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.

Whilst there is a lot of room for improvement, a lot, there is enjoyment to be had especially for a younger gamer in short bursts.

Sadly just like the franchise it is based on, it is stagnant and dull.

What is on offer is probably a series high and it begs the question as with many of EA’s titles right now, what can be done next?

What is on offer is probably a series high and it begs the question as with many of EA’s titles right now, what can be done next?

There are a zillion game modes to keep both hardcore and casual fans happy, and minus my troubles with Xbox LIVE I’ve enjoyed my 2K experience.

It's a fantastic RPG and after a few hours you'll be slaying demons and enemies like the badass knight in the opening cinematic.

Do you like football? Do you like quizzes? Do you have offline friends to play it with? If you answered yes to all of these questions then for 800MS Points, Football Genius: The Ultimate Quiz is definitely for you.

If you have already played this on the Xbox 360, there’s little different here to warrant a second play though, however, Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 is worthy of a purchase for those yet to experience its delights.

Zombie Apocalypse is nothing special to the zombie genre. You could replace the zombies with any other type of creature and you would still get the same, fun, twin stick shooter experience. Think of it as Smash TV, but with zombies.

Firefight is truly awesome.

A great attempt at enhancing the movie experience through the medium of video games. Whilst the game’s story mode is fairly short-lived and the lack of additional gameplay is a key factor in the game’s downfall, it is definitely a title that can be enjoyed by children and adults alike.

There's fun to be had in the update, and if nothing else, you'll be whistling that tune for a couple of weeks.

If you need your fill of stupid action, definitely give this a rent. But savour those few moments of pure joy as they don't stick around for long.

Despite looking how a B-movie should and acting like a ridiculous over the top action shooter should act, WET has absolutely nothing to make you stick around.

It isn’t quite a Gran Turismo or Forza game yet, but give this a few years and like FIFA 10 in its genre, Need for Speed could become ‘the definitive’ racing game.

or those who may have skipped a few years (in my case, about 10) then it is well worth picking up, especially for those who are new to the series as it is so easily to get back into the swing of things thanks to the nifty tutorial.

Overall, NHL 2k10 isn’t the strongest of ice hockey titles. The game appears to have been rushed for release and whilst there are some great features, they are simply the icing on the not-so-yummy cake.

Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 definitely feels like the ultimate fan service to the Marvel fans.

As a complete package, I believe that The Beatles Rock Band is certainly something that the Beatles of the 60s would have been proud to attach their name to.

Sonic & Knuckles is one of those titles that players will complete and never come back to.

Even with its simple cartoon Wii-esque visuals and simple child-like gameplay, Mini Ninjas still holds its own, no matter what age you may be.

IL-2 builds on existing simulation titles that have been landing onto consoles recently, and is probably the best combat flight simulation title I have played on consoles to date. With its stunning visuals, audio score, well structured campaign and insightful exploits from our WW2 heroes, IL-2 will certainly send any budding fighter jock into a flying frenzy.

Aesthetically Dirt 2 is incredible. On the inside though it is flawed – the arcade nature of the game has changed the handling and feel to the game and for that, it could well be the downfall for the title.

Defense Grid provides all that is great about Tower Defense games and suffers from none of the pitfalls.

I really would like to recommend Section 8. It has some pretty neat features which make it stand out from Halo, especially if you are tired of it, but the fact it is mainly an online game with not enough people playing it renders it obsolete.

On the whole, Guitar Hero 5 is, without a doubt, one of the best music rhythm titles on the market at the moment. The incredible track list, new game modes and improvements over Guitar Hero: World Tour makes this a title worthy of a purchase.

Without a doubt, one of the best music rhythm titles on the market at the moment. The incredible track list, new game modes and improvements over Guitar Hero: World Tour makes this a title worthy of a purchase.

Despite the game being only three chapters long with off-line co-op, the whole package is quite simply awful, boring and dull.

Aside from those small niggles, Batman Arkham Asylum is not only a stellar example of how superhero games can work but also with narrative as a whole.

The scarecrow moments were quite iconic and had me thinking we have another Bioshock on our hands. I can’t imagine a Batman game being any other way.

The amount of polish and replayability Shadow Complex offers had me forgetting I was playing an arcade game. If you are looking for something to continually go back to for bragging rights and exploration fun then Shadow Complex is certainly not a title you should miss out on.

The single player experience is most definitely a positive one and while the multiplayer is best avoided, the unit as a whole gives little reason for it not to be played.

