The level of detail, the foresight that went into planning the Story Designer and character creator, the Training Facility to catch newbies up to speed without dumbing the game down for franchise vets...the title really has it all.

The level of detail, the foresight that went into planning the Story Designer and character creator, the Training Facility to catch newbies up to speed without dumbing the game down for franchise vets...the title really has it all.

Unless you're absolutely die-hard about hard rock and heavy metal, Brutal Legend is one game you can relegate to a rental.

Unless you're absolutely die-hard about hard rock and heavy metal, Brutal Legend is one game you can relegate to a rental.

Uncharted 2: Among Thieves is a fantastic game, and every PS3 owner should experience it.

But for kid-focused entertainment and the knowledge that a movie-based game is actually well executed, it's hard to top these meatballs.

But for kid-focused entertainment and the knowledge that a movie-based game is actually well executed, it's hard to top these meatballs.

The best in-game destruction ever can't make up for a few major shortcomings, but when a game is built to blow up buildings, it's hard to find much fault when it does that so well. You'll definitely overlook the shortcomings and focus on what this game does well instead.

But for kid-focused entertainment and the knowledge that a movie-based game is actually well executed, it's hard to top these meatballs.

Unless you're a huge Beatles fan, there's no need to go out any drop the additional $250 for Beatles-era instruments, because the existing Rock Band instruments work just fine. There's also no need to rush out and get the game today, because chances are you'll "beat" the game well before the weekend.

Unless you're a huge Beatles fan, there's no need to go out any drop the additional $250 for Beatles-era instruments, because the existing Rock Band instruments work just fine. There's also no need to rush out and get the game today, because chances are you'll "beat" the game well before the weekend.

Unless you're a huge Beatles fan, there's no need to go out any drop the additional $250 for Beatles-era instruments, because the existing Rock Band instruments work just fine. There's also no need to rush out and get the game today, because chances are you'll "beat" the game well before the weekend.

My recommendation: let Wolfenstein stay in the other dimension and away from your Xbox 360 or PS3. There are other shooters this fall that can scratch your FPS itch a heck of a lot better.

My recommendation: let Wolfenstein stay in the other dimension and away from your Xbox 360 or PS3. There are other shooters this fall that can scratch your FPS itch a heck of a lot better.

There's nothing redeeming about this game other than some decent surround-sound effects and the closing credits.

There's nothing redeeming about this game other than some decent surround-sound effects and the closing credits.

Enjoyable arcade-style baseball that is just deep enough to keep you interested and not overwhelmed in the minutia of management.

Enjoyable arcade-style baseball that is just deep enough to keep you interested and not overwhelmed in the minutia of management.

This prequel has a great narrative, great voice acting and improves upon most of the gameplay shortcomings from the original.

This prequel has a great narrative, great voice acting and improves upon most of the gameplay shortcomings from the original.

If you like boxing and you play video games, Fight Night Round 4 is a must have.

If you like boxing and you play video games, Fight Night Round 4 is a must have.

The Conduit is decent, but I wouldn't pay $50 for it; maybe $30. Between cheap enemies and not enough polish, The Conduit just falls short.

I'd easily recommend that you go out and pick up this little gem of a licensed game and add it to your pile.

I'd easily recommend that you go out and pick up this little gem of a licensed game and add it to your pile.

The best in-game destruction ever can't make up for a few major shortcomings, but when a game is built to blow up buildings, it's hard to find much fault when it does that so well. You'll definitely overlook the shortcomings and focus on what this game does well instead.

The best in-game destruction ever can't make up for a few major shortcomings, but when a game is built to blow up buildings, it's hard to find much fault when it does that so well. You'll definitely overlook the shortcomings and focus on what this game does well instead.

The core game and concept are solid, but InFamous is a bit too repetitive for its own good, both in gameplay and environmental surroundings.

Great graphics, tight controls, plenty of fighters and a great online community make for a game with great lasting appeal.

Great graphics, tight controls, plenty of fighters and a great online community make for a game with great lasting appeal.

Random asshat aside -- whom you'll find on just about any game -- Sacred 2: Fallen Angel should be added to the backlog of anyone who loves a good loot-collection game, particularly one like this that doesn't impose a short timeline or ridiculously low level cap.

