A single player game that keeps on giving, is as good as if not better than Grand Theft Auto IV and is as beautiful as a Hollywood epic.

Obviously 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa is going to feel rather dated in just a couple of months, but this is by no means a cynical release by EA Sports. This evolution of EA's football gameplay engine is a most welcome one and deserves the chart success it is already enjoying.

Obviously 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa is going to feel rather dated in just a couple of months, but this is by no means a cynical release by EA Sports. This evolution of EA's football gameplay engine is a most welcome one and deserves the chart success it is already enjoying.

Whatever stance you take, though, the game's biggest problem is its length, coming in between five and six hours, depending on skill and just how important it is to you to complete the levels with absolute precision.

Just Cause 2 is silly, action-packed, funny and a huge time-sink. Avalanche Studios has created a wonderful game here and if it can solve those control/finesse issues for a third release we'll be seeing a game of the year contender next time around.

All versions of Just Cause 2 are great - but the PC version just has enough to nudge it up to the next score threshold. Kudos to Avalanche for not fobbing off PC gamers with a poor console port.

There are very few games on Wii that are this good, and it's nice to see that someone other than Nintendo are making full use of the Motionplus, rather than just making it an optional extra.

Fans of Dead Space or F.E.A.R. will find plenty to enjoy in Metro 2033 and while it doesn't quite tick every box it's a very strong blend of survival horror and shooter.

Metro 2033 is a stunningly atmospheric survival shooter that deserves a high chart position.

The key to God of War III's success, though - continuing on from that of its predecessors - is how finely balanced it is. So expertly administered are its parts that the repetition one would expect never emerges.

THQ has delivered another strong RTS offering here, with the major put off being a relatively high price for an expansion pack.

Yes this game is very linear and you can wonder why you’ve paid £40 to wander in pretty much a straight line. But don’t forget what you’re playing Final Fantasy for; the story and battles. And Final Fantasy XIII delivers big time.

This really is one of the best looking console shooters I've ever played.

I have never played anything so momentous or revolutionary as Heavy Rain. In the coming years I expect the game's influence to be felt throughout the industry in terms of gameplay, storytelling and interactivity. This is a game that deserves all the plaudits it can get. So please go out and buy Heavy Rain and reward those that have made such a groundbreaking videogame event.

For all that's been added, it was never going to recreate the dumbfounding awe of Rapture when experienced for the first time, which, unfortunately, played a pivotal role in the first game's appeal, and something required to allow the sequel's combat to flourish.

A very gritty game, full of foreboding and a sense of deep hopelessness that's more than the sum of its parts. It sucks you in and manipulates that little element of your brain that never seems quite sure what's going on. Fans and newcomers alike will react with awe and fear in equal amounts if they dare step once more into the Zone.

Mass Effect 2 is a superb adventure, a deep gameplay experience, action packed and stuffed full of amazing vistas, If you own an Xbox 360 you have to buy this game. It's every bit the the smart, sexy, thrilling, moving, funny, tense game we hoped it would be.

The gameplay is extremely effective in terms of its new cover system and leaner, more focused action. The lore and mythology is involving and the story pulls you into the universe. The voice acting, soundtrack and graphical fidelity are the icing on the cake.

Capcom has really pushed the boat out here, not only does it play like a dream, but it looks and sounds the part too, with beautiful cell shaded visuals with nary a drop in frame rate, it's almost like playing an anime.

Darksiders is far from original with a story stolen from religious mythology and gameplay borrowed from other titles, but it's great fun.

Behind the exaggerated, sexualized and silly exterior conceals a complex and masterfully designed combat system.

Even out of Lucasarts' hands, Tales of Monkey Island remains right a staple of the genre. Any adventure fan should have this in their collection. We recommend you buy the whole package right now.

It's hard to imagine this is the story Gearbox has always wanted to tell, but judging by the craftsmanship behind all of its elements, from the crisp visuals to the hilarious writing, you'd be forgiven for making the mistake. With a greater duration and improved AI it would've been damn near perfect.

A thrilling action adventure, with plenty of varied tasks, more variable combat, engaging characters and it all taking place in some of the most beautiful locations ever recreated in a videogame. What's not to like.

