The story is fantastic, the gameplay is spot on, visuals and sound are perfect, multiplayer is fine. It is however a lot more of the same, it doesn't really improve overall on the original.

Rapture is a beautifully stylised city that provides plenty of mystery and intrigue. Definitely a game of the year contender.

Although the combat can get repetitive, and Darksiders has adopted a tried and tested format, the story, style, and atmosphere make playing through Armageddon a unique and involving experience.

A sure fire system seller that everyone who owns the console should buy, and if you don’t, now’s the perfect time to buy one.

Etrian Odyssey IV is an example of just how engaging a JRPG can be, but also doesn’t stick exclusively to the traditional roots. It is accessible, but the difficulty remains, as it blends what the genre does best with modern elements making sure it finds a wider audience. Whether you are a series veteran or coming in fresh, this is a wonderful game to get stuck in to.

A wonderful entrant in the series that has gotten better with age.

When it's all said and done, Assassin's Creed: Revelations is an entrancing game, with breathtaking visuals and a pulsating story that keeps the player glued to their seat

A change for the better - and much better than anyone could have imagined. It has the right feel, the right look, and the combat system has yet to be bettered in this genre.

A wonderful party game that should be making an appearance at your next event.

Casual players will notice very little difference and probably resent the soundtrack, favouring the more varied original. Experts will savour the focus of the new tracks and find the tweaked mechanics to be an absolute godsend, placing this high above the original.

What the original Borderlands did so well has been grabbed and near perfected with this sequel. The comedy may be hit and miss, but it thrives on its shooting and loot grabbing. Many hours of fun will await you in Pandora.

An extremely good game which just doesn’t feel properly finished. It’s not quite a final draft. It’s still damned good fun though.

Simply put, GHWT is the best rhythm action title on the market right now.

A masterpiece of an adventure game. For anyone not to fall in love with it would truly amaze me. Everything is set just right and you are drawn into the story right from the very offset.

Oddworld. Same as it ever was... Well no, it is better. Better than ever.

Fallout 3 is an incredibly well-accomplished game that lets players explore a rich, diverse and interesting landscape however they see fit.

It is well made and feels so amazingly solid, it is just a shame it is over too quickly.

The sound of GTA Vice City is glorious.

On the surface Saint Row: The Third is another open world GTA clone, but scratch that surface and you are introduced to a game that does everything it can not to take itself seriously and is the perfect partner to the more straight faced games that are out there

As far as rhythm games go, Retro/Grade is up there with the best.

Faults do exist, but the core gameplay more than makes up for it and finally confirms that Nintendo aren’t the only development studio who can make a stellar Wii game.

State of Decay: Year One Survival Edition is a game that I can easily recommend and for me it is one that will last a long time, with the original game, plus expansions in one packages, there are hours and hours of content to enjoy and it is worth every penny.

The game is probably the most balanced of the three, but excitement wise it never quite reaches the heights of it's predecessors.

A simple story, that is enjoyable and well told, is mixed perfectly with great gameplay. The difficulty levels are spot on, and despite some saying the game is too short, it must be remembered that the story can be played through multiple times, using different methods with each go. Add to this all of the little touches to be found, that are simply too numerous to list, and this is a game where the effort really shows. Dishonored is a must play, and is up there as one of the best games this year.

OlliOlli 2: Welcome to Olliwood is more of the same, but that isn’t a bad thing by any stretch of the imagination.

An impressive variety of modes, great online play and plenty of touches make this a football fans dream.

God of War: Chains of Olympus is a fantastic game and a worthy addition to any PSP owner’s collection.

Yet the beauty of Katamari Damacy comes not from fighting, exploration or trading, but from rolling a ball (known as a katamari) that captures anything within its path. A brilliantly simple idea, and one that's perfectly executed.

When started, you’ll rarely look at another game for weeks if not months (thanks to the downloadable content) to come and beyond. Oblivion is without question a strong contender for the best game of 2006.

An update is what they've got; graphical upgrades, new characters, new moves, but with the same classic gameplay. Whether this is your first Pokémon game or your fifth, this formula still works like magic.

Undoubtedly a showpiece for the PSP, Virtua Tennis: World Tour offers something for everyone - and, despite the laborious loading times, it's a tried-and-true SEGA title that everyone should have in their collection.

Street Fighter IV is everything we could have hoped for and more, and we haven’t even mentioned the glorious visuals and excellent music.

PixelJunk Monsters: Ultimate HD is, at the end of the day, a game that won’t be to everyone’s tastes. If you have played every version of the series before this, you may find the challenge a little lacking, as you would have seen all the levels before. You do need to be a fan of the Tower Defense genre as there is nothing new on offer, but even with a passing interest in the genre, you will find this game a rewarding challenge from start to finish.

A fantastic adventure from beginning to end, and one that everyone should play.

A wonderful Roguelike puzzle game that feel unique.

