The game is nothing more than it pretends to be. It's about dancing and the music selection is great.

The Secret World delivers an MMO experience that's distinctly different from its competitors, and it's likely going to remain the standard for future games in the horror/supernatural genre.

It’s a quality game, I just felt like I’ve been here before. If you’re new to the SOCOM experience, by all means give it a whirl.

If you’re a racing fan, Pro Race Driver is a no-brainer. It was everything you want, and even though the story seems a bit hokey, it’s tolerable and doesn’t break the game. Worthy of a test drive at the very least.

But those looking for a mix of good multi-tiered fighting that's finally available online with some elements of an action-adventure (although nowhere near as engaging as the fighting aspect) that also provides long, fan-appealing anime cut-scenes that weave together another Naruto tale should be satisfied with the second installment of this particular Naruto-based franchise.

The best looking football game on the market. It's definitely not the most full-featured football game available.

As long as you can stand the loading times, I see no reason why I would not suggest picking up Midnight Club 3.

In the end, Mafia II has the makings of a quicker and darker paced GTA clone that is unfortunately short of greatness due to its forced driving and overall sterile setting.

Star Ocean: First Departure may be full of flaws, but being an RPG from 1996, that shouldn’t be entirely unexpected.

If you’ve enjoyed the first two episodes of Sam and Max’s capers, then Sam & Max: The Mole, the Mob and the Meatball will be just as pleasurable to play, although be forewarned this is the shortest of the three so far.

A fun ride with two or three frustrating bumps along the way – I’m just hoping for some deeper missions in the sequel.

Is Red Dead Revolver the penultimate Western-themed game? No, but it is good one, worthy of a rental at the least to see how the slick quick-draw duel system works or if you’re a fan of the Clint Eastwood Westerns.

The game doesn't create a massive fissure in the first-person shooter genre, but the DART and breach systems do add some cool wrinkles to an otherwise straightforward experience with some of the best gun play I've had in recent memory.

While many may miss the always-around-the-next corner, full-force police chase excitement from Need for Speed Most Wanted, Need for Speed Carbon still provides an adrenaline speed-rush with the spectacularly exhilarating drift racing down the curvaceous canyon roadways.

SSX Blur is a icy blast of refreshingly cool gaming, as you shred down snowy slopes with a Wii Nunchuk in one hand and a Wiimote in the other, watching the wintry scenery blur right by at an extreme speed.

The action is fast and furious (although “punctuated” with periods of running around), the graphics are impressive and the voice acting is very good.

The adventure is on the short side, but with good writing, a strong translation of the TV show, and the fact it makes you think makes Law & Order II: Double or Nothing a solid purchase for fans of the show and those that want a bit of a mind exercise.

While it's a solid game, and probably superior in most ways to its competitors, Caesar IV doesn’t do any one thing magnificently, and the sum of its qualities just don't elevate this classical game to classic status.

It’s good, even fantastic at times, walking the line between reality and fantasy in a pleasant mix that’s really hard to put down once you start playing.

If you don’t have Live, you shouldn’t be buying Counter-Strike.

Overall, Puzzlegeddon is a competent puzzle game with some innovative twists.

It's a lengthy romp with plenty of action, though it does fall somewhat flat when it comes to being memorable or offering stand-out encounters; it's gory entertainment, doesn't take itself seriously -- the recent release of "Viscera Cleanup Detail" confirms that -- and has some good first-person swordplay for $40.

The action is compressed and more intense than the regular game. But that compressed action, although more intense, means you'll zip through the single-player campaign in short order -- about 6 hours.

The stats engine of All-Star Baseball 2004 is top of the line.

Having only a few flaws is still too many flaws when stacked up against the stiff competition of both "Madden" and "ESPN Football."

If you enjoyed the first title, this one definitely has improvements and will satisfy your craving for more.

The ability to take this many arcade-perfect ports on the go (legally) makes this a good buy.

“Real” basketball takes the court once again in NBA Live 08, bringing a much closer to real-life representation of the NBA, and even the world hoops scene, to the Xbox 360.

It may not have an official Olympics license, but it truly makes you feel like you are a part of something special.

EA has set a high standard here; 16-player multiplayer just won't be the same. But if multiplayer is not your thing, the single-player modes provide more than enough value.

XBV could have been alternately titled DOA Casino, Playboy's Girls of DOA, or DOA Dress-up. If you're expecting a deep volleyball simulation, forget it.

Army of Two: The 40th Day is a fun experience, with some really awesome set pieces -- the zoo level in particular -- and if you have a buddy handy, I'd recommend it.

The cheroots are really the only things missing.

You’ll be looking for opportunities to heave enemies off catwalks or crack them against a wall so Indy can smack them silly.

