Just don't expect many things you haven't seen before.

Just don't expect many things you haven't seen before.

Just don't expect many things you haven't seen before.

Exciting, clever and ultimately addictive.

It's got a few kinks to work out - both in technical terms and in the way some elements are implemented, but we'd happily recommend this to both Sim fans and newcomers to the franchise. In fact, this will probably work better on new comers, as it provides an easy introduction to the simulation aspect, whilst providing them something fun to do.

A willingness to refine its trademark depth and realism with advanced features has provided enough of a leap for those of you well-versed in the game, and the excellent training Academy and on-screen indicators provide a crucial link for everybody else to get to grips.

A willingness to refine its trademark depth and realism with advanced features has provided enough of a leap for those of you well-versed in the game, and the excellent training Academy and on-screen indicators provide a crucial link for everybody else to get to grips.

I hate to use the term "cash-in" but there really isn't any other description for Sanctum of Slime.

Yes, it's got loads of realistically recreated tanks, choppers, planes and all sorts of stuff like that. That's all fine and dandy. But it's easy to get that stuff right. What they fail at is creating a 'fun' game for all the nice tanks to be used in. Realism is fine when there's some gameplay oomph to back it up. Not here and, judging by the fact each Theatre of War game is pretty much making the same mistakes, not ever.

A masterpiece that deserves your time.

It's almost as if the guys that made this game have been playing classic video games from the time before saves were invented and wanted to give you a taste of those early days of home gaming but with the saves added in.

It's far from perfect – held back by how much is missing in far too many places – but WWE All Stars is a very welcome change and if nothing else a very encouraging base for the future, and definitely worth some of your time.

It's far from perfect – held back by how much is missing in far too many places – but WWE All Stars is a very welcome change and if nothing else a very encouraging base for the future, and definitely worth some of your time.

MotoGP 10/11 will disappoint anyone who enjoyed last year's game. In short, the 'all-new handling' the game uses as a selling point makes for a game lodged between two conflicting race genres.

MotoGP 10/11 will disappoint anyone who enjoyed last year's game. In short, the 'all-new handling' the game uses as a selling point makes for a game lodged between two conflicting race genres.

Legend and Underworld are both good, while I think Anniversary teeters on the absolute brilliant quite often – but three games of that quality for a bargain-basement price is an offer I find hard to refuse and hard not to recommend – especially if you've a hankering for a bit of artefact hunting while waiting for Uncharted 3.

Simply grab them each separately (preferably when they each appear in the inevitable sale), and your life will be a whole lot more fulfilled.

Whether you're an MMO veteran looking for your next fix, or if you're a newbie looking to expand tour horizons and jump into the genre for the first time, RIFT is an excellent place to start. Just remember - we're not in Azeroth anymore.

Crysis 2 ticks all the right boxes, with a lengthy campaign that packs plenty of replay value and multiplayer options that are bound to prove a big hit. If only the suit's powers were managed a little better, and the AI was up to scratch, we'd be recommending this outright.

Crysis 2 ticks all the right boxes, with a lengthy campaign that packs plenty of replay value and multiplayer options that are bound to prove a big hit. If only the suit's powers were managed a little better, and the AI was up to scratch, we'd be recommending this outright.

I can forgive the shonky voice acting, the monotony of the slaughter, the lack of free roaming. I can ignore the dull challenges, I can even forgive the second rate graphics, this is a slasher game and there is plenty of stabbing and hacking to keep you going, but what I can't forgive, in the end, is the dreadful monotony of stun to finishing move and back again.

I can forgive the shonky voice acting, the monotony of the slaughter, the lack of free roaming. I can ignore the dull challenges, I can even forgive the second rate graphics, this is a slasher game and there is plenty of stabbing and hacking to keep you going, but what I can't forgive, in the end, is the dreadful monotony of stun to finishing move and back again.

I can't help but feel underwhelmed.

You may be tempted to try out TestYourself, given that it's only $2.99, but be warned - it's all a trap. Only two tests are provided, and for extra tests you need to pay extra $2.99 for each extra pack. Do yourself a favour, and go buy yourself a non-verbal reasoning book instead - you'll feel a lot smarter for doing so.

