Sony's PS4 virtual reality headset to be announced in March

Sony developing Virtual Reality headset for PS4

Sony is preparing to reveal the final piece of its PS4 hardware strategy at TGS by showcasing a PlayStation-branded virtual reality head-mounted display, CVG has learned.

[Update: Following the publication of this article, CVG has been told by people connected to the matter that there are no longer any existing plans to publicly showcase the virtual reality headset at the Tokyo Game Show.

In August, when Sony abandoned its initial strategy to reveal the device at Gamescom, CVG was told at the time that the reveal had been be pushed back to the Tokyo event. Now the expectation is to showcase the headset in 2014.

Executives at Sony have demonstrated the VR display to a select number of developers at E3 and Gamescom, and will also conduct closed-doors meetings at TGS.

Sony originally intended to reveal the headset at Gamescom but plans fell through at the eleventh hour. The company is currently weighing up whether the PS4 device should be pitched as a key differentiator for the console or a non-essential add-on.

The matter has been slightly complicated, but not derailed, by the growing industry support for Oculus Rift. Sony's device will be a categorical rival to Oculus, and for months there have been rumours suggesting the two companies are seeking a partnership.

A games developer familiar with Sony's plans, who wished to remain anonymous, told CVG that Evolution Studios is currently working with the device to simulate a cockpit view on its

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The Last of Us: Left Behind review

It says much of the quality and depth of The Last of Us' characters and world that Naughty Dog could have picked any one of a number of threads to explore in this, the first and only story expansion for its seminal action-adventure. The strained relationship between Joel and his brother Tommy; Marlene's journey from Ellie's guardian to head of the Fireflies; the story of Ish, the enigmatic survivor whose notes detail his harrowing experiences in Pittsburgh - any might have worked.

Instead, Neil Druckmann, Bruce Straley and their team have chosen to explore one of the defining relationships of our young heroine Ellie's life - her close friendship with a fellow teenage survivor, Riley. Those that have played through The Last of Us already know how this story ends and likely have an idea of how it might play out, and so it is to the developer's significant credit that Left Behind manages to defy foreknowledge to tell a story that is touching, revealing and important.

Left Behind presents an unexpected duality, contrasting the Ellie with whom we are familiar with one whom we've never met. Ostensibly, it is a snapshot of a pivotal time in Ellie and Riley's friendship that plays out against the backdrop of a post-outbreak world, a world in which quarantine zones and death are everyday considerations and where trips to the mall and carefree teenage frivolity are wholly alien concepts. To pick out any single instance of this juxtaposition would be to deny you the joy of discovery. Suffice to say that exploration is its own reward, and it's as amusing as it is poignant to witness the two friends walk amongst the relics of an opulent past and wonder aloud at the bemusing superficiality of it all.

In its way, Left Behind also serves as an examination of Ellie's later relationship with Joel. It offers insight into the depth of the bond that exists between the two and provides a deeper understanding of this relationship by exploring events that are only alluded to in the main story. In doing so, it once again turns the pseudo-father-daughter relationship on its head and offers still more to ponder in the main story's ambiguous ending. While there's certainly value in playing through The Last of Us again prior to starting Left Behind, there's also a surprising amount to be taken from venturing through the main story

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PS Vita Slim (2014)

PS Vita Slim (2014): First Impressions

What is the Sony PS Vita Slim?

The new PS Vita is the 2014 edition of Sony’s handheld console. It is cheaper, slimmer and lighter than its predecessor. Although Sony is keen to say it is still simply called the PS Vita, we’re sure it’ll quickly adopt the Vita Slim moniker.

The key selling point of the new Vita is its design, as the software and processing power under the hood are near-identical to the last model. It's slimmer, and has an LCD screen rather than an OLED one.

For existing PS Vita owners, those design tweaks make the latest model feel quite different from its predecessor.

PS Vita (2014) - Design

Sony has listened to gamer feedback to make the Vita easier and more comfortable to hold for long periods of time. Even when picking up the new handheld for the first time, the difference is clear.

25 per cent of the original Vita’s weight has been shaved off to make the latest model feel considerably lighter than the original. It's a welcome change. The original was by no means a heifer at launch, but in a direct comparison it feels like quite the dead weight.

