Despite the difficulty and the uncompromising approach of From Software, what makes Dark Souls so special is the sense of accomplishment that it generates when you get things just right. There's never a moment when the game feels unfair, even the most abrupt (seemingly random) deaths are preceded by some kind of warning.

A stunningly constructed action game that puts the competition to shame. The quality comes not only from its individual elements, but from the seamless manner in which they're connected. Essential.

A bare-bones port can't sully one of the outstanding titles of this generation.

Bigger, crazier and more diverse than original. A role-playing shooter that raises the bar for both RPGs and shooters. Wonderful.

£12 for this level of perfectly-crafted entertainment is an absolute steal.

Guild Wars will be in my hard drive for a very long time. I anticipate that this game probably will pull quite a few people away from the pay-per month MMORPG’s that are currently out there and will develop a very strong following.

The graphics in Oblivion have to be seen to be believed. Screenshots do not do the game justice. This game deserves a "game of the year" nod just for its artistic beauty.

The most impressive and useful feature of DOA is the ability to counter an advance by another fighter. Bear in mind that countering requires precise timing and practice is the only way to perfect this art. I am still learning.

Brilliant.

By concentrating on iteration rather than re-design, Valve have created a sequel that improves upon the original and yet stays true to its memory. The puzzles, the story and the expert way in which players are taught to use the new tools all combine to create what is very possibly the most absorbing game the puzzle genre has ever seen.

Bastion does plenty of talkin' for itself, and it's all worth payin' attention to. Been a long time since a game came along with a story this well told, too. For those who need it, the combat's smart and satisfying; sharp as a machete and firey as a mortar. There's a world out there to discover, rich and unique. Seems to me that should be something worth your while.

So while there are problems this game is still a cracker. It's one of those games that reminds PC gamers why they prefer PC gaming over console.

The water effects are incredible and the attention to detail in the graphics engine is unbelievable. The sound in the game is well done and the music fits perfectly.

Polished and full of the “little things” that take a game from good to great. I do not think there will be any fan of the Sims series that will disappointed with this title.

The environments in Doom 3 are exceptional. The lighting and lack thereof is so well composed that, given the appropriate system, you will bleed into that reality. It does not look like a game.

When it’s all said and done, Battlefield 2 is one of those games that justifies upgrading ones computer and splurging for the sometimes-pricey broadband connection. It’s a fulfilling experience through and through.

When it’s all said and done, Galactic Civilizations II strives to be an in-depth strategy game that creates a unique universe with an AI smart enough to compete. It not only meets that goal but surpasses it with ease.

Very well conceived and produced. I am not sure if any but the most die-hard naval sim fans will be able to truly appreciate what they have at their fingertips when playing.

Since the game was released I've had a cracking time with GRAW, it's a fantastic 360 title, and while I wished the single player campaign was a little longer, it does offer everything you could hope for.

Although I have tried to avoid saying it, Joint Operation: Typhoon Rising beats "BF1942", period.

I was treated to an excellent flight simulation, a deep level of customization, nice looking graphics and a sense of accomplishment when I was able to perform satisfactorily in some of the more challenging elements of the program (try formation flying).

Keeping with the tradition of earlier Elder Scrolls games, there are quite literally miles of terrain to explore. Thankfully Oblivion has a built in teleport option which allows you to instantly travel to any area you’ve uncovered.

A worthy sign off from Bungie who create another masterpiece to end its tenure with the Halo series.

One of the absolute best fighting games on the market, catering to button-mashers and league competitors alike.

A game well worth playing. It lasts much longer than any game should have to, squeezing out new experiences wherever possible.

Without question one of the finest racing games available today. Fantastic.

Uncompromising in design and steeped in car loving snobbery, GT5 is a petrol head's dream. For gamers it's good, for car enthusiasts it's quite brilliant.

Super Meat Boy ScreenTight controls, a fantastic cartoon presentation, a huge amount of stuff to do, a difficulty so well-judged that it rarely feels unfair, and a speedy respawn that gives an intense one-more-go feel add up to make this an absolute must-have for anyone with a 360 who doesn't mind a challenge and who enjoys platform games.

