Considering the initial shock of a Sonic RPG, and the potential, I think that SC could’ve been a bit better in most aspects but TDB definitely lays solid foundations for the probable sequel. It really is an RPG but delivered Sonic style; fast and fun.

To play The 40th Day in single player exposes a multitude of flaws the core game has, with AI mistakes particularly running rampant throughout. Co-op does a lot to mask these annoyances, but it is still not enough to push the game into the realm of a ‘must buy.’

It's not a must-have title, but may provide a refreshing alternative to bald space marines and army recruitment programs.

Costing the now seemingly normal 1200 Microsoft Points, Comic Jumper is worth the price alone just for the humorous experience that the game is built around.

Let it be known that de Blob 2 is by no means a bad game, just one with enough detrimental flaws to hold it back from greatness.

As it stands, PlayStation All-Stars: Battle Royale is a cool, if limited, way to celebrate the history of Sony's time in the videogame business. It is just a shame that some of the ideas that give the game its own identity spoil it.

For a game that was created by just two students, it’s an accomplishment to be incredibly proud of and I know that I’ll be gifting a few of my friends this game throughout the year, even if it is only to drive them crazy with confusion too.

Testament can't quite make up its mind what type of game it wants to be with the change of camera location and controls, and it has its issues with repetitive sound effects, but the storytelling is top-notch. If you're a fan of mystery games, point-and-click adventures, complicated puzzlers, or you're just a sucker for a good story, then The Testament of Sherlock Holmes is a no-brainer.

To play The 40th Day in single player exposes a multitude of flaws the core game has, with AI mistakes particularly running rampant throughout. Co-op does a lot to mask these annoyances, but it is still not enough to push the game into the realm of a ‘must buy.’

Fans of LittleBigPlanet will surely enjoy LittleBigPlanet Karting, as it manages to take the essence of Media Molecule's platforming joy and translate that into a solid and enjoyable kart racer, with all the charm you would expect. It's a shame the developers felt that they needed to take every aspect of LittleBigPlanet and use that as a base to create this game, as it has hurt it in some regards and has made the online multiplayer an awkward mode to participate in.

Operation Arrowhead certainly features a large assortment of content, both offline and online, that rewards its fans, but for those who prefer their shooters to require little thinking and itchy trigger fingers, you may want to pass this one up.

This is easily the best Lego game to date, and although lacking any huge leaps forward in the gameplay department, still offers a lot of fun for anyone who picks it up.

Overall my suggestion would be, stick the game’s suggestions (hints) on high, enjoy it as a constant stream of brain-dead semi funny entertainment, in a universe you are probably familiar with, and get as much stress-free enjoyment from what admittedly, feels like a pretty polished episodic game.

Ys: The Oath in Felghana is a game that derives from the old fashion days of action RPGs.

Even though the game has lost its thrilling moments and the story feels like filler in the grand scheme – making me not care much about Alan this time – Alan Wake's American Nightmare is still a good and entertaining shooter. The story will last around four hours and the Arcade Mode will keep you coming back if you enjoy that type of gameplay.

The budget price and quaint visual style makes Cogs as addictive and satisfying as the old-school toys it references. It'll certainly last longer than a ball-in-a-cup.

Fibble: Flick 'n' Roll is a nice first attempt by Crytek at breaking into mobile games, but they don't really seem to have given it their all.

It has its flaws, and is by no means the perfect game, but it is the perfect Wolverine-simulator, at least for the time being.

Confounding puzzles aside, “Fright of the Bumblebees” functions nicely as an adventure game for just about any audience or age group. The humor is varied, the gameplay is accessible, and the challenge is substantial without being frustrating.

Eufloria brings a much-needed minimalist take on the 'RTS' genre and does so quite well.

The best part of this adventure is the characters, with Ceville, Ambrosius, the undead pirate and the lisping demon all possessing the potential for further development. I would welcome them back in a slightly more humourus and random comedic sequel.

Still, if I had to name the thing I personally love the most about Cubello, it’d be the fact that it actually got me using my Wii again on a regular basis, after I’d previously lost all interest in it.

So should you buy this game? Well, that depends on your answer to two questions. First – do you have time on your hands? Second – are you willing to play one of the best RPGs ever? If so, take it from me – three weeks, two days, and 95 hours later, I'm still loving this game. You'll love the new upgrades to the original content, and don't be surprised if the game makes you rethink what you thought you enjoyed about RPGs.

This is not just a wonderful experience but it is the perfect homage to the rich Disney heritage.

An essential play for any fan of George Lucas’ creation. Unfortunately, the gameplay feels a tad repetitive, un-ambitious and never quite lives up to the superb storytelling.

You can see glimpses of what could have been, but it is spoilt by some bad choices and a sloppy ending.

The sheer amount of things to do is a key factor that prevents it falling into the trap of the same old routines other space games have fallen into. X3 is deep, complex, insanely huge, annoyingly but yet rewarding.

