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PlayStation Vita owners have been crying out for their own take on the monstrous, erm, Monster Hunter series – thank the Heavens then (well, the Devil actually) for the demon-slaying Toukiden: The Age of Demons...

While Toukiden does pay tribute to what has made Monster Hunter such an astonishing success story – working together with others to take down huge critters and develop your character's bad-ass weapons and skill sets – this third person action RPG manages to add its own unique spin on the genre.

First up, there's a storyline to follow that frames the action, giving it a narrative unlike Monster Hunter's bare-bone's approach: you're a slayer charged with wiping out hordes of the Oni (that's 'demons' in Japanese) that threaten to overwhelm the land. From your village hub, head out on missions, slaughtering said Oni before harvesting the fallen fiends for items that will enable you upgrade your weapons and armour.

And if online, you can of course hook up with others for some co-op action. But Toukiden also allows you to sign-up AI slayers to aid you on your mission if there's a lack of available players. Or if you don't have Wi-Fi access on, say, the number 16 bus into Chepstow. The PS Vita is a handheld after all.

At the heart of Toukiden though are inevitably the weapons types such as long sword, spear and gauntlets, which are used to exacting effect in the game's streamlined, fast-paced combat; all while offering up another of its unique features, Mitama – the souls of the slain – that grant you special abilities and attacks when 'plugged' into your weapons.

With suitably beautifully/hideously-realised huge monsters, plenty of side quests and hours of gameplay, PS Vita owners can allow themselves a sigh of relief. They finally have a title that's worthy enough to stand on its own two feet in front of the colossus that is the Monster Hunter franchise. Before head-butting said franchise in the knee caps.