Taking control of El Presidente and ruling over a sunny paradise used to be a unique guilty pleasure for RTS fans. Tropico 5 retains some of that, and newcomers might appreciate the gameplay alterations, but overall the franchise seems to be slipping.
Sniper Elite 3 puts in a respectable effort to improve on its predecessors, with bigger levels and more gameplay variety, but is ultimately let down by bugs and a lack of polish.
It's Worms as you remember them, with a bit of added shine and a few new weapons. If it's been a while, you can't go wrong with Battlegrounds, though be weary of the hefty price tag.
Watch Dogs refines stealth action in an interconnected open world that's worth exploring.
Kinect Sports Rivals is solid enough to get players moving, and provides entertainment when competing against friends. As much as the game may try, however, the limitations of Kinect is its biggest rival.
Infamous: Second Son is yet another technical tour de force for the PlayStation 4, but one that's lacking in other areas.
Yet another misstep for the Ninja Gaiden franchise. An attempt to offer something wholly different fails to pay off.
Rambo: The Video Game gives you a war you won't believe. You won't have much fun, either.
Like all sequels, Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2 attempts to improve on the original in almost every area, but ultimately fails to do so. New ideas and mechanics are let down by sloppy execution.
South Park: The Stick of Truth is a fantastic adaption of the show, and will thrill fans who have always wanted to visit this Colorado community in an interactive medium.
All-around frustrating controls, irregular physics and unfriendly level design make Max: The Curse of Brotherhood another misstep in the Xbox One digital launch library.
Forza Motorsport 5 sets the bar high for visual fidelity and simulation racing on the Xbox One. Sadly, design choices and lack of content get in the way of the fun.
Ryse: Son of Rome is a decent action trip and a good addition for the Xbox One launch lineup, but on its own there's nothing particularly memorable to help stand the test of time.
Need for Speed Rivals is a fun, addictive racing title with seamless multiplayer integration, but stiff controls and occasional technical hiccups hold it back.
It's nice to have some variety in the Xbox One launch lineup, but Crimson Dragon doesn't offer anything groundbreaking nor takes advantage of the new platform's capabilities.
Multiplayer is solid and technical presentation sets the bar high for PlayStation 4, but Killzone: Shadow Fall lacks any other enticing features to make it a must-have shooter.
FIFA 14 arrives on next generation platforms with much the same content as its current-gen counterparts, plus vastly improved visuals. As such, it remains a great game of footy and easily recommended to fans who have yet to pick up a copy this year.