Innovative, addicting gameplay launches Gripshift out of mediocrity, but the lack of motivation to play everything, a ghost of a multiplayer mode, the 600-Microsoft-Point price tag and eventual frustration makes the game plummet back to Earth.

A high degree of patience is required to battle the PixelJunk Monsters, a bit more so than the developers should have allowed. Otherwise, PixelJunk Monsters is a solid, albeit safe entry in the timeless "tower defense" genre.

There's a nice amount of content, but the updates do little more than gloss over lingering issues, and choosing to upgrade the audio over the graphics is just plain puzzling.

The police chases are fantastic, but the plot's bad and the gameplay is confined to an area that's much smaller than it seems like it should be.

The police chases are fantastic, but the plot's bad and the gameplay is confined to an area that's much smaller than it seems like it should be.

Random asshat aside -- whom you'll find on just about any game -- Sacred 2: Fallen Angel should be added to the backlog of anyone who loves a good loot-collection game, particularly one like this that doesn't impose a short timeline or ridiculously low level cap.

Random asshat aside -- whom you'll find on just about any game -- Sacred 2: Fallen Angel should be added to the backlog of anyone who loves a good loot-collection game, particularly one like this that doesn't impose a short timeline or ridiculously low level cap.

It's really too bad the camera has such a horrendous impact on the gameplay, because that single visual hindrance spoils an otherwise impeccable graphical experience. Really, there are no two ways to say it: the non-camera graphics in Ninja Gaiden are astonishing.

Good for fans, but action-RPG gamers probably already have a better game in hand.

Too little, too late. What's Rare been doing for three years? At least we can now look forward to their other games.

A fantastic sequel, but the age of the franchise definitely shows.

All-Star Baseball 2005 may get the job done, but in a season as long as baseball’s, you’ve got to have that special something to keep you motivated, and unfortunately, this game just doesn’t have it.

Let's put it this way: how many arcade stand-ups did you buy and take home with you? Metal Slug 3 is one of those games you'll think fondly of for years to come, but it's probably one of those titles, like the coin-op arcade classics, that you'd just as soon remember fondly than have at home collecting dust for years to come.

Controls are a bit complex for kids and too unoriginal for adults.

Good for fans, but action-RPG gamers probably already have a better game in hand.

Transformers: Dark of the Moon may suffer from some derivative level design, and its introduction of the cool Stealth Force form does have some repetitive gameplay consequences. But kudos to the developers for injecting something new into the formula.

The developer sought to bring freedom to the racing genre, both with the overall structure and the ability to drive almost any car immediately, and they nailed that goal from the opening moments. Yet for all the hard work that was clearly put into realizing an open world, enough issues (re)surface that they undo much of the studio's hard work. Cars don't really handle differently, they just drive faster.

The story's excellent, the new gameplay elements are a breath of fresh air, and the incorporation of the GamePad make total contextual sense while acting also as a proof of concept for the hardware itself. Without the snafus, I'd say Ubisoft has a Wii U winner on its hands. But some of those glitches are just too hard to overlook.

Like a really good comedy film, probably best suited as a rental.

A decent outing with decent air combat, but it’s nothing you’ve never seen before.

A decent outing with decent air combat, but it’s nothing you’ve never seen before.

A worthwhile extension to modern classic that deserves play.

Blowing stuff up with a buddy absolutely rocks, but the AI is anything but intelligent and the graphics are a bit disappointing.

The Team Tour mode is fun, but everything else about the game has been seen/done before. Maybe a $25 price should be next year's "added feature."

Sony proves with Games of the Week that a last-minute port can offer more than slightly improved graphics. This refreshing new mode is a step in the right direction in the evolution of basketball video games.

The BIGS is a triumphant return to arcade baseball on next-gen consoles, with multiple addictive modes. The gameplay still needs tuning, something we hope to see in next year's version.

Blowing stuff up with a buddy absolutely rocks, but the AI is anything but intelligent and the graphics are a bit disappointing.

Condemned 2 is a decent game that suffers from a gameplay identity crisis and strays too far from the original's successful but under-rated formula.

We've never been fans of forcing someone to play a set number of mini-games to advance to the next mission, and we don't like that element in this game either. But the mini-games are simple enough and the mission structure repetitive enough that young kids are likely going to have a good time.

