An old skool RPG if ever there was one, Pillars of Eternity: Complete Edition should be on your shopping list if you’re a strategy and RPG junkie. It’s as close as we’re going to get to a new Baldur’s Gate, and while it has its quirks and suffers from agonising load times on consoles, it’s still a joy to play.

PES 2012 looks and feels a lot better than it has in a long time, and has certainly closed the gap on FIFA. The only problem now is the often frustrating randomness of the game, which is both a blessing and a curse really, and the fact that the whole experience still seems rather light on alternative options to counter FIFA's glittering presentation. Back of the net – but via a three yard toe poke rather than a twenty yard rocket.

Unfortunately for us, DJ Hero seems to be going the same way as the rest of the Hero brand, with little to no innovation upon the last iteration. The freestyle sections are a great addition, the new track list isn't as inspired as the original's and the Empire mode is a complete waste of time. Don't get us wrong, it's still fun, but it's starting to wear a little thin already.

EA Sports MMA is well-made, impeccably presented and could in time threaten UFC's title, just not yet. Fight fans would do well to give EA Sports MMA a whirl though. You won't be disappointed.

Relic Entertainment has done a solid job on Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine, taking the studio's knowledge of the IP working on the Dawn of War series for PC, and putting it to good use. With some better thought out set-pieces and more variety in the gameplay and visuals, this could have achieved greatness. As it is though, Space Marine feels like the foundations for a barnstorming sequel, and goodness knows it deserves one, as there's massive potential here.

There are definitely some faults to this game, but it is overall an enjoyable experience. Double Helix Games is a mish-mash of multiple companies and is overall very new to the video game industry so the faults are no surprise.

Controls are responsive and players did what they were told to do without a hitch. Lack of fighting direction hurts this score.

Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood is a great realisation of the western genre both in single player and online in multiplayer. It truly is an authentic western experience that builds on the foundations of its predecessor and will be lapped up by western fans worldwide. If it wasn't for its lack of single player longevity and its few technical hang ups, some of which hamper the gameplay, the game would easily be shooting in the 80's.

Team Builder and Season Showdown really make the game worth the money. Yes, it is a roster update. Yes, the mechanics appear to be 95% identical to ’09. But yes, it is worth the price if you are a fan of college football.

It was a frustrating ride with difficulty levels, luck and that damned camera not helping matters, but I would encourage everyone to experience the game, if only for a while. It does have its “just one more stage” periods and that is always the sign of something great.

A lot better than some people would give it credit for and a pleasant change from all the driving simulations out there at the moment. The fun may well be too short lived for most though, with only the most dedicated achievement hunters putting in the required time to unlock everything. While it lasts though, Sonic & SEGA All-Stars Racing can be a barrel of laughs – it's just not quite Mario Kart... damn.

Darksiders II may not be the world-destroying beast we hoped it would be, but that doesn't mean it's not enjoyable. Whether you are jumping around on ledges, exploring the overworld, puzzling through dungeons or waving your massive axe around, there's a fun, rewarding adventure to be had. Only poor pacing and a lack of new ideas lets it down.

A fine AA open world action RPG with a compelling story and decent combat, Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden might be one of the bests games you've never heard of. It deserves more than a ghost of a chance.

Unapologetically tough, brilliantly slick and well put together, Dead Cells is a roguelike platformer that will put you to the test. And you'll probably end up enjoying (almost) every minute of it.

Worth a punt if you've yet to become acquainted with Fortune City, and although the addition of checkpoints might seem beyond the pale to some, it considerably reduces the frustration factor. At a budget price, Off the Record represents surprisingly decent value, and who out there doesn't like cross-dressing and clubbing zombies to death? Exactly.

A fun game with very few major flaws, but by the same token it brings absolutely nothing new to the table other than the welcome online community option and enhanced player traits and consistency. That aside you will be playing the same old Madden and on that front, Madden NFL 12 just doesn't do enough to hold your interest for very long.

The RPG nature of the back end system is a true pleasure at times. Kitting Baldur out from head to toe in badass armour is one of Too Human’s fortes. Other than the main story quest though there isn’t really that much to do and the game gets incredibly repetitive.

Reminiscent of vintage arcade-era SEGA, New Star GP is a racing game that also happens to be a fantastic homage to five decades of Formula One. If it's a fun, retro-style racing game you seek, then this'll do just fine.

A lack of polish and a smattering of (optional) filler content aside, RoboCop: Rogue City is a good, solid shooter, imbued with a clear love for the movies it's based upon. I'd certainly buy it for more than a dollar.

