Hakuoki: Kyoto Winds is a fantastic otome title with an interesting story and solid, attractive characters. That said, as this is only the first half of the story they're retelling, Kyoto Winds doesn't have a solid conclusion in any of its routes. What it does have going for it however, is double the pathways - and the privilege of being arguably the most content-filled, definitive version of the game.

Toukiden 2 - like most games in the hunting genre - is filled to the brim with content. Featuring tons of equipment to craft, Mitama to collect, and quests to complete, it easily ranks among the top of the genre. Plus, it certainly doesn't hurt that while it's easy enough that newcomers can pick it up, it can also provide enough challenge to entertain genre veterans.

Lichtspeer takes a simple idea and makes it colourful, challenging, and fun. Its quirky humor will win you over, and there's some addictive high-score chasing to be done, but some frustrating encounters may detract from an otherwise impressive package.

iO is a deceptively simple physics-based platformer with a minimalist art style, a nice ambient soundtrack, and a plethora of levels to challenge. If you want a good game that's easy to pick up and play for a few minutes at a time, then iO serves that function beautifully.

Forma. 8 is a great exploration title that does occasionally fall into familiar 'metroidvania' traps. Providing secrets to uncover and challenging boss battles, those looking for a gorgeous world to roam around in will find plenty to enjoy here.

Atelier Shallie Plus is a great ending to the Dusk trilogy, it has some charming new characters as well as allowing you to see some familiar friends. The combat and alchemy systems are as fun as ever and there's a new Life Task system which allows you to play through at your own pace.

If you're looking for a challenge, VVVVVV offers one that's simple to understand yet grueling to complete. Its simplistic aesthetics match its simplistic controls, and it also has some nice chiptune music thrown in for good measure.

A charming action, puzzle, platformer that's competent in almost everything it sets out to accomplish. Shantae: Half-Genie Hero is a hilarious and tight experience with a very likable cast and excellent visuals, writing, dialogue, and voice-over. If there's one complaint to be had, it's that it's a little too easy.

Lara Croft Go is a gorgeous cel-shaded puzzle game featuring everyone's favourite Tomb Raider. Although the game is fairly short it is entertaining and worth trying even if you've never played a Tomb Raider game before. I am really looking forward to seeing what the franchise does next.

A stylish puzzle-platformer with more emphasis on the puzzle than the platforming. Story and voice overs, visual, sound, and game design: Hue checks all the boxes for quality. Color me impressed.

In the end, Root Letter isn't quite the complete package, let down by some issues with storytelling and character development. In spite of this, it's an enjoyable journey with some gorgeous presentation and something I'd easily recommend for fans of visual novels.

They say you can't improve on perfection, yet Steins;Gate 0 does just that. Taking what made the original story so great and adding new characters and a much darker theme makes Steins;Gate 0 the perfect continuation to a story that I though could not be improved upon - how wrong I was!

World of Final Fantasy is an excellent RPG on the Vita. It's like a warm welcome to old fans but is also just as great for new fans looking to dabble in the world of Final Fantasy for the first time. This is a must have game for the Vita and could very well be the better Final Fantasy game this year.

Don't let the cuteness fool you, Yomawari: Night Alone is a creepy horror game which will make you jump! The game preys on all the fears you had as a child, with ghosts standing under flickering streetlamps and arms grabbing at you through manhole covers. It's not particularly long but I'd still recommend people give it a go for the unique atmosphere and interesting story.

Dragon Quest Builders is part RPG, part construction game and loads of fun. It's full of charm, personality and adventure! There's plenty to explore, recipes to learn, quests to complete and bosses to fight. This game will have you addicted to it for a very long time.

Darkest Dungeon is an excellent strategy RPG for the Vita, it's gameplay feels right at home on the handheld and despite some minor niggles the game truly shines as one of the great games this year. Any fan of RPG games should definitely give Darkest Dungeon a look.

Some people are always going to look down on this series because of the mini-games and the sadomasochistic theme. But don’t worry, the game is very quick to point out at the beginning that it’s all completely consensual.

