Children of Arkham is a less theatric, but more disruptive story to Batman’s lore.

The AI does a solid job of pushing you hard, and also makes its fair share of stuff-ups which, if you are unlucky, can leave your car ruined. It's this kind of dynamic racing that is fun and keeps us coming back for more.

Phenomic Studios and Electronic Arts have done a fantastic job in presenting a game that is both original and fun to play.

Despite the hazardous save system, Anomaly: Warzone Earth presents a fresh take on the Tower Defense genre. It's satisfying, but leaves a lingering hunger for a sequel - hopefully with a tighter save system and more units.

The long, over-indulgent cinematic cut-scenes combined with the sometimes inappropriate odd-ball humour has had many gamers scratching their heads in confusion. Regardless of your view point though, very few could question the artistic genius behind this latest instalment.

Take 1 cup of Star Wars, blend in 2 tablespoons of Firefly and mix thoroughly. Mass Effect might not create as much of a stir as KOTOR did, but it's an undeniably good game that manages to showcase the incredible talent and dedication of the BioWare team.

At $9.99, SkyDrift is an absolute steal. There's not a huge amount of content, but what's here is excellent, and developers Digital Reality have already demonstrated that they're ready and willing to support the game with affordably priced DLC.

It definitely lacks the high level of polish we've come to expect of the series, however, and settles at merely "very good" in that regard. It also pales in comparison to the previously released (and far superior) 3D Land, making an otherwise very good game seem somewhat lacklustre when held up against its older brother.

Stacking possesses many elements of a great game: challenge, humour, well written plot, user friendly, great sound and visuals… and for the casual gamer it's easy to pick up and play for brief periods of pleasant distraction. We reckon you'll love it, but if further convincing is required you can download the trial from XBLA, which costs nothing but time and bandwidth.

If you're a fan of the tables, you'll love poring over each of the included flyers, reading up on the game's history, and generally soaking up the care and attention that's gone into each game's digital double.

A fun little game that will give you hours of "just one more fight then so I can get even" entertainment.

A very satisfying expansion that adds in very fun and powerful units as well as a fun new game type.

Overall this is a great little game for fans of drifting. It's not easy, but represents a real challenge that rewards perseverance. If you are grounded, without a car, or without a licence, then this game will put you back in the driving seat. Remember folks: don't drink and play!

Overall, New Little King's Story is an engaging combination of easy to master combat, bosses are a decent challenge, and building up your kingdom is as entertaining as the laws you can create.

A must buy for any first person shooter fan - if only to learn a bit of history.

If you’re new to Metallica, this is a great introduction to classic metal, and a showcase title for Neversoft, who have really begun to ride the lightening.

NHL 10 is a great game, hampered only by a lack of anything new.

All in all, it works pretty well - it looks nice, is fun to play and has an awesome "Crusader: No Remorse" kind of feel to it, something no game in recent memory has managed.

f you persevere through your first impressions, you'll discover a remarkably rich experience that just gets better as you go on.

If you’re already in the possession of the very excellent Age of Empires III, then this expansion is a must-have.

It melts my brain to think how much money people could throw at this game. So this is a caution to anyone who obsessively collects things. Disney Infinity is a good game, and one that caresses your cranium in a creative and imaginative way. But you will need to throw money at it. Lots of money.

Although it’s no Final Fantasy X (which still remains the greatest of all time) Tales of Xillia is definitely a worthwhile purchase if you’re a fan of RPGs, and provides everything you’d expect from a story-driven game.

Hopefully this proves to be a massive success because with this solid a framework to build on, a sequel could be more addictive than crack!

This doesn't feel as much like a sequel to Scribblenauts as it does a better version of exactly the same game. It's Scribblenauts 1.1.

This solid football game offers hours of enjoyment, both via single and multiplayer, and has enough improvements to keep FIFA ’08 fans happy. However, the limited number of teams and the pure European focus may put off some of the more casual players.

Call of Duty: World at War feels at times like a little brother holding the hand of the more confident Modern Warfare, but keep in mind that it definitely shares the same genes.

While the changes here may sound minor to someone only casually interested, those small increments (in addition to the movement overhaul) mean the world to its returning fan base. The culmination of changes in Advanced Warfare make it the freshest playing entry in the series, and the largest departure from its norm.

It's a flawed gem, but still well worth a look.

The change to an actual 3D engine has afforded the designers some flexibility in the layout and construction of the levels.

The PC version mirrors all of the good stuff and can be confidently defined as a title that is going to be hours of fun to PC gamers the world over.

Apart from the above foibles of game play, Another World: 20th Anniversary is a fine piece of work. It's going to be a satisfying fix for nostalgia junkies (you can even opt for 16-bit aesthetics instead of HD if you so desire), and damned good fun for those of you who have only recently been transported to Another World.

