In some grand, twisted irony, the multiplayer integrates itself into the fiction in a much better way than the singleplayer does.

Mass Effect 2 is a great shooter loaded with involving dialogue. The way it addresses some of the other issues varies in success, but it’s still an extremely entertaining product and a great way to kick off 2010’s amazing first-quarter barrage.

The existence of a big-budget, very traditional computer role-playing game (CRPG) alone makes Dragon Age: Origins a huge accomplishment.

It improves on a great formula, and the only areas it is lacking in are areas in which no other grand strategy game has ever excelled.

Left 4 Dead 2 is better and bigger than Left 4 Dead. It’s a sequel that builds on its incredibly stern and ludicrously fun foundations, expanding in all the right places and scrubbing out all the little problems that existed in the original.

Modern Warfare 2 is a great game, and if it weren’t for all the PC-defining features that were stripped out of the game, it’d doubtlessly be superior to its predecessor. What we have here, though, is a game that’s lost a lot in its transition to the PC, and whether that’s something you can tolerate, well… you know.

What the game does – a single-player campaign – it does very well, and if you enjoyed the rich scenarios of previous games in the series you probably own this game already. If you don't, and if you're looking for an entry point into the phenomenon, this is as stellar a place to start as any.

This is a game that does hack and slash real justice and it’s a the perfect choice for those eagerly waiting the release of Diablo 3.

Borderlands has more weaknesses than strengths, but the few strengths it has absolutely overwhelm most of the problems the game has.

Tropico 3 is not only a faithful adaptation of a classic idea, it’s also the best game Haemimont has ever made.

OpFlash 2 actually tries realism and gets the basics right.

The move to vibrant, fully-realized 3D hasn’t altered the formula at all.

Guerrilla is fun, until you make a terrible discovery: it’s pretty easy.

A remarkable achievement. I need to stress just how thoughtful and smart its progression is. The way you make your way around Arkham is executed so well, and everything about the game is polished to an almost offensive sheen.

The single-player and co-op intertwine really well.

I want to recommend CrimeCraft, I really do. However, with the frustrating gameplay, graphics that seem overly dated, and the game trying to do too much without doing anything well, I seriously wonder if I wouldn't have had more fun lighting cigars with the same two twenty-dollar bills I used to pay for this game.

Graphics are easily the standout element in Trine.

The game can be fun and the game can be maddening.

Anno 1404 is the best Anno yet and one of the best strategy games in a long time. Tons of games are addictive, very few of them for the right reasons – but this game is both.

The Sims 3 has immense potential as upcoming expansions start rolling into high gear. And that’s what you’re really buying: A game of potential.

Puzzles slay the sense of urgency and tension as quickly as the killer does people.

The combat is in the game is extremely gratifying.

Long-term value is one of the many deciding factors in purchasing this game. It’s already receiving more content, it’s cheap, and it’s really good about killing stuff. Buying Killing Floor is easily one of the best purchasing decisions you can make this year.

The bottom line is that if this game is parody, then it's a great concept executed in a somewhat middling way, and if it's intended to be fun on its own merits then it's just a bad game. A terrible one actually.

You really need a lot of practice in order to be good at it (multiplayer).

The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena has a lot of content to shuffle through, especially if you’ve never played Escape, so it’s totally worth getting.

Half the fun of this game is building an effective, focused force piece by piece using artifacts and levels-up, as well as shrewd tactical choices.

It’s a game that’s springing leaks in every conceivable layer of its design, but it somehow sails on.