In spite of it not being quite original, it’s an enjoyable effort all the same.

No More Heroes is still a great game, if a little inconsistent; dozens of inspired moments with the dullest sandbox world yet produced as the hub, sacrificing fun for drudgery, yet somehow getting away with it, a fast-paced action game, coupled with a frame rate volatile when you do anything too fast. This is a deeply flawed game but it is brilliant; overcoming a multitude of shortcomings and refusing to be crippled by its own flab.

The frantic and exhaustive action is still there and looks better than ever, but you are now required to take extended breaks for the sake of sanity.

Featuring a cute artsy style, cartoon-like in its appearance and with sharp, colourful and detailed vista's, chick, chick, BOOM! Is a party-game worth picking up for the Wii. Purely because it does what it sets out to do, and does this wonderfully. It doesn't aim to reinvent the wheel, but what it does give you is refined and simply 'pure-unadulterated fun' and that is what you want when you want to have a quick game when you have friends round. But if you are a 'solo-player', it also has quite a bit for you to do too!

It strikes me as ironic that the game is named Overlord when really the minions are the stars of the show.

It's not up to Mario Kart standards, but for a family get together it's an entertaining alternative that sits well with all ages.

It's a good game and the zero gravity gameplay is innovative; Shattered Horizon just lacks that extra oomph of content – be it more weapons, character classes, RPG style upgrades or even vehicle sections - to improve longevity.

It might not be to everyone’s tastes, but it makes a whole bunch of interesting and bold design decisions, and I guarantee you’ve not played anything quite like it. For those reasons alone, it gets a glowing recommendation.

The Glaive works well and is rather satisfying to use but this is offset by the old school use of ammo crates and parts of levels being sealing off, making it as linear as they come.

Boing! Docomodake is a difficult game to gauge. At times it can be painfully frustrating - with some puzzles requiring a complete level-restart if failed initially – and it’s criminal just how short it is. But on the contrary, Boing! is filled with intuitive puzzles, a genuinely creative control scheme, and some truly amusing moments.

Star Ocean: The Last Hope brings appealing sci-fi imagery to the Xbox 360 catalogue of RPGs. It’s not the best JRPG on the system, but what it does is give players a game with an addictive battle system.

It won't be remembered for breaking any moulds in the first person shooter genre and probably won't spark up everyone's enthusiasm since it's not as good as Modern Warfare 2. Instead Medal of Honor should be looked at as an alternative to the hyperactive Call of Duty series and be played by people who want to have a more reasonable interpretation of a military experience.

WWE '12 is a step in the right direction. Yuke's implementation of a limb-targeting system adds a satisfyingly-strategic twist to the usual brawl and is accompanied by passable visuals and great sound. Loads and loads of content make this title worth every dollar spent on it.

Incidentally, if they bring this game out for the Xbox 360 like they keep saying they want to, it'll probably be amazing. So I'll see you on there… in two years. Good-day!

All in all there’s a lot of play here, although it is most fun playing with friends.

Great character models, professional voice acting and initially enjoyable combat can’t make up for the other graphical and design mistakes.

It’s clear this game is aimed at the Games Workshop crowd, and those who understand what Blood Bowl is are the ones that will gain the most pleasure from the game. Others will have to fight through the game’s resistance to stop newbies from playing.

The biggest chunk of praise needs to go to Swordfish, though, who have managed to take what – on paper, at least – is an awful idea and turn it into a decent shooter, even in a very crowded market.

Compromised on a technical level, Ninja Gaiden Sigma Plus is not as polished of a port as it deserved to be (and probably could have been if the publisher was not so adamant about shipping the game in time for the Vita's launch). Some solace is taken in the fact that, at the very least, we finally have a workable version of a 3D Ninja Gaiden game running in the palm of our hands, but it still leaves you feeling let down by the whole sloppy affair.

If you've not played the Wii game then this is worth a rental at least, or maybe wait until its price drops to about £20, then it would be worth it. If you have played the Wii game though, just don't bother, there is nothing new here, and the slightly shinier visuals don't disguise the fact you are playing a slightly worse version of the same game.

The bizarre music and strange noises and beats do take away from the experience somewhat, but it’s still an enjoyable game.

It’s excellent to see an action platformer on the Wii that is an original concept, and doesn’t fall prey to many of the routine mistakes of the innumerable other shoddy efforts that have been pushed out onto store shelves. However, I fear that Mushroom Men will fail to find its target audience and be overlooked, as the fact that it failed to make it into the Wii’s top 40 games in its first two weeks on sale appears to prove.

As a game by itself it kind of feels empty and soulless. Get a mate to join with you and that is forgotten as the fun level rises considerably. It’s not a bad game in single player, but you feel as if it really was meant for humans and not COMs to play with you.

