While still similar in many ways to Midnight Club 2, the two remain sufficiently different that neither negates the other.

Considering the sparse amount of survival horror titles on the Xbox, it's no surprise that Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly – Director's Cut drags itself to the top of the pile with ease.

Twenty quid for dozens of modifiable cars, 4 well realised cities and plenty of online and offline races is a good deal in anyone's book, and especially ours.

One of the most enjoyable if short-lived gameplay experiences. The game is practically a work of art, but that may not be enough for everyone.

In the end there’s no accounting for taste, but if you have any serious interest in MMORPGs, you owe it to yourself to at least try Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning.

If you’re on the market for a fighter then you could do a lot worse than MK:D. In fact, you’ll be hard pressed to do any better as this is a highly complete and well-rounded package with lots to keep you interested.

The effect that all this adds to the game is more a sense of realism than a sense of camaraderie. The harrowing, dangerous nature of war is shown here in its truest form in a video game.

There’s not much here that’s new, but at least it’s accomplished, and has been put together with style.

Blood Money may be tough, disappointingly short, and plagued by stupid NPCs, but there’s plenty of replay value and the discovery of new and unique methods of elimination make this a game that should sneak its way onto anyone’s shelves.

Very much a Ratchet & Clank game, just tweaked, refined and in some cases streamlined.

If you enjoyed either of the first two games, then know that while Two Thrones isn’t revolutionary, it does combine the best elements of both and is still a fitting and worthwhile conclusion to a superior trilogy.

If you enjoyed either of the first two games, then know that while Two Thrones isn’t revolutionary, it does combine the best elements of both and is still a fitting and worthwhile conclusion to a superior trilogy.

There’s no doubt that Quake Wars is a good deal of fun to play, and that counts for a lot, but in terms of winning and losing, it’s clear that the onus is primarily on the defending side to get and stay organised, as only then will the attackers need to do the same.

Although it's unlikely to usurp SingStar's title of ultimate party game, and is very unlikely to actually help you on your way to learning how to play a real guitar, Guitar Hero is a gaming experience that will take you to a place you’ll have never been to before.

The game is simply a pleasure to behold and a joy to play; but be warned that it’s a simple pleasure – possibly too simple for some – and there is an element of nostalgia in effect here.

There’s so much to do, so much to see and so many piñatas you can gently tap on the noggin with your mighty shovel it could keep anyone from 8 to 80 occupied until the moozipans come home.

It’s not as heavy on the role-playing as a subscription MMO, and it’s not usually as instantly gratifying as an online shooter, but it strikes a great balance for the casual MMO fan and the achievement-oriented action fan alike.

The multiplayer definitely benefits the most but all in all, one of the best and most disturbingly addictive games ever has just upped the stakes once again.

Crisis Core has everything a Final Fantasy VII fan would ever want: reams of backstory and exposition about Zack, hours of fun gaming in a familiar universe for a handheld console that causes horrible hand cramps, and most importantly of all, a decent excuse for everyone to revisit Midgar.

The feel of going back for just one more crack at an operation is amazing and there’s always plenty to go back and improve on even after you’ve waded through the six chapters of story.

This is as close to a proper skateboarding simulation as we’ve seen, and is up there in the fun stakes with the best of the x-sports games, but for added realism we’d like to see fewer loading screens, civilians that behave with a mote of intelligence or self preservation and even the ability to get off and walk once in a while.

This is as close to a proper skateboarding simulation as we’ve seen, and is up there in the fun stakes with the best of the x-sports games, but for added realism we’d like to see fewer loading screens, civilians that behave with a mote of intelligence or self preservation and even the ability to get off and walk once in a while.

The combat has been really well thought out, the exploring is fun thanks to the gorgeous art style and the whole game just comes over as an entertaining way to spend 30-40 hours of your life.

Legends does absolutely nothing to advance a series which admittedly doesn’t really need advancing, but carries with it the finest selection of tracks since "SingStar ‘80s."

The combination of varied mini-games, relatively short and highly replayable campaigns, a save anywhere feature and an addictive 4-player ship battling mode make it a near-perfect fit for the system.

As perfectly as it nails the traditional, linear turn-based approach and draws you in before opening up, the only real giant leap it makes for the RPG genre is by being easily the finest Japanese example to so far grace the Xbox 360. Traditionalists, however, will simply love it.

