The beauty of the WarChiefs expansion is that it's not just a lot of new content, but it's a lot of good new content that affects how the game plays. If you're a fan of Age of Empires III, you're going to be an even bigger fan once you've tried this expansion pack.

This is the game that fans of simulated modern combat and Clancy fiction have been waiting for.

It will charm the pants off you and spectators if you're fan of the series.

It's very hard indeed...That said, cracking a mission is an incredibly rewarding experience, and the inclusion of a 'quicksave' facility does make the process somewhat less painful.

Unnoticeable at first, a number of subtleties emerge over extended play that should surprise and delight those bored with this dozing genre.

While the laidback style and slow pace won't engage action junkies, it serves to focus attention on the environment and events. Occasional hassles aside, Syberia II is both a welcome and worthy sequel.

All of this adds up to a game that is, by turns, compelling and frustrating, innovative and derivative. At the final bell, there is little in qualitative terms to separate Ecks vs. Sever and "Doom."

Although the plot is compelling, many will find the slow pace and sub-games too tedious to sustain their interest. Perhaps it's too lifelike for its own good.

It's not the most glitzy-looking coin in the haul, but it's finely milled, expertly crafted, and has just enough hidden nicks to give it Old World character and a sense of adventure. It's addictive, and you will lose hours of your life.

Gitaroo Man Lives delivers an awesome performance on PSP. However, its short length leaves it feeling more like an opening act than a headliner. Despite this flaw, music fans are urged to not miss the game a second time.

EA's challenge is not to simplify their simulation or stop adding detail, but to integrate those features so well that players can simply marvel at how advanced the game has become. The Superstar revisions are a step in the right direction, since they allow players to focus on the entire game one player at a time, but otherwise that's just not the case.

Dungeon Siege II hasn't improved significantly in the story or visuals department, but it's got deeper play mechanics, and the party management has been tweaked to allow for the level of hands-on interaction the player's comfortable with. It's also an incontrovertibly vast game.

In all other ways besides control, Street Fighter Alpha 3 MAX is a 2D fight fan's dream come true. It's more than worth the struggle with the d-pad, as there's so much to love and immerse yourself in with this game.

Episode 4's brand of observational satire is new territory for the series, and the game's anthropomorphic stars are very much at home with it.

The game offers unparalleled variety and choice in the actual gameplay. The non-intrusive design sets just as much of a precedent as did Deus Ex, which is a joy to realize. The game feels a bit short -- especially considering how much choice the player is given -- and the presentation values could have been polished up more, but it's an experience like no other.

Playing EyeToy solo isn't the sort of title that keeps you captivated for the length of time that experienced gamers expect, but it's certainly unique and a good crowd pleaser at gatherings.

If you expect that you'll live in a magical world, casting spells left and right and hanging out with vampires and undead comics within ten hours, then think again.

Graphically and sonically, the game does wonders for GBA. It’s clear and beautiful to look at – even in quite dimly lit play areas.

All the best bits you'll see in commercials for the game -- bits likely to make viewers think, "Wow, that looks cool, I gotta have it!" -- aren't merely climactic moments of one-off boss battles... they represent the vast bulk of the gameplay experience.

Pacific Assault's half-documentary, half-entertainment approach is solid, and the game's a thrilling, if slightly by-the-numbers WW2 shooter.

An excellent arcade-sports title that knows no equal on next-gen consoles. It's more user-friendly than ever, has a killer single-player mode, and its online play will only make you keep it cemented into your Xbox 360 that much longer.

Despite its supernatural trappings, this is a game very much about the human condition, about love and loss and how even the most innocuous decisions can leave the deepest footprints. There’s some great work here, and while Oxenfree isn’t without flaws, like its teenaged cast, it points to a promising future.

A fascinating strategy game mixed with a lot of tactical shooter elements. Additional online modes and some gameplay tweaks would have earned the game a higher rating, but as it stands, it's still a thoroughly entertaining and involving experience.

Offers a lengthy adventure, a compelling, gorgeous world, and more than a dash of chaos to the order of conventional fantasy role-playing games.

The AI is surprisingly excellent - if you send a batch of troops out to scout, they will take up careful positions, scale machine gun positions, engage the enemy, and redeploy defensively without any more commands having to be issued.

Wakeboarding Unleashed may have a few rough edges, but it is a franchise that is destined for greatness. Incredibly playable and lots of fun.

The good things about Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles are REALLY good, and the things that are bad really hurt.

It's ideal for those with high-level Morrowind characters.

With polished online play, great visuals, and the right mix of authenticity and accessibility, Tiger Woods PGA Tour 07 is a solid package for golf fans. Unfortunately, the insulting shortage of courses on the 360 smarts a bit, and there's not a whole lot new since last year.

So if you're looking to give SWAT 4 a bit more longevity, your $20 will go a long way with Stetchkov Syndicate, but sadly not as far as it could have gone.

