Worth a look... [but] we would have liked to have seen Pyro stretch the boundary slightly more and gone for some revolutionary new steps, whilst RTS fanatics will bemoan the relatively limited range of different troops under your control.

We loved it from start to finish and, when we finished, we just carried on fighting online and against our mates to keep the fun alive. Naruto: Rise of a Ninja is the incredibly well balanced and varied game that the Naruto universe has been crying out for.

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

If you enjoy madcap racing games like "Crazy Taxi," "Driver," or the original "Midtown Madness" you should feel right at home with Midtown Madness 2.

I found the game very deep and rewarding even with just one license. With over 70 cars to choose from, there really is quite a variety in driving styles throughout the different models over the decades.

The game does have its fair share of frustrations and flaws, but for those not entirely put off by the sight of yet more orcs and dark elves Kingdom Under Fire: Heroes remains a worthwhile purchase.

Thankfully the controls work better then ever on the Cube's pad, so you'll be whizzing through traffic and sliding round corners in no time at all.

The lack of improvements or additions upon the PS2 version really hurts it

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 stylish experience which fans of the movie will appreciate, but there’s just not enough substance let alone difference for the vast majority of action fans to warrant yet another first-person purchase.

Tying elements of survival/horror and adventure games to an enjoyable effect, Black Plague provides a surprisingly satisfying affair packed full of suspense for anybody willing to contemplate such a low profile release - although we wouldn't advise forking out 30 quid for it.

For the many fanatics out there having GTA: Liberty City Stories in the collection is essential just for completions sake, so in this regard the PS2 adaptation certainly serves a purpose and at a price that fits; however, it makes no claims about pushing the series forwards and does feel slightly aged on the PS2, leaving the storyline and characters as the major pull through the game.

Two campaigns, extensive multiplayer options, and the creative Map Editor gives Far Cry Instincts Predator the possibility of lasting for quite some time.

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.

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.

With a regimental programme of exercises broken up into mini-games and more 'traditional' moves such as squats and push-ups the title certainly offers those willing to take the plunge an alternative to the gym or impact sports. This is an EyeToy title with actual substance and far exceeds our expectations.

Far more polished and balanced than the original title, Mercury Meltdown is the game that Archer Maclean's Mercury should have been twelve months ago.

If you're a fan of the movies this alone is largely enough to look past the game's failings, such as the repetitive gameplay and dated design.

A definite attempt at evolving the MMO genre after a decade of gameplay clones and the unmitigated success of WoW in the last three years, Tabula Rasa feels like the baby steps towards the next stage. It doesn't have the same 'wow' factor of Blizzard's mighty MMO, but it's a pretty solid foundation from which Destination Games (and Richard Garriott) can build upon.

The sheer simplicity of the game is likely to affect the duration of the game, but while it lasts LEGO Star Wars is enjoyable and has an understanding of the Star Wars brand above many others.

A stylish experience which fans of the movie will appreciate, but there's just not enough substance let alone difference for the vast majority of action fans to warrant yet another first-person purchase.

A peculiar game, a very specialist title more like a true flight-sim then the arcade games we’re used to on consoles, yet the controls have been thought about to ensure its accessibility.

As a sequel it does not offer that much more than the original, but it polishes it up and is no doubt a better game, and what more could you ask for from a sequel of this nature?

It's hard to imagine why gamers would opt for PES over FIFA this year unless they are such stubborn fans of the series that they'll never let go. FIFA betters Konami's offerings more or less across the board this time around, while PES' continued lack of substantial gameplay innovations (even without any comparisons to FIFA) is becoming quite worrying to say the least.

If you're looking for arcade hockey or you're into simulation games, FaceOff 2001 delivers both packages fairly well with all sorts of customizable options to tweak the game to your liking.

Filling the current void of click-click RPGs with a lengthy and absorbing campaign, high production values and enough loot to keep even a "ninjalooter" happy; whether or not such qualities are enough to look past the game's lack of creativity, however, very much depends on whether you've spent the last five years waiting for "Diablo 3" or not.

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.

Special. More than just a simple upgrade, with loads of exciting and original levels, complete with a great developing storyline that will keep you pleasently happy along the way.

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

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.

Whilst the Campaign offers a slice of the action away when you're away from a Wi-Fi access point, the fact remains that Field Commander's strength is in its online functionality. More specifically it's the fact that by implementing an Infrastructure mode, players don't have to scour the locality for a second player in order to enjoy some Human vs. Human warfare.

It's visual splendour; novel yet neat additions and generally tight gameplay will ensure the time until the next ISS goes that little bit quicker, OK I'll admit it I'm hooked.

Truly a fantastic game and shines like a diamond stone. With the limitations of the PlayStation, the developers have still managed to cram every last bit of detail into this one. Go out a buy it. Now!