The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel II not only improves upon the formula introduced in Trails of Cold Steel, but also pairs with the first game and others in the Trails series to create an epic overarching story unlike anything seen before in video games. If you like your RPGs lengthy and impeccably detailed, Trails of Cold Steel II is right up your alley.

Gal*Gun: Double Peace is a unique take on the on-rails shooter genre that feels right at home on the Vita. The simple controls, use of the touch screen, and subject matter fit our little niche perfectly - and despite its less than perfect presentation, it offers something that's truly fun. If I can't have a gun accessory, this is just how I want to play an on-rails shooter; good thing Inti Creates seems to think the same.

Sky Force Anniversary isn't a game for everyone: if you want something that'll change your life, look elsewhere. If, however, you want something that delivers superb gameplay and addictive action, then this is certainly for you.

God Eater 2: Rage Burst is a monster of a game that any fan of the monster-hunting genre will enjoy. It can be a bit difficult to get into, but once you have figured out what is going on and start to master the various systems that are on offer you will be hooked - and have a hundred hours of Aragami-slaying ahead of you to enjoy.

Hatsune Miku: Project DIVA X has very simple and solid core gameplay paired with plenty of amusing bells and whistles to ensure the utmost enjoyment of its players.

Fans can breath a sigh of relief – this is the Attack on Titan game the world deserves!

Alone With You delivers a wonderful but bleak tale of tragedy, while combining both classic and newer gameplay styles that demonstrates a phenomenal experience.

Odin Sphere: Leifthrasir is a work of art, and a joy to play leisurely on the Vita. It offers an interesting series of characters, five interwoven stories, and a ton of action - only asking that you put up with a little slowdown in the high action bits, and semi-regular unnecessary interruptions in return.

Most of the time, 10 Second Ninja X is a competent and charming puzzle platformer with more wit and humor than one might expect. If it wasn't for the painfully aggravating 3 star challenges, this game would be a great time across the board.

With its brilliant gameplay style and wealth of customisation options, not to mention the fun and strategically minded combat, Grand Kingdom is a fantastic tactical RPG that truly showcases why the genre is perfect on PS Vita.

The best LEGO title on the Vita, and a fabulous recreation for the returning entry to the Star Wars series. Warner Bros. and TT Fusion won't be needing mind tricks to convince you to buy this.

A lovely fighting game with a style all its own, Skullgirls 2nd Encore pairs finely tuned combat with cute and gruesome characters to create a wonderful display of passion and design. If it weren't for its technical limitations, this game could easily be considered a masterpiece.

Zero Time Dilemma is a masterpiece that provides the perfect closure for one of, if not, the best video game trilogies I've played.

Bard's Gold is a frustrating and rewarding experience rolled into one mostly well executed package. Clever design choices and tight controls make up any of the less polished features present and this rogue-like is definitely worth a play.

SteamWorld Heist is one of the most memorable experiences I have had on the Vita to date. It is a perfectly portable tactical turn based adventure which will see you return again and again to nab just one more hat or give that particularly tough challenge mission another go. It is a shining example of what makes handheld gaming great!

One Piece: Burning Blood is a good fighting game that will appeal to fans of the anime whilst still being simple enough for newcomers to pick up and play. Although the game's story mode is rather short, there is plenty here to keep you entertained and ensure you will be satisfied during your stay in the One Piece world!

Letter Quest Remastered: Grimm's Journey is a really fun blend of side-scrolling puzzle game with RPG elements. It's simple to get into but will keep you coming back time after time to play one more level and level up your cute little Grim Reaper or try to beat your previous score in Endless mode. If you like word games then you should definitely give Letter Quest a try.

Downwell proves that a simple and effective gameplay hook is all that is needed to craft an unforgettably brilliant title. You will lose hours and hours in these dank caverns as you chase high scores and try to do the next run just a little bit better than the last.

Stranger of Sword City is great fun but be warned that it is tough. However even if you die you'll soon come back to it, you can't help but think that maybe with a slightly different party or different weapons you'll get slightly further next time.

