Banjo-Kazooie may be more of an homage to Nintendo’s first 3D romp through the mushroom kingdom than a pioneer of the same genre, but that doesn’t make it any less satisfying.

You might get a little lost on your journey sometimes, but you’ll never feel anything less than totally immersed. EverQuest II comes highly recommended both to MMORPG newbies and to those who might have become jaded with what other MMORPGs have to offer.

After experiencing Chinatown Wars, you have to applaud Rockstar. Not only have they presented their iconic city on a fashionably smaller scale, they have woven an intriguing story into the mix as well.

While Street Fighter IV plays an expectedly brilliant game, the real surprise stems from its direction from a visual point of view that is nothing short of astounding.

Essentially a renaissance for the fighting game genre. Its style and core game mechanics are so incredibly strong that they outshine the few missteps that the title contains. It’s familiar enough for someone who hasn’t played it in 10 years to pick it up and execute the same special moves they grew up with.

It wields simplicity and charm as convincing hooks to keep players interested in a genre that hit its stride nearly two decades ago, and its as fun now as it was then. Platformers may be a dime a dozen these days, but there isn’t one game on the PSP that matches Hammerin’ Hero in pure style and refreshing playability.

Football Manager Live is a wonderful and addictive game and a must have for any armchair manager. The depth of the gameplay is still unrivaled and any little niggles and annoyances the game contains are small fry compared to the successes the game has achieved.

It boils down to this: if you have GTAIV on the Xbox 360, buy this expansion. If you don’t have it on the Xbox 360... apologies. In a perfect world, it’d be available on all platforms, but sadly, politics wins out.

Bayonetta is a spectacular game. The combat is truly exceptional, taking the baton from games like Devil May Cry and Ninja Gaiden and blowing them out of the water.

Flower may not be for everyone but if you go into it with the right mind-set then you’re guaranteed to witness something exceptional.

Among Thieves is unquestionably one of the most alluring and exciting titles to have ever graced a gaming platform.

To those looking for a great portable Shin Megami Tensei experience, this is it, and any fan of tactical turn based games should pick it up as well.

The overall package might not topple Modern Warfare 2’s throne, but the multiplayer might have just surpassed it. Competition is always healthy.

Comet Crash certainly isn't the most sophisticated looking tower defense title, but if you pass it up because of its simplistic visuals, you're truly missing out. It's chock full of clever design and great unit/tower balancing, plus it has some of the most generally engaging local multiplayer found on the PlayStation Store. Additionally, it might very well be the best RTS on the PS3.

In the dim twilight of the PS2’s life, no other game can send it off better.

The single player, albeit disappointing, is still an excellent thrill ride and precursor to the main pull: the multiplayer. CoD4 cemented its place as one of the best online shooters going and Modern Warfare 2 builds on it, adding a plethora of new features that constantly reward and amaze.

Modern Warfare 2 will leave you breathless.

Minor annoyances aside though, Assassin’s Creed II is a superb game. Ubisoft have clearly listened to the reaction to the first game and have gone out of their way to remedy its problems.

This game has clearly been the result of a tremendously talented development team listening to feedback and giving gamers what they wanted - namely more variety and more depth.

Whether shockingly real or fiercely dramatized, the experiences of Yakuza 3 are wholly Japanese, completely riveting, and absolutely worth the price of admission.

The story feels disconnected and isn’t as strong as its predecessor but the gameplay has been improved upon for a much more enjoyable and fluid combat system.

Demon's Souls may make you throw controllers. It could possibly make you hate everything you've ever loved. It will probably make you yell curse words very, very loudly. It's also some of the best fun to be had on the PS3.

If you don’t import, you’ll never get to experience one of the best retro shooters on the DS. You’ll never get to experience the joy of taking down the ridiculously huge bosses. Or get lost in the chaos of the streamlined mini-games. Or get the rush from successfully pulling off a Bingo Combo and unleashing your mightiest weapons. [JPN Import]

The story is lengthy and surprisingly well-written, and the voice acting is stellar. The combat mechanics are a solid combination of combo and tactical options, with a dash of insane supermoves for good measure. While there's a nice variety of gameplay modes and unlockables, the online multiplayer is what will keep you coming back long after you've gotten through everything. The presentation sets a new standard for 2D fighting games; no other fighter can pull it off with the same kind of style.