It’s not going to be the best first person shooter you’ll play, but it’ll be one you remember once it’s over.

One of the most enjoyable experiences I have had on Microsoft’s Live service. Games are usually full of accidental hilarity punctuated with the odd showcase of raw skill.

The best Dragon Quest game gets bigger, but deserves a better port than this.

There is a tonne of game here, too - the main storyline can easily get you 30 hours or more of gameplay, and then there are a multitude of side quests, post-game content, and replayability to stretch that out even further.

UFC Undisputed: 2010 might not be as "real as it gets", but this year, it's as close as we are likely to come.

Longtime Halo fans get the opportunity to quickly and easily revisit their favourite levels, or jump into a reinvigorated multiplayer; newcomers to the series get the best, most seamless experience of the Halo series.

It really is a breath of fresh air for the kart racing genre. If anything, it goes to show that Nintendo may need to do a little more than just add a new feature to their next iteration of Mario Kart.

Not quite the game we need, but certainly the one we deserve.

A fitting tribute to gaming icons.

We’re still left with a good RPG, but one that’s held back somewhat by tedious quest design and an overreliance on sexist cliches.

It’s the same brilliant game that came out last year, all polished up and looking its finest. For returning adventurers, on the other hand, there’s so little in the way of new content that there’s not much point buying the new version unless you had an urge to replay it anyway.

It may sound like a bit of a mish-mash, but in many ways Late Night feels more 'together' than Ambitions (though not as all-encompassingly new as World Adventures), with the expansion gently prodding us back to more open-ended gameplay.

This is Diablo 3’s best shot at a fun end-game that can last.

As an XBLA download, Tooie is fantastic value. Much cheaper than the actual cartridges go for these days.

While the Wiimote changes may irritate some, what I do like is that the game designers are still exploring the medium, still trying to work out interesting methods to give players more ways to interact with the environment. And it is this willingness to break the mold, to not stick with the formula, that makes Other M such an interesting addition to the Metroid family.

With 2K10’s ruthless difficulty and learning curve, casual sports fans might want to grab EA’s friendly and more forgiving Live 10. But all those wanting the full, balls-out NBA experience, 2K10 is the better game to buy.

What I enjoy the most is the fact that there is no right way to come up with a solution. If it works, you win.

The game mechanics remain faithful to its tabletop roots.

If you're craving a good hack 'n slash beat 'em up you can enjoy with a friend, The Dishwasher: Vampire Smile is one of the best around. Check it out immediately to see if it's your cup of bloodstained tea.

Despite these respectful niggles, UFC Personal Trainer is successful purely because it's fun. Summoning up the will-power (and body-power) to exercise in the middle of Winter can be a daunting task.

Despite the bizarre you-failed-because-the-Germans-surrendered quirk this is one of the top turn-based strategy titles of the generation. On the down side it isn’t something casual gamers will get into easily. Play the trial first.

Blur may not be a top tier title as such, but it certainly is worthy of being in your online arsenal. The game is pure arcade candy.

Maybe Omega Force should make RPGs their main focus.

Good for the tactical, logical brain trainer, methinks, and engaging in that 'I really want to work this puzzle out' kind of way, as opposed to the 'I really want to rip the spinal cord out this level boss' kind of way.

At the end of the day, Shadow Complex is about shooting things, which is good as that's what the game does best.

It oozes atmosphere and totally delivers a believable world which you'll long to spend time in, long after the game is done. It's genuinely funny 95% of the time and feels like a solid story experience, rather than a tacked-on justification for the action.

One of the most authentic Final Fantasy games in a decade.

Although it's not an original game, Just Cause 2 takes standard ideas and pushes them to the extreme. While it might be lacking in originality and flair, there is no doubt that it's fun and at times thrilling, in a violent and destructive kind of way.

While Tropical Freeze is a great addition to the series, and having some new variation in singleplayer is much needed, the game really isn’t as fun without someone else playing alongside you.

Its historical setting, attention to detail, and engrossing combat mechanic make it a worthy addition the Total War series. Fans of the series (especially fans on Creative Assembly's foray into bullets and bombs) should definitely think about picking this up.

Clearly limited time has been spent on the tracks and vehicles, due to budgetary and download size constraints perhaps, and it shows.

Moving through the levels is fairly straightforward.

Easy to use, versatile level-creator with some content-sharing limitations. Solid platformer.

Can we honestly expect MySims Racing to become some sort of darling? Probably not. Everyone knows Mario Kart's all over it. But that doesn't mean that you shouldn't give it a whirl.

Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc may have the occasional flaw, but its utterly engrossing murder mystery plot, excellent characterisation, and clever use of age-old game mechanics make it a game that nobody should miss.

All of the changes made in this version are improvements. The only thing left to do is get rid of those damn coins!

