Played with a friend, on Hardcore, Gears of War is simply an astounding game. Yes, it has the best visuals ever to grace a video game, but it's how these are used to create an intense shooter that make it so good.

It is short, basic and ferociously hard, and these are just some of the reasons it is assured a place in the schmup hall of fame.

It might be a predominantly linear path shooter, but who cares? When the atmosphere and level of action on offer is this great, the fact that I can't wander off to see what's behind a tree half a mile to the East really doesn't bother me.

The Nail the Trick mode is the evolution the game has been waiting for, and it alone is enough to recommend the game.

Whilst the whole package is graphically very dated and lacking in originality, there is an undeniable depth to this tactical shooter that knows exactly what its target demographic wants, and it's nice to see Sony continuing to support the PlayStation2 online community.

Nothing more than a shockingly lazy attempt to plunder some loot out of a great brand.

If anything can be said against the Battle Mode, it is that by modern standards, it feels a little slight.

By yourself there are a few games that provide as much of a thrill, and when playing with friends Guitar Hero II reaches even greater heights, making it a must own game.

Once you've got over swearing at your tank, jumping back to the menu screen to try and pick another one or change weapons, swearing at the game again, and have settled down to try and make the best of a bad job with the crappy tank that you've got to begin with, something strange happens... you seem to want to keep playing.

For a DS title Elite Beat Agents looks and sounds great. The agents are animated brilliantly (although you might not notice their dance moves due to your level of concentration) and the cutscenes are often hilarious.

Ultimately, die-hard fans of the series or devotees of traditional RPGs will find a lot to love in Children of Mana, while the rest of us will yearn for something that doesn't rely quite so heavily on hackneyed game mechanics and endless button-bashing.

A brilliant RPG that delivers on all fronts including quite possibly the most enthralling piece of narrative the series has ever seen.

Like KotOR 2 before it, Neverwinter Nights 2 promises much without quite delivering its full potential. It's a shame, as it could have been the Elminster of computerised AD&D games.

If it wasn't so mercilessly difficult then Killzone: Liberation would easily give current PSP benchmark Syphon Filter: Dark Mirror a run for its money.

As a port of a popular fighting series, Power Stone Collection is excellent, but as an alternative to the Dreamcast classics you might have tucked away in a box under you bed, it fails.

The action in F.E.A.R. is relentless from start to finish, and the AI of enemy soldiers is about the best you'll find in video games at the moment. Bar an ending that will leave you wanting a lot more, there's little not to enjoy.

Regardless of that feeling of déjà vu, Carbon is another solid racer from EA, and the Auto-Sculpt feature is absolutely fantastic, not to mention the impressive car roster and functional online component.

Regardless of that feeling of déjà vu, Carbon is another solid racer from EA, and the Auto-Sculpt feature is absolutely fantastic, not to mention the impressive car roster and functional online component.

Regardless of that feeling of déjà vu, Carbon is another solid racer from EA, and the Auto-Sculpt feature is absolutely fantastic, not to mention the impressive car roster and functional online component.

An impressive PSP game and a considerable improvement over the first GTA outing on the system.

The game suffers from far too many core gameplay problems for it to be a worthy contender to "PES 6," and it's only really the online play that is worth investing any time in. You can have a decent few hours playing online or perhaps with friends that don't know any better, but EA needs to change things considerably next year.

It's not massively inspiring, nor is it innovative, but it is a solid and at times addictive little number.

Tunguska suffers from a lack of true writing quality, which in the end is what matters the most, and what made the classic LucasArts adventure games so much fun to play. One for genre fanatics only.

Even clearly noticeable repetition and developer laziness can't fully erase what is in essence an almightily addictive and emergent base structure.

Even clearly noticeable repetition and developer laziness can't fully erase what is in essence an almightily addictive and emergent base structure.

Even clearly noticeable repetition and developer laziness can't fully erase what is in essence an almightily addictive and emergent base structure.

There's no denying that Dark Messiah has a certain bloody charm, with battles against numerous enemies being both challenging and rather gory. By the end though, things do become a little repetitive, and this prevents the game from being anything truly special.

If you're a fan of the "X-Men Legends" games that have appeared over the last few years you'll know what to expect from Marvel: Ultimate Alliance, but you'll probably still be surprised at how polished and lengthy the game is.

If you're a fan of the "X-Men Legends" games that have appeared over the last few years you'll know what to expect from Marvel: Ultimate Alliance, but you'll probably still be surprised at how polished and lengthy the game is.

If you're a fan of the X-Men Legends games that have appeared over the last few years you'll know what to expect from Marvel: Ultimate Alliance, but you'll probably still be surprised at how polished and lengthy the game is.

The only serious criticisms I have are the brutal loading times, which seriously detract from the pick up and play appeal of the game, and the fact that we're going to need to buy numerous collections to get all the great Capcom oldies.

While other first-person shooters will deliver moments of brilliance, F.E.A.R. gives you the tools and lets you create your own moments.

The jointed Tokobot moves work well, and the opening sections are good fun, but the ideas soon run out, leaving a game that isn't brilliant as an all out action platformer, nor as a puzzle-based adventure.