Undoubtedly the expansion is better value on the PC, and you don’t have to worry about logging into Xbox Live in order just to play it, but both packages still represent good value at a solid 20-40 hours of additional gameplay.

Undoubtedly the expansion is better value on the PC, and you don’t have to worry about logging into Xbox Live in order just to play it, but both packages still represent good value at a solid 20-40 hours of additional gameplay.

A true original, and one we’d be surprised to see surpassed in terms of quality on Xbox Live this year.

As a mature FPS experience it still comes highly recommended though.

If you enjoyed either of the first two games, then know that while Two Thrones isn't revolutionary, it does combine the best elements of both and is still a fitting and worthwhile conclusion to a superior trilogy.

If you're on the market for a fighter then you could do a lot worse than MK:D. In fact, you'll be hard pressed to do any better as this is a highly complete and well-rounded package with lots to keep you interested.

If you enjoyed either of the first two games, then know that while Two Thrones isn't revolutionary, it does combine the best elements of both and is still a fitting and worthwhile conclusion to a superior trilogy.

No matter how many bad songs there are, no matter how many planes you’ll never pilot or how much you want there to be multiplayer, Ace Combat: Squadron Leader is still a fantastic game.

Codename: Panzers has seemingly appeared from nowhere – at least on these shores – yet has effortlessly succeeded in being one of the best RTS titles of the year so far.

Whether you’ve played the first or not, KotOR 2 offers a complete RPG experience – with a full bodied story, a good experience points system and combat that’s fairly satisfying.

Put simply, the game is slick, well polished and has a real Hollywood feel. If you’re looking for an all-round actioner with a badass hero, an interesting story and solid gameplay, then Riddick is your game.

If there’s any criticism at all it’s that the game throws it all at you at once thanks to a fairly unwieldy menu system, but the tutorials go some way to help and even if advanced team tactics and formations aren’t up your street, it’s good to know that they are there.

So is Wipeout Pure a must-have PSP title? Weâ??d have to say yes â?? for now.

Admittedly there are no truly grave punishments in the game, but the violence is often more comical than serious anyway.

A slightly fiddly control scheme, some less-than-stellar AI and perhaps the sense that the graphics could have been a teensy bit more polished are the only factors that hold this particular experience back from absolute greatness.

The keywords are creepy, realistic and atmospheric, and taken on those grounds, the combined whole works very well indeed. Aside from some muddy texture work here and there, the game is audibly and visually sublime.

While it’s not worth upgrading from the Xbox version for the graphics improvements alone, the fact that you essentially get the expansion for free does help make up for the feeling that the game isn’t as next-gen as it really ought to be.

The graphical upgrades and presentation improvements are certainly noticeable, while the game continues to have some of the best set-pieces of any first-person shooter. We do hope though, that for the next outing Valve puts a little more focus into creating all new gameplay scenarios and interactive experiences.

Depending on how you look at it, Tiger Woods PGA Tour 07 on Xbox 360 is either fantastic value and the best golf game on the market, or it’s a somewhat less-than-fantastic value update to a game that, while undeniably good, hasn’t gotten a great deal better.

The best 3D scrolling beat-em-up ever. And did we mention it’s a near-perfect port with a budget price?

By tackling the epic levels of Dungeons & Dragons, Mask of the Betrayer has a lot to offer both as an adventure and as an upgrade to the existing game.

Coupled with alcohol, SingStar is definitely an improvement now that it’s on PS3, even if that’s simply because it’s all shiny and new and you can pretty much create your own collection thanks to the SingStore.

If you have aspirations to be a virtual Tiger Woods then the cheesily cheerful presentation might be off-putting, but look past that and you’ll find a game of golf as able to please veterans of the game as complete newcomers.

It’s not trying to be particularly clever, but what it does it does very well and when the political and economic side of things starts to affect how you play you will find yourself in a very immersive world that will surprise you and keep on doing so.

The slick studio graphics and optional online features are all that really set it apart, so there’s not a huge point in upgrading if you already have a Buzz! game or two, but at least PS3 owners now have one to call their own.

Dragon Quest: The Chapters of the Chosen takes a little while to get on the boil, but once it does you’ll find yourself absorbed in a lengthy, enjoyable, balanced and accessible JRPG that is as welcoming to genre veterans as it is to complete newcomers. There’s more than enough modern polish and sheen to justify bringing this former NES classic back for yet another outing.

