With the exploration element falling short of usual standards in terms of both control and interesting things to do, the combat stands out as being a real saviour of the game, and you can even go head-to-head with a friend.

It’s silly, elegant, strange, delightful, sometimes annoying, always cute, mostly easy (unless unlockables matter to you) a bit random, often clever and ultimately not that essential. It’s perhaps too whimsical for most people, and if you need meaningful story and immediate reward, it almost certainly isn’t for you. With the right mindset, though, it’s a real treat and something special for PSP owners to call their own.

More than any previous episode, SBCGFAP Episode 4 does what the best web cartoons do, which is provide a highly amusing storyline and imaginative visual humour; but, it also suffers from some of the same problems as the cartoons do.

More than any previous episode, SBCGFAP Episode 4 does what the best web cartoons do, which is provide a highly amusing storyline and imaginative visual humour; but, it also suffers from some of the same problems as the cartoons do.

An essential purchase, packed with great value and high quality content.

Out of the box bugs make a mockery of Ascaron’s hard work, making the difficult job of selling an already unfashionable genre even harder. But even we can recognise that despite everything, some of the sheen and charm has worn off the second time around. Whatever Ascaron has planned to make a success of next year’s console releases, they have some hard work ahead.

Despite basically repeating a lot of the moves seen in the modern Prince of Persia games, Mirror’s Edge’s distinctive, haunting atmosphere, immersive first-person perspective and completely intuitive controls make it truly outstanding.

Despite basically repeating a lot of the moves seen in the modern Prince of Persia games, Mirror’s Edge’s distinctive, haunting atmosphere, immersive first-person perspective and completely intuitive controls make it truly outstanding.

All in all Hasbro Family Game Night is not without niggles and annoyances, but it still represents decent value given the cost of the physical games and there are a number of nice touches to keep your interest, such as the unlockable items and customisable game room.

Even though Call of Duty 4 took the series out of World War II, developer Infinity Ward raised the bar significantly, and that has left stand-in Treyarch with a lot of work to do. In the end World at War hasn’t topped that effort, but it has at least benefited from the attempt, with the result being another really good, very comprehensive WW2 shooter.

Even though Call of Duty 4 took the series out of World War II, developer Infinity Ward raised the bar significantly, and that has left stand-in Treyarch with a lot of work to do. In the end World at War hasn’t topped that effort, but it has at least benefited from the attempt, with the result being another really good, very comprehensive WW2 shooter.

Episode Two is still thoroughly ridiculous and amusing, but compared to the first episode it pales, feeling much more like a stop-gap than a fully-fledged follow-up.

Legends does absolutely nothing to advance a series which admittedly doesn’t really need advancing, but carries with it the finest selection of tracks since "SingStar ‘80s."

This is a big, bold and brassy FPS packed to the rafters with ways to play and sure to last fans of the genre right through the holiday period.

Episode Two is still thoroughly ridiculous and amusing, but compared to the first episode it pales, feeling much more like a stop-gap than a fully-fledged follow-up.

Red Alert 3 was never going to be genre-redefining game, but there can be no doubt that it has proved to be a damn good laugh.

The game combines the strengths of two fine RPG series, which for Fallout 3 means compelling narrative in a post-apocalyptic setting and immersive gameplay in a huge, open-ended world. All of this just leaves one question to answer: is Fallout 3 a contender for Game of the Year? And the answer: undeniably, yes.

The game combines the strengths of two fine RPG series, which for Fallout 3 means compelling narrative in a post-apocalyptic setting and immersive gameplay in a huge, open-ended world. All of this just leaves one question to answer: is Fallout 3 a contender for Game of the Year? And the answer: undeniably, yes.

That said, this collection of safe, well known chart singles from the past four decades is sure to go down well at parties, and if you’re canny you can pick it up for less than £20, making it actually pretty good value, relatively speaking.

When you get down to it, Motorstorm: Pacific Rift is a bit basic in terms of overall structure, but the intense multi-disciplined racing still makes for a fun and relatively unique experience.

If you’re after a fairly intuitive 2D level editor with a vaguely disappointing platform game attached and it absolutely has to be on the PS3, we guess LittleBigPlanet will do. Just don’t believe all the hype.

For music game veterans, World Tour is still well worth getting, but not exclusively so and not if you’re looking for drastically new gameplay. 2008 has definitely been the year of music games, and while this one is definitely among the cream, it’s no longer alone.

For music game veterans, World Tour is still well worth getting, but not exclusively so and not if you’re looking for drastically new gameplay. 2008 has definitely been the year of music games, and while this one is definitely among the cream, it’s no longer alone.

It’s a shame that more wasn’t done with the story, as the shallow characters and lack of moral depth sits in stark contrast to the hard work spent on some of the most impressive game technology we’ve ever seen.

It’s a shame that more wasn’t done with the story, as the shallow characters and lack of moral depth sits in stark contrast to the hard work spent on some of the most impressive game technology we’ve ever seen.

It’s a shame that more wasn’t done with the story, as the shallow characters and lack of moral depth sits in stark contrast to the hard work spent on some of the most impressive game technology we’ve ever seen.

The soundtrack is better, the characters more convincing and, for our money, the racing experience just that little bit more enjoyable.

The soundtrack is better, the characters more convincing and, for our money, the racing experience just that little bit more enjoyable.