If this experience taught me anything, it's that Guitar Hero: Metallica is one for the fans.

There are other tactical combat games due out this year and they may be better suited to a wider audience, but if you got this far then you probably have a PSP and an itch for a good strategy RPG - and Aedis Eclipse can do a decent job of scratching it.

Like a welcome blast from the past, taking us back into pure platform-filled levels with a great range of designs, all enhanced by the gameplay variation that the five transformations provide.

A decent, if not wonderful, city management game - there are some elements that really shine and the most impressive is the management of subcultures within the one city - adding a wonderful real city feel and a welcome innovative twist to the genre. Not as outstanding - but still high quality - are the graphics and level of detail.

It's a decent attempt, but it lacks what it used to have, and if you own the 2004 or 2005 version then just stick with them and trade the appropriate players to the correct teams.

It's good fun and a harmless game, even with the inclusion of monsters, capturing the spirit of Scooby as effectively as Mystery Inc. capture villains.

Adapting the grappling hook idea and gameplay from Bionic Commando has given the game some depth, as have the other gadgets and gizmos. The graphics too have captured the essence of the cartoon, so fans will be pleased. However, it loses out on some fairly mediocre sound and some overly easy and repetitive gameplay.

A strong sense of black humour is prominent in the gameplay, the excellent story and the in-game banter, which keeps your interest in what would have otherwise been a run-of-the-mill third person adventure.

Some aspects of Forgotten Realms: Demon Stone please me, like the fantastic mage, nice upgrade system and the great voiceovers but there are a few flaws too, such as the lack of multiplayer and the other two less interesting characters.

Like most tie-ins to anime franchises, Naruto: Ultimate Ninja 3 should only be considered by fans of the series - and those who have delved deep into Naruto lore will marvel at the fan service and attention to detail lavished upon this most recent release from Namco Bandai.

The type of player who will enjoy this game is the one who plays to unlock things. This is your type of game, because there are hundreds of items to unlock and use, which you will have to work for.

It's great for fans of Eighteenth century nautical flavoured strategy games, but everyone else is better off playing.... well, you know its name by now...

Ninja Blade is an enjoyable game that's well worth digging out of a bargain bin or taking home pre-owned.

At the end of the day, it has quite a compelling story and where else are you going to hear Sean Connery in a videogame.

If you're looking for a top quality title for the genre then you've found it; just don't expect anything too revolutionary in the gameplay department.

It's a sad conclusion to draw, but Hellgate: London will never be remembered as the role-playing classic it could have been with a little more work and a little less time paying homage to its RPG grandfather.

If you're interested in a solid tactical RPG then Disgaea 3: Absence of Justice is certainly worth a look.

For the older audience out there, Lilo & Stitch 2 is a pass, even if you love the franchise or platform games... there are simply better ones available. But for the kiddies who adore everything Disney puts out, this is a surprisingly well done and deep title that will keep them coming back, with varied gameplay, and of course all those loveable, quirky characters.

Still, at least EyePet is cheaper and cleaner than an actual pet, meaning no more early morning, family strolls ruined by arguments over who's turn it is to carry the little plastic bag of stinking shame.

The AI itself is quite charactersome, nattering incessantly to you throughout the match, sometimes making scathing remarks on your inability to play chess and sometimes just uttering random remarks, such as Mrs Doubtfire impersonations amongst many others. But even that exuberant façade cannot hide the fact that behind Fritz Chess 9 is very little new material besides engine updates.

It contains some well-crafted elements, while the refined and altogether very usable MCC system makes controlling three characters a breeze, yet still manages to retain an incredible amount of depth, thus scaling exceptionally well with player ability.

It's never going to win any awards for best game but it's fun while it lasts and you can't put a price tag on those nostalgic twinges you get whilst playing it.

When Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix comes to a close, it's really hard to hold a grudge or feel disappointment, as there is no denying the energy, dedication and money EA have put into creating the greatest Harry Potter game yet.

I love the whole idea of American football in a fantasy world as it takes completely separate game genres and moulds the together into one hulking brute. Unfortunately, this Sports come Role Playing Game come Strategy just doesn't do the striking concept justice.

