It is a more diverse game, both in terms of the kinds of characters displayed and the sorts of choices people can make. Quantic Dream’s formula is evolving, even if it does rely on some of the same crutches.

Broken Sword: Shadow of the Templars is a fine choice for DS, and with the added content, there’s something here for newcomers and long-time fans alike.

There's potential for hundreds of hours of gameplay. The gameplay is deep, rewarding, and addictive.

There's a lot to do in this game from playing pachinko, visiting hostess clubs, and beating up punks to participating in the intrigue of organized crime. It's just so far from anything most Westerners are used to that many will have a hard time warming up to it.

I felt there was entirely too many bosses to fight and not nearly enough run and gun action. Each short action stage is merely setting you up for another boss battle.

The new console format allows you to have control of up to six Sims at a time, who you can follow, nurture, torture, or ignore. The possibilities are endless. And when they die...you can just create more!

Just a good-old fashioned BMX game in the spirit of Tony Hawk. There are no hookers, topless dancers or fornicating dogs.

An arcade-style game that really hits the mark. It doesn't attempt to give you all the bells and whistles but what it does give you is quality entertainment. For the best value, make sure you rent it first.

A great debut and one that should be applauded by gamers that want some variety and imagination put back into their platforming.

It may be simple in presentation, but the execution is near flawless, and all the extra content shows a great level of dedication on the part of the developers. Skylanders is certainly a full and unique gaming experience.

Small visual shortcomings and some audio annoyances might keep Madden 12 from being 100% on top form, but with the crazy amount of content and nearly endless gameplay possibilities, these seem like minor grievances.

Plain and simple, the game delivers. It’s not going to blow your mind in the way you think it should, but that’s exactly how EA Sports wants it. Like the forgotten rookie flying under the radar with an 80-point season, it’s impressive, but only if you know what you’re looking at.

There are hours upon hours of interesting content for gamers to explore and uncover in Lost Odyssey. Sadly, the pace of the game is rather slow and will deter the vast majority of 360 fans from purchasing and/or completing the game.

Rez is not so much a game as it is art.

It combined puzzles and action adventure with the platforming for an experience that was not only challenging but displayed depth and variety - and it doesn't feel old-school.

With its cute colorful graphics and simple yet entertaining quests, Gurumin: A Monstrous Adventure is one of the few games everyone should play if for nothing else than the sheer fun of it.

Hardcore soccer fans who wanted even more realism from this series will enjoy playing around with the new controls but if you’re a player who thought "FIFA 2005" wasn’t a great game might as well rent this game or stay away from it cause you won’t be missing much.

Madden on PSP this year is a much better experience than last year, but EA Tiburon has yet to provide a reason to pick it up beyond the PS2 connectivity that allows gamers to take their PS2 seasons with them on the road.

There's always something new and fresh to discover, plus plenty of worthwhile collectibles to seek out.

The House of the Dead: Overkill isn't an epic adventure, and it actually lacks a fair bit of polish - purposely or otherwise. However, it's just the breath of putrid air the Wii needed, and in many ways it speaks to exactly what the system is all about: short bursts of great entertainment.

With both off and online modes, combined with the classic Bomberman gameplay, this is one game that can most certainly referred to as da' bomb.

Big Bang Mini is a $20 title that will rival many of the top releases on the system in 2009.

A pretty awesome horror game. The game's focus on story and substance rather than just shooting zombies really makes this one worth picking up if you are getting a little bored with your run-of-the-mill horror shooters.

It has a feature set unlike any other and its commitment to both built-in narrative and player-based customization is greater than anything we have seen from almost any other title on the market, regardless of genre. In fact, the only flaws I can find in WWE '13 are concerning the gameplay engine itself, but the feature set is so huge it's almost like it doesn't even matter.

Though the mode on hand are all old hat, they've been greatly refined. The online experience in particular is vastly improved.

If you enjoy mystery novels you'll find yourself immersed in this game in no time. You will be required to read a lot, but if you're patient enough and love reading as much as playing a game, this could become one of your richest and most interesting gaming experiences.

One of the best games to release this generation and is definitely the best game to drop in 2009 (so far). Outside of the lackluster stealth and disguising mechanic, the brutal combat, huge open-world, varied challenges, and utterly satisfying gameplay makes this a must-have title for any serious gamer's collection. Get ready to put your life on hold!

Perhaps the best way to describe Borderlands 3 is to say it is exactly the game you would expect it to be. There are plenty of familiar faces, and it has the same sort of ambiance and atmosphere. People will still keep going into quest after quest for the same reasons (loot). While it might be difficult to accept the new villains after a great one like Handsome Jack, the twins are fine. Most importantly, the new Vault Hunters work well and the game is as fun to play alone as it is with friends. It looks, works, and plays well, and fans of the series will be more than happy to join the Crimson Raiders.

The levels are varied and interesting; each one more fascinating than the next. The lighting effects, particle effects and sound effects are spectacular and even rival that of the Xbox version.

Action-RPG fans will certainly have fun with this release, although it's similar to the original, and if you're into thongs and "role-playing" then this game is a win-win.