Random asshat aside -- whom you'll find on just about any game -- Sacred 2: Fallen Angel should be added to the backlog of anyone who loves a good loot-collection game, particularly one like this that doesn't impose a short timeline or ridiculously low level cap.

There's seldom a dull moment in this game, and when one arises it's intentional. Raven completely outdid themselves with this game, delivering one of the best Marvel games yet to ship.

There's seldom a dull moment in this game, and when one arises it's intentional. Raven completely outdid themselves with this game, delivering one of the best Marvel games yet to ship.

EA introduces some new gameplay elements and injects some variety, but it's not enough to keep the game from getting repetitive, and the overall polish isn't as high as it was in the original.

EA introduces some new gameplay elements and injects some variety, but it's not enough to keep the game from getting repetitive, and the overall polish isn't as high as it was in the original.

Nostalgia will inspire you to check this game out, but not even nostalgia can save this slow, brief and completely disappointing game.

Nostalgia will inspire you to check this game out, but not even nostalgia can save this slow, brief and completely disappointing game.

The result is a game that should entertain fans of the movie, and even a few who haven't seen it, though there may be some disappointment in graphics that aren't as polished as THQ's WALL*E -- which released last year.

The result is a game that should entertain fans of the movie, and even a few who haven't seen it, though there may be some disappointment in graphics that aren't as polished as THQ's WALL*E -- which released last year.

Halo Wars, as solid as it is from a gameplay perspective, is not an appropriate game for kids weaned on teabagging and fragfests.

But even fantastic graphics can't elevate H.A.W.X. beyond a simple weekend rental.

But even fantastic graphics can't elevate H.A.W.X. beyond a simple weekend rental.

Flower delivers on what it promises, and along the way you just might find yourself enjoying the ride again and again.

Project Origin is really like every other first-person shooter out there -- but without multiplayer.

Project Origin is really like every other first-person shooter out there -- but without multiplayer.

All in all, the next-gen version of Prince of Persia is fun and even relaxing at times, but overall it's a little disappointing. And that statement is coming from one of the development team's biggest fans.

All in all, the next-gen version of Prince of Persia is fun and even relaxing at times, but overall it's a little disappointing. And that statement is coming from one of the development team's biggest fans.

The police chases are fantastic, but the plot's bad and the gameplay is confined to an area that's much smaller than it seems like it should be.

The police chases are fantastic, but the plot's bad and the gameplay is confined to an area that's much smaller than it seems like it should be.

It's just more of the same, which is a big missed opportunity for Nintendo. Once the novelty of Wii Speak wears off, there isn't any incentive to continue.

Very stylistic, intense and creative, Mirror's Edge is missing the replayability to justify its $60 price tag, and it has a difficult learning curve that never quite levels out.

Very stylistic, intense and creative, Mirror's Edge is missing the replayability to justify its $60 price tag, and it has a difficult learning curve that never quite levels out.

EndWar is fun, fast-paced and will likely swoon even a few jaded shooter fans to the RTS fold.

EndWar is fun, fast-paced and will likely swoon even a few jaded shooter fans to the RTS fold.

No matter which side you choose, though, Quantum of Solace is mostly fun, but it suffers from some annoying AI and "by the numbers" gameplay, and it's far too short to recommend as anything but a rental.

No matter which side you choose, though, Quantum of Solace is mostly fun, but it suffers from some annoying AI and "by the numbers" gameplay, and it's far too short to recommend as anything but a rental.

The scale of battle both online and off is impressive, but the single-player experience still suffers from some tedious last-gen issues, from cheap deaths to linear levels.

Different from Oblivion but bound to be compared to it, Fallout 3 is deep, rewarding and as open-world as you get, with only a few issues that warrant a sight raise of the eyebrow.

Different from Oblivion but bound to be compared to it, Fallout 3 is deep, rewarding and as open-world as you get, with only a few issues that warrant a sight raise of the eyebrow.

Different from Oblivion but bound to be compared to it, Fallout 3 is deep, rewarding and as open-world as you get, with only a few issues that warrant a sight raise of the eyebrow.

If you're looking for a racing game on which to spend your holiday cash, Motorstorm: Pacific Rift definitely deserves a look.

This game is a true delight, making us point proudly to our PS3 and say "THIS is why I play video games."