If you own an Xbox 360 and have even a passing interest in racing games, this is a no-brainer. If you own a 360 and have zero interest in racers, but love games in general, this is still a title that needs to be seen to be believed. If you don’t own a 360, Forza Motorsport 3 might just be enough to make you buy one, it really is that good.

Those expecting even Halo 3.5 may feel a little underwhelmed, with 3-II the most relevant numerical comparison, but for anybody who has so much as enjoyed the series in the past, this is an essential purchase.

Regardless of how you approach it, Desperate Struggle is an amazing game. It takes everything that worked from the previous title and expanded upon it, and fixes nearly everything else.

It’s nothing short of joyous, then, that Smackdown vs. Raw 2010 is so much more than a lazily thrown together update of last year’s game.

It might seem obvious but if you’re not a fan of The Beatles then The Beatles: Rock Band probably isn’t for you. I’m certain it can garner in some new fans, but if you’re buying it because you’re a Rock Band fan then you’ll be left disappointed.

The multiplayer makes it even better; the competitive online gameplay is among the best on the Wii. It doesn’t really matter if you know only half the cast; Tatsunoko VS Capcom is one of the best fighters out there.

It’s made for kids of all ages, and Starfy’s well deserving of sitting alongside Nintendo’s other great gaming legends.

The game allows you to interact with its rain-drenched world, shaping its development in ways that you’ll never expect until it’s too late. The clunky movements and awkward controls kill some of the immersion, but the gorgeous graphics and emotionally assaultive scenes will keep you mesmerized.

Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time’s likelihood of appealing to you is nearly as infinite as the universe it takes place in, but a few disappointingly expected plot turns and some finicky camera controls will make the universe seem a tad smaller.

Trine is one of the most playable and likeable downloadable ‘full’ games of the last few years.

It has a certain charm you can’t help but love and the precision based, high octane gameplay is one you’re going to keep coming back to.

The Secret of Monkey Island is still one of the greatest games of all time and this new Special Edition presents it to a new audience with its fantastic production values and hilarious dialogue.

Wipeout HD alone is a superb game, but when paired with its Fury expansion it becomes a near perfect package. For a cheap bargain this is ridiculously essential which represents possibly the greatest value to be found on the PS3.

Professor Layton is back, and he’s never looked better.

I’m against developers who churn out yearly updates with little improvement (LMA Manager, Pro Evolution Soccer), but with Football Manager 2010, it almost feels like it justifies another investment.

There’s no question that this is the definitive version of Street Fighter IV. With a ton of ‘new’ characters and a vastly improved online component there are a number of great reasons to get back into Street Fighter.

Regardless of its shortcomings, New Super Mario Bros. Wii is easily one of the best titles on the system, and an impressive addition to the series. Saving the princess just got fun again.

PixelJunk Shooter combines the best aspects of old school shooters with its own unique brand of environmental puzzles to create a shooting experience unlike any other.

It takes everything that made the previous game so awesome and refines it. It continues the story, but it makes the effort to give more meaning to Kratos's journey and its eventual ending. It takes the previous established combat mechanics and makes them faster, tighter, and more fun than ever.

Strange Journey does its own thing, but boy, does it do it well. If you're looking for an interesting challenge that will keep you rapt from start to finish, this is one adventure you won't want to miss.

3D Dot Game Heroes is challenging, but it's nowhere near as difficult as Demon's Souls - but it really doesn't need to be. The overall experience is relaxed and humorous, and the retro concept stays amusing for the whole ride.

MLB 10: The Show is by no means a perfect game, but it comes pretty damn close. No baseball sim delivers the amount of game found here, and more importantly, no other sim accurately portrays the nature of the game better.

It's limited in many regards, but it's also a near-perfect fit for the handheld space.

Beyond all of the enhancements and extras, After Burner Climax’s bargain price of 800 Microsoft Points ($9.99) makes it a must own.