The improved gameplay adds realism but doesn’t take away the user-friendly experience is a definite asset, especially to a beginner. Most Madden games don’t add much to the game to warrant a purchase every single year, but the amount of tweaks in Madden 10 is definitely worth a look at the very least. It’s safe to say Madden 10 is the best Madden yet!

If this style of genre is to your tastes, or even if you just like a bit of a challenge, Trials HD is sure to please.

In short, don't buy this game. The fact that it only has about an hours worth of gameplay for 800 MS Points is enough to make this a stupid purchase. If you have fond childhood memories of Turtles in Time, keep them by not playing this game. it will only ruin those memories.

Disappointing.

This year has been a grand one for DLC, a trend which I feel will only continue to grow thanks in part to Fallout 3. A definite purchase for fans of the original game and the previous content packs.

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.

Anyone that loves Marvel, Capcom, fighting games or games in general needs to pick up this game. At around £12 it's much easier than having to dig around bargain bins or eBay to find a Dreamcast copy.

With a little extra love in the practice mode, some online love and character development, KoFXII could have been a charming fighter for old and new fans alike.

With a little extra love in the practice mode, some online love and character development, KoFXII could have been a charming fighter for old and new fans alike.

Splosion Man maybe my sleeper hit of the year on XBLA. It just popped up on my radar upon release and I've pretty much fallen for it since I started playing it.

Overall, Disney Pixar’s G-Force is one of the better movie-to-game titles available. The way in which it has been developed and the majority of the game’s many features, make the title stand out in such a crowded genre, despite its faults.

If you want a simple but yet responsive shooter with some cracking controls, then Madballs is the one to download. I still felt slightly under-whelmed overall however by the experience.

Take one fantastic engine, add pick up and play gameplay, top it off with a fantastic price and you have a hit - to the point of which EA struggle to handle the demand for. That’s a good sign that you should jump on in.

The new weapons, improved campaign and great Xbox LIVE game modes make Worms 2: Armageddon, like its predecessor, a contender for best Xbox LIVE Arcade title.

On the whole, Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince is a great title that Harry Potter fans and gamers alike will enjoy, though its short length doesn’t make the title worth its £40 price tag.

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.

The title offers hours of gameplay, tight, responsive controls and an enticing visual experience and is definitely one to recommend for fighter fans and anime obsessives the world over.

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

Despite its flaws, the addictive gameplay and enjoyable game modes make this a must for puzzle fans.

The whole experience was a bit of a back-and-forth of opinions, but only because Round 3 set such a precedent.

It will probably keep young gamers interested for a while, but for anyone who has experienced the dizzying heights of gaming's pinnacle titles, this is best left avoided unless you're wanting a sour taste and an unjustifiably lighter wallet.

A worthy sequel which almost definitely improves on its predecessor. The game’s very long, yet enjoyable campaign overcomes the rather weak multiplayer.

What makes a game great is the ability to deceive gamers in to believing in an alternate reality by creating immense visuals, believable sounds and a story that keeps you engrossed from start to finish, unfortunately Dynasty Warriors doesn’t do this.

Rocket Riot is a blast. The game’s unique design and style makes it stand out against many of the other titles available on the Xbox LIVE Arcade, and at 800 Microsoft Points, this is yet another title to consider adding to your collection.

For fans of adventure gaming, episodic content and murderous-rabbit-without-a-conscience adventures, Sam & Max is right up your street and unfortunately one of the few such titles available.

Enjoyable if short lived.

It will take a very particular type of gamer to appreciate this game, as every aspect of the title is very mediocre and not very polished.

The incredible set list and extensive online features make the title a great purchase for new and returning players alike.

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.

SEGA has served up as a great sequel, fixing problems with Virtua Tennis 3 though going that step further with an extended SPT Tour.

But is it justifiable now to release a yearly installment or would they be better off releasing premium updates to current versions of the game? Only EA can answer that question, but they better start thinking fast because the series could become a little stale too soon.

The replayability aspect is heightened due to the opportunity to embark upon a mindless destruction rampage, which, ignoring the story, could keep you entertained for a good while.

Fuel had the makings of a great game but just falls over too many hurdles. It is fun in free mode but that isn't enough to nearly warrant a purchase.

I wish I could justify the purchase with this content, as I love Saint's Row and I enjoyed the three missions on offer, but I've spent more time playing with a McDonald's Happy Meal toy than I have finishing Corporate Warfare.

