If the recent overabundance of WWII-themed RTS games and the lack of multiplayer do not bother you, pick up this game. A good single-player campaign is a rarity these days.

If Saw were a scary game, we would have given it a free pass for clumsy action and silly endings. Alas, there is nothing to be afraid of in the dark. After a couple of rooms, you’ll be ready for anything.

Frequent boss fights, excellent cinematics and great animation keep you glued to the screen for the first thirty minutes. Alas, oversized bugs which use the same attacks over and over, tiresome QTE sequences, useless combos and weapon upgrades will get under your skin.

Only the most patient players will get to the meaty parts of the game. Fort Zombie is a textbook example of a squandered potential.

Puritas Cordas is a big fat zero that some people will, unfortunately, use an example for imitation.

Funny and boring, exciting and annoying, beautiful and ugly, The Ballad of Gay Tony is as dissonant as the strange relationship between Louis and Tony. But still, Rockstar North is head and shoulders above its competitors.

Outdated visuals, sloppy innovations, dead multiplayer… no, that’s not the way to continue a great series.

Outdated visuals, sloppy innovations, dead multiplayer… no, that’s not the way to continue a great series.

You can’t deny the fact: Torchlight is a Diablo clone to the backbone. It lacks imagination and fresh ideas, but it’s a clone done well, with extra care for people’s time and nerves. And that’s worth a lot.

Glitchy scripts, three-minute loading times, broken saves, crashes to desktop and the abundance of blur make this game a nerve-wracking challenge.

Borderlands is as empty as eye sockets of bodies “adorning” bandit camps. Gearbox chose the silliest approach to game design: made a bunch of same-looking levels, where colored explosive barrels are the only interactive objects, placed quest-giving NPCs made out of cardboard, and churned out lots of “fetch/kill” missions. Borderlands has only one active ability per class and no character stats, while skills increase automatically as you use different weapons. Imagine Diablo 2 where Barbarian is limited to just “Bash” or “Leap.”

The makers of Tropico 3 managed to update the original game while preserving its spirit.

Chinatown Wars is not an evolution, but a step back. The same city, the same gameplay, the almost forgotten top-down camera angle, cardboard clichés starring as main characters. This is the first GTA game that I didn’t want to explore.

Duels of the Planeswalkers (which bears the same title as the 11-year old expansion to MicroProse’s adaptation of M:TG) is a neat, albeit simplified, adaptation of the classic game.

It's fun to freely explore the gloomy city now that Amanita Design got rid of their bite-sized locations. This is a full-fledged, mature adventure game. Hang around just for a minute, and you'll take a liking to this odd-looking world.

If only Brutal Legend's gameplay was as imaginative as its cool look! Try not to fall into a rut of side-missions spread over 64 square kilometers, and you’ll enjoy the short single-player campaign. And yet, Shafer & Co. can do much better than this. Just ask Ben, Manny, or Raz.

If only Brutal Legend's gameplay was as imaginative as its cool look! Try not to fall into a rut of side-missions spread over 64 square kilometers, and you’ll enjoy the short single-player campaign. And yet, Shafer & Co. can do much better than this. Just ask Ben, Manny, or Raz.

Uncharted 2 is a blockbuster made with passion. The best ten hours you'll spend sitting in front of the TV in 2009.

Half-Minute Hero is brilliant parody of genre clichés, sped up 10000 times. It will take you just a couple of tram stops to save the world twice, break the analog nub, and learn to value time.

Try as they might, none can’t clear the bar that was set by Painkiller. Left to its own devices, without People Can Fly’s support, Mindware Studios created but a pale imitation. Some people can’t fly, indeed.

Dragon Rising has enough silly conventions and simplifications to drive mad any die-hard fan of ArmA and the original Operation Flashpoint. On the other hand, its boring missions and poor multiplayer are a turn-off for those who just wants to shoot things. Releasing this game between ArmA 2 and Modern Warfare 2 is like spitting upwind.