This remake has been handled with an unusual level of respect and a commitment to the original, and the graphical overhaul strikes a happy balance between old and new.

A thoroughly enjoyable game with a deliciously retro feel, despite the somewhat improved (but still lack lustre) graphics and the adorably camp accents.

The gameplay is solid enough, but it just seems to be lacking effort, failing to make best use of the PSP hardware (multiplayer dogfights, but no online support) and not taking the series forward creatively.

Magical Starsign offers nothing particularly original or special to appeal to the RPG fan that doesn't have a particular interest in this cute eastern subgenre, but for the casual gamer and RPG newbie it is a gentle and well-crafted introduction to a rich and complex area of gaming.

It's got a great look and can be played without causing too much stress. The DS is the perfect console for casual gaming and Contact fits that bill perfectly.

In relation to the other titles on the Live Arcade, it's a high price, but this is a game that you'll be coming back to months down the line, making it an essential download.

Bully is a surprisingly simple and rather tame game by Rockstar's standards, but that's part of its charm. The sense of grandeur seen in the likes of San Andreas isn't here, but Bully has a sense of character that is unique.

The double agent element gives the game a slightly unique feeling, but at times it's hard to shake the thought that you're playing a Chaos Theory expansion pack; albeit a very attractive one.

This is definitely a case of evolution over revolution and, although the franchise makes a confident leap into the future, 2142's engine and gameplay are firmly rooted in the past. The action is still fast and frantic, the warfare is epic and exciting and the loading times remain as excruciating as ever.

A game that comes frustratingly close to excellence without ever justifying such a tag. Though the gameplay has depth and simplicity, it often feels more like a multiplayer game with single-player tacked on, than a genuine single-player title in its own right.

An improvement over the original, but these improvements are marginal, and it still has a lot of the same issues that occurred in the first game.

While a decent dungeon crawler in its own right, it just feels unimpressive in comparison to its rivals. Unless you must have a DC Comics dungeon crawler, you'd be better off looking at "Marvel Ultimate Alliance."

Had the course count been on par with the current-gen releases there'd be no question over which version you should buy, but even with nine less courses, I'd still recommend you go with Tiger's next-gen offering.

The Sims 2 Pets isn't anything more than The Sims 2 on consoles with pets. It feels like an expansion pack, and if that's what you want, you won't be disappointed.

A surprise and a disappointment at the same time. The in-game visuals far exceeded what I was expecting, but the arcade racing soon becomes rather dull and repetitive.

All in all Who's Watching Who? is another disappointing video game entry for Scooby and the gang, but this fact is unlikely to affect sales to the kids that lap up anything with Scooby's face on it.

A maddening example of a game that was ruined by a lack of focus in its design stages - had it been released with a wider scope it may have made a great RPG, or had it been a little faster paced and involving it may have made a mediocre RTS.

There's no denying that GUN Showdown is an entertaining game, but you'll have to overcome the incredibly awkward controls in order to get any enjoyment from it.

It's far from perfect and more annoying than accidentally ramming your already-bleeding knuckles against a table edge that's been smeared with salt and vinegar, but it's the kind of pain that probably turns people into fetishists. It might be wrong, but on this occasion it feels oh so right.

The recently released "ProStroke Golf" demonstrated how a more advanced control system can work on consoles, and playing Tiger Woods 07 does feel like a slight step back. At the same time, the controls have a simplicity to them that makes the game easy to play, and there is level of depth to the control and shot choice for the more serious players.

The recently released "ProStroke Golf" demonstrated how a more advanced control system can work on consoles, and playing Tiger Woods 07 does feel like a slight step back. At the same time, the controls have a simplicity to them that makes the game easy to play, and there is level of depth to the control and shot choice for the more serious players.

Eagle Eye Golf has about as much style as Napoleon Dynamite, but at its core it's a very solid, albeit slightly too expensive, little game.

And having spent the better portion of my week with the title, I am yet to unlock every secret the game has to offer, and the sheer number of selectable characters is impressive, if not overwhelming at times.

Card and board game fans will find a lot to enjoy though, and the online integration and solid support for the lone player make a game that is well worth its budget price.

The drug dealing aspect is really the game's only defining feature, and with the rest of the game being merely competent in all areas, the Scarface licence is left to do all the hard work.

It all boils down to one simple fact - it's just not fun.

Mercury has always seemed like a great fit for the PSP, and Meltdown improves on an already impressive game.

FIFA 07 most definitely beats PES in a few areas, most notably in presentation and the brilliant first-touch control, but it's still not PES.

"Pro Evolution Soccer" still reigns supreme. FIFA 07 most definitely beats PES in a few areas, most notably in presentation and the brilliant first-touch control, but it's still not "PES."

The biggest and most infuriating problem comes from your team-mates' seemingly predetermined locations to take cover.

Online play does pose a few more problems; not just technically, but simply in being able to find a race. Unless you're already involved with an online racing community, you'll probably struggle to find people on open servers to race wheel-to-wheel with.

An amazing game. It could be argued that the appeal is limited, as after all, there is only one map to play on. But due to shifting alliances and perceived threats, the game never fails to feel anything but completely fresh.

