating on the Attitude Era of the WWE was a wise decision from THQ. The campaign of WWE'13 delivers. The controls are still somewhat clunky and at times technical hitches hinder the matches, but WWE'13 is still one of the finest wrestling games around. [Dec 2012]

A truly awesome, memorable gaming experience! [Dec 2012]

A stylish homage to old video games. It's just not particularly fun to play. What could have been a great game ends up just okay. [Dec 2012]

Professor Layton's first appearance on 3DS is one of the best entries in the series. The puzzles are grade A and the main storyline is compelling. The technological advances are somewhat minor and the game doesn't really benefit from the 3D effect. [Dec 2012]

A technically sound and entertaining sandbox for arcade racers. The name should be Need for Burnout, though. [Dec 2012]

Tightly designed version of the eternal struggle, aliens versus space marines. Maps make it too easy to lose one's bearings and biting/hitting a marine could use some visible feedback.

Mark of the Ninja is an excellent 2D-platformer, which cleverly combines stealth with explosive action. The striking visual style is also worth a mention. [Dec 2012]

One could think that Sony is trying to ride on Mario Kart's reputation, but fortunately Sackboy's own karting game stands on it's own two feet. The feel for driving is great, there are plenty of tracks and the easy to use editor makes sure that there's legions upon legions of race tracks to play in the future. [Dec 2012]

Hotline Miami is a gem of a game. It has satisfying gameplay, an atmosphere that is both disturbing and gripping, and it provokes thoughts like no other game this year. What more could you want? [Dec 2012]

Hitman Absolution sure isn't the classic free-range Hitman, but in its limited way is a pretty entertaining, very pretty sneak'n'shoot. The worst problems are the plot and non-working disguises. [Dec 2012]

Giana Sisters may seem to be an ordinary brightly coloured platformer, but behind the beautiful surroundings there is a devilishly difficult old-school game, that takes nothing for granted. [Dec 2012]

Quotation forthcoming. [Dec 2012]

With freedom comes great responsibility. With a lush world for free-roaming and with freedom to execute your objectives Far Cry 3 delivers. The story missions and characters are not of the same standard but are also not a big annoyance. [Dec 2012]

A visually quirky throwback to retro Disney, but under the unique surface it is a frustrating, dull and entirely mediocre platformer. [Dec 2012]

Fallen Enchantress improves on the first Elemental game by leaps and bounds, but still fails to enchant. Heroes and armies are fun to play with, but the mediocre empire building lacks that something which really would hook you in. [Dec 2012]

Dead or Alive 5 is a solid beat'em up. It has great visuals, and the intricacies of the gameplay entice both the novice and the expert alike. [Dec 2012]

Excellent multiplayer slasher, full of sound, fury and blood. More object maps, please. [Dec 2012]

Call of Duty Black Ops II is saved by its multiplayer, as the campaign has surprisingly too many bad sections. Maybe now it's time to move on? [Dec 2012]

Black Ops II is a mixed bag. The single-player features the most coherent and engaging storyline seen in the series so far. While the story really shines, the campaign itself feels over-scripted and underwhelming. It's hard not to enjoy the multiplayer, though. While one could argue it's the same old Ground War, it's still a lot of fun. [Dec 2012]

This mix'n'match of brands is by far the best adaptation of Angry Birds. It combines all the best sides of the game series and throws in a really nice set of characters. The force is strong in this one. [Dec 2012]

A bit of an ambiguous case. On one hand it delivers pretty solid and fun rallying, but on the other hand it feels a bit disappointing because it could have been much better. Handling could have been improved to more extreme realism and the career mode could have been refined instead of dumbing it up. [Nov 2012]

A good start, but needs more levels and a 1st person view. And some lessons from Chivalry: Medieval Warfare. [Nov 2012]

The Unfinished Swan is more than just black and white. The Unfinished Swan is simply a fantastic fairytale adventure. [Nov 2012]

Skylanders: Giants is pretty much the same stuff as last year. The new giants are fun, but are not nearly powerful enough to justify their price tag. Still decent fun, just without the flair of freshness the original had. [Dec 2012]