It isn't trying to be competition to the tennis sims, it's providing an alternative option that is simple, easy and fun.

Lara undoubtedly is growing stronger with each incarnation on the 360 and we hope she can continue this trend and relive former glories. Crystal Dynamics have without a shadow of a doubt rescued the series but the game still has too many bugs and issues to be declared a must buy.

For those holding out for a fresh new dance experience, this isn't it, but for those wanting more of the same with a few extra options, tweaks and songs then this is a solid package. There is plenty of fun to be had in Just Dance 4, with or without friends, and players will certainly not be wanting for entertainment.

Darksiders III’s shift to a more Dark-Soulsy experience seems to fit perfectly within the Darksiders universe. The third outing in the franchise is a solid effort by Gunfire Games – one of my favourite gaming experiences of the year, in fact – let down only by some shaky traversal mechanics, a dodgy compass and some downright unpleasant frame-rate issues.

de Blob 2 is not quite on the verge of greatness just yet, as the repetitive nature of the game and some control issues do hold it back somewhat. Luckily they do not detract too much from a game that is trying something a little bit different and succeeding on the whole.

TopSpin 2K25 is a strong enough return for 2K's dormant Top Spin series, despite being a somewhat barebones offering, short on modes and bereft of fun extras like mini-games. On a fundamental level, however, this is a great game of tennis. Maybe we can expect more from TopSpin 2K26.

Homefront's story-driven element is a disappointment, but you'll still probably return for a repeat visit. The multiplayer on the other hand is a far more inviting prospect and will likely burn up a fair few hours, days, weeks and even months if you catch the bug.

Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty sets itself apart from Nioh, Team Ninja’s other soulslike series, with plenty of inventive mechanics that thrust you into the midst of a war. But by spreading the action out over various disparate battlefields in second century China, with plenty of chatty characters to meet along the way, Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty loses a little bit of its magic in the process.

A slow-paced, languid horror remaster, Project Zero: Mask of the Lunar Eclipse is not only a chance for western players to finally play a Japan-only entry in the series, but it's also a haunted house experience that delivers on creepiness.

Steep is an admirable effort from Ubisoft Annecy, one that is chock full of decent ideas, but held back by others. This simulation extreme sports title lays down the foundations for what could turn out to be another staple in Ubisoft’s ever growing catalogue.

You may spend a lot of your time comparing Gotham Knights to the Arkham series, and that's to be expected. But this is a different beast, and something to be relished on its own terms.

The few new ideas are welcome but not enough to differentiate it from its predecessors.

Toy Story 3 is worth playing for the Toy Box mode alone, as it has a wealth of things to see and do. The story is fun, but far too short though, but it would make ideal fodder for the younger gamers out there.

An enthralling open-world crime drama tarnished only by a few largely inoffensive bugs, Mafia 3 succeeds in delivering an involving story with great shooting and stealth gameplay. Repetitive missions and a lack of polish mar the experience, but you'll still have a ton of fun playing Mafia 3.

FIFA 23 is the best FIFA game that you can play right now. But unless you’re an Ultimate Team diehard, FIFA 23 might not do enough to convince you to upgrade from the mechanically similar FIFA 22.

El Shaddai has its frustrations and annoyances making it something of an acquired taste, but if you can get a feel for the rhythm-based hack and slash gameplay, and if you find the game's eclectic and achingly beautiful art style as arresting as we did, then you'll be in for a divine treat that's unlike anything you've played before.

This game will frustrate a lot of people before they've even made it through the tutorials and the season mode is fairly light too. Worth a play but only if you have the patience to practice, practice and practice some more.

It's Drive, Destroy, Dominate remit is delivered in spades, but after while, it can start to get a tad repetitive.

There’s no doubting that The Saboteur is a barrel of fun and a pretty addictive game that will keep you wanting to do just one more mission, but the simple fact is, it lacks that extra layer of polish and a few ideas are missing to make it a great title.

A pleasing adaptation of a family-favorite franchise. All around good fun and despite the short length, there is plenty of extras to come back to. Not exactly a blockbuster title, but a nice addition to a child's catalogue for sure. The older crowd can at least appreciate it for a bit of fun and an easy gamerscore boost.

Daiblo III is a pretty poor RPG but probably the best loot driven dungeon crawler on your console. So if you aren’t too fussed about the rushed story and are prepared to lose countless hours to find THAT legendary item and get your DPS just so, then Diablo III is probably for you. Everyone else will play the game once and wonder what the fuss was all about.