The Sun and Moon is an excellent platformer that will make your brain work and give players a challenge that is often missing in modern games. Although the game looks simple, the no-frills approach means that you can focus on the gameplay - and trust me, you'll need to!

Neverending Nightmares is a game that gets under your skin. It crawls in the shadows after you turn out the lights and will pervade your dreams if you dare to play it just before you go to sleep. A true gem in an oversaturated market of third person horror titles, Neverending Nightmares is a game that deserves your attention.

It's not a perfect port and a few issues do hold it back from being a 'must have' title, but if you only own a Vita and are looking for something fun and cheap to pick up and play you really can’t go wrong with this game.

Ray Gigant is a beautiful dungeon crawler with a strong focus on story and it's characters. There are some interesting new game mechanics but the game is let down slightly by some repetitive dungeons.

Severed is a game that's a perfect fit for the Vita, and with Drinkbox's special sauce mixed into the wound it's one bloodbath you won't want to miss.

Trillion is not a game that will be to everyones tastes, it is unique and fun to play, but many players may find that it's trying to hard to be too different and therefore complicates itself, but if you're looking for a JRPG or SRPG with a unique spin then Trillion is definitely worth a look.

Axiom Verge is an artistic triumph with some minor issues that hold the PlayStation Vita version back a little. However, fantastic music, visuals, and truly original gameplay mechanics put it a cut above other games of it's genre.

Risk of Rain is an excellent game, though the tiny character size on the PS Vita screen is a major nuisance sometimes. Mop-up bits slow down an otherwise lightning fast experience. Great music and addictive gameplay are the order of the day, however. Features an incredible amount of content for a meager price. An absolute PS Vita must buy!

Samurai Warriors 4: Empires is a fun strategy action hybrid spin off of the popular Warriors series. Players of previous Empires games should be happy with what is on offer here and those who have even a passing curiosity will find their time rewarded well.

XCOM Enemy Unknown Plus is a perfect game hidden behind a poorly executed port. For some these technical issues may be enough to warrant not giving it a shot but you would be robbing yourself of experiencing one of the hardest and most rewarding tactical games released in years.

UnEpic is an RPG/Platformer with some chops, but some questionable design choices and input issues hold it back. The gameplay is solid for fans of Metroidvanias, but does nothing new to distinguish itself in the genre.

Day of the Tentacle Remastered is another classic Double Fine title that has been given a facelift for the PlayStation Vita. The puzzles can be challenging and the game can be completed in around five hours, but those five hours will provide you with a hilarious story, great characters and puzzles that hold up even though they are 23 years old! If, like me, you are a point and click fan then Day of the Tentacle Remastered is one you don't want to miss!

Senran Kagura: Estival Versus is a much better looking version of its predecessor, and includes enhanced features to up your experience and add more variation to your gameplay. That said, it takes a different approach to stringing together moves than the first (which isn't as smooth), and it opts to add loading screens all over the place to compensate for enhanced textures and bigger areas. Because of this, it's not entirely a better game than Shinovi Versus - and instead comes second, but still very much recommended.

Croixleur Sigma is a fantastic addition to the Vita's library offering addictive hack-n-slash gameplay with stunning graphics and accessible gameplay all bundled into a very generously priced package, it's definitely worth a look if you're looking for something unique from the genre.

Level 22 is an enjoyable and exciting experience that turns what could be a normal everyday problem into a unique and enjoyable game. Although it may be short lived it's definitely worth your attention if you're a fan of stealth games.

Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth is a blast from the past that has both retained the nostalgia factor, and evolved for modern audiences - offering a roleplaying game that caters to clinging fans and those looking for a new experience alike.

Crypt of the Necrodancer is a game that easily lives up to expectations. Combining rhythm and RPG elements in a way I didn't know could work, the game is addicting and will have you continuously coming back for more.

Oddworld: New 'n' Tasty is a game that both fans of the series and newcomers alike will enjoy, so pick it up and jump into the strange and humorous land - this game is one of the best platformers in recent years!

Atelier Escha & Logy is a great blend of alchemy, combat and exploration. The story isn’t very complex but the characters are sweet and charming and you will end up wanting to see all character endings. There’s tons of things to do, items to create and places to explore.

