Ken Levine manages to combine difficult topics like guilt, atonement and racism while creating truly remarkable characters, best of all the equally charming and dangerous Elizabeth. Add to this the breathtaking visuals and tactical action (at least on the more difficult levels) and you get an extraordinary action experience.

Trials Evolution is pure addiction on two wheels with loads of improvements on the already highly motivating predecessor.

What an experience! This little gem transports you right into a mysterious and charmingly designed world.

Mysterious, poetical and full of atmosphere – Dear Esther is as magical as a short story from Ray Bradbury. The creative way of storytelling fascinated me from the very first moment.

Magical, impressive, inspiring – like an Arabian Nights' story. The world with its monumental vistas reminds you of ICO and Shadow of the Colossus while the game design continues the mysterious experience of Flower.

You travel through an engaging world full of secrets and hidden clues. You watch, you take notes, you ponder, you think about what is happening on the screen. This is a mysterious journey through time and space – charming, fascinating, unique.

It's a pity that the visuals haven't been optimized for the retina display, but nonetheless it is a beauty. Stamped with a hefty price tag you'll get an exceptional roleplaying game that is as fascinating as it was a few years ago on the DS.

In times where Sam Fisher is a mere shadow of his former self, this two-dimensional ninja steps into the limelight, proving that old school-stealth is far from being dead.

For me this is the best and most important online role-playing game since Mythic's Dark Age of Camelot. ArenaNet managed to eradicate the grind-treadmill with simple but very effective attention to detail. This excursion into the fantasy theme park named Tyria, where on every corner there's a new ride to experience in form of the many things you can discover, is well worth its entry fee.

This is an excellent action adventure game design. At its best, it is full of surprises, dynamic battles and logic puzzles. Once you enter the haunted house you don’t want to check out until the last ghost is caught.

The seemingly simple puzzler quickly becomes an avant-garde masterpiece asking clever questions and challenging you with a hard to master and astonishingly complex principle.

Classy design, comfortable handling, challenging turn based strategy. This is the best board game conversion far and wide – 4X at its best!

The new submission system copies a page out of EAs MMA conceptbook, but it works well and adds depth to the already convincing fighting system that gives you loads of options to try and dominate your opponent, regardless where the fight takes place in the octagon.

Once you get used to the new controls it is hard to get away from this excellent, incredibly intensive basketball experience.

It is mind-blowing how time flies with this game. At first it seems like Eufloria just offers relaxed zengaming, but the more you look the more entertaining strategy for explorers and conquerors you'll discover.

You will remember the breathtaking speed, the spectacular stunts, the great combination of music and on-screen action and, above all, the untamed fun.

I've waited a long time for real time strategy that combines the intuitive iPad controls with the complexity you expect in the genre. Now a student project became a great game – congratulations to Touch Dimensions.

This is one of the best 3D puzzlers out there. The sheer genius of a certain Portal is still superior, but Quantum Conundrum is not far behind.

The charming art-design has been refined, surroundings appear more lively, the battles are more diverse, the difficulty level is more challenging, while new towers, units, rewards and unlockables offer increased tactical depth – an installment which clearly surpasses its predecessor.

Dust is not only an excellent 2D-adventure for Fans of classic action-adventures like Metroid or Castlevania, but also an incredibly charming declaration of love to the whole genre. It plays great, looks damn fine and motivates you from start to finish.

The real-time battles offer countless variations, you enjoy a lot of freedom. The monumental story about the power of true friendship delivers memorable moments full of humour and drama. One of the best role-playing experiences on the PS3.

Charming, diversified and incredibly versatile. Sackboy's Vita adventure adds small, but well working touchscreen improvements to the powerful editor/game.

Great atmosphere, beautiful animations, skillful goals – this is top notch soccer.

It is tremendous fun to cruise through a breathtaking virtual Colorado, explore and listen to the fantastic soundtrack. On top of that the brilliant driving physics show that the Forza-DNA is still intact and working. But AI problems, a missing split-screen and the reduction to a maximum of eight players online eventually show that there is still room for improvement.

