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This was the first non-GTA game of the sandbox variety that I’ve actually enjoyed. The twist in this game is that you play as a guy with super powers, namely the ability to manipulate electricity – so plenty of hijinx ensue.

This game was more like Crackdown than GTA for me, with less real open world freedom and more constant mayhem. However unlike Crackdown, the controls are tight, the mayhem is fun, and it has a story that provides sufficient context to everything you do. Also importantly, the side missions are diverse enough to keep you interested and not bored with repetition.

The game has a very overt morality system, it literally stops you mid game and sets you up with a dilemma where you can chose between one of two actions at a certain point – very good or very bad, and this ultimately affects how your characters powers developed. You’re not penalised one way or the other, it simply plays differently, which was a good touch although a bit simplistic in its execution. I always find myself playing “good”, for some reason I feel guilty deliberately being a dick.

All in all a good fun game. Four stars.

Modern Warfare 2 takes all the strong elements of the original Modern Warfare and cranks it up to eleven. The quality gameplay is still there, but the story just goes over the top – in a good way. Any semblance to reality goes out the door in favour of jaw dropping sequences. This coupled with a really strong multiplayer element, including a co-op feature, makes it pretty clear why this game is so damn popular.

Four stars

This game is an improvement in just about all areas of an already amazing game. The gameplay mechanics have been incrementally improved – enemies no longer absorb a ridiculous amount of firepower and the puzzles are more complex. The melee combat system has changed, though I’m not so convinced it’s an improvement, there was nothing wrong with it in the first place anyway.  The scale of the game has gotten grander, and the action is relentless, the game moves seemlessly from one amazing action set piece to the next.

Never before has a game made you feel like you’re part of such an amazing adventure. To be fair, it’s more like you feel like you’re immersed in an amazing blockbuster feature film rather than real life – video games haven’t achieved that kind of level of immersion and realism just yet.

The production values found in this game are second to none. The facial expressions and movement of the CG characters represent some of best “acting” you’ll ever find in a video game. While you are guided along the story in a linear fashion you never feel like you’re simply along for the ride. Not being open world means the game can tell a very controlled and specific story, and Uncharted 2 tells a spectacular story of epic proportions.

Truly one of the greatest games to be found on the PS3. Five stars.

This game is awesome. An incredibly cinematic experience, with fun gameplay, beautiful graphics, solid characters and an entertaining story. The sort of game you can really get absorbed in, and the sort of game that leaves you begging for more. An absolute must play if you own a PS3. The only gripe I have was that the enemies seemed to be able to absorb an unusual amount of gunfire before going down – it didn’t ruin the overall experience at all, but it did kind of stand out as an odd thing.

Four stars

Tools of Destruction left me wanting more, so I picked up Quest for Booty. It really seems like a game designed to simply tide you over before the release of Crack in Time. As a stand alone game, it really doesn’t add anything of significance new to the series and it is extremely short, probably 4-5 hours in length. In fact if anything it seems like the deleted scenes of the previous video game packaged together.

All things being equal though, more of the same of Ratchet & Clank is not a bad thing.

Three stars.

I’ve always thought of Ratchet & Clank as a kid’s game – and I’ve steered clear as a result. However, after I was given a copy of Ratchet & Clank with a strong recommendation to play I figured I’d give it a go to break in my new PS3. Ratchet & Clank is like the video game equivalent of a Pixar film; a kids game that appeals to adults. It’s a relatively simple game, but the gameplay is addictive and lots of fun. I’m converted. Kids games rock.

Four stars.

After playing this game – I now want a PS3. It’s a shooter, nothing unique about it I suppose, but it’s done really well. It’s slick, the graphics are fantastic, and it’s hella fun. Plotwise there’s really not much to it, but it really doesn’t matter. Definitely the sort of game worth buying a PS3 for. Four stars.