With Scribblenauts Unmasked, the addition of DC characters brings an equally impressive cast of references from the legendary comic book universe. Unfortunately, though, die-hard fans of the DC universe are likely the only group of people who will appreciate this game to its fullest. For everyone else, if you haven't played a Scribblenauts, you may want to purchase Scribblenauts: Unlimited instead (equally polished game for less than half the price).

I became invested in the characters almost immediately and found the game very accessible. It's perhaps a little too easy or too linear for some, and I would have appreciated another gameplay mechanic or two, but I found the design and difficulty to be perfectly fitting for the type of game this is.

As it stands, there's a bit much here that holds back a smooth, fun experience like you would get in previous Scribblenauts titles. It is both a blessing and a curse.

Chapter Three is ultimately a letdown all things considered, but as a whole, The Raven - Legacy of A Master Thief is still worth checking out if you enjoy point and click adventure games and a good "whodunit" style mystery.

For some quick bouts on the go, Real Boxing does an admirable job of capturing the sport and presenting it to the player in an accessible and satisfying way.

The game controls like a first-person shooter should, which facilitates the combat process, of which, there is a lot. Unfortunately, there isn’t much in the way of exploration or gameplay variety. Players advance to the next blue dot and kill whatever enemies spawn.

While gamers anxiously await the arrival of next generation games in November, EA Sports reminds us that there are still great games on this generation. While not completely perfect, FIFA 14 delivers on its promise of an improved and lasting gameplay experience.

Diablo III on the PS3 has its issues, but it certainly excels in some of the areas the PC version simply failed on. Gamers will be happy with Blizzard Entertainment's well thought out efforts to bring home a solid console version of their PC hit.

Beautiful, fluid, and tactfully modernized, The Wind Waker HD heavily preserves its base while adjusting the ingredients when absolutely necessary to correct the original’s most glaring imperfections.

Grand Theft Auto V is nothing short of perfection. It has a bit of everything for everyone in terms of gameplay. A good story mixed with intense action sequences and a large scope to set all of it up in. If this was going to be the last big title from Rockstar on this generation, what a helluva way to go out.

A Machine For Pigs may not appease fans of The Dark Descent, but it does offer a compelling entry into the genre, even if it's inferior to its predecessor.

Spark Unlimited's take on EDN III is engaging and fun. It's not going to turn the genre on its head or come away with any game of the year awards, but it is the best in the series and makes the franchise relevant again.

Creative Assembly has yet again produced another engaging and time-eating RTS that joyfully lets you create some of the earliest civilizations in a matter of days. The new features should allow many first-time RTS gamers to jump right in and find hours of enjoyment while the expert strategist of Total War will find a new challenge in building their empire in the more specific choices of construction, character abilities, and conquest.

Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn is something that is worthy of your gaming shelf. It certainly has some growing pains it's going through, but for the most part it's a very competent and fun MMORPG.

Part Bayonetta, part Viewtiful Joe, The Wonderful 101 is a game with a phenomenal, hilarious presentation and plenty of great ideas that is frequently hamstrung by its reliance on some unfortunate design choices.

Hardcore fans will get it for the new characters alone. But if you've ever been interested in DOA, and might be intimidated by its unique fighting mechanics, Ultimate offers a great platform to take the leap.

Chapter 2 is a step back for The Raven, but it's a necessary hurdle to get to what will hopefully be a great closing act.

Portraying the casual indifference from nature to it residents is a neat idea, but Shelter can't come up with enough ways to cleverly explore that relationship. The message is clear pretty early on and a change in scenery and context isn't enough to make it any more interesting. It sure is beautiful, though, and as the final scene fades away you can't help but smile.

Fostering a reaction as elusive and subjective as fear and then circulating it through a game presents a vicious assignment. Outlast nearly completes this task before exhaustively collapsing under the burden of its medium. While Outlast doesn't crack the code, its dreadful atmosphere and relentless tension move the entire genre closer to figuring it all out.

Guardians of Middle-Earth on the PC should be better in so many ways than its console cousin, but it's not. The controls and lack of online community support make this game a tough sell.

Accessible controls, beautiful in-game physics and few, but strong game modes make for an overall addictive experience. Perhaps it's the NHL rookie in me talking, but it's hard to believe this isn't the best iteration of the franchise yet.

