The original Portal was a delicious dessert in the five-course meal that was The Orange Box. Portal 2 is a much more meaty affair altogether and incorporates humor, great puzzling and a wonderful co-op mode while still being true to the original.

Rocksteady Studios surprised us all back in 2009 by delivering one of the best games that year with Batman: Arkham Asylum. This year they show us that they are a force to be reckoned with when Batman: Arkham City more than lives up to expectations; it surpasses them in what is a very strong contender for Game of the Year 2011. No multiplayer? Who gives a bats a**?

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D is a classic that still works, even though it's essentially the same game as it was in 1998. It would surprise me if Nintendo in the future doesn't feel the need of releasing a new console with a battery that lasts longer between recharges, since that is the biggest issue with his remake. Using the gyroscope doesn't match well with the need of having your 3DS connected to the wall socket. But all in all, the excellent adventure remains intact.

The PlayStation 3 version of Mass Effect 2 contains all the great adventues as its PC and Xbox 360 counterparts, together with all the extra DLC goodies. Newcomers to the series and PS3 owners can look forward to an excellent rpg with thrilling shooter elements.

Bioshock Infinite is a magical experience on every level. Despite a few glitches and a couple of issues with pacing in the later parts, this game is already a clear candidate for game of the year.

How do you improve something that's already close to perfection? With surgical precision would be the response from Atlus. Persona 4: The Golden adds a few new story lines and characters while still maintaining the charm and balance of the original PlayStation 2 release. Easily one of the finest role-playing games of any hardware generation.

Storywise The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword is a very important game that reveals and explains certain points in the series. And as a game it's great fun, but still two full heart containers from being completely fantastic.

Following on the best game of 2009, Uncharted 3 doesn't disappoint. The action is even more over the top, the close combat is improved and the acting is amazing. The controls are a bit too loose though, and Drake's platforming antics border on being a parody of itself, but apart from that this is a real gem.

Fire Emblem: Awakening manages to be a game for both the die-hard fans of the series as well as a great introduction for new players. A couple of flaws in the story and presentation keeps it away from magnificence, but it’s still a worthy addition to any 3DS library.

Journey isn't a game - it's an experience. The few hours that this complete gem contains are completely breathtaking, and cement Thatgamecompany's status as visionaries.

Tetsuya Takahashi and Monolith Soft finally manage to deliver on the promises and visions underlying the earlier games sharing the Xeno-name, and the result rivals even the team members earlier works at SquareSoft. This is the finest japanese roleplaying game crafted for a home console this generation and will become a measuring stick against which other games are held up and scrutinized again in the future.

ICO and Shadow of the Colossus are both timeless classics, and to re-experience them in HD resolution is an absolute treat. The 3D enhancements are nice, but more time could have been spent on ICOs controls and the graphical prowess of Shadow of the Colossus. But nevertheless, this collection is a must for anyone who hasn't experienced these two fine games, and for those who already have they're a wonderful reminder of how great gaming can be.

LittleBigPlanet 2 is an improvement over most things in the excellent first game, but it's not as breathtakingly revolutionary as its predecessor. All game clones that other people are creating always seem to be slighlty worse than their originals, but Media Molecule should be applauded for putting these tools in the players hands.

Forza Motorsport 4 is a work of love and an absolute gem of a racing game. The feel of the actual racing has been tuned somewhat and now feels a little more playful.There´s realy not a whole lot of new content compared to the last entry in the series, but the polish and improved graphics is incredible. If you'er only going to get one racing game this year, this should be it.

Gears of War 3 falters somewhat in its storytelling, but it's still a game I highly recommend. The story has never been the focus in the series anyway. Both the single and multiplayer modes are massive, and despite not being a perfect game it's still well worth your while.

A beautiful and engaging game that mixes storytelling and gamesmanship with great success. All of the bad parts of Far Cry 2 has been polished away, without losing the parts that made it so addictive. Sadly the story gets a tad bit to exploitative and the plot's sense of urgency gets lost in an open world setting.