The big question here: Is Off The Record different enough from the original Dead Rising 2 to warrant a purchase? For fans of the franchise the answer has got to be yes. There may not be loads added, but considering the budget price it is worth picking up, if only just to play as Frank West again.

The Glaive works well and is rather satisfying to use but this is offset by the old school use of ammo crates and parts of levels being sealing off, making it as linear as they come.

A better journalist might make a little comment here, just to wrap things up, about how you were fighting for freedom in Red Faction: Guerrilla, yet as a gamer you had it all along. Despite liberating Mars at the end of that game, find yourself more restricted than ever in the follow-up. I'm not that guy.

If the prospect of playing an online fighting game that strikes a satisfying balance between old-school brawlers and modern action games appeals to you, I honestly can’t imagine that Anarchy Reigns will disappoint.

Despite the tedious missions, wonky controls and piss-poor visuals, it can cast a strange spell over you.

As it goes, this game is better than last year's Edge of Time and should be considered if you're feeling the need to act out a Spider-Man fantasy without getting into your own costume and causing harm to yourself as you try to wall climb up your house wall. It's not amazing to do something like that, but it sure can be amusing, just like this game.

It's not good enough, frankly. The fun zombie-bashing can't sustain itself, and the plot, characters and setting aren't good or memorable enough to justify wading through the 20 odd hours it'll take to finish.

Boulder Dash XL is highly recommended for anybody who likes their arcade games with a puzzle element, young or old alike.

Those of you who do know your Ric Flairs from your Rick Rudes, this is a decent jaunt through the history of the biggest wrestling company on the planet, but the lack of depth means it just falls short of an essential purchase.

Even these best intentions cannot hide the fact the game never consistently hits the epic feeling most will feel it should.

Asura's Wrath is a game that goes into a rage and stomps on whatever we call the convention of video games. And you know what? I'm going to join in the stomping too, because the reason I play games is for refreshing engagements that entertain me, and Asura's Wrath hit the spot.

Elven Legacy is mercifully conservative in its design, though it does not seem to be executed as smoothly as it should have been. With more time in development, future releases for the series should turn out to be more entertaining.

As it is, Zero is far too hampered by Nintendo's handheld to be worth a hearty recommendation.

For only £8.99, Nano Assault Neo is a gorgeous, challenging game worth checking out. Just don't go in expecting the next Geometry Wars, and you'll be pleasantly surprised and forgive its shortcomings.

There is definitely something to like with Guardians of Middle-Earth and Monolith has done a good job breaking down the key points of MOBA and bringing it to consoles with its own controls.

The biggest chunk of praise needs to go to Swordfish, though, who have managed to take what – on paper, at least – is an awful idea and turn it into a decent shooter, even in a very crowded market.

Daytona USA is no doubt a lot of fun for an arcade racing game.

Everyone else who hasn't played Crush and is into puzzle games will no doubt enjoy Crush3D. As puzzle games go this one has an exceptional game mechanic that's driven with great level design and enough challenge to make your brain hurt. Marvellous!

For the people on the lookout for a new RPG to play and especially the ones who are awaiting Blizzard’s Diablo 3, Sacred 2 might just pass the time for you. It won’t replace your Diablo 3 thirst, but it will give you something to play in the meantime.

Lips disappoints by lacking in features in almost every area, and although the microphones set a new standard for future singing games to strive towards, the functionality is often worse than games nearly half-a-decade old.

An essential play for any fan of George Lucas’ creation. Unfortunately, the gameplay feels a tad repetitive, un-ambitious and never quite lives up to the superb storytelling.

Even these best intentions cannot hide the fact the game never consistently hits the epic feeling most will feel it should.

As it goes, Under Defeat HD: Deluxe Edition is a solid shooter that I am happy was given the chance to come across to the UK and deliver gamers a good bit of challenging fun.

Crackdown was fun back in 2007, and Crackdown 2 offers a slight update to the core ideas brought to air in the original. Whilst those ideas still may be good however, they no longer feel all that special.

All in all it's another winner from the guys at Sega. Enough has been added to make it worth buying, while not messing with the perfection that made it a hit in the arcades over a decade ago. If you want to play tennis on your console it doesn't get any better than this.

Ultimately, the biggest problem with RotTK also happens to be its biggest strength. It makes no attempt to open itself up to newcomers, instead choosing to continue to revel in its deep historical accuracy.

A combination of cooperative gameplay and ferocious versus modes keeps things fresh in the game’s online multiplayer.

Whether or not Global Agenda is worth paying a monthly fee for entirely depends on the player, along with Hi-Rez Studios' commitment to pump out enough updates that justify the fees. There's nothing fundamentally wrong with the game, but there's nothing particularly outstanding about it either.

The concept sounds fantastic, and there is potential in setting a game up like this, but in reality, The Cave’s take on telling a story like this ends up making it a fun but flawed adventure game.