Guerrilla Cambridge did a great job in giving the Vita its best FPS game to date. They did this by approaching the Killzone franchise from a fresh angle, giving players a console-like FPS experience with the convenience of a handheld, and by adding layers of gameplay mechanics that encourage continued play.

Pokémon Rumble U isn't a bad game, but it doesn't have much to it as a complete package. It's a button mashing brawler with a bit of depth coming from the NFC figures that you can purchase (optional).

MercurySteam's take on Castlevania has never looked better than it does with the Ultimate Edition. Despite being three years removed from its original release, it's still a joy to play and would do very well for itself when compared to more recent genre releases.

At first glance, Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons seems to be asking a lot from a prospective player. Its narrative is exposed exclusively through its emotive cast of characters. It provides a grand sense of adventure neatly tucked inside a three hour running time.

Killer is Dead functions decently, the art is occasionally nice, and it has shades of greater ideas, but beyond that I can't find a reason to spend money or time exploring its gradual deterioration.

There are endless amounts of hours waiting for kids in Disney Infinity's worlds. If kids want to build worlds, boom. If kids want to play adventures, boom. If kids want to spend time with each other and share Toy Box creations, boom. There's so much in one package that younger gamers will absolutely have a blast with it. It literally has everything for them and it's a worry-free environment to play in. What more could you ask for as a parent from a single game?

At the end of the day, if you're an old school gamer that loved Flashback when it was first released in the 90s then you're going to adore what VectorCell and Ubisoft have brought to you in the HD version. They've done a helluva job keeping the memory and core gameplay of the original intact, while still delivering a competent game that is fun and engaging in a new way.

From ambulances driving on field to cart off the injured to cones projected on the field to aid your passing, a lot has changed in Madden over the last 25 years. This latest edition boasts the most dynamic rushing controls to date. And with all the tweaks to the physics, Madden 25 gives you a nicely touched up version of the franchise you have loved for a quarter century.

Sam Fisher's latest is a treat, and quite possibly the most complete and robust Splinter Cell experience to date. It's not without some flaws of course, and I do wonder if it will be re-released on PS4/X1 in the next several months, but fans of the franchise should take note and suit up.

Papers, Please is a game about beating the system. Or subverting the system. Or submitting to the system. Or maybe ignoring the system. In any approach, it forces the player to consider conflict as a multifaceted condition tied to its narrative and design, and it doesn't much care if you judge its sum-total as traditionally fun. Papers, Please has something to say, and it makes it very clear at almost every instance.

If I had to sum up Thunder Wolves with a single world it would be 'fun.' It's not the most memorable or rewarding game you'll ever play by any means, but just like any good arcade game from the 90s, it provides you with several hours of raw action enjoyment.

WayForward set out to revitalize the Capcom NES hit from nearly twenty-five years ago and I believe they succeeded. That doesn't mean Ducktales Remastered is the greatest platformer of all time or that it doesn't have it's own gripes, but for anyone that has fond memories of the TV show, original game, or 90s platforming, this is good buy.

Gone Home is a story in which you'll get to know a handful of characters without physically meeting any one of them. A game where engagement is driven by exploration and absorption at a pace that perfectly suits the story it needs to tell. An experience that offers first and third person accounts of different stories and trusts the player with filling in the blanks. It's not that they don't make them like this anymore, but rather they've never made one like this before.

That should tell you all you need to know about how Volition This is a good game with solid principles, tight control functions, and awesome presentation. It just might be a little too insane for it's own good. Saints fans shouldn't hesitate picking this one up. For those that haven't liked the series to this point, I don't think there is any aspect to IV that would make them jump on the crazy train now.

There are times when Saints Row IV feels like the greatest super hero game ever made and there are times when it feels paralyzed by all of its power. Even when Saints Row IV retreats into molds it’s perfectly equipped to destroy, it’s always operating under the some of the most ridiculous and hilarious context seen in a videogame.

As expected, The Brigmore Witches functions as the opposite half of The Knife of Dunwall. Both are tremendous values for their price, offering what’s effectively a $20 b-campaign to Dishonored.

