There are no two ways about it: if you like space strategy games, you have to play Galactic Civilizations II. And if you play Gal Civ II, you have to play Twilight of the Arnor.

Guitar Hero II takes everything that made the original game great and cranks it up to 11, maybe even 12...This is the nearly-perfect sequel to one of our favorite games in basically forever, and it's an absolute must-buy.

All in all, it is impossible to not recommend Final Fanatsy VII to anyone who is even vaguely interested in RPGs.

Rock Band is a great game. The presentation elements are top-notch and take music games to a new level; consider the bar raised.

The game is virtually unchanged in its core, having a new script re-write, but retaining the visuals, music, character designs, interface styles, and options of the source material. At the same time, Square Enix also ensures that this is the definitive version of Chrono Trigger out there, as the game comes complete with every option you could ever want for touch vs. button control, two or single screen display, or game pacing and difficulty.

Journey celebrates the poignancy of nature, it startles you with the unexpected, and empowers you in an exhilarating, unforgettable conclusion...The hours spent completing Journey will create memories that last for years.

The best Japanese RPG of this generation. The fact that it looks like it's from the last generation is its only drawback, but its technical limitations are offset by imaginative artistic direction, innovative and compelling combat, and thoughtful design. It's a throwback to the glory days of the genre.

With the exception of some occasoinally sticky controls and stuttering areas, this game is deep, varied, and fun as hell.

PaRappa's only real problem lies in the length of the game -- it's way too short. However, once you've beaten it in good standing, you can ad-lib, or 'freestyle,' in the levels.

A spectacularly creative, wonderfully satisfying 3D action-platformer that -- ass joke and bloody messes encapsulated -- shines with Nintendo's very best.

The track list is better, the difficulty has been bumped up, it's more accessible, all previously released DLC works from the get-go, and Battle of the Bands is a brilliant online mode. But there's no getting around the fact that almost nothing was done to the main mode, World Tour.

Chaos Rings is not an amazing adventure game for the iPhone. It is an amazing adventure game – period.

Reminds me that video games can match the evocative and thrilling qualities of any other creative medium. While Ico's gameplay mechanics show their age and Shadow of the Colossus didn't quite take me to the same place it took me more than five years ago, this collection astounds.

It's downright gorgeous and a total blast to play alone or with friends. A truly realized vision at the top of its genre, Rayman Origins is an extravaganza with plenty of action to keep it fresh from start to finish and beyond.

Just getting to know the world is immensely enjoyable and extremely rewarding...If you're okay with Echoes being an extension of the first game and not a revolution, you're going to flip out over this sequel. Our highest recommendation.

In reality, it will take a good 10 to 12 hours of hard playtime to go from beginning to end of Metroid Fusion, and it's an incredibly satisfying experience all the way through.

What matters above all else, though, is that even in 2007, FF6 is exceptional fun. Even with its dated visuals and familiar concepts, it's one of the greatest games the world has ever seen, and it's just as entertaining now as it was during Clinton's first term.

What pulls it all together and propels the game light years ahead of the competition aesthetically is how everything moves. The motion of the ocean is intoxicating. The cinematic, TV style camera and presentation really add a new dimension of flare and immersion to the genre.

I love certain aspects about ESPN, the presentation, VIP, the highlights, but when it comes down to it, the things I like best about Madden are its franchise mode and, most importantly, its gameplay. And in the end, isn't that what it's all about?

The gameplay is fast, fun and easy to dig into, and deep enough so that you're always discovering new ways to chain combos and improve your skills. Whether you're a franchise veteran or a total newcomer, you can't go wrong with Super Street Fighter IV.

Bring on episode three. Dark Nebula is a frenzied tilt game that bangs you over the head every stage with new challenges like laser tripwires, twirling blades, tricky jumps, and boss battles.

This is a master class in game design: you will understand it instantly, enjoy it instantly, and want to play again and again.

Rock Band 2 improves in several areas over the original. The track list is better, the difficulty has been bumped up, it's more accessible, all previously released DLC works from the get-go, and Battle of the Bands is a brilliant online mode. But there's no getting around the fact that almost nothing was done to the main mode, World Tour.

This is the tightest offering of the series to date, with improved AI--especially in the passing game-- and loads of features.

