Yes, D-A-C can be fun when everything aligns up just right, but you'll get into way too many frustrating or lop-sided games to make it worth it.

Sorry wizardry fans; if you're looking for magical mystery, I suggest you re-read Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince. Magician's Quest just doesn't deliver.

If you almost bought The Pitt but held off because $10 seemed maybe just a bit too much, then go ahead and pick up Broken Steel because it's definitely worth the cost this time.

It's not that Violette's adventures in Nazi-occupied territory are particularly bad, but any stealth game comes with an assumption of frustration in figuring out patrol routes, minimizing the amount of time you're exposed, and dealing with whatever systems are built into the game to detect you.

In the end, Elite Forces: Unit 77 is an uneven effort that takes you on a roller-coaster ride of lowered expectations, a reasonable level of fun, a bit of trouble with the clunky pathfinding, a note of admiration for the level design and finally a feeling of defeat at the seemingly built-in annoyances.

The game might not be worth the purchase for those that aren't terribly interested in first-person melee combat, but for anyone that's looking for that - or at the very least an imaginative, slightly crazy game world to beat people up in - then this is a fine choice to make.

If you really need to play a demo first then by all means wait it out, but if you're still on the fence, I think most gamers will find Demigod to be a blast - especially when more multiplayer issues are ironed out over the next week or two.

Braid may lack accessibility for some of its audience, but it's still a landmark in design that should stand as an example for how games can create stories in a way that no other medium can.

If you've never played the original, then I highly recommend checking this one out, based almost entirely on the merits of the first game. If you've already escaped from Butcher Bay, though, your decision is a bit more difficult.

There's some good stuff here if you dig in for a while, but even if you do, don't expect to be blown away.

Altogether Tales of Valor is an adequate package of upgrades with a few surprises in the multiplayer and single player.

From the perspective of a Metallica fan that already owns a full set of World Tour or Rock Band instruments and wants to play together with friends, the purchase of GH: Metallica is a no-brainer.

Lux-Pain is an ambitious title that suffers from a problem called, “biting off more than it can chew”. Although the game has interesting ideas and looks and sounds good, it's weighed down by an overlong and convoluted storyline and conspicuous lack of game play.

Overall, Wanted: Weapons of Fate won't win any GOTY awards, but it's still a major improvement for movie-licensed games and serves as an example for how to truly do a movie-game right.

If you really enjoyed and are ready to take your adventures beyond the Capital Wasteland, then is a great place to start.

Ultimately, BattleForge isn't the embodiment of the next-gen RTS but it's a beautiful, flawed step in that direction.

Ultimately, the game requires more skill and frankly, more patience than many gamers, casual or otherwise, will be able to muster.

Rockstar has done a fantastic job packing a large amount of content onto a tiny DS cartridge. Not only is there a ton of stuff to do in GTA Chinatown Wars, but all of the little touches add up to an experience that's greater than its parts.

RE5 will no doubt please those who unknowingly unleashed hell when they pried open the doors of that mysterious mansion more than ten years ago. But it should also satisfy unseasoned zombie slayers as well with its rich mix of gory action, creepy storytelling, and blockbuster production values.

And maybe that's Ensemble's biggest success here: that the interface and controls, usually the worst part of a console RTS game and the one that gets talked about the most in game reviews for this genre, were the farthest thing from my mind here after a few minutes of learning them.

Either way, one-man armies and multi-player masses alike should all head to Helghan; I hear it’s beautiful this time of year, even if the locals are a bit restless.

Even with the modest $20 price tag for Puzzle Quest: Galactrix, it's not worth the frustration after a taking a couple of losses that are completely out of your hands.

Blue Dragon Plus has a few character movement issues but overall is a fun, easy-to-learn, highly-polished game.

It's hugely accessible but includes the depth that serious gamers are searching for, and all of it is viable to bring online for some great action.

But that's alright - for a $20 add-on, you get a lot for your money with The Lost and Damned. The quality of the acting, cutscenes, story, and missions is just as good as in GTAIV, and the convenience of not having to switch discs is handy.

Longtime gamers, especially those who dug this type of game back in the day (controller-chucking fits and all), will find Prinny a breath of fresh air on the content-starved platform, even if that fresh air is pierced by your own frustration-powered F-bombs.

The somewhat disappointing result of all this is that F.E.A.R. 2 isn't different enough from the first game to surprise us, and with such a lack of innovation, even this polished horror shooter just won't get the rise out of players that the original did.

Still, anyone who is a fan of Sega's biggest 16-bit franchises could do a lot worse than picking up this latest compilation.

It's quick to pick up, has considerable replayability and is a much-needed dose of mature content for the Wii. However, it's extremely short, the bosses are a cake-walk and the writing is obnoxious.

If you’re looking for a refreshing respite from the Wii’s line-up of me-too mini-game collections and other familiar fare, you should let Deadly Creatures infest your game library.