Mario & Luigi: Dream Team follows a strong format set forth by previous games in the series. Though Bowser's Inside Story is still the best, Dream Team holds its own and suits the new hardware of the 3DS very well.

If you enjoy NASCAR sims, Eutechnyx's latest is worth your consideration.

Dragon's Crown responds to the routinely shallow beat 'em up genre by raising its ceiling so high it's hard to tell when or where it may end. The relationship between play style and potential is cyclical, ensuring any lingering curiosity over a different class or build feeds into a completely new experience. There are some more abrasive aspects that might render Dragon's Crown inaccessible, which is unfortunate, but it’s currently near the top of its genre otherwise.

The Smurfs 2 provides all the right elements for a platformer, but the gameplay and level design are just too darn shallow to make it a worthwhile gaming experience. There are other platformers out there that are better and cheaper.

Pikmin 3 is a beautiful, highly-polished experience that is a must-own for any strategy fan in possession of a Wii U.

Rise of the Triad is a must-have for fans of the original ROTT or for those that enjoy 1990's FPS gaming. At $15, it's a great value, too.

The Raven is an engaging and fun point and click whodunit type of mystery/adventure that I'm happy to recommend. This opening act does a great job of hooking the player with an interesting cast characters and a story that I'm eager to play out.

ArcaniA and its expansion are ultimately worth playing, but there's no reason to do so on the PS3. Whatever went into porting ArcaniA to the PS3 was not done with care, and the result is an ok-to-good game that now has a lot more technical and presentation issues it didn't have when it first released nearly three years ago on other platforms.

At the end of the day, you get a fabulous 'ultimate' collection of all the Metal Gear games that make us Metal Gear fanatics happy. While there are a couple of games missing from the 'portable' side of things, most of what you want is in this Legacy Collection. It will certainly be worth your time and money in exchange for playing this games once again (or packaging and storing them somewhere safe).

A solid puzzle-platformer that is well worth the investment for those that enjoyed the original or just like the genre. It's not without some frustration, but the positives outweigh the negatives.

Bit.Trip games are less like versions of established genres and more akin to interpretations of them. It's like Gaijin Games waved the correct badge to get in the door, but then took a hard turn and veered off the map after they got through. Bit.Trip Fate interprets shoot ‘em ups through an electrocardiogram line and renders it a tool for exploitation rather than a railed limitation. It’s weird, it’s distinctive, and it’s great while it lasts.

Mamorukun Curse! is a simple shooter that is insanely difficult to master. This game isn't for everyone, but for those gamers up for the challenge, they'll find a lot of fun in this title.

What little DARK gets right is far outweighed by what it doesn't. For those that simply must play everything in the genre or have an unusually high interest in vampires, DARK may offer some moments of satisfaction, but for everyone else it's safe to skip.

My skepticism regarding "Urban Trial Freestyle" was remedied quickly by its easy-to-pickup-and-play nature and the fair amount of challenges it offered in both of its primary game modes. It's not the prettiest title on the platform, but what it lacks in appearance it makes up for in style and personality. "Urban Trial Freestyle" is a gritty little game with a lot to like. Sacrifice your next combo meal and give it a go.

We've seen this type of third-person action game before, and done better at times. Scourge: Outbreak does bring the action it promises, but also brings some flaws with it that hurt that action. Still, it's tough to argue what you get with the price it's being sold for, which is at a very affordable 800 MSP. Give this one a shot, but don't expect perfection.

The Komplete Edition shines on PC other than Story mode cutscene quality and, more importantly, some annoying online lag issues. Neither is a deal-breaker for me though, and at $30, I have no problem recommending it for purchase.

This is the best version of the series since NCAA 06. And even though I think annual releases of sports games are, well, useless with the possibility of just downloading roster updates, this is well worth $60 and can't be missed by NCAA fans.

400 Days is a nearly constructed collection of short stories that follow the macabre sentiment established by The Walking Dead. Will its cast be part of the eventual second season? Or is 400 Days merely intended to establish a mood and setting? Do the choices I made really matter in the grand scheme of Telltale’s story? I have no idea, and that's precisely what makes it so attractive and potentially valuable.

