Modern Warfare 3 doesn't reinvent gunpowder, but sticks to the recipe of the previous games in the series. With a decent story and good multiplayer it's a game worth playing, but the lack of willingness to add improvements in gameplay show a laziness often found in a complacent game series.

This game hits the mark on all fronts. Through the beautiful visual presentation comes a bloody and engaging world filled with myriad battles and a relentless chase for skills and loot that sucks you in and makes you stay.

I'm sure the X-Fighters tournament is an impressive affair in real life. It's virtual counterpart, however, is not. The game has some initial appeal, but a complete lack of content, outdated graphics and frustrating controls ruin the experience. This might have worked as a promotional freebie, but it's not something you'd want to pay for.

Even though some of the new game modes don't bring anything new into the game, Tetris has me hooked, like it had years ago. The core modes are as addicting and challenging as they always were, as is the multiplayer mode. I would gladly increase the score if some of the less appealing modes were improved or dropped from the game.

Cities XL 2012 is an enjoyable and addictive city builder, but the lack of depth that makes it instantly accessible to newcomers also makes it less interesting to play in the long run. It is also disappointing that there's so few improvements and new features in this year's edition.

The sheer realism of the combat might make you fall a little bit in love at first, but as enemies never seem to die, and the controls never seem to respond well to what you do, you quickly lose interest.

Disney Universe plays well, has got a lot of charm and welcomes you into the world of six great, classic movies. Still, the game is way too easy to beat, especially when playing on your own. Disney Universe stands out more as a children's game than an actual challenge for more experienced gamers.

A brilliant game that crossed tower defense with third person action and a hint of the good old RPG. Played cooperatively this little gem will keep you going for hours on end.

This timeless classic is back and better than ever. The brilliant combat system fuses side scrolling action with classic fighting games, and together with a branching story system the game keeps you coming back.

El Shaddai: Ascension of the Metatron could have been a well executed mix of action and platforming, with a unique and artistic look. The combat system is interesting at first, but turns out to be too monotone and simple. With better combat mechanics and a more interesting story, it would have more to offer than simply good looks.

PES 2012 does nothing revolutionary to the series, but the new Off the Ball control and slightly improved gameplay raises the overall experience. Still behind it's EA Sports competition, who offers a more fine tuned approach to the sport, Konami at least takes one solid step forward this season.

Although its single player campaign lacks some inspiration, Battlefield 3 stands out as the pinnacle of modern day war-based first-person shooters. With its astounding visuals, sound effects and addictive multiplayer gameplay, it's a game that will be played and loved for a very long time.

Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception's visuals are absolutely stunning, from beautiful and life-like surroundings to characters that look like they could walk into your livingroom any moment. And when Drake returns this time, developer Naughty Dog has perfected the balance between storytelling and gameplay. They've practically ticked all the boxes this time, and Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception may very well be one of the best games this year.

With one of the best open worlds in any game and an immaculate mix of great side missions, tons of content and a fantastic atmosphere, Batman: Arkham City stands among the greatest action experiences in recent times.

The Blackwell Deception presents a solid and satisfying mystery to solve, enjoyable and logical puzzles and loads of well-written, believable characters. The result is one of the best adventure games of recent years.

F1 2011 offers an very solid racing model, spectacular weather effects and is overall a highly authentic Formula One-game. A certain lack of polish in some areas prevents it from becoming a true classic, though don't let that stop you.

Football manager never fails to deliver, and this year's edition, though not revolutionary, has some neat changes that improve upon an already fantastic game. Ready yourself for another holiday season in front of the computer, because this game will pick you up and never let you go.

This unconventional real-time strategy game has both great strengths and clear weaknesses. It offers unique opportunities for intrigue during peacetime, but unimaginative and simplistic combat during wartime. Its long campaign is a true treat for fans of the TV series and books, and contains many hours of great strategy.

If you're not tired of zombies yet you will be by the time you've survived this game. It provides its cheap thrills, and building traps is fun at times, but the ridiculously slow speed and the boring weapon selection suck this dead corpse dry before you've even started.

In all it's familiarity the Diabloesque gameplay sucks you in, but it is the beautiful word, the brilliant music, and the genius voice over that keeps you going. Bastion might be a game, but it's much more a fascinating fairy tale told in real time.

Most twin stick shooters are good fun for a while, and this is no exception. Cutting down orks with constant streams of bullets is definitely entertaining, especially with a friend. It provides terribly little variation though, and you won't be sad when it's over.

If this can even be called a game, it's a highly unusual one. Instead of doing missions and killing enemies you construct landscapes and battle for control over the always unpredictable elements brought to life by impressive physics.

The fusing of puzzles, Metroidvania and a the film noir aesthics create a very alien, yet familiar world to travel in. It becomes a bit boring in places, but overall the journey is a fascinating one.

This mostly hilarious game fuses tactics with intense action and presents a solid challenge for any would-be orc slayer. The constantly growing repertoire of new traps and weapons provides endless amounts of bloody fun.

ICO and Shadow of the Colossus stands out from the crowd, offering a deep and engaging story that keeps you going until the end credits. Not as groundbreaking in 2011 as when they first came out, but still with a unique and emotional gameplay. Pure quality - now in HD.

Though this is a solid finale for an enjoyable trilogy of adventure games, it does feel a bit like playing through the final five hours of a good game that is exactly five hours too long. The freshness that the series initially offered is gone, replaced with predictability and a certain staleness.

Might & Magic: Heroes VI is a turn-based strategy game that hails traditionalism and old design values. It is true to its predecessors, and fans won`t be disappointed despite the fact that it in many ways lacks evolution in gameplay and core mechanics.

If you push yourself through this nightmare and its spiritual prequel, you will find that you enjoy modern games a lot more. Dark Souls lacks the open structure of Demon's Souls, but might be even more rewarding.