Fine in short blasts for anyone looking for some mindless tension-busting target practice. However, those seeking something that challenges the grey stuff will need to look elsewhere.

It is the clichéd choice of music played on the camp radio that makes you wonder whether it is worth delving deeper into this game: Paint it Black, yes we’ve seen Tour of Duty; Nowhere to Run — yup, we watched Good Morning, Vietnam, too.

Fans of the series will have plenty to be happy about, but you can’t help feeling you’ve been here and done that in the previous games. That’s the real horror here.

The graphics are sublime — smooth and detailed even on the increasingly humble PS2, yet with enough gimmickry to make the replays delicious feasts.

Fans of the series will have plenty to be happy about, but you can’t help feeling you’ve been here and done that in the previous games. That’s the real horror here.

The graphics here are clean, robust and more colourful than previously, while the music, though still unswervingly upbeat, is as inoffensive as ever.

The graphics here are clean, robust and more colourful than previously, while the music, though still unswervingly upbeat, is as inoffensive as ever.

Fans of the series will have plenty to be happy about, but you can't help feeling you've been here and done that in the previous games. That's the real horror here.

An explosively over-the-top romp.

Just for its astonishing look — imagine a very bright 1950s cartoon about a future full of robots — this port from the Gamecube is worth the money.

Doom 3 has its flaws, but remains a graphical, audio and visual tour de force.

The best aspect, however, is the fighting, which is easy to learn and control and varies in style from martial arts to drunken brawling.

The thing that sets Ham-Ham Games apart from other recent GBA releases is its dazzling colour. This game is refreshingly bright and cheerful, bucking the current trend in handheld games for darker, neutral colours.

Sudeki is a competent debut, but, despite the oriental touches, it isn't in the epic "Final Fantasy" league.

Strangely addictive. Your fingers may be hurting and your brain turned off, but the desire to try just once more for a sub-10sec 100 metres will get the better of you.

The challenging combat does spice up proceedings, but the ubiquitous camera problems associated with these types of game and uninspiring graphics will soon make you want to turn your sword on yourself in true samurai fashion.

This game will become the benchmark by which all such titles will be measured. The game’s AI is strong enough to present a challenge and the lack of base and harvest management is wonderfully refreshing.

The weapons are interesting, the settings dull and the graphics excellent (although Soldner is a real system hog — don’t choose this game if your PC is beginning to creak). But in a market crowded with similar titles do we need another war shooter?

Unlike the first two in the series, which were made by a different studio, the interface is simple and intuitive, and the result addictive — the permutations seem endless.

This is a light-hearted beat-em-up that will appeal to both old-school fans and DragonBall aficionados.

Unlike the first two in the series, which were made by a different studio, the interface is simple and intuitive, and the result addictive — the permutations seem endless.

Makes up for its visual shortcomings by delivering memorable online play. In this domain, not too bogged down with flashy, sophisticated graphics, the cars race smoothly and will keep adrenalin-pumped players on the edge of their seats.

The graphics are divine, with vast urban locales and spectacular crashes. The cars handle well, and each vehicle has its own characteristics. Yet this is no easy driving game — one of the reasons why, subject matter aside, it carries a 16+ rating.

The graphics are divine, with vast urban locales and spectacular crashes. The cars handle well, and each vehicle has its own characteristics. Yet this is no easy driving game - one of the reasons why, subject matter aside, it carries a 16+ rating.

The sound effects and gloriously cheesy lounge music help to complete a decent experience. The game does, however, suffer from a strict linear style, which can make it a little predictable at times. Still, Sydney Bristow remains a nicely realised gaming character with a winning personality.

The lack of detail and setup options may annoy the hardcore FPS fans, but the arcade approach will appease most players.

The graphics are not as exciting as those found in "Command and Conquer: Generals" and the interface, like its predecessor’s, is rather flat. However, the ability to interact with virtually anything on the map makes up for this shortfall.

With its responsive controls, choice of 16 top players and a variety of game modes, SCTPT2 is a winner.

Some scenes do not look quite right — the scale of the characters against the width of the Hogwarts Express clearly do not tally. But these minor disappointments are quickly outweighed by stunning visuals in the later levels.

A thoroughly immersive product, thanks to handsome level design, decent sound effects, an unnerving music score and lines delivered by real actors, including Diesel himself.

