The story just isn't put-together well enough, the graphics are disappointing, and the levels have you constantly running back and forth. Yes, if all of these things were rectified, the game would be spectacular. But they're not.

Guild Wars Factions not only gives longtime fans a taste of something new, but it allows newcomers to jump right in and start playing.

A great addition to an already phenomenal computer game. It makes one of the most addictive games on the market that much more engaging.

A great game and a great value that's marred – but by no means ruined – by some poor development choices such as licensed music and certain skin designs. It is the biggest Lumines game to date, and the gameplay from the original is still in place, plus the game doesn't end at 999999 points.

Tiberium Wars is just an excellent example of how a strategy game off of its native platform should be.

Zack & Wiki is easily the best original Wii game on the system right now, though whether it strikes a chord with the Wii's audience is another discussion all together.

Now that the next-gen is officially something in the present, it’s safe to say that Madden NFL 08 is the first great Madden game to come out since Madden NFL 2005.

With a dearth of features and tweaks that make this experience the best out there, gamers will have plenty to do before and after the first pitch of the season.

When it comes down to it, Boom Blox is a game that has a great, simple gameplay concept that's executed very well to become one of the premiere third-party games on the Wii, especially when looking at your multiplayer options outside of the games that Nintendo has made which tend to come to mind first for multiplayer gaming.

The World Ends With You is a game that's really hard to get into at first because of its bizarre presentation. However, the strangeness of the game is what really makes it stand out from any RPG—or rather, any game, that's come out before it.

As a PC title, de Blob was a charming game, but as a Wii title the game stands out as among the best on the system.

The Resistance 2 that Insomniac did release is still a great game that is a lot of fun to play, but there is just enough here that is somewhat lacking that could’ve helped the campaign and competitive modes reach their potential.

As a sequel to the original, MotorStorm: Pacific Rift does a great job of addressing the major issues that MotorStorm had to give racing fans a much more complete experience for their money.

In a time where it seems like Wii owners have been deprived of hardcore, or mature, games, solid titles such as House of the Dead: Overkill and MadWorld get released to somewhat nurture their poor souls.

Mega Man 9 is an extraordinary accomplishment through and through and has come at the right time.

Mega Man 9 is an extraordinary accomplishment through and through and has come at the right time.

Mega Man 9 is an extraordinary accomplishment through and through and has come at the right time.

Lumines Supernova provides another avenue of getting the great Lumines gameplay to the hands of the people that have yet to try it out

PixelJunk Eden Encore may not seem to offer a ton of new content for the $5.99 it offers, but you will easily find about 10-15 hours of enjoyment in the new gardens along with that special surprise for collecting all of the spectra to make it worth it.

With a solid new campaign, an improved level cap, dozens of new perks and tons of powerful weapons at your disposal, Broken Steel is hands down some of the best content Fallout 3 has to offer.

With a solid new campaign, an improved level cap, dozens of new perks and tons of powerful weapons at your disposal, Broken Steel is hands down some of the best content Fallout 3 has to offer.

The game definitely offers enough replayability so that your experience should change if you decide to play through it again, though whether the second playthrough would stand up to the first is a big question for another time.

An excellent DS RPG that feels like many of the best parts of previous games in the series and its spin-offs that have been streamlined greatly. There are some faults here and there that keep it from being perfect, but DS owners looking for a great RPG to get invested in will find a lot to like here.

But the fun of Summon Night: Swordcraft Story is feeling that sense of learning alongside the main character. Though we ultimately know he will win the day, he won't do it without us.

Sure, the game only has about six levels, but when you consider all the time you'll puti into it with the different difficulty settings and characters; you'll have to think about the well-being of your thumbs and fingers.

It's tough, it's grueling, but it's so damn worth it that you'll never really have much of a problem getting into the game from the minute you load the disc into your Xbox.

Despite the lack of an online mode, this brand new style works out extremely well for the series and should bring the game a lot more fans.

Despite the lack of an online mode, this brand new style works out extremely well for the series and should bring the game a lot more fans.

