Spider-Man 2 is not perfect, but it's innovative, with some of the quickest and most fluid movement since Ninja Gaiden. If you like the character, this game will let you feel like him more than any previous title, and that in itself makes Spider-Man 2 a success.

It's easy to say that this is the best Resistance title, but it's also easy to say that it's not Insomniac's best game.

Gunstar Super Heroes is a superpowered orgy of 2D effects like you haven't seen since the golden age of video games, primarily on the Sega Genesis.

While Madden 07 does have a couple of great changes to its basic gameplay, it's beginning to feel like the same old game. It's a strong fundamental football game and lead blocker is a cool new feature, but it's not reinventing the wheel, like the passing cone was last year.

The carefully crafted setting, the intertwining of ingenious puzzles with a portly, gluttonous protagonist, makes this a terrific game that I wholeheartedly recommend you play immediately. [Grade = A+]

If only the Native American mysticism had figured in more. If only the spirit "death walk" had developed into something more than a shooting gallery. If only the voice acting and storytelling were a little better. If only there were more than just deathmatch to the multiplayer. All those half steps...but even combined, they don't amount to a stride backward.

Players who didn't voluntarily step off the train with "Hawk 4" or last year's "Underground" will find more to love here -- more new tricks, an even more streamlined system of goal selection, a ridiculous selection of goals to select, and levels that hurt to try and comprehend.

Altogether, the game spins an interesting tale, and though it might borrow some ideas a little heavily from certain other games, it implements them well.

It's a game designed to feed on your nostalgic memories of Final Fantasy VII, and in that regard, it never falters.

At its best, Darksiders plays like an interactive compilation of this console generation's most interesting game mechanics. At its worst, it's like sitting through a mediocre cover band as they fumble their way through your favorite tunes.

A must-play that'll dominate your PSP all summer long.

If it was a book you'd call it "a real page-turner"; it can be nigh-impossible at points to put down. When all is said and done, as the credits roll across the screen, you'll remember the poignant moments as part of the story, not the actions you took that caused them to be played out.

It's more than a repackaged oldie, and is about as accessible as it gets. Put this game on in a room full of people, and everyone is drawn to it, especially the people who don't think of themselves as "gamers." That makes it legitimately something for everyone.

A consequence of this darker approach is that that game loses part of what made The Sands of Time unique. Instead of a charming and almost silly character like we saw previously, the Prince here is more one-dimensional.

It can provide a major freshening up for anyone who's already put serious time into the game. That's not a bad deal for eight bucks.

Rogue Galaxy does a lot of things very well, and it's an enjoyable, recommended RPG trip. But in the end, it feels like it's missing the intangibles that make up a true masterpiece.

I just hope that Sucker Punch can take the combat/traversal/power mechanics of this game, and then apply the pacing, storytelling, and flow of the previous game, to then create an utterly fantastic open-world superhero action game.

This is the type of game you can play to pass the time on the morning commute, while watching TV, or waiting in line for your husband to buy power tools. Touching is good, play well with others, etc. -- Nintendogs is a unique game that brings something new to the DS.

Slightly flawed in some spots -- its Career mode, for example, is a pyramid of increasingly challenging events rather than a glimpse into a racer's life -- DiRT is nevertheless a big, beautiful game that goes places previous McRaes have not. It's quite simply one of the finest driving-centric titles to hit the still-new PS3 world.

With a thumping sound and sudden cloud of dust, grenades erase whole sections of houses. Bullets, however, stop dead in the thinnest wood slat. But what Bad Company needs isn't a trip to a real-life firing range -- it's its inflexible A.I. that requires the lessons.

You could easily fill an entire review with the grocery list of games from which Outland cribs its gameplay elements -- Ubisoft's own marketing specifically calls out Ikaruga and Prince of Persia as "inspirations," for heaven's sake. But doing so seems unnecessarily reductive to me, because Outland manages to take those "inspirations" and create something that feels like genuine innovation.

You might die a little too easily at times, but with such a short campaign, and puzzles that are easy to figure out (if sometimes are hard to pull off) AYIM's is an indie game worth owning on Wii.

It lacks the eye-popping unpredictability of its predecessors. And fumbling to conform to some of the more arcane controller positions can take you right out of the game. Despite these modest shortcomings, though, WarioWare should be a welcome addition to any Wii library.