Easily the best use of a licensed property, but by parodying old gameplay mechanics, the game reinforces just how tired we've gotten of the same elements that the game itself relies upon.

Easily the best use of a licensed property, but by parodying old gameplay mechanics, the game reinforces just how tired we've gotten of the same elements that the game itself relies upon.

It's a bit more exotic than the previous game, with a bit more gameplay variety and groups, but it's definitely not Shenmue.

The surround sound may be great, but bad voice acting is bad voice acting, no matter how many channels it comes from.

Like a really good comedy film, probably best suited as a rental.

A decent outing with decent air combat, but it's nothing you've never seen before.

The Team Tour mode is fun, but everything else about the game has been seen/done before. Maybe a $25 price should be next year's "added feature."

However, even with all those aspects and the insane environments, I found it too hard to overcome the crashing. I've played games in other genres that "yank" players out of the experience, but it's not happened often in the racing arena. With MotorStorm: Apocalypse, it does, and specifically because of the crashes

From a compilation or "archival" standpoint, this set is great at showing how much the series has evolved and grown. From a pure enjoyment standpoint, the first two games drag down the overall experience, not through any fault of the developer, but by simply not having benefited from the additional years of gameplay updates that current titles enjoy.

As you can likely tell from this review, Hulk Hogan's Main Event seems expansive on the surface, but it's essentially the same basic pieces rearranged and re-swizzled into a few different modes. Hearing quotes from Hulk Hogan is cool, the Achievement Points are easy, and it's definitely novel to strike a pose like the Hulkster. But a bit more grappling freedom would've gone a long way to making this Xbox Kinect game live up to Hulk Hogan's massive persona.

A revolutionary dancing game, but it’s certainly an evolution of the genre in its dance pad orientation and addition of a center button.

Rise of Nations: Rise of Legends is an atypical real-time strategy game that manages to draw attention with its unique style, but ultimately plays like any other game in the genre.

A great cure for World Cup fever, but the challenge style may not endure once the Finals are done.

It's not often we see 2K scrambling, but the controls feel like a panic move. With a bit more focus on the controls' convenience and practicality, NHL 2K8 has laid the groundwork for an intriguing season--in 2K9.

The DBZ series' next-gen debut looks and sounds good, but its gameplay has some minor annoyances that are poorly timed, considering Soulcaliber IV isn't all that far off. You're better off waiting for that one instead.

The DBZ series' next-gen debut looks and sounds good, but its gameplay has some minor annoyances that are poorly timed, considering Soulcaliber IV isn't all that far off. You're better off waiting for that one instead.

The only problem is that LucasArts didn’t take the ultimate risk and create strictly a strategy game, because the fighting aspects sink this game faster than an ogre mage in quicksand.

Siren is a good game with plenty of innovation, but the general "sightjack, sneak, repeat" gameplay gets stale after a short bit of time, and the lack of action makes the game hard to stay interested in.

A disappointingly repetitive and average ride at a time when above-average is a necessity.

May not be the most original game, but in the end, it’s a fun one. If you want to spend a weekend hacking and slashing alone or with online buddies, you can’t go wrong with this game.

If it existed in a vacuum it'd rank better, but this is a strong holiday for videogame shooters.

It has all the makings of a top tier title, but due to a boring story, iffy AI and so-so combat mechanics, it just doesn't manage to pull out of the “average” ranking.

Taken as a whole, BLACK is just your average first-person shooter.

Fun, but frustratingly difficult at times.

Looks aside, The Godfather: Mob Wars is simply an enjoyable extension of the console version that appropriately adds new content to the mix. While it isn't a ground-breaking experience, it is fun while it lasts.

If you're new to the franchise, but have played other, more modern FPS's, you might want to skip (or just rent) the game, as it'll feel overly simplistic when compared to Halo 2's AI and vehicle combat, Red Faction's destructibility, Unreal's weaponry and FEAR's atmosphere.

Sure there are a few new features, but none of them are so outstanding that they make the game significantly better. NHL 2K6 is a slightly beefier game than its current-gen brethren, but it just doesn't justify a $60 price tag, shiny helmets or no.

A solid title that delivers your money's worth, but I can mostly imagine younger ones having fun with it.

A good story, decent length and immersive gameplay make the game shine, but lots of loading, vague subquests and camera control hold it back somewhat.