At one point I seriously asked myself if Sports Interactive pushed too hard when it came to depth as well as attention to detail. But then my team scored, I saw my tactics work out and I just wanted more. This game will keep you hooked for weeks and months.

It is rare that games showcase deep emotions. And to be honest, I didn't think that Telltale would be able to pull it off. But they delivered. I am looking forward to the second season.

Rejoice, hobby generals: Battle of the Bulge is the first strategy highlight of the year. Alongside Ravenmark this is the best you can get in turn based strategy for your iPad.

This is a beautiful monster of a game. It is as sad as it is remarkable that this PS2-classic might be the best thing happening to Vita users for the whole year.

If you want a suspenseful crime story with sci-fi flair, dramatic conflicts and puzzles that are as varied as they are challenging, look no further. This is a grand adventure.

Deponia is an incredibly funny, affectionately designed adventure. The tale of the underdog who simply refuses to give up makes you smile again and again. The tasks need brains as well as patience, but stay logical most of the time. An entertaining addition to the adventure genre.

I played the 360- and the PS3-version. And still the level design with its bright colours and crazy ideas managed to captivate me. This was and still is one of the best jump-and-runs in recent memory.

Zelda meets Robotron: Isaac celebrates old school topdown action in randomly generated dungeons.

It's not just the clever idea or the funky artdesign – it is the combination of everything, infused with a helping of Elite Beat Agents, a pinch of Rhythm Paradise and a teaspoon of Ghost Trick. Beat Sneak Bandit is as creative as intelligent.



Physics based experiments and a charming steampunk atmosphere: Vessel transports you into a fascinating puzzle world.

A gorgeous presentation, motivating gameplay and amazing depth – the gathering of these beat-em-up-heavyweights is a sure hit regardless of your experience.

This is easily one of the best beat' em ups out there and I am happy that on the PC SFxT didn't lose a thing.

Kat's adventure has a lot in common with Mirror's Edge: Both games fascinate with their very unique way of movement. Gravity Rush almost breaks through all limitations into a nearly endless freedom. Also like Mirror's Edge it misses some attention to detail: A lot of fights play out too similar und besides the crystals there is not much to discover.

You will need training. You need skills and lightning fast reactions. But in return you'll get magical moments that only Pro Evolution Soccer can deliver – even though the engine and overall presentation need an overhaul.

I hate you. More than anything else. I don't want to play anymore. Okay. One more time. Really. I promise. Okay, now only one more time. Damned, I can do better than that. This is really the last time. Oh man, that was close. Just one more time, I can do it. I hate you. I love you. One more time. Damn, you look good.

Intense turn based tactics combined with challenging funds and army management – XCOM portrays Earth's defense as a comprehensive SciFi-thriller.

Arkham City is one of the strongest games in the Wii U launch lineup, mainly thanks to the original content that's as fascinating as it was about a year ago. But this port also benefits from good implementation of the touch pad controls that seem tailor-made.

Even though I was hoping for a little more creativity on Wii U when it comes to the touchscreen controls, this still is a magical and extensive adventure.

The battlefields in this turn-based tactics gem are as numerous as they are varied. This is tactical entertainment at its best.

Antichamber reminds me, why I love games: Because they can still surprise me. This surreal labyrinth doesn’t bend to convention, it questions it with every move. The puzzles ooze creativity and variety.

After the weak ‘Generations’ Naruto returns to top form. It has its share of flaws, but nonetheless this is the best Naruto adventure yet.

Chaotic, frenzied platform action with loads of entertaining online modes: This is a dream come true for sociable jump&run fans.

Colorful, charming, challenging and full of humor: Guacamelee celebrates classic exploration, fighting and jump&run on the highest level.

The bold mix of mature themed story-adventure and motivating puzzles works surprisingly well and glues you to the pad. If you're looking for something out of the ordinary you should give Catherine a chance. Most likely you will fall in love with her.

A little Tetris, a little GO and a lot of contested space: This mobile conversion of a classic boardgame is very entertaining.

This turn based strategy is not for casual Caesars but a very ambitious project for sophisticated generals. The creative formation system and the challeging campaign will keep you busy for weeks – one turn at a time.

