The strangeness of The Sims Medieval is still here, of course; the title is not-quite a strategy game, not-quite an RPG, not-quite The Sims. And fans of each of these different genres will still find the gameplay to be a bit odd. But for all its quirks, it's still extremely more-ish, and the Pirates and Nobles expansion just brings even more good stuff to the game.

As a complete package its clearly an impressive, engrossing experience. Its storyline is excellent, its characterisation, voice acting, score and script are very well done, and its aesthetic is deliciously dystopian. The only fly in the ointment is its binary combat mechanics.

Given it completely fails to use any of the 3DS functionality in any meaningful way, chances are good you'd get a better experience with a DS game, too.

In the end, what you can count on is two to three hours of the same Dragon Age II. It looks the same, plays the same, and depending who you pick in your party, the chatter, while entertaining enough, is the same.

With its well crafted, cleverly designed levels and impressively high production values, Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet is a 'must play'... but like that fanciful Friday night party, such a pity that it's all over too soon.

But considering the speed of your movements, the hardware still does an admirable job of tracking your Ninja gymnastics.

As a driving game, it actually handles pretty nicely.

It's sad, scary, kooky, weird and wonderful: everything that we love about the Fallout universe.

A rental at best, but better we just sweep The Cartel under a sombrero and forget about it.

If you're after a simple, mindless distraction that can be enjoyed by you and a buddy on the couch… well, there are plenty of other games on Live Arcade and elsewhere that can do that, and do it better.

There is no doubt that this is a quirky game; however it hangs together well and delivers an entertaining gaming experience.

Naruto Shippuden 3D: The New Era feels like an original DS game with texture filtering, poorly executed 3D, and game breaking motion sensor controls tacked on.

This is by far the best free to play MMO out there at the moment. Its well polished, with good sound effects, well detailed tanks and terrain and regular updates and maps.

If you know what you're letting yourself in for, go for it. It's a pocketable version of a minigame, with online play, and 3D that doesn't need glasses. It's honestly little more than that.

As mentioned, the traditional PS3 controllers work perfectly with SEGA Rally Online Arcade. But for a true, arcade-esque experience I recommend using a wheel.

Bastion is a fun and engrossing ride, and I highly recommend grabbing the demo to see if it's your kind of thing. Allow the soothing (well, gravelly) voice of the narrator to wash over you, and go find out just what happened to this destroyed, understated, beautiful world.

Combat Mission: Battle for Normandy is a game for history buffs and war game enthusiasts. If this is your bent, you will not find a more enthralling and historically accurate game.

It's not hugely long, offering only a couple of hours or so worth of unique content, but that's really not the point.

It's not the most amazing thing ever by any stretch of the imagination but if you like the idea of a suped-up Snake, with a bunch of modes, and don't want to lower yourself to lugging a dated mobile phone around with you, it's hard to beat.

For fans of the series, it's a no-brainer. There's so much Gundam here I'm surprised it doesn't leave little Manga stains when you put it down.

It won't be to everyone's taste, but if you can find a way to try it out before buying, then you may be surprised at just how much you get into it.

A weekend's worth of entertainment for just under US$10, or a week's worth of casual gaming. If puzzles are your thing, it's worth a look.

While (in my opinion) the single player game is pretty weak, with its short running time, linear gameplay and predictable structure (fight off wave after wave of enemy, until you reach the end of the level and fight the boss), DotM's competitive multiplayer may prove to be its saving grace.

It's not perfect but, instead of the faults (little things like visual glitches, etc) piling up to become an unbearable thorn in your side, they're more like the eccentricities of a favorite uncle. It's whacky, weird, and wonderful.

As lovely as Alice: Madness Returns is (and if you've not seen any screenshots, Madness Returns is a very good looking game), it can also be horridly repetitive, and there's a same-ness about subsequent levels, in that they, and the baddies that people them, don't feel as if they get any more challenging as you go along.

If you worship at the altar of Ken and Ryu, you'll have Super Street Fighter IV: Arcade Edition already. If you're simply a casual fan, with Super Street Fighter IV already, there is no reason to get this as a stand-alone game, considering that the only noticeable additions are the four new characters which you can just download as DLC for Super Street Fighter IV.

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.

An engaging and refreshing survival horror, if that's what it truly can be called. Its got solid combat and challenging puzzles, all wrapped up in excellent atmosphere.