A fun and engaging puzzler, with a likeable aesthetic that will keep you amused throughout its seventy-five increasingly challenging levels. It’s a relatively short experience, but the extra challenges and online leaderboards add length to an enjoyable indie package.

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is easily one of the most engrossing games I’ve had the chance to play. The story and characters are well worth the experience alone, and the world expertly draws on the desire to explore with its massive scale.

A competent role-playing game that builds on Compile Heart’s previous successes. The combat system works well and there’s an absolute glut of content for those willing to stray from the beaten path. That said, it’s not a particularly stunning game to watch, looking more like a remaster than a title genuinely meant exclusively for PlayStation 4.

Ultimately Color Guardians is a bright, cutesy, challenging runner with some good ideas that falls through when it comes to keeping it interesting. Restarting from checkpoints over and over only getting a little bit closer to the end each time quickly grows repetitive, draining any drive there might have been to continue playing.

In the shadow of the incredibly powerful second episode, the midpoint in the series is a solid episode that felt for large parts like it was waiting for the next big thing to happen. Thankfully, Dontnod did just that with an almighty twist in its final few scenes that has you on tenterhooks with the seemingly infinite possibilities the story now holds.

Schrödinger’s Cat and the Raiders of the Lost Quark is an amusing game that has just the right amount of challenge to keep it from being frustrating.

Not A Hero is another great title from Roll7, and another must play title for fans of games that make you pull out your hair with their difficulty, but give you the best feeling imaginable when you clear a level.

Breach & Clear is playable and it is even quite entertaining. Clearing missions and customising characters is satisfying, and the sound design and music help engage the player. Everything else though, does the opposite. Low quality visuals, poor menus, a complete lack of story and game-breaking glitches render this game, at least on this platform, nearly impossible to enjoy in the long term.

It does that single screen shooting very well. I would have liked some variation in the level design, and the graphics can get rather muddled at some points, but overall it’s a polished little package.

There’s more depth to the game with more nuanced battles and more player creation options, and a very self aware plot and sense of humour. Though the fighting can start to feel repetitive, it’s a great fit for bite sized gaming on the go.

Although barren, its gameplay systems operate well enough, going hand-in-hand with developer Swordtales’ minimalist approach. That said, mechanically, it fails to do anything that truly immerses players any more than the game’s pretty visuals.

I found my time with Lost Orbit to be enjoyable, and I wish there was more to it outside of the three hour campaign and time trial mode. The fact that I want more speaks highly of Lost Orbit and how it managed to hold my attention all the way through.

Project CARS is an ambitious take on the racing simulator that brings a lot of fresh ideas and improvements to the genre. A number of patchable flaws hold it back, but with an innovative career structure and the challenging but rewarding car handling and racing, this is almost essential for racing fans.

Project Root is a frustrating game because there is a genuinely good shooter hidden under a number of poor design choices. It is rather like a Michael Bay movie in that when it works, it works really well, with explosions going off left, right and centre, hundreds of bullets and a genuine sense of excitement. However, it also shares the same problems and the levels are far too sprawling, the plot is terrible and sometimes you have no idea what is going on.

It’s simply a beautiful looking game, which offers several hours in the main mode and even more in the challenge mode. As a budget release, there’s enough content here to justify it, though perhaps not quite enough difficulty for platforming aficionados.

Despite having a perfect soundtrack and wonderfully creepy voice-over, Brawl’s single-player misses the mark thanks to its insane difficulty.

The exaggerated voice acting fits perfectly with the tone of the title and the story is surprisingly entertaining too. There’s never a dull moment in Guns, Gore & Cannoli, and it ends just at the right time too.

The historical and literary figures, married with the silver-age comic book visuals make for an engaging world which begs for you to be a part of it. The downside is that the tactical gameplay simply isn’t in the same league as the developer’s other work, rewarding drawn-out, cautious play above any more meaningful tactics.

After such a long wait, it’s a shame to see that Broken Age’s second act, while continually beautiful and charming and with much more challenging puzzles, doesn’t quite manage to live up to the promise from the end of the first.

A classic game to the present with a great deal of polish applied. In a way it is surprising just how well the gameplay has held up after twelve years.

The controls are relatively easy to grasp and once you’re done with the main missions, the extra modes put a different twist on proceedings, but as always with these games, it’s really at its best when you can share the nonsense with others.

It’s a game that Wii U owners simply need to experience, and one which other developers need to take note of when creating software for Nintendo’s unique console.

The motion controls aren’t the best and I wouldn’t recommend using them, while the stuttering on the loading screens also needs addressing. If you’re looking for a small game to play though, and like first person runners, then Infinity Runner could well be for you.