A great game, it just doesn't break any new ground.

Offers a refreshing and immersive experience, although personally we’d like to have seen a little more focus on the action side of things.

While it may initially grate, and the writing definitely misses more than it hits, Shadows of the Damned is a solid, snappy third-person shooter that retreads old ground with a... erm... unique style.

The emphasis on driving, the lack of scope in the side-quests, and the subsequent compulsion to complete the main mission, are definite weak spots in the game, the result being that players will all to easily get bogged down in the general repetitiveness of the experience.

Just like that, PES is a contender again. There's still a way to go before it gets back to the levels of addictive playability that kept us hooked half a decade ago but the series finally seems to be finding itself on the current-gen consoles. The identity crisis is over and now PES is well positioned to bring its trademark originality back to footie gaming.

In the era of big set-piece arcade racing, Evolution has created a strong competitor for pole position.

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.

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.

Putting all of that potential entertainment against the price roughly equates to something ridiculously cheap like 50p per hour of gaming.

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.

Initially it appears that EA have been happy to just release last year’s version albeit with an unneeded visual lick of plaint and this season’s player/team data; further play however reveals that the game actually takes a step backwards in many areas.

As an experiment to push the capabilities of downloadable content over Xbox Live, there's little to doubt Anniversary's originality - on Microsoft's console at least. However, a few extra touches to the lighting and a few soaked vests aside, the Xbox 360 edition of Lara's first outing will be more for the fans.

Its immense thrills and spills through the open-ended city of Bayview is exhilarating, and the culture that is emerging is created in the game to great effect.

The game does offer much more than the previous game did however there is nothing especially new, which we would expect.

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.

For fans of the series Nival has achieved the ultimate courtesy in that HOMMV retains that same spirit of its 3DO predecessors, but with a visual upgrade, and should put this revamped franchise in good stead for future instalments.

This is a fun and thoroughly enjoyable family-friendly game that will surely follow the same successful path its cousin titles from a long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away have already walked down.

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.

Beyond a handful of novel ideas BLACK is very much a typical FPS, however given the intensity it's still quite unlike anything the genre has offered in recent years.

So from a game design point of view then True Crime is a rare refreshing change from the norm; thankfully True crime features strong gameplay to actually back it up with a number of improvements to the "GTA3" rulebook and a smattering of innovative ideas.

A surprisingly different Need for Speed, but at the same time all too familiar. With several new ideas, the typical sensation of speed and hot pursuits ultimately ensure Need for Speed: Carbon feels largely the same as everything that's come before in the series.

The fact that you are left trying to finish off each level just to see what happens next as the conspiracy unravels is a testament to the game's producers.

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

PES makes changes to its formula that aren't particularly welcome for the most part and, while the Become A Legend mode has potential, the general gameplay has taken a downturn.

If racing games aren't your cup of tea, or you have no interest in crashing an automobile into things at full speed (silly you!) you may not get much from the game.

What really marks CRC as excellent value for money is not the endless mods that you can make to the cars, nor the exacting tuning of the car you can work on, not the many game modes which all distinguish themselves, not even the fact that the AI is spot on with the challenges it offers, neither the great attention to scenery details, car deformation, which it is presented in a polished and stylish way. It’s the sheer joy of having so much on offer, real quality stuff, nothing flash, the real essence of you verses the elements, along with some really tough competitors.

The fact remains that F.E.A.R evolved shooters back in 2005, but there appears to be very little progress in the four years since with F.E.A.R 2.

The sheer simplicity of the game is likely to affect the duration of the game, but while it lasts LEGO Star Wars is enjoyable and has an understanding of the Star Wars brand above many others.

Whilst the production values of GUN are high in every possible way, it's let down by a short campaign and an overly structured dynamic of side-missions.

If you mastered and loved the previous "Dark Reign" you will probably despise this game despite its beauty.

The main issue is that the emphasis on action means that the tactical side often falls by the wayside; ultimately you’ll find yourself sticking to a power character such as Tex or Brutus and just wade in guns blaring to destroy everything.

Certain aspects of the game work brilliantly although (such as the ecology) with the world of Skull Island coming to life quite naturally. It does tend to drag a bit in places and the pacing can be less than consistant but overall its a good title.

At times, everything that is great about video games. Rewarding gameplay, smart visuals and a decent attempt at innovation combine to create a game that can be great fun. However, the modest challenge and increasingly repetitive gameplay conspire to highlight other flaws, meaning most players will soon tire of the saccharine charm of de Blob and his surprisingly adult revolution before the monochrome regime can be toppled.