At the very least, the game's main theme is one of the most catchy heard in years, that has to be worth a few plaudits. [JPN Import]

If you are willing to let the issue of controls pass, then you will be presented with one exciting and beautiful piece of gaming history, and one of Sega's crown jewels from the Dreamcast era. Fans who want to play Jet Set Radio again will have no problem with this HD release – unless you were expecting a remake. For people who have never played it and want to know what the fuss is about, you might not fully appreciate why this game was so damn cool back in 2000, but at least you get to listen to the brilliant music and take in all the pleasant visuals. That still leaves you with a win-win situation in my book.

Warriors Orochi 3 is currently a representation of the series at its peak. Updated graphics, reduced pop-in, unparalleled content, and a nearly-bursting character roster make for a completely revamped experience that the previous titles couldn't offer.

Still, Fantasy Conflict is well worth the price of admission. The game echoes Game of Thrones with an outlandish ice-king enemy, then blends that vision with a cartoon style that perfectly matches the gameplay.

City Conquest is a good, solid game, taking the traditional tower defence and RTS genres and creating a hybrid of sorts.

As a whole, Lollipop Chainsaw is worth a try, but don't expect anything less than a perverted take on zombie bashing with all the comedic qualities of a foul-mouthed school-kid.

I am a patient guy but the extreme repetitiveness will annoy even the most enthusiastic puzzle fans.

On the whole, Galactic Adventures is a good bit of fun, let down by naff controls and the fact that 95% of the people producing content for it are total morons.

Despite the tedious missions, wonky controls and piss-poor visuals, it can cast a strange spell over you.

Those of you who do know your Ric Flairs from your Rick Rudes, this is a decent jaunt through the history of the biggest wrestling company on the planet, but the lack of depth means it just falls short of an essential purchase.

I did not regret playing Madness Returns, nor could I earnestly recommend it. There's incentive to brave a secondary play through to obtain more unlockables – by way of memories and opening up new nooks by shooting pig snouts, naturally – but the problem is thus: we've been blessed – daresay spoilt – by better action/adventure titles over the past few years for Madness Returns to ever compete. Hopefully we see Alice again. I sensed a great game in Madness Returns and occasionally played one but this spicy gift horse would be best looked in the mouth.

A highly playable version of Metal Slug on the DS, and regardless of the steps back to suit the hardware, the end result is not all that bad. You can’t help but wish for more, although for any game to be truly special on its eight iteration is a very big ask.

The game is filled with problems that bring down the overall experience and enjoyment. I'm sure some gamers will enjoy the grind and character building, but with so many other great Strategy RPGs (especially on the PSN), I do wonder why gamers would want to take part in something with a story that is close to non-existent, has no character personality, and features pacing that starts ridiculously slow.

Overall LPECCE is something of a contradiction. While its additional features are aimed at the hardcore lovers of tundran gaming, the fact that it is incompatible with the original Lost Planet is mystifying. Forcing players to start from scratch, with their only reward being some more achievements is an unnecessary irritation.

A short-lived, occasionally exciting but overall shallow experience.

I'll admit that I've played games that are technically worse than Homefront, but I have not played a game that irritated me as much as this in a very long time.

Resident Evil: Chronicles HD Collection doesn't turn the genre on its head, and it certainly isn't a must have, but if you're looking for some lightgun fun, by yourself or with a friend,Resident Evil: Chronicles HD Collection is a recommended investment for a few afternoons of zombie blasting fun.

At best, the fact that the game is not afraid to tackle such a broad range of genres is a good sign the developers are confident enough to branch out, and endeavour to create something truly different. However, to be successful they really need to stop being so random and haphazard, and attempt to refine their ideas into something worthwhile - particularly at a time when there are so many high quality games available elsewhere.

Check vs. Mate could have been very good if the developers hadn't been lazy with character animations, or if someone had taken the time to write a legitimate story.

A short-lived, occasionally exciting but overall shallow experience.

Despite its flaws, The Conduit is undoubtedly the best Wii-exclusive First-Person Shooter, it’s just a shame that particular accolade doesn’t mean much. Graphical prowess is no substitute for great art design, great controls are no substitute for fantastic gameplay, and when it comes to First-Person Shooters, the Wii is just no match for other consoles.

For the most part NASCAR 09 seems like a solid racer, and I guess it does a good job of simulating the real life product. It is rather boring though, as even if you are a petrol head at heart you can only have so much fun going around, and around and around.

SNK has a rich legacy to draw from, and there will no doubt be more of these releases, it is just a case of whether the quality will be enough to draw new fans, or simply pander to the same ones they have always had. On the strength of Vol. 1, it is too early to tell.

Despite a few misjudged attempts at creating a realistic atmosphere, and not to mention some ropey A.I., Operation Flashpoint: Red River is a very good videogame, as long as you're willing to accept it on its own terms.

