You certainly can’t fault Defiance for lack of content, then. Sadly, what you can fault it for is being an ugly, buggy and monotonous shooter with a tenuous link to a mediocre sci-fi TV drama.

A technical marvel this is not, but beneath the detritus lie some good ideas, at least. Open-world survival horror is a scintillating concept, conjuring images of casing out suspects at will, perhaps stumbling upon situations that blow the mystery wide open by chance. The reality’s much grimmer, of course – with so little to do between missions except tedious driving challenges, you often find yourself sleeping through the day to hurry it along.

What Star Trek does well is to achieve a serviceable level of entertainment. However it never stands out thanks to derivative design and occasional shoddy corners. If this was a cheaper, downloadable title I’d score it more favorably but this is competing in price and scale with bigger and more impressive games with a well practiced bag of last year’s tricks.

It’s the price that makes this a tricky one to recommend, rather than the content. For first-time buyers this £20 bundle (which includes the original game) is a bargain, but for the hardcore player it’s designed for, that same price is a big ask when you already own the main course. Veterans should knock a point off, but curious bystanders have the perfect excuse to enjoy an offbeat gem.

Underneath the ever-jiggling and moaning surface, Dead or Alive 5 Plus is a solid and addictive fighter with plenty of compulsive brawling to enjoy on handheld. [May 2013, p.115]

It plays like Street Fighter, but can't look it square in the eye. [May 2013, p.114]

IF you're into this kind of thing, you'll probably play it until you go temporarily blind. [May 2013, p.109]

A bit like go-karting. [May 2013, p.109]

A hugely compelling adaptation. [May 2013, p.109]

The Show remains the most authentic sports series of all time. FIFA can't touch it. [May 2013, p.108]

Delivers a visually exciting experience. [May 2013, p.107]

What this package lacks in character, it makes up for in fan service, content and incredible mechanics. [May 2013, p.104]

For a couple of pounds more than the cost of a burrito, it’s a tasty morsel of personality – but prepare yourself for a technically demanding challenge.

A winning piece of minimalist game design that manages to do a lot with a little in an industry which far too frequently achieves the exact opposite, and it deserves much praise for that.

By far the game’s biggest problem: a crippling lack of invention. Riptide exhausts through repetition. Your flooded playground lacks the visual variety of the first game’s Banoi and missions never blossom into fresh concepts, merely escalating in difficulty and frustration.

Be it throwing chattering teeth with The Joker or hogtieing Doomsday with Green Arrow, there’s a constant playful charm in doling out moves. And unlike Mortal Kombat Vs DC Universe, Injustice boasts a stable netcode, where streamlined matchmaking and lag-free fights make for a solid online offering. A pretty heroic effort all told, then. But one that falls short of super status.

This has the rare, old-fashioned appeal of being a real pad-passer. [Apr 2013, p.110]

Unfortunately, there’s just no hope for this one. Sure, it looks like a game – and we all love games – but the rot has taken hold and it’s too late to save it. You should go on ahead and we’ll put this sorry thing out of its misery.

If Half-Life and the original Deus Ex stand as the apotheosis of the narrative-driven shooter, and Bioshock brought the genre to PS3, then Infinite is the latest game to join these hallowed ranks. This is a masterpiece that will be discussed for years to come, and praise doesn’t come much higher than that.

For all of its novelty value, there's no chance of it leaving your feet on fire. [Apr 2013, p.119]

There's a pleasingly deep character creator to fiddle about with. [Apr 2013, p.118]

Sadly, the frantic combat is never as graceful as it should be. [Apr 2013, p.117]

Repetitive and not exactly original. [Apr 2013, p.111]

Never bad. [Apr 2013, p.111]

There's enough gore-spillage here to satisfy that Japanese horror hardcore. [Apr 2013, p.109]

If you’re looking for a satisfying sneaky experience, then last year’s Sniper Elite delivers far more than Ghost Warrior 2, which is already destined to be filler for the pre-owned shelves at your local retailer. The odd joyful kill can’t make up for its appalling visuals, and this frustratingly hollow experience misses its target entirely.

If you can overlook the presentation problems, there’s a clever game of strategy here that just about makes this a war worth enlisting for.

Skyrim is a game you really make your own, and building a home in Hearthfire is a natural and enjoyable extension of this concept. It’s not quite up there with the excitement of slaying beasts and looting dungeons, but homebodies will love it nonetheless.

It’s also the best of the three DLC packs to have finally hit Skyrim on PS3. Deeper than the largely customisation-focused Hearthfire, and more integrated into the game as a whole than Dragonborn, this is a lengthy extra chunk of game that’s well worth the money for anyone looking for an excuse to jump back into Tamriel.

Whether multiplayer was a distraction that led to standards ever so slightly slipping in single-player is debatable. With such a strong combat system and beautiful looks, Kratos’ prequel could have eclipsed them all with a handful of key tweaks. Not quite the murdery meteoric rise we were hoping for then, but certainly not a fall from grace either.