Not only a technically excellent shooter, the ambiance and level of detail is just plain amazing...[yet] The opponent AI was way too sensitive, as enemies can spot you in heavy cover from quite a distance, making the idea of quietly sneaking up on your foes an impossibility. This was the biggest downfall of the game.

It's a shame that Dishonored's story isn't greater than the sum of its decidedly memorable parts, but its gameplay absolutely is.

An amazing game. It's fun, clever, deep, engaging and great to try out with friends. The only issue is that some of the same frustrations from the last game are still present. Still, the ability to make games and not just levels outweighs any con.

Guitar Hero is pure bliss, on a stick even. It's got a fantastic soundtrack that's blended incredibly well into the game, a great peripheral in the SG guitar controller and well, that's really what it's all about. The game is just fun. Pure, unadulterated fun.

With Wrath of the Lich King, World of Warcraft's play style has been tweaked to be more accessible, addictive, and deeper. Any longtime player is sure to be pleased with what Blizzard's done here since it gives the higher level population a wealth of new content for play as well as improves the overall look of the world.

And while that experience is still solid, it's not all that different from Rock Band 2.

A great digital version of a fun and engaging board game. With an excellent tutorial system, easy-to-use controls, and delightful presentation, anyone looking for a new iPad addiction should definitely give this game a shot.

If, by some lucky twist of fate, you fall into the category of Wii owners who have never played any of the Prime games before, Nintendo has with Trilogy delivered you a box set of holy proportions. For a bargain price, you will receive 80-plus hours of the best adventuring found on any home consoles in a decade.

If I had a choice to take with me only one football game to a deserted island and only have that game to play for the rest of my life, it would be Madden NFL 2001 on PlayStation 2. It kicks major butt.

You will have to spend some time practicing and tweaking your opponents, your car handling, and your realism settings to find the right spot for you. If you are willing to do all of this, then this is a fine F1 simulation that will ultimately reward you.

Not only has the game shown that you can build a statistics heavy game without making it boring or confusing, but it has shown that it's possible to build them with style and beauty.

This is absolutely, without a doubt, the most complete and impressive edition of the THPS series yet.

Rock Band 3 is the best music game option around. The more you put into it, the more you'll get out of it. But my bet is that most people will just buy the game and nothing more. And while that experience is still solid, it's not all that different from Rock Band 2.

With the aid of PS2 graphics, not only is Klonoa the star of a superior platformer, he's the star of one of the most beautiful games available.

Sim fans have had a few titles to choose from over the past few years but the flight modeling and choice of theater are more than enough to make IL-2 stand out.

Still very derivative of the games that came before it. What's different this time around is that Volition has added to the genre instead of just cloning it.

The game has an incredible sense of scale and space, so that you really feel like you're out there, right in the middle of a series of incredible battles... Brilliant. Awesome. Spectacular. Trouser-creamingly good... Best PlayStation action game yet.

The title, which features more than 16 classic mascot characters and realistic tennis rules and physics, plus more bonus modes than you can shake a stick at and an unsurpassed multiplayer mode, is so difficult to put down that there really is no use in trying.

Ridiculous Fishing puts a smile on my face every single time I reach the climactic moment my gigantic haul of fish are flung into the air and the cartoony slaughter begins.

The sheer amount of fun you'll have when playing against seven other people in the ten different maps and various gameplay modes here is almost immeasurable -- it's that damn good. But what impresses me most about Up Your Arsenal is the fact that the single-player adventure didn't suffer in the least.

The prettiest, most atmospheric and all-around scariest game we've ever played.

FIFA 10 is the definitive soccer experience if there ever was one. It packages a list of modes that perform in wonderful harmony with one another thanks to Virtual Pro and the fact that the gameplay lives up to this praise should only sweeten the deal.

Chaos Rings is not an amazing adventure game for the iPad. It is an amazing adventure game – period.

Go ahead and delete the other golf games from your iPhone. Let's Golf 2 is the only one you need right now.

A love-letter to Japanese youth culture and a staggeringly deep RPG with style in abundance. It's an iOS must have. The high price might give you pause, but do your best to let it slide and enjoy this one; it's unique & very special.

The experience is layered, unique, and shows an incredible attention to detail. This is one case where the sequel has triumphed over the original by catching the gameplay up to the already excellent visuals. No matter what your preconceptions are about Assassin's Creed II, the game is well worth your time and money.

