The Sniper Challenge isn't part of Hitman: Absolution so it's definitely worth pre-ordering if you're a fan of the series. Asides from the fact there's only one level, the game is fun and addictive and it's not a bad incentive to pre-order Hitman: Absolution. Better than some extra guns anyway, that's for sure.

In closing go and pick this game up. With the flood of FPS's we have seen and the huge amount of titles launched before Christmas, Agent 47's return should not be overlooked. There are two games I would recommend this year and Hitman: Absolution is one of them. A really enjoyable game that offers hours and hours of replayability whether through leaderboards and challenges in the campaign, or through the very awesome and cleverly conceived Contracts mode.

Sesame Street: Once Upon a Monster is a fantastic game for kids and is still mildly entertaining for adults at the same time.

One of my most-enjoyed titles of this year.

EA Sports have achieved moderate success with their first step into the MMA space providing a game that plays well and contains some promising features that give incentive to dedicated play, however it unfortunately falls short by failing to introduce the player to the game's complexities and missing core issues such as player disconnects cutting stat tracking short.

A brilliantly-designed title that players can easily sit down and relax to. Whilst it lacks in terms of content, the title can be enjoyed in short bursts and the donation to charity makes the Xbox Live Arcade title a deserving purchase, especially at the 400 Microsoft Points price tag.

A unique concept, stunning graphics, inspiring audio and enjoyable gameplay comes together to create a fantastic RPG experience that rivals close competition.

There's very little else to say about Mega Man 10. If you played and loved 9 then I highly recommend you pick up 10. It's pretty much more of the retro Mega Man you loved.

It’s one of the greatest fighters to grace the digital screen.

All things considered and all the highs and lows of the Sega Mega Drive experience, Ultimate Collection is a good buy for any gamer old or new.

It is another great addition to the LEGO game franchise and a real progression from first LEGO Batman.

Overall, Monday Night Combat is yet another gem to arise from the Summer of Arcade promotion. The brilliant development of the game and the unique concept sets the bar for future Xbox Live Arcade titles. Even at 1200 Microsoft Points, this is a must purchase.

This is a great shooter, perhaps the best we have had this year, so far, and it is definitely a game that is looking to be on my top 5 list of games for 2012. We have been lucky to have some great titles come out this year and we still have some exciting titles on the release schedule too, but don't make an error and miss this gem. I really hope we get a third game in this series.

Sadly though, at the end of the day, you can't hide the fact that this game is nothing more than a downloadable content package that has been put on a disc and packed into a Xbox 360 case.

The improvement, polish and few additions made make this a must for any Dead Rising fan. It's only 400 MS Points and it may seem like a glorified demo but there is more than enough content here that it could pass as a standalone game which, with its prologue like story and an entirely separate world, it might as well be.

Tekken is fun, nothing can take that away. Heavy looking characters and hard hitting battles are what Tekken fans are looking for, and this is certainly what the game delivers, it just doesn’t seem to have that sparkle this time around.

The fantastic dialogue, beautiful setting and overall charm, whilst appealing, will struggle to remove attention from the gameplay that in most cases will be the difference between a love and hate relationship for most gamers.

Overall, Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: Future Soldier is the best tactical shooter to date. Despite a number of small problems, Future Soldier is a very entertaining game on the whole and, with a lengthy campaign and plenty of game modes to be getting on with, you certainly get your money's worth. If you're looking for a shooter to pass the time until Call of Duty: Black Ops II and Halo 4 release, this is certainly worth considering.

The Unfinished Swan is best seen as an interactive bedtime story. There are no enemies to kill, the threats to Monroe's safety are few and far between and there's nothing too taxing to figure out, but that's not what this title is all about. If you sometimes tire of the triple A titles and enjoy seeing what else the medium of games can offer, or you have enjoyed creations like Journey over the past few years, then Unfinished Swan should be on your list of games to purchase.

By all accounts, the game itself is fantastic and much deserved of the score we gave MvC3 but there just isn't enough in UMvC3 to really set it apart as a title in its own right.

While the game does have its flaws in poor AI and the sometimes never ending games, the colourful comical gore ridden game, as well as the catchy game title, did manage to grab my attention.

Final Fantasy XIII-2 is a step in the right direction for the franchise and it is clear Square Enix have listened to fans and implemented a lot of the changes they wanted. One thing that will be frustrating is the ending, or at least one of the ten possible ones, and that it's left on somewhat of a cliff hanger which would indicate some lengthy DLC or another sequel. Other than this it's definitely a great game and for any RPG fans a must have.

