Replay value is off the map. Steep learning curve, though.

This game is a barrel of monkeys when you have friends over. Unfortunately, the single-player experience is wanting, and the lack of online multiplayer is a shame.

Flock! has a few quirks that some players may not fully appreciate, but this is the type of high-caliber title we'd like to see more of on PSN.

Dragon Ball: Evolution is probably a terrible movie, but I can say with all certainty that it is a terrible game. Poor graphics, a non-existent soundtrack, long loading times, and sparse play value make this title one that you should definitely skip.

It's the same puzzle over and over again, but the game stretches the concept to cover all sorts of different twists and turns.

Flock! has a few quirks that some players may not fully appreciate, but this is the type of high-caliber title we'd like to see more of on XBLA.

Getting two excellent single-player campaigns as well as a sizeable online offering should please fans of the original game and newcomers alike. While there are some minor graphical issues that can be found throughout both games, they thankfully never adversely affect the gameplay.

Getting two excellent single-player campaigns as well as a sizeable online offering should please fans of the original game and newcomers alike. While there are some minor graphical issues that can be found throughout both games, they thankfully never adversely affect the gameplay.

A good game that players will both enjoy and find tedious. Hopefully, the franchise will progress with a third iteration, as sticking to a more complex, strategic-based formula would do wonders for the series. As it stands now, you'll have fun but wish for a whole lot more!

A good game that players will both enjoy and find tedious. Hopefully, the franchise will progress with a third iteration, as sticking to a more complex, strategic-based formula would do wonders for the series. As it stands now, you'll have fun but wish for a whole lot more!

Tales of Valor falls short in terms of the volume of new content most players will expect in a standalone expansion priced at $30. What's there is great, but it's just not enough.

Hammerin Hero is almost guaranteed to disappoint any gamer that purchases it due to the short length, repetitive gameplay, and lack of replay value. But, it does make the perfect rental, and is highly recommended for a brief rendezvous.

If you consider yourself a hardcore action hound, Ninja Blade offers up challenge in a delightful package that'll keep you busy as you patiently wait for God of War 3.

The streamlined gameplay lets vets focus on battle strategies and clearing maps with the best possible ratings, while less experienced players can wade through the game without being terribly bogged down by having to micromanage lots of minutia. Elven Legacy is by no means an amazing game, but it's a strong follow-up to Fantasy Wars and not a bad way to spend a rainy afternoon.

Flock! has a few quirks that some players may not fully appreciate, but this is the type of high-caliber title we'd like to see more of on PC.

The game is mildly entertaining for the meager few hours it lasts, but if you're into the homebrew scene, you've already got access to something far more entertaining - and free, I might add.

Puzzle fans can get a few hours' worth of fun from Gravity, and they would be well-advised to give it a rental. As for a full purchase, it would be better to wait till the game hits the bargain bins.

Punishingly difficult, yet ostentatiously cute, Rhythm Heaven is the epitome of what a handheld music-based game should be. Forget guitar grips or funky cheerleaders! You won't find a more engaging or entertaining music experience for the DS.

It's a WarioWare game and it works with a camera, so it may pique your interest at first. However, it's very short, it won't let you save your goofy pictures or videos, and it's tough to make it work!

With eight different math-focused training modes, and several special Theme modes, there is plenty to do in Brain Age Express: Math for the DSi. And at 800 points, this is a great way to get back into training, or start it up for the first time!

There may be only two modes, but the block-shifting mechanic keeps the gameplay fresh, and I found myself wanting to come back to this title more than a few times.

In spite of poor input recognition and other issues, there is fun to be had here. However, it's incredibly short-lived. Even with its multiplayer options and unlockables, it's a very hard sell at $40.

Still, all in all, the fun racing action and the budget price tag incline us to recommend this game. It's a lot of fun and takes a good day of gameplay to conquer, making for a nice value-to-cost ratio.

The worst offense Box Office Bust makes is giving Larry something resembling a plot other than trying to get in the pants of the opposite sex. Instead of the simplest plots devices, we get a convoluted story with weak gameplay that never truly delivers on the funny.

The worst offense Box Office Bust makes is giving Larry something resembling a plot other than trying to get in the pants of the opposite sex. Instead of the simplest plots devices, we get a convoluted story with weak gameplay that never truly delivers on the funny.