If you're looking for some thumb-blistering battling at the hands of a barely-dressed female protagonist, you could do a lot worse (see Bikini Samurai Squad) than X-Blades.

If you enjoy wicked style and simple, yet satisfying combat, mature content that’s more than a script full of unnecessary F-bombs, and more gore than you’ll see in all five Saw films combined, then Afro deserves a spot in your game library.

If anything, Operation Anchorage is a good hint of what's to come from Bethesda in future downloadable packs.

Couple the pyro-firing controls with diversified addictive gameplay and some truly engaging art direction, oh, and a $20 price tag, and you’ve got a DS experience that's more fun than lighting illegal fireworks on the Fourth.

Skate 2 does a good job of adding new features and moves while trying to innovate the style and keep everything fun, but there's still a few things missing that could have made it a classic.

If you’ve finally caught up on all the holiday’s big titles, and are looking to blow some MS Points, The Maw is the way to go.

Moon is a well-made 3D action/adventure game which is something the DS could definitely use more of.

Either way, this is a fine port from console to PC, one that brings everything from the original experience and fits it nicely into a PC gamer's hands. The actual game might be frustrating and tedious at times, but it's worth it if you've got the cash to pick it up.

It has great art, fun game play, a good story and it's a dream game for you collection junkies out there. It just goes to show; sometimes it pays to think small.

I maintain that Saints Row 2 is still a damn fun game and really not bad on a super-fast PC, but it's not going to be worth the effort for most.

While this one doesn't quite reach some of the stylistic and gameplay-oriented heights of Sands of Time a few years back, this re-imagined Prince of Persia delivers great thrills and plenty of accessibility inside a very pretty package.

It's kind of a lose-lose for Rockstar at this point, and it's too bad, because GTAIV is a wonderful game that doesn't deserve the problems this PC port has.

While this one doesn't quite reach some of the stylistic and gameplay-oriented heights of Sands of Time a few years back, this re-imagined Prince of Persia delivers great thrills and plenty of accessibility inside a very pretty package.

While this one doesn't quite reach some of the stylistic and gameplay-oriented heights of Sands of Time a few years back, this re-imagined Prince of Persia delivers great thrills and plenty of accessibility inside a very pretty package.

It's pure KH fun, and it will immediately remind you why this most unusual clashing of worlds works so well.

This is absolutely the best Street Fighter seen in years, but just be ready for a beatdown and you'll be fine.

This is absolutely the best Street Fighter seen in years, but just be ready for a beatdown and you'll be fine.

When you’ve gotten your fill of saving our world and all those fictional ones in this season’s blockbusters, find some time to wield the powers of ancient gods in this tiny title that packs big, addictive fun.

Old school fans and new tomb raiders alike should find lots to love in Lara's latest (and best in years) adventure.

If you're looking for the cooperative PC experience of 2008 and you're more interested in guns and zombies than in orcs and swords, then Left 4 Dead is very much a must-have game.

Put simply, World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King is MMORPG gaming at its finest we've seen yet.

When it works, it’s brilliant. And when it doesn’t, it only disappoints because you can see its brimming potential trying to breakthrough.

The story's specific games and challenges are not always innovative, and some can get darn right repetitive and frustrating, especially if you can't quite beat the clock. But the ability to craft mind-blowing vehicles provides an endlessly addictive experience that'll keep this title in your 360 longer than it probably has a right to be there.

But this one is a blast to play, and so I give it a hearty recommendation despite having been skeptical all along about the quality of another Treyarch WW2 game.

As a top-tier shooter, QoS doesn’t make the cut, especially in light of the many better games raising the bar this season.

Quantum of Solace certainly showed some great promise before its release (in preview events, Activision made sure to show off the absolute best levels in the game) and the console versions play a bit more solidly, but the PC port is one that should be avoided.

Not many gamers will actually get the advertised 400+ hours of life out of it, but the solo, co-op, and competitive multiplayer options should keep R2 spinning in your PS3 well past the holiday season, and probably until Killzone 2 arrives.

I just can't find a good reason not to recommend Fallout 3 to any serious gamer out there.

The PC version's controls are certainly sharp and I found myself pulling off many more headshots and quick kills with a mouse and keyboard than I could on the console counterparts, but if you really do want to play with a gamepad, Fallout 3 does fully support the 360 controller on the PC as well.

Guitar Hero: World Tour has some interesting pluses - the drum kit is excellent, and there are a few gameplay perks to be found here and there. But to me the touch panel on the guitar is a bust, the mic is still wired (even though that Microsoft karaoke game Lips figured out how to do a wireless mic), and the game is rather light on content both before and after you're sick of the on-disc set of tracks.

In spite of frequent load times and imperfect characters, Fable II is in all respects, a new high watermark in single-player action RPG's.

It likely won’t unseat Symphony of the Night as fans’ all-time fave, but its inventive gameplay, outstanding visual presentation, and haunting music—always a high point in the franchise—easily make Ecclesia as good as the series’ DS debut Dawn of Sorrow.

