Winter Sports 2009 simply does the job. It is easy to play and offers a fair amount of entertainment – and at a welcome bargain price that will appeal to many sports fans. However, with poor presentation values and only a handful of really fun or challenging events, it’s a game you’ll be unlikely to dig out on a regular basis unless you’ve an unquenchable thirst for competition or a few mates up for some multiplayer action.

As a first-person experience, it’s wonderful. As an engine, it’s well above par. Yet as a whole game, it runs a hell of a lot but doesn’t really go anywhere. A disappointment maybe, but a unique starting point for a franchise that only leaves us hopeful for what DICE can do with the next instalment.

When it works, it’s glorious. But rather poorly, it doesn’t work with enough consistency or regularity to reward the kind of extended play most users would expect to get from a new PES title. FIFA is better this year in almost every way possible and while it may grate on long-standing ISS fanboys to go into a shop and buy a FIFA game, there’s no shame whatsoever in simply wanting the best you can get for your money.

Relentlessly packed full of gunfire as well as requiring duck-and-cover defensive play Quantum of Solace blends a balls-out shooter with modern sensibilities to create a game that’s refreshingly fast paced and therefore swift to complete. If played on its highest settings you’d be better served by Rainbow Six and if played on lower you’re paying for just a few hours of entertainment. Thankfully multiplayer promises much, and we’ll tell you how it delivers once we’re all online and you’ve seen Mr Bond die several times.

Midnight Club: Los Angeles is a solid and hugely enjoyable racing game but almost every inch of it covers ground we’ve seen several times already. There’s not a lot more to it than a checklist of gameplay and features we’ve seen in the series before or in the likes of Burnout, Juiced and Need for Speed. We haven’t had a street racing game for a while, though, so we’ve no problem recommending this to anyone look for those ‘high-octane/adrenaline fuelled’ clichés. Just don’t expect a new benchmark to be set for its successors to follow.

The physics that enable you to make the earth move certainly work and will provide laughs in abundance for the first hour or so. However, when everything else about Fracture is a retread of shooters past, it’s hard to feel anything else but disappointment that the brilliant gimmick has been squandered on a brief, just above average shooter.

Yeah, it’s alright, especially if you’re new to the series or just want to play something that spreads on your bread like ‘I-Can’t Believe-It’s-Not-Silent-Hill-2.’ The monsters are great, the combat is workable and the mystery is intriguing. But if you’ve ever played a survival horror game then chances are you’ve already played this, down to the last ‘put strange object in bizarre vaginal slot’ puzzle. As with Hollywood’s trend for remaking J-horror movies, fans may well prefer to fondly remember the original instead.

The more you appreciate Star Wars in general the more you’ll get from this occasionally inspiring run-and-slasher. True, the touted technology is never really used to do more than put on a fine electric show, but what a show it is. But as for Anti-Force Fields? Well, they’re one way of making Jedi and Sith characters somewhat redundant, and just one example of how Force Unleashed goes against 30 years of lore in order to shoehorn a game together.

Chunky, colourful and smooth it may be but Rearmed is about as retro as modern games get. With new challenges and pickups to spice up the action and round off the package nicely, it exudes an air of quality seldom seen in remakes.

The difficulty of events varies wildly and it’s hard to accept that inconsistency, but if you absolutely must know if you can ‘virtually’ run faster than your mates it can prove a reasonable diversion, and a fair way of spending a few summer evenings slumped on the couch.

Aerosmith’s presence works impressively well with a decent mix of GH-friendly tunes and some great animations but without the band this is simply a scaled-down version of Guitar Hero III with fewer tracks and no option for DLC to add some of your own favourite anthems to the playlist.

Although significantly streamlined compared to the last wave of DBZ titles and perilously confusing at times, Burst Limit looks and feels at home on today’s meaty hardware. Mechanics are generally tight and far more intricate than you might expect from a game like this so while more traditional fighters may still have the edge for all but the most devout anime fans, this is a surprising treat for those with the patience to get to grips with it and the good nature to overlook its relative lack of content.

Bullets and punch-ups flow together with a level of zeal and if you accept that you are in for a dumb action movie of an experience you’ll be served with something special. This is easily the most exciting tie-in title for a long time but some may find its constant action tiring and repetitive.

Iron Man only just scrapes itself above being a typical movie tie-in title by virtue of some nifty flight controls and the excellent suit. The missions are fun but repetitive and with a lack of a proper checkpoint system and muddy backgrounds, this fails to take off into the stratosphere of a top-quality 360 experience.

