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A masterpiece of free-form gaming; one of the most ambitious games of this generation.

At times you're left with the impression that Uncharted 3 could have been bolder – the blueprint of success from Uncharted 2 has perhaps been adhered to a little too closely here. Beyond the slightly out-of-place gun combat and familiar box of tricks though, this third attempt is still a genuine innovator thanks mostly to an otherwise stagnant genre.

In a single-player campaign that goes a bit over-the-top at times, it's a relief to see that the action is scaled-back with Soap and Price often enough to ensure that these characters receive the billing they deserve. Elsewhere in the multiplayer, Infinity Ward was always going to have a hard time replicating the impact of its package from two years ago but it's managed a rock-solid, if slightly conservative offering for this difficult third album in the Modern Warfare series.

In a single-player campaign that goes a bit over-the-top at times, it's a relief to see that the action is scaled-back with Soap and Price often enough to ensure that these characters receive the billing they deserve. Elsewhere in the multiplayer, Infinity Ward was always going to have a hard time replicating the impact of its package from two years ago but it's managed a rock-solid, if slightly conservative offering for this difficult third album in the Modern Warfare series.

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.

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.

Your girlfriend will still dump you, the cat will still die because you forgot to feed it, and the boss will still fire you because the game is installed on your office computer. Football Manager remains as addictive as ever and continues to delve deeper into minuscule details, but it's also been too many years since the series has teed up a game-changing new feature.

Forza 4 is about as technically impressive as driving sims currently get – fans of the series are sure to be pleased with its near-peerless handling and tuning, expanded feature set, and Kinect implementation. When it comes to being a game, however, lazy oversights with the AI mean that you end up racing yourself more than your opponents, and concessions to the casual gamer sometimes compromise the core experience.

Last year's foibles have been successfully plastered over with a quite brilliant Career mode and improvements on the defensive side of the ball are nothing short of revolutionary.

Last year's foibles have been successfully plastered over with a quite brilliant Career mode and improvements on the defensive side of the ball are nothing short of revolutionary.

It's still the best third-person shooter out there by quite some margin but, equally, it's just not quite as impacting as its two predecessors. Long-time fans will be happy with how Epic has tied all the loose ends together, but dabblers in the series may be less inclined to return to planet Sera one final time.

It's hard to see where, if anywhere, the series can go from here but Insomniac deserves credit for rounding off Resistance with a final instalment that offers a smart, well-paced and compelling FPS experience.

The strides forward over last year's game really do place Codies' F1 series amongst the most dynamic sports series in video games today, ensuring that if you played and enjoyed last year's game then you'd be mad not to get in on the ground floor of this year's improvements.

The strides forward over last year's game really do place Codies' F1 series amongst the most dynamic sports series in video games today, ensuring that if you played and enjoyed last year's game then you'd be mad not to get in on the ground floor of this year's improvements.

On first sight, Bodycount's gameplay pillars are inviting: with arcade shooters being few and far between this generation and destructible environments remaining surprisingly underused, there's some real potential for compelling gameplay here. Unfortunately, Codemasters hasn't executed either of these features particularly well and unforgivably lacklustre design elsewhere cripples the game.

On first sight, Bodycount's gameplay pillars are inviting: with arcade shooters being few and far between this generation and destructible environments remaining surprisingly underused, there's some real potential for compelling gameplay here. Unfortunately, Codemasters hasn't executed either of these features particularly well and unforgivably lacklustre design elsewhere cripples the game.

Undoubtedly the most complete, polished offering in the series to date. Tearing through the streets of San Francisco, forcing your car into manoeuvres that it probably shouldn't be able to do with the knowledge that you can hit X and take control of another car at any time is just as fun as it sounds.

Undoubtedly the most complete, polished offering in the series to date. Tearing through the streets of San Francisco, forcing your car into manoeuvres that it probably shouldn't be able to do with the knowledge that you can hit X and take control of another car at any time is just as fun as it sounds.

In a stealth genre that's been abandoned by its heroes on current-gen platforms, Deus Ex: Human Revolution remains true to its roots and provides the sequel that we'd all hoped for but feared would never live up to the billing. Games don't get much better than this.

In a stealth genre that's been abandoned by its heroes on current-gen platforms, Deus Ex: Human Revolution remains true to its roots and provides the sequel that we'd all hoped for but feared would never live up to the billing. Games don't get much better than this.

Perhaps with more development time, The Cartel would have been a more compelling experience but, with a game engine that's showing its age, a confused new identity and a fair few technical issues, it falls sadly short of most FPS fans' high expectations.

Perhaps with more development time, The Cartel would have been a more compelling experience but, with a game engine that's showing its age, a confused new identity and a fair few technical issues, it falls sadly short of most FPS fans' high expectations.

