These puzzles thankfully improve on the last episode's heavily unbalanced array of mostly bewildering conundrums. And after a not-so-funny fourth episode, the fifth raises its rib-ticklers to previous levels of hilarity.

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.

Playing off the huge popularity contests on television that has everybody that watches them dreaming of that being them on stage being adored by millions, the Sims 3 provides that same level of daydreaming-of-stardom to individual Sims 3 players with The Sims 3 Showtime Limited Edition.

All things considered, I'd choose NHL 2K7 as the "champ" this year for hockey on the Xbox 360. But NHL 07 is close behind.

However, despite the story and characters being a bit dullish and uninteresting, GTA gamers are given a definitive reason to see this three-part story to its conclusion with the core GTA gameplay – replete with the standard vehicle manslaughter opportunity gamers have come to know (and in many cases love) ? remaining as gratifyingly volatile and as ever.

After so many years in development, it's kind of a relief to finally play Alan Wake and it was worth the wait.

The new races added to Age of Wonders already fantastic fantasy world and a host of customizable campaign and level editors means that fans of turn-based strategy will never have to play the same missions twice.

Ratchet & Clank: Quest for Booty is short, beautiful and is perhaps just enough to tide you over until next year.

Some gamers may argue over whether Tiger Woods is better than "Hot Shots 3," but one thing is for certain: the gap in quality between the two games has certainly been narrowed to the point where they’re just about even.

Plays a lot like a series of great chess matches with tons of new variables to learn.

Broken Age - Act I snaps closed just as things are heating up with a twist that I thought I'd figured out but then there's another twist that has me anxious for Part II. I haven't felt this kind of anticipation since LOST — I need to see what happens next!

For $29.99, Mortal Kombat Komplete Edition is great value for the high-calibre fighting game that Netherrealm Studios (and High Voltage Software) has put together. Highly rekommended!

Gameplay additions this year feature just a few new components – driver ratings, the Adrenaline Meter, adjustable car handling – and they really turn out to be tweaks instead of innovations.

A good solid driving pick-up.

Red Faction Armageddon isn't the best third person shooter game, but if you enjoy blowing things up, then this is the game for you.

Besides being accessible to just about all ages -- my 4-year old had no problems, though he finished Lego Batman 2: DC Super Heroes without much help so maybe that's not the best yardstick to measure "accessible" -- it's inoffensive, provides a middlin' challenge, and it's fun to watch and play (if it comes down to it.

A ridiculous variety of games coupled with hundreds of Easter eggs and other bells and whistles. It is easily the best such collection to come along yet.

If one were to describe EVE Online, the most accurate description possible would be "boutique MMO." It's not aimed at the WoW crowd. It's not trying to steal market share from the behemoths. Yet it has enough of a stable player base to elevate it beyond merely cult status.

A solid title that will appeal to those looking for a more realistic fighting game.

In the end, Fable is a really good game. It doesn't live up to the promise of "Project Ego," but, really, who cares?

Despite the disappointing exclusion of Burnout’s Crash mode, which in my opinion really was one of the franchise’s significant features, and a somewhat surprising lack of online multiplayer, you’ll still find your burning desire for hot racing satiated by Burnout Dominator, although it’s certainly not as dominating on the hot virtual asphalt as its predecessor, Burnout Revenge.

But with a strong story (a hallmark of all three episodes) a refreshing setting change to the carnival grounds, and a starring role for Gromit, a few stumbles (especially at the end of the game) aren’t enough to trip up Muzzled! as the best of the three episodes yet.

It’s wicked bloody fun with a group even with the slight detractors.

It’s goofy fun and for $10, it’s what every arcade sports fan has been waiting for.

The collected cutscenes are funnier 100 times over than an episode of "Friends" and on par with "Monty Python" for being off-kilter.

While it definitely has a "something borrowed" gameplay and visual style, and a instantly forgettable, brief single-player mode, its invigorating and intense Xbox Live multiplayer at such a well-worth-it bargain price provides gamers more than enough incentive to enlist into Section 8: Prejudice's call of duty.

After a slow-paced beginning, Baddest of the Bands finishes with an encore performance that rock and rolls past Episode 1 and settles right behind Episode 2.

The game's soundtrack is honestly the best I've ever heard in any game that uses orchestrated music. The composition is sheer brilliance!