Dead Space 2 is unlikely to win any prizes for originality and, as a result, despite all the chaos and terror on screen it feels like a very safe sequel. It's still one though that will frequently leave you gasping for breath and, on more than one occasion, take it away; a game that, like the body of a dismembered Necromorph, is the result of some precision execution.

Put simply, there's nothing quite like Fable III on the market, and if you're willing to look past the game's simple combat and limited quest interaction, you'll find Lionhead's latest to be one of the most unique and enjoyable games this year.

Overall, Rock Band 3 is a huge success that, in all honesty, should put Guitar Hero to rest.

In essence, Alan Wake: The Writer is just the conclusion to Alan's current journey. There is very little new content. What's there is brilliant; the gameplay is straightforward and fun, the animation is top quality, sounds are spot-on and there are some really innovative set-pieces.

Just the simple chance to be able to get behind the wheel of a car that controls like a ballistic missile with cup holders and a stereo, and do all you can to contradict the stern message of TV shows like Police, Camera, Action that high speed police pursuits aren't the coolest thing in the world is worth the price of admission on its own. In fact, the only potential crime that could be committed here would be if you allowed Hot Pursuit to escape your attentions.

NHL 11 isn't a headline grabbing advance on NHL 09 or 10, it's an extension, the next logical step in a yearly franchise that brings something to a sport many thought they would ever see – sophistication.

Apparently clocking in at around 60 hours and with DLC promised, this is a gargantuan slice of epic adventure that will keep you well and truly immersed for weeks to come – you can bet your bottom bottle-cap on it.

Medal of Honor may not be perfect but it has more than enough going for it to live with the big boys of the genre. As a package, it's a robust offering with extremely high production values and plenty of content to keep shooter fans happy.

It doesn’t happen very often but a hidden gem has slipped under the radar with Scorpion: Disfigured. On first inspection you might dismiss it as ‘just another shooter’. I implore you to look a little deeper as you will find that this game blossoms.

It's a high-quality game and a very successful reboot of a failing series – it's just not as good as it should be.

FIFA 11 isn't as instantly enjoyable, comfortable or easy a game as FIFA 10, instead it's one that rewards your perseverance with perhaps the greatest simulated soccer ever to grace a home console.

Civilization V is an awesome game and one of the best (if not the best) empire management games available.

Halo: Reach is undoubtedly one of the biggest games of this year, and although it's sad to know that there isn't going to be another one any time soon (well, not from Bungie anyway), it's also good to know that – over the eight years that Halo has been around – Bungie have managed to take every part of each game, and mix them together into one big recipe for success – for avid fans and newcomers alike, for years to come.

The story might be forgettable, the cut scenes are unimpressive and the first few hours are extremely slow. Get over these faults however and Ruse reveals itself to be an intuitive, complex but nevertheless accessible experience.

Highly recommended for lovers of action and near essential for Spider-Man and comic book fans, Shattered Dimensions is amazing, spectacular and a damn good game.

Those who love Kingdom Hearts will get a kick out of the combat and story arcs leading to the original games. As for everyone else, they'll find a fun RPG designed with the PSP in mind which ultimately lacks the certain je ne sais quoi that would make it something truly memorable.

In conclusion, Worms Reloaded is simply the tried-and-tested Worms formula jazzed up a bit with nicer graphics and a few additions.

It's doubtful many will come away under the belief that Mafia II is in any way a better game to Mafia, but fans will find little to complain about over the efforts 2K Czech have poured in to this sequel.

As a single-player experience, Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light is at best a modicum above average.

If you're seeking a fast-paced shooter to tide you over through the Summer of Arcade but also want more than the usual mindless killing sprees, look no further!

Once again then, Madden has produced a highlight reel of new features which, while including something for everyone, still probably won't make it anyone's perfect American Football experience.

Sure, it has its share of faults; the visuals are a bit hit and miss and its long term value is dependent upon a required penchant for time attack chasing, but my God, give in to Hurricane's OTT aesthetics, its arcade handling and its complete disregard for the laws of physics and you'll be in for one hell of a ride.

Starcraft 2 may feel a bit too familiar, given the accepted trend for sequels to reinvent themselves with every iteration but it comes across more as a tried and tested success with enough fresh nuances to keep old school fans happy and attract many more players looking for a new challenge.

