Dear Esther offers many strengths; a non-conventional premise - at least compared to traditional games - a genuinely interesting tale, and a lavishly crafted world to tell it in. It's overall linearity is disappointing, especially in such a captivating place, but it otherwise delivers a refreshing experience that will stay with you long after it's over.

It may not be the most progressive title of the PS Vita's launch lineup, but it's a worthy addition to its stable.

On the one hand, Gotham City Imposters is a really different take on the Batman licence that feels fresh and interesting, but on the other, its a pretty standard online first-person shooter that may struggle to hold people's attention.

A thoroughly enjoyable fighting game, striking a wonderful balance between shallow action and simulation. Personality issues aside, once the bell rings, the action is superb, offering incredible levels of strategy, not to mention some of the most impressive knockouts we've ever seen.

Uncharted: Golden Abyss might come across a little on the gimmicky side with its use of the Vita hardware, but the series magic is here in spades.

Reality Fighters is a well-polished offering with much to offer in terms of novelty value, social features and unique character creation options. Unfortunately, its core gameplay is unlikely to hook fighting fans or those looking for anything beyond a few casual kicks.

The abandoned cruise ship setting evokes a sense of fear and isolation that was missing from its predecessor, rivalling early games in the scare stakes.

There's never a dull moment in Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning. There's a new item at practically every turn, and you can't travel more than a few feet without stumbling upon a side-quest. Players always have one skill or another that they can be honing, and the option to visit the Fateweavers is always there for a change of pace.

A well-presented and engaging horror-themed first-person shooter. The story elements tread a delicate balance between the usual mobster clichés, yet the quality of the writing ensures that the game never becomes overbearing. Its also admirable that the campaign is utterly linear yet also hugely engrossing.

Make no mistake about it, Catherine is a niche title and probably won't be to everybody's taste, but it's also one of the most captivating and absorbing games we've played in quite some time.

NeverDead is a prime example of a game that conjures an excellent premise, but then destroys it with poor design choices. We don't play games to be exhausted, we play them to have fun, and there are just too many moments in this game that feel like a chore.

Soul Calibur V represents a strong return for the series, with battles more hard-hitting and free-flowing than ever before. Long-term fans might bemoan changes to the core mechanics, such as the removal of Critical Finishes and Guard Impact, but it's hard not to view most of its additions as progress.

While the side-quests can underwhelm and frustrate, the sheer amount of extra content is a welcome addition, making for a more well-rounded role-playing experience and one that well lives up to the Final Fantasy name.

Sporting three all-time classics and two retro gems - all for the price of an average new release - the compilation represents unbelievable value for money.

Soul Calibur for iOS looks sleek and plays reasonably well, but too many of the original's best qualities have been jettisoned to justify its high price tag. The absence of multiplayer is particularly disappointing, and the exclusion of Mission Mode is another missed opportunity. This might be one to revisit post DLC, but as it stands there's more bang for buck value to be found elsewhere.

Despite the five-year gap between releases, Crush 3D takes a few steps backwards in terms of visual style and presentation. Other than a rather limited and lacklustre selection of new levels and StreetPass features, it also offers very little in the way of brand new bonus content, making it difficult to recommend to anybody familiar with its PSP counterpart. Despite its shortcomings, however, Crush 3D gets it right where it counts.

Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath HD is unlikely to earn the same level of acclaim the original garnered in 2005, but it's a welcome addition to PSN. While you'll find better platforming and first-person shooting elsewhere, the way this one merges the two still makes it feel fresh seven years down the line.

A viable alternative to the mighty World of Warcraft and a seamless marriage of reliable MMO mechanics and components from BioWare RPGs. While there are a few issues to iron out, the character-driven story focus ensures that the game offers something different than its genre counterparts.

Thankfully, porting the game to Xbox Live Arcade has lost none of its magic. Offering a more accessible and (dare we say it) fun alternative to Trials HD, the game still musters an addictive and testing challenge for the more hardcore players.

While the game is starting to show its age and display a slight lack of imagination, it's safe to say that there aren't too many Nintendo 3DS games that can match the enjoyment derived from Mario Kart 7.

A mixed bag. On the one hand, it's capable of stirring up nostalgia like few other remakes, and looks fresh and vibrant on the surface. On the other, it's in need of a patch and has had all of the challenge sapped out of it.

Sumo Digital should be commended for its attempts to pack as much as humanely possible into a Nintendo 3DS game. However, despite its wealth of options, game modes and extras, F1 2011 fails where it counts most, on the race track.

