Voltron: Defender of the Universe lacks anything beyond the main campaign, save an arena mode DLC available for an additional 240 MSP that really should have been included in the main game. It is also too short.

A whimsical top-down return to arcade classics of yore, complete with suitable sound effects and clever integration of satellite imagery. A nice distraction, but unlikely to hold your attention for long.

The graphic combat and rich storyline are let down by tiresome dialogue and endless and confusing travel. If you are a fan of the period and want to wallow in the mythology then this game has it by the bucket (amphora?) load, however game wise its lurching pace destroys its underlying potential.

Lego The Hobbit is a handsome game, but it's also proof that the formula Traveller's Tales employs for most of its Lego titles simply doesn't work for everything it adapts.

Despite some serious gameplay issues, The Godfather II is actually quite fun, in a morbid kind of way. Unfortunately, repetition and poor AI routines damage gameplay and ultimately sap the life out of what should have been a tremendous sequel.

An inauspicious beginning for Capcom's new motorbike series that has little to offer even committed fans.

It's inevitable that simulation kings Maxis created Darkspore the way they did – near-plotless and mechanical – for that is all they have known since their inception. Hardcore RPG fans won't mind a bit and will revel in the variety and imagination on display, but others are advised to try before they buy.

A cool concept for a puzzle-block game that is unfortunately hampered by an overly aggressive AI and a real lack of multiplayer opponents on XBL. If you can get a friend or two together though, you'll have a blast.

An unimpressive arcade racing experience. Need for Speed: Undercover seems to lack any real sense of immersion and is graphically a bland experience.

Pikuniku is a hilarious game that’s oozing with charm. Its single player campaign is full of moments that make you feel like a kid again, and its co-op mode is surprisingly relaxing. Unfortunately its charm is let down by a clumsy control scheme that doesn’t always mesh with some of the mechanics, and this can create an experience that ultimately feels unrewarding.

The rules and dynamics established by the Exodus Wars tabletop game set Fractured Empire in good stead, but uninspired production and a desperate lack of unit types hold the game back.

Yoshi's New Island is a fine salute to a SNES classic and an adorable, approachable platformer in its own right, but it's only likely to have value for players new to the genre - and even then, any appreciation of the game that they have is likely to be fleeting.

An inauspicious beginning for Capcom's new motorbike series that has little to offer even committed fans.

When Soma is able to stretch its legs and be the horror game fans have been waiting for these past five years, it delivers in giant terror-inducing waves. Sadly, some inconsistent pacing and clunky mechanics weigh it down, leaving us with a good game rather than a great one.

For casual hack 'n' slash fans then Dynasty Warriors 7 could be a bit too labour intensive and time consuming for your liking. You really need to have a genuine interest in the subject matter on display to get the most out of the game.

Dead Space 3 is an enjoyable action game, but it's unlikely to make a lasting impression.

Rather repetitive and simple. Short with no replay incentive.

The numerous aesthetic accomplishments and mechanical improvements in Metro: Last Light are undone by uneven attention to detail and a lack of player agency.

Although there are problems with the PC version, Mercenaries 2 has a great deal of potential. It's a back-to-basics title that allows you to destroy pretty much everything around you, and you'll have no end of fun doing so.

An inauspicious beginning for Capcom's new motorbike series that has little to offer even committed fans.

Blood Bowl seems to be the result of a fiendish coupling between extremely inflexible Warhammer lore and a studio hamstrung by licensing requirements. It's not exactly intuitive, and requires significant investment and patience to see rewards.

The Hitman Intro Pack is satisfying to play, there just isn't enough of it. This ought to be rectified by the second episode next month, and by then its servers should be stable as well.

If developer Crispy's! goal was to create a highly evolved form of Tamagotchi – albeit with less poop - it has succeeded.

The game has virtually no replay value meaning you won’t be coming back to this often, unless you finally do find someone to play co-op with. Nevertheless it is one of the better games on Live Arcade.

The original PAIN was a moderately successful PSN release that simply lacked depth. Developers Idol Minds have now rectified that with the Sore Spots addition, but it appears to be a case of too little, too late.

Dark Sector just has so much unfulfilled potential. The ideas are there, they just aren’t executed well.

It's a Tekken game, but stripped bare. That's all anyone ever really needs to know.

When The Occupation works, it’s a thrilling investigative adventure that allows the player freedom to explore and chase leads in a way that feels incredibly exciting. Frustrating controls can be overlooked, but unfortunately, the bugs in the game are incredibly persistent and capable of completely turning a promising experience into one that’s too annoying to go on.