For anyone who bought Alan Wake, played through to the end and loved every minute, be sure to download The Signal. It is largely more of the same than an innovative step forward, so if you were not wowed by Wake's adventure the first time round, this new episode is unlikely to convert you.

At approximately four hours in length it's not a long game at all, but while those four hours last they're magical, beautiful and really quite affecting.

On the surface, Pacific City is bigger and more vertical than before, the enemies are thicker and quicker, the Orbs are more plentiful and the controls are far tighter, but on the whole, Crackdown 2 ain't no revolution.

So perhaps Electronic Arts are on to something and the best way to enjoy this year's game is to buy it second hand and pay to access the online features. It's certainly an option because, as far as Tiger Woods PGA Tour 11 is concerned, EA get a pass – but only just.

Joe Danger isn't quite Mario on a Motorbike – it doesn't have the depth, variety or genre-shaping progressiveness for that. Instead, it's a warmly nostalgic tribute that manages to land itself in between the inventive, physics-based precision of Trials HD and the frenetic speed runs of Excitebike – which is a pretty impressive trick for anyone to pull off.

Although home to some of the longest load times since the Commodore 64, ModNation Racers is nevertheless a hugely entertaining kart racer and certainly the first major threat to the Mario Kart throne since Diddy Kong racing way back on the N64.

Blur is very much a straight forward welding of the kiddie Mario Kart style racers with adult-friendly realism. The result is something that is far beyond expectation. The action is fast, unrelenting and 'on-the-edge-of-your-seat'.

There are not many reasons not to buy this game – it’s a bit difficult to get used to at the start and the graphics aren’t as high quality as they could have been. Ignore these minor issues and buy this game – you will not be disappointed!

At times breathtaking, often awe-inspiring and never, ever dull, Red Dead Redemption is already one of 2010's biggest hitters, and is likely to become one of this generation's greatest achievements. A staggering work of art.

It’s an original, varied and faithful rendition of life on the frontier, filled with the kind of quality and eccentricity that we’ve come to expect from Rockstar, and stands on its own merits as one of the best games on PS3.

In every sense Split/Second brings a whole new meaning to the phrase "prime time".

While the added content may not be enough to entice gamers who have already bashed their way through the PC version, Zeno Clash: Ultimate Edition is a near essential title for any 360 owner looking to unleash their freakier side and experience the finest that indie gaming has to offer.

All in all, Dead to Rights: Retribution is a solid action title, elevated above many others by dint of a canine companion who finally manages to make having a dog in a videogame completely worth it.

Of course, it’s impossible to avoid the fact that the omission of the myriad of domestic club sides and competitions that form the spine of normal FIFA titles will mean that interest in the game is sure to wane once the Soccer City stadium has emptied for the last time. But the fact that 2010 World Cup is better on the pitch than FIFA 10, combined with the diversity of its modes and its host of official content mean it’s the best piece of tournament merchandise you’ll buy this side of Brazil 2014.

Some people will hate Splinter Cell Conviction just because it’s different – you know what, it’s there loss. Bar a few pacing issues and a little too much emphasis on gunplay towards the end of the game, Conviction nevertheless delivers a fantastic experience that is great when played alone and nothing short of terrific when played with a friend.

Lead and Gold’s biggest problem is how it doesn’t take advantage of its setting in a meaningful way. The Wild West was such an iconic time, and has been immortalized in countless classic movies and books, but the game doesn’t really get across that creaky old west vibe that it should.

Just Cause 2 isn’t a bad game, but it’s not brave enough to see its expansive vision come to fruition. The next gen freedom it offers is scuppered in favour of strictly linear progression once you’ve chosen which of the missions you’d like to do next.

It’s is a huge-improvement over its erratic predecessor and the kind of top-notch, no-holds-barred, sandbox action game many people hoped Mercenaries 2 would be a couple of years ago.

Red Steel 2 has been carefully crafted from top to bottom, and with the exception of a few balancing issues and a weak storyline, it manages to excel, both as a game in its own right and as a showcase for what can be achieved with the Wii MotionPlus hardware.

Supreme Commander 2 is a much better venture than I originally expected, and overall it’s a very enjoyable RTS, despite the odd problem or two that crops up.

Obviously it’s not for the faint hearted, but anybody who wants an intense shooter with a twist should really consider taking a trip down to the Metro.

