We’ve seen several games this year past e.g. Fez, Spec Ops: The Line, which can truly be said to have advanced the medium, and I wholeheartedly include Thomas Was Alone in that group.

Not only does it manage to convey a lot of information in a way that's fun, but from the voice-controlled main menu to the mini games that get the child to learn through doing, this is one of the few pieces of commercial software that really clicks with the often-obtrusive Kinect and makes it seem worthwhile.

With hundreds of hours of gameplay in a world that you’ll never want to leave, Ni No Kuni is not only a brilliant game to start 2013 but also one of the best games in years.

The single-player game is entertaining enough and full of replayability but the structure and narrative suggest it was an afterthought when the idea of a multiplayer only title, or the challenge of learning the game in an online arena, was deigned unreasonable.

More a disappointing rocky hole than a glorious crystal cavern.

As an interactive video game it’s pathetic. Barely any gameplay, static visuals, and annoying voiceovers mean it gets old very quickly. However as an interactive novel it’s second to none. It’s grotesque, beautifully engrossing and certainly a great horror flick.

A failure to inspire.

The levelling system is fair and rapid, allowing you to get your well-muscled paws on some serious boom sticks fast. The game modes are tried and tested but that doesn't make them any less fun.

An odd beast, one which seems unsure whether it’s trying to be a genuine throwback, or ironically retro; the graphics and gameplay indicate the former, but its difficulty level and tone suggest the latter.

A beautiful game to look at, but horribly flawed deep down. The art style and good use of the Vita’s touch screen is enough to draw you in, but the poor story and constant repetition will certainly alienate players before the game really has a chance to truly get started.

The game can be completed in approximately six to eight hours, depending on how quickly you master the combat and if you choose to watch the cutscenes. It may not sound like a lot but after giving your thumbs a serious work out, it’s actually just the right amount of time needed to tell Raiden’s story.