Sure, MySims SkiHeroes doesn't shine by its undeniable aura, but boot up the console and you may be surprised by the enjoyment its little planes will procure. Overall, its rather nicely done and fun to play, and even though it might not be the game everyone's looking for, both the kids and their parents could very well be surprised at how it can bring peace at home after some argument at the game store cash register.

Even though there are some mistakes here and there (let's say it's youth related), F1 2010 probably remains one of the best F1 racing games ever. It's reminiscent of the old Formula One on the original PlayStation, and even better, of the legendary F1 '97. But a thousand times more comprehensive and realistic. Its career mode grants it an enormous playtime expectancy, and racing over the internet or against the clock is a delight best served with long evenings to fully enjoy it. Well, that's it : F1 2010... what else ?

If you have not played the game since its release, Heavy Rain Move Edition is the perfect opportunity to do so. Its price is reduced and it contains all the released bonuses (DLC, soundtrack, PS3 themes) in addition to an all new 45' long making-of video. However, the PS Move controls (the main new feature) are very disappointing... But nothing prevents you to take your trusted Dual Shock back, and discover a truly exceptional game.

Firaxis succeeded. Easy to handle even for the newcomer, but still as rich as ever with multiple gameplay systems to play with, Civilization V will easily seduce the strategy-savvy. The lack of religions will maybe be covered in a future expansion, but even as is, it's a must-have in the genre. Plan your sleepless nights far ahead, and get a recent enough PC to handle it. Yup : this, too, is called evolution.

Few are the areas where Halo : Reach doesn't benefit from Bungie's obvious intention to deliver a definitive farewell episode. Aside from french voices and music that are simply good (but not as fantastic as one would hope every single aspect to be), and new covenant weapons slightly off when used in the solo campaign, Reach delivers a brilliant solo experience. The story may not be surprising, but it's a well told one. Reach remains awe-inspiring for its implementation, scope, diversity and richness. Those who will have to carry on the flame have a high bar set there for them to surpass.

We usually just play video games. With Amnesia, we play at scaring ourselves. You need to build some kind of relationship with this game, and let yourself be drawn in. If everything goes well (or rather, badly), you will really scare yourself shitless, and ask for more. Amnesia costs only 15 euros. There's a demo you can try for free ; if you're not afraid at all after playing it, then maybe it's not for you - but it's easy to try, and would be a shame to miss such an adventure.

Sports Champions really offers a lot of good fun, either alone or with friends. Most of its games are technical and interesting to play (table tennis, frisbee and archery are excellent!). It also uses well the PlayStation Move, an impressive precision accessory that offers really good and realistic feelings. Still, the game lacks a bit of variety, events, game modes... and you will have to buy at least two PS Moves and a camera to play, which will probably makes you hesitate!

Considering the killing games to come by the end of the year, only fans of Ace Combat and nostalgics of Afterburner will be inclined to invest their hard earned few pence in HAWX 2, and they will probably be very happy with it!

Start the Party! is quite a good party-game, which uses the capabilities of the PlayStation Move very well. The problem is that we actually just can "start" a good party with it... You will quickly want to move on to something else, as it quickly becomes tiresome. Blame it on a glaring lack of events and game modes.

Exploiting the PSP capabilities nicely, Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep offers a long ride, with the three crossing adventures of its three heroes, and those new, subtle innovations integrated in the gameplay (especially alchemy and the fury moves). This episode is an enchanting one, with a beautiful atmosphere and dynamic gameplay... even though you need need to be in touch with the child within yourself to fully appreciate it.

If the fans of Spider-Man will be caught in the web of these four universes, the others will be disappointed by the gameplay, a bit limited... Fortunately, the ever-present humor, the different atmosphere of each universe, the splendid graphics, the dozens of bonuses, unlockable abilities and powers of each Spidey manage to offset this.

With a much lower pace than its competitors, in favor of its truly strategic (rather than tactical) approach, R.U.S.E. provides large-scale battles filled with subtlety, twists, and finesse, for its solo adventure and multiplayer alike. Its system of ruses, most notably, is absolutely brilliant for building up effective attack and defense strategies, especially when you're able to keep most of your real intentions concealed up to the very last minute. It's a game one needs to approach from afar, with the intelligence of a general, and a real soft gem in a world of brutish RTS games. It's a really different alternative to StarCraft II that really deserves attention, if only to discover another way to wage war.

With a much lower pace than its competitors, in favor of its truly strategic (rather than tactical) approach, R.U.S.E. provides large-scale battles filled with subtlety, twists, and finesse, for its solo adventure and multiplayer alike. Its system of ruses, most notably, is absolutely brilliant for building up effective attack and defense strategies, especially when you're able to keep most of your real intentions concealed up to the very last minute. It's a game one needs to approach from afar, with the intelligence of a general, and a real soft gem in a world of brutish RTS games. It's a really different alternative to StarCraft II that really deserves attention, if only to discover another way to wage war.

With a much lower pace than its competitors, in favor of its truly strategic (rather than tactical) approach, R.U.S.E. provides large-scale battles filled with subtlety, twists, and finesse, for its solo adventure and multiplayer alike. Its system of ruses, most notably, is absolutely brilliant for building up effective attack and defense strategies, especially when you're able to keep most of your real intentions concealed up to the very last minute. It's a game one needs to approach from afar, with the intelligence of a general, and a real soft gem in a world of brutish RTS games. It's a really different alternative to StarCraft II that really deserves attention, if only to discover another way to wage war.

