Blood Stone is, hands down, a bad game. It's a game we've all seen before, only better than this. It's too simple and doesn't add anything new to the genre, and the multiplayer's a mess. It isn't engaging at all despite good voice acting from Daniel Craig.

The latest game featuring Sonic is a mixed experience. It's the best Sonic-game since the 2D Sonic games and it's a fast, beautiful game with a lot of great levels that you can play many times over and over. But the controls can cause quite some problems and the multiplayer part isn't as good as it could have been.

God of War: Ghost of Sparta is in every way a competent addition to the series. The storyline is good, if not the deepest in the series, and everything from design to the graphics are quite spectacularly well for the platform. It should give you between eight and ten hours of play, so you definitely get more for your money this time.

The Shoot is a stylish rail shooter that both entertain and annoy. The actual shooting works fine, but some other movements are not always recorded as they should. Moreover, it's unnecessarily difficult to unlock the few courses that are available - especially for younger players. Thanks to the nice setting and an intelligent scoring system, The Shoot is still a good choice for fans of the genre.

WRC is a mediocre game which combines good driving in the more realistic direction with terrible presentation and a basic but well-functioning online mode. Despite some good points, it is a half-hearted production that falls short of competing with far better titles that are available for half the price tag.

The third 8 out of 10 in a row for the Professor Layton series. There's not much news here, but it's an extremely well-made adventures with great movies and a very charming style that is easy to fall for again and again. Problem solution is clever and the characters memorable. A must for puzzle fans who didn't get tired of the predecessors.

The main goal in this action RPG is to gather companions and then manage a kingdom. Lionhead has obviously wanted to simplify everything from Fable II, but the result is unnecessarily cumbersome and a lot of depth has been phased out in favor of ideas that does not feel particularly interesting. There is still a vibrant and atmospheric game world, and I had fun during the play through, but this could have been so much better with the right focus.

CyberConnect2 had it all. The storyline is good, the character gallery is impressive and all the powers and animations are just reused from the anime. But when they removed the free city exploration and have too many boring corridors. Without depth Shippuden 2 is just a game for the younger Naturo fans.

A crazy arcade game that's just too limited to be worth your money.

EA tries to show the war from an ordinary soldier's eyes, something that they managed surprisingly well. There are still some Rambo-moments, but overall the pace is relatively quiet. There are some problems with too many scripted sequences, but thanks to the superb atmosphere, one can see past the misses. In addition to the campaign is also an entertaining and well-functioning online mode, which, however, might well have had a bit more content.

If you didn't have a fun time in Dead Rising, things aren't going to change with Dead Rising 2. It is more of the same which doesn't have to be a bad thing.

The first hours are a bit too rocky and the controls are not very precise, the camera sometimes get stuck and the character Trip is an irritating wuss. The atmosphere, the characters, the design and the story is really nice though and the game deserves a play-through.

With your Mii characters you try to conquer 80 mini games, some of which are really fun. The better you succeed with them the better chance you have of winning the various game modes. What disturbs the overall impression is that everything is a bit too simple. The game is ugly, sounds bad and the game modes are not as funny as the genre colleague Mario Party.

If you've ever wanted to play as a war machine, in Front Mission Evolved you'll have your chance. It's very entertaining in the beginning to walk around and blow up enemies. But after a while the lousy programmed AI, bad level design and all the bugs comes to play. Only for robot lovers with a lot of patience.

It's a well-done MMA simulator with easy to use controls, but with a bit lacking career mode. Compared to UFC Undisputed there's a lack of known fighters, but EA Sports MMA should still be able to give the title-holder a match for MMA fans.

Fallout: New Vegas is a competent addition to the franchise, in many ways outshining Fallout 3 and in some falling a bit short. Obsidian have created a great rpg set in a vast world filled to the brim with content and a plot worth seeing through to end. Unfortunately the game is plagued with numerous technical issues which mar the experience. A great game once a patch is released.

Konami has finally found what they were missing during the last years - the magnificent gameplay. This year the players are smarter, the passes have more freedom and a lot of the game modes has been tweaked to the better. PES is back.