If you're thinking about picking up a copy of L.A. Noire (and I recommend that you do), don't judge it as you would other third-person, open-world games. It's not trying to be a new GTA, Red Dead or Saint's Row. It's not about action, it's about investigating. It's not about changing the course of history, it's about experiencing a history. It's not about random encounters, it's about planning, watching and reading encounters. That may not sound like many people's cup of tea at first, but stick with it and you'll reap the rewards.

If you're thinking about picking up a copy of L.A. Noire (and I recommend that you do), don't judge it as you would other third-person, open-world games. It's not trying to be a new GTA, Red Dead or Saint's Row. It's not about action, it's about investigating. It's not about changing the course of history, it's about experiencing a history. It's not about random encounters, it's about planning, watching and reading encounters. That may not sound like many people's cup of tea at first, but stick with it and you'll reap the rewards.

The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings is everything the first game should've been and more. Combat is swift and brutal. The graphics are gorgeous and the animations flows. The unfolding plot is well-written and compelling. It's shorter than its predecessor, but there's more replayability than in pretty much any other RPG in recent memory. Don't get me wrong – The Witcher 2 demands a lot of the player, in terms of both understanding the combat and understanding the plot – but for those willing to put in time and effort, this is a must.

This game has kept me glued to the screen longer than any other MMORPG and that's down to the fun-factor.

A huge improvement over the first game. There is enough content to keep even the most die-hard fan playing for a long time. Take it online, and the replay value is seemingly endless.

The way New Vegas' story plays out is incredibly immersive, providing a real sense that you're playing a key part in shaping the future of the world. It's not a million miles away from Fallout 3 but it's big, crazy and very entertaining and that's all that really matters.

An incredibly slick, enjoyable game and one that places the franchise right back at the peak of the genre. If you like arcade style racers you're going to love this.

A beautifully crafted game that more than lives up to the expectations that arise with any Castlevania release. This is an epic, stylish and enormously entertaining adventure that deserves to be played by anybody with a passing interest in the genre or the series. Applause is in order.

Wacky characters, inspired design and engrossing gameplay make Beyond Good & Evil HD as relevant today as it was eight years ago. Do yourself a favour and grab a copy.

Fantastic. Probably the finest tennis game ever made - combining flair and accessibility with a level of depth that the competition has come nowhere near matching. Thanks to Top Spin 4, tennis games are relevant again. Very relevant.

Outland is fast, it's fluid, it's unbelievably gorgeous, and it's got some of the finest level and boss design I've seen in a long time. If you fondly remember the days of sitting down in front of your NES or Mega Drive or Amiga with a new platformer, or if you recall Flashback, Strider, Castlevania, Metroid, Ninja Gaiden, or anything else I've name-dropped in this review, you shouldn't hesitate to pick this up immediately.

With frequent updates, it is obvious that they are trying to get this title as far to the front of the pack as possible. Only time will tell just how “massive” this MMORPG game will become.

It's quicker, less fussy and has that all important fun-factor that I think is essential for any subscription based game.

I'll admit it took a little getting into this game, after about 5 or 6 missions it managed to pull be in and have me hankering for more. The gameplay is addictive thanks to the mix of strategy elements.

A gem of an expansion for a jewel of a game. It improves upon the original without rethinking it too much. The basic mechanics are maintained and the improvements serve to make the game more playable.

Although FirePower is merely a companion to CFS3, it consumes the original. The flight models, missions, graphics, sound and damage modeling dominate every nook and cranny. If you already own Microsoft Combat Flight Simulator 3, do yourself a favor and buy this add-on. If you do not already own CFS3, buy it, install it, and make it perfect with FirePower.

The different styles employed within the game: stealth, shooting, psychic abilities means this will be enjoyed by many different gamers, whether they love their Timesplitters, their Tomb Raiders or their Metal Gear Solids.

This is, by far, the most fun and accessible Splinter Cell title to date.

An exhilarating experience and the best new game I’ve played in months.

The voice acting is done on a very professional level and doesn’t sound scripted or forced.