While Operation Exodus is not without flaws, it offers modes and innovations you won't find in competing real-time strategy games and is a very refreshing take on the genre. It also looks gorgeous.

A fantastic sequel.

With the jump to Xbox 360, Lady Croft feels right at home in a more beautiful world with better control and the same brain-twisting puzzles and level designs that made you drool over the series in the first place. Oh, and she's still smokin' hot.

THQ has given us a great game, but it's too bad they haven't taken steps to protect it for those of us who want to play fair.

Genre-hopping games can be notoriously difficult, but with Spellforce 2, Phenomic has hit the nail... well, not quite on the head, but certainly in its general vicinity

Majestic Chess actually lives up to its name in not only theme, but quality and originality too.

Even with those downsides, MotoGP is as demanding and impressive a racer as you're likely to get for the 360 this year. It's more lively and entertaining than the PS2's Tourist Trophy, while being just as technically impressive.

With the more realistic animations and televisual camerawork, together with the new passing and shooting techniques and individual star skills, EA can be proud of the fact that it is the best game in the competition.

The added feature of housing and storage alone makes it well worth its price tag, but the many new quests, island and monsters all making their debut are really the tasty icing.

It's an ingenious mix of resource management, micromanagement, action, RPG elements, tactics, strategy, innovation, and good old-fashioned D&D atmosphere.

Ultimately, Battlefield 2142 is a game for the hardcore player. If you've logged endless hours into Battlefield 2, you're going to love the new class tweaks and you'll probably have half of the unlocks within the first week.

In many ways, Bloodlines' open-ended approach, combat system, and dialogue options make it feel a lot more like a successor to action-RPG classic "Deus Ex" than the recent sequel did.

The attention to detail is commendable, but the sheer scope may be a point of frustration for some, especially those who come from the "Tony Hawk" school. The supercross races are so exacting that progression without dedication is impossible.

Fire Pro Wrestling has options in bucket-loads.

Unless you've got friends willing to pass as potential victims, it's about a day's worth of cheap thrills. But those seeking a suitable multiplayer scrap should find themselves in good shape with this one.

Perhaps the best thing you can say about Virtua Tennis 3 is that it's such a good game, you don't even have to like tennis to appreciate it.

But what's most remarkable is how much variety Rare squeezed into this game, mainly by liberally scattering minigames throughout the world.

More than anything, playing Cloning Clyde will give you the sense that someone had an almost unnecessary amount of fun making this game.

NBA Live 2006 isn't the perfect game for serious NBA fans who dig stat-tracking more than slam-dunking. It is, however, a great game for someone searching for a good looking, fun and portable game of basketball.

This is a textbook example of the power of an interface to make a distinctive and clever game even more distinctive and clever. Quite simply, you haven't played Trauma Center until you've played it on the Wii.

It's definitely a Trim Spa version of the absorbing, deeply time-devouring PC gem, but Battlefield 2: Modern Combat is a solid, balanced action game that lets players fight the battle on their own slightly conceded terms.

It's one of those long-term compelling games, perfect for digging in and ranking up, practicing competitively, or just relaxing and letting gravity do its thing. It is as once a sport, a pastime, and one of the finest games you can enjoy at your own pace.

A deliciously cheesy romp into the giant monster genre.

None of the other games come close to this one in terms of gee-whiz frills and bonus content. But ASB 2004 doesn't really get the job done on the field.

Despite the staid atmosphere, Links is the fairway to hit if you're just in this for a round of golf. Especially if you want to play that round online... with voice and three of your friends.

All the best bits you'll see in commercials for the game -- bits likely to make viewers think, "Wow, that looks cool, I gotta have it!" -- aren't merely climactic moments of one-off boss battles... they represent the vast bulk of the gameplay experience.

A lot like "Raw Superstar Umaga": It's an absolute monster, with tons of power while simultaneously possessing impressive agility.

A demanding and gratifying shooter that brings a new level of seriousness to the Ghost Recon franchise. And, perhaps more importantly, restores it to the good graces of PC owners. Provided they've got the horsepower.

Every fan of the genre should revel in the ability to enjoy Valkyrie Profile without giving blood on eBay. RPG newbies are encouraged to indulge as well, though with a warning: don't expect to find an equivalent any time soon.

Guitar Hero Live is a classic rock star: talented, interesting, bipolar, and filled with questionable ideas. The new guitar is a hit and the streaming mode is plenty of fun, but the full-motion video fail and annoying song rental model mar what could have been a legendary comeback album.

Few strategy games this year have offered so much in the way of enjoyable story and gameplay.

Boring...plain as an old Rich Tea biscuit, and just as dry.

If you haven't already played "Corkscrew Follies," there are definitely enough attractive new features and interesting scenarios in Loopy Landscapes to provide hours of additional coaster building enjoyment to your theme park empire.