This is the best game in the Metal Gear Solid series and it pushes the PS2 just as far as it can go. With a total of 20-25 hours for the first time this provides a fantastic experience that will stimulate multiple parts of your brain and make you feel all fuzzy inside.

It almost seems like the designers at Incog. Inc. felt a certain loathing for every other car-combat game that was shoveled out before it, and felt a violent, bloodthirsty necessity to wipe the slate clean...I am still quite awe-struck with the overall gameplay in this beautiful, incredible title.

Lara controls like a dream... Level design is exceedingly impressive.

A universally excellent game.

An excellent shooter no one even remotely curious should overlook. Prepare to level. Prepare to loot. Prepare to get lost in the hilarious, bizarre and wonderful world of Pandora.

If you played the GameCube original, consider the Wii game the ultimate collector's edition – frankly, that's what it is; the culmination of the best from its predecessors with some added Wii improvements. And if you have never played RE4 before, consider the Wii release an absolute must-own experience.

A true masterpiece in terms of art direction and, dare I say, cinematography. From the fights with the colossi to exploring the world to basically just standing back and letting it all soak in, Shadow of the Colossus is an amazing experience and an absolute must-have title.

Peggle is pure happiness distilled into a low-cost digital download.

The combination of Asteroids with resource management and RPG upgrades is a winner, although I really hope for an update that offers dual stick controls.

Points off for the lazy port -- but rest assured that Ocarina of Time has lost little of its luster, the Master Quest is a wonderful bonus for returning players.

Splinter Cell is the hardcore's game made excellent by an engaging storyline and a sinfully addictive journey into ordinary places that become extraordinary simply due to the change in how we tackle each of their unique problems.

Forget about best college games, NCAA Football 2003 is the best football game out there for serious football videogamers... Challenging and satisfying.

While I did have a few problems with the control set-ups (the virtual buttons are too small yet still crowd the screen) and menu arrangements, the narrative, mission variety, and production values easily overwhelm those shortcomings. This is 2010's first must-have iPhone game.

Real Racing 2 is without a doubt the best racing game for the iPad in the App Store today. Don't balk at its $9.99 price tag. You see every cent of it in the game (especially on an iPad 2), from the moving gauges on the dashboard to the robust 16-player online matches.

This is some fast, well designed gameplay with enough options to allow players to use their own style of attack with satisfying suit abilities and weapons. Crytek has upped their attention to detail in presentation and dropped the worst parts of "Far Cry’s" story.

Sets a new standard for third-person action games in terms of length, depth, speed, and gore. It is Itagaki's masterpiece, easily Team Ninja's best work, and one of the finest games on the Xbox to date. How many action games combine great controls, amazing visuals, superb gameplay, and incredible design? Not many.

A stellar achievement on the PSP. It plays perfectly into the franchise's storyline and offers up the same level of intense action as its console counterparts. It's also the best looking title on the system, without question. Engaging from start to finish.

Stone me for heresy if you like (excuse me while I duck and cover), but I'll always prefer DOA's speed, balance, character design, and levels, even if Tekken may be the majority choice.

Few World of Warcraft players would consider their experience complete without the additions that The Burning Crusade brings.

MLB 10 edges very close to being the best console baseball game ever made. But it doesn't quite make it there. It's still great, just not baseball perfection.

The variety in what Yoshi can do and the diversity in level designs, not to mention the wonderful use of scaling and rotation for the level structures and the incorporation of a half-dozen clever mini-games makes Yoshi's Island the best damn platformer ever.

Note: this experience is for trigger happy, technique twitch gamers. If "Baldur's Gate II" makes you feel a little bit stressed by its pacing, then Tony Hawk 2 will give you a serious migraine, and possibly dry mouth.

This game does more than just recreate the nostalgic experience of old school adventure gaming, it actually reinvents how stories can be told in the medium, and gives us a glimpse of what we can expect in the years to come.

Comes with plenty of new options but there's nothing here to make last year's version obsolete. Nevertheless, hardcore fans will definitely profit from the additions made here and gamers new to the series will find that 2005 will likely last them a long, long time.

This is the tightest offering of the series to date, with improved AI--especially in the passing game-- and loads of features.

Forget about best college games, NCAA Football 2003 is the best football game out there for serious football videogamers... Challenging and satisfying.

Rocksteady nailed what Batman is supposed to feel like. Fans, rejoice.