It’s easier to escape death in a hyperdrive and chop twenty tons of scrap metal with a lightsaber than overcome boredom and finish Republic Heroes.

There are no gods in Risen – a powerful sorcerer banished them from the world forever, - but the hero still can’t escape his fate. German demiurges strapped him to the pillar of the story so tight that you can’t help but wonder if anyone at Piranha Bytes remembers what “role-playing” means. A game where all problems are solved by kicking butts and giving money is not an RPG. When the difference between working for bandits or the Inquisition in Harbor Town is to whom you report the completed tasks – it is not an RPG. It is laziness, harbinger of boredom.

It takes a couple of hours to unlock all three available maps, but you’ll have to spend way more time to reach the highest rank. If you won’t fall asleep, that is.

MotorStorm: Arctic Edge is not without its flaws: the tracks will bore you sooner or later, some vehicles behave too similarly, the upgrades are purely cosmetic, objectives and modes are few and far between. But BigBig succeeded in conveying the excitement of an extreme snow race, while maintaining nice visuals and the freedom of MotorStorm.

Order of War doesn’t require superhuman reflexes, leaving you enough time to plan your strategy, type a message in the text chat window, play about with the “cinematic camera” and so on. It looks like nobody at Wargaming believed in the multiplayer mode, but in the end it is more compelling than the single-player campaigns. All in all, Order of War is an outlet for experienced players and an object of derision for juvenile “hardcore gamers”.

New Mombasa's burning skyscrapers, neon signs and omnipresent, almost palpable curls of smoke add a sense of style and depth to the visuals. Somber piano and unexpected saxophone solos feel like this is not science fiction, but a film noir. Unfortunately, as soon as we jump into a flashback, the magic is gone. The levels withered by the African sun are a parade of the old flaws. As this short, 6-7 hours tops, draws to its end, Bungie resorts to its old tricks – unhealthy gigantism and “copy/paste” - more often.

By copying the original game, 1C: Ino-Co preserved its charm, but exposed its flaws. In 2000, they were excusable; in 2009, they are depressing.

A compelling cooperative mode instead of a brainless mayhem is what Madballs needs. But even in the current form, it is way ahead of its rivals.

Geo-Mod 2.0, were it to fall into talented hands, could have given birth to a puzzle game not unlike Portal. For the sight of a high-rise building collapsing under its weight is the only thing that doesn’t get stale in Guerrilla. It’s entertaining even when feeble story and miles of boring rocky landscapes are firmly stuck in your throat and the sand from “sandbox” crunches under your teeth.

Rocksteady and Paul Dini created a game which is open for both fans and those who never heard of Batman. Arkham Asylum is the middle between animated series and Chris Nolan's movies. But don't let the "Teen" rating push you away: the gloomy hospital/prison where criminals are literally monsters and doctors are crazier than their patients, is more atmospheric than some "horror" flicks.

Shift plays to the gallery perhaps even more often than GRID. But when 16 glossy black Lamborghini Reventions, not yet spread along the track, are trying to squeeze into a narrow S-curve, high speed blurring the view, mixing dust with sun rays, and the driver is looking at the road from the incredibly detailed inside of a car… At this moment, you forget that crashes are unrealistic and that race will be over in just a few minutes. And let the theorists decide whether it is NFS or not.

Those who wait for the WWII version of Total War, are out of luck again.

Developers of family games often do hackwork and resort to oversimplification. IO Interactive didn’t succumb to temptation and made a game that stands head and shoulders above its rivals.

If it weren't for sci-fi elements, Darkest of Days would be indistinguishable from History Channel's Civil War shooters, although this game covers a wider period. Scenery changes, extras don different uniforms, but the lack of imagination is everywhere.

Some people mockingly compare Raven Squad with Company of Heroes and Call of Duty. I prefer to compare it with Stormrise. These games belong to different genres but share the same approach: invent an original gameplay concept and… bungle it completely.