A good port of a great game and even though it's very easy on the hardest settings there is still enough here to keep players occupied for a while, especially on those long road trips or just while sitting on the toilet.

While the graphics cause you to spend the first ten minutes of Need for Speed: Undercover in a mouth-dropped gaze, it really doesn't get an awful lot better.

In short bursts, Moon is a genuinely compelling if not compulsory experience, but longer sessions expose the unfortunate simplicity of Renegade Kid's sophomore effort.

Star Wars: The Force Unleashed is flawed, cursed with anti-climaxes and a sprinkling of disappointment. It's not the game we all hoped it was going to be, it doesn't reinvent anything, it's certainly not original and the main tenant upon which its sold - that you can 'kick ass with the force' - is often forgotten in favour of tedium and annoyance.

Like many movie games, it lacks the shiny coat of polish that major game productions bring to the table, but for its intended audience, Monster House rises above much of its competition to deliver a fun game that is faithful in every way to its license.

NBA2K 10 falls down because it tries too hard to be a simulation, instead of just being a game.

Order Up! is an inexplicably fun affair and gamers with an uncalloused heart will find it difficult to resist its addictive nature and endearing charm.

Unfortunately the thought just hasn't gone into the gameplay itself and although I have to concede that children and fans of the film may enjoy it, there isn't enough here to keep this title from going extinct in a short period of time.

Sure, it has a few nominal quirks, but when push comes to shove, this game puts on an entertaining show with value that far exceeds its budget pricing, thanks to a sizeable campaign and a fun selection of eight unlockable arcade-style mini-games.

Without the hulking form of GT4 on the shelves next to it, Enthusia Professional Racing would be a worthwhile purchase. Unfortunately however, it falls short of the behemoth in almost every aspect, leaving you with little choice but to dismiss it as a capable but ultimately second-best title.

What more is there to say about Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords? Not much - other than a warning that it will ruin Bejeweled for you forever, because you will be longing for some consequences beyond just getting points! You will also quickly descend into 'just one more turn' territory until you make your way to the end, which will take dozens of hours.

There's something here for stealth fans, the puzzlers amongst us and those that like a good laugh, but the patience involved in moving from one level to another may have the casual gamer reaching for a title that provides more instant gratification.

If you have ever been enticed by the simple yet compelling gameplay of Puyo Pop, this latest PSP version is a great way of continuing the habit. But let me warn you now - it's highly infectious!

Super Swing Golf might be one of the hardest games to size up on Wii thus far, with its mixture of less-than-desirable visuals, gameplay that is either love it or hate it and the simple fact that a game designed for online play and is relegated to local multiplayer only.

It has enjoyable missions, lovely graphics, great sound and is fantastic for kids. However, I think it lacks the depth needed to please the older gamer and it doesn't really offer a lot of challenge.

A game that benefits from extended demo play before taking the leap to the full version.

Limited in engrossing gameplay and adult content; there is barely anything here to justify that 18 rating and it would have been more interesting if the game had taken more risks, showing more of what really goes on at the Playboy Mansion (and it's more than just photo shoots!)

It's an excellent tool for honing your skills with a range of enjoyable challenges for novice and master alike.

A fun little game for anybody who doesn't get easily frustrated and any kid who wants a challenge.

If you're a big basketball fan, go out and buy NBA 2K6, because it's a must and officially it's extremely accurate.

Ice Age 2: The Meltdown is stunning in the way it looks and feels, but this is no more than you would expect when the film is essentially computer generated anyway.

Your ability to deal with an RPG that brings stale gameplay and little in the way of a story - 'classic' RPG traits - will ultimately decide if this game is for you, not the title to the left of the "III".

The deep, twisting plot coupled with visuals that you thought you'd never see on a handheld refuse to let you go. However, when you've seen every single execution and discovered the mysteries of the plot (which should take around seven or eight hours), there isn't a lot of incentive to play through it again.