Even if you've grown tired of the Halo formula through the years, I'd still recommend this game to you. It's just that good.

The inclusion of tech-prerequisites for colonization of certain environments is probably the most significant change here but there are plenty of other new features here that force the player into new and interesting situations. That you get some ample improvements in graphics and AI is just icing on the cake.

The cinematic design is nothing short of masterful. This is a game that takes the aspects of film that make cinema so compelling and crosses it with the interactivity of games with unprecedented success. Linear storytelling feels quaint by comparison.

While it's not quite up to the complexity of "Deus Ex," NOLF combines a first-rate plot, grandiose explosions, superb dialogue, and plenty of trigger-happy action to make for one of the best gaming experiences we've had all year.

The improved visuals, the added cars on track, the wealth of new race types, the tweaked AI and closer racing, the ferocious sound and superior sense of speed, the even better livery editor, the lot. With Forza 4 Turn 10 has crafted a driving game like no other; it's hands-down this generation's premier racing simulator.

Never has a game combined excellent graphics with heart-stopping action and a great story in such a way as to create an almost cinematic adventure... A masterpiece.

The thing to remember about Battlefield 2 is that it's exceptionally fun.

At $40 for two of the best action games ever made, and the perfect precursors to next March's God of War III, this is a collection that you shouldn't pass up.

ESPN might have plenty of sizzle, but Madden is still the steak...The defensive improvements alone are worth the price of admission, but when you add to that the expanded franchise mode and all of the online improvements, you realize just how different this year's game not only looks but feels.

I have to recommend the PS2 version of the game over the GameCube one for the simple reasons that the PlayStation's D-Pad ultimately feels a bit better and that the system supports online play.

Street Fighter IV is a great game overall and Capcom should be commended for designing a game that can work on so many levels by appealing to both casual and hardcore players.

It's rare that a game can hit the mark in so many different and often conflicting areas. Fallout 3 offers freedom without sacrificing a focused story. It delivers fantastic combat without forgoing a deep role-playing system. The characters you meet are engaging and oftentimes hilarious without feeling out of place in this harsh world.

The voice acting, the challenges, the amazing opening, the unbelievable ending and the feeling of being the Dark Knight -- these are the things that standout looking back. I've beaten this thing twice and still want to call in sick and chase Riddler Trophies.

It's got enough depth to keep you entertained for a VERY long time..., and perhaps most importantly, it's a hell of a lot different than anything else that's ever been released.

Every third-person, cover-based shooter from here on out will likely be compared to Gears 3, and it provides a fitting and poignant-- if sometimes cheesy -- closing chapter to the trilogy...The noted hitches, design decisions and 'been-there, done-that' feel of much of the content colors the overall experience, but it certainly didn't keep me from having one hell of a good time.

The single-player experience is a truly enjoyable campaign across the Helghast home world that will test your skills, particularly on the higher difficulty levels, and the game simply looks phenomenal for a console shooter. But perhaps the strongest segment of the game is the extremely deep multiplayer, which gives seven basic classes with which you can create your own customized super-soldier after performing your class-specific duties.

A finely crafted, in-depth RPG with a lot of story and plenty of side quests to keep you busy for a long, long time, and it will surely satisfy those of you looking for your next fantasy fix.

The greatest comic book videogame of all time. This is an adult Dark Knight story that is well-told, packs some truly fun gameplay elements, has topnotch voice talent, and feel like it's part of Batman cannon.

The sequel's as good as the original. Not only does it preserve everything we liked about the first game but it also takes a few steps in some rewarding new directions.

"Harmony of Dissonance" was, and still is fantastic. Aria of Sorrow is better.

Such an ambitious game - and one that achieves nearly everything it sets out to do - that few games come close to it. This game puts Tomb Raider to shame.

Incredibly deep and expansive, Dragon Age: Origins is one of those titles that can easily swallow up dozens of hours of play and keep you coming back for more.

The quest is amazingly long, absolutely gorgeous to look at, a joy to listen to.

Winning Eleven 8's single-player Master League is enormously good fun, and with its expanded management tools and WE-Shop minigames, the game is easily worth $50. The one-on-one gameplay? Priceless.

The world is huge, the boss creatures are massive in size and challenging to defeat. And the overall quest is extremely fulfilling.

