Conflict: Denied Ops isn’t a very good game, but it’s hard to actively dislike because the co-op mode can be a lot of fun even if you have to cope with the game’s other failings.

But for long time role-playing fans, the game is familiar enough to feel comfortable with; and there’s enough depth to the combat and twists to the story (especially with the relationships that develop over the course of the game) to keep them interested.

Once more, gamers won’t be able to find a more smartly and funnily crafted story along with the usual Sam & Max hijinks to enjoy.

Professor Layton and the Curious Village looks a lot like old time adventure games – like The Adventures of Willy Beamish – with great hand drawn backgrounds and the occasional stretch of animation, complete with sound.

As a first release and a re-launch of the Turok franchise, the team should be proud; the action moves at a good clip, it looks great, the sci-fi clichés make us comfortable, and it’s fun.

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

Despite a somewhat-less-satisfying replacement for previous crash modes, fans of the franchise will find this Burnout to be their idea of paradise, with red-hot racing in a large environment that provides plenty of asphalt-burning events to keep gamers putting the pedal to the metal for mile after scorching mile.

Advance Wars: Days of Ruin comes with the highest recommendation – the only thing preventing wider appeal for the series, is its difficulty level which is high even for experienced players.

While there’s only two or three hours, tops, of gameplay in Moai Better Blues, it turns out to be a less is more situation: it’s always fun, always funny, always teasing the brain for solutions to puzzles in a short, single-sitting burst.

While the presentation, gameplay and character selection is a bit better in KoF XI, NeoGeo Battle Coliseum is still a fantastic game, especially for the low budget price (usually between $15 - $20 US.)

NCAA March Madness 08 definitely gives it the old college try and is still a solid college basketball game overall, but just the act of trying to be great isn’t good enough, particularly when there’s not much of an upgrade from its predecessor in the franchise.

If you like your strategy games with a sense of fun about them, while still offering some actual strategy, Universe at War: Earth Assault should speak to you.

Geometry Wars Galaxies is good for long and short play sessions, but it’s the latter of these that make it perfect for times when you don’t really want an extended play session.

In spite of its issues, Mass Effect is still a completely entrancing blend of two completely different genres, the likes of which we really haven't seen on the consoles since Deus Ex.

Godzilla Unleashed: Double Smash feels like something is missing. The game had the potential of being an excellent fighting title but in the end, this monster is feeling rather hollow.

Rock Band is an incredible evolution of what Harmonix has been doing for years.

Geometry Wars Galaxies is good for long and short play sessions, but it’s the latter of these that make it perfect for times when you don’t really want an extended play session.

I’d actually have to agree these criticisms I just don’t think it detracts from the overall arcade-like vibe that I want from a game like Time Crisis 4.

It's priced as a budget title, but unless you're a big fan of pirates, there's not a lot here for the average gamer.

It doesn’t make TimeShift a bad game, it edges slightly above average thanks to the time powers.

Uncharted: Drake's Fortune is a gorgeous game. But it's heartening to realize that they seem to have spent just as much time making sure Uncharted is fun.

There are still chills and thrills to be found in ProStreet’s more organized “underground” racing series, though, as the racing action still very much fills the need for speed for racing gamers.

It's an old school run-n-gun shooter that perfectly captures the flavor of the best "bad sci-fi" movies out there.

Crysis has been on the receiving end of a lot of hype for quite some time now, so there has been tons of pressure for the game to perform well. By and large it has. It looks very good, and the gameplay is solid with some fun new tweaks thrown in.

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.

Combined with an excellent soundtrack and the same stylish look that SNK is know for, this somehow manages to beat even Neo Geo Battle Coliseum as one of the best 2D fighters they’ve put out in a long, long time.

Smarty Pants is a perfect Wii title for a family fun night that will tease the brain and tickle the funny bones.

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.