But every game has its weaknesses, and as far as the complete picture is concerned, Ground Control 2’s aren’t enough to excessively interfere with what is, whichever way you look at it, a very good game.

With such a high investment of time needed in order to see any real gains, it’s more likely to grab the attention of the hard core of MMORPG players.

Due to the fact that there are so many ways to eliminate the enemies on screen, there is a certain reply value to this other than unlocking the various movies, but the levels are quite linear in design and maybe once the novelty of the psi abilities has worn off this title may well start collecting dust a few weeks down the line.

Despite its problems, BfME easily stands up to the extraordinarily high standard of RTS titles that we’ve been treated to this year.

As a movie tie-in, we can say with no authority whatsoever that it’s totally authentic and sure to please fans (in all seriousness, the production values and treatment are extremely respectable).

Great Tekken gameplay, nice new graphics, but certainly nothing we haven’t seen before.

Overall Combat Mission Anthology is a great buy, if you’re looking to explore the deeper end of the World War II tactical combat pool.

While you’d need to think long and hard about whether you need THUG2R if you already own THUG2, fans of the series or newcomers who enjoy arcade sports games should be arranging an importation post haste. In fact, we’d even go so far as to say that this is probably the best way to play THUG2.

It’s simply a superbly put-together RTS which, while lacking in the all-out strategy of "Rome: Total War," excels in traditional "Command & Conquer"-style action.

When combined with solid, focused, accessible gameplay and handy features such as the ability to ping objectives so that you don’t get lost, or automatically rewind time Prince of Persia style when you inevitably cock something up, Sly 3 represents the cream of the genre.

Despite the step-down in charm, the game underneath it all is splendid.

Some of NBA 2K6’s updates are incremental, while others show a continuing commitment towards maintaining the best NBA video game on the market.

As far as chess games go, though, you’ll be hard pushed to find anything better.

As welcome an update as we could ever have hoped for. By expanding beyond the reach of the films, adding in the distinctive modes of play in the forms of the simple campaign and the more tactical War of the Ring and improving upon the construction elements, EA have done a splendid job of bringing an already solid RTS right up to date.

The ability to travel back and forth between the mission zones is a nice idea, but a little wasted because they aren’t really big or numerous enough to warrant repeated exploration, and the darkness powers, while adding genuine playability and interest, take much of the challenge out of the game. But those missteps can be forgiven because the true game – the story-driven shooter that lies underneath – is fun, engaging and superbly atmospheric, and has been created with the kind of care and attention to detail that more developers ought to take note of.

Table Tennis not only triumphantly brings a sport comparatively new to gamers to the table (embarrassing pun not intended), but actually manages to wipe the floor with the likes of the disappointing "Top Spin 2" into the bargain.

It scores well in all areas, but the inclusion of StarForce will put a lot of people off. Note to Monte Cristo: Seriously, guys, don’t use StarForce on one of your products again. Ever.

While Virtua Tennis 3 is undoubtedly a relatively mild updating of what has gone before, which is particularly surprising when the length of time that’s passed since the last full instalment is considered, it still manages to convincingly retain its crown as the king of the tennis roost.

While Virtua Tennis 3 is undoubtedly a relatively mild updating of what has gone before, which is particularly surprising when the length of time that’s passed since the last full instalment is considered, it still manages to convincingly retain its crown as the king of the tennis roost.

Tony Hawk might be contracted for skating games until he’s far too old to be tearing it up on small planks of wood with wheels on, but at least the developers can still keep him going while he’s requiring medical aid to go to the bathroom and complaining about things being better in his day.

Crackdown rips up the rulebook and invests a much needed bout of innovation into methods of play.

In the end, NBA 2K7’s biggest accolade is a result of its triumph in communicating a passion and love for one sport so completely.

In GTR 2, the casual gamer still doesn’t have a game that will easily cater to them, but the hardcore racing fans have a new benchmark for racing sims on the PC to play with, even if the slider has only moved slightly on from the original GTR.

Particularly welcome though is the increasing comfort Telltale are apparently gaining when it comes to handling the scripts and situations – it really is starting to feel more and more like the Sam & Max of ye olden days.

An interesting and entertaining way to spend 30 minutes a day, lavished with as much charm and consideration as Nintendo has ever been able to afford.

