As an adventure game, UNS' pacing feels slow and forced, with the best parts (the bosses) at the end of a chapter. As a fighting game, UNS defies conventions by using an atypical third-person approach, but its execution feels a bit loose and sloppy. The beautiful visuals may attract a new audience outside of the Naruto brand -- but not many devout followers.

It's notable for not being just another dungeon- or trap-making game like other villain-centric games that would probably be better anyway. It's a collection of arcade sensibilities mixed with imaginative design you don't see too often anymore, outside of indie developer circles.

Sadly, once the conceptual veneer peels away, you'll be left only with hollow rattle of an empty aerosol can.

I would've liked to have seen more pizzazz and personality from the actual gameplay and questions (instead of just the silly avatars), and the game flow could've been streamlined considerably (I don't need between-round updates on the betting tendencies of A.I. opponents), but Wits & Wagers is a loose and enjoyable experience that fills a necessary gap on Xbox Live Arcade without significant monetary -- or mental -- investment.

A "solid" game: It works great on a technical level, and presents enough challenge to engage veteran players, but also enough on-screen direction and help to make it accessible to the game's younger audience -- it's just too long.

Even with its numerous imperfections, Blood Stone easily ranks as 007's strongest showing in a videogame since the original GoldenEye. Just try to keep some aspirin handy for the inevitable cellphone-induced headaches.

It doesn't feel like Guitar Hero. Sure, you get to press buttons in rhythm and watch an avatar bounce around the screen...but some major components are lost because of the platform. The DS certainly doesn't look or remotely feel like a guitar, and the songs -- though high quality -- just don't sound quite as awesome popping out over the system's tiny speakers.

Where Overkill will truly be divisive is in the narrative: some people will love the nonsensical, fast-paced story. But, with its constant stream of expletives and toilet humor, it may turn just as many people away. And as purposefully offensive as it is, I still enjoyed the game. The dialogue is strained, and the barrage of f-bombs is played out by the second level, but there are several genuinely funny moments.

Objectively, this first Watchmen episode is just an average brawler that looks fantastic at times, and has some good voice acting to boot.

It's kind of disappointing that a sequel that finally upgrades its character sprites would at the same time not move anything else up a level. And I would like more people to play and enjoy Disgaea games, because the fact is everyone is getting the best sequel until "Disgaea 5" comes out (probably). But it's a step forward that could have, for once, been a leap.

It's got a few design holes, but in part because of those, Lucidity presents a type of game you don't see very often.

At 800 Wii Points, some may not want to jump in, especially since Super Star Soldier on Virtual Console is 600 Points -- a "real" full-length shooter -- and the layout of its 2-Minute Mode level more or less provided the basis for Star Soldier R's first stage

Aficionados need not hesitate -- The Broken Bond presents the Naruto franchise in a largely engaging manner, with plenty to see and do in the campaign and via Xbox Live. It's a less definite prospect for newcomers, though, as the fan service and familiar scenarios go a long way toward masking the frustrations and limitations found within.

Considering the low price, multiple game modes, challenging single-player, level editor, and funky art style, Gravity Crash is nothing to give the high hat to.

So even though I had my share of frustrations playing through Monster Hunter, I can finally see what the big deal is...in Japan, at least.

If you can get past the controller and don't mind sustaining permanent hand injuries, Decades is a fun, short rhythm game.

These are wonderful, terrible songs, all, and the SingStar team has selected a great cross-section of music.

Savage 2 isn't perfect -- squads are semirandomized smatterings of players unable to communicate or coordinate fluidly as of this writing, and the game can be overwhelming to new players -- but its ambition is matched only by the amount of fun you'll have playing.

It's an enjoyable fighter even with its flaws, and it's a pleasing sidestep from Arc's edgy world of "Guilty Gear."

Still, the battle improvements, presentation polish, and overall cheeky vibe keep the single-player option well worth playing.

But even though the action can turn into a not-so satisfying grind (which really does kind of hurt the game's staying power), it's hard to ignore Kenka Bancho's charm. The presentation, including the rarely-serious dialogue throughout, and the complete pisstake on the rougher side of Japanese youth culture, is too good not to miss. When you let loose with that first menchi beam, you'll be hooked.

For all of Blade Kitten's low points, it pulls itself together nicely when it wants to show off.

Star Ocean contains an interesting plot buried in its depths, but it's incredibly demanding of your time and your patience. The long-winded, poorly conceived dialogue, and formulaic cut-scene, dungeon crawl, cut-scene, dungeon crawl design isn't getting any fresher. I still enjoyed the game and its comforting, monster-slaying grind, though.

A "solid" game: It works great on a technical level, and presents enough challenge to engage veteran players, but also enough on-screen direction and help to make it accessible to the game's younger audience -- it's just too long.

It looks fantastic as far as 3D games on DS go, and I'd rank it among the better loot treadmills currently available for the handheld. Just don't go in expecting a flawless -- or particularly modern -- experience.

Download it if you're a Disgaea fan looking for something to do on a long plane ride (and you've already played the PSP remakes) or a "novel" game fan looking for satisfaction on your PSP. Otherwise, NIS's latest attempt to expand the series is entirely missable.

Objectively, this first Watchmen episode is just an average brawler that looks fantastic at times, and has some good voice acting to boot.

Still, the big question remains: With Rock Band 2 coming to Wii in a matter of months, is this really the best time to ask people to buy a bunch of expensive peripherals that are on the verge of being bested by their next-gen counterparts? (While the first game's instruments will work with Rock Band 2, the sequel will come with new -- and improved -- peripherals.)