Another fantastic effort from EA, building on solid foundations from last year's iteration. Enough entertainment to keep you on the fairway for months to come.

A brilliantly conceived and well executed platformer, with enough aesthetically, musically and socially pleasing innovations to warrant a purchase.

The campaign is really where the bulk of the entertainment is to be had, despite the astonishing omission of any kind of co-operative play. It's just a shame the writers felt as if they needed to try to impress the audience with such B-grade subject matter.

Battlefield 1943 not only delivers an excellent game but impresses on just about every level. If you have ever wondered what World War II was really like, this is about as close to the experience as you’re going to get.

Sakurai has done the impossible - resurrected a franchise long thought dead, given it some fresh new kicks and produced something glorious. Irreverent, self-referential comedy has rarely fit a Nintendo game so snugly.

Regardless of the validity of pushing Anno away from a historical setting, Anno 2070 once again proves that the real-time strategy genre is alive and well, and should be considered seriously by any armchair dictator with a lot of spare time.

Darksiders II might be a long journey, but it is one that is enjoyable the whole way through. Developers Vigil Games have built upon the core established by its predecessor in some intelligent ways, sculpting one of the most enjoyable gaming experiences of the year so far. While some slight technical glitches and control issues mar what would otherwise be an incredible title, Darksiders II is a true delight and a game well worth playing.

This game has no outstanding issues that would pull its rating down apart from the frustration of not perfecting that jump!

After 18 months, have developers Bungie managed to create a title that can live up to the expectations of millions of Halo 3 fans, as well as carve out its own legacy? Quite possibly, but it's not all smooth sailing for Microsoft's darling.

This is a great example of what can be achieved if fun is the primary aim. Massive tricks, amazing scenery, hugely modifiable bikes - what more do you want?

PixelJunk Monsters is a quirky, fun tower defence game that will have you laughing, and crying, as you try to beat each level.

It manages to stay feeling fresh and thrilling all the way through to the final battle, and it looks absolutely incredible. The story is mostly well paced and told with cinematics of extremely high production value. While the co-op is not exactly game changing, it is a very welcome addition to the series and the game is definitely a lot more fun when played this way.

Additions to this year's Madden title have truly made it shine. The franchise just keeps getting better and better!

Just Cause 2 is an amazing title and certainly looking to be one of the best sand-box games of the year. It may not reproduce Grand Theft Auto IV's immersive storyline, but the level of fun to be had in Just Cause 2 is virtually unparalleled.

Resistance 3 gets a whole lot right with a handful of inspired design choices that help it to stand out in the largely predictable first-person shooter market. Even so, some of that first-person shooter unoriginality remains meaning Resistance 3 never quite reaches its true potential.

If you were a fan of Braid, or like puzzle games in general, I really can recommend this one. The puzzles themselves are neat (if not hair pulling at times) the presentation is superb, and it's certainly something a little different.

Like Mary Shelley's gothic creation, you'll come to discover that Lords of Shadow is no monster, even if its ubiquitous quick-time events will occasionally see you reaching for your pitchfork.

Final Fantasy VII: Crisis Core ranks up there with the best, showcasing the PSP’s audio-visual capabilities and delivering an RPG experience we won’t forget in a hurry.

The single-player campaign involves a riveting and emotional story, and the inclusion of co-op is fantastic. The game itself however is heavily weighted towards multiplayer, as was its predecessor.

The jump from FIFA 10 to EA 2010 FIFA World Cup might not be a big one, but the refinements presented makes the entire experience worthwhile.

Given the game's simplicity, one can rightly wonder why this title carries a recommended retail price typical of a game stamped with the Nintendo brand. Beat the Beat: Rhythm Paradise makes one thing glaringly obvious: it's time for the Wii U.

At times, Hitman: Absolution shines: a perfectly planned and executed assassination provides genuine player satisfaction, an overheard conversation at a train station makes the player feel part of a larger world, or a moment of frantic improvisation when discovered to evade pursuers or silence a witness can be generally thrilling. It's just a shame then that a hefty chunk of the game is padded out with material that isn't nearly as enjoyable.

Taken as a whole, Black Ops II is excellent value despite a hefty RRP. The campaign is genuinely replayable thanks to the branching plot and some truly memorable levels, and the multiplayer trumps that of every other Call of Duty, providing the series' most comprehensive customisation system yet alongside a newcomer-friendly matchmaking system that doesn't ignore the hardcore.

The game’s sense of scale is extraordinary and lovingly detailed. Not a single asset in any of the expansive episodic settings feels misplaced. At night, the mist, the shadows and the trees bleed together to create a game world that is equally beautiful and unsettling.