As expected Doctor Kawishima's Brain Training: How Old is Your Brain is a wildly different type of "game" to those that typically adorn TVG pages. What you should know is that Brain Training is far more entertaining and addictive then we initially thought.

Yet another fine pool simulator from Maclean; however how many of these do we need, and isn't popping down the pub always more fun???

If Rugby 06 is anything to go by, then future iterations of the franchise will only continue to get stronger and better, since this is by far the best rugby game to date. The flow of the game is more realistic than ever before, with the introduction of offloads, and quick penalties/line-outs working together to bring the game closer to the modern sport of rugby.

All in all, PES 2008 adds significant depth and realism to the in-game experience. Seeing as this is what appeals most to the average PES gamer, we can state quite confidently that this year's game is a resounding success.

The challenges offered in terms of beating your opponents were well tapered; the more you play the better you get and winning some dosh and opening the sub games, which were equally enjoyable, really topped the experience.

All previous surfing games have sucked. But where they’ve sunk, Transworld Surf rises up to float across the perfect wave.

If intense dogfights and Yankie banter sound appealing then Heroes of the Pacific is for you; sadly the repetitive gameplay is a major deciding for everybody else.

It may not be a true simulation, but it does capture the movement and punches more accurately then any other game. The game looks awesome.

The challenges offered in terms of beating your opponents were well tapered; the more you play the better you get and winning some dosh and opening the sub games, which were equally enjoyable, really topped the experience.

For children the simplified controls, strong characters and locations and the critically acclaimed THPS gameplay make for an ideal title to keep them happy.

Buy with the knowledge that even the multiplayer mode can't save some environments from growing stale.

While it may initially grate, and the writing definitely misses more than it hits, Shadows of the Damned is a solid, snappy third-person shooter that retreads old ground with a... erm... unique style.

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

The inside levels feel confined and just lack the excitement of the excellently implemented exterior sections. That said the internal sections are not all that bad, it’s just a case of wishing for something slightly different.

Pirates of the Burning Sea has perhaps one of the steepest learning curves in an MMO to date, but with its strong implementation of dynamic economies, sea combat, and swashbuckling, it provides more than enough reward for player perseverance.

If intense dogfights and Yankie banter sound appealing then Heroes of the Pacific is for you; sadly the repetitive gameplay is a major deciding for everybody else.

The fact that you are left trying to finish off each level just to see what happens next as the conspiracy unravels is a testament to the game’s producers.

I do like this game, and I feel that if a few problems are fixed, it could rank up there with the Tony Hawk’s, and the Aggressive Inline’s of the extreme world.

A poorly implemented game idea that is by far beaten by Dave Mirra’s BMX game, which incidentally in its first incarnation had much more expansive levels than this game.

The "Full Monty" in terms of the era it covers and it has all the jets! Although a lot is thrown at the player at the start of the experience, with carefully reading the manual, as well as going through the training mission and taking in all you are told will pay its rewards. This is a game you can't rush!

It's the same Traveller's Tales Lego experience once again. Apart from the fact that Batman is now the subject matter, very little is new here and the gameplay is far from fresh.

The sheer simplicity of the game is likely to affect the duration of the game, but while it lasts LEGO Star Wars is enjoyable and has an understanding of the Star Wars brand above many others.

Some may say that the 2D structure is dated and that the move to 3D is well overdue, however American Conquest like Cossacks does such a fine job with the detail of the environments and the armies, a change here could prove disastrous.

We've been waiting two years longer than we expected for Hell's Highway and the wait has bought little reward.

Despite having good structure, control, sound and graphics as well as a kickass level editor the game is just not as much fun as it could be because of the problems with control.

It's more than equal to any of the console "Medal of Honor" titles, although we're desperately hoping that developers will now give it some time to truly shake up the genre a little and bring some new ideas to the table.

It's frustrating to find the overall Donkey Konga experience restrained by some basic flaws in the design of the game; the fact that a group of you can't really enjoy it unless you've got multiple bongos is just crazy.

Sign us up, we love The Club. With the odd exception, it takes a very good third-person shooter to impress us, and whilst The Club has its issues, the game's original premise and stylish execution makes it well worth checking out. We just don't know who SEGA will line up for the sequel.

The family friendly visuals and aesthetic feel of Chocobo's Dungeon successfully manage to mask what is otherwise an in-depth accomplished RPG that requires strategy, tactics and persistence.

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 strong, if slightly unremarkable, addition to the Star Fox series, Star Fox Command capably takes the shooter onto the DS, with a handful of good ideas, adequate use of the DS capabilities and a strong sense of design.

With a new linear focus and emphasis on large-scale boss battles, Shattered Dimensions represents a new direction for a series that has never quite lived up to its potential. However, despite some thrilling set-pieces, a lack of variety prevents this from becoming the definitive Spidey title.