Give the developers some money for their hard work. It’s just kind of sad that such a great game makes you feel like such a mug for actually paying for it.

Blue Dragon Plus is not a bad game. Despite its failings, it manages to be a perfectly competent RPG, but it does nothing to excite the imagination or stimulate the player. If it were a colour, it would be beige.

If you have one of the other console versions, I could not really recommend this over those, especially considering the vastly different price point. A nice effort, but it hits the post on this occasion.

If you are a fan of its Anime aesthetics, or at least willing to tolerate them, the game will suffice as a budget title with an average amount of content to play through.

The core game just needed a bit more refinement to match up with what seems to be an exciting initial vision. If that had panned out, I honestly believe Swarm could have been something great.

So, if like me you’re a little weary of current shooters, or just fancy a bit of something retro then Serious Sam HD should be right up your alley. Weighing in at 1200 MS points, roughly a tenner, it’s not going to break the bank either. There’s loads of fun to be had here, but you better get used to dying a lot, but it’s all worth it to save the world.

The package as a whole isn’t as polished and deep as NHL 10, but its accessibility and fun factor certainly counts for something. It looks great too, and with online modes that extend the challenge and lifespan of the game, NHL 2K10 has come as close as its ever done to matching EA’s game.

People who don’t care for graphics will find a game that’s quite fun and somewhat unique in its multiplayer shenanigans. The classes are more complex and objective focus driven then any of the other multiplayer shooters out there.

Unless you want to experience a butchered version of Silent Hill 2 and a somewhat decent Silent Hill 3, don't buy this collection.

If you're in the market for a solid platformer that utilizes an intuitive drawing system, then don't hesitate to pick up Max & The Magic Marker during your next PSN Shopping Spree.

The Lost Shapes is a simple concept that is hampered by poor execution. Whilst the Survival Mode makes for both a relaxing and tactical experience, Shape Mode is let down by poorly implemented scoring and design choices. Sadly, Magic Chess isn't the bewitching experience it could have been.

It’s fast, colourful and most of all fun, and at the bargain price of 800 MS points (£6.40 in real money) you can’t really go wrong. A must buy for fans of fast paced arcade shooters.

The only real “achievement” of EndWar is its voice command system.

The ideas and creativity are there, and I like the inclusion of the side quests, giving the player a reason to explore the foggy town. It's just a shame that the atmosphere is spoilt with some unnecessary framerate drops and basic combat.

Prinny 2 is a niche product that won't appeal to most people.

It’s not a bad little game and they’ve definitely played to the strengths of the DS, it’s just a shame there isn’t more to it.

Very much a ‘love it’ or ‘hate it’ game. At best it’s an entertaining and strangely compelling shooter with simple but fun gameplay. At worst it’s repetitive and fiddly with no real draw.

If you're one of the many who've grown tired of spikey blonde protagonists and thirty hour corridors, then maybe it's time you let Nier convince you that there is room for change.

Mass Effect Infiltrator aims for cover based shooting on iOS and actually hits it pretty close to the mark. A couple of cover issues here and there don't spoil the enjoyment of a fast paced, tactical game with a lot of replay value. Whilst the story might be a tad bland for loyal fans of the series, Infiltrator is a sound game that all iOS users should try.

The thing is that when everything does work, Brink is a fantastic fun online shooter, with just enough stolen ideas all rolled into one package that it ends up feeling very unique.

Call of Cthulhu: The Wasted Land takes a genre that hasn't received much love in recent years and revamps it for modern devices whilst keeping the original gameplay intact. It's such a shame then that the game's few flaws stifle the enjoyment of what could otherwise be a new classic iOS game.

There is a warning for fans though, when you play it, make sure you’ve got some happy pills with you, just to be on the safe side.

Despite its few shortcomings, though, The UnderGarden is an almost entirely pleasant experience, and easy to recommend to anyone who's fed up with shooting people in the face, or fancies some laid-back, same-sofa multiplayer.

Unfortunately there is so much wrong with it that it doesn’t even manage to reach average status.

It’s overly simple and lacks the diversity for extended play.

The lack of an idiots' guide tutorial is not a great selling point, but plough through this confusing opening (on free campaign) and you will gradually learn and lose a surprising amount of time to what is a relatively unique and intellectually-solid title.

Let us be honest. If this game was released WITHOUT the license, absolutely no one would care about it.

If you are the kind of gamer who likes to learn song layouts, practices all the way to Carnegie Hall, and then uploads a video of a brilliant high score to YouTube, then this one is probably not for you as it will only madden you in the long run.

It’s far from perfect but it supplies gamers with a decent action experience with an awesome QTE mechanic to show off scenes that are totally outrageous, but so memorable.

Deadlight will take you around 3-4 hours to finish. It's not the longest of games, and there's a big chance you probably won't want to play it through again. That said, it must be noted that Tequila Works should be commended for trying to spice up the use of zombies, and while that doesn't make this game great – silly things like that dumb underground lair spoil it - Deadlight is still an enjoyable title to play. When it's at its best, the game is a thrilling experience that tickles nostalgia for the genre it represents.

