My only real complaints are that some single-player missions feel a little too simple and the game engine occasionally stutters even when you're not playing online.

Though it certainly isn't without its flaws, Defiance stands as a solid title that fans of "Devil May Cry" and even the recent "Castlevania: Lament of Innocence" should have plenty of fun with.

There's still a little bit of a tired feeling, even when you're having fun. What seems to be at the root of this problem is the game's story. The further in you get, the more plot holes open, until by the end of the game you have the nagging suspicion that none of this makes very much sense.

In short, it's your typical platformer -- with all the good and bad connotations that term holds...It's just not very engaging.

Legends of Aranna isn't radically different! Who'd a thought an expansion pack would actually just expand the original game and be done with it!?!

Everything that "Ratchet & Clank" did, Going Commando does better, and the tweaks and additions just push it further over the top.

I was so frustrated at the game, the entire experience was comically agonizing, sort of like a newer Martin Short "film" that tries to be funny but winds up being hilarious for all the wrong reasons.

A competent strategy RPG that sadly doesn't push the genre in any significant way.

Though it certainly isn't without its flaws, Defiance stands as a solid title that fans of "Devil May Cry" and even the recent "Castlevania: Lament of Innocence" should have plenty of fun with.

In short, it's your typical platformer -- with all the good and bad connotations that term holds...It's just not very engaging.

"Ico" with good combat and witty dialogue...I haven't played a better game all year.

In short, it's your typical platformer -- with all the good and bad connotations that term holds...It's just not very engaging, no matter how familiar you are with the source material.

Not to self: some interesting concepts and lot of technically outstanding mechanics don't make for a good title when delivered improperly.

What "Made in Wario" makes drastically evident is just how slow-paced Mario Party 5 is.

If you have any sort of good taste in games whatsoever, please do not buy this game -- instead, have someone else buy it, laugh at him, and then make fun of the title together over a Sunday afternoon. It's a short game, besides.

A kinder control and save system would've been nice, but as is, Gladiator will test the limits of your gaming patience.

Minor camera issues aside, Return of the King is a refreshing example of competent licensing melded with the hack'n'slashery we all know and love.

Minor camera issues aside, Return of the King is a refreshing example of competent licensing melded with the hack'n'slashery we all know and love. It's even got me psyched for a movie I couldn't have cared less about a week ago, and I think that's saying something.

It's mild, tame, and exactly what you'd expect from the genre and a title trying to capitalize off of a prominent license: more of the same. Though not broken or particularly bad, this one is clearly middle of the road material.

There's not enough variety to keep you playing through everything EA's set up for you. You'll be addicted to the game for a short while when you go through with your first character, but after that, the novelty of building up medieval superheroes starts to wear extremely thin.

The best enhancement for high-end gamers, though, is progressive-scan support. If you've got an HDTV-compatible set, make sure your Xbox has 480p widescreen mode on -- in this mode, the Xbox ports are without the doubt the prettiest GTA experience you'll get on a console.

A kinder control and save system would've been nice, but as is, Gladiator will test the limits of your gaming patience.

The core of the game is based on this frenetic, nonstop action that propels you from one area to the next, and it is this same sense of mayhem-driven progress that can allow a non-fan like myself to have such a good time.

I couldn't bring myself to dislike this game, and even had more fun with it than certain other Xbox games of the recent past. And if I liked it, even a little bit, who knows if it won't be an even bigger hit with the people it was meant for?

The core of the game is based on this frenetic, nonstop action that propels you from one area to the next, and it is this same sense of mayhem-driven progress that can allow a non-fan like myself to have such a good time.

You won't spend as much time with True Crime, but that time will be spent enjoying nicer visuals and a very deep story experience, as opposed to flipping cars across parking garages.

You won't spend as much time with True Crime, but that time will be spent enjoying nicer visuals and a very deep story experience, as opposed to flipping cars across parking garages.

You won't spend as much time with True Crime, but that time will be spent enjoying nicer visuals and a very deep story experience, as opposed to flipping cars across parking garages.