The PS Vita Slim has a new soft, matt finish on the rear and the finger grips have been enlarged to help you endure those extended gaming sessions. These touches make the new model much more tactile and finger-friendly than the former gloss finish. The rear touch panel is still glossy though, so your fingers won’t notice a change there.

To help reduce accidental presses, the rear touch panel has been reduced by around 30 per cent. From our brief play with top Vita title Tearaway, the smaller touchpad doesn’t affect the way you play whatsoever. And it is still large enough to feel accessible and convenient without having to stretch your fingers too far.

Changes to the buttons are some of the more subtle design alterations, with the symbol buttons and d-pad receiving minor cosmetic changes. The start and select buttons under the right analogue stick are now small and round rather than oval, and the PS Home button is no longer backlit.

Instead there are a duo of LED lights at the top of the device to indicate power and battery levels.

The best new feature of the PS Vita Slim is Sony’s abandoning of

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10 Best Indie Games on PS4 and PS3

With the PS4 launch not yet a distant memory, we've taken a tour of the PlayStation Network to find out which games you need for your PS3, PS Vita or brand new Sony box.

PlayStation owners are lucky to have such a vast amount of games available on the PlayStation Store, so sometimes it's helpful to have someone to do the trawling for you.

We've picked ten of our favourites from PSN for you to choose from, but of course there are some older favourites we've missed out like Flower, to keep things fresh.

Hopefully, we've been helpful, but if there's a great game we've missed out, please feel free to add it in the comments below.

Contrast

Contrast was one of the first titles to be made available for the PS4 with a PlayStation Plus subscription. The game is set in a 1920s dreamscape, where you must shift between the physical 3D world and the 2D shadow world.

You play as Dawn, the imaginary friend of a little girl named Didi and solve increasingly difficult puzzles  as you traverse a world full of circus performers, magic and cabaret.

It’s free for anyone wielding a PlayStation Plus account for PS4, but on the PS3 it will set you back £11.99. It’s certainly worth every penny.

Price: £12.79 or Free with PlayStation Plus, £11.99 for PS3

Platform: PS4, PS3

Minecraft: PlayStation 3 Edition

After the Minecraft: Xbox 360 Edition was released in May, there was great anticipation for the release of a PlayStation version of the block-building creation game. Finally, on December 18, developer Mojang answered our prayers.

However, currently there’s only a PS3 edition of Minecraft available, with PS4 and PS Vita versions of the game in the works for launch sometime in the near(ish) future.

For anyone who isn’t familiar with the blocky Minecraft world, you are able to build your own world out of coloured blocks, defend those creations against enemies and generally explore.

The Xbox 360 edition stayed in the top 10 of the UK All Format Gaming Charts for months, so the PS3 version is worth a look.

Price: £12.99

Platform: PS3

Doki Doki Universe

This cross-platform adventure game is one of the last to arrive in 2013, and is quite the unusual journey for the average PlayStation gamer.

You play as a robot named QT3 who must travel around and prove his humanity before being

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Games of January 2014

The 2013 holidays were stuffed with new releases, so if you're looking for a break, now's your chance. Not that January doesn't have anything to offer, mind you. 2014's debut welcomes a number indie ports, next-gen remakes, and a long-awaited KickStarter project from Tim Shafer and the Double Fine Productions team. 


Assuming you aren't already buried under a mountain of untouched games, and have some money left to throw around, let us guide you through the new releases of January 2014.

January 7

Don't Starve: Console Edition

Platform: PS4

EU: TBD 

How long can you hack it in an alternate dimension crawling with mutant spiders, warrior pigs, starving monsters, and other creepy crawlies? Find out in this PS4 port of Klei Entertainment's Don't Starve, a top-down, action adventure game that tests players' ability to survive an unforgiving world where the penalty for death is starting from scratch.

