Some rough presentation hides a decently fun game underneath, but a plethora of technical issues serve to pretty much completely ruin the experience. In its launch state, this isn't a Vita title I can recommend.

Akiba's Beat is an enjoyable RPG with an interesting plot and some nice characters; the only problem is that it also comes with cheap presentation and repetitive gameplay.

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.

Overall, Spellspire is a solid time-waster on Vita. If you’re into brain-teasing spelling games you’ll have a fun time, but otherwise some frustrating issues with progression and an overall lack of any particular ‘wow’ factor keep me from recommending it whole-heartedly. At least the small file size means it’s something you can keep on your memory card and dip into every now and again, as that way you might actually end up finishing it one day.

The Legend of Dark Witch is an indie action platformer with fun characters and beautiful pixel art. While it is short in length, it rewards multiple playthroughs - but still won't be likely to last anybody playing it seriously more than a weekend. The most glaring flaws here are the high initial entry point and unfortunately blurry graphics, but if you can grab the game on sale then it comes recommended.

Period: Cube has an interesting setting and gorgeous design, but is weighed down by some odd choices in content. Refreshing mechanical additions to the visual novel genre are much appreciated, but after fully completing the game you probably won't be itching to come back for more.

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.

Dino Dini's Kick Off Revival fails to recapture the magic of old, and the outdated gameplay combined with a lack of features means this is simply a forgettable arcade football game. Those with nostalgia for the original Dino Dini games might get a few kicks out of this for old time's sake, but most people are probably happier avoiding this one.

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.

Fairune is a charming puzzle game. While it can sometimes be a bit frustrating trying to work out what you need to do in order to advance, once you figure out how the game works you'll be eagerly racing from puzzle to puzzle - trying to see what exciting area you'll uncover next.

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.

A Rose in the Twilight has plenty of good ideas - but they're buried under slow gameplay, a scattered plot, and some frustrating design. Despite all this, there's a solid puzzle-platformer with some touching moments to be found here; and although it's not one I can recommend wholeheartedly, it's fun enough for the price that it's worth checking out.

Atelier Firis brings an open world environment to the table, but also brings back time limits. They don't quite work together, but thankfully the second half of the game does away with these limits - allowing you to fully explore this beautiful new world. A step up in some ways, and maybe a step back in others, Atelier Firis isn't quite the sequel fans hoped it would be - but it's not a bad game at all.

Slain!: Back From Hell is a beautiful game that presents itself in a great, self-aware way, but fails to be fun due to the frustrating level design that it throws at you right from the beginning.

Xenoraid is a competent shooter that brings some interesting ideas to the table. Missing co-op renders the Vita port inferior to versions on other platforms.

For those familiar with other Warriors titles you'll likely know what to expect, the combat is repetitive and makes the game feel like a chore to be completed rather than being fun and empowering. Those who haven't ventured into the world of Berserk before will likely enjoy the fascinating story however it is hard to recommend this game on that premise alone.

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.

Dynasty Warriors: Godseekers is a brave attempt to take the over the top action of Dynasty Warriors and combine it with more strategic type gameplay. The result is a good - if unrefined - strategy game that is more than enough to scratch that tactical itch.

Active Soccer 2 DX promises a pure arcade football experience, however what is delivered feels more frustrating than fun. With poor controls and bland presentation the game lacks some of the necessary parts of what could have been a fun pick up and play football game.

Air Race Speed has some good ideas but unfortunately the full package falls short of some of the promise displayed. There are some high speed thrills to be found for those with a speed craving but the game feels like it needs more to feel like the complete package.

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.

Spheroids is a fun little arcade game that takes the bouncing ball menace into 2017, despite a few technical issues and a lack of difficulty the game can conjure up some great gameplay that's hard to beat.

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.

Despite Dex having some slightly repetitive gameplay and awful shadow effects it kept me gripped throughout because of it's dark gritty setting and many interesting characters. If the game ever gets a sequel then I'd definitely want to return to Harbour Prime.

