Patapon 3 is here, but it's lost something since the second game. There's a missing sense of personality, which was a huge part of the appeal of Patapon 1 and 2. The core game is still great, and there's plenty of good material, but the first two games are undeniably better.

You really have to dig deep to reveal the charm of this game but if you're willing to invest a chunk of your immediate future into it you will definitely want to get to the end to find out what happened to your sister and your best friend. It's captivating in an addictive way.

SOCOM has always catered to the hardcore and Confrontation is no different in this regard. Slant Six has done an admirable job updating the formula of past games, but the decision to wipe the single-player slate clean and the copious amounts of bugs are standout problems.

This game promotes the use of imagination by having players create buildings and craft new objects, but it doesn't go much further than that. Online multiplayer capabilities are nice, as long as other people you know have the game too.

For a budget title, Operation: Vietnam is a pleasant surprise.

A title with an identity crisis. It doesn't know whether it wants to be a dungeon crawler or action adventure title, and sadly, it doesn't do either particularly well.

Adult players may find the story a tad on the horrendous side, but Drone Tactics easily holds its own in the strategy and gameplay departments.

The problem is that I didn't play it for that long. Ten tracks just isn't enough to carry a rhythm game, even an eight-dollar one. The replay value is just so depressingly low.

You may have to be a football fanatic to like this game, but if you are you will love it.

Younger kids that love the Incredibles but aren't exactly skilled gamers are going to have the best time with this game.

Ultimate Band won't live up to the high expectations of most players who've already had a taste or Rock Band and Guitar Hero, but it's a perfect fit for families on a budget with younger kids who are just looking for something music-oriented to play.

You may have to be a football fanatic to like this game, but if you are you will love it.

Brutal Legend didn't live up to my expectations. While I absolutely loved the immersive world, despite the graphical shortcomings, and the amazing voice work and soundtrack, despite the inclusion of Whitesnake and Skid Row, I was left miffed by the lack of main story content and the uninspired gameplay.

Good, simple baseball is fun for parties and special occasions, though it becomes a bit repetitive when played solo for extended periods of time.

I can only recommend this title to Guitar Hero enthusiasts that feel the band side of their collection is sorely missing the tracks included with this release. Everyone else out there could just as easily hold out for Guitar Hero 5, or wait for Smash Hits to hit the bargain bin or used section of their favorite game store.

The dramatic backstage elements were too lethargic, but the Road to Glory mode offers a great reason to keep improving my custom MyPlayer’s craft. There’s still some fine tuning needed in the animations and general visuals, but the overall feel of a faithful WWE experience is absolute and worth the ticket price for any dedicated fan.

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!

If you absolutely need to look at the fanciest graphics, or if you just simply hate weird Japanese humor, Touch My Katamari is not for you. However, for anyone who can handle it, this title offers gameplay so addictive you'll struggle to put it down, despite its flaws.

All-in-all, Killzone: Shadow Fall brings more good things to the table than bad, and a robust multiplayer component gives it a lot of playability past the campaign.

There aren't a lot of major changes to the original formula. At its core, it's essentially the same game only a bit better.

While it handles and looks well, with an Arcade mode and online elements that are rather solid, the Campaign isn’t fulfilling and too much gets locked away the second online connectivity has been taken away. There are too few cars and tracks here, something that will hopefully be remedied with both free and paid updates. If it gets the proper support, it could end up being a respectable entry in the series. At the moment, Gran Turismo Sport feels like a precursor to greater things.

Unlockables and medals add some replayability, but it's still just about the dancing.

Once you get a hang of the new controls, there's a ton of content here, though most of it is taken directly from the franchise's previous installments.

This game is not very difficult but it's not so easy either. If I could describe it in one word, I'd say it's engaging.

There's a ton of content available, but far too much of it is repetitive. That said, if you enjoy leveling up and questing, then there's 50+ hours of it here.

The sixty dollar price tag is a bit much to take, especially if you already spent sixty dollars on the original two years ago, but if Persona 4 Arena has been a staple in your fighting game library, Ultimax gives you more than enough content to satisfy you for another two years, and hopefully with patches and DLC it will get even better.

The Dream of the Turtle has the basic point-and-click formula down to a science. It does have a style all its own and it's different enough to make it an interesting alternative for those looking for something different.

