It's not a bad expansion because although it does little new, it's decently sized and repeats a lot of what made the original game such a hit two years ago, but a lack of any kind of polish to the old ideas of the series, let along bringing forth brand new ones, really does lessen the appeal that this expansion has - and I loved F.E.A.R.

An intriguing idea that never really gets off the ground.

There are only little, meaningless things that could be done to improve this masterpiece; Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare is nothing short of mind blowing.

It's a title that has brought the series into the modern day in every sense and is bound to have a dramatic effect on the next generation of console skirmishes. In videogame terms CoD 4 really does rewrite the old book on war.

Despite its shortcomings, The Simpsons Game is actually pretty good fun. At times it's frustrating and at times it's so funny that you just don't care.

Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare feels old school; from the colour-coded bad guys in their special hats to the way you have to double-press up to sprint, everything seems to hearken back to far gone days.

Buzz! Junior: Monster Rumble is a strong game that's perfect for the holiday season - provided, this is, you don't already own a Buzz! Junior title. You see, as playable as Monster Rumble is, it's essentially a rebranded version of the last release (something I grumbled about when reviewing that game, too).

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 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.

Beauty Factory is not a game for twelve-year-old girls. It is not a game for twenty-four-year-old men. It is a game for no one. It is not even a game; it is a brief, repetitive workout for the index finger of whichever hand you use your mouse with.

If you can pull yourself to look past its clunky interface and occasionally sporadic dialogue, there really is quite a lot to love here.

TimeShift offers FPS fans an often fun but sometimes unchallenging romp through a dystopic alternate past. The time powers are integrated well and make for some entertaining and sometimes funny gaming experiences.

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

The best Buzz! game to date.

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.

Disgaea: Afternoon of Darkness is one of those once in a console lifespan type of games, the kind that set the bar far too high for the remainder of the generation - and even for itself - leaving a new console war to (hopefully) reignite the ingenuity and innovation of developers and lead to the next great genre revolution.

Yes, the gameplay often involves derivative platform jumping, simple puzzles and basic fighting - and apparently the camera can be a bit of a nuisance - but the variety of game-parodying levels on offer, the authentic graphics, the wonderful voice acting and the diverse soundtrack help it rise above mediocrity to become greater than the sum of its parts.

Yes, the gameplay often involves derivative platform jumping, simple puzzles and basic fighting - and apparently the camera can be a bit of a nuisance - but the variety of game-parodying levels on offer, the authentic graphics, the wonderful voice acting and the diverse soundtrack help it rise above mediocrity to become greater than the sum of its parts.

The Simpsons Game is a unique title - it's a game where the characters know they're in a game, and seek to use their new game-given powers to aid them in their journey to stop an alien menace and discover the meaning of their existence.

The platforming side is mostly fun with only a handful of irritating sections that are a challenge to complete, and while the difficulty is refreshing, at choice points it borders on the frustrating due to a dodgy combat system and the annoying absence of a compensating gap between the action as you move from bottom screen to top screen.

Apart from the disappointing lack of a single-cart download option for multiplayer, it's a solid and enjoyable puzzle game that challenges and frustrates but never for reasons that detract from the game's appeal.

The promises of fully destructible environments and John Woo signature shootouts just seemed too good to be true. But Midway stepped up to the plate and proved all the skepticism dead wrong, producing one of the most viscerally appealing videogames to be released in years.

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.

Manhunt 2 is a weaker version of a five-year-old, slightly above average stealth game.

A great bike racer; with fun gameplay, sharp visuals, good sound effects, rock & roll music and enough adrenaline to keep you pumped, this is definitely one game that stands out from the crowd - and if you make a space for it on your games shelf, I'm sure you'll agree.

There is a depth to this game like no other, and with over seventy songs, each with four different difficulty levels, plus the versatile and insanely addictive online mode, this will most definitely keep you rocking for a long time to come.

If there is one major gripe that positively must be fixed before the inevitable release of Guitar Hero IV, it's product placement. Guitar Hero III jams AXE body spray, 5 gum and Red Bull cans into your face so hard that it's almost offensive.