A charming tale that's probably not worth playing through. The dated gameplay and stiff controls just don't do the tongue-in-cheek storytelling justice. Most players will become quickly bored with this title, though there may be enough allure in the setting for genre veterans to suffer through the action.

I doubt anyone will play this game more than once.

Ten dollars seems like a bit much for what's on offer here, but the regimented design ensures you'll have a quick blast of fun for a long, long time.

An amazing track list compiling important songs from every album of the bands history, solid character animations of the band, accurate representations of the stages the band has played on that fans will recognize, a digital "diary" of the band, and even special attacks in the Battle mode. There's not much else you could ask for. Guitar Hero: Metallica sets the bar for upcoming band-specific titles.

An amazing track list compiling important songs from every album of the bands history, solid character animations of the band, accurate representations of the stages the band has played on that fans will recognize, a digital "diary" of the band, and even special attacks in the Battle mode. There's not much else you could ask for. Guitar Hero: Metallica sets the bar for upcoming band-specific titles.

Most of Lux-Pain's gameplay is derived from wading through innumerable dialogue boxes by tapping the stylus or pressing a single button. If this sounds like fun to you, save yourself some money by buying a book and arbitrarily clicking your mouse 1,000 times while reading it.

With three modes and six levels each, ten challenges, a local multiplayer option, and tons of unlockables, there is plenty to do in this ten dollar package if you can get past the frustrations and don't mind a challenge.

UNO RUSH is a great LIVE Arcade title. While some may be initially discouraged by the title's frenetic pace and seemingly unforgiving controls, once you get the hang of things, you'll never want to let go!

So, if you are looking for an action game with a heavy focus on vehicular combat, over-the-top driving sequences, and ridiculously unrealistic abilities, you should definitely check out Wheelman.

So, if you are looking for an action game with a heavy focus on vehicular combat, over-the-top driving sequences, and ridiculously unrealistic abilities, you should definitely check out Wheelman.

The controls prove to be the game's worst aspect, and the single-player campaign is additionally marred by a pedestrian storyline.

The controls prove to be the game's worst aspect, and the single-player campaign is additionally marred by a pedestrian storyline.

As the first WWE Legends-focused title, WWE Legends of WrestleMania does a good job of creating a memorable experience that you can share with friends or enjoy all by yourself.

As the first WWE Legends-focused title, WWE Legends of WrestleMania does a good job of creating a memorable experience that you can share with friends or enjoy all by yourself.

Although there are plenty of modes, the poor controls hamper any play value this title might have had.

It may not be quite enough to drag old players back for another go around, but it definitely does make the Director’s Cut the version to have if you’re interested in a decent point-and-click adventure.

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.

In Wanted: Weapons of Fate, Grin has created a definite step forward for the "cover shooter" genre. It features a fast-paced campaign that we had a blast playing. Again, we suspect a rental will give most players all the value they'll get from this game, but all fans of third-person shooters should at least give it a shot.

In Wanted: Weapons of Fate, Grin has created a definite step forward for the "cover shooter" genre. It features a fast-paced campaign that we had a blast playing. Again, we suspect a rental will give most players all the value they'll get from this game, but all fans of third-person shooters should at least give it a shot.

It’s a real shame the game is so deeply handicapped by the archaic visuals and half-broken controls. Pick this one up on DS and have a blast!

There are plenty of dungeons and side quests here to keep you busy, and playing mini-game style quests with friends adds a good amount of replay value.

I was very pleased with Monsters vs. Aliens. Although it does not feature the most challenging gameplay for a seasoned gamer, the puzzle-platforming style of gameplay recalled older titles like Crash Bandicoot, and it is fun to play for both kids and adults.

I was very pleased with Monsters vs. Aliens. Although it does not feature the most challenging gameplay for a seasoned gamer, the puzzle-platforming style of gameplay recalled older titles like Crash Bandicoot, and it is fun to play for both kids and adults.

If you’ve got a youngster who really took a shine to the movie, then we wholeheartedly recommend this game as a way to extend the experience. It offers a unique perspective from what you’ll see in theaters, as well as a quality gaming package overall.

