The presentation is absolutely sensational, providing a television feel that eclipses anything I've seen before.

The best FM by far - the definitive football management simulator.

The real issue is that the game's own spin on the dungeon-building concept is just plain dull.

Arkham City is stuffed to the edge of the disc with content and replay value (in addition to the gigantic campaign there's an expanded Challenge Mode and New Game Plus), is incredible amounts of fun, is polished to perfection, has had real love poured into every aspect, and most importantly, it makes you feel like Batman.

Arkham City is stuffed to the edge of the disc with content and replay value (in addition to the gigantic campaign there's an expanded Challenge Mode and New Game Plus), is incredible amounts of fun, is polished to perfection, has had real love poured into every aspect, and most importantly, it makes you feel like Batman.

This package feels like it's been thrown together to make a quick buck, and despite having so much content, it's ultimately lazy work. That said, it's immensely fun to come head-to-head with friends in a number of delightfully pretty environments.

It's an old school classic, with enough forward thinking to make it feel fresh after fifteen years and enough depth to ensure it'll be relevant in another fifteen.

For everything that Altelier Totori: The Adventurer of Arland does right though, it fails to deliver on another key element of the genre. I never felt fully connected to the world.

What it loses in realism it makes up for with variety and a strong presentation.

What it loses in realism it makes up for with variety and a strong presentation.

An incremental upgrade to Dead Rising 2. It's still great fun, but just be aware this is little extra than more of the same.

An incremental upgrade to Dead Rising 2. It's still great fun, but just be aware this is little extra than more of the same.

It promised a light-hearted take on one of the world's most serious sports and it never gets anywhere close to showing that. Poor character designs, terrible mini-narratives, and a broken fight system make this a waste of time and effort. Fans of MMA might satisfy some blood lust, but for everyone else, it shouldn't even register on your gaming radar.

It promised a light-hearted take on one of the world's most serious sports and it never gets anywhere close to showing that. Poor character designs, terrible mini-narratives, and a broken fight system make this a waste of time and effort. Fans of MMA might satisfy some blood lust, but for everyone else, it shouldn't even register on your gaming radar.

Off Road Drive's novelty and the simple joy of navigating its beautiful and challenging courses outweigh the lacklustre racing component.

Unless you're really hankering for a relaxing puzzle fix to break up this year's AAA releases, I'd hold off for this to hit Deal of the Week.

It's faster and more intense than ever before, with tangible improvements to every facet. The word forza is used to cheer competitors at sporting events: it's about enthusiasm and passion. Forza 4 succeeds because it distils automotive passion into a form that anyone- not just petrolheads- will find enthralling.

If you absolutely have to get a downloadable Resident Evil fix, get Resident Evil 4 HD instead. It holds up markedly better in every conceivable way and looks pretty good in high definition.

If you've just come from a literary binge of A Song of Ice and Fire, or just had a marathon of HBO's high production TV show you might be tempted by the lure of Cyanide's A Game of Thrones - Genesis. However if you're that invested in George R. R. Martin's epic fantasy universe you're likely to be left pretty angry, whereas newcomers like me leave feeling just dazed and confused.

Rage is flawed from the get-go, and by the time it finds its legs, its all too little, too late.

Rage is flawed from the get-go, and by the time it finds its legs, its all too little, too late.

While it won't be able to compete with its big budget peers in pretty much any aspect, at least it's a fraction of the price of the likes of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3.

It's very difficult to adequately score or sum up FIFA 12, simply because it's taken such a risk with an established formula, one that's turned out – eventually – well indeed, but also one that requires a lot of effort to learn and get used to, something a lot of people might not want to do.

It's very difficult to adequately score or sum up FIFA 12, simply because it's taken such a risk with an established formula, one that's turned out – eventually – well indeed, but also one that requires a lot of effort to learn and get used to, something a lot of people might not want to do.

