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.

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.

It’s not perfect, it does get tedious at the start as you’re trying to level up, it’s not for everyone, but for those brought up on Elite you’ll love it.

One can’t help but think that Namco slightly rushed the title to get it out in time for "Virtua Fighter 4," the visuals aren’t exactly eye dropping but the gameplay is fast fluid and consistent. [Import]

With only eight chapters Mirror's Edge is a particularly short game and the only thing that extends this is the trial-and-error gameplay. You're constantly left feeling as though Mirror's Edge needed something else to sustain it.

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.

BLACK's biggest misgiving is the fact it's over so quickly. 8 missions simply isn't enough and leaves you desperate for more, and probably unlikely to go back unless you're the biggest fan or to show off to your mates.

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.

Undoubtedly a stylish and engrossing variation on the Sci-Fi shooter theme, the novel touches ensure Prey is a worthwhile experience; but, it's probably still not enough if you're tired of the premise and haven't enjoyed id Software' most recent efforts.

A large portion of the enjoyment comes from the same type of British humour that featured in ‘Giants’; it’s certainly not an easy thing to develop a game that manages to make you laugh, however this one certainly succeeds.

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.

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.

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.

Although it has everything you'd want from an intense, action-fuelled open-world title, the overall feeling with Prototype is that it tries a little too hard.

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.

Stylised visuals and over the top physics make the game stand out, and the simple premise helps to cement it's pick-up-and-play strengths.

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.

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.

Sky Odyssey brings all sorts of elements from "Pilot Wings" and packs them together with a fligh-based adventure, making this a fresh original title that you must have.

The whole gambit of interesting locations from Normandy to an entire Russian campaign offers the strat player a real mind throbbing treat as you can play and assume a number of sides.

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.

With only eight chapters Mirror's Edge is a particularly short game and the only thing that extends this is the trial-and-error gameplay. You're constantly left feeling as though Mirror's Edge needed something else to sustain it.

Pure exhilaration; it’s an adrenaline-fuelled romp that will satisfy even the most extreme racers out there.

Fast, furious and most of all fun, Mario Strikers Charged is classic Nintendo territory, a game that appeals to even those who don't like the beautiful game that we affectionately call football.

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.

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.

Much more of a 'grown up' experience after the stylised antics in Blue Dragon, the morality tale of a thousand-year life is packed with an ever-increasing sense of emotion, and will no doubt be of interest for J-RPG gamers.

One of the most groundbreaking titles around... a truly unique ‘game’ and of the finest Sega created titles ever, one that everybody can play yet it’s individuality will divide gamers into those that love it and those that don’t.