Like all pet sims, what you get out of this game depends on what you want from it. If you want to raise all the breeds and compete in all the events, this will be a lengthy game. If you just want to raise one pet, don't expect to play it for more than two weeks.

Fans of the series will still find plenty to like here, but just be aware that this second helping isn't going to taste quite as fresh as the first.

Electrified ninja swords, stealth armor, and a new gauss rifle are only a few of the goodies awaiting players. The vignette is an entertaining diversion, but the rewards for completing it are what make it truly worthwhile.

This is not for everyone, but if you want a feudal Japan political simulator, it provides hours of entertainment.

It’s fun. It’s as fun, if not more, than any of the previous games. It’s not going to change the world ten times over, but for a launch title, this is where we should be.

For an all ages title that clearly caters to younger players, Wild Earth: African Safari is substantially entertaining on the Wii.

Like all pet sims, what you get out of this game depends on what you want from it. If you want to raise all the breeds and compete in all the events, this will be a lengthy game. If you just want to raise one pet, don't expect to play it for more than two weeks.

Fans of the series will still find plenty to like here, but just be aware that this second helping isn't going to taste quite as fresh as the first.

Like all pet sims, what you get out of this game depends on what you want from it. If you want to raise all the breeds and compete in all the events, this will be a lengthy game. If you just want to raise one pet, don't expect to play it for more than two weeks.

Eternal Poison has to be one of the most entertaining RPGs I have played all year. Although it sticks firmly to genre conventions in terms of general gameplay mechanics, the overkill system is interesting enough and adds a new (albeit simple) dimension to the battle system. However, Eternal Poison’s real strength comes from its multi-faceted story.

On the whole, Ghostbusters is an impressive production most fans should eat up. We had a fun time with the game, though we were also left with serious reservations due to glitching that might cause less-experienced gamers to hang up their proton packs well before the journey ends.

There are parts that are exciting, yet others that I know need work, and some features that feel unnecessary.

Madagascar Katz is a perfectly solid kart racer, and it is definitely not the "cash-in" that I was expecting it to be. Though parents and young kids will probably pick this title up based on its name alone, they are actually in for a treat, as the game behind the license is actually quite good. Although the game's difficulty may be a turn-off for some younger or inexperienced players, I found the game as a whole to be very refreshing.

A success, thanks mainly to its innovative battle system. And best of all, there's plenty of room to improve the formula in sequels and other games; this franchise could be unstoppable if it adds better character development options and more variety in its combat.

There’s a whole lot to do if you enjoy challenging puzzlers: over 100 levels on Puzzle mode, tons of stages on Action mode, co-op support, and several multiplayer modes locally or via Xbox LIVE.

It's certainly a feast for the eyes and is probably the superior way to get introduced to the game. If you are a fan of the original, on the other hand, you are essentially paying $20 to play a far prettier, slightly shorter, somewhat adapted version of what you have already played.

Madagascar Katz is a perfectly solid kart racer, and it is definitely not the "cash-in" that I was expecting it to be. Though parents and young kids will probably pick this title up based on its name alone, they are actually in for a treat, as the game behind the license is actually quite good. Although the game's difficulty may be a turn-off for some younger or inexperienced players, I found the game as a whole to be very refreshing.

Bethesda claims that the Fallout 76 servers will last “forever” and, while it may not take that long to patch bugs and improve the experience, my foray with the launch version has left me with an abundance of bullet points that need attention. My biggest hope is that Bethesda will take our suggestions and criticisms as a call to action to tweak the faulty mechanics and build more features into a game that has a ton of potential.

You're only going to get your money's worth out of this game if you plan on getting a lot of use out of the multi-player mode.

ShootMania Storm is a breath of fresh air in this world of carbon-copy military shooters. It’s a new take on an old genre that will satisfy anyone who grew up alongside the early shooters.

Every remark, battle cry and slash looks, sounds, and feels authentic to these characters, especially Wolverine and Sabertooth. This game will definitely put you in the spandex of your favorite spandex slasher, which by the way is not the manliest of looks.

Actually pretty fun, and considering that the game is only twelve dollars on the PlayStation Network, it's a pretty good deal if you are looking for a 2D run and gun shooter. It's no Contra, that's for sure, but it's tongue-in-cheek, goofy, and generally enjoyable.