F.E.A.R.'s adherence to tightly confined corridors and the repetitive gameplay means Monolith’s shooter fails to reach the summit of the FPS pile. F.E.A.R. is a follower, not a leader. However, its shadow does manage to reach "Half-Life 2's" eyes. If only just.

Like FFX, it does not fit in that well with the rest of the series from a gameplay or stylistic standpoint, but it stands up beautifully alongside the likes of the Chrono and Seiken Densetsu franchises as a high-quality Square Enix RPG in its own right, even if it isn't one of the greatest of all time.

The game flows extremely well, and is just a complete blast to play. Seeing your favorite MK landscapes come to life is a total joy and the story provides some insight into the strange MK world.

EA buying the NFL license seems more like a blessing to those who really enjoy football for what it is—a great, harmful, and fun way to show that your team rules.

The game nails its sound scores. Though the soundtrack of the game is sometimes lacking and old-fashioned, it is reminiscent of old SNES and NES titles and feels mood appropriate at all times.

A solid game, and honestly one of the few launch titles that bring something new in terms of gameplay.

Probably the best rhythm game of this generation and one of the best in the genre since PaRappa the Rapper came out. It doesn’t have the originality in its music that other games have had, but its control style and overall effect is far beyond what most people were expecting.

Splinter Cell Double Agent is a solid game with an excellent multiplayer component. Fans of a gripping storyline which includes intense action and “stealthy stealth” will no doubt enjoy this game.

A great game for anyone who enjoys The Lord of the Rings, fantasy, strategy games, or Xbox Live. It’s a surprisingly well ported game that really shouldn’t play anywhere near as good as it does.

This is probably the best first person shooter you’ll ever play on a handheld. Then again that may not sit will with Metroid purists given the series roots as an adventure title.

Though it might be lacking in game modes, what is there is done so well that it will keep you playing despite the lack of a drawn out Career Mode.

It may be underappreciated just for what it is, but those who pick it up and really play into it will quickly find that this one is something special.

Simulation hardliners need not apply, but pound-for-pound, this game makes a very good case for itself as the top title of the PS3 launch.

Overall, what you have a very well done effort by Ensemble Studios. They have taken a franchise that must be handled carefully, if only because of the fans, and successfully blended it with a completely different type of game.

With all that being said Virtua Fighter 5 Online for the Xbox 360 is most definitely a buy. That is of course, if you didn’t buy it for the PS3 already. It’s arguable though. The added content and online functionality may be the push you need to make up your mind.

For those who zip through Pokémon games, you can become the League Champion in a little more than 30 hours, but it should take everybody maybe 40 or more hours to complete. Rest assured, the game isn’t anywhere close to over after the credits roll.

For those who zip through Pokémon games, you can become the League Champion in a little more than 30 hours, but it should take everybody maybe 40 or more hours to complete. Rest assured, the game isn’t anywhere close to over after the credits roll.

Everyday Shooter is certainly no Geometry Wars or Super Stardust HD, but that’s the beauty of the game. If you want a new take on the twin-stick shooter genre, Everyday Shooter will certainly give you what you want and maybe even a little bit more.

Madden 09 has far more successes than failures, enough that any pro football fan that’s been hesitant to actually pick-up the game for the past few should definitely give this game a shot.

The team behind this year’s Madden certainly has the right ideas for where this franchise should be heading, as Madden 09 clearly shows.

When it comes down to it, Braid's very much one of those artsy games with an impactful story that can be something for people to talk about for a long time, which certainly lasts more than the game requires to beat it.

While Castle Crashers may have been the victim of some unfortunate online issues that hurt the game's great co-op potential for now, Behemoth seems committed to making sure these issues are fixed and put to rest as soon as they can get a patch out to the public.

Knights in the Nightmare isn’t a game that everybody will love simply because it’s one of the most complex games ever to be released. There is no game to really compare it to, except for maybe Ikaruga, and that’s not even an RPG.

Trauma Team is a great new avenue for this series with more variety to the action and a story to actually care about. The campaign is a meaty 30 hours long with the option for co-op is most of the missions and additional difficulties to really test your skills.

