It’s got quite a few bugs that should have never made it past the testing cycle, including several glitches that cause the game to freeze up completely, forcing a hard reset to resume play.

The campaign mode is good fun for a while, but the unsatisfying battle element will leave strategy buffs begging for more.

The ability to communicate vocally is hand over fist an improvement over the keyboard and icon based communication in the other versions of the game.

There’s a lot of fun to be had in Bionicle Heroes, and the price is definitely right, but ultimately this is a game you should be picking up for your kid brother for Christmas, and not for yourself. It’s a game that’s great at what it does, but put against the Gears of Wars of the world, doesn’t pass muster.

Looks and sounds the part of a goofy adventure game, and for the 10 or so hours it takes to complete players will be sure to enjoy its charms. It is far from a masterpiece, but it is the current highlight to the series.

It is complex, deep, challenging, and it is a title that requires a lot of patience. It is not much for presentation, but what it lacks in finesse it more than makes up for in gameplay.

Wanted is the definition of average. Fans of both adventure games and westerns may want to look into it, but I'd advise all others to steer clear.

The game at the core of Capsule Monster Coliseum actually borders on engaging, and as such comes incredibly close to being worth playing for those who aren’t fans of the series. But close, as they say, only counts for horseshoes and hand grenades: not PS2 games.

So many little things were done right in Arx Fatalis that any fan of the computer role playing game genre owes it to them to pick this game up and give it a try.

As a role-playing game, Children of Mana comes up aces, with an intriguing story and characters that you'll recall long after the game is shelved. Sadly however, this game counts itself among the popular action segment of the role-playing genre, and it is in that addendum that it falls short.

It's also fun, with a story is further shows the potential of the Nintendo DS as the new home for adventure gaming. That's the good part. The bad part is that the game only features four cases and a handful of forgettable side stories, with very little replay value.

It features a generic, yet well-delivered plot that is dragged down by average gameplay, a lack of substantial difficulty, and sound that can only be described as sub-par. However, it is quite stunning graphically, and might find a niche in the modding community.

A perfect example of style over substance. On its technical side it's a flawless example of what can be done with the right technology in the right hands. In terms of content, however, it falls flat on its face by offering an extremely linear experience with very little replay value that ends up feeling more like walking through a carnival spook house than the trip through hell that it should have been.

Curse: The Eye of Isis does do an admiral job of pulling off drama, thanks in part to a very well done camera. Much like the camera systems in "Alone in the Dark" and "Resident Evil," Curse utilizes a fixed placement camera that captures the action from just the right angle in each location.

Collections such as these should serve as a punctuation mark on the series, and as such should come packed full of extras so that even those fans who already own the included games individually will feel enticed to return to the checkout counter. That isn't the case here.

Sixty-second load times every time the player moves from one event to another are almost unbearable, and had these been removed our review would have been much more gracious. It is almost tragic that such a wonderful game could be crippled by this singular flaw.

NHL 2K7 never succeeds in rising above being an incremental upgrade over last year’s games.

The variety of gameplay styles is very lively and, for the most part, it’s a fun experience from beginning to end. It also does a good job of retreading the film and bringing the story home.

The graphics are fantastic, and the presentation is more realistic and immersive than ever before. However, there's no excuse for the gutting of the very features that made the Madden series great.

At no more than 7 hours from start to finish, I’m sure most players can spare an evening.

For those who grew up on dungeon crawls, this is a title that can't miss.

A light-hearted romp through different RPG clichés and worlds that delivers just what it promises. It's fun, funny, and probably one of the best dungeon crawling action RPGs in our current generation. Of course, it's a tired genre, so coming out on top of it's predecessors is not a huge accomplishment.

Its core gameplay needs a lot of tweaking to be as fluid and approachable as I think they want it to be, they need to smooth out the animations to make the game look and feel more realistic, and they could probably do well to expand the multiplayer options to boot.

If you’re trying to learn the game from the manual, you might be in for a slow time. However, once you get the basics of how the game is played, you’re going to be in for a treat.

A mere shadow of its current-generation brethren. Improved graphics are always great, but at the cost of features and fun, it just isn't worth it.