The allure of Far Cry has always been the open-ended tactical choices available during each encounter, and the variety of ways you could take down targets. With dynamic variables like aggressive wildlife and roaming pirates, your stealth and aggro options open up more than ever.

You have to love a game that glues you to your seat and keeps you interested... A thrilling piece of software that action fans should grab a hold of and love fiercely.

The PC version is the best looking of all of the Madden games this year, but you'll need a high-priced system to check out the high-priced graphics.

It's hard to imagine how Nintendo's going to improve on what they've done for this stunning portable rendition. There's so much gameplay and depth in this design, moreso than the series has ever had in the past.

A drop-dead gorgeous game. The textures are impeccable, the animation's top-notch, and the special effects kick some serious booty.

When it comes to the intricacies that make golf the most loved and frustrating game on the planet, Mario Golf has it all. Challenging, but you will be drawn into it because of the nature of golf and your fear that the "little cartoon game" is mocking you.

If you already own ISS64, see if you find a trade-in deal to get your hands on the new one, otherwise, the amount of additions is not quite enough to warrant purchase of the sequel.

The experience is layered, unique, and shows an incredible attention to detail. This is one case where the sequel has triumphed over the original by catching the gameplay up to the already excellent visuals. No matter what your preconceptions are about Assassin's Creed II, the game is well worth your time and money.

A beautiful game that handles amazingly well, sounds just as good, and redefines what gamers should expect from an online racer. The game's seamless integration of Xbox Live is simply wonderful, and the online play is fast and furious.

NBA 2K12 takes everything I love about last year and makes it better. Then it takes nearly all the parts I didn't like and turns them awesome. Hey, other sports games, you just got schooled. Again.

The new features like aging, aspirations, character design, community property, and all of the great story building tools help to make The Sims 2 a more complete game in every way possible.

If you include the vast changes to the core game, Cataclysm is far and away the most impressive expansion to an MMO ever made, but if you just isolate what Cataclysm itself gets you, it's ultimately less content than Wrath of the Lich King. It's also better content than Wrath, with engaging storylines, inventive quests, and some very striking visuals.

The story itself is worth of great praise, but the way it's implemented into the gameplay, along with the amazingly fresh missions that all blend into one another, make this easily one of the best games on Xbox this year, if not <I>the</I> best.

Casual gamers, hardcore sports fans, RPG fans and trenchcoat-wearing weirdos should all have a go at NCAA Football 2003, because it's the best thing going.

Rayman 2 is a very traditional platformer that is executed extremely well. Every new level presents a new, clever challenge that will likely leave you saying, "Wow. That's really cool." Banjo-Kazooie has nothing on Rayman here. A deep, rich platformer that must be experienced.

The 360 version is vastly superior to the PS3 version on a technical level, so PS3 owners fortunate enough to own a 360 should absolutely avoid the PS3 copy.

Should massacring hundreds be a great way to entertain ourselves? Maybe not. But it is.

The feeling of simply being in the world that Ico creates is one of the most fascinating things I've ever seen in a videogame...The only unfortunate thing about Ico is that it's over just a bit quickly.

A next-generation game in the fullest sense, whether it's the loaded package of impressive graphics and special effects, the top-notch sound, or the tactically enhanced gameplay. Red Storm's four-plus months of extra time have served the game incredibly well.

FIFA 12 has not innovated simply for the sake of it. The gameplay innovations greatly improve the way FIFA plays. Matches unfold with a more authentic tempo, taking it much closer to the real thing.

World of Goo is an amazing downloadable PC game that you simply must buy. It's packed full of brilliant, challenging levels. It's gorgeous. It's got beautiful music. And it controls really well.

It's an incredibly weird and original gaming experience that never takes itself seriously, and it something that definitely shouldn't be missed on the handheld.

The negatives of Enemy Territory are overwhelmed by so many positives in terms of fluidity, solidity, value, graphics (same Wolf coolness but it can look a little old), and good to decent to non-present sound, that it's pretty much undeniable for what it is, free, new, fun.

The gameplay is still as stellar as ever: Neversoft's brilliant collage of on-the-fly experimentation and lighting-fast trick-popping is still as addictive as any drug and as intoxicating as any exotic woman.

The best 3D platform game on the PlayStation. Hands down. It's not only innovative, it digs deep into the analog control's inherent movements and brings out a breadth of fantastic gameplay elements that are unique to the game.