It's a rough game with room for improvement. The control and the camera are a bit crappy and Gabriel, the main character, is really boring. The graphics on the other hand are fantastic, the story is great and there is a lot of variation in the levels, characters and monsters.

Think Mario Kart meets Crimson Skies. In Mysims Sky Heroes you will find yourself competing in races as well as shooting other enemies in dog fights. It's a fun concept, but after a while it gets boring because of the lack of variation.

This year's edition of FIFA is more about new functions than polish. EA has made the transfer system better, made a smarter Virtual Pro game mode, more unique players and some fixes in the game engine. It's a great game that has become slightly better. That's enough this year.

Quantum Theory is no Gears of War, although it may look like it on the surface. The game simply lacks the polish. You could call it repetitive, bland and uninspiring, but that's not enough. It is playable, but it's just not any fun.

With F1 2010 you get to drive good looking cars against clever opponents and experience a racing game with a very realistic racing experience. All those positives make the negatives passable, such as long loading times, bad damage system and bothersome pit stops.

There aren't many new ideas in this cilization simulator, but at the same time you can't look past the fact that Civilization V is so much fun with great variation and easily competes with the best strategy games out there.

With a good amount of variation, great controls and an excellent multiplayer mode, Halo: Reach goes a long way. Though it stutters in its cheesy story, dull characters and ugly textures, the multiplayer mode in combination with a decent story makes it a very pleasant game.

If you are looking towards a horror game without action and only the atmosphere in mind, this is an obvious choice. The ending leaves room for improvement and there could be more types of enemies, but the game as a whole is impressive.

Disc golf and bocce are the highlights in this collection of small sports games. A bit short on content but still the best Move game so far.

An easy to understand but extremely shallow mini game collection for kids.

Ruse is very entertaining both in its campaign and multiplayer mode. Unfortunately the story is not very engaging and feels unnecessary. The depth of the game is what makes it different from the rest of the pack. There are lots of room for clever moves and lengthy battles.

You get to control four kinds of Spider-man set in four different dimensions. Combat is in focus but there are also times you get to use his spider web and agility to sneak onto enemies. All parts of the game are fun, but there are a bit too many bugs and bad code to make it a must.

An action roleyplaying game that qualifies in the top of the food chain for PSP. With few exceptions the sound and graphics are great. On the negative side it takes time to learn and from the beginning there are many parts needed to master. The game includes a lot of content with three separate stories and enjoyable mini games. This is not something fans of the series and roleplaying fanatics should miss.

Electronics Arts are infamous for releasing sports games with bugs. This year though, the gameplay has been hugely improved and their new card based Hockey Ultimate Team is just as good as the FIFA version. For once there isn't much to get frustrated with in this year's NHL.

Hawx 2 is an entertaining flight action game with great graphics, control and variations of missions. Unfortunately the game is also dragged by bugs and a few dull missions. In general the game is fun and offers good variation of action. If only the story was better and the flaws had been ironed out it could have been the best action flight game so far – in gaming history.

If the goal with NHL Slapshot was to create a fun hockey game for the family, EA made it. The game can entertain kids as well as devoted NHL fans. But be sure to play it with others.

The control issues of the original is gone with the Move Edition. With that - this is a great game for kids and adults with a soft spot for taking care of a cute animal.

The latest title in the Metroid Prime series is a welcomed addition. Although not as emotionally loaded as its predecessors, the lackluster controls and Samus occasional attitude problem being irritating, it is a game that should be enjoyed by any fan of the series. Getting to know more about the anonymous bounty hunter was very intriguing.

Pretty much of the same games as its predecessor, but with a lot of improvement. There are many missions to complete, a fun cooperative mode and in general there are a massive amount of content. On the negative side it's a bit too easy if you've played Valkyria Chronicles before and the controls has some flaws.

Mafia II isn't really what it should have been after the brilliant Mafia. It's just another wannabe action sand box games, but with a good story.

A new title in the Tomb Raider series whose focus lies on co-op and puzzle-solving. A polished game with few letdowns.

A must buy if you like beat'em ups and have some friends to call over. Might even be worth your money playing it solo if you're into the genre, pixel graphics and Scott Pilgrim.