It’s the creepy atmosphere and the easy-to-pick-up-but-tough-to-perfect gameplay that most impress, and there are enough quirks and twists to ensure that you will do your damnedest to complete this compelling title.

Assorted reference devices, including the handy Marauder’s Map as well as shields and character cards to collect, add a little more depth to the action. The game remains faithful to the spirit of the book, but it is perhaps a little too linear and predictable.

While older teenagers may snub this Harry Potter outing, there’s still good mileage in the bespectacled chappie for younger players.

It's the creepy atmosphere and the easy-to-pick-up-but-tough-to-perfect gameplay that most impress, and there are enough quirks and twists to ensure that you will do your damnedest to complete this compelling title.

The range of maps is impressive, though this game is likely to appeal most to Lord of the Rings-loving mythologists.

From the introductory scene featuring a Darth Vader-esque Megatron to the grand-scale boss fights later in the game, this is a thoroughly entertaining and well-constructed title.

During matches, a new passing feature allows for better control of long passes, using a combination of buttons to produce greater ball control in mid-air. In the right hands, the new move can be lethal.

During matches, a new passing feature allows for better control of long passes, using a combination of buttons to produce greater ball control in mid-air. In the right hands, the new move can be lethal.

During matches, a new passing feature allows for better control of long passes, using a combination of buttons to produce greater ball control in mid-air. In the right hands, the new move can be lethal.

Has a strong, coherent storyline that whisks Red from novice gunslinger to competent bounty hunter in what proves to be the mother of all shooting practice games.

Has a strong, coherent storyline that whisks Red from novice gunslinger to competent bounty hunter in what proves to be the mother of all shooting practice games.

The main drawback to Shrek 2 is its slightly flaky in-game camera feature, which does not always let you see the action from the best angles.

We can overlook the dingy appearance of the redesigned world, but the new style of play, involving a pair of bonded characters and a sort of extra-dimensional training area known as The Battlefields, adds layers of unnecessary complication.

The main drawback to Shrek 2 is its slightly flaky in-game camera feature, which does not always let you see the action from the best angles.

The rich musical score can sound inspired at times. The main drawback to Shrek 2 is its slightly flaky in-game camera feature, which does not always let you see the action from the best angles.

The online action is about more than endless fighting, since players also get the chance to formulate strategies in a sort of chat-room environment.

A great racing title that offers some serious improvements to the existing Toca series.

The third-person game is faithfully realised, enhanced by a coherent adventure penned by the show’s own scriptwriters and solid voice performances by the series’ cast members.

The third-person game is faithfully realised, enhanced by a coherent adventure penned by the show’s own scriptwriters and solid voice performances by the series’ cast members.

There is no getting away from the fact that this series is now showing its age. The linking video sequences are bland, while the colours jar badly.

Impressive graphics and sound effects add to the challenging gameplay to make this a fine addition to the Clancy stable, and one that is particularly suited to online gaming.

If there’s a chronic cheat in the family, then the automated die-rolling and question-reading features offered by the game may be just what you’re looking for. If not, then dust off the box containing the real game and choose a category.

The trouble is that once you have got the hang of the swordplay, throwing stars and bow and arrow, it all becomes a bit repetitive, while the problem-solving element to the game provides little challenge.

Pandora Tomorrow is a miniature masterpiece. This goodlooking, great-sounding and convincingly voiced espionage thriller delivers two satisfying game outings.

Pandora Tomorrow is a miniature masterpiece. This goodlooking, great-sounding and convincingly voiced espionage thriller delivers two satisfying game outings.

The Wild West theme lends itself well to the FPS treatment, and the primitive weaponry brings an almost liberating freedom to the gameplay.

What really makes this game is the chilling music, which, even though the gameplay might not always be up to standard, builds the tension beautifully and ensures that the shocks that X-Files: Resist or Serve delivers have the maximum impact.

The level of detail in the various maps and multiplayer levels will have you reeling, while the integration of voice communication software allows you to chat with friends, in real-time, in mid-battle.

The graphics are strong and shot from a realistic firstperson point of view, which adds to the disorientation while at the same time immersing you in the story.

The learning curve is gentle, the controls simple to master, but there’s little new here.

The learning curve is gentle, the controls simple to master, but there's little new here.

Releasing a game without a save mode is a brave move; releasing a game without a save mode because you forgot is just worrying. For those of you hoping to play Gangland and complete it, my advice is to wait until a save patch becomes available, supposedly in the next month or so.