Infinity Blade II continues to be a step forward for iOS gaming. Chair has delivered a visual masterpiece with satisfying combat that rectifies many of the issues of its predecessor. We aren't quite at that point where smartphones and tablets have made handheld gaming systems obsolete, but after this release, the gap between them is certainly narrower.

Not only does it play great, but the fact that Rayman Origins packs one hell of a challenge and boasts some of the most jaw-droppingly gorgeous visuals we've ever seen, cements its place as the new king of 2D platformers.

WWE 12 is an excellent wrestling game with an enormous amount of depth. Matches are exciting, the presentation is great and there are enough extras and customisation tools to keep fans continually entertained. It's remarkable that even with the poorly-executed Road To Wrestlemania mode, WWE 12 still has enough about it to see us through to next year.

It comes as no surprise that Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games is another colourful, fun and accessible package offering plenty of family-friendly kicks. While it hardly deserves a gold medal for design and presentation, Wii owners will get some festive thrills out of this one.

Need for Speed: The Run is a case of a good premise not quite realized.

Has its selling points if you're a fan of the series. The storyline fits into the bigger picture nicely and Telltale has handled the licence well. Unfortunately, its simplistic puzzles and action segments mean that it's unlikely to find favor among the adventure demographic.

Neither the combat, the puzzle solving or the presentation is overly brilliant on its own, but put it all together and you have a winning package that perfectly suits its target audience.

If you spend Saturday nights singing Black Eyed Peas songs into an old hairbrush, not only do you need to get out more, but you won't regret picking up The Black Eyed Peas Experience. Everybody else, however, might be better suited rocking that body to any one of Kinect's alternative rhythm action releases.

Mario's best handheld game in years, and even when put up against his acclaimed console offerings, it's yet another sublime adventure crammed with surprises and smiles every few minutes. It's also perhaps the first 3DS title that makes the screen an integral part of the game rather than an eye-catching afterthought.

With the Wii showing its age more than ever, Nintendo's strategy is to compensate with an immersive interface, mesmerising world and engaging story. It's an approach that pays off, proving that gameplay should be valued above all else.

Features one of the most iconic and wonderfully-realized gaming locations of all time. With so much to see and do, it's a fantastic gaming experience for all of the family and so much more than a minigame compilation.

It reaches highs that some Halo recent entries still haven't reached, and due to some unfortunate pacing, some of its biggest lows, too. All in all, its timeless combat ensures that old fans can soundly enjoy it once again, while newcomers can fully appreciate why it's always been so highly regarded.

Overall, NCIS feels like another procedural tie-in, attaching a well known property - this time a hit US TV show - to a procession of rather dreary mini-games that becomes a long advert for the show.

Ultimate Marvel Vs. Capcom 3 is an enormously enjoyable tag-team fighting game, let down by Capcom's poor sense of timing. Releasing the game so soon after the original leaves a sour taste, especially considering that the 12 new characters - the main attraction - could have been added as DLC.

The time is definitely right to reboot the Assassin's Creed franchise with new characters and settings, but Revelations marks a fitting finale to this magnificent franchise to date.

If a deep combat system, an engaging plot, a wonderful cast of characters and a stunning, open-ended game world sounds like something you might be interested in, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim should be at the top of your list.

Features more highlights than low points, which makes it a worthy mini-game compilation for those looking to party with Kinect.

Modern Warfare 3's campaign, while complacent in parts, builds upon the dizzy heights of spectacle set by previous entries and often exceeds them, while Spec Ops once again successfully delivers its own brand of tactical co-operative gameplay.

A game that captures all of the high points of the long-running series, and only one or two of the lows.

Despite this minor gripes, Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception is a masterpiece and a strong contender for game of the year. Like its predecessors, it pushes the boundaries of what's cinematically possible in the medium of video games, and is a thrill ride from start to finish.

Kinect Sports: Season Two is a case of one step forward and one step back. Games such as darts, golf, baseball and skiing are intuitive, responsive and make wonderful motion-controlled mini-games, while American football and tennis are poorly executed and offer little in the way of enjoyment.

A lack of sparkle in Battlefield 3's campaign is offset by engaging and addictive large-scale multiplayer battles that have few equals, along with a co-op game that is thoroughly enjoyable while it lasts.

A fun-filled affair, that more than compensates for its simplicity with strong multiplayer support and creative level design. A great title for all the family to enjoy together.

Ubisoft Montreal has paid close attention to both the Tintin licence and its target market, meaning the game actually just about works. The action is hugely linear and the level design basic, yet the campaign is also engaging to play through, mixing platforming, combat and vehicle sections in a reasonably decent narrative.

