The story is interesting, the dialog is hilarious, and the game is fun. NIS did their best to pull out the best elements of their previous games – those mechanics that people seemed to enjoy the most – and funnel them into this new game, while still exploring other novel ideas.

Aftershock is a very difficult but fun strategy title that marries strategic and tactical portions which are both compelling and fully-developed, as well as an important RPG system, which also interconnects quite well with the other portions of the game.

If you're already accustomed to suffering under "Everquest" or "Dark Age of Camelot," WoW will be your familiar stomping ground minus a heaping helping of the stupid stuff you've already grown accustomed to putting up with. If you've never played an MMO before, WoW is the least of many evils you could start with.

If you’re buying a game other than Zelda with your Wii, make it Trauma Center. The gameplay not only translates perfectly, it evolves, and everything that made Under the Knife great is still on full display.

The game offers a lot to do for any RPG aficionado, including a compelling story bundled into a non-linear package that affords something many RPG gamers want – freedom to act as they please. Fable, with all it offers, is the perfect game for this type of freedom.

Sporting some exceedingly sharp sharp, audio that will leave a player with beads of sweat on their brow, a story that could make their head feel as if it might explode (yet is still enjoyable to watch unfold), and solid frantic shooting mixed with duck and hide combat tactics all blend together to create one fantastic gaming experience.

The ultimate sandbox game. It gives players plenty of opportunities to experiment and explore, but it also has enough meat to really attract gamers interested in strategic play.

The focus is clearly comedy, and though the game is easier and shorter than the average graphic adventure, the quality of the script, voice-acting, and even the end-credit song is worth the price of admission. Let’s hope they keep it up.

It has the looks, it has the thrills and holds an undeniable charm. If you're sick of not flying 1100 feet in the air and feel embarrassing posers who bring it weak to your home court, pick this one up.

Most definitely a game that carries the "easy to play, difficult to master" label, but is well worth mastering in the long run.

A combination of the impossible, a game that will in one moment make you sweat with the intensity of the elaborate set-piece firefights and make you shiver in nervous fear the next.

It offers a rare, deep developer experience, a very good single player RPG campaign, the ability to play these online, and the ability to use Neverwinter Nights 2 within a dungeon master framework, creating one's own persistent campaign piece-by-piece.

Diligent players should be able to blast through the entire game in around five hours, but there are plenty of secrets to watch out for.

An astounding game. It appears to be ahead of its time visually, and it couples this accomplishment with game mechanics so solid and well conceived that future titles will have a lot of work to do if they wish to compete.

Offering vibrant graphics backed by precise controls, this iteration in the Wipeout series gets everything right. Sony should be applauded for executing subtle improvements on the original Wipeout formula, instead of "updating" all the fun out of a classic.

Another aspect of the controls that could have been painful, but instead turned out flawless and elegant is the camera.

The controls are spot on. The graphics are solid, and the dynasty mode will keep you playing for a long time.

It is short, yes, but it is priced low to match. It is even more stylish than the original campaign and engages your attention much better than the original game. Compared to other games in the genre, this is a real treat.

While the game may feel a little dated, and the graphic quality is not necessarily all the Nintendo DS can offer, it is a worthy addition to anyone’s Nintendo DS library, even if this may be the fifth time you find yourself buying the 1996 original.

One hell of a fighting game. So to answer the question, Mortal Kombat has definitely gone out with a bang – for now.

As a Mario game, it is bursting with charm and laughs from all your favorites, and as a tennis game it is both solid and fun to play - Mario Power Tennis comes Heartily recommended.

The lack of "Game Over" is a delightful incentive for continued play, and despite no fear of defeat, Darwinia still contains a considerable array of challenges to overcome.

Yes it’s short. Yes it sticks to the series’ formula. And yes it is essentially a one-trick pony. But like a good popcorn action flick, Hitman Contracts hits you in all the right ways and proves to be truly captivating while it lasts.

A class act. It may not be a cake walk the first time through, but for those who can deal with the occasional head scratching bouts of frustration, this game is another winning addition to the Nintendo DS library.

The new units are awesome...At a retail of $30 USD, Thrones and Patriots is a sweet deal for anybody that even remotely enjoyed the original game.

Although it is one of the silliest game concepts in years, these 5-second games are somehow able to hold your attention for hours on end.

A refreshing breath of fresh air in a series that had begun to feel very redundant.

It's not going to satisfy if you're in the market for another "Golden Sun" game or a new "Tactics Ogre" game. Despite the screen shots, it is not a tactical RPG, and it breaks a number of genre conventions associated with traditional RPGs. It could be argued, however, that this is the best reason to buy Riviera, as it certainly allows for a very interesting and unique experience with an emphasis on strategy and a wonderful story.

Unlike most handheld ports, Marvel: Ultimate Alliance offers more than most console versions of the game do, with more bonus characters and play modes than even the next-gen offerings.