It may lack the finesse in the single-player that some similar titles have, but it does a great job of making you feel the part as you roll into combat with guns blazing, your squad hooting and bellowing behind you. Add to this the multiplayer which is well rounded and realistic, yet big on the fun, and you have a great experience which could ultimately have you playing for months and months.

The only criticism I can personally level at the game is that after a few hours of play, I was filled with a burning desire to play some Civilization IV, rather than have another round of Colonization.

The single-player campaign involves a riveting and emotional story, and the inclusion of co-op is fantastic. The game itself however is heavily weighted towards multiplayer, as was its predecessor.

The coop campaign mode is extremely challenging and fun to play, yet the best experience to be had with games like Rainbow Six Vegas 2 still resides online in the 16 player lobbies via multiplayer.

The transition to PC hasn't been without problems, but Red Faction: Guerrilla still represents an enjoyable experience for those looking to expand their shooter library.

The Korg DS-10 synthesizer can't rightfully be called a game, it's much more than that. Anyone with even a passing interest in music and a DS should put this on their list.

Dance Central is by no means a perfect game. A disappointing multiplayer and a music selection with no real sense of fun detract from the experience. Even so, as a release title there are hours of entertainment to be had alone or with friends.

Rock Band is more than a simple video game, it's a highly interactive social experience. There's enough depth and fun here to keep you and your friends entertained for months. A must-have for the festive season!

The massive game world and highly detailed units provide hours and hours of entertainment for anyone who can appreciate a slower paced and highly cerebral RTS.

Like Dead Space before it, this one’s a class act, through and through. Heed the censor's warning though... this is no kiddies' title.

An astoundingly realistic basketball game with some of the greatest environments and graphics seen to date.

Despite some issues, Resident Evil: Revelations is a damn fine demonstration of what the 3DS is capable of, and can be acknowledged as the best action game currently available on the handheld. However, where it falters slightly is as an ambassador for a return to former glories for the Resident Evil franchise.

Another fantastic effort from EA, building on solid foundations from last year's iteration. Enough entertainment to keep you on the fairway for months to come.

It doesn't change a whole lot, but improves on most of the weak spots from the original. The most fulfilling and fun title in the series yet, and as a bonus, it's playable by the whole family.

If you've played any previous version of Bejeweled, then Bejeweled 3 consists of exactly the mental image you're formulating right now. PopCap know they can't fix something that isn't broken.

Shift 2 is an enjoyable racing game and you could do worse than to lay down your hard-earned for it. However, it's difficult to shake the feeling that it's merely a prettier version of the first Gran Turismo game. In a genre in need of a breath of fresh air, Shift 2 isn't it.

If you're a dedicated NBA fan then there might just be enough here to keep you occupied. If not, there are better alternatives on the market.

An excellent platforming hack'n'slash title that pits the best elements of some of our favourite games against the forces of Hell during the apocalypse. An epic title that is well polished and well implemented, even if the game mechanics feel a bit familiar at times.

A competitive fighting title that weaves a compelling narrative between its super-powered clashes, Injustice is accessible yet deep, and the fan service and character roster on display should see it garner a wide audience.

The challenge may be a little steep for newcomers, but PixelJunk Shooter 2 still lives up to the standard of quality and fun Q Games has consistently delivered.

Less of a distinct entry in the Tekken series, Tag Tournament 2 is more like a DVD Collector's Edition Boxset - everything the series has produced previously has almost been rolled into one convenient package for fans to sink their teeth into while they await Tekken 7. With nearly five dozen characters to master, a huge range of character customisation options available, a customisable soundtrack and a seemingly endless army of foes waiting online, Tekken Tag Tournament 2 will keep fight-fans busy for a long while to come.

A must for Skyrim fans.

Some missteps have been made between the first game and this sequel but Dragon Age II stands on its own as a solid, brawling RPG, and is a worthy addition to the world of Thedas.

A powerful storyline with a great open world environment that truly is exciting, exhilarating and, well, pretty musical really. You will be awed as you tear through the landscape in your hotrod, throwing flames into the night as you listen to heavy metal over the Deuce's tape deck.

If you're a fan of Live Arcade games and you've got some MS Points burning a whole in your virtual pocket, then this should definitely be part of your collection. If you're a bit more picky about what you play though, try out the demo first.

Despite being an average FPS game, Dark Athena manages to provide solid entertainment, mainly due to the inclusion of Escape from Butcher Bay.

Marvel Vs Capcom 2 delivers the retro arcade fighting style that many adore and successfully integrates modern features through XBLA. If you are a fan of the classics, and love a good ol’ button mash, you are in for a treat.

At sixteen years young, Mario Kart has now made it to the Wii. Whilst fans of the series may lament some of the changes, it generally works well on the new platform. The focus has shifted away from a heavy skill requirement towards simply offering more entertainment.