Just Dance 3 isn't as polished as Dance Central 2 and it doesn't have the heritage and history that comes with Michael Jackson: The Experience, but that doesn't mean it's not just as much fun. It may not be brimming with game modes and it probably won't improve your dancing skills, but Just Dance 3 does guarantee a good time, especially with friends and family.

Proof that EA hasn't run out of ideas for new creative content just yet.

Harmonix has clearly listened to and addressed any criticisms levelled at the original, resulting in an improved sequel that rarely misses a beat.

Once Upon A Monster isn't the most challenging of titles, which is understandable considering its audience, but it's a fun-filled Kinect game brimming with life and full of charm.

It's innovative and fun, yet never feels preachy despite the underlying message it's attempting to convey. Gameplay defects do spoil the party somewhat, especially when playing on your own, but parents seeking a good wholesome game on the PlayStation Network for their children can't go far wrong with this.

The lack of substance and new ideas on last year's title feels like a let-down, while the career mode just does not have enough flourish to keep people's attention. Factor in the dismal graphics and the weak online game, and WRC: FIA World Rally Championship 2 feels like it's languishing at the lower end of the racing game leaderboards.

With an improved tutorial system, this is the most accessible entry in the series for some time, but there will still be those who yearn for the days when the football management title wasn't so bloated with stats and options.

Unfortunately, it's a case of one game too far for owners of last year's release and all of its related DLC.

The richness of the world is helped by the fact that Arkham City is a stunning looking game. This is one of the most detailed, rich and vibrant open worlds ever created, whether you are gliding over its skyline or striding down the broken-down streets. Considering the size of the world, the rich detail of the interiors is incredible, putting many more linear games to shame.

In many ways, it feels like the Aliens game we should have been given back in the 16-bit era when the movie series was still relatively new. Whether it has been worth the wait is debatable, but this is certainly a worthy addition to the DS library.

For all of its drawbacks, when the whistle blows and the game kicks off, PES 2012 offers a satisfying, unpredictable and utterly enjoyable game of virtual football.

Just like a trashy novel, Assault Horizon is a decent page turner just as long you try not to think too hard.

Unfortunately, enjoyable multiplayer modes and what feels like a fresh approach are negated by restrictive gameplay, dull presentation and poor combat.

And while it's let down by a few fundamental flaws such as poor AI and jerky animations, the sheer number of gameplay modes, teams and customisation options makes it the best rugby video game available today.

Dark Souls is intentionally stubborn and mysterious throughout, and seemingly resists your efforts to improve, but that's all part of what makes it so enjoyable.

Forza Motorsport 4 is authentic yet accessible, educating, entertaining, occasionally silly, always spectacular, but most importantly, faster and more thrilling than riding a V12-powered rollercoaster with no restraints.

It's not a wholesale reinvention, but rather a confident leap forward from a publisher in tune with its sport. The career mode lacks a bit of personality, but it's still a good frame for what is most important - the racing.

A triumphant mix of vintage shooter mechanics and high-octane driving segments. The end result is a title that captures the essence of its genre-defining predecessors while offering fans something new. id's Tech 5 engine ensures that this is the studio's best-look release to date, and the sheer volume of features on offer make it one of the most rewarding.

Shadow of the Colossus remains an undisputed classic, with its breathtaking vistas and epic boss battles, and despite its ageing mechanics, ICO remains a piece of gaming history.

Quite simply, the beautiful game is back with a sports car and twin sister in tow - there, we couldn't resist.

A lack of new levels and the omission of online play definitely damages the title, but the wonderful level design, intuitive controls and addictive gameplay makes it easy to overlook such glaring faults.

It may not be perfect, but the hardcore gamer should be optimistic about the future.

Another strong Kinect title let down by a lack of longevity and a few minor issues. Certainly, the short play time is offset by the inclusion of Fruit Ninja Kinect and the budget price, while occasional control issues are easily overlooked with a little patience. For the most part, Twisted Pixel has crafted another wonderfully outrageous video game, which plays well and offers a great deal of entertainment, however short-lived that may be.

There's isn't much new on offer, though the chance to own all of Kratos's adventures in glorious high definition will prove more than enough for his dedicated followers.

It's the great bump in visual quality, the diverse and engaging campaign that never lets up, and a universe that finally catches your interest that impresses the most.