Well worth the pricetag and, frankly, essential for fans of the original.

Resonance of Fate, like so many eastern RPGs before it, is not in any way a bad game. In fact, it's actually quite a good game, and if it was the first of its kind or even a member of a rarer breed, it might be considered something of a masterpiece.

An absolutely fantastic remake.

The linear beginning may disappoint hardcore players but Final Fantasy XIII is a journey from start to finish and it is worth losing a few days or weeks over.

Will Yakuza 3 prove the break out hit that Sega hopes it will be? Probably not – It will however remain a cult game adored by those who embrace its quirky but wholly undeniable charms.

While Final Fantasy XIII is ultimately an enjoyable experience, the change in pace will throw off fans of turn-based battles or those who enjoyed the immediate grandeur of the twelfth installment.

Competition has a natural tendency to breed innovation and excellence, and in this case the comparisons between Bad Company 2 and Modern Warfare 2 are very welcome as they only server to emphasize how excellent both games are, and how, after all their efforts and exploits, DICE and B-Company are now comfortably relaxing in the V.I.P section of the FPS genre.

It’s a solid package overall then, despite the let down of the rather limited single player.

A definite must play!

Overall, Greed Corp is a highly enjoyable title, but one that needs your devotion in sticking it through a few plays before you truly appreciate it.

The art style and overall production of the game reeks of class, even if the mechanics aren't as responsive and enjoyable as they were in echochrome.

Enter Heavy Rain with an open mind and no expectations and it will grab your attention from start to finish. Although its sentiment will fail to hit home with everyone, this is a game that should be experienced by anyone with a love for gaming.

Open a fine wine, break out the stinky cheese, and dig deep into this rewarding and challenging game.

All in all there’s plenty to like here. It’s a very cool, very grounded game that’s been built to give all who play her a great sense of satisfaction.

Anyone who is a fan of the original Resident Evil can overlook these issues as a great game experience is guaranteed. For anyone else, there really isn’t that much of interest other than the opportunity to delve back into the ageing, but still awesome Resident Evil 5.

While Darwinia+ may not be perfect, it’s great to see a game that’s not afraid to defy convention succeed so convincingly and remind us that it doesn’t take triple-A budgets and big name developers to produce a true gem.

Bioshock 2 is another epic piece of story-telling laid over a set of core mechanics that, for now, still feels fresh and ahead of the curve.

Bioshock 2 is a fun game. There’s nothing here that’s groundbreaking, and if you’ve played the original you’ll fit back into the sequel like a comfy pair of slippers.

Sure, the game is a superb effort as a charity drive, but I see it more as a social experiment.

If you’re willing to look past the look and feel of a shooter that’s past its heyday, what you’ll find in Pripyat is GSC’s magnum opus – an undeniable masterpiece built from years of trial and error, building and adapting new elements and ideas into the original STALKER template.

It’s forty-plus hours of top-notch combat, incredible voice-acting, emotional provocation, stunning graphics and exhilarating gameplay of a standard that simply hasn’t been achieved before as a complete package.

While the game may alienate some players, anyone interested in the Capcom back-catalogue or indeed Japanese animation would do well to seek this game out.

From its solid controls, crisp, user-friendly menus and huge array of customization options to its emphasis towards player progression and large scale teamwork, MAG might just become the serious contender to the genre heavyweights that Zipper and SCEA hoped it would be.

The Sky Crawlers: Innocent Aces may well be short, but that doesn’t stop it from being the greatest and most electrifying flight sim on Wii. And for that reason, it deserves your attention.

It’s perhaps fitting that Bayonetta should be released on the first launch day of 2010 because not only does it raise the bar for action games for the rest of the year to come it is already, without exaggeration, a firm contender for game of the year.

Alien Breed Evolution is a blast from the past, and for all of its graphical splendour and next gen licks of paint, it still feels ever so slightly dated.

Despite the slight stumble with the nightmare sequences, where you feel just a few tweaks would have made player experience match developer intentions, the only real issue with Shattered Memories is its incredibly short length.

In the end, there’s nothing particularly remarkable about the last of the Tales of Monkey Island, but, like the finest of the four chapters before it, Rise of the Pirate God stands as a faithful recreation of a world and a cast of characters many players have longed to return to.

