IGN

All in then, it's a leftfield delight, and one that can hopefully find a bit of traction with not just established flight simmers, but also loose-walleted everymen at a loose end before the AAA-release silly season begins in a few weeks. The 16-man multiplayer is something that could do with being a quiet success, so there's room for quick, drop-in dogfights whenever, and also the chance to play with the Axis planes for a change. What's really key to how strong Sturmovik is it how neatly it pulls off the two-games-in-one trick.

Don't play this game. The idea of blending a first-person shooter with a real-time strategy game isn't a bad one, but the execution was a complete failure. I'll look back fondly at my time reviewing Raven Squad -- all three hours of it -- but only because I couldn't stop laughing at the fact that this game exists.

DiRT 2's got character admittedly it's one that's over loud and a little obnoxious but, as an antidote to the buttoned down brigade of driving games that are on the horizon, it's more than welcome. Even those who might sniff at the game's focus on the extreme end of off-road motorsport will find it hard to scoff at its rewarding handling model, its sense of atmosphere and its sumptuous visuals, all of which help make it a highlight of the Colin McRae series.

Dirt 2 is prettier than its predecessor, has more varied tracks and a functional multiplayer offering. What it doesn't have is a focus on pure time-trial rally races, which is really what I expect from a rally game. The other disciplines are fun to dabble in, but I'm old school and want a bit more tradition from a racing game. Dirt 2 is a solid racing game with some really fun events and a slick menu system, but it could use a little less of the arcade action and a bit more of the sim.

There have been a lot of Guitar Hero games over the past few years. And there will be more yet before this year comes to a close. It's easy to get lost in the flood. But if you're going to grab one, Guitar Hero 5 is a good choice. The accessibility, streamlined presentation, solid note charts, and welcome gameplay improvements make this the best Guitar Hero game in recent memory.

Defense Grid is a great value on Xbox Live Arcade. It's a fantastic tower defense game, costs half what it does on PC, and throws in bonus levels for us. Strategy games aren't everyone's cup of tea, but if you count yourself a devotee of the genre you won't want to miss this one. Even if you aren't a tower defense fan, Defense Grid may convert you.

To describe Batman: Arkham Asylum as a comic book game, while true, does it a huge injustice; it's an action adventure driven by a strong story, superb presentation and blistering action, and one that has heaps of appeal outside its core comic audience. It's hugely atmospheric and engrossing, its blend of combat and stealth balanced superbly to deliver an experience that's easily as engaging as the Metal Gear series.

It's admirable that Raven Software recognized this with Wolfenstein, but you can't help but wish that they developed the kernel of the ideas in this game into something more. As it is, this new Wolfenstein comes off as an engaging, though otherwise forgettable, shooter.

Shadow Complex probably could have used a little more development time to iron out a few glitches and nail down the sometimes awkward aiming system. Even so, it stands as one of the best games yet in 2009. And I'm not just talking about the Xbox Live Arcade. The classic, exploration-heavy gameplay is a winner. Go buy this game.

It's a sure bet that Hearts of Iron III is one of if not the most detailed strategy games you've ever played. The depth of information and modeling in this game is as comprehensive as we've ever seen and it holds rich rewards for players who are willing to make the considerable investment into learning how to play. Even after two weeks, we feel we're just scratching the surface here.