FIFA Street 3 is about taking all the superficial and superfluous things about modern day football – from the overhead kicks to the pop-culture that surrounds the beautiful game in the 21 st century – and placing them centre stage.

FIFA Street 3 is about taking all the superficial and superfluous things about modern day football – from the overhead kicks to the pop-culture that surrounds the beautiful game in the 21 st century – and placing them centre stage.

Nintendo have managed to make the Wii-wheel work – something we were very sceptical about – and they’ve managed to bring Mario Kart online play to our TVs. Besides a few niggles with unfair A.I. and some average tracks, this is a valuable addition to the series.

Pure is somewhat reminiscent of the old PC classic Motocross Madness, which was another highly addictive game. It doesn’t have the open-ended stunt practice, but everything else about the formula has been improved in almost every way.

Pure is somewhat reminiscent of the old PC classic Motocross Madness, which was another highly addictive game. It doesn’t have the open-ended stunt practice, but everything else about the formula has been improved in almost every way.

A well crafted remake of a well-loved game. Nostalgics, completists and other Final Fantasy fans can buy with confidence, but newcomers are better off looking elsewhere to begin with.

Even with new chapters set to join Blood Curse's current package further down the line, what's already here is a sophisticated re-imagining of the ethics the series was founded on, providing the PlayStation Network with a cash cow that delivers dividends of entertainment to anyone who is willing to take a punt.

You have to appreciate the effort and craft that's gone into Fable, even if much of it is pretty shallow or not as well realised as it might have been.

Due to the fact that there are so many ways to eliminate the enemies on screen, there is a certain reply value to this other than unlocking the various movies, but the levels are quite linear in design and maybe once the novelty of the psi abilities has worn off this title may well start collecting dust a few weeks down the line.

TimeSplitters: Future Perfect is far from a revolution. It's a step-up from TimeSplitters 2, but nowhere near as big a one as we'd hoped for.

As with an increasing number of recent Xbox titles, MechAssault 2: Lone Wolf gets our recommendation largely thanks to the inclusion of a multiplayer mode that is pretty unique and a lot of fun.

But in spite of some niggling problems, Pirates! is a very addictive game that you can while away whole evenings on, just trying out different things.

As a movie tie-in, we can say with no authority whatsoever that it's totally authentic and sure to please fans (in all seriousness, the production values and treatment are extremely respectable).

If you're considering the purchase but hesitating to find out whether or not it'll live up to your expectations, we'll go out on a limb and say that it will.

Despite the step-down in charm, the game underneath it all is splendid.

Some of NBA 2K6's updates are incremental, while others show a continuing commitment towards maintaining the best NBA video game on the market.

Despite the step-down in charm, the game underneath it all is splendid.

Overall this is definitely a game for the fans and not a game that’s likely to convert non-fans. If you’ve never played a Myst game then it’s easy to see why Myst IV might be frustrating.

These are thankfully relatively minor criticisms when considering the enjoyable new multiplayer mode, and how impressively cinematic and fun the stronger single player levels are, but they should still be kept in mind if you’re considering giving UO a purchase.

We can see what the developers have tried to do with Domination, which is basically make the game more accessible. Unfortunately it’s a move that has completely backfired, with the result being an excellent game buried under a lot of unnecessary and distracting fluff.

Overall Warrior Within seems to be in something of a messy transition period, caught between the light-hearted fun of the original and some noirish violent action game that was probably more the result of mis-focused market testing than any kind of genuine developer decision.

Overall Warrior Within seems to be in something of a messy transition period, caught between the light-hearted fun of the original and some noirish violent action game that was probably more the result of mis-focused market testing than any kind of genuine developer decision.

Racing that feels so fresh and sharp reminds of the sheer pulse-racing style of F-Zero GX. To get this kind of breezy, clean, no-holds-barred racing action on the PC is a delight, and implicitly suggests that Gran Turismo 4 should be made to write out “I must learn the meaning of fun” 5,000 times on a blackboard.

By bringing forward all the great aspects of its predecessor that worked so well before, giving them a change of scenery to warmer climes and adding in a few new choice features, Codename Panzers: Phase Two has managed to maintain the quality of the first instalment.

Crystal Dynamics has finally made Lara into the female Indiana Jones she’s always threatened to be, and even managed to fill the game with memorable moments, such as an incident with a motorbike on the rooftops of Japan, swan diving off a high cliff into a lake, and even base jumping into the middle of a combat zone.