A truly immense RE title that succeeds as a third-person action shooter, but falls flat on its face as a survival horror game. Yes, times have changed, but if Dead Space can still provide a good balance of scares and set-pieces, then why can't Resi?

This is a good game, make no mistake about it, but it suffers from being far too short and easy. After one playthrough you will have seen everything the game has to offer barring the arena mode, which itself, only lasts about an hour once you are leveled up to the max.

Tannenberg isn’t trying to compete with the Battlefields and Call of Duty’s, as it’s a completely different experience; one much slower paced, deliberate and brutal. Some will be turned off by is clunkyness and sluggish gameplay, but the realism and recreation of WWI battles is on a whole other level. If you’re looking for realistic trench warfare, Tannenberg will pit you in 40 player WWI battles that history buffs will relish in.

Beautiful to behold, pleasing to the ear, Child of Eden can nonetheless be extremely punishing to play at times. There's not really much to do in the game either, but it's worth playing just for the experience. Go on. Take the trip.

Stoked isn't for everyone. You'll either love it for the ability to freely explore five huge mountains, or hate it for the lack of variety in career mode and the rather steep learning curve. If you find yourself in the first group, Stoked has more than enough content to merit its $40 asking price.

As ever the latest Madden offers the best NFL experiences available on consoles... but it did the same last year, and the year before that. So the actual progression seems minimal to be honest and the new features are probably not enough to lure in any new converts, or satisfy the old guard that played last year's title. It is good fun, but not really a must own.

Metro 2033 provides an immersive and bleak universe to explore, with excellent pacing and varied environments that keep the action fresh from beginning to end. We loved the HUD-free gameplay, but a bland narrative full of unmemorable characters, an inconsistent stealth system, and multiple smaller issues kept Metro from realizing its full potential.

While this game is not as strong as its predecessors, there is still plenty of fun to be had here, unfortunately the single player campaigns are all far too short and linear to hold your attention for long, but at least the multiplayer makes up for that by being a very solid offering indeed.

A good game for beginners in the strategy genre, but for a title from someone of Chris Taylor's background, you can't help but feel a little underwhelmed. Supreme Commander 2 should have been the game that really offered us a challenge, however, we never found it.

Army of Two: The 40th Day is a huge improvement over its predecessor and EA Montreal should be commended for the work they’ve done. Unfortunately the praise will be short lived as you’re constantly bombarded with bugs and minor annoyances that are with you from start to finish. Not enough to break the game, but enough to hamper the experience. The 40th Day is a fun co-op shooter with a great cover mechanic, but it’s as frustrating as it is fun. So just be warned.

This game falls just short of greatness mainly due to unacceptable graphical problems and a few poorly implemented ideas. If there had been less loading screens and more choice about battle commands, then this would have been the ideal game to tide us over until Final Fantasy XIII emerges.

Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions is thoroughly entertaining, but a combination of niggles and obscure design decisions drag it down. Despite that, it's still probably the best Spider-Man game on consoles and is well worth a look for that reason alone. Just don't expect to be blown away.

Smackdown vs. Raw 2011 does offer a considerable amount of fun, but it's the same fun you will have enjoyed for the past few years. There are some new ideas here and there, but nothing really earth shattering and it's safe to say that the game never really pushes past the previous incarnations. Fans will enjoy themselves, that's a given, but it's probably time for something fresh and innovative to spice things up.

Wolfenstein's Veil powers and the pseudo-sandbox city of Isenstadt make the game an entertaining ride, though poor AI and frustrating bosses hold it back from greatness.

I truly believe that, had they given the development at least another few months to beef up the visuals and sounds and maybe even add a bit to the campaign itself, this could have been a great game, possibly making a few top 10 lists along the way.

While not a vast improvement over the original, the gameplay and story are still solid and provide plenty of fun moments. Sadly the dubious multiplayer has come along for the ride yet again and it just does not seem as fresh as the first game did.

Alone or with a friend, life as an explorer for Kindred Aerospace is dangerous, but it's also a lot more enjoyable than it should be. Journey to the Savage Planet is good, clean, planet colonising fun.

A compelling and absorbing action game free of handholding, Hell is Us pulls you in with a gritty narrative and setting, then holds your attention with smart puzzles, solid combat, and a dark, dystopian story.

