The Xbox Live 2011 Summer of Arcade is off to a good start with Bastion. Stylish, inventive and original, the small team at Supergiant Games are giants when its comes to crafting an unique tale.

Warhammer 40,000: Kill Team is for hardcore Warhammer 40,000 fans only, who happen to have another Warhammer fan sitting next to them.

If you're a Gundam or Dynasty Warriors fan, this is pretty much a no brainer as it's probably one of the best games in the series to be released outside of Japan thus far. Unfortuantely that's not saying much.

If you're a Gundam or Dynasty Warriors fan, this is pretty much a no brainer as it's probably one of the best games in the series to be released outside of Japan thus far. Unfortuantely that's not saying much.

Compared to the previous Call of Juarez titles, The Cartel is a colossal disappointment.

Compared to the previous Call of Juarez titles, The Cartel is a colossal disappointment.

Dead Block is a building defense game with a lot of potential, but ends up being too shallow and repetitive.

Ms. Splosion Man is worth its 800 microsoft points provided the gamer playing has a lot of patience to make it through the more difficult levels in the game.

Shadows of the Damned is a primordially charged adventure into hell with sexuality and violence turned up to 10. Pleasantly disturbing, humorously shockingly and never boring, gamers with an acceptance for the weird will want to have this game in their collection.

Shadows of the Damned is a primordially charged adventure into hell with sexuality and violence turned up to 10. Pleasantly disturbing, humorously shockingly and never boring, gamers with an acceptance for the weird will want to have this game in their collection.

Avalanche did a commendable job capturing the feel of the animated film, while piling in enough game modes to make Cars 2 feel like a "real game" and not a throwaway licensed money grab.

If you are a gamer who likes a bit of strategy with their third-person shooting mayhem (and if you like blowing enemies away with ridiculous weapons) then I highly recommend you give Trenched a try.

F.E.A.R. 3 lives up to, if not trumps, the prior experiences in the F.E.A.R. universe.

F.E.A.R. 3 lives up to, if not trumps, the prior experiences in the F.E.A.R. universe.

If you're already played War for Cyberton and are itching for more Transformers action, Dark of the Moon is a safe bet.

If you're already played War for Cyberton and are itching for more Transformers action, Dark of the Moon is a safe bet.

Constructed off the standard model for dungeon crawling, Dungeon Siege III doesn't reinvent the crawl, it only provides a pleasant ride within its confined genre.

Constructed off the standard model for dungeon crawling, Dungeon Siege III doesn't reinvent the crawl, it only provides a pleasant ride within its confined genre.

Under Siege is a well-done RTS, although a bit too challenging for its own good. Featuring a high caliber production value and control scheme for a downloadable title, there's a lot to like in this maiden voyage for a new studio.

With a lot of help from the Magnet Gun, Red Faction: Armageddon has enough of that "summer blockbuster" feel to make you forget about Violations last outing.

With a lot of help from the Magnet Gun, Red Faction: Armageddon has enough of that "summer blockbuster" feel to make you forget about Violations last outing.

Alice Madness Returns should please fans of the original while captivating some new gamers with its macabre storytelling.

Alice Madness Returns should please fans of the original while captivating some new gamers with its macabre storytelling.

Organically pulsating, Child of Eden is a special, once-in-a-lifetime experience that should be checked out by any gamer with an Xbox 360 and Kinect.

Following the trend set by other popular franchises Red River bridges the gap that was its predecessors missed.

Following the trend set by other popular franchises Red River bridges the gap that was its predecessors missed.

Infamous 2 is a solid follow-up to the original game, although it doesn't bring anything overly new to the series, it still provides an excellent vice for superhero escapism.

In a pile of generic ideas, Hunted: The Demon's Forge descends into the darkness becoming instantaneously forgettable.

In a pile of generic ideas, Hunted: The Demon's Forge descends into the darkness becoming instantaneously forgettable.

The new Gymkhana free-style event and the inclusion of snow is enough to grant DiRT 3 a pass over the previous edition, even though the old 'Colin McRae' influence is all but covered.

The new Gymkhana free-style event and the inclusion of snow is enough to grant DiRT 3 a pass over the previous edition, even though the old 'Colin McRae' influence is all but covered.

L.A. Noire offers an experience that will not be quickly forgotten with a cast of characters that will be remembered fondly after the credits roll.

L.A. Noire offers an experience that will not be quickly forgotten with a cast of characters that will be remembered fondly after the credits roll.

