John Robertson
Tearaway's blend of the real and virtual worlds makes it a rare and charming treat.
Thanks to its excellent battle system, Bravely Default breathes new life into a traditionalist genre.
Less crossover and more combination, the excellent Professor Layton vs. Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney provides each of its stars equal face time.
Grid Autosport is often too ambitious for its own good, resulting in a diverse but inconsistent racer.
Undoubtedly, there's enormous potential for a UFC series that will in the future become a staple part of the EA Sports family. A few tweaks are needed, but things are on the right track.
Madden 15 a step forward, then, yet still a year behind schedule. There's a good game here, but there's still work to do to bring it up to the level of many of its sports game peers.
Compared to previous efforts, NHL 15 falls incredibly short on new-gen platforms. Missing a swathe of modes, you can't help but feel that the franchise's debut on Xbox One and PlayStation 4 is something of a puck up. Disappointing.
FIFA 15 might not be wholly realistic, but it brings more flair and excitement than any game in the series so far.
Is it as good as playing with friends fighting around a TV? No, but it is Smash Bros as we've come to know and love and, at least until the Wii U version arrives, that's more than good enough. hardcore and causal players rejoice.
Sunset Overdrive is not lacking in enjoyable moments and ideas, but the overall package doesn't manage to live up to the billing publisher Microsoft has thrust upon it. This is not a revolution as far as open-world games go, it's more of a compendium of recognizable elements that have been twisted just enough to make them seem new and different for the uninitiated.
Football Manager 2015 is the same game we've come to know and love, but in this case that's no bad thing.
The final result is a brilliant alteration of an old friend, shining a new light on a proven structure.
Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare achieves that delicate balance of providing something fresh, without diminishing the game's historical appeal.
PES 2015 is a genuine return to form for the series, one that competes with FIFA on every step, pass, and shot.
It might be conventional as far as visuals and monsters go, but its overall appeal rests in its provision of a living world that can be sculpted and altered in ways both subtle and explicit. So long as you're prepared to put the required time in, Dragon Age: Inquisition has plenty to give.
LittleBigPlanet 3's whimsical world has plenty of good ideas that struggle to form a cohesive whole.
The fact that everything plays out so smoothly here suggests that the finished product is extremely close to the designers' original vision for the project, a compliment that certainly can't be levelled at all games. This clarity of creation brings us a game of expert pacing and reward, as well as one that possesses more depth than the vast majority of its genre peers.
Its high level of difficulty means that this remains a franchise not suited to everyone, but its sheer quality means it's infinitely deserving of being given a chance. Take the plunge and allow yourself to be absorbed by the ride - it's well worth it.
If you're prepared to embrace its intimate teamwork requirements then Evolve supplies a rewarding multiplayer experience.
Without question it's the best game Microsoft has published since the onset of the Xbox One era and one that's pleasingly, satisfyingly easy to recommend.