It’s bold, brash, visceral in nature and for the first 20 levels it’s highly compelling. It’s also unfinished, somewhat unpolished and requires a fairly hefty PC to run.

It’s just not the revolutionary title we were hoping for. It doesn’t really set an adequate benchmark for future Xbox 360 titles and feels more like a stopgap while the true next-gen titles are being developed.

Would I rate it above the Advance games? Yes. Would I rate it above the Mega Drive games? No. And before you think it, it’s not nostalgia; this reviewer’s Mega Drive is still hooked up and in use.

For fans of rallying, who have been spoiled for choice in previous years, this is the first really good rally simulation on a next-gen system and as such is pretty much a must-have.

For fans of rallying, who have been spoiled for choice in previous years, this is the first really good rally simulation on a next-gen system and as such is pretty much a must-have.

For fans of rallying, who have been spoiled for choice in previous years, this is the first really good rally simulation on a next-gen system and as such is pretty much a must-have.

F.E.A.R. is a game that you’re going to like a lot or you’re not going to like at all, depending on your tolerance for genuinely challenging gun battles, genuinely unsettling creepiness and genuine-looking bland industrial environments.

Once again Crystal Dynamics’ new Tomb Raider engine proves its worth, and while the PSP version lacks the graphical clout of its bigger cousins, the series is no less at home here.

It’s almost a shame that this wasn’t a launch title, because it may well have achieved a much higher profile, but if you are looking for something fun and engaging without all the cute kid-friendly trimmings, look no further than this.

It appeals to hardcore RTS players with its historical accuracy, as well as newcomers with its ease of play and focus on putting you in control of what’s going on.

Very close to being a near-essential addition to any Wii owner’s collection which we dearly hope will get a sequel.

Stargate Online TCG is easily one of the most complicated games of its type in terms of the number of modifiers in play at any given time, but a thorough tutorial and well-devised interface actually make playing a breeze.

One of the nastiest experiences you are ever going to have in a game, but in a good way.

One of the nastiest experiences you are ever going to have in a game, but in a good way.

Red Alert 3 was never going to be genre-redefining game, but there can be no doubt that it has proved to be a damn good laugh.

Overall Warrior Within seems to be in something of a messy transition period, caught between the light-hearted fun of the original and some noirish violent action game that was probably more the result of mis-focused market testing than any kind of genuine developer decision.

Crystal Dynamics has finally made Lara into the female Indiana Jones sheâ??s always threatened to be, and even managed to fill the game with memorable moments, such as an incident with a motorbike on the rooftops of Japan, swan diving off a high cliff into a lake, and even base jumping into the middle of a combat zone.

Overall Warrior Within seems to be in something of a messy transition period, caught between the light-hearted fun of the original and some noirish violent action game that was probably more the result of mis-focused market testing than any kind of genuine developer decision.

With very little in the way of downtime and a seemingly endless stream of things to do and new things to see, the future is looking very bright.

Don’t be fooled by the bright, cartoony exterior – RCT3 offers a detailed and sometimes complex package.

While more linear than the likes of the excellent Fahrenheit, Dreamfall: The Longest Journey is compelling enough to maintain your interest through to the conclusion, which itself is disappointing since the game comes to and end too quickly and fails to match the quality of the remainder of the story.

What it is though is a linear (and we don’t mean that negatively) RPG with an emphasis on tactical combat, more than a nod to the classic comic books, and a sizeable helping of fun.

It’s repetitive, a little on the shallow side, and probably not for your average twitch gamer, but it’s also highly original and extremely entertaining.

If you’re a fan of The Punisher, Max Payne or good old violence in general (and let’s face it – that list covers pretty much the majority of games players), there’s a good chance you’ll get a kick out of what’s on offer here.

Boiling Point is an amazing piece of work, but is like a piece of art that will never be finished. We wouldn’t hesitate in recommending it, despite its flaws, as it is the very definition of freeform adventuring.

The storyline, despite being written by former Hulk writer Paul Jenkins, isn’t particularly strong or well told, despite the fact that it’s more than faithful to the Hulk’s comic strip roots.

An ‘original’ title based on previous games. Think of it as "Burnout 3+."

Medal Of Honour: Airborne may well be as gung-ho as a cigar-chomping drill instructor and as shallow as the pool of blood left by one of your expendable buddies, but it doesn’t profess to be anything more than an exciting and enjoyable week’s worth of FPS action.