Overall the gameplay seems a little bit more serious this time around. Some parts are really tough and are guaranteed to have you swearing right along with Conker.

Castlevania: The Adventure ReBirth is just about everything an old-school fan could hope for, and it's probably the best title in the ReBirth series thus far.

The control system is excellent and the game is challenging but not impossibly difficult making it accessible for beginners while still offering plenty of fun, adventure and depth to the hardcores.

It makes you look at humanity in a different way with each play through, not just the harsh and unforgiving humanity that exists in the zombie apocalypse, but the harsh and unforgiving humanity that exists around us in the world we live in now.

The game is extremely expansive, and features just as much value as (if not a little bit more than) the original.

Despite its few flaws, MUA is a blast to play. If you’ve ever enjoyed an X-men Legends game, MUA is a step above and beyond that.

Overall, Robocalypse is a solid and deep game with incredible presentation. It’s certainly one of the best RTS games on the system to date.

Dead Rising 2's biggest strength lies in its variety of both story and side missions. There is never a shortage of things to do in the game, and the co-op ability makes this a trip you can take several times with friends.

It's addictive at first, but I just don't see it holding interest after several hours of play unless you have a highly competitive group of friends to continually challenge to best your scores.

Unfortunately, the only really interesting aspect of the game was taken out of the remake, so the best that can be said of the game is that it's not bad. I was definitely never tempted to hate Dragon Quest VI.

Theatrhythm won't be for everyone, obviously. Not everyone has an affection for video game music, and the game is strongly aimed at people with at least some familiarity with the Final Fantasy series. For series fans or rhythm game fans, it's a great choice. Heck, Theatrhythm's potent cocktail of an easy-to-learn rhythm gameplay and RPG mechanics even pulled in a doubter like me.

Between single and multiplayer modes, this is a game that you can play for a hundred hours in its first year, and then come back to time and again in the future. I just wish there was a bit more depth outside of combat. The technical execution is flawless!

Not only is DKC a triumph graphically, but the audio is simply superb, even through the tiny speakers of the GBA (and GBA SP).

Getting hooked up with players in the lobby is about as easy as it gets. The matches are short enough and challenging enough to suit virtually all skill levels. The time I spent with this game has been fun, and with a good community base, it can only get better with time.

Rabbids Go Home is a pretty fat package, with loads of cool extras. The Rabbids channel is an inspired addition, and the level play of the main game is rock solid throughout.

I got bored about halfway through due to the repetitive nature of the gameplay despite some new improvements and a two-player mode... It would be nice if there were more depth to the strategy and story development.

This is a very forgiving title that makes cruising down virtual slopes with friends a joy. Fortunately, it emphasizes the strengths of the Wii without completely dumbing down the final product. As such, a wide range of players should enjoy this whimsical tour through the boarding world.

A long game coupled with the fact that it's incredibly immersive and addicting; excellent storylines really keep you playing.

Series fans will find that Rune Factory far exceeds their expectations. The inclusion of combat, magic, and other RPG elements greatly expand on an excellent game design that will feel familiar, if not significantly improved, to many players.

The Story Mode is the real highlight of this package, while the Party Mode helps to add longevity to the title after you've solved the main mystery.

Should you pick up 400 Days? Yes! What are you, crazy!? This is a phenomenal new experiment in storytelling that redefines the types of stories that can be told in video games.

It’s no Ni No Kuni, but it’s certainly one of the better JRPG titles to come out this console generation.

I can't say enough about the pitch detector. It's one of the most incredible tools available for potential musicians, and I don't say that lightly.

Vegas 2 may cover a lot of old ground, but like the city itself, it's something that you just can't stop paying a visit to every now and then.

There are so many interesting things that can be done with this game's editor that it boggles the mind.

Lego branded video games veer little from their gameplay formula with each new entry, so to say that Lego Star Wars: The Force Awakens is one that should not be overlooked is a credit to the quality and faithfulness the developer delivered.

Though there is a decent amount of content in the game's adventure mode, there isn't much to do afterward.

A game this derivative can never be great, but it's really, really good.

AE is fun, but just doesn't have a whole lot of staying power.

The atmosphere more than makes up for any shortcomings in the visual department. Communication with other players is easy and the sense of community is quite refreshing.

To its favor, Crimson Sea has a way of making repetition work. After each level you can upgrade your weapon, purchase new ones, or increase your character's attributes as you would in a RPG.

More of a hit than a miss but don't expect it to revolutionize the industry. It doesn't stray far from the formula that made the first two games popular.

Its story, while not being complicated or particularly mysterious, remains fun and interesting enough to see you through to the end, which is saying something because it isn't what many would consider to be a short game. What Capcom has produced isn't the pinnacle of console-to-PC quality, but it isn't anything to be laughed at either.

You know you're playing this game over and it makes no bones about it. It's upfront and honest in that regard and even if you just play it once, you are certain to enjoy every juicy minute of it.

A very simple and rather easy game with about 50 different levels. There's nothing else after getting through Story Mode, but you can replay every single one of the levels and try to improve your score…unless it was flawless to start with!