VV has enough going for it - an amiable style, easy control, good puzzles, the platformer conventions, and humor - that it’s time well spent.

Ironically, the loading screen is a subway tunnel; you probably could get to the next level by a real subway quicker than the time it takes to load.

FlatOut 2 is an above-average racing game, which means casual racing fans will feel satisfied with its features and gameplay. The more demanding hardcore racing fans -- those are the ones that mull "Forza Motorsport" in-depth -- won't be so happy.

Just Cause offer’s some interesting gameplay elements and is definitely worth checking out if you’re into sandbox style gameplay. The only real complaint that can be levied against Just Cause is its lack of depth and polish, which makes it better suited for a rental.

It’s certainly the best Sims game to wash ashore any console in awhile, and will please fans of the Sims franchise while being a alluring adventure for those Wii owners not already acclimated to the Sims PC gaming juggernaut.

Very engaging missions with excellent use of the environment in strategizing the method of securing victory combine with strong online gameplay for a WWII shooter worthy of the honorable mettle of the 82nd Airborne.

If you only had to do one thing at a time, it would be easy, but most of the time you’re dealing with three things and planning for the forth.

The randomness of some of the board effects can be frustrating; it's akin to Nintendo grabbing the chess board mid-match and throwing it across the room. It doesn't seem fair and there's nothing you can do about it except enjoy the experience while it lasts. And the kids liked it.

When the smoke clears, Operation Arrowhead is a decent addition to ARMA II. It adds more avenues for players to experience military operations, and view them with decidedly different perspectives.

This the most frightening game I’ve ever played. This is due to two factors: the light-sourcing and the sound.

It’s deep and highly entertaining but a few flaws and misses hold it back.

A strikingly realistic fighting game that will be immensely fun for those to rent, but I can’t imagine getting more than 15 hours of enjoyment out of the game.

A terrific pick for younger gamers and a great update for older fans of the series.

With fun puzzles and a funnier story in yet another of its game series, Telltale Games has shown everybody that the success and quality of its Sam & Max franchise wasn’t just a fluke, and that any developer/publisher that is interested creating episodic gaming has only to look Telltale’s way on how to do it right.

If you want a taste of fighting in the Guilty Gear universe, skip this title, and get "Guilty Gear X2" instead.

A solid story with accompanying satisfyingly gory and glorified GTA-esque Western gunplay along with added multiplayer and mini-game modes overcome a too-short story mode and just-barely-OK controls as Gun Showdown ride off into the sunset as a quality Western-themed adventure for the PSP.

This was, overall, a well put together game but the AI is one of the things that could have been much better instead of the simple just standing around and shooting things.

The hardest of the hardcore strategy buffs won’t be able to forgive some of the game’s shortcomings.

The game’s straightforward interface, light sense of humor and cute graphics might be sufficiently charming to engage and possibly teach a thing or two to players who are moderately interested in electoral politics.

There aren’t that many fighting games for the DS so Ultimate Mortal Kombat doesn’t have much competition but it’s still a good fighting game, pardon the cliché, on the go.

As a standalone "episode" of Alan Wake, American Nightmare is something PC gamers should be checking out, particularly if the craziness of it appeals to you. For $15 there's really no excuse; and if it ever goes on sale, the trigger on this purchase should be pulled without hesitation.

An unapologetic action game in the same vein as Max Payne, but with a dog sidekick and hand-to-hand combat.

It doesn’t have the playability to make it essential in today’s gaming market. With so many titles competing for the time and money of gamers, it is simply not up to par.

At ten bucks, it is worth buying for any PSX or PS2 owner that can overlook the weak graphics and appreciate the game’s sense of humor and tight, straight-forward game play.

While all this isn't revolutionary Sims gameplay, at least a few new under-and-above-the-sea and on-the-beach gaming elements provide more than the standard expansion Sims pack offering.

Battlestations: Midway offers up a change from other World War II themed games and real time strategy fans are really going to find some enjoyment in this title. Those who are more interested in action-packed gameplay may find the level of micromanagement and accessibility to be a problem.

For players with a large vocabulary, Scribblenauts Unlimited can be pretty simplistic and challenges overcome with a modicum of creative thought. However, kids will appreciate the paper-esque sensibility and chance to just do whatever pops into their heads. Good, clean fun all-round.

Maybe my only real complaint is that during Challenge mode there's a half-second delay from the completion of a line of tiles to the time is disappears.

Although TCW has its weaknesses, its biggest strength is that it simulates some extremely intense and action-packed Star Wars battles.

I know that there are better games out there today, especially within the genre, but I really enjoyed playing this game.

Taken altogether, it isn't hard to recommend Pump it Up Exceed to a number of groups: those that love DDR and have played through all of those games, those that are looking for a DDR-like game with a well-made dance pad, and those who are looking for a game to use as a weight-loss tool.