At the end of the day, Hotline Miami's simple, quick gameplay, though frustrating, is kept fresh by the level design and unique fighting style it delivers. It's definitely deeper than your average action game, and not as straightforward as it appears.

Project X Zone had me excited when I saw the list of characters from 27 different franchises from Capcom, SEGA, and Namco Bandai and after I witnessed the epic trailers that surfaced before its release. Unfortunately, I wasn't as happy with the game as I'd hoped. With such a diverse cast of characters, personalities, and environments, it's a shame the gameplay feels so generic (both as a tactics RPG and as a miniature fighting game mimic).

Company of Heroes 2 is an all around solid effort and experience that most RTS fans will find hard to ignore.

Deadpool's self aware narrative and seemingly impartial approach to combat boasts honest intentions but quickly fails in execution. Instead of a meta-commentary on game design or an innovative brawler Deadpool's content exhaust one liners and borrow mechanics from better games. The campaign’s final chapter is a statement of the game as whole; throwing everything together makes for an unpleasant lack of depth or detail.

I like what Sony is trying to do with the first release of the their 'Best of PlayStation Network' on the PlayStation 3. These are four really solid titles at a cheaper price than what you would get them for on PSN (if you're a PlayStation Plus member then the pricing is about the same). They don't include DLC, or cross-buy capabilities, but what can you do? This is still a good bargain.

Overall, if you can accept the difficulty of New Super Luigi U then you probably will love the additional challenges, 80 levels and complexity of it all. Nintendo did do a lot to this DLC, far more effort than most companies would have put into their own DLC. Give them credit for delivering the goods the way you would expect Nintendo to deliver them -- except with a little bit more difficulty included.

Overall, I like what Nintendo did with Game & Wario. It's a bit of a departure from the usual WarioWare design, but I think it certainly caters to a wider audience. Also, the diversity of gameplay actually expands the flavor of the series a bit. In addition to those things, this game also shows off some creative ways to use the Wii U gamepad, which might be a wonderful blueprint for future Nintendo titles and/or third party games from major publishers.

Far from a bad game yet short of greatness, The Night of the Rabbit is worth your time and money if you enjoy the genre.

"Dungeons & Dragons: Chronicles of Mystara" is great fun. Yea, it’s technically two catalog titles coupled for the price of $15, but this release isn’t just the first time these games have been made available for stateside consoles – it’s also the definitive edition of both arcade classics.

It's no surprise that the Vita release of Jak and Daxter Collection is noticeably inferior to its console counterpart. The problem is I'm referring to both the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 2 versions of each game. What the Jak and Daxter Collection gains in portability to loses in playability - a compromise that, even for games as objectively great as these three, is tough to reconcile.

Three words: go get it.

GRID 2 brings a fast and fun racing experience that will keep your appetite in check until the next generation racers get here. Just don't go into it expecting a Gran Turismo-like depth.

In the end, New Leaf takes logical steps toward expanding its appeal and solidifying its foundations—but when you boil it all down, just as with the best of the series’ past, it’s a proven recipe for social gaming: just add friends.

Remember Me appropriately and effectively creates a functioning futuristic society that treats memories like we treat oil. This is admittedly preposterous and shouldn't work, but Dontnod’s art direction sells their fiction with confidence and creates an engrossing world begging for (and happy to provide) rampant absorption.

The Wii U version of Sniper Elite V2 misses the mark and is inferior to the game on other platforms.

Playing the game is a blast, as the whole "desperado" feeling comes through in spades. Story is a fun play through, and could be done in one sitting. But the Duel and Arcade modes offer a good amount of re-playability.

If you want a strategy game with zombies, this is probably your best option. Be warned that you may get frustrated with the difficulty and tired with the tedious nature of the stages.

LEGO Batman 2: DC Super Heroes is pretty solid on the Wii U. While there is some control issues that create frustration when the Wii remote jumps into the mix, the game still defines what a LEGO game should look and play like.

As the game progressed, I felt more and more attached to Artyom and how his journey through the Metro would finish, which is a testament to the narrative, and the world it resides in.

Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D is a near perfect remake of the Wii classic.

A solid, true sequel to Metro 2033, Metro: Last Light has some flaws, but they're over-matched by the positives that make Last Light an excellent FPS experience.

