The Digital Fix

The sumptuous graphics are enough to keep you playing even if the missions have bored you and the combat whilst tricky initially really sours when you have acquired a few of the obtainable powers. It's genuinely fun once you hit that sweet spot and shows off the PS4's potential in a big way, it's just a shame that it plays it very very safe throughout. Here's hoping the next Infamous game pushes the boat out that little bit further in terms of world and gameplay.

By very slightly opening up the experience, Dark Souls II has risked unravelling this success, particularly for the hardcore fanbase. But in actuality the minor changes do not hugely alter the overall gameplay. It is still wonderfully mysterious and horrendously punishing, all backed up by a unique battle and skill system that is so gloriously balanced it feels like a real talent to master.

Chaos Rising is probably the most fun of the three episodes so far, but their similarity in everything from structure down to animation does little to endear the player to these hastily-sketched caricatures. There's every likelihood that the next episode will follow the same pattern but an hour is enough to draw an intriguing character. We haven't seen one yet - perhaps Capcom Vancouver are saving the best for last? We can but hope.

Titanfall isn't a stunning technical achievement, it isn't a master class in storytelling however it is arguably the best evolution of online multiplayer in some time. A godsend to those Call of Duty players who aren't 'hardcore' and have grown very tired of getting shot in the back with no idea how it happened. Familiar and different at the same time, simply a must for any Xbox One owner and a very convincing argument for an Xbox One.

Luftrausers is an entertaining blast. Its two- to three-minute forays into the skies provide some of the most enjoyable arcade fun we've had outside of... well, an arcade, for some time. A crudely drawn cipher of Richthofen you may be, but there's no denying the majesty those basic pixels bestow upon the player, your inner Red Baron leaping for the chance to prove your worthiness amongst the clouds.

Plants Vs Zombies is bright, colourful, lovely to look at and fun to play - it's the third person shooter no-one knew they wanted and may go a little way to filling the small gap before the big triple A games start to drop.

Full Burst is not an easy game to get into, but it's a fun, engaging and exciting experience if you're willing to put a little effort into it. For fans of the show it's a must-have title and while it's not the perfect introduction to the anime, it's perfectly possible for newcomers to have a lot of fun here too.

Yes it's available on nearly every other platform but that means that everyone can experience the expert level design, constant surprise and cheerful glee that is Rayman Legends.

The beauty of Year Walk is in its discovery, and it's heartening to see a crossover of a more niche mobile title onto the PC platform, especially one which brings such atmosphere and creativity to the fore.

You can't help but think Eidos Montreal have been caught between reverence to the original but the need to incorporate everything good in modern-day AAA titles. They setup some wonderful moments in the game then take control away as it's not really a Thief moment at that point. They do include some boss-type battles - with feedback from Deus Ex understood - still when it's just not needed. They give you half of what's good about Dishonored and forget the rest and they model their storytelling on Lara's latest or Drake's series of adventures but forget to actually write the story to tell. It all adds up to the most frustrating of games. It looks great and plays smoothly. It encourages you to play in a certain way and sets up some wonderful moments only to drop you into a world of frustration, failure and insouciance nigh-on immediately. There are glimpses of wonder but this is the top layer of gold only. The bulk of the game is a frustrating, irritating, random mess. In itself this is frustrating, as what could have been great struggles to be merely average.

Underwhelming is probably the best way to describe The Lego Movie Game; sticking too closely to the movie, lacking in the fun factor, having little character of its own as a result, feeling padded and most certainly rushed to coincide with the movie launch

You'll not leave this episode happy, but the very nature of this series is to challenge and provoke; Telltale continue to refine and polish their craft to such an extent that even the misery of the narrative can't hold us back from wanting more - this second episode is a triumph.

The fresh take on the series in Castlevania: Lords of Shadow seemed to introduce enough fresh blood to resurrect what seemed to be a dying brand. The sequel unfortunately pollutes that bloodstream with an infection caused by too many ideas and too many cut corners. As far as single-player experiences go, there's plenty of meat on the bone thanks to exciting combat and some interesting boss designs. However, any sense of resolution or redemption in Lords of Shadow 2 becomes lost amidst poor storytelling and unsurprising plot twists. If this Dracula seeks eternal rest then as much as we'd love to see him stay alive for one more adventure, perhaps it's about time a stake was put through his heart.

The best compliment I can give Strider is that it is a game that will succeed on its own merits and not by comparison to the original. There has been a lot of love thrown into this game by the developers, but more importantly they have also infused their vision of what the original game could always have been. It's exemplary work and while not perfect you really couldn't ask for a better Strider game. If you hear a strange rhythmic noise, don't worry, it's just me at the back of the room starting a slow clap.

If a few new weapons are enough to part you with your cash then Fallen Angel is an expensive addition worth a look. If it's content you seek, look elsewhere - this expansion is so lacking in thought that even Dead Rising's brain-craving zombies would pass it by.

Although a greatest hits in a sense ' what with chocobos, Moogles and more ' Lightning Returns can't shake the feeling of a track on repeat. Time is of the essence in real terms as well; time to move on, perhaps.

Many times when reviewing a visual novel it feels more like coming up with a book report than trying to objectively frame your views on why pressing buttons this time was different from pressing buttons last time. With the purer gameplay elements perhaps not providing the full quality experience their potential may have promised it's left to the writing found with the daily and deadly life sections. Thankfully the writing (and, by extension, the translation work) here is second to none, and just like a good book you'll find it difficult to put the Vita down when you have Danganronpa up and running. It's Japanese, it's crazy, it's fantastic and there's the best bear character you'll ever see in a game ever (sorry P4G Teddy!) ' just be sure to enjoy the time you spend locked into Hope's Peak. Oh, and don't do anything too drastic to get out'

Might & Magic X - Legacy has the potential to be a fantastic and challenging party-based RPG in the style of old games from the genre. It is more focused on exploration and combat than it is on story. There are some weak presentation issues that hold it back a little and unfortunately, intolerable performance issues that are a fatal blow. Based upon the first part of the game, which saw thorough testing via the Early Access beta, Might & Magic X - Legacy was on track to score much higher but the poor performance in the later game compromises it significantly. If and when Ubisoft address these issues in a patch, the game will be easy to recommend to any gamer of a certain age looking for a nostalgia trip. Until then it should be avoided by all but the most patient players with high end gaming systems.

There is certainly potential beneath the many unrefined and unpolished layers, but Blackguards does not feel worth playing in its current state. Outside of the combat the game fails to impress in any way and often frustration at the user interface, the loading times or the embarrassingly jerky cutscenes drive the player away.

So what we have here is a future-classic, old-school indie title for individuals and like-minded folk alike. The visuals are retro but work, the soundtrack by Daedelus is dynamic and ever-changing in tune with the onscreen action. The code is so precise the fighting is always balanced and true to your inputs - whether that is a disarm, throw of your knife and preference for fisticuffs, or a straight thrust to the chest (with a little wiggle up and down for that achievement) - that the result is always joy, whether you win or lose. Some might question the idea of paying for a game that's been available free in one form or another for a few years. The riposte to that is that the game is worth it. The developer deserves to be rewarded and this is the best version of the game you could ask for - tournament mode on the living room TV with joypads is, well, quite exquisite.