A great story, addictive and intuitive combat system, polished graphics and with a multiplayer component that will keep you coming back, Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days should keep fans interested for months to come.

Half-Minute Hero does a great job of being a refreshing experience that combines unique takes on four very different genres to tell an epic story into one of the most interesting PSP games we’ve played in a long time.

Has just enough charm and spunk.

PixelJunk Shooter is another great game in this series, though it’s an experience that ends quite a bit sooner than its predecessors that left us wanting more in the best way possible.

It’s the crux of the gameplay that matters and Resident Evil 5 has chosen a path more brazen, more gung-ho than we imagined. The co-op campaign makes inviting a friend over for a double dose of zombie-extermination possible, and while this should get old, it doesn’t.

It’s the crux of the gameplay that matters and Resident Evil 5 has chosen a path more brazen, more gung-ho than we imagined. The co-op campaign makes inviting a friend over for a double dose of zombie-extermination possible, and while this should get old, it doesn’t.

NCAA Football 11 makes a number of big improvements to the way the game plays that makes this one worth checking out if you've been unsatisfied with the lack of improvements over the past few years.

NCAA Football 11 makes a number of big improvements to the way the game plays that makes this one worth checking out if you've been unsatisfied with the lack of improvements over the past few years.

The game flows extremely well, and is just a complete blast to play. Seeing your favorite MK landscapes come to life is a total joy and the story provides some insight into the strange MK world.

EA buying the NFL license seems more like a blessing to those who really enjoy football for what it is-a great, harmful, and fun way to show that your team rules.

Splinter Cell Double Agent is a solid game with an excellent multiplayer component. Fans of a gripping storyline which includes intense action and "stealthy stealth" will no doubt enjoy this game.

It’s surprisingly inventive, filled with a ton of destruction and explosions, and overcomes its old-hat wartime premise with a durable mix of complexity and fun.

The most engaging and deep strategy gaming yet seen to the DS. While certainly not as immersive as PC strategy titles, this game certainly provides more bang than any available strategy RPGs for the DS or GBA.

It’s one of the best experiences for the PSP, and if you’re a stickler for perfecting games you will get the bang for you buck as you try to collect everything in each level.

Ultimately, there’s something completely satisfying and entertaining in creating a real-life house in a Sims world and finding out what truly does happen when pets stop being polite and start getting real.

Skate shows that there can be two skateboarding games can co-exist. It offers more realistic gameplay that will appeal to those who have wanted a more down to earth style of skateboarding game.

It comes down to this: Left 4 Dead is a hell of a lot of fun to play.

It comes down to this: Left 4 Dead is a hell of a lot of fun to play.

With the economy on the ropes and gamers finding it harder to purchase game, you will not find a better deal than Assault on Dark Athena, which gives you two single player campaigns and a multiplayer component for one price.

With the economy on the ropes and gamers finding it harder to purchase game, you will not find a better deal than Assault on Dark Athena, which gives you two single player campaigns and a multiplayer component for one price.

On average, the thirty five new singleplayer missions have a play time of thirty minutes apiece, which when combined with the multiplayer missions, and the free flight mode, makes for an expansion pack of tremendous value.

Advance Wars: Days of Ruin is a risk that Nintendo didn't have to take, but they did, and with that, they've made the most interesting game in the series.

At no point will this be a boring game for any fan of the genre, and it’s a game that really could push Xbox 360 sales overseas. It really is an absolute delight and a real surprise.

When all's said and done, NCAA 09 may have some rough spots and bugs, there are ways around it that keep them from hampering the immense amount of enjoyment that the game offers.

When all's said and done, NCAA 09 may have some rough spots and bugs, there are ways around it that keep them from hampering the immense amount of enjoyment that the game offers.

As a complete package, SVR 09 never fails to impress.

As a complete package, SVR 09 never fails to impress.

The gameplay is simple and easy to master, but it is also challenging enough to keep gamers pounding themselves in disgust because of whatever mistake they're bound to make in the game's 200+ levels.

