Remakes of this quality level, I'd have any day. Tactics Ogre, with its appealing storyline and universe, was already a cult title. This PSP version corrects its shortcomings, enriches it, with revised visuals and new features or adjustments that make it more accessible to newbies, while keeping its unbelievably deep and rich gameplay intact. A rare jewel that will probably remain in your PSP for quite some time.

Does Bulletstorm revolutionize the FPS? Clearly not! Nevertheless, it adds a personal touch to the genre by making a real scroring game like in the old times. All of this in an adventure which is not perfect, but refreshing and fun at once... and the game system is really excellent. Frankly, if you like the genre, do not hesitate to make yourself happy!

Does Bulletstorm revolutionize the FPS? Clearly not! Nevertheless, it adds a personal touch to the genre by making a real scroring game like in the old times. All of this in an adventure which is not perfect, but refreshing and fun at once... and the game system is really excellent. Frankly, if you like the genre, do not hesitate to make yourself happy!

Does Bulletstorm revolutionize the FPS? Clearly not! Nevertheless, it adds a personal touch to the genre by making a real scroring game like in the old times. All of this in an adventure which is not perfect, but refreshing and fun at once... and the game system is really excellent. Frankly, if you like the genre, do not hesitate to make yourself happy!

Sure, Kirby is extremely easy, and not really innovative, but it still is a quite refreshing experience. With high production values and an enchanting atmosphere, its a delicious journey through Dreamland's kingdom. If the youngest of gamers can dive in with closed eyes, platformers aficionados will have trouble looking the other way with its lack of challenge. If you are able to enjoy its naive world, you will discover a peace-inducing title, with a solid gameplay. Touching, warm, and reassuring like a sweater weaved by Grandma.

Beyond Good & Evil HD could undoubtedly have gone to further lengths in modernizing this cult title, with reworked textures and 3D models, but its qualities remain as effective as ever. A title full of variety, dense and accessible, combining all sorts of game mechanics for an adventure with a unique atmosphere.

The launch of an MMO, even a well-crafted and solid one like Rift, is but a doorway to the land of perpetual development, with as many chances to succeed than to fail. This is probably why Trion chose to deliver a game that feels comfortable, and functional, with only light touches of innovation - a solid foundation upon which to build. While I'm awaiting to discover what they will propose during the upcoming year, I'm savoring the arrival of a new big MMO on the market, and the pleasures of playing with it.

The benchmark of boxing games on consoles is setting the bar once more thanks to EA Canada's talent. They didn't transform the franchise completely, proposing instead an even more realistic rendering and a very alluring accessibility. Maybe some hardcore simulation-craving gamers would find some things to argue about (like some shortcomings in terms of gameplay precision, a lack of realism on some specific moves) but it would be a shame not to play this new reference of virtual boxing.

The benchmark of boxing games on consoles is setting the bar once more thanks to EA Canada's talent. They didn't transform the franchise completely, proposing instead an even more realistic rendering and a very alluring accessibility. Maybe some hardcore simulation-craving gamers would find some things to argue about (like some shortcomings in terms of gameplay precision, a lack of realism on some specific moves) but it would be a shame not to play this new reference of virtual boxing.

Obsidian delivers a first DLC that matches their Fallout: New Vegas : tense, captivating, despite its linearity. With a tiny bit more difficulty! Once more, we'd almost forget about the aging 3D engine of Bethesda and the poor AI. I experienced it like a little pen & paper RPG scenario of a single night. My thanks to the Obisidian Game Master.

Obsidian delivers a first DLC that matches their Fallout: New Vegas : tense, captivating, despite its linearity. With a tiny bit more difficulty! Once more, we'd almost forget about the aging 3D engine of Bethesda and the poor AI. I experienced it like a little pen & paper RPG scenario of a single night. My thanks to the Obisidian Game Master.

Obsidian delivers a first DLC that matches their Fallout: New Vegas : tense, captivating, despite its linearity. With a tiny bit more difficulty! Once more, we'd almost forget about the aging 3D engine of Bethesda and the poor AI. I experienced it like a little pen & paper RPG scenario of a single night. My thanks to the Obisidian Game Master.

Even though this fourth installment of the franchise goes further in terms of visuals, scenario, and overall polish than the previous ones, it doesn't really bring anything new to the table, and its basics may be considered old. It still is an great game for all those who like this kind of atmosphere and rich world, that set it apart from the bulk of today's productions.

Game Dev Story promise is undeniably alluring: create your game studio and try and make it prosper. It seems pretty rich at first, with recruitment, advertising, genre level-up, training of your employees, advertisement, game reviews etc. to play with, but after 3 or 4 runs, most players will have seen almost everything and understood how to maximize profit and success in the game. Let's hope that the sequel will run deeper for a prolonged satisfaction.

Catherine shines thanks to its concept, its mature take on adult and social themes, as well as its burlesque side. A lot of its charm comes from its phenomenal voice-acting, and japanese word-based puns. A frivolous story of three-way love wrapped inside a thriller plot, combined with an efficient puzzle game: without a doubt, Atlus delivers an innovative game.

Consider 3 retrogaming lovers (Pix'n Love Editions, PastaGames developers, and Bulky Pix publishers), cook them in the same pot, and the resulting delicacy will be Pix'n Love Rush on the iPhone. A true homage to oldschool platformers, the game has simple and diabolically precise controls. Heavily reliant on a carefully crafted level-design, its 2 modes (collect the bonuses, dodge the maluses in the first one, and a crazy time attack) may drive some players mad before they get to improve their skills, but its fun lies there. A pure game of scoring - still one of the best past-times ever invented.

Capcom put everyone straight in 2009 with Street Fighter IV. The company then hammered it in with Super Street Fighter IV in 2010. And now in 2011, Super Street Fighter IV 3D Edition sets itself, easily, as the best fighting game on all portable consoles. Gamers can feel like walking on clouds, now that they can play with a super comprehensive fighting game everywhere.

Torchlight got successful on the PC thanks to its action RPG styled gameplay, and the lack of competition in the genre. These strengths remain in the XBLA version. The console controls don't undermine the fun of the formula in any way, but like the PC version, try and play on a higher difficulty level, otherwise it's too easy !

Almost perfect visually (depending on the platform), Crysis 2 delivers a solo campaign that is less spectacular than expected. It's not as easy as we'd hoped to dive into this New York atmosphere, hit by an ongoing catastrophe... Crytek didn't hook me, despite the intensity of the fights. Fortunately, the multiplayer is really fun, with mechanics that induce a level of challenge that relies completely on players' skill level.

Yes, this Rayman is not new, it's "only" the 3D remake of a very good old game... but it remains a safe bet! The game is cute, playable, and the magic is still there in this 3DS version. One of the must-have of the 3DS launch line-up.

EA changes its Sims franchise for the better: placed in a consistent universe, with a common goal, each hero of Sims Medieval finds itself in a right and logical spot (which was rarely the case with previous Sims titles). In the end, the Kingdom itself is the main character of the game, and even though the gameplay seems a little repetitive, the middle-ages charm, with a twist of humor and a lot to discover, works well.

Tomb Raider can't die! After years of erring ways, Lara succeeded in restoring its dignity thanks to the efforts of Crystal Dynamics. Of course, fans will be delighted to find in a single, low-price release the great episodes Anniversary and Underworld (Legend being a little behind), it's first and foremost to all adventure lovers that this trilogy will be appealing, with its substantial life (you can count more than 40 hours of gameplay in there). Lara succeeded in correcting its own shortcomings, and if the fans may disregard this compilation, maybe it's time for the others, those who broke up with Lara years ago, to try and spark their love anew... while we wait for a real reboot.

