This is one game that all 3DS owners should definitely consider, and for fans of the Fire Emblem series purchasing it is a no brainer as there is really not a lot to complain about here.

Far Cry 3's deep open world experience filled with its cast of unforgettably insane characters, entertaining storyline, vibrant visuals and varied gameplay make it one of the best open world games to touch down in 2012.

Like a silent assassin, you won't see Mark of the Ninja coming, and by the time it hits you, you'll already be hooked.

At the end of the day I just get this sense that XCOM: Enemy Unknown is one of those sleeper hits in the latter half of 2012. The smooth interface, sharp looking visuals, and surprisingly tense tactical turn-based gameplay are simply a blast.

The improvements are many, the story is enjoyable, and the gameplay is pretty refined; all of these make Guild Wars 2 a game worth playing.

One thing is for certain, FIFA Soccer 13's development team has managed to drive this yearly franchise forward by delivering an authentic and true to life soccer experience. The new suite of features only serves to enhance an already stellar experience.

At the end of the day Borderlands 2 is a game that should be played, as the fun factor is high, the addictiveness is through the roof, and the game provides hours of gaming entertainment.

With all the content included in the game, the superb quality of the gameplay, and the fantastic soundtrack, SQUIDS Wild West is one game you should absolutely download for you iPad, iPhone, or iPod touch.

It is by no means a flawless game, or series, but is a memorable one and one that raises the bar when it comes to storytelling in a video game franchise.

While I did find some disconnect with the main character I found the game did a remarkable job at telling the story and setting the stage for Corvo's relentless pursuit of those who set him up. The amount of character interaction in the game is impressive and the experience can go as deep as you'd want it to go.

Marvel Pinball: Avengers Chronicles is a 4-table DLC pack worth the asking price and any virtual pinball fan will be content with the addition of the four included tables as they all offer some very unique elements in each one.

Much like the previous two episodes, The Walking Dead: Episode 3 – Long Road Ahead is a fascinating tale of survival and is filled with more gut wrenching decisions.

The game looks and sounds absolutely amazing and the countless hours players can spend exploring, collecting and achievement unlocking is endless. While the lack of character customization and reduction in the amount of players you can have in a room is a bit of a let-down; the reality is Diablo pushes the series forward in the right direction.

Overall, LittleBigPlanet for the PS Vita is simply a wonderful addition to the franchise as it utilizes all the hardware features of the Vita unlike any other game that I can think of making it hard to put down.

The narrative that is put forth is simply amazing as it provides a new beginning with the Reclaimer Saga and the addition of the new Spartan Ops mode is simply brilliant as it adds even more story to an already great tale. Sure, some may complain the familiarity of the gameplay is a bad thing, but in the end, even though you do get a recognizable feeling when playing, the overall experience that Halo 4 provides is very enjoyable and one that you should not miss.

The story is suspenseful, engaging and I was impressed the games character development.

Sony’s MLB franchise continues to prove itself as the top dog in the virtual baseball world. Stunning visuals, silky smooth gameplay and an endless list of enhancements proves there is enough new here to justify the $60 dollar plunge.

Definitely worth the price of admission and is definitely worth playing.

As a fan of both pinball and Star Wars these tables are amazing, top notch, and a joy to play and I am eagerly looking forward to future Star Wars tables being released from Zen Studios.

The Wii U version of NFS Most Wanted U sacrifices nothing from other console versions and adds some good features that improve the game’s accessibility.

Crashmo is a brilliant puzzle game, full of unique mechanics and a slew of puzzles that will have you coming back for more, as long as you can deal with the demanding difficulty from the start.

Devil May Cry has everything a solid action title should have including a responsive and exciting combat system accompanied by great looking visuals and a heavy soundtrack.

With 45-songs out the box and numerous new features to get your booty shakin', the Dance Central franchise has once again shown why they are the crème of the crop when it comes to dancing games on Xbox 360 console.

I didn’t really get much into the original Luigi’s Mansion so I was unsure what to expect for a handheld sequel, but I came away pleasantly surprised with the high level of visual detail, fun gameplay mechanics, amount of replayability, and inclusion of an entertaining multiplayer.