A good addition to the series, albeit one that needs some special consideration. It's the black sheep of the SOCOM family and is in need of some refinement. It's close to greatness, but close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades.

Those thinking the little blue guy had nothing left are sorely mistaken, as he does serve up a pretty good game of tennis. Fans of either classic Sega or Virtua Tennis will immediately feel comfortable with this title and find more than enough to satisfy them. Others may become bored with the repetitive mini-games.

Its mechanics are shallow, its gunplay is simple, and its story is something out of World War II obsessive’s wet dream. However, the things it gets right it does really well. The stealth is handled perfectly, the inventory and character progression are really well done, and the combination of regenerating health and pickups is actually something I wouldn’t mind seeing in future shooters.

If you like online play, King of Fighters does it extremely well. However, with only one single-player offline mode, this title feels a little empty overall.

The original MotorStorm and the follow-up, Pacific Rift, are both better games than this, and those who are looking to replicate those experiences will come away disappointed. However, this is still a pretty good, late-life PS2 racing game, and if you're looking to squeeze a few extra drops of life out of your PS2, then this is a competent racer for a good price.

If you're a patient racing fan who doesn't mind the old-school style racers in which a single mistake at any point in the race can cost you the win, then you'll be able to look past Dirt 2's frustrating moments. However, if you're easily miffed, this probably isn't the best game for you.

This game is almost strictly a multiplayer experience. As such, you're not getting a whole lot of value for your money. That said, the competitive online play will be worth the price of admission for many.

All in all, Dark Legend gets a lot right, and as the Wii missed out on the well-reviewed original Overlord, gamers who own Wiis but no other gaming platforms should definitely give it a shot.

MicroBot's baseline gameplay isn't revolutionary, but for an arcade shooter, it's not bad. Might be worth a trip just for the aesthetics, depending on how much like the genre.

I hated every single puzzle it threw my way, and couldn’t stand how I had to brute force my way through most of it. But the story was still so good and the ending was superb.

Aion is one of the best, most well-polished MMORPGs to be released in a long time, which is reinforced by its popularity and hype. It stays within the traditions of an aging genre and makes sure to maximize on it at the same time. Nevertheless, its lack of unique components doesn't help set it apart from the competition, and calls into question Aion's ability to establish a solid, faithful, and long-lasting community.

MicroBot's baseline gameplay isn't revolutionary, but for an arcade shooter, it's not bad. Might be worth a trip just for the aesthetics, depending on how much like the genre.

For my money I want a completely overhauled game and not something that feels nuked. Don't give me some cheesy unlockables and a few new modes and call it a new game. This isn't a new game.

What it will deliver is a campaign long enough to keep players busy, and more importantly, interested throughout.

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.

For anyone who has enjoyed recent Disney titles such as Wall-E or other platform games like the recent LEGO Batman, Bolt is just as fun, putting new spins and different functions to otherwise standard platform tasks.

If you missed any one of the original three Jak and Daxter titles, 40 bucks is more than worth getting to play these classics in HD. However, if you are a longtime fan, only pick this collection up if you have 40 dollars burning a hole in your pocket. It's fun, it's pretty, and it reminded me why Jak and Daxter was an awesome series, but that's all I can say for it.

That rant out of the way, Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2 for the Nintendo DS is a fun game that has the most to offer when played cooperatively. The biggest flaw, beyond the minor aforementioned annoyances and distractions, is when you boil it all down this is a game intended for the consoles and that is where it excels.

The gameplay is classic Nintendo multiplayer fun and will put a smile on your face.

The big question: should you buy Enhanced Edition if you have already purchased The Witcher 2 on PC? That's a tough question to answer. The additional content is appealing, but if you've been faithfully supporting the game by purchasing DLC, it will undoubtedly feel like you are buying a lot of things for a second time.

Newer gamers will likely find themselves frustrated by the trial-and-error single-player campaign, though it will be a fun return home for veterans of the franchise. The real allure is the surprisingly robust online multiplayer matches.

While some gamers will be turned off by the lack of control during battles, the game’s deep statistics, enduring characters, and down right bizarre story are more than enough to warrant a look.

Definitely get this game if you love Tetris and want to embark in the world of online multiplayer battles. If you just plan to play it offline by yourself or with friends, then the look of it is the only reason to get the game, as it's a bit more polished than the older "Tetris Worlds" and it supports high definition, in addition to the fact that you can select different avatars and themes that weren't there in previous versions.