No RTS fan could fail to be impressed by the massive choice in tactics and strategy as well as the intuitive and fast control system. A lacklustre story and limited story mode only slightly mar an otherwise excellent strategy game.

Although initially slovenly and unresponsive there’s some fun to be had taking on multiple opponents and enjoying the resulting spurts of viscera. There’s some fun in sneaking around watchtowers and exploring caves, too, but Viking’s problem is that what fun it provides is heavily watered down to give it a fake epic feel.

As winter fades away and blues skies appear, Sega Superstars Tennis will brighten up even the most miserable of days with solid gameplay, fun characters and great courts to play on.

There are far worse games out there, sure, but few that tackle such big issues in such a blinkered and cringeworthy manner.

And while it’s a solid enough shooter that’ll largely cure the itch for frag-heads, it just fails to do anything to particularly excite.

It’s good, harmless fun and the strategy side of things is still pretty tight, albeit without the wonderful management of the Empires games.

Despite the undeniable popularity of the series, this third game would do well to take time off to reinvent itself for the inevitable sequel next year. While it doesn’t shirk on the number of game modes available, the actual substance of these offerings doesn’t add up to much.

The multiplayer seems to work well enough and we hope for some tasty downloadable content to coax us back in later in 2008. However, it’s a tough market out there right now for average fantasy fayre and as a single player game, Dark Messiah of Might and Magic: Elements just doesn’t quite have the spark to stand out.

Turok isn’t just another below average shooter. It’s slightly better than that. While it may seem a little short and over-familiar come the end, its positive points are at times excellent and it does come with an extra layer of polish that's often lacking in other games. Plus, you can stab dinosaurs in the neck. And that’s awesome.

If only Blueside had maintained the game's strategy element, rather than trying to make this too action-heavy. It's definitely a missed opportunity, but at least the developer is trying to do something different for a change, we suppose.

This could be a standard Xbox release.

Kane & Lynch promises much more than it actually delivers. It’s still a fine game, but is let down far too frequently by a number of minor issues that could have been corrected with more development time. It’s got some great elements, just not enough of them.

Combat is largely optional, as is fitting an assassination game. But then so is actual assassination. It’s as entertaining as having a balcony with a beautiful view, hence the score.

It’s a perfectly sound release but with so many top-notch shooters to choose from already, this is barely going to factor on the radars of many people. The shame.

We made the mistake of playing Mandate first and were really shocked by how average it looks in comparison to any other FPS game currently available - character animation is excellent but the environments are dire. Thankfully Extraction Point, though still not top-notch graphically, looks more like a 360 game and plays sweetly.

Worth it if you’ve got a gaggle of screaming kiddies to keep quiet or you simply want a quick 1000 Gamerpoints (the game is very generous), Party Animals certainly won’t be cut the mustard with anyone who’s gaming habits extend beyond the casual.

Capturing the feel, if sometimes not quite the look, of the universally loved animation, The Simpsons Game displays momentary glimpses of ‘the game that got away’ before falling back on tried and tested design and easy laughs to carry it through. It’s a generic romp, albeit one guaranteed to tickle you on at least a few occasions.

Jericho works really hard to build up a tense and involving game environment, but then can’t quite deliver the game to match. Confusing at the points where it needs to be clear and, only sporadically showing glimpses of what should have been, Jericho is a perfectly reasonable experience, but hardly essential.

If you want something more than that, you might find that this is a little shallow and over too quickly, but if you are looking for nothing more than some dogfighting craziness, this could just be a match made in the clouds.

Tomb Raider: Anniversary is a solid title whose next-gen credentials are offset by a concept that’s starting to show its age. Those with a penchant for all things Croft will relish this overhauled blast from the past, but ultimately this alone isn’t quite enough to make Tomb Raider: Anniversary a must have title for most other people.

This is a definite improvement in the series, but not a particularly large one as it’s very much as case of sticking with a successful formula. Better visuals, a few new tricks, features and more career options are all great for the franchise but Skate has laid down a new challenge that Proving Ground hasn’t quite risen to.

Burnout is a better arcade racer, but Juiced 2 has other qualities including Driver DNA. It is a gimmick, but it works and it adds that element necessary to make spending money on a game of the like you may already own reasonable.

Keen to push forwards and revolutionise control, NHL 2K8 bafflingly manages to take a step backwards over previous incarnations. It’s still fun enough but it’s a shame, as with a little more time to perfect its core ideas, this could have been great. The franchise isn’t going anywhere though, so it’s still one to watch out for a few more years yet.

