A gaming masterpiece that combines groundbreaking technology, atmosphere and all-out action. It's the closest you'll get to starring in your own sci-fi flick.

Simply put, BioShock is a must for anyone who’s over 17 and has a 360. So far, this is the best game of 2007.

Another technological feat which just adds to the frightening experience of RE 4 is the lack of load times. You won't be catching your breath waiting on a load screen. The action and suspense will be with you at all times.

At the end of the day, however, you just can't beat the value being offered here and though it's not perfect, the sum of "The Orange Box" is greater than its parts.

This could very well be remembered as the PlayStation 2's best game ever.

While the story is an improvement on the first, the fact that the sequel is so much better means the story should have been great too.

It’s a huge game with an enthralling storyline and a huge mix of different gameplay elements that will keep players from ever being bored.

The single-player campaign is shorter than other games of its kind — I stomped through it in about 8 hours. But it was so action-packed, I didn’t feel cheated at all.

Rarely do games with this much fanfare actually live up to their talked-about potential, but Gears does something that almost none do - it exceeds the hype. It looks almost unbearably gorgeous, it sounds out of this world, it plays as smooth as butter but most of all - it's fun. Pure, unadulterated, blood-spattered fun.

Everything that was great about Morrowind is here in spades, but with smoother gameplay mechanics, snazzier visuals and a faster-moving storyline.

A few niggling flaws — or maybe just impossibly high expectations — keep Halo 3 from perfection. But on the whole, it’s a heartfelt and worthy conclusion to one of the most beloved video game series of all time.

The great thing about Splinter Cell Chaos Theory is that it's just getting warmed up once you finish playing all by your lonesome. The Multiplayer aspect of it will easily quadruple your time with the game.

Even without the car crashes, Burnout 3: Takedown would have been a superb arcade-style racing game. But the incredible vehicular carnage makes it a thing of profound destructive beauty.

With some of the highest production values seen in any game and more extras than you can shake a silenced tranquilizer gun at (all of which are on top of an amazing and improved single player game) result in a title that is easy to recommend and enjoy.

The game follows a fairly linear path and is plagued by a few invisible boundaries, but otherwise has plenty going for it, thanks to its nearly non-stop combat and reliance on more than just button mashing to dispatch each enemy.

Even without the car crashes, Burnout 3: Takedown would have been a superb arcade-style racing game. But the incredible vehicular carnage makes it a thing of profound destructive beauty.

Not surprisingly, some liberties were taken to reconcile logistics with gameplay. Call in the airborne and your paratroopers arrive immediately, with no need to plan the air drop in advance. But that is where the suspension of disbelief ends.

Easily and by far one of the most addictive and fun online multiplayer games to come along in awhile.

Aside from a few frustrating spikes in difficulty and a slower-paced final act, God Of War II is about as perfect an action game as you could ever hope for, and a worthy sequel to one of the PlayStation 2’s crown jewels.

While the story and gameplay are identical, the PS3 iteration of Oblivion is slightly better than its Xbox 360 cousin from a visual and technical standpoint. Standing on the top of a tall hill and gazing at the landscape below is even more breathtaking than before, thanks to a greater level of distant detail in the environments. Loading times have also been shortened a bit, making transitions between areas a little smoother.

A great game made even greater through its translation to two more powerful platforms. But Xbox owners might be miffed that the long-anticipated improvements are in reality so minimal.

PC owners definitely will fare better than their Xbox counterparts in this particular gang war.

When you can finally crack a song that initially seemed far beyond your skill level, and not just play it but perform it - arched back, windmilling arms, grins and grimaces and devil-horn salutes - it transcends a mere video game. It’s interactive entertainment taken to an entirely new level.

A thoroughly engaging racing game with high production value and an extensive amount of replay. From the multiple game modes, to the extensive customization options to finally the numerous online options, there is an incredible amount of game to enjoy.

Plain and simple, ESPN NFL 2K5 is Sega's best football game to date.

Sadly though the multiplayer only serves to bring down the quality of the game.

Xbox users benefit immensely from the addition of online play, a feature that was noticeably absent from past games due to a tiff between Microsoft and EA.

Newcomers might want to try the first two outings in the series just to be sure they don’t get lost playing the third, but other then that small issue, there’s little to complain about.

A sprawling fantasy masterpiece that needs to be experienced to be appreciated.

The game play is fantastic, intuitive and engaging with the best graphics I have ever been witness to in a PC shooter. If you love first-person shooters and are jonesing for something to play on your shiny new rig, this is the game for you.

Whether you're an old fan, like an intense new challenge or just appreciate a well-done video game, Ninja Gaiden has what you're looking for.

Though it has the odd rough edge, Mass Effect pushes BioWare's trademark character development, dialogue and storytelling to new levels.