The Wild West theme lends itself well to the FPS treatment, and the primitive weaponry brings an almost liberating freedom to the gameplay.

Fans of the cartoons will be happy to know that the game contains everything from the originals, including voices and bad jokes.

This is one of the best-looking games on the Xbox. That it also boasts fluid, intuitive gameplay, and does not condescend to the audience by making the fighting too simple or automatic, is miraculous.

Fans of the cartoons will be happy to know that the game contains everything from the originals, including voices and bad jokes.

Fans of the cartoons will be happy to know that the game contains everything from the originals, including voices and bad jokes.

The over-theshoulder style does allow for the seamless integration of glossy scenes to drive on the plot and add a more genuine movie-like feel to the game.

The over-theshoulder style does allow for the seamless integration of glossy scenes to drive on the plot and add a more genuine movie-like feel to the game.

The over-theshoulder style does allow for the seamless integration of glossy scenes to drive on the plot and add a more genuine movie-like feel to the game.

Right from the start in the tree kingdom of Kelethin, you are plunged into hack’n’slash heaven. The graphics are some of the best on the PS2, and there is plenty of variation in the gameplay.

More experienced gamers may scoff early on, but will find more rewards once they start to build up a mini-army of Pokémon, which they can trade online with other dedicated players.

Mafia on the PS2 is a very pale imitation, especially with regard to the graphics, which were resplendent on the PC, and the handling, which I’ve mentioned already. And the load times? Don’t get me started, buster.

It has pace, style and replayability; and if it is not quite as inventive as "Ratchet & Clank," what is?

At £19.99, this is a highly impressive add-on, and although it has only 11 new single-player levels, none of them is a walkover.

But if you are a fan, you’ll find that Quarantine ups the ante on battle and quest difficulty, sometimes maddeningly so, and finally ties up enough loose plot ends to satisfy.

Once you swap AI team-mates (and enemies) for the real thing, there is no turning back, as you find yourself diligently looking out for your team-mates, with whom you will need to co-operate to sweep scenes clean of troublemakers.

There’s not much innovation here — the gameplay is far too linear and there is too much emphasis on key searching to trigger the next cut scene — but for atmosphere alone it is hard to beat.

The game is built sublimely, with an excellent interface and crisp, rounded sound effects that grip the attention.

The game is built sublimely, with an excellent interface and crisp, rounded sound effects that grip the attention.

This game looks good and will appeal to fans of the "Zelda" series, although it never touches the heights achieved by some of Link’s escapades.

The fighting is realistic but dreadfully unimaginative, and there's only so much fun you can have kicking someone endlessly in the shins.

While the format is fairly standard (flipping switches, collecting objects and solving puzzles), the detailed worlds and neat touches — Kya can tame and ride wild animals, and dribble or kick certain creatures like a football — more than make up for it.

The more you play the more both the gameplay and Redmond’s catchphrases err on the repetitive side.

Visually, there may not be much to get excited about, but it is efficient and works as an introduction to the intricacies of the game for newcomers.

This may be a fine simulation, but it is not entirely realistic – for example, hapless government ministers do not meddle, passenger trains are not cancelled because drivers pull sickies and no key routes grind to a standstill because of leaves on the line.

Most of the camera work is not only excellent, it’s like a good referee — you don’t even notice it most of the time.

Graphics are fresh, with plenty of animation and the multiplayer mode offers some new alternatives to the "deathmatch" and "capture the hill" scenarios.

It’s surprisingly disturbing and scary.

This is a chess game of healthy pedigree, using the Perfect Chess engine previously seen in Ubisoft’s Chessmaster. Not only that, but the price is right.

An efficient training mode allows you to take to the trails with confidence, though you might find the crash course more entertaining.

The game-within-a-game concept is fantastic and the simulation of the MMORPG experience is flawlessly executed.

The weapons line-up is too predictable, with just a pistol, sniper rifle and explosives at your disposal, and the automated targeting arrangement means that even when you do take folk down, there is little satisfaction to be had. The graphics are flat, the voice characterisations plodding and the whole experience way too sterile.

The new features in FM07 enhance its already superior gameplay and maintain its healthy lead over its competitors.

The trouble is that once you have got the hang of the swordplay, throwing stars and bow and arrow, it all becomes a bit repetitive, while the problem-solving element to the game provides little challenge.