Amazing Spider-Man 2 does little to dispel the negative reputation that licensed video games have garnered over the years, coming across like a project that was kicked out of the studio doors to coincide with the movie's release. Swinging freely around New York feels liberating, but without engaging combat and missions to back this up, the game feels like little more than another half-baked cash-in.
While the game deserves some credit for its presentation and use of companion apps, all the beer in the world wouldn't be enough to prevent your party guests from piling into an early cab if you subjected them to an evening of this.
This first episode of Broken Sword 5: The Serpent's Curse is a noble attempt at recapturing the spirit of a classic from a bygone era, that doesn't quite reach the same lofty standards as the original.
From its intense firefights to its wanton destruction and carmageddon, Just Cause 3 has all the hallmarks of a classic action movie - it's just a shame the end result is more Van Damme in quality than vintage Schwarzenegger or Stallone.
If the non-vehicular segments were on par, we'd have had a classic on our hands. But sadly they aren't, and we don't. Mad Max is at its best when you're hurling through the desert with a pack of murderous bandits on your tail, but the on-foot portion of the game feels derivative and largely uninspired.
Kirby and the Rainbow Paintbrush is one of the best-looking games on the Wii U, yet its creativity fails to reach the same dizzying heights where gameplay is concerned. It's fun and accessible, but doesn't offer enough substance to serve as anything more than fodder for a few lazy Sunday afternoons.
The Sims 4 takes a step forward in some ways, while taking two steps back in others.
There's no doubt that The Sims 4 is all the richer for 'Get to Work', but it is merely one small step towards building the game into a worthy successor to its classic counterparts and satisfying a vast fan base.
The LEGO Movie Videogame recaptures much of the charm and playability of its forebears by rehashing their hallmarks, but doesn't quite have the same appeal. Controlling a team of Marvel superheroes made of LEGO or an army of toy Jedi is far more exciting than re-enacting a movie from start to finish, especially if it's one you've already seen.
Flockers has character and is satisfactorily challenging for the most part, but is a dish best served in bite-sized chunks. This being the case, home consoles don't necessarily feel like the optimum platform for the game, so we'd like to see those sheep herded towards tablet pastures in the future.
Heavy investment is required to maximise the game's potential, and the burning question is whether Skylanders: Trap Team is worth the various upgrades on offer. To its target audience of collectors and Skylanders fanatics, the answer is yes. This is another endearing and inventive addition to the fold, but those unwilling to delve into the game wholeheartedly should probably give it a miss.
Sherlock Holmes: Crimes & Punishments is not without its issues, but it is loyal enough to its source material and the adventure genre to make it worth a look if you're a fan of either. Just don't expect any of the high-octane set pieces of the Robert Downey Jr films or the ingenuity of the Cumberbatch show.
While there's good fun to be had in co-op mode, and players who like their shooters chock full of zombies won't be disappointed, this feels likes a somewhat limited package on the whole.
Younger gamers and those with a flare for design will get the most out of it, but Media Molecule's latest offering will certainly provide pleasure for everyone.
In fact, so impressive is the way everything looks and sounds that you'll kind of wish you could join Harry and leave civilisation behind. Just leave the matches at home, yeah.
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD is basically the definitive version of an already great game, an epic journey that gave us a glimpse of the series' dark underbelly.
Assassin's Creed Syndicate is an acrobatic lunge in the right direction for the series. It's a more stable offering than Unity ever was with engaging protagonists, a monster of a city to get lost in, and some shrewd tweaks to the time-tested formula. Contract killing and taking leaps of faith off famous landmarks hasn't been this rewarding since the days of the great Ezio Auditore da Firenze.
These niggles aside, LEGO Marvel's Avengers is another mighty adaptation from TT Games, with as much wit, magic and authenticity as its other brick-rendered offerings. LEGO Hulk, Iron Man, Cap, Thor, Black Widow and Hawkeye are sure to prove a smash hit with the whole family.
Chock-full of content and fresh ideas, Skylanders SuperChargers revitalises the toy-to-life series by seamlessly integrating racing into the mix and cranking up the variety.
This glorious compilation is the definitive way to experience the trilogy, whether you're a returning fan after a recap ahead of Uncharted 4: A Thief's End or a newcomer looking to pop your Uncharted cherry. Either way, you're in for a treat.