The controls in Soul Calibur II are nearly flawlessly executed.

I found little not to love about this game. It reminds me of why I got into gaming in the first place. It is short, to the point, and every ounce of it drips fun.

It features whimsical, memorable characters, terrific presentation and, most importantly, simply fantastic gameplay.

The retail version of UT2k4 works on both Windows and Linux, with a Mac version of the game also available. This is something that I personally wish more companies would do with their games.

Sure, Jade Empire isn't "KOTOR" (despite so many similarities), but that's a rough peak to meet. It's still an easy contender for the title of second-best RPG on the Xbox.

From a technical perspective Tales does the genre proud, and from an aesthetic viewpoint there are few who could stand side by side and not be dwarfed by its majesty.

The game emphasizes role-playing over subscribing to the underlying story, and that is what makes Romancing SaGa such a terrific experience to be had.

It has a few minor flaws, but the overwhelming amount of fun this game offers more than makes up for it.

It's a very alluring piece of work, and the little virtual puppies can be very enjoyable playmates. They're lifelike and responsive, and they can learn a wide variety of tricks. It's also not too much effort to care for them.

The control of the characters in the game could not be tighter.

Soccer nuts will have hundreds of hours of gameplay at their fingertips when they jump into Master League, which easily matches any other sports game on the market in depth, sheer fun, and balls to the wall realism.

I didn't find myself level grinding at all, because the amount of random battles is more than enough to raise your characters to the point where the bosses are only moderate challenges.

An experience that you can truly get lost within. In truth, numerous pages could be written on the intricacies of what make this such a wonderful title, but that still would not get the sense of wonder across, or do the game its true justice.

There are only two things that keep Battlefield 2 from online perfection. The first and most formidable of the two is the terrible browser used to navigate the game’s servers. It’s slow, inaccurate, and downright frustrating at times.

Its difficulty and sometimes confusing nature continues to keep the game from being appropriate for newcomers to the genre itself, but memorable characters and dialog, deceptively deep mechanics, and a promise of future sequels make this series, the flagship of Nippon Ichi and NIS America, one of the crowning achievements of this console generation.

I recommend it if you aren’t squeamish about knocking the crap out of very realistic and very familiar looking people.

If you want to spend hours twiddling with option screens and menus, there's Gran Turismo. But if you want some of the best get-up-and-go vehicular carnage since "Twisted Metal" and "Burnout," Jak X: Combat Racing is the most adrenaline-pumping racer you can find on the PS2.

Fable delivers an experience that isn't what some die-hard RPG fans might deem authentic. Instead, I believe that Fable provides a game for the rest of us that has the entire flavor of an RPG, but in a much more streamlined and accessible package.

I defy there to be a better football game this year.

Combining the storyline of the original, with the smoother, more entertaining gameplay of MGS2, Twin Snakes should be an early contender for best game of the year on the GameCube, and gamers new and old should enjoy it thoroughly.

Its addicting gameplay, and massive replay value make Viewtiful Joe well worth its $30 price tag.

Simple enough to pick up and play after only a cursory glance at the control scheme, but it also provides the sort of depth that genre fans crave. Far from being a kiddie version of a PC game, Battle simply streamlines the controls down to their quick, intuitive essence.

It’s easily one of the deepest games I’ve played in a long time.

This is without a doubt the best game based on a book/movie that I have EVER played. You can really tell that EA went to great pains to ensure its authenticity, and they truly went beyond the call of duty this time.

If players can ignore the overly cheesy plot and horrid voice acting, and focus simply on killing bad guys and blowing things up amidst a wonderfully crafted environment then they will be in for a treat. The first person shooter has never looked so good.

One hell of a fighting game. So to answer the question, Mortal Kombat has definitely gone out with a bang – for now.

It’s easily one of the deepest games I’ve played in a long time, and will last you a while too.

Sporting the best graphics the system has to offer, a kinetic play experience unhindered by slowdown or load times, and massive replayability, this Tekken is a must buy for any PSP owner.

Games this close to perfection within a genre do not come along often enough.

If you’ve liked any Mega Man game ever, Mega Man ZX is a must buy.

It reminds us all of the magic Nintendo can cast when it comes to 2D platforming, and whether you are a seasoned player breezing through the game, or a newcomer just getting your goomba-stomping legs, this is an instant classic that is sure to impress.

The effects used in the game are as good, if not better, than Super Metroid on the SNES. The sound effects are also excellent, boasting superb music and clear voice effects during much of the game, along with the normal bleeps and booms from constant enemy killing.

A great title that will suit fans of both the sport, and those of us who just like a little arcade-style action in our diet. The controls are fluid, the graphics are terrific, and sounds, well it all depends on your tastes.

The game doesn't stray much from the original formula, but it certainly improves upon it in every imaginable way.

Not only does it accurately reproduce the movie experience, but it also matches it without missing a beat.

