Given the series orientation towards multiplayer in the final chapters on the PS2, it's quite surprising to find Tools of Destruction a solely single-player experience. With a handful of mini-games Tools of Destruction can be rushed through over a weekend, with the only real replay value stemming from Insomniac's traditional selection of Skill Point challenges to achieve on every level.

It's a game that will certainly appeal to MK fans thanks to its self-referencing details, but more than that, Shaolin Monks will appeal to action/adventure fans in general thanks to a very solid combat system that surpasses previous attempts at multi-directions 3D combat.

A dark mix of revealing narrative and gun-toting, sword-swinging, demon slaying action that works well with a result that's certainly satisfying.

A game caught in confusion, in one aspect Smilebit have tried to speed up the gameplay and streamline it, yet in removing the time limit and cops that said immediacy is completely lost, what’s the point in whizzing around all of the levels if you have all the time in the world.

The simple interface combined with the depth and detailed gameplay ensure this is a great game to play, the wonderful visuals and compelling storyline guarantee that you’ll be playing this for quite awhile.

A lot of the new features fail to add anything of any substantial merit and actually continue to break up the experience, whilst the jungle location is certainly a required taste.

The eeriness of the environments, even your room feels dingy, is captured brilliantly, and the tunnel effect is awesome.

It can be hugely exciting and fun when you are outside flying through the city. However the inside levels feel confined and just lack the excitement of the excellently implemented exterior sections.

EndWar is a real glimpse into the future of RTS titles on console, with an immersive experience thanks unquestionably to the voice command system.

The four-player split screen mode is yet another feather in the dreamcast’s cap for multiplayer games, and despite the lack of an on-line mode I’m more then happy.

For any fan of the Final Fantasy games, or Japanese RPGs in general, Crisis Core is a must play purely for how well the story is crafted.

A game quite unlike any other, a game that is wonderfully Nintendo at heart; Animal Crossing: Wild World will either leave a lasting impression, becoming part of your daily routine or have you questioning what the fuss is all about right from the start.

A great action title... The problem is that we had such high expectations for the game, expecting a true next-gen title to really push the genre forward, in this respect The Getaway falls short of the mark.

The characters and objects have that distinctive cartoon look which is superb.

A game of football that is fast and fluid; now that the game uses its own engine and not a modification of the NHL one, it’s fair to say that issues such as stifled player controls and jerky animation transitions are well and truly a thing of the past.

Somehow producing a breath of fresh air out of a fairly worn out strategy sub-genre, Ninjatown's adorable Ninjas and pesky Devils provide enough appeal to keep gamers thoroughly entertained.

Top Spin 4 preserves the series' signature depth, ensuring that it remains the most advanced tennis experience available to gamers. Its easy to learn, hard to master control system is a triumph, and manages to retain overtones of simulation while simultaneously executing accessibility. Even without Virtua Tennis' sense of silliness and whimsy, Top Spin 4 is still a real hoot and, apart from one or two niggles, it's perhaps only limited by the repetitive nature of the sport itself.

Undeniably about as brilliant as a band specific music title can get, The Beatles Rock Band easily outstretches the confines of just being a music game into something that guarantees great times for all - provided of course you're not one of the strange type of folk who just doesn't like them.

Too much repetition and the occasional dip into unoriginality does make it a grind in places, but the story did just enough to pull us through.

A cultural masterpiece.

Really, the biggest thing letting down Medal of Honor is its lack of originality. This may irk the discerning gamer, who's concerned that the art form is being strangled by disreputable franchise clones, but if you're the sort of gamer who couldn't give two hoots then you'll find one of the best shooters of the year in Medal of Honor.

Top Spin 4 preserves the series' signature depth, ensuring that it remains the most advanced tennis experience available to gamers. Its easy to learn, hard to master control system is a triumph, and manages to retain overtones of simulation while simultaneously executing accessibility. Even without Virtua Tennis' sense of silliness and whimsy, Top Spin 4 is still a real hoot and, apart from one or two niggles, it's perhaps only limited by the repetitive nature of the sport itself.

FIFA Street 3 thoroughly improves the series with its leap onto the next-gen consoles, not only visually, but in terms of gameplay and all-round appeal as well. However, if you're looking for single-player mileage out of it, you're best of getting a copy of PES or FIFA. This game is unashamedly all about multiplayer party gaming.

Really, the biggest thing letting down Medal of Honor is its lack of originality. This may irk the discerning gamer, who's concerned that the art form is being strangled by disreputable franchise clones, but if you're the sort of gamer who couldn't give two hoots then you'll find one of the best shooters of the year in Medal of Honor.