Fun in many ways, but showing a number of defects that are likely to be in the final Dead Rising 2, Case Zero offers enough playing time to make a first review. This kind of "demo" (worth 400 Microsoft Points) has good things to offer, but do not expect to learn a lot of juicy details about the past of Chuck Greene or that kind of stuff, you would be disappointed.

After the brilliant episodes from Retro Studio, renewing the license was a big challenge that the Japanese studio Team Ninja has successfully met, thanks to a smart approach: going back to basics to innovate, taking the best in the series and refresh it. Metroid Other: M is definitely a super Metroid!

For fans of the genre, Joint Assault isn't going very far in any aspect. But its combat remains nice, even though its playability is a little slow at first, since it takes some time for it to become more dynamic. Its production values are average, similar to the previous 2006 PSP episode (Skies of Deception), but its missions clearly lack ambition or surprises, much like its politico-economic fictional backdrop. To sum it up, the flight plan lacks any noticeable turbulence to spice it up, but it's still nice, especially when playing coop or competitive with and against friends.

With its looney storyline, hilarious dialogs, and end credits that should bring tears to the eyes of emotive fanboys, The City That Dares Not Sleep proves once again Telltale's domination on crazy point & click adventure games. A perfect conclusion to a near perfect season, highly recommended.

Even though Gunblade NY and LA Machineguns are indeed decent titles of the genre, it's difficult not to take in to account the scandalous price of this bundle ; the true value of both titles is more one for the heart, than your wallet.

Valkyria Chronicles 2 will take a lot of your time before you actually enter the heart of the matter, but if you have enough courage to get through the first few hours of play - filled with too easy missions and a clumsy adventure part of little interest - you will eventually find an excellent set of action / strategy, as deep as it is original and beautifully executed. Not to waste anything, the improvements over the PS3 version are very interesting (class changes) and the limitations of the PSP cleverly circumvented (with combat zones divided in smaller parts for an added strategic element). Do not expect a deep adventure, though. This aspect remains very light (and a bit naive I must say).

Here's how to sum up Mafia II : 12 hours of repetitive, linear missions, with but a few gameplay mechanics. Shoot, drive, punch, a tiny little bit of stealth, that's it. There's nothing more to be done than to follow the unfolding of the plot, which is clearly sub-par, especially when considering how easy it is to watch a rerun of The Godfather or a season of the Sopranos instead. Replay value is nil, there's no multiplayer. You can't even roam freely in the city after the ending (what for anyway, one may ask). Combat is way to easy, cars don't provide much thrill. In the end, Mafia II is a very pretty box, but an empty one. 80% of what has been developed doesn't serve any real purpose. The rest isn't enough to make a great game. If you're a die hard fan of the 50's atmosphere (nicely rendered), and the Mafia genre, you might still enjoy it. Otherwise...

Here's how to sum up Mafia II : 12 hours of repetitive, linear missions, with but a few gameplay mechanics. Shoot, drive, punch, a tiny little bit of stealth, that's it. There's nothing more to be done than to follow the unfolding of the plot, which is clearly sub-par, especially when considering how easy it is to watch a rerun of The Godfather or a season of the Sopranos instead. Replay value is nil, there's no multiplayer. You can't even roam freely in the city after the ending (what for anyway, one may ask). Combat is way to easy, cars don't provide much thrill. In the end, Mafia II is a very pretty box, but an empty one. 80% of what has been developed doesn't serve any real purpose. The rest isn't enough to make a great game. If you're a die hard fan of the 50's atmosphere (nicely rendered), and the Mafia genre, you might still enjoy it. Otherwise...

Here's how to sum up Mafia II : 12 hours of repetitive, linear missions, with but a few gameplay mechanics. Shoot, drive, punch, a tiny little bit of stealth, that's it. There's nothing more to be done than to follow the unfolding of the plot, which is clearly sub-par, especially when considering how easy it is to watch a rerun of The Godfather or a season of the Sopranos instead. Replay value is nil, there's no multiplayer. You can't even roam freely in the city after the ending (what for anyway, one may ask). Combat is way to easy, cars don't provide much thrill. In the end, Mafia II is a very pretty box, but an empty one. 80% of what has been developed doesn't serve any real purpose. The rest isn't enough to make a great game. If you're a die hard fan of the 50's atmosphere (nicely rendered), and the Mafia genre, you might still enjoy it. Otherwise...

Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light establishes itself as a truly entertaining, easy to handle spin-off, that offers a real refreshment to the saga. The game is challenging, long enough, and one gets used to the isometric 3D... yet with a longing for the time when one could still enjoy the gorgeous curves of the beautiful raider in full frontal glory.

Despite its linearity, Kane & Lynch 2 offers memorable action sequences. There's a true visual identity, very efficient for conveying a brutal, ugly, reality that really captures our attention. Io Interactive was able to correct its original game, in order to deliver a visceral, life-like follow-up.

Despite its linearity, Kane & Lynch 2 offers memorable action sequences. There's a true visual identity, very efficient for conveying a brutal, ugly, reality that really captures our attention. Io Interactive was able to correct its original game, in order to deliver a visceral, life-like follow-up.

For the price of a Coke at the local coffee shop, The Golems of Amgarrak has enough to fill an evening, playing frantically to survive the succession of battles. That's good, it rained tonight. It performs its role honestly, given the absence of major claims... But we still hope something much more substantial to wait until the release of Dragon Age 2!

Quotation forthcoming.