Aside from the novelty factor, the gameplay in Boktai 2 is very unoriginal. It's not much different than Castlevania but it's not as difficult.

Anyone should be able this game in about 10 hours or so. Other than that, this game is perfect.

Ultimately, Alien Breed 2: Assault is a decent addition to the Xbox Live Arcade Lineup. While there isn't much here in terms of innovation, Assault is a solid isometric shooter that offers fun for fans of the genre or a person looking for a simple shooter with a buddy.

No multi-player, recycled levels and a relatively short game by any standards is reason enough not to own this game.

NBA Live 16 has a lot of promise but only comes in a little bit above average at its current state. Hopefully EA Sports provides gamers with an October patch or else the game will fall well below the ranks of its highly touted expectations.

Puzzle freaks only need apply - unless you're prepared to use a walkthrough.

Scooby Doo! First Frights goes where many games have gone before, but it's a respectable title fans should enjoy. Levels are often huge and interesting to explore, and ultimately, the developers make fun use of the license.

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

If you've played Earthworm Jim before there's really nothing new here besides a tacked-on and repetitive camera mini-game. Still, the action platforming core of the game is enjoyable while it lasts.

Definitely a renter for casual Superman fans and only those who want to fly around Metropolis at the end of a hard day should consider a purchase.

I'm not saying this game will replace "Tony Hawk 4," but I found it a heckuva lot more engaging and fun than "THPS3."

Not all of the missions are more difficult than subsequent ones, but in general the game's level of difficulty does increase exponentially when amortized over the 30-plus missions.

It actually sort of makes sense to think of Trial and Tribulations as an expansion pack--a 20+ hour one--to the original.

Chances are many trailer park hillbillies will pick it up from the bargain bin at Wal-Mart and think it's a documentary.

If you're looking for a challenge that doesn't involve elves, aliens or Nazis, your hunt is over.

This is one huge game. Granted, a lot of "make work" tasks manage to pad it out and they can get annoying after a while, but the actual size of the city is impressive.

I expect only hardcores and nostalgic gamers to truly enjoy the game. Everyone else will probably play it a handful of times and set it aside.

Don't expect much more than a cheesy hillbilly romp through the rural roads of America. But then again, what more could one want?

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

With a story that's both sweet and silly, a varied dungeon that can be played in short chunks, and a deep customization system available for those who are interested, this is a crawler that's worth checking out.

It's also incredibly challenging. You might want to purchase another controller just in case you hurl your present one at the wall.

Newcomers will probably find Call of Pripyat to be a less frustrating and more stable experience, while seeing the Zone's amazing environments with fresh eyes.

The dialog and voiceovers are the best features of the game. The developers acknowledge this by offering, as an unlockable, a behind-the-scenes documentary of Mr. Campbell performing his voiceovers for the game.

If you have a friends list full of like-minded and degenerate buddies, you really can’t beat the co-op experience for the price. But, by yourself, if you think you are going to be able to accomplish anything within this game beyond the simplest of heists, you’ve got another thing coming.

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.

Why then make a game of the underground world of illegal street racing and not have any cops chasing you at all?

If you can overlook some of the shoddy AI programming, both the enemy and your teammates, you can resign yourself to enjoying a relatively mindless shooter.

A somwhat confusing game that doesn't live up to the inspired madness of the animated series; it does however manage to be a whole lot better than some of the games featuring female heroes.

Compared to the PS2 version, this one is sharper, cleaner and overall more polished but not really to any astounding degree.

If you can forgive some wonky mechanics and come to the game expecting nothing but light-hearted fun, you'll get your money's worth out of Planet 51.

The trick system is easy to use, maybe too easy. There's not a lot of depth... Very straightforward in every respect and that's why I think it's perfect for a rental.

Another year, another Live… and a little extra. At least Live Run might keep the online play interesting.

Excuse another bad pun but the touch swing is touchy. You could make the exact same swing from the tee several times and the ball will take a different direction every time. It is not terrible, but you will have to take time to master this area.

The flashy graphics and rocking tunes will bring you right back to when shooters were king of the hill. If memories of Gradius or R-Type fill your heart with goodness, Nanostray will slap a smile on your face for a few hours.

A game that has incorporated some of the best elements from action adventure and RTS games and has delivered a concentrated strain of shooting action in the distillation process. It may lack depth but I don't think you'll hear too many complaints.

The updated visuals and online functionality are welcome improvements, but if you've already spent hours nailing high scores and low times four years ago, the events haven't changed drastically enough to warrant two purchases.

Shinobi is certainly not a game for everyone, and definitely too much of a burden for Nintendo's regular audience.

Regardless of Rhapsody’s shortcomings, the game manages to offer an enjoyable and very funny experience; none of it makes much sense, but then, it’s not really meant to.