Aya Brea puts its origins to rest in order to provide a third person action title full of thrills, quite dynamic, and appealing. There's also blame to be passed, on the light and not really consistent story for example, a camera system that's not beyond reproach, and a short lifespan, but overall, it does succeed in providing excellent action.

Trying to fill the expectations of the fans, Duodecim charms and offers even more features than the previous one. Some new things aren't that exceptional, though, and overall, we'd have hoped for more impactful innovations, but in the end, it's still a refreshing combat game, without any challenger in its style of play, gathering all the star characters of Final Fantasy in a visually stunning sequel.

Even though one could argue that Namco played the recycling card for most of the content of this new Ridge Racer and probably didn't push the hardware that much in terms of visuals, the game remains fun to play and true to its promise. With its 100% arcade gameplay, a steady and fast frame rate, and the 3D effect that really pushes the immersion further, and a lot of content, those who like the series can't miss this iteration, even though it remains a little repetitive in the long run.

Despite some shortcomings, this Pendulo title manages to keep the pressure up from start to finish. Its odd characters are charming, its puzzles sometimes devious but overall its a very accessible title, blessed by quality dialogs... All in all The Next BIG thing has everything to please. We're still sorry it's too easy and rather short. But it's a very satisfying adventure, on par with the greatest titles of the point'n click genre.

Without changing the basic principle mixing rythm game and strategy game, Patapon 3 introduces some new things and some tweaks that will appeal to both the newcomers and the others. With 4 characters rather than a mass of Patapons to control, and a revised progression system to go accordingly, the tactical aspect of the game ventures to new horizons, while remaining efficient. It's still a demanding game, sometimes unfairly difficult, but also more accessible (by displaying the rythm combos at the bottom of the screen) - a progress for some, a shortcoming for others. Overall, it's still as enticing as ever thanks to a spot-on design, and muscis on cannot get out of his head by simply turning the power off.

There's real poetry coming from those pixels. In between Princess Mononoke, Zelda, ICO and Shadow of the Colossus, Sword & Sworcery borrows from a lot of inspirations, digests them well, and adds its own style on top. It's a real and sensible adventure to discover, with fantastic visuals and musics, and a simple yet efficient gameplay. Its very low price makes it unmissable on the iPad. If you are looking for a fresh, different and referenced experience, speaking to your imagination more than your reflexes, then the journey is right ahead of you.

Ubisoft and Capybara Games deliver an almost spotless work with this HD downloadable version of Might & Magic: Clash of Heroes. The franchise is well respected, and the gameplay both original and solid. With attractive visuals, a long lifespan, nice multiplayer features and an very affordable price, Might & Magic: Clash of Heroes is a very nice game to acquire for those who look for something to download that's different from the usual shooters and action games.

Keeping what's best in the saga, Mortal Kombat on the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 is a delicacy, both in terms of form and content. One can argue that its combat system is considerably less flexible and deep than those of its competitors, but is still offers some subtlety, and dynamic combats that are very fun to play. Combining humor, a kitch universe and packed with loads of content to unlock, the Netherealm studio title joins the fighting games pantheon, but in its own style, without playing in the same arena as one Street Fighter IV, Blazblue or King of Fighters.

After an average Dragon Rising episode, Codemasters corrects a lot of shortcomings and delivers, this time around, a more convincing tactical FPS. If the basics remain the same, with a similar technical side and order system, large and open environments, etc. the AI behaviors have been enhanced. This makes Red River a game that is still difficult, but less frustrating, and more immersive. It's also an experience you'll want to share online. A title that's not for everyone, but one that will appeal to virtual soldiers thanks to a unique design.

After an average Dragon Rising episode, Codemasters corrects a lot of shortcomings and delivers, this time around, a more convincing tactical FPS. If the basics remain the same, with a similar technical side and order system, large and open environments, etc. the AI behaviors have been enhanced. This makes Red River a game that is still difficult, but less frustrating, and more immersive. It's also an experience you'll want to share online. A title that's not for everyone, but one that will appeal to virtual soldiers thanks to a unique design.

Given its price, it's hard to criticize anything in Burn it All. But nonetheless, its drag and drop mechanic sometimes results in hiccups when the player has his finger on the screen, obfuscating the image, trying to move the flames with precision, and it doesn't offer the same precision and genius as Cut the Rope did. But beyond that, Burn it All is a great game with a very high challenge for completion-obsessed gamers, and for less than a dollar, it would be a crime not to play this very-well polished game.

Pretty, dense, nerve-challenging, immersive, innovative... Outland is easily one of the gems of April 2011. Combining with talent several influences (Limbo, Castlevania, Ikaruga), it goes back to the rules of 2D platformers, with an added twist. It's an enticing tribal journey, with a soul, at a small price.

Pretty, dense, nerve-challenging, immersive, innovative... Outland is easily one of the gems of April 2011. Combining with talent several influences (Limbo, Castlevania, Ikaruga), it goes back to the rules of 2D platformers, with an added twist. It's an enticing tribal journey, with a soul, at a small price.

FF IV, one of the best episodes of the Final Fantasy saga, is back in top shape, offering the original game, visually remade, its followup, and a brand new "Interlude" scenario linking the two. And you will enjoy this complete story with beautifully redesigned graphics. Those who have already experienced the first FF IV may wonder if it's worth replaying it again... but if you're a really big fan, we'll say yes!

It might be hard to master all the intricacies of game such as Guilty Gear, but its arrival on the Wii is a blessing. Comprehensive, well executed, as deep as ever, all the while remaining accessible to an extent, for newbies. Now, be aware that you must have a classic controller to enjoy this classic japanese fighter.

L.A. Noire is undoubtedly a foray into a new kind of adventure game, and most specifically of investigation games. Beyond the technology, which is not perfect but still breathtaking, its a brilliant example of actors' talent and humanity, both at the service of gameplay. With polished writing and a tight plot, and well-described atmosphere, it's easy to overlook some of its shortcomings in order to dream of the future it gives a glimpse of. A title that we'll remember years from now.

L.A. Noire is undoubtedly a foray into a new kind of adventure game, and most specifically of investigation games. Beyond the technology, which is not perfect but still breathtaking, its a brilliant example of actors' talent and humanity, both at the service of gameplay. With polished writing and a tight plot, and well-described atmosphere, it's easy to overlook some of its shortcomings in order to dream of the future it gives a glimpse of. A title that we'll remember years from now.

It's hard not to see flaws in this Fable III, which is less convincing in many areas than the previous one. Its inconsistent production values (sometimes beautifully executed, sometimes lacking a lot of polish), the over-simplification of some things that are sometimes not that efficient, the less than inspired bestiary : potential reproaches are numerous. But despite all those, Fable III, like it predecessors, remains so charming and mesmerizing that it works. The coop mode is a bliss (at last), and even though the "being King gameplay" is clearly underwhelming, one cannot be bored by this new Albion. Yes, Fable III could have been better polished and more ambitious, but it's still a game unlike any other.

Rally fans will not be disappointed by DiRT 3. Visually impressive, superb, it offers many game modes, a friendly split-screen multiplayer, the famous Gymkhana events that require dexterity and self-control, direct YouTube videos... But beyond that, it is still quite conservative, especially in his driving sensations, between arcade and simulation. The cars seem to lack weight and the career is a bit confusing... At the end, it's quite difficult to really forget the excellent Colin McRae Dirt 2.

