The conclusion is simple: buy it. That’s my advice to anyone owning a Xbox 360. Trials HD sets out something really simple, but oh so addictive, especially when trying to beat your friends. Before you know it, you’ve spent another several hours on this game.

Assassin's Creed 2 maintains the character of the first game, but gets rid of the repetitiveness and brings along a more atmospheric storyline. It fascinates from the start; the smooth gameplay and fun free running are enjoyable and liberating. Missions are based on the foundations of the first game, but are given more variety and that’s a big positive.

Splinter Cell: Conviction is a game you have to play. Not only has Ubisoft managed to breathe new life into the franchise, but it has also succeeded in offering a wonderful action-stealth game for fans and newcomers. Not only does it excel graphically and sound-wise, but on top of that – one tends to forget all too often these days – a giant leap forward gameplay-wise. Definitely worth a purchase.

It’s been a while since I’ve happily played a beat’em up. Tatsunoko vs Capcom struggles a bit with its matchmaking online, but even there it’s relatively fluent. It looks decent and everyone can create sparks on-screen by a very simple control set-up. Want to go back in time, then nostalgia will kick in when you play it with an typical arcade controller. Worth a shot? Definitely!

It’s about time that Monster Hunter found its way to the west. With Monster Hunter Tri, the Nintendo Wii has another wonderful game. Graphically good-looking and more than enough depth to keep you locked to your console for many hours. At first you will have to fight through the repetitive parts and the gameplay is not for everyone out there, but don’t let that discourage you. Once you’ve battered the first giant enemy into submission, the game will grab you and pull you in for a long adventure.

There's no doubt that Professor Layton supplies what puzzlers need. With over 150 puzzles - some of which are real brain breakers - you'll have plenty to do. Those that hang in there, will get a pleasant surprise. All this is accompanied by a enticing storyline, one that is delivered wonderfully with all the cut scenes and the numerous conversations.

Dj Hero has become a music game that makes you scream for more. Thanks to the controller, it really makes you feel like you're the DJ. On top of that, the music in the game really excels. Tiny blemishes are the price tag and the lack of a freestyle-mode.

Need for Speed: Shift puts EA in the right direction, but they haven’t quite gotten there yet. We suspect the name to quickly change to Need for Speed: Drift. The badge system, the race-missions and the presentation are nice, but looking at the most important part – gameplay – the game is still lacking. Unfortunately, Need for Speed: Shift will see the competition drive off in the distance.

Borderlands offers an interesting FPS gameplay, with a healthy dose of RPG elements woven into it. It has addictive gameplay, item fever and a world full of funny and interesting characters. On top of that, you get an amusing co-op mode and an unequaled audiovisual rendition. A great game for both shooter lovers and (action) RPG fans.

Square Enix has brought some RPG elements to the forefront, while putting some away in the back. This might offend some gamers, but with a mix of tactics, a deep battle system and action-filled battles Final Fantasy XIII will entice plenty of players. The interaction between the characters and the gradual revelations within the story are placed within a wonderful audio-visual jacket and manage to grab the gamer without letting them go. The linear aspect shouldn’t bother anyone in this thirteenth step of one of the most popular franchises out there.

Avalanche Studios has given us one heck of a game with Just Cause 2. The gameplay is pure action and the grappling hook, the many vehicles and the stunt moves give a variety of moves. The main story doesn’t bear much weight, but the bulk of the game is on the free missions and the possibility of chaos. You’re getting a huge island, filled to the rim with detail and graphically impressive. Haven’t had this much fun with a sandbox game since GTA 4, and you can be sure that’s a compliment to the game.

The Misadventures of PB Winterbottom is another unique puzzle game to the Xbox Live’s library. The well-done challenges and the moody style match perfectly and easily justify the purchase of this game.

It has turned out to be a surprisingly good game, perfectly combining several platforming elements with physics-based puzzles. Add some RPG, co-op and moody graphics and sound to the mix and you can say this game is to be recommended. Too bad there’s no online co-op and that the trophies are a bit easy to get.

Darksiders is surprising on every front. The right balance between story, a solid fighting system and challenging puzzles will make you want to finish this game. Add the unique graphical style and Darksiders is the first must-own of the year.

Brütal Legend is the perfect ode to heavy metal. Everything reminds you of the music genre and that's how the game sucks you in effortlessly. Once you come into contact with the gameplay however, some notes are a bit off key. In order for the group to top the charts in the future, it would be a good idea to kick out the bass player (RTS) and to give the spotlight to the lead singer (hack&slash).

