Bottom-line: This is a game for completionists, leaderboard junkies, and glory hounds, though it should be noted that there are much simpler ways to proclaim one's video game superiority.

No deathmatch? What? Super old gameplay tenets and painful repetitiousness reign supreme here, which is what ultimately tanks the fun.

A solid, not groundbreaking, action experience for its fans. If you like to shoot stuff, and your friend does too, you've got a winner.

A solid, not groundbreaking, action experience for its fans. If you like to shoot stuff, and your friend does too, you've got a winner.

Bottom-line: This is a game for completionists, leaderboard junkies, and glory hounds, though it should be noted that there are much simpler ways to proclaim one's video game superiority.

Bottom-line: This is a game for completionists, leaderboard junkies, and glory hounds, though it should be noted that there are much simpler ways to proclaim one's video game superiority.

Though the game only lasts a dozen hours or so, and features mostly random battles, the story and the battle system make the experience worthwhile.

It's easy to get sucked into the story and find a lot to enjoy in the game's 18 action-packed missions.

It's a really short adventure, and though the various elements are all really well polished and fun, they're also way overused. The entire experience feels very formulaic.

Completely useless A.I. makes playing this game by yourself absolutely infuriating, but if you can find a friend to play with, it at least becomes playable. Then it is simply just boring and repetitive.

I do hope to see Phoenix eventually make a worthwhile appearance on consoles, one that lives up to the great legacy the series has now built up for itself. This one, though, isn't a crowning achievement for Capcom, and throwing your money at the game will probably only serve to send the wrong message to the publisher.

The game contains 100 puzzles with different themes and objects. It'll keep you busy for a while, especially if you're enjoying it.

Blood Bath and Beyond is average fun while it lasts. The script and parodies are a reason to keep playing. The low-gravity sections at the end of the game are enjoyable, too.

There is plenty to do in Divinity II, and if you don't mind putting up with the poor visuals or combat, there are plenty of side-quests to take on to extend your experience.

Blood Bath and Beyond is average fun while it lasts. The script and parodies are a reason to keep playing. The low-gravity sections at the end of the game are enjoyable, too.

It's an extremely technically proficient game, and it accomplishes everything that it sets out to do with flying colors. However, Darksiders only crime may be that they set their sights too low. This game hits the bullseye in the center of the target, but I couldn't help but wish that the target was a little higher towards the heavens.

It's an extremely technically proficient game, and it accomplishes everything that it sets out to do with flying colors. However, Darksiders only crime may be that they set their sights too low. This game hits the bullseye in the center of the target, but I couldn't help but wish that the target was a little higher towards the heavens.

The gameplay really is excellent, and though the story leaves much to be desired, the excellent combat more than makes up for this shortcoming. Between epic boss battles, beautiful environments, and one badass heroine, Bayonetta is definitely the first knock-out action game of the new year and is a great title to shake off those winter blues.

The gameplay really is excellent, and though the story leaves much to be desired, the excellent combat more than makes up for this shortcoming. Between epic boss battles, beautiful environments, and one badass heroine, Bayonetta is definitely the first knock-out action game of the new year and is a great title to shake off those winter blues.

There is plenty to do in Divinity II, and if you don't mind putting up with the poor visuals or combat, there are plenty of side-quests to take on to extend your experience.

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.

For five dollars and having over thirty levels, you're getting a ton of game for your money. Plus, it's fun to play from start to finish.

Play this game for the story and you'll be happy. Play it for the combat and you'll be sorely disappointed.

Almost unplayable by oneself and difficult to find others to play with online. 0 Day is a really short game that you'll likely not come anywhere close to getting fifteen dollars worth of enjoyment out of.

With only a small selection of mini-game events and options, families aren't likely to get much value out of Playmobil Circus.

When it comes right down to it, Puzzlegeddon is a decent idea, but its implementation feels incomplete. Those who love block-matching games and want a fresh challenge will want to pick it up, but most others should wait for the sequel.

When it comes right down to it, Puzzlegeddon is a decent idea, but its implementation feels incomplete. Those who love block-matching games and want a fresh challenge will want to pick it up, but most others should wait for the sequel.

PixelJunk Shooter isn't my favorite entry from Q-Games (Eden holds that distinction), but it is one of my favorite games of 2009 - arcade or otherwise.