Finish with the option to inflict pain online to friends and random contenders and you're looking at the most definitely Fight Night yet.

Finish with the option to inflict pain online to friends and random contenders and you're looking at the most definitely Fight Night yet.

Incredibly rough around the edges, wasteful of unique opportunities, and light on content, we quite frankly question the longevity of this title. But you know what? There are worse games you could spend your money on.

Incredibly rough around the edges, wasteful of unique opportunities, and light on content, we quite frankly question the longevity of this title. But you know what? There are worse games you could spend your money on.

Incredibly rough around the edges, wasteful of unique opportunities, and light on content, we quite frankly question the longevity of this title. But you know what? There are worse games you could spend your money on.

Pour yourself a beverage, grab the controller and sit down for a great evening of stabby stabby.

This is the most fully featured Total War to date, and a great homage to the game that launched the series.

There's precious little to recommend here outside of the occasionally cutesy over-sexed anime visuals and comedy wobbling breasts.

It's very traditional, very solid and in gameplay terms doesn't offer anything new to the genre. Behaviour have, as mentioned, attempted to keep things fresh, but there's only so much they could do if their remit was to create a generic platformer.

It's very traditional, very solid and in gameplay terms doesn't offer anything new to the genre. Behaviour have, as mentioned, attempted to keep things fresh, but there's only so much they could do if their remit was to create a generic platformer.

Finally the game that many 2K Sports fans have been waiting for, and at the very least, the gameplay and presentation is exciting and engaging.

Finally the game that many 2K Sports fans have been waiting for, and at the very least, the gameplay and presentation is exciting and engaging.

Finally the game that many 2K Sports fans have been waiting for, and at the very least, the gameplay and presentation is exciting and engaging.

Despite a bitch-slap of an ending (setting it up for a sequel no doubt), there's some really great moments in this game.

Despite a bitch-slap of an ending (setting it up for a sequel no doubt), there's some really great moments in this game.

A success in its simply-stated goals, and worthy of a play for anybody looking to zone out and relax for a while.

A success in its simply-stated goals, and worthy of a play for anybody looking to zone out and relax for a while.

This is one of the most immersive and fun strategy experiences around, so dig in.

While Torchlight's original faults still stand, the game lends itself wonderfully to the Xbox 360 controller, and we found ourselves preferring the console edition. If you're looking for a hack 'n' slasher to lose a week's worth of nights to, then sit down - you've found it.

With plenty to see and do, not to mention some great multiplayer offerings, this is a sequel worth checking out.

With plenty to see and do, not to mention some great multiplayer offerings, this is a sequel worth checking out.

With plenty to see and do, not to mention some great multiplayer offerings, this is a sequel worth checking out.

Gemini Rue is a truly great adventure game, with its clever mix of puzzles, logic and action, marred only by a convoluted aura.

There's a lot about Marvel vs Capcom 3 that's disappointing, but in the end there's too much in here that's good to make me really want to be really hard on it.

There's a lot about Marvel vs Capcom 3 that's disappointing, but in the end there's too much in here that's good to make me really want to be really hard on it.

All in all, Bejeweled Blitz LIVE is a great puzzle game on Live, and is one of the few games that is perfect for marathon online sessions, or just a quick five minute round to kill some time.

An incredibly welcome breath of fresh air. Never underestimate the simple need to let loose and cause some mayhem, and the skill shot system is exceptionally done.

An incredibly welcome breath of fresh air. Never underestimate the simple need to let loose and cause some mayhem, and the skill shot system is exceptionally done.

An incredibly welcome breath of fresh air. Never underestimate the simple need to let loose and cause some mayhem, and the skill shot system is exceptionally done.

Killzone 3 is the best first-person shooter on PS3, with its varied and stunning single-player campaign and all-out action-packed multiplayer.

Explodemon is great fun for a few hours, providing interesting puzzles to blast your way through and many a secret to uncover. Repetition swiftly sets in, however, and you may well find yourself not bothering to play through to the end. Still, it's worth grabbing the demo to see whether you're into the concept.