It’s one of the best looking games on the market, has impeccable presentation and wonderfully campy voice acting (this time, intentionally), a strong plot that brings back a handful of classic characters and, most of all, it’s just plain fun. Whether it’s padding slowly down a dim concrete hallway, complete with flickering florescent lights and ominous blood-splattered walls, or running from a horde of crazed, zombie villagers, Resident Evil 5 delivers a truly engrossing survival horror experience.

Left 4 Dead 2 is an insanely fun co-op and competitive online experience, and that’s a great similarity to have with the original.

Hustle Kings is one of the most enjoyable and sizeable PSN games in a long time, and quite possibly the finest pool or billiards replication ever committed to a videogame.

It's exactly what a sequel should be; it takes an established formula and improves upon it in every way.

While releasing Persona 3 for a third time might seem like a little much, P3P is more than different enough to be a fresh and interesting PSP title.

A haunting, tragic experience that no one should miss. Some of its dark luster is soured by a few of its bold design choices, but neither of which ruin its resounding accomplishment.

The story and hijinks found within could’ve been the basis for yet another Oscar winning short for director Nick Park and his team at Aardman, but instead are the premise for one of the most genuinely wonderful and funny adventure games in years. It really is a grand day out.

The sheer amount of gameplay modes, unlockables, and superb online multiplayer will keep you coming back time and again. If you have any interest in fighting games, get this. BlazBlue is finally back.

This medium is still in narrative infancy, but Mafia II goes a long to proving that it's not merely literature and film that can tell a tale, but videogames too. Along with it, you get a damn fine game to boot.

As far as beat 'em ups go Scott Pilgrim vs. The Word is a dream come true.

The Unwound Future is a fitting end to this first Professor Layton trilogy. Even if it doesn't finish the series, it resolves some of the main plot lines.

Although Worms Reloaded has its share of rare but notable problems, it is without a doubt the pinnacle of the franchise, the single best and most complete version of Worms to date.

Working alongside a terrific soundtrack, some very cool voice acting, and a custom map building tool, the parts of Starcraft II that make it an enjoyable and addictive ride leave little to be desired.

With solid single player and multiplayer components, Call of Duty: Black Ops is easily the best game that Treyarch has ever produced.

Super Meat Boy is overflowing with content that no other release can match and I wouldn't be surprised at all if it brings home Game of the Year accolades from many publications.

This is a game that fans will not be able to put down and though it may be a little sparse on game modes, it is an experience that racing fans absolutely cannot afford to miss.

Dead Nation for all intents and purposes is a top-down Left 4 Dead: it's taut, it's atmospheric and it will certainly get your blood pumping.

If you are a basketball fan, get this game.

World of Warcraft: Cataclysm is by far the best expansion of the set, and though it stumbles in its speedy progression from 80 to 85 and the Archaeology profession is boring and repetitive, the bulk of the content feels vast and polished.

All in all, The Last Chapter is quite easily summed up: it's an even more refined chunk of an already great gem of a shmup.

Case Zero doesn't add much to the Dead Rising 2 experience, but it's cheap and offers lots of fun and replayability.

Whilst admittedly rough around the edges in parts, the bulk of the virtual racing experience is entirely refreshing.

Already played Plants vs. Zombies? Yeah, so have I. Playing the DS version, though, has gotten me hooked all over again. In terms of gameplay and features, PvZ on DS edges out ahead of pretty much any other version out there.

At times it's a struggle to play purely because of how scary it can be, and it's not often you can say that about a video game. Just remember: lights off, headphones on, and try not to go insane.

A polished, precise and truly astounding title awaits anyone willing to dive in, and drink deep and become inebriated by the brilliance on offer. Astounding!

There's a quote that sums up the portable version of Mirror's Edge succinctly. A French writer once said that, "Perfection is achieved, not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away."

Despite the outlandish oil puddles and EMP blasts, switching between between criminal and cop has never been so fun.

Dead Space 2 is a superior sequel in pretty much every way. Just like Dead Space before it, the game isn't subtle and grabs your attention from the start.

With a handful developers, Blue Wind has crafted one of the best pure action games on the iPhone. The graphics are gorgeous, the game is fun, and while the brief cutscenes are rife with dubious usage of the English language, it doesn't matter.

The vast majority of iPhone fans probably won't get it. People who care about the gaming industry, however, definitely will.