A decent change of pace for the franchise. The goals are more focused and deliver some great stealth gameplay across the approximately five hours it takes to complete. With all the open world distractions stripped away I felt like I was playing a proper assassin-based title, with the only focus being to take out the target.

I really enjoyed the time I spent with We Are Doomed but I cannot overlook the price and length of the game.

The combat is rock-solid, and offers a technicality that may surprise those with a low opinion of the series.

On the one hand the art style, atmosphere, and interesting story premise are things that are worth experiencing. However the pacing of the puzzles can be frustrating, especially when what would appear to be the obvious solutions don’t work in a world where regular logic usually applies.

One hit point, one arrow and one target; Titan Souls is an exercise in simplicity. It evokes memories of classic games, as you seek the satisfaction of striking that killing blow to a Titan.

Super Mega Baseball is one of the best baseball games out at the moment. Sure it may not be a licensed game like The Show, but the gameplay is as good as the official MLB game.

Krinkle Krusher is a game best played in short bursts, otherwise it feels repetitive very quickly. Despite the distracting voice acting and the early difficulty spikes, if you stick with it you can find that there is a solid game underneath, and plenty of fun to be had if you like the tower defence genre.

Overall, it’s a game of two halves that just doesn’t quite come together. Some, like myself, will no doubt find themselves engrossed in the story, only to be disappointed by the trial-and-error labours of combat.

If you’re pining for a Monster Hunter style game on console or simply waiting for Dragon’s Dogma Online or Deep Down to come along, Toukiden Kiwami offers more than just a stopgap.

The short length of the game doesn’t allow the story to get going properly, with the end coming just as things get interesting.

It’s a slightly more active, engaging iteration on the traditional Final Fantasy experience and one that works well, even away from its native platform. If you’ve been avoiding the series for a good few years then Type-0 is a great place to pick up the thread once again.

If you’re looking for a new local multiplayer game for you and your friends, then Paperbound might just be the right one, with its fresh take on the genre and brilliantly inspired aesthetic.

For this type of game, I feel like the combat and puzzle solving should be the strongest aspect on offer, but they ended up being the worst part of the experience. Outside of the lousy checkpoint system, there really isn’t anything too terrible about Rack N Ruin, it just doesn’t have enough going for it for me to unequivocally recommend it.

The gameplay will not be for everyone, with the difficulty and repetition a potential turn off, but if you are looking for a new challenge, Bloodborne is a fantastic choice.

The only aspect that really failed to shine was the labyrinth gameplay. The fast-paced combat and progression systems are fun to toy with but eventually grow stale as you’re forced to run laps around the same areas over and over.

Telltale’s take on Game of Thrones feels quite low-key compared to some of the goings on in the main series, but this episode begins to move away from that being a problem and starts using it to its advantage, as it shows you different sides of familiar situations. There’s still a lot of filler to get through, though, and it’s very dialogue heavy with little to offer in terms of unique gameplay.

It features an emotive story, strong characterisation and an engaging battle system, which combine with an approach to the genre that still feels fresh and innovative.

Aside from a few miscued points here and there with pacing or the game’s general presentation, this builds upon the first episode and draws you further into its tangled web of mystery.

If you’re a fan of Borderlands, you should be invested in this series, yet even if you aren’t, the characters and quirky world will do enough to draw you in.

This is a great little shooter that has aged well considering it’s over five years old, and actually feels more at home on Vita than it did on PlayStation 3.

Despite some of the flaws in the pacing of Metamorphosis, this remains a strong finish for the game as a whole.

I loved the art style of Aaru’s Awakening, I loved the story premise it had, and I loved teleporting. I did not love the rest of the gameplay decisions along the way.

Its difficulty might keep some from seeing the credits roll, but the sense of achievement and experiencing how the story ends makes any hardship along the way well worth the ride.

Chrono Stone will likely delight and enthral Inazuma fans, particularly with the new additions to the in-match gameplay, alongside its crazy plot, and the returning characters. However, some of the changes are not necessarily for the better, making parts of the game seem too easy, and the plot makes some traditional elements of Inazuma such as random encounters seem out of place.

Chrono Stone will likely delight and enthral Inazuma fans, particularly with the new additions to the in-match gameplay, alongside its crazy plot, and the returning characters. However, some of the changes are not necessarily for the better, making parts of the game seem too easy, and the plot makes some traditional elements of Inazuma such as random encounters seem out of place.

What new feature[s] Nightmare has to offer are intuitive and gel perfectly with Bladestorm’s existing mechanics. The demonic campaign is admittedly underwhelming in parts yet gives Bladestorm fans another series of unique battles to play through.