Set in a randomly generated, 2D environment, Don't Starve forces players to forage for food, build shelters, research new survival tools, hunt for food, and mix resources to create more effective (and sometimes stranger) equipment. Exploration and experimentation are key, and players can expect to die often as they dig in to the game's secrets and hidden features. How you play is up to you, but watch that hunger meter and keep your fire going unless you want to be snatched by shadow demons. Did we mention the shadow demons? Yeah, good luck with that. Read our Don't Starve review for more insightful tips.

January 14

Assassin's Creed III: Liberation HD

Platforms: PS4, PS3, Xbox One, Xbox 360, PC

EU: January 15 

Aveline de Grandpré headlines this Assassin's Creed spin-off, which was first released as a PS Vita title back in October 2012. Now up-rezzed, remodeled, and re-released for download on PSN, Xbox Live, and Steam, Assassin's Creed III: Liberation HD will see the female assassin once again using her skill for stealth and murder to stop a Templar plot in 18th Century New Orleans--this time for console audiences.

Aveline's quest will play like prior Assassin's Creed entries. From Louisiana to Chichen Itza, she will parkour her way through historically-inspired locations while assassinating targets, stalking Templars, and pickpocketing the occasional chump along the way. Her adventures will also see her pairing with Assassin's Creed III's Connor to retrieve an ancient relic and further the Assassin's Creed narrative. Find out what improvements

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Top 7 Zombie Games

Mmmm...Brains...

What would you do if shambling corpses rose from the dead and began walking through town, chowing down on your Aunt Gertrude's gams? You're probably thinking you would be the complete badass in your survivor group. After all, as a gamer, you would have the most experience dealing with the walking dead--from, y'know, playing The Walking Dead. You've smashed more zombie brains, shotgunned more rotting faces, and mastered more corpse-killing weapons than you can count, all thanks to video games.

We will all owe zombie games our lives when the inevitable apocalypse comes to pass. And that's why we've gathered together the games that got us to this level of undead-slaying efficiency. Check out our list of the best zombie games that you can get your hands on and start training for the end times now.

7. Zombies Ate My Neighbors

The only reason LucasArts' legendary top-down shooter isn't higher on this list is that its focus is on movie monsters in general. But the shambling undead play a huge part in the gloriously campy chaos that is Zombies Ate My Neighbors, considering they're the first--and most prominent--enemy that Zeke and Julie encounter. Their appearance is classic zombie: clothes tattered, arms outstretched, a vacant, goofy half-smile on their decomposing faces. But when you watch your neighbor get devoured by these rotting corpses, they become downright terrifying.

Sure, these zombies are somehow vulnerable to water; one spritz from a squirtgun is all it takes to make them explode in a spray of bones. Yet, despite their frailty, their brisk pace and unyielding pursuit of anything with a brain is chilling, particularly to a youngster first experiencing the wonders of 16-bit. And that strange, chewing-meets-laughing Grawnaha sound they make is petrifying. 

6. Red Dead Redemption: Undead Nightmare

What if zombies infested the wild, wild West? Well, Undead Nightmare is your answer. The Red Dead Redemption DLC has all of the characteristics that made the main storyline so great, only now almost everything you encounter is a walking bag of rotting flesh. You'll meet up with the same familiar characters from the standard campaign--who will probably be getting chewed on by brain eaters. There are new weapons and quests to find, towns to defend, and mythological horses to tame--plenty to keep you occupied well beyond the 6-hour story campaign.

The Undead Nightmare DLC is just about big

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10 Scariest Games Ever

1. Amnesia: The Dark Descent

The year is 1839 and you play as Daniel, an amnesiac who wakes in Brennenburg Castle with a letter, from himself, stating he deliberately wiped his own memory and instructing himself to murder Alexander, the Baron of the castle. Daniel only remembers three things: his name, where he lives and that something is hunting him. There is no combat mechanic, so you are forced to hide, and to run. As Daniel spends more time in the dark hiding from monsters, he gradually descends into insanity, seeing and hearing things that aren’t there.

2. Slender

Slender is a free first person survival horror game based around the urban legend of the Slenderman, a tall, faceless, suit wearing individual who makes a habit of abducting children. In the middle of a dark wood, you have to collect 8 cryptic notes explaining the true terror of the Slenderman, before succumbing to his horror. It is a chilling game with incredible atmosphere that greatly succeeds in furthering the terror spread by the urban legend.