If you're looking for something a little new in the racing genre then you can't go wrong picking this little gem up.

This remake of one of the most memorable campaigns in FPS history is an anniversary worth celebrating, but if you were never a fan of the original it's unlikely to change your mind.

Birth By Sleep is an epic PSP title that provides an excellent (if a little belated) entry point for the series. The original Kingdom Hearts was a bit convoluted for the uninitiated (like myself) and Birth By Sleep has piqued my interest in all things Square Enix once again.

A handful of smaller gripes such as the awful soundtrack, lacklustre menu and pre-game presentations, and – in the review build we received – constant replays that couldn't be switched off don't really diminish the experience too much. Fans squabble over the best football title with the passion they usually reserve for supporting their respective teams, but there is room for both PES and FIFA in the marketplace, as both serve very different audiences. That said, this is undoubtedly the best PES yet, but Konami's big problem will be getting people to give it an honest try.

Mists of Pandaria has a lot to offer players. Its tone and style are a drastic departure from the super-serious-business of previous expansions. And that is commendable.

A good starting point for newcomers to the franchise - and indeed the genre; however fans and veterans may see it as an RPG in a strait jacket.

Rockstar has gone all out to make a great street racer with this latest Midnight Club release. Packed with hours of gameplay and incredible visuals, you'll probably still be playing as your Christmas dinner gets cold.

The game is bright, fun, fast, and runs on modest systems surprisingly well. And surprisingly bug-free for something out of the EA stable. Have things really improved in the Quality Control Dept at EA? Lets hope so, because with most EA titles, it’s the bugs that hold them back, not the gameplay.

A truly spectacular soccer title with exceptional player animations, ball handling and gameplay to boot. The AI will provide a significant challenge, but the implementation of one of the most advanced and complete online modes will mean that this game will truly last you a long time.

But if you're not playing a kart racer with friends either online or split screen, you're not experiencing the best the genre has to offer. Against other players, the field is leveled and ModNation holds its own.

His work gives the game much of its charm, but even Gollum himself can't push this 12-hour puzzle-shooting-platformer adventure past 'above average' and into 'great'.

With solid gameplay and an authentic Halo experience, Halo Wars certainly is an appealing choice. It's only let down by the weak story and characters which seem pulled together to bind the various game elements.

A solid racing title that whilst not completely free of issues still manages to be hugely entertaining.

SSX's first foray since 2008 is not perfect by any stretch of the imagination, but the core game is as addictive as it ever was. In lieu of any other serious contenders on the horizon, there's enough of it here to keep the groms happy until the next run.

Catherine is very challenging, even on normal difficulty, and the waking life segments aren't for everybody. It is, however, extremely rewarding to finally make it to that next landing after 30-odd heartbreaking attempts, and the controls are seldom to blame for an errant death. At Catherine's centre is a sharp, cel-shaded look, but the periphery is a soft-focus blur, reflecting Vincent's uncertainty and the slippery nature of his reality.

A real challenge to... you know, that other sandbox game... Saints Row 2 expands on the original with a dizzying level of complexity. Stilwater is back and bigger than ever - there's so much to see and do you'll be entertained for hours.

There's certainly no shortage of racing titles vying for your attention this year, arcade or otherwise. Blur however combines the thrill of high-speed racing with well considered combat, and can easily be regarded as one of the better examples of the arcade racing genre.

Sony Bend have created a portable version of Resistance that has all the negatives of the franchise with hardly any of the positives.

Hustle Kings is an easy to pick up pool title accessible to the masses on PSN. Despite a few shortcomings, it'll keep fans entertained for some time to come. It is an excellent virtual pool game, nothing more, nothing less.

Amusing characters and some pretty graphics make for an entertaining game of golf, and the online play is an added bonus.

The Sims 3: World Adventures is simply one of the best expansions for a Sims title to date, providing an excellent experience for you and your Sims, and really reinvigorating the title.

Incredibly fun and worthy of a multiple playthroughs, Avalanche's latest will hopefully spur other developers to construct similar love letters to arcade gaming's glory days, whether they have a triple-A engine at their disposal or not.

Monster hunter Freedom Unite lays the foundations for more small-scale MMORPG games and proves that they can be done successfully with handheld consoles while still remaining action orientated to appeal to hack & slash fans.

A real challenge to... you know, that other sandbox game... Saints Row 2 expands on the original with a dizzying level of complexity. Stilwater is back and bigger than ever - there's so much to see and do you'll be entertained for hours.

The coop campaign mode is extremely challenging and fun to play, yet the best experience to be had with games like Rainbow Six Vegas 2 still resides online in the 16 player lobbies via multiplayer.

Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon is an exceptional strategy title for the DS. It may be hard, but it has tremendous replay value and will keep you entertained for hours. Highly recommended.