Truly a must-have XBLA game, From Dust can hold its head up high amongst the likes of Limbo, Braid, and Super Meat Boy – much like those platformers, Eric Chahi's long-awaited return has brought back a sadly forgotten gaming genre and given it a fresh breath of life. It's been a long time coming, but with any luck a god gaming renaissance is upon us.

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.

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.

DNF plays like it's been developed in a vacuum, serving more as a time-capsule of mediocre PC games from the first half of the last decade than a certifiable, modern-day FPS.

DNF plays like it's been developed in a vacuum, serving more as a time-capsule of mediocre PC games from the first half of the last decade than a certifiable, modern-day FPS.

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.

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.

If Codemasters' long-running rally series suffered something of an identity crisis with its transition to the DiRT name, then DiRT 3 has put that crisis to rest. The publisher has found an amorous new bedfellow in Ken Block and successfully built a game around his invigorating style while also managing to retain what made the series great in the first place.

If Codemasters' long-running rally series suffered something of an identity crisis with its transition to the DiRT name, then DiRT 3 has put that crisis to rest. The publisher has found an amorous new bedfellow in Ken Block and successfully built a game around his invigorating style while also managing to retain what made the series great in the first place.

A defining moment in video games on this generation, and more than just because of its use of MotionScan technology. The free-roaming genre has become a little stale in recent years, yet LA Noire manages to inject a renewed sense of vigour to the scene and capably demonstrates that video games don't have to be just about your trigger skills.

A defining moment in video games on this generation, and more than just because of its use of MotionScan technology. The free-roaming genre has become a little stale in recent years, yet LA Noire manages to inject a renewed sense of vigour to the scene and capably demonstrates that video games don't have to be just about your trigger skills.

The revamped World Tour mode adds a touch of freshness and Move support has been dutifully applied to the PS3 version (albeit with a lack of content to leverage it) but nonetheless, at its heart, Virtua Tennis 4 is wearily familiar.

Operation Flashpoint: Red River lacks polish, refinement, and optimisation. The addition of a discernible narrative structure also fails to impress. Nonetheless, gamers looking for something different in an FPS and fans of military realism might find themselves a very rough diamond here.

Operation Flashpoint: Red River lacks polish, refinement, and optimisation. The addition of a discernible narrative structure also fails to impress. Nonetheless, gamers looking for something different in an FPS and fans of military realism might find themselves a very rough diamond here.

Genius is an often overused word but Valve's work on Portal 2 is genius in the truest sense. The studio has exhibited exceptional creativity in the game, even compared to some of its other masterpieces. If we could give it 11/10, we would.

Genius is an often overused word but Valve's work on Portal 2 is genius in the truest sense. The studio has exhibited exceptional creativity in the game, even compared to some of its other masterpieces. If we could give it 11/10, we would.

It's exciting to see the Lego games attempt to innovate, and some of the battles can be truly epic, but all sense of awe and fun is destroyed by persistent issues across the board, leaving players confused and frustrated. The trademark Lego charm is still just about present but is quickly wearing thin.

It's exciting to see the Lego games attempt to innovate, and some of the battles can be truly epic, but all sense of awe and fun is destroyed by persistent issues across the board, leaving players confused and frustrated. The trademark Lego charm is still just about present but is quickly wearing thin.

EA Sports has given the US Masters its warmest possible welcome to video games with Tiger Woods 12 – doing justice to Augusta National can't have been easy, but the developers at Tiburon have pulled it off with great aplomb.

EA Sports has given the US Masters its warmest possible welcome to video games with Tiger Woods 12 – doing justice to Augusta National can't have been easy, but the developers at Tiburon have pulled it off with great aplomb.

Shift 2 is one of the very few driving games where we'd actually prefer to boot-up its predecessor rather than this new iteration. It's still a thoroughly decent and innovative racer but fans of the original may be justifiably disappointed by the many missed opportunities here.

Shift 2 is one of the very few driving games where we'd actually prefer to boot-up its predecessor rather than this new iteration. It's still a thoroughly decent and innovative racer but fans of the original may be justifiably disappointed by the many missed opportunities here.

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

Swarm links together superb gameplay design, a deep but accessible control suite, and an original premise with such well measured pace and verve that it would send its own brilliantly engineered score multiplier off the charts. It's yet another example of why the most innovative and refreshing games of our time sit on the digi-download platforms. Content is a slight issue for the asking price but, then again, you'll enjoy every second of what's on offer.

Swarm links together superb gameplay design, a deep but accessible control suite, and an original premise with such well measured pace and verve that it would send its own brilliantly engineered score multiplier off the charts. It's yet another example of why the most innovative and refreshing games of our time sit on the digi-download platforms. Content is a slight issue for the asking price but, then again, you'll enjoy every second of what's on offer.

