My only strong disappointment is the multiplayer aspects of the game. The CTF, Assault and Deathmatch games are fine enough, but the different trooper types were just crying out for some kind of class-based multiplayer action.

If you like the humour in the game then I'd say it's a worthwhile purchase - I enjoyed the single-player adventure despite problems with pacing and some of the puzzles. However I found the online game initially maddeningly chaotic until I got to grips with the surprising complexity of the gameplay on offer.

Pandora Tomorrow doesn't mark a substantial evolution of the stealth genre but it does progress from the first game.

Fun though it is, the stalking, hunt-em-down-and-bring-em-in approach begins to wear thin – but just as it does, Stranger's Wrath...changes. It's not a twist, per se - it's pure Western convention – but it prompts a re-evaluation of the character and events of the game.

The aspects that had to be removed or toned down for the console have been made up for in more important areas of gameplay making a semi-sequel that is superior to the original title in many ways.

By no means a classic, and the online multiplayer modes aren't quite as instantly gratifying for Halo 2. But it's a very good solid game that offers value for money and a chance to get involved with a prolonged war online.

The changes made could have easily spelt a disaster in the GR series, but they've been skilfully handled and form the basis of a good, solid shooter that's entertaining and tough without being overly difficult.

You even get to see the coaches of the respective teams geeing-up their players and remonstrating about decisions and player misdemeanours which all adds up to the great overall presentation of the game.

It's a solid, fun game and there's no doubt you could do a lot worse, but you might find yourself feeling a little detached from it all after not too long.

An enjoyable but ultimately routine sequel.

It ceases to become an essential annual purchase.

Its learning curve is fair instead of gleefully obstinate and that's what marks this series' major step forward.

It's good, and will hold your interest, but with some slightly frustrating controls that aren't customisable, driving Duke owners to desperation, or a new controller S (effectively making it into a £55 game) it's only really slightly improved over the PS2 version.

This is one situation where more of the same does not negate the experience. More of the same is more than we could have asked for. It's the brown bun alternative.

Even though there's a new, fancy interface (with decreased user friendliness, we have to admit), more finely tuned gameplay mechanics and a better AI, I can't help feeling that there's a bit of a lack of good ideas in comparison with "Burnout 3."

It plays superbly, the management mode is certainly addictive in the extreme, the AI is great, the graphics detailed and crisp and there are so many modes to enjoy. So it all comes down to those stutters, which seem to affect some gamers more than others.

Nerve has stuck enough diverse tweaks into the format to make for a thrilling, admittedly more terrifying experience. Resurrection of Evil is a much better game than "Doom III." Trust me.

A worthy successor in the Far Cry franchise, the small single player game reflects is budget price, but the awesome multiplayer makes it more than worth the price tag.

Perhaps the only questionable aspect might be the length, but given the game's pacing and the gradual addition of new elements, characters and locations to the gameplay, this never becomes a drudge.

I’ll briefly abandon my objective viewpoint and daringly say that I love Disgaea. But I can find very little to strongly recommend about it.

It's about being scared out of your wits one minute and then bellowing with laughter at something gruesomely humorous the next.

Perhaps a little more variety with the fighting, less of the annoying ‘trapping the player in a glowing circle until he has killed all enemies’ gameplay elements and more opportunity for clever exterminations like pushing enemies off ledges with telekinesis would have worked better, but it still remains a good game.

It's good, yes, but not brilliant.

If you’re the patient and careful type it’ll suit you. Otherwise, you’ll have to put in a lot of effort.

If you have a little Turtle fan running around at home, or if you want a trip down memory lane, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles comes heartily recommended. You get exactly what the game promises and in this case that is a good thing.

In a very narrow sense, Champions provides a set of features and a whole lot of polish to keep things interesting for its audience and the online modes go a long way in extending things even further.

Far from disappointing, it’s just not the best in its series and not the innovation that some people might have hoped for.

The actual gameplay itself is pretty good and does reward skill unlike EA Sport's recent golfing output.

