"Spartan" took the turn-based strategy genre to the next level, well with Gates of Troy Slitherine have just reinforced that position.

A fantastic game that is let down slightly by an ill-designed camera system and lack of a map feature.

On first inspection Killer 7 appears to be a confused, disjointed mismatch of ideas, but on closer examination some of its inner beauty will slowly begin to shine through. Before you knock it, appreciate the fact that it really couldn’t have been done any other way. The upshot is that Killer7 shouldn’t be played so much as actually ‘experienced’.

With its well-written futuristic plot, unique locations and sci-fi graphics this particular gem doesn't deserve a moment of silence, it just demands to be played.

The gameplay is not the most involved or varied we've ever seen, but as far as movie tie-in's go it's one of the best.

With the ability to download other players maps we doubt the online experience will die anytime soon.

Worms 4 Mayhem proves Team 17 are starting to go back to their gameplay roots, and we for one are glad that they are. The single player mode is actually very playable for a change and serves as a great training ground for the inevitable multiplayer bouts that follow.

The 80’s edition is more of the same, more songs yet same Guitar Hero II. If you’re a fan of the game this will delight you, if you are a fan of 80’s rock music you might be left with a bad taste in your mouth. Either way there is enough material here to keep your amps warm until the inevitable Guitar Hero III.

Short lived fun with a nice addition of concept art pictures being included as an extra, giving the game that little bit more depth but sadly just not enough.

Fans of the three movies will probably love everything that the Path of Neo throws at them. Essentially it’s just a basic brawler with some pretty linear missions thrown in; but every now and then you cant fail to be impressed with some of the fighting sections you get to play out.

Yes that's right, it's boring. A card based game lasting ten minutes is ideal for filling in during break time, mighty convenient whilst waiting for the bus to turn up, even a mild diversion from the stares of fellow passengers when on the bullet train, but just plain old dull when sitting in the house on your own at ten o'clock at night.

The biggest disappointment for the Wii version of Call of Duty 3 is the complete lack of any form of multiplayer.

Where First to Fight really excels is in the multiplayer department.

A simple, yet challenging and to be honest very enjoyable turn based strategy game that is so badly let down by poor production values that it almost ruins the game.

For anyone wanting to try out adventure games then they should give this a shot, Sherlock Holmes: The Case of the Silver Earring is probably the best adventure game out right now.

Kids with better patience than adults will marvel at the great visuals and probably forgive any of the shortcomings we have picked out. For starters it’s immensely frustrating in places and perhaps a little on the short side.

Space Giraffe is the type of game that high score tables were made for, but only if you have the patience to figure it all out.

The only thing that really lets down this game is the poor sound effects and in-game "soundtrack'. No matter what vehicle you are driving around in the engine sounds horrendous.

The gameplay is not the most involved or varied we’ve ever seen, but as far as movie tie-in’s go it’s one of the best.

It is a good game, and won't annoy you instantly, only when it comes to those extreme combat situations when you don't want the glitchy physics to come into effect.

It is very much ‘the game of the book’ and as such has to be played as events in the book dictate.

Shrek will certainly appeal to the target audience but anyone else will find the gameplay far too constraining.

As solid as it is, this is just not the game for me. I view the title as ideal as an introduction for the novice to a plethora of different poker games prior to that intimidating first live experience.

One of the most intense first person shooters to be released this year.

The special interrogation is one of the nicest touches in the game.

The real reason to get the wallet out and evict those moths is the co-op, still the best part of the H&D series and perhaps the best squad-based multiplayer title out there.

If you’re a fan of Sega though you’ll simply love what Sumo have done with Superstars and the online tennis matches will certainly keep you coming back for more once you have lapped up the Superstars mode.

It might not push the capabilities of the PSP, but it’ll still be ‘that’ game you constantly come back to.

It’s not too far into the micromanagement side of city construction to make it too difficult to get into and play the game and difficult enough to make the game last.

It’s a shame as there is a really good adaptation of the adamantium infused one’s story here and a little more of that X factor could have elevated Hyakkimaru into the ranks of legend.

If you’re a fan of Sega though you’ll simply love what Sumo have done with Superstars and the online tennis matches will certainly keep you coming back for more once you have lapped up the Superstars mode.

The main factor here is the playability, and bar the aforementioned niggles we came across we can't deny that 'Cooking Mama' uses the Nintendo DS touch screen in every conceivable and more importantly, fun, way.

It's pretty much what you'd expect from a trip to see this kind of fare at your local Odeon – lots of noise, lots of effects, dialogue kept to a minimum – it's a real rollercoaster of a ride (damn, that's a cliché if ever I wrote one.)