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.

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.

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.

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.

As the FPS genre marches towards a Call of Dutified heat death, it seems success is based more on the strength of a brand than any semblance of innovative game design. Homefront is only adding to this growing mass of homogeneous goo but at the very least it's a solid game with moderately entertaining mechanics; completely generic but generally agreeable nonetheless.

As the FPS genre marches towards a Call of Dutified heat death, it seems success is based more on the strength of a brand than any semblance of innovative game design. Homefront is only adding to this growing mass of homogeneous goo but at the very least it's a solid game with moderately entertaining mechanics; completely generic but generally agreeable nonetheless.

It features slick combat, interesting characters and an intriguing narrative that - for those who can ignore the presentational shortcomings - combine to make an incredibly immersive role-playing experience. However, the game's uninspired, repetitive environments and limited sense of adventure fail to provide a suitable platform for what could have been the defining RPG of this generation.

It features slick combat, interesting characters and an intriguing narrative that - for those who can ignore the presentational shortcomings - combine to make an incredibly immersive role-playing experience. However, the game's uninspired, repetitive environments and limited sense of adventure fail to provide a suitable platform for what could have been the defining RPG of this generation.

A homecoming for The Creative Assembly; an opportunity to show how far the series has come in the ten years since its inception and, as far as we're concerned, it's a homecoming of ticker-tape parade proportions. This latest Total War marks a peak in the series not so much for its landmark features but for the amount of love and sheer dedication that's been applied to the setting. Truly, it's a beautiful recreation of Feudal Japan with gameplay to fit that billing.

Beyond Good & Evil HD remains a triumph of exploration and adventure. Sure, it's wildly imperfect by current-gen standards, but it can still teach today's powerhouse blockbusters a thing or two in terms of gameplay design and the creation of immersive worlds.

Fight Night Champion does so many things right. Online multiplayer has been expanded while the new Champion Mode adds some much needed variation and dynamism. In many ways, it accounts for the shortcomings of its predecessor and provides solutions. If it wasn't for the infuriating changes to an otherwise perfect control system, it would be a hard game to fault.

Fight Night Champion does so many things right. Online multiplayer has been expanded while the new Champion Mode adds some much needed variation and dynamism. In many ways, it accounts for the shortcomings of its predecessor and provides solutions. If it wasn't for the infuriating changes to an otherwise perfect control system, it would be a hard game to fault.

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.

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.

Killzone 3, like its predecessor, is in no danger of pushing any boundaries (despite the inclusion of Move and 3D support). Indeed, it feels very much like a game which has been created with a good knowledge of the competition and at times it threatens to lose its identity. However, there's just about enough top-notch shooting action in the single-player game to keep the franchise fans happy while the multiplayer genuinely feels like a step forward for the series. It's still Killzone, folks. Just about.

Bulletstorm kerb-stomps the dominant FPS orthodoxy, replacing tired old conventions with fresh new mechanics. Its gorgeous sci-fi aesthetic and fluid ultraviolent action make the game almost as fun to watch as it is to play and, although it lacks adversarial deathmatches, Bulletstorm's Echoes and Anarchy modes significantly extend its appeal.

Bulletstorm kerb-stomps the dominant FPS orthodoxy, replacing tired old conventions with fresh new mechanics. Its gorgeous sci-fi aesthetic and fluid ultraviolent action make the game almost as fun to watch as it is to play and, although it lacks adversarial deathmatches, Bulletstorm's Echoes and Anarchy modes significantly extend its appeal.

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.

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.

If Dead Space 2 were a sci-fi character, it would be the cigarette smoking man from The X-Files: dark, mysterious, sinister, and intense. If you're a survival horror fan then look no further - Dead Space 2 provides the genre master-class on current-gen systems. The one major detraction is a disappointingly shallow multiplayer experience.

If Dead Space 2 were a sci-fi character, it would be the cigarette smoking man from The X-Files: dark, mysterious, sinister, and intense. If you're a survival horror fan then look no further - Dead Space 2 provides the genre master-class on current-gen systems. The one major detraction is a disappointingly shallow multiplayer experience.

While LittleBigPlanet 2's main campaign is something of a disappointment, there's no denying the impressive scope of the new creator. Media Molecule has provided gamers with a formidably deep tool-set that still manages to be fairly accessible, which is fortunate really as it's almost entirely down to the users to create compelling experiences this time around.

Battlefield: Bad Company 2 Vietnam is not DLC in the current-gen sense of the word. Instead, it's more like an expansion pack from the days of early-'Noughties' PC gaming; a whole new tack on the full game experience rather than a set of maps that only serve to intermittently prolong a game's appeal. For these reasons alone, it's worth the asking price.