Project Sylpheed is a very decent shoot-'em-up, full of spectacular set-pieces and blessed with tight controls, but it lacks real depth. [Issue 22, p.66]

Decent stealth elements and a fun Live play can't quite redeem what is a deeeply shoddy game. This is the next-gen era of gaming, so why does this feel like it's from 1997 and not 2007? [JPN Import, Issue 24, p.75]

While it was never going to be a contender for Game of the Year, Monster Madness has failed to deliver in nearly every sense. It could have been worse, but by the same token it could have been a whole lot better.

It just falls short of anything higher because it lacks the polish and well-balanced gameplay that we'd expect from any full-price title. [Issue 25, p.63]

It's dumb, it's derivative and it's cheap. Yet neither of those are the reason you should consider spending a bit of cash here. Instead, it's the vintage gameplay, the mindless arcade blasting entertainment and an ability to rise above a bedrock of flaws to emerge victorious. [Issue 25, p.56]

No quibbles on the game itself, which marries the glitz you expect of EA with a very good football engine. But sooner or later, surely a stand needs to be made against being expected to pay so much when so little - in gameplay terms - has actually changed? [Issue #23, p.60]

It's too short, missing a multiplayer and plays too much to a market alienated by its 12+ rating. [Issue 25, p.60]

Packing all the charm and charisma of a shareware PC game (only considerably more expensive), Tetris Evolution is as dull as it is tedious. Don’t be seduced by its empty promises of Tetris goodness at a bargain price, get something else instead.

The game itself isn't bad; it's just blatantly average. [Issue 25, p.68]

Stylish it may be, but ICON's core mechanics are simply too slack for us to recommend it to anyone that wants to splash out on a decent fighting game. [Issue #23, p.55]

GRAW2 is more of the same wrapped up in a coating of graphical improvements, tweaked functionality and new items and abilities. GRAW2 gives generously with one hand and abruptly takes away with the other.

Alicia is an enticing central character and the setting is delectably decayed, but playing her is just simply average and consistently lacks consideration for the player. She's a witch all right. [Issue #23, p.52]

Though very much an acquired taste, Samurai Warriors 2 Empires is more or less a godsend for anyone wanting a strategy fix out of their 360. [Issue #23, p.62]

There's not been a huge gameplay jump snice we last saw NBA Street, but it's certainly wearing far fancier clothes. [Issue 24, p.65]

Even now it is still an endearing and addictive game. [Issue #23, p.72]

Give it five minutes and Root Beer Tapper can lead to hours of enjoyment. [Issue #23, p.72]

Although the tweaks and alterations since the last version are only minor, Pro Evolution Soccer is still a decent footie game. But this year the gap between "FIFA" and PES has grown ever tighter. The overall experience of "FIFA" is certainly better but PES still has the hardcore gameplay.

It does what it says on the tin, and delivers heart-pounding explosions, pant-wetting big alien monsters and hordes of minions to slay. If you can overlook the fact that it doesn't challenge your Xbox 360 either intellectually or technically, and you can just get down and dirty with some big guns and even bigger odds, then you and Lost Planet are going to get along just fine. [Issue 20, p.50]

As far as sports simulations go, World Snooker Championship 2007 doesn’t quite have the same finesse or that extra touch of quality that "Tiger Woods" or "Fight Night" can provide. However, it brings the sport to life with impressive detail, is good fun and very easy to pick up and play – an attribute that may appeal to those who merely curious about the game.

Surely Namco could've offered a slightly updated approach, rather than the original game set inside a high definition-ready border, with possibly the most boring Pac-Man mural known to man? [Issue 22, p.63]

Simple and attractive, this can be seen as the 'scrolling shooter for the rest of us,' requiring neither the lobe roasting reactions of a Japanese infant nor a great investment of time to see it through. [Issue 21, p.56]

Besides the poor camera angle, it's easy to play and is challenging enough to hold your attention for an enjoyable and borderline addictive experience. [Issue 18, p.87]

It's flawed in several ways that may annoy and frustrate a newcomer, but seasoned wrestling gamers will find everything they love about SmackDown and a whole lot more. [Issue 18, p.79]

The game seems to depend on a couple of nice ideas that you’ll repeat over and over again, thinking merely of the satisfaction of finishing the adventure rather than the fun you’ve had playing it.

A last-gen game, lazily ported over to the 360. But, on the upside, it's an extremely entertaining last-gen game that takes a different approach to its sport. [Issue 22, p.58]

Hard and furious paced play from this eighties arcade classic. We would have preferred to have seen a port of the superior NES version though.