Rally fans will not be disappointed by DiRT 3. Visually impressive, superb, it offers many game modes, a friendly split-screen multiplayer, the famous Gymkhana events that require dexterity and self-control, direct YouTube videos... But beyond that, it is still quite conservative, especially in his driving sensations, between arcade and simulation. The cars seem to lack weight and the career is a bit confusing... At the end, it's quite difficult to really forget the excellent Colin McRae Dirt 2.

Terraria is a small production that offers a cross between Mario and Minecraft... like a 2D platformer with craftsmanship and free construction. Quite limited in its realization, this title makes you play immediately for hours if you like the concept. Just take breaks from time to time!

inFAMOUS 2, as with its predecessor, shines mainly thanks to its thrilling action in a beautifully rendered open environment. Visually stunning, this new chapter in Cole's story would have gained much with more variety for its optional tasks, but it still offers to action-cravers a game that's dense, rich, quite loaded with stuff to do and more importantly really fun to play.

16 years later, Dragon Quest VI finally gets released in our countries, as a portable remake with two screens and a beautiful 3D graphics overhaul. The game itself didn't change, which will please the purists but may also frighten the beginners... A lack of clear directions throughout the game, a crual save system and an impressive length can be daunting nowadays. Apart from that, the game is epic and it will delight all fans of J-RPG who likes gigantic maps, side quests and the challenge that may represent a class system somewhat "hostile. " Beginners are advised to start with Dragon Quest V, which is shorter and less dificult, before moving up to DQ6.

As well executed as its console counterparts, Dead or Alive : Dimensions really is stunning, both technically and gameplay-wise. Too bad the 3D doesn't bring anything to the table, really, except some frame rate drops that the purists won't be able to handle. For the rest, it's the portable DoA you can't miss to enjoy dynamic combats and pretty lady fighters!

Red Johnson's Chronicles is a nice and fresh adventure game. Its gameplay's varied, its story OK, and its universe is worth a shot. The only downfalls of Lexis Numérique's Game are to be a little too easy and some tiny shortcomings to get rid of for the sequel.

Something like Frozen Synapse could only come from the indie scene. A tactical, turn-based simultaneous simulator. Mode 7 gives us a rich and enticing gameplay base, with a appealing universe and smart multiplayer on top, and room to grow it even further.

It feels so good to see that in between the all-narrative, all-simulation or all-blockbuster experiences, alternate paths like Mizuguchi's Child of Eden, supported by a big name like Ubisoft, still exist. It's something that, much like Rez before, we'd recommend playing with a controller for the vibrations that intensify the thrill of the music and images, even though it works well with Kinect. The only downside is that it really short, even though its intensity makes up for it.

If you're a hardcore Street Fighter IV fan, you obviously have to purchase this Arcade Edition in order to enjoy the latest changes of your favorite game. But some details suggest that Capcom didn't really finish its job. It's a shame, even though their game remains a reference for the genre. For more casual fighters, the bugs and balance issues we're referring to won't be really apparent, but in order to save a little money, if they didn't already fell for the regular and Super editions, they'd be well advised to wait for the boxed version - because clearly, this DLC Arcade Edition remains a little expensive as is.

If you're a hardcore Street Fighter IV fan, you obviously have to purchase this Arcade Edition in order to enjoy the latest changes of your favorite game. But some details suggest that Capcom didn't really finish its job. It's a shame, even though their game remains a reference for the genre. For more casual fighters, the bugs and balance issues we're referring to won't be really apparent, but in order to save a little money, if they didn't already fell for the regular and Super editions, they'd be well advised to wait for the boxed version - because clearly, this DLC Arcade Edition remains a little expensive as is.

Shadows of the Damned is a Road Movie made game. You watch and play it, enjoying the fun an politically incorrect humor, over-the-top atmosphere and appealing characters. Too bad some shortcomings like camera issues, a rather short campaign and some lack of exploration undermine its otherwise enjoyable formula.

They say the end justifies the means. With Avadon : The Black Fortress, Spiderweb offers a large choice of both. It falls upon you to get through it.

To celebrate its 15th birthday, CyberConnect2 went all-out in order to father a spiritual follow-up to its original game Tail Concerto, full of love and passion. Pretty, with a world that shares some common traits with the work of H. Miyazaki, and an accessible yet satisfying action gameplay and nice characters, it's a perfect game to offer to younger gamers... if you can't bear to play a talking dog yourself.

Even though its gameplay remains pretty classical, Bastion shows its singularity through its real time, voiced-over narration. During play of this Action RPG title, which remains solid and rich if not original, a voice will tell of your doings, your failures, every step of the way. Add a nice sense of progress and lush 2D visuals, and you may have the indy game of this summer '11 before your eyes. Even though it's not as remarkable as the likes of Braid or Limbo.

The artistic direction of ITSP drew me in a dream, even though I was expecting a better storyline, and a tiny bit more out of the title overall. The gameplay remains solid, supporting an adventure with a nice blend of action and puzzle-solving sequences.

With Age of Empires Online, Robot Entertainment offers a real-time strategy experience for a large public in terms of solo play, and probably one that's more interesting in PVP. But in order to enjoy it, it's really best to purchase a premium civilization. It still remains pretty straightforward and classic, but wrapped up in a nice, overall production, with very polished equipment management, crafting and decoration options for your city.

2K chose to focus on the basics with Major League Baseball 2K11, without trying to innovate too much. But the result remains a simulation-oriented game that works really well, blessed with excellent production values, a great atmosphere, and an ergonomic management system for the teams. It still lacks the fresh and innovative ideas to become the definitive Baseball simulation that will shower your living-room with action-packed games.

2K chose to focus on the basics with Major League Baseball 2K11, without trying to innovate too much. But the result remains a simulation-oriented game that works really well, blessed with excellent production values, a great atmosphere, and an ergonomic management system for the teams. It still lacks the fresh and innovative ideas to become the definitive Baseball simulation that will shower your living-room with action-packed games.

Despite the somewhat repetitive missions, Driver San Francisco is packed with qualities. It's gotten back to its roots, but with an all new feature: the "shift" ability, which is wonderfully used in solo or multiplayer gameplay. The driving is really cool, the car chases are thrilling and spectacular...and the multiplayer is really good fun. A nearly perfect come-back!

Despite the somewhat repetitive missions, Driver San Francisco is packed with qualities. It's gotten back to its roots, but with an all new feature: the "shift" ability, which is wonderfully used in solo or multiplayer gameplay. The driving is really cool, the car chases are thrilling and spectacular...and the multiplayer is really good fun. A nearly perfect come-back!

There's no argument there: Resistance 3 is the best episode of the series. More enticing, more polished, and more fun. Some shortcomings prevent it from reaching the top of the genre, though, but it still comes out as one of the best FPS exclusives on the PS3.

If it doesn't have any competitors, it's because they wouldn't be a match: NHL 12 keeps honoring the tradition of quality of the franchise and ends up, this year again, being one of the best sports simulations ever. With a sharp gameplay, nice visuals, optimized collision engine, NHL 12 will fill up the needs of frictions-on-ice lovers.

If it doesn't have any competitors, it's because they wouldn't be a match: NHL 12 keeps honoring the tradition of quality of the franchise and ends up, this year again, being one of the best sports simulations ever. With a sharp gameplay, nice visuals, optimized collision engine, NHL 12 will fill up the needs of frictions-on-ice lovers.

Red Orchestra's back with an even more polished gameplay, a new graphical engine, some added mechanics, and, indeed, tanks. The realism of the first one is back yet again, even though some slight modifications may throw off some of the gamers used to the original. But this mix of atmosphere and demanding gameplay, both as an individual FPS gamer and a team player, is what makes RO2 unique. It still lacks a little polish, though, but a patch should take care of this.