Darksiders II is an absolutely outstanding experience, the combat is fluid, the story is well written, the RPG elements add a lot of depth and the side quests will add many extra hours to your time with the game. As we enter the twilight of the 360's life, this really is a stand out game of the highest quality.

All in all, this makes for a very entertaining game that will provide hours of enjoying, for people of all ages.

It just remains for us to say, if you’re looking for a quality title to download, go with SWOS. It’s the sensible choice.

Simply the best adventure game currently available on the Gameboy Advance. It's tough, but rewarding, plays extremely well and is not a simple port like so many other of Nintendo's releases before it.

UFC Undisputed 3 is the standout of the series thus far, gameplay is the best yet and the amount of content on offer is incredible. Career mode may be the main focus for these games, but it is the Title and Ultimate Fights modes that offer up the most rewarding experience. Whether you are new to the series or an old pro, this is worth picking up and is easily the best sports fighting game on the market.

This isn’t a game for everyone, it is one that can be enjoyed by many, but it will be fans of the show itself, that will get most satisfaction from the game.

Tropical Freeze is a trip to a time when games didn’t hold your hand or treat you like some sort of imbecile. It revels in its challenge and while there will be many moments of screaming and frustration, it never feels unfair, and that’s what makes this game great.

Blues and Bullets is a showcase in how to open the story of an episodic videogame.

Saints Row IV is a must have title, it throws away the rule book and just wants you to have a great time. The Next Generation is upon us, but you might miss it as you get lost in the virtual world of a simulated Steelport with no rules to hold you back.

Whilst I was aware of The Escapists, it was never a game on my most wanted list, but having now played for a good number of hours and still only scratching the surface, I can wholeheartedly recommend picking this up and get involved with one of the first great indie titles of 2015.

Stealth Inc: A Clone In The Dark is a special game and one that shows off the sort of thing the Vita was made for. A game that is simple to play, both in quick bursts or for hours on end, that offers up a challenge and doesn’t hold back just because it is on a handheld, At just £7.99 you will struggle to find another game that offers as much content for the price. This is one game that won’t be hiding in the shadows for long.

Whilst Sons of Liberty and "Splinter Cell" offer huge, all encompassing adventures; there is no quick fix. With Substance the mission structure allows quick access and it soon becomes very addictive.

In Persona 4, Atlus have achieved the summit of what an RPG should deliver, confirming the series as one of the finest exponents of the genre on any system.

Control of the players feels very responsive, and every charge and slapshot feels suitably weighty, despite the fact the controller didn’t rumble on Gamestyle‘s first play (even though we thought it did).

Shift 2: Unleashed is a must own for anyone who loves racing. The feeling of racing is perfectly recreated here and the love for the sport that Slightly Mad Studios have oozes out all over the game.

Games which rely on a special mechanic as their selling point, can often get a bit tired before you reach the end, but Scram Kitty DX introduce new weapons, abilities and enemy types as you progress but at a pacing that means you aren’t overwhelmed, nor bored at any single point.

Has a very deep and engrossing (perhaps blasphemous, hence the furore) tale to tell.

A great example of how to make a survival horror game that affects you in the right way.

Yet again the Shadow Hearts series delivers, and really you’d be a fool not to try out this original and captivating series. As for now this is the finest RPG on the Playstation 2.

You can play the game time and time again. Always finding something new, from a new piece of materia to a new place, to defeating the ultimate weapons. The story twists and turns all the time always keeping you guessing as to what will happen next.

A major factor in the addictive and fun nature of Guitar Hero II is the excellent learning curve.

Without question, Ratchet & Clank 2: Locked and Loaded surpasses "Mario Sunshine" as the best 'platform genre-specific' offering of the current generation.

Splatoon just screams Nintendo. Everything about it from the bright, colourful world, to the addictive gameplay make this a great online shooter.

Had The Gunstringer been released as a full priced title with none of the added bonuses, then there would reason to complain, but released at a low price point and packed to the rafters with bonus content and a forgiving aiming system that doesn't want to punish the player. This is one Kinect game that should be in every Kinect owners collection.

The biggest fear with a Joe Danger sequel was that it would be just more of the same, but Hello Games have done a fine job producing a game that demands you spend your money. The game isn't an improvement on the original title, but the tweaks and additions to the mechanics, make it a vital purchase.

A few niggles stop this being a 10, but Forza Motorsport 6 is a damn fine package and excels where it counts.

So, another year, another FIFA. It has become a cornerstone in the gaming market over the years, and with good reason. FIFA 12 is the nearest a football title has ever come to emulating the real life match day experience.

Sixty hours is barely scratching the sun beaten and twisted surface of this game. Sixty hours in PSO is nothing.

It gets better as it goes, and perhaps even better with age, and still puts most other RPGs to shame.

Brilliant. It's hugely playable, graphically sublime and even more importantly, once again Treasure have raised the bar for top-down shooters.

Yes, there have been improvements to the mechanics and gameplay, but if you were to buy Madden 11 over any other, it should be for GameFlow.