3. Cry of Fear

Cry of Fear is a first person survival horror mod of Half Life utilising Valve’s source engine. You play Simon, another amnesiac who wakes in a dark alley in a twisted version of Stockholm. Desperate to find out if he has gone insane, Simon will confront horrific creatures to get to the truth. Although based of the source engine and maintaining Half Life’s stellar combat mechanics, Cry of Fear is a total conversion mod and utilises new tools and abilities, making for a chilling experience.

4. Dead Space

Set in a dark and distant future, mankind has the ability to “crack” planets: literally crack a planet open and harvest its resources. When a religious artefact related to a twisted cult is discovered on the planet Aegis VII, The Ishimura mining ship goes dark. Isaac Clarke, whose girlfriend is stationed aboard The Ishimura, is part of the engineering team sent to uncover what is really going on. What follows is, in our humble opinion, one of the best and most terrifying gaming experiences of the last decade.

5. Manhunt 2

Rockstar London’s psychological horror game follows Daniel Lamb and his escape from Dixmor Asylum for the Criminally Insane. Daniel is an amnesiac and his journey brings him face to face with insane inmates and mysterious, deadly organisations. The gameplay centres on stealth

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Turtle Beach PX22 review

Pros

-Excellent sound for the price

-Solid noise isolation and mic

-Comfortable

-Great value

Cons

-Could be more robust

Key Features: Stereo gaming headset; Noise isolating; Inline controller; PC and console compatible

Manufacturer: Turtle Beach

Turtle Beach PX22 review

What is the Turtle Beach PX22?

The Turtle Beach PX22 is a noise-isolating wired stereo gaming headset that comes with both USB and analog connectors. At £69.99 it’s a mid-range set with a surprising amount of features including an inline amp and controller that lets you adjust volume, bass, treble and mic volume on the fly as well as providing the ability to take calls while gaming.

It’s compatible with PC, PS3, Xbox 360 but also the PS4 and Xbox One.

Turtle Beach PX22: Design and Comfort

The PX22 is a well-built headset made of black plastic with soft fabric covered headband and ear cups. The top is made of a soft faux-leather material stitched with light-blue thread and has the company name – Turtle Beach – emblazoned on it. It's a good look and the detailing makes it look like a more expensive product.

The fabric is both comfortable and breathes well, which means you can wear the Turtle Beach PX22 for hours without getting sweaty ears. It clasps the head firmly enough to keep the headset in place, but not so strongly as to cause discomfort.

At 231g the Turtle Beach PX22 is also lighter than most of the competition, something that bodes well for long gaming sessions and if you want to travel. 

The headset is connected to the volume controller using a 1m cord with a 3.5mm jack meaning the PX22 is versatile enough to use as a pair of headphones too. There’s another 3m of cable coming out of the controller meaning you have plenty to spare when using it with a console.

The PX22 has clearly been designed with maximum comfort in mind and it succeeds in that regard well enough. It doesn’t feel quite as robust as some of the headsets we’ve tested, but that's one of the reasons it can keep the weight down. We’ve spent many hours using them and rarely need to remove them to give our ears a breather.

Sound quality is just as important as comfort, though, and Turtle Beach has done a storming job in that area too.

Turtle Beach PX22: Sound quality

Turtle Beach has been delivering quality sound

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25 Upcoming Games for PS4

Have a shiny new PS4?

You just bought your brand new PS4 and you couldn't be happier with it. You've got a good selection of games to play (especially the PlayStation Plus members) which will keep you busy for the foreseeable future. However, one must always think ahead, as that "foreseeable future" will become the present faster than you think.

What follows is your new favorite resource for all of the major PS4 releases. Want to know what's coming on the horizon? Want to make sure you know what games to plan for? This gallery will be your guide, so keep an eye on it for any new announcements and titles coming sooner rather than later. We'll keep you posted.

Thief (February 25)

Man, are we glad that Thief is coming back. We'd heard the rumors for a long time, but there was never any real evidence to suggest a return to the shadows. Now, our chance to once again play a Thief game is coming in less than two months, and we're really excited for the opportunity to take control of Garrett as he fights to protect his city and the people that live in it.