If you're a diehard Potter fan then I don't thinking you will need any persuading to buy this title but for those of you who dislike the boy wizard I hope you will give this one a chance as Traveller's Tales really have conjured up something quite magical.

If you are tempted by the style of gameplay and fancy yourself as a perfectionist when it comes to avid competition, be sure to make the jump as Mirror’s Edge is one of the more promising titles this autumn.

Bloodier, muddier and cleverer than Origins, this is a story as much about Kirkwall as about Hawke, a stepping stone setting up what I can only imagine will be one hell of a conflict in the threequel. Perhaps above all, though, it's still the most fun you can have with dragons without being eaten alive.

There is nothing quite like Tales of Vesperia on the Xbox 360, and if you like JRPG's you really owe it to yourself to check it out, and if you are new to the genre then this is a really good starting point.

Whilst there is not a tonne of content to set it above last year's release on the 360, it is a significant improvement on the previous PS3 version.

Nonetheless, if players are willing to dedicate some time to the title and adapt to the game's slightly-unforgiving gameplay, the reward is a thoroughly entertaining Xbox Live Arcade title.

Carcassonne for the Xbox LIVE Arcade is a great conversion of the original board game, but certain aspects of the game are lacking.

Of course Perfect Dark is going to feel outdated, it's 10 years old! But what we have here is one of the best remakes in a long long time.

Overall, Gears of War: Judgment is a brilliant addition to the Gear of War series. While some gamers may question whether the short campaign and the few changes to the multiplayer is worth the hefty price tag, there’s hours of enjoyment to be had, just like its predecessors also offered. With the inevitable summer drought approaching, this is most definitely a game to consider purchasing.

Overall, Cherry Pop Games's first endeavour has left us with a fantastic billiards game featuring stunning visuals, great audio and even better physics. The lengthy, albeit difficult career mode, will give you plenty of play time but perhaps for the wrong reasons. If you're looking for a realistic, stylish, and fun billiards game, Pool Nation is the crème of the crop.

Overall there are a lot of things to do in Tiger Woods 11 which is great.

Outrun is most definitely a blast from the past. Hardcore fans of the series or even fans of improving scores or times will love this addition to the series.

The multiplayer is probably the best part of this game. It combines simple fun and “pick-up-and-playability” very well.

To conclude, Pro Evolution Soccer 2011 is a step in the right direction for the series, taking it back towards its roots, though also seeing technical developments to keep up with the FIFA series.

Mirror’s Edge is without doubt a beautiful game, that can both thrill and frustrate with equal measure. Those willing to live with the evils of pixel perfect button timings will get a lot of pleasure from the game.

If you’re a fan of fighting games then Final Fight: Double Impact is sure to make a positive impact on you.

Roogoo is an addictive puzzle game with very simple controls and enjoyable multiplayer.

Through the evolution of the series, Nippon Ichi have refined the TRPG mechanics to the levels of Royal Brackla Single Malt Whiskey. Disgaea 3 is a game to be savoured one tantalising taste at a time.

Madden 2012 is a considerable upgrade to Madden 2011 but there are still areas that EA need to improve in the next installment. Both online and offline the game has enough to keep American Football fans occupied for another year and with a new stat system in Superstar mode you will find yourself immersed as an RB, QB or whatever position takes your fancy. The commentary is without a doubt the game's biggest flaw, but when you get past that you will realise that Madden 12 will simply eat up the hours until EA announces Madden 13.

Is Lost Odyssey the best RPG experience on the market? If it isn’t it’s making a strong push towards being one, at least being the best on the Xbox 360. It is however near the top as far as an intimate storyline and a true JRPG.

For fans of the genre Machinarium is a welcome addition. If you are a Playstation Plus member then there is literally no reason not to give this unique (if a little short) experience a try. For non Playstation Plus members the £6.49 shouldn't break the bank, however if you are a fan of Point-and-Clicks then searching the game out on Steam may be cheaper and in the end will make it more of the experience that it was clearly intended to be.

Overall Konami have upped their game in terms of bringing back the good old days of Pro Evolution Soccer. However with EA's FIFA series has been growing leaps and bounds each year, I'm not too sure if it's too late for Konami to gain the fans interest back.

Whilst the game does have a few minor flaws, none of these take away from the overall experience which can easily keep you entertained for countless hours.

It is remarkable how much hard work has been put into a game that will generally only appeal to fans of the original subject matter.

Any wrestling fan would love to play SvR 09 though, just don't expect anything too exciting in the single player aspects of the game. Worth a rent, or a cheap purchase.