If TimeGate Studios had a desire (time, money, talent), here’s what it could have done to turn Section 8 into a proper game: expand its story, make a single-player campaign a la Tribes: Vengeance instead of a humdrum tutorial, improve visuals, introduce additional gameplay modes, add vehicles and destructible objects. Unfortunately, the final game is just an empty shell.

Nation Red is not as simplistic as Legion of Man, DiezelPower’s previous creation, but it’s still dull and unimpressive.

Dated look and tired “twists” of the barely noticeable story fail to impress. Wolfenstein is a true mediocrity in all regards – it has neither shameful slip-ups nor flashes of inspiration.

Routine – this word sums up everything about Windchaser. Veni, vidi, kill everything that moves. Rinse and repeat three thousand times.

The second installment of Still Life turned this stylish, inventive thriller into an affected teen horror movie.

Hearts of Iron 3 treats die-hard “armchair generals” with depth and attention to detail while easing things up for newcomers. Its shortcomings, namely bugs and poor optimization, pale in comparison with its many virtues.

Mothership Zeta is not as shabby as Operation: Anchorage, but it still not worth neither money, nor time.

PopCap had two and a half years to develop ideas of the original game (it wouldn’t have hurt to up the resolution to at least 1280x720) while keeping the spirit and style. Nevertheless, despite its lack of imagination, Bookworm Adventures Volume 2 is a welcome relief in an endless crowd of “hidden objects” and “match-3” games.

Gloomy cinematics promise trying ordeals, preparing us for something big and shocking. But then the end titles suddenly roll, and we are left with nothing. Oh yes, there are sacrifices, machinations, and mysteries, but they are so predictable that you can't help but sigh in disappointment.

It’s hard to see why they ask money for this one. If you want to swing a baseball bat as Rorschach, save yourself $15 and just buy Part I.

Here is hoping that modifications and patches will turn East India Company into a good, captivating game, because right now it is shallow, vapid and monotonous if you’re not a venturesome sailor.

If you can forgive plot holes, awkward save system and unstable multiplayer, you will enjoy Bionic Commando.

G-Force lacks in character and originality, but gadgets, robomonsters and nice little details make up for a nice pastime.

Despite the amazing scope and intensity of the battles (during the Omaha Beach offensive I’ve burnt 750 German tanks and killed 17500 soldiers), there will come an inevitable moment when Officers becomes boring and turns into Blitzkrieg 2 on steroids.

Battlefield 1943 is the best multiplayer shooter for XBLA and PSN, but only by virtue of having no formidable competitors, except for the crippled CellFactor: Psychokinetic Wars.

Battlefield 1943 is the best multiplayer shooter for XBLA and PSN, but only by virtue of having no formidable competitors, except for the crippled CellFactor: Psychokinetic Wars.

The atmosphere of ArmA 2 reminds of now-classic Operation Flashpoint. Dirty streets, shabby signboards in Russian, ugly Soviet-style architecture – you can see this in any real provincial town in Russia. The volume of work is astounding, but the potential hit is marred by flaws and rough edges, in both single-player and online modes.

Everything here is so Monkey Island, so classic LucasArts. Telltale not only resurrected an old series, but also proved that none of the recent imitators will ever become Monkey Island.

A nice reincarnation of The Lost Vikings. But, as opposed to the “lost” runner Erik, archer Baleog, and sturdy Olaf, the three heroes of Trine are imprisoned in one body.

Street Fighter 4 is definitely the best fighting game on PC since Guilty Gear #XX Reload. (Which is kind of ironic, because other offerings on this platform are shareware titles and certified trash.) However, the stagnation in the genre does not depreciate Capcom’s merits. Street Fighter 4 is a fast, beautiful game with an intricate combat system and a great soundtrack.

Get ready to fly on brooms, mix reagents in a pot and swing the magic wand… Until you yawn.

Get ready to fly on brooms, mix reagents in a pot and swing the magic wand… Until you yawn.