Altitude's simple premise hides behind a deceptively difficult game, but one that's easily learned and enjoyable to engage in. Although there's plenty of content here, more might have been better, but what is here does last, just so long as it's taken in the right doses.

It’s a rare luxury that not many films have, and if you, like I did, feel compelled to play the game after seeing the film then I can happily tell you that I don’t think you’ll be disappointed with what is on offer.

To be frank, Tekken 6 features the most complete and rewarding fighting experience on PSP, and is a must buy for any fan of the genre.

There's allot I like about the game, it looks pleasing to the eye, sound and music is of a consistently high standard and there are some features that prevent the whole thing from feeling like a tired retread of other games before it. As a hybrid however it occasionally missteps and fails to fully succeed in blending two different types of genre's into one cohesive whole.

Blast Off isn’t a fully-fledged game, but it never aimed to be one in the first place – it is mini, after all. Small, cute, cheap, addictive, and great fun. At this kind of price tag, deprive yourself of your portion of fries at McDonalds this week and Blast Off into the unknown instead.

Echoes may well be the best download only game on PSP; an essential purchase.

Needless to say, Assassin’s Creed II is a game full of intrigue and mystery that will keep you engrossed from the awkward opening to the epic finale.

Darkside Chronicles is definitely the best Resident Evil themed Arcade Shooter for a long, long time.

Left 4 Dead 2 is a near perfect slice of gaming heaven, set in gaming hell.

LittleBigPlanet isn’t in any way a shoddy port; it offers an experience that is on a par with – and in some ways exceeds – the full console experience.

Braid is a true masterpiece, something which will be regarded as a milestone in gaming not for any great technical feats but for the fact that it showed us that, even though not all games may comfortably fall under the classification, some can truly be regarded as art.

Buzz! Quiz World continues the high standards of the series so far, the timing making boring New Year parties a thing of the past. For those who never quite liked Buzz, there are no major changes to the formula, but for anyone with a taste for quizzing, this is yet another essential purchase.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 is the defining first person shooter of the current generation and it’s hard to imagine that anyone will better it anytime soon.

It’s living proof that history is written by the victors, because when people look back over the records of 2009, they’ll find more than a couple of paragraphs in Infinity Ward’s distinctive script.

The formula may be starting to show it’s age at this point, but as ever the great team at Traveller’s Tales has worked hard to keep this latest addition to the Rock Band canon fresh and inviting by doing what it does best; deliver a wacky and comedic spin on an existing format, full of unlockables and tweaks that will keep kids entertained for hours.

Pro Evo 2010 delivers as exciting a game of football as you are likely to find anywhere, it just happens to be wrapped in the finest looking packaging that the series has ever had to offer.

With an estimated 40-60 hours for a relaxed, fairly expansive play through, and the choices of origin, class and race to ensure at the very least two to four replays, Dragon Age: Origins may well be one of the most addictive, satisfying and life-swallowing RPGs that you can play offline.

Band Hero is not the result of a series selling out or losing its identity. Instead it is proof that the developer has recognised a key gap in the market and has rather competently filled it.

Football Manager 2010 like its forbearers will keep you entertained for hundreds of hours due to the wealth of options available and depth of its leagues.

Although it still posses many of the same problems, and it's difficulty spikes range from mildly difficult to insanely impossible, with a strict attention to historical detail and missions designed to test you strategic skills to their maximum, Red Tide can be an immensely rewarding game, but one that does require a great deal of patients and discipline.

Overall, I love the game and its uniqueness but I think it should have been left on the DS.

While not perfect, DJ Hero is still a worthy addition to the rhythm-action genre, bringing many fresh ideas to the table, but still not realizing its full potential through the absence of creation and freestyle elements.

The auction, the user generated designs, the multiplayer modes, and then the desire to earn experience and credits to buy new motors and new upgrades will keep this title funky fresh and roaring to go.

All you really need to know is that Ratchet & Clank: A Crack in Time is at the very least on a par with Tools of Destruction and, as such, it’s a game that you need to experience.

Changes are for the most part slight and minor, but Privateer’s new campaign structure does make for a new, refreshing playing experience.

It’s a shame that that fun really isn’t enough to cover some of the kinks, but Borderlands is still a really fun game. With a bit of polish though, it could have been great, and that’s a shame.