The pitching/hitting interface is excellent and teaches players how to throw and hit in an intuitive and natural manner.

Without a doubt, FF7 is one of the top Final Fantasy games out there. It is also one of the best RPG adventures of all time.

As one of the most critical Nintendo fans around, it's nice to see a game come out for the GBA that's original, pretty, fun, and doesn't involve any one of their stupid mascots.

I’ve uncovered a marvelous new gaming world that I love immersing myself in and now my nephew and I can talk with equal zest about our various Poké accomplishments.

This is one of the few times where a sequel overshadows its predecessor. Even though the Advance Wars series will be seeing some time on the Gamecube sometime in the future, Black Hole Rising is still a blessing of wonderful quality, floating in a sea of mediocre ports and lacking games.

This game was built to appeal to both the veterans of the series and the new folks just itching to give Pokemon a try. It's a fair bet that the fans will get this game without much hesitation.

This game was built to appeal to both the veterans of the series and the new folks just itching to give Pokemon a try. It's a fair bet that the fans will get this game without much hesitation.

While not perfect, Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time offers a poignant, uncommon challenge. Its world awaits, rich, wondrous, indomitable. Will you overcome it?

Stands as a stark contrast to this normal guns-a-blazin' attitude, due to its meticulous stealth-based gameplay that demands patience, strategy and more than a little ingenuity on the gamer's part. This uniqueness of gameplay combined with great presentation and engrossing story makes Deadly Shadows a true gem.

The fact that you can hit a decent round without having to rely considerably on spin or other advanced techniques means that new 'uns to the sport can almost pick up and play Links, whereas veterans can revel in more realistic gameplay than that of the competition, and feel right at home going after the number one spot on Xbox Live, whilst handing out helpful tips and strategies to people like me.

Its Story mode is distinctly improved, brought together by a plot which is well acted out and never ceases to amuse. The Arcade component returns with more refinements and online play, cleverly engineered to reduce undue frustration.

An excellent game and a thoroughly enjoyable experience, but unfortunately the game is far too short. I don't say that too often, but I was left craving more out of the title.

Definitely a notable improvement over last year's offering and the new Home Field Advantage feature is marvelous, but the recycled visuals and mere handful of other additions may deter those who already own 2004 from purchasing the game.

While I'm sure true football fans aren't going to love it (better stick with EA), casual fans and players searching for a true, arcade-style sports game are really going to dig this one.

Great fun but far from perfect, mainly due to a handful of little niggles.

It's easy to see why everyone in Europe was importing this from the US; there is simply nothing else like it.

Nothing short of brilliant. It has its fair share of highly frustrating niggles, but they are almost totally eclipsed by the real joy and excitement the game can conjure up inside you with such alarming frequency.

I hate survival horror games. I've found them to be tedious and unnerving. However, there's something about Resident Evil 4 that draws me back again and again. Maybe it's the action-packed gameplay, the execution of the story, or even the wonderfully vivid presentation. Whatever it is, this game is something special.

While certainly not perfect – the game is short and could have benefited greatly from LAN or online multiplayer support – there really isn't a more versatile arcade-style shooter for the GameCube system.

With tons of new levels, characters, and treasures, this game will have you coming back for more, even after you've paid off that debt. They've taken everything that we've held dear about the original, and expanded it throughout, making a more complete game and creating something that is a pleasure to play.

Yes, it is both brief and linear in nature, but the story is presented with such a brilliant combination of style and substance that you'll want to come back and experience it over and over again.

Amazing. Not only does it introduce a much-needed change in the story, it gives the series a breath of fresh air with some interesting concepts.

Definitely a notable improvement over last year's offering and the new Home Field Advantage feature is marvelous, but the recycled visuals and mere handful of other additions may deter those who already own 2004 from purchasing the game.

This game is more or less the latest version of a realm that has been long established and already seen. Yes, the story is darker, longer, and more character driven than anything before it. Yes, the dungeons and sidequests are remarkably well crafted. That doesn't mean that both seasoned Zelda fans and newcomers alike will enjoy the lacking difficulty and the other small problems that plague the game.

For all of you that are seeking a challenge and great adventure, give Prince of Persia a go.

For those having a hard time comprehending today's fighters, MvC3 is there for you. Meanwhile, veterans can definitely say that this title hits the spot.

