The game is truly epic and makes the first game feel like a prototype for the sequel. It is a deep and wonderfully involving game that is often breathtaking and constantly rewarding.

Left 4 Dead 2 is a superb multiplayer game providing a great level of variety and replay value.

God of War and its sequel were two of the best games on the PS2. They exist now as an example of streamlined, entertaining and challenging games.

Infinity Ward has made the wise choice of not padding the game out to satisfy angry internet comment posters but has instead provided a completely satisfying experience that sits beside the vast multiplayer components perfectly.

The level of enjoyment derived from the game in single player proves that this is a game best played in co-op, which is where Borderlands shines.

The developers have played it safe to some degree and because of this Uncharted 2 doesn’t feel like it has an identity of its own.

Demon's Souls asks much of you. For some it may ask too much, but, if you are prepared to rise to the challenges it presents you will be rewarded with one of the most satisfying gaming experiences of this generation.

DiRT 2 is a superb celebration of rallying as a sport, with a mixture of new events, which deserves to be played and enjoyed by any gamer with even a passing interest in the genre.

Diabolical Box is proof that the success of Mysterious Village was not a fluke, and that the DS is the perfect platform to render such an adventure.

Put simply this is one of the best games of 2009 and arguably the best game yet released on XBLA.

Buy this game if you want a challenging title that will eat up long journeys or quiet evenings in darkened room; it’s a great take on the franchise and it’s made for us, for the fans.

While not perfect, Infamous has enough excitement and vigour to see the player through to the end, and crucially leave them wanting more. The real hope is that that there will be another instalment of the adventures of Cole and the inhabitants of Empire City.

Online play: what an addition. Duel mode is the same as it ever was, only now with added strangers.

Stoked is very slow to get going, but stick with it and you’ll find a true gem.

It's yet another unique DS experience, yet another game that simply must be played.

It takes the chassis of the light gun game and augments it with one of the most entertaining stories in years, a decent selection of unlockables, a brutally funny soundtrack and an overall level of attention to detail that is as refreshing as it is clichéd.

Big Bang Mini is among the best shooters on the DS.

Combine this with the game’s superb presentation and you’ve got an excellent, albeit somewhat brief, puzzle title that really will appeal to players of all levels, whilst simultaneously bringing some refreshingly new ideas to the table.

Crash Commando is a superb, little release that binds classic, fast-paced 2D gameplay in a great looking package.

Persona 4 has its flaws. Some carried over from Persona 3, and some of its own creation. Initially it’s hard to look past these and the game feels a shadow of its predecessor.

Prince of Persia turns out to be a worthy justification for once again restarting the franchise. It brings the series back to its essential roots, stripping away the superfluous muck that had gathered during the last few outings and at the same time having enough new appeal, charm and content to make it worth trying.

While the game does have a few minor weaknesses, they don’t take away from the fact that this is the definitive Tomb Raider experience to date.

Left 4 Dead is a game which keeps things simple, but this to its benefit. It mixes all the right ingredients of tension, gore and rewards to make it thoroughly enjoyable.

If Mirror’s Edge had only provided the TTs, it would have been perfect for skill-game addicts. The story mode isn’t quite as polished and critics have tended to focus on this mode’s foibles rather than on praising the real highlight: the TT mode.

So, Gears of War 2 manages to traverse the difficult sequel terrain with aplomb, but for whatever reason leaves the player unsatisfied. Maybe the inevitable sequel will put some of the vim and vigor back into the series.

Far Cry 2 is a game that thrives on the moments and experiences caused by its mechanics working in harmony and by making the player think about where they are and what they are doing. If the player can buy into the world and fiction they will have a thoroughly exciting time surviving through the twisting plot and explosive gun fights.

Dead Space should`ve been a run of the mill, copycat title destined for bargain-bin obscurity. As it stands, it`s a glorious introduction to a new game world.

Anyone even remotely interested in the racing genre owes it to themselves to pick up this gem.

Tales of Vesperia surpasses every Tales game that preceded it, by building on their strengths and adding a series of new features.

It's a gamers' game to be truly savoured - here to show anyone who forgot or missed it the first time, just how ridiculously good it is at what it does.

Despite being a remake of a four year old PS2 game, the ideas and scope of the original still feel fresh and exciting. Thankfully, the developers have not simply given this remake a PS3 graphical update.

Nothing should stop any self-respecting gamer from picking up this title.

Bold, ambitious and unlike anything else this generation, there lies an experience beyond several oddly disparate parts. A swansong to a breed of cinematic narrative which has finally reached its apex.

XBLA Sudoku is well implemented, well presented and is enhanced considerably by being able to compete online against other Xbox Live players.

Wii Fit is already flying out of the shop doors in Japan and the same will happen when it arrives in the West too, not because it’s a gimmick that’s easily bought into, but because it’s a great product.

The ideas behind it may be simplistic, but their excellent execution is what makes Boom Blox so much fun. Its presentation and implementation make it easy to pick up and approachable by any age group; this is enjoyable, easy-going fun at its best.

