OBLIVION is a huge RPG, nice atmosphere, impressive graphics, decent gameplay. However, the core storyline is a bit dull and the bad guys who level up with you do make the whole levelling up mechanic a bit pointless.

FALLOUT 3 is similar, but much better. Really good combat, fantastic atmosphere, better central plot. However, I would strongly recommend at this point holding off to rent/buy the GAME OF THE YEAR edition in October, as that comes with the five expansions, at least three of which are really good and the other two are okay.

BIOSHOCK is decent, but I thought it took way too long to get going, and you only get the really good powers and weapons about five minutes before the game ends. But an unusual atmosphere and really good graphics make it interesting enough. Definitely a renter rather than a buyer though.

GRAND THEFT AUTO 4 is impressive, but some of my friends report it is too grim, lacking the humour of some of the earlier games in the series. However, I have heard that the two expansions are much better. Again, I believe there's a GOTY edition coming out soon with the two expansions included, so it might be worth holding on for them.

MASS EFFECT is an excellent RPG with a tight storyline and great voice acting. Driving the buggy around the surface of various moons may make you want to kill someone after a while, though. You can also port your character over into the sequel, which is due in a couple of months.

THE ORANGE BOX is a must-buy. For the price of one game you get HALF-LIFE 2 and its two expansions, the excellent TEAM FORTRESS 2 and the brilliant PORTAL. Huge amounts of fun there.

For online shooter-based multiplayer gaming you have CALL OF DUTY 4 for a 'more' realistic type of game (single-player sucks though, apart from the Chernobyl level). HALO 3 is very popular. I found it fun but way overrated. LEFT 4 DEAD is brilliant fun, especially with 3 mates on headsets screaming abuse at one another as they are overrun by the zombie hordes. The multiplayer modes on GTA4 look brilliant but oddly don't seem to have taken off in the same way.

For a straight-up shooter, GEARS OF WAR and its sequel are pretty good. You can also do multiplayer or co-op, which is fun.

You can also get THE SECRET OF MONKEY ISLAND (revamped 2009 edition) on X-Box Live for about £6, which is a no-brainer.

BATMAN: ARKHAM ASYLUM by all accounts is also very good and worth a look.

For forthcoming/future releases I'd look out for MASS EFFECT 2, DRAGON AGE, FALLOUT: NEW VEGAS, LEFT 4 DEAD 2 and BIOSHOCK 2.