Escape From Paradise City is an odd game, a hybrid of different styles with some interesting ideas all thrown together that just don't seem to gel.

Beneath the mangled exterior of clumsy control methods and weak characterisation there is a great idea here and had the game been given a few months longer in development it could have had these annoyances ironed out.

Clive Barker's Jericho is as run of the mill as you'll find in a next-gen game.

All in all, you know exactly what you are getting with Conan; a balls to the wall action game with little need for subtlety. This is big, brash and dumb as a bag of hammers, a relentlessly violent, uncompromising adventure that's fun from start to finish with a combat system that packs a visual punch as well as a technical one.

A balls to the wall action game with little need for subtlety. This is big, brash and dumb as a bag of hammers, a relentlessly violent, uncompromising adventure that's fun from start to finish with a combat system that packs a visual punch as well as a technical one.

If you enjoy some side scrolling adventuring action and consider yourself a hardcore gamer then you should consider picking this up as well.

I have thoroughly enjoyed Naruto: Clash of Ninja Revolution - it isn't a crappy game with a license tacked on, but rather a great game that makes excellent usage of a license to enhance the overall feel.

The title may be convoluted, but the gameplay and presentation are anything but. What could have fizzled into a case of undeserving hype is one of 2007's top games - and considering the competition, that is quite a lofty (but nevertheless justified) statement.

Mega Man ZX Advent is a great Mega Man game that inspires memories of former glory while hinting at the possibility of a bright future both for a character that most gamers holds dear and a sweet little system that is more than capable of handling whatever the developers throw at it.

The brilliant conclusion that the trilogy needed.

It's still a hack and slash game that does little to the alter template of the genre; it's good fun, but it's not memorable.

Quite simply, it's as perfect as a game can be - state of the art in every respect, from graphics and animation to sound, music and voice acting, to story and script, to level design and environment themes, to puzzles and action, to weapons and gadgets, to hidden items and lifespan-prolonging side missions and collectibles. Truly this is a game that has it all, and the definitive PlayStation 3 title so far.

While the games in this compilation might have been arcade classics in their day, they don't really stand the test of time and certainly don't benefit from the Wii's motion sensing mechanics.

The only thing keeping Naruto: Path of the Ninja from being completely forgettable - the developers have done a very good job of infusing the spirit of the anime series into every aspect of the game.

A long way off from living up to previous titles in the series.

Each year it seems that the minute gameplay tweaks can have very little impact on the way the game plays, but every time we find ourselves finding the improvements have been so well implemented that it's hard to imagine going back to the way the beautiful game used to be played.

A game with plenty of potential that's just devastatingly disappointing in every sense of the word.

Sure, it's not one of the three things I'd take with me to a desert island - those three spaces are reserved for a helicopter, a trained pilot and a good flask of Yorkshire Tea for the ride home - but Castaway is something that I'd look forward to playing upon my safe return from the island.

This shovelware deserves no space in your home.

It doesn't matter if you are the movie's biggest fan or a young child who can only play simple games; this shovelware deserves no space in your home.

There's potential in this idea, but Zoo Hospital largely fails to realize it, so hopefully if a sequel is forthcoming there will be a lot more to it than what's on offer here.

I can't see many people playing this again after the initial play-through either, unless they really enjoy getting every last piece of clothing and food.

It's easy to pick up and play, it has the most absorbing and genuinely interesting narrative I've seen in an RPG for ages, there are so many quests to discover that it will give even the most hardcore completist many hours of play and it's rare to see an RPG that doesn't rely solely on grinding for experience.

Hired Guns: The Jagged Edge fails to achieve what it set out to do. It wanted to be a hugely tactical but still engaging squad-based affair, but the long-winded combat is boring and anything but tactical, while the audio is sure to drive you to turn the volume down and put some music on instead.

The impressive merger of music with gameplay and sound effects is worth at least experiencing once - it certainly isn't for everybody, but you'd be surprised at how addictive it can be to see all those little pieces blow up just by pushing A... and perhaps that is E4's strongest appeal.