NBA 2K12 came out of nowhere and took me by complete surprise. Fans of the sport have no excuse not to own this game, and 2K Sports should be applauded for creating the best basketball simulator ever made.

Trials Evolution is basically the same core game as the previous one, but since I love that game I can look beyond that. Although, when it's time to develop a third game, I hope that RedLynx actually can evolve the game instead of just insert something meaningless in the title.

It's often discussed if video games can be an art form, and there are a lot of arguments both for and against. Okami HD is a strong argument that games at least have come a long way by giving a simply magical experience in every way.

Super Mario 3D Land is a perfect blend between the new and the old. It's a near perfect piece of Nintendo entertainment and the best game in the series since the masterpiece Super Mario 64.

Guild Wars 2 is a breath of fresh air in a genre that has had a hard time coming up with different ways of doing things. The world of Tyria is absolutely beautiful and the combat and adventuring is among the very best in the genre.

Aside from the confusing user interface and the quite ridiculous Jay-Z branding, there are no failures in NBA 2K13. Sure it's not very welcoming to new players and takes a while to get in to, but there is no doubt that EA hesitates to bring out a basketball game of their own when this simply beautiful, realistic and deep simulation of basketball is the competition.

Creative Assembly is flirting with a new audience with its totaly new and fresh multiplayer component and a streamlined overhaul of the Total War series. But underneath the polished surface lies the Total War we know and love and Shogun 2 has not lost the depth and complexity that has been established over the last ten years.

Dark Souls is the girl you had a crush on in high school. The one that really enjoyed teasing you, making fun of you or punishing you. But you couldn't help being drawn to her. And even when she was as mean as she could be, you still loved her. You knew in your heart of hearts that the torture was her way of saying she loved you. As harsh and unforgiving as Dark Souls can be to casual players, the pleasure and gratification received from completing seemingly impossible tasks are still off the scale. Bigger, harsher and even more atmospheric than Demon's Souls, this is an immersive and immense experience.

FEZ uses the entire history of video games as a background for the gameplay. Wherever you go, you will instinctively know what to do. All you have left is to be mesmerized by the adventure and solve countless of impressively clever puzzles.

Borderlands 2 is a very safe and familiar sequel, which of course is both a good and a bad thing. The shooting and looting is still fantastic but the frequent load times and poor story also remains as obvious low points. The result is a really good, but not great, second game in the series.

A world of anticipation rested upon Eidos Montreal's shoulders when they set out to create the prequel to the widely popular Deus Ex, released 11 years ago. Fortunately for both them and the players the results are very good. Deus Ex: Human Revolution has a more narrow storyline and the AI could have been better – but it more than accompishes its mission in delivering a great prequel to one of the most interesting stories in gaming history.

Team Bondi and Rockstar delivers a new kind of story telling. Brutal, mind numbing action has taken a backseat and the atmosphere, story and L.A. itself is driving this car. The different gameplay components in L.A. Noire may be a little repetitive after 10-15 hours play but mix everything in a blender and you get an experience not seen in many years. "No multiplayer?" you may say. I say multiplayer-shmultiplayer, this is a story to be enjoyed and taken in as on an individual basis.

Firaxis has made an absolutely wonderful modernization of a classic strategy game. The deep and evolving gameplay is among the best I've experienced in a game like this, along with the fact that everything feels extremely polished and crafted with a a great deal of love for both the genre and the original game.

The games have aged well even though the restrictions of the PSP are quite apparent in Peace Walker. The HD update works great even though the texture resolution is a bit poor. The camerawork, overall design, music, voice over work, controls and storytelling is still a notch over what most of todays games have. Metal Gear Solid: HD Collection is a must have. Both for fans of the series and the uninitiated. Remember to buy the first Metal Gear Solid on PSN first though.

Dead Space 2 starts off with a lot of similarities with the original, but soon finds its own identity and raises the bar for sequels everywhere. A very well-polished space adventure.