A huge open world, addictive gameplay, varied multiplayer settings and entertaining graphics create a game that many action lovers will enjoy for hours. Don’t come looking for depth, since that’s not the game’s goal. Red Faction: Guerrilla gives you death and carnage to your heart’s delight.

Visceral games shows that there is a place for mature games on the Wii and that it’s not just a partycrasher device. Dead Space Extraction is a marvelous railshooter, with the perfect mix between action and enthralling story. Fans of Dead Space will be forced to buy a Wii though, as this game won’t appear on other consoles. Not that I mind, as I’m glad my Wii finally has something mature to handle. Railshooter aside, it fits perfectly into the staple of a survival – horror shooter.

NBA 2K10 is without a shadow of doubt the best basketball experience you will find at the moment. Realistic graphics and animation, very decent gameplay and numerous modes and options will satisfy your basketball fantasies for many months to come. A few minor annoyances are what keeps NBA 2K10 away from being a classic.

2010 Fifa World Cup South Africa isn’t a bad game, but not worth it to be sold for full price. Its good gameplay is borrowed from Fifa 10 and it merely adds a new penalty system. It seems the developer relaxed a bit too much, knowing how good the gameplay from Fifa 10 was. Luckily, the exciting qualifying moments and a reformed Fifa 10-mode keep the fun in this world cup edition. Nevertheless, it should’ve been released as a cheaper expansion or a huge downloadable content pack.

Also on the PSP, Tekken 6 has turned out wonderfully. This fighting game doesn’t have to admit defeat to its bigger console-brother at all. Graphics and sound are of a high level, controls are perfect and the forty fighters – with their own moves – won’t quickly bore you. Too bad there’s no online multiplayer, a contemporary must of this genre.

ModNation Racers is a wonderful continuation of the Play.Create.Share principle. It’s compared to LittleBigPlanet and Mario Kart – high class games – but it manages to easily set foot next to them. Everything is keenly thought out and invites you to play, whether it is single-player, online or split-screen. Racing hours on end, while laughing and cursing for all the tricks that are being pulled is what this game is all about – and will continue to be about with the support of the community. Too bad the loading times are a tad too long. In any case: casual or hardcore, it doesn’t matter, because ModNation Racers is awesome.

Hustle Kings is a excellent pool game with sublime graphics, intuitive controls and an extensive multiplayer. The degree of finishing and the amount of options are recommendable for such a cheap PSN game. Boredom quickly sets in in the single player though, making this mostly a game for pool fanatics who want to challenge others online.

Maxis has created a mature and complete expansion with Sims 3: World adventures. Fun puzzles, relic hunting and meeting new people will make you feel like the smashing holiday is over before you know it. It'll make you want to go on a next trip immediately. For all those adventurous Sims-fans out there: this addictive expansion is worth it!

Napoleon: Total War adds a few important changes. The new reinforcement system and the multiplayer definitely add to the game. The lack of freedom and different factions may detract from the replayability though. You wouldn’t be making a wrong decision to buy this game, but it’s stagnation more than revival after Empire. The next game will have to prove if Total War can be brought back to (new) life.

WWE Smackdown vs RAW 2010 adds a lot of options to the series, but seems to miss that the essence of the game - the fights and the atmosphere surrounding it - go further than a fun entrance and some flashy moves. People who are not really skilled at performing fast combinations, will find this WWE Smackdown vs RAW 2010 perfect. People looking for more, should wait for the next in the series.

The 3rd season of Sam & Max gets a great start with this entertaining and very original first episode. Max' special powers allow some cool and innovative puzzles, and the smart humor and storyline will keep you playing till the end credits. To make the game more suitable for mainstream gamers however, point & click is replaced by a simplified controller scheme and also the difficulty of the puzzles is dumbed down again. But even experienced adventure gamers will enjoy this episode, despite the lack of a real challenge.

Ubisoft delivers a wonderful sequel to Red Steel. It looks amazing and the diverse special moves connect well with the fast-paced action. Unfortunately, the sword fighting doesn't feel 100 percent realistic, because there's a slight delay between your own move and the one on the screen. This isn't a bothersome factor, because the difference is minimal thanks to the Wii Motion Plus. If your Wii hasn't seen action in a while, Red Steel 2 is the perfect opportunity to change that.

Wii Fit Plus can definitely be viewed as a marked improvement of the first game, especially if you can deal with the fact that it's more of an update than a sequel. Where Wii Fit was lacking in several areas, Wii Fit Plus brings us an elaborate sporting sensation, with an abundance of Balance Games and new functions.