Get ready to fly on brooms, mix reagents in a pot and swing the magic wand… Until you yawn.

Looks like Bound in Blood is bound for the bargain bin. The six-hour single-player campaign and stock multiplayer modes are so forgettable that one can’t help but wonder what a true sequel to the original Call of Juarez could have been like. At any rate, it would have turned out better than a forced prequel.

There is a reason for comparisons between Rise of Flight and the legendary IL-2 Sturmovik. Rise of Flight is truly a good game. Now all it needs to do is to use its potential.

All you need to know about the second Transformers: The Game is that it is a humdrum, lifeless thing.

Ten thousand square kilometers of crushing solitude. You drive on a track poorly lit by a full moon, and you desperately long for something interesting to happen. But no, there are no surprises at all.

The original game allowed us to be a selfless do-gooder; now our actions are determined by purely financial reasons. What is better: kill or enslave villagers? Your fingers itch to roll some heads, but anger is hardly profitable. Kill a person, and you’ll get a soul, a bag of gold and, if you’re lucky, an accessory for your minions. Brainwashed citizens produce resources forever. Forget about looking for gold chests and farming sheep for souls – a thoughtful Overlord 2.0 gets everything on a plate.

Point Lookout is a miniature copy of Fallout 3. Alas, just like the original game, the wrapping is much better than the contents, but even this result is a great achievement for Bethesda Softworks. Not only they managed to produce a decent expansion, but finally added their own ideas to the legendary post-apocalyptic universe instead of ripping off stories about supermutants and The Brotherhood of Steel.

Point Lookout is a miniature copy of Fallout 3. Alas, just like the original game, the wrapping is much better than the contents, but even this result is a great achievement for Bethesda Softworks. Not only they managed to produce a decent expansion, but finally added their own ideas to the legendary post-apocalyptic universe instead of ripping off stories about supermutants and The Brotherhood of Steel.

Terminal Reality did well to capture the atmosphere of both Ghostbusters movies, but failed to include captivating gameplay. On the other hand, it’s way better than the Riddick game sequel from the same publisher.

It may not be the most good-looking or exciting action game ever, but few games convey the feel of a dying city which is at the mercy of a single creature.

This game is worth your while only if you take it as an interactive movie of sorts – somewhat shallow and anachronistic, but with adventures and a couple of silly puzzles to boot.

Despite its shortcomings, the game is enthralling. The excitement of progress – you want to be faster and more powerful than the rest. Colony expansion brings money, new expenses and a truckload of problems. The interface is not easy to get used to, but still, all information is neatly organized, and key tools are always at hand. Light of Altair is a spiritual younger sister of more popular 4X strategy games, it just has less “X”s.

The Sims 3 is not so much a game as a rich field for experiments; a blank notepad that will soon be filled with hundreds of wild ideas.

This game’s failure was perfectly described back in 1865 by Lewis Carroll: "Now, here, you see, it takes all the running you can do, to keep in the same place. If you want to get somewhere else, you must run at least twice as fast as that!" You can't stop the progress.

More suspense, less predictability, and Frogwares will finally create an ideal Sherlock Holmes adventure.

Somehow or other Enlight managed to gather enough fresh ideas for an expansion pack, but they believe that they made a breakthrough. Dreamers!

Even if this game had nothing but this graveyard of creaking, moaning, almost talking ships, it would have still made a lasting impression. The developers created something more than an all-new location or the floating “prison” concept – an exciting feeling of initiation in a big, dangerous secret.

Eight hours of sheer boredom spread over a few equally gray (in all senses) levels.

The biggest merit of Undisputed as a simulator - you can’t beat it using the “arcade” approach. To win a serious match, you will have to use tactics that place your opponent at a disadvantage.

The biggest merit of Undisputed as a simulator - you can’t beat it using the “arcade” approach. To win a serious match, you will have to use tactics that place your opponent at a disadvantage.

Flat and boring. Terminator: Salvation fails to earn other, more favorable adjectives. The only bright spot is the soundtrack incorporating Brad Fiedel’s signature theme.