The gameplay is simple and easy to master, but it is also challenging enough to keep gamers pounding themselves in disgust because of whatever mistake they make in the game's 200+ levels.

Viva Pinata: Trouble in Paradise doesn't change much from the first title in terms of originality, but the new additions definitely make it feel more refined.

Offering a ton of questions on the disc, a ton more from the users themselves, and a ton of official question packs available on the PlayStation Store, it’s going to be quite a long time before you find yourself getting bored when you see the same question about Futurama for the fifteenth time.

Despite the horrible name and the similarities to Lumines, Empty Clip has produced what's probably the best available game on the WiiWare.

With the economy on the ropes and gamers finding it harder to purchase game, you will not find a better deal than Assault on Dark Athena, which gives you two single player campaigns and a multiplayer component for one price.

Space Invaders Extreme is a wonderful Xbox Live Arcade game.

For $10 on PSN and XBLA, there’s a good amount of content here and replayability that makes it a worthy purchase for fans of the puzzle genre.

For $10 on PSN and XBLA, there’s a good amount of content here and replayability that makes it a worthy purchase for fans of the puzzle genre.

If you have a love for trivia and want a great quiz game for the PS3, there’s no reason you shouldn’t check this out and get ready for some quality time with the family during the upcoming holiday season.

The single player mode, although excellent in its own right, never really goes anywhere and many of the segments felt repetitive and uninspired to the very end. Bad Company 2 definitely gets its biggest strengths from the multiplayer mode, but that too is jarred with technical issues that could hamper how you play.

The single player mode, although excellent in its own right, never really goes anywhere and many of the segments felt repetitive and uninspired to the very end. Bad Company 2 definitely gets its biggest strengths from the multiplayer mode, but that too is jarred with technical issues that could hamper how you play.

Battlefield 1943 is an all out multiplayer experience and one that fans will surely be hooked to for quite some time. Although only three maps are available at this time, EA is constantly holding contests to unlock new maps for each system and the inclusion of ranks and awards will only encourage players to continue fighting.

Battlefield 1943 is an all out multiplayer experience and one that fans will surely be hooked to for quite some time. Although only three maps are available at this time, EA is constantly holding contests to unlock new maps for each system and the inclusion of ranks and awards will only encourage players to continue fighting.

In just three years, Vicarious Visions has taken a well adapted formula and created an enjoyable, polished and all-around better sequel. Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 will give fans a reason to enjoy playing, and with the dynamic fusion powers, wide cast of characters, and the storyline based around the events of Civil War, there is surely something here to please anyone.

In just three years, Vicarious Visions has taken a well adapted formula and created an enjoyable, polished and all-around better sequel. Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 will give fans a reason to enjoy playing, and with the dynamic fusion powers, wide cast of characters, and the storyline based around the events of Civil War, there is surely something here to please anyone.

Nothing in Darwinia+ is spectacularly breathtaking, but it manages to rope you in with all its charm and subtle nerd humor, and you just don’t want to let go.

Mutation mode is tons of fun for the Infected as it allows you to truly feel dominating, but the real adrenaline rush is for the Survivors, who have to communicate and have fast reflexes in order to survive.

Mutation mode is tons of fun for the Infected as it allows you to truly feel dominating, but the real adrenaline rush is for the Survivors, who have to communicate and have fast reflexes in order to survive.

DeathSpank certainly isn't a perfect game by any means, but it does a very good job of bringing the loot RPG to the consoles with a good story that made us want to search every inch of the world that Hothead and Ron Gilbert has created.

DeathSpank certainly isn't a perfect game by any means, but it does a very good job of bringing the loot RPG to the consoles with a good story that made us want to search every inch of the world that Hothead and Ron Gilbert has created.

The game is beautiful, the commentary is among the most interactive in any sports title, the new gameplay mechanics in NHL 10 are easy to learn and tough to master, the new Ultimate Hockey Team is insanely addictive.

Loyalists will probably be put off by the game's many (long) low-res cutscenes and the shoddy controls at first, but after about half an hour of play, the pacing starts to really pick up and the game really becomes a joy to play. The game is also pretty hard, and there will be times of extreme frustration when dying countless times, but as long as you can endure that, you're in for quite an enjoyable experience.