This Xbox Live title changes the classic Castlevania formula with regards to gameplay as well as overall difficulty and level design. When experienced in co-op there is definitively fun to be had here, but solo adventurers looking for a great Castlevania experience will do best to look elsewhere.

At first this seems like a perfectly suited title for XBLA. But despite a great first impression, a well crafted cooperative mode and attractive presentation you'll find some cracks in the facade after a few hours. Too few levels and a somewhat lacking sense of speed dampens what is otherwise one of the very best racing titles on XBLA.

Clash of the Titans is a repetitive, ugly, bland, boring and poorly narrated hack n' slash game and pales in comparison to God of War 3 and Dante's Inferno. Sure, video games generally make poor movies, but it may well be possible that blockbusters make even worse video games.

Bilzzard offers us an engrossing and well crafted single player campaign combined with a multiplayer mode crafted to perfection in StarCraft II. You won't find any other real time strategy game that comes close to this level of craftsmanship. Add to this meaty options for content creation and what you get is a game well worth the long wait.

Limbo is a beautiful game with a very special art and audio direction. There are few games out there that offers this level of intelligently crafted puzzles and atmospheric environments. If different and challenging sounds good to you this is the game to buy.

This is a beautiful combination of hilarious dialogue, an equally entertaining storyline and great Diablo-esque gameplay all wrapped in a beautiful and varied environments. Tons of armor, weapons and sidequests all contribute to making this a varied and lengthy experience for the asking price. Beyond a doubt one of the best downloadable titles out there today.

Ruffian Games haven't improved on the original at all. This is more like Crackdown 1.2. However much I would like to bash it for using such boring enemies and extremely repetitive missions - I can't help enjoy playing co-op with a maxed out super agent.

This is a surprisingly deep and refreshing take on the now well populated genre of puzzle based downloadable games. With a deep upgrade system and simple yet entertaining game mechanics you'll get lots of entertaining hours in this title. Well worth it's asking price.

Singularity is a highly competent shooter crafted by the veterans at Raven Studios. The time manipulating mechanic is a cool addition to the first person shooter formula, but unfortunately it's not realised fully. Impressive presentation, great controls, an interesting storyline and epic bosses are enough to warrant a purchase though.

If you're a big fan of the Lego based games before it, Lego Harry Potter will be just the thing for you. A well crafted and entertaining cooperative mode, lots of content, easy to pick up gameplay mechanics and tons of items to gather you won't be lacking things to do in this game.

APB is an interesting idea executed poorly. An open world action MMO in the same vein as the Crackdown franchise sounds great, but Realtime Worlds fail to make some of the fundamental mechanics entertaining. Though your options for customizing your experience are impressive to say the least it's not enough to make the experience worth your time and money.

Treasure, of Gunstar Heroes fame, are back to show us that they still know what it takes to make a great on rails shooter experience. Few got to experience the original Sin and Punishment title but luckily Treasure delivered with this sequel, boasting beautifully rendered graphics, intense and challenging gameplay, varied action and solid controls. Though it's a bit on the short side and there's really no plot to experience this is still a fantastic experience for those who aren't deterred by a challenging masterpiece.

Messing around and being violent in a bear infested game world is fun, for a while. The same thing goes for the game's humor. When the initial wave of entertainment is over you're left with bad gameplay mechanics and repetitive content. Despite an initially entertaining tone this content is not worth the asking price.

As far as point-and-click adventures go, this is an decent title. Unfortunately the plot never manages to raise any interest. Graphics and controls do their job just fine, but if you've played the PC-version there is nothing new to be found here. This is mainly recommended for fans of the genre who haven't played the version for the PC.

For fans of transforming robots in the world this is a compelling package that will entertain the lone player as well as multiplayer enthusiast. The gameplay mechanics are a well implemented flavor of the Gears of War concept. The plot is solid and interesting and is also backed by a surprisingly competent multiplayer mode. If you like robots and action, buy this game.

By now we've grown tired of handing out rock bottom grades to movie tie in games, but Toy Story 3 is luckily an exception. Aside from the drop in drop out co-op and great dialogue you'll have tons of hours of entertainment in the open playground mode Toy Box. A welcome surprise indeed.