In spite of its delay, the game simply can't steal the thunder from the one-month-old GRAW, especially with AI discrepancies that take away from a core gameplay mechanic like HotSwapping.

FIFA definitely has replay value, both because of the sheer number of teams you can try to get to the World Cup and because it offers online play.

It doesn't possess any flaws, but it's missing key upgrades to the original game. New skins and a couple of novel modes are welcome, but they don't overshadow the feeling that this is a slightly updated version of the original. No online component also holds the game back.

Flawed squad mechanics and a crutch-like suppression system undo the game's historical and voice-acting achievements.

Flawed squad mechanics and a crutch-like suppression system undo the game's historical and voice-acting achievements.

A few quirks and maybe a bit too fast at times, but overall, an enjoyable game.

Excite Truck isn't the kind of game that's going to win "Racer of the Year 2006," but it sure is a lot of fun.

Not a bad game, but something about it seems off. The autosculpting rocks as a feature, but the stagnant gameplay is not exactly propelled by the story mode.

The shiny graphics and Get In The Ring mode are nice, but the disappointing port of a year-old game and poor use of Sixaxis controller are just plain sad.

While some games are less-than-stellar, the package as a whole is a good collection for any retro-gaming junkies.

Bleach: Shattered Blade remains faithful to the television series and offers tight controls utilizing the Wii Remote and Nunchuck. However, a lack of variety in character moves, an overly used special move sequence and no online multiplayer add up to litte replayability value.

It's surprisingly fun and addicting...and tough to beat for 20 bones.

Vince McMahaon may not be dead, but the Smackdown vs. Raw series is just barely avoiding life support.

Drawn to Life makes excellent use of the DS touch pad by allowing you to easily design your own characters, weapons, and various transports. Unfortunately, the rest of the game can become quite a chore and often becomes redundant.

Viva Pinata: Party Animals is a fun family game that might be a little too easy and repetitive for adult gamers, but the kids will love it especially when you play it with them.

Omega Five is a rose: great to look at but painful to handle.

You won't find a better deal than this overflowing bag of content. However, if you're not a diehard Twisted Metal fan, there probably isn't enough motivation or variation for you to really get immersed in the game.

Battle of the Bands may have some technical issues, but they seldom get in the way of having fun or interfere with the creativity of the musical premise itself.

Mystery Case Files is a fun, albeit slightly repetitive, experience.

No matter which side you choose, though, Quantum of Solace is mostly fun, but it suffers from some annoying AI and "by the numbers" gameplay, and it's far too short to recommend as anything but a rental.

No matter which side you choose, though, Quantum of Solace is mostly fun, but it suffers from some annoying AI and "by the numbers" gameplay, and it's far too short to recommend as anything but a rental.

It's just more of the same, which is a big missed opportunity for Nintendo. Once the novelty of Wii Speak wears off, there isn't any incentive to continue.

One of those games that has a solid mix of gameplay elements and takes its source material seriously, ensuring plenty of scary moments and schoolgirl-shrieks from players.

The only problem is that LucasArts didn’t take the ultimate risk and create strictly a strategy game, because the fighting aspects sink this game faster than an ogre mage in quicksand.

If it existed in a vacuum it'd rank better, but this is a strong holiday for videogame shooters.

A disappointingly repetitive and average ride at a time when above-average is a necessity.

It's not the mind-blowing cultural phenomenon of a game experience that Halo 2, Half-Life 2 and DOOM III are (or at least promised to be, as the case may be), but it's a decent game that offers some fresh changes to the FPS genre.

Tedious gameplay kills the coolness of the "wow" moments and brings it all down to an average level.

Taken as a whole, BLACK is just your average first-person shooter.

An enjoyable action title for those of us who have yet to jump on the 360 bandwagon.

It's fun enough to hold your interest for a little while, but the repetitive play will cut that time far shorter than the game's excruciatingly long load times.

It might not have a shiny package, but it's everything we loved about the arcade.

Given the price point for Wii Play Motion, $49.99 it's tough to recommend the title if you're not in the market for another Wii Remote. But if you don't have the Wii Motion+ adapter, just need another remote or are getting the hankering to try out some newer minigames to help flesh out your next Wii party, then this is a solid acquisition, as long as you know what you're getting.

Nice multimedia as expected, but the AI has taken a dip. Fortunately, the multiplayer elements and Challenges keep things fresh.