Space Overlords feels like a project too ambitious for its own good - a lot of decent ideas are at play but none developed well enough to make the experience enjoyable, leaving a disappointingly frustrating package.

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.

While perhaps not technically impressive, The Keeper Of Four Elements is a game that does a great job of being fun, even if, perhaps, it does little to set it apart from the rest of the tower defence crowd.

Neon chrome is a memorable shooter that provides an enticing array of options to tackle its fun levels. Despite a few technical issues the gameplay shines and is definitely worth a look if you're in the market for a new action game.

Hollow Realisation is a game that is very much nearly there; if the main storyline had higher stakes, more interesting quests & events and gameplay that didn't get stale after a few hours, it could very easily have been fantastic.

Knobswitch is a tiny little score chaser that is totally worth the two bucks. You'll get your money's worth as long as you stick with it and don't get too frustrated.

Good old-school adventure gameplay with very little else to be admired in its other aspects. For those who love unabashed, lowbrow humor, Demetrios might be the game for you. But if compelling narratives and likeable characters are more your thing, perhaps you should look somewhere else.

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!

Spider: Rite of the Shrouded Moon is a puzzle game with an intriguing background mystery to it. It has a unique weather and time system which will have you replaying levels to try to uncover all of the game's mysteries. If you're a puzzle game fan then this is an easy one to recommend to you.

My Name is Mayo isn't bad, but can't say it's good either. It's a cheap 1-2 Platinum trophies and a quick laugh or two. There are worse ways to spend a dollar and an hour, and if you know what you're getting into you'll probably have at least a little fun along the way.

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.

Exile's End is a decent, if forgettable, game. It's the kind of game most people will spend an afternoon or two on and then eventually forget about. If you're craving a retro-style action game it might be worth giving this a try, but otherwise there just isn't anything here that hasn't been done before, and better.

A standout combat system with deep customization, this game could've really been something special had it not been for the mediocre state of most everything around it.

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.

Castle Invasion: Throne Out is a fun little time waster but unfortunately doesn't amount to anything more than a passing distraction. The overly simple gameplay and bare-bones mechanics offer up a bite-size game that can only be recommended in short bursts.

Superdimension takes a number of steps forward for the series and a few steps back. Overall I really enjoyed it and it's clear a lot of care went into thinking up new and interesting mechanics but sadly an overuse of old content holds the game back from being outstanding.

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.

Its gameplay focuses on short, fast-paced playthroughs for on-the-go play. If you've been itching for something similar to Spelunky, but also love the Mystery Dungeon series and the JRPG genre, One Way Heroics is a neat combination of all three.

A beautiful game that absolutely nails its themes and atmosphere.

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.

Poor performance aside, Psycho-Pass: Mandatory Happiness is just a miserable experience that lacks any understanding of what made the anime it was based off of so special.

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.

Wanderjahr provides an interesting spin on the RPG genre and there's plenty of content to keep you occupied, but repetition sets in too quickly to produce an experience that will keep you coming back to see it through to the end.

Claire: Extended Cut is a good horror game that creates a deeply unsettling and atmospheric world for you to explore, a few missteps stop this from reaching great heights but still holds up as an experience well worth your time.

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.

MeiQ is a dungeon crawler with a fun battle system and tonnes of customising options for your party. The poor story, large amount of backtracking and lack of fulfilling side quests really let the game down though. It's fun but there are better dungeon crawlers out there.

Mutant Mudds Super Challenge is a very competent 2D platformer, but it fails to differentiate itself from the many other retro-style side-scrollers just like it. Unfortunately the game doesn't deliver anything fresh or original in any aspect, be it gameplay, art style, music, story, etc.

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.

Dungeon Punks is a well rounded, competent entry in the 2D action brawler genre, while lacking depth in certain areas, its easy to grasp gameplay and light-hearted tone make this definitely worth a look.

Last Wings is a good 2D aerial dogfighting game that quickly loses its charm after an hour or two. While the gameplay is solid, the lack of content starts to make things feel very repetitive in no time. In the end, the game just feels like it isn't finished yet. It could use a bit more polish for this gem to truly shine.