Some nagging problems with Soul Sacrifice keep my excitement tempered, but Vita owners would be remiss if they didn't try it out.

Mario and Donkey Kong: Minis on the Move is a great addition to the recently strong lineup of 3DS titles out there. As a downloadable title, it's extremely accessible and at only $9.99, it's also extremely affordable. Considering this game has all the meat of a regularly priced title at a quarter of the price, it would be hard for any puzzle fan to pass this title up.

If you have yet to play Deadly Premonition, the Director's Cut is the way to go. And go you should, as this is an excellent game that should not be missed.

While I wasn't overly thrilled with the 1984 pack in comparison to the others released by Capcom, I'm still pleased to see some arcade classics come home to modern day consoles. Keep bringing 'em, Capcom.

Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen is a solid pick for anyone that has yet to try Capcom's open world RPG.

At it's current MSRP, Star Trek is destined to dock at the nearest starbase for good. However, if you really enjoy co-op third person games (who doesn't?), even if they aren't very good, you might circle back to this one later when the price is far, far lower.

Fueling creative energy with frayed Neuromancer paperbacks and worn out Terminator VHS tapes doesn't typically qualify as a safe investment, but Blood Dragon absolves its endearing risk by leveraging Far Cry 3 as its base and then running away to celebrate 80's cinematic excess. Ubisoft wins, Blood Dragon's creative team wins, Michael Biehn wins, and, most importantly, the consumer wins. Why can't all games be like this?

Sacred Citadel is a decent 2D action platformer, with good RPG elements. It pails in comparison with the likes of Golden Axe, Castle Crashers, Konami's X-Men, Streets of Rage, and others, but it is some cheap fun.

What it does is haphazardly simulate the thrill of ripping a man's heart out of his chest and replacing it with another one under the most ridiculous circumstances possible. It’s a joke of a game, sure, but for once the player gets to be in on it.

An excellent 'western' fighter that is more about accessibility and fun than mastering techniques and detailed strategies.

The Knife of Dunwall grabs hold of one of Dishonored’s more provocative threads and handles it with impressive respect and grace. In a perfect world this would lead countless one-off stories indulging in Dishonored’s intricate universe, but as a single piece of content its best viewed as a glimpse of its lingering potential. The Knife of Dunwall keeps Dishonored’s spirit right place, it’s just not finished yet.

Papo & Yo should be commended and will be remembered for wearing its heart on its sleeve.

While its position as a sandbox game for all ages should certainly benefit it as much as the LEGO brand, The Chase Begins is comparatively limited when viewed alongside its Wii U counterpart. Having said that, it holds the scope, the humor, and the basic premise well intact, so if you can look past its technical inadequacies, it’s at least a worthwhile romp through LEGO City that can be enjoyed on the go.

City Interactive is giving us glimpses of what such gameplay in a Sniper title would be like, while you’re wondering why they didn’t follow this model in the first place. Snipers and open world/sandbox games. It seems like such a natural fit.

Defiance is far from perfect. But it gets enough stuff right, that fans of action RPGs should find solace and have a really good time on this sci-fi excursion.

Razor's Edge mixes up tradition in the Ninja Gaiden franchise enough to make it a worthy purchase. A great story (even with action cliches), gameplay improvements, more dismemberments, and online modes. Problems with the camera, glitches, and invisible walls still plague the series. At $40, there is plenty of value to consider this worthwhile.

If Super Metroid is fine dining on exquisite steak then Guacamelee is a night at the wild Mexican place down the street, the one where you're sure the salsa is either aggressively seasoned or mixed with the chef's blood. This might leave Guacamelee too abrasive for certain tastes, but for most everyone else it’s the equivalent of a celebration riot in its declared genre.

For gamers looking for a hardcore challenge then this might be the game for you. For casual gamers, this might be a frustrating experience.

There is some frustration with Cling!, but there is a lot more charm and value in the title as well. Give it a go and see what you think.

Sometimes despite itself, AoT3 proves that a fun co-op experience can go a long away in masking flaws.

BioShock Infinite is a proper interactive mystery, and it's a sight to behold and a joy to experience.

I haven't been pleased with the PGA TOUR gameplay for a few years now, but I'm back on board with 14.