Not a bad game, but also not a great one that misses the mark on a few levels, most notably the dialog for this gamer. I am sure there's a target market out there who eats this type of language up, and will be mimicking what they hear for a while, but sadly I am not this market.

Excellent co-op puzzle game that in this reviewers opinion, tries far too hard to be cute and quirky which forces the game off the mark.

Having two games featuring trophy and 3D support plus a feature length animated 3D movie all on one disc is a good deal for Tekken fans. Dated gameplay in Tekken Tag Tournament is highly evident when played back to back with the Tekken Tag Tournament 2 Prologue, but that doesn't take away from the genre changing the title encouraged during it's initial release.

Still, that may have been an odd happenstance specific to our play space, so I won't downgrade the game because of it. Kinect Rush: A Disney Pixar Adventure is a fun, albeit brief, trip down Pixar memory lane, and it makes nice use of Kinect motion controls.

As an anime experience, it's frankly hard to top what Capcom's done here. But as an entry in the pantheon of interactive entertainment, it doesn't do enough to be anything more than marginally "interactive," resulting in a merely average, albeit unique, game.

The narrative is outstanding, even in spite of a few plot-point missteps, and the character evolution of Master Chief and Cortana deserves to be further explored with these wonderful storytellers (well, maybe one of them can't happen, but I'll avoid spoilers). However, the gameplay feels jilted, awkward and unrefined, three unforgivable sins in a landscape populated with other quite-capable FPS franchises. As a result, I'm going to average everything out: great story plus bad gameplay equals an average experience. And in this overcrowded FPS genre, "average" is isn't something I'd recommend buying.

So much effort went into replicating the glaive's flight and awe-inspiring kills that every other aspect of Dark Sector took a noticeable hit in quality and polish, save for the visuals. Remove the glaive, and this game's appeal drops below mediocrity into a rinse-and-repeat nightmare.

So much effort went into replicating the glaive's flight and awe-inspiring kills that every other aspect of Dark Sector took a noticeable hit in quality and polish, save for the visuals. Remove the glaive, and this game's appeal drops below mediocrity into a rinse-and-repeat nightmare.

The changes to Top Spin 3 are only good for hardcore tennis fans. For most gamers, the new animation-dependent learning curve will replace the fun gameplay elements with literal gameplay mechanics.

The changes to Top Spin 3 are only good for hardcore tennis fans. For most gamers, the new animation-dependent learning curve will replace the fun gameplay elements with literal gameplay mechanics.

An entertaining movie tie-in that should keep kids and fans of the film engrossed throughout the duration of your game-rental period.

An average shooter in which the presentation and education are more compelling than the game itself.

The ingredients are there for something good, but they need more time in the cauldron before this game can bubble to the top.

The combat is good, the production values high and the promise incredible, but unless you’re a huge fan of the Forgotten Realms storyline, you’re better off renting Demon Stone.

The bells, whistles and added off-court content are nice additions, but the game suffers from some nagging on-court issues that should have been addressed before the extra stuff.

Technically there's nothing wrong with the game -- had it released in 2006. While it's great to have Visual Concepts back, they definitely left room for improvement for All-Pro Football 2K9, and improvement is certainly what's needed for this next generation of football games.

Technically there's nothing wrong with the game -- had it released in 2006. While it's great to have Visual Concepts back, they definitely left room for improvement for All-Pro Football 2K9, and improvement is certainly what's needed for this next generation of football games.

Unless you're absolutely die-hard about hard rock and heavy metal, Brutal Legend is one game you can relegate to a rental.

Unless you're absolutely die-hard about hard rock and heavy metal, Brutal Legend is one game you can relegate to a rental.

But even fantastic graphics can't elevate H.A.W.X. beyond a simple weekend rental.

But even fantastic graphics can't elevate H.A.W.X. beyond a simple weekend rental.

EA introduces some new gameplay elements and injects some variety, but it's not enough to keep the game from getting repetitive, and the overall polish isn't as high as it was in the original.

EA introduces some new gameplay elements and injects some variety, but it's not enough to keep the game from getting repetitive, and the overall polish isn't as high as it was in the original.

Feels like it should have been designed as a "Dynasty Warriors" clone. It would have done a wonderful job as such. The environments and character designs are beautiful accomplishments, and the sense of scale is an incredible feat. But the RTS aspects hurt the game badly.

Too average to warrant purchasing at full price, but not a bad rental.

