It may not break any ground in originality stakes or provide stunning visuals, but it does revive the original facets of a classic genre for today's gamers.

A WWII game with nice moments and a good storyline; but as a game it fails on a number of points and its distinct lack of innovation makes it hard to recommend to anyone but fans of the genre.

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.

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.

PhC really grows on you, the level of customisation really shines through and gives this game a level of replaybility that’s rarely seen.

Despite a few random pluses, such as the ability to Game Share with up to three other players on a single UMD, Hudson's over-enthusiasm (and near pathological obsession) with messing with the gameplay, creates a rather dull and watered-down 'campaign'.

Fans of the original Pursuit Force game shouldn't hesitate for a second in purchasing what is essentially a textbook example of a substantial sequel. Newcomers to Pursuit Force should also strongly consider getting hold of this game, which complements the PSP so perfectly.

It's quite honestly an astounding achievement in terms of the implementation of the physics, which should garner the franchise (and BugBear) further success. It's giant step forward from the original title of 2004.

There's absolutely no depth here – no character development, no feeling that you're on holiday, nothing – you just feel cheated out of any game whatsoever. The truth be told, this game is entirely based around perving on the women.

Despite the disappointment of there being no co-op play in Mini Ninjas' campaign, the game does enough to keep players entertained through well mixed gameplay, loveable characters, stylistically beautiful environments, and good humour. The Japanese story is finely applied and a wide audience will enjoy this title, meaning that it fulfils its remit and then some.

The presentation sets the tone brilliantly and drags the player through, but sadly the gameplay is largely forgettable.

Although the Agro system underpins the overall co-op gameplay sufficiently, the lack of imagination prevents the game from pushing forwards the co-op experience. Instead there's more satisfaction gained by the subtlety that EA Montreal has brought to the series; something we never imagined ourselves to say about the antics of Rios and Salem.

Although there’s no denying that Western fans will appreciate the experience more then others, the truth is that the level of style, inspired design and gritty atmosphere will likely please those looking for a good, straightforward action romp.

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.

Once you look past the clichéd plot, production and associated oddities (where does that parachute go?), there’s a small amount of intense fun to be had with Just Cause. It is a shame that Avalanche didn’t take the absurdity a little further and develop a deliberate sense of humour to the game and Rico Rodriguez, other then the strong suspension of disbelief you will need to get going with the game.

It's hard to imagine why anyone would opt for The Saboteur when they've got Assassin's Creed II as an alternative. Beyond its Parisian setting, The Saboteur fails to add any new ideas to the sandbox genre other than breasts.

It’s not perfect and it’s not quite the sole reason why we should be ditching our pads for stylus; however we’re becoming increasingly confident of Nintendo’s new stance.

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

Although it’s an arcade title, the floaty physics and complete lack of any weight to your car, results in one of the most unsatisfying racers I’ve played.

The main problem is that it lacks the razzmatazz and everything that makes EA BIG’ games so fun to play, and is certainly a case of seen it all before.

The presentation sets the tone brilliantly and drags the player through, but sadly the gameplay is largely forgettable.

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.

There's just enough in Urban Chaos that's different from the standard FPS title to entice players, thanks mainly to the implementation of the riot shield, which is used to great effect throughout the game.

It certainly offers one hectic and frenzied gaming experience, which has to be the main element of any Sonic game and something that was sadly missing in the recent titles.

Body Harvest ended up being a highly entertaining game and one that I would definitely recommend. Who knows, you might just discover that it is gameplay and not graphics that make a good game after all.

A highly original, yet niche, offering from Eidos, let's hope that their Hungarian studio is given a chance to develop a truly next-generation sequel in the future. Certainly a pace of gaming that we're not used to on Xbox 360 to date.

Although the storyline and the graphics are still up there, the fact that the control system seems to be insistent on gamers using a keyboard/mouse combo does actually ruin the responsive feel that a console/PC controller gives you.

Addictive, fun, and certainly unique, Polarium suits the DS down to the ground (this is game that could only work on the DS…and PDAs) and perhaps this is the direction Nintendo should take their new machine rather than trying to compete with the PSP and bring confused and muddled conversions to the format.

It may not be the longest or more difficult game of its type, but it makes up for it by being a whole load of fun while it lasts.

Purely an unadulterated shooter that shouldn’t be thought of as anything more.

Undoubtedly the most enjoyable game to be based around Wolverine (but that's probably not saying much), X-Men Origins: Wolverine offers fast-paced, brutal, brainless action by the bucketload.

The original Blitzkrieg was excellent, Burning Horizon continued the brand building, but Rolling Thunder is somewhat drab.

Easily the best of the Nam titles this year, and quite probably the best war FPS title since 2015's "Allied Assault," MoV manages to create a sense of guerrilla warfare to a level unrivalled by its peers.

In terms of the gameplay the changes are minimal and comparing this game to "Pro Evolution Soccer" is a joke, Konami's title is just a different class.

