So there you have it – a darts game that offers a fairly miserable experience for non-darts fans, but uses the licence well enough to divert the attention of a fan of the televised sport for ever-so slightly longer.

So there you have it – a darts game that offers a fairly miserable experience for non-darts fans, but uses the licence well enough to divert the attention of a fan of the televised sport for ever-so slightly longer.

This is not a bad diversion for a few hours, but Boing! Docomodake feels like a very short game that could actually have done with exploiting its unique features further. In conclusion, there is still mush-room for improvement.

Shows an obvious fondness by the game’s creators for classic videogames, but that’s not really represented in the gameplay, which has sadly run its course here.

Shows an obvious fondness by the game’s creators for classic videogames, but that’s not really represented in the gameplay, which has sadly run its course here.

Judging by Square-Enix’s immense standards, unbeatable by most developers on their very best day, then Last Remnant is a disappointment. It’s not the epic life consuming RPG we were expecting and falls a long way down the list of top RPG titles for the 360, which is saying something.

If you know your laser flips from your rocket airs and don’t mind enduring a little hand cramp while you train your brain to skate and draw at the same time, then Skate It on the DS packs an impressive simulation of skateboarding.

A game that falls short of expectations. You can see from the early levels and even a few of the later rooms that a lot of really creative ambition and skill was employed in its making, but for whatever reason it’s as though that particular tap of talent was turned to a trickle towards the end. Combined with some control issues that weren’t in the previous two games, Tomb Raider Underworld represents a bit of a downturn for the series.

A game that falls short of expectations. You can see from the early levels and even a few of the later rooms that a lot of really creative ambition and skill was employed in its making, but for whatever reason it’s as though that particular tap of talent was turned to a trickle towards the end. Combined with some control issues that weren’t in the previous two games, Tomb Raider Underworld represents a bit of a downturn for the series.

What Storm of Zehir does best is in bringing a little bit of Forgotten Realms to life without going too over the top on the story.

It’s hard to really dislike Need for Speed Undercover simply because the core game is similar in many ways to the excellent Most Wanted. But it under-aims, underperforms, underachieves and does so while practically throwing a begging bowl at you in the form of purchasable unlocks.

For atmosphere and an authentic Star Wars feel (Clone Wars or otherwise), Jedi Alliance does a good fan service. The gameplay elements aren’t very imaginative or even especially enjoyable when taken in isolation, but overall there are enough different challenges spread out across each level that it’s much less of an issue than in might have been.

Ultimately Clone Wars is a bit of a failure for several reasons, and the fact that it doesn’t do what you’d be forgiven for thinking it should do is just the main one. With disappointing lightsaber controls, the limited gameplay structure, simplistic combat and lack of core audience appeal only provide further excuses not to bother. High expectations or not, Lightsaber Duels doesn’t deliver.

Overall the third Strong Bad episode is more of a Homestar Jogger than a Homestar Runner. Baddest of the Bands lacks the novelty of the first episode and the imaginative gameplay elements of the second, settling into a formula that fans will most likely find mildly enjoyable at best.

Overall the third Strong Bad episode is more of a Homestar Jogger than a Homestar Runner. Baddest of the Bands lacks the novelty of the first episode and the imaginative gameplay elements of the second, settling into a formula that fans will most likely find mildly enjoyable at best.

That the story and dialogues are actually quite good might make the game bearable or even enjoyable to play, but unless you’re very young or don’t play games much there’s really very little to recommend here.

While it’s kind of cool to see a new take on such an old game, the presence of a muddy palette and outdated game mechanics combined with the inexplicable absence of co-op makes Beast Rider forgettable and so much less than it could have been.

While it’s kind of cool to see a new take on such an old game, the presence of a muddy palette and outdated game mechanics combined with the inexplicable absence of co-op makes Beast Rider forgettable and so much less than it could have been.

Prey the Stars is still an imaginative, good looking game that can be enjoyable in short bursts. Single card multiplayer is a definite highlight, online play not so much.

The Crash Bandicoot games seem a little stuck in a rut, and despite some apparent efforts to expand the gameplay, Mind Over Mutant does nothing to pull the series out.

With its slow pacing and detailed puzzles, Rhiannon: Curse of the Four Branches is definitely a game for confirmed adventure fans rather than casual players, but aside from the spookiness factor being somewhat hampered by the low budget aesthetics, the story does a great job of pulling you in thanks to its intimate nature and everyday setting. A minor gem, but a rough one to be sure.

While control frustrations take the edge off the competitive element of the game, it’s still possible to have plenty of fun. Samba de Amigo is part rhythm game, part dancing game and part social game – you tend to feel more silly playing on your own than with others.

As long as you go with the flow, soak up the excellent atmosphere and don’t let yourself get too frustrated by some of the puzzles, there’s a pretty enjoyable adventure to be had.

For some S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Clear Sky will reek of a badly designed game, while for others it will resemble a well designed reality, but for us it’s somewhere in between the two and none the better for it.

The idea behind it is good and there’s a lot of polish in the presentation, but the gameplay is just so shallow and unevolving that it’s really hard to recommend as a full-price purchase.

The idea behind it is good and there’s a lot of polish in the presentation, but the gameplay is just so shallow and unevolving that it’s really hard to recommend as a full-price purchase.

There’s nothing really outstanding or recommendable about the game. Just like the protagonist Capell, the game itself is nice and well intentioned, but a bit dull and hesitant at following things through.

Mercenaries 2 is arguably a bigger and more ambitious game than the original, but it feels less polished and less satisfying.