The Vita plays the perfect host to Spelunky. Its intense, fast-paced gameplay feels right at home on the portable device, where quick stints of gameplay can help to alleviate the frustration that the title's unforgiving difficulty inevitably unearths. If you're fortunate enough to dig your way past the rock-solid opening hours, a never-ending supply of treasure eagerly awaits your discovery.
Tearaway is a handheld masterpiece, and a shining example of how unique hardware features should be handled. Its short running time is mostly overshadowed by its compelling mix of platforming, combat, and personalisation – a brilliantly crafted gameplay combination that'll keep you glued to the wonderful world that Media Molecule has created. This papercraft adventure is easily one of the best that you'll unfold on Sony's portable system.
Several small gameplay niggles and the unexpected absence of a couple of modes prevent FIFA 14 from attaining the perfection of Barcelona's passing statistic – but that doesn't stop the series' PS4 debut from sitting at the top of the league in terms of atmosphere, immersion, polish, and attention to detail. This is not only the most well-realised soccer simulation on the market, it's also one of the best launch titles available for Sony's next generation system.
When you're dashing and slashing with capable allies, Warframe is decent game – but there's still a lot of work that needs to be done before it can be considered a good one. The user interface isn't controller friendly, you're given little to no direction, and the title's free-to-play model hinders its overall design. Until these issues are rectified, we recommend waiting in the shadows for the release to finally emerge from its beta state.
At its blistering best, Strider is a joy to play – its silky smooth controls making it difficult to not feel like the unstoppable agent himself. It's a welcome return to a beloved franchise, but it falls just short of maintaining the momentum that's expected of it, and instead opts to slice its way into a new generation with some less than exhilarating gameplay additions.
With its catchy Wild West soundtrack and rustic good looks, SteamWorld Dig saunters onto PlayStation platforms with confidence. Its aesthetics will charm you, but it's the game's tight platforming and addictive sense of progression that allow it to mine its way into your heart. While we wish that Rusty's expedition lasted a little longer and didn't require quite as much backtracking, there are still plenty of reasons to sink your pickaxe into this little gem.
Without question the biggest, best looking, and most refined Warriors title on the battlefield, Dynasty Warriors 8: Xtreme Legends Complete Edition is an absolute must buy for fans, while newcomers will find themselves jumping into the action at the most opportune time. Although the franchise will have to grind its recurring issues into dust before its next outing, we have a feeling that you won't be seeing an entry that's this robust for a long, long time.
When it's at its absolute best, Strike Suit Zero: Director's Cut is a brilliantly bombastic, incredibly intense space combat game that's sure to give you wings. Complex controls, a couple of poor design choices, and some iffy mechanics can make it difficult to love, but conquering the final frontier will leave you with a sense of accomplishment that's currently unrivalled on the PS4.
If you've been burning with anticipation for a fantasy RPG on Sony's newest console, Bound by Flame may be worth a look – but be sure to keep your expectations lukewarm. Much like its lead character, the release is a conflicted creation that's eager to prove its worth, but fails to set its ambitions alight. Not quite a product forged in the fires of Hell, Spiders' latest isn't a bad game, but it's never going to be much more than a flicker of light in a dark age of absent RPGs.
Watch Dogs isn't a hack job, but it isn't the next-gen revolution that many were expecting either. It's a game largely made up of mediocre bits and pieces, but is elevated far beyond the sum of its parts by its brilliantly dynamic sandbox and often gripping mission design. You'll want to see Aiden Pearce's tale through to its conclusion despite its flaws, but it's those unpredictable and sometimes spectacular moments of vigilante justice that will keep you connected to Ubisoft's latest open world.
Fans should know that they won't have to scour the seven seas to find the treasures that One Piece: Unlimited World Red has buried beneath its somewhat rough exterior. Alas, even if you're not an honorary member of the Straw Hats, Luffy's latest outing proves to be an accessible, well rounded, and enjoyable action RPG – although we daresay that the title's tried and tested gameplay structure would better suit the handheld version of the release.
Killzone: Shadow Fall - Intercept's focus lies firmly on the franchise's fantastic gunplay, and it's all the better for it. Requiring a good amount of coordination and teamwork, the expansion won't suit everyone, but victory tastes all the sweeter because of its often intense difficulty. The DLC is let down by a dwindling online user base, but get a group of friends together, and the reasonably priced add-on will almost always hit the mark.
Rogue Legacy's greatest strength is that you'll always want just one more try. Whether it's the fast paced platforming action, well realised RPG mechanics, or simply the desire to see what crazy things you can uncover in the castle, there's plenty of reason to keep your armour polished and ready to go. Frustrating gameplay niggles aside, this is an indie release that executes a tried and tested formula well, while also building upon it with some enjoyable, fresh systems.
Even though Warriors Orochi 3 Ultimate is buried in some slightly lacklustre content, you're definitely getting your money's worth with this shockingly robust package. The franchise's seemingly simplistic alterations to the Warriors formula hide some extraordinary depth, and the gigantic character roster will be enough to send most fans into a daze. Even if you're new to Tecmo Koei's divisive software, this may be a perfect starting point thanks to its standalone, over the top story – just try not to burn yourself out before the next inevitable release.
Destiny's budget was out of this world, and it's there for all to see in the finished product. Bungie's smash hit isn't the gameplay revolution that some wanted, but its accessible RPG systems, sublime gunplay, and incredible presentation over all aspects of the release elevate it beyond some of the very best shooters on the market. And although its flaws keep it from becoming legend, group together with friends, and you'll partake in an intergalactic experience that's a beacon of light in an increasingly darkening genre.
There's no doubt that T-Bone makes a much more interesting lead than Aiden Pearce, but Bad Blood's gameplay fails to reflect the swap. Fortunately, though, the combination of sneaking, hacking, and shooting feels just as cohesive and enjoyable as it did in the main game. If you could do with more Watch Dogs, you'll have a rocking good time with this continuation – but don't expect any deviations from the original title's solid but predictable template.
FIFA 15 boasts everything that we've come to expect from EA's annual footy sim. All of the teams, stadiums, and modes are here, packaged alongside numerous alterations that don't promise much individually, but affect the game in a largely positive way when combined. The franchise can still pride itself on being top of the league, but it seems content to hold onto its position with rather predictable 1-0 victories.
Sleeping Dogs: Definitive Edition provides a good excuse to get involved with Hong Kong's shady dealings if you haven't already, but a lack of new features makes it difficult to recommend a return trip – at least at full price. It's still a fantastic sandbox title, however, sporting cohesive, engaging mission design, satisfying gameplay, and a great story – a formula which makes Wei Shen's tale a fantastic alternative to the likes of Watch Dogs and even Grand Theft Auto V if you're looking for an open world time sink.
Bursting back onto Sony platforms with a vengeance, Samurai Warriors 4 cuts down Dynasty Warriors 8: Xtreme Legends Complete Edition and KOs Warriors Orochi 3 Ultimate. Boasting a superb story mode, a delightful cast, and countless improvements to the Warriors formula, musou fanatics shouldn't even blink before buying. Move over Lu Bu, the Demon King won't be beaten any time soon.
Punchy, futuristic weapons, even faster gameplay, and additional agility make Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare a joy to play, both offline and online. With a campaign that features several spectacular scenarios and a brilliantly robust and incredibly moreish multiplayer offering, Sledgehammer Games has succeeded in crafting a title that feels fresh but familiar, and does just enough to put the franchise back on track after the disappointing Call of Duty: Ghosts.