Overall, Sine Mora is a game that is accessible enough that newcomers need not be scared away, yet deep and challenging enough that long time veterans of the genre will not feel short changed, it is not an easy balance to get right, especially with this type of game, yet Grasshopper and Digital Reality have done just that. Simply stunning.

Portable gaming at its best.

Guacamelee was great first time around and Drinkbox have taken something fantastic and improved on it even more this time with this release.

If one game could attract the masses, then the satisfaction and stimulation gathered from communicating is the shining example. Gamestyle expectantly awaits the next release from Yoot Saito and his Vivarium team.

Burnout Paradise is an excellent game, but there are one or two blemishes that do tarnish it somewhat. Still, there's something for every Burnout fan here and it will no doubt spark continued debate over whether it's the best in the series.

This is the perfect game to really see who has the patience and stamina to go all the way.

Zuma's Revenge is pretty much the same game as has been seen before in the original. Yet somehow it feels fresh and is an essential purchase.

Skate 3 from the outside looks like a bog standard yearly update effort and with the lack of Create-A-Spot from the previous game, it is easy to see why. However get into the game, jump online, grab some friends and get ready to be treated to one of the most fun and relaxing experiences console gaming has to offer.

Putting an estimate on how many hours you would need to devote to the game to complete everything is both pointless and a little scary to imagine, but we dare say that someone out there in a very dimly lit room will be attempting it. Disgaea 2: Cursed Memories is a joy to behold, you can dip into it for a short time or lose several years of your life.

An update is what they've got; graphical upgrades, new characters, new moves, but with the same classic gameplay. Whether this is your first Pokémon game or your fifth, this formula still works like magic.

Pretenders and rivals to the throne take note: a new standard by which all adventures shall be measured has been set. And it doesn't include a big set of 'guns'.

If only more multiplayer modes had been created, Gears of War would be regarded as the perfect Xbox Live game.

Once Viva Pinata grabs you then there is no way you can escape. A bright and vibrant world surrounds a game that is an essential purchase for everyone.

Truly astounding. Not tarnished at all by all the hype, and truly worth the wait.

Bastion is a wonderful way to kick off the Summer Of Arcade and one that will be very hard to match from the other four titles. A mix of wonderful art, sumptuous sounds and deep involving gameplay make this one of the best XBLA games of the year.

Borderlands 2 is a must have, whether you have played the original or not, it adds plenty of new content and offers up enough change to be worth the purchase. Having the weight of expectancy on its shoulders hasn't done any harm and it certainly lives up to the hype.

A gaming masterpiece, the very fact that it exists in this format is an unbelievable testament to the development team behind it. Absolutely essential for all adventure fans.

There is no challenge for most, but it cannot be looked at from an adult's point of view. A developing mind will jump in with both feet and get an amazing experience from start to finish, then over and over and over again. Imagine their favourite film that is always in the DVD player, it will be the same with this game. There is something about the charm on Elmo and friends and it transfers to gaming perfectly.

A wonderful experience that you cannot help but want to share.

The odd thing about Snoopy Flying Ace is that it isn't perfect, yet it is very hard to pinpoint anything that is actually wrong with it.

An excellent online mode (as always) is the icing on an almost perfect cake. Bizarre have even had the decency to include a brand new version of Geometry Wars, subtitled Waves, to keep people amused. With PGR4 the series may have reached its peak and it's going to be interesting to see how Bizarre Creations try and top it.

It's still Geometry Wars but you do need to accept it has changed since you last saw it 6 years previous.

Fans of the games are going to love coming back to experience them all over again, with lovely updated visuals and some tweaks that enhance the gameplay just the right amount. Newcomers will find this a lovely introduction into Final Fantasy and if this sells enough, you never know…we may get FFVII HD afterall. But even if we don’t, this is great in its own right.

And all this carnage is rendered beautifully through the game's graphics and sound. It's hard to deny that God of War II is one of the greatest looking and most epic games on the Playstation 2, but it wouldn't be much of a stretch to call it one of the best looking games on any console.

The best football sim to date.

A wonderful entry into the first person puzzle solving genre and whilst other games do individual elements better, Pneuma nails it as a package.

As good as this game is, it's tough to recommend it to everyone. It makes little attempt to broaden its appeal outside of simulation fans; but as far as they are concerned, we couldn't recommend it more.

RE4 is still a fantastic game and one of the best games of the last generation, but a few extra play modes wouldn't have gone amiss. Still, if you missed out on the horror the first time then this is the perfect way to catch up.

Every once in a while, a game comes along that just feels special and Transistor is one of those games.

Seeing the ducks from "Duck Hunt" or the 2 dimensional Ice-climbers (also featured as playable characters) will have you praising Nintendo for their kindness in bringing back some long forgotten gaming moments.

Despite a poor single player mode, a half finished RiderNet feature and some suspect track design choices. SSX has that something special, that bit of magic that keeps you coming back for more.

Max and Chloe’s adventure comes to an excellent end.