It’s not perfect of course, and may not turn heads amongst the most eccentric of JRPG lovers, but what Level – 5 and Studio Ghibli have produced is an entrancing trip through an alluring, original adventure that’s surprisingly touching despite it’s simplicity, and easily rivals some of the best games I’ve played to date.

If you have yet to pick Assassin's Creed and you recently picked up Nintendo's newest home console it is definitely worth looking at. The perk of playing on your GamePad is a plus and apart from the lack of achievement/trophy hunting (if you're into that sort of thing) I found it to be a solid experience that matches up well with its counterparts.

At the end of the day Forza Horizon is the racing game I have been wanting for quite some time and Playground Games should be commended. With a good mix of simulation and accessibility, new open road exploration, the freedom to get away from closed tracks, and some great visuals and sound, I found I could not stop playing and neither will you.

If you have yet to experience Batman: Arkham City on the Xbox 360 and PS3, then Batman: Arkham City – Armored Edition is a no brainer purchase; yet, if you have already ventured a few rounds with the cape crusader through this adventure on a previous console than I have a hard time recommending the $50 plunge.

If you picked up a shiny new Wii U and have not played Darksiders II on any other console you really can't go wrong picking this up as it makes for a solid launch title. From its production values to the size and scope of the adventure you embark on, the game will really engross you. That being said, if you have previously played the game on a different console then I really can't recommend it as nothing has changed and the GamePad features don't add anything mind blowing to the overall experience.

Marvel Pinball – Civil War may not be one of my personal favourites in regards to the pinball tables that have been released for Pinball FX2, as there just was not enough storyline or action to hook me, but that does not mean it was bad. Zen Studios has once again provided pinball fans with a visually stunning pinball table that will interest not only those who love the genre (pinball), but fans of Marvel and the Civil war comic book series will enjoy it too.

With an extensive single player campaign, hundreds of items to collect, numerous multiplayer modes, and community created-uploaded levels, BattleBlock Theater gives you a lot of bang for your buck making this pretty much a no brainer purchase.

The best thing about Sound Shapes is how elegantly it blends really interesting musical elements into accessible gameplay.

Surprisingly there are graphical issues that are very noticeable and I really thought that there were some gameplay missteps that could use some retooling in the future; however, in the end this is another great addition to the Assassin's Creed series.

With challenging puzzles, beautiful visuals, the inclusion of previously released DLC , a bonus Wii U level, and local/online play, Trine 2: The Director's Cut is well worth the purchase price. This downloadable title is easily one of the best games available on the Wii U.

Even with a few short comings every now and then, Episode 2: Starved for Help manages to maintain the same qualities that made the first episode so brilliant as well as drive the story onward into other areas of not only survival, but human nature as well.

Codemasters Racing's typical attention to detail and presentation values continue. This is a good evolution of the F1 series and the most enjoyable F1 game I have played since 1997's F1:CE.

Although far from being technically perfect, Need For Speed: Most Wanted is a solid arcade racing experience. Whether solo or within its unique approach to multiplayer there is more than enough here to keep players entertained for a long time.

Guacamelee! is a fantastic game. It has style in spades, charming writing, deceptively deep gameplay, and is wholly satisfying to play. DrinkBox studios has made an action game of extremely high caliber, and revives a genre that many gamers grew up with.

In the end it's a great game with some new challenges and it is a bright light for what we have in store as Nintendo's newest console begins its life cycle.

THQ and Vigil Games have taken the Darksiders franchise and released a sequel to the original that is such an incredible game it exceeds every expectation I had. From the production values to the size and scope of the game itself, you can't help but sit back and be amazed with what they have done here.

There is no doubt many will turn their nose at yet another Call of Duty game running on the same engine at 60 frames per second. The "ain't broke don't fix" path has certainly been taken again. This being said, Treyarch has undeniably been able to up the ante in nearly every facet of the Call of Duty experience with Black Ops 2. The riveting single player storyline features the wonderfully-designed strategic Strike Force Missions; the online Multiplayer experience is much more robust than ever before and the Zombies mode has also received significant upgrades. It is quite amazing how the development team managed to fit this much content onto one disk. Needless to say, shooter fans can purchase Black Ops 2 with confidence.

NHL 13 is by far the most complete edition yet, surpassing the stellar NHL 12 by a long shot even if the commentary has some shortcomings.

