The ultimate issue in front of Dark Void is the fact that it doesn't know whether it's a third-person shooter or an arcade flight game, and does a pretty mediocre attempt at both. An uninspired approach to the design of the game's stages and challenges ultimately leaves Dark Void dangling in the chasm of mediocre shooters.

Despite offering a freeform control layout, Shaun White Snowboarding still feels like a pretty standard example of the genre at heart.

Despite offering a freeform control layout, Shaun White Snowboarding still feels like a pretty standard example of the genre at heart.

Essentially a sub-Katamari game on Nintendo DS, Ignition's title offers a decent (if short) campaign for players, though the Bonus Mode is more compelling.

Aliens vs Predator occasionally offers brief moments of entertainment, but it's ultimately let down by an unimaginative approach to the single-player mode that never quite manages to match the terror, suspense and brilliance of the original movies.

Aliens vs Predator occasionally offers brief moments of entertainment, but it's ultimately let down by an unimaginative approach to the single-player mode that never quite manages to match the terror, suspense and brilliance of the original movies.

EyePet provides a companion that won't die if you forget to feed it, won't pee on the rug, or require incessant attention. It's better then the attention-craving Tamagotchi in this respect but lacks the impulse of Nintendogs. But like a Tamagotchi, the appeal is a little short-lived and we're unsure that an EyePet isn't just for Christmas.

Beyond missions that are a touch more variable and slightly better attuned to the story, it's hard to see where HAWX 2 improves over its predecessor. The first game struggled to rise above its own monotonous gameplay and this tedium is only amplified by a sequel - mired in the same monotony - that's been released only a year-and-a-half after the original.

Beyond missions that are a touch more variable and slightly better attuned to the story, it's hard to see where HAWX 2 improves over its predecessor. The first game struggled to rise above its own monotonous gameplay and this tedium is only amplified by a sequel - mired in the same monotony - that's been released only a year-and-a-half after the original.

Disney Epic Mickey is undeniably the disappointment of the year for us. It was a concept that promised so much when it emerged last year but has ultimately ended up falling far short of the mark. What's more troubling than all of this, though, is that it feels like a game that's been held back from reaching its full potential; you do get the sense that it's perhaps not Junction Point's lack of talent but its lack of creative license that's led to these disappointments.

The moan continues with uninspired and bland graphics, awful sound effects and ear-wrenching music.

It left me with bad feelings not only because of its complete plagiarism but because they haven’t even attempted to do anything with it but change the bubbles to pathetic little Snoods.

The game does up the Zombie count to an immeasurable level, whilst the levels are extremely large and full of scenic touches.

Despite having good structure, control, sound and graphics as well as a kickass level editor the game is just not as much fun as it could be because of the problems with control.

Hooking the headset communicator up and jumping into a game without any problems to irritate as many people as possible has proved to be more alluring then I first thought.

It’s difficult to knock Wolverine’s Revenge too much because it does offer some neat ideas, but unfortunately GenePool has seemingly forgotten about the fundamentals and left us with little to get excited about after the brief initial interest.

Walking into the club for the first time and slicing through dozens of vampires with your sword is definitely a cool moment. However the rest of the game is so bland and monotonous that you’d have to have been lobotomised to enjoy it.

The result is a title that offers a physics and driving engine that isn’t up to scratch, whilst the actual racing action is turned into a monotonous experience that requires very little skill.

At the end of the day Grabbed by the Ghoulies is a fun romp whilst it lasts, but unfortunately the sheer amount of repetition and lack of depth will make even the most avid Rare fan begin to question their motives.

Being a fan of the series it hurts to see the Leisure Suit Larry franchise brought up to date like this, a lot more thought and effort was needed instead of just relying on the boobs.

An average tie-in that's not without its merits, and one that will appeal to fans of the film and a younger audience. Jaded older gamers however will find very little to sustain your interest.

Once again we harp back to the fact that the controls were not as responsive as we hoped and although this probably is tuned into the requirements of Indy racing although it made racing slightly harder or should we say more of a tussle!

Although it is relatively entertaining to play the game falls flat mostly because of a few key aspects: enemy AI, and the sheer linearity of the level design and gameplay.