Not only does it possess a great story but also a few technical achievements that need to be experienced, namely the first person view and physics-based interaction and puzzles.

Best suited to short bursts rather than extended errands, MySims comes recommended to those who like lots of freedom, choice, customisation and eccentricity in their videogames.

Despite the many problems with Wild ARMs XF, I'm impressed by what X-Seed has produced, from a gameplay standpoint at least.

The type of player who will enjoy this game is the one who plays to unlock things. This is your type of game, because there are hundreds of items to unlock and use, which you will have to work for.

The meat of the mode sandwich for 2K8 is again the Franchise Mode.

If you're a hardcore gamer or have played the Dreamcast original to death then this has to be seen as a bitter disappointment; the imprecise controls on Hard will drive anyone looking to play the game at its most challenging level up the wall - the controls simply aren't accurate enough. For those looking for a casual bit of rhythm-based fun with friends though, Samba De Amigo is right up your street.

Destiny mode is probably the most worthwhile aspect of Dynasty Warriors 5: Xtreme Legends, so if it doesn't interest you all that much and you already own the original DW5 then there's really no reason for you to purchase the XL version.

It's very well presented and the voice actors read the questions with great style, putting it a cut above the average quiz game, but it'll only endure beyond short bouts of play for the most ardent of fans.

Whichever way you look at it, The Path is a phenomenal experience that has already generated huge amounts of debate over its adult content on message boards and forums.

The main game shouldn't take much more than thirty hours to complete, with a few more added to take down all of the quests to achieve the best ending.

As much fun as swinging around the city and helping random people is, Spider-Man 2 could have been an absolutely amazing title had the developers spent a little more time crafting better missions and crimes to stop and actually giving the enemy some AI instead of patterns to repeat.

Get past the irrelevant filler and Sonic Unleashed becomes the game we all wanted - it's just a real shame that we have to work so hard to fully unleash it.

It's ugly, shallow, stupid fun.

Various omissions and the deficiency in true tournament titles has taken something away from what would otherwise have been a real hit.

Amazing Adventures: The Forgotten Ruins isn't particularly amazing and neither is it much of an adventure, but it is an inoffensive and quite absorbing little game of hide and seek that presents a simple premise with stylish and pleasant visuals, an appealing theme and a solid gameplay mechanic, at a modest price to boot.

Sure, this is a button-bashing fist-fest with a gimmick that you may or may not appreciate, but if you're a fan of the show, then Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi: The Genie & the Amp is worth picking up.

If it hadn't tried to be so cutesy and cartoon-like it would have been more gripping. It's by no means a bad game and it is quite endearing and strangely addictive in its own way, but with so many truly great console games coming out at the moment, this seems a little out of place.

Saying whether Rogue Trooper: Quartz Zone Massacre is worth picking up is tough, as while I undoubtedly had fun with the well executed controls, which utilise the best aspects of the Wiimote and nunchuck to their full potential, the game just doesn't have that overall polish that is needed in such a competitive genre.

The portable gameplay experience is rewarding and the application of the stylus based control system is pure genius, but despite its merits, it suffers under weight of the first to market glitches and the obvious comparison to existing titles like "Mario Golf: Advance Tour."

Time shifting is a good example of innovation within the first person genre, but TimeShift fails to really make good use of it.

Mario Smash Football isn't trying to be a simulator, it's an all-out arcade style game that's huge fun while it lasts, and while it will make a great addition to your collection, the novelty and fun might wear thin a little sooner than you'd hoped.

Thankfully shipping without some kind of half-arsed multiplayer, Risen is the kind of game that will probably get played by fans of the genre but overlooked by everyone else, which is a bloody shame really, as there is a decent game behind the niggles - and one that impresses more often than it disappoints.

The presentation and production values of Ben 10: Protector of Earth do the franchise justice, even if the gameplay is a little formulaic and jaded.

It's fun for a bit, and fans of Lara will welcome this new addition as a breath of fresh air.

There could have been a lot more in the Barnyard to keep my entertained, sometimes I get tired of helping people.