Champion mode pulls inspiration from the likes of Rocky and Raging Bull to craft a narrative around the sport that people still find engrossing. It's the perfect path for the series to take and we can only hope the next Fight Night builds on this promise, telling more tales from the world of boxing.

It might be less open-ended than its forebear, but it's every bit the thrill-ride that made Crytek a household name and Crysis 2 a now likely frontrunner for action game of the year.

It's the Nanosuit that proves to be the star of the show, offering myriad ways to tackle Crysis 2's comprehensive combat.

Despite my gripe with the animations in multiplayer, Civilization V is the perfect entry for the series' debut in the current generation of gaming.

The deeper combat mechanics haven't been watered-down in the slightest.

The short, breakneck campaigns create a compelling game you'll likely revisit time and time again. It's the perfect blend of planning and reflexes, requiring you to thoroughly plan every move but remain highly reactive and adaptable.

The most fun I've had with a fighting game in many, many years. There is an unrivalled amount of single player content and a busy online system, all of which is a joy to play.

For those still unsure about the iPhone's gaming credentials, this accomplished racer is more than adequate evidence for the contrary.

Might and Magic: Clash of Heroes is a superb title that offers players a deep campaign, addictive turn-based gameplay and a multiplayer suite that only makes one misstep.

Indeed, this is both mathematical and storytelling art-work; it teams a gripping narrative with an inventive gameplay mechanic that makes for an excellent and unforgettable ride.

The game is accessible while still retaining great depth and with dozens of excellent tracks and a huge fleet of cars spanning five decades of racing, there's a ton of content to keep players interested.

It's a smart, refreshingly dark take on RPGs, complemented by action-oriented and tactical combat with a surprising amount of depth.

A great little downloadable that's completely worth the price of admission.

Caelondia is a beautiful, vibrant locale to behold, punctuated by a fitting soundtrack that will surprise as often as it delights. But, it's the characters and creatures of this world that make the experience so special and memorable.

It's the experience of playing the game that demands attention, because there is very little quite like it. It's a strange and unusual game that plays in a familiar manner to explore an unfamiliar world, and it's worth exploring. As long as you don't mind dying a few times to get there.

The pairing of Suda 51's unhinged creativity with Shinji Mikami's sense for distinguished mechanics is enough to make Shadows of the Damned a compelling release in its own right.

It strives to be a big, all-encompassing cyberpunk adventure, and it wholly succeeds.

Despite the incongruous nature of Human Revolution's bosses, they remain a minor – but noticeable – blemish on an otherwise fantastic experience.

Bastion doesn't need gameplay gimmicks to feel innovative - instead, it plays with presentation in clever ways, and ends up feeling incredibly fresh, despite essentially being action RPG lite.

But once you look past all fan-worship and hype, you'll discover just how well the game stands on its own. It addresses the numerous flaws of the original version, and remedies it with a vastly improved control scheme and item menu.

This is a superb game, one of the finest games that I've personally played in years.

Renegade Ops came out of nowhere. It's one of the most stress-free, funny and downright playable titles of the year.

Certainly the best of the trilogy. It is a highly refined experience, an exceptional showcase of the growing experience of the team at Epic.

The graphics may not be of the same caliber of other AAA titles, and the story may falter from time to time, but those are paltry excuses not to experience one of the best current generation games around.

Dark Souls is hard, but it succeeds - once again - at never feeling overwhelmingly cheap, or plain stupid.

Dark Souls provides an amazing experience through a fantastic world, and it demands your patience and control every step of the way.

Though the overload of features and the hit-the-ground-running pace can be dizzying for some players, this approach is a smart move on Rocksteady's part. There is no better way for gamers to truly understand the Dark Knight unless we're placed in his boots and have the world hoisted on our shoulders.

If you've never had the fortune of playing Guardian Heroes before, HD is an essential purchase. Treasure has a spotless record and this long forgotten beat 'em up is easily one of their crowning achievements.

It delivers everything that you expect from a Call of Duty release, and it does that very well. The campaign strikes a perfect chord and there's not a single dull mission in the bunch, every minute filled with bravado and bravery as it steadily rises toward a thoroughly satisfying conclusion.