However, Toy Soldiers: Cold War easily shrugs off these complaints and will force a grin onto the mug of even the most sceptical player for the duration of its campaign. There is not a lot of offer beyond that, but for twenty bucks it'll fulfil your hankering for both action and '80s nostalgia with winking enthusiasm.

SouthEnd has produced an endearing experience that deserves to be judged on its creative merits alone, and one that can stand shoulder to shoulder with the month's high profile releases.

After wave upon wave of bad console to PC ports recently, it's nice to see Gearbox have taken their time with Borderlands. It's a highly capable title that lends itself well to mouse & keyboard control, and has enough depth to keep players keen for months.

Rage is a strange beast, at once very deep and very shallow. Though unlikely to win game of the year, there is still much to like about what is on offer. There is heart here, and there is fun to be had, but unlike in the past this most recent release by id Software is not going to change the world.

While the game retells the campaigns of its namesake in somewhat linear fashion, developers The Creative Assembly have retouched and introduced a number of new gameplay mechanics that create a much more intricate experience than any Total War game to date.

Considering three games in a single package makes for a difficult reviewing process. Those who consider themselves fans of the previous games, but who missed an installment, or those who sold or lost the games ought to consider this collection closely. Similarly, gamers who enjoy 3D platformers will find something to love in these PlayStation 2 pillars of the genre.

All in all, Waveform is a fantastic casual game which revels in both frustration and addiction. And best of all, this extreme enjoyment will only set you back the tidy sum of USD $7.

Captain Scarlett and her Pirate's Booty is what downloadable content ought to be: expansive and apart. It's instantly recognisable, but it experiments with many of the gameplay mechanics players are familiar with. It introduces carefully conceived and thoroughly realised new non-player characters, and provides an encapsulated encounter that any fan of Borderlands 2 would do very well to consider.

Is it the best FPS on the Wii? That's a tough question, but even if it's for the splitscreen offline multiplayer action – then GoldenEye 007 is a must-own for any Wii gamer.

MadWorld is a must-have for any Wii owner looking to branch out from sports titles. It's rated for a reason however, and the cartoon violence won't appeal to everyone.

A nice beginning for what we hope will be regular DLC updates for this great game.

We were well impressed with this one; it offers great value for money, with plenty of variety and flexibility, plus the option to workout with a friend… EA have well and truly nailed it.

SoulCalibur V is meant to be played with people; anybody expecting a rich experience from the singleplayer, like that found in earlier entries in the series, will be disappointed. Play with friends or online and it's easy to quickly discover a deep and rich fighting system that can be a lot of fun.

Super Scribblenauts isn't so much a sequel as a successor to 5th Cell's innovative DS game. Adjectives allow for more creative solutions to puzzles and a tidier interface make for an superior experience, but one that players of the original may feel too familiar with.

You won’t regret investing in this game and adding it your Arcade collection, because I can guarantee whatever you thought was your favourite Arcade game just got knocked down a notch.

Treyarch has hit back at detractors with a comprehensive take on the Call of Duty mantra.

Rockstar has gone all out to make a great street racer with this latest Midnight Club release. Packed with hours of gameplay and incredible visuals, you'll probably still be playing as your Christmas dinner gets cold.

It presses all the right buttons to create a fun, varied and emotional side mission.

Mirror's Edge is a refreshingly different game on the PC platform, with a unique use of the first person perspective.

The amazing artwork struggles to conceal repetitive combat and a game that, at its heart, is incredibly easy. Kids will probably rate it highly, but those who have grown up with the series may tire of it quickly.

Possibly the best Buzz! title yet - certainly the best we've seen for PS3.

Religion and espionage alone do not a revolutionary gameplay experience make, but combined with the strategic combat overhaul and a generous helping of new content, it all adds up to far too much time spent playing into the wee small hours.

While it might not be revolutionary, there is a surprising amount of new content and old fashioned fun to be had inside the cartridge, which is all one could hope for from a mid-generation Pokémon release.

Despite being an average FPS game, Dark Athena manages to provide solid entertainment, mainly due to the inclusion of Escape from Butcher Bay.

It cannot be said enough that underneath all the padding remains that same excellent stealth assassination gameplay. Brotherhood's multiplayer returns largely unharried, and fans enamoured with the series will certainly be able to see through the surplus soft tissue to appreciate the singleplayer's unquestionable inner beauty. The rest will rightly conclude that Assassin's Creed: Revelations is the most disappointing entry in a spectacular series.

How time flies… it’s hard to believe that EA Sports’ Tiger Woods PGA Tour 10 is the fifth release of the series on current generation consoles. Forget any other golfing games out there, if there are any – Tiger Woods is where it’s at.

