Much more than an amalgamation of two classic series. The game builds on Street Fighter IV's award-winning formula by introducing innovative new mechanics, and the result is one of the most tactically rich fighters on the market.

A very familiar experience, but it's also one that is well-presented, well-designed, and, most importantly, enjoyable to play.

A triumphant return for the series. It may not be the most realistic extreme sports sim out there, but it captures everything fans have loved about the franchise since its 2000 debut, and brings a raft of innovative new features to the table. You won't find a better snowboarding experience elsewhere.

Could have been a thriller if there was more content for players to sink their teeth into. The gameplay hits all of the right notes, and is enjoyable enough to whisk you away, but you'll come crashing back down to reality once the playlist has run dry.

Zipper Interactive should be commended for its efforts to inspire replay value, but not necessarily for its level of imagination.

If I Am Alive were to be described in a single word, that word would be bleak. It is unapologetic in its presentation and unafraid to cross lines that most games never dare to approach. Those crossed lines are certainly through its subject matter, but also in its gameplay through the possibility of causing permanent damage to your stamina bar. It all comes together to make I Am Alive an uncompromising game of survival, quite unlike anything else on the Xbox 360.

While there is a definite finality to Mass Effect 3, the wealth of plot-based variables are likely to inspire second, third and fourth playthroughs, not just of the latest game but of the entire trilogy. Mass Effect 3 is truly unique in this respect, leaving no stone unturned and offering full closure, yet still leaving players with countless 'what ifs'. It's these unanswered questions that have driven the Mass Effect experience, and will motivate players to see their mission through to its glorious end.

Limited multiplayer options aside, Lumines Electronic Symphony blends puzzle, rhythm and visuals together in an almost euphoric way. What looks like a humble block-shifting affair at first glance is actually one of the best titles in the PS Vita's launch lineup. Throw in one of the best soundtracks you're ever likely to hear and we have an excellent purchase on our hands.

Asura's Wrath is undoubtedly a niche title, and the lack of extended player input will leave some feeling a little short changed. For those with an appreciation of Eastern animation and quirky video games, however, Asura's Wrath is one of the more intriguing releases of this year, not to mention this console generation.

The fact that Journey has so effectively condensed the experience into a two-hour interactive poem is an astonishing achievement. It is the evolution of Jason Rohrer's art game Passage, bringing an unmatched humanity to the experience through its multiplayer.

It's one of the most unique and charming looking games you'll ever play, and the pick-up-and-play value makes it perfect for a handheld. Minor control issues prevent it from achieving perfection, but it's still perhaps the most effective showcase of the Vita hardware to date.

A game best played in short bursts. Extended sessions prove slightly tedious, while a few poor design choices mar what is otherwise an enjoyable, albeit shallow, action game.

The dual-stick shooter impresses from both gameplay and visual standpoints, without bringing anything new to the genre.

Who would have thought that a budget digital title would actually outshine some of the big guns of the PS Vita launch lineup? It's the perfect amalgamation of old and new that will please MotorStorm fans and the nostalgia brigade alike.

The game is almost on par with FIFA 12 on the PS3, though the animation marginally falters on occasion. The player likenesses are impressive, and the stadiums rendered in vivid detail. Overall, it's a fantastic looking game.

The game does what the series has excelled at since day one, provide an accessible golfing experience that anyone can enjoy. Unlike some of the other titles in the Sony platform's library, this one doesn't rely on gimmicks. Its focus is solid gameplay, depth and charm, and it has these things down to a tee.

While Starbreeze Studios may have some trouble convincing die-hard Syndicate fans to open their hearts and minds to the series' new style and direction, its multiplayer offering should breach many a gaming session for some time to come.

F1 2011 is a laudable attempt at scaling down a sophisticated simulation racer for a handheld platform, but it would have benefited from stronger AI and more challenge. In its defense, it caters well for newcomers due to its casual Challenges mode and forgiving level of difficulty, but still falls marginally short of expectations.

Feels like a deconstruction of the first game. The atmospheric plot and tense action segments have each been given their own separate treatments through the story and arcade modes. When at their best, both modes surpass the original in their respective areas, but as a whole their separation doesn't work in American Nightmare's favor.

It feels like a string of vaguely amusing tech demos rather than a game in its own right, and even in this regard it fails to captivate for any length of time.

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.