Despite the lack of challenge provided for half of the single player game, Minna No Golf 5 excels in every other area, offering a realistic golf simulation wrapped inside a package so cute that it is impossible to resist. [JPN Import]

Brawl has the most characters, is the best balanced, delivers the most and generally trumps both the other games so far.

There's simply so much game here, and so much replay value to be found in pursuing high scores that - for not much more than a fiver - it'd be rude not to buy it.

For those who love score attack systems and shooting things then membership of The Club is certainly recommended.

Lost Odyssey is a long arduous journey, but it is one that’s filled with a story that continues to flesh out its characters right to the very end.

There’s no other game on the DS with gameplay quite like this and every DS owner should try it for themselves.

Burnout Paradise is a superb title that offers a glimpse into how the racing genre is evolving. While not perfect by any stretch of the imagination, what it offers is sublime entertainment.

There can be no more complaints from gamers looking for a unique experience when gems such as this are out there to be sampled. Miss it at your peril.

Once all areas of the map have been fully explored, the replay value is threatened by repetition, but amongst the violence and destruction found elsewhere in videogames, it will always be refreshing to sit back – cup of tea in one hand, a remote in the other – and simply just relax in the deep blue.

Mass Effect has the yearnings to be an epic and it almost achieves it.

It has nigh-on perfect aiming, hilarious and fun levels, longevity through skill progression and variety not normally seen in an arcade game.

Galaxies is a fresh take on the concept, one where all the new additions are a genuine plus for the play experience and add so much to the overall game.

Fast paced and full of relentless action, Uncharted: Drake`s Fortune is a pleasure to play from start to finish.

Umbrella Chronicles achieves greatness by being more than the sum of its parts. It takes the established Resident Evil genre, throws a dormant light-gun element into the mix, stirs it all together and still comes up with something that will amaze and thrill fans of both. This is an essential purchase for anyone who is a fan of Resident Evil, light-gun games or just action games in general. For devotees of all three, this is nothing short of gaming nirvana.

The King Of Fighters XI is as easy on the eye as any version yet, and benefits from a playability overhaul and the inclusion of a majestic tag battle system. It is as frustratingly difficult to beat as ever, thanks to the joypad-smashingly evil bosses, but remains compulsive and playable. [JPN Import]

Mario has not grown older, but younger with time: more slender, more supple, more graceful. It is as if the boundaries of the genre have become transparent, allowing a unique light to shine forth. Super Mario Galaxy will influence gaming perceptions, sure to replenish any lost passion. It will frequently hug your inner child, evoke tears of joy and tug at the heart. It is everything we have always desired, more than we could possibly have dreamed.

Quite simply, Call of Duty 4 is a stunning game and quite difficult to fault. It looks, sounds and plays brilliantly and offers an unrivaled online experience.

Those who’ve never experienced the story and fun on offer should take a look and owners of the original game still owe it to themselves to buy this game.

Arguably, Guitar Hero III has the best selection of music in the series so far, and although there are fewer slow-paced songs than before, there is a nice mix of modern and classic tracks within the 70+ licensed soundtrack.

All at once it feels very familiar and yet fresh. Indeed the visual clarity really does help propel the game to new levels of artistry but on the other hand, it feels like a game played many times before. Regardless it never stops being anything less than great fun to play and hugely engaging.

Another disappointment is the often-clumsy ally AI. While the enemy units display proficient level intelligence, your marine companions often struggle to cope with the enemy onslaught. This is never more evident as when you’re riding alongside a CPU driver in a Warthog; they drive so erratically you half expect them to crack open a crate of Carling midway through the mission.

This is totally freeform: ride around with a pack, do your own thing whilst occasionally bumping into other people and saying hi, or just stand around watching; it’s all good. This is what the core and vision of Skate is about – freedom and choice.

The control scheme is still as intuitive as it was first time round, but it is now encased in a fun and rewarding experience that is a pleasure to play from start to finish. [JPN Import]

Flawed though it may be, it's one of the most atmospheric first-person games ever made and perhaps the standout title of the generation so far. Dazzling, thought provoking, compelling and engaging, it's an experience which refuses to lessen its hold until you've seen it through to the end, and in doing so, lodges itself in the memory in a way that few other titles can.

There’s no doubt that coming to this game from something such as Final Fantasy Tactics or Disgaea will prove to be too easy a ride for those experienced with the genre, but for anyone looking for a more portable Strategy-RPG, with a wonderful story to tell, Jeanne d’Arc will be a perfect fit.

Persona 3 is an RPG unlike any other, and one that really gets under your skin. When you’re not playing it, you’ll still be planning what you’d like to do when you are, and wondering just what your friends will get up to next.

Resident Evil 4 on the Wii has taken everything that was great about the Gamecube and PS2 versions and tweaked it just enough to enthrall even vetran players all over again.

Balanced control, evolved brilliance.

Underneath the hood is a well-honed, constantly surprising beast and one that isn’t purely for FPS fans, thanks to a generous degree of auto-aim that places much of the emphasis on tactics and intelligent usage of the tools at your disposal.