Peace Walker is a fantastic addition to the franchise, so great that it's almost a shame that Kojima Productions didn't decide to name the game Metal Gear Solid 5. It's just that good and not being a proper numbered sequel might rob this game of the attention it so justly deserves. If you love the Metal Gear Series, do yourself a favour and buy this game.

Aside from being a given purchase for fans of the Band this Green Day flavoured Rock Band edition is actually quite a nice package from everyone else as well. The main caveat is that Harmonix haven't really put in an effort to truly capture the look and animations of the real life band members, a feat they pulled of beautifully in The Beatles: Rock Band.

The eleventh installment in EA's Tiger Woods golfing franchise is yet another competent installment like the games that preceded it. New features, such as the true aim gameplay mechanic, work great but they're not fully implemented throughout the game. Some features are available offline but not online. Some features aren't available in the career mode. A solid but not fully realized addition to the series.

In Alpha Protocol it becomes apparent that Obsidian had lofty goals for what they wanted to achieve, and when playing it also becomes apparent how poorly they managed to execute on the individual parts. Despite being inherently flawed there are still a number of hours of entertainment to be found here. Just don't expect a polished triple A title.

While boasting an impressively large array of vehicle and a refreshing sense of strategic depth, Blur's uninteresting graphics and less than satisfactory controls puts this potentially exhilarating game at a disadvantage at a time when there are so many other racers on the market.

Despite several flaws, UFC: Undisputed 2010 undoubtedly delivers where it matters most: In the ring. This is nothing like the jolly arcade fighters we are used to; it is a raw and unforgiving fighting simulator.

Modnation Racers is in many aspects the best kart racer we've played. The controls are spot on, building tracks is easy and fun, the presentation is playful and attractive and the overall tone of the game is a pleasing one. With support for twelve players online, or four players locally on one console, this game is above and beyond the competition in the multiplayer arena. The only major issue to be found here are far too lengthy load times, an issue that shouldn't deter you from experiencing this excellent kart racer.

It's quite amazing to see how Nintendo manage to craft individual levels in Super Mario Galaxy 2 that comprise more innovation, variation and ingenuity than other developers build their entire games upon. This is a superior game to it's predecessor and the finest game in the genre available today.

Alan Wake has been as hyped as it has been delayed, but now the game is finally here. It starts off as a psychological thriller but quickly switch to a more action oriented experience with light sourced and firearms as the primary gameplay pillars. Alan Wake is a two faced experience, with one side sporting great action and atmosphere and the other side sporting crude graphics and flawed gameplay. But the one issue that hampers the experience the most is the overly linear and repetitive structure of the game. Put these issues aside and you've still got a highly entertaining and atmospheric experience.

There are so many aspects of Red Dead Redemption that make it an experience above and beyond all other open world sandbox experiences that we can't even begin to list them all. Some of the reasons that stand out are a wealth of content, a beautifully rendered and detailed world, an interesting and engaging storyline, a fantastic roster of characters with their own personalities, great and believable dialogue, the ability to experience the game world online with or against others; the list can go on forever. Rest assured that this is one of the greatest game we've played in 2010 so far, and possibly ever.

This is about as spectacular, insane and frustrating a racing game can get and still be remarkably entertaining. Despite lacking in depth and not following its own rules at times, Split/Second's variation and the sheer awesomeness it occasionally offers makes this a game for any arcade racing fan.

A step back to the old Prince of Persia trilogy, The Forgotten Sands offers disturbingly few new features for a game in a series that experienced a slight revolution not long ago. Even so, there is something captivating about this latest addition to the franchise. If you are a fan of the older trilogy, it may well be worth the money.

This is a typical movie tie in game, a line we've written so many times by now it's getting old fast. Repetitive gameplay mechanics, unimpressive presentation, lack of interesting details and overall polish are just some of the flaws to be found. It's an average game in every way and is therefore rewarded with a grade to match.

The single player experience of Skate 3 is a minor improvement over the previous titles, and as such there is no reason for you to invest in this title if you primarily skateboard solo. It's in the online arena that this title shines. With a wealth of content to experience with, or against, others you'll never run out of things to do online. Since progress in the online mode transfers to your offline experience, and vice versa, this is the definitive skateboarding experience for those who haven't delved into the franchise yet.