Back in good shape last year, PES now confirms that it is a very good football simulation again. Of course, there is still some flaws here, but we will above all retain its increased AI, its improved and fluid gameplay, its new modes... and the challenges of the training mode appear to be a really nice touch.

Back in good shape last year, PES now confirms that it is a very good football simulation again. Of course, there is still some flaws here, but we will above all retain its increased AI, its improved and fluid gameplay, its new modes... and the challenges of the training mode appear to be a really nice touch.

Avalanche Studios polished its deliciously retro title, and delivers an action-loaded game with beautiful visuals, fun physics and a large dose of fun, in solo or coop alike. For that price, the 6 hours of play feel like a genuine and worthy heir to the old Desert and Jungle Strike games, with added thrill.

Rotastic is a little XBLA game full surprisingly full of qualities. It didn't have a lot of buzz when it came out, but it deserves all your attention. Structured like an iPhone game and blessed with a fun atmosphere, the game offers around 70 very short stages to rack up points by getting gems and crushing bricks using a grapple. It's a very simple game, using only two buttons, for chasing the best possible score in order to unlock the following levels. There's even a multiplayer mode, and despite some shortcomings, it's a nice surprise.

As a whole, id Software's game is more than solid, but it still lacks a decent third act, with a scenario that would have focused a little more on the mystery of the apocalypse for example - but more importantly, its underwhelming (to say the least) ending sequence is a stain on an otherwise brilliant world, atmosphere and game design. Controller in hand, it still is a great game to play, with a brilliant gameplay mashup and various neat ideas. This time though, id Software delivered "only" a great game, not a masterpiece.

Might & Magic Heroes VI seems to be handling its innovations quite nicely. They add fluidity and dynamism to an already very appealing game, the scenario of which perfectly handles the license's richness. Too bad our review version didn't allow us to judge the balancing in multiplayer enough, nor its final polishing (it was quite bugged at the time of this review).

Ace Combat changes its course slightly in order to deliver a more visceral, thrilling and cinematic experience, and it's for the better. One gets the new systems quickly, but it doesn't mean there aren't subtleties in it. In terms of visual, it's superb, and online play provides great fun in various ways.

As accessible and fun as ever, Just Dance 3 also boasts a fantastic playlist, with various genres of music. You can now create your own choregraphies when playing with Kinect, and on the Wii like on the 360, it's enjoyable with four players. It's meant to be fun (so it's super easy), and it works.

A nice blend of Tower Defense and Action/RPG gameplay, Dungeon Defenders uses the carrot (characters with a persistant progression even when you fail) and the stick (a Dark Souls-like difficulty) with talent. The artistic direction and really punishing gameplay may be its worst shortcomings, but playing cooperatively with three friends still is a very nice experience.

A nice blend of Tower Defense and Action/RPG gameplay, Dungeon Defenders uses the carrot (characters with a persistant progression even when you fail) and the stick (a Dark Souls-like difficulty) with talent. The artistic direction and really punishing gameplay may be its worst shortcomings, but playing cooperatively with three friends still is a very nice experience.

Dance Central is everything one could expect from a good sequel. As precise in it movement recognition, it now boasts a two player offer, an enhanced solo mode, and a very decent learning curve. It may be this last point that drives a choice between DC2 and Just Dance 3: the first is more demanding and deep, the second more aimed at immediate fun.

Ratloop Asia offers us a nice conversion of their web title. The differences aren't legion, but anyway, the game was good. The blend of puzzle, action, dark humor and good music is spot on. A very nice little game to boost up your mood.

Payday: The Heist is like a Left 4 Dead with cops and robbers, where we play the bad guys. It offers (at least on PC) a solid co-op experience, with an good atmosphere. Too bad there is no Versus Mode.

With a lot of gameplay mechanics taken from Sports Champions, which give a good feeling of playing a hero perfectly mimicking or own moves, this PS Move only game works perfectly well. The playability and accessibility, both excellent, allow the player to quickly dive in this quest, even though it's a little repetitive (the genre tends to be). Visually nice, and funny, Prince Edmund's quest is a good PS Move game.

We knew about "game design", but with PixelJunk SideScroller, we can now talk about Designer Games. The tasty neo-modern look of this Q-Games shoot'em up isn't everything there is to it: the game itself is a very good one, maybe a little light though, for shoot'em up pros or otherwise.

A combination of the best of Sonic, Sonic Generations reinvents, while staying true to the myth, and serves the fan well, whatever its generation is. It's an anthology of the musics, the pictures, the bosses, characters and levels we loved the most during those past 20 years of Sonic games, and one that, while not perfect (some gameplay imprecisions do subsist), remains a must-have for the Sonic lovers.

A combination of the best of Sonic, Sonic Generations reinvents, while staying true to the myth, and serves the fan well, whatever its generation is. It's an anthology of the musics, the pictures, the bosses, characters and levels we loved the most during those past 20 years of Sonic games, and one that, while not perfect (some gameplay imprecisions do subsist), remains a must-have for the Sonic lovers.

Saints Row revises its structure and reduces its sandbox angle in favor of a more coherent and polished world and gameplay experience. The campaign missions are packed with fun, surprises, and new stuff, and worthy of praise on their own. Even though one will feel a little less free and overwhelmed with stuff to do than with the previous episode, the trade-off is worthwhile.

Saints Row revises its structure and reduces its sandbox angle in favor of a more coherent and polished world and gameplay experience. The campaign missions are packed with fun, surprises, and new stuff, and worthy of praise on their own. Even though one will feel a little less free and overwhelmed with stuff to do than with the previous episode, the trade-off is worthwhile.

This fourth game gets, at last, the series in the HD era. But let's keep cool: the end result remains dated in terms of animations and presentation, despite the visual overhaul. Following the opposite trend from this shortcoming, the game system offers a richness and modern tactical genius like no other. Its odd and funny story tone, mature jokes and satirical atmosphere are even cooler than before. If you like the TRPG genre, or want to try it, don't hesitate. Beware though : this game is quite the time sinker, you may very well get lost into it.

Indeed, despite some impressive work to overhaul this classic, Halo CE did age a little here and there. But this remake also proves the genius behind some elements, which were kept intact, like its core gameplay, AI, and universe that still withstand the comparison with today's standards, 10 years later. With its attractive price and comprehensive offer, added bonuses, it's hard to miss for the fans and those who missed the episode that started it all but loved the others.

Anno 2070 was expected to take itself very seriously, but the way it deals with the eco theme is caricatural. Too bad. However, the anticipation background remains refreshing for the series, and the gameplay keeps everything the fans liked. Blue Byte doesn't change the formula, but adds a couple layers of richness to the content (three factions, scientific research, community bonus). Only the combats would gain by being completely re-thought.

If you're new to the over-the-top combat games and didn't yet try the Marvel vs. Capcom series, it would be pure madness to miss this one. On several levels, it's purely spectacular. But if you already payed Marvel vs Capcom 3 last february and are not a pro, maybe it's time to say no, thanks. Unless you're rich.

If you're new to the over-the-top combat games and didn't yet try the Marvel vs. Capcom series, it would be pure madness to miss this one. On several levels, it's purely spectacular. But if you already payed Marvel vs Capcom 3 last february and are not a pro, maybe it's time to say no, thanks. Unless you're rich.