If all you want is a well-executed platform action game, with no innovations, you can have a really good time with Maximo vs. The Army of Zin, but otherwise steer clear. You’ve seen it all before.

And when atmosphere is the only new thing that you bring to the table, it had better be damn near perfect to make a good impression. Hitman: Contracts is just short of that, but is more than enough if you haven’t played Hitman 2.

Of course, the game improves enough on the past titles in the series that it will appeal primarily to existing fans and they certainly won’t be disappointed.

There have been many games of this type, but Samurai Warriors is undoubtedly the best.

Too lightweight to be a truly great RTS. Instead it's an amazing looking diversion that won't tax an intelligent player very much. A missed chance at something very special.

I think this is a lateral development for the genre. I hail the ambition, I commend the experimentation and I recognise the potential. However, I wish it still didn't sport some of the genre’s silly little annoyances and the whole thing is a little too unbalanced in its execution.

If Desert Rats can address its most severe problems - a very variable AI and a rather stunted mutliplayer - then it might be able to up itself to an [80] rating.

A decent, side-scrolling action romp, with admirable multiplayer offering and enjoyable gameplay. This, comrade, is well worth an investment.

If you’re after a simple and enjoyable hack and slash game, with lots of violence and blood, Blood Rayne 2 will be ideal, and yes, it’s worth playing, if only via a rental.

The game is just too ambitious for the aging PlayStation 2. The frame rate, control and save game issues make the game a hard unforgiving slog rather than fun at times. But despite that there's a lot to be admired about the game.

Beyond Divinity is like a rigged slot machine; you always win the same amount you put in, but the jackpot never comes. You’ll continue to play because you have nothing to lose, but it’s not as exciting.

If you liked the world of the original, buy it, you’ll get a kick out of everything, but if you’ve not even played the first one, then buy The Longest Journey and see what Dreamfall should have been; like its predecessor, focussed on the puzzles.

There are lots of great elements to the game, but nothing that stands out as being worthy of a purchase alone.

It may lack the cinematic punch of the big guns of Jak and Ratchet, but it never plumbs the depths of Ty or Crash.

The phrase fan-service has never been so apt.

If you’ve never seen the draw of Harry Potter, then perhaps this game isn’t for you, although with nothing too complex to get your head around and the ability to out-magic Malfoy and his troop, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban spells more fun than a lot of movie-to-game conversions.

Overall, it doesn't stray far enough from the parts of "Jak 2" that made it a let-down and, while tolerable, it's a bit of a shame.

It can’t possibly sustain its ardour, but nevertheless, purely for reasons of bringing Spider-Man to life in the best way possible, this is a spectacular experience.

Personally I find it annoying that I lose points when my opponents hit me and not the other way around, but I still like the idea.

A wasted opportunity.

Relentless, exhausting and unique, although Full Spectrum Warrior is certainly one of the most innovative strategy games we’ve played for some time, it’s not always a wholly satisfying one- it often feels too much like hard work. Good, but not quite the classic it could have been.

Despite appearances it’s mostly a methodical stealth game, and a sniper’s bullet is often more effective than the powers of the mind.

The 2D graphics engine also allows resolutions of up to 1600x1200 and thus suits even the biggest screen.

The one aspect that does feel out of place though is the game’s approach to sex. Geralt can basically one-night-stand his way through many of the world’s female NPCs, with the game issuing incredibly tacky “sex cards” of the women in each encounter.

The lack of variation with the missions, and with very few things we haven’t seen before, Scrapland tries admirably, but fails just short of the mark of being fully recommendable.

Planning your offensive and defensive attacks plays a massive role and is essentially where the fun lies.

A few bugs here and there as well as some obvious yet simple features that seem to be missing add frustration to playing the game.

It doesn’t take too long to get the hang of things, and while more professional moves will take practise, feeling like each match relies on you isn’t too far away.

Twitch players in favour of the 'rush and crush' tactic will be deeply frustrated here, but those who like to take their time and mull over the tactical options available should find much to keep them occupied.

