The soul will burn forever. Soul Calibur V plays superbly and is ideal for multiplayer and personalisation. It probably could do more to build and coerce the player, but fans of fighters will have a blast.

A superior game to its predecessor, Final Fantasy XIII-2 is the game that probably should have been originally released. Even if it doesn't quite achieve everything it sets out to do.

It's not dead on arrival, but it never reaches its true potential. It's not enough to stand out, but Neverdead will satisfy those willing to try something different.

Boom Street is a pleasant and surprisingly enjoyable board game for those who have the time and patience to actually be able to sit through a few games.

A magnificent homage for the 25th anniversary of one the biggest franchises in gaming, The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword provides a compelling gaming and artistic showcase for the indefatigable potential of the medium as a whole, and a reason to have gaming as a hobby.

Excellent presentation, compelling story and gameplay and value for money, Professor Layton and the Last Spectre is both a fitting sendoff for the DS and a great new beginning for the Layton series.

Solatorobo is a title full of great ideas, which were wasted with shoddy execution. Nevertheless, those interested in games with great stories should check it out.

Hunter's Trophy is a competent hunting simulator, which when you get past the rifle accessory doesn't have much to offer.

Sonic CD is one of the more robust examples of quality nostalgia and how developers should handle their distribution in the modern age.

With a greater sense of gameplay fun than ever before and a true evolution in controls, WWE '12 is an excellent wrestling game, but visual inconsistency and its overabundance of DLC hamper the game experience as a hole and hold it back from truly being a Great One.

A fitting end to the stories of Ezio and Altaïr build on a high standard of gameplay fitting for the series, ultimately held back by a lack of true gameplay evolution. Fans of the series won't be disappointed, but may find the wait for Assassin's Creed III made just a little bit harder.

Despite some clever uses of the Move controller, Medieval Moves is let down by its low difficulty and at times shoddy presentation.

Strong racing foundations let down by a weak single player are quickly made up by some of the best multiplayer components found in any Nintendo game. Best played online and with friends, this is Mario Kart for the socialite.

Tekken Hybrid a package that contains a graphically-updated version of a game that was released 12 years ago, a game demo and a movie. Most gamers are going to find the $60 price tag hard to swallow, so only hardcore Tekken fans need apply.

In Rayman Origins, Ubisoft and Michel Ancel have crafted both the best platforming game of the year and a striking monument to the giddy joys of the medium's heritage. Fun, funny and frantic.

Inventive, beautiful and dangerously addictive, Super Mario 3D Land is the 3DS defining game, capitalising on the system's strengths and value of portability, while recalling the best qualities of both 2D and 3D iterations of the franchise. Not to be missed.

The Run sits squarely in the middle of the franchise pantheon; its tentative steps into storytelling are often ham-fisted, but represent something of a unique avenue for the development of the racing genre, while the core racing model is just about good enough if one forgets that its Criterion-developed predecessor was released just one year prior.

On 3DS, Sonic Generations is a more half-hearted anniversary affair which somehow misses the point of the whole exercise.

A competent mini-game collection, with some nice nostalgia for Mario & Sonic fans and plenty of waggle.

Rabbids: Alive and Kicking is a collection of party games that's worth picking up if you plan on playing with others, but if not, only hardcore Rabbids fans need apply.

Just about the finest example of core, yet accessible, Western RPG and open-ended gameplay. In The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, Bethesda have realised the game they wanted to make since the inception of HD gaming.

It's by no means perfect, but Lord of the Rings: War in the North is still one of the better games to come out of the franchise, particularly if you play co-op. If you've been missing middle earth you're bound to get some enjoyment, just be prepared for it to be a little rough around the edges.

Football Manager 2012 exercises the same sheer depth and freedom that have seen the series leave other football management titles in its wake.

Goldeneye 007: Reloaded is a workmanlike game which does exactly what it says on the tin, but little more. Solid then, but utterly inessential, especially for those who have sampled the Wii iteration.

It might not deal with terrorists or modern combat, but Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary remains a downright enjoyable experience from start to finish that most gamers should experience.

Saints Row: The Third takes everything your teenage self found awesome and distills it into a single, outrageous game.

Some moments of Jurassic Park: The Game evoke the atmosphere of the films quite well, but unfortunately it's a game where the player ultimately feels unnecessary.

Proving that old school can still be cool, Shinobi makes a welcome return on the 3DS.

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.

Ties in the fates of the three protagonists very well, and makes some good improvements on the way. But the real revelation will be if the next proper sequel manages to improve rather than just polish an ideas pool running low.

Where it lacks in revolution it success in execution. Tropico 4 represents the best qualities found in city management simulators, and is the best entry yet in a beloved franchise.

The battle presentation is spot on, and the system is half way there, but Dragon Ball Z: Ultimate Tenkaichi is still only half way to being the Ultimate Dragon Ball Z experience.

Kirby: Mass Attack has all the features of an excellent DS game - innovative controls, delightful gameplay and eye-popping visual style. This may be one the of the last DS games, but without a doubt, it is one of the greatest.