Pokémon Black and White 2 are the best Pokémon games thus far. The amount of activities you can participate in is delightful, the storyline surprisingly engaging, and the new gym design fun. The biggest complaint stems from the horrible implementation of new difficulty levels. I loved the idea of having a harder difficulty for my quest, but implementing it only in one game of the pair, and even then unlocking it after I've actually played through the game, is simply old fashioned and bad game design. [Nov 2012]

Pokémon Black and White 2 are the best Pokémon games thus far. The amount of activities you can participate in is delightful, the storyline surprisingly engaging, and the new gym design fun. The biggest complaint stems from the horrible implementation of new difficulty levels. I loved the idea of having a harder difficulty for my quest, but implementing it only in one game of the pair, and even then unlocking it after I've actually played through the game, is simply old fashioned and bad game design. [Nov 2012]

A mixed bag: mostly entertaining, yet still a bit frustrating experience. Slowed down tempo, refined attacking AI and new defending controls are welcomed additions. However, Konami should forget the dribbling controls and keep on improving passing, AI and physics engine. [Nov 2012]

Of Orcs and Men might seem like a traditional role-playing game, but it turns the roles of heroes and villains upside down. Orcs and goblins are oppressed while humans enjoy the good life. The game gets a bit repetitive towards the end and the AI is downright awful, but it is still a worthwhile play. Highly recommended to players who are sick and tired of knights in their shining armor running the show. [Nov 2012]

NBA 2K13 is not only excellent basket ball game, it is one the best sports games of the year. [Nov 2012]

I liked the first Medal of Honor, but this is a very average military shooter. The game's feel of authenticity is lost, missions are shooting from a cover with a handful of door breaches, and missions just go on and on and on. And the family aspect... [Nov 2012]

A worthwhile update of Marvel Super Heroes and Marvel vs. Capcom. The numerous achievements and their real-time updates are welcome additions. [Nov 2012]

The Finns decided to make an interactive version of the Omen. Playing the spawn of Satan is certainly refreshing, but unfortunately the game fails to grasp it's promising premise. Kiddie version of the Hitman isn't scary, but not very funny either. [Nov 2012]

This little platformer is by far one of the best Vita releases yet. The game uses the whole shebang of Vita's controls and the touch screen makes the level editor super easy to use. Unfortunately the levels made for PS3 are not compatible and the controls are still a tad too clunky for my taste. [Nov 2012]

Halo 4 is perhaps the best-looking Xbox games out there. While as a first person shooter Halo 4 isn't breaking any new ground, 343 Industries has done a terrific job retaining the classic Halo gameplay. The Prometheans are a bit of a let down, but luckily the Covenant hasn't been forgotten. While I enjoyed the new Reclaimer storyline, the touchy-feely stuff between Master Chief and Cortana feels a bit forced and awkward. Unsurprisingly the multiplayer is great fun, though the matchmaking could use a little speed-up. [Nov 2012]

Forza Horizon tries to appeal to younger generations, fortunately that does not spoil it. Not bad, but previous Forzas are better. [Nov 2012]

New key features such as first touch, attacking intelligence and improved player impact engine are the cornerstones of FIFA 13. Finally, after years of waiting, the ball is really round and there is a sense of unpredictability on the field. That makes an enjoyable footy game. [Nov 2012]

This game itself is a Fable. It's a tall tale about functioning controls. The Kinect isn't a proper tool for controlling fast paced role-playing action. Half the time the controls are somewhat functioning, the other half the game doesn't do anything the way it's supposed to. Nice storyline makes me hope for a happy ending. Maybe the next Fable will return to the conventional methods of controlling the character. [Nov 2012]

By far the greatest adaptation of a digital dance experience. It's fun to play, you break a sweat an the music track is excellent. The third game comes with a wacky story and some minor improvements. [Nov 2012]

Now it's time for the reign of pigs. After hordes of Angry Birds games and merchandise, this puzzle game is definitely something totally new. Only a pig can understand the beauty of hydraulics. [Nov 2012]

