At any rate, Lord of the Rings only manages to successfully hold its own when compared with World of Warcraft, and that’s most certainly quite an achievement.

It's short enough to come across as an appetizer, this pilot episode's ending leaving you more confused than when entering the first tunnel of the mines

It doesn’t raise the bar regarding the RTS genre’s standards and it doesn’t really come close to the existing ones, even though it does feature certain innovations over the previous titles of the series. Nevertheless, it’s a game with a solid universe for the background story, a large fan base, more than decent single-player campaign and, in regards to the graphics and sounds, it most certainly can go toe to toe with any RTS released in these last two years.

Despite its shortcomings, STALKER is definitely one of the “must play” titles of 2007, whether you’re a FPS fan or not, even though you might do it just for the single-player part, with it’s incredible atmosphere and unique game experience.

Despite its high technical requirements and some weird choices made by the developers when implementing the control system, TDU is a nice experience for both single and multiplayer.

Genesis Rising is a game with impressive graphics and some innovative ideas. Unfortunately, the stability problems and the questionable implementation of some ideas as well as the unexplained lack of some de-facto features in an RTS drag this title down.

With some more polish, SH4 has the potential to surpass its predecessor and to take its rightful place as the best submarine simulator ever made.

Personally TMNT disappointed me because of its low quality, but even more because, in my opinion, this title has plenty of unrealized potential.

But now, two years after its initial release, it’s only a good game with a phenomenal atmosphere but one which ultimately shows its age.

Unfortunately, the number of players in multiplayer is small.

The waypoint / ferry system and the strategic view of the battlefield are three features from Supreme Commander that I will sorely miss in any RTS, including "Company of Heroes."

Aside from the battle system and the childish battle sounds, Dark Avatar is a complex experience with an excellent replay value, thanks to the multitude of available options and the AI which sports quite a personality.

Not what we’ve hoped for, but it’s a step ahead and may be one of the best adventure games released this year.

War Rock is not a special title, but it is a quite interesting alternative to people who’ve had enough of Counter Strike and Battlefield, though the attempt to combine them is not all that new.

Impressive because of the combination of these genres, making it recommendable to RTS fans (offering more than just a closer look to units in the form of total control) and simulation fans alike.

A lot of new content clearly tailored based on the community requests.

Rainbow Six Vegas isn’t the best tactical shooter ever made, losing a few points in the system requirements and the save system department, but it’s a very good game.

Although Mark of Chaos doesn’t have a terrific story and the system requirements can be a bit high, the gameplay can prove to be fun.

The sunrises and sunsets as just as beautiful as they were in "Gothic 2." It’s an incredible feeling to contemplate vast landscapes or ruins and people in the distance while sitting on a hill, being gently touched by the rays of the sun, with wonderful violin accords in the background.

Fans of the Dark Ages will definitely get a nice playing experience, and for them as well as for the rest of the RTS fans, Medieval 2 can easily be considered one of the best games this genre has to offer.

Splinter Cell: Double Agent could have been a wonderful product if tested properly and adapted from the console version by adding a useful PC interface.

Compared to Anno 1503, the pathfinding has been improved substantially.

The story, characters and the choices I had at my disposal made me overlook the bad AI, frustrating party micromanagement, gamebreaking bugs or the Spartan inventory system.

With many games supporting widescreen out there, it’s a shame that EA’s games still ignore it.

Content wise, Guild Wars Nightfall is an excellent purchase for the Guild Wars community, but also for those who want to see why Guild Wars is so popular with MMORPG players who prefer competitive PvP gameplay above all else.

The game will probably be patched in the future, but for now, you will have to prey to the dragons of Ashan each time a multiplayer map is loading and why not, when playing. Thumbs up for Arkane, thumbs down for Kuju!

The game was obviously developed for consoles as well, and you’ll see this in the way the menu works, the almost non-existent graphical options but mostly in the gameplay and the overall graphics quality, which is far from 2006’s standards.

Adding to this the possibility to choose from 23 heroes, each one with his individual abilities and powers, and also the challenge mode besides the campaign, comic-book fans will certainly spend more time in single-player.