The game does feel a bit 'by the numbers' and certainly doesn't match the quite frankly sublime quality of gameplay that fellow movie tie-in "Chronicles of Riddick" achieved in 2004. Fans of the film are sure to be satisfied with Batman Begins, but for regular gamers, it's all been seen and done before.

Fun to play in the short term, especially over the course of a mission or two, there's a repetitiveness to the gameplay that fails to entice players to experience the campaign for hours on end.

If the franchise is to continue with any sort of longevity then an overhaul of many gameplay aspects will have to be accomplished.

Oh EA what have you done; we we're getting to enjoy FIFA once again and now this. We're never ones to severely criticise an average game, however FIFA 06 beggars belief.

It hints at brilliance on occasions, but is ultimately flawed by poor execution, sloppy glitches and an overall unfinished feel.

Whilst the strong presentation and authenticity is appealing, the overall result is a tired fps that suffers from fundamental flaws.

The real problem is that it has been done so many times before that at some stages in the game you get that déjà vu feeling you played the same location, executed the exact move and experienced the same sequence of events but this time it's a Kangaroo you are sharing it with and not another endearing character.

An average title, the gameplay isn't quite solid but there are enough elements to keep you battling for more frantic action.

The presentation sets the tone brilliantly and drags the player through, but sadly the gameplay is largely forgettable.

On the one hand the Arwing missons are pure StarFox with plenty of frantic button bashing. Sadly, the ground based sections are dull and really makes the game a disappointing one to play.

A poorly implemented game idea that is by far beaten by Dave Mirra’s BMX game, which incidentally in its first incarnation had much more expansive levels than this game.

Tak isn’t the worst platformer we’ve seen and will certainly appeal to the younger gamers out there; however its sheer insistence on the generic platform formula is enough to deter most people.

An average tie-in that's not without its merits, and one that will appeal to fans of the film and a younger audience. Jaded older gamers however will find very little to sustain your interest.

Whilst not the worst film tie-in, Fantastic 4 still feels heavily watered down and certainly comes across as a weaker version of "X-Men Legends."

The real problem is that it has been done so many times before that at some stages in the game you get that déjà vu feeling you played the same location, executed the exact move and experienced the same sequence of events but this time it's a Kangaroo you are sharing it with and not another endearing character.

Oh EA what have you done; we we're getting to enjoy FIFA once again and now this. We're never ones to severely criticise an average game, however FIFA 06 beggars belief.

GameCube owners are certainly the luckiest out there, as R: Racer includes the GC-GBA title Pac-Man as a freebie; whilst it’s nothing revolutionary, this fun little title makes a purchase almost worthy.

I really wanted to recommend this game, despite it's problems with controls and graphics I would still have recommended it to fans of the genre and "Evil Dead" movies, however because of the length all I can say is rent it out some time.

With the small roster and lack of modes, this one is probably best as a rental and not a purchase, but it is a good way to waste away a weekend.

Perhaps with more development time, The Cartel would have been a more compelling experience but, with a game engine that's showing its age, a confused new identity and a fair few technical issues, it falls sadly short of most FPS fans' high expectations.

Perhaps with more development time, The Cartel would have been a more compelling experience but, with a game engine that's showing its age, a confused new identity and a fair few technical issues, it falls sadly short of most FPS fans' high expectations.

On first sight, Bodycount's gameplay pillars are inviting: with arcade shooters being few and far between this generation and destructible environments remaining surprisingly underused, there's some real potential for compelling gameplay here. Unfortunately, Codemasters hasn't executed either of these features particularly well and unforgivably lacklustre design elsewhere cripples the game.

On first sight, Bodycount's gameplay pillars are inviting: with arcade shooters being few and far between this generation and destructible environments remaining surprisingly underused, there's some real potential for compelling gameplay here. Unfortunately, Codemasters hasn't executed either of these features particularly well and unforgivably lacklustre design elsewhere cripples the game.

A prime example of how not to do a tennis game, after just one match you’ll be hard pressed to pick this up and play it again.