It's essentially an adorably reskinned version of Flash browser game Bubble Trouble, but it's fun nonetheless. [March 2013, p.117]

It's a bit dull, sure, but there's also something oddly soothing about it. [March 2013, p.117]

Sadly, the central story missions are where Thieves in Time trips up a little. [March 2013, p.117]

A briefly brilliant bug hunt, then. Just don't expect the war against these aliens to last. [March 2013, p.115]

Nauseatingly basic. [March 2013, p.114]

Refreshingly different. [March 2013, p.108]

This is a rollicking and hugely enjoyable adventure, filled with spectacular set-pieces, emotional highs and lows, and – thankfully – not an oversized sports bra in sight. Crystal Dynamics has set a shining example of what can be done when reimagining a franchise from the ground up, and all of the elements on show have been well-conceived and well-crafted, and they come together to form a cohesive whole.

Such is the strength of the online modes, it lifts the overall package comfortably above the scant story offering. It pains my digits to write ‘technical tour de force’, but it’s hard to describe Crysis 3 any other way. Though lacking soul in places, this striking Prophet can still channel the divine.

Sadly, the combat doesn’t have enough depth to trouble the genre’s best (it certainly can’t touch Ninja Theory’s DmC reboot), and there’s a disappointing disposability about the whole experience. This is a project that has been rightfully and respectably salvaged, but one that can’t quite cut it at the top.

With an engaging main quest and a multitude of extra goodies to keep you entertained, Dragonborn justifies its price tag. If you’ve rinsed Skyrim’s dense main map – and let’s face it, you probably have: it’s now been a whopping 14 months since the game came out – this is a meaty, if long overdue, slice of additional adventuring to finally get stuck into.

If Gearbox’s quality scale has Borderlands 2 at one end and Duke Nukem at the other, Colonial Marines sits somewhere in the middle.

If you’ve played the previous games you’ll be able to spot the scares a mile away... and you’ll likely pine for the panic and purity of the original in the face of so many changes. But taken in isolation, Dead Space 3 is still an enjoyable and worthwhile experience: well-produced, polished and with enough narrative ups and downs (emphasis is very much on the downs) and set-pieces to sustain its ten-hour duration.

Yes, 47's animations and shonky plotting have hardly aged gracefully. But when this killer's aim is still so precise when pulling off thrillingly executed puzzles, I can overlook a couple of wrinkles on that barcode branded bonce.

Repetition also puts a smear on the game's charm, turning initially ingenious tasks into a chore. [Feb 2013, p.117]

If you've never sampled the delights of the Shepard saga before, this is as essential as PS3 purchases come. [Feb 2013, p.114]

As a Lord of the Rings property, this is disappointing. [Feb 2013, p.112]

Occasionally exasperating and more than a little repetitive, but it's certainly not hateful. [Feb 2013, p.107]

A platformer in a supremely pixellated visual style. [Feb 2013, p.107]

Does exactly what it says on the tin. [Feb 2013, p.107]

There's probably more fun to be had in sticking a packet of pink rhinestones to your DualShock while sipping a bottle of Tesco Value Cava. [Feb 2013, p.107]

Believable dialogue from rounded characters who behave as you'd expect real people to. [Feb 2013, p.106]

Whichever way you play, you start seeing the same levels repeated within 15 minutes. [Feb 2013, p.105]

Gameplay is sandwiched between terrible cut-scenes. [Feb 2013, p.104]

Dropping bombs is fiddly and inaccurate - and they do as much damage as releasing a blancmange from a plane's undercarriage. [Feb 2013, p.101]

The hooning that ensues is heavily derivative of both Mario Kart and also ModNation Racers, copping the funky weapon pickups of the former and the screaming drift mechanics of the latter. It plays just like you're imagining, with the added gimmickry of the "Transformed" bit in the title giving rise to certain moments where your car will literally transform into a hovercraft (boring) or jet (radical). [January 2013, p70]

Living up to its developer's name, this puzzler is double fine value at £9.99. Just be warned that its own see-saw of fun counterbalances every five belly laughs with a mildly exasperating headache.

I'm saying this deserves to be picked up by so many more people than the niche of role-players and Studio Ghibli fans it immediately appeals to. I'm saying it's so finely crafted it could warm the heart of an Army Of Two player and soothe the perpetual anger of a FIFA-phile… if they'd only let it.

It looks, sounds and feels like nothing else out there, and while you might not squeeze quite as much out of it, you're still looking at the first great gaming experience of 2013. Welcome back, old pal.