It lacks the finer subtitles that recent FPS such as "MoH: Allied Assault" and "Wolfenstein" both have. However Westwood have done a fantastic job of recreating the C&C universe in the first-person perspective.

The graphics at first may seem to be a little too grainy, however the atmosphere created from it is pure genius.

The breathtaking speed that we've come to expect from Midnight Club remains intact and better than ever on the streets of Los Angeles, becoming the most well-rounded instalment to date.

An exceptional title; pure, simple, fun, brilliant - I simply can't lay enough superlatives around the game.

If you have enjoyed Track and Field games in the past, you will find everything that you have grown to love with better graphics and a few new extras.

A near-perfect example of the rhythm/action genre on the DS. Elite Beat Agents is stylish, fun and engaging from start-to-finish, and a highlight in the DS unique catalogue.

No game will freak you as much as this game, and I truly believe you will enjoy it no matter what genre you're into most. If you don't have this game, buy it, and while you're there, pick up a set of briefs. You'll need em'!!

Manages to take the web-crawler to new heights thanks to the great visual style, the variety in gameplay (which is certainly an improvement over Spider-Man 2), and a tweaked combat/control system. The game looks phenomenal and really does bring the characters out of the comic book and in the consoles successfully.

An endearing and compelling adventure that throws in a more than enough variety in its campaign and side-missions, Secret Agent Clank is a must have title for PSP owners as much as Chains of Olympus was.

The end result comes across as desperately trying to be edgy and blatantly falls short of the mark, resulting in a somewhat hammy experience with characters that you fail to bond with.

The ‘instant gratification’ test from Flatout is very high which is always a good marker. Flatout does not profess to be anything but an out and out ‘revving foot on the pedal and try to waste the opposition’ game.

The experience can be a frustrating one that isn't for everybody. Those with perseverance and patience, however, will find one of the most rewarding games around; one that has plenty in store and keeps you coming back for more.

A whole new Career structure, expanded vehicles, and the lack of stronghold rallying locations like Sweden and Finland, have all worked together to push the franchise in a new (and yet, not a wholly welcomed) direction.

From the story angle alone Hitman: Contracts is a worthy addition to the series, and will particularly entertain fans of the franchise who’ve played both the predecessors. That said it’s certainly time for some innovation.

What it is however is a stylish first person title that successfully blends hard-hitting combat with thought provoking mental challenges. It's brutal, atmospheric, tense, and scary as hell - we love it.

With a disappointing career mode and less-than-stellar presentation, it's a less complete package than Undisputed. I should probably drop in a fighting metaphor here, I suppose: with MMA, it seems like EA is finding its range with the jab in the first round, before swinging for the fences in the second.

A wonderfully unique title on a format well-known for its fair share of quirky hits, somehow EA has managed to fully realise and tap its true potential.

Without doubt extremely enjoyable for fans, simply because controlling Spider-Man has never been executed so well. There are problems with the main game, there's problems with its presentation; however we still find ourselves loading up the game just to swing around New York again.

With a disappointing career mode and less-than-stellar presentation, it's a less complete package than Undisputed. I should probably drop in a fighting metaphor here, I suppose: with MMA, it seems like EA is finding its range with the jab in the first round, before swinging for the fences in the second.

It's a shame that the actual design of the game can't make the most of the action, and so it's questionable whether Round 3 will sustain any longterm interest beyond impressing your mates on a Friday night.

An unusual experience, an action title packed with clever touches, depth and plenty of variety.

It doesn't do anything drastically different and in some ways is quite by the numbers, and is still very reliant on the multiplayer options, but for Star Wars fans already pining for the mythical Episodes VII, VIII, and IX it will form a neat addition the collection.

Bound in Blood is one of those rare games that you'll remember more for what it did right than the many ways it fell short of the mark.

A classic example of style with substance to match, a 'cool' title if you will, that’s bound to impress.

The only significant criticism we can make of Sports Champions is its limited number of sporting events. That said, having six sporting events that are nailed as well as they are in Sports Champions is infinitely preferable to ten sloppily designed ones. When all's said and done, it's the pick of Sony's launch line-up for PlayStation Move.

It creates a superbly tense atmosphere that draws you in and completely immerses you, we can’t think of any other stealth game that’s managed this to such good effect. We also like to see developers stretch beyond the barriers and explore ways to touch the players’ emotions – this game certainly does that. But on the other hand the repetition soon becomes apparent and its lack of depth.