Despite being arguably less than what it could (and should) have been, Arrival probably is just about worth your money. In fact, playing it got me started on another run through both games, so it's done something right. It's testament to a game's strength that even a relatively lacking bit of DLC can have you going balls deep back into its world in the pursuit of alien booty. Not every game could do it, but not every game is Mass Effect.

JoJo's Bizarre Adventure HD is peculiar, but tremendous amounts of fun. A stand-out fighter that holds up well, but ported without much love from its developers.

Armored Core V's enjoyment comes from being able to play the game online. If you have no online capabilities on your system of choice, it's quite hard to recommend playing the game solo.

Oil Rush could have been an all graphics, no gameplay showcase for Unigine, but somehow they have managed to make a neat looking and refreshing RTS that makes for a great evening in front of the computer.

The puzzles are well designed, the team mechanic works well, and the mini games add a little variety. It’s not the toughest game in the world, which makes its length all that more disappointing, but it’s fun while it lasts and the style of the presentation really adds to this.

Space Ark is a charming hybrid of a handful of classic arcade games. Its combination of score-beating arcade mentality, and devious puzzle elements in the later stages, make it shine against the murky backdrop of lesser XBLA titles.

If you're one of the many who've grown tired of spikey blonde protagonists and thirty hour corridors, then maybe it's time you let Nier convince you that there is room for change.

Despite its few shortcomings, though, The UnderGarden is an almost entirely pleasant experience, and easy to recommend to anyone who's fed up with shooting people in the face, or fancies some laid-back, same-sofa multiplayer.

If you are looking for a game to play in your spare time, be it for 20 minutes or a couple of hours, and are fan of twitch-style first person shooters that require you to react fast (think Quake III or Unreal Tournament) mixed with a arcade, almost puzzle-like scoring system, then Xotic might just be up your alley.

Meanwhile, everyone who’s already played Resi 4 can see that Cursed Mountain is, without a shadow of a doubt, a bit pants.

Well worth the fifteen dollar purchase, especially if you're the type that gets a thrill from being torn to bits by creatures we were never meant to encounter. Happy hunting.

In all honesty, the simplification of the controls and hit-miss nature of the superstar mode mean that Sega Superstar Tennis isn’t quite as good as the tennis masterclass that was "Virtua Tennis 3."

So yes. Code Veronica X still does the job. For fifteen pounds though? Hmmm. Unsure. If you're loopy about all things Resident Evil and have some xbox points sitting about then knock yourself out.

Even with the repetitive nature of All Zombies Must Die, the overall experience is fun. It's recommended for times when you need to play something with a few buddies. It's not earthshattering, nor will it change your opinion on zombie games or twin-stick shooters. But for the cheap entry fee, it will supply entertainment for you. Just take it steady like a zombie and play it in small spurts.

As a standalone game for newcomers to the franchise, the story will leave you baffled compared to someone who would have experienced Corpse Party, and in that regard, looking at its way of storytelling comes off as a disjointed tale of horror that can give you a gloomy (in the right way) and uneasy time. However, I see it this way – go play the first Corpse Party and see how you feel about it. If you want more, then jump into Book of Shadows and enjoy it for what it is.

In the end, you are getting a bloated game with a ridiculous amount of content that is spoiled by some unwanted QTE implementation and vehicle sections, and long boss fights. If you can look past those negatives, then the core gameplay is engaging and rewarding enough to be worthwhile.

In all honesty, the simplification of the controls and hit-miss nature of the superstar mode mean that Sega Superstar Tennis isn’t quite as good as the tennis masterclass that was "Virtua Tennis 3."

Oozi does very little wrong, and it's a title that remains manages to maintain enjoyability. While it may not have much to offer beyond its visuals, it's a safe game. It's a title that won't leave you disappointed. Granted, it may not be a title you remember as vividly as say Super Meat Boy or I wanna Be The Guy, but it's a loyal game that will entertain you for the time you play it.

Even though it was developed with the benefit of over twenty years of hindsight, it's a game that ignores fundamental lessons of the brawler genre. Excellent presentation doesn't change the fact that Double Dragon Neon just isn't very satisfying to play.

It’s worth it just to spend a little more time on Mars with some bombs and some high powered lasers, just don’t expect anything drastically new.

This game isn’t fantastic, but certainly will hold your attention for a while, through a mixture of compulsive gameplay, and energetic atmosphere brought on by the games fantastically manic tunes. You can’t go far wrong if you fancy a multiplayer game.

It’s a different style of hunting – an experience that is based on fast speed rather than methodical strategy – so if that sounds like your cup of tea, then Ragnarok Odyssey will offer hours of fun. Just don’t go in expecting a deep experience, as this is the Dynasty Warriors of the monster hunting genre.

