Like a smoke filled wheel spin, it looks good but it gets you nowhere.

Despite the faults though, Revelations remains an intriguing proposition because of gaming's finest Italian hero after that plumber in dungarees. Seriously, if there was an Oscar for game characters Ezio would walk it more often than not. If you're less entranced by Mr Auditore then Revelations is a more difficult sale.

Considering Halo Combat Evolved Anniversary is being sold at a reduced price, I really can't see any reason not to take the plunge given how well the gameplay still holds up and the tender way in which it's been repackaged. Whether you're a veteran looking to experience the original magic for a second time or a newcomer wondering what all the fuss is about, this is an excellent package.

Any game that lets you play as an obese woman with metallic skin, purple Mohawk, pink thong, no top and a love for streaking and slapping guys around the face with a giant purple dildo bat is okay in my book. If intelligence is cyclical then Saints Row The Third is so dumb that it's smart.

The bottom line is that, most of the time, Skyrim is a genuinely amazing game.

As a whole package Call of Duty is soundly, confidently and expertly put together.

It is the best Sonic game we've had in years - though that's hardly saying much. Flawed at times, Sonic Generations is an enjoyable game and one that's easy to like. The failings of Modern Sonic bring the quality down, yet some moments also show what can be done well with a 3D Sonic game.

So, in conclusion, GoldenEye 007: Reloaded packs one of the worst single player modes of any FPS to appear on 360, PS3 or PC in recent years, but it goes some way to making up for it with its split screen multiplayer. Its biggest accomplishment is that it demonstrates there's still a life for such games and that multiplayer in an FPS doesn't have to exist exclusively in the online arena.

This is just the kind of game to remind you what smaller, imaginative developers can do while others are focused on big explosions and less personality.

Overall this is a wonderful addition to the PixelJunk stable and the pick of the bunch in terms of executing a single minded approach.

For a contemporary take on the Sim City formula, CitiesXL 2012 is probably the best option around. Just be aware that it holds this title by virtue of being pretty much the only option around.

It's still Hydrophobia, but I'll happily state that this is the best version of the game yet.

The War of the Worlds is absolutely not for everyone – those with high blood pressure or weak wills need not apply - but if you fondly remember the games name-checked above, or if you enjoyed Limbo but want something less artsy, less creepy, and less spider-y, this is certainly worth a shot. I'm not going to pretend it doesn't have issues or that it didn't drive me half-mad with frustration, but equally I'm not going to hide the fact that I had a lot of fun dying my way through a ruined London.

It's no longer as astonishing as it once was, but MDK2 HD is a solid update to a solid platform/shooter/puzzler that anyone who isn't afraid of a lack of signposting should contemplate.

Still, as a complete package it in no way lives up to the expectation. Only one of its three core elements (single player, co-op and multiplayer) is worth your time, the other two feeling as though they've been added merely to increase the number of potential bullet points on the back of the box. Depending on which elements you're interested in Battlefield 3 will either be your game of the year, or your letdown of… well, the year.

Well, I certainly had a better time with it than with Serious Sam: Double D (an indie title, like this one, commissioned by Croteam to help promote Serious Sam 3), but the game doesn't quite live up to the potential of its premise.

Might & Magic: Heroes VI can still be fixed with adequate patching, because the bugs really are its biggest problem.

A stunningly constructed action game that puts the competition to shame. The quality comes not only from its individual elements, but from the seamless manner in which they're connected. Essential.

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.

I can't really recommend Okabu to anyone who plays a lot of games or who fancies a real brain-teaser, but those wanting to introduce a younger non-gamer to your favourite pastime may have a way of doing so.

The series' domination of the management genre is not in question, but there are still areas where it could step up its game.

No matter what though, what can't be denied is the quality and entertainment-factor of the overall product. Whether you like Batman or not, you'll find much to like here. In the matter of only two games, Rocksteady has managed to create a Batman franchise that provides us with not only the best videogame incarnation of the Caped Crusader, but the best videogame incarnation of any superhero.

If you're a rugby aficionado then you'll probably be picking Johan Lomu up simply because of the lack of choice. However, while not perfect, this is no rush job and worth a look for those who consider themselves causal fans of the sport. It's by no means perfect but, for a series that has been gone for so long (and one that many presumed dead), there's a lot to be impressed by.

Cheesiness aside, Assault Horizon is an endlessly thrilling and mature addition to a franchise that continues to soar above its competitors.

So while single player is pretty much a write-off, and none of the game modes really do the Game of Thrones license justice, multiplayer House vs House offers a relatively original take on medieval power struggles. Pray that enough of a multiplayer community sticks around, because this is a title where you'll want to wait for a sale.

Those who've never played Crysis before and who fancy an excellent shooter with a goodly amount of freedom shouldn't hesitate to pick this up. This sort of action hasn't really been done much since the game first launched, and it's rarely been done better. If you already have Crysis and a PC that can run it, though, you can safely skip this: while a worthy port, it doesn't quite match its originator.

A massive game boasting near endless replay value alongside all manner of improvements over previous entries in the series. The best racing sim of this generation.

If the style doesn't put you off, buy this. Now.