Considering the resources at EA's disposal, the practised excellence of their programmers and artists, and the experience of well over a decade of development, there should be more put into the game.

Ultimately, Battlefield: Bad Company is a game that promises a lot but struggles to deliver more than a slightly above average FPS experience.

A potential new direction for the series and a decent start. However a shame that the single player is lacking somewhat.

It manages to ramp up the sense of humour and simplistic graphics of the earlier games, making for some truly strange experiences.

Not NetherRealms finest, but still a solid fighter.

Slight negativity aside, Sonic Advance 2 represents Sonic at its best - fast, slick, looking great and offering yet more of those bonus features (now unlockable, however). Whilst technically there have been better Sonic games, none have managed to quite capture the frantic essence of speed and style like this does.

Another step closer to the perfect basketball game, and this year the beards are so life like, you really will want to stroke them.

Despite the shortcomings of the combat, Gravity Rush can still stand alongside some of the best games on the Vita. With its wonderful art style oozing character, it’s a game that once you start; it’s really hard to put down.

You would expect Zelda to have a little more to it when it arrives, but everything Rocket Slime does, it does very well and is one of the most enjoyable titles to arrive for a fair few years.

Whilst plotting strategic job changes remains as fresh and engrossing today as it ever did, the grinding and sometimes repetitive combat can't help but detract from the overall enjoyment of the title.

The move to third-person is bold and different, but in order for it to succeed an effective auto-targeting system is essential; unfortunately, the lock-on provided is patchy at best - and just as likely to target the guy at the back over the guy who is inches away from ramming an Uzi up your rectum. Compounding the problem is the relative uselessness of shooting when not using the lock-on.

It may not be perfect, but few if any titles of late will generate such a compulsive hold with such economic use of power.

So Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock is not the throbbing unadulterated solo that Gamestyle had hoped for, yet it remains far from mediocrity.

Alan Wake himself is a cold, moody and clinical character, so much so that Gamestyle felt no affinity with his onscreen presence. We however, warmed to the actual gaming experience, but still left short changed and disappointed, especially after such a long gestation period.

This episode is the most amusing yet, but again, comes with the same problems.

For those who missed out first time around, this is a great opportunity to catch up, and the extra additions and the nicely-done Wii controls make for an even better package.

The core of Steamworld Dig is a simple one, yet with the charm & wit it possesses really hooks you in.

There is no element of Dust: An Elysian Tail that has a negative, from the jaw dropping visuals, to the excellent writing, through to the seamless combat and action. This is a stand out title in more ways than one. In a year that has Trials Evolution, Spelunky, Minecraft and Fez, this is the standalone best game on XBLA. If you only buy one game this year buy Dust: An Elysian Tail, there simply isn't enough superlatives to describe just how good it is.

Played properly though, Ms 'Splosion Man is a game for platforming purists. If you enjoyed the original or find titles like Ninja Gaiden a cakewalk, you'll find just what you're looking for here, namely a worthy sequel packed to the rafters with content and a more-than-decent test of your skills. As for everyone else, approach with caution: there is fun to be had with Ms 'Splosion Man, and when the game is good it's very good, but just when you start to smile and enjoy yourself, things might splode all up in your face.

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.

This is one of the finest puzzlers on the Vita and we simply cannot recommend it enough.

Invisible, Inc. takes the formula made famous by the likes of X-Com and makes a wonderfully tight experience that you will not help but love.

Vegas 2 could’ve done with a few months more development time, at least, maybe then would we have got the Rainbow Six game we all wanted.

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

Rock Band is really three games in one, and what's amazing is that not one of them feels anything less than excellent, despite treading on now familiar ground. Combined, they are a recipe for the most fun you can have in your living room.

SingStar virgins and hardcore fans could do a lot worse than start here, but for everyone in between, it may be worth waiting for the SingStore to fill before making the jump.

If only that trademark familiarity didn't breed contempt at the annual updates - still less of a leap and more of a step. The embarrassing stumbles that once blighted EA Sports' flagship are a distant memory.

The game looks and sounds great as well as furthering a genre that seemed destined to be stuck in limbo.