Best of all, when you dive into the first corner melee on race day, the sheer thrill of trying to avoid the seemingly impossible number of cars around you is simply unrivalled.

F1 2011 has got the talent, but it needs to learn to love itself before it can be truly great.

This game preys on your feelings, and is very skilled at manipulating them. Make no mistake, it takes a certain kind of person (never mind gamer) to stick with and possibly enjoy this game - we believe they are sometimes called Masochists - but Dark Souls does what it does extremely well, and it's to be applauded for that at least.

This game preys on your feelings, and is very skilled at manipulating them. Make no mistake, it takes a certain kind of person (never mind gamer) to stick with and possibly enjoy this game - we believe they are sometimes called Masochists - but Dark Souls does what it does extremely well, and it's to be applauded for that at least.

It's not awful and, in a House of the Dead-while-standing-up kind of a way, it's acceptable, but only really worth buying if you have nothing else for the Kinect that you spunked money on and you've seen it going dirt cheap somewhere.

PES 2012 plays an extremely entertaining brand of football, largely sweeping away the complaints of the two previous versions in the process. There are problems for sure, but it's nice to know that whichever of the football titans you choose this year, you'll get a decent result.

PES 2012 plays an extremely entertaining brand of football, largely sweeping away the complaints of the two previous versions in the process. There are problems for sure, but it's nice to know that whichever of the football titans you choose this year, you'll get a decent result.

The additions that change the gameplay do make enough difference to those schooled in the ways of hockey, and the goal tenders being made more real is a big boost to how 'authentic' the whole thing feels. But is it worth it for those who like it but who don't know their Jarome Iginlas from their Sergei Samsonov? You've got to say no, even if it is, yes, still a great game.

The additions that change the gameplay do make enough difference to those schooled in the ways of hockey, and the goal tenders being made more real is a big boost to how 'authentic' the whole thing feels. But is it worth it for those who like it but who don't know their Jarome Iginlas from their Sergei Samsonov? You've got to say no, even if it is, yes, still a great game.

It's a welcome addition to the franchise and one that slots perfectly into your gaming collection.

This is very much the God of War we all know and love, and it's great to finally witness both games on a screen worthy of the series.

It may be a simple old-school arcade twin-stick shooter but the huge maps, secondary objectives, and fun things to discover like being able to collapse buildings by driving through them elevate Renegade Ops to must-play territory.

So yeah, it's only for people who are really, really (repeat for a while) really into their tough platformers or those who love Rayne's exploits so much, they can't live without experiencing this.

So yeah, it's only for people who are really, really (repeat for a while) really into their tough platformers or those who love Rayne's exploits so much, they can't live without experiencing this.

Experiencing Resident 4 HD, everything is as it ever was. The visual upgrade is well received, and the game's narrative is as terrifying and enticing as ever. Capcom have played this one safe, as it would have been nice to see them try and mix things up with a new inventory system.

Experiencing Resident 4 HD, everything is as it ever was. The visual upgrade is well received, and the game's narrative is as terrifying and enticing as ever. Capcom have played this one safe, as it would have been nice to see them try and mix things up with a new inventory system.

Great fun, if not exactly the step forward we were hoping for. New players will have a fantastic time gunning for best times and whizzing through the air, while old Trackmania legends will either take to the new challenge, or wonder why it's just the very same experience all over again.

The Baconing sags limply in a puddle of its own stale grease when it should sizzle: reheated leftovers from the previous two games, liberally seasoned with humour to mask the aging ingredients, in danger of becoming inedible.

The Baconing sags limply in a puddle of its own stale grease when it should sizzle: reheated leftovers from the previous two games, liberally seasoned with humour to mask the aging ingredients, in danger of becoming inedible.

It's the kind of release that gives us hope that Kinect will finally find its legs and become a more regular part of our gaming lives.

An interesting mix. If it wasn't so daunting, it'd pick up more fans.