Featuring a solid frame rate, masses of detail and some amazing character clothing, Call of Duty 3 is without a doubt a fantastic looking game (albeit unfortunately out-classed by "Gears of War" right at the last minute), the problem is, the same level of effort, style and execution simply hasn’t been put into the gameplay which, unfortunately, feels like a regression from "Call of Duty 2" and wastes a lot of time with unwanted cut-scenes that only serve to interrupt the action.

An interesting and technically excellent FPS, F.E.A.R.’s refusal to play to its real strengths is something of a shame. Regardless, decent single-player modes and online play make it a shrewd investment for anyone that likes hurting people.

The extensive single player mode, backed up with strong multiplayer support, and some exciting, enjoyable arcade racing make Need For Speed the safe choice it always is. It’s still good distance from a classic, it’s not the best in its genre, but it is damn good fun.

Sure, the online world can be a bit overwhelming at first, but once you've got to grips with communicating and finding your way around, you and your friends will be hooked. [Issue 18, p.84]

Don't buy it looking for huge innovations, but by all means expect entertainment by the superhero-load. [Issue 18, p.72]

As instantly addictive as it was 20 years ago. Updated graphics and gameplay are top notch, but the difficulty and repetitiveness are a bit much after a while. [Issue 25, p.70]

Shameless Achievement Whores are encouraged to apply. [Issue 18, p.87]

Frustrating and cheap when playing against the computer. Once you're online things do get better, but nothing can fix the 360 control pad, which isn't ideal for all but the quick button taping between finishing moves. [Issue 18, p.89]

A tremendous handheld game has been diluted by a muddled journey to the 360 home console, and a desire to screw as much cash out of games as possible. Vote with your wallets. [Issue 18, p.88]

As much as we would have loved to have seen some sort of new co-op mode or something, Dig Dug is still retro gaming at its best.

There's a good game in there somewhere but it's hidden behind the arm waving loopiness that takes up the majority of the game.

Overly complicated and almost no fun to play. [Issue 17, p.68]

A frustratingly straightforward game to rate, courtesy of the fact that it sells for at least twice the price it should. [Issue 20, p.64]

The enhancements from the last-gen versions are clear to see. [Issue #15]

Some gameplay problems, but its charm and replayability helps to overcome them. [Issue #15]

Falls short of being an at-home-alone single-player masterpiece. [Issue #15]

It’s average. It’s the sort of by-the-numbers fantastical nonsense you’ve played, completed and discarded a million times before and doesn’t offer anything new besides high resolution graphics and a slight reliance on the ‘A’ button.

The main issues we found with WCP2 stem from the career mode, with wildly fluctuating difficulty levels...and no real way of gauging opponent strength until you're at the table. [Issue 25, p.58]

Relatively small game world does it no favours. [Issue #15]

There may not be a huge market for Madden over here, but when the sport is made this easy to pick up and play, just about anybody will be able to jump straight in and get their money’s worth.

There are plenty of flaws in the gameplay, meaning the game doesn’t run as smoothly as we’d like, but there’s possibly enough for fans of this type of game keep them interested enough to battle it out right to the end.

Despite a shameful lack of two-player online mode you'll find yourself dreaming about Galaga and itching for another go. [Issue #16, p.77]

The single-player isn't very good, it lacks pace, excitement, variety and feels like one giant training mission. [Issue #11]

Joins an ever-growing ranks of "could-have-beens" thanks to it being both too short and too easy. [Issue #12]

It’s still got gameplay issues but FIFA has never been just about how it plays. Football fans will love this. Not because it’s technically the best football game ever made, but because it can provide an authentic and inspiring experience.

As an MMORPG, Final Fantasy XI is ace - in some ways fresher and funkier than "World of Warcraft," but as an RPG it pales in the light of "Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion." [Issue #8]

If Crystal Dynamics had built the 360 version from scratch, complete with excellent graphics, huge awe-inspiring environments, varied enemies and better cut-scenes, we’d have fallen in love with Lara all over again.

Multi-player is undoubtably the main event, but single-player manages to stand out thanks to Hot Swapping, which allows you to go anywhere and do anything you want. [Issue #7]

Close, but no Robinson's Barley Water. [Issue #7]

It's unquestionably last-gen in looks and often becomes massively tedious in terms of how it plays. [Issue #9]

When it's good, it's ace. When it's not, it often runs the gauntlet of making aerial combat occasionally feel dull. [Issue #7]

For the single-player, re-treading your steps is frustrating. [Issue #6]

There are three great hours here of simple underwater fish munching fun. [Issue #16, p.77]

Horribly frustrating but deeply satisfying. [Issue #7]

A solid enough game that will suck away a frightening number of hours from your day. [Issue #16, p.78]