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

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.

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.

Brilliant.

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.

Though it sometimes struggles to reconcile its genre-constrained combat with its lofty storytelling goals, BioShock Infinite exhibits ambition and a boldness of theme rarely seen in FPS titles.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

In the strict application, and importance, of strategy in regard to your success, Rome: Total War is to most other strategy games what chess is to tic-tac-toe. Far from flawless, Rome is, unquestionably, an enjoyable and immersive game.

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

It's amusing and playful but Little Big Planet 2's clunky controls still ruin what could have been a wonderfully whimsical experience. Catered more to the creator than the platformer, Sack Boy is still a delight to play with.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.'

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.

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.

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.

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

Still the best game of footie around and the one the vast majority of people are going to be playing until this time next year.

More focused than Total War has been in awhile, but still as strategic and deep as the series has ever been.

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

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

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 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.

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 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.

As enjoyable as it is reverential, Enemy Unknown is a superb reimagining of a favourite series from days past.

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.

Despite the quality of the combat, the emphasis on gameplay options, the diverse set of augmentations and the substantial side-missions, what will stay with me about Human Revolution is its focus on creating a rich, believable world filled with interesting characters, themes and conflicting ideals. The mere fact that it aims for such lofty narrative heights is commendable, the fact that it achieves them is worthy of celebration.

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.

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.

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.

As a whole package Call of Duty is soundly, confidently and expertly put together.

Our test team had one little niggle about the play diagrams. We would have loved to see detailed explanations of the plays, perhaps even with animations. It can be daunting for newcomers to see the arcane drawings - the lines, the symbols, the quirky names - and then have to understand and employ them effectively.

A brilliant example of how to blend gameplay, narrative and setting. Highly recommended.

So yes, if you can deal with some rather heavy themes which range through drugs/murder/prostitution/domestic abuse/slavery/rape, then Far Cry 3 is something you should absolutely buy. It's got flaws, but none of them change the fact that it's a fascinating exploration (both physical and analytical) of a beautiful environment that hides a rotten core. And if you're not into that, then hey, it's also a really good open-world shooter.

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.

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.

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

Despite limited additions over last year, NHL 11 is not only the finest ice hockey game available today but one of the finest sports titles period. A wonderful achievement and one that sport gaming fans owe it to themselves to try.

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

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.

With so much to do and the ability to do it at your own pace, Pirates! is the rare game that can entertain almost everyone.

Despite not improving on FIFA 10 as much as we had hoped this is the most realistic football game to date and irons out many of the issues from last season. The most authentic football title available today and one that hardcore footie fans will love.

In many ways this feels like a total conversion of Bad Company 2's multiplayer, which changes the way the game plays a surprising amount. Not everyone will welcome this, but there's certainly a lot to love.

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.

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.

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.

Fresh enough to be relevant, traditional enough to remain nostalgic.

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.

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

If you've finished Red Dead Redemption and want more from the single-player, you are absolutely in the right place.

If you're buying for the single-player, you'll be satisfied. If you're buying for the multiplayer, you'll be happy. If you're buying for both, you'll be moreso.

Overall, MLB 12: The Show is another solid installment of the baseball franchise that any fan of the sport will love. Sony took some risks in the gameplay department, which I particularly didn't care for. However, after switching to the ones I prefer it was just like last year's version.

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

The bottom line here is that Pandora Tomorrow is a care taker game. A filler. The starters course before the main meal. If you go silly for sneaking or are hungry for hiding in shadows then by all means pick this up and have a quiet, tip toeing blast.

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

It offers a beguiling mix of arcade action and serious simulation.

I was hoping to be wowed again. For now, I will just wait to see what the mod community can do to entice me to keep this game on my hard drive.

Sure, you can dig out your old Tribes titles to fulfill the same craving, but Hi-Rez has provided a contemporary alternative that's free at the point of entry and not exactly costly to pick up long-term. That's something of a triumph.

Mortal Kombat is not a game that will satisfy beat 'em up enthusiasts for long – it doesn't have the required depth and there are too many momentum swinging variables that prevent skilled players from achieving the winning percentage they deserve. For everyone else though, it's a whole lot of fun. It's silly. It's crude. It's easy to learn. And, as a result, it's eminently charming and easy to like.

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.

It’s hard to fault a game that's as bold and unpredictable as We Love Katamari.

I was not totally disappointed with Fight Night Round 3, but I did walk away feeling like something was missing.

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.

I’ve always been more of an action oriented gamer, with little patience for the pacing and resource management of RTS games. However, Warhammer 40k: Dawn of War provides a gaming experience that I enthusiastically endorse.

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.

This is the first entry of a rebooted franchise and it’s a really, really good one. There’s still plenty of room for both Lara and the game to grow, and I’m eager to see these mechanics – and Lara’s character – evolve as this series hopefully continues.

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

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

Runner 2 is a bit of a one-trick pony, but it’s a trick that’s done so flawlessly and with such variation that I don’t mind seeing it again and again.

There's enjoyment in the game's mechanics, in the way it hones your abilities until you're a taut, efficient, angel of death, but little joy to be found in the unraveling of your subconscious and the consequences of your new-found talents.

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.

A fast, flashy, exhilarating fighter that largely manages to combine aesthetic wizardry with technical gameplay. High-level SFIV players are unlikely to be won over but everyone else should be suitably impressed.

There are a few bugs that should have been ironed out pre-release but nothing significant enough to take away from the core gameplay. This hack-n-slash is a must have for any RPG lover.

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

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

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.

Submission system issues aside, UFC Undisputed 3 is a great recreation of an incredibly complex sport. Compared to a TV broadcast, fights can still feel slightly mechanical but perhaps that's a symptom of videogames in general rather than the design of this particular one. If you like the UFC, this one's a no-brainer.

The Imperial Guard wasn’t the most obvious choice for Assault, but it seems to fit in just right. There’s enough to love about their style of play for beginners and veterans alike.

For the most part, I'm deeply impressed. In terms of sheer gameplay mechanics SWTOR is a WoW-alike, yes, but it's a highly polished WoW-alike, and that does make a difference.

Crysis 2 is an exciting, slick, entertaining experience that puts most recent FPS releases to shame. It may not be the ground breaking experience some were hoping for but it manages to move the series forward enough to just about satisfy any Nano Suit cravings.

Virtua Tennis isn’t quite the killer app for the PSP but it earns itself the honor of being one of the first definitive sports title for Sony’s handheld.

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

One of the most innovative things about this game is the fact that you can now take your custom maps online and swap them with other players.

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.