Schafer hasn't been able to crack the finer details of blending a story with action and strategy, but Trenched is definitely a step in the right direction, opening up a myriad of possibilities.

Dead Head Fred is an interesting, immersive and innovative game that makes good use of the PlayStation Portable's capabilities. A few gameplay issues and the eventual receptiveness drag the title down a notch or two though.

Meteos Wars may not be ideal with a standard controller, but it is still a fun, hectic and different take on the traditional block clearer.

Whilst the clunky control system is the only significant flaw, it certainly doesn't quite ruin the game.

It isn't a deep game but should keep most gamers immersed while they play.

It's still rough around the edge, but House of the Dead: Overkill Extended Cut proves to be a package that is great value for money, especially if you haven't already played Overkill on the Wii.

The plot, which we've intentionally avoided going into so as not to spoil it, is much more interesting than your average FPS too. Its relatively short length, lack of challenge and uninspiring multiplayer mean that it doesn’t quite fall under the ‘must own’ category.

UEFA EURO 2008 is a fantastic game, and it's amazing how different the title is from FIFA 08. Football fans who are heavily into the tournament should pick this title up immediately.

Possibly the best Kirby game ever. Platformer fans need this in their collection.

We would love to see Xbox Live support enabled with support for downloadable objects (this could help to extend the lifespan) or even custom soundtrack support to take advantage of the Xbox's capabilities would have been a good inclusion.

We can't pin it down, but Noby Noby Boy is uniquely addicting. Love it or loathe it, there's nothing else like it.

Death Tank is a fun little game that's best experienced with a bunch of friends, because blowing them up is always a good time.

A good tactical shooter held back by a number of minor and easily resolvable errors.

While Katamari Forever has enough variety to stay interesting for series veterans, and it's definitely worth checking out for Katamari virgins, the series is starting to get a little stale.

Longtime fans of the Driver series should breathe a sigh of relief, as Ubisoft Reflections has managed to produce a largely successful reboot. While the narrative is completely laughable, it does pave the way for the shifting mechanic, which is well-handled. If you can battle through the frustration associated with sporadic difficulty spikes and some of the game's other minor flaws, you're bound to have some good old fashioned fun with Driver: San Francisco.

Miles Edgeworth provides another worthy addition in the Ace Attorney series, with plenty of charm, humour and intrigue. This spin-off isn't as different as you might imagine, but fans will eat it up.

Although it may not be totally friendly for newbies, Deathsmiles is still a great choice for shmup fans, especially those limited by the choice of titles due to the lack of localised shmups.

A title that is easy to enjoy if management and slow-paced RTS games are your sort of thing, though just be hopeful your computer is capable of running this beast first.

If you can't get enough of dual analog shooters and high scores, Mutant Storm Empire is a game for you.

The Legendary Starfy sorely lacks in challenge but it does offer a solid platforming adventure that has plenty of fun moments.

With some nice powers and a good blend of stealth and action, topped off a great story, Second Sight is a good venture into the unique from Free Radical.

With excellent presentation, entertaining gameplay and a classic story, Star Wars: The Force Unleashed is the lightsaber-wielding adventure we've long been waiting for.

A good game that is becoming a little too familiar. C'mon Neversoft, show us some evolution!

'Better' games will be released than Ninja Blade, but few will allow you to see and experience what's on offer here.

Aliens vs Predator is a fanboys dream come true and works very well for the most part, though a bit of bug spray and polish could've pushed it through to the stratosphere. Recommended.

The PSP gets it's first RPG, we just wish it was a little more refined, this game could have been longer and provided more side quests to keep gamers entertained after the action has finished.

Predator isn't a huge upgrade from the Xbox games but if you want to play the game on your Xbox 360 then this is the all in one package.

It's not the deepest action title that you've played, but X-Men Origins: Wolverine does a fantastic job of recreating the conflicted beast that is one of Marvel Comics most enduring characters.

Despite taking a bit too much Advance Wars and not building enough of its own game, Field Commander is quite enjoyable and scratches the strategy itch.

Some great rainy weather fun. But nothing spetacular.

While the game does suffer from a few niggling issues, there is nothing else really like it on the Wii, and is a big improvement over the original. If you're into stategic warfare, give Battalion Wars 2 a go.

Too much of the game may be spent back-and-forthing between two locations, but the pace eventually picks up. This combined with the re-appearance of Murray make this episode worth checking out for Monkey Island fans.

A brilliantly British and charming but cheesy title. There's room to improve, but there's still a grand old time to be had here.

Rugby 08 does stray into familiar territory, especially if you’ve played a lot of Rugby 06. Still, the additions and improvements to the game are definitely welcome, particularly the Challenge mode that accompanies the World Cup and the minor improvements in the complex aspects such as scrums, lineouts, rucks and mauls.