The one thing that makes this game interesting is if you play the game as it’s supposed to be played, the other team will keep it relatively clean. If you start going out to pick fights, the people you beat up will remember you, and come back and beat you into a corner.

While a bit of a lopsided contender in the 4X market, those with a propensity for responding violently to problems - like me - will have little trouble stepping right into the shoes Sword of the Stars offer.

A charming return to the series’ roots and a pretty great handheld experience, but anyone other than the diehard Bomberman fan can safely wait for a preowned copy or a price drop.

A solid entry in the RTS market, but it's marred by appalling AI which detracts greatly from the single-player experience. Additionally, it's so similar in gameplay to Empire Earth that I find it hard to believe that it didn't begin its development as an add-on for that title.

It's not entirely engaging or original, but it is fun. It's attractive, sounds nice, and the story-for all its faults-can be ignored safely with no detrimental effects.

It may not inspire players to sing praises of its innovation or unparalleled gameplay, but it is nonetheless an entertaining foray into the world of monster collection.

At a mere twenty dollars, the game may just be worth the frustrating elements and rather awkward beginnings just to get to the juicy core of the game. And with a bevy of features, the game does offer quite a lot for its price.

It may not inspire players to sing praises of its innovation or unparalleled gameplay, but it is nonetheless an entertaining foray into the world of monster collection.

The stunts, however, steal the show, and really elevate the game beyond its limitations. From skydiving and parachuting onto the top of moving vehicles to jumping out of helicopters or launching tow cables at passing cars, Rico can do some things that games haven't allowed players to do before, and there's a lot to be said for enabling new frontiers.

Collections such as these should serve as a punctuation mark on the series, and as such should come packed full of extras so that even those fans who already own the included games individually will feel enticed to return to the checkout counter. That isn't the case here.

There are enough bells and whistles to make Alter Echo appeal to some, such as the title’s unique combo system that serves to make combat quite entertaining. Sadly, however, the game is far too short to be considered anything other than a weekend rental.

It’s not entirely engaging or original, but it is fun. It’s attractive, sounds nice, and the story—for all its faults—can be ignored safely with no detrimental effects.

Everything about Kya: Dark Lineage is pretty standard and expected, and while most of it is executed quite well it still feels a little recycled.

It's fun and unique for a little while, but the underlying lack of an innovative gameplay experience leaves the game too hollow for comfort.

A light-hearted romp through different RPG clichés and worlds that delivers just what it promises. It's fun, funny, and probably one of the best dungeon crawling action RPGs in our current generation. Of course, it's a tired genre, so coming out on top of it's predecessors is not a huge accomplishment.

Its song selection is immediately accessible to anyone who listens to pop radio, but for those looking for a bit more variety in their musical games are bound to be disappointed, at least until a suitable expansion disc arrives.

A great game that is held back by a few problems, and a training system that will push your average gamer.

At $35, there simply is so way to recommend this game, even for hard core puzzle enthusiasts. If you find the gameplay compelling, Zuma offers a near identical experience, and can be had for much less of a variety of platforms.

For the real effect of the game, watch the movie before you play it. It really sets the mood. Even if you have seen this classic film before, watch it again. It makes the whole thing that much more scary.

Well, while the majority of games included are great, some – like Toobin’, SPLAT!, and Vindicators – still suck, just like before. Also, each of the games keeps their controls and multiplayer options.

If the software would have been tweaked a bit more it would have interacted a lot easier with Pelican’s amazing light rifle. However, even with having to adjust the brightness the player can still relive some of those arcade memories. This game is a must for light gun fans and should be skipped by all other players.

Ninja Gaiden, despite one of the year's worst camera systems, still manages to be one of the year's best action games.

A pleasant surprise. Whilst not without it’s flaws, (some features, or lack thereof, give away the game’s obviously low production values) Wings provides a decent-looking arcade flight sim which, if sampled for small periods at regular intervals, can actually prove very enjoyable.

It may not win a beauty contest, or leave you humming its soundtrack in the shower, but these are faults I can overlook considering the amount of fun it delivers. The lack of any significant multiplayer hurts as well, and may very well be a deal breaker for some.

It’s too fast with not enough panache behind it to make it worthy of your time, compared to the now cheap "Soul Calibur 2." It has nothing that you cannot find elsewhere, and done better.