Might and Magic Heroes VI is a great game. It brings back much of what veterans loved about the first few titles and remains feeling fresh and notoriously addictive.

Infinity Ward and Slegdehammer Games have fashioned a fantastic product, not for its fresh or innovate approach, but for the sheer content and refinements made to the existing product. The solo campaign, though short in length and somewhat lacking in climax, exemplifies flawless shooter gameplay while delivering a satisfying end to the Modern Warfare trilogy.

An unquestionable downloadable gem, Dungeon Defenders is a truly refreshing experience amongst a market dominated by whizzing bullets and big explosions. Just make sure you play it with some friends.

If you're after a quick Tetris fix, and you own a 3DS, this iteration is an obvious choice. For those who have every other version on the market though, it might not do enough to continue the blocky wonderland.

Ratchet & Clank: All 4 One is a mostly unremarkable entry into the hallowed platforming series.

Battlefield 3 is a poor single player title, an amazing multiplayer game, but has layers of useless nonsense that hurt it in the long run.

Sonic Generations is, quite simply, the greatest Sonic game ever produced. Regardless of whether that statement still holds any relevance today, this game is a triumphant victory for Sonic Team and for the blue hedgehog himself. Stand proud Sonic, you deserve it.

The Sims 3: Pets is little more than a re-release of last year's console port with a few endearing, inessential features thrown into the mix. The core game is still solid fun, but it is disappointing that a little more effort was not made to render this anything more than a minor revision of a known quantity.

Multiplayer, both competitive and co-operative, has been genuinely improved and provides an exciting alternative for PlayStation 3 owners. At the end of the day, for what it lacks in complexity, Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception makes up for it in spades in delivering thrill and adventure.

Realistic, challenging, gorgeously presented and chock full of solid gameplay, NBA 2K12 is the new benchmark for solid sporting titles.

James Noir's Hollywood Crimes 3D has an interesting premise but requires better execution and better use of 3DS capabilities to realise its potential.

Sesame Street: Once Upon a Monster is an excellent family-friendly experience that kids will learn a lot from and adults will have fun with. This is definitely a game that lives up to the Sesame Street name.

Believe the hype. Arkham City is one of the most important games made for this generation and it's also a masterclass in design, execution and treatment.

Brilliant budget priced arcade racing that recalls a simple, better gaming time. Be prepared to wear out the race reset key as you make the thousandth attempt at a perfect run, if just to show off your racing mastery to the world.

It plays average, it feels average, and the payment system offers average content at an unjustified price. Unless you're a die-hard fan, this is a pass.

Dark Souls is one of the defining RPGs of this generation that goes above and beyond the genre to bring us something terrifying and unforgettable. An unmissable gem for the daring.

Ace Combat: Assault Horizon is the best air combat game of this generation. Project Aces nail the art of aerial action, with intense gameplay, sublime presentation and excellent solo and multiplayer modes.

Some niggling issues and problems aside, FIFA 12 is a fantastic sports game that delivers where it matters - gameplay.

PES 2012 doesn't help itself by remaining in stagnant waters, and if it doesn't receive a complete overhaul next year, then we're afraid the end is nigh.

Forza 4 impresses for not only providing a beautiful, solid and deep racing experience, but making it fun and accessible for any car enthusiast or newcomer.

Rage is a bold new direction for id software with incredible art direction, old-school gunplay and a terrible story.

ICO and Shadow of the Colossus are two of the greatest games ever made, and they're still as emotionally gripping and visually astounding as before. This is the closest you'll get to perfection in 2011.

Rise of Nightmares is a decent horror game with great ideas and a spooky atmosphere but is let down by clunky movement controls.

With tight vehicle controls, impressive presentation and explosive dual-stick shooter gameplay, Renegade Ops is a highly entertaining and well-priced downloadable game that can be enjoyed by all.

F1 2011 is a technically stronger outfit than its predecessor, with some sweet new additions for fans, but we can't say that it's absolutely vital unless you're very passionate or curious.

While proceedings might start out enjoyable, Thor: God of Thunder's trip to boredom and mediocrity ruin what ultimately could have been a solid third person romp. If you're after you're action fix you could certainly do worse; just don't expect this to be the 3DS' answer to God of War.

An interesting 2D action title that borrows elements from Contra and Metroid, while adding a couple of nicely implemented twists of its own, but it could have been something remarkable if it weren't for its lacking design and substance.

Beyond Reasonable Doom, along with the whole Hector trilogy, is hilarious and well worth a look for any fan of British humour or classic adventure games.

The Gunstringer not only shows off great potential for Kinect, it shows off the possibilities of a little bit of creativity added to the presentation.

It's easily the most compelling application of 'synaesthesia' and a wholly unique audio/visual experience. It probably loses a little bit of the involvement that came along with Kinect, but Move is still an accurate experience that outweighs the conventional controller, and will make this the most accessible version.