This journey back to the roots of Professor Layton is as much a way of discovering his past as it is one to draft a first sum-up of the series before it moves to the 3DS pastures for a new trilogy. Confident about its formula, Level-5 offers treasures of riddles throughout an adventure that focuses on characters rather than on the plot, as enticing as it may prove to be. So, even though the formula doesn't really evolve, it still concludes this run with subtle touches here and there to improve the lot.

Raw and beautiful Versus Fighting, here it is! KoF XIII gives its pride back to the series. But it sacrifices some accessibility in favor of this new richness, even though it includes some tutorial modes that are well-crafted. But if you have time and motivation to spare in order to dive into it, this episode is a really good one, even though it still doesn't come near a Blazblue or SFIV in terms of online play.

Raw and beautiful Versus Fighting, here it is! KoF XIII gives its pride back to the series. But it sacrifices some accessibility in favor of this new richness, even though it includes some tutorial modes that are well-crafted. But if you have time and motivation to spare in order to dive into it, this episode is a really good one, even though it still doesn't come near a Blazblue or SFIV in terms of online play.

We knew the Black Eyed Peas had the knack to excite dance floors, but now that they are invited in your living room, they become perfect home entertainers. The Black Eyed Peas Experience is a success, thanks to its positioning between the very casual Just Dance 3 and the requiring Dance Central 2. With a gratifying and fun gameplay, this Ubisoft title developped by the japanese iNiS nails it with a rich playlist, festive atmosphere and polished production.

The trio of heroes is back in Trine 2 with an identical concept, but an adventure that got richer in terms of gameplay, also showing more mastery. In terms of visuals, they will probably set a mark in the history of videogames : it's a real success that needs to be played by both fans of the original an newcomers.

Chair took everyone by surprise with the first episode. This follow-up strengthens the basics, and adds up to the formula with deeper tactical elements in its combat, and more variety (alternate routes, etc.), even though the concept remains the same. For this price, it's a good experience to be had, but mind the fact that it's designed for the latest gen iOS platforms, and may not be as pretty or fluid on previous ones.

If BioWare can deliver a good load balancing for the real launch of the game, The Old Republic is geared up for success: the franchise works as well as we'd have hoped, the game remains pretty classical, but well-rounded, and there's this added bonus of the BioWare games that we came to know and love: the story. Actually, Eight stories, one for each class, supported by other narrative elements for every quest. It makes for a massive content to discover, enough to remain occupied until BioWare fixes the little balancing issues, refines the interface, fixes some bugs and the like. With Wookies, it would have been nearly perfect for an MMO launch.

It's hard not to fall for such an offer, of 3 great games for less than a full retail HD game. But at the same time, one can't help but notice some lazyness in the remastering process. Efforts have been reduced to a minimum, with no additionnal content whatsoever, and there are even some technical shortcomings (frame rate drops on MGS2 and 3). For the nostalgia, for the collection, for the fans, or those who never had the chance to play them, it's still a cult saga with memorable sequences.

It's hard not to fall for such an offer, of 3 great games for less than a full retail HD game. But at the same time, one can't help but notice some lazyness in the remastering process. Efforts have been reduced to a minimum, with no additionnal content whatsoever, and there are even some technical shortcomings (frame rate drops on MGS2 and 3). For the nostalgia, for the collection, for the fans, or those who never had the chance to play them, it's still a cult saga with memorable sequences.

FFXIII-2 combines the best of FF XIII (combat and world), and a new, original structure which clearly prompts the player to involve himself in the unraveling of the game. It's sufficiently well-executed and unique to charm most of the fans, even though one comes out of the adventure with a strange feeling. A feeling of a Square Enix who put more focus on exploration and secondary quests than the conclusion of its story or the challenge of its combat. But the freedom feeling that was so absent of the previous game is back there, even though in an unexpected form, and the content is rich. A good game, even though it will not enter the inner circle of the cult Final Fantasy titles.

FFXIII-2 combines the best of FF XIII (combat and world), and a new, original structure which clearly prompts the player to involve himself in the unraveling of the game. It's sufficiently well-executed and unique to charm most of the fans, even though one comes out of the adventure with a strange feeling. A feeling of a Square Enix who put more focus on exploration and secondary quests than the conclusion of its story or the challenge of its combat. But the freedom feeling that was so absent of the previous game is back there, even though in an unexpected form, and the content is rich. A good game, even though it will not enter the inner circle of the cult Final Fantasy titles.

Squids combines tactics and RPG in a game that has clearly been thought, and crafted with the touch platforms in mind. As a results, it works really well, and the overall quality of the production, visuals, sounds, and gameplay for such a little price make it a real teat for iOS gamers (and later Android ones).

It's hard to criticize this SoulCalibur V. It's pretty, it's playable, accessible yet deep, will undoubtedly prove to be fun among friends both at home, or online. Too bad though, that the solo modes are so poor, and the roster of characters so far from being renewed as advertised. A good sequel, which could have been an unforgettable one with a better roster.

Kingdoms of Amalur is a nice RPG mechanic; well designed, well oiled. Almost spotless. It's pretty, polished, interesting. But there's nothing to surprise or puzzle you. The story is fine (and supports the gameplay), the world complex, but nothing comes out of the ordinary in this high fantasy tale, similar as it is to a thousand others. As a result, it's played with fun as a regular Action RPG, rich in content, but quickly digested as well. More soul for the sequel, please!

An interactive experience you need to live, if you're into mellow stories, but not really a "game" in and of itself.

Leaning more towards the action side of its gameplay, and offering an Arcade mode to take full advantage of refined mechanics, this Alan Wake spin-off could be seen as forgetting its glorious predecessor, but that would be a mistaken judgement. The story is clearly well-linked to the original, and the atmosphere, helped by a new setting and this spot-on atmosphere and writing combination, deliver a true Alan Wake experience. If you're a fan, this full-fledged XBLA game is unmissable.

A port that is almost identical to the home versions. Pretty, comprehensive, its only real shortcoming is some really long loading times.

FIFA Football is an updated FIFA 11. Is it a bad thing ? Maybe if you consider there's a FIFA 13 approaching, but this episode still remains a very good game, and, compared to previous portable versions of the franchise, it's definitely a full-fledge soccer game that works really well on the VITA, complete with online play, pro and manager modes, a large database… a very nice entry in the portable series.

With loads of content both in solo or multiplayer modes, a solid gameplay and nice riding sensations, SSX easily becomes the number one in its genre... even though there might not be that much competition. Because it's still far from being perfect : visually underwhelming, and with permissive collisions there is still room for improvement.

A solid Tower Defense, with nice production values and perfect gameplay balance. Probably one of the better games of its genre, with a surprising ability not to bore the player during the waves of ennemies.

A very nice suprise, Beat Sneak Bandit is a quality rythm title with gorgeous visuals and demanding gameplay.

Hot Shots Vita remains a nobrainer for Sony consoles. This tru sim-game wrapped in its cute graphics is easy to pickup, but hard to master. With its online play, loads of stuff to unlock, and precise gameplay, its as good as ever, even though we'd have hoped for more new features and better visuals.

BlazBlue Continuum Shift Extend is the most definitive version of this hardcore fighting title, in terms of fine-tuning, content, and pure visual beauty (thanks to the OLED screen); but, because of the tiny buttons and global ergonomics of the Vita, it's even harder to master. Online, there's also lag on some matches, but it's still very enjoyable for those that don't suffer from it.

Ubisoft Shanghai delivered on I Am Alive promise. It's a real take on the survival genre, one that may not have the top production values of AAA retail blockbusters for sure, but one that works nonetheless.