Whilst we found ourselves forgiving Lara for moving like a 7-ton dumper truck and Core for basically realising that their new ideas weren’t quite cutting it, we can’t say the same for the bugs that rear their ugly heads all too often - we’ve simply lost count of the number of times we’ve had to reset our Playstation2 because Lara has got stuck in a wall yet again.

I actually found myself being so bored at one point that I took to reading out the characters lines in silly voices just to entertain myself.

If you’re a fan of The Simpsons (who isn’t?) it’s likely that after the initial appeal wears off you’ll be left with a game that’s better served as a coffee-coaster.

If you’re a fan of the movie you’ll be bitterly disappointed at the butchering the license has received, whilst even action fans will be put off after they’ve punched, kicked and thrown their way through the first 10 missions; avoid!!!

If trudging your way through uninspired level after level, button bashing through a bunch of mindless drones to finish up with some of the most unimaginative bosses in videogames history is your idea of fun then go for it.

Myst stood for inventiveness and creation of many well formed ideas. Now it looks like a carbon copy of many of its previous releases!

Linear to the point of offering little challenge beyond heading in a straight route through the entire game at an extremely sluggish pace, occasionally demanding you to pick up objects to solve frustratingly cryptic puzzles.

Aura is safe, predictable and wholesome…… but is that enough?

To new gamers there is appeal but if you already own a game like this then we are sure it can’t offer you anything new or remotely appealing!

Just trying to play through the game was a struggle; sure the cumbersome controls and other such issues are frustrating, however the biggest concern is the lack of appeal the game has, boredom sinks in after only a couple of levels and there’s very little to re-capture this later in the game.

The combat is far from fluid and the missions feel stuttered and short...and how will Marvel fans feel about killing off some of their favourite characters???

Calling 24: The Game a disappointment is a bit of an understatement. Its uninspired third-person shooter gameplay and sluggishly dull driving sections really do fail to capture the brilliance of the TV show, with the mini-game puzzles and the rare idea representing the only spark of creativity in the entire game.

As a long-term Sonic fan Shadow the Hedgehog fills me with absolute dread and disdain; it’s an abysmal game that manages to expand upon the issues of previous Sonic games, whilst completing negating the core ingredients of the Sonic series.

An unbelievably lazy title that just feels cheap. It has poor gameplay that the target audience will just fall asleep at, which only adds to the infuriating realisation that it will still sell thanks to the lightning scarred teen’s name.

You almost have to ask whether Capcom closed Studio 8 out of sheer embarrassment.

It’s hard to knock Chrome Specforce too heavily simply because of its bargain price, however you have to question whether that’s a reason to invest in such a bland experience that only offers a mediocre interpretation of something we’ve seen on countless occasions. Gameplay flaws, bugs and glitches are one thing, a complete lack of imagination in terms of a videogame however is a distinctly different matter.

Unfortunately within the first hour of realizing the game is little more then a series of samey battles, the tedium and monotony soon overtakes and leaves the rest of the game a mind-numbingly repetitive struggle - look elsewhere for your superhero action.

In most ways the game feels like so many European developed RTS titles that fail to connect with gamers that it's only the Direct Control function (and the well known logo of Ubisoft) that lifts it ever so slightly out of the crowd of other strategy games developed across mainland Europe.

This is by far the most disappointing of the Revolution series to date. Whilst the changes made to the game have been done to accommodate the various features of the Nintendo DS, the fact is that it just doesn't feel like Rainbow Islands. Key elements are missing, including the all important strategy of the original.

Online trading is a neat idea that brings back memories of swapping doubles of the real toys but aside from that, V4 is a desperately shallow, repetitive game. Very much a sleeping dog, and you know how that little phrase goes.

A sluggish and cumbersome experience that distinctly lacks in any sort of atmosphere, D-Day is a real disappointment.

Lair is the quintessential example of why motion control should only be used sparingly on PlayStation 3 titles; unwieldy, unresponsive, and bland in terms of gameplay, the only thing compelling in the game is the soundtracks.

Questions over what the remake is ultimately trying to achieve and the failure to capture the very essence of the original (beyond the cute and chirpy presentation), along with the limited use of the DS and the pathetic length, make this one to leave on the shop shelf, even if you do fondly recall the original.