If you’ve got a youngster who really took a shine to the movie, then we wholeheartedly recommend this game as a way to extend the experience. It offers a unique perspective from what you’ll see in theaters, as well as a quality gaming package overall.

Those who have been longing to complete their Samurai Shodown collection and its cast of legendary characters should pick this one up.

The quality experience in The Pitt makes Operation Anchorage feel like even more of a misstep than it might really have been. Both offer some interesting additions to the main game and definitely provide additional play value in different ways. The Pitt is certainly the superior of the two in most regards. Get over the fact it was initially launched as a broken mess, this is one expansion Fallout 3 fans will truly appreciate.

EA Phenomic has successfully pulled off a surprisingly natural convergence of two very different types of gameplay. The combination is wickedly addictive. BattleForge isn't entirely a flawless victory, but it looks good, plays great, and gives card hoarders something new to obsess over.

The quality experience in The Pitt makes Operation Anchorage feel like even more of a misstep than it might really have been. Both offer some interesting additions to the main game and definitely provide additional play value in different ways. The Pitt is certainly the superior of the two in most regards. Get over the fact it was initially launched as a broken mess, this is one expansion Fallout 3 fans will truly appreciate.

An excellent starting point for the episodic series. Wallace and Gromit are just as charming as ever, and their first episodic romp left us looking forward to seeing where Telltale will take the two in future episodes. Clocking in at several hours of solid playtime, episode one is a relatively short endeavor, but the content is brimming with quality.

The turn-based battle mechanic is steeped with strategy; collecting and trading Pokémon is highly addictive; the single-player campaign lasts for tens of hours; and the layered multiplayer goodies will have you playing for conceivably years to come.

The game is fun. There is some replay value if you want to show off your stats and if you like collecting items.

By all indications, Runes of Magic is only going to get bigger and better. Although it's available for free, if you love the game, you should feel obligated to support the developers by visiting the Item Shop. If you're a purist, keep in mind that you can purchase items that are purely cosmetic. Consider that your price of admission to a wonderfully enchanted world.

While not as robust as the PC versions, this game packs a ton of gameplay with high replay potential onto a single cart.

The excellent single-player campaign is loaded with goodies and can easily be played through a second time due to the inclusion of Infected Mode. The multiplayer offering sets the bar for competitive shooter gameplay on the PSP.

There's simply so much to do that it will take many months to fully explore Rune Factory's true depth. The best part is it's fun to do so.

The lack of overall polish is inexcusable.

It is only March and I already know Henry Hatsworth in the Puzzling Adventure is a very strong candidate for game of the year on Nintendo's handheld. The exciting adventure mode mixed up with the puzzle gameplay is a surprisingly good formula that's both entertaining and very rewarding.

Although Suikoden Tierkreis may not have been the most deep or immersive RPG to hit the DS in recent months, I have to say that I was impressed with the effort.

The visuals are great, the gameplay is entertaining, and all of the new things that were tried in the game are welcome additions. The semi top-down view can take a little getting used to, especially when driving, but CW does a great job of compensating for this and just about any other issue you'll run into with a handful of assists that can be turned on and off.

An expansive campaign, numerous multiplayer options, and excellently varied mission goals give this title a lot of mileage.

I wouldn't recommend this game to people who become angry easily or want to get things done fast. Patience is a definite virtue in this series, and if you're not made for that, well… Kororinpa is not for you.

Don't buy this game. It's not worth your time, much less your $30. If you're a Wii owner who really wants a boxing challenge beyond that of Wii Sports, there's nothing to do but wait.

PES 2009 is one of the best sports titles to release this calendar year. In fact, I would say it definitely rivals FIFA 2009 and even NHL 2009. What a surprise! Now I can't wait for the 2010 version to come out to see how this title matures on the system.

The story is the main reason to play this title, as the overly complex rules system makes battles a bit too cumbersome for any real replay value.

Men of War is not going to appeal to the casual gamer. Only hardcores will be willing to attempt to crack this nut – it almost cracked this nut.

A very fun game that pays fan service to the faithful through its engaging, answer-filled story, and it modernizes the series through an amazing, cinematic presentation. Where the game seems to get bogged down is in its attempt to appeal to everyone. The hybridization of survival horror mechanics with action-shooter gameplay doesn't work out very well - making it suffer from the jack-of-all-trades syndrome.