Uncharted: Golden Abyss gets most of the way there; it is a stunning exhibition piece for the Vita's power and graphical capabilities (and a more subtle exhibition piece for its gimmicks), and it's a smart, modern take on treasure-hunting fantasies with enjoyable characters and classical themes.

The first level of the game does a great job of introducing you to the world of Condemned. This game has thick (and I mean thick) atmosphere. Almost every level oozes with evil, tension and fear.

With its broad appeal and simple, intuitive controls, Wii Sports Resort will have everyone up off the couch having fun… Wii guarantee you’ll love it.

The Darkness II's less dour, more fantastical take on the shooter is a welcome change of pace to the string of samey combat scenarios publishers have assured us we can't get enough of over the past five years.

It may not look the best these days, but this revamped Darkstalkers collection plays like a dream and boasts excellent netcode to boot. Throw in a great tutorial system and it's a winner, particularly at arcade title prices.

Buzz gets a few enhancements and new features for the PS3 version, but it’s the same game we’ve come to love and still the best quiz game around.

Blend the arcade style gameplay of the classics, some new and improved features and superior visuals - the result; Tekken 6. The hours of entertainment that can be had with the Tekken series is fantastic and Tekken 6 by all means does not fall short.

Thanks to top-notch mechanics and the deep well that is Greek mythology, Ascension is a winner. It may not be the absolute best God of War game, but it's certainly worthy of the moniker.

Yet another quirky PSN title that just screams replayability. It's challenging, but ultimately may prove too frustrating for the casual gamer which it appears to be aimed at. Nevertheless, good value for money and definitely one for the platform/side-scroller freaks out there.

PGA 12 features the same kind of gradual evolution found in all EA Sports titles. The big-name improvements, such as Move support and the Masters content are welcome, and will no doubt inspire many to part company with the funds required to participate.

Tomb Raider: Underword manages to impress on so many levels.

While it may not have the epic sweep and polish of a Rockstar title, Sleeping Dogs is refreshingly streamlined, serious, and contained, even as it pays homage to its sometimes less-than-grounded source material.

If you thought first-person shooters couldn't be done justice on the Wii (and I was in that boat) then Red Steel 2 will make you think again. It's stunning on the eye and gets your blood pumping both with the onscreen action and the physicality required to play it.

Blood Dragon perfectly captures the essence of '80s action kitsch, but it's often at odds with the gameplay.

I have full faith that Polyphony will set these minor issues straight for the full fat, maximum fuel, premium octane, environmentally ignorant release of what is undoubtedly, the greatest car driving experience to visit the console world.

Those expecting a quantum leap forward in this release will be disappointed, however the multitudes of people eagerly anticipating the kind of clever twists and darkly humorous social commentary Lionhead excel in will not come away empty handed. The trip to Albion is well worth the price of admission.

As if it weren't clear by the title, Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance indulges the ridiculous. This entry into the now-hallowed franchise is one of the very best.

The best experience with this title will be had by someone who enjoyed Dragon Age: Origins until the very end.

A truly spectacular soccer title with exceptional player animations, ball handling and gameplay to boot. The AI will provide a significant challenge, but the implementation of one of the most advanced and complete online modes will mean that this game will truly last you a long time.

Much will no doubt be made of the similarity between Reckoning and Skyrim, but both offer sufficiently different experiences to keep all RPG fans attentive. Those growing weary of Skyrim can certainly look to Reckoning to provide another world in which to become wholly absorbed, and although not professing quite the sophistication or polish of Bethesda's juggernaut, there's plenty here to cause Hallmark to run out of "I'm Sorry, Please Forgive Me" Valentines cards this year.

Rock Band is more than a simple video game, it's a highly interactive social experience. There's enough depth and fun here to keep you and your friends entertained for months. A must-have for the festive season!

A thoroughly entertaining game that has a wide appeal for young and old. The low level of violence and simplicity of challenge makes it easy to play. A good solid family game that we highly recommend.

A good solid soccer title which builds on previous EA soccer titles. Some glitches here and there and a high learning curve means you will need to stick at it, and might put off newcomers to the series. But an incredible match and graphics engine help to make up for this.

Beaterator represents a challenging diversification for Rockstar, who perhaps know more about beating people up. Having said that, this pint-sized music creation title sure packs a punch.

We loved the wireless aspect of the Wii Fit board. While the unit is quite pricey, it's still much cheaper than a gym membership and far more engaging – plus the whole family can use it. Overall it's a fantastic investment.

Genius in it's simplicity, this collection will allow you to revisit your favourite titles from yesteryear, albeit with a few notable exceptions.

Together these features make Skate 3 a robust installment in the series and without a doubt, the best skating game currently on shelves. But whether there’s enough here to draw in new audiences is another matter.