Dragon's Dogma excels in every single aspect I could hope for, and also exceeds that hope to the greatest degree. Yes, it may not be perfect, but I can't think of any game that is perfect. However, Dragon's Dogma is the soul reason I play video games. It's fun and it's a masterpiece. That's all that can really be said.

In closing, I can't help but think a local co-op option would have been a great addition that would have attracted a wider audience. If you couple this with the fact that Rock Band 3 songs are still unable to be imported, there are a couple of things that stop this from being a 100% scoring game, but nonetheless, it is still a fantastic entry into the rhythm game genre.

Overall the game has enough content to keep children and adults entertained for hours. Not only is the game informative and fun but the access to the season pass for the America the Wild TV Episodes will also give players the feeling they are getting more worth from their initial purchase. While not the deepest game for the long-term, it will certainly educate your children and maybe some adults about things in the wild.

A great game where many hours can easily pass by without you noticing.

Enjoyable if short lived.

Superb physics engine.

Putting the game’s flaws behind, Dead Space 3 is still a fantastic game, the gore and additional cooperative missions house some intriguing effects, and the tension of hallways filled with enemies never fail to keep you coming back for more.

It isn't perfect by any stretch of the imagination, but the fresh twist is enough for any strategy fan to at least take a look.

A stunning visual and audio representation that offers a unique style of gameplay.

Overall Konami have upped their game in terms of bringing back the good old days of Pro Evolution Soccer. However with EA's FIFA series has been growing leaps and bounds each year, I'm not too sure if it's too late for Konami to gain the fans interest back.

Top Spin 3 is actually one of the better tennis games I have played in some time, however its ridiculously weak tutorial system will completely put off the potential gamers before they even have the chance to see the same kind of admiration I have.

While Starhawk does have its faults (particularly in the single player campaign), the multiplayer is deep, fun, decisive, and completely innovative. I don't think I've had a much better multiplayer experience in a long time. Starhawk has redefined the third-person shooter genre with intelligent strategy. I credit it with nothing less than successfully shoving itself back into the world of multiplayer gaming. It is arguably the best multiplayer experience the PlayStation 3 has to offer so far in 2012.

EA Sports have achieved moderate success with their first step into the MMA space providing a game that plays well and contains some promising features that give incentive to dedicated play, however it unfortunately falls short by failing to introduce the player to the game's complexities and missing core issues such as player disconnects cutting stat tracking short.

Unfortunately the game does itself damage by having very little depth and running out of new tracks long before you have even considered being satisfied.

Risk: Factions takes all that is great about the fifties board game and thrusts it in to modern videogame - it's a worthy effort and a decent addition to XBLA; you should at least give the trial version a go.

Overall, Soul Calibur V is a great fighting title. While the campaign could be majorly improved on, the improvements to the gameplay, the in-depth "Creation" game mode and the good online game modes make this a must purchase for fans of the series.

If you are after just the single player experience then you could easily complete this game in a matter of hours; but those hours are thoroughly enjoyable ones.

Even as I come to the end of the review, I’m still pondering whether Banjo-Kazooie is worth the 1200 Microsoft Points tag. Yes you get a fun-filled adventure which many players will enjoy, but the lack of replayability is an off-putting factor.

Shadows of the Damned doesn't quite hit the heights of either Suda51 or Mikami's history, but as long as you're willing to accept the sometimes vulgar humour there's an experience well worth its weight, and comes to a clever climax finale around the 10-12hour mark that leaves me hoping there's enough demand to warrant a sequel.

All-in-all Crysis 3 is a great package, despite burning bright half as long. It may have not been exactly what all the fans wanted, but it does a great job of trying to appease as many as it can without sacrificing too much. Add to this a decent, if not groundbreaking multiplayer suite and you have a solid FPS that is more than worth a look.

If you’re a fan of fighting games then Final Fight: Double Impact is sure to make a positive impact on you.

Out of the three titles I found MotorStorm Apocalypse to be the weakest of them all. I'd admit, it is brave for its developers to take this new approach to the franchise but as a result I feel the game as a whole has been harmed, but not in an apocalyptic way, as there is still some good to come out of this game.

Everything about Sonic Generations oozes excellence and while some of the traditional annoyances remain, it is hard to deny the crazy speeds and pure enjoyment Sonic's latest adventures reveal.

Super fast, Still beautiful.

Overall, Tomb Raider: Anniversary features an age old style of gameplay that is beginning to struggle against the test of time.

Being an “achievement addict” when I first got my hands on the list, I was more-or-less drooling... OK, that was a slight over-exaggeration but they are one of the best achievement lists I have seen.