A phenomenal game if it runs on your machine. While it is not exactly the dynamic battlefield that EA had hyped, it is one of the most enjoyable multiplayer first person shooters to come out in years.

While the new look can be a little daunting to a guy who just wants to play a few seasons, it is definitely the most sophisticated simulation ever developed for a console.

The depth of what appears to be an initially incredible simple and one dimensional game is astounding as always with Mario Kart DS, and the delivered promise of online opponents only adds to the overall incredibly rewarding experience.

Although it doesn't bring anything radically new to the formula, The Sims 2 has enough amazing twists and tweaks to make it one of those rare sequels that outdoes the original in every conceivable way.

It has a great mix of tactics and action, it has a cinematic, engaging campaign mode, and plenty of multiplayer fun to keep everyone on Xbox Live happy for a long time.

Sega's best football game to date.

One of the best strategy game franchises gets even better with the addition of new DS-specific features and tweaks.

Another amazing asset is that the opponents that you face aren't stupid. These are some top-notch, intelligent drivers! These opponents actually try to set you up to crash in a race.

Utilising each of the five pikmin-type talents is fun; the pikmin are easy to command and control, and the multi-tasking with Louie adds a lot of depth.

There's more than just running and gunning, too. Sometimes you'll have to solve puzzles, while other levels are more of a carnival shooting gallery. The overall experience is one of exploration, puzzle-solving and action that kept me wanting to push farther.

While the new look can be a little daunting to a guy who just wants to play a few seasons, it is definitely the most sophisticated simulation ever developed for a console.

Is it possible for an expansion disc to qualify as contender for Game of the Year?

Contrary to popular belief, Revenge is a dish best served hot. It's the best Burnout game ever.

Jade Empire is THE Role Playing Game to own on the Xbox, the best game on the Xbox period, and probably one of the best games released in the last 5 years. Are you sufficiently hyped yet?

Top notch for the handheld market. The audio sports a lot of remixing of previous Zelda tunes, combined with all the new original scoring. It's standard Zelda fair -- which is pretty much the equivalent of saying it's great stuff.

It's so realistic it makes me want to drivearound my block blasting the horn til' midnight.

I didn't realize how hard I'd been jonesing for destructo-racing fix 'til I gazed upon the game again, this time in all its high-definition glory.

Other than its steep PC system requirements and the merely adequate multiplayer modes, it's hard to find any fault with this gripping gem of a shooter.

A surprisingly tight blend of action, exploration and story. It's just too bad it's over so quickly.

The use of lighting, reflections and shadows give the cars and tracks an ultra realistic look and an illusion of depth that just hasn’t been present in other racers. One caveat to this huge leap in graphical prowess though is that by pushing the PS2 to levels thought incapable of the system, there is a glitch that arises, called "stuttering" by most that’ve seen it.

Suffice it to say, once you start playing the game and dissolve into that zone of blissful concentration, you'll understand.

Although it stays true to the Ratchet & Clank formula and doesn't try to get too creative, this is easily one of the best PS3 games so far.

With a concept as timeless (and downright fun) as the one that the Mario Bros. games adhere to, it would be tough to screw this game up. And Nintendo didn't ... not by a longshot.

Where the visuals come as a mixed bad, the sound is completely top notch all the way.

The thing about Brothers in Arms which makes it stand out in this genre is its realism, and attention to detail. A painstaking amount of work has gone into re-creating what happened to the men of the 101st Airborne Division in World War II.

Best looking, best sounding, best playing fighting game on the PlayStation 2. Excusing the fact there’s no online functionality, if fighting is your genre of choice this is your game of choice.

By and large the shooting sections are fun and the enemy AI keeps things interesting by actually trying to flank you.

A must-buy for Xbox 360 owners who love -- and live -- to speed.

A sure bet on any platform, GTA on the PSP is the beginning of a portable revolution, setting the bar even higher for any future games that dare challenge it.

The best part is that the game is challenging and smart enough for adults without being so hard that the impatient or young kids can't pick it up and play well.

While the graphics are undeniably great (especially after blasting demons and zombies into a bloody pulp) in Doom 3, it's the smart use of suspense and the creepy soundtrack -- including moans, groans and frantic cries for help --which make the presentation downright terrifying.

Blasting baddies with the Stranger's arsenal of freaky little critters is fun, but I kind of preferred Abe's sneaky, cerebral approach to problem-solving. Boombats or no Boombats... Anyway, it's really good.

A great addition to one of the best RTS style games currently out there, and if you never got into the original, now would be the time to pick it up with the expansion – you won’t be disappointed.

The graphics are some of the best offered in the first run of games, and it’s just plain fun. The only mark against it is the pitiful AI that doesn’t seem to notice you at all if you’re good enough with the nitrous and that power-slide.

While the visuals are second to none, the game ultimately doesn't bring anything new or notable to the first-person shooter formula.