Games like Dishonored, Deus Ex: Human Revolution, and Assassin's Creed have highlighted was a stealth approach can do for a game, but we expect Thief to take it to a whole new level. After all, this is one of the original stealth series; this and Metal Gear Solid practically wrote the book on sneaking around a digital world as silently as possible. The game's had some issues in development, but we're not about to let that sway us; we're ready to be the Thief.

Infamous: Second Son (March 21)

No Cole MacGrath? No problem for the folks at Sucker Punch, introducing Delsin Rowe as the new face of Infamous in Second Son. Cole's legacy lives on, however, as his adventures have caused the world to label the superpowered Conduits as "bio-terrorists" hunted by a new government agency called the Department of Unified Protection, or D.U.P. We wouldn't be surprised if that acronym hints at our being "duped" about the true nature of the Department, but we'll have to find out for ourselves.

From what we've seen so far, Delsin is a perfect conduit (heh) of Cole; same cocky attitude, same prowess with superpowers (that Ghost Rider fire chain is AMAZING), and same ability

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Destiny: release date, gameplay, news

What is Destiny?

Destiny is the first multi-platform game from Bungie, the developer of the Halo series. It will launch for all current and next-generation consoles, including the PS4.

Previously Bungie was responsible for creating the Xbox exclusive Halo series, so this is the first time they will develop a title for any Sony console.

Set in a "mysterious future", Bungie will attempt to blend multiplayer and single player experiences in this sci-fi adventure that it is calling the "world's first shared-world shooter".

Destiny Hands-on from E3 2013

We had some time to take a closer at Destiny at E3 2013 and were blown away by the game’s beauty. You can read our first look Destiny review for our first impressions of the upcoming Bungie title, but we expect it will successfully bring the worlds of single player and multiplayer together in a very compelling manner. 

“This is a seriously beautiful-looking game, taking the kind of natural and sci-fi environments Bungie bought us with the original Halo, and dragging them into the next generation with some of the best lighting and water effects we’ve seen on the E3 show floor.”

Destiny Release Date: When is Destiny coming out?

Bungie has set the Destiny UK release date for September 9 2014. It will launch for Xbox One, Xbox 360, PS4 and PS3.

"Destiny has always represented a new beginning for our team," said an official Bungie spokesperson. "It was born from brave possibilities. We dreamed of a renewed and independent Bungie. We found partners willing to bet big on some crazy new ideas with us."

"We first shared the design pillars of Destiny less than one year ago. We promised to redefine what players should expect from a Bungie game. We said we wanted to change the way people play games together. We set our bar high. For us, Destiny represents a once in a lifetime opportunity."

"Since then, Destiny has continued to reveal its promise. Every new build brings closer to our original vision. With those goals in sight, we intend to use every moment from now until the release of the game to ensure that Destiny lives up to your expectations, and our own."

Before September 9, Bungie will launch a Destiny beta trial early in summer, with PS4 and PS3 gamers to be the first to benefit from the early access.

Destiny News: What we know so far

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Watch Dogs: release date, gameplay, news

What is Watch Dogs?

Watch Dogs is a brand new IP from Ubisoft, the creators of games like Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag and Splinter Cell: Blacklist.

Most likely turning out to be a cross between a high-tech GTA 5 and an Assassin’s Creed game, Watch Dogs is set in Chicago in the not-too-distant future.

The game was originally intended to be an Xbox One and PS4 launch title, but was pushed back to 2014 because it wasn’t quite as perfect as Ubisoft wanted.

Now we have to wait until Spring to get our hands on Watch Dogs, but until then we can console ourselves with all the news and gameplay footage we have so far. 

Watch Dogs Hands-on from E3 2013

Ubisoft had an extended demo of Watch Dogs available to see behind closed doors at E3 2013, and we were lucky enough to be one of the few to be granted access.

Our first impressions in our hands-on Watch Dogs review were that the architectural detail of Chicago is very realistic and the weather effects are particularly impressive.