A supremely confident blaster that's delicious like a midnight Domino's [Jan 2013, p.115]

A colourful feast for the ears and reflexes, Dyad's issues can't ruin this trance party. [Jan 2013, p.114]

If you don't like this Mini, we can probably never be friends. [Jan 2013, p.113]

Occasionally frustrating but strangely fun. [Jan 2013, p.113]

File this alongside Early Grey and Eastenders: things that some people apparently enjoy, but for reasons entirely beyond me. [Jan 2013, p.113]

The alluring design of the world and excellent soundtrack undoubtedly elevate matters. [Jan 2013, p.113]

An emotive gut punch that takes rusty shears to the heartstrings. [Jan 2013, p.111]

This is a well put-together package. [Jan 2013, p.109]

For a dark, cerebral and genuinely unique journey on Vita, this is peerless. [Jan 2013, p.108]

It's surprising to see a game from a truly esteemed developer fall into such an indistinct art style, borrowing characters but none of the gripping visuals from Madworld – just as it's surprising that Platinum can botch a camera, deliver another stuttering framerate, and display so many rough edges. But most surprising is that for all these flaws, Anarchy Reigns is still a fulfilling online experience.

Sadly the online mode is sluggish, and playing against friends is more laborious than it should be. Still, Bend evidently has a passion for the series, and – packed with trivia, and a novel new way to interact with the Uncharted universe – this is no lacklustre spin-off. It can't match your love for Elena, but is a unique combination that deserves its place on your Vita. Especially at just £3.19.

The levels are an inventive joy. [Christmas 2012, p.111]

Slightly dull. [Christmas 2012, p.111]

An entertaining little diversion. [Christmas 2012, p.111]

With only one further episode to come, you feel like the gravity of your decisions is magnified given what's sure to be a blockbuster finale. [Christmas 2012, p.109]

It's the glitches and game-breaking annoyances that most let things down. [Christmas 2012, p.96]

Overall, an uneven, slightly flawed but nontheless enjoyable collection that offers a particular brand of gameplay and storytelling you're hard pushed to find from a current release.

Often it simply feels like too much work for a single player, as you're constantly bombarded with conflicting tasks.

A surprisingly faithful adaptation of an unforgettable fantasy journey: you're likely to fall in love in the time it takes to get there and back again.

Far Cry 3's real triumph is blending so many elements into a cohesive whole without any feeling extraneous or tacked-on. Every element works and has its place, and contributes to a narrative that may not be class-leading but certainly exceeds expectations. It also possesses the perfect balance between steadily empowering you, yet never allowing you to feel overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude of what's on offer – something even a game as great as Arkham City couldn't manage.

Sadly, though, there's an irritating delay when dealing attacks, and when you're trying to compensate for that in a retina-melting arena environment while three tiny blurs of furious colour attack you in unison, it's all too easy to lose track of who or where you are, let alone whether you nailed the previous three button-presses of your desired combo.

Despite the odd frustration, Epic Mickey 2 is a brave platformer. It's intelligent, full of humour and, in typical Disney style, the cut-scenes are musical. Like the theme parks, environments are rich, and characters are OTT and full of enthusiasm. It's an enjoyable journey through the past century of Disney, and despite the pitfalls there are some beautifully created levels and moments of pure magic.

Despite coming across as that bit drier than its source material, it's a well-realised Vita motor city and easily one of the best racers on the platform.

A solid and joyously colourful racer with plenty to explore, and the Transformed element is thankfully no mere add-on. Each track is well-balanced, with a variety of vehicle sections and shortcuts through the water or air. With friends and online, this shines – and there are plenty of positive comparisons to be made between this and Mario Kart.

As fresh today as when it first poked its head out of the soil. [Dec 2012, p.117]

Plagued with loading times and bad dialogue. [Dec 2012, p.117]

Unless you enjoy dressing-up games or cluster headaches, run for your life, and don't look back. [Dec 2012, p.117]

A less satisfying package than the original, but it's nevertheless a strong showcase for Move. [Dec 2012, p.116]

Sherlock's inconsistencies eventually exhaust you. [Dec 2012, p.115]

Uniquely, irresistibly charming. [Dec 2012, p.114]

IF you don't own a PS3, there's some fun to be had slinging touchdowns here. [Dec 2012, p.114]

It's simple as hell. [Dec 2012, p.111]

Compared to the rest of its shooty ilk, this is among the best of the bunch. [Dec 2012, p.111]

Whimsically presented. [Dec 2012, p.111]

Pleasantly distracting. [Dec 2012, p.111]

It makes you feel more of a baller than wearing shades indoors. [Dec 2012, p.110]

If you crave a slice of nudge-nudge, chop-chop weirdness, it's a curio shop worth visiting. [Dec 2012, p.105]

Like much of WRC 3, the driving isn't bad, just ordinary. [Dec 2012, p.105]

A slick, good-looking package. [Dec 2012, p.104]

By turns air-punchingly joyous and bite-your-Vita frustrating. [Dec 2012, p.95]