Assassin's Creed III is definitely a step backwards for the excellent and popular series. The main plot is decent and the assassination action itself good as always, but the main character is totally uncharismatic and the gameplay a dull repetition of old rotes. The game world is indeed huge, but sadly it's filled with uninspiring busywork like trade caravans and a pointless crafting system. Assassin's Creed III is still a very good game, but disappointing as it could have been so much more. [Nov 2012]

A quality title that mixes platforming and puzzle elements while injecting new life into both with its liquid physics and Fluros. It's not quite Braid or Limbo, but it's good nonetheless. [Sept 2012]

Slightly irritating 3rd person view, cover shooter parts are very average, but ultimately fun as a stealth game seasoned with some tactics. [Sept 2012]

Tekken Tag Tournament 2 acts as a brilliant compilation of all that has happened in Tekken over the years. The huge roster of familiar faces makes four player tag matches more fun than ever before. [Sept 2012]

A highly addictive and ruthless (in a good way) 2D-platformer with an endless supply of random roquelike-levels. You won't beat this one in a hurry. [Sept 2012]

It's hard to imagine, that Activision let this one go. Sleeping Dogs is action packed sandbox shooter, which - in many ways - does things a lot better than GTA. Parkour, shooting and hand to hand combat are wrapped around a stunning virtual version of Hong Kong. The story isn't quite Rockstar, but it keeps the action going. The bar is set for the fifth Grand Theft Auto. [Sept 2012]

Interesting puzzles, marred by dull environments and stupid requirement for jumping, seemingly with roller skates. [Sept 2012]

Still a very good horror adventure. Too bad the bit too shaky camera controls are not an improvement. [Sept 2012]

Pokémon Conquest is a better game than the idea of fusing Pokemon with Nobunaga's Ambition originally sounded like. Although the difficulty level is set low enough for kids to manage, even grown ups can enjoy Conquest's take on tactical battles and Pokemon training. [Sept 2012]

New Super Mario Bros. 2's tricks may be old, but they are still some pretty darn good tricks. Length is one of the game's rare shortcomings. [Sept 2012]

Mass Effect 3: Leviathan has some interesting lore for Mass Effect buffs, too bad most of it was already revealed in the Extended Cut DLC. The combination of detective work and action is fun none the less. It doesn't come close to the greatness of ME2's Lair of the Shadow Broker DLC, but it's still worth the price. [Sept 2012]

Although the game is more an action-adventure than an RPG, this iteration of the Kingdom Hearts franchise is by far the best pocket adaptation yet. It ties all the loose ends, so that the Kingdom Hearts 3 can have a fresh start. [Sept 2012]

Pocket-sized Diablo is by far the best multiplayer game on 3DS. You can't do little Diablo any better than this. The watered-down difficulty level and few control related issues, like inventory, are the biggest downsides of the game. Other than that, Heroes of the Ruin is a fair example, that a PC-exclusive can be ported on the little device as well. [Sept 2012]

While Gravity Rush is not a perfect game (The combat is lacking, the camera disorientating and the story lacks a proper ending) it is still an extremely fun and addicting piece of gravity shifting adventure. The world, with its odd inhabitants, colorful areas and memorable music deserves most praise. [Sept 2012]

Fishlabs' retro space adventure is a joyous tribute to masterpieces such as Elite and Freelancer. It isn't awfully long and the combat system could be more polished, but updating your space ship and traveling to uncharted star systems is still a treat. [Sept 2012]

Master of Orion still retains its throne, but Endless Space with its enticing atmosphere and fluid gameplay is one of the best 4X games in recent years. [Sept 2012]

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim – Dawnguard. Bethesda shows how a dlc should be done. Dawnguard's 20-euro price tag is quite steep, but the amount of quality content more than makes up for it. Also, playing as a vampire lord is a welcome distraction. [Sept 2012]

Dust: An Elysian Tail is probably one of the best XBLA titles this year. Stunning hand-drawn graphics combined with razor-sharp gameplay ensure, that this title is definitely worth a look. [Sept 2012]

Delivers good story with oppressive atmosphere combined with stunning 3D visuals on 2D action spiced with great music, but trips over stiff gameplay and repetitive puzzles. [Sept 2012]