SCEE Cambridge has skilfully followed in Media Molecule's footsteps in creating the platform, and though the final result is marginally easier than LittleBigPlanet PS3, there's no doubting this is one of the best titles on Sony's handheld.

Nintendo has good effort to make a multiplayer platform game here, but it just doesn't feel quite right, it's not bad but if you think of it as nothing more than a tacked on extra to a single player game then that's about right. But as a traditional 2D platform game it's the business.

There are two issues that make the campaign less than perfect. First is the length. Given the price gouging Activision has embarked on with this release the centrepiece of the game is insultingly short. Played on normal you have one evening's play here for your 50 or so pounds...Secondly the pace of the game is very one note.

Infinity Ward has created a solid shooter which raises your adrenaline to dangerous levels in a number of places with some of the best set pieces I have ever seen in any game. If only it had changed the pace here and there and made it longer, MW2 would have been a classic.

The game's story mode and character customization are so much more fun than your usual career mode.

It is an oddity in the gaming world which is mercifully free of the shallow obsession over improved graphics. Instead the focus is on fulfilling your managerial fantasies and the gaps are filled in by your own knowledge and love of the game. If you aren’t at least mildly obsessed with the results on a Saturday then you’ll never understand the appeal of this.

Where we are now, no matter how great it seems, if the ending is lacklustre then we’ll all be disappointed. Given Telltale Games’ last four chapters however, I think we’re in for something great.

While Niko's adventures were drab and often lacked thrills, The Ballad of Gay Tony is a return to classic over the top Grand Theft Auto destruction.

Xbox 360 owners can be assured that this is one of the finest, if not the finest, releases for the console so far. It is a celebration of the car, but even more a celebration of the joy to be had in driving.

Ratchet & Clank fans didn’t want this to be remarkably different; they wanted something recognisable that sent the series off with a bang. And it does just that.

In actuality, in spite of these congruities, all of its parts are tailored toward the shooter genre, so it's not an RPG at all really, it's just a multi-layered FPS, which, to be honest, is brilliant.

In actuality, in spite of these congruities, all of its parts are tailored toward the shooter genre, so it's not an RPG at all really, it's just a multi-layered FPS, which, to be honest, is brilliant.

One of the best sports simulations ever released, the on pitch action is convincing and more importantly a lot of fun. Played with friends the game is even better.

There are plenty of flaws and rough edges here but at the end of the day it retains the same feel that has made GTA such a success and it offers many hours of engaging gameplay.

It's not perfect, if you ask me the sandbox element is a little superfluous and brings the game down a little, it's still a great game though, lots of fun, makes you use your brain, great story and varied gameplay.

The game's story and dialogue, while full of plenty of macho nonsense, is humorous and never takes itself quite seriously - giving great credibility to the engaging characters.

The lack of structure here is a bit disappointing but hardly a deal breaker. There is a wealth of content on offer and Gran Turismo is a very well crafted game which is definitely worth the price.

It's a foundational package, far from threatening the professional music development studios, but it's a gateway piece of software, bound to inspire aspiring musicians to pursue the real deal.

MotorStorm feels like an appropriate entry in the series, and a remarkable feat given the technology.

Overall, Tales of Monkey Island Episode 3 – Lair of the Leviathan continues the excellent series, pretty much as expected, given the great previous chapters. Well worth a purchase for any of you silly enough to have not bought the full season already. If you’re not sold now, maybe Monkey Island isn’t for you.

NCSoft's latest RPG has gotten off to a flying start and will be hoping to steadily gain altitude until it climbs to the lofty heights of long term RPG greatness.

Halo: ODST is very much a traditional Halo game at heart but distinguishes itself from the second and third games in the series by having much more personality and a more engaging campaign.

A refreshing strategy experience.

Buy this game. It's as simple as that. It's a masterpiece of design from concept to execution and is my game of the year so far.

On the whole though the racing action is very good, with a strong range of cars, attractive visuals and an international approach to motorsport that doesn't seem false or forced.

On the whole though the racing action is very good, with a strong range of cars, attractive visuals and an international approach to motorsport that doesn't seem false or forced.

Regardless of how many awards it wins though, it’s a fantastic representation of the sport.