Although it's easy to see Transformers: The Game attracting a younger audience better suited to overlook the game's issues, for everybody else, the appeal of large robots repeatedly stomping around uninspired environments limits it to little more than a poorly realised merchandising option.

It's hard to imagine why anyone would opt for The Saboteur when they've got Assassin's Creed II as an alternative. Beyond its Parisian setting, The Saboteur fails to add any new ideas to the sandbox genre other than breasts.

It's hard to imagine why anyone would opt for The Saboteur when they've got Assassin's Creed II as an alternative. Beyond its Parisian setting, The Saboteur fails to add any new ideas to the sandbox genre other than breasts.

SimCity Societies completely forgets what the SimCity experience is all about. Gameplay depth has been sacrificed to make the title feel more like a The Sims city builder, and the result is a game with little or no substance whatsoever.

An intriguing game on mobile phones makes a reasonable translation to the Nintendo DS, but it's hard to look past the fact that Orcs & Elves feels dated and overly simplistic. If anything Orcs & Elves makes us hope that nobody will contemplate bringing mobile phone games to the Nintendo DS ever again.

Aliens vs. Predator Requiem has a short lifespan; it's very repetitive and has a multiplayer mode that may as well have been left out. Far from having Predatory instincts, the game would die from hypothermia if left out for 20 minutes on a chilly September evening.

Visually, it's very similar to Warriors Orochi on Xbox 360, while the gameplay and appeal are as stagnant and underwhelming as they've ever been.

It's passable for those just looking for some mindless action and fans of his films, but there's too many issues to hold this game aloft in the crowded action genre.

It's passable for those just looking for some mindless action and fans of his films, but there's too many issues to hold this game aloft in the crowded action genre.

Race Pro is uninspiring throughout and a bland racing experience to the bone.

Some ill thought out mechanics really make this already niche title further marginalised, but it's nonetheless a very quirky adventure game.

Bland, unoriginal, buggy, beleaguered with frame-rate issues, filled with visual 'quirks', and featuring combat that's lacking any great sense of satisfaction, Rise of the Argonauts is a truly lacklustre action-RPG experience.

Bland, unoriginal, buggy, beleaguered with frame-rate issues, filled with visual 'quirks', and featuring combat that's lacking any great sense of satisfaction, Rise of the Argonauts is a truly lacklustre action-RPG experience.

Bland, unoriginal, buggy, beleaguered with frame-rate issues, filled with visual 'quirks', and featuring combat that's lacking any great sense of satisfaction, Rise of the Argonauts is a truly lacklustre action-RPG experience.

We had high hopes for FUEL, which promised to offer an expansive game world teaming with insane weather and even crazier racing. Ultimately, however, Asobo Studio has served up a barren wasteland filled with nothing to do, bland race events, and weather effects that are far less dynamic than Codemasters might have you believe.

We had high hopes for FUEL, which promised to offer an expansive game world teaming with insane weather and even crazier racing. Ultimately, however, Asobo Studio has served up a barren wasteland filled with nothing to do, bland race events, and weather effects that are far less dynamic than Codemasters might have you believe.

We had high hopes for FUEL, which promised to offer an expansive game world teaming with insane weather and even crazier racing. Ultimately, however, Asobo Studio has served up a barren wasteland filled with nothing to do, bland race events, and weather effects that are far less dynamic than Codemasters might have you believe.

While the original Force Unleashed managed to surprise us with something that was more stimulating then the tech demo we feared and nicely introduced a new plotline, the sequel fails at virtually everything it attempts. The plot feels like a cheap way to extend the series and never delivers any twists, while the game itself is mediocre at the very best of times. A hugely disappointing experience that even the most ardent Star Wars fan will have a tough time enjoying.

While the original Force Unleashed managed to surprise us with something that was more stimulating then the tech demo we feared and nicely introduced a new plotline, the sequel fails at virtually everything it attempts. The plot feels like a cheap way to extend the series and never delivers any twists, while the game itself is mediocre at the very best of times. A hugely disappointing experience that even the most ardent Star Wars fan will have a tough time enjoying.