Even without multiplayer, Torchlight makes for a remarkably entertaining 10 to 15 hours, with plenty more custom content to come thanks to the powerful game editor TorchED, which you can download free of charge. Even if you aren't waiting impatiently for Diablo III, Torchlight's a great value at a mere $20.

I don't know that I'd necessarily recommend London Life as a standalone release, but as a freebie with a solid story-driven puzzler it's a no-brainer. In fact, the question of whether or not The Last Specter is worth a purchase is the easiest Layton puzzle answer of all.

This is the type of game you can play to pass the time on the morning commute, while watching TV, or waiting in line for your husband to buy power tools. Touching is good, play well with others, etc. -- Nintendogs is a unique game that brings something new to the DS.

As a current-gen game it's stunning. The Xbox version is notably impressive, and even moreso when you see it side-by-side with its sibling on 360.

While the 360 version of NCAA Football 08 is finally a BCS bowl contender (after two limp seasons), the PS2 incarnation continues its steady march as the USC of last gen -- it's consistently dominant.

This is likely where Papyrus would be, had the company survived -- and that says a ton.

2010 FIFA World Cup is one of the best sporting simulations I've ever played

The swordplay feels so fast, fun, and addictive that you'll unfortunately feel tempted to breeze through Ryu's adventure in record time: Don't be surprised if you've lacerated your way to the game's conclusion in five or six hours.

The amount of mileage Nintendo squeezes out of Rhythm Heaven Fever's two-button gameplay is remarkable.

The year of development shaped Rise of Kunark into an admirable expansion. Even though PVP content is largely ignored and midrange characters will level elsewhere, it's apparent that SOE's finally hatched an add-on that puts a shine on the entire game.

The level changes remove the garbage found in Gaiden 2, while creating an almost new experience, and the Team Mission mode introduces thoughtful, meaningful ways to test your skills. Any doubts about whether Team Ninja could succeed without their former boss now sit on shaky ground -- the developer seems to be thriving.

Between its genuinely clever elements and its preposterously over-the-top ridiculousness, Square Enix and TOSE have crafted a spin-off that captures the appeal of the source material in an amusing and unique way.

While Contra 4 doesn't necessarily improve on the respected series template, it's unquestionably a return to form, likely to sate rabid fans while simultaneously terrorizing unprepared newbies.

Rhythm Heaven does its job with style and aplomb, but anyone who's played the GBA original knows that the concept has been done better. No one who enjoys pure fun should miss out on this game...but once you've had your fill, be sure to track down a copy of the GBA original for an even better time.

Despite the minor qualms I might have, Puzzle Quest 2 is still a very good game.

Stacking proves that lively character and set designs, catchy music, and clever writing are far more important in making a good game than simply simply adding filler to extend the quantity of gameplay hours.

The conversion from Super NES to GBA is rock-solid, and American gamers who are only familiar with this "lost" classic from its shoddy PlayStation repackaging will be pleasantly surprised at how incredibly fast this game is.

It's a great feeling seeing something you shoot explode into tons of little chunks (which looks similar to when buildings explode in "Return of the King" -- another EA blockbuster title), and some of the racing scenes define the word "epic."

It's unfortunate that we'll probably never see what was originally intended to evolve out of Tribes 2...Vengeance is still a worthy heir to the throne, though, and it may convert more players to the Tribes style of online action than either of its predecessors managed.

All 13 of the game's missions are well crafted and challenging, but after four iterations of this series, I felt a need for a new challenge.

An exceptional game despite that one controversial decision, and is still an experience that guarantees hours of fun and enjoyment.

The second way the songs are better is how they're played. The notes and chords are laid out in natural and engaging patterns that make sense musically and with the way your hands are moving.

If anything, Alan Wake reminds me of the first Uncharted. It is a great, but flawed work (hello ugly daylight, quirky animations, and a script that mocks the viewer even more than Lost or Twin Peaks) that lays the foundation for what could be an absolutely amazing follow-up. I just hope it doesn't take another five or six years.

The main problem is that it doesn't feel like it was poorly designed, but that simple things were simply forgotten. But really, those things don't make the story any less entertaining, the rock god theme less enjoyable, nor the characters' well-animated faces less expressive. And with long practice and good friends, the multiplayer can be incredibly rewarding.

Evolution evolves the series, and it does so wonderfully. I suspect a future follow-up will involve a complete overhaul, but until then, GTR Evolution -- and Nordschleife in particular -- is where every good driver should be.

More than enough fun to last through the main story -- especially if you bring a couple friends -- but whether you'll be returning to it again and again over the course of months is dependent largely on your superhero obsession and tolerance for repetition.