Darksiders 2 adds a lot of variety compared to the original. The RPG elements are decent fun, but what really stands out is the superb musical score composed by Jesper Kyd. [Sept 2012]

Technically maybe not the best port, but who cares, as the game is pure diamond. [Sept 2012]

Chains of Satinav is a perfect substitute for a storybook. Absolutely beautiful hand-drawn art is combined with a predictable story and some clumsy dialogue, but the overall melancholic feel of a imaginary kingdom on the brink of it's demise make up for these angularities. It's hard to get any closer of an fairytale. Some puzzles are genius, but there are loads of boring logistic tasks too. [Sept 2012]

For a non-professional Counter-Striker, Global Offensive is just a cosmetic facelift, with re-run levels. [Sept 2012]

Amazing Spider-Man: The Video Game is terrific fun for web-slinging in the skies of Manhattan, but as a whole falls short of the brilliance of the Batman games it copies due to lackluster level design and repetitive gameplay. [Sept 2012]

Amazing Alex has a nice idea, but the levels are far too easy. Most of them can be completed without any thought whatsoever. Alex itself is one of the most annoying know-it-alls in recent memory and the game would be more enjoyable without his smug little face. [Sept 2012]

Swordigo is by far one of the best platformers seen on iDevices. The controls are sharp and they are coupled with marvelous level design. And the price is down right cheap as hell. [Aug 2012]

Spec Ops: The Line tries new and interesting ground on storytelling, but falls short on the action department. Still, it's worth playing through for the atmosphere and few different endings alone. [Aug 2012]

A decent action adventure with heavy emphasis on magical battles. It's almost a shooting game, which is a kind of disappointing. [Aug 2012]

A fine HD-update of the first three Ratchet & Clank -platform adventures. [Aug 2012]

Dumb idea combined with retro outfitting is sure to meet it's goal. McPixel is a weird cross-over of WarioWare and point'n'click adventure. The game is so bizarre that you are bound to have some laughs. [Aug 2012]

Max Payne 3 feels like a PC original, in a very good way. [Aug 2012]

Lone Survivor has a great atmosphere that keeps getting more oppressive as the game goes on. At times there is too much running back and forth, but other than that it's a pure horror masterpiece. Just don't play it on a large monitor or the pixels will hurt your eyes. [Aug 2012]

A highly amusing arcade-style group beat 'em up many over-the-top elements. Only in Japan, baby, only in Japan. [Aug 2012]

Krater has a lot of good things going for it: an original setting (post-apocalyptic Sweden!), a fresh take on ARPG leveling mechanics, a moody soundtrack… Sadly, the monotonous and boring combat makes playing it a chore. Kudos for Fatshark for actively patching their game, but only time will tell whether the potential will ever be fulfilled. [Aug 2012]

Though it's essentially an extended prologue with very little story, the first chapter of The Journey Down shows promise. There's plenty of humor and old-fashioned adventure charm here, even though some of the puzzles are a bit too goofy. Now hurry up and make more chapters! [Aug 2012]

A mishmash of simple text adventuring and lots of different minigames. Strangely, it kind of works, thanks largely to the interesting story. It's too easy and lacking in presentation, but a nice little space adventure nonetheless. [Aug 2012]

A decent cover shooter which gets better towards the end. The gravity effects are nice, but they could be much nicer, if you could control the direction of gravity, not just the amount of it. [Aug 2012]

Home offers an intriguing concept, but doesn't quite pull it off. The story isn't very satisfying and the choices game forces you to make rarely have meaningful consequences. It's an okay little horror experience, but it could've been much, much more. [Aug 2012]

A DLC add-on for Frozen Synapse, a very entertaining, fast-paced and tactical game. For the most part, the additions are well thought out and enhance the gaming experience. [Aug 2012]

Harley Quinn's Revenge has the same great basic DNA than Arkham City, but too much of the action happens inside buildings where the game loses part of its appeal. The fights also get a bit tedious near the end with durable robots blowing stuff up all over the place. [Aug 2012]