The unit AI is a mess, especially that of the vehicles. If they’re attacked by long range artillery for instance, they’ll usually just stay were they are, not moving an inch to get out of firing range.

The multiplayer clearly deserves the admission price.

Neverend could have been a decent game, graphics aside, since graphics aren’t that important in a RPG. The story (which in this case isn’t bad at all) and the game mechanics are more important, but the latter are destroyed by bugs, too many random encounters, lack of a mini-map and an odd magic system.

The game’s atmosphere also plays a key role in creating a quality feeling, which in Defcon’s case is a very dark and sinister one.

Even if you can escape the stupidity of the AI, you can’t avoid the other shortcomings of the game. And it’s a shame, because the story is not that bad and the graphics are sometimes enchanting.

You only need to take one look at the producer recommended specs (3Ghz CPU, 1GB RAM and a 6800 series graphics card or better with at least 256 Ram) to get chills down your spine.

Taking into consideration the awful unit micromanagement I can’t really recommend the single-player campaign, other than for those who are really interested in the storyline. For the rest of the RTS fans out there, the multiplayer will be the main course.

The simplicity of the trade system, some shortcoming regarding the interface, the lack of variety for missions and solar system design – all these could have been forgiven if Darkstar One would have had multiplayer.

If what you're looking for is a very fun game, with a large variety of well-structured and well-presented options, Tekken: Dark Resurrection is a good bet.

Aside from a couple of bugs and irritating gameplay elements, the combination between "Caesar III" and "Civilization" works pretty well. And considering that the game also has a level editor, I can safely say that both novices and veterans alike will play it until "Caesar IV" and "Anno 1701" hit the shelves.

And even though the single-player is extremely linear and might be a bit short for certain tastes – you can complete it in less than 6 hours – Prey manages to avoid being a game released just for financial reasons. And considering its finale – the one after the Credits mind you – I sincerely hope that Human Head will continue the series with even more wackier ideas.

Bottom line, if you care for your mouse and have no desire to kill thousands upon thousands of monsters, you can safely skip this one, but if you’re a fan of the hack and slash genre you certainly won’t regret the time spent in Titan Quest.

At first glance, Half-Life 2: Episode One could be considered a simple add-on. But a closer inspection reveals that VALVe didn’t go down the classical "more monsters, more weapons" cliché, but instead opted to refine and fine-tune the already successful Half-Life 2 recipe, by combining monster types during combat, and introducing more puzzles and the „cooperative singleplayer” mechanic with the help of Alyx.

The best Hitman game I’ve ever played. If you add the surprising ending to the mix, then you’ll be in for quite a treat.

Although it was more complex and more ambitious in scope than Rise of Nations, Rise of Legends has proven to be another hit for Big Huge Games and as such is a serious contender for the title of “Best real-time strategy game of the year” award. The only negative thing that can be said about it is the singleplayer campaign, which oddly enough should have been one of its strong points. Fortunately, the multiplayer modes, the three different but very well balanced factions, lots of strategies and the art design recommend it to all RTS lovers.

Nine episodes times around six months is a really long love relationship (and expensive), but it may very well prove to be the next best thing in mature gaming.

Separately, the RTS and the RPG aspects of the game can be considered mediocre – with a higher mark for the RPG if I compare it with the first title in the series. But, the game’s splendor comes from successfully combining these two genres, offering a unique experience, a friendly interface, and gameplay which is fun and addictive.

If someone will ever be able to re-establish this kind of games, to make them deliver the kind of fun I’ve had with all the games that preceded Desperados 2, then I’ll clearly admit it and promote it. Until then, all I can tell you is to stay away from this game.

For veteran players, Factions offers little in terms of PvE but more than makes up for it in PvP, especially if you’re a member of an experienced guild.

Since we’re in need of good games right now, I’d rather be playing an original episodic game than one of the sequels flooding the market these days.

Replays are stunning with all the cameras and visual effects and the game comes with a built-in track editor which lets you import, modify and create tracks. What more do you want?!?!?

If games will ever be considered a form of art, then Dreamfall: The Longest Journey will stand as one of the most important representatives of its time.