With 100 buildings, twelve scenarios and thirty vehicle types, we're hoping that the game will be well supported by an active modding community as well as post-release DLC. At the moment actual content is a tad sparse, but at a knockdown price of £14.99, you're getting a lot for your money.

It's easy to see what the aim of Body and Brain was, but on a platform like Kinect it has to offer flawless recognition when you're submitting your answers, otherwise it completely defeats the point.

On a basic level Hard Corps: Uprising is excellent, retaining the Contra spirit yet giving it a new lease of life. As such, series fans and old-school throwbacks will probably love every minute of it, regardless of cost. However, it does get bogged down a little by the strangely bad voice acting, downloadable content concerns and its meek attempt at catering for a broader, less experienced audience.

Stacking is an essential purchase that will leave a smile on your face for days to come. It needed a little more content and variety, sure, but we'll tell you one thing - we're definitely looking forward to what Double Fine has for us next.

Stacking is an essential purchase that will leave a smile on your face for days to come. It needed a little more content and variety, sure, but we'll tell you one thing - we're definitely looking forward to what Double Fine has for us next.

Combat is solid and dependable, the RPG elements are functional and decently presented, and there is a good 'just one more mission' addictiveness that'll keep you coming back for more if you let its charms sink in.

Test Drive Unlimited 2 will most likely receive a cult following for its kooky characters and general offbeat atmosphere, and the solid multiplayer options will keep many coming back. A word of warning, however - give this one a rent before you go the whole hog, as the baffling physics and numerous technical oddities are sure to kill this ride for many.

Test Drive Unlimited 2 will most likely receive a cult following for its kooky characters and general offbeat atmosphere, and the solid multiplayer options will keep many coming back. A word of warning, however - give this one a rent before you go the whole hog, as the baffling physics and numerous technical oddities are sure to kill this ride for many.

Test Drive Unlimited 2 will most likely receive a cult following for its kooky characters and general offbeat atmosphere, and the solid multiplayer options will keep many coming back. A word of warning, however - give this one a rent before you go the whole hog, as the baffling physics and numerous technical oddities are sure to kill this ride for many.

How utterly average-sounding can you get, huh? With a little sprucing up, perhaps some voice-acting and some real, game-changing decisions to make, Faery: Legends of Avalon could have been a hidden gem. Instead, it's the kind of RPG that developers try their best not to create.

Fat Shark have managed to shoot themselves in the foot by simplifying a formula that worked rather well. Rearmed 2 does enough to remind players as to why the series is often remembered fondly, but quickly blurs the image by stuttering over its best features.

Fat Shark have managed to shoot themselves in the foot by simplifying a formula that worked rather well. Rearmed 2 does enough to remind players as to why the series is often remembered fondly, but quickly blurs the image by stuttering over its best features.

But is it worth the initial investment? Due to the impressive groundwork laid by the excellent character creation and combat, I'd say yes.

When it comes down to it, cheaper, more sustainable fun can be had from donning a pair of tights and rugby tackling an elderly family member while they attempt to serve the Christmas turkey.

As it stands, there's hardly ever a reason to go beyond the obviously marked out route to the objective, as there'll not ever really be anything that interesting to find if you do.

The fact that, at the time of writing, Magicka had surpassed 150,000 sales, is just a testament to how fun and addictive the core game really is. Now that most of the major hiccups out of the way, this is definitely a must-buy game, but it really needs to be experienced to get how much fun it is.

Instantly accessible, free for the base game, an active community that's happy to accommodate new players and a combat system that's got plenty of room to grow, Funcom have whacked this one out of the park.

Dungeons is not what we were expecting, and that's completely fine with us. With clever and enjoyable gameplay that turns the tower defense genre on its head, this one is a real keeper.

Unfortunately Nail'd's core gameplay doesn't do quite enough to justify stripping back all of those extraneous details. It's a game that's begging for a little more refinement, visual polish and structural content; and without those in place it struggles to elevate itself above the frustrations inherent in its erratic engine and course design.