If you have the perseverance to stick with puzzles that have been designed to test the patience of time itself, the slow introductory pace and continuous struggles with the game's interface (the genre's weaknesses as a whole) then Broken Sword 4: The Angel of Death probably provides everything you're looking for.

"Dynasty Warriors" and beat-em-up fans will find an exciting experience, however its repetitive nature will soon put off anybody else.

Superb grapics, although some may call them minimalistic, an easy to use interface and fleshed out time line/period mark this down as a genre leader for those with an acquired taste.

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.

Fight past the frustration and you'll find a great sense of reward and satisfaction; I personally found a lot to love about Gun Valkyrie.

Expanding upon Neo's story could have been a compelling opportunity for any Matrix fan out there; unfortunately the haphazard approach to the design and storyline are likely to offend the fans the most, leaving a mildly enjoyable beat-em-up at exactly that.

Disney Epic Mickey is undeniably the disappointment of the year for us. It was a concept that promised so much when it emerged last year but has ultimately ended up falling far short of the mark. What's more troubling than all of this, though, is that it feels like a game that's been held back from reaching its full potential; you do get the sense that it's perhaps not Junction Point's lack of talent but its lack of creative license that's led to these disappointments.

The only thing lacking in the game is the gameplay. Sure the Actions mini-events are fun to play, but the fact is, the game is rather slow paced compared to "Burnout3" or "Gran Turismo."

A seriously surprising entry into Star Wars canon, the storylines is largely strong, and whilst there are several issues with the gameplay, The Force Unleashed is not the Phantom Menace we thought it would be.

A WWII game with nice moments and a good storyline; but as a game it fails on a number of points and its distinct lack of innovation makes it hard to recommend to anyone but fans of the genre.

Though it can be an intense experience, Spartan does have a tendency to become quite repetitive at times. Having said that there is a solid combat system and enough variety that will please action fans.

On the wider scale of things, it's perhaps not the most original title. That said, with additions like the expansive combat techniques and God Roulette, there's enough to keep it feeling fresh at times.

OK we admit, Scene It? Lights Camera Action isn't the car wreck of a title that we thought it would be, but it has more to prove if it's going to challenge its stylish rival on PlayStation. Hopefully this debut instalment will be quickly followed with a regular stream of downloadable content over Xbox Live, ensuring that the often-repeated 'non-repeatable' questions don't get too stale.

Despite its refusal to innovate, its blatant copying from the God of War rulebook, and its missed opportunities, Dante's Inferno is nonetheless a solid title. At the very least, it's an engaging prospect for Xbox loyalists who've never played a God of War game. However, with the likes of Darksiders and Bayonetta on the market (as well as God of War III in our sights), Dante's Inferno is the weakest proposition of the bunch.

Massive improvements to the animation and the ball physics help to free the series, and make ever-increasing strides in closing the gap between it and Konami's Pro Evo Soccer. That said, there's definitely room for improvement, most notably in the number of leagues, the player models, and all-round audio.

A funny game; the opening phase is likely to put off most gamers as it’s too long-winded, slow, frustrating and just not exciting enough; however persevere and you’ll be rewarded with a decent action/adventure title with ludicrously high production values.

The graphics might not exactly be draw dropping but the experience is certainly entertaining.

Though it can be an intense experience, Spartan does have a tendency to become quite repetitive at times. Having said that there is a solid combat system and enough variety that will please action fans.

A solid debut for Katamari on Xbox 360, though the frame rate issue proves all too noticeable.

Warlords Battlecry III is devoid of gimmicks and posturing but offers up good, old fashioned, SOLID, strategy gameplay – which to many is how it should be!

Despite the disappointment of there being no co-op play in Mini Ninjas' campaign, the game does enough to keep players entertained through well mixed gameplay, loveable characters, stylistically beautiful environments, and good humour. The Japanese story is finely applied and a wide audience will enjoy this title, meaning that it fulfils its remit and then some.

This is not the best RPG title to be released this year by a long shot, but for those who wish to get into the world of Middle-Earth, The Third Age will satisfy some of the desire to become immersed in the story to a deeper level than the previous LOTR titles allowed.

Although there's a handful of aspects that lift Excite Truck above being just another run-of-the-mill arcade racer, the overall feeling is that this is a game we've seen too many times before whilst the novelty of the Wii Remote soon wears off and there's little to sustain your interest beyond a few hours.

With touches of originality in its gameplay and a main campaign that presents enough variation to keep things interesting, HAWX is proficient, but it rarely manages to be much more than this.

If you grew up with these games during the 80's then Capcom Classics Collection Remixed is an essential purchase, purely for nostalgic reasons but also to remember just how tough games were back then.

Nothing but a serious disappointment... It just about manages to cover all the criteria but nothing feels as though Croteam have stretched the barrel – in many cases they feel surprisingly weaker then its predecessor.

There's just enough in Urban Chaos that's different from the standard FPS title to entice players, thanks mainly to the implementation of the riot shield, which is used to great effect throughout the game.