If you are in to the clubbing scene at all, or have any aspirations towards being a DJ you’ll definitely find this game worth picking up.

Control issues aside, Puzzle Agent is a refreshing and entertaining adventure game, filled with memorable characters and a setting that will please fans of the modern mystery genre.

Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor’s Edge never had much of a chance of matching the quality of its predecessors, but it would have at least sufficed as a decent game. The unforgiving difficulty and poorly-planned gameplay restrictions only bring to light the still-present flaws of the original game rather than cover them up.

After a not-too-great first impression, Mario & Sonic is a pleasantly surprising translation of a sports party title to a handheld micro-game one. This is a game I can see myself coming back to quite frequently, especially when the Games themselves are in full swing.

The package as a whole isn’t as polished and deep as NHL 10, but its accessibility and fun factor certainly counts for something. It looks great too, and with online modes that extend the challenge and lifespan of the game, NHL 2K10 has come as close as its ever done to matching EA’s game.

Few shooters exist nowadays to simply play on a gamer's need for visceral entertainment, and Double D proves that there's still a market for mid-school (which would be where I would place gaming in the 90's) shooters, regardless of dimension.

This is a brave first attempt at something new in the world of Lara Croft, but it doesn’t quite manage to match the levels of accomplishment seen in the rest of Tomb Raider Underworld.

Super Monkey Ball fans should check this Vita exclusive out, and with Sega selling the game at a reduced price of £14.99, gamers can enjoy playing Banana Splitz without needing to splash the cash.

In summary, Kane and Lynch 2: Dog Days is a missed opportunity.

Ultimately, Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 Plus is a case study that just because a game can be ported to a handheld doesn’t mean it necessarily should, especially if it suffers from downgraded visuals, spotty framerate and imprecise controls. Newbie players who never played the console versions may end up less frustrated out of ignorance, but a game that originally relied on tight controls and smooth gameplay should not have to endure such drawbacks just for the sake of going portable. It may earn points as a novelty to have the game on the go, but the cost of portability is too much of a disservice for a great action game optimized for consoles.

As puzzlers go this is a pretty decent effort, good fun for a while, but it does start to feel a bit too much like hard work as you near its end. If you could have just opened up new worlds as you completed the last one then it would be better, instead of the helmet system. But it's still worth a go if you like your arcade-style puzzlers. Not to mention, it definitely won't break the bank at 800MS Points.

Burnout Crash! is quite stripped down compared to major games in the series, but considering the low price I consider it a fair trade off. This isn't exactly what I would have wanted from a new Burnout game, and I'm unlikely to be alone in that, as it does have some noticeable design flaws. But once you get over them you will find that this is a fun title, worthy of the Burnout name, and well worth the 800 MS Points asking price.

If you are new to the genre, there are more accomplished games, wherein all elements work in tandem, awaiting your attention. However, if you're an avid adventure game player with most of your life-changing and genre-defining point-and-click experiences behind you, this is a worthwhile addition to your library.

Strike Suit Zero also fills the void of a genre that has long been forgotten on the PC, and maybe with the interest in this game, we will see the genre flourish once again in the near future.

If you’re looking for a new puzzle-platformer game, look no further - Pangolin is fantastic!

Let us be honest. If this game was released WITHOUT the license, absolutely no one would care about it.

This is for all of you gamers and journalists who have found the series “dull”, “repetitive” or even “boring” in the past.

Despite being arguably less than what it could (and should) have been, Arrival probably is just about worth your money. In fact, playing it got me started on another run through both games, so it's done something right. It's testament to a game's strength that even a relatively lacking bit of DLC can have you going balls deep back into its world in the pursuit of alien booty. Not every game could do it, but not every game is Mass Effect.

It should be noted that the PS3, Xbox 360 and Wii versions offer a superior experience.

Unfortunately there is so much wrong with it that it doesn’t even manage to reach average status.

If you've got kids who you reckon would benefit from an introduction to Japanese RPGs, there are far worse places to start. But for Christ's sake, let them use an FAQ for the indoor sections.

For the most part NASCAR 09 seems like a solid racer, and I guess it does a good job of simulating the real life product. It is rather boring though, as even if you are a petrol head at heart you can only have so much fun going around, and around and around.

There is fun to be had here for children who are particularly fond of colouring and puzzles, but if they’re that keen, you can get the real thing for a tiny fraction of the cost of this (as well as being able to look at your work later), and so there’s little reason to buy Crayola Treasure Adventures.

Much of the story is kept until the end, with the rest mostly speculation from characters as to what is really going on, forcing you to play through to get more dirt on the mystery as it builds up.

What Dragon Ball Z Budokai 3 comes down to is me and my pals playing a solid and fun fighting game without any interruption. If you want that with your Dragon Ball Z game, then you should check out this HD collection.