But strip away the culture it’s trying so very hard to win over and there’s a game that’s been hastily, and sparsely, updated, and was beaten to death in the womb by "Burnout 3" months ago. Just like 20” rims and a spoiler on a 1984 Volvo, this game may turn heads, but where it counts most it’s a phoney.

If you can get past the learning curve of the game, it's a very new and fun experience that any strategy fan would enjoy.

It can be really hard at times, but this difficult really does add to the atmosphere in this game, almost to the point where you will feel the flames licking at you.

The variety of gameplay styles is very lively and, for the most part, it’s a fun experience from beginning to end. It also does a good job of retreading the film and bringing the story home.

Budokai’s forte is in it’s presentation – it manages to keep practically every bit of flavor that makes the Dragon Ball Z so popular.

Nothing can save Pac-Man World 3 from feeling simply average, and that extends to the game’s presentation as well. This is not helped by some crippling technical issues, which are highlighted by an unmanageable and nearly-broken camera.

My advice: Set aside a larger budget for voice acting, and make sure the environments are as interactive toward the end as they are in the beginning. For players, don't expect a classic, because you won't find this game fulfilling that need. But as long as you set your expectations a bit lower, you should be entertained.

It lacks multiplayer, so long-term playability is questionable, but with 60 missions, 130+ planes, and an interesting story to work through, you’ll be spending a good, long, time with this game.

All of these varied creatures, along with unlockable Digimon and the multiplayer brawls make this game a solid title whether you are a fan or not.

But strip away the culture it’s trying so very hard to win over and there’s a game that’s been hastily, and sparsely, updated, and was beaten to death in the womb by "Burnout 3" months ago. Just like 20” rims and a spoiler on a 1984 Volvo, this game may turn heads, but where it counts most it’s a phoney.

For a game based on a movie (based on a set of children's stories), Curious George is more than adequate. While it stumbles here and there in terms of gameplay, the game will nonetheless appeal to those younger players with an itch to play as an animated monkey.

It is a fine pinball game, though the difficulty of it seems to be lacking severely, the “Catch ‘em All” theme is still prevailing. At first, the game does catch your attention and shows its depth, but after a while, repetitiveness does drag down the fun factor a bit.

The actual gameplay is great, but the narrative, which maintains a much more noticeable presence than in Silent Storm, is very cliché and serves only to drag the game down.

Puzzle games are in, and while this is definitely not the traditional puzzle game, there is enough to challenge players that it is worth a look see.

For a game based on a movie (based on a set of children's stories), Curious George is more than adequate. While it stumbles here and there in terms of gameplay, the game will nonetheless appeal to those younger players with an itch to play as an animated monkey.

Nothing can save Pac-Man World 3 from feeling simply average, and that extends to the game’s presentation as well. This is not helped by some crippling technical issues, which are highlighted by an unmanageable and nearly-broken camera.

Nothing can save Pac-Man World 3 from feeling simply average, and that extends to the game's presentation as well. This is not helped by some crippling technical issues, which are highlighted by an unmanageable and nearly-broken camera.

Pac-Man World 3 is average on just about all fronts. Most players will probably overlook this title during the Christmas rush, but sadly, no one will lament the fact.

The sequel just seems to abandon all of what I thought made the original unique and special, and has in effect become just another pretty face in a crowded genre.

The stunts, however, steal the show, and really elevate the game beyond its limitations. From skydiving and parachuting onto the top of moving vehicles to jumping out of helicopters or launching tow cables at passing cars, Rico can do some things that games haven’t allowed players to do before, and there’s a lot to be said for enabling new frontiers.

The problem lies in that it is so handedly outshined by its Nintendo DS counterpart. The PSP version nets you better music, unlockable skins, and a degree of puzzling fun, but it still feels a bit vacant.

For a game based on a movie (based on a set of children's stories), Curious George is more than adequate. While it stumbles here and there in terms of gameplay, the game will nonetheless appeal to those younger players with an itch to play as an animated monkey.

Updating its slightly clunky graphics would make things look fresh, but wouldn't keep the squad AI from sometimes feeling more like cattle to herd than teammates.