A game for everyone, young or old, casual or hardcore. It's an easy game to get into and an easy game to latch onto. The levels are inventive, colorful and varied, constantly providing a new experience at each turn. It's a fun, polished game, but then it's a Mario, and I'd have expected nothing less.

You can easily overlook occasionally frustrating controls and early 2000s graphics when the adventure itself consistently motivates you to want more and more for all of the nearly 60 hours it takes to complete. Skyward Sword isn't perfect, but it absolutely is not a game that should be missed by fans of the series.

Fun as it may be, what makes Battleheart a tremendous success is the uniqueness of its formula.

The "endless running" genre consists of many excellent titles, with the likes of Tiny Wings, DoodleJump and Grim Joggers receiving high acclaim. Temple Run goes above and beyond, offering gamers a superb, addictive experience throughout.

An online role-playing game that is unlike anything else you've played in the genre so far. That alone makes it worth checking out, but with some surprisingly balanced player versus player content right out of the gate, and content updates rolling out already, you'd have to be mad to pass this one up.

Metal Gear Solid: HD Collection is more than a convincing argument to upgrade from your old PlayStation 2 copies. It's an essential title in the library of anyone interested in narrative-lead gaming.

Rhythm Heaven Fever is a late, essential pick-up for the Nintendo's fading console, coming in at an attractive budget price with an exceptional amount of polish.

The sheer amount of unlockables and additional content ensure that you'll have plenty to uncover. Extend might not be original, but it is built upon the best.

Mass Effect 3 is an action game with a side-helping of dialogue, and the finale might frustrate fans who have stuck with the series since the beginning - some might even consider it lazy. It's hard to knock the actual game; it's a great shooter and the dialogue is well acted and (mostly) well-written. Mass Effect 3 is one of the best marriages of shooter action and storytelling around, and it's up to the fans to decide if that's what they really want.

Order Up! serves up as the definitive cooking sim for the times, not just as a single player stress reliever, but one that's great for the family or even with a significant other. With its multiplayer options and high replayability, you'll be sure to find yourself keeping the people fed with a smile.

Origin's charm makes it easy to forget that you're playing on a handheld and that is perhaps its greatest achievement.

Sega have succeeded in adding just enough tweaks and extras to convert the unconvinced.

A port that respects its platform and audience, and was clearly crafted as carefully as possible.

It might be a while before a fighting game emerges with a genuinely amazing story, but for now the plight of Raiden and the representatives of Earthrealm is fascinating enough.

The story wraps up nicely, and it's interesting to see Max in a game with a much darker tone, especially when, for the most part, the grim elements are handled extremely well.

The classic Civilization quirks still remain - completely illogical backstabbing AI players included! - but the game now provides a much richer toolbox for budding conquerors.

Spelunky is a game that you can finish, but one that you will never complete, and that's why I have played it for 15 hours: The finely tuned mechanics, addictive algorithmic based level design and provocatively challenging, magnificently creative difficulty represent tough videogame design at its finest. Spelunky isn't a game for the casual, or faint of heart, but if you can't stand the heat...

My one major complaint is that the game never feels very difficult, especially on Normal. There are frustrating moments, hordes of baddies, and increasing difficulty levels, but the same feeling of utter defeat never really happens as it did in the past.

The game's a well-oiled, spit-polished masterpiece of casual gaming that needs to be on your iOS device.

It's easy to pick up and play with just enough depth and difficulty to become an itch you'll need to scratch on a daily basis for a minute or two.

It may not have the depth of Sim City or the dedicated following of FarmVille but Tapped Out is still a thoroughly entertaining and addictive experience; arguably the best videogame based on The Simpsons yet.

Borderlands 2 successfully maintains every aspect that made the first game such a surprise hit and improves upon them in all the ways that matter.

It's an intelligent game, but also one that acknowledges that action needs to feel satisfying and brutal, just as much as stealth needs to feel tense and crafty.

It's a lengthy adventure full of personality, an endless plethora of weapons, and addictive co-op gameplay. Fans of the first game would be foolish to pass up another chance to visit Pandora and plunder the incalculable treasures therein.

