Rise of the Tomb Raider; Need For Speed; NOW That's What I Call Sing, gaming reviews

An Indiana Jones-style blockbuster with emotional depth and incredible explosive sequences

Rise of the Tomb Raider invokes a level of magic rarely seen since the 1996 debut

Rise of the Tomb Raider

*****

Xbox One/Xbox 360 (£39.99)

The second game of the second Tomb Raider reboot does so much to continue the excellence of the previous title. With Rhianna Pratchett once again writing and Camilla Luddington beautifully voicing the iconic Lara Croft, the game is familiar, well-paced, varied and fluid – an Indiana Jones-style blockbuster with emotional depth and incredible explosive sequences that has you rooting for, as well as playing, Lara. The game invokes a level of magic rarely seen since the 1996 debut.

David Crookes

Need For Speed

**

Ghost Games, PS4/Xbox One/PC (£44.99)

Two years have passed since the last instalment of Need for Speed, yet it still feels like it's 2003 when the phenomenally successful Underground series launched. 12 years on, Ghost Games have rolled out something very similar to nearly every other Need for Speed game made. The emphasis is on online integration, given that you can't even play it without an internet connection. The gameplay brings Ventura Bay – the fictional city it's based in – to life, and, while the custom garage is the best aspect, that's not really the point of it, is it?

Jack de Menezes

NOW That's What I Call Sing

****

Xbox One/PS4, with one microphone (£39.99)

If you've ever done a successful karaoke performance, here's the game for you. The new Singstar rival (which was criticised for losing the fun party modes in its last instalment) similarly rates your vocals, with the option to compete against friends. Though it has all the big hits from the last year (including “Uptown Funk”, “Let It Go”, and “All About That Bass”) there aren't many songs pre-2014, which means it misses out on being a great family game for Christmas.

Laura Davis