Medal Of Honour: Airborne may well be as gung-ho as a cigar-chomping drill instructor and as shallow as the pool of blood left by one of your expendable buddies, but it doesn’t profess to be anything more than an exciting and enjoyable week’s worth of FPS action.

By far one of the most understatedly atmospheric games of the year, DefCon has cornered the market on the kind of strategy that tenses the buttocks to sphincter-alarming proportions. Death, destruction, brains and beauty – who the hell needs a nice game of chess?

Balance and a few physics issues aside, guns are really satisfying to shoot, and the vehicles – including tanks, helicopters and planes – are great to take a joyride in.

Devil May Cry 4 is not the revolution that Capcom might have wanted from the series, but it’s their fault for lumbering Dante with lazy, repeated level design, and making Nero a far more interesting character to play as than to watch in cut-scenes.

Devil May Cry 4 is not the revolution that Capcom might have wanted from the series, but it’s their fault for lumbering Dante with lazy, repeated level design, and making Nero a far more interesting character to play as than to watch in cut-scenes.

Overlord won’t keep you coming back and again for more, but it’s a satisfying, amusing experience that’s fairly unusual in today’s games industry, even if it isn’t quite the bad boy it wants to be.

Overlord won’t keep you coming back and again for more, but it’s a satisfying, amusing experience that’s fairly unusual in today’s games industry, even if it isn’t quite the bad boy it wants to be.

Once you’ve got to grips with your stylus as Sonic manfully sends plumes of salty white foam splashing over the hot pussy pressed against you, you’ll forget the MegaDrive even existed [naughty, naughty – Ed]. For a while, at least.

Playing through Ice Station Santa not only reminded us, as most of the Sam & Max instalments tend to, that there really aren’t enough good point and clickers around, but also that there aren’t enough games with a Christmas theme to them.

Interesting content, ease of use and the ability to remove huge chunks of your life combine to make one of the best historically accurate strategy games out there.

As great a game as Unreal Championship 2 is for the Xbox though, anyone who has played the magnum opus of the series that inspired it will have an inescapable nagging feeling that somehow, something is missing.

If it weren't for the somewhat unpolished enemy AI and placement, Ghost Recon 2 could have been a very realistic and engaging shooter. As it is, it feels a little out-of-kilter and more like a standard (but very good looking) shooter with some pacing issues.

The storyline, despite being written by former Hulk writer Paul Jenkins, isn't particularly strong or well told, despite the fact that it's more than faithful to the Hulk's comic strip roots.

As a whole, Bloodlines is, even with its faults, a very high quality product. The game world is well presented, and is immersive to the degree that you could easily lose yourself in it for hours at a time and not even notice.

Kohan II: Kings of War is a good quality RTS that manages to stand out from the RTS crowd.

The Witcher is actually one of the best RPGs we've come across in a long time. It may not quite be Oblivion in scope and all-round greatness, but it earns the right to call itself a must try RPG that will immerse you in its dark and mysterious world.

However, casual Tony Hawk fans should really think twice about investing, as there’s not a huge amount to set it apart from the rest.

However, casual Tony Hawk fans should really think twice about investing, as there’s not a huge amount to set it apart from the rest.

It looks stunning, isn’t shy with its explosions and pyrotechnics, and keeps things moving at a cracking pace.

It may be slow, but its atmosphere is convincing enough to immerse you fully into its world.

Overall Legend of Kay is a decent quality platforming title that successfully combines several entertaining ideas. It is let down a little by poor voice acting and slightly linear RPG elements, but at least benefits from a mid-range price-tag.

If only GTR had been more welcoming to casual racing fans, it might have found itself a bigger and deserved market. Unfortunately we just can’t find ourselves openly recommending it – and not for a lack of quality.

V. With its beautiful fantasy graphics and huge amounts of depth, Heroes is back from the dead and ready for the next generation of RTS role players.

Rise of Legends may not break new ground, but it certainly adds to what has gone before and presses all the right buttons along the way to becoming one of the more entertaining RTS games out there.

Predictably Savage 2 has its detractors as well as its supporters, but there’s no denying that there’s absolutely no other game series out there that does what it does.

The Xbox 360 is no doubt the best format to play the game on, with sharp visuals and a surround-sound crowd that really draws you into the action, but it just doesn’t have that made-for-next-gen feel, and if you aren’t using HDTV, the difference is even less spectacular.