In what has been a really good year for comic book and superhero games, Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 is another highlight.

War Front: Turning Point never tries to reinvent the wheel – it simply does a good job of mimicking the conventions of real-time strategy games that have come before it and puts it into a very comfortable setting.

Lacking in difficulty and overall polish.

Aimed at the first-time player – for everyone else, go download a mod. [Score intended for those who don't own "DS" already.]

It's a satisfying experience for younger fans, and fills a quota for comic-reading gamers.

It’s easy to recognize that this is still a good fighting game, albeit a somewhat easy one to get through, that does justice to the DBZ legacy that not every DBZ game is able to do.

You get both games in one case for just $40US. Fans of fighting games cannot pass on such a great deal.

GST2 is a solid effort, but falls short in several areas. The career mode, opponent AI and presentation still need to be fine tuned. If EA can sort out these issues then there's no doubt GST3 could be the new Grand Slam Champion of tennis.

Hard Reset isn't a bad game, but it's rote old school sensibility has passed me by. I don't have the same kind of reflexes I did 5 or 10 years ago to properly appreciate the twitch elements, so maybe I have to take some responsibility on that front. For me, Hard Reset is unremarkable because it seems about 5 years too late for me.

Those expecting a more action heavy experience will feel a little let down, but as a puzzle heavy action game, Lara can more than hold her own.

The Wii version of the Metal Slug Anthology is somewhat less than ideal, primarily due to the control snafus...Still, you can get used to it, and despite tripping over itself, Metal Slug Anthology is a tremendous deal for your money, and is definitely worth checking out for anyone into chaotic old school mayhem.

With all the good aspects that Oni has it’s amazing that the action can get a bit "samey."

If you can deal with the occasional frustrating roadblocks you'll face, then Lethal Skies II will probably be a somewhat enjoyable, if not particularly engaging, way to waste a few afternoons, even if you can't tell a MIG29 from an A-10.

The lack of a tutorial is a glaring omission in a game that is not intuitive at all for those unfamiliar with "Europa Universalis". With no objectives, if the gamer has no passing interest in history, the game is sure to fall flat.

It’s just a shame that the fun is over a little too quickly but if you were disappointed by Rising Sun, then MOH: EA will give you new faith in a series that seems to be going in the right direction again.

A strong beat’ em up sidescroller with some amazing 3D starfighter missions on the side.

It’s the ham sandwich of shooter games. It won’t knock you on your ass with an explosion of flavor, nor will it bore you to tears with plainness, but mmmmmm, when the ham combines with the mustard, boy is it tasty.

Should really appeal to fans of rhythm games and fans of watching their friends look like idiots.

If you want a portable game with a nice amount of action that also makes you think a bit, you would do well to try this game.

While it's getting long in the tooth, the Dawn of War series is nicely expanded with Soulstorm.

This is a game that hardcore fans of the genre are more likely to want to spend some time with. Casuals are better off grabbing something like Castle Crashers or Chronicles of Mystara instead, as they are quite a bit better so far as beat 'em ups on the PC go.

While the immersion factor is high, it’s hard to feel like you’re playing much more than a support role in the overall war at times, unlike the role played in the Starfighter games.

Probably the best game-play design that I've seen in years; the game play is twitchy - if you're a purist you're going to have a conniption playing this.

Even with the strikes against it, Scene It? is fun with a few other players and it’s accessible enough that even the non-gamers can play.

Aficionados of the real-time strategy genre might want to buy Earth 2160 even though there are almost too many options to consider when it comes to vehicle design and the lackluster campaigns could have benefited from a lot more attention.

I can’t help but weep a little for what could have been if they’d just included some multiplayer gameplay, though.

While the story is extremely deep, Primal plays like a button masher.

It doesn’t break any new ground. I don’t care if the heads-up display tells me I’m going 600 mph, the sensation of speed isn’t any greater than in Mario Cart.

I haven’t had this much fun with a fighting game since… well, it’s been a long, long time.

Despite the complaints, Attack of the Saiyans is still a decent RPG adventure, particularly for those who are new to the genre and could use a good entry point. But for fans of both Dragon Ball Z and RPGs in general, there are many other titles on both fronts that are more worthy of their time.

A pleasant surprise and a good enough game, but it isn’t anything we haven’t seen before.

With all its faults, Tony Hawk’s Proving Ground is still a fun experience. And even though you know exactly what you’re going to get even before you open the box, that doesn’t make the game bad, it just means it’ll fill you up with empty calories.

Though Baseball Mogul 2003 features the same formula that made the series a hit in the first place, it suffers from a case of same-old, same-old and from the fact that there are better simulations on the market with much greater depth.