“If we have any reservations, it’s that a lot of the game mechanics echo those in the Assassin’s Creed games, though with more emphasis on hacking, surveillance and GTA-style driving, and less on the parkour stuff.”

Watch Dogs News: What we know so far

Sony identifies Watch Dogs as a defining next-generation title

Speaking to TrustedReviews, Sony Computer Entertainment Managing Director Fergal Gara said Watch Dogs could be a defining game for next-generation consoles.

"[Watch Dogs could] define next-gen gaming really push some boundaries. A title like Watch Dogs, the anticipation is so high around it; pre-orders are already very significant and very strong for PS4."

Sony has a highly optimistic outlook for Watch Dogs, but the company was still disappointed it couldn’t be release as a launch title for the PS4 and Xbox One.

"It is a slight disappointment [that Watch Dogs has been delayed]. The timing isn’t as we had hoped. We have said we are for the players and we would rather they have a great game slightly later than a good game early."

The PS4 creator also believes that Watch Dogs could be the first in a hugely successful next-gen franchise.

"It would be a terrible shame if a game like that – which could go several rounds, Watchdogs 1, 2, 3 and could define next-gen gaming

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Sony Playstation 5: News, rumours, release date and price

Even as the PlayStation 4 racks up the sales records after only a few weeks on sale the internet rumour mill has begun to predict the release schedule of the PS5...

Sony PlayStation 5: Release Date

PS5 rumours don’t come much bigger than Sony flagging them itself, which is exactly what Sony’s UK boss, Fergal Gara appeared to do recently.

"It's probably a sign of the times and how much has changed in seven years, but I think the willingness and the appetite to pick up new technology fast has probably changed quite a bit," he said.

Gara was quick to point out that, at least for the next few years; Sony will be putting its considerable technological muscle behind the PlayStation 4. Sony waited seven years before launching the successor to its hugely popular PlayStation 3 console.

"We're going to have a much better feel for it once we're a good few months in and we can see how the dynamics are emerging,” he said.

"What we do know is that the [PS4] uptake is going to be very sharp. Does that mean this is going to be a much bigger cycle? Maybe. Or it might mean that it's just a bit more compressed into the first few years, that the latter years are a little softer."

Gara was speaking to T3.com’s sister site, TechRadar at the launch of the PS4, which has been flying off the shelves since it arrived in November 2013 – ushering in the eighth generation of home console gaming.

While the sales figures prove there’s more appetite for console gaming than at any point in the history of video games, the emphasis has noticeably shifted towards an all-encompassing media hub. The process began with the PS3 and Xbox 360, but has become even more important thanks to online streaming services like Netflix and Spotify.

Throw in the fact that more of us are gaming on our smartphones and tablets and the result is the ten-year lifespan quoted by console manufacturers could be due a change. Sony might not want to wait too long before jumping into the console mix for a fifth time, and the rumours have already begun to materialise.

Sony PlayStation 5: Appearance

Since the PlayStation 2 first appeared way back in March 2000, Sony has favoured the design of the sleek, black box. In the case of the PS2 and PS4, it’s

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Gran Turismo 6 review

Pros

    -Astonishing 1080p graphics

    -Nearly every major marque and tons of models

    -Superb handling

    -More accessible UI and career structure

Cons

    -Racer AI still lacks excitement

    -Not as thrilling or competitive as Forza 4 and 5

Gran Turismo 6 review

Exclusive to PlayStation 3

Gran Turismo 6 is the product of a singular vision, and that vision is Kazonori Yamauchi’s. It was Yamauchi who saw the potential of a more serious console driving game, and it is Yamauchi who has overseen the series as it’s developed from PS1 through to PS2 and PS3.

An infamous perfectionist, he’s always

pushed for a game that replicates every detail of the driving experience, tweaking the tracks, the visuals and the handling until he gets the look and feel he’s looking for. When you play Gran Turismo, you always get the sense that he’s striving for the ideal Gran Turismo; not the one that’s running on your console, but the one that’s running in his head.

It’s an approach that has made Gran Turismo what it is today, but also leaves the sixth iteration in an odd situation. Gran Turismo 6 is simultaneously the best game in the series and slightly disappointing. While it’s getting ever closer to Yamauchi’s ideal, it’s also struggling to keep pace with its rivals in ways that affect your experience of the game.