This is not only a Hack & Slay with atmospheric visuals, it offers clever puzzles, interesting secrets and lethal traps behind every corner. Legend of Grimrock is a well executed homage to dungeon crawlers.

This creative puzzlegame is a brilliant example for great retro-feeling with simple means. As soon as you start the adventure the curtain rises and gives way to the world of retro computing including corrupt files and beeping soundfiles.

Especially in areas where Diablo III disappointed, this small gem from Runic Games displays its strengths: There is more than enough useful loot, thus motivating the hunt for the bigger better item, you need to make decisions when it comes to character development. Choice and balancing of the difficulty levels are also well-conceived.

There is no doubt: On Wii U 2K13 celebrates the same magnificent basketball as on 360 or PlayStation 3. But be aware that the engine is not as fluent as on other systems and that the new features for the Wii U GamePad are either unnecessary or well conceived but implemented halfheartedly.

This is exactly how a conversion from consoles to touch pad should look: You won't find any virtual buttons or triggers, the controls are fine-tuned and custom made for gestures, while the content is as huge as on its console brethren. The mobile Joe delivers on a large scale.

Full of surprises and tactically challenging to the very last map. Unfortunately the focus on in-app-purchases takes away from an otherwise great strategy game.

Simogo takes you on a special, sometimes scary melancholic journey that looks like a Swedish winter wonderland at first, but leading you step by step in a dark world hiding behind its pretty façade.

The charm of this pixel adventure won me over fast. While it is a brilliant idea to stage it like a theatre with the party sitting at the table with the dungeon master, the role-playing reminds of the good ole days.

An instant classic. The brilliant mixture of Risk and Scrabble is as simple as it is motivating: You command troops on the battlefield, rage war with words and try to capture all territories. For merely 400 points every hobby tactician should give this cute letter warfare a chance.

This is one of the most atmospheric games I have played on the iPad so far, even though this isn't a RPG with dialogues, quests or plot but a simple turnbased game of dice against the clock that`s based on luck as well as rudimentary tactics.

If you want to show off the technical capabilities of your new mobile system, go and get Drake's new adventure. But this is more than a techdemo. The concept with puzzles, action and climbing is as exciting as on the PS3. The story isn't, though.

The Vita incarnation of the acclaimed PSN dualstick shooter looks great on the small screen and will keep you going for the highscore again and again.

It not only looks great, but gives you high quality content: Loads of modes, a well balanced roster, a complex fighting system, accurate controls.

At first I was skeptical, but Creative Assembly presents challenging and varied strategy, which has been improved on a lot of levels although some relevant areas like AI and diplomacy have been left out.

Byrne's fight for survival is a unique horror trip into the psyche of humans.

It's not as monumental as Xenoblade Chronicles but nonetheless you experience an exciting and moving adventure. It quotes the likes of Shadow of the Colossus, Castlevania and Zelda but is able to stand on its own two feet.

I was very skeptical, but after finishing the first episode I have to give kudos to Telltale. They captured the spirit of the saga in a very convincing manner. The mix of classic point&click virtues and more recent elements like realtime action and quicktime events reminds me of Heavy Rain.

A very good expansion pack with a strong comeback of religion and a very entertaining steampunk scenario.

The zombie sequel is an impressive lesson about life after the apocalypse with moral questions.

Eight years after its' initial outing the age is somewhat evident with the visuals – but it doesn't really matter. Because it is much more important that after all this time the concept, direction and atmosphere of Project Zero 2 are as good as ever.

Yes, taking care of your pokégotchis is superficial at best. And for ten years now Square is struggling with good camera positions in the fast-paced fights. But albeit all flaws this is a very entertaining action RPG with an engrossing and multilayered storyline. Oh yes: It looks great, too.

Tequila Works show how to inject fresh ideas into a theme as worn-out as the zombie apocalypse. The mixture of puzzles and challenging fights works extraordinarily well to make Deadlight one of the most atmospheric XBLA games of the year.

The dynamic fights could have been more challenging but the bosses deliver and in the grand scheme the fighting is just a small part of the complex Darksiders mosaic. If you like exploration, puzzles, secrets, the hunt for the bigger better loot plus the occasional scythe wielding, this year it will probably not get much better than this.