If you like your games huge with a sort of sandbox feel to them then you definitely can't go wrong with Yakuza 3.

Why they've decided to take one of their hallowed intellectual properties and tamper with it – to make it ape the games of two upstream platforms that are just now trying to slink downstream – is anyone's guess.

World War II is coming back into your living room with Hell's Highway, a solid, squad-based tactical shooter. Aside from some minor glitches and a lack of decent multiplayer the game is stunning, with a movie-like story that is gripping and emotional. A must buy for WWII shooter fans, and fans of the series.

This is no ordinary platformer, with a strong focus on racing wacky vehicles that you create yourself from more than a hundred different parts that you find. The ability to build these vehicles - planes, helicopters, submarines, boats, racing cars and more - is truly amazing. Overall a huge amount of fun at a very low price point!

In spite of speculation that EA MMA would be dead on arrival there's a very satisfactory entry here, one worthy of any fighting gamer's consideration and one EA would be remiss to abandon next year.

Scribblenauts is an example of what can be achieved when you put aside HD, Hollywood effects and cinematic cut scenes to concentrate on innovative gameplay instead. An instant classic, and new contender for Game of the Year.

Dead or Alive: Dimensions is a solid 3D fighting game. From the lush character animations, to the swift and responsive control scheme, the game shines with polish. Being the first Dead or Alive game to exist on a Nintendo platform, Team Ninja have pulled out all the stops and delivered a comprehensive title. You have access to 25 discrete fighters and the moves and combos that come with them, each with multiple costumes and unique special and sound effects.

Great puzzle game for those who want to stretch their grey cells. The artwork is fabulous, the level design devious - it has everything you need to while away a rainy weekend.

Genius in it's simplicity, this collection will allow you to revisit your favourite titles from yesteryear, albeit with a few notable exceptions.

Worms: Reloaded is a very welcome return to form for Team 17. Reprising the game's classic 2D battlefields, Reloaded pits two customisable platoons of comic worms against one another in hilarious trajectory-based warfare.

Lego Batman 2 is packed with fun DC Universe content, tricky puzzles and compulsive collecting, but it's let down by the repetitive and often tedious combat mechanics. It's virtually impossible to fail, making the real challenge one of player interest. Combined with clunky controls, there's enough wrong to prevent this game from becoming a Lego classic.

A solid effort but not particularly original.

High Moon's love for the subject matter clearly shines through, so it's a shame that Fall of Cybertron stumbles in a few areas. Transformers fans will still have a blast with the game, but underneath the chrome chassis this is just another compentent shooter. Fall of Cybertron falls short of finally doing the Transformers universe justice, but although it may be faint praise, it is definitely the best Transformers game yet.

WipEout 2048 may not have a particularly challenging multiplayer campaign, and it may have particularly challenging loading times, but that's not to say it's a failure. The singleplayer component alone is worth the time and money, easy to access, difficult to master, and deeply satisfying to play; combined with stunning graphics and the surprising presence of a pervasive artistic statement – rare in video-games generally, let alone racing games – 2048 is a fascinating and entertaining beast.

Some of the jokes can be hit or miss, and the inventory management system leaves something to be desired but DeathSpank is a well presented, highly amusing loot-crawling adventure.

For a title with a famous author's name brandished on its cover like a medal of honour, frankly, Future Soldier's writing stinks. There's little to recommend the singleplayer experience, but ironically, those heading online to the plot-free pleasures of team multiplayer will discover the game's true strengths.

In fairness, the fairytale nature of The Unfinished Swan's story strongly suggests that this is a game aimed at a younger audience, and when considered in that light, it does well to introduce the basics of the puzzle genre at a level that children will easily pick up. Unlike the best children's stories, however, there isn't much going on beneath the surface, and those intrigued by the game's unique premise will be left wishing there was more to it than just a few clever ideas.

This is a development team that listens. Taking the good from the original and cutting or fixing the bad. It still carries all the horror spliced with comedy from the first and creates a world that intrigues, entertains and disgusts in equal measure.

EA and DICE took a risk with Mirror's Edge, but ultimately it has paid off. This is an exciting title with a great premise, and despite a few minor issues we could be looking at a fantastic foundation for future sequels.

FlatOut 2 has been given a light dusting over by Bugbear and released in a pretty new frock. It's hard to decide between rage and disappointment.

A fair instalment in the series that should leave fans happy enough but eager to move on.

End of the day, it's a must for fans of Golden Sun or indeed any fan of portable RPG games.

A good solid soccer title which builds on previous EA soccer titles. Some glitches here and there and a high learning curve means you will need to stick at it, and might put off newcomers to the series. But an incredible match and graphics engine help to make up for this.