The stealth aspect of Syphon Filter is fantastic. Pure bliss. "Metal Gear Solid" and "Goldeneye" fans will absolutely dig the many mission objectives just within a single level, which are sometimes split up into two or three different parts.

So many characters to unlock, so many modes of play, so many variations in even versus play. Well done, Capcom.

The Mario & Luigi series has already established itself as a fantastic RPG franchise, and the third game does not disappoint. I have no problem classifying it as the best of the bunch, thanks to an excellent and appropriately surreal script, epic oversized battles, and the fact that Bowser is a playable character and gets most of the gameplay time.

Trials has cleverly adapted to its environment and become even more of an everyman's game. It's still incredibly challenging, but the hill to the hardest levels is less steep. The thrills are more thrilling... Rarely have I played a game that better caters to all walks of players.

The gameplay changes are great and the multiplayer is excellent. If the story and new characters were better, this would be the perfect $20 download. But as it stands, it's still the best available by a long shot.

FIFA 12 has not innovated simply for the sake of it. The gameplay innovations greatly improve the way FIFA plays. Matches unfold with a more authentic tempo, taking it much closer to the real thing.

At just $9.99, Chinatown Wars HD is a mere third of the price for the original Nintendo DS game, making it one of the best gaming values on the App Store considering just how much stuff is packed in here.

The four-player is, as they say, dope-ass. You have to get a multitap and play this with three other friends. And the edit mode, in fact, all of the various modes, are deep, compelling, and well thought out. It's a true winner.

A truly miraculous "game." I call it a "game" because it's more of an experience.

Throughout its core fabric, Going Commando is improved in every way. If I had to pick just one platformer this year -- and that's a tough call, considering the incredible game that "Jak II" is -- it would be this one.

FIFA 10 is the definitive soccer experience if there ever was one. It packages a list of modes that perform in wonderful harmony with one another thanks to Virtual Pro and the fact that the gameplay lives up to this praise should only sweeten the deal.

Not only a game anyone can fall in love with but among the best titles I've played on the Dreamcast.

It's rare that a game can hit the mark in so many different and often conflicting areas. Fallout 3 offers freedom without sacrificing a focused story. It delivers fantastic combat without forgoing a deep role-playing system. The characters you meet are engaging and oftentimes hilarious without feeling out of place in this harsh world.

Are you kidding me? This game rivals "Madden" in every way and surpasses it in feature set. Plus it's only twenty dollars.

Rolando 2: Quest for the Golden Orchid is just a cool, cool game. Hand Circus built on everything that was wonderful about the original, but did not add anything that didn't fit just for the sake of making a big sequel.

The idea behind Portal ends up being more brilliant than Portal itself. Regardless, we definitely had a lot of fun with what is there and appreciate the level of polish and thought that went into the presentation.

While it may be more casual than we'd like, it's captivating, entertaining, and a true adventure worthy of the Zelda name. It's different, but it's still the real deal.

By leaps and bounds, 2001 beats all other previous efforts, scoring a hat trick with hockey fans in the process.

This is a gem, a true gem. The animations will uncurl your socks, the depth and ingenuity of the Dynasty Mode will create a new summer obsession, and even diehard Sega fans (like myself) will question their allegiance.

A great introduction to a truly unique series with incredibly addictive gameplay and a soundtrack that will have you humming for days.

The game is tighter, longer, and more challenging than its predecessor, with more elements to enjoy, both in single and multiplayer modes.

Even though it doesn't exactly advance the ball, Modern Combat 2 is Gameloft's best shooter yet.

It doesn't offer anything entirely new or unique, only enhancing what we've already experience twice before. Even with that said the game offers an amazing series on single and multiplayer challenges and retains some of the most engrossing turn-based action on the Nintendo DS system.

The lack of major improvements to Franchise and Road to the Show are disappointing, but The Show remains the best baseball game in town.

It has that magical feeling that not all games can possess and it's just flat out a joy to play...One of the few games that I can't help but smile and have fun when I'm playing...A true 3D platform/adventure masterpiece.

Quite possibly the most beautiful title we've seen on any home console...There are a few issues with a still unpolished camera scheme and unrefined ship physics. But in the end the play experience is damn near great, if a little short.

The best college football game ever made and has more replay value than you could ever hope for in a $50 purchase.