Among the deluge of E-rated minigame collections targeted at the casual market, Bully provides a welcome breath of fresh air for a more hardcore Wii audience.

On any platform, though, this is the best 3D fighter of the year (and the best urban fashion simulator of any year, if that means anything).

In the end, I'd say Dark Hero Days is mildly recommendable, but with a huge caveat: It's a decent Disgaea... just not anywhere close to the best Disgaea.

After years of online fumbles by developer EA Tiburon, our annual war cry for an online dynasty mode has been answered. Not only is NCAA Football 09's most impressive innovation brilliantly seamless, but it's full-featured as well (from recruiting and scheduling to talking sure-fire pros into staying on an extra season).

The notion of hopping into an X-Wing, shooting down a flight of TIE fighters and then boarding an enemy Star Destroyer to disable its shields is one that has been deeply rooted in many a Gen X'ers mind. This is now possible, and while space combat is not as refined or complex as say X-Wing Alliance, it opens up the game beyond ground-based combat.

What really makes Colonization a classic turn-based game is the amount of distinct character. This isn't just a Civ 4 mod; it's its own beast, with its own rules and its own sense of charm and history, carved out of a New World brimming with native settlements, tobacco, and furs, waiting for your people -- people, mind you! -- to conquer it, plunder it, and/or cultivate it.

The less-technically apt Wii version ends up being the game to move the franchise forward.

This is the type of game you can play to pass the time on the morning commute, while watching TV, or waiting in line for your husband to buy power tools. Touching is good, play well with others, etc. -- Nintendogs is a unique game that brings something new to the DS.

Remarkably well-honed-arguably Paradox's finest achievement in the form to date.

A consequence of this darker approach is that that game loses part of what made The Sands of Time unique. Instead of a charming and almost silly character like we saw previously, the Prince here is more one-dimensional.

It's the kind of balls-out platforming design I'll eat by the spoonful, without any of the nagging at the back of my head that I should be beating the rest of my Xbox Live friends' times instead of just having fun...It's punishing, but still so strangely addictive.

Want to talk about a wild card? There's an argument to be made that this is the best baseball game on the market, including the sharp MLB 2K7 on new gen. Really, it feels like baseball, which is a beautiful thing.

Maybe it's the spot-on humor based on the industry I work in, or perhaps just accumulated experience from the earlier episodes, but whatever the reason, 8-Bit Is Enough certainly embodies the maxim of saving the best for last. Well, until the assumedly in-the-works second season rolls around.

But beyond the 40-50 hour main story, Platinum offers plenty to keep the game going long after you've collected all the badges.

It's tough for me to complain too much in the face of what is really a well thought out sequel that takes full advantage of the PSP though.

Every robot smashed feels satisfying, and it captures the feeling of being "in the zone" while wading knee-deep in enemies better than any other Stylish Hard Action game has yet -- all while being challenging, but still possible.

The sheer quantity of content here astounds: Underground's timer-less Story mode, the original-style Classic mode, robust editing options (including the ability to map a mug shot from the memory stick to your created character's head), and requisite Wi-Fi play.

What really brings the story to life is Odin Sphere's brilliant, flowing script, which is almost Shakespearean in places. Combined with the gorgeous art, the eloquent dialogue really cements the illusion that you're playing an animated fairy tale. I can't stress enough how important this is.

Flat out, this is an amazing shooter. You can fight through over 50 levels, upgrade your weapons, take control of enemies, recruit enemies to help you fight, drive different types of tanks, and a lot more -- think "Ratchet & Clank" fused with "Halo."

Creativity often thrives under the most severe limitations, and those who relish the opportunity to entertain others (or even just themselves) in videogame form will love WarioWare D.I.Y. It provides a detailed yet streamlined mechanism for creativity, meaning the challenge is in coming up with creative ideas rather than wrestling with the interface.

Wipeout fans will also totally dig the game's stats and achievements as well as its team-loyalty program, which gives you points for continually competing with a certain racing team. At every turn there's something more for fans to truly dive in and obsess over.

For the first time ever, Lara Croft controls fluidly -- her world isn't divided into little squares, and she can perform complex series of acrobatic maneuvers without a pause (and often has to, later in the game).

Though a great overall package that packs a lot value, Vegas 2 is probably best characterized as a glorious example of fan service. Though not necessary, familiarity with the previous game adds tremendously to the overall experience, and many of the enhancements are direct responses to the very vocal and passionate community that plays online regularly.