At its worst, Nexus is painfully ponderous and distantly detached. At its best it's visually stupendous sci-fi spectacular with depth as well as style. The 2001 of Real Time Strategy if you will.

MX vs. ATV Unleashed is hardcore racing action. If you can handle it, you’re a god among insects. If not, say goodbye to any sense of feeling you had in your thumbs.

The new monsters are not as interesting as the original ones, and even though they’re still frightening, they just don’t fill the void left by DOOM 3.

Although it doesn’t offer anything new, Sacred wields a metaphorical mace of monster mash with pride and panache. This is slick action adventuring with a lack of ambition but no shortage of charm.

I don’t want to give the impression this is just another lazy Star Wars game, because it’s clear a lot of love has gone into the game. But there’s a lack of ambition at the heart of Empire at War that is the ultimate reason for its failure to be a really great strategy game.

It's fun in short bursts, which ideally is exactly what I’m looking for in a handheld game.

There’s a lot to like about The Godfather and enough neat little touches to make it one to look out for (side missions, unlockables, character progression and the fighting style spring immediately to mind). Unfortunately though, there’s not quite enough polish in some areas to make it an essential purchase.

SOCOM 3 doesn’t innovate in any way at all, but it does entertain.

If you can get past the technical glitches, or somehow manage to avoid them, then Sims 2 Nightlife is a fine addition to the growing Sims 2 franchise.

A very pretty game, gorgeous in fact, with plenty to do and see. But ultimately it just doesn't quite seem new enough. It's an example in safe game development and taking the easy path, but while it lasts, it's a fun path.

If you love 24, you’ll get a kick out of the game. If you don’t know 24 from 10, then you’d better drop a couple of points from the score, start from series one, then decide if it’s your thing.

It’s solid with good visuals and enjoyable racing, but it does nothing new.

I can guarantee you will be flying over Hogwarts evading the snapping Hungarian Horntail or swimming underwater in search of your best friend Ron, all the time getting rid of the pesky Merpeople. It is worth all the repetitive gameplay, and questing for Triwizard Shields in order to unlock these levels.

A game fraught with problems but recommendable nonetheless. When a game makes you smile this much it ‘s easy to forgive it its misgivings. And when the smile is as big as the one on my face, even more so. Now...high five!

The gameplay part unfortunately subtracts from an otherwise exciting experience – but Capcom deserves credit for releasing such an alternative game in times where most companies stick to the safe blockbusters.

GripShift’s one of those marmite games. You’ll either fall in love with the weighty physics and adore the time based collection challenges. Or you’ll detest the numerous restarts, and missing out on progression by a mere split second.

The level of destruction you’re capable of is phenomenal. If you’ve ever played "Burnout" and wished you could do as much damage to the scenery as you can do to cars, then this is the game for you.

Narnia is a slay ride with Santa Claus level of novelty for big fans of the books and/or movies, but a simplistic, repetitive but sometimes fun fantasy-action game for anyone else. Who are you gonna be?

The action is very well done, sometimes enthralling, but never progressing beyond the 'shoot him, find key, open door, shoot him...' formula makes the game just a tad too empty to proficiently prosper.

Not a great game, but it is a good one.

A return to form for a series that was beginning to loose its way.

A reasonable sports simulation that’s fun for fans and non fans alike. It’s a real pity they couldn’t have done more with the 360 version though, as apart from a slight bump in the graphics department and a couple of new moves it’s pretty much identical to the Xbox and PS2 versions.

At the end of the day the experience, despite how crooked it can appear in parts, is absolutely entertaining. From a budget game, that’s about the best you can ask.

It’s a good game, but nothing more. It’s certainly not great. The single-player game isn’t very well balanced for most gamers and at times seems rather unfair.

The game is good fun if a little frustrating. Fans of the original might be a little miffed by the drastic shift in dynamic, but as long as you recognize that this isn't just a side-scrolling beat 'em up, you should be pleasantly surprised.

Playing other people really makes for some exciting tactical play.