A very fun game that pays fan service to the faithful through its engaging, answer-filled story, and it modernizes the series through an amazing, cinematic presentation. Where the game seems to get bogged down is in its attempt to appeal to everyone. The hybridization of survival horror mechanics with action-shooter gameplay doesn't work out very well - making it suffer from the jack-of-all-trades syndrome.

It is nice to see that gamers don't need to own the original in order to play the expansion. However, the campaigns from the original aren't playable in Uprising, so if you're at all interested in the single-player, buying the original is a necessity, despite the laughably short "recap video" that you can watch.

The tactics are fairly simple (especially considering their source material) and the small scope of the game will turn off many who expect more depth from their tower defense titles. The game also looks too much like a mobile title for a console port, and it just doesn't really stand up as its own tactics title.

When all is said and done, Zubo is a nice effort by EA Bright Light to appeal to a younger demographic while still providing an experienced that isn't dumbed-down. This makes it perfect for an aspiring gamer. That being said, the title isn't complex enough to truly appeal to people outside of the intended audience.

Despite the extreme variation of difficulty, this is just an average racer.

A surprisingly excellent game that is bound to piss off a lot of people. However, it's refreshing for adult gamers to have access to such interesting and mature (immature?) fare on Nintendo's console.

Simultaneously walking the beaten path and wildly straying from it, Matrix Software has created a diverse action-RPG that’s very satisfying. The blend of both familiar and completely new gameplay elements in Avalon Code improves the experience rather than detracting from it.

Despite being a product of corporate synergy that inconspicuously ties into existing brand identities over in Japan, Boing! Docomodake DS is surprisingly refreshing. Never mind the fact these mushrooms have sold their souls to the corporate machine, they're in it for the fun, and that's what they deliver.

Even though I was severely disappointed with this title, I am still hopeful for MySims Racing, which is the next entry in the MySims series. Hopefully, that one won't be "just another kart racer."

It's a good coupling of gameplay types that makes simulation more entertaining whilst offering more to do than merely playing through mini-games. However, most of what's offered in MySims Party looks and feels awfully familiar.

Seriously, even if you are a fan of the original game, you will be hard-pressed to find the appeal of this title and will be disappointed in the end. Play the original, it’ll be cheaper and more entertaining in the long run.

A skimpy expansion for an excellent game.

If you enjoy Trivial Pursuit, this title is a must-have in your collection.

If you enjoy Trivial Pursuit, this title is a must-have in your collection.

If you enjoy Trivial Pursuit, this title is a must-have in your collection.

If you enjoy Trivial Pursuit, this title is a must-have in your collection.

It's a very fun game that doesn't last very long, if you don't spar alongside human opponents online or via LAN.

For anyone who hasn't yet had a chance to give Pikmin a go, this is a great opportunity to jump into the series. The new Wii controls work great, and though the production values have aged a bit, it's still a fine game worth going back to.

Still, all in all, the fun racing action and the budget price tag incline us to recommend this game. It's a lot of fun and takes a good day of gameplay to conquer, making for a nice value-to-cost ratio.

As a traditional arcade co-op fighter this one delivers. Anything past this, and you are asking too much from it. The price tag is its own worst enemy.

As a traditional arcade co-op fighter this one delivers. Anything past this, and you are asking too much from it. The price tag is its own worst enemy.

As a traditional arcade co-op fighter this one delivers. Anything past this, and you are asking too much from it. The price tag is its own worst enemy.

An interesting experiment that turned out to be a complete success. Microsoft and Ensemble proved that this type of game can be successful on consoles. However, I do not believe it is perfect, because I still would prefer to play it on a PC. Also, the campaign is too easy and lacking strategy, there are not enough maps for six players, and I think the developer should have made resource gathering more challenging.

Even with some issues, Empire: Total War's battles are still very satisfying on the whole, and the game has a huge level of overall depth to explore. Armchair generals will get a ton of mileage out of this very ambitious and expansive game that once again pushes numerous boundaries with the Total War series.

Missions are incredibly narrow, leaving almost no room for improvisation. But, the flying and fighting in the jets is good fun, especially when done with or against other players.

Missions are incredibly narrow, leaving almost no room for improvisation. But, the flying and fighting in the jets is good fun, especially when done with or against other players.