After an agonising delay for PlayStation Vita owners, Volume has finally landed on our favourite handheld and it plays like a dream. With great gameplay and a perfect port, Volume on the Vita is a must-own title for any Metal Gear fans and another top-notch title from Mike Bithell.

TowerFall Ascension is multiplayer madness at its finest.

Difficult, charming, colourful, addictive, frustrating and then some. Tremendous fun and the biggest title Vlambeer have pulled off yet. If you are after all of the above then you definitely want to take a look at Nuclear Throne.

Taco Master is an extremely fun game. It does have some lag troubles, but despite what you may originally think of it and its apparent content, you'll find yourself finding a groove and having a blast making tacos.

Vibrant, colourful and beautiful all round, Bastion is easily one of the most accomplished indie games that I have ever played. With an enchanting story, great weapons and lots to keeping you playing for some time, it is one of my favourite games ever, let alone on the Vita.

Beautifully presented, brilliantly executed and tremendous fun the only reason for not grabbing Teslagrad is because you already have it or you don't like platformers. One of the most enjoyable Vita titles I have played this year.

Organ Trail is an amazing homage to a computer classic.

SUPERBEAT: XONiC is a fantastic rhythm game that uses its roots to its advantage; drawing from DJ MAX experience to create a portable addiction that's accessible to all fans of the genre, and playable (with a challenge) at all skill levels. If you pick up one rhythm game this year it should most certainly be this one!

Code: Realize ~Guardian of Rebirth~ is an otome visual novel that has a lot more depth to it than you might expect. The stories are intricately interwoven, the characters are varied and well developed, and the setting is fantastical and unique; all adding up to an experience that you'll never forget - whichever suitor you choose.

Samurai Warriors 4-II is a gorgeous game that showcases just what the PS Vita is capable of. Big, epic and fun gameplay just about manage to overshadow its repetitive, button-mashing gameplay.

Three Fourths Home: Extended Edition is one of the most unique and incredible experiences I've ever had on the PlayStation Vita, it may be incredibly short, but at the same time it never overstays it's welcome, absolutely astounding.

Some players may be put off by the difficulty of Super Meat Boy, but if you stick with it then the sense of achievement when you overcome a tough level will keep you hungry for more!

Persona 4: Dancing All Night is a game I will be constantly going back too. It will fill you with a nostalgic joy if you're a fan of the series but even if you're not there's still a great story and solid gameplay to have fun with.

Dengeki Bunko: Fighting Climax is a fantastic title for its most diehard fans. For those who aren't familiar with the universe and are looking for a deep fighting game, perhaps Dengeki Bunko will not quench that thirst.

Pumped BMX+ is a great addition to the PlayStation Vita. Although some people may be put off due to the fact that it originates from a mobile title, if you look past this you will find a game that plays like a cross between OlliOlli and Trials - which is no bad thing! Pumped BMX+ doesn't need these comparisons though, as on its own it stands out as great game that is perfect for gaming on the go!

With interesting and amusing characters, great game play and some truly beautiful visuals and soundtrack it is one of the best games on the system and I assure you that it's a great way to pass the time.

Dungeon Travelers 2 is not a game for those wary of fanservice or afraid of challenges; but if you’re into either of those, this could just be the game you’ve been looking for all along.

The Quiet Collection is a bundle of four short but charming adventure games. With clever puzzles and an adorable story line these games manage to pack a good amount of fun into a very small package. The highly pixelated art might be a turn off initially, but The Quiet Collection is a game whose beauty in on the inside.

One Piece Pirate Warriors 3 is a musou game in a similar vein to the Dynasty Warriors and Samurai Warriors series - but that should not put you off this title. Sure the combat can get a little repetitive at times, but if you take the time to learn the combos and have the slightest bit of interest in the One Piece world then you will find something to like with this game.

Shutshimi: Seriously Swole is a game that is worthy of your time if you enjoy shoot'em ups. It'll hold your attention till you beat it, but that's about it. This game, however, does not hold the power to convert a non shoot'em up fan to being a loyal disciple. It's a skip if you are one of these people.