A severe lack of additional game modes and revolutionary new features means that many of the tweaks will only really be noticeable to hardcore fans. Casual onlookers can rest assured, however, that Madden NFL 12 is one mighty fine football game and worth checking out if you've been on the bench for a few years.

Full of multiple themes that probably shouldn't work, but do. The end result is a solid hack 'n slash title set against jaw-dropping visuals with more than its fair share of eccentricities.

The game moves along nicely, eliminating potential problems with repetition; the graphics are great and the multiplayer is enormous fun, despite a few technical problems. OK, so Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine isn't the most original of games, or the most innovative, but it is finely polished and paced, and offers enough entertainment to overlook any shortcomings.

Doesn't exactly rewrite the book on first-person shooters, but it offers thoroughly enjoyable gameplay, with a low learning curve, set against a strong narrative. Fans of the previous games will find much to love here, and even newcomers will find it a good jumping on point thanks to the intuitive controls.

The game lacks the sophistication of other zombie games such as Left 4 Dead and Resident Evil, and has enough design gaffes to sink a battleship. But as long as you have a bit of patience and don't expect a true survival horror experience, you will have oodles of guilt-free fun mashing away at zombies on this twisted beach paradise.

Xenoblade Chronicles doesn't reinvent the wheel, but it does add a stylish new body and a slick new engine.

Fans of the series will be delighted at just how much Eidos Montreal has gotten right with this prequel, from the dark cyberpunk visuals to the open-ended puzzle solutions. It tells an epic story full of twists and turns, set atop an incredibly challenging gameplay experience.

It's a bold attempt at marrying real-time strategy values with MMO elements, and although it's difficult to judge the game until a community has built up around it, the early signs are very positive.

Simple enough that anybody can play, incredibly addictive and offers short bursts of fun in both a single and multiplayer capacity, making it perfect for groups of all ages and skill levels. Quite simply, Fruit Ninja Kinect has all of the ingredients of a classic party game.

There is oodles of fun to be had in tackling the tracks alone or even more so with friends playing locally.

The stylish visuals compliment the well-executed action, resulting in a game that resembles past SOA favorites Limbo and Shadow Complex.

From the tiniest trickle of water to the largest tidal wave, or the smallest grain of sand to the biggest mountain top, every element combines to make From Dust one of the most beautiful and compelling games available on Xbox Live Arcade.

Caddoc and E'lara are OK but largely forgettable characters, and the muddy graphics and frequently questionable design choices make the campaign sometimes feel like a chore.

Everything from the graphics to the gameplay has been amped up significantly and the end result is an excellent sequel. This could easily have attained classic status with a little more refinement, specifically where the level creation mechanic is concerned.

Whether revisiting Hyrule for the umpteenth time, or paying your first visit, prepare to be dazzled by one of the finest gaming experiences ever created.

Quite simply, it's an incredibly stimulating and strangely provocative shooter, which is not something that you hear every day.

The quests and upgrades feel poorly applied, meaning the game struggles to establish its true purpose and identity. Stripping away all the extra elements brings just a pretty standard JRPG that offers little really to get excited about.

The lack of specific co-operative mechanics is something of a missed opportunity.

Not as scary as the likes of Silent Hill or Resident Evil, not as funny as No More Heroes and not as original as Killer7, leaving it stuck in video game limbo.

Despite the flaws, Alice: Madness Returns is still a really fun game to play. The combat is on the whole fluid and satisfying, making the most of the range of abilities, while the platforming and exploration rolls along at a decent pace. Spicy Horse has done an admirable job of continuing the legacy of Wonderland, but it's just a shame that some of the madness seeped into design choices.

One of the most disappointing aspects of Dungeon Siege III is the seemingly pointless restrictions imposed on co-op play.

While it may suffer from a few technical issues, it's still largely trouble-free and among the more reliable Kinect games available at this point.

The influence of horror legend John Carpenter has helped create a really spooky and often atmospheric world that may not look great, but it certainly delivers the goods.

A frustrating and unremarkable video game experience. The game never really goes above and beyond the call of duty, offering only mildly attractive locations, bog-standard third-person gameplay and a relatively insignificant plot.

While Resident Evil's gameplay is a little on the clunky side today, it's still wholly enjoyable and packed with thrills, and it's just a shame that it's short-lived and awkward to get to grips with.

The gameplay remains a weak imitation of a third-person shooter and the enemy A.I. is extremely poor. The lack of variety in the set pieces and the sheer number of dopey Death Eaters makes Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 a tedious experience, riddled with repetition.

Even fans of the sport will find the lack of game modes and the absence of multiplayer difficult to overlook.