The settings enable you to play either a relatively easy game war, or, for the hardcore submarine fan, enjoy a situation in which you are responsible for literally every aspect of the submarine’s function.

It doesn’t reinvent the wheel by any means, but the tight controls and fantastic visuals combine to make this a game that you won’t want to miss out on.

06 has also improved on last years manager mode. Here you get to take charge of any team in the world during a 15-year career. You’ll have eight staff members you can upgrade as you make more money, a management board to answer to, sponsors to deal with and even newspaper interviews to give. Sheer class.

The extra encouragement during online races, addition of editable clips and increased visual goodness may not justify an additional purchase for people who bought it for their Xbox or PS2 but for those who waited to see how the 360 version would turn out the choice is obvious.

Don’t let any of that bad-mouthing of the control scheme deter you from buying one of the best PSP sports games available today.

Its properly configured controls and simple interface make it relatively easy to pick up and play.

A unique skill system, intriguing characters, and seemingly endless exploration await anyone willing to stay up to the wee hour playing this addictive title. I have played it obsessively since loading it, and I am just getting started.

With plenty of top-quality content to indulge in, this is far from the lazy sequel many were expecting.

Namco Bandai once again shows us how to take your old properties and make them relevant and fun for modern audiences. Top notch.

Great (and funny) writing, well designed quests, respect for the player's intelligence and an open approach to character creation make The Dragon Knight Saga an outstanding.

Tense, intense, and surprisingly replayable: Dead Space 2 is in every way a worthy successor to the excellent first game, and probably the finest game in the genre since Resi 4.

Brain-achingly clever and hypnotically fascinating, SpaceChem is a must for any puzzle aficionado or anyone with a passing interest in programming.

In combining traditional events with those (like Gymkhana) that videogames have not before attempted, DiRT 3 manages to feel both fresh and traditional. Codemasters have been churning out top-quality racing games for a long time now and their experience ring through in the way they've expertly crafted and balanced distinct modes of play into one cohesive whole.

In combining traditional events with those (like Gymkhana) that videogames have not before attempted, DiRT 3 manages to feel both fresh and traditional. Codemasters have been churning out top-quality racing games for a long time now and their experience ring through in the way they've expertly crafted and balanced distinct modes of play into one cohesive whole.

As I said earlier, Arcade Edition is the finest outing of the series. Capcom have said that this third edition of the game is to be its final outing which, is both a relief and a shame.

Aside from those minor complaints, The Adventures of Shuggy is a superb 2D platformer deserving of a much wider audience (the leaderboards paint a slightly depressing picture of the game's sales to date). Smudged Cat Games have created a game with heart, intelligence and a mansion-load of well-applied ideas.

Gears of War 3 is a brilliant piece of blockbuster game design that shows, when in the right hands, the 360 still has more to give. More than that though, this is a fittingly spectacular finale to the Marcus Fenix trilogy and evidence that no matter how loud, how brash, how violent a game may be it can still be intelligent and emotionally affecting.

Aside from improved visuals and the (admittedly rather welcome) handling changes, there's no radical departure from the TrackMania formula here. If you read that as a criticism then, well, maybe you've already overdosed on previous releases. For everyone coming fresh to the track, TM2 is a rapid-paced, rapid-restart extravaganza and still an absolute delight.

Once again, Fifa redefines what we expect from a football sim. Improved defensive systems and physics, along with expanded game modes, result in an even more beautiful 'beautiful game.'

If you're looking for a realistic, thoughtful and exhaustive recreation of the beautiful game then Fifa 12 is the best option you've ever had.

The core gameplay is well designed and executed and there's plenty to do if you fancy a change of pace. With the FPS genre currently defined and dominated by standardised modern-military shooters, Rage comes as a very welcome breath of fresh air.

If the style doesn't put you off, buy this. Now.

A massive game boasting near endless replay value alongside all manner of improvements over previous entries in the series. The best racing sim of this generation.