The control method and lazy design of the later levels threaten to dampen the early enjoyment, but Crush must be praised for trying to innovate, and is thus a worthy purchase for any PSP owner in search of their next puzzle fix.

A flawed masterpiece and one which will undoubtedly be as fondly remembered as its predecessor.

Despite its foibles, this simplified RPG is accessible to anyone, and remains as engrossing as it ever was.

Despite its foibles, this simplified RPG is accessible to anyone, and remains as engrossing as it ever was.

If you have never tried a Paper Mario game then this is the most accessible game in the series to date and if you have tried one but did not find it to your taste then give this one a try.

The clunky interface, numerous bugs, fractured story telling and underdeveloped ideas do distract from what could well have been a real classic, but the fact that GSC have come through development hell to produce a game as memorable as this is quite an achievement.

For anyone who is a fan of entertaining, no-brainer old-school arcade gameplay, this is essential.

Puzzle Quest PSP does exactly what it sets out to do, masterfully combining the role-playing and puzzle genres into one game that is perfect for handheld gaming.

No game has gumption like EDF. No other game has the balls to make the most basic enemy an ant the size of a bus. No other game lets the player get away with such wanton collateral damage. No other game has the audacity to throw so much at you and fill the screen with such massive explosions that your neighbours will think aliens really have invaded and will hide in their cellars. The sheer spectacle is a sensory supernova.

There isn’t much else to say about this stupendous game. It is among the very best games to have graced the console, indeed it is among the best of this or any other generation.

Even with the limited themes, Worms has a lot of legs, or at least a lengthy slimy belly, and it’s a worthy addition to XBLA, especially as a multiplayer game over Live.

Very little in GRAW2 is designed to convert those who steadfastly refused to get on with the first, something which Ubisoft makes no apologies for. Instead they have provided for the already-converted with a game that will thrill and engage for its duration.

While it is true that the twenty-one bosses won’t take long to dispose of, everything in the game is of such high quality that it does not matter. It’s easy to spend hours without even bothering about the main objectives, just blowing stuff up and admiring the physics at work.

The game itself is compulsive and addictive until the point at which it sadly has to conclude.

The fact the game continues to expand, with a new patch on the way which will include more Outland endgame content - including the chance to fight the Big Bad, Illidan himself - only makes it that much more exciting and World of Warcraft’s continual evolution will ensure its continuing popularity for quite some time to come.

For those fans captivated by the first instalment, buying this is an absolute must. [JPN Import]

There are a large number of games for Nintendo’s new console that employ mini-games, lazily or not. It is to Intelligent Systems’ credit that in terms of utilising the new control method, whilst retaining the feel and strong standards of their excellent franchise, this is easily the best current example of the genre available.

Lost Planet is an arcade style shooter divided into small(ish) chunks, designed to be played again and again. Whilst this might disappoint those who expect a sprawling, epic adventure, it still offers up some superb set pieces and excellent boss fights.

What could have been little more than an extended tech demo has actually turned out to be one of the finest Wii games to date and certainly the most novel and interactive.

But the moment the opening symphony plays until the concluding credits, all fear and doubt quickly vanishes like the cool whispering of an autumn's breeze. Though not flawless, Nintendo have once again demonstrated masterful craftsmanship, challenging design and imaginative artistry.

A massive, massive success as a launch title. Ignore the negativity you may have heard, and embrace this marvellous new bit of kit into your home.

A solid FPS, elevated above the mundane by its sublime weapon set and some excellent enviroments. Whether it convinces the masses who might pick it up at UK launch is another matter entirely.

For those who were put off by the difficulty of the original PS2 release, this could be the version for you. [JPN Import]

Although a few niggles still remain it’s by far the best serious basketball game currently available.

And finally we can write something at the end of a review that we’ve been longing to write for ages, that Rare are back on form.

Appropriately billed by some as a third-person tactical action/horror shooter it is frighteningly good. Although what's really scary is to think what things will look like with a few more years' development time and the know-how to push the hardware even further.

Both puzzler and shooter, Every Extend Extra’s tag line is 'Music in Your Mind' and thanks to its combination of simple but engrossing mechanics, captivating sound and visuals, and deceptively simple old-school charm, it really is an apt description for the feeling that will bring the player back time and again. [JPN Import]

Here's hoping for a censorship-free translation to the US and PAL territories. Bravo Clover!

Naruto 2 is a far more complete package than the original...If you watch the Naruto anime, this game is a must-buy.

There is an element of luck involved however, likely to generate moments of frustration - but it isn't a flawed system.

Okami is gorgeous but it is also an epic game that sucks you in so completely that hours pass unnoticed as you roam the massive landscape. [JPN Import]

Test Drive Unlimited doesn’t have the same thoroughbred racing pedigree as present in PGR3, nor does it have the clinical precision of Ridge Racer 6; instead, what it provides is a complete driving experience and a real sense of ownership, seamlessly fusing both single- and multi-player gaming; it’s more than the sum of its parts.

While it is not 'the' perfect game, it does come pretty close; the visuals appeal and if, by some chance, they don't then the perky toe-tapping soundtrack is certain to make everyone smile.