I typically find any platformers get old fast, but in Nightshade, the designers were wise enough to not subject you to platform hell, so there's just enough to keep the levels interesting.

Not a bad game by any means, but the slow initial pace combined with horrible voice work make for a game that most players won't want to make it past hour 5.

All in all, Gradius Collection is a set of "fan's games," in that only someone who really loves the hyperactive side-scrolling action of the original can love this package.

Tilting the Wii Remote to control the table is intuitive and feels natural. Color matching can be frustrating at times, but adds to the overall challenge of the gameplay.

If rhythm and trippy visuals are your thing then you'll find this bazaar shooter worthwhile.

Harry's fifth go-round is tailor-made for the Wii-Mote's ability to mimic a magic wand, but despite extensive efforts to bring Hogwart's to life, boring play and uninterruptible cut-scenes cast an ominous cloud.

It's initially a blast and has outstanding mini-games, but it needs more game modes on the whole, and the replayability dwindles fast.

Cars and physics shine in this game, but the gameplay gets repetitive in an overlong career mode.

Multiplayer is a nice addition, but it definitely takes some getting used to, and the updated graphics don't really do much for me other than give me a headache while trying to create clusters.

WALL-E is a fun character and film, but while the game explores more of the movie's universe, the gameplay doesn't explore anything by familiar ground.

WALL-E is a fun character and film, but while the game explores more of the movie's universe, the gameplay doesn't explore anything by familiar ground.

WALL-E is a fun character and film, but while the game explores more of the movie's universe, the gameplay doesn't explore anything by familiar ground.

If the design errors can be overlooked, Time Crisis 4 is what you expect: a fast, intense light gun shooter with decent graphics and the ability to make one's arm sore for days after.

My recommendation: let Wolfenstein stay in the other dimension and away from your Xbox 360 or PS3. There are other shooters this fall that can scratch your FPS itch a heck of a lot better.

My recommendation: let Wolfenstein stay in the other dimension and away from your Xbox 360 or PS3. There are other shooters this fall that can scratch your FPS itch a heck of a lot better.

Units flow well and are easy to differentiate from one culture to another, but there’s something that keeps the quality a little below what most gamers are accustomed to with the more recent RTS titles, especially where character details are concerned.

Even with the seeming laundry list of complaints I have about this game, I still kind of enjoyed it. There's a certain sense of accomplishment that comes from solving the tougher puzzles.

Its "average-ness" makes it accessible to newcomers, but hardcore RTS or RPG fans will find there's not enough depth of either genre to keep them interested for more than a few hours.

Fans of The Nightmare Before Christmas (the movie) will adore this game, mostly due to it staying true to the milieu and characters from the movie. Non fans will still get a kick out of the game, as it’s an enjoyable mix of platforming and music.

Buggy but not broken, generic but not ghastly, Killzone lacks anything beyond an average amount of appeal.

If you're a fan of the series, then you'll enjoy this, though possibly feel like you've paid full price for what is basically an expansion pack introducing some new mini-games, online support and extra characters (like Ratchet and Clank.)

This game just drips with anime style. The visuals, while not being top tier, are still awesomely fun to watch in action.

Far from fresh or innovative, it's still a fun title to keep the kids happy or blow a rainy day playing.

One issue with Burning Horizon is the lack of online multiplayer. This severely limits the replay value of the game since once you have properly scouted a map and learned how to deal with a scenario there seems to be no reason to play it again. This is a crying shame as some of the greatest fun I had with the original was the online team combat.

While we're on the topic of spraying fire, Namco's made this even easier by letting you double up on your lead blasting abilities. In Crisis Zone, you can hook up a second Guncon (light gun) and go John Woo on the bad guys.

Frankly, the game components could’ve been stripped out and this would’ve scored better as an anime DVD, but as a game, it’s going to come off a very tiresome to the average gamer.

One of those games that's good, but it suffers from being too niche to ensure it broad acceptance from gamers. Couple that with the fact that the Taiko Drum is yet another specialized controller that'll probably never see use again.

It's really nothing more than a run-of-the-mill shooter with some serious balance issues. The story lacks any emotional impact, so you'll be constantly skipping the cut scenes, and rarely listening to any of the dialog, and that's just sad considering this game is set in the world of "Deus Ex."

Great variety & depth but still ends up being a goal short of a hat trick.