My weapon of choice is the PS2, mostly because of the Dual Shock 2, which I think is the perfect controller for THPS3...While the network play [of the PC version] is damn fun, I'm not sure if it's robust enough to warrant the $50.00-or-so expenditure.

With all of the plot twists and branching character paths, this is one game that you'll definitely want to play through after you finish...again and again and again...

While not perfect, Burnout Revenge is an excellent addition to the franchise. The game's track design is simply phenomenal, the break-neck speed is exhilarating and there are very, very few games on any current console that control, look or sound better than this.

Sega's NBA 2K basketball series is nearly the equivalent of EA's Madden-brand football franchise.

It's DK64's length that really sets it apart from any other competition in the genre. This is Rare's War and Peace, it's that simple.

The overall best first person shooter on the Dreamcast.

I can't wait for more Where's My Water? stages, which is the ultimate sign of a well-made puzzle game. iOS gamers that pick it up will have a ton of fun figuring out how to get Swampy clean level after level.

Addictive, fun, and fantastic, this one is a true demonstration of the power of Xbox. You couldn't ask for a more beautiful game, and you won't find a better rail shooter anywhere.

Part of what makes the main Portal experience so successful is that the game draws you in quickly, subtly creates a believable world with every new room and then begins to slowly draw back the curtain. Much like a fine malt liquor, Portal sneaks up on you.

Any way you look at it, Episode Two stands out, even among the Half-Life series, as something special. It may be shorter than the original, but it's a burly experience packed into roughly six hours or so that offers up all the diversity, level design, and thoughtful gameplay we've known while making sure to propel the story forward and leave us wanting more.

In an age when many games feel like clones of one another or are designed to be easy to beat, Braid sticks to its guns and delivers a rewarding and memorable experience that's definitely worth checking out. It's like an invigorating breath of fresh air, and proof that a handful of independent developers can create games that raise the bar for others.

The equal blend of game elements is superbly crafted, and I am honestly surprised at enjoyable the stealth and hand-to-hand combat really is. Still, if you consider around 12 hours of gameplay short, then Riddick is just that.

Everything from the battle system and the dungeons that you fight through to the social links you develop and friend interaction that you do on your "off hours" has been radically improved in this game.

While there are some updates to fielding and some enhancements to Franchise, Road to the Show and Online, some of issues cropped up within the game and kept it from becoming truly phenomenal. However, as a intermediate step towards MLB 10: The Show, this is definitely a game that baseball fans should buy.

Blast Corps never denies that it is primarily a video game, and that is very refreshing. A great first generation game that shows off Rare's potential and game-making skill.

The interface is much better implemented this time around...To make a long story short, Civ. III is a worthy heir for the franchise and a definite must have for any strategy gamer who doesn't want us to make fun of them.

Clearly the best wrestling game on the PlayStation and packing a feature set much larger and well-rounded than the original Smackdown.

This is a gem, a true gem. The animations will uncurl your socks, the depth and ingenuity of the Dynasty Mode will create a new summer obsession, and even diehard Sega fans (like myself) will question their allegiance.

By far the best skateboarding title around...I just don't think there's enough newness here for a casual Xbox gamer to drop another $50 so soon after buying "Tony Hawk 3" and we're still not playing the Hawkman online yet.

A fun football game that, flaws aside, focuses on improving gameplay to the next level. And my dear readers, that's what it's all about.

Halfbrick's most addictive game yet, surpassing the seminal Fruit Ninja. The semi-random (but still skill-based) jetpack gameplay is tuned to perfection. Joyride's bevy of extras give the jetpacking shenanigans an extra boost of purpose, keeping me coming back round after round.

Limbo is an incredible achievement. Very few games are as original, atmospheric, and consistently brilliant as Limbo.

With such smooth, realistic gameplay held together by truly astounding presentation – meaning Jay Z's intros, the series' dead-on perfect animations, and note-perfect commentary – it's hard not to love and appreciate NBA 2K13 if you have any affinity for pro basketball whatsoever.

Definitely worth the wait. The campaign is fantastic and the overall presentation is a sim fan's dream.

Mark of the Ninja illustrates how Xbox Live Arcade continues to be a breeding ground for some of today's most creative content. This is stealth done right, with the presentation prowess to match. It's easily a contender for Xbox Live Arcade Game of the Year and it absolutely deserves a place in your digital game collection.

