Although it's a bit too easy, and doesn't offer very much post-game content, this is a surprisingly brilliant game that tries something new and succeeds way more often than it fails. Child of Light is full of character and personality, and is probably one of the best looking games you'll play this year, relying on design instead of power. Give it a go, you'll find it very hard not to fall in love with Aurora's tale, and the land of Lemuria.
The Walking Dead is back on track, after a slightly dull Episode Two, this is exactly what the series needed. It will make you care again, it will make you angry and sad in equal measures, it will remind you that nobody is safe in this universe, but best of all it recaptures The Walking Dead's brilliance. I cannot wait for the next episode.
It may not be revolutionary, but it adds just enough to pique interests while keeping the core experience we've all grown up with, regardless of age. Mario Kart is one of those timeless franchises that every age group can enjoy, and sometimes, that's enough to celebrate.
It may be slightly too complex in parts for the more casual gamers out there, but it's full of clever ideas, and every area has had attention lavished upon it. Transistor is comfortably one of the best games of 2014 so far, and Supergiant deserve the plaudits yet again for a job well done.
Telltale's greatest accomplishment is delivering a worthwhile entry into the Fables cannon, keeping true to the ideals without taking any liberties whatsoever. Even though many fans will already know how the characters end up, The Wolf Among Us manages to be gripping from start to finish – there's just no real weak point, and Cry Wolf is a fittingly great ending to a fantastic series.
But this is still a game that revels in a party environment. Alone, there's little to keep you coming back for too long, but after a few drinks, or with the family, Wii Sports continues to provide a good time. But please wear the straps when swinging the Wiimote; trust me, I've seen the damage first-hand.
The best game on PlayStation 3 is now the best game on PlayStation 4. Despite some decent titles on Sony's new machine, you can't deny the quality of Naughty Dog's masterpiece. Even the staunchest of advocates that want original experiences on their new console will struggle to find much wrong with The Last of Us. Truly magical.
It started nervously, almost scared of what it was, but at the end of season two, you'll go to whomever you hold dear, and you'll squeeze them just that little bit harder than usual. They'll ask you why, and you won't answer. There's a little girl to be saved.
It feels odd to say it, but I actually prefer First Light to Second Son. The shorter run-time and more direct story could have reduced the feeling of freedom, but instead it benefits almost every area of the game. As a standalone product, its low price and superb gameplay means that it's definitely recommended.
Some won't like the piecemeal unlocking method that Curtain Call employs, but if you're a fan of Final Fantasy (and why would you buy this if you weren't?) you'll be used to slow openings, as the game rewards your loyalty and time. The biggest question is whether you'll want to revisit the Theatrhythm world to get the larger song-list, and new Quest mode, and that makes it a tough sell, despite its pick up and play nature.
It's going to cost you a fortune, though, because once you start to enjoy dashing through the air as Iron Man, you'll want more of those pricey heroes to throw into your game, because they're wonderful little toys that look and feel good. On that note, this seems an ideal time to remind you that we don't accept any responsibility for any overdraft charges you may incur after playing Disney Infinity 2.0.
EA Canada can't win in that respect, because whichever angle they cater toward, they'll always be upsetting someone else. It's a shame Career Mode has seen such little love this year, but regardless, there are enough changes overall that FIFA feels a very different game this year. They've not reinvented the wheel, just put shinier trims on it, and perhaps this isn't the year that the presentation needed to take centre stage.
Alien: Isolation is a phenomenal title marred by only one major issue that some will overlook, and others will find a deal-breaker. It's comfortably the best Alien game ever made, and delivers authenticity along with a new story that is worth seeing, experiencing, and fleeing from into the darkness. Never once allowing the immersion to be broken, Creative Assembly have done it. They have actually done it.
The toys still aren't cheap, and jumping in here (the new starter pack only has two Skylanders, as it also has two traps) means you're probably going to want to get a few extra toys right out of the gate. But Toys for Bob continue to hold fun in the highest regard, and that's worth championing. But Lord only knows where they go next.
Brutal, gory, and one of the most tense games in recent memory - though not without fault.
A game that puts player fun ahead of everything else, and is bursting with colour and character.
This is how you do DLC. Superb value for money that truly gives you a reason to revisit one of 2014's best games.
With the best level design yet, this is more LittleBigPlanet, but the new characters help keep it fresh.
An exciting opening to a series that could end up being Telltale's best yet. There's something here for everyone.
This really is "more Geometry Wars", but it's been quite some time since we've had a new game. The campaign level design offers something new, but the classic mode is where it's really at.