A familiar class-based, objective-based multiplayer shooter that is immensely rewarding when played online with others.

Imaginative, challenging, hilarious and sometimes a bit exhausting, Portal 2 is one of 2011's most interesting, challenging blockbusters. Just make sure you take your sweet, sweet time with it - because you'll probably feel a hole in your head once it's done and dusted.

This is a relentlessly explosive title that doesn't know the meaning of respite; one which laughs in the face of 'downtime'.

An impressive, feature-complete and more accessible portable edition of this generation's greatest fighter.

At times, too creatively conservative - but an engrossing, cleverly realised shooter with CoD-beating multiplayer.

A massive technical achievement of real spectacle with heart-pounding fun at the core, but we can't help feeling that racing has taken a back seat.

A generally stunning package in features and presentation. New mechanics work well but stamina and punch power is inconsistent.

Yes, its vulgar and obscene nature might rub some people the wrong way, but for many Bulletstorm will be a humorous, tongue-in-cheek romp that distinguishes itself from the other samey sci-fi or military shooters clogging up the genre. The game brings simple design concepts used in the infancy of the FPS to the modern day and garnishes it with all the current-generation trimmings.

Its stars may be hollow, but Stacking is stuffed full of charisma, cleverness and charm.

At heart, Killzone 3 is still a ridiculously good looking thrill-fest that challenges little more than your reaction speed - and your visual expectations. She's not marriage material and eventually, her charms will wear thin. But we can at least guarantee that shooter fans won't regret spending a fair few evenings alone in her company.

Polished, sickening, satisfying and occasionally heart-testing, Dead Space 2 is undoubtedly the best horror adventure on Xbox 360 and PS3. It's the Resident Evil of this generation - and it'll leave you an emotional wreck...An action horror masterpiece.

A smarter, more fun and accessible LittleBigPlanet that does everything better.

Might just be proof that racing games will never work with Kinect.

Kratos is on fine form, but still refuses to do anything other than tear things to pieces.

Football Manager 2011 is a complete triumph, and as satisfying as a last minute winner in the local derby.

Eorzea is a beautiful world with huge potential for vast adventures, but it's just a shame that this first voyage into it is such a mis-step.

A polished FPS with great multiplayer and plenty of reason to keep playing.

A fast, fun, finished arcade racer that's only made better with friends.

A thrilling and brutal single-player campaign that's one of the series' best. But will you be blown away by multiplayer the fourth time around?

The game's skilful courses and challenging, inventive boss battles are a breath of fresh air amongst Wii's all-to-easy competition - and help DKCR remain a pleasingly faithful instalment in one of gaming's greatest ever series.

As a platformer, Disney Epic Mickey's mechanics are disappointing. It's a shame - because this really is a good game hampered by some bad gameplay systems, rather than a bad game held up by a few good ones.

Too much of GT5 relies on past glories, building on the success of the series without shaking free of the design quirks that are holding the series back. High expectations are justified when a game has been in development so long and GT5 has more than a faint whiff of disappointment about it.

NBA Jam has been lovingly recreated by a team that clearly understood the appeal of the original. Get together with friends for this one.

Story limitations and a few failed mission experiments cement our statement that it's not Assassin's Creed 3 - but with a lick of paint it would've come dangerously close.

I'm also just very peeved at just how confined it makes you feel - and, most of all, how Activision didn't just port its own Blur into the Bond world for the driving bits.

Overly jaunty and a bit threadbare - but by no means an embarrassment for Microsoft.

Every bit as fun as it is unoriginal. And football's ace.

The usual series update with some nice gameplay additions, a subtle and successful evolution feature and a story mode that fails altogether.