The lack of variety in the actual races and subsequently online doesn’t do much to justify the £50 price tag, but once you have a fast car and experience some of those intense police chases in glorious HD, you’ll be grinning from ear to ear.

There are dozens of ready-made missions and most of them can be tackled in radically different ways, which adds even more longevity on top of the mission editor and slew of multiplayer modes.

The control scheme feels comfortable, albeit not quite as precise as a good old keyboard and mouse, and is paired up to an equally well-executed interface.

On the multiplayer side, things come together nicely, and the toing and froing that comes from the defender-biased jostling serves to keep possession roughly even between players who are similarly skilled, while giving more creative passers a definite advantage.

Even if EA does use its nefarious in-game advertising system to find your precious information/porn/illegally downloaded music and movies and try to sell you similar items, Battlefield 2142 is undeniably a new and enjoyable step for a franchise that has so far not strayed away from historical or topical content.

Railroads! is way more fun than the subject matter suggests it ought to be, which is a credit to its design team.

But if you are happy to play the game online all of the time and don’t mind an initially steep learning curve, Warhawk actually proves to be an enjoyable and engaging game; it’s arcade leanings making up for a slight lack of sophistication, and an impressive sense of scale making up for the lack of visual ‘wow’ factor. Overall, a surprise hit.

One of the better RTS games we’ve played that at least tries to avoid the clichés that have riddled this genre for so long. Kudos goes to the developers, if not huge profits.

The stylish look and off-the-wall story certainly make up for a lack of hardcore role-playing depth.

What it lacks in overall content it makes up for by having damned enjoyable and addictive gameplay and enough variations on a theme for the game to last much longer than the four or so hours it takes to complete the main mode.

Lost Odyssey is a great JRPG that, while not without flaws, does a fantastic job of overcoming them and providing a superb adventure and storytelling experience.

In terms of overall quality though, which is the aspect which really counts, Moai Better Blues is easily in the same league as Ice Station Santa.

Five years ago Yakuza 2 would have been a system seller. Today it’s just enough reason to wipe the layers of dust off of a shelved console and give it a final send-off.

It’s silly, elegant, strange, delightful, sometimes annoying, always cute, mostly easy (unless unlockables matter to you) a bit random, often clever and ultimately not that essential. It’s perhaps too whimsical for most people, and if you need meaningful story and immediate reward, it almost certainly isn’t for you. With the right mindset, though, it’s a real treat and something special for PSP owners to call their own.

Still, despite the game's poor multiplayer and control issues, Conker: Live and Reloaded still retains the classic gameplay of Bad Fur Day, giving it just enough spit and polish to be a great remake, even if there's little in the way of extras.

However, casual Tony Hawk fans should really think twice about investing, as there's not a huge amount to set it apart from the rest.

However, casual Tony Hawk fans should really think twice about investing, as there's not a huge amount to set it apart from the rest.

The Sims 2 is, after all, a lovingly crafted and very well put together piece of software.

It’s odd, but Modern Combat is a much better single-player game than it is multiplayer.

Aside from the lack of internet play (although there is the option of 8 player gaming thanks to the joy of the multitap), it could be said that this is as close as gaming has ever come to a classic Ice

It does manage to offer a good balance of tweaks as well as new content. If you never managed to make it through Sacred, then it has to be said, Underworld probably won’t be enough to rekindle your interest, while if you’re a hardcore fan then it should go without saying that this is a worthwhile purchase.

Overall Ridge Racer has proven to be a decent, though not essential purchase for the system, and one that you at least probably won’t go wrong with.

Whether or not you take advantage of Everybody’s Golf’s online mode, there can be no doubt that it not only offers enjoyable gameplay, but a wealth of worthwhile content. The only trouble is that you’ll have to spend a lot of time unlocking everything.

It’s no "Diablo 2," yet, but give it time and you’ll be pleasantly surprised by just how much is on offer here. And hey, if nothing else you get to pretend that the demons are Christmas shoppers, which makes slaughtering them just that little bit more fun.

It never quite manages to be an excellent tactical shooter, nor is it the most action-oriented of titles, but by combining thoughtful gameplay with some simply brilliant and explosive set-pieces, Ubisoft has managed to create a compelling single player experience.

