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.

Rockstar has excelled in producing a truly innovative title that sets the high-tide mark for inquisitive gamers looking for a real challenge. It's not to be missed.

However, Brink is unified by its art direction, its smooth presentation and a fine user interface. Even if the maps lack some visual variety, their structure is incredibly difficult to fault. Players who can look past the hyperbole and ignore the fat will find underneath a sleek, highly refined multiplayer shooter long on balance and tactical gameplay.

Red River resembles a game six months of tweaking away from being a masterpiece. As it stands, it's intermittently thrilling (particularly in the larger firefights), but fans of the Flashpoint series will be disappointed by the relatively narrow battlegrounds of Red River and newbies may be utterly bored by the time the first handful of missions are completed. There's definitely room in the FPS world for the kind of cerebral, tactical shooter that this game aspires to be, and beyond a slack initial offering are riches that hint at how great Operation Flashpoint: Red River could be.

A worthy addition to the systems repertoire, and one that fills the gap nicely between pointless dreck (Nintendogs 3DS) and full-on gaming experiences to come.

Rango is a quality example of it's genre and up there with the best movie-game conversions, but with only four hours from A to Z is only really worth a weekend hire.

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.

Portal 2 manages to exceed expectations without compromising any of the core gameplay that made the original so popular, and should easily be considered one of the best titles available so far this year.

Even if gamers may have to wait for something truly definitive, Mortal Kombat represents significant, praiseworthy progress for the series. A joyful respite for long-battered fans and a highly entertaining, bloodied distraction for the rest.

The graphics are the best of any in the franchise and the musical score is perfectly aligned to the medieval setting. But Sims fans might be disappointed by the lack of freedom in this release, whereas RPG fans will probably appreciate the structured gameplay and character development laced with The Sims's typical light-hearted humour.

Shift 2 is an enjoyable racing game and you could do worse than to lay down your hard-earned for it. However, it's difficult to shake the feeling that it's merely a prettier version of the first Gran Turismo game. In a genre in need of a breath of fresh air, Shift 2 isn't it.

PGA 12 features the same kind of gradual evolution found in all EA Sports titles. The big-name improvements, such as Move support and the Masters content are welcome, and will no doubt inspire many to part company with the funds required to participate.

Although it won't be met with the slack-jawed amazement of its predecessor, Crysis 2 offers a very stylish and entertaining single and multiplayer experience with an engaging point of differentiation in the range of tactical options open to the player.

Crucially, Crysis 2 represents the maturation of first-person shooters in general. Gone are the ludicrous system requirements, and the open-world setting. Instead, the series has shifted to a more focused linear playing field, where your actions are guided by the game rather than by your own curiosity.

These gripes aside, however, there is still plenty of satisfaction to be gained from MLB 2K11, for both baseball devotees and curious cricket-fans alike.

This means that the real value to Top Spin 4 lies not in its career mode, but in online play and the 'King of the Court' mode which turns tennis into a school yard game of 'winner holds the court'. This is fully customisable and offers the potential for hours of good competition between friends. Sure, it's not 'real' tennis, but it's certainly fun.

If you're contemplating Homefront as an inclusive package, forget it. Consider it to be a better-than-expected multiplayer distraction at best, and wait for E3 in June to see if we get an apology for the campaign and an explanation as to how the sequel will be better.

It's not a bad game but it is outstripped by developer Gaijin Entertainments other offerings within the same market. Unless you're someone who really must get to the chopper, there are far better flight simulators available, including the excellent IL-2 series. Granted, it's not on consoles, but they really aren't the weapon of choice for simulations.

The game asks you to explore and to experiment, be it where you are questing or with the character you are building. If the idea of another MMO levelling grind sends shivers down your spine, Rift may not be something to invest your time in, but if you are in the market for a new world to explore that is at once both recognisable and original then Rift may just be for you.

Shogun 2 is a tour de force, plunging even the most detached and practical of real-time strategy fans into the heady waters of the Shengoku Jidai.

Some missteps have been made between the first game and this sequel but Dragon Age II stands on its own as a solid, brawling RPG, and is a worthy addition to the world of Thedas.

As it stands though, Fight Night Champion presents some excellent fighting packaged in what amounts to two less than perfect game modes.

The challenge may be a little steep for newcomers, but PixelJunk Shooter 2 still lives up to the standard of quality and fun Q Games has consistently delivered.

At a mere 800 Microsoft Points, it's hardly a difficult financial decision. If you've never played it before, we can't recommend it enough. Even with its faults, even if you've played it in the past, do yourself a favour and have another go of this much loved classic.

"Quotation Forthcoming"

The campaign is really where the bulk of the entertainment is to be had, despite the astonishing omission of any kind of co-operative play. It's just a shame the writers felt as if they needed to try to impress the audience with such B-grade subject matter.

If you're looking for a nourishing gaming experience sprinkled with the addictive sea-salt of Pokémania, then these games are for you.

If you're looking for a nourishing gaming experience sprinkled with the addictive sea-salt of Pokémania, then these games are for you.