If you haven't already picked up this surprise summer hit for console, the PC version offers enough content at an excellent price to make this a purchase you definitely won't regret.

A terrific action-RPG that serves as an example of what a sequel ought to be. It's better than the original, absorbing and well balanced with enough challenge and variety to keep you busy for the 20-plus hours you'll need to get through it.

The more you invest yourself, the more surprised you'll be at exactly what you can accomplish with this innovative, groundbreaking piece of software. Keyboard? DJ tool? Game? It's all of these things.

As it stands, Race Driver 3 suffers from too much variety and not enough substance.

The selection of jams, from Pitbull's "Calle Ocho" to M.I.A.'s "Galang '05", are all bootie-bouncing material. The range of dance routines vary considerably and feel legit -- I'd feel comfortable doing "the jerk" at a club.

On its own merits (which we're reviewing it on), Rock Band on PS2 is a fundamentally excellent rhythm game that simply lacks the variety and presentational polish of Harmonix's previous work. Compared to its PS3 and 360 versions, it comes up surprisingly short.

I'd actually prefer a minigolf version of this series on the handheld systems. Maybe that would get me worked up about a relaxing round of Hot Shots again.

SingStar isn't a revolutionary game -- you're still just performing karaoke on your PlayStation. But uploading silly videos and watching other people's creations really adds a new dimension; it gives you what every karaoke star wants the most: an audience.

This is clearly the best-playing FIFA game ever made, but that merely puts it above some of the most average-playing soccer games ever made. Even with the improvements, the game remains far too simple tactically.

Those expecting a wildly different gameplay experience will be disappointed. Those who expect to play City of Heroes with a darker setting, evil looking characters and a meaner narrative will love it. It's good to be bad.

The real appeal of Cave Story 3D is a chance to see Pixel's low-rez world rendered in elaborate detail.

In the end, this is by far the cream of the baseball handheld crop this season. The animations are smooth, the players look great, and the innovation -- particularly online -- is to be applauded.

As an expansion of the Dead Space universe, it provides necessary sustenance for Dead Space fans, and a fun introduction for newcomers. The game avoids treating the Wii as a gimmick, incorporating a minimum amount of waggle -- except for when you need to brush off an enemy or activate your Glow Worm (for some reason, in this future nobody has a flashlight, but there are plenty of glow sticks).

NBA 2K10 is an excellent basketball game that's full of nagging technical problems. It's a shame that some players probably won't be able to look past the inconsistent frame rate, online issues, and A.I. quirks, because NBA 2K10 does many things very, very well.

The most enjoyable aspect of this game is actually playing basketball. As such, the in-game animations are jaw-droppingly entertaining!

The promise of a portable and blockbuster RE is mostly realized, and the control improvements and sense of scale translate effectively, but I sincerely hope Capcom chooses to skew from RE's cheesy past and make more memorable adventures moving forward.

If X-Scape's '80s style and immersive first-person gameplay catches your eye, then there's a damn good chance you'll love this throwback adventure. It's easily one of the most unique titles exclusively available for the DSi.

I'm hoarse because roughly three-quarters of the tracks are complicated tunes that require impressive vocal acrobatics and extensive falsetto, which is torture for someone who normally sings in the baritone range.

You'll enjoy this clever platformer, but only in short spurts.

Lackluster side-content notwithstanding, Saints Row: The Third is so crazy and over-the-top that you can't go wrong with this game -- provided that you're the sort that would appreciate the game's knowingly juvenile sense of humor.

Tiger 09 is remarkably improved across the board.

The campaign is terrific on any difficulty level, and there's always multiplayer if you need go get your base building freak on. Act of War is a heck of a package that will please any self-respecting RTS enthusiast.

A so-called sequel that doesn't really look or feel much different from the last one. However, that just means it fits perfectly on DSiWare, where casual, quick-hit software is the focus. And regardless, there are plenty of new, fun levels.

If you hated the original, Trouble in Paradise isn't going to change your opinion. If, however, you somehow missed out completely on the piñata party the first time around, I implore you to check it out now -- it's certainly much deeper and more addictive than its playful visuals would lead you to believe.

But all transgressions are forgiven once you make it to Episode 5's finale -- a surprising, sparse, and spot-on little jaunt into "Reality 1.5" that'll likely stand as the series' landmark moment once it's bundled into a season.

2010 FIFA World Cup is one of the best sporting simulations I've ever played.