A unique skill system, intriguing characters, and seemingly endless exploration await anyone willing to stay up to the wee hour playing this addictive title. I have played it obsessively since loading it, and I am just getting started.

Suitably self-contained and demonstrating some of the best level design in Dark Souls 2, Crown of the Sunken King suggests that FromSoft’s DLC team may well be up to the daunting task of creating three essential add-ons.

An expert blend of cinematic storytelling and flamboyant action, weaved together by a team with a clear passion for the genre and the content. Payne never felt so good.

Crown of the Ivory King’s snow-swept ramparts are an exemplary example of intricate, looping level design. This third and final release wraps up the most consistent set of DLC I’ve played since Fallout: New Vegas.

As with most things from Blizzard, Diablo III is a masterclass of game design and polish, and I suspect it's going to eat the lives of many, many gamers for some time to come.

In short, Crusader Kings II is a majestic feudal sandbox, the greatest generator of hilarious medieval soap opera ever created and Paradox Interactive's best title to date.

Don’t let any of that bad-mouthing of the control scheme deter you from buying one of the best PSP sports games available today.

An ARPG with something for everyone, and at this price, you really have no excuse.

If you're looking for a realistic, thoughtful and exhaustive recreation of the beautiful game then Fifa 12 is the best option you've ever had.

The Missing Link is inessential in terms of how it affects the main Human Revolution narrative, but it's a well constructed, self-contained chapter with terrific level design that's comparable (in places superior) to the base game.

With frequent updates, it is obvious that they are trying to get this title as far to the front of the pack as possible. Only time will tell just how “massive” this MMORPG game will become.

Although FirePower is merely a companion to CFS3, it consumes the original. The flight models, missions, graphics, sound and damage modeling dominate every nook and cranny. If you already own Microsoft Combat Flight Simulator 3, do yourself a favor and buy this add-on. If you do not already own CFS3, buy it, install it, and make it perfect with FirePower.

The different styles employed within the game: stealth, shooting, psychic abilities means this will be enjoyed by many different gamers, whether they love their Timesplitters, their Tomb Raiders or their Metal Gear Solids.

The core gameplay is well designed and executed and there's plenty to do if you fancy a change of pace. With the FPS genre currently defined and dominated by standardised modern-military shooters, Rage comes as a very welcome breath of fresh air.

A unique, compelling experience that will reward your sense of adventure if you indulge its charms.

Absolutely one of the best linear RPGs available on any platform, and it's now on your 360.

Tense, intense, and surprisingly replayable: Dead Space 2 is in every way a worthy successor to the excellent first game, and probably the finest game in the genre since Resi 4.

Silly, exuberant, funny, chaotic: Saints Row 4 sets you loose in a virtual world and lets you cause havoc however you damn well please.

The best XBLA game available today. A wonderful accomplishment that you shouldn't overlook.

An exquisitely designed MMO that contains something for everyone, without charging a monthly fee.

The settings enable you to play either a relatively easy game war, or, for the hardcore submarine fan, enjoy a situation in which you are responsible for literally every aspect of the submarine’s function.

Great (and funny) writing, well designed quests, respect for the player's intelligence and an open approach to character creation make The Dragon Knight Saga an outstanding.

An essential pair of games for your collection, beautifully remastered and enhanced.

Brain-achingly clever and hypnotically fascinating, SpaceChem is a must for any puzzle aficionado or anyone with a passing interest in programming.

I'll admit it took a little getting into this game, after about 5 or 6 missions it managed to pull be in and have me hankering for more. The gameplay is addictive thanks to the mix of strategy elements.

After plenty of hype, I'm pleased to say Street Fighter X Tekken delivers spectacularly. Capcom continue to evolve the fighting genre by installing original gameplay mechanics, all of which welcome newcomers and series aficionados alike.

Aside from those minor complaints, The Adventures of Shuggy is a superb 2D platformer deserving of a much wider audience (the leaderboards paint a slightly depressing picture of the game's sales to date). Smudged Cat Games have created a game with heart, intelligence and a mansion-load of well-applied ideas.

Putting aside nostalgia, and putting aside a genuine longing for more games in this vein - yes, Baldur's Gate really is that good.