A bloodstock as strong as Ghost in the Shell deserved a more considered treatment but it just joins an ever-increasing list of third person cannon fodder.

To call this title lame is really an understatement, the graphics engine looks very nice though but I’m afraid that the gameplay as so often seems the case now lets the side down badly.

It's not going to win any awards for its storyline, but when viewed as a series of standalone missions, it's a blast, and I believe that what it’s supposed to be.

Nostalgia is simply oozing out of the box and with the information sheets and pamphlets included on each game the retro gamer should be in heaven.

It’s a shame the game isn’t more interactive though, on the few occasions you meet other people there is very little interaction, one is just an eyeball through a keyhole.

Kingdom of Fighters was an interesting experiment but its impact, I’m sorry to say, will be less than to the maximum.

Magnacarta ticks all the right boxes in terms of typical RPG elements – swords, magic, storyline involving friendship/loyalty/betrayal, and so on, but it seems to throw them all into a big pudding bowl and comes out with a rather stodgy fruitcake instead of the intended appealing sponge.

At the moment though, the game is simply far too flawed to be recommended.

Digimon: Rumble Arena 2 isn't a bad title if you are obsessed with the TV and toy counterpart; it has pretty good graphics, destructible arenas and decent enough multiplayer modes.

Crash of the Titans, in our opinion, sees the Bandicoot returning to his former glory. If you are after a decent platformer to play alone, or with a friend, we doubt you’ll come away from this one disappointed.

It’s like the strafe along the fuselage that still allows the pilot to limp home. I think the finger must point at the content rather than the execution.

A slight disappointment, since it tries to meld two strategy styles and falls short in both cases.

With more variety in events and more stages, M.A.C.H would have kept me going for longer. That being said, if it’s a simple, satisfying flight game you’re after M.A.C.H is the choice.

I just do not like these controls. It feels like you can do nothing via the weapon inventory system quickly, changing from an empty sidearm to a ready loaded one particularly slow given the fast paced environment you’re in.

There is plenty to like about Devil Kings, the presentation is top notch and the combo system really does have you trying to chain up the hits.

Certainly the most accomplished version from the Scooby franchise to date. It might be based on familiar platforming territory but it doesn't stop this particular outing from being as fresh and enjoyable as the first episode in 1969. That is of course, if you do not expect that much.

I was hoping for a lot more from it.

Fans of the three movies will probably love everything that the Path of Neo throws at them. Essentially it’s just a basic brawler with some pretty linear missions thrown in; but every now and then you cant fail to be impressed with some of the fighting sections you get to play out.

It just could easily have been so much more. If you like a stealthy action game with decent graphics and aren’t too bothered about playing online IGI2 might just keep you busy.

Fantastic four is certainly not a bad game by any stretch of the imagination, but simply a case of style over substance, and that’s another cliché all by itself.

Despite some noticeable flaws, the Xbox 360 version of Legacy manages to capture the epic feel of Star Trek combat like no other game to date.

Something different for the PS2 collection in that it’s a well executed platform game with a lot of varied gameplay.

The towns have a distinct Playmobil air about them, the facades of the buildings looking more Kloppa Castle than Windsor Castle, and the personnel hugely dated and childlike.

I enjoyed it immensely and welcome the new angle that Team 17 has gone for.

Jericho is not a bad game it’s just one that lost its way slightly during development. The ability to jump into other team members bodies and harness their powers is a good idea let down slightly by poor implementation and a claustrophobic level design.

Storyline aside, visually, aurally and atmospherically the game does a much better job and really starts to push the PSP hardware.

We doubt Atari will convert many new players with such basic gameplay but pop on the rose tinted glasses and you could almost forgive the unforgiving controls.

It’s a simple (very, very simple) distraction that will beef up your gamerpoints score by another 200 and you’ll have a blast doing so.

Then again, its meant to be a fun racing game not a literary masterpiece so in that respect Street Racing Syndicate does succeed admirably.

If you love the FPS genre then Chrome Specforce is certainly a worthy contender for your time, just do not expect anything vastly different here. Yes, we did enjoy the original, and this prequel is slightly better, however many will justifiably be left disappointed with the lack of progression that Tachland have made in those two years since Chrome.

Certainly the most accomplished version from the Scooby franchise to date. It might be based on familiar platforming territory but it doesn't stop this particular outing from being as fresh and enjoyable as the first episode in 1969. That is of course, if you do not expect that much.

Those prepared to give Kao the love and attention it deservers will find a more than capable adventure waiting inside.

Innovative it is not.

Topical, political, preposterous, dynamic, frustrating and addictive in equal measure.