This is a brave, thrilling and fun-packed game that sets out to entertain us with recreations of daring do from the last century. It really achieves those aims, but in also doing so while giving us a say in how we play it, it makes the game all the greater.

With a dark and sombre atmosphere, multi-layered, fluid and ferocious combat and deeply engaging stealth, Batman: Arkham Asylum is the game Batman fans have been waiting for, and more. It's simply a fantastically told, superbly acted and brilliantly realised action adventure.

Ultimately, it is a relief for me, as a huge fan of the series, a little disappointed by Escape From Monkey Island to see it back to its full strength, and not being milked with sub standard entries just for the cash.

Wolfenstein is not going to set the world on fire with anything new but what it has done is reaffirm my faith in the fact that old ideas can still be brought up to speed and used to create a fun experience that is well worth the money spent on it.

The war waging is brilliant, but diplomacy, speed, user interface etc robs the game of a better score.

SingStar Queen is a superb addition to the franchise. Ironically it’s not for the die hard fans, since they’ve already bought most of the songs from the SingStore, but for those fans that haven’t got Queen songs yet, it’s an absolute must buy.

To be honest this is pretty much a no brainer if you like Wii Sports, and that's most people really, the selection of sports is nice and varied, as are the methods of playing.

The main gripe of Battlefield 1943, however, is its staying power, considering just how shelled-out it is in comparison to previous entries in the series. It's quite superb in small doses, but with only two game modes, one of which has only one map, and both of which are only minutely customisable, there's no chance of losing a day to it.

The control system can be labeled as interesting (sweeping the mouse around the screen to guide Guybrush around is one of the worst control schemes I’ve ever encountered) but thankfully this can be swapped for WASD keyboard controls.

Why Team17 didn't just make this game the first time around instead of last year's abomination, I don't know, but it was worth the wait. Fortunately, this time it's actually worth looking into.

BlazBlue is a finely crafted fighting game with some real depth to it. Polished art, great character designs and some solid mechanics make this addictive once it gets under your skin.

This is a good videogame adaptation and none of the flaws prevent it from being immersive and enjoyable to play. You won’t find another game quite like this. American Football and the fantasy world of Elves and Orcs make undeniably strange bedfellows and their unholy offspring may be ugly but it is entertaining.

The action in the ring is never short of brilliant. For fans of the sport it really does represent a loving recreation of the skills and strategies required for victory - and reservations about the role of counter-punching aside - Fight Night Round 4 is really very good indeed.

If you're the type of gamer who wants depth and complexity to their games then Rocket Riot won't be to your liking, but if you fancy a great multiplayer game that demands no more of you than two functioning thumbs, you're sure to have a blast.

It doesn't have the sense of a bustling metropolis like inFamous or GTA4 do, but then again, inFamous and GTA4 don't have shape-shifting, 50-story elbow drops or five-foot blades that grow out your arm. Prototype is a simple pleasure.

It's not the prettiest looking game, and it does have some minor issues, but the motion controls make all the difference, they do take a bit of getting used to, but once you get the hang of them it really makes it feel authentic.

Volition's game is an excellent and worthwhile resurrection of an old franchise. One hopes its success results in Volition returning to an extremely well-loved space shooter series.

Give it time to circulate and new content will come pouring in, but what's there is by far the best in the series, and I can say that because the advent of seamless city exploration, fully integrated character traits and less dumbfounded AI in The Sims3 would make it difficult to return to its predecessors.

As frustrating as it can be to constantly have to keep your eye out for sources of electricity, the power it gives you is particularly enthralling. With an intriguing story and original, if painfully skillful, enemies, the game offers engagement through both narrative, likeable characters and respectable challenge.

Despite the rough edges, Killing Floor can be considered a resounding success.

Expertly crafted resourcing and development tools prevent stagnation of the game's simple conquest objective, and the sheer scope of ships, maps and difficulty levels – not to mention co-op – is likely to keep this gem afloat for some time. RTS fans rejoice.

What Battlestations Pacific delivers is something that is all too rare these days. This is a game that's fun and action-packed without treating the customer like a fool. The blend of realism and arcade fun is beautifully balanced - think of this as the warfare equivalent of Project Gotham Racing.

After creating this masterpiece, Bethesda has a mighty task creating something just as good. I can’t recommend Broken Steel highly enough. If you have Fallout 3, you need Broken Steel to go with it.