Vessel is a classique puzzler/platformer using fluids physics, but it's overall a very solid, even mastered one. The world is nice, the Fluros are fun, the puzzles almost perfectly balanced to challenge, without frustrating, and the story's interesting too.

Capcom mixes and matches all the fighting games ingredients, without achieving the finesse and subtlety of a Street Fighter IV. IN the end, Street Fighter X Tekken is an excellent compromise between the most demanding fighting games targeting pro-fighters, and the most pure fun oriented ones, targeting beginners. If you will, it's for fighting games, in some way, what World of Warcraft was for MMOs.

Wakfu can be described as an experimental MMO "who has some", to say the least. It's a game for hardcore community gamers who are not afraid to spend hours wondering "how does it work? ", or "is it really working?". Two weeks after its release, the game still heats up, with some troubles (in economics for example), but it's worth it to participate in this adventure, wherever it leads you.

Quotation forthcoming.

A solid remasterisation of a classic platformer that remains fully enjoyable, both visually and in terms of gameplay, in this new edition.

A retro-shooting game that offers an incredibly well balanced, yet simple gameplay.

Triple Town is an addictive killer puzzle game, available free. What more do you need to know?

For its small price and despite a weak roster (even though it's quite varied), Skullgirls offers quite a rich meal to versus fighting lovers. Innovative in its form, artistic direction and even its gameplay, it's an excellent combat game for this price range.

Legend of Grimrock hits the nail on the head: the old-school alchemy of Dungeon Crawling works perfectly right from the start. The gameplay, atmosphere, and puzzle quality could even go beyond the simple nostalgia-induced pleasure, but it's still a niche product, so be advised.

Draw Something may lack some added gameplay richness, and options to be the perfect online Pictionary, but it's cheap and good enough for millions of people to enjoy and have fun with. Probably one of the simplest, yet enjoyable social game experiences on smart phones and tablets.

Once again, this Musô title will be hated by many, and loved by a few. It's a very nice cross-over for fans of this beat'em all offspring, but one that will not appeal more to people who don't understand how others can enjoy playing Dynasty Warriors-like titles. But Warriors Orochi 3 knows how to please the fans.

One could have feared it would be a dull copy of Layton, but fear not: Rythm Thief is a nice, fresh, rythm game mixed with puzzle elements. The atmosphere of the japanese-dreamt Paris works well, and even though it's a little short, the adventure is indeed very nice.

This MK port is really well done. Even though characters and backgrounds have slightly less impressive visuals than on the original, the inclusion of all the DLCs, and of new mini-games taking advantage of the specs of the Vita is most welcome. If you like the universe and gameplay of MK, then there's no reason not to go for it on the Vita.

A very nice platformer, with great controls and a decent challenge for a small price.

If you liked playing Zombies in Left 4 Dead, you may like this nice surprise of a game, Brainsss. You control hordes of zombies and complete various objectives using the street topography and touch controls. With inspired visuals and various elements to spice things up as you progress, Brainsss is a very good iOS game.

Too light to really capture PvE fans in the long run, Tera offers, on the other hand, a new level of challenge for those who like player versus player battles, thanks to its manual "true" targeting combat. Even though there's still some major things missing (like the battlegrounds), Tera remains a solid MMO, blessed with top-notch visuals. It's only true weakness: serious competitors coming in 2012.

N.O.V.A. 3 is evidently one of the prettier games on the platform. It's also a nice shell, masking the usual copy/paste habits of Gameloft, but this clear lack of real inspiration aside, it remains a fully playable, real pretty action title.

Rockstar reclaimed Max Payne in their own way, without changing its core: it's a shooter, and its main protagonist is as dark as ever. The real surprise comes from the multiplayer, one of the best third-person multiplayers we've played.

Too bad this 360 edition doesn't include most of the refinements of the computer version. It's a port of an old beta version, but it's actually a very good one, complete with an enhanced interface, a very nice tutorial, and probably the best multiplayer of all since it's Xbox Live based and as such, very easy to use and enjoy.

Lightbox delivers a much welcome refinement of Warhawk with this greatly enhanced Starhawk. With far better production values, more content, a solo campaign, and many other improvements wrapped up in a new universe, Starhawk is great fun for online TPS lovers.

By looking towards the western designs, while keeping the Japanese strong points, Dragon's Dogma will make a significant contribution to the ARPG genre. Its open world, beautiful mythic creatures and chara-design, and probably the best and most spectacular combat action of the genre, it draws players into its world, even though it's far from perfect. Indeed, the story fails to drive the player forward, and the world lacks life and soul, but the ton of good little ideas, the pawn system, and the overall ambition of the title make it fun nonetheless. Enjoying it also allows us to dream of a bright future for the Japanese creators who gave birth to this unusual game for their culture.

Ghost Recon Future Soldier offers deep gameplay, subtle tactical options, and a solid campaign, best played cooperatively with 3 other players. It's also comprehensive in terms of competitive multiplayer, and its well balanced stealth / action formula gives a near perfect pace to those who are looking for this kind of more evolved TPS.

With local or online play, and StreetPass features, the multiplayer side of Mario Tennis Open rivals, at last, the one of the home console versions. Sure, the usual RPG side we had on the portable versions didn't make the cut, thus diminishing the quality of the solo mode to some extent, but the AI quality and the collection side make up for it. With accessible yet deep gameplay, Mario Tennis will appeal to all Tennis fans.

Rockstar reclaimed Max Payne in their own way, without changing its core: it's a shooter, and its main protagonist is as dark as ever. The real surprise comes from the multiplayer, one of the best third-person ones we've played. This PC version is, at last, really well coded. No more GTAIV PC port nightmare from Rockstar? Let's hope so, GTA V is coming...

It's the less expensive and the most polished version of the Virtua Fighter Saga. Yes, it's not all that new either, but the original VF5 was a strong title for hardcore and elitist versus fighting fans, and this one is definitely a revision worth buying for them.

Sometimes, Resonance is confusing because its system is somewhat unclear. It requires time, a cold head, and a good awareness of clues in order to solve the puzzles. But you're then rewarded with a really good story and lovable characters. A very nice point & click, both funny, mature, and poignant.

Splice is a puzzle game where you manipulate genes to get to the desired shape. With 7 "levels" of 7 puzzles each, you need to first understand the logic behind the molecules and the way to move them, then play with special ones, and finally go against the limited amount of "splices" you can perform. It's a nice game, supported by a very nice music, but it would probably be best suited for touch screens.

With Quantum Conundrum, Kim Swift proves her talent for designing puzzle games. The structure of the game is the same than in Portal, so it's hard to feel lost or even surprised. But manipulating the dimensions is fun and solving the puzzles will make you feel powerful and smart. Too bad the story isn't on par.

Squids Wild West doesn't have the element of surprise of its predecessor, nor even a deep revolution in its concept. But its highly-polished world and its accessible yet enticing gameplay make it a must-have for this platform.

LostWinds2 is remarkably well-suited for iOS, and the game remains as nice and fresh as it was in the Wii.

Beat the Beat: Rhythm Paradise on the Wii is a worthy addition to the series. It's precise, demanding, completely crazy, funny and also offers for the first time a 2 player mode.

Endless Space's gameplay is somewhat close to a board game. Conquest must be achieved with but one goal in mind, but you will not be able to excel if you have more than one strategy. Economy, diplomacy, military, scientific, whatever you choose, stick to it. It's only true shortcoming for the time being is a less-than-stellar AI that sometimes acts irrationally, and some mising multiplayer tools to better plan the experience.

With Party Wave, you're in for a good time. Its accessible yet deep gameplay will challenge you more than the vast majority of iOS titles, without being frustrating.