Dungeon Defenders may not be everyone's cup of tea but for those willing to give it a chance, they will have a rich game that will last quite some time if you intend to experience each class to its fullest. With a hefty price tag of 1200 Microsoft Points, some may be put off but with so many short arcade titles out there these days, it's good to finally see something that will actually be worth your money.

Solder-X 2: Final Prototype is a very novice friendly entry into the shooter genre, yet at the same time it is able to cater to the veterans of this type of game.

An intense, realistic, first person shooter that will bring gamers as close to war as they’ll ever want to experience. It’s been an Eight year wait for Dragon Rising, but man was it worth it.

Red Alert 3 adds some welcome changes that really add to the C&C formula.

Despite a poor multiplayer, Doom II really is a great game and if you have never played a Doom title before I urge you to try it.

All-in-all Double Fine's Costume Quest is rather straightforward on paper, but it's the excellence of the game's design that brings it to life and gives the world around you character.

Only a few games have managed to make a console RTS work. EndWar is not one to add to this pile. It is fun in places and the voice command is a nice addition, but in it's current state it just doesn't seem all that enjoyable.

If you’re looking for something different from the usual Halo, Gears of War and Call of Duty titles, then Metro 2033 is definitely one to consider.

So if you own a Kinect, and you aren't playing Zumba seven days a week, The Gunstringer is a game you shouldn't pass up. With its lowered retail price and accurate controls, the game delivers on the Kinect's promise of an innovative and fun game experience. With the only flaws being the length and 'sitting' mode, The Gunstringer is a game all Kinect owners should try.

Overall, UNO Rush is a worthy sequel to UNO. Despite some of the changes taking a bit of time to get used to, give the title a chance and you’ll fall in love, just like you did before.

Project Origin is a fantastic FPS experience in it's own right. While there is no amazing innovation, the game works at a satisfying pace keeping you engaged throughout. Eeery atmosphere, fantastically grotesque surroundings and great enemy AI to boot, F.E.A.R 2 is a title well worth your attention.

It is a solid Japanese arcade fighter, but only for the hardcore fans.

To sum up A World of Keflings is a step up in class from A Kingdom for Keflings.

Overall, Just Dance 4 is a great addition to the series. While it's not much of an upgrade on its predecessor, this is a title that will not fail to get people on their feet to dance at a house party. This is the most fun you will have in multiplayer with Kinect and a great stocking-filler this Christmas.

So if you dabble in the Zumba arts from time to time, Zumba Fitness – Core is a perfect game to compliment your normal lessons and for getting your gamer friends to laugh at you.

Of course, if you are interested in poker this game will certainly interest you, but for those of you like myself who have hardly played poker and don't understand the rules, I can assure you this is a whole lot of fun!

Although you might not get much else out of the game once it has been completed, the journey there is fun and at times a challenging one.

PES2008 brings nothing new to the table. It’s the same old gameplay (which isn’t a bad thing), with subpar visuals and just passable sound. There’s nothing to keep you from sticking with PES6. It’s still good enough to play and enjoy, but not even having a reasonable online game is pathetic.

If you are a fan of either the original cartoon series or the latest cinema blockbusters, this title will be sure to delve straight into your passion zones, tickling them with ease. It is a wonderful nostalgic trip harking back to the 1980's, while also strapping on the modern sound effects and atmospherics we are used to today.

It may not be winning any awards, that's not to say that this is one of the most captivating shooters currently available to Xbox 360 users. The morality of your choices has never been so well presented as they are in Spec Ops: The Line and for that reason alone it's a game that everyone should experience, if only for a few short hours.

Is the expansion pack worth the 1600 Microsoft points? Well if you want to have a couple of new tracks and also multiplayer events then this content is in your spot, but there is more to spend 1600 points on and this content is not it. Playground studios have made a decent attempt to bring the rally experience to Horizon but let things slide with not letting you explore the Colorado area and see the sites away from the busy streets.

If you're one for puzzle games and enjoyed Portal, Quantum Conundrum will be right up your alley, but the complexity of the puzzles later on in the game may deter the average gamer. This said, whichever category you fit into, Quantum Conundrum will surely entertain you for its 1200 MSP price tag and if you're stuck to find something to play, it is well worth the pickup.

Retro fans will no doubt rejoice, as will gamers who love the pad breaking frustration of a challenge.

Dead or Alive 5 is a serious contender for the best fighter of the year with interesting characters, an in-depth fighting system which is easy to play yet hard to master so appeals to a wide range of players and also brings something new from its predecessor. If you're only buying one fighting game this year, Dead or Alive 5 would find a perfect space on your shelf.

While there were a few graphical issues within the game, World War 2 has never been told with such passion and quality.