Arkane deserves an applause just for trying this broad approach of choice, and when both design and playability builds an excellent synergy I can't do anything but to bow down to for being probably the best game this fall.

Avengers Chronicles may not convert the skeptical, but it's a great addition to an already impressive collection of pinball tables. The new tables offer incredible variety and I find myself extremely addicted.

Torchlight II manages to improve on its predecessor in every way and the result is a true gem of gaming fun. It manages to keep a very addictive pace throughout its campaign and then lets us dwell in endless amounts of randomized content if we wish, and most likely we do. The love and passion that has gone in to creating the game shines through in so many ways that it next to impossible not to be engulfed by it. Definitely recommended for anyone who has even the slightest interest in the genre.

Delivers countless hours of gripping story and challenging missions, and as soon as your done you'll want to play it again to see if things unfold differently the next time around. The best RPG of 2011 is the best RPG of 2012 as well.

The basic concept is still there, an action packed RPG-light with a very real focus on fat loot. Compared to its predecessors, Diablo III has been streamlined to appeal to a modern day audience and has lost some if its customization in the process, but the different characters are diverse enough to satisfy most play styles. Some design choices – like obligatory connection to an overloaded and unstable Battle.net together with sometimes far between checkpoints and non-persistent game areas – may be in question but the overall experience is as solid as ever. Be prepared to invest some time to get access to the real goodies since playing on normal difficulty setting is not enough to get you the full monty.

LittleBigPlanet Vita is in itself a reason to buy a PS Vita - it's that good! The only obstacle on the way to complete success is whether Sony has managed to sell enough systems to make it a super hit among gamers.

Almost a perfect football game with a deep and very entertaining career mode, both on the pitch and on the sideline. A somewhat broken commentary track, at times weird AI and online modes that brings more hang-ups than joy stands in the way of a perfect score.

Hello Games! came out of nowhere and dazzled us with the disarmingly clever racing-platform-puzzler Joe Danger a while back, and now they're back on a different platform and showing their more sadistic and cruel side with the introduction of the 'Laboratory' – a new set of fiendishly difficult levels for Joe to traverse. This is a fine gem, a proper love letter to the Excite Bikes of yesteryear.

Battlefield Bad Company Vietnam breathes new life in a game that already felt alive. It delivers a very memorable gaming experience, and is well worth the money.

CD Projekt has with The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings ruined all other games in the genre. With graphics from the future and gameplay from space, they have made this century's best RPG. BioWare has been ousted from the throne and will have to work very hard to reclaim it once again.

Halo 4 is a nice fresh start for a series that has lost some of its shine in later years. 343 Industries has really put everything they got into making a stunningly beautiful sequel, packed with high quality content in all kinds of shapes and forms.

The fact that Game Freak dared to remove all the old pokémons from the main story line and replace them with 156 new ones is only one of the reasons for the series feeling fresher than ever. Pokémon Black and White is the most entertaining game yet, and is a must-buy for all Nintendo DS owners.

Codemasters are indeed the masters of this genre and this time around there is more of rallying and the entertaining Gymkhana events. While it looks good and drives well - it doesn't always feel completely right, however, and could use some more variety throughout the locations.

Max Payne 3 may not move the action genre forward, but it doesn't matter. It can be as retrogressive as it wants, as long as we are treated to well-written stories and fantastic action, starring one of the most interesting heroes in gaming. And then it doesn't matter if he shaved his head or not.

Tactics Ogre: Let us Cling Together is a work of pure love, and widely surpasses the original from 16 years ago. Old fans of the game or of Final Fantasy Tactics will have a blast, but newcomers ought to be aware that this isn't a simple game, but rather a demanding piece of excellence.

If you're looking for a slightly different fighting game and don't want to refer to yourself as mainstream, then Blazblue: Continuum Shift is an excellent option. It's got good graphics, challenging gameplay and well-crafted offline and online modes, with plenty of content.