The campaign took us just over six hours to complete with a few more hours spent in the base and on challenge levels, which is plenty of quality content for the price.

With an endearing, dynamic world and pure unadulterated adventuring, it will leave you with fond memories and a sense of accomplishment.

At its core, even though it's pretty short (the game can be beaten in less than 8 hours), Vanquish is a great game.

At its core, even though it's pretty short (the game can be beaten in less than 8 hours), Vanquish is a great game.

It is a great example of what this genre can offer.

It is a great example of what this genre can offer.

It is a great example of what this genre can offer.

About A Blob has a great art style that was reminiscent of Genndy Tartakovsky's style that works really well for this 2D platformer, especially with the way the blob's eyes change depending on what you're doing.

As complicated as the ideas and premises may be, Radiant Historia is simply a good game. Players who are into Japanese RPGs or simply miss the golden age of the Super NES definitely owe it to themselves to give Radiant Historia a try.

If you are someone who wants a game that will challenge their old-school gaming skills, as cliched as that sounds, then Hard Corps: Uprising is definitely for you. It's a game that is initially punishing, but ultimately satisfying.

If you are someone who wants a game that will challenge their old-school gaming skills, as cliched as that sounds, then Hard Corps: Uprising is definitely for you. It's a game that is initially punishing, but ultimately satisfying.

Despite the strange inventory, Torchlight is incredibly fun and addicting.

A great game. However, if you were planning to buy this game for its campaign, you might as well forget it. The campaign mode becomes tedious and shallow quickly.

If you’re a fan of the Unreal series and have a computer that can run it, there’s really no reason for you not to own this game.

If you want to be visually impressed, Itagaki and his Team Ninja have knocked another one out of the park with this game.

While this is a great upgrade from the games last year, it’s still relatively unchanged. However, if you’re new to this game, it’s a must purchase and among the best Xbox 360 games yet.

Wild Arms 4 may not be the next big thing in RPGs, but it brings a whole lot of chips to the party. With a truly engaging and original story and some creative storytelling, combined with one of the most interesting and strategic battle systems seen in years, Wild Arms 4 is well worth checking out.

A marked improvement over its console inspiration, and provides an entertaining and challenging experience to those who pick it up.

Newcomers should not be fazed by the fact that Blood Money is the fourth installment in the Hitman series, as it offers enough diversity and charm to keep you hooked until the climatic ending.

The classic sensation of speed, coupled with some of the best locations, makes this Sonic game one of the best additions to the series in a long time.

The wealth of content available here, regardless of whether you're playing Single Mode or Battle Mode, makes it essential old-school playing for those who can appreciate it.

There’s a lot of content here to keep you busy for a long time while you strive for the perfect grades.

Bethesda Softworks wisely followed the “if it ain’t broke” axiom and left much of the core gameplay unchanged, opting instead to toss on oodles of new content and leaving no stone unturned as to how to make the game that much better.

Bethesda Softworks wisely followed the “if it ain’t broke” axiom and left much of the core gameplay unchanged, opting instead to toss on oodles of new content and leaving no stone unturned as to how to make the game that much better.

For Civ IV fans, Beyond the Sword is a must-own game.

All this comes wrapped in what is arguably the best audiovisual package on Live Arcade, with lighting and water effects are so smooth and nuanced that it’s easy to forget, maybe even hard to believe, that this is a downloadable game and not a fully-realized retail release.

Gran Turismo fans that can’t simply wait another year or more just for the full GT5 will find a lot to like here for the reduced price while casual GT fans that have been overwhelmed by the immense depth of previous Gran Turismos can hop in and get the hang of the game without being a huge car nut quite well.

Wii owners that crave the newest RPGs will definitely find a lot to like in Final Fantasy Fables: Chocobo’s Dungeon, especially those that are into the rogue-like subgenre of RPGs.