On the surface this is "just" another jump&run – one that wouldn't stand a chance against Mario & Co. But add imagery, unusual metaphors and a simple but very moving story you'll get a fairy tale that reminds me of ICO in its best moments.

You like board games on your iPad? Then get this one. It is as simple as captivating and even though there are some usability flaws Le Havre is very well executed.

Colorful, charming and full of atmosphere: The fluid rhythm of fighting, looting and upgrading has been a hit on the 360 and PC and is as convincing on the iPad.

This is the most dramatic episode of the season so far.

The manual boost results not only in a more dynamic offense, but forces you to anticipate on defense. With the enhanced mechanics and the improved AI there's no way around NHL 13 if you're remotely interested in this sport.

The motion recognition works well, the choreographies are as varied as they are challenging, plus you can import the predecessors' tracks (for a small fee). And even this year Harmonix moved forward in terms of party-play there is still lots of room for improvement in this area. Four players simultaneously anyone?

As if you need further proof that episodic games can enhance the experience in terms of dramatic and narrative value. I can't wait for the finale.

Although it shows some flaws the Halo 4 campaign is one of the best within the series. And on top of that 343 proves that their enhancements of the multiplayer formula add some depth to the dynamic firefights.

Intelligent Systems wears its name with pride: The puzzles are as elegant as they are tricky. Fallblox is a small but enthralling addition to the 3DS download library.

If you know Death from another console there is no reason for you to ride with him again. But as a launch title for Wii U this as close as you will get to a game in the tradition of the Legend of Zelda-series.

Nintendo rediscovers fun for the core gamer: New Super Mario Bros. U is hardly surprising, but delivers quite a challenge with its classic jump & run roots.

I have to keep an eye on my provisions, I have to leave the safe path and might have to face deadly foes. If I don't want to die I have to face my fears and accept a suspenseful and lethal game of hide-and-seek. I've never experienced a more intense fight for survival in an open world.

If you're looking for a game to justify project Greenlight, this is it! It would have been a damn shame if this little platforming gem couldn't have been released.

Ninja Theory had big boots to fill. But they mastered the reboot of the iconic stylish action series. The fighting system manages the balance between traditional dynamics and contemporary combo madness. The art design is close to perfect. The narrative though is sometimes losing focus and refuses to give the characters room to grow for most of the time. Nonetheless this is the first big action highlight of the year.

What a charming adventure. The beautiful backdrops bear the inimitable hand writing of Studio Ghibli's artists. The wonderful story carries big emotions without pathos. And the role-playing game opens the doors to a wide land full of fantasy and danger.

If you look at Dear Esther as a dark audio book Proteus is like looking at an interactive painting. Taking in every detail in this 8-bit world you realize the emotional power with which visuals and audio can create a poetic artwork.

The characters are lovable and the soundtrack is simply phenomenal. Even with bugs and errors not to be found in the console versions you can’t help but fall in love when Tim Schafer pays homage to the gods of heavy metal.

This is a very good expansion, but be aware that the focus on improvements is to be found in multiplayer, while Kerrigan’s revenge campaign delivers rather solid entertainment.

The Arrival pushed me to the edge of sanity. With its clever combination of unsettling pictures and disturbing sounds this is one of the most intense horror experiences available today.

If you like mysterious games like The Room this is definitely worth a look: great art design, great music and great puzzle variation.

Once you dive into the campaign, you can’t take your hands off this turn-based tactic gem, despite some downfalls in the story department with its’ sometimes corny dialogues.

Quotation forthcoming.

The brilliantly designed "The Tales of the Arabian Nights" alone is worth the entrance to this arcade – even tough the visuals can't compete with the likes of Zen Pinball or Pinball FX 2.

On the 360 Geralt shows all the strengths that made his voyage such a gem on the PC, but albeit all the additional content didn't lose all the weaknesses. On top of that the visuals show unexpected blemishes.

Once more Zuma's Revenge delivers classic ballshooting puzzle action you came to know and love since Puzz Loop.