The fact that it’s very solo friendly, the large number of missions, the interesting universe and the artistic design will surely convince a lot of newcomers to the online gaming world to give it a try.

In this regard, Crystal Dynamics deserve all the praise, but if they will continue to ignore certain aspects in the next Tomb Raider game and will choose to go down the simplification road, there are very good chances that the next Tomb Raider will end up like "Angel of Darkness."

Even though the beginning is a little slow, the second half is downright exhilarating and the ending is a bit surprising as well.

I just hope you will enjoy it as much as I did and if you start playing it, please try to finish it, so you could experience the really emotionally touching ending, reminding you about one of the best human emotions. Love.

The freedom of movement may be a tribute to Elite, but strategy fans will be amused by the depth of the land battles, arcade freaks will complain that hyperspace is way too short, and adventure fans will have a condescending smile at most.

The game is full of bugs which will crash the game in certain situations, like being followed by the Police and not taking the exact route during Michael’s escape from the restaurant.

Although some aspects of the game can’t be denied – the stupidity of the NPC’s (especially when they try to help you in a fight), the system requirements, the stability issues, the bugs – everything else is open for debate.

By far the best strategy released under the Star Wars banner and a real success for Petroglyph Games.

If they developed this game with the younger audience in mind, then it's a pretty nice game, suited for such a target. If not, then it's a fiasco.

I cannot say I was too disappointed by this third title, but I would have enjoyed better graphics, a new storyline without any recycled characters and last but not least, a save anytime option.

Although the levels are pretty big and they’re full of vegetation, they look, well, dated: some of the textures are really low res, the objects are kind of blocky, there’s no AntiAliasing option in the game and I couldn’t force it from the video drivers either (Catalyst 6.2).

The singleplayer story may not win any awards any time soon and the voice acting will most likely make you go nuts on more than one occasion, but the solid set of features, good AI as well as a dedicated and active online community will keep you in the front of your PC for hours on end.

A must have for Need for Speed fans. For the rest, it’s an interesting arcade racing game, thanks to its spectacular police car chasses and outstanding graphics.

And even though it’s not as complex as other MMORPGs on the market, the Destiny’s Manifest update (which should be launched this month) will resolve a lot of the drawbacks that the game now has. And face it, it’s really fun being the bad guy for a change.

Better than its predecessor, but unfortunately, it doesn’t pack enough novelties to really make you to want more, unless you’re a Star Wars fan.

A rock solid game, both on a technical and design level (it is advisable however to install the v1.09 patch, which eliminates some video and memory leak problems).

With superb graphics and sound, good storyline and an above average AI, F.E.A.R is without a doubt the best first person shooter of the year and probably one of the scariest games ever made, topped only by the likes of "Aliens vs. Predator 2" (another Monolith masterpiece) or "Clive Barker’s Undying."

From a technical standpoint, Quake 4 exceeds all expectations, especially in multiplayer. Considering the game’s excellent performance on even the most modest rigs, cumulated with the traditional gameplay and countless modding options, I have no doubt that Quake 4 is here to stay.

If you’re a fan of the first B&W and you were just itching to see how your favorite game could get better, you’ll probably be disappointed by the sequel and be left to ask, like me, how on Earth could Peter Molyneaux have released such a game in the first place?

A rara avis (rare bird) of the interactive entertainment landscape. You keep playing, you lose track of time and you think that you haven't played such a good single-player game in years.

Well, it’s a good game, even though some of the purists will say that it’s not a genuine adventure.

If it had been launched directly to the PC, Fable might have become one of the greatest games in history, because the potential was there and the early previews stand testament to the designer’s intentions. Not the Fable is a bad game, far from it, but I just can’t help feeling a little sad, thinking of what might have been.

Playing Myst V was one of the saddest moments in my life. This game is nothing but a prolonged agony. Each puzzle you solve is one more step towards the end. The Myst universe is one of the most beautiful manifestations of human imagination.