While you won’t find anything totally new in this new entry to the Bleach DS fighting series, you’ll definitely find a greatly polished piece of work that has basically improved upon every aspect that made the game both great and somewhat flawed.

Treyarch has made vast improvements from their COD 3 work and delivered a solid product.

Treyarch has made vast improvements from their COD 3 work and delivered a solid product.

Treyarch has made vast improvements from their COD 3 work and delivered a solid product.

This is one of the few RPG’s that truly make the player feel like he or she is playing the role of the hero, and it’s seriously been a while since an RPG has had that kind of impact.

As it stands, Grand Theft Auto IV is a rather poor port, but a fantastic game all the same.

Though Henry Hatsworth in the Puzzling adventure kind of ends on a sour note with a particularly steep difficulty curve near the end, the entire adventure is very much worth experiencing for any gamer that would like a challenging and quirky platformer with a load of charm on top.

Though the game takes probably around eight or so hours to beat like the first, less if you know what you’re doing, it feels longer than the first episode since there are more variety in the quests that you’re given throughout the game.

The package here is definitely worth the $10 and those that are looking for a relaxing game to utilize their new Avatar will find a lot to like here.

Though you may not be able to become a kid again for real, Retro Game Challenge does a nice job of replicating that experience with retro knock-offs and magazines to add to the 80’s atmosphere that can’t be done as well with compilations and remakes.

Rockstar has done a good job of giving fans more content to please their violent tendencies, and the characters and moments in The Lost and Damned prove to be just as memorable and enjoyable as GTA IV.

MLB 09: The Show on the PlayStation 2 easily got the least amount of upgrades and new features of the trio of offerings this year.

While slowdown plagues the game throughout, the action never stops and Rios and Salem will continually battle amidst the crumbling cityscapes of Shanghai as they battle with their own morality and try to save helpless civilians along the way.

While slowdown plagues the game throughout, the action never stops and Rios and Salem will continually battle amidst the crumbling cityscapes of Shanghai as they battle with their own morality and try to save helpless civilians along the way.

Pokemon Platinum is a great experience that anybody with a remote interest in RPG’s should try out.

Bigbig Studios did a great job of shrinking the great MotorStorm gameplay and feature set for MotorStorm: Arctic Edge, making it one of the better console transitions to the PSP so far. With the deep Festival and online modes, the package is worth the $40 for what is probably the best racing game for the PSP this holiday season.

You have a good expansion that at times feels odd, but delivers satisfaction. It sticks to the familiar formula but keeps things fresh as necessary. And while it won’t be the highlight of Fall ’09 action shooters, it’s a solid selection.

The sounds of battle are great along with the random chatter your characters have to say in the heat of battle.

Hot Shots Tennis: Get a Grip offers a marked improvement over the first Hot Shots Tennis game with a much better single-player mode to anchor its feature set.

The entire world of Saints Row hinges on gang activity while "GTA" only uses it as a stepping stone to reach the upper echelons of organized crime.

As EA Sports said, it's "simpler, quicker, and deeper," but even with this more fast-paced action, it's still complex enough for Madden veterans to enjoy making this one the best football game this generation has to offer.

As EA Sports said, it's "simpler, quicker, and deeper," but even with this more fast-paced action, it's still complex enough for Madden veterans to enjoy making this one the best football game this generation has to offer.

The battle system plays like something entirely new, and provides for an actually engaging handheld RPG.

An impressively intense handheld game that may garner too many Metroid comparisons for its own good.

Fortunately, the game looks fantastic, better than most everything else on consoles, but the framerate takes some serious toles during some of the more graphically intense moments in the game and it almost makes it unbearable to play at some points. But other than that, the game looks, sounds, and plays amazingly.

A great game. However, if you were planning to buy this game for its campaign, you might as well forget it. The campaign mode becomes tedious and shallow quickly.

Its pure size is its greatest asset, but because it occasionally loses focus, its greatest liability too. Even with the inconsistencies on the ground, the galactic map and thrilling space battles fill in the gaps.

Unexpectedly engaging, in spite of its utter lack of difficulty. If you are a PC gamer hoping to see Project Ego come to life, you will be disappointed--but most will find Fable to be as fresh as morning daylight.