Sine Mora is not a long game, but it has a lot replayability thanks to it's several modes of play, particularly if you're eager to challenge yourself beyond simply finishing the game. I feel this game should be experienced and enjoyed by all fans of the arcade shooter genre due to its detail and production values.

Gravity Rush is by no means a perfect game, as there are certainly some areas that could have used some tweaking, but when you flush it all out it is a pretty darn good game and one worthy of any Vita owners attention and money.

With its vast array of characters, its solid online play, the online World Tekken Federation, and its breadth of modes, Tekken Tag Tournament 2 has much to offer making it one heck of a solid fighting game. I expect that folks will be tooling around with all that it has to offer for quite some time.

At only 1200 points you should experience the beautiful hand painted work of art that Dean Dodrill so delicately crafted. I have to say that this title is a wonderful final offering in this year's Summer of Arcade and you would be crazy to not to consider it.

From a technical standpoint Professor Layton and The Miracle Mask is a decent game. While some puzzles are enhanced by the 3D capabilities of the hardware, the gameplay formula has changed very little save for the new investigation mode.

With fantastic presentation, impressive graphics and voice acting, a surprisingly interesting story, a great control scheme, and a huge amount of content, I highly recommend Injustice: Gods Among Us to not only comic book fans and fighting game veterans, but to anyone looking for a game that’s extremely entertaining to play.

This truly is a Skyrim expansion pack, and is a great purchase for any fan of the series who's hungry for a new adventure.

If it weren’t for the occasional camera issue, a steep learning curve, and somewhat frustrating QTE’s, this game would be pretty much flawless. That being said, it is an absolutely gorgeous title with a terrific soundtrack and just the right mix of Platinum Game’s frenetic, stylish action and Kojima Production’s fantastic storytelling, and when everything is combined it makes for a wild, over the top, exciting game that should not be missed.

With good looking visuals, solid sound, and gameplay that manages to buck the trend of "boring" or "childish" as it offers up challenge and reward, All-Stars Transformed is a game that many should not overlook as you'd be crazy to ignore all the good that it brings.

Sure, the included games could have used a visual makeover, but the charm and attraction of the original games is intact, and many will overlook the simple visuals as the gameplay and nostalgia is what is important here. Add to this the music disc, collectible book, and the interactive museum on the game disc, and you have a pretty good anniversary compilation that is well worth the price of admission.

There is no doubt there are times that Episode 4 does feel a little stale, and frankly the combat sequences do come up short, but at the end of the day fans of the previous three episodes will walk away dying to find out what happens in the final installment to one of the better video game experiences of 2012.

Clearly the developers went in with a lot of new and ambitious ideas but the execution of such in some ways fell short. What made the first Joe Danger game enjoyable is simply not found this time around.

Darksiders 2 rises above the rest as a perfect example of what an action-adventure game should be, and if I had my way, Vigil Games would be making them all.

Konami has provided a great portable reboot of the Metal Gear Series and a near console quality experience of two amazing games for $40 that you can take on the go.

If you do not already own Black Ops 2 for any other console, and you are a COD fan who has picked up a shiny new Wii U console, then you will inevitably want to pick up Black Ops 2 at it is a purchase that is really a no-brainer.

There are some enjoyable moments and I don't doubt that the Borderlands faithful will enjoy what is offered as the visuals, continued humour, main story, and proven gameplay is evident here, it just seems to be a little less then what was established in the main game.

Even though it’s been out on PC for nearly two years now, Terraria still manages to be a dangerously addictive experience, even on consoles. Veterans of the PC version won’t find a good reason to double dip, but if you haven’t found a reason to hop on the bandwagon, now is the time. Even with the slightly higher price point, it’s a small price to pay for a near-perfect port.

Don't get me wrong, Madden 13 is a great game as evidenced by the review score but the franchise has yet to make that leap where gamers can call this the definitive Madden experience.

With its slew of new features and mechanics, Gods and Kings make a great addition Civilization V world. So if you are looking to come back, or a reason to start creating your empire once again, Gods and Kings can be purchased with confidence.

The title definitely packs a heck of a lot of bang for your buck and wins the top spot out of all Pokémon titles in my books. At the end of the day, if you are a fan of the series or not, this latest Pokemon title is a must have game for the DS, plain and simple.

