The graphics are of a very good standard, with sharp crisp colours and lots going on at the same time.

These are thankfully relatively minor criticisms when considering the enjoyable new multiplayer mode, and how impressively cinematic and fun the stronger single player levels are, but they should still be kept in mind if you’re considering giving UO a purchase.

You have to appreciate the effort and craft that's gone into Fable, even if much of it is pretty shallow or not as well realised as it might have been.

Port Royale 2 is certainly a game of two halves – on the one hand, there’s a dull and tedious economic engine that could suck the life blood out of many gamers quicker than Dracula with a busty virgin. But on the other hand, there’s the engrossing and open-ended combat system that allows you to carve out a career as a buccaneer.

For every ten or so big releases which disappoint, there’s a relatively small-scale title that comes along and surprises everybody by being pretty good. Arena Wars fits nicely into this category.

All said and done, Locomotion is a good sim, but it does feel dated and in particular seems geared towards the more hardcore transport or tycoon enthusiast.

At the end of the day, Burnout 3 is a little too simplified for our tastes.

At the end of the day, Burnout 3 is a little too simplified for our tastes.

If you can derive entertainment from this then good for you, but just don't get your hopes up T3 fans.

Aside from the lack of internet play (although there is the option of 8 player gaming thanks to the joy of the multitap), it could be said that this is as close as gaming has ever come to a classic Ice

Pikmin 2 excels in every respect.

Day of Reckoning is an absolutely crucial addition to the games collection of any fan of WWE.

With a quality single player campaign, custom game modes, split-screen co-op and a very strong multiplayer component, Black Arrow is hard to fault even if it is very similar to Rainbow Six 3 – which is not in itself a bad thing.

As an FPS game, somewhat inferior, but as an interactive experience, simply unmatched.

Cheap and cheerful would be stretching it, but as far as budget shooters go, it's not too bad.

We may not call Bunjigai a classic, largely thanks to its less-than-refined story and level design, but as an action-packed hack and slash experience this game has it where it counts.

In the end Sudeki is not without its disappointments, but it also has its moments. Unless you take particular objection to the stylistic setting, it's still worth a throw of the dice.

The second thing you need to know? It’s appalling.

But every game has its weaknesses, and as far as the complete picture is concerned, Ground Control 2’s aren’t enough to excessively interfere with what is, whichever way you look at it, a very good game.

The biggest problem is that Shadow Ops apparent efforts at achieving a cinematic feel have fallen well flat and the FMV is disappointingly bland.

Due to the fact that there are so many ways to eliminate the enemies on screen, there is a certain reply value to this other than unlocking the various movies, but the levels are quite linear in design and maybe once the novelty of the psi abilities has worn off this title may well start collecting dust a few weeks down the line.

Due to the fact that there are so many ways to eliminate the enemies on screen, there is a certain reply value to this other than unlocking the various movies, but the levels are quite linear in design and maybe once the novelty of the psi abilities has worn off this title may well start collecting dust a few weeks down the line.

The Suffering is certainly recommendable for its gory/creepy factor, and the shooting action is competently handled if a little lacking in finesse.

Duel Masters is a fun and fairly addictive game and the GBA version is faithful enough to be worth a look-in if you really want to play it solo on the move.

As a mature FPS experience it still comes highly recommended though.

It has some decent ideas and concepts, let down by bad enemy A.I. and very repetitive gameplay.

It has some decent ideas and concepts, let down by bad enemy A.I. and very repetitive gameplay.

It has some decent ideas and concepts, let down by bad enemy A.I. and very repetitive gameplay.