A great year for PlayStation 2

There was plenty to cheer for in 2007 when it came to big PlayStation 2 games; here are some of the highlights you may have missed.

2007 has been a massive year for games, with some glittering examples on PlayStation 2 to make any owner of the seven-year-old system proud. There are many to choose from so here are five leading titles that are sure to be remembered fondly in many years to come.

It's no mean feat to take a hugely successful and original series and expand on it. However, God of War II replicates everything that made the first game a spectacular over-the-top action adventure extravaganza. SCEA's Santa Monica Studio goes all out to bring you a rip-roaring feast of adult oriented exploits as the now titular god of war, Kratos, goes on a journey through Greek mythology that results in battles against gorgons, flights of fancy on Pegasus and death duelling Gods.

God of War II is a stunning evolution of the action adventure genre, combining a deep combat engine with superb 3D platforming and puzzling to make an utterly unmissable game.

As the twelfth iteration in one of the longest running and prestigious game series ever made, Final Fantasy XII comes with a large degree of expectation and pedigree - which it more than lives up to. Bravely, the Square Enix role-playing game departs from tried and tested elements that have long become staples of the series such as random battle encounters and turn-based combat, and introduces new features including the Gambit and License systems, which allow for a more diverse and streamlined way of progressing through the game's vast nuances.

FF XII remains one of the RPG genre's greatest moments, providing a perfect swansong as the final instalment of the series on PlayStation 2 before it takes up the reins on PlayStation 3.

It's easy to understate the sheer beauty and enchantment that comes from Capcom's Okami, given its rather subtle yet striking watercolour art style. But this delightful 3D adventure game is all about discreet touches which only add to its magical charm. Playing as the lupine embodiment of sun god Amaterasu, your job is to earn powers from other deities, master the art of the celestial brush and restore colour to bleak lands under the curse of the eight-headed demon, Orochi.

Steeped in Japanese myth, legend and folklore, Okami is a gorgeous and engaging title, adding freshness to the medium and offering something that has to be experienced.

Soccer fans haven't been left out in 2007 either, as the evolution of football continued with the majestic Pro Evolution Soccer 2008, which crowns another winning entry into the series. Sporting a fresh new look that boasts slick animation and more official teams and names than before, the mighty PES 2008 is all about bringing football home with a valuable feel of authenticity that runs not just across its presentation, but also its finely honed gameplay, inspiring jaw-dropping passes and net bursting goals - in short, all the excitement of the beautiful game.

If your competitive tastes are geared towards something a bit more social, then there's the opportunity for you to shine with the most star studded addition to the massively popular quiz series, Buzz! As the hottest show in Tinseltown, Buzz!: The Hollywood Quiz has you stepping out with the stars with over 5,000 questions to test the knowledge of movie and celebrity aficionados everywhere.

Coming complete with four specially made buzzers, Buzz!: The Hollywood Quiz transports the big quiz experience into your home like nothing else, making it essential for fans of game shows, celebrities and movies - or just anyone looking to get a little extra... buzz.