The story, characters and control system are all lacklustre, and even the sniper mode that regularly pops up for you to save a hostage from the grips of a terrorist is badly designed, as the times are too quick to clear the area and you end up with innocent blood on your hands.

Even at its budget price, it's hard to recommend Fish Tycoon to any party, hardcore or casual.

Mah Jong Quest Expeditions is so empty of challenge, intrigue or enjoyment that it can quite rightly be described as a hollow shell.

The ability for Meltdown to be played by all ages and by the casual gamer through to the most hardcore make it a game that almost everyone can enjoy.

If you want to try and recreate the sort of fluid, graceful runs you see in skate videos and don't mind putting in the practice it takes to achieve them then skate is obviously the title for you. On the flipside, if you don't care so much about your skating lines looking good and want a score attack game that bears very little resemblance to reality but gives you a million tasks to plough through, then go with Proving Ground.

As long as you have a Gamecube pad, or ideally, the Classic Controller, Guilty Gear XX Accent Core can go down as an essential purchase if you have at least a passing interest in the 2D fighting genre. It's fast, slick, easy to pick up and difficult to master, with mechanics that rival anything else currently on the market.

It may have a few tricks up its sleeve, but this is a series that has a long way to go before it can contend with the big boys.

So there you have it; for the price of one game, you're getting three incredible chapters of arguably the best single player first person shooter ever created, the unique and sublime first person shooter puzzler hybrid that is Portal, and an incredible multiplayer game that is incredibly addictive and totally distinctive, simply unlike any other online shooter on the market.

Each and every one of these titles is a worthy contender for a full price tag and individual release in its own right. As a whole, if you have any interest in first person shooters at all then you owe it to yourself to snap up The Orange Box immediately.

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.

After playing Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords, I couldn't help but feel surprised that a game like this hasn't been made sooner - what seems like an unlikely combination ends up being a perfect match.

The marriage of highly stylised retro-spy presentation, fresh, high octane action, deep and varied classes and the underlying twinkle of humour in its metaphorical eye make Team Fortress 2 far more than just your average fragfest. Long after the novelty of the graphics wears thin, we are left with a refined and accessible multiplayer game that simultaneously cultivates new players whilst retaining enough depth to accommodate even the hardiest of veterans.

By staying true to the already exceptional foundation of the series and adding meaningful changes that enhance the player's experience even further, Valve have demonstrated yet again that in this ever-competitive genre they still have the ability to impress and excel.

By anyone's reckoning Portal isn't a long game, weighing in at around the three to four hour mark. Those of you who do see this game from start to end though are in for a very special experience.

They have kept everything that makes Sega Rally great and somehow managed to improve it in nearly every respect.

The PS3 version of Sega Rally has managed to stay true to its roots without seeming too dated or ruining the formula completely, and also sports huge graphical improvements since its last outing, but it isn't quite as exciting as some of the competition and doesn't quite capture the essence of rallying.

This Bleach is powerful stuff. It cuts through the grime of other games in the genre, washing away the competition without a second thought.

I have always loved well-executed kids' games and hated games that pander to kids to make a quick buck. This is neither - it is a very mediocre and forgettable little budget game that isn't something I would recommend for any child or adult.

Looney Tunes: ACME Arsenal is just a slightly below average platformer hiding behind a powerful licence.

You know in the pit of your soul that this is a power the likes of which you have never felt before. In time, you will find out what you have become - and, more importantly, what you will become.

Star Wars: Battlefront Renegade Squadron is one third an excellent game, one third a terrible game and one third a passable game… shaky and not stirring!

Folklore is something of an acquired taste; it won't appeal to everyone, but those who do take a liking to it will find an absorbing adventure filled with unusual gameplay ideas that have been implemented very well - the engaging dual story played from different perspectives chapter by chapter, a fresh take on fairies and the afterlife, and the concept of capturing over fifty enemies to unlock a multitude of varied attacks.

The differences from last year might only sound incremental on paper, but FIFA 08 provides all the polish of last year with some excellent new features with some additional flair and panache.

