Behind the poor soundtrack, outdated visuals and general lack of presentation is a beat-em-up with rock-solid gameplay mechanics and ample multiplayer appeal.

If you've already got the 04 version, then all you're really paying £40 for is the online mode, and whether that's worth it is debatable. If you're new to the series, then by all means spend the money on what is a superb rally game.

As far as sequels go, Shadow Hearts: Covenant gets everything right by improving upon nearly everything. As far as RPGs go, the quality of the game is obvious.

It has so much depth and aptitude that you'll find yourself drawn in for hours, which will quickly turn into days, months and, dare I say, years. There's been so much effort put into every single aspect of the game that it's hard not to admire the hard work of the developers behind it.

While other games coming out might be flashier and bigger and badder and all that crap, what it really comes down to is good strategy and in that aspect Kohan II really nails it.

The noise of Earth can be scary. Hectic and pulsing. Enough to make even the bravest of Princes turn to syrup.

It’s got a wonderfully dark an original story, which is complemented with dynamic (if not slightly cliched) characters. The gameplay is straightforward and to the point; fans of action games will have their hands full with small armies of ghouls and 48 bosses to defeat. On the other hand, the combat is incredibly shallow and the game has little difficulty to speak of.

This isn't anything new for players to experience. It's the same old formula in a new package, with a new name and new ways to animate the whole process.

Plays much faster with no noticeable slowdown.

Throw in cool rapport between Kim and friends Wade and Ron, fairly good tunes, and a turn playing as a naked mole rat (ooh, provocative!), and you've got a winner.

Naturally, mediocre graphics can be overlooked if the gameplay is there, but some considerable problems hinder this aspect of the game as well.

A flawed effort which will seem amazing to hardcore fans. Everyone else will be genuinely thrilled with the larger-than-life fantasy scope at times, suffocating unhappily under the monstrous enemy forces at other times, before it's all over, in no time.

It re-establishes the game's hold on the WWII shooter sub-genre and although it may not be worth a purchase for the singleplayer alone, the multiplayer makes it a worthy addition to any collection.

Fable doesn't reinvent the wheel, but it does offer an enjoyable and focused modern gaming experience which is both streamlined and accessible to all. It may not be the best RPG ever, but it's certainly one of the best.

A 2D fighting game fan's dream come true. It's got all the flash and pizzazz of "Marvel vs. Capcom," the finely tuned balance of "Street Fighter," numerous unprecedented gameplay enhancements that push what we expect from the genre and some of the best hand-drawn graphics to ever grace a videogame.

The sea battles are awkward, the prices jump far too quickly during trading and the learning curve is too steep to begin with.

I had tremendous fun with Arena Wars; its fast paced action and tactical warfare proving to be a godsend after endless struggles and yawns on various RPGs.

Conflict: Vietnam earns another medal for a split-screen co-operative mode for up to four players. When your friends are controlling each person in your squad the game becomes much, much more enjoyable.

But I think it's safe to say that when a game is both a retread and short, there's definitely something wrong with it. Silent Hill 4 is such a game.

This game takes the tried and true racing game formula and refreshes it with a system that rewards you for bad driving and poor sportsmanship. You can drive into oncoming traffic, cause accidents on purpose, and mess with anything that tries to get in your way.

The one thing that would have made this game a true gem would have been some online play, but the multiplayer is so entertaining that it’s easy to overlook.

This game was built to appeal to both the veterans of the series and the new folks just itching to give Pokemon a try. It's a fair bet that the fans will get this game without much hesitation.

This game was built to appeal to both the veterans of the series and the new folks just itching to give Pokemon a try. It's a fair bet that the fans will get this game without much hesitation.

Great visuals and exciting gameplay warrant an eye out for a reduced price, but annoying AI and linear levels keep this title from the borderline of must-have-ness. A difficult one to rate, this; not superb, not average. Just in-between. And a credit to movie tie-ins.

With tons of new levels, characters, and treasures, this game will have you coming back for more, even after you've paid off that debt. They've taken everything that we've held dear about the original, and expanded it throughout, making a more complete game and creating something that is a pleasure to play.

The thought of turning epic Gundam combat into a fighting game is quite awesome, but Battle Assault falls far short of its potential. The story and characters are almost non-existent, giving you a game with little personality.

It’s the atmosphere created by the outstanding people at id that makes Doom 3 standout from the crowd. The lights flicker on and off, enemies hide in the dark and wait for you, and you truly feel alone most of the time you’re playing the game, which is surprising considering there are other characters that you work with.

Its large cast of likable characters and engaging, swashbuckling story go a long way in redeeming the game as a whole despite its several niggling problems.