Flat and boring. Terminator: Salvation fails to earn other, more favorable adjectives. The only bright spot is the soundtrack incorporating Brad Fiedel’s signature theme.

Flat and boring. Terminator: Salvation fails to earn other, more favorable adjectives. The only bright spot is the soundtrack incorporating Brad Fiedel’s signature theme.

At first, NecroVisioN seems like a fun game. But when you realize that the 1237th encounter with monsters is the same as the 561st, and that melee is just a polygon mess, all the fun goes away.

Tunnel Rats reeks of cruftsmanship and couldn’t-care-less attitude of its makers. Ugly, boring, and vulgar, this amateurish game is a true Uwe Boll product.

Even talented designers couldn’t have saved Killing Floor. The game is so low-budget that it evokes pity instead of nostalgia. The visuals aren’t bad for an Unreal Engine 2 game, but they are a far cry from modern shooters. Threepenny lighting and jerky animation are the worst horrors you’ll see here.

If you want to look past the dull single-player missions and buy Battlestations: Pacific for its online component, I advise you to hurry up. In a few months, the already low-populated servers will become deserted, and the best game in this very niche genre will sink to the ocean floor.

Just another object-oriented puzzle of the 21st century. You look for hidden objects, thumb through the story and try to convince yourself that you can’t beat this game without using your brain.

Plants vs. Zombies is not as complex as classic titles of this genre, GemCraft and Protector, but then again, it doesn't want to be hardcore. Its graphics are nice despite the minuscule 800x600 resolution, voice-overs make you smile, and there are many ways to entertain yourself (even more than in Space Rangers 2).

I don’t recommend buying Broken Steel, because it’s a matter of principle – let's not encourage trade in endings. You won’t miss anything important anyway – this DLC is only slightly better than its mediocre predecessors.

I don’t recommend buying Broken Steel, because it’s a matter of principle – let's not encourage trade in endings. You won’t miss anything important anyway – this DLC is only slightly better than its mediocre predecessors.

A bit awkward and rough, X-Men Origins: Wolverine is still a nice game. It’s an energetic sharp-clawed slasher with some original ideas. Fans of X-Men can look no further.

Forget about clever puzzles and “social stealth”. Instead of presenting various solutions to a problem, Velvet Assassin will beat you on the head with a stick and point to an “X” on the map.

The issue lies not in the occasional bugs or the concept, but rather in the excruciatingly dull gameplay. I guess some people found the official trailer (with dancing Stalin and cartoony invaders) amusing, but if you can giggle at the same joke for six hours straight, then, by all means, visit a specialist ASAP. Peculiar characters, snappy dialogue, sharp twists, and artful tactics – you won’t find any of this here.

Ossian brought many genre clichés to Westgate, be it a treasure hunt, a theft investigation, inevitable gladiatorial fights, dialogue-driven quests, or a drinking contest, but twisted them in unexpected ways. Those who take their time to explore each nook and cranny of Westgate will enjoy lots of adventures.

Design flaws and the game's tendency to wax philosophical do not distract from the core idea and its stylish execution. This is what Vivisector, Action Forms' previous project, should have been like.

Despite horrendous optimization, Africa 1943 is still a cut above the others in its genre.

Crazy-looking landscapes, unusual color combinations and grotesque characters fill the odd world of Zenozoic. All this stuff could have made for a cool screen saver. Unfortunately, they crammed it into an action title. The result is a short, sluggish, boring game which loves to show off its novelty instead of entertaining the player.

Unlike Audiosurf, Raycatcher doesn’t offer interesting gameplay modes. It fails on other accounts as well: playlists are clumsy, there is no pause, and, more importantly, no Internet features like leaderboards and achievements. All in all, with or without music, Raycatcher is just another boring arcade.

One can’t help but wonder what is going on at Infinite Interactive if their latest game feels like a parody of their own Puzzle Quest.