The gimmick is great, and playing as a villain works extremely well, but as a game this doesn't play as fair or as fun as previous instalments.
Pacing problems and a lack of variety take their toll, but in its best most moments this is the most successful big budget survival horror in a decade.
There are some inherent limitations with playing a four-player fighting game on a 3DS but this overcomes almost all of them, to become one of the portable's definitive multiplayer games.
A far better game than many would've imagined, not just in terms of its action and Lord of the Rings authenticity – but in bringing a genuinely new idea to gaming.
It's certainly not the worst Gauntlet revamp there's ever been, but there's too little substance or variety to satisfy either new fans or old.
A worthy follow-up to Deadly Premonition, although whether it earns the same classic status will depend largely on the subsequent episodes.
A game of two halves: the new Marvel adventure is awful but the improved Toy Box is good enough to inspire kids to make something much better themselves.
Still one of the best third person actioners of all-time, and although the Wii U version changes very little the classic gameplay still shines through.
It always sounded like a bad idea, but although Zelda has inspired one of the best Dynasty Warriors games to date the end result is still well below average by any other standard.
It's not short of spectacle but in terms of innovation and variety this is nowhere near as forward-thinking as Bungie would like to pretend.
Almost a great sequel, but the improvements to the sims are overshadowed by the shopping list of peculiarly random missing features.
One of the best remasters so far makes surviving the Russian apocalypse more horrifying than ever, although none of the changes address the games' more fundamental issues.
Still a stunning achievement in both storytelling and third person adventure, and although this is the definitive version the differences are still minor.
One of the best remakes ever, but also a puzzle platformer that defies its age to offer an enjoyable challenge to gamers both young and old.
One of the most impressive indie titles of the year and arguably the most cinematic and accessible 2D shooter of the modern era.
A terrible backwards step for Transformers games, and a movie tie-in so cynical it tries to cut corners by ripping off its own predecessors.
An amusing novelty on a good day but a tedious non-game for the rest of the week, Nintendo's life simulator proves voyeurism is not all it's cracked up to be.
A highly enjoyable GTA clone but one that doesn't quite have the panache of Rockstar's best or the inspiration to make the most of its otherwise enjoyable gameplay concepts.
The best Wolfenstein game ever made and one of the best single-player shooters for years, with a brave attempt to tackle serious issues and still have fun at the same time.
A fantastic new arcade game in the best traditions of Treasure, that takes plenty of inspiration from older classics but has just as many new ideas of its own.