Orcs Must Die! 2 is better executed, better balanced and more polished than the original in almost every way. Add in the coop gameplay, all for a very affordable price, and you get yourself something to vent some steam on for the summer!

This odd point & click adventure will make you smile a lot and laugh quite a few times. It's hard not to be charmed by Deponia and its inhabitants.

Unmechanical could have made more of an effort on its storytelling to get us somewhere. But the puzzles are good, even though they remain simple, and the game's gorgeous. More than enough to be happy.

After everything it went through, UFG's game is surprisingly efficient. It's a relaxed GTA-like well-served by the typical plot you'd find in any good HK movie, full of fist fights and acrobatics. The music kicks ass, and the atmosphere of the famous Chinese city does the rest.

Sound Shapes is a fresh take on platformers. Visually varied and original, its stages are combining the talents of different couples made of a musician and a graphic artist, and its a delight to discover and play their contribution level after level. Plus, the community tools for level creation will take over once you're done with the campaign.

Tales Of Graces F is like previous Tales of Games, it has a theme. This time it's "to seek the strength required to protect", with the story of a kid who will try to do everything he can to absolve his past mistakes, and become strong enough to protect those he loves. It's super classic and simple, and that's why it works, especially for all those who like the way JRPG were done ten years ago.

This Global Offensive refreshes the Counter Strike so many gamers loved. There are some new things beyond its production values, but the gameplay is roughly the same : quite demanding by today's FPS standards. So if you're fed up with assisted targeting and self-replenishing life, and want a bite of old-school FPS, it will probably be exactly what you're looking for.

For a free online TPS, Ghost Recon Future Soldier reaches a high standard. Rather nice visually, interesting for group play and with a deep learning curve and numerous customisation options, it's a rather nice contribution to the F2P world that Ubisoft makes, even though there is still too few maps and too high prices in the shop.

Namco has a knack for adding stuff to its franchises without changing their core appeal, and TTT2 is no exception. With a massive roaster, deeper gameplay thanks to the tag mechanics, and an impressive content, it's probably the best Tekken to date... even though the overall visual taste and quirky humor are starting to feel kind of old.

More comprehensive, more varied, better polished, Borderlands 2 still boasts the same strengths from three years ago, only enhanced. It's still a rather brutal FPS mixed with loot-whoring RPG, with a unique design and a super-violent, super-crazy world.

Torchlight II is very similar to Torchlight (who would have guessed ?) although better in almost every way. The game balancing is incredibly good (even though it's a little too easy in the beginning), and the character progression system ought to be taught in game design schools. Overall, it remains simple and pure hack'n slash, but isn't that what the fans were expecting?

LittleBigPlanet on the Vita has the same beautiful appearance, with a reworked interface using touch controls. Those integrate decisively well both when playing the solo campaign and creating levels. It may be a little short as a solo platformer, but apart from that, it's as good as ever, if not more.

Tokyo Jungle is a weird game, but one that shows enthusiasm and passion. Its survival gameplay and scoring mechanics work well in solo play, the two player mode is less convincing. The loads of species to play introduce a very nice variety to explore.

DoA 5 comes back packing, setting itself right aside Tekken Tournament 2 with a serious effort in terms of 3D brawling, even though it doesn't match the best 2D-style fighting games. The content is a little light, unfortunately, but the fans won't be disappointed.

NHL fans won't get live season this year, but they shouldn't be disappointed by NHL 13 anyway; the quality is still there, even though the collision sometimes lack precision. The updated skating engine allows for more finesse in the gameplay, and that's a superb addition.

Even though Mists of Pandaria may be easing things up a little too much leveling-up wise, it's full of delicious content. But World of Warcraft's age is starting to show, both in terms of quest structure and storytelling. The humor is still a nice touch.

Not much to say: F1 fans will undoubtedly take on this F1 2012 with delight, it's been polished in almost every way. Prettier, faster, it also boasts a successful dynamic weather and despite some little shortcomings, it remains THE standard for Formula 1 racing.

More comprehensive, more varied, better polished, Borderlands 2 still boasts the same strengths than three years ago, only enhanced. It's still a rather brutal FPS mixed with loot-whoring RPG, with a unique design and a super-violent, super-crazy world.

When the complete series is out there, and The Walking Dead becomes a full game, this fourth episode won't be one to be mocked or tagged as a low point. All the ingredients were successfully implemented, and Telltale doesn't begin to lose the momentum of this engaging story at any point up to the almost enraging cliffhanger. Now all that's left is to wait for the next one.

You don't need to have played the first Edna & Harvey :The Breakout to enjoy this sequel. It's a dark humor sweet wrapped in point & click paper, it's solid, and original.

More of a 1.5 episode than a true sequel duo, White 2 and Black 2 still are very satisfying for the fans or those who haven't played a Pokméon for some time, thanks to nice additions and a successful blend of gameplay elements.

More of a 1.5 episode than a true sequel duo, White 2 and Black 2 still are very satisfying for the fans or those who haven't played a Pokméon for some time, thanks to nice additions and a successful blend of gameplay elements.

Giana stopped copying Mario and found its own, charming, and successful identity, all the while remaining in the old-school platforming genre. Caution: the game is hard and unforgiving.

Harmonix keeps pushing forward and refining its concept with this third episode. More content, more fun, more polish, really enjoyable multiplayer modes, it's all in there for cool evenings with friends and solo fun, even though the formula remains the same.

With better storytelling, new elements to discover on the characters, and the auto-stereoscopic 3D, this new Layton is a success only hindered by a slight lack of inventiveness in the methods used to solve the puzzles.

Rufus comes back as the anti-hero we met in Deponia. Its clumsiness and immorality are fun to come back to in this hilarious adventure; one that is better weaved than the previous ones. But it's the third episode that will give us what is required to be satisfied (or not) by the story.

Treyarch did well in introducing Call of Duty to new approaches. The solo, especially, is surprisingly replayable thanks to story variations based on both player chance and performance. The multiplayer seems to have found the definitive system for custom classes with Pick-10, and the new Zombies mode called Tranzit offers new surprises and and open-world feeling that surely make it better. The graphics engine really starts to look old though, and the solo suffers from big plot holes, less polished scripting, and less spectacular sequences.

With Fly'n, Ankama delivers a solid and accessible platformer using the classic codes of the genre. It may not revolutionize anything in that regard, but it is nonetheless highly enjoyable, affordable, and most importantly charming, blessed with spotless visuals and nice diversity.

While it seems that all the games, even the most forgivable ones, feel the need to have a twist in them to break or turn upside down an established code, how can one with "retro" and a certain "opposition to change" both carved into its DNA surprise? In New Super Mario Bros. U, the princess doesn't get kidnapped, it's the hero that gets booted outside the castle to the far end of the realm. But it doesn't change anything: the game is a clear declaration that one does not need to change what already works perfectly.

A great stealth game that suffers from a few annoying flaws. The 20 rather long missions it offers are inconsistent quality-wise, making the fan constantly switching from frustration to utter delight. But these moments are so delicious that we eventually want to forget about the game shortcomings (odd difficulty balancing, perfectible AI, sequences that can't be dealt with without gunfights). In the end, we are particularly pleased to reconnect with this subtle and original gameplay from past Hitman games, the many different ways to kill a single target, and of course all these humor-filled dialogues and situations. You have to play it if you like stealth games.

Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing Transformed is one of the best love letters written to Sega. It's a new reference in the genre, so one can been keen on forgetting about some of the characters of the original that disappeared in this sequel, the occasional frame-rate issue, or the loading times.