While the original Force Unleashed managed to surprise us with something that was more stimulating then the tech demo we feared and nicely introduced a new plotline, the sequel fails at virtually everything it attempts. The plot feels like a cheap way to extend the series and never delivers any twists, while the game itself is mediocre at the very best of times. A hugely disappointing experience that even the most ardent Star Wars fan will have a tough time enjoying.

While the original Force Unleashed managed to surprise us with something that was more stimulating then the tech demo we feared and nicely introduced a new plotline, the sequel fails at virtually everything it attempts. The plot feels like a cheap way to extend the series and never delivers any twists, while the game itself is mediocre at the very best of times. A hugely disappointing experience that even the most ardent Star Wars fan will have a tough time enjoying.

Battlefield: Bad Company 2 Vietnam is not DLC in the current-gen sense of the word. Instead, it's more like an expansion pack from the days of early-'Noughties' PC gaming; a whole new tack on the full game experience rather than a set of maps that only serve to intermittently prolong a game's appeal. For these reasons alone, it's worth the asking price.

Battlefield: Bad Company 2 Vietnam is not DLC in the current-gen sense of the word. Instead, it's more like an expansion pack from the days of early-'Noughties' PC gaming; a whole new tack on the full game experience rather than a set of maps that only serve to intermittently prolong a game's appeal. For these reasons alone, it's worth the asking price.

While Criterion appears to rest on its laurels throughout much of the 'Racer' side of Hot Pursuit's gameplay, effectively producing a quite bland recreation of Burnout in the process, ultimately it's the 'Cop' side of the action that saves the day. From that perspective, Hot Pursuit proves itself worthy of the name with some of the best cop chase gaming of recent times.

While Criterion appears to rest on its laurels throughout much of the 'Racer' side of Hot Pursuit's gameplay, effectively producing a quite bland recreation of Burnout in the process, ultimately it's the 'Cop' side of the action that saves the day. From that perspective, Hot Pursuit proves itself worthy of the name with some of the best cop chase gaming of recent times.

It was an impossible task to match the original and surprisingly, by changing almost everything, Eurocom came close to doing it. What they have managed to do is create the second best Bond game to-date, and given Wii owners a great shooter.

As if you ever doubted it, Call of Duty is still the best military shooter out there and by quite some margin. It seems its competitors can only watch from a distance and take notes as this juggernaut of FPS gaming ploughs a wide path towards the genre's future.

As if you ever doubted it, Call of Duty is still the best military shooter out there and by quite some margin. It seems its competitors can only watch from a distance and take notes as this juggernaut of FPS gaming ploughs a wide path towards the genre's future.

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.

With this fifth full installment in the series, Gran Turismo manages to hold onto its legacy of genre dominating driving sims, but only just. If and when Gran Turismo 6 arrives on the PS3, Polyphony Digital might have to look at bringing more innovation to the series if it wants to pull as far ahead of the chasing pack as it once was.

While the core mechanics of Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood are largely familiar, the game still brings fresh ideas to the table with some inspired secondary missions and meta-games. It's in the multiplayer that Brotherhood really beats its wings though, presenting what's arguably the best competitive stealth experience anywhere in gaming.

While the core mechanics of Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood are largely familiar, the game still brings fresh ideas to the table with some inspired secondary missions and meta-games. It's in the multiplayer that Brotherhood really beats its wings though, presenting what's arguably the best competitive stealth experience anywhere in gaming.

Somewhat fittingly, this is the Fable to rule them all. Its revolutionary themes complement the series' trademark gameplay style exceedingly well, bringing a murkier side to crucial player choices that make impending decisions all the more engaging. It's still an RPG for the masses, but then it was always going to be really.

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.

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.

The simple fact is Kung Fu Rider would have fared better on a traditional joypad (it still wouldn't be that much fun), therefore making the entire game ultimately pointless. Studio Japan has blatantly given a half-arsed approach to their first PS Move title and there's absolutely nothing to recommend. Pointless, frustrating, irritating.

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's testimony to Inafune-san and Blue Castle that they weren't tempted to pander to a wider audience and continued with a setup that while frustrating is at least rewarding and satisfying in its difference.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Despite its Master Chief and Marcus Fenix guises, Vanquish is ultimately much more Japanese in its orientation than it is Westernised. Unlike MadWorld and Bayonetta though, it just lacks the poised gameplay balancing that could've made it a much more addictive experience.

Despite its Master Chief and Marcus Fenix guises, Vanquish is ultimately much more Japanese in its orientation than it is Westernised. Unlike MadWorld and Bayonetta though, it just lacks the poised gameplay balancing that could've made it a much more addictive 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.

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.