Should you be in the market for more of Borderlands' frenetic looter-shooter mania, then Tiny Tina's Wonderlands fits the bill, its uniquely daft take on fantasy tropes and tabletop board games proving robust and infectiously good fun.

The Thing: Remastered is worthwhile and no mistake. Nightdive's lovingly made revamp might not paper over the cracks of the 2002 original, but it preserves what made it a cult classic, while applying subtle, albeit meaningful, improvements.

If you miss Burnout as much as I do, then you owe it to yourself to take Wreckreation for a spin. This is about as close as we're ever likely to get to a sequel, delivering blisteringly fast open world racing, and superb track building tools.

While Mount & Blade: Warband hasn't really gained a whole lot in the jump from PC to console, it's great that such a deep and sprawling game has found a home on new platforms after so many years. It looks dreadful, but scratch beneath the surface, and Warband is an enormously rewarding RPG/strategy/medieval warfare sim-type thing that's becomes more and more compelling the more you play.

Assassin's Creed Unity makes me sad. Boasting moments of excellence, it falls way short of being the new-gen Assassin's Creed game that I wanted.

Vampyr is one of the year's most interesting games, cementing Dontnod as one of the most interesting developers around. Go get your teeth into it.

Cygni: All Guns Blazing is an old-school shmup in modern clothing, offering the same sort of immediate arcade fun as its genre stablemates, but with a cinematic (albeit slightly perfunctory) story and some neat high-res graphics.

Like a robot in disguise, Transformers: Devastation is a really good game that could have been potentially great. Sadly, there isn't more than meets the eye to Platinum's effort, but what is included is superb. It's just too bad there isn't a little bit more of it.

I'd be lying if I said I didn't enjoy Quantum of Solace because I did, but this is coming from a huge Bond fan. The single player campaign was entertaining and boasted intuitive and responsive controls; our only grumble is its length.

LEGO The Hobbit is still a game full of things to see and do, but the problem is that you have the nagging feeling you have seen and done them all before.

Def Jam Rapstar is the perfect rap game for any wannabe rap stars out there. With 40 tracks that span the entire rap genre, Def Jam Rapstar is only let down by a few technical issues and not having nearly enough iconic tracks for us to get our 'gangsta' on to.

Zoo Tycoon’s biggest crime is its lack of ambition.

EA seems to be the master at adding subtle changes to their yearly updates while never straying too far away from their tried and tested formula. The few tweaks do make Tiger Woods PGA Tour 12: The Masters a more well rounded game, and one that is great for newcomers, but most golf fans will have seen this formula time and time again. If you like the Masters, and bucket loads of DLC, then give this a shot.

MotoGP 10/11 successfully builds upon the last game in the series with improved visuals, overhauled handling and physics and new modes that make this the most comprehensive in the series yet. However, it still feels like MotoGP has a way to go before it really comes into its own. MotoGP 10/11 is good, but still a few laps away from achieving greatness.

There is a platform here for Crystal Dynamics to take Lara’s shenanigans to a new level, but a reliance on fairly bog standard shooter mechanics just doesn’t do the franchise any justice and as a result, means Tomb Raider falls short of being a truly great game.

A well made, if slightly flawed, adaptation of the friendly neighborhood webhead that is sure to provide far more entertainment than it does boredom.

The Karate Kid: Street Rumble is a good, solid, retro-style scrolling beat 'em up that demonstrates not only a clear love for its source material, but for the heyday of the genre itself. Nonetheless, once you've dispensed with its twelve levels, you might struggle to find a compelling reason to go back for more.

This is a game in only the loosest sense of the word, but is an intriguing proposition nonetheless, especially for those with a penchant for action-based manga series. Asura's Wrath is an original, engaging and occasionally ridiculous game and as a result is certainly a novel experience, though whether it's an experience that most gamers will be happy paying top dollar for is another matter.

Going rather heavy on its convoluted, nutty storyline, Scarlet Nexus delivers on all fronts as far as its combat is concerned, with fast, flexible action that's always a joy. Bandai Namco's game is certainly bizarre, but it's also unique and well worth playing - it's the best Brain Punk game ever made.

The Turing Test is delivered well, resplendent in Unreal 4, and carries a few genuinely interesting moments that make some of the more languid ’downtime’ easier to swallow. We've had moments on our commute just mulling over some of the (ridiculously!) dry jokes in the game, but we love that - they feel like the bytes of humour you’d hear a museum curator crack as they show you their favourite exhibit. A puzzler for anyone who wants an aperitif after The Witness and The Talos Principle.