A fascinating survival-horror game. Despite some surprising shortcomings, in particular a perfectible playability and combat system, ZombiU puts the player at the center of a zombicalypse like no other game. The extremely well polished atmosphere, high difficulty and asymmetrical gameplay ideas deliver an intense experience that all fans of horror and survival themed games should live.

The LEGO series reach new heights with this LOTR game. Open World, RPG, exploration, humor and fidelity at the same time, TT Games put a real effort in this new adaptation with the LEGO Twist.

This port of Darksiders II on the Wii U has both pros and cons: on the con side, some frame rate drops and less than perfect visual optimisations. On the pro side: all the DLC packed in, the maps and touch screen inventory on the Wii U GamePad. The rest is as the originals: excellent.

A really good port of the PS360 versions, with fluid animation both on screen and on the GamePad, that will undoubtedly help those who'd have loved a Mario Kart at launch.

A correct port, which doesn't benefit as much as one would think from the Wii U GamePad touch screen. Still the only way to hold this galaxy in the palm of your hands.

While many expected recycling, Intelligent Systems has yet managed to get all his imagination to create the first Paper Mario on a handheld console. Sticker Star is a fabulous ambassador for stereoscopic 3D, as its paper universe is the ideal material to illustrate the aesthetic qualities of this technology. The scenario and fights are excellent too.

The Tekken Tag Tournament 2 Wii U port is rather successful, although playing with the GamePad is not easy at first. Fortunately, shortcuts on the touch screen are nice, but that being said, nothing beats a good arcade stick of course! Another interesting point: you can play on the GamePad screen itself. Regarding game modes, the Mushroom Mode is good fun, but not for long, and the online mode works pretty well. In short, TTT2 on Wii U is as good as the other consoles versions, but its new features, funny at first, finally don't bring so much to the experience.

Football Manager 2013 manages to get us out of our coaching routine by providing a real graphical overhaul. We can now immerse ourselves freely in its gargantuan option menus without having the impression to lose our brain. This is still the best football management simulation, but this time with an ever more immersive game system.

Treyarch did a good job with the Wii U version of CoD Black Ops 2. The content is the same as on PS3 or Xbox 360, the graphics as well, and of course on this version you can play on the GamePad itself, or even use it as a second screen for player 2. We would have liked the touch screen to be used also for the gameplay, though.

If you find yourself sometimes wondering if videogames are art, you should try Kentucky Route Zero. This adventure game gives you the reigns of the storytelling of an intriguing fantastical story.

Ninja Theory made it: its Devil May Cry reboot is delicious, provocative and beautiful, all the while offering a solid beat'em all gameplay. The platforming sequences sometimes lack precision and the whole game can quite easily be don in less than 10 hours, but it's clearly a success.

Quotation forthcoming.

No time to explain. Just buy this game for challenges... and laugh !

Level-5 and Ghibli. Improbable just a few years ago, such and alliance of the little prince of the RPG and the king of Japanese animation gives birth to a super classical RPG, with no need for the magnificent spellbook that was given with the portable version. But in this PS3 take, Ninokuni doesn't really aim at younger gamers anymore. Paradoxically, the very light and sensible style of Ghibli does not give life to the best RPG in the world, but attempts to open up a way to an adventure with quiet strength.

Well calibrated and polished, Dead Space 3 is a good sequel, even though it makes a heavier use of action gameplay than previous episodes. The new weapon crafting system works really well, the two player co-op as well. Too bad though, that the fear of the original had to make even more room in this third title for more ordinary action, in order to accommodate a wider audience that previous episodes failed to capture.

This 17-Bit game is a love letter of strategy fans, and manages successfully to bring turn-based strategy in the hands of all. Its accessibility, its quality, its balanced, deep yet simple gameplay, everything was designed to go straight to what matters, while polishing the details. With its cross-platform multiplayer and a very nice, funny atmosphere, it may very well be the perfect entry point to a genre that is more often than not perceived as dull and complicated.

This may very well be the best brutal action game for slicing, ninjas, cyborg and WTF lovers.

If 2012 wasn't necessarily an unforgettable year in terms of releases for smartphones and tablets, 2013 starts very well with Year Walk. This enticing journey into Swedish myths and legends offers stunning visuals and sound, with puzzles, riddles, exploration and secrets to discover. It's a little short, but comes with a bonus free app explaining what the original legends and characters from Swedish folklore are. Definitely a fresh experience on iOS.

Mercury Steam continues to demonstrate its talent in this new contribution to its Lords of Shadow reboot of the Castlevania series. Beautifully transposed to 2,5D gameplay, this 3DS title brings back together demanding platforming and deep combat mechanics, in an accessible mix that only lacks a little more puzzles and, for old-timers, challenge.

God of War Ascension is surprisingly efficient and polished, both in solo and multiplayer. This new chapter of the story of Kratos is as interesting to discover as it is fun to play, thanks to smartly revised combat elements, and the multiplayer is far from being a bulletpoint added on the packshot for marketing reasons: it's fun and rich, even though it may lack a little more content to really capture in the long run.

In a genre where almost everything seems to have been invented already, Rise of the Blobs manages to introduce a refreshing puzzle game concept even though it's reminiscent of things like Tetris and Puyo Puyo. And it's free.

Don't trust its cartoony looks, Sly Cooper isn't just for kids. Behind its mask, our beloved animal thief hides a delightful sense of humor. It also boasts a ton of tricks to play with in terms of gameplay, despite its stealth nature slowly conceding territory to the more action-y aspects of its gameplay. In the end, the adventure is full of variety and fun, and may very well be the most refined and rich episode of the series - it most certainly is one of the best 3D platformers out there these days.

To sum-up LEGO City Undercover to a simple GTA with bricks would be a shame. Full of satire fore previous Telltale LEGO games and rich without any franchise to support it, City Undercover is able to charm with extensive content, no violence, and several layers of subtext for all to enjoy. It's a trans-generational game, and a good one at that.

Dead or Alive 5 + is an excellent port. This PS Vita version offers superb graphics and the gameplay is identical to the PS3/Xbox 360 versions.

Quotation forthcoming.

Quotation forthcoming.

Don't Starve is brilliantly titled. This rich and smart rogue-like defies you to explore and survive an equally cruel and alluring randomly generated world, but I suspect that the "Don't Starve" advice isn't for your character but for yourself: the game is so enticing and brilliant that those playing it will soon find themselves skipping the real life meals to continue playing.

I really thought that Blood Dragon would quickly become too much, but I'm surprised that it was able to make me laugh all the way through this heavily deformed and 80's enriched Far Cry 3. It goes in all directions, and at great length, to charm all over-the top, punchline riddled, references fans. A smart and refreshing stand-alone take.

Fez may not be as polished as its pairs, the Limbos and the Braids, but it's the indie gem we were expecting it to be. It's an ode to 8bit clichés for sure, but also a puzzler that will appeal to all the thinkers and explorers alike, filled with cuteness, an awesome soundtrack and atmosphere, and quite a load of secrets to uncover.

A very well executed translation of the Persona world in the versus fighting genre. Arc System Works delivers a rich and beautiful game, all the while staying as true as possible to Atlus' franchise.

Once again, it's in small touches by small touches that PES makes progress, enhancing some things (a more fluid gamaeplay, more identifiable signature moves from great players), and losing others in the process (the impractical training mode, faces that are less well-modeled than before). Another episode of transition before the the complete overhaul that may induce the use of a new engine for PES 2014, PES 2013 is a good soccer game and a nice enough PES, but one that, this year again, can't measure up to the competition, namely FIFA 13.