The game doesn't advance the wider narrative very far, the new mechanics don't really add a great deal and the mission designs rarely explore new gameplay possibilities.

If you're not up for about four hours of BioWare cutting loose on everything from Shepard's "I should go" to Wrex's post-genophage sex life, avoid it.

The title oozes charm and style from the opening credits and the Wii additions truly enhance the experience.

N.O.V.A. 2 is a stunning shooter that should not be missed, especially if you were a fan of the original. Everything has been improved, from the inclusion of the monster mechs to the 10-player online matches that work without hiccups.

Super Meat Boy is one of the best modern platformers.

Chinatown Wars is outstanding. The story is great, the game itself is a blast, running drugs is a welcome addition, the new cop takedowns are cool, and there’s so much to do.

The shocking moments, the gruesome deaths, and the fun of playing through this experience again and again are what I took away from this one.

Retains the same fundamental play mechanics and mission rules that made the first a hit, but also one that improves upon just about every aspect of the original formula.

A solid football game, but there's no hiding from the fact that it wasn't specifically built to take advantage of the Xbox's capabilities. Because of this, I can't shake the feeling that this game isn't all that it could've been.

Combined with a fantastic battle system, great customization features, and wonderful visuals, Grandia II may have the same story all the RPG-world around, but it tells it with brilliant gameplay design and excellent style

Okami is one of the finest games to come out of Japan in the last decade, and Okami HD is absolutely the best way to experience this epic adventure.

A solid sequel. Three of the six modes are great fun, with the other three being at least serviceable. But this is a game and a series that is showing its age.

One of the best turn-based strategy games I've ever had the pleasure of playing. Whether teaming up with my friends for some multiplayer, or simply losing a whole night of sleep to the game's endlessly replayable single player, this is one game that any strategy enthusiast, or, hell anyone strat-curious should check out.

With an expertly balanced difficulty progression, dazzling level design and masterful Power-Ups, this is the ideal 3DS experience...As a whole, 3D Land is brilliant and addictive, and should do for 3D-enhanced platforming what the original Super Mario Bros. did for 2D platforming. If you own a 3DS system, you have no choice - you simply must own this game.

Human Revolution is a smart, rewarding piece of transhumanist noir that does justice not just to Deus Ex, but to the fiction that inspired it.

The absolute best aspect of XCOM is the sense that there's never enough time or resources to do everything that needs to be done.

Not only do the new controls respond quicker and with more precision than any dual-analog-helmed FPS ever created, but the gesture system works brilliantly, too. Meanwhile, the title delivers everything a Metroid fan could hope for, including spectacular environmental puzzles, epic boss fights and intense combat, all wrapped up in a package that spans multiple worlds and is filled with re-traversal exploration.

A must-have for any armchair pilot.

I even woke up one night with the revelation, "Oh, I know what I have to do here!" It's one of those pieces of software that gets under your skin in an addictive way. You have to collect those jiggys, you have to find all the secrets.

Winning Eleven 8's single-player Master League is enormously good fun, and with its expanded management tools and WE-Shop minigames, the game is easily worth $50. The one-on-one gameplay? Priceless.

A finely tuned, highly customizable, intensely exciting first-person console shooter...deep with choices, options, and tons of cheats, rewards, and bonuses.

ArenaNet has built one of the most exhaustively detailed and rewarding MMOs in existence, one that never unfairly penalizes and fosters an incredible urge to explore through a generous reward system and achingly pretty environment design.

So Forza 2 has brilliant physics, great customization options, and solid online play. So why isn't it earning greater esteem from IGN? As I said early on, a racing game is about more than just the cars. Much like its predecessor, Forza 2 lacks soul.

Buy it. Love it. And get to work making some of your very own Pushmo, because I want to play them.

This sequel doesn't feel quite as special as the original – the App Store is a much more mature games portal now – but iBlast Moki 2 still stands as an excellent puzzler.

I had just as much fun with the new iPad version as I did with the PC and console versions--perhaps even more so.

When you bundle together three games that people define as "classics," you expect an amazing product. The Metal Gear Solid Collection delivers that.

The game's clever design and meticulously well-thought out, considerate presentation are accentuated by innovative gameplay that professionally melds the genres of RPG and strategy into a completely interactive and lively world.