Unfortunately Nail'd's core gameplay doesn't do quite enough to justify stripping back all of those extraneous details. It's a game that's begging for a little more refinement, visual polish and structural content; and without those in place it struggles to elevate itself above the frustrations inherent in its erratic engine and course design.

Unfortunately Nail'd's core gameplay doesn't do quite enough to justify stripping back all of those extraneous details. It's a game that's begging for a little more refinement, visual polish and structural content; and without those in place it struggles to elevate itself above the frustrations inherent in its erratic engine and course design.

But a jam-packed experience underpinned by flawed game play is still a flawed package.

Though there hasn't been much of a technical improvement in the graphics and sound, the whole game feels much more vibrant. The colourful environments of the single player levels extend into the levels from the community too. LittleBigPlanet is just a joyous world to be a part of, even the menu screens have that extra sparkle of creativity poured into them.

The true mark of a good game is whether you want to go back the next day and play it again, and I want to play it again so bad I had to stop twice writing this to have just another quick go.

As far as 2010 goes, it's mightily difficult to recommend a downloadable title more than Pac-Man Championship Edition DX.

As far as 2010 goes, it's mightily difficult to recommend a downloadable title more than Pac-Man Championship Edition DX.

Dead Space 2 is a more than worthy successor to the original, adding plenty of oomph to the series and a solid multiplayer experience to boot. We would have preferred more puzzles and a little less linearity, but that doesn't stop us wanting a third Isaac outing.

Dead Space 2 is a more than worthy successor to the original, adding plenty of oomph to the series and a solid multiplayer experience to boot. We would have preferred more puzzles and a little less linearity, but that doesn't stop us wanting a third Isaac outing.

Dead Space 2 is a more than worthy successor to the original, adding plenty of oomph to the series and a solid multiplayer experience to boot. We would have preferred more puzzles and a little less linearity, but that doesn't stop us wanting a third Isaac outing.

Playing this short and sweet game makes you wonder whether they couldn't construct the next title in such a way so that co-op can play a larger part, because if Dead Rising 2's co-op was anywhere near as much fun as Case West's, I doubt I'd want to play it solo more than once.

For those after a fresh twist on a near-expired genre, MicroBot offers enough action to get your heart pumping.

For those after a fresh twist on a near-expired genre, MicroBot offers enough action to get your heart pumping.

There's no doubt in my mind that this is one of the best games ever made and an entertainment experience that should be unreservedly celebrated.

For all its Bioshock-inspired environments Dead Money falls short delivering on its premise. At 800 points for an eight-hour adventure it's certainly value for money but when the quantity far outweighs the quality then this is one adventure you can miss.

Arguably these minor upgrades could be included in a free patch but Divine Wind is an expansion worth playing for its inclusion of China and Japan.

Years of waiting, and we're presented with a title that still feels unfinished. Gran Turismo 5's main frustrations come from the fact that, at times, the game is entertaining and a joy to play. At other times, it had us questioning if Polyphony understand what the current generation of consoles are capable of.

With an identical look and feel to its predecessor, it's hard for anyone but the most hardcore of players to get excited. Battles of Ardania is a continuation, nothing more.

ilomilo is gorgeous, but flawed. Great ideas are quickly stretched out until they are barely recognisable anymore, and the gameplay moves from being interesting to an almighty slogfest.

Blizzard has been bold and their gamble seems to have paid off - while this latest add-on doesn't achieve a flawless encore it feels pretty darn Zen. Cataclysm fixes up an already deep game with more flair and substance than ever before.

Raskulls is cute, fun and clever, but it won't be for everyone. A more casual player will most likely get a big kick out of racing around bashing bricks, but the more hardcore Xbox owner will long for a more beefy experience.

The Sly Trilogy is worth a punt whether you played the originals or not. It still plays fantastically, and now looks gorgeous too. Prepare yourself for the upcoming fourth release, and grab a copy of this 2000's legacy.

Medal of Honor tries to cram in every trick it can conjure up, but ultimately fails to include the kind of staying power needed to take over from Call of Duty.

Medal of Honor tries to cram in every trick it can conjure up, but ultimately fails to include the kind of staying power needed to take over from Call of Duty.