Despite it's downfalls, El Shaddai is a memorable experience from start to finish. It offers a quirkiness and sense of style that is not only unique, it's surprisingly refreshing.

Despite it's downfalls, El Shaddai is a memorable experience from start to finish. It offers a quirkiness and sense of style that is not only unique, it's surprisingly refreshing.

A mostly triumphant and surprisingly refreshing return to the FPS' favourite setting. Although the single-player is rather lacking, the attention to detail and harrowing atmosphere make for some intense and gripping multiplayer battles.

A taste for micromanagement, high difficulty and a tactical way of battling is essential to enjoy Disgaea 4.

With its genre-fusing game play and cheeky yet surreal take on ancient history it really is one of a kind.

Being a gamer who puts story almost equal to gameplay, personally I was kind of annoyed at the tangent the third game seemed to go off on. Gears 2 asked more than a few questions, and whilst Gears 3 answers some of them - mainly relating to the lambent - it leaves other's painfully un-answered.

So amongst the other problems, it's also short and clearly rushed.

In a year of big-hitters, Space Marine is one hell of a surprise.

One of 2011's best surprises.

It may have taken 3 attempts, but Resistance 3 is the FPS the PS3 has been waiting for.

Bite-sized gaming at its best.

It is good, but the Vietnam setting doesn't fit the template as well as World War II, and I would strongly advise newcomers to play the original Men of War first, otherwise that first mission may well put you off for life.

Hothead may be pushing their luck, but there's life in the Hero to the Downtrodden yet.

The only thing one might criticise is that it can get a bit samey after a while. Around two-thirds of the way through, you may well be feeling a bit fatigued by the whole yellowness of your surroundings, and be yearning for something to change, even just for one level.

A lack of ideas and poor design just won't cut it in a year that sees Battlefield 3 and Modern Warfare go head-to-head.

Bodycount has been pinned as the spiritual successor to Black, but this couldn't be any further from the truth. The latter was full of quality at the end of the last generation's lifespan, while this title whimpers to a halt in a key point of 2011's gaming calendar.

Easily the most insane and downright fun 2D shooter I've played all year, if not ever. And yes, I did say Vuvuzela sandwich creatures with forks for legs.

An injection of human drama could have brought the game's reality into line with our expectations, which were so cruelly raised by that teaser trailer mere months ago.

An injection of human drama could have brought the game's reality into line with our expectations, which were so cruelly raised by that teaser trailer mere months ago.

You certainly might find a few hours of amusement here, and original ludicrous comedic 2D adventures are something I'll always support, but Straandlooper have a long way to go before they reach LucasArts standard. They're not even at Leisure Suit Larry yet.

If you've got time to kill, Tropico 4 is perfect. It hasn't changed much since its predecessor, but it's still an excellent simulation – something that's welcome in the era of visuals-conscious FPSs and lacklustre adventure games. A modernised concept, that's perfectly period.

Ultimately though I found myself sat in front of my computer, scratching my unkempt beard and trying to answer the question: who is the game for?

Clever ideas are interspersed with components that fail miserably, making this the definition of 'mixed bag'.

Clever ideas are interspersed with components that fail miserably, making this the definition of 'mixed bag'.

3rd Strike Online Edition provides a lick of paint that improve the dated visuals considerably.

3rd Strike Online Edition provides a lick of paint that improve the dated visuals considerably.

Challenging, addictive, immersive... provided you like stealth-based action – there hasn't been an action/RPG this good in a long while.

Challenging, addictive, immersive... provided you like stealth-based action – there hasn't been an action/RPG this good in a long while.

A fun game, especially for rogue-like veterans, who will get its dry British wit and genre in-jokes. The game is basically the next generation of the true rogue-like, much like Fatal Labyrinth was before it.

An excellently crafted game that goes above and beyond all expectations for an indie downloadable title. The action feels tight, it's bursting with content, the graphics and sound are impressive.

