It is not often I get lost in a game like I did with Skyrim. Everything about this game screams quality and adventure. While Bethesda hasn't exactly got a track record for delivering bug-free games at launch, this has been a pleasant, polished and amazing experience so far. A much improved third-person view, amazing music, a living breathing world, a menu-system that's amazing and a game filled with interesting stuff to do. Truly a masterpiece.

Portal 2 expands on everything the first game did so well and makes it even better. Perfectly paced and adorably funny from start to finish, Portal 2 will keep on surprising you and challenge your wit right to the finish. In brief, everyone should play Portal 2, alone or with a friend.

Arkham City is a display of power. Its predecessor was one of the best licensed games ever, but it's as if Rocksteady has found another gear, just as we thought they were already running at top speed. It's an amazing game, and one of the greatest releases this year.

Improvements are everywhere, and if you've already played this gem on the N64, there's enough goodies here to warrant a re-visit. If you're new to the game, there's a whole world of experiences waiting for you. This is the reason to get a 3DS – it doesn't get any better than this.

It's been a year since Mass Effect 2 was first released, and it's remarkable how little has changed regarding its many qualities since then. The stories of Shepard and his crew is still as gripping and well-written, the enormous universe is still as interesting to explore, and the many battles are still as filled with action and tactical challenges. In other words, Mass Effect 2 is exactly as good today as it was a year ago, and the included bonuses more than make up for whatever little nitpicks you might have.

Everything from the pacing, to the artificial intelligence, to the graphics and the music are perfect. This is truly a masterpiece only deserving of the highest grade we can possibly give.

An amazingly well-crafted strategy experience. Not a lot of chances were taken, but Blizzard knows what works, and it shows. Addiction in a package and sublime strategy.

Better fighting. A great story. Amazing multiplayer. A brilliant ending and a masterpiece from Bioware.

A clever puzzle game with solid mechanics that cements Chillingo's position as one of the iOS heavyweights.

Nothing short of a masterpiece. A thrill-ride of intense action and breathtaking set-pieces guaranteed to put a goofy grin on your face. A must have for any PlayStation 3-owner.

The production values are incredible. This is truly an amazing game to look at. This time around the story feels a bit more like something you could get away with if it was a tv-series - too many loose ends and not something that fits a game release schedule. Drake is still great to look at, and the multiplayer is a blast. And you know more than anyone if that is enough for you.

Journey may be short, but it will leave you entranced for the entire ride. You will go from being mystified to intrigued to moved to much more. Throw out your expectations for platforming games and enjoy either the loneliness or the community in the desert of anonymity.

Neither Ico or Shadow of the Colossus can claim to be as unique or sensational as they were when they were first released, but can still offer plenty of magic for anyone in the mood for two good adventures – and they serve as an excellent warm-up for the upcoming The Last Guardian.

The undisputed king of racing on iOS devices. Playing Real Racing 2 HD brings back memories of the first time we tried Gran Turismo, only much better looking. If you're looking for a serious racing game for your iPad, nothing comes close to this.

A beautiful magnum opus. A modern shooter with polish and a sense of detail that makes Halo: Reach the new reference title for first person shooters. An engaging single player experience and a brilliant multiplayer game. One of the best shooters ever.

Forza 4 offers the most well rounded experience to date. It oozes of love for motorsports and car culture, while giving you easy access to the cars of your dreams on the most beautiful and and challenging tracks across the globe. It has enough width and depth to satisfy both arcade and simulation fans, and Forza 4 conquers the genre throne once and for all.

Gears of War 3 towers over its otherwise great predecessors with a campaign so finely tuned that you'll have a hard time putting the controller down. There's the same dissonance between the macho-wit of the characters and the bombastic drama that the series has always suffered from, but that is easily forgiven in light of the rock solid online component and the exemplary options for co-operative play. Shooters don't get much better than this, and if you own an Xbox 360, there's no reason not to get this game.

Oozes basketball atmosphere in a way that we've never seen in any other sports game. 2K Sports have made a game that's difficult to pick up if you're still a basketball virgin, but once you've learned all the moves, there's plenty to explore in this entertaining and challenging release.

Without a doubt the most elaborate, polished and streamlined expansion for Blizzards MMO-monster yet. Cataclysm is so well-done that it makes The Burning Crusade, the first expansion for the game, look crude and old fashioned by comparison. At the same time, though, it has an odd feel of finality to it. Like World of Warcraft is reaching the end of what it's capable of doing. The game is aging gracefully, but you have to wonder where it can go after this.

It's doubtful whether it's ever been possible to get more entertainment for your money than this, and the 1200 MS points will be well spent no matter what type of gamer you are.

Halfbrick knows the endless runner/one button platform genre like the back of their hand, and it shows. Jetpack Joyride hits all the right marks, and ends up being more addictive than cotton candy laced with cocaine.

LIMBO's puzzles are as devious as the game is gorgeous, this game will have you planted in your seat from beginning to end. Not a long story by any means, but buying this stylish adventure should still be a no-brainer.

Mark of the Ninja stands out as something special, not just compared to other Xbox Live Arcade titles, but to the stealth genre as a whole. A highly entertaining and clever stealth game that no genre fan should miss.

Dead Space 2 is an absolute treat for anyone who thinks there's to much goofing around and too little trembling with horror in today's games. And even if you're not exactly on the lookout for a scary game, Dead Space 2 still comes heartily recommended as it is a fantastic journey from start to finish with an enormous concentration of quality.

"Huge but accessible" is the best way to describe Civilization V. You could accuse it of sacrificing depth in favor of overview and clarity, but we choose to see it as a game trimmed down to the most essential and fun parts of the series. Civ is more relevant than ever.

A pleasure to play, pure Mario of the highest caliber. Doesn't quite reach the heights of the amazing Super Mario Galaxy 2, but still an excellent platformer, and a must have for 3DS owners.

Easily mingles with the best games of the year. It seamlessly carries the legacy of the original, and does so with flair and style. Most importantly it makes you think, which is all to rare nowadays.

A terrific recreation of the sport, where everything comes together brilliantly. The new controls are sharp, and you'll find yourself wanting to play just one more game in order to master a certain drible or improve your personal score record.