Stupid story, repetitive gameplay and sub par controls. Some of the action is fun, but Dead to Rights should have been buried long ago.

Super Street Fighter IV is an excellent addition to the original game. Capcom’s tradition of improving their bestsellers once again pays off with this massive expansion featuring plenty of new characters, maps and a much more inviting online mode. Street Fighter IV, the greatest fighting game of this generation, just got even better.

An excellent World Cup atmosphere with polished FIFA 10 gameplay - it's just a shame that 2010 FIFA World Cup is so shallow. It's got the looks, but not the longevity.

The Whispered World is beyond anything else a beautifully crafted adventure game of the old school formula. It's an utter joy to explore the world that, aside from beautiful artwork, is filled with both easy and challenging puzzles. But all of these wonderful components are dragged down by the god awful voice acting too horrendous to overlook. It's a shame since this is in every other aspect a great piece of entertainment.

Despite taking time before being fully enjoyable, Monster Hunter Tri features improvements that make it more accessible than its predecessors. While being in no way revolutionary, the slightly improved learning curve and the online mode improve the game in much needed ways.

Weird and mediocre truck simulation fails at the most important thing – there's no fun here. Maybe if you want to practice truck driving in California you appreciate the detailed road map. [Issue#191]

The fifth entry in the Splinter Cell franchise is finally here and introduces a way more action oriented gameplay experience than what we're used to. It takes a while getting used to and does enable a run and gun approach. Less stealth, less gadget and more action. While it's not the Splinter Cell of yore it's still a great action experience and the cooperative campaign is great fun.

The debut title from developer Fatshark, risen from the ashes of now defunct developer Grin, is an intense third person multiplayer shooter. With exquisite level design, great character classes, top notch presentation and thoroughly entertaining team based gameplay this is an impressive debut indeed.

Cumbersome stealth mechanics? Check. Utterly simplistic and equally frustrating combat? Check. All too frequent and annoying Quick Time Events? Check. Expected mediocre presentation? Check. This is another nail in the coffin of movie tie in videogames. Not even cameos by T-bag and John Abruzzi are of any help. Avoid at all cost people.

Wario is at it again and this time he'll be your ally in creating your own entertainment in the form of minigames. The process of creating and sharing these micro experiences is easy and quick, but the miniature format of these experiences can also become a bit repetitive in the long run. If you're a creative person you'll have plenty of tools to keep you busy in this package.

As far as technical achievement and pure playfulness goes, this is a massive accomplishment for Avalanche Studios. If you're into blowing stuff up and wreaking havoc in a open free roaming environment, this is the game for you. If you're looking for a clever story driven experience, look elsewhere.

As the first game for the Wii that demands the use of controller peripheral Wii Motion Plus we're surprised by the lack of actual 1-to-1 movement. Instead we're treated to a control scheme that allows you to swipe in eight different directions. The combination of gun and sword combat does make up for truly entertaining combat, but all this is for naught since the storyline and it's missions are an utter drag. Still, this is the best use of the Wii controller in an action title yet.

Content wise, this latest entry in the MotoGP franchise doesn't disappoint. The visuals do their job without standing out, and the balance between an arcade and realistic racing game is a good one. That being said, this is not for the hardcore simulator fans. MotoGP 09/10 is an enjoyable and competent racing game that doesn't stand out from the crowd.

A game where virtually nothing is done for you, Settlers 7 is a deep and challenging real-time strategy game where you must ensure your society functions perfectly in every aspect. The new “victory points” system proves a breath of fresh air for a series that has otherwise been stuck in old habits.

In the fourth and presumed final entry in the Command & Conquer saga EA chose to stir things up a bit. We're still treated to the cheesy tongue in cheek full motion video of series fame, but everything related to the actual gameplay has been modified into a much more action oriented formula. The simplified nature of the campaign is no home run, and only one multiplayer mode feels a bit on the cheap side, but co-op support in the main campaign makes this a thoroughly enjoyable experience.

