The last few years have seen the FIFA series come on leaps and bounds. This year is no different, with a welcome update to the visuals and presentation stakes, whilst again, EA have beaten down hurdles to bring gameplay to a delicate balance between realism and fun.

Flower is an epiphany moment for the SIXAXIS: a game that outright wouldn't work without the motion controls, and one enhanced tenfold by their perfect execution. Disregard it for its unconventionality and you'll be missing out on one of the finest (and definitely most exquisite) titles to hit PSN so far.

EA has done a commendable job at listening to its community and giving them what they want by way of the included movie maker, style creator and integrated online store, crafting not only a well-rounded package that bests its predecessor in every area, but a game that is, much like its virtual stars, filled with charm and character.

If you're looking for a slice of science-fiction heaven that injects the gameplay of Gears of War with a crazy dose of speed, then you won't do much better than Vanquish.

Super Street Fighter IV is a celebration of the Street Fighter series that adds a final, glossy lick of paint to the already sublimely polished original and, while it is unlikely to woo new fans, those already hopelessly addicted to Had?ken’s and Tatsumaki-Senp? Kyaku’s will be in their absolute element.

It has a ridiculously high replay ability factor, it's a game that is dressed in its proverbial Sunday best with regards to both aesthetic and technical ability, and it makes the age-old videogame designer headache of creating an experience that is "easy to pick up, hard to put down" look easy.

Just because a game lacks a multiplayer mode doesn't always mean that it's lacking. With good variety, solid character and world design, Sleeping Dogs offers a story that gamers haven't quite seen before, even if it does borrow liberally from other franchises. Unlike other titles, the game doesn't go all out and rely on the wacky or extreme to separate itself from the competition, instead choosing to present itself as a jack of all trades in a genre where no one knew it was needed.

Something old, something new, something red and something blue, Outland stands as another fine example of how old-school platforming can be brought triumphantly into the modern era with tight gameplay and an interesting twist on an old staple.

Something old, something new, something red and something blue, Outland stands as another fine example of how old-school platforming can be brought triumphantly into the modern era with tight gameplay and an interesting twist on an old staple.

For now though this collection is the perfect excuse to experience some of the best, most unique games of this generation and either encounter them for the first time, or dive back in for one more play.

For all its achievements in aesthetics and game structure, perhaps the most significant feature of Red Dead Redemption is the way Rockstar has invested the experience with such a sense of nostalgia and poignancy, by stripping the open-world back to an era in which the telephone is the height of technology, an era which, in all its naivety, doesn't yet realise how fast the tide of progression and modernity will be.

The Beatles: Rock Band raises the bar to such a nosebleed-inducing height that we also wonder where the genre is going to take us to next. The rate of acceleration is phenomenal.

Whilst it wears its influences on its sleeve and won’t supersede Mario Kart DS as the handheld racer of choice, All-Stars Racing ensures a thrilling duel to the finish line.

All in all, Freedom Cry is an excellent addition to Assassin’s Creed IV.

FIFA 10 is a game that’ll make you run around your living room, shirt pulled over your face screaming in unbridled delight. It’s a game that’ll make you fall in love and obsess over its every detail. It’s a game that’ll make you smash your pad in anger, swear like a sailor and curse the day you bought it.

God of War Collection Volume 2 is an absolute must for fans that never experienced the games on the PSP, and the HD reworking has been so successful that even those who did buy them – and have played them fairly recently – are unlikely to regret this latest purchase.

Ultimately, there is little doubt that Black Ops will sate the hunger of those simply wanting more Call of Duty, but beyond that it seem unlikely that it will broaden the palettes of gamers or indeed the genre; and for such a big budget, high profile release, we can't help but feel a little disappointed with that.

Though it may have its faults, the vast majority of the content is a first-person shooter fan's wet dream, even if it doesn't deliver the kind of nightmares you may be hoping for.

Though it may have its faults, the vast majority of the content is a first-person shooter fan's wet dream, even if it doesn't deliver the kind of nightmares you may be hoping for.

After a few days spent learning the complexities of UFC 2009 Undisputed, you have to applaud Yuke’s for their efforts.

The final compliment we can pay to the game is this: if George Lucas needs any tips on how to make a PlayStation Move Star Wars game…he need look no further than Medieval Moves for an ideal template.

The characters exude life and soul despite the game’s clunky animations and less than stellar voice acting – that’s the power of Bioware’s effective writing. The same, unfortunately, cannot be said for the environments: all the rote forests, castles and dungeons tend to blur into a single indistinguishable mess. It’s also too bloody hard in places, with a wonky difficulty curve comparable to a diagonal line drawn by a Parkinson’s sufferer sitting on a moving bus.

Multiwinia has a ton of longevity to offer. The game will surprise you constantly, while the formidable AI and exciting variety of match types means there’s plenty of manic multiplayer fun to be had.

It looks great, has a suitably OTT plot, plenty of explosions, a solid online experience and has enough depth to reward committed pilots – all of this adds up to make it a very tempting alternative for anyone who fancies kicking off the bloody, muddy boots of the foot soldier to instead soar high into azure blue skies.

By the simple virtue of being a more cleverly designed game than those from recent history combined with the clear love and appreciation for the source material, Lego Harry Potter firmly stands out as the most accomplished title in the Lego series yet.

Ultimately, there is little doubt that Black Ops will sate the hunger of those simply wanting more Call of Duty, but beyond that it seem unlikely that it will broaden the palettes of gamers or indeed the genre; and for such a big budget, high profile release, we can't help but feel a little disappointed with that.

As a single player game, you’re able to take your time, case the joint and find effective ways to complete the map. Like Metal Gear Solid and other stealth games, it’s satisfying to get through each area, work out guard patterns and find the perfect hiding places. As a multiplayer game it’s a whole different monster. Sure, an organised group can probably best a level as quietly and efficiently as single player, but with offline play and friends like yours, you know what it’s going to be like

Mario Kart may still hold the crown overall but All-Stars Racing is certainly the closest Sega has come to its own Smash Bros, and in its own little way suggests that, putting aside the welcome updates of classic franchises like After Burner, the still-mighty company has finally learnt to accept – and even revel – in its status outside of the hardware race.