The interesting bit is that it builds on such a well-designed franchise tweaked to near-perfection that its rehash status matters very little. New or not, this is the best that racing experience that the PSP currently has to offer.

New songs, new dancers, new videos- basically more of what makes us treat each new DDR game like a badly needed heroin fix.

The quintessential sequel as it features everything the first game had going for it, only made better.

Despite the flaws, this game is impressively large and open ended, and offer a wealth of fun and addictive content - two of the most important qualities of any game.

Drop-in multiplayer, replay in spades, and optional objectives give players a reason to continue playing and get their money's worth out of this title. If you like fun, this is a great addition your gaming library, regardless of age or skill level.

Everything about Missing: Since January drips atmosphere and everything contained within the game plays a role in driving the atmosphere home for the player.

Despite all the whiz-bang innovations however, the core gameplay remains the same. The interface in general has changed little, and you'll find that the game from minute to minute is played in the same manner. The schticky retro charm also carries through from the original.

It takes "Mark of Kri’s" great ideas and actually executes them in the fashion they deserve.

LocoRoco is a bit shallow, but it’s a real treat to play. Earnest and ebullient, it’s tough not to get sucked in by its atmosphere, and equally difficult to stop playing once you’ve figured it out.

Overall, TimeSplitters 2 has a great deal to offer anybody willing to put in the time and effort to gather the bonus features, and offers a lot of replayability afterwards.

I have spent well over 50 hours with this game thus far, and I find myself still revisiting it. It has deep, rewarding gameplay, as was as an immensely satisfying multiplayer experience.

In all, the game is fantastic – absolutely the best graphic adventure title of the year – and is a game others should aspire to in many ways.

It seems a bit odd to say that a game rooted in comic books is now the best RPG experience to be had on the PSP. However, the game... even outshines its console counterpart.

In short, this is the current crème of the crop when it comes to 2D shooters. Following the path of "Radiant Silvergun," Ikaruga will long be thought of as a great example of what a 'shmup' can be.

A wonderfully disturbing jaunt into the world of the supernatural. While the time spent with the game is less than perhaps many would have liked, this is an experience that will not soon be forgotten.

Marty O'Donnell has done an incredible job with the game's audio, and it may stand alongside the multiplayer component as the game's best achievement.

Each individual game controls elegantly with the DS stylus. It is entirely possible to play each of the 42 games in the collection without ever using the directional pad of the face buttons. This is vital in appealing to non-gamer markets.

Epic in scale, grandiose in presentation, and fun to play. This kind of game comes along so rarely, and when it does it shows off what a RPG can be.

With all the things that "GGXX" had that made it such a great game to play, Guilty Gear X2 #Reload somehow expands that amount of game play even more.

The solo campaign is somewhat lengthy, though nowhere near that of Prime or Echoes, but thankfully it is overshadowed by an online component that is truly the meat of the experience anyway.

Despite the multiplayer faux pax, and the odd dispersion of items throughout the game, Metroid Prime 2: Echoes still comes out on top as one of the premier titles to experience not only this holiday season, but rather throughout this entire console generation.

It combines all the elements that distinguish the console on the market today (stunning HD-presentation coupled with thoroughly engaging multiplayer over Xbox Live) into a tight package.

A great game. It has a few problems, but the gameplay is fun, the PvP combat is balanced and refreshing, the storyline is engrossing, and the entire experience is superb.

While some of the complaints I had with Culture Shock – puzzle difficulty, for instance – have been addressed, the novelty has worn off ever-so-slightly.

The game is non-stop action, with smooth, screen filling sprites, lots of color, expressive and often very funny animation and lots of challenge.

A great title that will suit fans of both the sport, and those of us who just like a little arcade-style action in our diet. The controls are fluid, the graphics are terrific, and sounds, well it all depends on your tastes.

While not quite as epic as something like "The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker," it’s a true charmer. Minor gripes aside (as a recap these are repetitive combat, short length and small scope), this is one of those can’t miss titles that I’m sure most will overlook.

This game also has quite a bit of replay ability to, with 3 different endings to see, and additional scenes to be seen on replay. My only qualm with this game is that it’s too short, at only 5 hours on your first play through and maybe half that each additional time.

In every sense imaginable, Splinter Cell: Double Agent was meant to exploit the platform on which it was designed, and it excels to an extraordinary degree.

It is true that it isn't the longest, or most difficult game in the world, but for the few hours it takes to complete Boktai, players will have in their hands not only the sun, but pure enjoyment as well.

An excellent college football game. The controls are spot on. The graphics are solid, and the dynasty mode will keep you playing for a long time.

I recommend it if you aren’t squeamish about knocking the crap out of very realistic and very familiar looking people.

I think the game may pose a greater challenge for adults than the young, but both will find the game frantic. Oddly, I never found the game frustrating, even after losing countless times.

Anybody who enjoys turn-based tactical combat games will thoroughly enjoy this, and with its learning curve, anybody who was curious about playing this style of game will not be let down either.