Although the game is short and doesn't tell the story properly, it's still an enjoyable experience. Technically the mechanics are sound and while the gameplay may not be totally original, it's varied.

Duel Masters in videogame form is redundant from the actual playing cards. There's not much in the way of animation or storyline that furthers the card battling experience. The only benefit is that you can play against the AI if you can't find a friend.

The sounds of vehicles, guns and explosions are crisp and loud, perfectly suited for a game of this caliber (pun intended).

It’s a generous presentation with lots to do… locally. Some of the extras are a worthy addition to the package, while others feel slapped together.

The game is a mindless, simplistic punching bag that will either be music to your eyes, ears and thumbs or a crushing disappointment for those looking for more depth (note to self: lower your expectations of superhero games, dude).

In an effort to appeal to a wide range of gamers the gameplay is less than difficult. It's a lot less than difficult but it's not so much challenging as it is meant to be entertaining. Do I have to bring up the phrase "interactive movie" again?

Even for a game that focuses solely on one genre, this collection of songs is too varied to please all country fans. It would probably make a fun rental for a weekend. Don't buy this package unless you're a true fan of corny songs…er… I mean country songs.

Level design is mediocre and the lack of any single player mode makes the game feel unsatisfying.

Definitely worth spending some time with. Doubly so if you're a Rock Band enthusiast looking to expand your collection of playable songs. Owners of Rock Band 3 will definitely get their money's worth; for everyone else, there's a very enjoyable rhythm game here.

Any DBZ fan’s dream game. With nearly any DBZ character that a fan could ask for, a deeper fighting game, a long (if shallow) story mode, an improved Z Battle mode, better graphics, and an overall improved game, there isn’t much to complain about.

Injects enough of a dose of excitement to boost fans' adrenaline levels for a while. You're bound to get a few more months out of the game.

Deep customization drives the core shooter gameplay, which is only held back by a fear of repetition and a few bugs.

WWE 2K Battlegrounds is striking for its simplicity. It is the game equivalent of a popcorn flick. This is something goofy, simple, affordable, and likely intended to be enjoyed in brief bursts. The Campaign and Battleground Challenge are each presented in bite-sized chunks. The various matches never tend to go over five minutes. Everything is quick and breezy, with systems that put everyone on equal footing. It’s not incredibly deep, the characters don’t always look great, and all the stuff with price-tags on it can be daunting, but it’s surprisingly entertaining. Especially if you’re jumping in for quick bursts and want a goofy wrestling game anyone can enjoy.

Good but not great, Haunting Ground is technically impressive albeit fundamentally flawed. Dog lovers may want to prepare themselves for the horrors ahead.

The game is a mindless, simplistic punching bag that will either be music to your eyes, ears and thumbs or a crushing disappointment for those looking for more depth.

There aren't as many games here but since they are more involved they last longer than five seconds.

Another strong aspect of the game is the realistic weather effects that will have a huge impact on your race.

Had it come before Resident Evil 2, perhaps I would have been fonder of it. But as is, it feels like it doesn’t do as much or go as far as its predecessor, an issue exacerbated by the removal of some of its challenging and unique elements. It is worth playing, but people should enter with tempered expectations.

One can't help but notice that the franchise has seen better days.

Though likely created on a shoestring budget, Theresia offers an interesting story, engaging gameplay, and a fine, cinematic presentation. But as is the case with most games of its kind, there’s little reason to come back for seconds.

The gameplay is simply not good enough to compete with the production values. The developers were unable to match Burton's creativity.

Not a very deep or complex game but the mix of genres such as action, RPG and turn-based strategy is an interesting and intriguing combination.

Makes a great entry-level gateway for the uninitiated while offering veterans a breath of fresh air from their stuffy, convoluted, multi-layered, overly complex next-gen games.

A refreshing game that is straightforward, easy to follow and most importantly, it's fun.

What we have here is an incredibly long, incredibly flawed, and yet paradoxically engaging experience.

The only up side to owning this game is that you can go back and replay all the levels to find all the images, rescue all the characters and beat your best score.

It's just been so toned down from the original that on one hand while I applaud the balancing of the weapons, on the other I miss the raw intensity that permeated "Unreal Tournament."

Viva Piñata: Party Animals is a colorful and good looking game, and it's suitable for kids and parents alike. No one will get too tired of playing the game, unless the kid turns it into a daily chore!

With a little love, I could see a sequel to this game with several playable characters, combat styles, and a more diverse command structure that could seriously take this game to the next level. But for now, it is just a “pretty good game.”

Manages to restore some dignity into the franchise with one of the most playable Arnold-as-a-machine-style videogames.

One Piece: Unlimited Adventure is certainly not a bad game. But its formulaic story, repetitive combat, and poor graphics prevent it from achieving success as a great game based on the One Piece franchise.