For a racing game, Freaky Flyers offers a good deal of entertainment value. My main gripe is the speed, which is just too slow for a game centered on racing. Still, the game is fun.

A spooky story to play through, and it doesn't hold anything back in terms of gameplay.

Nothing can save Pac-Man World 3 from feeling simply average, and that extends to the game's presentation as well. This is not helped by some crippling technical issues, which are highlighted by an unmanageable and nearly-broken camera.

The game, while fully localized, is rich with Japanese iconography that gives it a decidedly Asian feel. The dog/watermelon/drum characters that dominate the on-screen activity are so bizarre that they cannot help but be endearing. The rest of the game's cast of characters is just as off-the-wall, and it is this offbeat cast that helps to further separate it from the competition.

Members of the mainstream beware: this is is videogames at the graduate level, and you'll have to do a lot of work to make it pay off.

While the game's extra content and sense of freedom are is exceptional, its bugs and glitches are so severe that they will tax the patience of all but the most devoted player.

The Judge System and a few other gripes do keep this game from being truly excellent. But hey! At least there's no slow text like in the original.

The game looks like a late generation PS1 title that was switched mid-way through development to PS2, but they simply forgot to update the graphics.

It is a dungeon crawl, plain and simple, though thinly masked behind a veil of role-playing icing. If you enjoy character building, combat, and dungeon exploring, then this game is a "can't miss" for your collection.

It’s fun to play through, and easy to pick up and put down again pretty quickly, both a must for a handheld port and a rarity in the SRPG subgenre.

The real appeal of the game is in its visuals and production values, and these elements take a real hit on the Wii console. If you have the option to invest in one of the other versions, that’s the best route to take. The "novel" controls on the Wii are more gimmicky than fun in this particular title.

There is baggage here that is weighing it down, such as the camera with a mind of its own, the repeated textures, and most notably the lack of full online support. Still, for the price of $19.99 it is hard to argue the merits of a title that, despite its flaws, is still a heck of a lot of fun.

The Meltdown is fun, and it makes good use of the Wii’s motion-sensitive controller. If you’re an Ice Age fan or a platformer fan that doesn’t mind a short game versus an engrossing epic, then it’s hard to go wrong.

Certainly a playable game, and it has an obvious appeal to a certain variety of gamers. However, if you aren’t part of that group, odds are one or more of those flaws in the game’s design are going to make it just about impossible to really enjoy.

A fun, quick, stripped down turn based strategy game. Instead of placing emphasis on hardcore micromanagement, small worries like resource gathering and the like are taken right out of your hands and exchanged for some slight action.

DS owners are advised to take care if they are contemplating purchasing this odd take of the Guilty Gear franchise, as besides the series' moniker, this is definitely not the same game that you are used to playing.

A great fast paced mech game for *one person*. *sigh*

The stunts, however, steal the show, and really elevate the game beyond its limitations. From skydiving and parachuting onto the top of moving vehicles to jumping out of helicopters or launching tow cables at passing cars, Rico can do some things that games haven’t allowed players to do before, and there’s a lot to be said for enabling new frontiers.

Where the game begins to lose some of its luster is in the areas of sound and story, and a camera that suffers from a lack of intuition. The music is not so much repetitive as it is boring.

Typical EA first in the sense of unrelenting polish and presentation, of production values meant to wow you with glitz and glamour at every turn. Typical EA secondly in the sense of a don’t-rock-the-boat, stick-with-the-formula game that offers nothing new aside from a few odd bugs I’ve never seen in an RTS before.

The game is fun. Frustrating at times, absolutely, but for a budget-priced title, players can't really go wrong with Crash 'N' Burn.

It offers a unique take on the giant robot game type, and pulls off this new spin while still offering an enjoyable gaming experience.

End of Darkness needs the online mode to stay fresh, without which it will be left as nothing more then a boring and repetitive experience garnished with a few notable features.

It's not entirely engaging or original, but it is fun. It's attractive, sounds nice, and the story-for all its faults-can be ignored safely with no detrimental effects.

The Outfit, while it presents an interesting spin on the traditional take for a game of its sort, falls short of not only of its own developmental aspirations, but also of the rigorous standards of console gamers.