For some the cutesy-wutsey graphics, chirpy speech and offers of handholding might be irritating, in which case say hello to the three ghosts of Christmas for us when you see them. For everyone else, this is an enjoyable, well polished game with bags of personality.

It’s essentially the same game as before, only played from a different angle.

At least if you do take in everything the game has to offer on the first sitting, you’ll easily feel like you’ve had a fulfilling experience, but unlike a GTA game, it’s pretty unlikely that you’ll come back for more once you’ve finished.

At least if you do take in everything the game has to offer on the first sitting, you’ll easily feel like you’ve had a fulfilling experience, but unlike a GTA game, it’s pretty unlikely that you’ll come back for more once you’ve finished.

Even though it has open-ended free roaming aspects, it feels far more like a short linear game supplemented by hidden areas and bonus missions.

For anyone with the inclination to be educated in how games used to consist of pure gameplay magic, or for those who wish to revisit their gaming pasts, Taito Legends is a superior collection of titles, some of which are truly classics in the absolute sense of the word.

For anyone with the inclination to be educated in how games used to consist of pure gameplay magic, or for those who wish to revisit their gaming pasts, Taito Legends is a superior collection of titles, some of which are truly classics in the absolute sense of the word.

The dual screens provide a perfect medium for the genre, and the inclusion of the rumble pack, which is compatible with the likes of Mario & Luigi at the moment and should feature in future releases, is a neat and thoughtful inclusion.

It's a violent, cinematic and mature experience that will keep you hooked, even if the characters do use the word 'f..k' like they’re in a Tarantino film.

The tweaks to the existing feature set and gameplay have certainly raised its game and will make you feel like you are close to experiencing a real football match.

The tweaks to the existing feature set and gameplay have certainly raised its game and will make you feel like you are close to experiencing a real football match.

The vast world offers so much freedom that you could easily think you are lost. But you are not, because you can do whatever the hell you want, so even if you’re not able to complete a quest there will be plenty to keep you occupied until you can.

A slight improvement on the first episode which comes highly recommended if you’ve already enjoyed "Culture Shock." And it’s still less than a fiver.

Overall UFO: Afterlight provides a very worthwhile time investment as the reward you reap is a deep and intriguing strategy game with the kind of RPG elements that add a less geeky feel to it - a surprise hit with us.

Rock Band is so close to being a must-have game for any self respecting, music-loving gamer, but unless you’ve got money to burn and friends on tap, Rock Band isn’t half the game it could have been for half the cost [Say again, Bilbo - Ed].

Galaxies is certainly a perfectly enjoyable and natural evolution for the Geometry Wars series that’ll provide hundreds of hours of fun to gamers with lightning-fast reactions, but it’s perhaps not enough to make it really worth it.

If you ever played Ecco The Dolphin on the Mega Drive, or its conversion on the DreamCast, and you spent some time just happily swimming around on that first level doing flips and jumps while enjoying the simple delights of the whole virtual-swimming experience, there’s a good chance that Endless Ocean is going to be right up your watery boulevard.

Little touches like the ambient music and subtle film grain only add to the unsettling atmosphere, which is utilised via various plot devices almost as a weapon against your senses. Definitely worth a look if you like those kind of bleak horror movies that make you sleep with the light on.

Yes, technically it’s a port of FlatOut 2, and a pretty belated one at that, but just because it’s the least visually impressive version of the game doesn’t make it the least technically accomplished.

One of the best point-and-click adventures we’ve seen in a very long time.

The most consistently hilarious scripting in any game or series to date, which we’re sure is becoming increasingly and splendidly darker in tone as the season progresses.

If you're a Penny Arcade fan then Episode One is an enjoyable if overpriced and short-lived experience.

If you're a Penny Arcade fan then Episode One is an enjoyable if overpriced and short-lived experience.

As far as it goes, Men of Valor hasn't really exceeded expectations, but nor has it failed to live up to them, assuming your expectations were a Medal of Honor clone set in Vietnam.

It's odd, but Modern Combat is a much better single-player game than it is multiplayer.

At least if you do take in everything the game has to offer on the first sitting, you'll easily feel like you've had a fulfilling experience, but unlike a GTA game, it's pretty unlikely that you'll come back for more once you've finished.

For anyone with the inclination to be educated in how games used to consist of pure gameplay magic, or for those who wish to revisit their gaming pasts, Taito Legends is a superior collection of titles, some of which are truly classics in the absolute sense of the word.