The game is a triumph for pure racing aficionados, and is without doubt the best racing simulator available on the PS3. The only real disappointment is that we knew it would be, and hoped that the wealth of new features long touted by Polyphony would be produced with the same level of dedication and perfection shown in the heart of the game.

That said, the technology on offer in Your Shape: Fitness Evolved is often outstanding and if you're self-motivated, you'll be able to overlook that problem. Besides, summer usually sees us all making crazy resolutions and making use of the technology available could very well help you to reach your goals.

If EA plans to get a firm share of the Kinect exercise market they'll need to invest a bit more time in creating a more user-friendly experience.

Dance Central is by no means a perfect game. A disappointing multiplayer and a music selection with no real sense of fun detract from the experience. Even so, as a release title there are hours of entertainment to be had alone or with friends.

Easily the most substantial of the early titles and one that is sure to enthral young players as well as the young at heart.

Perfect for old-school Sonic fans.

While Kinect Sports falls flat in the single player experience the fun to be had with friends carries it. Occasional motion control issues and the space required can hinder some of the fun but overall, and in a market flooded with choice, Kinect Sports holds its ground and should bring some high energy entertainment to your living room.

Together these elements make Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood the most polished experience the series has created to date. It's one that will vindicate fans and hush doubters, even if Ezio's swarthy charms are starting to run as thin as an Italian waiter shamelessly flirting with your date.

Even the most ardent of fans are likely to stab you in the throat if they find this in a stocking come Christmas, so do yourself a favour and avoid.

The game has what many modern, and slightly more polished titles don't have; a real sense of fun.

Minor flaws aside, The Sims 3 is a decent port of the PC version and extremely playable on the Xbox.

Blood Stone is an able shooter.

Rockstar have created one of the most imaginative and cleverly designed DLC packs this year.

Front Mission Evolved is at its core an uninspired third-person mech fighter that throws out the tenets of the series, a move that may turn off long time players. Mech fans will find it lukewarm at best and the rest of us are left to wonder just who the game will appeal to.

Essentially there's very little to whinge about with UFC Undisputed 2010 on the PSP – it's easier to play than its bigger brothers so provides a nice entry point into the genre, yet experienced MMA gamers will appreciate the depth and being able to take their fighting on the road.

What I can say is that I had a blast with it, and those who remember where Sonic came from probably will too.

Throw all of these things together and you have an excellent game that falls just a little short of perfect.

Those expecting a quantum leap forward in this release will be disappointed, however the multitudes of people eagerly anticipating the kind of clever twists and darkly humorous social commentary Lionhead excel in will not come away empty handed. The trip to Albion is well worth the price of admission.

Unfortunately Vanquish is short - about six to seven hours on first play through – and there isn't a swathe of bonus content. That said, this is the only game I have ever completed and immediately restarted, ever.

Despite its faults, or all the things that could have been more polished, there's a lot of enjoyment on offer. If only Danger Close and DICE were prepared to put in just a little bit more effort during the development process to separate Medal of Honor from the rest of the flock in this saturated genre, we could have been looking at something very special indeed.

Kung Fu Rider is essentially a terrible example of what Move can offer. Whatever you do, don't judge Sony's new motion sensing hardware on this title.

This is a development team that listens. Taking the good from the original and cutting or fixing the bad. It still carries all the horror spliced with comedy from the first and creates a world that intrigues, entertains and disgusts in equal measure.

Those accustomed to investing hours examining endless story arcs, or searching vast environments for details will certainly appreciate Obsidian's efforts, even if newcomers may struggle to see what all the fuss is about.

His work gives the game much of its charm, but even Gollum himself can't push this 12-hour puzzle-shooting-platformer adventure past 'above average' and into 'great'.

Some will prefer the gameplay of PES 2011 to its EA Sports counterpart (certainly more players than would have in 2010). However, for casual fans and trainspotters alike, the depth and breadth of leagues in FIFA 2011, combined with its continued high-quality gameplay, will leave PES waiting until 2012 for another shot at the title of top football franchise.

Invizimals is a great idea perhaps realised too soon. It never feels as cohesive as it should due to technology limitations, and for that reason it's hard to promote it as a well constructed gaming experience. But we'd sure love to see a sequel that irons out the bugs.

The strain of realism that should run through this title is simply too weak to provide a point of leverage, and whilst the game is certainly admirable in many respects, it simply doesn't offer the kind of experience once associated with the franchise.

Like Mary Shelley's gothic creation, you'll come to discover that Lords of Shadow is no monster, even if its ubiquitous quick-time events will occasionally see you reaching for your pitchfork.