If you are familiar with the PC Mafia there isn't a lot here for you except a drop in graphics, resolution, frequent gameplay interruptions and longer load times. WIth that out of the way, PS2 owners who haven't already got a taste of the Cosa Nostra way of life might certainly enjoy this.

Nothing but a spruced up version of last year's "World Series Baseball."

While it's enjoyable to solve puzzles and uncover a story in a genre that doesn't receive a lot of mileage these days, it's a little unfortunate that the themes and humor borrow from this ancient Looney Tunes-meets-90s-attitude rather than create a new world and identity all its own.

A totally accessible football game. The arcade style should make it appeal to a wide audience. The trouble is that it's not very different from the original NFL Street game, although you can take this one online with the Xbox Live feature.

It may take a while for you to get into Worms Forts. I didn't really like it at first but like a tapeworm, it eventually grew on me.

It plays it too safe and as a results is just a little too familiar and uninspired.

The game only lasts about 5-6 hours, and many will find what's on offer exceedingly dull. Still, point-and-click fans and puzzle-adventure buffs should really enjoy it.

My only complaint is that a lot of gamers will get bored long before they ever complete the single-player mode. But as long as you’ve got the Wi-Fi mode and some friends to play against, this might not be a questionable purchase.

This is a damn good shooter which offers lots of action and options including an engaging single-player mode and an online multi-player game with several modes to choose from.

FIFA Soccer 08 on the Wii is not for everyone. In fact, there are a lot of people who will find this title quite dull.

So, I guess you have to ask yourself one question--How big of a Metal Gear fan are you? If you can wait, the price of this game will almost certainly go down quickly. But if you can’t wait and you have the extra money, you will love Ground Zeroes no matter how short it is. It gives us a glimpse of the greatness that is sure to come in The Phantom Pain, let’s us get our Metal Gear fix, and shows us the future of stealth games on next-gen consoles.

Considering that nothing new was added to the title and that the game's problems are somewhat exacerbated by the PSP's limitations, this is definitely the weakest version of the title yet. Still, Everyday Shooter is an enjoyable experience worth the $9.99 download price for more than just top-down shooter fans.

Regrettably, Rival Swords offers nothing to players that have already experienced Two Thrones. Aside the fact that this is a handheld version, there really is no reason to even pick this up unless you like your Prince to go.

A great concept but suffers from being too simplistic overall. If there was a little more attention given to making the game longer, and perhaps a little more challenging, this would have been a worthwhile title. But as it stands, this title just ranks about average.

It’s a simple beat-‘em-up that stays within the realm of tried-and-true gameplay conventions, but it’s addictively fun and offers real replay value.

Sure some of the mechanics are weird, and the graphics aren't as good as they could be, but when you get to be your favorite ninja, that's the biggest plus factor for you, and everything else falls secondary.

I can't get over the load times and freeze-ups. Even as good as the graphics are I would take a blue screen background if the damn game would just play for fifteen minutes without a hiccup.

A weekend rental. On the easy level it should last no more than 12 hours. Weapons, health, auto aiming and leveled-up attributes are featured prominently throughout the game and made very simple to access and acquire.

There's some fun to be had here, but even the most fervent LBP fan will be a little put off by how little content there is. It's a fun game, but it's over before you can blink.

Manages to set itself apart from other racing games out there through its use of an interesting racing engine and a host of interesting RPG elements. Unfortunately, these high points are brought down by a barebones presentation and lack of game modes. However, for its ten-dollar budget price tag, Offroad certainly managed to keep me entertained for a few afternoons of racing fun.

Uplink will serve its purpose as a game that can be played sporadically. It's doubtful you will want to play it for extended sittings but it's got a lot of potential replay value providing you don't overdose on it during a weekend binge.

A slight improvement from last year's game but a few new tweaks do not a new game make.

A decent first-person shooter but it's based on the two-year old PC version. In this day and age of military, quad-based, tactical shooter, Black Hawk Down is a bit of a disappointment.

In an effort to appeal to a wide range of gamers the gameplay is less than difficult. It's a lot less than difficult but it's not so much challenging as it is meant to be entertaining. Do I have to bring up the phrase "interactive movie" again?

It's guaranteed to bring about a few laughs but more than anything, it's entertaining. If we at CCCP developed a game show, it probably would be along the lines of You Don't Know Jack.

The control in RE is completely unforgiving and ruins what should have, could have and would have been a great game.

You might be able to squeeze 20 hours out of this game before you start repeating yourself.

It stays true to the movie but at the expense of repetition and a convoluted storyline that tries to tie in all the filler. It's still a good game for anyone looking for an interactive movie that doesn't require much practice or skill.

It's a little easier to master than most extreme sport games and it dishes out the fun while it lasts. It just doesn't dish out for long.