Just Cause's biggest draw is its huge island setting, but it's also what prevents the game world from feeling truly alive. As much as soaring through the sky in a fighter jet, before freefalling hundreds of feet, and then parachuting to your target destination is great fun, that's pretty much what you do, over and over again.

A fairly average, poorly constructed game, built around some refreshing, interesting ideas, and you'll probably be frustrated at what could have been more often than you're entertained.

A real no frills game for the PSP, but it offers a solid racing experience and is different to the majority of racing games available for the system. It's technically impressive and offers plenty of stats to track and bonuses to unlock, and multiplayer is there if you can find anyone to play with.

Add in the two-player Wi-Fi option and what you've got here is a brilliant game, and one that is an absolute must for all DS owners. Quite simply: if you've got a DS, get this!

Lone players could spend months in the Association mode, and the online options are excellent for players wanting some human-on-human play.

The world is so lush, visually stunning and complete within itself that you just want to lose yourself in it.

Compared to the recently released "Saints Row," The Godfather feels pretty dated. It just doesn't have the variety or presentation to match THQ's made for next-gen offering, with the driving being the biggest disappointment.

One of the dullest and most repetitive games I've played in recent memory. It feels more like a chore then a game, and the lack of attention to many aspects of its design pale in comparison to its greatest omission... it's simply no fun to play.

One of the dullest and most repetitive games I've played in recent memory. It feels more like a chore then a game, and the lack of attention to many aspects of its design pale in comparison to its greatest omission... it's simply no fun to play.

Anyone with an established affection for roguelikes (apparently there are a lot of you) and even the slightest liking of Pokémon will really enjoy this. And ultimately, I did too - played one mission at a time, Mystery Dungeon's old-fashionedness in the context of the adorable setting is charming, and you can't fault it for a lack of longevity.

Company of Heroes reinvigorates the sub-genre of the World War II real-time strategy game, and its confidence in its own excellence is aptly demonstrated in the very first few minutes of play.

As war games go, Faces of War is more of a blundering, well meaning Private than a seasoned General.

As interesting as some of its ideas are though, this seems doomed to having them all stolen by subsequent titles that can actually incorporate them into a game with some proper strategy and depth.

If you have any fondness for Star Wars you'll find Lego Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy incredibly hard to resist. It's packed to the brim with fun and offers plenty of value despite what seems like a fairly short main story.

It's a nice touch to actually have to build things in a game featuring building blocks, and adds to the game's overall tongue-in-cheek feel.

It's a nice touch to actually have to build things in a game featuring building blocks, and adds to the game's overall tongue-in-cheek feel.

Online play would have made this the perfect multiplayer offering but the developers have got to leave something to add in a future release.

NHL 07 has its glaring flaws, particularly with its lousy AI and shoddy online play, but the skill stick breathes new life into a sport that hasn't seen much innovation in over a decade. The eye-candy visuals and terrific puck physics don't hurt either.

The core idea of turning cooking into a series of mini-games works well, and the gameplay is simple enough for almost anyone to enjoy. Sadly, a lack of variety does make it a game that won't be played much once the novelty factor has worn off.

It's not without its problems, is far too simple and lacking in features, but as sports games on the DS go, it's one of the best.

Its faults are there to be seen, and some - like the frame rate and lack of tuning options - could be seen as game breaking faults, but if you're not bothered about the technical side to driving, Test Drive Unlimited is simply wonderful.

It's just that while being a competent and perfectly enjoyable pick'n'mix of some of the best games of the last 10 years, Yakuza doesn't excel at any aspect it borrows. It isn't greater than the sum of its parts.

You could breeze through the game in a few short hours, but it really doesn't matter. Those few hours will be some of the most joyous of your gaming life.

What ProStroke delivers is the most in-depth control system I can imagine working on a standard console controller, but the game that's built around it simply isn't exciting enough to sway Tiger fans over to a new series.

The biggest disappoint is how pitiful the narrative is.

Whether or not you will embrace it, though, all depends on either your loyalty to the franchise or the seriousness of your masochistic tendencies.

The fundamental gameplay created by the 'monkey in a ball' mechanic simply doesn't work within the confines of an adventure title.

The top-down perspective tries to make it seem like Gauntlet for the gangsta generation, but moronic gameplay, insipid level design and tacked on multiplayer work together to cripple the experience.

If there's one thing Saints Row does brilliantly, though, it's explosions. Cars literally get blown apart and come crashing back down with debris flying all over the place.

Star Fox Command is by no means a complete mess, but there's just nothing that compelling about it. Tellingly, I just couldn't help thinking that I'd rather be playing a conversion of the N64 game and forgetting about all this strategy nonsense.

Despite some charming touches, and the slightly amateurish but strangely appealing voice cast, it's an inescapable fact that Barrow Hill adds very little new to the genre.

A weighty Xbox Live Arcade game, even if you have to pay 800 Microsoft points for it. For those of you who downloaded the game in the first two days, you already know you've got yourself a bargain.

Far superior to its predecessor in just about every way, despite some glaring issues that prevent this year's gridiron game from being a true classic. The problem here is that Madden is still in desperate need of a makeover.