It is a fun game that will challenge your gaming prowess, especially the Hyper Mode levels, but it's a very short title without being too complicated. In the end it is quite a fun game for ten bucks, and I have no problem recommending it.

Not only is Lego The Lord of the Rings an immense and entertaining piece of content with great cooperative play and a boat load of secrets and unlockables, it also makes an excellent first impression to kids and adults alike who have yet to experience this epic literary series.

There is no doubt that God of War fans will certainly find much to enjoy in this latest installment, but when standing next to its colossal brethren, this game is the weakest link in this long standing iconic series.

The title definitely packs a heck of a lot of bang for your buck and wins the top spot out of all Pokémon titles in my books. At the end of the day, if you are a fan of the series or not, this latest Pokemon title is a must have game for the DS, plain and simple.

Fantastic visuals, top-notch sound and varied gameplay makes Sleeping Dogs a must own for gamers who enjoy such titles as Grand Theft Auto, Saints Row and Crackdown. The compelling story manages to suck you right in and the level of depth offered up in the game is impressive.

There isn’t much that the developers at Ubisoft Montreal got wrong in this one. They took everything that made an old summer popcorn flick great and they transcribed it into an interactive feast for the senses. A potty mouthed blast from start to finish I’d have a hard time believing anyone could hate this game. Do yourself a favour and pick this one up, you’ll be glad you did.

What is quite remarkable is that Skylanders Giants does indeed push the franchise forward. The new characters, including the imposing Giants, the enhanced visuals, larger voice cast, more collectibles, smoother gameplay, and a deeper overall experience makes for a game Skylander fans will absolutely want to pick up. It also brings those new into the franchise a chance to experience a more refined title then the first.

Everything from the tried and true LEGO gameplay sprinkled with some great new additions, a comedic script, and an entertaining storyline provides a gaming experience suitable for all ages which, in my eyes, makes LEGO City Undercover a must buy for fans of the LEGO franchise and Wii U owners alike.

At the end of the day Tactical RPG fans and Pokémon fans alike should give this title a try as it can be quite fun.

Although Metro: Last Light does have a ‘been there and done that’ feeling to it, this is not a bad thing as developer 4A Games has managed to smooth out all the rough edges from the first Metro game. Last Light’s sprawling mix of shooter, combat, stealth, survival horror and exploration all manage to do the job, but the visuals and story-driven narrative in many ways steals the show. This is not to say that the actual gameplay itself is not enjoyable because it is; I just found that some of the issues I experienced along the way somewhat dampened the game a bit.

The visuals, the sound, and the amount of depth that this fighting game has really makes it worth looking at for any gamers on the run. Simply put, Dead or Alive 5 Plus is not only a solid fighter, but a really good PS Vita game too.

Absolution is not flawless as the AI has some occasional odd issues and portions of the mission design can be questionable. The narrative also struggles a bit at the end too, leaving some storyline gaps that could use some conclusion. All in all however, Hitman: Absolution is a technically sound title that brings back what players fell in love with in the first place, while simultaneously bringing forward new mechanics that work in harmony with the old.

If you are a fan of superheroes and/or a fan of the Lego franchise of games, Lego Batman 2 will attract you for sure, if you don't find yourself in this category though, feel free to take a look at this game anyhow, as you might just find yourself surprised at what is offered.

The Knife of Dunwall takes an already great game and pushes it in an unexpected direction – playing as the bad guy. Although the story is a little spotty, the sense of openness and discovery are refreshing, especially in what is largely a linear experience.

High Moon Studios has successfully rebounded with a Transformers game that delivers on so many levels. The varied and entertaining single player campaign coupled with the deep multiplayer experience makes Fall of Cybertron a must own for any Transformer fan or even someone who just wants to have some mindless Transformer fun.

The in-game visuals are solid, the sound is just as good, and the single player, cooperative and adversarial multiplayer gameplay modes make Ghost Recon: Future Soldier a must buy for not only fans of the franchise but for anyone looking for a deep tactical shooter to play well into the summer.