It just does not seem like a title you would want to run out and buy if you already have last year's game.

Whilst some of the levels have a good degree of detail unfortunately for most of them they lack inspiration and are actually quite dull.

Offers nothing fresh or inventive in terms of gameplay and considering the subject matter it needed to. Although it does things better than nearly any other similar themed game that just wasn’t enough.

The combat is far from fluid and the missions feel stuttered and short...and how will Marvel fans feel about killing off some of their favourite characters???

As a long-term Sonic fan Shadow the Hedgehog fills me with absolute dread and disdain; it's an abysmal game that manages to expand upon the issues of previous Sonic games, whilst completing negating the core ingredients of the Sonic series.

An unbelievably lazy title that just feels cheap. It has poor gameplay that the target audience will just fall asleep at, which only adds to the infuriating realisation that it will still sell thanks to the lightning scarred teen's name.

You almost have to ask whether Capcom closed Studio 8 out of sheer embarrassment.

This game is rushed and it truly shows in every aspect. I feel as if I’ve been taken back to the days of WCW Nitro and the likes. Please get me out of this Nightmare.

The combat is far from fluid and the missions feel stuttered and short...and how will Marvel fans feel about killing off some of their favourite characters???

As a long-term Sonic fan Shadow the Hedgehog fills me with absolute dread and disdain; it's an abysmal game that manages to expand upon the issues of previous Sonic games, whilst completing negating the core ingredients of the Sonic series.

An unbelievably lazy title that just feels cheap. It has poor gameplay that the target audience will just fall asleep at, which only adds to the infuriating realisation that it will still sell thanks to the lightning scarred teen's name.

It's exciting to see the Lego games attempt to innovate, and some of the battles can be truly epic, but all sense of awe and fun is destroyed by persistent issues across the board, leaving players confused and frustrated. The trademark Lego charm is still just about present but is quickly wearing thin.

It's exciting to see the Lego games attempt to innovate, and some of the battles can be truly epic, but all sense of awe and fun is destroyed by persistent issues across the board, leaving players confused and frustrated. The trademark Lego charm is still just about present but is quickly wearing thin.

A hugely disappointing update to a franchise that was once reverred in the videogames industry - why is there no 4P option?

The restrictive control system and progression feels pathetic compared to the state of fluid titles such as "Prince of Persia" or "Galleon", whilst the overall experience is confounded by an awkward fixed camera system that makes it virtually impossible to see where you’re going.

The restrictive control system and progression feels pathetic compared to the state of fluid titles such as "Prince of Persia" or "Galleon", whilst the overall experience is confounded by an awkward fixed camera system that makes it virtually impossible to see where you’re going.

Not only have they taken the 40 year legacy of James Bond way off track, but they have also taken the classic GoldenEye reputation and created a game that the fans were dreading. Not a classic ' not even an average game, GoldenEye: Rogue Agent is just about insulting to everyone in the target demographic.

Only the "boss" encounters with the persistent helicopter provide anything even bordering on memorable, leaving a sloppy, completely unremarkable and tired shooter that's better left on the shop shelves.

By no stretch of imagination is Hellboy: The Science of Evil a good example of the third-person action genre, the bland level designs, uninspired combat and an overall dated feel contribute to yet another poor comic-book adaptation. Nevertheless, Krome have captured Hellboy's character well and perhaps the game's limited scope will find some appeal to a younger audience - it worked for Iron Man and The Incredible Hulk.

Horribly bland, boring, and broken.

The series is very, very tired and should really have been put to bed by now, with this latest iteration boasting lacklustre content and all the appeal of drinking sulphuric acid.

It's ill-thought from the very start, which is demonstrated by the contradictions and flaws evident throughout the entire game.

It's ill-thought from the very start, which is demonstrated by the contradictions and flaws evident throughout the entire game.

It's ill-thought from the very start, which is demonstrated by the contradictions and flaws evident throughout the entire game.

Following the format of releasing an uninspired superhero game on every conceivable format, Iron Man unsurprisingly offers little to anybody but the hardest Iron Man fanatic.

Very much throwaway gaming, Conquest is wholly lacklustre, devoid of any real purpose, and is a real low point for Pandemic, which after Mercenaries 2 is really saying something. 'Must do better' is a gross understatement.

