Another fortnight, another deeply average Dead Rising 3 DLC pack. Though more interesting and worthwhile than the pathetic Operation Broken Eagle, Fallen Angel is still not worth your money unless you really, really need to zap zombies with an awesome electric blaster cannon.
Half gleefully entertaining rail shooter and half primitive QTE-fest, Rambo: The Video Game ends up average. It's a shame that the OTT action is so often eclipsed by shonky production values and tragic instant-fail sections, but if you manage to find a competitive deal for the PC version, you'll find yourself having much more fun than you bargained for.
How low can you go? Not content with mediocrity, Capcom Vancouver are on a crusade to singlehandedly destroy consumer confidence in next-gen season passes and DLC.
Strider is more than worthy to bear the name: a slick, exacting and breathlessly hectic action-platformer powered by superb combat. Though botched 'MetroidVania' exploration adds tedious bulk rather than value, amplified by a grim lack of colour, arcade aficionados and challenge-seekers will be in their element.
Plants vs Zombies: Garden Warfare is a fun, fresh and friendly new take on the tired old multiplayer shooter. Newbies will enjoy a safe and relaxing environment to learn the ropes, while the superbly imbalanced classes provide surprising depth for more experienced players. PopCap's genre inexperience shows in the half-baked progression system and unsatisfying hit feedback, but their bumbling and charming personality ultimately wins out.
As much as anything, I can't wait to play it again. I want to play it right now. Usually I can't wait to be shot of a game after intensively crushing it for review purposes (even the best of them), but here, I'm ready for more.
Ground Zeroes is a stealthy sandbox, a playground that lets us get used to and experiment with the slick new Metal Gear mechanics. Its weak storyline and fleeting length are disappointing, but impressive replay value, extra content and undeniable quality will make The Phantom Pain's prologue worth the price of admission for many gamers.
Luftrausers delivers white-knuckle arcade thrills and intense dogfighting action, allowing us to become a true fighter ace.
Brilliant and brutal, breathtaking and exacting, Cloudbuilt lights a rocket underneath traditional platformers. Exceptional level design, stunning visuals and a lofty skill ceiling make for an impressive debut, though its ferocious difficulty takes no prisoners.
Mercenary Kings is a royal retro rumble; an outstanding sidescrolling shooter with the depth and longevity of Monster Hunter. Though unwelcome repetition and grind can set in after long stints, grabbing some mates for local co-op fun with ridiculous customised boomsticks never gets old.
Reaper Of Souls costs a bomb, but shakes up Diablo III so drastically that it feels like a different game. A truly superb new act, great new class and useful artisan will be worth the price of admission for many, while Adventure Mode sets the stage for an entirely new addiction over the coming months.
MXGP is a solid stab at recreating the muddy thrills of motocross that excels on the simulation side of things. One for the fans.
More an overhaul than a director's cut, Strike Suit Zero's console debut feels like the definitive version of Born Ready's space sim: the game we all wanted it to be. Empowering mech handling and rebalanced gameplay makes a universe of difference, turning frustration into fun and challenging action in the main.
Short yet sensationally bittersweet, A Crooked Mile puts The Wolf Among Us back on form. Expect powerful performances, perfect pacing, gutwrenching decisions and even more opportunities to define Bigby as a unique, charismatic and nuanced character. Outstanding - so here's hoping that the final two episodes can deliver.
Age Of Wonders III focuses on eXploration and eXtermination in an unpredictable and customisable fantasy world that constantly reveals new secrets. A few issues and controversial mechanics might irk some genre veterans, but following the first major patch, Triumph's triumph is easily one of the most compelling strategy hybrids we've seen in recent years, and an enjoyably stern challenge for fans of tactical turn-based combat.
Trials Fusion brings the series' addictive and challenging physics-based gameplay to new platforms and the next console generation, and does so with style. Though the loose FMX tricks system underwhelms and a few features are MIA at launch, it's still a huge serving of tightly-honed thrills, humiliating spills, compelling competition and user generated content that deserves your attention.
The Last Federation lets us become the shadowy puppet master behind a simulated galaxy, which we can unify or destroy at our whim. Whether applying political pressure from behind the scenes or blasting pirate fleets with energy cannon fire, this recklessly innovative indie gem has the polish, fun factor and sticking power to match its big ambitions.
NES Remix 2 crafts addictive and wacky challenges out of a dozen legendary games, trading on nostalgia yet letting us enjoy classic Nintendo moments in totally new ways. Its fantastic library, anarchic level design, spirit of competition and surprisingly subversive bonus game provides great value for money - and never once cracks our rose-tinted specs.
This bite-sized brawler delivers addictive time attack gameplay and satisfying combat for an appropriate price. Though you'll want to engage in short doses to make the most of its limited enemy types, Croixleur Sigma is perfect for pick-up-and-play action and delivers significantly superior value for money than its predecessor.
Titan Attacks! is a fantastic SHMUP that packs nostalgia in spades, yet feels fierce, fresh and fun in the execution. Gorgeous visuals, addictive upgrades and unpredictable enemies bring Space Invaders bang up to date in style.