It may lack the open-world versatility of S.T.A.L.K.E.R and Fallout 3, the weapon diversity and sheer madness of Borderlands, yet it manages to provide thrilling corridor action and surprisingly well crafted racing that reasserts id's lofty position in the studio charts.

Although it was released nearly a year ago in Japan, Tales of Vesperia still represents good value for money. It's a fun, quirky JRPG that provides hours of entertainment for the whole family. If this genre is your kind of thing, you could do a lot worse.

Fat Princess is hugely entertaining, however communication problems may prevent the game from retaining a large fanbase.

The experience is silly, charming, engaging and fun - the best LEGO game to date.

Arctic Edge for the PSP is a capable racer with plenty of spills and thrills for those well versed in the genre.

The fact that this game offers so much content - much more than many releases today - and all for an extremely low 800 Marketplace Points, I have to say, check out the demo: you may be pleasantly surprised.

While there have been refinements, the core Gears machinery whirs on through another solid singleplayer campaign. More has been altered in the game's multiplayer component, but it's finally a case of diminishing returns for the cornerstone franchise.

Essentially, if you're relatively new to golfing simulations then I'd highly recommend starting with Tiger Woods PGA Tour 10 or even 09. If you're a seasoned player who wants to cast off the training wheels and take that step up in realism then Tiger Woods PGA Tour 11 is the game you've been waiting for.

A great remake of a timeless classic. The pure arcade gameplay that was loved by so many, in a new revamped package that will appeal to modern gamers the world over.

Fans of the original game seeking more of the same will not be disappointed, however overall the game lacks the underlying menace of the original. There's a good first person shooter to be had, but it lacks the fire and innovation of the original.

It's not that Settlers 7, when viewed in it's entirety, is a necessarily bad game. The difficulty curve will be seen as a challenge for the more grizzled player, and having a challenge is obviously preferable to a cake-walk. It's more that the game doesn't really know what it wants to be.

EA and DICE took a risk with Mirror's Edge, but ultimately it has paid off. This is an exciting title with a great premise, and despite a few minor issues we could be looking at a fantastic foundation for future sequels.

However, it is hard not to think more could have been done to capitalise on the improvements that have been made and make this year's Madden a milestone title. Instead Madden NFL 2012 is, well, 'just' another Madden title.

An old school JRPG in funky, next-gen clothing. Jaded fans of the genre will love the new features.

Over all, it is one of the more enjoyable Wii games out there, certainly the most adult in its humour, and I didn't feel like an idiot playing it. I recommend it to anyone who has ever enjoyed an on-rails shooter.

Prototype is a carefully constructed action title with one of the best stories we've seen this year. Despite a couple of minor faults, the gameplay is fast and fluid, and the characters presented are compelling enough to make you care.

Apollo Justice carries on the addictive game play of its predecessors. It is suited well to those who enjoy watching the many different crime and courtroom shows that are so popular on television these days, and also to those who enjoy a good story-based game that requires concentration and awareness.

Donkey Kong Jungle Beat on the Wii is a fantastic reappearance of a fantastic original.

It would have been nice to have seen Call of Duty evolve with more determination over the last four years. Perhaps a newer engine, a longer campaign, or a change of location outside of those already featured. But it's hard to deny that Call of Duty – the Modern Warfare brand in particular – is a product of its own success, and a product of its consumer appeal. It exists in the way it does because it sells, and it sells because it's predictable.

Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed is a fantastic racer. The tracks and racers are great, and the controls – small jet niggles aside – are excellent.

Perfect for old-school Sonic fans.

It's what the pack shot suggests - an honest paint-by-numbers shooter set in the Old West. The story might be over too soon, but the multiplayer will hold your attention for much longer. A definite improvement over the original Call of Juarez.

Equally as good on PC as it is on the Xbox 360. You’ll have trouble tearing the kids away from it, let alone yourself.

The potential was there, but Ghostbusters The Video Game is not as good as it might have been. It's fun when it is a ghost-capturing game, but the addition of third-person shooter elements spoils it.

It's still faithfully wedded to its classical framework, but by manipulating the way the audience thinks about what has always been one of the most arbitrary elements of the Super Mario Bros. series, it makes the game even more of a challenge than before. There are new dangers to confront and new reasons to repeat worlds, and this prompted seachange in the way we think about Mario yields results both fascinating and entertaining.

EA's Grand Slam Tennis packs in everything you would expect from a well made tennis title.

Dead Space 3 is an enjoyable action game, but it's unlikely to make a lasting impression.

If you want an RTS that requires a command to be issued every second then you're still going to need that PC, but in the meantime R.U.S.E. in an acceptable distraction for those willing to skirmish online.