The changes Crystal Dynamics have affected means it’s easily the most polished, well-rounded package of the seven.

Regardless of its few faults, Quake Wars is fun, fast paced, and will offer a decent amount of variety to people who are in to this type of game. It probably won’t sway the minds of people who prefer Deathmatch style shooters over mission based team games, but does its job well by providing one of the best experiences of its kind.

On one hand, it is watered-down, it is not as interesting, it is relatively short, and the gameplay is not all that it could have been. On the other hand, it is a real GTA game in the palm of your hand, and it’s pretty well-made to say the least.

In the end, Neo contains all of the Shining that gamers are looking for, but none of the Force.

The moodiness of the game's atmosphere, the intensity of the pacing, the original infection mechanic and the overall quality of the gameplay combine into what may be the best game of 2006 you haven't heard of.

The Xbox 360 version offers the best presentation out of all these games, quite simply because it probably has the best announcer of all—and his name isn’t John Madden or Al Michaels. He remains unnamed, but he’s one of those homer-types that we can all live to enjoy.

If you really liked the potential held by The King of Fighters: Maximum Impact, The King of Fighters 2006 is the realization of that potential. It's not going to change the mind of anyone who is fervently anti-3D KOF, but it's the most solid “alternative fighting game” we've seen in a long time.

It’s unfortunate that the game ruins the nice sense of pacing in the gameplay with an overemphasis on story that makes you want to skip it, despite knowing that it’s not wise to do so. Luckily, the game is fun and creative enough to overlook these issues and it’s easy to get drawn into the game for hours at a time.

Capcom Classics Collection volume 2 is not the hit-loaded package one would expect, but it is still a must-own for fighting gamers and fans of old-school co-op gaming.

Fortunately, you don’t get any mind-numbing puzzles that can only be solved by luck either.

If they can find enough substance for the continuing chapters we’ll continue to advocate their creations. Valve and Ritual, follow Telltale’s lead.

If they can find enough substance for the continuing chapters we’ll continue to advocate their creations. Valve and Ritual, follow Telltale’s lead.

SingStar provides a compelling window to the living rooms of people around the world with its My SingStar online mode that sets it far apart than any other music game in terms of its community aspects.

Dementium: The Ward is a terrific experience. Be afraid. Be very afraid.

Be that as it may, it's great to see Contra go back to its roots for this very impressive entry into long-running series. If you enjoy challenging titles that require every bit of skill you can muster, Contra 4 is just the perfect purchase.

While Hot Shots Golf: Out of Bounds doesn’t really do anything that will change anyone’s opinions about the series, it does feature enough improvements in gameplay and online play that hardcore and casual fans of the series will find a lot to like about the game.

So if you’re looking for a great party game this holiday season, and you happen to like movies, there isn’t anything better than Scene It? Lights, Camera, Action. Even by yourself, the game provides a lot of fun, but it gets even better when you play with others.

Despite what may be setbacks with the lack of true blue changes to the graphics and sound, Apollo Justice looks to be everything the Phoenix Wright trilogy was and more.

With a dearth of features and tweaks that make this experience the best out there, gamers will have plenty to do before and after the first pitch of the season.

The game relies too heavily on the events and effects of the previous title, and although there are plenty of neat new features to whet your appetite, the game hardly feels like a sequel and more of a downloadable add-on.

The game relies too heavily on the events and effects of the previous title, and although there are plenty of neat new features to whet your appetite, the game hardly feels like a sequel and more of a downloadable add-on.

While PixelJunk Monsters may not look like the most addictive game in the world, it’ll hit you in the face with its challenging depth and simple gameplay.

While there are quite a few parts in the game that bring down the game in value, Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword should remain as the prime example of what a third party can do with the Nintendo DS.

Lego Indiana Jones’s success comes from keeping the fun gameplay of the Lego Star Wars games, but injecting the classic Indy moments, music, and characters

Lego Indiana Jones’s success comes from keeping the fun gameplay of the Lego Star Wars games, but injecting the classic Indy moments, music, and characters

If you still haven’t gotten into the Disgaea series, now is the time especially with the $30 price tag because you get a lot more than what you’re paying for.

