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.

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 may not be hugely original, or indeed faithful to the franchise but, with a deep combat system and some excellent boss battles, Lords of Shadow claims a place near the top of the action adventure list and is terrific value for money.

It may not be hugely original, or indeed faithful to the franchise but, with a deep combat system and some excellent boss battles, Lords of Shadow claims a place near the top of the action adventure list and is terrific value for money.

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.

If you're a social gamer that enjoys playing games against friends then chances are you'll enjoy the improvements made on the pitch. However if you're the type of gamer that prefers to experiment with the single-player modes you'll likely end up feeling a little underwhelmed.

If you're a social gamer that enjoys playing games against friends then chances are you'll enjoy the improvements made on the pitch. However if you're the type of gamer that prefers to experiment with the single-player modes you'll likely end up feeling a little underwhelmed.

There are only a couple of issues that hold back F1 2010 from a perfect score and they're not major gripes at that. The F1 license is finally back in the hands of a publisher that's willing and able to create a realistic depiction of the sport and this is a remarkably good first attempt by Codemasters Birmingham.

There are only a couple of issues that hold back F1 2010 from a perfect score and they're not major gripes at that. The F1 license is finally back in the hands of a publisher that's willing and able to create a realistic depiction of the sport and this is a remarkably good first attempt by Codemasters Birmingham.

It's a fitting swansong for Bungie, setting a beautiful end that takes you right back to the very beginning.

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.

Beyond missions that are a touch more variable and slightly better attuned to the story, it's hard to see where HAWX 2 improves over its predecessor. The first game struggled to rise above its own monotonous gameplay and this tedium is only amplified by a sequel - mired in the same monotony - that's been released only a year-and-a-half after the original.

Beyond missions that are a touch more variable and slightly better attuned to the story, it's hard to see where HAWX 2 improves over its predecessor. The first game struggled to rise above its own monotonous gameplay and this tedium is only amplified by a sequel - mired in the same monotony - that's been released only a year-and-a-half after the original.

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.

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.

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

Mafia II refuses to follow the crowd of open-world games by putting authenticity at the head of its agenda instead of sheer scale and off-the-hook action. The fact that it tells you what to do rather than asking what you'd like to do is somewhat counter-intuitively what makes the game feel so original and immersive.

Mafia II refuses to follow the crowd of open-world games by putting authenticity at the head of its agenda instead of sheer scale and off-the-hook action. The fact that it tells you what to do rather than asking what you'd like to do is somewhat counter-intuitively what makes the game feel so original and immersive.

Although an improvement over the original, Dog Days - like its predecessor - is a game of two halves: a disappointing single-player somewhat rectified by enjoyably innovative and strategic multiplayer modes. We wouldn't have too many problems with the duration of the campaign if Dog Days packed every hour full of unforgettable moments, but as it stands it quickly degenerates into the chasm of forgettable, derivative Gears clones.

Although an improvement over the original, Dog Days - like its predecessor - is a game of two halves: a disappointing single-player somewhat rectified by enjoyably innovative and strategic multiplayer modes. We wouldn't have too many problems with the duration of the campaign if Dog Days packed every hour full of unforgettable moments, but as it stands it quickly degenerates into the chasm of forgettable, derivative Gears clones.

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