A.W.: Phoenix Festa is a title that doesn't know what it wants to be; offering something for everyone, but failing to make all the bits work together in harmony. If tuned properly, this could be an enjoyable title, but as-is it's so easy and/or monotonous at times that it's only slightly better than doing nothing at all.

Shiren the Wanderer: The Tower of Fortune and the Dice of Fate is a beautiful game with solid combat and a myriad of items and features to find along the way. It's too bad that its punishing nature makes it less enjoyable the longer you play it.

Lumo is a very challenging and difficult game that harks back to the earlier days of isometric gameplay. Even with its nostalgia fuelled frustration it will have you going back for more.

Laser Disco Defenders is a very visually appealing game with a great toe-tapping soundtrack. However the difficulty barrier is set so high and feels so much more unforgiving when compared to its contemporaries that it feels like it may have done itself a slight disservice by only allowing players with the absolute highest levels of skill and patience to sample most of what it has to offer.

Aegis of Earth: Protonovus Assault is a tower defense game that may have trouble appealing to fans of the genre. It had unique ideas but the game wasn't executed that well. The characters and the voice cast are the only positive attributes but it's hard to recommend any game on that alone.

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.

Spy Chameleon is a stealthy little puzzle game with a cute little chameleon but unfortunately no personality. There are a lot of levels and in small doses it is fun but at the same time the game is fairly repetitive and is unlikely to stick around in people's memories for long.

All in all MS Gundam Extreme VS-Force is a decent action game with plenty of content to get stuck into. Some of the execution could do with refinement and don’t expect an enthralling story but on the whole there is an enjoyable experience here that is definitely worth a look if you’re interested.

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.

Paranautical Activity takes what should be a straightforward idea and fumbles the execution. There are many flaws but really this is a game that lacks any sort of polish. I can’t find any real reason to recommend this game over other far more competent rogue-likes but maybe with more work there could have been a fun gameplay loop here.

Adventures of Mana proves to be a fun trip down memory lane, however archaic design choices leave you wondering what could have been rather than what you have. It acts as an interesting history lesson as to where the roots of the Mana series began, but unfortunately it amounts to little more than that.

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

Delta Strike: First Assault is an average combat flight simulator game that will appeal to fans of the genre. The game's level progression will keep trophy hunters busy for hours. Gameplay doesn't feel that fun when compared to other games in the genre and not having any control customization can make the game feel inaccessible to newcomers of the genre.

While many will love the more relaxed pace I can't help feel that it now means you're much more likely to notice the unfortunately lackluster battle system. Thankfully the game has some really great characters and a fun revamped alchemy system which helps to make up for this.

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.

If you're looking for an introduction to the beat 'em up genre, look no further - as MegaTagmension Blanc + Neptune VS Zombies is a prime choice for just that very purpose. That said, anyone else may have a hard time finding a challenge, and the story just isn't all that cohesive or memorable.

Azkend 2 is a decent match 3 puzzle game with a short but interesting story to play through, there's nothing really adventurous here and ultimately a lack of interesting content makes it hard to keep coming back.

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.

Rocketbirds 2: Evolution is an explosive and humorous take on the action games of yesteryear. Combine that with the visual sheen of a modern title and it sounds like an instant win. However, uneven characters and the hit-and-miss soundtrack wear it down its charm. Extra finnicky controls for precise aiming, large difficulty spikes, and bullet sponge enemies hold it back even further from greatness.

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.

This isn't a game I would encourage for long periods of play, but can be fun in small doses.

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!

It’s a shame that the originality and charm of the cut scenes and voice acting get lost in translation when it comes to the main game itself. A Virus Named Tom is in no ways a bad game; it just does nothing to set itself apart from the crowd. Meaning that if you took away the narrative, all that is left is a mediocre puzzler that will unfortunately forever sit in the shadows of the other far superior action puzzle games on the Vita.