Dishonored may not contain the depth of Skyrim or the unrivaled beauty of Uncharted, but it does present something new, innovative and engaging. It makes the player think about the effect their choices, both in terms of narrative and gameplay, may potentially have on the world around them.

It's intelligent, rewarding and challenging and with any luck it will find the audience it deserves.

Hotline Miami is the rare breed of game that feels as smart as it is bloody. It is unabashedly gratuitous, but there's a context to its mayhem that escapes most ultra-violent operas. There's really nothing quite like it: its unique blend of tactics, tension and a cracked-out fiction bleed together to form a coherent experience that is equal parts cool and disturbing.

At $3, Rayman Jungle Run hits a nice middle ground in terms of price, but it's the quality of its content that makes this an invaluable gem.

Dyad walks that fine line between artistic evocation and arcade addiction, emerging in a blinding euphoria of brilliant light at the end of its tunnel.

Mutant Blobs Attack has the right amount of charm and variety of gameplay elements especially considering its price.

No Time Left is a wholly satisfying and rewarding conclusion to one of this year's best. It makes a grand statement for episodic content.

It may not be for hardcore fans of the series who are attuned to a particular playstyle, but for everyone else DmC: Devil May Cry is a highly accomplished character action game with a lot to love. It’s a different type of game than its predecessors but one that’s wholly successful at what it does, bringing relevancy back to the Devil May Cry name.

Platinum identified that a world subject to infinite player Ginsu-knifing is a world without obstruction. Revengeance revives its signature sword play as the show stopper it was always meant to be, but does it in a calculated manner. The result is an action game that never overstays its welcome.

This is a game that starts on a high note and ends on a high note, and propels Lara with a brisk pace in between, without falling into monotony. It’s an exceptional new start for the Tomb Raider franchise.

It’s the depth and flawless execution of this vision, matched only by Capybyra Games’ majestic Superbrothers: Swords and Swocery, that makes Year Walk something of a rare treasure within the realms of iOS gaming. It’s a simple, beautiful, if sometimes confusing puzzler, whose original premise and disturbing atmosphere will linger in your mind long after its brilliantly suggestive end-sequence.

It may not be a huge leap over last year’s game but its satisfaction is almost endless.

It’s astonishing just how much content is packed in here.

Most Wanted U holds the status of the best entry and furthers the accessibility of the formula in meaningful ways.

Guacamelee takes a tried and tested formula, and puts its own sheen onto it, in the process crafting one of the best titles, downloadable or otherwise, available for Playstation Vita.

It takes the best parts of MK but refuses to rest on its laurels, building on a solid blueprint to create a fighting game with its own identity and unique fighting system. It remains accessible but manages to retain a hidden depth, making for a complete package that’s fun to play no matter your skill level.

Rather than just being a typical add-on, Blood Dragon exists more as a complimentary stand-alone experience to Far Cry 3’s tale of survival and savagery—it’s an insanely fun, ridiculous ode to the bygone era of games that got by on having great action gameplay and a title that sounded cool.

It’s got a cast of characters unlike any other, complete with unique fighting styles and a slew of new gameplay strategies to master. The incredibly intense fighting and over-the-top and utterly insane style aren’t too shabby, either. It’s a far cry from the old Hadokens, Shoryukens and Psycho Crushers of old, but that doesn’t mean it’s necessarily a bad thing.

Stands proudly as a solid game for enthusiasts and casual players alike. It has a fair amount of kooky characters, wonderfully fast-paced gameplay, a fair amount of extras, and great presentation to round it all out.

Retro fighting game fans, don’t pass this up.

An entertaining FPS experience. It isn’t perfect; it’s not going to leave an impression on you like Half-Life 2 or FarCry did, but at the same time it will entertain you and keep you glued to your seat.

The serious lack of replay value in Freedom Fighters is detrimental, but this is still one of the most exciting action games of recent memory. The level design is impeccable, the storyline is enjoyable, and the strategy elements make this game stand out from the rest of the pack.

Painkiller is like a cold drink on a hot day; refreshing.

Old school fans and SOTN fans need not despair about 3D mangling their precious--trust that Lament feels the same, but thankfully, it's not at all the same. Everything old is new again.

All the best things about the movie made it into the game.

