The atmospheric presentation of Microbot is top-notch for a downloadable title. But for a game that promises to be an action shooter, the severe lack of action throughout a significant portion of the title makes this one game that should be left to flat line on the operating table.

The frequent hit-and-miss nature of the gameplay and the irritating technical problems will probably chase a lot of adventure gamers away. Still, if you don't mind all the issues with the game, you're in for a interesting story and a whole cast of kooky characters.

Quantum Theory is a disgrace to the video game industry.

The breath of fresh air that was needed in a seemingly stale FPS genre. It takes a remarkably good idea, slides across the battlefield, kicks the enemy into the air and shoots him in the crotch with it. It's that awesome, and exactly what you'd expect of a shameless, over-the-top and entertaining old-school action romp.

A spectacular failure in terms of content and technical quality. Don't bother.

Gray Matter weaves an intriguing tale that will please adventure game fans, but won't necessarily impress them.

Faery is really quite a bland game with an uninspired combat system and basic storyline. Still, it does serve its purpose as a nice bit of eye candy.

Essential for puzzle fans and highly recommended for everyone else, ilomilo is one of the most unique experiences on Xbox Live.

It takes time to gather momentum, but A Shadow's Tale is worth stepping out of the dark for.

Killzone 3 is a sequel that improves upon its predecessor in just about every way, and is a visually astonishing spectacle to look at.

Stacking is a delightful little game with a fantastically original premise that truly deserves to be played by everyone.

Bomberman Live: Battlefest is only worth getting if you missed out on the original and are craving for an addictive multiplayer experience that only Bomberman can offer.

The second episode's story is a marked improvement on the first one, although it's still a short, easy ride through 1930s Hill Valley.

Magicka is a solid action adventure title with a clever spellcasting mechanic that will provide hours of entertainment for gamers, especially if they play co-operatively.

LittleBigPlanet 2 throws in an absolutely massive amount of new features but forgets to improve upon its gameplay mechanics and in turn loses some of its groove.

Kingdom Hearts Re:coded is a serviceable recycling of content from other games in the series, but probably the most 'missable' entry in the series to date.

Flawed and forgettable. Let this one drown slowly in the deepest pit of Xbox Live.

Mass Effect 2 is a fantastic debut for the series on Sony's console, with an engrossing sci-fi story, intriguing characters and outstanding production values. Added to the included downloadable content, Mass Effect 2 is the best value RPG on PS3.

An agreeable effort with no drastic flaws, Spare Parts gets some things right but suffers from a lack of inspiration to be a compelling title.

Graphic adventure fans would be drop dead crazy to let this this fantastic adventure pass. Pun intended.

Comic fans will get the most out of DC Universe Online, and it is a fun, if shallow MMO. However, once the level cap is reached, there is little reason to continue, making it a game you probably won't be spending a lot of time with.

Recettear is perhaps one of the most unusual examples of a simulation game yet; with its engaging storyline, large ensemble of characters and action-RPG sequences, this is a game that really stands out from the crowd.

You'd be hard pressed finding a more visceral, intense and atmospheric experience with top-level design and a brutal challenge than in the package that is Dead Space 2.

Nine Hours, Nine Persons, Nine Doors is a mature and rewarding visual novel experience with an unforgettable story that features some truly excellent writing.

While Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit is a terrific racer, it's also a poignant reminder that Criterion will probably never be able to match the standard they set with Burnout 3.

With its familiar but poorly implemented game mechanics, The Wonderful End of the World comes across as trying to be a PC take on the Katamari series. But for the USD$9.99 price tag, you're better off saving the money for something else.

Even if it's only the first rung on the evolution ladder, Your Shape: Fitness Evolved shows off excellent potential for the Kinect and the future of fitness games.

For those serious about improving fitness and losing a few centimetres, there is a lot to like about The Biggest Loser: Ultimate Workout, but ultimately a cumbersome navigation interface and occasional motion detection inaccuracies keep it from being a truly great title.

Though hampered by some presentation and length issues, Majin and the Forsaken Kingdom is a decent action adventure game and is worth its current pricetag.

If you, like us, have a deep nostalgic passion for adventure games, you will adore Lost Horizon. It knows exactly what it is and what it's meant to do, and while there are few surprises, it's a terrific ride.

Dead Rising 2: Case West is a good stand-alone co-op zombie slayer and definite for all 360 fans of the franchise. Just don't expect too many answers.

Raskulls is a title that is sure to amuse and entertain for hours on end, with excellent gameplay and a degree of polish that could very well rank it up there among the best Xbox Live Arcade games.

A fine addition to the roleplaying game lineup on the DS, Golden Sun: Dark Dawn is excellent proof that Nintendo can continue to build their franchises and aim for bigger and better things.

Pokemon Ranger: Guardian Signs is solid, competent, and not without charm, but repetitive mechanics and a lack of depth render it a game best suited to younger or more inexperienced gamers looking for an easy entry to the franchise.

Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 2 has plenty of fluster and a heap of bluster for fans but little to keep the interest of non-fans and seasoned gamers.

A title that is both retro and refreshing and ever so polished, Cave Story is not to be missed by anybody.

Superstars V8 Racing is a downloadable title, and therefore not as fleshed out as a retail release. The content is fun and very playable, but may not be worth the price of admission with much bigger racing titles already on the market.

Fans will delight in the more nostalgic and clever moments of 'It's About Time', but it's a short, easy and somewhat bland introduction to the series, which we hope still has time to get a lot better.

NBA Jam does an excellent job of bringing the classic title up-to-date for the modern gaming audience, though its simplistic gameplay may ultimately detract those looking for a deeper basketball experience.

Ivy the Kiwi? is a charming puzzle platformer that makes intuitive use of the DS's capabilities. It's one of the better 'pure' DS platformers to come out in a long time.

Def Jam Rapstar confidently captures the swagger of the hip-hop genre with a slick combination of old-school and new-school tracks which are sure to delight any funky monkey.

It's as simple as this - you will either love or hate Deadly Premonition. If you're looking for a bizarre game that's so bad it's good, you've found your match. If you're not… well, keep looking.

A fairly basic and uneventful puzzler, Dead Space Ignition will probably be best enjoyed by hardcore fans of the Dead Space series only.

A short, but sweet little game with quirky writing and simple combat, Costume Quest is yet another charming treat from Double Fine Productions and a very promising sign of things to come.

BlazBlue: Continuum Shift is a fantastic sequel to BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger, and it's easily one of the best fighting games of this console generation.

The most accurately detailed sporting video game on the planet at this time. Make no mistake, NBA 2K11 is where amazing happens.

Rock Band 3 focuses more on the music, providing a fun and streamlined experience. However, taking full advantage of the game comes with a rather large pricetag, and it's up to you whether it's the worth the extra cash to upgrade from plastic to fantastic.

Considering the low price tag (USD$4.95), adventure fans would do well to check Puzzle Bots out. Just be prepared for a frustrating final level and silly plot twist that comes together a bit too quickly.

While there are still a lot of areas that could have been done better, Motion Sports: Play for Real is an adequate launch title that shows off the potential of Kinect.

The King of Fighters 2002 Unlimited Match is quite retro from a technical standpoint and the 2D fighting genre has moved on to the next level, but for 800 Microsoft Points, you are getting the biggest and best playing The King of Fighters game ever made (period).

A bizzare divide between the extremes of playing the game aside, Kinect Joy Ride plays well enough to justify use of the Kinect sensor, but there really isn't enough to it otherwise.

Kratos' road to revenge is a well-worn path, and while Ghost of Sparta doesn't have a whole lot new to offer, it is a tight, fun and great-looking adventure for the PSP.

John Daly's Prostroke Golf works as an example of the PlayStation Move, but ultimately fails in every other aspect. The core gameplay is good, but overall isn't enough to sell a package that is put up against other far more successful golf franchises.

Make no bones about it, Splatterhouse is a worthwhile successor to its retro counterparts and a worthy addition to the ever-expanding action genre.

The Time Crisis: Razing Storm compilation is a really mixed disc – for those seeking out a light gun game that implements the Move controller well, it will only be partially satisfying, given the weakness of Razing Storm's motion controls. Thankfully, the package is partially saved by the controls and fun factor of Time Crisis 4 and Deadstorm Pirates especially.

SingStar: Dance seems like a natural evolution of the series, but the actual dancing and Move functionality is poorly implemented. Nevertheless, the tracklist is solid and the game's core karaoke function will provide fun at parties.

The Shoot is an uninspired on-rails shooter that fails to capture the imagination it desires to make real and simply remains below average.

Shaun White Skateboarding isn't worthy of your time, your patience or most importantly - your money.

Sengoku Basara: Samurai Heroes brings nothing new to the hack-and-slash table, nor does it improve on any of the genre's typical features.

Saw II has a few decent puzzles, and fans may appreciate some of the story's revelations, but terrible combat, poor boss encounters and the complete lack of scares detract from the experience.

Ultimately, Front Mission Evolved isn't a particularly satisfying title for those who are fans of the series, mech games or even third-person shooters in general. It might be worth a rental if you're a fan of pyrotechnics, but other than that, expect an utterly mediocre title.

Super Scribblenauts fixes just about everything that was wrong in the first game, and offers a wonderful gaming experience that we wish there was more of.

Poker Night at the Inventory continues Telltale's tradition of offering games that deliver a great story. You'll come for the cheap poker mechanic and stay for the humourous banter.

Even with some annoying flaws, The UnderGarden provides a unique puzzle experience that will surely win you over with its charming visuals and beautiful music.