The eeriness of the environments, even your room feels dingy, is captured brilliantly, and the tunnel effect is awesome.

The game utilises a series of components and dare we even mutter it under our breath, clichés that can be derived from any number of horror films and survival horror titles, which is no big fault since for the most part (travelling aside) the game is an enjoyable title away from the established franchises that does offer some new ideas and details to the genre.

Without the 'Bond atmosphere', it'd feel somewhat empty.

The game doesn't push the boundaries of gaming in any form, although it's certainly much more fun than Donkey Konga with more content and a better defined 'videogame' structure encompassing it.

Overall Quake 3 Arena is just as fun as it was on PC and with the addition of the split screen modes and its support for the upcoming broadband adapter it sets the bare for console deathmatch games.

The commentary in this game is wonderful, the best in any sports game to put it simply. Relevant, amusing and just very slick it really adds to the atmosphere.

It has set the standard for racing as did "OutRun" and "Hang On" before it.

At the moment Xbox owners have a pleasant choice between "Midtown Madness 3" and Midnight Club II, and we feel that the latter just about gets the edge, 'cause of the one-player.

It is really hard to make critical comments about Singles but we really hope this is the first step in what could be a huge franchise. The annoying aspect of one character talking to the back of the others’ head niggles a bit but many partners will know that feeling.

There may be a balancing issue between the Story missions and the free-roaming fun of bounding across the environments, but Hulk is definitely the most impressive interpretation of a comic-book character's adventures yet.

Like its predecessors, Marvel vs Capcom 3 is a game that's largely about having fun with one of the best crossover casts in existence. There's plenty on offer to keep the hardcore fanatic entertained and does more then enough to satisfy such long harboured pleas and demands. But at the same time the concessions and general insanity should keep even those who don't know the difference between a Crossover Assist and a Crossover Counter mashing buttons and generally having a good time.

The AI within the game will tax most gamers, event the fight fans among you.

It triumphs where most other superhero games and other types of licensed action games fail: it makes you feel like the lead character. It makes you feel like The Batman.

Like its predecessors, Marvel vs Capcom 3 is a game that's largely about having fun with one of the best crossover casts in existence. There's plenty on offer to keep the hardcore fanatic entertained and does more then enough to satisfy such long harboured pleas and demands. But at the same time the concessions and general insanity should keep even those who don't know the difference between a Crossover Assist and a Crossover Counter mashing buttons and generally having a good time.

Without doubt extremely enjoyable for fans, simply because controlling Spider-Man has never been executed so well. There are problems with the main game, there's problems with its presentation; however we still find ourselves loading up the game just to swing around New York again.

Taking the criticism thrown at it last year, Yukes has come up trumps with this year’s iteration rectifying the situation with a barrage of new wrestlers, features, and gameplay elements that wrapped together forms one of the most complete wrestling titles yet.

But it’s this focus on action, strong weapons and robust gameplay that proves to be Project: Snowblind’s strongest aspect; it’s just a good, solid, enjoyable romp with a strong multiplayer component.

A fantastic tool for the PlayStation 2; it’s so simple to create some fantastic tunes. You’ll be so proud of yourself at the end, give it five minutes and you’ll be on it again making your next big hit.

Rockstar have done exactly what you'd expect them do: break down the movie into it's core elements, expand upon the origin story, add a range of side-missions that add an extra incentive to progress through the narrative, get the visual and audio ambience of the film, and throw in that special Rockstar polish.

Clover Studios should be applauded for designing a game around the DS strengths (much like many Japanese developers), although some aspects contain a few niggles, an original title is far more enjoyable than an uninspired console port.

In no way is it a genuine Prince of Persia for this generation (we prefer to forget the 2008 title), but it does offer something that's a little more challenging on the mind and reflexes than the typical third-person action/adventure.

If yearly sports games are like fine wines, then Tiger Woods 2011's vintage is a good one. It may not be a great year like FIFA 10 or Madden 2003, but it does follow a run of very mediocre years for the series and for this reason it's well worth a look.

The most compelling aspect of Rage is the combat, which is undoubtedly id's forte, but its partly open world, storyline and characters feel diluted and inferior when compared to the big hitters in the action RPG genre. Those hoping to see the developer finally break out of the corridor will have to wait a little longer.

Whereas Turok struggled in the murkiness of blandness and unoriginality, PURE offers a mud-slipping, cliff-jumping thrill ride that has come out of nowhere.