Yosumin LIVE is a fun, catchy and adorable puzzle title.

Despite its fairly short length, it’s a brilliantly developed title with a script full of the typical Wallace and Gromit humour.

Blue Omega Entertainment set out with a clear goal, to change the First Person Genre with a mix of FPS and Acrobatics; unfortunately Damnation falls short on both counts and leaves gamers wanting their money back.

Scaling buildings and objects just works perfectly, you rarely miss a jump or ledge, and this helps enhance the gameplay further, letting you concentrate on navigating or shooting your foes. Some gamers may cry out for a multiplayer mode, but a game of this type just doesn’t need it.

The combination of enjoyable gameplay and audio overcomes the short, problematic story mode, though isn’t enough to secure the interest of the more mature gamer.

Aside from the fact that Gel has a dead online community there really isn’t anything spectacular going for the arcade game.

Even if you have no interest in the UFC, you should really check this game out, because it is just amazing. Congratulations Yukes, knockout in the very first round.

Whether Bionic Commando will be enjoyment personified will depend on one simple thing – having the dedication to master Spencer's Bionic Arm.

At 800 MS Points, it is bordering on expensive. There is no last ability factor, the game is dull and lifeless and you’ll spend more time dying and respawning than enjoying the game.

A very enjoyable strategic shooter, with plenty of depth and some hugely enjoyable moments.

It boasts some great new missions and items alike, despite the lack of additional gameplay it brings.

Even with my concerns in the game, I still managed to clock over 30 hours of addictive levelling gameplay, without really touching on quarter of the quests or character story arcs.

It’s one of the better re-makes on the Xbox Live Arcade though the lack of game modes is a slight disappointment, despite the fact that the ones evident in the game do a great job of keeping players entertained.

Space Invaders Extreme took basic game play into an enjoyable online extravaganza; Arkanoid Live hasn’t really evolved Arkanoid at all. In fact, apart from the little polish on the menu and a multiplayer option, the game is pretty much the same as I played 15 years ago!

Basically if you have missed the wastelands, Broken Steel gives you more than enough reasons to return. Keeping with the high quality set by the original, Broken Steel gives you more engrossing content for up to five hours of gameplay, whilst increasing the story behind the game whilst removing the full stop.

Chances are that if you liked the movie you will love the game, and if not, by all means rent the game for a week as it’s definitely worth it.

While no technical marvel or innovation has been accomplished here, I enjoyed my play through of Velvet Assassin. It’s not trying to be anything other than a stealth game and I found that charming with today’s titles attempting to do so much more than needed.

Time definitely has not been kind to Banjo Tooie, but it is still as fun as it ever was.

With no major update to the visuals or sound and a lack of online players, you really have to ask the question; is it worth it for a few mechs? If you are a cult fan of the series, then yes it is. But for the new players and the guys sitting on the fence, there are far better things to spend a tenner on.

Don't go expecting there to be a whole catalogue of things to do though, as the inventory of items added to the itinerary would barely fill an A5 flyer.

One of my favourite Xbox LIVE Arcade titles to date and one I will be playing for a while to come.

In short, while Dynasty Warriors Gundam 2 is a further refinement of a game format that has been in and out of consoles since the nineties, it bears no amazing, revolutionary features to validate a purchase.

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.

Galactrix does have a decent game underneath the Sci-Fi veneer, and actually the introduction of some new themes and tactics into the puzzles has been done well. However, the implementation fails to live up to the original and never really feels as satisfying to play.

Flock is an Xbox LIVE Arcade title you’ll either totally love, or udderly despise. If you enjoy the demo, the full game is worth a purchase, even at 1200 Microsoft Points.

It's everything I expected from a sequel to Butcher Bay and more. It's just that Butcher Bay just had that little something to make it an fantastic game. Luckily, it's included with Dark Athena.

Anyone looking for the fun, stress free pleasure of a sandbox game then this is for you.

Hannah Montana: The Movie isn’t a total flop there are some good points to the game such as the array of songs, fairground games and the gorgeous Miley Cyrus, while this game isn’t worth the price tag it’s definitely worth a rent.

Something I was very pleased to note was the vast improvement in graphics and animation over previous Guitar Hero iterations.

The risk-reward nature of the gameplay in Burn Zombie Burn is enough to make the player return for more, if not the adrenaline inducing intensity. Whilst the task may, on the face of it, look repetitive, it never feels tired or boring to play.

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.