Nothing to get too excited about, it’s definitely no "Diablo."

Although the game's overall look is best described as "functional," and in spite of the card dealing just looking weird, what really matters with a poker game is its fun factor, and that's where WCP2 puts forth a solid effort.

Anyone who's played Tiger in the past, or even "Links 2004" for that matter, will find this an unnecessary addition to their library. It's not a bad game, it's just not a fantastic show-stopper of one either.

A decent first outing, but make sure you don't tire of repetitive racing games, because that's what you're getting here.

Could've just as easily been a current-gen title. Average graphics, annoying story and too-easy gameplay make for a ho-hum game.

A fun game that tackles WWII from a different standpoint which is a breath of fresh air; marred by some sound issues and slight graphical missteps.

It doesn't live up to the Gran Turismo creators' standards, and it doesn't even live up to the standards of the best motorcycle racing games on this generation of hardware.

The single-player game is short, plodding and has a poor story, but the online options keep you coming back for more.

It shows its age, and some titles are better then others, but all the cinemas are intact and some games never get boring.

MX vs. ATV Unleashed does a respectable job of bringing action sports to the PSP, but it fails to deliver on excitement, which is a requirement for any extreme sports game.

Ignore the god-awful voice acting and plot, and you've got a moderately enjoyable FPS. It may not break new ground, but what does these days?

Command and Conquer 3: Tiberium Wars isn't a bad game, but it hardly feels like a full new game either. It's more like an enhanced expansion pack, with more units, better (but not amazing) graphics and a new storyline.

It's still the same old Madden, emphasis on old. The mini-games are fun, but next time focus on fixing those bugs and giving us some more meat, OK guys?

A whole lot of new content, but the gameplay feels the same as we've seen before.

A fitting end to Clover Studios. Vaya Con Dios, lads; you will be missed.

Definitely realistic, but sloppy AI sometimes feels cheap.

Entertainment is entertainment, but since this isn't really an RPG, it would've been nice to see a deeper dynasty mode.

More compelling than "Ninety-Nine Nights," but that's not saying much. The graphics are disappointing and the audio should've been left in its original Japanese. Truly, with CG sequences this good, the use of cheap SoCal voice talent removes any sense of immersion.

Kudos to the developer for squeezing this much game into a DS cart.

A decent port job that adds enough to keep first time players entertained, but seasoned Godfather vets will probably stay away.

What was once so amazing barely conjures excitement on PlayStation 2.

Not a bad game in and of itself, but there's just not enough content here to make it seem worth the money you paid for it.

Not a bad game, but not enough to keep your attention. The long levels of wash-rinse-and-repeat action will please only the Achievement-loving space cadets.

Not a good game, but not a bad game by any means either. A surprisingly entertaining romp of repetitive mini-games that might surprise you by forcing a chuckle out once in awhile.

There's nothing new to be found in this button combo platformer, but solid controls, drop-in anytime co-op, plenty of unlockable characters and upgrades, and surprisingly entertaining dialogue save this game from being a forgettable addition to the Spider-Man franchise.

Beowulf lives up to its "M" rating, and there's plenty of hacking and slashing to be done here. But if you're looking for more than just bloody waterfalls and severed arms, you'll have to look elsewhere.

Not a bad game, but not a great one either. Online modes and the loaded dynasty mode are sure to keep players busy for another year. A solid soundtrack fills out the smooth animations to make for a pleasing presentation.

For a first-year outing, NBA Live 08 on the Wii doesn't even get honorable mention All-Rookie team. At least we know EA will make an 09 version, so there's always room for improvement.

NBA Live 08 offers quick offensive gameplay, but the difficulty of implementing solid defensive maneuvers leads to high scoring games and frustrating moments.

Tetris is Tetris. Nothing new, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. If updated graphics and a unique aquarium screensaver are enough to make you spend ten bucks, then by all means, go for it.

Buzz: Hollywood Quiz deftly straddles the line between budget and quality, and if you're hurting for a movie-based trivia game, you can hardly go wrong here.

More a learning tool than a game, Endless Ocean will appeal best to anyone interested in marine wildlife or gamers who cannot resist "collecting them all."

Custom Events can be fun, and a few of the game's minor features are nice, but in the off-road racing landscape, MX vs. ATV Untamed just doesn't rev our engines.