This is a bold step for an RTS into the ripe and unconquered pastures of the Internet, and while it isn't completely surefooted, its spears are certainly sharp.

Insanely Twisted? Maybe not, but it's definitely entertaining enough to be worthy of the name Ultimately Excellent Shadow Planet: a fantastic adventure for anyone enticed by the thrill of exploration.

It's just a little too shallow for comfort.

It just lacks that bit of variety and any sort of multiplayer that would push it right into recommended territory.

You will love it though if you chose the Weird Wasteland perk, loved the Vault filled with Garys in 3, or just don't mind playing through an extremely funny and well-written DLC pack that throws interesting surprises at you all the time, rewards exploration greatly, and packs more imagination and play-time in it than nearly every other full-priced game out there.

You will love it though if you chose the Weird Wasteland perk, loved the Vault filled with Garys in 3, or just don't mind playing through an extremely funny and well-written DLC pack that throws interesting surprises at you all the time, rewards exploration greatly, and packs more imagination and play-time in it than nearly every other full-priced game out there.

You will love it though if you chose the Weird Wasteland perk, loved the Vault filled with Garys in 3, or just don't mind playing through an extremely funny and well-written DLC pack that throws interesting surprises at you all the time, rewards exploration greatly, and packs more imagination and play-time in it than nearly every other full-priced game out there.

For those with the time and patience however, World of Tanks looks to be an ever-evolving title with ambitions to stay fresh for the foreseeable future (new nations have been added since launch, and Risk-style clan-based world warfare is reportedly coming soon).

If you're looking for what is probably the deepest and most complicated strategy game ever made, oh boy have you found it.

Despite lacking the scripted set-pieces of a so-called 'AAA' game, Insect Armageddon does a remarkable job of showing what a focused team can produce on a minimal budget.

Despite lacking the scripted set-pieces of a so-called 'AAA' game, Insect Armageddon does a remarkable job of showing what a focused team can produce on a minimal budget.

Our conclusive advice is to avoid the single player in anything but very small doses when your chums aren't around and stick to the co-op almost exclusively.

A quality game, but at that absurdly low price there's really no excuse to deny yourself of it.

For all its faults though, Pirates of Black Cove is a very endearing game.

From Dust is a magical experience, but it could have been just that little bit more. The Xbox 360 controls aren't as precise as we would have liked, meaning that putting down dirt in exactly the spot you wanted can be tricky. The camera is also completely awful, only allowing you to look from two viewpoints - a 35 degree angle, or from the top. Restrictions on the camera are always a bad idea, period.

Whatever your feelings about Cars, arguably Pixar's least popular movie series, you can't deny the quality of Cars 2: The Video Game. It's everything that typical movie games aren't, being fun, content-rich and technically solid.

Whatever your feelings about Cars, arguably Pixar's least popular movie series, you can't deny the quality of Cars 2: The Video Game. It's everything that typical movie games aren't, being fun, content-rich and technically solid.

Whatever your feelings about Cars, arguably Pixar's least popular movie series, you can't deny the quality of Cars 2: The Video Game. It's everything that typical movie games aren't, being fun, content-rich and technically solid.

This can't be the same developer that made the last two games. That team must be off doing Dead Island or something. There were germs of good ideas in here, and it is possible to play it through to the end, but the criticisms and frustrations will overwhelm any fun you have doing so.

This can't be the same developer that made the last two games. That team must be off doing Dead Island or something. There were germs of good ideas in here, and it is possible to play it through to the end, but the criticisms and frustrations will overwhelm any fun you have doing so.

It's a bit of a weird one then, as neither the story nor the action is particularly enjoyable, but neither is specifically bad either.

It's a bit of a weird one then, as neither the story nor the action is particularly enjoyable, but neither is specifically bad either.

If you were to summarise it in a puzzle, Puzzle Agent 2 would be a paint-by-numbers picture: formulaic, messy, and unable to hold the attention of all but the most easily perplexed.