Using Sir Dan as a mascot platforming character wasn't the best idea. Jak & Daxter on the other hand, might have been - but we'll just have to wait for that treat later on in the year.

It has enjoyable missions, lovely graphics, great sound and is fantastic for kids. However, I think it lacks the depth needed to please the older gamer and it doesn't really offer a lot of challenge.

Like many movie games, it lacks the shiny coat of polish that major game productions bring to the table, but for its intended audience, Monster House rises above much of its competition to deliver a fun game that is faithful in every way to its license.

Thrillville: Off the Rails is no revolution, given that it's a very similar package to last year's Thrillville. However, its light refinements mean that if you're interested in playing Thrillville then Off the Rails is the game to go for.

If you are in the mood for battle and fancy rallying against the might of Rome or Carthage then you could do a lot worse than this challenging effort.

On the plus side, what's there is competently done and is flecked with powerful moments of brutality. On the downside, these spots of overt anguish aren't dealt with particularly well and lead to a reduction of the overall effect.

Tak: The Great JuJu Challenge takes a fairly average platforming formula and puts a unique turn with it, making each level a race against the clock where speed is of the essence, but so is exploration.

As a gamer who has not only never played a Digimon title until this one, but dropped far too many hours into his copy of Pokémon Diamond, I was quite impressed with what Namco Bandai have brought to the table.

Platformer lovers who are also fans of the license are likely to get a kick out of Curious George for the short time that it lasts, and I don't think anyone can discount the game's beautiful presentation, but in the end I think going with a weekend rental is about all that most gamers will get out of this.

After some time playing Avencast: Rise of the Mage, I discovered that sadly it's not the wizard experience I was hoping for, with all its talk of ditching maths for more shooter-style gameplay - both of which it achieves to varying degrees.

What once was my favourite Dreamcast game is now a PSP game that is too much of a tease to love.

With the lovely graphics comes lovely sound. In every respect the sound flatters the graphical side of things.

I'm disappointed at the lack of defining complexities that grace every Sim game that appears on the PC platform. It's almost insulting - console users aren't dumb, we can handle some dimension!

Unless you're a hardcore fan of the franchise, old-school games or side-scrollers, just make this one a rental.

With tons of content and a charm that is missing from many of today's more cynical releases, it's hard to judge Time Crisis 4 too harshly. Its attempts at reinventing the genre may be a bit hit-and-miss, and graphically it could have used a PS3 makeover, but there's enough here to keep the majority of gamers happy.

The type of player who will enjoy this game is the one who plays to unlock things. This is your type of game, because there are hundreds of items to unlock and use, which you will have to work for.

The gameplay is very basic, the story is almost non-existent, the sound isn't what it should be and the graphics are okay but have their drawbacks. Yet my nine-year-old sister loved Hello Kitty Roller Rescue to bits. Its simple, it's accessible and it's very rewarding - because you can unlock new costumes for Kitty.

The storyline is DS-exclusive and contains a lot of tie-ins, but if you're looking for the authentic Sims experience then you'll have to stick with the PC version.

Strikeforce isn’t going to change the world by any means, but it does make the Dynasty Warriors franchise relevant for the first time in years – an amazing feat in itself.

The bundle is a far cry from a true 360 experience and I anxiously await the Far Cry built from the ground up for the system.

Enemy Territory: Quake Wars isn't a bad game, it just fails to do anything to make you stand up and pay attention.

It's good quality and fans of the genre will definitely gain some enjoyment. While not quite as classic or exciting as Resident Evil, it measures up well and is worth a look for horror nuts.

For fans of the Dragon Quest series, technology advances have now meant that the transition from PC to console is a smooth one, although its appeal to non-RPG fans is limited - Final Fantasy this most definitely is not.

A good game with decent, no-frills graphics and excellent sound. It offers more action than most third person action games and the explosions are always much more fun than sneaking around corridors in the dark.

At the end of the day, it has quite a compelling story and where else are you going to hear Sean Connery in a videogame.

Whilst The Last Remnant is a fairly capable JRPG and will provide many hours of fun, you are still left feeling as though something is missing.