Those after a single-player experience will see all the game has to offer in a day, while online gamers will find themselves coming back to Heroes 2 for some time.

It's just run-of-the-mill game design. Bar the occasionally impressive combat, Beowulf doesn't have enough to make it stand out.

It's just run-of-the-mill game design. Bar the occasionally impressive combat, Beowulf doesn't have enough to make it stand out.

It's just run-of-the-mill game design. Bar the occasionally impressive combat, Beowulf doesn't have enough to make it stand out.

Beyond the short-ish 15-mission single-player experience you have a very basic ad hoc two-player Skirmish multiplayer mode that doesn't really add much to the game.

In the hands of anyone who's been longing for a true sequel to Mario 64, Super Mario Galaxy could well be the game of the year, but for me the latter half struggles to match the creativity and moments of magic experienced during the opening.

Other than the odd set-piece, Blacksite has nothing to warrant recommending it above the other big hitters and some severe technical issues drag it down considerably.

Other than the odd set-piece, Blacksite has nothing to warrant recommending it above the other big hitters and some severe technical issues drag it down considerably.

So, if it wasn't for the frustrating camera, Squad Command would have been a recommended PSP purchase for all. As it is, it's only recommended for die-hard Warhammer fans and turn-based enthusiasts.

Origins has all the hallmarks of a great Silent Hill game, but it does nothing to eradicate the series' faults.

Bladestorm does provide and incredibly well structured action-strategy game, and it juggles depth and accessibility with panache.

Bladestorm does provide and incredibly well structured action-strategy game, and it juggles depth and accessibility with panache.

Neat ideas like the inclusion of actual world records, and the option to gamble the potential points you could win from an event round off this tidy compilation.

Complete Saga will charm the socks off Star Wars fanatics and platforming fanboys alike.

Complete Saga is just a bringing together of those two games with a smattering of new levels. But for those of you who haven't tried Lego Star Wars before and are looking for one of the best games for the Wii, Complete Saga will charm your socks off.

Built from the ground up by a new developer, the DS has finally got a Lego Star Wars game to be proud of. Whether you're a Star Wars fanatic or DS owner looking for a polished, fun time, you could do a lot worse.

A word of warning though: this game has the most annoying background music EVER, a jazz-style soundtrack that completely destroys the languid atmosphere of the gameplay. Play it with the sound off, or you'll find yourself being driven slowly mad.

A considerable multiplayer mode and truly excellent musical score round off a nice package, but Tactical Strike isn't quite the amazing new direction for real time strategy it could have been.

The 360 game's soul shines just as bright now as it did a year ago, and so the PC version, with its improved visuals, lengthened campaign, more multiplayer maps and a game editor at least matches it, and perhaps even exceeds it.

If you're after a simple game that a large group of non-gamers can play together, Scene it? will do the job very well. With the promise of downloadable content, the game should live on well beyond the initial 1800 questions and the lack of wires on the big button controllers is great for a party environment.

F.E.A.R. Files is a highly enjoyable package, but the games do show their heritage. Both expansions are based on an engine that we first saw over two years ago and games have moved on.

The overriding feeling you'll get from Viva Piñata is one of depth.

CoD4 has all the terrorist activity you'd want, evil leaders, dramatic encounters and plenty of stunning scripted moments that will make your jaw hit the floor.

Although a new setting, Call of Duty 4 is everything we've come to love about the series and continues its tradition of stunning visuals and thrilling gameplay. The single-player is short but the Arcade game mode and brilliant online multiplayer combine to create one of the games of the year.

CoD4 has all the terrorist activity you'd want, evil leaders, dramatic encounters and plenty of stunning scripted moments that will make your jaw hit the floor.

Out of all the Pixar and Dreamworks games, it is absolutely among one of the best, and would make for a brilliant Christmas present if you're looking to satisfy the kids over the festive season.

with solid marks in terms of combat, characterisation and plot, coupled with a first rate graphics engine (a version of Bioware's Aurora engine that's completely unrecognisable from its original incarnation in Neverwinter Nights), a fine orchestral score, high production values and a willingness to tackle adult themes, The Witcher's strengths outweigh its few flaws (long loading times and the aforementioned translation issues) by a considerable margin.

If you're somehow done with all the big FPS releases of the year then TimeShift isn't a bad option, it's just not a game that will get a second look by most gamers gorging themselves on the likes of Halo 3 and Call of Duty 4.