In the end Phantasy Star Portable will only appeal to people who can play it with friends. As a single player game is feels rather mediocre as you traverse through the dreary story.

Let us be honest. If this game was released WITHOUT the license, absolutely no one would care about it.

Strikeforce is a step in the right direction for the franchise. It’s the much needed change that the series was crying out for. It’s just shame the console version is a port of the PSP game.

After you've experienced The Run you'll sadly come to the conclusion that it isn't any good. It's a great idea compromised by poor design and handling.

Dynasty Warriors 7: Xtreme Legends is a very good expansion pack

Simply looking at the game then, Wreckateer is a one-trick pony that plays it too safe to be anything other than a bit of fun on the side.

London 2012 is a mixed bag of good and bad, just like the sports it represents. It's dull as the UK weather can be in single-player mode, with local multiplayer being the only saving grace for the game. If you're looking for some nights of local multiplayer fun then this will supply that, but no doubt you'll be done with it before the Olympics finish.

F1 Race Stars had the potential to be a great kart racer; sadly, some of the gameplay tilts towards the real life sport and hinders the experience. Along with the AI, it becomes something that no kart racer should ever be – a chore to play.

This is what Painkiller: Hell & Damnation is – a fun blast to the past.

At a cheap 800 Microsoft points, the game certainly merits trying. It goes without saying that as more people purchase it, the game's experience will only become better. Until then, long load times and a tough reward system ensure that it certainly caters to the niche of insanely fast-shooters, but might be unforgiving and underwhelming to other types of gamers.

If you did enjoy Red Alert 3’s single player missions, then Uprising is more of the same and you’ll want to give this a look. Everyone else will be left a little underwhelmed, particularly if you believe the series has gone downhill since the 1996 original.

Maybe they should give the reins back to Camelot before they think about releasing another Mario Sports title, because Square Enix have proven they have trouble cutting the mustard.

If you are a One Piece fan then this is the best game to come out in the UK for the franchise and should satisfy anyone's craving for a bit of Monkey D. Luffy and his peculiar cast of friends.

Tiberium Twilight is a poor game that removes the things that made the original concept so good. What’s left is a hollow shell that feels irrelevant, given the superior games in the series that came long before it.

A steeping stone for the series, one that offers hope that EA can achieve better things in the future.

This is one of the worst types of tragedies that can befall a game – to be brimming with potential and fun gameplay, only to get ruined with technical blunders.

Although fun, it doesn't have the greatest depth in the world. Nail'd is unreservedly a mindlessly fast racing game. It's the kind of game you could easily blast through in a weekend, but it is cheaper than the average game, so if you like fast arcade-style racers this is definitely worth a look.

The original Force Unleashed shot for the stars, and fell short, but at least you could commend it for trying. Force Unleashed 2 feels sterile and barren in comparison, refusing to try for anything spectacular, and managing to reuse and recycle its few good ideas countless times over its short run.

Insomniac took a risk with this title, but I think it has paid off. It is a fun game to play with a friend and is worthy of being called Ratchet and Clank.

Dead Island Riptide is a stop-gap extension to the franchise that is enjoyable in small doses, but disappointingly fails to address problems that plagued the original game.

Ultimately, Wii Music is the equivalent of Leonardo da Vinci saying he’ll paint the Mona Lisa for you, but then deciding to challenge himself by using a Etch A Sketch. Yes, I am sure the clever old codger could work out something, but you’re sure as hell not going to take a vacation to Paris to view the end result.

Blades of Time is a better game than X-Blades, but not by much. The game knows it has a good idea because it abuses the time feature trick a bit too much, and like a kid wanting attention, you'll just get fed up with it being in your face all the time.

I have no doubt that some people will enjoy the mindless violence and see it as an interesting take on the Dynasty Warriors formula. It makes for a quick pick up and play title because the stages are really short, lasting between 10-20 minutes a chapter. I just wish the overall game had better mechanics.

Overall, an average racing game that holds some fun but, for the money, alternatives exist on the PS3 that are far more enjoyable.

In summary, Kane and Lynch 2: Dog Days is a missed opportunity.

All in all, Episode II was a definite progression from Episode I. The bite-sized series updates aren't totally where they need to be, but they're getting there. With a little more focus on speed, fluidity, and a 'back to basics' attitude, SEGA will have a winner on their hands that will be almost as cherished as their best work of art to date.

Although a competent beat ‘em up, it lacks not only the accessibility but the depth of Street Fighter IV, the classic gameplay of Mark of the Wolves or Marvel vs. Capcom 2, and the hardcore technical side of Blazblue.

Despite being arguably less than what it could (and should) have been, Arrival probably is just about worth your money. In fact, playing it got me started on another run through both games, so it's done something right. It's testament to a game's strength that even a relatively lacking bit of DLC can have you going balls deep back into its world in the pursuit of alien booty. Not every game could do it, but not every game is Mass Effect.