Not since Escape from Butcher Bay have I see melee combat so superbly integrated into a first-person game, and so it's clear that ACE Team has put their heart and soul into bringing Zeno Clash to life.

If you fully explore the world, and don’t use game guides to find all 100 Ingots, you have more than four hours of game time here. The storyline is much better, and because of all the choices that can be made throughout the game, the replay value alone gives this game extra score. In my honest opinion, any Fallout 3 owner must get this DLC.

This PSP inception of the franchise will definitely be remembered as an important part of it, rather than a bastard child desperate to cash in.

It fails to reach perfection, but Empire Total War is the definitive strategy game. I can't think of any other game that even comes close to it.

On the whole the writing is poor quality and the dialogue risible, embarrassingly so at times. It doesn't quite make Gears of War seems like a quality drama but it's not far off. At least Gears of War features memorable characters.

But for my money, it's time well spent, as it succeeds more often than not in recapturing the spirit of some of the more highly regarded CRPG titles of the earlier part of the decade.

I really enjoyed playing Dawn of War II and If you're considering taking the plunge into realtime strategy this is a good place to start.. It is very accessible and Relic has obviously worked hard to release a very polished product that’s immense fun and has a multiplayer side that is entertaining to play and varies enough from the main game to give great value.

Yet while the game has plenty of niggles such as duplicated left-right mirrors, texture shimmer, dull lighting and the like the truth is that it plays better than any other racing sim I've played on console. There are better racing games out there for the current crop of consoles, but there isn't a better handling one whose aim is simulation.

Rockstar has embellished the world it created with GTA4 with a story that is not only original in its own right, but functions as another element of Liberty City as a whole. Rather than just a few new missions and weapons, TLAD adds a whole new dimension to the experience, setting a high standard for what DLC should be.

The delicate grace of the gameplay and the equally elegant music create a rather moving experience unlike any other. It's up to you whether or not it's art or simply a pretentious tech demo, but I'm all for the former. Flower is a very unique game indeed. Put this and Ico next to each other and I'll cry my eyes out.

The sheer ingenuity of each stage keeps you going, but the scope of collectibles keeps you going back.

This is a step up from last year so if you were on the fence then this might be time to take the plunge.

Excellent value for money and something every PSP owner must experience: it's fun, visual and audibly impressive and is perfect for a quick blast to and from the shops on the bus. Although it isn't perfect, it's more down to the hardware than it is the software, so I'll let it off just this once.

As far as an expansion goes, it has to be said, that this felt a little light weight.

I really did enjoy the experience, as unchallenging as it felt (whether because the puzzles rarely required timing threatening death beyond falling, because the enemies even have visible health bars or due to the friendly checkpoint system) but felt that it was too quick to get through to justify a full £40 purchase.

Certainly better than last year's, so it’ll definitely last until next year, possibly longer.

I'd go as far to say LotRO would have perhaps been a better game without the 'O', as it remains one of the best RPGs I've ever played, and the Mines of Moria and all it's hidden depth and majesty only adds to what is an otherwise already superb experience.

And if you love Guitar Hero, but don't have deep enough pockets to fit out a whole band on the World Tour game then this is a good substitute, just mind the funny looks you'll get rocking out on the bus.

All of the new additions that Lich King provides are expertly executed and will provide hours of new content to seasoned players.

It would be difficult for me to say Mirror's Edge reached its potential as a fresh take on the FPS genre because it's held back by a shallow story and dubious combat mechanics. However, you won't find another game like it.

The most pleasure from Gears 2 has to be in multiplayer, and I’ve very much enjoyed playing the campaign with friends in ever more challenging difficulties.

The variety and quality of songs is the finest Sony has given us, though of course that sort of judgement comes down to personal taste.

The game concludes with a satisfying outcome, but really doesn’t make much of a big deal of your course through the game and final decisions on what to do, and unless you’ve got a save before the unexpected point of no return, you’ll have to start again to explore more of the world. Of course that’s the beauty of the game. You’ll want to.

Bethesda has done the Fallout series justice and should be proud of the game they made, unfortunately, the scope of the project was too much for them and the PC game felt unfinished in places, but simply outstanding in other areas.