With plenty of single player modes to entertain you for months and the online depth that fans have craved, any self-respecting FIFA fan who picks up FIFA 08 should be ready to clear off their gaming plates.

With the PS2 final whistle in sight, FIFA 08 brings it right back to the touch line.

As the final whistle blows and FIFA 08 stumbles off the pitch, bruised and battered, legs like jelly, a glance up at the scoreboard reveals the final result; a two all draw.

EA are improving things, slowly but surely. However, the problem is that they are also degenerating in certain areas too, in their efforts to balance gameplay issues. And there is a deeper problem too - earlier versions of FIFA are actually more enjoyable!

I really do like Race 07: Official WTCC Game. In the modern group of racers, it's a breath of fresh air to find a game that does exactly what it says it will on the box. A wealth of options, tonnes of cars and enough tracks to keep even hardcore racers busy for months, coupled with a true feeling of real driving gives Race 07 something that no other racer has.

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.

It may be a pimped up ride, but underneath the bonnet it has the heart of a true racing game.

Not as sophisticated as many Xbox 360 games out there, Crash of the Titans is, at the end of that day, a scrolling platformer. It doesn't need to be sophisticated - it needs to be fun, frantic, colourful, noisy, winsome and comical, which is exactly what it manages to be.

Of course, being Tetris, the gameplay is as addictive and enjoyable as ever, and there's no danger that you won't enjoy it if you get it, but this version just isn't nearly as well presented or feature-rich as it should have been.

Beyond a couple of flaws and the fact that you'll probably be comparing it to Battlefield for the first few days, Enemy Territory: Quake Wars is its own game with its own ideas that on occasions actually outshines others in its class.

In the end then, Hot Pixel is undoubtedly fun, especially in the short term and in quick bursts, but it isn't the non-stop party that Atari probably hoped it would be.

With a slightly restrictive control interface and uninspired, downright samey minigames, the mature gamers looking for a slice of party fun (soggy jam sandwiches optional) may wish to seek the likes of Buzz! Big Quiz or Buzz! The Music Quiz. Put simply, this is one for the tots.

Loki is very much like "Neverwinter Nights 2" crossed with "Diablo II," with a dash of gods and mythology thrown in for good measure. If you liked these games, or other hack 'n' slash action RPGs, then you should find Loki an enjoyable experience.

It's seriously good fun, and whilst it may be very aggravating at times, it'll have you coming back for more until your thumbsticks are worn down to tiny stumps.

A great little racing title that deserves to do very well indeed. If you're after a fast-moving arcade racer for the DS then stop looking now - you've found it. The long Career mode, excellent multiplayer and inspired track designer will keep you coming back again and again, long after most other racing games have made their last pit stop.

If you played through Dark Mirror and hated every second of it then Logan's Shadow will give you the exact same feelings. If you have good taste however and liked Dark Mirror, even a tiny bit, then you simply must play Syphon Filter: Logan's Shadow. With extravagant production values and gorgeous graphics, your eyes will adore it.

PGR4 is an excellent racing game and though I may have been hard on it because it lacked the polish of previous iterations in the franchise, it is by no means a bad game.

Spider-Man: Friend or Foe is a weak effort that shamelessly cashes in on the popularity of our web-slinging hero, with the gameplay obviously geared towards the younger gamer. Yet there is little here to challenge even the youngest player, with only die hard Spider-Man fans likely to get much enjoyment from this repetitive title, and even they will almost certainly find the experience wanting.

Far and away that best game of basketball you are going to find.

NBA 2K8 is still far and away that best game of basketball you are going to find. EA might have got their act together this year, but they are still a way off challenging the almighty 2K series.

NBA 2K8 is this year's version of an already very accomplished basketball series with an updated roster and some additional enhancements that, whilst not court shattering, add to the overall experience. I would recommend it even if you have NBA 2K7, but you need to realise that it's a game that needs a lot of time and effort put in; make that investment and you'll reap dividends of enjoyment in return.

The Legend of Spyro: The Eternal Night is a gift that keeps giving until completion.

Arguably the DS' greatest title so far.