If you like beat 'em ups, you will appreciate this one, but ultimately Fist of the North Star: Ken's Rage is a love letter to fans of the original series.

With some obvious flaws that render the game difficult to play at best, Final Fantasy XIV will benefit from some updates in the near future. It's not bad by any means, but it's tough to recommend until the glaring issues have been dealt with.

While the intent was there, Fighters Uncaged comes off as a failed experiment that should be avoided if you're looking to see the potential of Kinect.

At first, The Fight seems sloppy and broken, but with practice and patience it eventually evolves into a decent fighting experience. It's still not great, or even that good, but it is at the very least playable.

For all the game has got going for it, which is still a lot, Fable III is unable to transcend the sum of its parts and we're left to lament what could have been.

Even without the UFC license, EA Sports MMA still manages to offer a polished, engaging and 'different' MMA experience that is likely to satisfy fans of the sport.

Sly Trilogy is a slick compendium of three of the most elegant and charming platforming titles of modern times, resulting in a near-faultless package which stands testament to the joys of the most ancient and revered of genres.

Gran Turismo 5 mostly delivers on its promise of an all-encompassing, incredibly accurate and challenging racing simulator, and is by all means a treat for car fans and racing game fans alike.

Arguably the best Bond game since the original GoldenEye, and the definitive single player Wii shooter, bought down only by marginal multiplayer flaws.

Donkey Kong Country Returns represents the apex of 2D platformer design, not just in reviving mechanics we're all familiar with, but reinventing them for a new generation.

TRON: Evolution is a generic and competent action game that will appeal to fans of the franchise the most.

Addictive and annoying in equal spades, Super Meat Boy is one of the most vexing games of the year.

Treyarch deliver a solid story-driven campaign, addictive zombie madness and a wealth of new multiplayer content in the one outstanding package, making Call of Duty: Black Ops a contender for first-person shooter of the year.

Echoshift was designed to challenge the most devout puzzle fans, a respectable move but one that ultimately alienates fans of the original.

A wonderful love letter to Disney art and memorabilia, but a disappointing gameplay debut from Junction Point, set back by unpolished and unrefined design.

Dance Central is the best of the Kinect launch line-up, and with ongoing support promised for what is already a solid and well-executed concept, this inspires faith that developers are capable of great things with this hardware in the future.

It's everything you've come to love about the PC title re-imagined for the console set. Featuring the same addictive gameplay and a number of new features The Sims 3 is sure to please even the biggest skeptic.

EyePet on PSP is cute, sure, but there isn't much you can do with it aside from simple, boring mini-games and unimaginative augmented reality gimmicks.

The game may not have aged well in some areas, but given its fair price, newcomers looking for a fun and unique arcade experience should check out this port of Crazy Taxi.

Nobody could have predicted this. Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood is fan service of the highest order, all the while breaking new ground with a terrific multiplayer experience.

WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2011 doesn't completely revolutionise the genre of wrestling games, but it certainly has enough new tricks and improvements to make it one of the most compelling additions to the series in some time.

Sonic Colours is Sega's first step in the right direction towards making a great Sonic game, but they're not quite there yet. This isn't the second coming of Sonic, but it's fun enough for kids and fans of the series.

James Bond 007: Blood Stone is a good, workmanlike title with modest pleasures to be derived from the trappings of its license. Unfortunately, stiff combat, inconsistent visuals and a weak narrative ensure that the definitive 007 videogame adaptation is yet to come.

Few franchise titles in recent memory have failed to deliver on their inherent promise in so spectacular a fashion. Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II is a scant, uninspired action adventure which never properly captures the magic of that galaxy far, far away.

More of a refinement than a revolution, but that doesn't stop DJ Hero 2 from being a truly brilliant and worthwhile addition to the rhythm action scene.

Vanquish only sounds a single note, but it does so with style and flair to spare. The most polished, exciting and interesting shooter of the year.

With more varied puzzles, top-notch graphics and a wonderful storyline, Professor Layton and The Lost Future is a game that a true gentleman or lady shouldn't pass up.

While PlayStation Move undoubtedly has a lot of potential, Kung Fu Rider is one of the worst possible titles to show any of it.

Blue Dragon: Awakened Shadow is a well-made 3D action RPG, but unfortunately, it ends up feeling like a poor man's Dragon Quest IX.

A new candidate for the most disappointing game of 2010, Medal of Honor doesn't deliver on any of its promises.

Its dark humour and visceral splatter simply add to the charm of the whole package, and the whole thing is so fun and outrageous that it's impossible not to love it.

Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 1 is a fairly good Sonic game that brings the franchise back to school, but several shortcomings prevent it from reaching greatness.

Though by no means a very bad or broken game, WRC: FIA World Rally Championship just isn't particularly remarkable and is short on replay value.

Enslaved is a game that has managed to sneak past the hype radar, but that doesn't stop it from being one of the most enjoyable and entertaining action-adventure titles this year.