All in all, Guitar Hero World Tour is a fun experience.

All in all, Guitar Hero World Tour is a fun experience.

All in all, Guitar Hero World Tour is a fun experience.

Lionhead packed Fable 2 with new features and depth, but a host of new gameplay issues give the action RPG some serious growing pains.

It's tempting to dismiss the game since it's been on the Xbox 360 for a year, but when the experience is this rewarding the second time around, the core game is definitely worth your attention, even if the downloadable content may not hold it.

Spider-Man: Web of Shadows is a breath of fresh air in many respects, but needs a good breeze in others.

Spider-Man: Web of Shadows is a breath of fresh air in many respects, but needs a good breeze in others.

Spider-Man: Web of Shadows is a breath of fresh air in many respects, but needs a good breeze in others.

Far Cry 2 is a solid game no matter which way it is examined.

Far Cry 2 is a solid game no matter which way it is examined.

Still, these neat little touches can't justify the purchase of this game by themselves, and the rest of Midnight Club Los Angeles just has too many less-than-next-gen issues to warrant choosing it over the outstanding Burnout Paradise.

Still, these neat little touches can't justify the purchase of this game by themselves, and the rest of Midnight Club Los Angeles just has too many less-than-next-gen issues to warrant choosing it over the outstanding Burnout Paradise.

If patches can address the odd hiccups here and there, as we presume they will, and some new maps become available, SOCOM: Confrontation could very well have some staying power.

Dead Space introduces some much-needed new blood into the survival-horror genre, and it does it with style. There are a few minor annoyances and ridiculously hard sequences, but other than that, EA's new franchise is rock solid.

Dead Space introduces some much-needed new blood into the survival-horror genre, and it does it with style. There are a few minor annoyances and ridiculously hard sequences, but other than that, EA's new franchise is rock solid.

Fracture is a fun but repetitive game that does well with its new ground manipulation technology.

Fracture is a fun but repetitive game that does well with its new ground manipulation technology.

Still the best NBA game you can play, without question. However, the lack of new features may prevent it from being a slam dunk worthy of your $60.

Still the best NBA game you can play, without question. However, the lack of new features may prevent it from being a slam dunk worthy of your $60.

Flawed squad mechanics and a crutch-like suppression system undo the game's historical and voice-acting achievements.

Flawed squad mechanics and a crutch-like suppression system undo the game's historical and voice-acting achievements.

The graphics, audio and customization are excellent, and although the World Tour mode is unoriginal, it's also unabashedly fun.

The graphics, audio and customization are excellent, and although the World Tour mode is unoriginal, it's also unabashedly fun.

Still, Buzz! Master Quiz is the perfect title for a quick subway ride, or if you're the type of person who likes to play a video game for a few minutes before falling asleep.

As a Star Wars video game, The Force Unleashed just takes too many missteps to be a masterpiece. But as Star Wars canon, The Force Unleashed does very little wrong.

As a Star Wars video game, The Force Unleashed just takes too many missteps to be a masterpiece. But as Star Wars canon, The Force Unleashed does very little wrong.

If you have played it and are wondering whether it's as good as you remember, it is. It may even be better than you remember.

The game is solid, looks good and plays well, but it just has a "feel" that's not for everyone.

The game is solid, looks good and plays well, but it just has a "feel" that's not for everyone.

It's short, shallow and not all that fun.

It's a bit more exotic than the previous game, with a bit more gameplay variety and groups, but it's definitely not Shenmue.

With all that said, it's with heavy heart that we point anyone looking for a fun hockey game to NHL 09. We loathe to do this in light of NHL 2K9's impressive online features (tournaments and six-on-six with 11 other players), but the rest of the package just doesn't live up to expectations.

With all that said, it's with heavy heart that we point anyone looking for a fun hockey game to NHL 09. We loathe to do this in light of NHL 2K9's impressive online features (tournaments and six-on-six with 11 other players), but the rest of the package just doesn't live up to expectations.

With all that said, it's with heavy heart that we point anyone looking for a fun hockey game to NHL 09. We loathe to do this in light of NHL 2K9's impressive online features (tournaments and six-on-six with 11 other players), but the rest of the package just doesn't live up to expectations.

Mystery Case Files is a fun, albeit slightly repetitive, experience.