Black Desert does a lot right but a lot of it is hard to experience with little to no tutorial and technical issues that never really let up. It's clear that the current generation of console just isn't quite up to handling a game of this magnitude, but even so Black Desert provides an epic and frequently beautiful MMORPG experience.

NIER is an action-adventure RPG game with an identity crisis; lacking enough uniqueness to make it interesting, but brimming with a refreshing adult attitude.

Croc is a throwback to a formative time where developers were sinking their teeth into 3D development and when met on its own terms offers more than enough charm and character to put a smile on most faces. Though you can only sand the rough edges so much, this is the best way to play one of gaming's forgotten mascots and indeed is a compelling package for those dyed-in-the-wool fans who have been clamoring for a return of the green reptile for all these years.

It is not to say that there is no fun to be had in this re-imagined Legoverse, because even with tired familiarities, Lego The Hobbit does plenty to satisfy you with its charm and whim, but the franchise needs a modest makeover if it wants to keep its youthful patrons engrossed.

Resident Evil: Revelations is a superb return to form for the franchise, sadly let down by sluggish character movement and awkward combat.

Gangs of Sherwood is a fun sleeper title that features great combat and characters. I enjoyed playing through each hero and seeing their unique abilities at play. With great level design, plenty of secrets, and replay value, especially when playing with friends, Gangs of Sherwood may be the co-op title you're looking for this holiday season.

Voice of Cards: The Isle Dragon Roars cloaks a very traditional JRPG in an alluring tabletop veneer. Sure, it doesn't really shake up the genre in any real meaningful way, but the unique presentation and laid back approach to player engagement all combine to make one of the more relaxing and easily accessible JRPG offerings to come along in a good while.

Call of Duty: Ghosts is a safe and familiar entry in the franchise that won't win any new fans with derivative design.

Shortcomings aside, hack and slash fiends who are looking for their next fix should definitely check out Vikings: Wolves of Midgard, a genre effort which more than earns its passage into Valhalla.

An amazing improvement over NCAA 2008. As a sports gamer, that’s all I can truly ask for in a yearly edition.

A surprisingly enjoyable off-road licence which never impresses visually, but manages to combine good handling and a wealth of tracks and arenas to create the right chemistry for a shallow but very playable dip into an ironically droll and niche motorsport.

Atelier Rorona Plus is good value for those wanting to enjoy the end of the Arland trilogy on PS Vita. If you have purposely skipped this game the first time around, nothing about this version will change your mind. Still, Koei Tecmo and Atelier fans will not regret picking it up.

Though its credentials as an RPG are both thin and largely uninspiring, Might & Magic: Clash of Heroes - Definitive Edition nonetheless comfortably cements itself as an engaging puzzler with an enticing progression hook. Don't let its humble Nintendo DS origins fool you, Might & Magic: Clash of Heroes - Definitive Edition is a whole heap of fun and is immensely respectful of your time.

Fun, challenging, frustrating and insane - in a good and bad way.

Love zombies, hate Nazis? Zombie Army Trilogy is an impressive three game package that needs to be played co-operatively to get the most out of it. It can be a bit of a slog, but good enemy variety and level variety keeps it challenging and fun.

Great art, a brilliant soundtrack and a challenging, rewarding survival experience awaits those who have the patience.

A stand-out physics puzzler very much in the Angry Birds mould, King Oddball has enough tweaks and accessibility of play to make it a worthwhile proposition for most, though folks adverse to the charms of Rovio's avian slinger will find little here to change their minds.

A great addition to the Shining franchise. Refrain is a fun title with good combat, interesting characters, and some great voice acting that accompany a great translation.

Despite its shortcomings, this expansion is a great addition to any fan of Magic: The Gathering - Duels of the Planewalkers.

Lords of the Fallen does a lot of things right. Its exploration is its strongest point, and jumping from the human and Umbra realms provides unique enemy encounters and secrets. However, while its combat could have been great, it's ultimately marred by poor hitbox detection and a lock-on camera that will get you killed more than it will save you. There is just something about the world that kept me coming back for more. Whether it was the exploration, the great monster and character designs, or the world itself. Lords of the Fallen is a great return to the dark gothic style of these highly difficult titles.

Yomawari: Night Out is the definition of survival horror, trapped with nothing to defend yourself with against horrors that await around every corner. Yomawari may be light on jump scares but the creatures, sound design, and atmosphere is enough to creep anyone out.

Familiar boss battles and a few frustrations don't cloud this typically addictive and visually outstanding PixelJunk shooter.

Flock doesn't care about you, but kind of in the best way. A chill game that lets you be as chill as you want, while flying around providing you with charming tasks involving even more charming creatures. It's lack of care at times a curse as much as it is a blessing, Flock is in many ways the perfect cozy game either on your own or with friends.

A beautifully told tale of childhood memories wrapped around an inventive, if overly short puzzler, The Gardens Between nonetheless remains a warm and touching experience that deserves your time.

Intense and challenging with addictive upgrade system, Big Sky Infinity has that one-more-go appeal.

The games aren't perfect, however, for the most part, they withstand the test of time quite well. Looking incredible in HD, this is a great way to experience these benchmark PS2 titles.

Slave Zero X is an old school game that is great to look at, thrilling to play at times with excellent animations and a feedback loop to the combat that makes smashing enemies into a bloody mess amazingly fun, but it's difficulty spikes and how those spikes are escalated only work to wear you down. By the end of the game those things you might've enjoyed about Slave Zero X are being crushed under a pile of frustrations as high as the body count you'll rack up across a full playthrough. When the wins no longer provide any feeling of satisfaction, it's easy to be left wondering what you continue for. But all the things that are so well executed in Slave Zero X still make it worth checking out, especially if you're already intrigued by the difficulty barrier-to-entry to cross the line into 'enjoying Slave Zero X, even if it makes you want to throw something.'

A lovely, bloody and bullet-riddled trip down memory lane is soured somewhat after reaching the weaker second act that serves to remind how much nostalgia is too much. Thankfully, The Old Blood is still an ultimately satisfying addition to the Wolfenstein family.