MAG is definitely a fun online action game, with a good amount of depth and challenge to keep players addicted for quite some time. However, while the 256-player battles are impressive, some annoying glitches hold the title back.

If you enjoyed the platforming and puzzle aspects of the past games then you won't find much fun here, however, if you enjoyed the shooting and action side of the series then this title will probably suit your needs.

LEGO Indiana Jones sticks to an almost identical formula to the LEGO Star Wars games before it, but with its adventure-themed gameplay and incredibly entertaining cooperative features, the game is a solid purchase for anyone who wants to have some pure, uncomplicated fun.

Not quite legendary, but not apocalyptic either.

Apart from recognition issues and unclear objectives, EyePet is a fascinating little showcase of the potential of interactive technologies.

A decent single player game that exceeds the PC version in places, but unfortunately lags behind it in the most important areas. The multiplayer is great though making Far Cry Instincts a recommendable purchase for those with Xbox Live.

It's a step back from Round 2, but still delivers a knockout to the competition.

Got an Xbox 360? Want a Japanese RPG? Not expecting a revelation? Then Blue Dragon has something for you.

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

Cookie and Cream is an enjoyable game that kids and adults will both get pleasure from. The game ends up feeling like Crash Bandicoot mixed with Mario, which is a good combination.

Top Spin 3 is a decent game with an incredible learning curve. Anyone who has the patience to stick with it will enjoy the game, but anyone who is just a casual fan of tennis games will be put off by the steep learning curve.

A good port of one of last years best portable games. Still probably best in handheld form, but nice on a TV as well.

For a good, different and brutal action romp with horror/thriller themes, mystery, a great atmosphere and freaky characters, Condemned: Criminal Origins fits the bill.

Friendly enough to for the non-Sims-enthusiasts among us and something fresh for players that have been around the block before, The Sims Medieval shows that there's still some life in this franchise yet.

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.

Those willing to explore and look past the heavy-handed story will find that Bastion is a safe place to put their money into, and that Supergiant Games should be looked out for.

The fact that it controls superbly well and contains some of the best tracks in the world means that if you’re a racing game fan you could almost completely ignore that this is an F1 game and enjoy it solely on its driving merits.

Not quite the best game line-up ever, but the emulation and presentation are so well done it actually makes the games more enjoyable than rival compilations.

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.

If you can get past the intial complexities or are already a series fan, this game will keep you in until X4 is released.

Great game, great story, more Phoenix Wright righteousness. There's a lack of evolution, but we expect that to change in future.

A must for Naruto fans everywhere. Worth checking out if you’re into fighting games as well.

Despite featuring only a short single player mode Mario Strikers Charged Football is an incredibly entertaining game and comes highly recommended for Wii owners who are starved for games.

Sonic Rush Adventure is in many ways an improvement over its predecessor, but an ill-conceived plot, annoying new characters and an awful lot of repetition hold it back from being truly great.

For all the enjoyment the chaos and destruction brings, it's hard to ignore its short length, lack of multiplayer and inconsistent AI.

The gameplay itself is strategy heavy - tank rushes are still always the best bet, but usually, you don't have that many tanks to do it with, so some thought is required. The game is also fairly damn hard because of this.

But we can safely say that even if you have the slightest interest in board games, it’s definitely worth the purchasing price, and we are definitely looking forward to some other big-name board games popping up on the Xbox Live Arcade in the future.

Despite being a year late, Everybody’s Golf: World Tour brings something little less serious but still quite enjoyable to the club house.

NBA 2K6 on the Xbox 360 retains everything that made the previous versions of the game good, but also addresses some of the areas that held NBA 2K5 back. The game looks phenomenal when played on a HDTV, but Visual Concepts will need to address the vast contrast between on court play and the surrounding parts of the stadium in the next version of the game. NBA 2K6 is an absolute must-buy for all serious basketball fans.

A real treat for gamers who enjoy economic simulation games, though depth is minimal and may have you looking elsewhere soon enough.

Despite a few issues, Climax's game is an excellent first-party title. Solid gameplay, visuals and multiplayer modes makes ATV Offroad Fury Pro one of the best off-road racing titles to hit the PlayStation Portable.

It's not essential playing, but Brothers in Arms: Hell's Highway does offer an insightful and thoughtful take on the Second World War.

Custom Robo Arena overall is a fun and addictive mech combat game that really works well on the Nintendo DS, making it a worthwhile purchase for owners of the system.

It won’t stand up in terms of depth or total enthralling value, but it does provide a rock-solid game that both aficionados and RPG-newbies can find some pleasure.

