The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
Big doesn't begin to describe this epic fantasy role-playing game, which we've . The latest in the Elder Scrolls series takes players to the land of Skyrim, which is suffering from an unfortunate infestation of dragons.
The game's creators at Bethesda have put a ridiculous amount of effort into creating the icy northern landscape, which is full of side-quests, activities and opportunities for players to explore. Be warned, though – get Skyrim for your significant other and you may not see them until next Christmas.
Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception
Nathan Drake returns for his third outing on the PlayStation 3, in this cinematic adventure which adds a raft of new tricks to his repertoire. About as close as you can get to being in a film – and thus perfect for a post-prandial Christmas treat while everyone's lolling around stuffed full of Quality Street.
Driver: San Francisco
Hardcore racers and rally fans might want to plump for Dirt 3 or F1 2011, both of which picked up five-star reviews on Stuff.tv. But when you're slumped in front of the telly loaded up on Christmas turkey, pudding and booze, the more casual racing thrills of Driver: San Francisco are more likely to be up your street.
An entertainingly daft Life on Mars-style storyline has your comatose hero possessing different drivers, giving the open-world racer a unique twist.
Batman: Arkham City
2009's Batman: Arkham Asylum was the first superhero game that made players feel like they were really slipping into the tights of the Caped Crusader – but its setting was a bit limited.
With the sequel, developers Rocksteady have freed the Dark Knight to soar over the rooftops and alleyways of Arkham City – a giant no-go zone peopled by a rogue's gallery of thugs and supervillains. Bigger and better in every way than its predecessor, Batman: Arkham City is a must-buy and contender for best game of the year. (Read our review.)
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3
The gaming blockbuster of the year, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 faced some stiff competition from Battlefield 3 in this year's close-run "Military FPS with a 3 in the title" contest.
The best solo campaign in the CoD series to date, plus the usual fantastic multiplayer offering –including an addictive new co-op survival mode – make Modern Warfare 3 a safe bet for any boy obsessed with toys (if by toys you mean high tech military hardware).