It's a gorgeous curio, well worth the asking price.

An excellent management simulator - and not much else.

Lara Croft and the Temple of Osiris is an enjoyable action-puzzler. It effortlessly presents combat and puzzle encounters to the player, without inundating or starving them of one or the other. Just make sure you bring some friends along for the ride.

Dead or Alive is a series that knows what it does well and DOA5 doesn't deviate from the formula. Simple controls, fast gameplay, and reversals make it a solid fighter for veterans and beginners alike. Given the series' similar controls, the Virtua Fighter guests fit in quite well too.

A small evolution in multiplayer and a definitive end to the story. Despite being a solid, well-rounded experience, I felt there wasn't enough difference or progression in use of technology to really rate the game higher.

A really enjoyable play. The Hong Kong setting gives a new thematic twist for the series that feels well fleshed-out and interesting, and the increasingly strange mystery you get caught up in makes for a great experience...Definitely one for newbs and phreaks alike.

Saints Row IV is like the ultimate virtual stress-ball. After a hard day of work - or study, or sleeping - nothing quite beats dressing up as a pink and green bunny-rabbit and running around town with a gun that makes people spontaneously break into dance (it’s called the Dubstep gun).

A blueprint of how Kinect games should be made. It combines a solid and reliable implementation of the tech with enough gameplay meat to keep you coming back after the novelty wears off.

A promising new IP where the game is fun and the flaws are quickly forgotten.

Better than the sum of its parts, the game offers an arcade experience with a little more room to muck around and a little more scope for customising things than is usually offered.

UFC Undisputed: 2010 might not be as “real as it gets”, but this year, it’s as close as we are likely to come.

Call of Duty: World at War feels at times like a little brother holding the hand of the more confident Modern Warfare, but keep in mind that it definitely shares the same genes.

Cuddly cute, surprisingly, outrageously fun and best of all ­ minimally flawed.

If you are weighing up the decision on whether you should buy Pokkén Tournament DX, it’s an easy one to make. Despite its flaws, it’s a fantastic fighting game that is easy to pick up, making it appealing to the casual and hardcore audience alike. Fans of Pokémon would be crazy to overlook it, and fighting game fans should find something unique here.

Coming in at about three to five hours length, The Brigmore Witches is still a great bit of DLC if you’re looking for a way to scratch your Dishonored itch. Yes, it is more of the same, but when it's good and comes with interesting new characters, who’s going to complain, right?

Much more than meets the eye here - an RPG for RPG fans.

Shatter is a solid little number, with loads of features to guarantee replayability, and the sort of manic speediness that you would naturally expect from a game where you smash things into little bits for fun.

Those who have their turntable controllers gathering dust in the cupboard will also be pleased to hear that Activision have hardly changed the peripherals and they will work perfectly with the sequel.

Arkham VR is an amazing, adrenaline filled first person experience for anyone who’s wanted to be the Caped Crusader. It would be a discredit to pass this off as a tech demo, but it’s not exactly a game as such either. It’s an experience. And despite it being a short-lived one, it’s certainly one you won’t forget in a hurry.

Of course, it’s more fun in multiplayer.

There really is something here for everyone. This is essentially a much more polished version of the game released on the PlayStation 2 a few years ago, and a good step up for those that still love Mario Tennis.

Visual novels rarely come as deep and thought provoking as this one.

A familiar tale, but expertly told.

FreeTime is so rich with content and gameplay features that I rate it right up there with Seasons as one of my must-have expansion pack titles.

It’s great to see Nintendo so invested in creating a gorgeous new IP, and while it’s too early to see how this goes on the competitive scene, it’s definitely going to win a lot of hearts. The high difficulty will ruin the enjoyment for some, but it’s an incredibly special game for those it clicks with. I personally can’t wait to see more of this franchise in the future.

For all the game industry’s current obsession with open worlds and open-ended narratives, the Uncharted games stand as a shining example of the possibility for linear stories to be infinitely re-playable. They don’t need anything more.

For all of these drawbacks, Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning is an intriguing, good-looking, game that has absolutely brought a new spin to the RPG genre.

I feel ME 3 is an evolution rather than the revolutions the first two games were. While the ending has certainly left a bad taste in my mouth and soured my feelings on the series a little, I cannot deny that the journey to get there is still excellent.

New cast, new story, new creative team - just what The Walking Dead needs.

It's rough around the edges, but it sports one of the best, most interesting uses of the Wii U hardware – it just takes a bit of time and effort for the control scheme to really show its true colours.

If you’re returning to Dark Souls II, you’ll either come away pleased that you’re on the same page as the designers, or annoyed by the seemingly perfunctory remix of enemy and item placement. On the other hand, brand new players may find Scholar of the First Sin to be an ideal, more guided tour of the world of Drangleic.