Amnesia: Memories was my first foray into Visual Novels and has left me wanting more of from the genre, its unique story and interesting cast will keep you entertained and hooked on the game, with multiple ending and several unlockable bonuses Amnesia: Memories is a worthwhile addition to your Vita collection.

I wholeheartedly recommend Ultra Despair Girls to anyone who has played the first two games in the series - it may not be exactly what you're used to, but it fits so well into the universe the games have created that the differences won't negatively effect your enjoyment at all... and may even enhance it.

Nova-111 is a fantastic game that fans of strategy/puzzle games will love. With a great concept, and a challenging but fair learning curve - you will find yourself having many 'eureka moments' when it all clicks into place and you begin to master the many mechanics that this game perfectly molds together!

Don't let the difficulty scare you. Curses N Chaos is a fantastic game that takes pride in kicking the crap out of you, hoping that you'll come back for seconds. No matter how many times you will fail, you'll tell yourself "one more run".

Velocibox is an incredibly difficult and addictive endless runner that is as fun as it is frustrating. This game is not for the amateur hour and novices should probably steer clear.

The Blazblue series is a very technical fighting game that new players may find too daunting to give a try. However, Chrono Phantasma Extend is a very accessible game packed with loads of content. Newcomers to the series, returning veterans, and even those who have never played a fighting game before can all find some fun within it.

While the game is short, Actual Sunlight will hold your attention from “Press Start.” The serious subject matter certainly will turn some away from the game – and they will be missing out – but if you do decide to pick it up, you will find that it is worthy of your time and will make you reflect a lot on what you’ve played, more so than other games.

XBlaze Lost: Memories is not so much a sequel as it is something that enhances the first game's story in every way. It features an enjoyable narrative, lovable characters, and a unique way of presenting the big picture; something visual novel fans will be sure to appreciate and enjoy.

It's certainly not for everybirdie, but it's worth a peek if you're at all curious; just don't expect it to be too realistic.

Lost Dimension has a lot of great ideas, and while not all of them pan out, it's a mostly enjoyable experience from start to finish. Technical issues withstanding, it's one of the Vita's best RPGs.

The Swindle is a frantic and frustrating heist game in all the right ways.

Adding a creative spin to the done-to-death Match-3 puzzle genre, NekoBuro: CatsBlock is a fun, addictive and down right adorable puzzler bursting with colour and charm.

With a story that is packed with video-game references, humour and interesting characters, Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth3: V Generation is a game that I would recommend to any fan of RPG's. Although it is by no means perfect, this game kept me hooked throughout and I think it is safe to say that I may frequent the world of Nep-Nep more often now that my eyes have been opened to this franchise!

Geometry Wars 3 is one of the best twin stick shooters on the Vita. Even with some minor flaws, it warrants a buy for fans of the genre.

Ar nosurge Plus: Ode to an Unborn Star is a fantastic game that blends in heavy story telling with a character development system that will let you go as deep as you want. Minor flaws aside, many JRPG fans will enjoy this game.

J-Stars Victory VS+ is a fun fighting game that is great in small doses.

Even with it's minor flaws it compacts four movies into one fun LEGO experience.

Hyperdimension Neptunia U is a fast paced, high octane action game that is fun to play, but can be quite easy at times. The story mode will keep you entertained for at least 10 hours, but don't expect it to be as vast and as huge as it's JRPG counterparts.

The lack of 'gameplay' will put some people off, but if you are a fan of Visual Novels or love a good story, then Steins;Gate is a game you need to play!

Packed with some great modes, a proper online leaderboard, stat tracking, enough customization options to please almost any player, and the offer of true portability... this truly is the ultimate version of Tetris.

If you're a LEGO fan who has been turned off by some of the recent games in the series, this one should make you a believer again.

Octodad: Dadliest Catch for PlayStation Vita suffers from long load times, but its unconventional gameplay and silly story make it one of the best games on the handheld.

If you can overlook the visual limitations you will find a very enjoyable and long lasting Marvel-flavoured experience here. It could get expensive, but Marvel fans - and children - will love it.