While there are a lot of positive elements to Age of Empires Online which see it retain the series' core strategy mechanics, you can't help but shake the feeling that there is a decent amount of content hidden away from you.

The fans of Bleach will get a kick out of Bleach: Soul Resurrección, for while at least. Anyone else need not bother with it.

Repetitious gameplay and confusing plot drag down what is otherwise a breathtaking audio and visual experience. Visually there is absolutely nothing else like it, which alone warrants a serious look.

Madden 12 isn't a disaster. It is however, a story about a game full of uncertainty, a game that doesn't know where it wants to go or how it's going to get there.

Though not without its faults, Gears of War 3 ties up the trilogy in a brutally final and satisfying manner.

Space Marine is a thrilling, well paced action game that is only really let down by its shoddy matchmaking system and somewhat repetitive nature.

For 800 MS Points, Crazy Machines Elements is well worth the money, providing patient players willing to overlook its minor flaws with countless hours of fascinating and complex puzzles.

NHL 12 is the new benchmark that sports games will aspire to challenge, it's also the best and most complete title that EA Sports has released in years.

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.

Not even a wobbly second act can derail Insomniac's achievement with Resistance 3, a lean and engaging shooter which hums on a current of renewed creative energy and artistic focus. The franchise has finally founds its voice, and we look forward to what it has to say next.

Star Fox 64 3D still holds up well today, and certainly enough to justify this remake. It's not a classic that redefined a genre, but it is a very fun arcade shooter with a huge amount of replayability.

The Mortal Kombat Arcade Kollection is a package that will truly inspire nostalgia, for better or for worse.

Has everything that made the original such a great game, and so much more. It's a proper visual update of one of the most important fighting games ever made, with plenty of new modes, features and a well functioning online mode.

Dead Island, while rough around the edges, has a lot of content for those willing to put in the hard yards of side questing and zombie murdering, and is ultimately a solid open world adventure.

Earth Defense Force: Insect Armageddon may be a reasonably competent game given its budget roots, but somehow ends up being rather unsatisfying to play.

Wallabies Rugby Challenge provides a consistent rugby experience for fans of the sport but is marred by rudimentary mistakes and a lack of polish.

Outside of the rough edges, Deus Ex: Human Revolution manages to truly realise the concepts of openness, choice and consequence, while wrapping them in a unique, faithful and wholly excellent gameplay package.

A deep breath of fresh air for an arguably stagnant genre, Xenoblade Chronicles is essential gaming for anybody with a flavour for role playing. It represents the absolute best of what traditional Japanese RPGs could be, and triumphantly what Japanese RPGs should be.

Requiring much more lateral thinking and old-school adventure antics than some of Telltale's latest offerings, Senseless Acts of Justice is both hilarious and challenging, although it once again leaves us hungry for more.

SPY Mouse is an attractive, well-designed and fun game that's a must for any fan of Flight Control or anyone looking for a bit of mobile stealth puzzling.

Spelunkers HD is an enjoyable platformer, marred by an extremely difficult nature that is bound to turn many, if not most, away. If you're a gamer that relishes games with a harsh, unwilling and unforgiving nature, or were a fan of the original title, this is the perfect game for you. For everyone else out there though, save your sanity and stay away. Consider yourself warned.

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.

An interesting, plague-filled Middle Ages premise and decent combat are let down by some poor presentation and seriously questionable AI issues.

If you hate puzzle games,Catherine will be like a scorned lover, vying desperately for your attention with methods that don't always work. If you love puzzle games though, Catherine will be the closest you will ever get to having the perfect relationship, drawing you in with its strong and compelling storyline and deep and multi-faceted gameplay.

Seamlessly combining minimalist presentation with intuitive puzzle design, Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet makes great use of the Metroid formula.

A faithful adaptation of Magic: The Gathering that offers something for players old and new, hindered only by design and presentation inconsistencies. Good value for money.

A once respectable franchise has been irreversibly tarnished by this steaming turd known as Call of Juarez: The Cartel.

A fun 2D fighting game aimed at a particular type of gamer, one that is well versed in otaku culture. In terms of gameplay and visual presentation, there are far superior options already out there.

Captain America: Super Soldier is one of the better movie tie-ins of late, but not a particularly inspiring game in its own right; a weak story, bland visuals and shoddy platforming are propped up by an enjoyable combat system which deserves a sequel of refinement.

A wonderful new addition to the Xbox Live Arcade that suffers from small irritations more than anything else, but it's still a beautiful experience.

A competent shooter which nonetheless feels like a squandered opportunity and a misstep for its franchise; decent fun for a few hours, but destined to be forgotten within minutes of its end credits scrolling by.

Addictive poker role playing with real tactical depth making sure every battle keeps you on your toes, all at a bargain price.

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 addition of rather clumsily-implemented mechanics ruins what could have potentially been a wonderful reimagining of and old arcade classic.

Solar 2 is a simple but effective sandbox title that feeds off your addiction to it and delivers an enjoyable ride across the universe.