It's original, foreboding, action-packed and full of dark humour, uplifting surprises and plenty of serious shooting for you to get to grips with.

It may not be revolutionary for the genre, but it's as good an FPS as you're going to get today, with decent multiplayer to back it up into the near future.

A handful of glaring errors and nagging problems hamstring the title, preventing it from garnering overly high acclaim.

Though it's engaging, fun and novel for the first few hours, there's only so many ways you can come up with to use Abe and Munch's powers.

As disturbing, shocking and distrustful as it may seem, the cinematic cuts and their dramatic content are actually well written, directed and acted. There's just enough competent drama going on here that you can take your race driver's odyssey halfway seriously.

Just don't be surprised when you find the game length to be dangerously close to the running time of an average Bond flick.

Doing anything that gets you off the couch is going to help, and Wii Fit's more energetic minigames are ample to leave you out of breath. No, it's no shortcut to the perfect physique, but it sure beats another hour on a damn treadmill.

An innovative, challenging game that can run on a low spec PC.

It may seem like a minor gripe, but I still would have liked to see a skirmish mode.

Plays fairly well. I say 'fairly', and not brilliantly because Broken Sword seems a little too linear places. Unlike The Pandora Directive, you only have access to a few locations at one time, and once you enter a new area, such as Spain, you can't leave till you're finished there.

We have no problem at all with awarding Dark Cloud a Console Domain highly recommended award.

So catchy that the hours will fly by as you get hooked on working your way up the ladder, visiting new fight clubs, and acquiring ever-more-attractive girlfriends.

Amped 2's thick, slow riding and terrible controls are simply unforgettable, whether the aim is arcade speed or serious realism.

It shares too many of "NBA Live's" problems, but still has great depth and plays a decent game of basketball. One of these years, EA is going to properly fix Live, thus killing two birds with one stone.

And fair warning to all of you obsessive-completist types out there: Your lives, as you know them, are over... at least for a while.

Tremendous fun. It doesn't innovate so much as it refines and ties together a couple of different elements into a satisfying whole.

It's a fun, attractive, and challenging solo adventure that satisfyingly concludes the longstanding series with a memorable finale.

While it was easy to shut off the first game only to come back later and forget where you were, MGA2 keeps the objectives close by and your motivation memorable.

In a market that's crowded with guns, over-the-top graphical effects and heart-pounding action, FSX serves more to educate and amuse than arouse and enrage, and it does so in real style. It's a stunning achievement.

Although it could use a tad more variety regarding game options, it's a brilliant start to the franchise and one of Xbox's best single-machine multiplayer games.

Simply bear in mind that Otogi: Myth of Demons never evolves beyond the realm of a mildly pleasing product with an irresistible graphical hook.

It struggles to get out of its own way, featuring perhaps its most complicated buy-in system yet. Creativity knows no bounds, but your checkbook certainly does.

But fans of the first Empire Earth are going to find a much improved game here, while veterans of the genre will be impressed by the new concepts.

Hidden underneath the heroine's cute, sly smile is a solid helping of classic Rare goodness, just waiting to burst forth. Layer on the excellent combat system, beautiful visuals, and an orchestral score, and you've got a game well worth checking out.

Inventive table design, challenging play, and the incorporation of George Romero-style dialogue from the original series, combine to make it hard to put this one down.

For the first time, you can now hear cars on other parts of the racetrack...It's an effect that puts you bang into the environment and sends a real tingle up and down your spine.

Anyone who's ever sunk more pocketfuls of coins into an arcade machine than they'd care to admit will be incapable of resisting the game's charms.

A great visual and auditory package, and an extremely entertaining game to boot.

While the ground stages don't quite match the rest of the game's quality, there's still something superbly delightful about marching a group of AT-ATs into battle, or commanding a fleet of star destroyers, or chopping up stormtroopers with Obi-Wan Kenobi. Empire at War captures these emotions perfectly, and backs them up with a robust large-scale strategic game and no end of single and multiplayer content.

Challenging and visceral, Lost Planet is one of those games that keeps you coming back, even when you're swearing up a storm after dying.

Despite its lack of big upgrades and unsatisfying track list, this is still a blast to play with friends. If video games intend, in part, to deliver fantasy, then Rock Band is, once again, a resounding success. You play this game, you feel like a rock star. It’s that simple.

It's a shame there isn't much in the way of non-military resolutions to disputes, as the game's combat system stands out as its key weakness. Even with that proviso, 1701 AD is a game fans of both the series -- and the genre -- will enjoy.

Although simplistic in many ways, Otogi 2's character variety, non-linear progression, and sheer level of chaos are all big points in the game's favor. This is a must-see sequel for anyone with a destructive bent.

Good points aside, E:BD is a tired game based on a limited concept that was beaten to death in 1998.

A surprisingly well-executed game (after the patch) which is unfortunately obscured a bit by the difficult interface.