One part that really sparkles however is the graphics; the Lineage world is one with a stunning backdrop, large, sparkling cities will surely take your breath away.

Houses shake and crumble but certainly not in a convincing manor. The area is scattered with objects that can be picked up but when you take a look around, the buildings and other objects you really want to throw, simply refuse to budge.

Over all BlackSite tries to slip itself into a niche squarely between the two benchmarks of FPS gaming, Call of Duty 4 and HALO 3. It unfortunately doesn't succeed in making that niche, in fact trying to make itself a little of one and the other it fails doing anything profound.

With a few mates around the house Athens 2004 is still a fantastic multiplayer title.

Overall this standalone is there to draw new blood to the gaming series, it's a shame that new blood wasn't considered for the actual game itself, the storyline seems incomplete and the graphics below par for this genre.

All in all it’s like being given the world of Grand Theft Auto but taking the engines out of 90% of the cars, or it’s an eight hour first level tutorial…

Manages to blend a kids action game with a more mature turn based strategy game, but sadly fails to fit into either category or define a genre of its own.

Certainly the most accomplished version from the Scooby franchise to date. It might be based on familiar platforming territory but it doesn’t stop this particular outing from being as fresh and enjoyable as the first episode in 1969. That is of course, if you do not expect that much.

The game play is intense and challenging but is let down by the game engine. It would take a beast of a PC to play with the settings it deserves but most people may find the games engine and difficulty only leads to frustration.

There is nothing in Shadow Ops that will spoil the fun, I think it is an excellent game. If you like a challenge with objectives to achieve, rather than just running around killing everything that moves, give Shadow Ops Red Mercury a go.

Nothing more than a wannabe 'Sims' type expansion, and there's already enough of them about thank you very much.

You'll be hard pushed to find any replay value in the story mode.

One area that we felt could have been improved was in the animations, they are done well enough when just walking around (and there are plenty of other Doctors, patients etc walking around doing their thing) the problem was when you walk in to somebody or two or more characters are trying to get to the same place.

A game based on the creation of ingenious and deadly traps sounds like a novel and interesting premise, sadly the execution proves to be the equivalent of being slowly buried alive.

True Crime: New York City just doesn't cut the mustard. There are a lot of good basic concepts and ideas that unfortunately lost their way in the development process.

If it wasn’t for the bugs and unforgiving gameplay it would be one to recommend. As it is you’ll be better suited going for some of the more tried and tested games to quash any racing fixes.

True Crime: New York City just doesn’t cut the mustard. There are a lot of good basic concepts and ideas that unfortunately lost their way in the development process.

Fans of the series will probably gain the most enjoyment but its still not as good as the classic versions all those years ago. Everyone else should look elsewhere for their kicks I’m afraid.

Spider-Man: Friend or Foe will not go down in history as one of the greatest games to make use of the franchise. The crisp graphics, warm humour and the ability to play as one of fourteen different marvel superstars doesn't alter the fact that the game is simply far too repetitive, even for the target audience.

The lack of any online multiplayer (again!), the fact this is still basically the same game and the removal of the tactics side means this game is quite simply not worth buying.

There is a lot to like with Cold War but for every great feature you spot you'll come across another one that just doesn't work. It's a shame, as at times the title shows great promise.

With Ace Combat already in the skies we have to wonder why would bother with this below-par in-flight entertainment.

Jericho is not a bad game it’s just one that lost its way slightly during development. The ability to jump into other team members bodies and harness their powers is a good idea let down slightly by poor implementation and a claustrophobic level design.

The music is nothing special, and is noticeably looped during the game; a feature which I thought was safely banished to the days of the Amiga.

Unfortunately there are titles out there that have better effects and the gameplay isn't vastly superior. Locomotion isn't one that stands out and there are other titles out there more deserving of your hard earned cash.

The lack of any online multiplayer (again!), the fact this is still basically the same game and the removal of the tactics side means this game is quite simply not worth buying.

There is not much here to hold an adult for long, but be warned this game takes up a hell of a lot of space on your hard drive its over 1GB installed and over 50% of this is game textures which is a little bit much when you see the graphics.

I found that it was quite easy to die incredibly quickly – ok, full marks for realism there – but also you could absorb colossal damage and just crawl away to recover or pick up a health pack.

It’s not something I got a whole world of benefit out of, more a feeling of been here and done that, but for anyone eager to keep their enthusiasm for Outbreak going it’ll do the job.

Heritage of Kings isn’t a bad game, although it doesn’t offer a whole lot more then other resource driven real time strategies that are available.

This is a very welcome diversion in what is becoming a hugely predictable current generation console range, and absolutely the sort of thing I can see everyone saying ‘can I have a go’ once they see it.