Besides being one of the best Xbox racing titles, RSC 2 is right up there with anything else currently on the market.

But given that we gave Half-Life 2 one of our very rare five-star ratings, it would be pretty tough to improve upon perfection. The mere fact that Episode One comes close to matching the greatness of the original is impressive.

A perfect merging of sneaking and shooting missions, Dark Mirror’s gameplay flows rapidly from scenario to scenario.

The story is very rich by Mario standards, and the game can be surprisingly challenging, yet accessible, making it a truly great game for gamers of all ages.

But considering the title, it's a strangely sweet and charming little thing, so much so that anyone looking for cheap, violent thrills will quickly tire of Bully's mostly pacifistic tone.

An expertly crafted game, that’s almost completely at home on the handy Playstation Portable. With the exception of the lack of camera control, Portable Ops does almost everything right in translating the Metal Gear experience to the handheld platform, as well as adding some significant elements from both a gameplay and technical perspective.

Gray Matter Studios, the makers of "Castle Wolfenstein," was hired to make this add-on, and has done an impressive job creating battle scenarios that are larger and feel more freewheeling than in the original.

In the end, Persona 3 is a tedious excursion that made me waste hours of my life that I will never get back and left with my right eye bloodshot for staring at the TV screen as my contact lens ran out of moisture and it solidified to my cornea.

The first full-fledged expansion for The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion takes you on a trip to a skewed and psychotic Oz, full of odd people, new magic and killer creatures. And chances are you’ll love it there.

There's not much to it but it can be kind of fun if you're into this type of game.

A Kirby game that's fun and cool? Thanks to the innovative touchscreen control, you bet it is. A must-have for the somewhat under-represented Nintendo DS.

With its wide variety of vehicles, numerous tracks and racing modes and its undeniably addictive sense of speed, Burnout Legends is by far the best racing experience to be had on the PSP.

The only real fault with Resistance is that its inspirations are sometimes too obvious. It’s a little too much like Call Of Duty here or Half-Life there, and one of the later tank-driving segments feels like it was lifted straight out of the original Halo.

Creativity can be one of the deadliest weapons in your arsenal in this free-form third-person shooter. Playing with toy soldiers was never this fun.

What's also frustrating is that lower-level foes with no real super powers like Nazi soldiers and Nuclear Winter's henchmen are way too strong. Often you may find yourself swarming an irritating straggler here and there after engaging in a huge rumble that has left your team weaker than Aunt May.

If you like Star Wars you won't be disappointed.

As light-hearted as it is, it has a seriously addictive flavour to it and it looks and sounds great to boot.

Speaking of navigation, another reason this game is so wonderful is that every last thing you do can be done using your stylus. Typing, walking, drawing, organizing – it’s just a tap or stroke away.

For fans of the previous game, there’s not much new here beyond a co-operative multiplayer mode where two people are tasked with steering around one katamari. Unless you and your co-player are psychic, though, it’s a tough, frustrating task.

The game is challenging as all heck and you’ll sometimes wonder how you would ever get out of a predicament with a million enemies coming at you all at once in every direction without a super bomb, but it keeps you coming back for more, no doubt. Top notch in every way.

This overall spectacle sometimes approaches realism, like watching a bout on television. But it’s only a fleeting effect, like those newspaper puzzles where if you stare at the dots long enough in just the right way, a three-dimensional image appears.

If Nintendo gives us more of this fun, we won't have to shake our heads in disappointment every time the word connectivity is mentioned in a sentence.

The customization is deep, but not so deep as to be lengthy, and the game itself looks crisp and well-polished.

It's safe to say you've never played anything quite like this one. Easily one of the coolest, weirdest and most original games of the year.

Despite its literary background, “Shadows of Angmar” doesn’t rewrite the rules for massively multiplayer online games and instead sticks to the same safe, proven formula. It does, however, deliver a rich world that stays mostly true to Tolkien’s vision. [Associated Press]

Absolutely worth the purchase for old and new fans alike. There’s no reason why someone looking for a third person tactical shooter should opt for the original game (unless they’re looking to save a bit of cash), and fans of the first GRAW will find all the same modes, but with more customization options and ramped up clan support.

The darker and more serious tone won't appeal to everyone, but beneath it is the same great strategy game experience that's made the venerable Advance Wars series such a gem.

The controls on the PS3 Sixaxis controller work extremely well.

It has slick visuals and a more-than-memorable soundtrack. It’s too bad the whole dual-player thing wasn’t played up a bit more but it’s still an enjoyable title that’s worth a buy.

While there are lots of competitors, there quite simply just isn't another football game that stands up to the standard Madden sets. If you love the NFL, you'll love Madden 2005.

While naysayers can decry the repetition, the strength of the handheld series continues to be that nobody will whip through the games in few weeks. Diamond’ or ‘Pearl’ are worthwhile investments because they represent months and months of gameplay.