There's nothing significant to recommend this over the previous ones if you already own one. If you don't then this is a good introduction to the series.

It’s nice that no feeble attempt was made to force the stylus into the pinball format, but it would have been better to see some more multiplayer options and maybe just a couple more tables. Really, that’s the only thing wrong with this otherwise fantastic title.

Amped 3 brought lots of smiles to my face, but these were down to the wacky presentation rather than anything else.

It makes it hard to justify paying extra for a game that can be bought cheaper on another console.

There is a lot of retro fun here and if you only carry one UMD with you this is as good as any to keep you entertained.

If there is to be a sequel, and I join the rising chorus of voices demanding one, it is going to have to properly develop the core (design) gameplay that Tomb Raider: Legend gets back to.

And the inclusion of a short, after-thought of an add-on simply isn’t enough to encourage me to urge any of you to spend fifty pounds of your hard earned cash.

Something of a disappointment. One cannot fault EA for trying to bring an intelligent strategy game to the console yet at the same time the removal of the dynamic campaign shows that the publisher wasn't quite convinced the game would fly on the console.

If you’re a Tomb Raider completist or reckon you’ve great dexterity then you will find a very pleasing game here. I enjoyed my time with the PSP version of Tomb Raider Legend yet I knew it could have been a hell of a lot better.

Those difficult extra missions unlocked one by one after finishing the main game are certainly going to keep me occupied at least until Final Fantasy XII appears in the UK.

I found World Racing 2 a huge letdown having been looking forward to this sequel for so long. I expected it to be a step forward, not seem like a step back.

Much of Tourist Trophy feels like a duller version of Gran Turismo 4 and that game wasn't exactly packed with thrilling racing. Polyphony really does need to rework its racing games to include some racing. There's fun to be had in TT but not nearly as much as there should be.

While Ultimate Ghosts ‘n Goblins often threatens to be obtuse and dated platformer, it’s hard not admire its impishly cunning design, charming presentation and strict old-school challenge.

A solid third person shooter, the control system could be a bit better, and the multiplayer is decidedly lacking, but it makes up for it in other areas. It is quite possibly one of the best looking games out there, production values all round are high, and the gameplay itself is a lot of fun, despite the flaws, but the short length of the game means the fun is quite short lived.

It feels like a gaming time capsule, reminding you of how things used to be. Power Stone deserves to be played again, so this is still recommended. Once it loads up, at least.

Five years is a long time for things to essentially stay the same, no matter how enjoyable they may have been in the first place.

Perhaps it is only the desire to see more of the scope of the world (and hope for more variety) that keeps you going, but when you can count on your fingers the time it takes to finish the story missions, I wonder if my completist attitude will be enough to push me to claim the entire map as my own.

A solid and enjoyable racing game, with some nice quirky features, but one that falls short of greatness by lacking something really special.

While the formula is solid, I think it was a missed opportunity for Pandemic to just churn out practically the same game. However, if you're looking for a no-brainer with big guns and lots of explosions, it rarely gets as fun as this.

Technical shortcomings do mar the experience though as does the lack of multiplayer.

It presents a good learning curve for those unaccustomed to the Wiimote, and stays true to the tried-and-tested Monkey Ball formula.

The single, or should that be double, player campaign is a bit on the short side, but it’s quite replayable due to being fun with a friend, and the multiplayer is good for a blast, just hope some new maps turn up for it pretty soon.

It’s just a shame that the resource model aspect didn’t pan out quite as I’m sure the developer envisioned, while the handful of other little annoyances ensure that the gameplay never lives up to the excellent visuals.

The fairly patchy Wii functionality isn't enough to critically damage Marvel Ultimate Alliance but it's certainly something many developers will have to work on. It should make the inevitable sequel something to look forward to.

I really disliked the single player aspect, but the multiplayer saved the game in my eyes.

The player needs to be given much more freedom.

The single-player is decent, but relies on its co-op functionality to pull you out of its twitchy gameplay troubles. If you can get around that, Combined Assault is worth sticking your head out in the firing line for.

