For all its flaws this one's still fun for a short kickaround, but in the end it's really nothing more than a softcore novelty.

For all its flaws this one's still fun for a short kickaround, but in the end it's really nothing more than a softcore novelty.

Even if 90 percent of the monsters you use said spells against are giant snails, battles are much more interesting than just tapping away at the X button over and over.

I can see anyone coming back to this again and again over the next few years, and that's more than enough to justify the peanuts they're asking for Audiosurf.

The game mechanics are still what you'd expect from this type of strategy game (meaning they work). It's only hampered by slow, slightly cumbersome controls, the occasional viewpoint problems of a 2D-game-in-a-3D-world environment, and some of the most sadistic Achievements seen in a downloadable Xbox Live Arcade game.

Rent it to scoff at the absurdities, and play through it with a friend for some fun co-op.

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.

Of all the painful aspects of Dark Messiah, the bulk of the problems lie with the controls. It feels like you're moving through a bowl of thick, hearty pea soup; simply walking through the game is exhausting.

Sticking unwanted attitude onto a couple of characters doesn't create empathy -- developers should've learned that from the '90s.

The visuals aren't just crude, they're abysmal -- plenty of PlayStation 2 games offer graphics that outclass what's on display here. And in terms of pure content, this game offers so unbelievably little -- you can trudge through the whole thing in roughly two hours -- that it's nearly incomprehensible that this sits on the same shelf (with the same asking price, no less) as "Devil May Cry 4."

Penumbra: Black Plague combines puzzles and horror to create a game that is probably unlike anything you've played. It's a little bit like a brain-training game, only between lessons you fray your nerves (in a good way) as you jump and pause at every little noise.

If Sakaguchi intends to turn Lost Odyssey into a franchise -- and all indications are that he does -- I'd like to see these refreshingly adult themes expanded on further in future titles.

And with a game this entertaining, that transcends demographics so stylishly, that offers such addictive just-one-more challenge -- well, the only real puzzle here is why anyone wouldn't want to give it a go.

From the cleverly designed puzzles to the ability to speed up or slow down the scrolling of the cards at will, every part of this game feels painstakingly adjusted for maximum enjoyment.

No, it's not going to go head-to-head with the onslaught of great FPSes we saw at the end of last year (though its slick, well-designed, robust multiplayer should give it some legs). But the unusual premise, solid writing, and nicely varied play make it worth a look for shooter fans looking for that next fix.

No, it's not going to go head-to-head with the onslaught of great FPSes we saw at the end of last year (though its slick, well-designed, robust multiplayer should give it some legs). But the unusual premise, solid writing, and nicely varied play make it worth a look for shooter fans looking for that next fix.

It doesn't do anything you haven't seen before in an Xbox Live Arcade title, but that doesn't mean you won't get your money's worth in content and downright clever, addictive design. In reality it's a second chance for an unreceptive Western audience, but card nerds know it for what it really is: a second coming.

Its gorgeous trappings, addictive combat, and well-balanced difficulty make it the most satisfying DMC in years, and Dante's such a killer character that you'll actually want to tackle the game on a tougher difficulty in order to fully explore his amazing arsenal.

Its gorgeous trappings, addictive combat, and well-balanced difficulty make it the most satisfying DMC in years, and Dante's such a killer character that you'll actually want to tackle the game on a tougher difficulty in order to fully explore his amazing arsenal.

The Spiderwick Chronicles is a standard licensed game -- it's got just enough content to make a virtual reenactment of the Human/Goblin war worthwhile for fans of the franchise.

The Spiderwick Chronicles is a standard licensed game -- it's got just enough content to make a virtual reenactment of the Human/Goblin war worthwhile for fans of the franchise.

The Spiderwick Chronicles is a standard licensed game -- it's got just enough content to make a virtual reenactment of the Human/Goblin war worthwhile for fans of the franchise.

The combat is too difficult for young fans of the books to enjoy, but the adventure lacks the depth that experienced gamers crave. Because of that, it's impossible to recommend this game to anyone.

The visuals are charming, the sound is muteable, and figuring out how to efficiently use your controlled arsenal is great, but for a game that's all about logically thinking out plans, we could have done without the unpredictability.

Much like Altair himself, Assassin's Creed for the DS is an unlikable mess.

Twisted Metal fans who haven't already picked up Head-On for the PSP should do so now, and potential double-dippers should consider the improved controls, the five new levels (which are all pretty good), and fewer technical hurdles for multiplayer.

Real-time battles aside, Rise to Power is a surprisingly good strategy game for the PS2. Its extremely steep learning curve will limit its appeal, but it's a rewarding experience for those with the patience to learn the game's nuances. And with the sheer amount of replayability it offers, you get a lot of bang for your buck.

While games like "Medieval II" have tried to marry the tenets of Civilization and StarCraft, Sins is the first game to successfully do so without storing them in separate compartments.