But the improvements to the classic design are substantial, and they really make the gameplay more accessible.

For anyone who has enjoyed recent Disney titles such as Wall-E or other platform games like the recent LEGO Batman, Bolt is just as fun, putting new spins and different functions to otherwise standard platform tasks.

A solid adventure game that genre veterans will undoubtedly eat up. Novices, however, may be put off by the game’s issues. If they are patient enough, however, they will find an enjoyable and enchanted world to explore.

I can only recommend this title to Guitar Hero enthusiasts that feel the band side of their collection is sorely missing the tracks included with this release. Everyone else out there could just as easily hold out for Guitar Hero 5, or wait for Smash Hits to hit the bargain bin or used section of their favorite game store.

What's there is fun and feels well designed, but with only three levels it is over far too quickly.

World of Tanks has a great premise, and it offers surprisingly deep gameplay for a free game.

It almost seems as if those virtual barriers we often find in video games have disappeared in this game, as if magic had taken over and made this game endless.

The game lacks a coherent story, visual polish, and meaningful new gameplay elements. Though running around and stabbing people is still fun, Revelations has lost some of the spark that made its predecessors feel so amazing.

Fan of the Harvest Moon formula will find plenty of play value here, though veterans may be frustrated by the lack of control they have over the game's progression.

A few more layers of polish, a little more originality, and an interesting story with some substance would make it a much better game. Regardless, it boils down to a good puzzle experience with gameplay that’s strong enough to carry the weight.

The game lacks a coherent story, visual polish, and meaningful new gameplay elements. Though running around and stabbing people is still fun, Revelations has lost some of the spark that made its predecessors feel so amazing.

DJ Max: Fever is not a better mousetrap, it's just a good mousetrap, and it's managed to hook a rat like me. I hate to end this review with a pun, but due to the rhythm genre and the insane difficulty level, this game is hard to beat.

Clash of Ninja Revolution 3 is not a perfect game. It has plenty of issues when it comes to graphics and simplistic gameplay. However, it still manages to be a great fighter on the Wii. The online capabilities are what really boost this title past the competition. If you love Naruto or are looking for a decent fighter on the Wii, Naruto Shippuden: Clash of Ninja Revolution 3 will probably be your best bet.

I don't expect this game to be a smash hit because it is a simple cops and robbers chase arcade that's off the commercial radar. However, the game is a lot of mindless fun.

Untamed is one of the best offroad racing games on the Wii and is well worth playing, or at least trying if you haven't experienced this genre before.

Lot of gameplay variety, but the game is short and repetitious.

A worthwhile title and a steal at only 500 points. Fans of games like PixelJunk Monsters will be drawn to its "defend the tower" style gameplay, and it is also fun for those who enjoy a quick pick-up-and-play experience.

A fun and mindless action game. The story is neglible, and there is little to the game besides blowing up bad guys, and leaping across rooftops. However, while the game lasts, these things are undeniably fun to do.

The story is old hat, the telling of it is pretty lame but overall it serves as a good enough excuse to get into a giant robot and blow things up.

Heck, even those that are an older audience will have a hard time faulting the game, for its presentation and scope of gameplay are quite nice.

The presentation has some clever and fun touches, and frustration and blemishes not withstanding, fans of both puzzles and the macabre should definitely give the game a look.

Darksiders Genesis isn’t a bad game. It has a lot of potential to it and there are some things it does well. I especially liked the twists to its story. The problem is that it is pretty clear it didn’t get the same level of attention as its predecessors. Elements of its design makes it feel like corners were cut in an effort to get things done as efficiently as possible. This can mean some platforming segments are difficult to get past and a little perhaps the puzzles could have actually been challenging.

Nancy Drew’s console debut doesn’t make a huge splash, but it’s solid enough for fans that aren’t into PC gaming to take the series for a spin.

This is an action-RPG that offers more than just addictive loot gathering, and that's something we don't see enough of.

This game is almost strictly a multiplayer experience. As such, you're not getting a whole lot of value for your money. That said, the competitive online play will be worth the price of admission for many.

Every remark, battle cry and slash looks, sounds, and feels authentic to these characters, especially Wolverine and Sabertooth. This game will definitely put you in the spandex of your favorite spandex slasher, which by the way is not the manliest of looks.