I have had both the best and worst multiplayer battles in this game because the game is balanced very well, but I can’t help but feel like putting a complete focus on multiplayer, and missing out on any tutorial system (besides the odd tip that pops up mid-game occasionally) will lose the game fans.

The quick play arcade nature of its core selection of titles is perfectly suited to a handheld. As it currently stands it’s the best of this type of compilation on the market for the PSP and should provide many hours of classic gaming enjoyment.

A good game without the substance to make it a great one.

Pac-Man Rally is fundamentally Mario Kart in a different guise. Usually such blatant rip-offs are recipe for disaster, but Rally is apparently the one exception where it manages to pull off a half decent attempt.

There are minor problems, such as lackluster cut scenes that fail to live up to the opening cinematic and a loot collection system that sometimes forces you to choose between holding the line and making a quick dash for cash, but if you're prepared to overlook these then the game should make a worthy addition to your collection.

What we've been given is a game that looks like rallying, but the cars have so much grip, so much power in the brakes, that in the rally sections there's no feeling of driving off road at all.

Fairly shallow as racing games go but provides upwards of 40 hours of single player action and a never ending supply of online entertainment.

If you can get past the problems or are fortunate enough not to care you are going to find a great biking sim with amazing depth and longevity. It’s one of the best loved games on Live, and this release shouldn’t do too much to change that.

This version of Puyo Pop feels like nothing more than a last ditch attempt to squeeze some money out of a game that has been converted to every platform available in the last two years. It adds nothing - unlike the 8 player mode offered by the DS.

Many of the set-pieces are utterly predictable (the mini-battlemech you meet coming up on a lift platform thing, for example, or the snipers in the distant windows on a rooftop), and the AI seems distinctly switched off for these moments.

The challenges and free create mode are more likely to be where experienced city builders will spend their time and I just don't think there's enough of that to keep them coming back.

There's at least one thing they haven't improved which they should have done though, and that's your team mates AI, I occasionally found my own team mates crashing in to me, an autosave wouldn't have hurt either, but they're just small niggles really.

With that first release having had such a limited audience, there’s no doubt that what is on offer here will seem fresh and innovative to some of those who pick up what is a decent and lengthy expansion.

It capably provides its gun and grenade ridden action entertainment, but disappoints only because of the massive marketing campaign that led us all to believe we were in for something extra special, rather than the adequate but ultimately not stand-out shooter we have here.

The control method is an interesting take on the usual styles, and helps make things challenging, like real golf.

It's a shame more effort wasn't put into this release as it just feels rushed and unfinished. The loading times alone are enough to make you want to give up and play something else instead.

A fun, if simplistic battle game that is certainly well above average and worth giving it a spin if you find it at the right price.

A puzzle game with a simple concept, but woven in a way that ensures its more than often, pretty darn addictive and challenging. It suffers from some dreary missions and generally repetitive nature, but overall, Remix is a pretty decent little puzzler worth checking out.

After playing "Portable Ops" the other week, it's great playing a game that doesn't really demand too much of you, and that's nothing but a plus point. There's no variation in game play, and I'm not too sure about using a mass of people to increase difficulty, but as a whole, the game is just too fun and addictive to allow the faults any right of passage.

Violence is what makes the game so enjoyable in the first place. It's a little disappointing just how much the game looks and feels like every other Rockstar has released recently, but the shining story and brutality of it all make it all a worthwhile endeavour.

A damn good remake of a damn good game.

This is a slice of simple fun, and a better one you’ll be hard-pressed to find, but it’s simplicity is just a little too basic to hold your attention for long.

On the one hand it offers reasonably entertaining action and a good mix of strategy and battling, with some excellent music and a strangely compelling story mode to play through. On the flip side, dodgy AI and a feeling of being detached from the game at times can raise the question of whether you’re really having fun, or if you just think you are.

Frontlines isn't exactly an original game but it mostly succeeds at what it's attempting to do. As an online shooter it has plenty of legs and you're likely to have more fun here than in Quake Wars or the online portions of other shooters released recently.