The fact that Game Freak dared to remove all the old pokémons from the main story line and replace them with 156 new ones is only one of the reasons for the series feeling fresher than ever. Pokémon Black and White is the most entertaining game yet, and is a must-buy for all Nintendo DS owners.

Mario just got some stiff competition, and this platforming masterpiece has amazing comic timing that's a joy to play. However, even though the multiplayer modes have been hyped, the experience is far better when played alone.

Star Wars Pinball offers three of the best digital pinball tables I have ever tested. Great sense of detail, good sound effects and a clear love for the source material.

Kirby's Epic Yarn is a well made platforming adventure that delivers exactly what we expected from all the trailers and previews. It's a fun experience for one or two players and is especially suitable for children. The Wii may lack a large amount of quality games, but as long as Nintendo keep providing solid platforming experiences like this one we'll keep the complaints to a minimum.

The epic dynasty-building from the original Shogun 2 has been replaced by a depiction of a shorter but very turbulent period in the history of Japan. To some extent Fall of the Samurai is almost a fusion of Total War: Shogun 2 and its predecesor Empire: Total War. Although I'm not a great fan of warfare in the 19th century, Creative Assembly succeeds in keeping Japan exotic and interesting in an era of modernization very familliar to us westerners. The strong heritage from Shogun 2 makes this a great expansion and a must for fans of the series.

Football Manager 2013 is more polished than ever – its surface as well as its core. The right things are highlighted, which facilitates gameplay considerably. New games modes, such as the streamlined FM Classic, make for more fast-paced play, suited for those with too little time on their hands to immerse themselves head over heels in the game. That, on the other hand, is the way it should be played, isn't it?

The reinvention of the franchise succeeds in almost every aspect of the game, so much so that it actually tops the Uncharted series among the great adventure games for this console generation. I hope to see you again soon, Lara.

Heart of the Swarm is a superb evolution of one of the best strategy games on the planet. The campaign has a great distinct Zerg feel all over it and the changes made to the multiplayer are likely to breath new life into an already huge and thriving community.

The best game for Kinect just got better. Dance Central 2 improves on practically every feature in the original, and adds a much-needed two player mode, a must for everyone who likes to have fun.

Bastion tells a story about a boy and his struggle to rebuild a broken world. Masterfully implemented game mechanics, innovative dynamic story telling and a setting that really captures the imagination makes this a real treat for the demanding gamer.

Huge amounts of content can't hide the fact that this is pretty much the same old NHL with a few tweaks here and there. Thankfully the biggest changes have been made to the action on the ice and the result is more physical, smarter and all round more fun gameplay than ever before.

End Game is a worthy ending to the Battlefield 3 expansions. It offers some of the series' best maps to date and makes the game feel fresh 16 months after launch. Battlefield 4 may be on its way, but End Game will keep Battlefield 3 alive for a long time to come.

If you like the earlier games in the series, you probably already bought this one. But If you haven't played them, you should begin with this one since it's the best dancing game out there. But Harmonix has to look up, since Just Dance is closing in on them and could very well take their spot next year.

Luigi’s Mansion 2 is an incredibly charming game that despite some issues with online play and a bit of repetitiveness manages to offer a very good experience.

By no means is Ni no Kuni a perfect match of Studio Ghibli’s design and character sensibilities and Level 5′s ability to craft deep and meaningful RPG systems, but it’s a close enough match that any flaws to either side are easily ignored. With as much charm, humor and as many quirks as can be packed onto a disc, Ni no Kuni will satisfy even the most disheartened and cynical role-playing fans and, possibly, people not into role-playing games at all.

For single player matches the 3DS version is even better than its console counterpart, and the online fuctionality is impressingly solid. And despite all the similarities with its older brother the combo shortcuts, accessibility and Street Pass makes this a perfect choice for a dose of Street Fighter. And the 3D is an excellent bonus in itself.

DICE's latest shooter combines an extremely in-depth multiplayer experience with a fully fledged single player game. But the two brightest stars are the game's lighting and sound, which set new standards within the realistic FPS genre. Battlefield 3 is a Swedish war export we can be proud of.