Like its predecessors, simply doesn’t have the presentation strength or storytelling depth to match up with the very best in its genre. But with an interesting array of puzzles, a likeable cast, and a unique Western motif, the game is able to set itself apart, however superficially, from the Final Fantasy clones of the world.

The only thing missing from it is a larger player base and it’s going to take a lot of work to get diehard World of Warcraft players to give this a shot.

I will easily endure the boring bits in a quest to unlock my now third favourite ship, from R-Type Leo. I will continue to work at Final's most elusive ending and its more elusive unlockable campaign 'awards'. Indeed, after ten hours of play, there's still plenty of game left.

Chaos Legion is one of the great unsung brawlers of the PS2. So the story is cliched beyond belief. So the characters are forgettable. Maybe its presentation could have been executed better. Big deal. The game is overflowing with some of the toughest brawling action you’ll ever face.

Despite the surprising replayability, the amazing brutality of the kills, and the excellent targeting system, Mark of Kri is “only” an above-average game. The blandness of the levels really lessens the worthiness of brave Rau’s quest.

Like a good summer blockbuster, the action is entertaining, the thinking is kept to a minimum and most of the experience is forgotten when it stops.

A perfect example of what happens when the core of the game overweighs the plot, and quickly takes over it in importance.

While short, I really loved Sly Cooper. As soon as I finished it, I went out to the store and quickly bought the sequel.

The minimalist approach and stunning atmosphere elevates the game above the many generic titles surrounding it on store shelves. However, the game would have been more unique if the puzzles didn’t involve so many of those boring boxes and levers.

Offers the best FPS experience on the PlayStation 2 with a fluid experience that immerses gamers into a world of conspiracy, intrigue and action.

Don’t expect a revolutionary change to the series; just expect the same fun we’ve experienced before.

The heavy micromanagement necessary in The Movies may not be for everyone, but it’s easy to see that this is a good game. There are enough unique touches so it never feels stale or derivative, even though parts of it may seem familiar to some gamers.

For fans of Warhammer, the strong presentation could be enough to warrant a subscription. For hardcore MMO players, however, it boils down to this: what can I do that I can't do in all of the other MMOs out there? The answer is, not that much.

There's really only one word to describe Sid Meier's Pirates! and that's 'charming'. The excellent presentation, clever gameplay design and exquisite pacing mark it out as a unique and well thought out game. It's full of confidence and style, eager to impress and even if it won't keep you playing for months on end, is bound to provide an enjoyable experience while it lasts.

While other games coming out might be flashier and bigger and badder and all that crap, what it really comes down to is good strategy and in that aspect Kohan II really nails it.

As far as sequels go, Shadow Hearts: Covenant gets everything right by improving upon nearly everything. As far as RPGs go, the quality of the game is obvious.

Overall it's a very well-developed package with decent offline play and a great overall purchase, and is well worth a buy at the current cheap prices you can pick it up for.

A multi-player crowd-pleaser. Mind you, even that is outshone by the benchmark title of the DC's "Virtua Tennis 2" (yes, even though I know they're practically the same game).

On it’s own, it’s the best stealth game on the PC by a good distance, with "Thief 3’s" lack of features trailing some way behind. But as a sequel, it’s painfully under-developed.

A detailed, consistent, artful slice of action adventure, bursting at the seams with the quality of the combat and visuals, optimised admirably by a developer who has learned the PS2 through and through – you wouldn’t want to miss out on that, would you?

The graphics are appealing, the community is helpful and the game doesn’t bog you down with superfluous gameplay mechanics. If you’re a fan of playing turn-based games against other people, then this is one title worthy of your attention.

Even though the many random encounters and lengthy dungeons pad out the game length to roughly 30 hours (not counting many sidequests), Shin Megami Tensei: Digital Devil Saga is still one of the stronger PS2 RPGs.

This latest installment of the series not only strengthens the franchise as a whole, but also offers so much to both longtime fans and fighting game fanatics alike.

Although Ys: The Ark of Napishtim isn’t the prettiest or most epic RPG around, it delivers with its fast-paced action and lack of a convoluted storyline.

One mighty fine addition to the series, as well as a quality platforming/action title in its own right.

Technic Beat also provides some of the best two-player action around.