It’s easy to dismiss Hardline out of hands as being too far removed from Battlefield’s typical setting to be worthy of the name, but even as Visceral ride on the brands coattails, they’ve had the confidence to adapt that core gameplay to suit a new setting. That’s not just true of the multiplayer, but also the single player story and its compelling tale of drugs and police corruption.

Bringing the game to Wii U has meant a facelift and some nice new bells and whistles to fiddle around with. However, Mario Party 10 is much like the latest iteration of an established board game: although it may look different, love them or hate them, the rules are still very much the same.

Judgment continues the strong work that the first two episodes started, though it meanders a touch too much, and the increased number of puzzles tend more to hinder rather than genuinely challenge.

Defiant has done a fantastic job of marrying together two very different flavours of game, presenting it a stylish package that feels one part adventure book, one part action brawler.

Hotline Miami 2: Wrong Number is an entertaining game, at least for the majority of its play time.

Cities: Skylines might be Colossal Order’s first attempt at a city builder, but it already feels well rounded and complete. There are a few areas that need improving and others that are crying out to be expanded upon, but those will come in due course, and what’s already there lets you build vast cities to your heart’s content.

The level editor is a great example of empowering players with clear and solid tools, which allow you to to work creatively and effectively without being hampered by overly complicated systems.

The way fire spreads is pretty good, but the rest of the game falls a little short with the real killer being repetition. It’s just not random enough to maintain interest for too long, and that’s a fatal flaw in a roguelike with permadeath.

From the vibrant visuals and the pitch perfect 70s cop theme to the fast and snappy buddy cop action, LA Cops has a lot of great ideas, but hasn’t really done enough with them.

Fans of the series will appreciate the plot twists, whilst newcomers can get stuck into a well-grounded Resident Evil game that is so far living up to its heritage.

Inevitably, however, there will be those who simply don’t see the appeal of XenoVerse’s core gameplay, and it ultimately grates as it becomes repetitive no matter how much you enjoy it at first.

Zombie Army Trilogy knows what it wants to be, a straightforward zombie sniping game that lacks any real pretensions or delusions of grandeur. Parts of the trilogy are showing their age and difficulty spikes can sap away the fun, but steel yourself for a challenge, get some mates together and there’s plenty to like about it.

OlliOlli 2 fits into the latter camp, bringing some brilliant new mechanics to the table and creating a much faster-paced, better flowing, and downright addictive game with some slick presentation and awesome new environments.

After being left disappointed many a time by previous local multiplayer games the PlayStation 4 has had to offer, Helldivers is a breath of fresh air providing short bursts of explosive action that’s both strategic and enjoyable.

There are some troubling flaws with the camera, and the construction tools, though potent, are not as immediately accessible as they should be.

The Deer God can be a very absorbing experience. I found myself just running along the landscape exploring the world, and testing my powers on the creatures around me. It’s not a tough game to master and it isn’t long either once you have the basics in hand.

Either way with its back to basics approach to narrative, and its deeply satisfying gunplay, early signs are that Resident Evil: Revelations 2 will be a worthy addition to the series.

It fails to do anything that really pushes the series forward, borrowing heavily from previous games while adding a few extra bells and whistles.

A game that I urge you to experience. It’s not perfect, but in a way that fits entirely with its own outlook, and its effectiveness as a story is both thought-provoking and surprising. Pre-conceptions aside, it is certainly an intriguing and unique title that explores elements of philosophy and life often left untouched by gaming.

Under Night In-Birth Exe: Late is a welcome addition to the fighting genre, and whilst there are a few rough edges, and a barmy plot, its welcoming but deep mechanics, enjoyable characters and solid performance should see it gain as many fans on this side of the world as it did in the East.

It isn’t a fun puzzle game, and feels like a missed opportunity.

For the stalwart fan, it’s possible that Last Round contains just enough additions and upgrades to make a purchase necessary, especially when you consider its budget pricing, but for the less committed it may not be enough. Meanwhile, for those yet to play Dead or Alive 5, Last Round is the most complete and attractive version of an enjoyable, albeit ostentatious, fighter despite a few minor issues.

A dull grind from the get go.

The Order: 1886 features a wonderfully crafted and realistic alternate history setting with the greatest visuals and production values so far on the PS4. While the first half or so of the story really works, it’s let down by the final few hours, which abandon things shouting out to be explored in favour of introducing forced plot points which do the world and the main cast a disservice.