Despite a few bugs the game plays so intense it at times feels like it's playing in your mind and not on your screen. It will make you feel really badass one second, only to disgust you with its over-the-top violence in the next. A few strange design choices interrupt the flow but all in all, Hotline Miami is a special experience not to be missed.

An absolutly gorgeous game with more to it than a pretty face. The compelling and focused single-player campaign, with its multitude of options, together with a fully fledged multiplayer component makes Crysis 2 one of the most complete first person shooters on the market right now. The AI may have some flaws and the minor graphic glitches tarnish the surface somewhat, but not in any serious way.

It's hard to find negative things to write about Forza Horizon. It certainly is a different experience compared to Forza Motorsport 4, but that doesn't mean it's not as good. The spotless presentation and the enormous amount of things to do makes this one of the finest racing games I've ever played.

After a very disappointing sidestep with Revelations, Ubisoft now releases the best game in the entire series. The script, the environment – basically everything is spectacular. Some irritating bugs are the only aspect that stands in the way of a perfect score.

A really good game that becomes fantastic with GamePad. It almost feels like the whole game was designed only for this way of playing Batman: Arkham City.

Marvel vs. Capcom 3 is an entertaining and well-made fighting game. The excellent option settings and the great controls make up for the somewhat meager content. Many competitors have more modes, but few manage to maintain the same quality as this game.

This PC version of Pinball FX 2 is just as great as the others. Its still one of the best digital pinball games out there with superb physics, great table design and good multiplayer features.

Mario Kart 7 is a solid Nintendo sequel. The only real obvious flaw is probably that the formula is starting to feel a little old. In most other aspects its a very good product, with great graphics, varied tracks, good online functionality and overall very entertaining gameplay.

A clever, great looking and very genuine experience that belongs among the very best downloadable games ever created.

Undisputed 3 is incredibly large, complex and well made. It is not, however, a newbie friendly game that you can just pick up and play. Just as in real life it'll take time, practice and determination to become the master of MMA.

BioWare always said they would have an emphasis on storytelling and on this account they are right on target. Thanks to excellent voiceovers and epic soundtrack even the most mundane quest feels important. Other aspects outside the story may need some work – UI needs a overhaul and the instancing of whole planets needs to go the way of the Dodo bird, when they have the load under control. Server queues, minor bugs and the above mentioned UI aside, the launch – of this easy to access and thrilling MMORPG – has gone relatively smoothly and I'll be following and playing this game a lot in coming months.

Street Fighter x Tekken may not reach the same amazing levels of perfection as Street Fighter IV, but it's still a must-own for everyone who appreciates a really good fighting game.

Beyond Good and Evil HD delivers real gaming magic, despite the outdated camera. We're praying that the sales are good enough this time to keep the sequel in production, because we don't want this tale to end any time soon.

Sound Shapes is an experiment that won't be the killer-app the Vita needs. But it still offers an experience unlike any other on both platforms.

The actual boxing is better than ever, but it's in the cinematic champion mode that Fight Night Champion really shines and possibly shows the way forward for other sportsgames as well. More of this, please.

As a HD re-imagining, God of War Collection: Volume 2 does exactly what it should. With excellent controls, trophies and a solid 10 hour action blast split over two games this compilation really excels. Chains of Olympus may be a little outdated, but Ghost of Sparta is well worth your while, especially if you haven't played the PSP versions previously.

Adding Ikarugas colour matching mechanics to a Metroidvania-esque game was a stroke of genius, and feels so intuitive that we're almost shocked that it hasn't been done before. Estetically beautiful, Outland contains smart level design, tight controls and excellent online coop. Don't miss out on this game!

Football Manager 2012 is still the best manager game out there, and delivers a solid and fun experience. But Sports Interactive would do well to let go of the past and actually keep innovating the series, as stagnation may be an issue based on the small amount of improvements this year.