Although I do consider the price of $14.99 a bit steep (editors note: at time of posting this review it is on sale for $9.99 until Jan. 4, 2013), it is unlike anything I've ever played before; such a unique, enjoyable experience, one that will leave you thinking about it days after playing. I can't help but recommend it to any Wii U owner.

It is a good game, but not a great game. It does some good things for the series, but yet misfires a few steps along the way. Sure, the visuals and sound are solid, and there is an interesting story, but this same story manages to miss a beat now and then, like the lack of a details for Baird and Cole at this juncture in the Gears timeline, and not enough of a story at all for the new characters Sofia and Paduk. At the end of the day fans of the franchise will no doubt enjoy much of what is offered, as will newbies to the series, but I can’t help but feel that it is somewhat less than the games released before it.

Although not quite perfect, WWE '13 is probably the best in the franchise that I have played to date and I can't wait to see what lies in store for future iterations.

I like a game that tries to combine several different gameplay styles, but the overall experience seems rushed and unpolished. It offers plenty of content and skills, yet doesn't seem to excel at any particular one. Elemental: Fallen Enchantress does a lot of things right but never truly delivers on any of them.

You definitely won't find anything else like Retro/Grade on PSN, so if you're a fan of either genre (schmup or rhythm), definitely download the demo and give it a fair shot as you should find that you will be intrigued and drawn to its premise and gameplay elements that you will want buy the full game.

Playing Rock Band Blitz with the standard Xbox 360 controller was a hoot as the fast gameplay, enjoyable set list and the ability to play your existing Rock Band tunes from your library (for a price) makes Rock Band Blitz a solid buy for fans of the franchise.

I can give it a point or two for the educational value, but as something that is supposed to be fun the interactive sequences are only mildly entertaining and the episodes themselves will have your eyelids getting heavy in no time flat.

At the end of the day New Super Mario Bros. 2 is a good game, plain and simple. With solid visuals, familiar but tight gameplay, and that famed "Mario-esque" sound, you really can't go wrong.

Though I feel Dead Space 3 may not be the strongest of all the three Dead Space games I found I still enjoyed it thoroughly and feel that it is definitely a title that should be on every action gamer’s radar.

As a compilation, it doesn't break any new ground; however, if you are a fan of classic fighting games and want to excuse to head back down memory lane then Marvel Vs. Capcom Origins is a purchase you likely won't regret.

If this review hasn't spelled it out for you already, there is a lot of content and potential included in this package to make it more than worth your while and keep you coming back for more as Nintendo Land is a pretty darn good game.

It is a title with a real time strategic element that is blended into the shooter action that originated from the first game.

This is an installment for the fans that love everything Naruto – others will have a hard time sticking this one out. For the average gamer, not enough is offered in a manner that would keep their interest.

At the end of the day Soul Sacrifice has great content to play with some friends, but if you’re on the look out for a story driven RPG you may, and I stress may, want to look elsewhere.

Endless Space is a tribute to intelligent design and meticulous polish, offering endless hours of micro management goodness on all fronts. Whether you are duking it out against an accomplished AI in the games single player or vying for cultural dominance online, this 4X turn based wonder accommodates all levels of experience and play styles, providing countless sessions of entertainment for newbies and pros alike.

A game that successfully utilizes the Wii U's GamePad features, provides a spooky atmosphere, and has some innovative elements that make it a worthy purchase for many. Unfortunately, the combat is not as refined as it could be and I found the gameplay somewhat tedious.

Tiger Woods PGA Tour 14 isn’t a bad game but a particular lack of attention to detail and several glitchy errors temper what marginal improvements there are over previous versions. The new features that are here are the typical EA “fresh coat of paint” that many of their sports games receive.

While I might sound overly critical at times of what Just Dance 4 offers, it is undeniably fun and that is ultimately most important. Despite the fact this game seems to have fallen into a schedule of yearly releases, Just Dance 4 is well priced and comes with a good variety of tracks, modes and multiplayer options.

In a market saturated with shooters, it takes something special to rise above the pack. Crysis 3 was on the cusp of doing so, but in the end it didn’t quite knock one out of the park.

So my advice would be if you own NCAA 12, there is a good chance you may just want to skip this year, but if you don't own last years game then feel free to purchase NCAA Football 13 with confidence as it is a rock solid gridiron game.