A fast paced, fluid tennis simulation. The steep learning curve will put off those wanting a quick, arcade tennis bash, but if you take the time to learn the game it is a rewarding, fun experience.

A good solid soccer title which builds on previous EA soccer titles. Some glitches here and there and a high learning curve means you will need to stick at it, and might put off newcomers to the series. But an incredible match and graphics engine help to make up for this.

Mafia II is tightly story-driven, extremely linear in execution, and designed to drive the player through a cinematic experience that is the very essence of the game. The world compliments the story, it's not designed offer much beyond the fifteen or so hours of gameplay inherent in the plot.

Some will prefer the gameplay of PES 2011 to its EA Sports counterpart (certainly more players than would have in 2010). However, for casual fans and trainspotters alike, the depth and breadth of leagues in FIFA 2011, combined with its continued high-quality gameplay, will leave PES waiting until 2012 for another shot at the title of top football franchise.

A truly spectacular soccer title with exceptional player animations, ball handling and gameplay to boot. The AI will provide a significant challenge, but the implementation of one of the most advanced and complete online modes will mean that this game will truly last you a long time.

Simply put, anyone with a capable PC should download this and try it.

Project Zero 2 is a functional game, but it's really nothing to write home about. It's a great concept poorly executed and even though it has been slightly updated, it still plays as it did a decade ago.

An excellent example of an expansion that does exactly what it should - iron out deficiencies and add a bunch more content without ruining the gameplay.

Singularity cherry-picks the best concepts from a wide range of FPS titles and stitches them together in a credible, and ultimately successful way.

A whimsical top-down return to arcade classics of yore, complete with suitable sound effects and clever integration of satellite imagery. A nice distraction, but unlikely to hold your attention for long.

Retro fans will feel acknowledged and loved but everyone else may miss the hype.

As the box says - if you can't wait until "Starcraft 2", then you should give Universe at War a shot.

All but the hardest kernel of strategy fans may be overwhelmed by the micromanagement required and jaded by the long hours of meticulous planning that precede any action, but Hearts of Iron III isn’t designed with casual players in mind. Fans of the series and the genre will find much to be excited about.

A worthy RTS game, but not a worthy successor to the crown.

A thoroughly entertaining game that has a wide appeal for young and old. The low level of violence and simplicity of challenge makes it easy to play. A good solid family game that we highly recommend.

A meticulously detailed World War One flight and combat simulator that will entertain and enthral devotees with its period accuracy.

Liars and Cheats is the third downloadable content pack for Rockstar's Red Dead Redemption. The pack contains a variety of new features to expand the Free Roam multiplayer world including player vs. player poker and liar's dice. The pack also adds a new multiplayer game mode called Stronghold and introduces horse racing.

A solid squad based war simulator, with an amazing open world and stunning draw distance.

Those not yet completely jaded by zombie movies and games will find Dead Nation a very agreeable game, especially those looking for a reasonably challenging top-down shooter.

But all this said, the game is only US $15, and although hugely infuriating at times, still manages to offer up several hours of cerebral entertainment. Bonus points should be awarded if anyone can play the thing through to the end without turning off the background music, which has clearly been lifted from an elevator in a Disney building somewhere, or not pausing to reflect how inappropriate and darkly sadistic it is to caption each death screen with numerically catergorised examples of what deceased children will never experience.

Red Alert 3 builds well on its predecessors. The console iteration does feel cluttered and hampered by an overloaded controller, but the game itself is great. RTS's on consoles seem like they are here to stay, and Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3 is certainly not to be sniffed at, particularly if you are a fan of the series.

Fun for all ages. While there's nothing new to speak of, fans of the GameCube version may enjoy a revisit; however those who missed Pikmin the first time around will get the most bang for their buck.

An exceptional console RTS that solves the problem of having to use a controller to quickly respond to on-screen action. Great graphics and a true sense of an epic global conflict make this one of the best RTS titles to arrive on any console. The online multiplayer mode is a real highlight allowing you to engage in battles that change the face of Europe and the US.

Putting aside the disappointments of PES 2009, on the pitch, the game is still the most realistic football sim on the market. I don’t believe the PES franchise is getting any worse, rather that EA’s FIFA franchise is barking at its heels and surpassing it in some areas.

There's a lot here for fans of the Transformers to admire, but strip away the pop culture veneer and War for Cybertron is a slightly above par entry in the annals of gaming.

The Gunstringer spins a familiar yarn – a double-crossed outlaw is back from the grave and out for revenge – but the conceit that it's all a play (complete with cuts to a live audience whooping and hollering a victory or booing the introduction of a corrupt banker) works brilliantly, and it's impossible to participate without a grin mysteriously emerging where a player's game-face scowl normally resides. Fun and funny, it shows that perhaps Kinect has a use beyond dance and exercise games after all.