Yet another surprise hit for 2009, this could be the game that tides you over until the summer blockbusters arrive. Wolfenstein may not be a Killzone 2 killer, but it's an action-packed romp full of powerful weaponry, bad accents, and Nazi-zombie killing glee.

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.

This is the best Tony Hawk game since the fourth title, if anyone was frustrated by the seemingly unimportant tasks in "THUG2" then this is the Tony Hawk title to pick up.

There are a couple of problems with how the game is controlled, but they mostly do not affect the fun and mindless gameplay experience that Fruit Ninja Kinect should (and does) offer.

It is just that the problems that are in Xenosaga Episode II are pretty unforgiving in today’s standards.

LEGO Indiana Jones sticks to an almost identical formula to the LEGO Star Wars games before it, but with its adventure-themed gameplay and incredibly entertaining cooperative features, the game is a solid purchase for anyone who wants to have some pure, uncomplicated fun.

While you wouldn't call it epic, Kirby's Epic Yarn is a welcome addition in the current, and possibly continuing, dearth of quality Wii titles.

Scene It? Box Office Smash manages to refine the experience of its predecessor, giving gamers a solid movie-trivia experience.

The Saboteur is worth a look for any sandbox game fan, as well as anybody else after a bit of a silly romp around Paris.

Yakuza is quite a decent game. Several components, especially the voice work let it down and detract from its immersive elements. Had these been improved upon it would have been great.

A fascinating mix of varied gameplay, tried conventions and one of the best JRPG stories in a while make Nier a much better prospect than it intially seems.

Despite a few minor issues, polished visuals and solid gameplay make SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Tactical Strike a fun and entertaining game.

Unlike "Supreme Commander," it isn’t a cerebral game - it's all about slaughtering your enemies by using gross, macro-level tactics. And, doing it all as fast as possible - if ever there was an arcade RTS, Command and Conquer is it. The main problem is that it doesn’t do anything new.

World Stage is a little too similar to the original Wii title, but for the fans and the newcomers, it's a fun and slick game to try out.

This is one of the most fun games I've played all year and for me it's definitely better than "Mario Kart 64," especially in the overall track design department, so if you loved that then you need this.

F.E.A.R. 3 is a fun shooter best played with friends, and although the campaign is short and kind of confusing, there's plenty of replayability in the multiplayer to make this a worthy purchase for any fan of the series.

A great game for the PS3, but not a great port.

Being on a portable console definitely doesn't mean that Valkyria Chronicles 2 is a downgrade from the first game, but there are still a couple of gameplay issues that keep the game from reaching its full potential. Regardless, action-strategy fans will adore what the game has to offer and will keep on coming back for more.

Big Brain Academy compliments Brain Training perfectly. Similar in idea but quite different in execution it’s something all DS owners should try if they want to give their brain a workout.

Midnight Club: LA Remix is an expansive and detailed game, and is sure to please anyone with an appetite for speed.

Although it's held back by a few presentation issues, Broken Sword on the Wii still holds up quite well and provides as engaging and entertaining experience as it ever did.

While the new Sega Rally offers a satisfying rally experience, it seems to lack the spirit of the two arcade originals – all of the parts are there, but the soul of the series just doesn’t seem to shine through.

Not a bad little puzzler at all. More fun than expected and a welcome distraction for the holidays.

Pursuit Force: Extreme Justice is an entertaining action game with plenty to do and see. Though players won't bore of tearing up the highway in a cop car, boss battles may eventually get the better of you.

At its worst it can be as irritating as its recent predecessors, but when you’re sliding down the back of a dinosaur, skipping gracefully over deadly spikes and screaming through the air on little more than a beam of light the game is immensely fun and rewarding.

Not many risks were taken in bringing Bomberman to the Xbox Live Arcade and the game is still a lot more enjoyable in multiplayer, but it's hard to go past Bomberman Live for an enjoyable multiplayer experience that has truly stood the test of time.

OutRun Online Arcade doesn't bring anything new to the table, but is does provide gamers with a solid arcade experience well worth the 800 Microsoft points.

It ain't broke, but the limited online experience prevents Buzz! Quiz TV from unleashing it's true potential. But still there is enough to keep fans of all ages coming back for more.

If you've already amassed a large collection of puzzle games on XBLA, you'll probably find nothing really significant to add Poker Smash to your collection. But if you're a sucker for Tetris styled games with a twist, you can't go past the slick presentation and fast-paced fun of Poker Smash.

Most Wanted isn’t as much of an upgrade upon "Need for Speed Underground Rivals" as we had hoped it would be. One of the biggest upgrades to the game is the police races, and they just become annoying.