Ultimately, in some regards, Dungeon Siege 2 is clearly better than its predecessor. But some questionable design decisions, as well as a few less evident problems manage to stop it from becoming one of the better games of 2005. Nevertheless, for hack & slash fans this is a must have title.

One of the best games of the year and an action adventure that I would recommend to anyone, even if they’re not fans of the genre.

It just has such a bad story that you won't play it after a while.

If you’re looking for a complex RPG, with lots of items, weapons, skills and intricate dialog options, you’re looking in the wrong place. But if you a want a simple game, which will surely steal a smile or two of your face, then The Bard’s Tale might be just what you’re looking for.

I wish you all the fun in the world playing GTA: SA but I should also warn you about its length. Be prepared with lots of smokes and beers around (I’d rather have a few bottles of tequila, but that’s just me), because it could keep you busy for a very long time.

After a few hours, the lack of variety will take its toll. Overall, nostalgia is the only reason why you would want to play Restricted Area. If you miss those sleepless nights in the company of Diablo 2, you will probably like Restricted Area. I for one prefer the dead to stay dead.

The interface was very simple, it was the same point 'n click system but from what I understood, characters had some problems with their paths. The voices used were just perfect and the ambient sounds used to freeze your heart for a moment.

There's nothing innovative or original about it and even Karina looks pale from all those freezes and unfreezes.

The success of Guild Wars lays in the lack of a monthly fee as well as in its core principles and game mechanics. This has attracted an important number of casual players, which are very happy that they can play PvP without having to invest a lot of time into repetitive actions, focusing instead on learning and developing new tactics and strategies.

The overall feeling after playing this game is that I spent my time foolishly, rather than being really excited and thinking about the game every day like it happens when I play a good RPG.

For fans of the realistic tactical shooter genre, SWAT 4 is a definite must have, marking the rebirth of a series out of its own ashes. It was a 5 year wait, but trust me, it was worth every second of it.

If you liked Doom 3, then Resurrection of Evil is exactly what you've been expecting all these years. The new weapons, levels, monsters and multiplayer are attractive even for a non-hardcore Doom fan.

A stunning game. It's not original nor it does feature innovative ideas, but it managed to push this type of gameplay to heights we've never imagined before.

The bitter taste I had since the beginning of the game is still there.

A decent first person shooter, that you can easily finish during a weekend, without being sorry for the time spent in his company, especially if you're a "Deus Ex" fan, like myself.

Silent Hunter 3 is without a doubt a step forward for the series, not just regarding graphics but through the introduction of new game options as well.

Although it doesn't excel in any way and the additions brought by it hardly justify the characterization as a sequel, FFvt3R is a fun game, which manages to bring to the PC the look and feel of comic-book super-heroes, sporting some colorful characters and vivid graphics.

Can you forget "Medal of Honor" and "Call of Duty" by playing this game? Of course not, but Brothers in Arms marks a new beginning for the Second World War shooters. It's an extraordinary game, one that will change the history of war shooters forever.

With the First Person Shooter marked being overcrowded and the standards being set pretty high by some excellent titles, it’s difficult for any new game in this genre to stand out of the crowd without outstanding graphics, realistic physics engine, above-average AI for the enemies or the hype to boost its sales. Unfortunately, Judge Dredd doesn’t have any of those.

A decent first person shooter, which manages to paint the Star Wars universe from a different perspective, a move which is to be commended, since originality is something very rare in most of today’s games.

The maps are very detailed, which will become evident when you will use the zoom function of the camera - too bad the ambient life is pretty scarce.

Although the road to store shelves was long and painstaking, Nexus came out as a high-quality space strategy game (personally I would call it a Fleet Simulator, but that’s just me), which has no reason to hide in shame when confronted with the Homeworld games.

The game’s finale however left me a little disappointed, because it ends too abruptly, leaving behind more questions than answers.

Yes, it lacks certain features, but it shows potential. On the other hand, exactly this kind of simplicity makes it more accessible to everybody.

The outstanding combination of stealth, adventure, exploration and action, correlated with a superb technical presentation has created a game unlike anything before it, raising the bar in regards to how a console port or a movie based game should be made. Is it better than Doom 3? Without a doubt.