It’s the atrocious voice-acting that provides the most enjoyment, which sounds as though everybody was put through English elocution lessons firstly or had a role in 'Just William'.

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 game introduces some really original ideas, but the lack of team AI, and broken gameplay let it down.

Race Pro is uninspiring throughout and a bland racing experience to the bone.

Mercs 2 is nothing short of a monumental disappointment.

The switch to first-person view for the longer ranged weapons works better than we'd expected, and the battles run pretty smoothly – quite unlike the standard fare. The storyline is strong.

A fun title that perhaps tries a little too hard not to take itself seriously; those who prefer their sports titles to have an inkling of sophistication will quickly find the game on its way back to the shop, however if you're just looking for fun then Amped 3 does the job.

It's hard to imagine why anyone would opt for The Saboteur when they've got Assassin's Creed II as an alternative. Beyond its Parisian setting, The Saboteur fails to add any new ideas to the sandbox genre other than breasts.

New additions to the series, including the varied inventory, offer a strong dose of depth that perhaps wasn't there in instalments gone by, though there remains a question of longevity.

Don't get me wrong, I think the game itself is excellent, but I wouldn't see myself plunking down fifty bucks to own it.

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.

Whilst it has no major failings there is nothing to mark Pirates: Legend of Black Kat out from the crowd other than the merging of the two styles of play.

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.

Its repetitive structure and bland storyline creates a somewhat shallow experience, yet at the same time there’s depth to be found in the combo combat system and the many side missions to partake.

Splash Damage has evolved its compelling formula to offer some of the best multiplayer thrills in the business. Unfortunately technical problems still plague the game and prevent it from becoming a truly big player in the online shooter market.

It's a thoroughly decent representation of the sport with a good range of modes and some fairly neat ideas, particularly in the career. That said, it's dangerously close to being the same package that last year's game was and, until the free 2011 season update arrives as DLC, it's hard to find a reason why gamers should pick this one up over a discounted copy of MotoGP 09/10.

Behind the typically lavish gloss and high presentation, 2006 FIFA World Cup really is only for those that need every version of FIFA that EA can squeeze out. The complete lack of innovation in any shape or form results in a game that fails to captivate your interest beyond a handful of games.

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.

Those who enjoyed the micro management of the first title, may be disillusioned by the slightly trivial nature of this compared to the first title. However the game becomes much more enjoyable after the first few hours.

The game does up the Zombie count to an immeasurable level, whilst the levels are extremely large and full of scenic touches.

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 fact is, Sonic 4's first episode is so much fun that it makes you forget about the world and think of nothing but the game. It encapsulates the pure thrill of gaming that many contemporary titles seem to comatosely forget.

I actually found myself being so bored at one point that I took to reading out the characters lines in silly voices just to entertain myself.

An enjoyable experience, especially over short periods of play. Flawed when it comes to the 'basic' game of football, it nonetheless give players a mix of gamemodes offline, before taking the football experience online via the Ad Hoc and Infrastructure modes.

Mushroom Men has some fantastic ideas in it and lots of genuine character, but the short game length and lack of replay value mean that this game is best suited to those who are desperately angling for something to satisfy their 3D platforming fix.

It’s just a shame that the game is too easy, a little more time perfecting the enemy AI and level design would have seen this scored much highly, but in the end this is a good game for action fans and those wanting their next Bond fix.

HD does have some graphical and control issues that do add some frustration to the gameplay, and keep the game form being a solid 9, but they don't stop the game from being fun.

What should have been a solid enough third-person action title is ultimately let down by game design glitches and AI bugs, not to mention an over-reliance on the glaive that cheapens the experience.

There's no denying that Overlord II is an enjoyable expansion on the original idea, which will entertain the fans. Unfortunately, the frustrations seem to mount up as you get further into the game, making it plainly obvious that Triumph has failed to really address key issues that thwarted the original.

It completely blows you away – you’ll be convinced there’s actually a micro-universe living within your PC! The only concern we have with this game is that there is no real learning curve to speak of and the lack of any meaningful tutorial certainly makes it a hard game to approach.

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.

Once again we harp back to the fact that the controls were not as responsive as we hoped and although this probably is tuned into the requirements of Indy racing although it made racing slightly harder or should we say more of a tussle!

Those who enjoyed Galactic Battlegrounds will find this expansion pack an essential purchase, not only does it have new material, the modifications balance the game and improve upon it.

The repetitive and monotonous action just simply doesn’t cut it by today standards, whilst hardcore fans might even find themselves let down by the overall production.

Whilst the graphics aren’t exactly the most impressive seen on the PlayStation 2; the gameplay makes up for the lack in looks.

An awesome achievement in originality for the gaming industry. Sure it has it’s frustrating points, but it’s not “bad game” frustrating, it’s more of a “hard game” frustrating.

Its repetitive structure and bland storyline creates a somewhat shallow experience, yet at the same time there’s depth to be found in the combo combat system and the many side missions to partake.