It’s not that Gran Turismo hasn’t moved on. GT5 is better looking than GT6, has even more convincing handling and packs in more cars and tracks. It also has a new interface and structure which cuts down the stuff that used to get between you and the track.

A new UI doesn’t seem all that exciting, but it makes a world of difference. With all the different modes and features now arranged in neat vertical columns, you can flick differently from your career mode to the dealership to buy a new car, then to the workshop to add new parts and tune it up, then back to career mode to start a new event.

You can dabble in the arcade mode, or try special events at Goodwood Festival of Speed or on the moon, then save the game or change your options with a tap of the Start button. And where the interface of GT5 and GT4 was often confusing, this one is a model of clarity. All the content is there for you to see.

As to

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Best games to buy for Christmas

Looking for something to get a loved one, a friend or even yourself this Christmas? How about a video game to go along with that new console or PC? There's certainly a stack of excellent choices that have been released recently, for all the major machines.

Pocket-lint has reviewed many of them and those we haven't for time reasons we've still been playing like mad to ensure that this guide features the best games available for purchase in stores. We've split them into genres too, so if you know the gameplay preference of the person you're buying for, you should be able to find a suggestion or two in the easiest way possible.

So, without further ado, these are the best PS4, Xbox One, PS3, Xbox 360, Wii U, 3DS and PC games for Christmas 2013.

Best adventure games

Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag

PS4, Xbox One, PS3, Xbox 360, PC, Wii U

Ubisoft has adopted a pirate theme for the latest in its hugely successful series and the game benefits greatly from basing a lot of the action around the developer's excellent ship battle engine.

That doesn't mean the normal free-running and fighting shenanigans have been toned down. In fact, they seem more fluid than ever before and some of the scenery around the 18th century West Indies backdrop is simply stunning to just wander around for hours on end. The next-generation versions certainly look sharper and more defined than their current-gen counterparts, especially in 1080p on the

PS4, but the game is identical so nobody misses out.

Batman: Arkham Origins

PS3, Xbox 360, PC, Wii U

The third in the Arkham trilogy might not have the wow factor of the previous two, but it is a solid adventure for those who want some more Batman action.

This time it focuses on the period when Batman first emerged on the scene and has you face some villains for what turns out to be his first encounters. Including the Joker. The Gotham City open world landscape is huge and there are plenty of side missions and collectables to keep you engrossed in the single-player campaign. Multiplayer is great fun too.

The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds

Nintendo 3DS

A new Zelda game is a big event round these parts and A Link Between Worlds does not disappoint. Not only has it got everything that makes the Nintendo RPG franchise great and good, but a new gameplay mechanic adds some brilliant puzzle moments.

Link can transform into a 2D picture and therefore blend into a wall. Not only can this help you avoid wandering foes, but you can wall across gaps in the landscape that you otherwise could not have traversed. The 3DS is still a major force in gaming, even if most turn off the 3D effect itself.

Best horror games

The Last of Us

PS3

It's hard to think of what else to say about The Last of Us that hasn't been said before. Quite possibly it is the greatest feat in storytelling in this generation of consoles, if ever.

The game will not be for everyone, certainly not for the squeamish or easily scared, but the zombie road story has heartwarming and touching moments as well as those that invoke sheer terror. The right combination of stealth, puzzle and third-person combat is complemented by some truly stunning vistas of a dilapidated America. Brilliant.

Beyond Two Souls

PS3

David Cage's Quantic Dream studio is a master at film-like visuals and scripting, and there is little doubt that Beyond: Two Souls is the best looking game on the PS3 to date.

Some might be less enthusiastic about the on rails interaction. It plays more like a movie you have a part in, rather than an actual game, but it is well worth the ride. Surprisingly, there are some genuinely scary moments, which is why it's listed under "Horror" here.

Dead Rising 3

Xbox One

Perhaps not a horror game in the sense of genuine shocks, Dead Rising 3 certainly would put the willies up those who are freaked up by zombies. There are thousands of them in Capcom's superb third game.

Using the Xbox One's power

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