If you’re a Dragonball Z fan this comes recommended, as knowing the characters and understanding the plot will only add to what’s already a decent game. For the rest of us, it’s a fun card-based game that’s only let down by its lack of difficulty and length. Worth looking at.

This is a flawed but decent conversion of an older title based on a flawed but decent movie. That level of consistency is pretty rare these days.

While part of the beauty and pure artistry is that it doesn’t hold your hand the whole way, I can’t help but feel that it does lack direction, but it shows off the PS2’s Sixaxis in a more than appealing way, and gives the PS3 an edge of experimentation and originality that could sway the odd savvy gamer.

A rewarding endeavour for those who share a passion for this type of sport, though in all honesty will feel considerably flat to those who prefer to spend their time doing more than taking a hard left.

Smackdown vs Raw 2008 is an unpolished game. It's an odd thing to say because it's basically an annual update on a game that's always been pretty good.

While it remains simplistic overall, Calling All Cars is undeniably a great little multiplayer game, easy to pick up and very fun to have a quick blast on.

A shamefully small amount has changed with each game apart from graphical upgrades, new characters and some abilities, but it's still an entertaining formula, and DMC4 is proof of that.

Ultimately, the game provides plenty of enjoyment, and sits very happily on the 360, slotting itself in as a console game well. Plus, who doesn’t enjoy a bit of mindless destruction, and a justification to empathise with the ‘other side’?

Control niggles aside this is a great game. There's imagination in the storyline, context and setting, humour throughout and plenty of fun to be had.

Perhaps not a game for tennis nuts as it's too simplistic to be a realistic representation of the sport but a great fun light-hearted look at the world of tennis and good for some multi-player action.

Is it worth purchasing the PC version of Lost Planet if you already own the 360 one? Not really, no. You’ll only play using your 360 controller anyway, so there’s not much point in owning both copies.

If you’re looking for an action/adventure game for your Xbox 360, which is what this is despite the pretense of an RPG, then there are a lot better ones available than this. But, if you can’t get enough of Harry Potter then this could well be just what you’re looking for.

It’s not a perfect port, however, but much like my breakfast this morning it’s still good enough to keep you planted on the sofa for a few hours and bask in its goodness.

The series has had a good run, but it just hasn’t really evolved much from it’s initial outing and unless they can do a complete reinvention on the next installment then Actvision should just call it a day.

Three decent puzzle games with plenty of modes, options and even an online and offline multiplayer.

If you do decide to pick it up you’re unlikely to be disappointed, but it’s also unlikely to set your gaming world on fire.

If you do decide to pick it up you’re unlikely to be disappointed, but it’s also unlikely to set your gaming world on fire.

If you haven’t played Butcher Bay before then that will surely be the highlight and the graphical overhaul really disguises the fact that the game is nearly five years old. However, if you’re a fan of the franchise and looking for a true sequel, then it’s ultimately a let down.

Developers have struggled to create control methods that would allow console games to host the kind of strategy games the PC enjoys. Here Ubisoft has nailed it. So it's just a shame that the strategy game that was tacked onto it is so light.

Geo Wars offers you the same, basic and fun gameplay but with the added twist of a level structure. However, it really is all about shooting and avoiding getting shot. After a few hours play I found I was just stuck in the same groove and the game doesn’t offer much in the way of variety.

This may be little more than a last generation game with upgraded visuals, but it does what it’s supposed to, it’s a fun platformer that‘s not too taxing on the brain.

Pursuit Force: Extreme Justice is the sort of game ‘real’ gamers hate to acknowledge, and having it in my collection makes me feel somehow illicit, like a raw-foods vegan tucking into a Big Mac. It’s bold, brash, skin-deep but oddly irresistible, and while it doesn’t leave my desk with a firm recommendation, fans of arcade action could certainly do worse.

It’s not quite the genre defining game it could have been, but EA is definitely heading in the right direction.