Wasteland 3 is as deep a CRPG as you’re ever likely to play, with meaningful choice and consequence in abundance, if you can get past the frequent crashes and array of irritating bugs.

The game was definitely odd, but it wasn't a pathetic fail as some may have expected. It was different for sure, but it was still fun and still brought me back to the days I played Mortal Kombat on my Sega for hours on end.

An improvement over the previous Infinity games, Disney Infinity 3.0 is the most definitive installment in the series to date, putting Disney Originals, Marvel and Star Wars under one roof. Factor in the power and possibilities presented by the Toy Box, and Disney Infinity 3.0 would be almost impossible to resist if a little more attention had been lavished upon the core gameplay.

A smart action game with bags of personality and a few unique twists of its own, ReCore is most definitely worth investing in. It's big, sometimes difficult, fairly engrossing, and fun while it lasts.

Simply put, Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising is a brutal, unforgiving and frustrating, but equally as exhilarating, enthralling and rewarding experience. It certainly is a game of two halves if ever there was one. On the one hand your heart will be racing throughout and you’ll be co-ordinating critical military manoeuvres in order to be successful, but then on the other hand you’ll be cursing the squad AI, the random glitchy deaths and the rest of its shortcomings.

Tilting Point's game is a great indie platformer that's a bit on the short side, but for $7, it's a steal. Challenging and enjoyable while it lasts, Leo's Fortune is well worth a punt. It's the best game starring a furry green testicle with a moustache that you're ever likely to play.

Neatly presented to the gamer, with aesthetically pleasing menus and a generally tidy, easily accessible interface throughout. Over-sensitive controls are a major letdown.

With Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 still the bigger and arguably better game, you might wonder why MvC: Infinite exists at all. After extended play, the reason is clear. Fans of the MCU ought to get a kick out of it, while fight fans of all skill levels will find something to like too. Marvel vs. Capcom: Infinite is a fun and accessible fighter that still has hidden depths to be mastered. It's good.

A robust and engaging mission, Star Trek: Resurgence does the iconic sci-fi saga justice with an intriguing original storyline that slots neatly into the series' lore, offering interesting and likeable characters, choices that feel like they matter, and its fair share of twists and turns. Engage.

Combining strategy, action and roguelike permadeath, Bomber Crew is thoroughly enjoyable, and well worth a look.

Chorus might ostensibly look like any other space shooter, but, discounting a few annoyances, it has some cool ideas of its own, and frenetic action that will pull you right in like a tractor beam.

Ambitious in scope and scale, Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon is an enormously ambitious and remarkably deep Oblivion-inspired RPG. But in shooting for such a high bar, its technical shortcomings unfortunately hamper the overall experience.

Nothing groundbreaking in the latest installment of the MLB 2K series that would set this apart from any other sports title. You will get your money’s worth with the Franchise mode and the constant free roster updates. MLB 2K9 is good enough to make it to the majors, but not quite worthy of an all-star title that we were hoping for.

More quantity over quality, Skate 3 nonetheless impresses with its sunny city built to accommodate your team of skaters, but ultimately doesn't deliver much in terms of innovation to the franchise.

Guitar Hero Live is maybe a change too far for the Guitar Hero revival. It’s two facets, Guitar Hero Live and Guitar Hero TV, are wonderfully crafted and superbly engaging, but the fun factor seems to have been zapped from it somewhat. Maybe it’s a little too serious, maybe it’s hard to accept change, but that spark that we felt when we played Guitar Hero II for the first time… it’s just not there.

A cool, well-executed Portal spin-off/mash-up, Bridge Constructor Portal takes one of Valve's dormant franchises and neatly transposes it into an appealing and enjoyable puzzle game. Next up, Bridge Constructor Half-Life? Play it. For science.

If I had to sum Mercenaries up in one word, I would say “fun.” If I had to sum it up in five, I would say “fun but glitchy as hell!”

A openworld, sandbox snowboarding title that lacks some serious direction and structure, offering the gamer no real story or incentive to work through the challenges.

Planet of Lana 2: Children of the Leaf emerges as a worthy follow-up to the first game, boasting a smattering of neat improvements over the original, a touching story, and, despite a few moments of frustration, an otherwise enjoyable procession of platforming and puzzles.

Broken Sword 5: The Serpent’s Curse is a solid little point-and-click adventure that's let down by its clunky controls and its sometimes nonsensical puzzles.