Minis on the Move joins other greats like Pushmo to make the 3DS an amazing platform for anybody who enjoys a good puzzle game. Check it out, and prepare to get addicted to sliding tiles and frantically saving minis from a plunge into the dark abyss.

Overall, I thought this game was an excellent representation of a series that has a sacred place in the heart of many a gamer.

The beautifully rendered graphics are amazing and keep you in awe. The voiceovers match their counterparts and make you feel like your watching the TV series. The controls are tight and responses, except for the occasional platforming sections where things can get unnecessarily difficult due to some jumping issues.

A highly polished JRPG that is a must-play for fans of the Persona series. Although the visuals do look a little dated, the gameplay is as solid as the most modern entries in the series and certainly won't disappoint fans or newcomers.

Interweaving the storyline of the original title with this one and setting the stage for all that came after, it really opened and answered many questions.

Lost Planet: Extreme Condition Colonies Edition crams a lot of new content into the frame of a respectable game.

Action-RPG fans will certainly have fun with this release, although it's similar to the original, and if you're into thongs and "role-playing" then this game is a win-win.

From the opening theme song to the realistic gun pops, you will not be disappointed with the sound.

The strategy runs deep in the game.

An intriguing world steeped in mystery with plenty of action and unanswered questions. If anything, this game will create a population of rabid gamers waiting impatiently for the release of the sequel.

There are more good quality games in this compilation than in most others so if you see a handful of games that interest you, by all means get your hands on this as you'll likely be exposed to another handful of great games.

CCO has all of the gameplay, story, visuals and atmosphere that you could possibly want in a mystery game and I think does them all to a proverbial "t".

It's a new, fully-realized medium of entertainment that I predict we're going to see a lot of in the future, especially on handheld systems.

It's nice to relive the past, but it's a lot nicer when you discover that things are even better than you thought they were.

It is the perfect title for those that enjoy games such as Empire Earth, Civilization, Sim City, etc. I've had tons of fun with this game and will continue to play it for months to come.

Overall the production values are fantastic. It's just too bad the gameplay wasn't more sophisticated.

The campaign is meaty, plus there are co-op missions, score challenges, and plenty of collectables.

Not only are the characters sluggish but the game is very fussy about triggering events. You have to be standing in the perfect spot to do things such as open a door or pick up a key.

A perfect title for wrestling fans. It has tons of different match types, plenty of customization options, and provides some new and interesting ways to interact with other fans. This is definitely the most complete-feeling WWE title to come down in a long time, and it is great that the series has wrestled itself back into the spotlight.

Despite a few control issues and the desire for more engaging audio and visuals, the brimming content and excellent gameplay in Mario Golf: World Tour leaves the flaws well behind. The pace is perfect, whether you spend just a couple of minutes on challenges and training minigames, or breeze through eighteen holes in under half-an-hour.

With the release of Street Fighter Anniversary Collection, Capcom has basically thrown us the keys to their studio to do to this game whatever the hell we want.

If you never got a chance to check out the original DKJB, then you should definitely play NPC! DKJB. However, longtime fans of the bongo smashing original may have issues adjusting to this new version, or may even find that they miss their old peripherals while playing.

NHL 16 came in way above my expectations. To see this classic title returned to its former glory is both relieving and wildly exciting.

Most importantly, it plays well whether you’ve got a full group of four or going solo. The accommodations made to ensure the inputs are perfect for your setup, the ability to customize everything right down to the vocal parts, and crisp presentation make for a game that people will want to keep in their living rooms and enjoy for weeks, rather than play once then pop into storage.

The handheld FPS formula has finally been cracked, and not a moment too soon.

The world is one of the first I've seen that truly implores you to give it the proper respect rather than brashly dive into the unknown and expect to emerge unblemished. The story and characters may not drive you to a sublime world of fiction, but the action more than makes up for it, with character and equipment customization that will keep you tweaking and enjoying yourself the entire time.

Don’t Starve isn’t perfect, but it brings something to the PS4 that is sorely needed. Its addictive qualities keep you playing, forcing you to lose hours of your life to dodging Pig Men, hunting rabbits, and gathering supplies to see how long you can last.

Exactly what it needs to be: stupid good fun. The only thing it's missing is that old pizza parlor smell.

Much more than a novelty. It combines action and puzzles and requires skillful manipulation as you traverse all kinds of challenging terrain inside a transparent sphere.

The old school difficult may turn a lot of gamers off, but the gameplay is solid and the power/appearance assimilation is fun.

It's not a long game and the mutliplayer aspects won't elongate your enjoyment of the title by any stretch. At the end of the day it's just more Spider-Man and maybe that's enough for you.

A fantastic game to gaze at, with wonderfully detailed graphics, enormous environments, above average lighting effects, and smooth looking characters.

For the first time in years, the game has been redesigned which completely alters the gameplay at its core. Tiburon appears not to be satisfied with just creating an entertaining representation of video football but to advance the realism so that the experience brings players that much closer to what it feels like being on the gridiron. They've succeeded.