Unlike another FPS franchise that has recently finished, Metroid Prime 3: Corruption is a flagship title not only for its recipient platform, but for the genre at large. Taking the formula that cemented the Prime series as one of the best on GameCube, Retro has managed to integrate a motion control system that befits Wii - a shining beacon for others to follow.

Everything from the way the guns fire, to the way the enemies take a round to the chest, everything is done with complete authenticity.

It's a real shame that despite pushing the developed Multiplayer feature a tad, Guitar Hero II is little more than a 'by the numbers' sequel.

Although the game's presentation is markedly improved, it seems as though we'll have to wait until Pro Evolution Soccer 7 marks its appearance on the PlayStation3 before we really see what Seabass can muster with the next-generation.

The most compelling aspect of Rage is the combat, which is undoubtedly id's forte, but its partly open world, storyline and characters feel diluted and inferior when compared to the big hitters in the action RPG genre. Those hoping to see the developer finally break out of the corridor will have to wait a little longer.

Manages to take the web-crawler to new heights thanks to the great visual style, the variety in gameplay (which is certainly an improvement over Spider-Man 2), and a tweaked combat/control system. The game looks phenomenal and really does bring the characters out of the comic book and in the consoles successfully.

One of the game’s shining lights is the camera system that enables you to focus on the action all of the time – you won’t be blindsided in this game by enemies creeping up on you, and coupled with the intuitive control system you’ll find that navigating Kay through the levels is fairly straightforward.

This is a back-to-basics affair for Liverpool Studio, but that doesn't mean that gameplay is thin on the ground or simplified - this is literally WipEout in its purest form and SCEE couldn't have summed up the gameplay better. WipEout. Pure.

Thanks to the use of the Buffy engine, the game features an excellent combat system that refuses to tire on you and a compelling story to pull you through the game.

Mobius have done a great job on the control system to ensure it’s just as fluid as its predecessors, anyone looking for a quick action blast would be well advised to stick this in their GBA.

Easily leapfrogging the performance of Guitar Hero II with room to spare, Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock thrashes out a strong mix of classic and modern tracks, and is further enhanced with the online features its predecessor should have had.

Valkyrie Profile 2 is a hardcore gamer's game. With 2D gameplay reminiscent of numerous classics from days gone by and a general sense of sophistication and creativity, Square-Enix's latest provides plenty for fans of the original provided you can look past some of the questionable cuts.

Simply the greatest point-and-click adventure game to date, whilst it may seam a little strange at time hang on there you will be rewarded in the end.

From the story angle alone Hitman: Contracts is a worthy addition to the series, and will particularly entertain fans of the franchise who’ve played both the predecessors. That said it’s certainly time for some innovation.

Manages to take the web-crawler to new heights thanks to the great visual style, the variety in gameplay (which is certainly an improvement over Spider-Man 2), and a tweaked combat/control system. The game looks phenomenal and really does bring the characters out of the comic book and in the consoles successfully.

Wii Fit is a "game" that excels at everything it sets out to achieve.

Despite it’s rather shallow feeling and the such, it’s still pretty damn addictive and you’ll be dying to complete each and every course.

It seems a little harsh to accuse Enslaved of presenting style over substance but the feeling remains nonetheless: much like Heavenly Sword before it, Enslaved is an exceptionally well produced game from Ninja Theory where gameplay takes a passenger seat and cinematic presentation drives the experience.

Whilst the other games offered smaller updates to the main game, On Holiday brings in an entirely new location with a whole stack of new features and objects you can interact with.

A decent start to the inevitable franchise, Universe at War's solid Campaign and range of game modes for both online and offline RTS action offers enough for players to get on with. The fact that it also introduces new features such as dynamic tactical upgrades to units on the fly also helps to make Petroglyph's latest stand out.

This is a game will appeal to FPS fans, and whilst it isn't genre defining, this should be the start of a successful franchise for Sony.

The ‘instant gratification’ test from Flatout is very high which is always a good marker. Flatout does not profess to be anything but an out and out ‘revving foot on the pedal and try to waste the opposition’ game.

It seems a little harsh to accuse Enslaved of presenting style over substance but the feeling remains nonetheless: much like Heavenly Sword before it, Enslaved is an exceptionally well produced game from Ninja Theory where gameplay takes a passenger seat and cinematic presentation drives the experience.

Heavenly Sword provides exactly what the PlayStation3 is in dire need of. An extremely stylish and immediate action romp that will entertain the masses and earn points for its faultless presentation and production. Nevertheless, it isn't quite the game we were hoping for and leaves a number of areas for improvement when Nariko struts her stuff on the PlayStation3 once again.