With a solid level design, unique transformation mechanic, and plenty of loveable charm, Banjo- Kazooie still holds up well to the stringent of today's gaming market.

If you’re a fan of games like Project Gotham Racing and Grid, you’d really be doing yourself a disservice in missing out on this game since it’s probably right up your alley.

If you have a solid internet connection and have the time to dedicate to the game’s impressive franchise mode, Madden NFL 10 is a must-buy. But if you’re a more casual gamer just wanting to play this game for a bit, you might be better pressed to get last year’s version of the game.

If you have a solid internet connection and have the time to dedicate to the game’s impressive franchise mode, Madden NFL 10 is a must-buy. But if you’re a more casual gamer just wanting to play this game for a bit, you might be better pressed to get last year’s version of the game.

The atmosphere is perfect for anyone who loved Fallout 3 and although the combat takes some getting used to and could be frustrating for some, Metro 2033 is an exciting adventure that will keep you hooked until the end.

The atmosphere is perfect for anyone who loved Fallout 3 and although the combat takes some getting used to and could be frustrating for some, Metro 2033 is an exciting adventure that will keep you hooked until the end.

The new levels for the adventure mode and multiplayer will add more visual variety to those modes, though the new challenges are designed much more for Peggle veterans.

The new levels for the adventure mode and multiplayer will add more visual variety to those modes, though the new challenges are designed much more for Peggle veterans.

Emergency 2012 can be frustrating and demanding, but is still a very entertaining game. As soon as the campaign ends however the fun ends too.

The addition of playing the games from different viewpoints just add some variety and welcome change for newcomers and veterans of these two games, and they're sure to keep players stressful while coming back for more.

If you have Instincts for the Xbox and wouldn't mind playing an original Xbox game, save yourself $30 and get Evolution. Both games are great and are worth at least a rental. If you've yet to experience Far Cry, though, it's worth a purchase.

The true Capcom hardcore might wonder about the omission of Saturday Night Slam Masters, unless a third package is on the way, but that's just one gripe against what is otherwise a very well structured collection.

A great game that just fails to exceed its predecessors.

With the online multiplayer mode, a fun single player campaign, and a full copy of Quake 2 for a second helping of FPS goodness, Quake 4 has a tremendous amount of value and replayability.

The game is fun, the battles are executed well, the characters are interesting, and the overall package is interesting enough to warrant a purchase for fans of the series or genre.

Combines rock-solid and dynamic gameplay with an actually funny sense of humor. Returning gamers will find a bag full of changes, while those new to the series will have an easy time picking this up and running with it.

All in all, Far Cry Instincts and Evolution are two games worth playing. If you haven’t played the Xbox version, you should definitely think about getting it for the 360.

A great game that has some hampering issues in its gameplay; things that shouldn’t be a problem, like the save system, cheap bosses, and dumber than a stump partner A.I. All that aside, though, Dead Rising is a fantastic game that strays far enough away from the moody style Resident Evil has stapled in the zombie genre.

The entertaining story, great, varied, gameplay, and the impressive package that surrounds the single-player makes the negatives, like long load times, boring multiplayer, and the sometimes awkward camera controls, a necessary evil to have a great game like Size Matters.

The fantastic storytelling coupled with an equally impressive score though will make you forget your grievances with the finished product, and there are just enough extras in the campaign to make completionists return a couple times to get them all.

The fantastic storytelling coupled with an equally impressive score though will make you forget your grievances with the finished product, and there are just enough extras in the campaign to make completionists return a couple times to get them all.

The fantastic storytelling coupled with an equally impressive score though will make you forget your grievances with the finished product, and there are just enough extras in the campaign to make completionists return a couple times to get them all.

The game looks great, can be really addictive, and offers a variety of ways to enjoy the experience that Warhawk offers.

While the game really does not do a whole lot to innovate, it is a very solid FPS with an interesting story and an immense online aspect.