This is essentially a mixed bag of experiences. The presentation goes from great to flawed, and there are numerous bugs of various degrees of severity. Most of the weaponry in the game are underwhelming, enemies demonstrate the antithesis of intelligence and the stealth mechanics are flawed to say the lest. Despite these issues we can't deny being engulfed by the thrill and atmosphere of fighting for survival in the subway tunnels below post apocalyptic Moscow.

God of War III is the very definition of an epic experience. The combat is brutal and fluid, the sense of scale is massive and the presentation is nothing short of amazing. Even though the third iteration of the series adds little or nothing to the original formula it's impossible not to be engulfed in this roller coaster of epic moments. A worthy conclusion to the trilogy indeed.

Resonance of Fate features an impressive combat system requiring good nerves and strategic thinking, but is found wanting in other areas. The weak story and equally weak mission design inevitably lead to the conclusion that not all aspects of this game have been designed with as much care as the combat system. A few careful steps forward - one leap backwards.

By now Nintendo have mastered the art of crafting Pokemon adventures that are utterly addictive and thoroughly enjoyable. The additions to the formula are minor, as always, but the ability to improve your Pokémons by means of simply walking about in real life, monitored by the bundled step counter. With years of refinement to the formula and a health promoting accessory this may very well be the best game in the series yet.

As a card game experience on a portable system this is a great title. The campaign mode is interesting, there is an in-game card store that's fun to explore, you can experience the game online and the process of playing with cards is handled well. If you can round up some friends to play with you can raise the grade one notch.

Final Fantasy XIII does away with a lot of the components that make out the traditional Final Fantasy formula, which at first feels odd, but the overall experience is still very much a Final Fantasy one. The combat system might just be the best the series' has ever offered and the characters are with a few exceptions well fleshed out. It's a shame that it takes almost twenty hours for the game to realize it's true potential since the experience for those who endure the slow introduction is nothing short of amazing.

The sheer amount of content and all the different activities you can partake in makes Yakuza 3 a great value for it's price tag. Despite the massive amount of mini games and activities the diversity doesn't diminish the quality of the overall experience. This game does require a healthy dose of patience though, but for those who commit to this title the reward is a long and entertaining experience.

Bad Company 2 is a great sequel in every way. While improved compared to the first game the campaign mode still only offers a fleeting chunk of entertainment that serves as an appetizer for the online multiplayer mode where DICE, as usual, shine. While your ability to choose different settings for online battles are somewhat limited the actual matches are fun, intense and offer great improvement for the squad based experience.

This is a strategy game of the more intricate kind, which for you means heavy on the tactics and less in the way of action. Coupled with the fact that the game lacks a proper tutorial you'll be left in the dark about the game's mechanic's, leading to a unnecessary and annoying trial and error approach to learning the game's ins and outs. If you're a die hard strategy nut and willing to invest some time in mastering the game there is much to enjoy here.

It's a shame that the controls are somewhat blocking the experience and that the serial killer story sometimes goes over the top, but Heavy Rain has some outstanding scenes, great animations, beautiful design and is one of the most interesting games in the last couple of years.

Napoleon: Total War is a massive strategy game where you'll get the opportunity to wage war in the pursuit of spreading your empire. It's not all rosy though. The battles can be cumbersome to micromanage and the game is hampered by the need to be historically correct. Nevertheless, this is another competent entry in the Total War franchise.

Though it's easy to dismiss a new Sonic game at this point we were surprised to see that Sonic's first noteworthy title in a long time is a kart racing game. Even though there are some issues with vehicles getting stuck in the environments and the online experience being somewhat limited when it comes to content this is still a highly entertaining kart racer easily on par with main competing franchise Mario Kart.

If you're in the market for an easy going adventure game free from all the stress of modern day games Endless Ocean 2 is the game for you. Although a nice change of pace this also represents one of the major flaws in this title. You're never really challenged at all and the game's plot is weak at best. If you're looking for a relaxing experience this is the game for you, everyone else would do best to pass this one by.

The first downloadable content (DLC) for Assassin's Creed 2 was anything but spectacular. Luckily round two fares a whole lot better. Bonfire of the Vanities shifts from the combat oriented nature of the first DLC towards more focus on stealth and assassinations. Successfully assassinating your targets using stealth techniques is rewarding and makes the content, although short, very enjoyable.