While the next gen consoles got a new facelift the PC version seems to have been an afterthought.

It tries so hard to be all things to all people but for me it tries to walk before it can run. Oh well, no invite for me next year then!

Yes, there's plenty to do here, but you're really going to have to put in some effort to get the best experience back, and the game doesn't incentivise it beyond the hope of improving your skills.

While the best part of the package lies in the repetitive but gratifying fist fighting system, a few more issues frustrated me to the end.

While the visuals don't exactly push the envelope, the audio is one of the better aspects of the game.

A budget game being sold at an inflated price, likely to fans of the genre only. But I’m still really looking forward to Orcs & Elves II on the DS.

It’s a fun game and the new ways to control the game are nice, but Table Tennis on the Wii has an air of missed opportunity about it, and the game fails to set itself apart or improve on the 360 version.

Somewhat tellingly, there isn’t much more to say about NHL 08 – it’s a very good game, but the genre’s moved on and once again PC gamers haven’t been given the chance to see how.

There’s a good game here, with at least twenty hours of gameplay to keep you occupied, but it’s nothing we haven’t seen before, even if this wasn’t essentially just a re-release with a few added extras.

It is a shame that you can’t simply fight the standard troops well enough for your friends to flood the main enemy and help you out there, but it seems to be a one man band at each Shaman or Champion, your allies acting as background help rather than making a real difference to the battle.

I enjoyed it as a mindless entertainment that kept me going through each level by incentivising the cinematics.

A big improvement over last year. EA has put a lot of effort to get a well presented, well commentated game of basketball.

It won’t set your gaming world on fire, and FIFA might even be the better option (it’s a close call, much closer than on the PS3/360) but if you do have the PS2 version and fancy carrying on with your Master League on the move (and are prepared to put up with the control foibles), or just have to have the latest version, PES 2008 is unlikely to disappoint.

A finely-poised slice of real-time tactical action. Tactical Strike won’t pry you away from the likes of Company of Heroes, and series purists may lament the loss of direct control, but it stands foremost of its genre in the handheld arena.

The game is enjoyable and has some great stand-out moments, but it’s very much a case of the more of the same here.

A feature that is touted impressively then lets down over the course of the game is the animation and general cinematics.

Not to say that it isn’t fun, but Pain is clearly a victim of its own hype.

Your girlfriend might like it, your mum might even like it, but with all of the excellent games coming out on all platforms over this holiday season we reckon it’s only worth a quick play through to justify to yourself why you spent the cash to buy the newest version of the EyeToy.

While it’s a great game, if you bought your 360 to see high definition graphics and all new gaming experiences, N+ won’t satisfy your modern hunger for High Definition. But if you liked the flash game, rate gameplay over graphics and don’t mind paying just over a fiver for some old fashioned entertainment, buy it… but be prepared to destroy the odd controller at certain difficult levels.

The big problem Monster Lab DS has is that, not only does it not play to its own considerable strengths, it actually conceals, distracts from and ignores the very things that stand to make it potentially outstanding.

A good bit of arcade racing fun. It just won’t keep you hooked for that long.

This Is an offering to a niche and one that doesn't really have the greatest appeal to people outside that niche.

Make no mistake, it hardly comes close in terms of quality to the most vaunted titles of the console, but then again, addictive, joyful games for the Wii have been so thin on the ground of late that Deadly Creatures is bound - and perhaps deserves - to make some kind of an impact.

Tales of Vesperia is a well polished, entertaining and charming adventure. It isn’t anything you haven’t seen before, however.

So to summarize, Blood on the Sand doesn't suck. After Bulletproof it didn't look to have much of a chance, but the game plays to its strengths by not being anything too serious or demanding, giving way to a simple, solid, unpretentious and surprisingly enjoyable third-person shoot-'em-up.

SvR as a series is the MVP of videogames. It’s upper-midcard rather than Main Event status, but is destined for greatness if only it can be nurtured and refined in a few areas.

Fast and fun once the controls are mastered.

