The critics will be keen to slam these scenes as a crucial flaw but while we’d agree that they are possibly the most annoying factor, they do an excellent job of pushing the story forward and after the first few hours, the balance becomes much more acceptable.

If you are a rally fan then the addictive gameplay coupled with the sight of the perfectly recreated cars racing around official tracks should be enough to overlook any rough edges.

If you really, really want a diving game, this is as good as it’s likely to get. You shameless little weirdo.

If you thought your Xbox was only good for driving games and first-person shooters think again.

This combination of adherence to the Lucas/Spielberg rules and innovative game design not only makes this a convincing depiction of an icon, but also makes for a satisfying and rewarding play.

Short, sweet and tough as a bastard.

If you’re even remotely interested in RPGs, you have to bury yourself in this – it takes a bit of time to grow on you, but once Dark Cloud 2 has you, it won’t let go for a very long time.

Manages to offer you completely believable and very original environments that don’t just go for all the usual stereotypes.

This thing either found us in an incredibly bad mood (unlikely) or it’s one of the most insulting games we have ever had the displeasure to play (yes). Just don’t buy it.

The no-holds barred combat fails to provide the variety you’d want and the gore of the real event isn’t in evidence.

Does little to break the classic platform mould but those of you who enjoy these types of games should find enough in it to provide some enjoyment.

If Capcom wants this hard-core beat-’em-up to appeal beyond a niche market changing the control system alone is not enough.

In such a saturated genre perfection is necessary but Vexx only comes off as average.

If you can ignore the many obvious flaws in the graphics and presentation there is, believe it or not, an addictive game to be had, but the numerous obvious technical problems prevent a higher score.

Think of it as PSO I+II… though not as good and minus the online features. Make of that what you will.

It’s certainly different, is very unsettling and, if you’re into Manga-esque narratives, then you’ll love it.

It’s all very “out-there”. It’s all very stylish. And apart from the addition of some new and fairly self-explanatory mode updates and some stylishly presented menus this is really what makes Guilty Gear X2 stand out from the crowd.

This pack gives a great new lease to a game that has far from run out of steam.

For all of its failings though, Skies Of Arcadia Legends is a worthy game. The atmosphere draws you in completely, and the wonderful characters make your journey through this massive game a total joy.

All the young pretender could do was look prettier, and show off his facial damage. No contest. He got a damn good beasting that day, and every day there after.

On one hand the characters and art endear you towards it, but when it comes down to it, the fighting is just too shallow to recommend this over any other boxing game out there.

A few flashy new moves hardly compensate for the lack of subtlety and polish that was so evident in the original title.

An above average volleyball game to go along with an equally average relationship simulator and a digital version of a sticker book collection system. Think with your brain and avoid this.

An enjoyable yet unoriginal game.

Like "SSX Tricky," ATV2 relies on tight playability to keep your mind off the averageness of the visuals. The only real moan is that crashes lack any sort of bone-jarring impact.

The game’s full of such annoyances, but it manages to (almost) balance up its frustrating nature with the weight of its truly black heart, good looks and the questionable joy of emptying out a Soho ponce bar to the sound of an AK-47.

It is hectic fun that's packed with (largely mindless) violence... It soon gets repetitive though with most missions involving similar enemies and following a similar structure. It is a good blast however.

The single most impressive thing about this game is the visuals. It ‘s quite remarkable to behold. Not in a “isn’t that pretty as an oil painting” kind of way, but in the sheer grand scale of it.