The dialed down difficulty and weak story will be a deal-breaker for some, but honestly, the amazing marriage of combo-heavy combat and acrobatic web swinging, complemented by a living, breathing NYC, culminate in the most engaging Spider-Man game I’ve ever played.

Either way, Far Cry 2 should be pretty close to the top of any console FPS fan's list this holiday season.

Get over the hardcore challenge, though, and you’ll discover one of the most satisfying racers on the market for car nuts and noobs alike.

Simple as it is, Age of Booty is a great way for all kinds of gamers to learn the basics of RTS gameplay.

Beast Rider is far from perfect, and it won’t overthrow Kratos' Greek empire anytime soon.

In the end, the biggest draw for Saints Row 2 is the smooth online cooperative play that lets people experience the full story, cutscenes, free-roaming the whole city and all, while playing together.

In a season relying so heavily on sequels and spin-offs to deliver its hits, EA earns kudos for taking a chance on an original IP that'll no doubt be remembered when it comes time to hand out game-of-the-year awards.

Homecoming shows a significant improvement over the franchise’s last console outing, but there’s still work to be done.

If you’ve played those other titles, you’ll feel right at home in the Dark Knight’s plastic paved Gotham. And, if you’ve enjoyed those titles, and are looking for more of the same but with a Batman facelift, you may find this the best Lego entry yet.

Even though it is more of an enhancement to Darwinia than a new game, Multiwinia is a worthwhile purchase if you enjoyed Darwinia and were left wanting more with the same theme.

The end result is simply that Warhammer Online is a big deal for those who want to kill other players, but may be ho-hum for those who want the most compelling, charming, content-filled fantasy world out there.

Unleashed offers the best Star Wars yarn that involves the original characters since the first trilogy.

Either way, it's worth picking up if you really dug the original and want more of the same, but if you had issues before, then Warhead isn't likely to address them for you.

Yggdra Union had the potential to be a really compelling tactical game, but due to a lazy storyline, a cumbersome UI, and a brand of gameplay that excludes the player 50% of the time, it couldn't help but fall short.

Either way, Rock Band 2 is the best music game on the market right now, and while it may or may not lose that title when Activision's offering is released next month, for now I don't care.

Overall, MillionHeir isn't a bad game but it lacks the interest of a Phoenix Wright, the challenge of a Professor Layton and the depth of a classic PC adventure game.

In the end, hardcore gamers will find something to love in Spore, even if it's not really what they were expecting.

Don't let the goofy characters and otherwise sharp-looking visuals fool you; this game is all flash and no substance.

If you really wanted to get more out of rampaging around in GTAIV or want to go through an open-world action game with a buddy together over Live, then this one is worth your money. Otherwise, you might want to keep your cash and see what the rest of the holiday season offers us.

Castle Crashers is a seemingly steep 1200 points ($15) on Xbox Live Arcade and it's one of those games that's a chore to get working with online play, but overall the game's still well worth your cash.

If game-induced hypertension is not your idea of fun, then N+ may not be for you. But if it is, the $20 price tag will also be a... plus.

Whether you began busting up baddies as Ratchet on the PS2, or this is your first go-round with the lovable Lombax, you'll find QfB is one of the best titles to ever trek down the PSN path.

For every great idea, like low-penalty deaths that don’t force you to replay sections, there’s equally flawed ones, like the lush, alternate-reality cyberspace you occasionally visit for light puzzling, that would’ve best been left on the cutting room floor.

Don't be stingy with those MS points; Rearmed is more than worth the tiny hole it'll burn in your bank account.

What's the one thing that could hose an otherwise awesome action game? Aside from removing all the weapons, it's bad performance.

Overall, Summer Athletics isn't a horrible game but it suffers the lack of creativity its ho-hum name implies.

With sharp new visuals and great sounds, it winds up being the best-looking game of its kind on your 360, and will offer many hours of great action if you get into it.

It still doesn't recapture the magic of the Dreamcast original, but Soul Calibur IV is still a great game with many hours of solid fighting action to offer.

It's a great party game, a bargain at $10 and it's the only way to hold an eating contest at your house without someone heaving on your rug.

I can only recommend Guitar Hero: Aerosmith to fans of both Guitar Hero and Aerosmith.

Everything, aside from the main character and his fighting skills are unremarkable, and there’s definitely a last-gen feel to the overall presentation.

A hastily made, not much fun, not worth the money movie add-on. You're better off buying a box of Hellboy Cornflakes.

In spite of the standard-fare visuals, FFA2 is a game no RPG fan should miss.

Battlefield: Bad Company doesn't do everything, but what it does, it does right.

But despite these major differences, On Tour stands tall on its own as a fantastic portable music game.

For everyone, it's a great deal—for $20 you not only get hours of great entertainment, you get your own little piece of video gaming history.