There are mutliplayer modes which should keep you coming back to this title for a while.

Mushroom Men: The Spore Wars is, nonetheless, probably worth checking out – though not, perhaps, at full price unless you’re buying for a younger gamer. However, I’m looking forward to seeing what Red Fly Studio get up to next, as there’s lots of good stuff in those mutated ‘shrooms.

Personally for me, the learning curve is a bit steep and the commitment too large. But that’s me – this is a great game, polished and well worked. If you have the time and the inclination the rewards on offer are great, and it’s highly unlikely to become a repetitive experience.

I can now safely say that I've started to see the attraction of NASCAR.

No-one’s going to argue over a couple of quid really, and if you’re looking for a lateral thinking puzzler, there can be no doubt that Sony has brought another unique product to the ever diversifying PlayStation Network. Just try not to fall off the edge.

It isn’t perfect, and the repetitive nature of the combat really can grind at times, but if you liked Rare’s Kameo but thought it was let down for being too shallow and not enough platforming then you really shouldn’t be looking any further.

Coming in to a game with a preconception of its value is a difficult idea to change, but after playing it through I have simply come to the conclusion that it is a great puzzler for the money (yes, even our money). America is simply getting a fantastic deal.

There is some fun to be had with East India Company but not everyone will have the patience to stick with it.

If your emphasis is purely on strategic and tactical gameplay, AoE is unlikely to disappointment. It may lack soul and charm, but AoE has that essential ‘just one more turn before bedtime’ appeal to it. If however you want a more rounded package, something that has charm in addition to gameplay, and one that is likely to live long in the memory afterwards, there are many better suited titles to choose from.

The game play is where it’s at with TU and while it can be slow paced when on foot, the battles are an absolute blast.

World At War puts on a great show, but it's the last time I'm going to be able to watch this same show without getting bored. Activision will most likely continue to make a lot of money selling us the same magic tricks even though we've been able to see the wires for some time. Where's the ambition in that though? Don't excellent games sell more than okay games?

Line Rider is immense simple/complex (simplex? Comple?) fun if you’re the right kind of person, if you’re the target audience. If you’re not, you’ll be baffled as to what all the fuss is about, while the rest of us will justifiably mock you for the knuckle-trails you leave behind you as you walk.

A fantastic game. It's hampered by a few problems, but nothing major. It provides ground breaking gameplay that I am sure will be imitated by others.

The story is overblown but actually engrossing as long as you set your expectations correctly.

It’s really a question of quality over quantity, and though some may balk at the £9.99 price tag for such a short non replayable experience, the actual gameplay reminds us all how platforming should be fun.

It’s also an excellent introduction to the RPG genre for Sonic fans or those that usually find them too overwhelming and don’t want to spend hours levelling up their characters.

The core element of the game is solid and all that needs to be done is some polishing. Hopefully, the next installment in the series will do just that and then we really do have an undisputed champion.

Clear Sky has a lot of potential - as does the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. franchise - and is a worthwhile game to add to your collection because of its fair price but until the insane amount of gremlins is addressed in a patch it will always be a failure in the eyes of the fans.

There's nothing new to see here and given the effort that Rockstar seems to have put into this title it seems that it knows it.

Miss the golden age of retro? You’ll have a blast with The Last Guy, and while it’s easy enough for most people to get through if you’re dedicated enough, getting the top grade in any level is enough of a challenge to keep the hardcore working on it for days.

The nagging doubt about Multiwinia is that it is possibly too simple and short term – fun to drop into in the odd quiet half-hour, but with no visible form of progression, nothing that you will stick with in the long term.

It's a perfect travel companion on the commute to work, and perfect for pick up and play puzzle goodness.

Despite being about one of the great composers, music is not an integral part of the game.

As it is Tekken 6 comes highly recommended to those who can play it regularly with friends, or to those that are prepared to wait to see if the soon-to-be-released patch really does sort out all of the online issues. Just stay away from the Scenario Campaign mode. It’s six hours of your life you’ll never see again if you don’t.