Very much throwaway gaming, Conquest is wholly lacklustre, devoid of any real purpose, and is a real low point for Pandemic, which after Mercenaries 2 is really saying something. 'Must do better' is a gross understatement.

Very much throwaway gaming, Conquest is wholly lacklustre, devoid of any real purpose, and is a real low point for Pandemic, which after Mercenaries 2 is really saying something. 'Must do better' is a gross understatement.

Control issues prevent any true sensation of a classic Sonic title from emerging, while any subtle depth is virtually eradicated by the overwhelming sense of simplicity.

Easily the worst shooter we've seen so far this year and quite possibly the whole of last year as well, we can't see fans of either the film, comic, or third-person shooters enjoying Weapons of Fate.

Easily the worst shooter we've seen so far this year and quite possibly the whole of last year as well, we can't see fans of either the film, comic, or third-person shooters enjoying Weapons of Fate.

There's absolutely no depth here – no character development, no feeling that you're on holiday, nothing – you just feel cheated out of any game whatsoever. The truth be told, this game is entirely based around perving on the women.

The blatant plagiarism, atrocious dialogue and unimaginative gameplay combine to create one of the most dullest videogame experiences I’ve had in years.

A hugely disappointing update to a franchise that was once reverred in the videogames industry - why is there no 4P option?

The restrictive control system and progression feels pathetic compared to the state of fluid titles such as "Prince of Persia" or "Galleon", whilst the overall experience is confounded by an awkward fixed camera system that makes it virtually impossible to see where you’re going.

Not only have they taken the 40 year legacy of James Bond way off track, but they have also taken the classic GoldenEye reputation and created a game that the fans were dreading. Not a classic ' not even an average game, GoldenEye: Rogue Agent is just about insulting to everyone in the target demographic.

A hugely disappointing update to a franchise that was once reverred in the videogames industry - why is there no 4P option?

Looks and feels more like a retro offering than a new game.

The restrictive control system and progression feels pathetic compared to the state of fluid titles such as "Prince of Persia" or "Galleon", whilst the overall experience is confounded by an awkward fixed camera system that makes it virtually impossible to see where you’re going.

Not only have they taken the 40 year legacy of James Bond way off track, but they have also taken the classic GoldenEye reputation and created a game that the fans were dreading. Not a classic ' not even an average game, GoldenEye: Rogue Agent is just about insulting to everyone in the target demographic.

DNF plays like it's been developed in a vacuum, serving more as a time-capsule of mediocre PC games from the first half of the last decade than a certifiable, modern-day FPS.

DNF plays like it's been developed in a vacuum, serving more as a time-capsule of mediocre PC games from the first half of the last decade than a certifiable, modern-day FPS.

Hats off to Spark Unlimited, we really thought that Conflict: Denied Ops would be the worst first-person shooter of the year...but Turning Point: Fall of Liberty snatches that award with both hands.

Something to avoid like nuclear waste, Godzilla: Unleashed suffers from hideous gameplay, Neolithic graphics, no depth whatsoever, and shoddy design all-round. If you want to torture somebody then buy them this for their birthday.

It's a feminist's nightmare wrapped up in the plaything of a horny and naive adolescent boy, with some underlying gameplay dynamics reminiscent of The Sims. Truly, it's confused.

The simple fact is Kung Fu Rider would have fared better on a traditional joypad (it still wouldn't be that much fun), therefore making the entire game ultimately pointless. Studio Japan has blatantly given a half-arsed approach to their first PS Move title and there's absolutely nothing to recommend. Pointless, frustrating, irritating.

The wrestlers contain so few polygons, they look like an Origami project gone bad. This might be excusable if this lack of detail made up for fast-paced and smooth action, but sadly this isn't the case either.

I’m not sure why this game was ever made.

Once you've seen one gag you've literally seen them all, and it's certainly not enough to sustain your interest beyond the first five minutes.

Having enormous plastic breasts never made Gazza a ballerina; by the same token, nor does it make Pammy a game character. It worked for Lara… but then Lara had an actual game to fall back on.