An enjoyable and engaging entry in the series, and in the combat flight-sim genre. For returning players however there is very little new content here to warrant a purchase, unless you’re absolutely desperate to pilot a Samus Aran airplane in a fictional war.

One of the best point and click adventure titles to be released, and stands as an example of what the genre has to offer. I would easily place it in the company of revered adventure titles like Grim Fandango or Tales Of Monkey Island, perhaps even surpassing them as it takes what made those titles great and expands upon them.

The story takes a weird turn in the third act which made it seem less like LocoRoco and more like Rise of the Planet of the Apes, making the game a somewhat strange and interesting experience despite the incredibly frustrating levels and annoying control issues.

This episode is about as close to being filler as it gets for Telltale – sure, a couple of the plot threads are enjoyable, and one of the new characters is quite interesting – but these moments are few compared to the abundance of boring references and pointless tasks to be done.

Admittedly, it can be hit and miss when paired up with AI players through matchmaking, but as with so many games, it can be pure gold when played with friends.

All in all, it’s an essential entry for both new and returning hunters, and another vital exclusive for Nintendo’s 3DS.

If you enjoy crafting and planning, while potentially starting a riot, then The Escapists could be the game you’re looking for.

Although a sound game, Dying Light just falls short of greatness.

This remake changes that title – for the better, from a technical view – but that’s likely to mess with fans’ nostalgic tendencies and will confuse returning players at points. But, for anyone playing Majora’s Mask for the first time, this is an extremely refined reworking of a game which would likely feel archaic and broken if released again in its original state.

The visuals paint a solid, and often beautiful world, and despite the occasional misstep in the dialogue or execution Dontnod have the beginnings of a worthy and memorable entry in the adventure game genre.

A puzzling game, in every sense of the word. In that manner there are puzzles, each of which must be surmounted before you can progress, but equally its lack of any true storytelling, beyond that which you create yourself, or indeed any hand-holding to point you in the right direction almost cause too much confusion.

The simple fact is that despite turning the game off every ten minutes and vowing never to play it again, I kept coming back to Baboon! It is annoyingly addictive, and I mean that in every sense, it will annoy the hell out of you.

It’s a game that makes you laugh out loud, and Manny is a great lead character.

If you’ve played the original Resident Evil inside out, or the Gamecube remake, you know exactly what you’re getting with Capcom’s shiny re-release. It’s a polished update that never strays far from the template, proving just as faithful as it is hardcore.

Considering its budget price, Kingdom Hearts 2.5 HD Remix is a steal. Clocking in at well over sixty hours, the collection oozes with quality and that classic Disney charm, all bundled up in a gorgeous high definition package.

Hell as a location feels a bit bland, and without the other Saints to bounce off Kinzie and Gat aren’t that interesting or funny. Combine that with the lack of in-game music and customisation options and this entry is a step backwards for the series.

A game of small joys, lovingly compiled by master games makers. Smaller in scope than many of the titles in the Mario universe, the focus with which it has been constructed has meant it retains a purity sorely lacking in many modern games.

By combining this new content with the old, Gamefreak have created their most accessible remake yet.

The opportunity to re-explore Hoenn is a thrilling one, and there’s more than enough new content and tweaks to the old to justify the return trip.

Issues with the sound design aside, Lumino City is truly wonderful. The writing sparkles, puzzles are well put together and fun while requiring you to work for the solution just the right amount, and the visuals really do feel special.

It’s one of their best offerings, and a refreshing new direction for both a game series that had begun to go stale and a gameplay formula which had started to feel repetitive.

Not a bad game, it’s just not a great one. The singleplayer game brings nothing new to the franchise, and in some ways even feels like a step backwards from Guardian Of Light. As a multiplayer game it takes on a different and welcome dimension, though for every great moment, you can expect equal frustration.

If you happen to be a fan of both Adventure Time and Zelda then you’re unlikely to find another game that combines the world of Ooo and the gameplay of Hyrule in such an enjoyable way.

The in game world is absolutely huge and it’s filled with a great deal of content – it looks brilliant at times too. Although the handling takes some time getting used to it does feel natural as the game begins to open up. Despite that, the driver AI can be infuriating at times, as with the traffic placement which I refuse to believe is a coincidence. The online doesn’t feel well integrated either and the story is uninspiring.

The premiere episode in Telltale’s Game of Thrones series does a lot of things right. Certainly, it manages to capture the political overtones as well as the high fantasy setting of the series it is based on, and it does them justice, bringing in new characters and plots not adapted from the book series. That’s an achievement in itself, and while it doesn’t stray too much from Telltale’s formula, it adapts an excellent property to something which we’ve seen hit the mark time and time again.