Need for Speed: Most Wanted has a number of flaws that prevent it from reaching the same heights as Forza Horizon or Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit. But at the same time it has some great ideas of its own to make it entertaining. I would've wanted Criterion to work more on the sense of speed and removing the graphical bugs, but besides that Most Wanted is a great racer that will give you a good time both online and offline.

Killzone 3 promises a lot, but manages to live up to almost most of them. The Move implementation is at the top of it's class, and the multiplayer experience is deep and rewarding. A triumph for the series and gaming technology as a whole.

F1 2012 is racing at its finest and it successfully manages to be a serious simulation and available for new players at the same time. Those who take the time to understand the games mechanics will be rewarded with one of the best racing games of this generation.

The new Mortal Kombat is easy to pick up and play, but will take a lifetime to master. Crushing bones and smashing skulls has never been so easy and beautiful as it is now.

DrinkBox Studios moves away from alien blobs and attempts to reinvigorate the classic MetroidVania concept, but with Luchadores, pop culture references and an immense amount of humor. With a insanely complex melee mechanic, well-crafted platforming and a clear understanding of the concept at hand, Guacamelee! manages to wrestle to the top of the food chain.

There is plenty of enjoyment to be had with these four pinball tables and slightly different mechanics provide variety and make sure that everyone can find a favourite among them. Moon Knight is our favourite but all of them are good making this pack a near must-have for all fans of digital pinball out there.

Saints Row: The Third has both highs and lows. The freedom, entertaining sillyness and some good ideas are held back by what too often is a tasteless, repetitive and mindless game. While the flawed controls and lack of technical polish frustrates further, there is certainly a lot of fun to be had with the over the top action, not least in the online co-op mode.

Why fix what's not broken? Darksiders II brings more of the same pick and mix magic that made Darksiders a sleeper hit. The addition of a WoW-based loot-system and more sidequests gives the illusion that it's not just an DLC-upgrade with a new skin. The game is a bit buggy and some puzzles feels a bit lazy, otherwise this is a sequel for everyone who loved the original.

New Super Mario Bros. U may not revolutionize the genre and doesn't show us what flashy stuff the new console has to offer. But the playful level design, well balanced difficulty level and flawless control are more than enough to make this into one of the best games in the genre. This is 2D-plattforming at its finest, and a must buy for anyone who owns a Wii U.

Trine 2 is a superb sequel that builds upon all the things the original did well. Its a beauitiful and extremely well crafted adventure with great value for such a low price.

Rift is probably the most stable and solid MMO ever to launch, and includes most of the functions you've grown accustomed to during the evolution of World of Warcraft. It's polished, has a lot of content and rich lore, but yet doesn't manage to feel unique or for lack of a better term, good.

A fantastic puzzle rpg that's miles ahead of the competition, with epic multiplayer modes and single player campaigns. The excessively long loading times and the poorly narrated story detracts somewhat from the experience, but this is an excellent choice for anyone who likes the genre.

Child of Eden is a wonderful game that delivers an experience like no other. The only real flaws are the short length and Kinect controls that only accept one arm at a time. This is a game that you should try at least once, even if your regular diet only consists of the Call of Duties and Mass Effects.

A big stumble forward as the new and greatly improved skating is slightly crippled by physics engine being slightly off. Smarter goalies and better stick checking makes for an improved defense, but not on behalf of goal scoring. Be a GM Connected is the real revolution and could render the looming lockout just a shrug.

Bulletstorm is a solid shooter that turns back the dial about 15 years - to a time when ultraviolence, arcadey gameplay and outrageous scenarios were the staples of a shooter. But it still manages to feel fresh and on par with the higher quality shooters we've seen emerge since 1995, and kicks it up with a brilliant scoring system that keeps the gameplay varied.

I can give my warm recommendations for Pit's return in Kid Icarus: Uprising – but also an ice-cold warning for the terrible controls when Pit reaches ground from being airborne. Book an appointment at the orthopedic clinic already, because this will take a huge toll on your wrists and elbows.