No matter what though, what can't be denied is the quality and entertainment-factor of the overall product. Whether you like Batman or not, you'll find much to like here. In the matter of only two games, Rocksteady has managed to create a Batman franchise that provides us with not only the best videogame incarnation of the Caped Crusader, but the best videogame incarnation of any superhero.

The Missing Link is inessential in terms of how it affects the main Human Revolution narrative, but it's a well constructed, self-contained chapter with terrific level design that's comparable (in places superior) to the base game.

The bottom line is that, most of the time, Skyrim is a genuinely amazing game.

Any game that lets you play as an obese woman with metallic skin, purple Mohawk, pink thong, no top and a love for streaking and slapping guys around the face with a giant purple dildo bat is okay in my book. If intelligence is cyclical then Saints Row The Third is so dumb that it's smart.

Considering Halo Combat Evolved Anniversary is being sold at a reduced price, I really can't see any reason not to take the plunge given how well the gameplay still holds up and the tender way in which it's been repackaged. Whether you're a veteran looking to experience the original magic for a second time or a newcomer wondering what all the fuss is about, this is an excellent package.

Great level design, glorious visuals, and a fantastic backing track come together to create a very special package indeed.

As with many other HD collections, this triple-pack offers the definitive way to play some truly classic titles. Series veterans and newcomers now have the opportunity to experience these games in HD, and it shouldn't be missed.

For all intents and purposes, Catherine makes a mockery of the term video 'game' and what most people associate with the term. Yes, Catherine is a game, but it's also so much more than that. By placing you so elegantly into Vincent's world, and doing so in a way that makes you feel as though you are Vincent as opposed to 'just' playing as him, Catherine manages a level of intrigue so rare in the boxed console game space.

An impressively strong showing from 38 Studios. Considering it's an original IP, the team have created a wonderful world for us to explore, and it wont be going anywhere. From the fantastic combat to the polished visuals and audio design, this title has so much to offer. The comparisons in quality to Skyrim shouldn't be laughed at - Reckoning is the first title to offer a legitimate challenge to the Elder Scrolls juggernaut.

In short, Crusader Kings II is a majestic feudal sandbox, the greatest generator of hilarious medieval soap opera ever created and Paradox Interactive's best title to date.

A brilliant port of the home console game that arguably works better on the Vita's screen than it does on a TV. One of the best platforms in years.

A brilliantly executed piece of interactive design that never fails to entice and engage. Thatgamecompany's best work yet.

After plenty of hype, I'm pleased to say Street Fighter X Tekken delivers spectacularly. Capcom continue to evolve the fighting genre by installing original gameplay mechanics, all of which welcome newcomers and series aficionados alike.

The less-than spectacular combat does little to diminish what is ultimately a spectacular experience. As a finale to Shepard's quest it's fulfilling, engaging and packing enough depth to keep you very much on the edge of your seat and wanting more from the universe.

Visually engaging and packing enough variety to see you through to the end and beyond. Proof that, in right hands, classic side-scrolling shooters are far from dead.

Full of personality with a lot to offer beat 'em up newcomers and veterans alike.

Absolutely one of the best linear RPGs available on any platform, and it's now on your 360.

The best XBLA game available today. A wonderful accomplishment that you shouldn't overlook.

In short, Minecraft 360 is a slightly older, self-contained version of Minecraft. It has a deftly handled new user-interface and control scheme, a guided version of the crafting system, a handy tutorial and split-screen co-op; none of which the PC release can offer.

An expert blend of cinematic storytelling and flamboyant action, weaved together by a team with a clear passion for the genre and the content. Payne never felt so good.

As with most things from Blizzard, Diablo III is a masterclass of game design and polish, and I suspect it's going to eat the lives of many, many gamers for some time to come.

A unique, compelling experience that will reward your sense of adventure if you indulge its charms.

As attractive in motion as it is in design, Unmechanical is a majestic 2.5D puzzler.

The best episode so far and easily the most emotional, personal and affecting.

An exquisitely designed MMO that contains something for everyone, without charging a monthly fee.

Another brilliant package, once again. A very serious contender for sports game of the year.

An ARPG with something for everyone, and at this price, you really have no excuse.