Custom Events can be fun, and a few of the game's minor features are nice, but in the off-road racing landscape, MX vs. ATV Untamed just doesn't rev our engines.

With an extra year to refine Lost Planet from top to bottom, Capcom should have delivered a PS3 masterpiece. Instead, the game's taken some painful steps backwards, which is probably the same thing PS3 owners should do when they see this game in stores.

The game is fun and being the Hulk as never been such a chaotic thrill. However, the horrible voice acting and corporate Achievement schemes will bring even the Hulk to his knees.

The game is fun and being the Hulk as never been such a chaotic thrill. However, the horrible voice acting and corporate Achievement schemes will bring even the Hulk to his knees.

If you really like guns and explosions, this game is for you. Otherwise, pocket your points and save your ammo.

The Conduit is decent, but I wouldn't pay $50 for it; maybe $30. Between cheap enemies and not enough polish, The Conduit just falls short.

Spider-Man: Web of Shadows is a breath of fresh air in many respects, but needs a good breeze in others.

Spider-Man: Web of Shadows is a breath of fresh air in many respects, but needs a good breeze in others.

Spider-Man: Web of Shadows is a breath of fresh air in many respects, but needs a good breeze in others.

The game is solid, looks good and plays well, but it just has a "feel" that's not for everyone.

The game is solid, looks good and plays well, but it just has a "feel" that's not for everyone.

Even with the well-thought-out online options, the core gameplay is so basic, golf fans won't find this game interesting at all. If you're more the arcade sports player, on the other hand, you'll easily get your $20 worth from this.

Far from fresh or innovative, it's still a fun title to keep the kids happy or blow a rainy day playing.

Manages to make itself worth the $20 price tag by offering up an average level of everything -- from gameplay to graphics. It doesn't do anything exceptionally well, but it's a pleasant diversion for the price.

Pretty average gaming action with a fun story. A good rental or discount buy.

Fans of The Nightmare Before Christmas (the movie) will adore this game, mostly due to it staying true to the milieu and characters from the movie. Non fans will still get a kick out of the game, as it's an enjoyable mix of platforming and music.

If you take the package as a whole, especially taking into account the amazing cutscenes and environments, it's a game well worth playing.

If you own the prior games, don't bother. If you're new to the franchise, give it a rent.

An enjoyable Xbox title that actually doesn't have a single gun in it.

The game can be fun, but it's strictly a multiplayer affair, and it needs more meat. As it stands, it feels a bit like the publishers' way to lead owners into a world of endless microtransactions.

Brink can be awesome and annoying, euphoric and inexplicable, all in the same breath. Unfortunately, fist pumps are followed by fits of controller throwing all too regularly to make this one score much higher.

There's just not quite enough variety to hold my (or my son's) interest, and the occasional collision/gesture detection snafu doesn't help matters either.

Entertaining at times and overly basic at others, this sophomore outing is 'average' on the whole. Whether that speaks to the game itself or the expanding library of Kinect options is still up in the air, but the result is the same.

Unlike a lot of hastily thrown together minigame collections, Carnival Island seems well thought out – it even has a story mode. The 35+ game modes will surely have at least one that will appeal to almost any gamer, and the cute collectable pets will keep the collectors happy.

Technically, Goldeneye 007: Reloaded does nothing wrong, and in fact my hat's off to Activision for bringing a classic game to the modern era. The gameplay, though, in spite of its tweaks here and there, just doesn't have the impact as when Goldeneye was the one N64 game everyone owned.

Occasionally touchy controls and an inexplicable feeling of repetition undermine an otherwise creative tactical puzzle game.

The campaign grows tedious in spite of its mixed-up gameplay, and the remaining mini-game modes are enjoyable more for their novelty and humor than for their actual gameplay. I'd still recommend the game for serious Star Wars fans, but if you're more of a casual fan and/or just have a passing interest, it's better worth renting than a full-on purchase.

An intriguing plot tries to turn an action-oriented (and bloody) game on its ear, but the gameplay is too repetitive at its core to make you feel like you've really experienced something unique in the ever-growing world of sandbox games.

Those 15 deaths, the difficulty imbalance, the weapon irrelevance and manual camera notwithstanding, the game was fine. But you know, those are all really big issues that drag down a game's score. Ratchet and Clank: Full Frontal Assault also is dreadfully boring, so I can't rate it anything higher than "average."