Virtua Tennis 4 is arcade rooted slammer that is pure at heart and an enormous amount of fun.

The formula might be a little overdone, but its charm goes a long way.

The formula might be a little overdone, but its charm goes a long way.

The reason to put 'Ridge Racer 3D' into the "win" category is the implementation of the 3D. The 3D works and better, it enriching the gameplay.

If treading the waters and building up a solid roster of characters sounds appealing then Brink could be the alternative shooter you've been waiting for.

If treading the waters and building up a solid roster of characters sounds appealing then Brink could be the alternative shooter you've been waiting for.

Motorstorm has its moments where it is impactful and fun... and because of this, it is still worth checking out. However, long time fans of the series so step with caution, this isn't your old Motorstorm.

If you're into traditional styled shooters, the verdict is an easy one. Starved owners of a Wii the Conduit 2 is a solid buy.

If you simply can't get enough first person Halo inspired shooters though, you will find some redeemable elements in Section 8: Prejudice.

Returning to give fans the proper dose of Fatality driven action, Mortal Kombat regains its passion.

Returning to give fans the proper dose of Fatality driven action, Mortal Kombat regains its passion.

Even with its high praise, Portal 2 isn't perfect, but it's imaginative, it's sophisticated, and one of the best puzzlers we've played in years.

Even with its high praise, Portal 2 isn't perfect, but it's imaginative, it's sophisticated, and one of the best puzzlers we've played in years.

MLB 11: The Show for the PSP is last year's version…with manual roster updates plus an improved batter/pitcher dynamic introduced.

SOCOM4 might not be the big player it once was back in the PS2 heyday, but it's definitely worth a confrontation for fans of tactical 3rd person shooters.

This one is for the fans and if you're one of them, Qoga should provide enough psychological babble to keep you locked up for hours.

Battlegrounds works as a distraction and a fun party game for hardcore gamers. However, Red Faction: battlegrounds falls well short of being a fully featured XLA game that demands the attention of gamers.

Feeling rushed out of the gate, NASCAR 2011 is functional, not flushed out.

Vertigo is a Marble Madness attempt gone horribly awry. Uninspired graphics, poor physics, and confounding level design combine for a disappointing download experience. Even the bottom end of the 'Monkey Ball' series is a better go.

Embellishing the high-impact racing simulation even further, Shift 2 proves enough appeal for both racing purists and casual fans.

Embellishing the high-impact racing simulation even further, Shift 2 proves enough appeal for both racing purists and casual fans.

WWE All Stars delivers a worthwhile mash-up of arcade styled fighting mixed with over-exaggerated versions of WWE Superstars from the past and present.

WWE All Stars delivers a worthwhile mash-up of arcade styled fighting mixed with over-exaggerated versions of WWE Superstars from the past and present.

No matter how beautiful the exterior is, Crysis 2 cannot cloak the fact that it lacks the emotional impact to become a classic. Still, Crysis 2 is a lot of fun when you get down to its main hook, which is not the graphics, but the newfangled nanosuit that turns your character into a rockstar killing machine.

No matter how beautiful the exterior is, Crysis 2 cannot cloak the fact that it lacks the emotional impact to become a classic. Still, Crysis 2 is a lot of fun when you get down to its main hook, which is not the graphics, but the newfangled nanosuit that turns your character into a rockstar killing machine.

While not entirely bad, Knights Contract feels like another missed opportunity to capitalize on a good concept, something 'Game Republic' is sadly perfecting.

While not entirely bad, Knights Contract feels like another missed opportunity to capitalize on a good concept, something 'Game Republic' is sadly perfecting.

If you don't mind the occasional visual hiccup, Fight Night Champion will please any gamer who loves a good sparring session between fists.

If you don't mind the occasional visual hiccup, Fight Night Champion will please any gamer who loves a good sparring session between fists.

War isn't pretty and this horrifying tale of war on American soil makes for a heartfelt adventure. While the core gameplay feels a little "behind the times," the setting and narrative keeps things fresh.

War isn't pretty and this horrifying tale of war on American soil makes for a heartfelt adventure. While the core gameplay feels a little "behind the times," the setting and narrative keeps things fresh.

Gripping, complex, and delightful, role-playing games are rarely this good.

Gripping, complex, and delightful, role-playing games are rarely this good.

In theory, Killzone 3 has all the tools to be a great shooter, but its "ho-hum" story and broken pacing teeter the momentum, failing to complete an otherwise solid product.

The concept of bringing joy into a lifeless world not only shows in the gameworld, but in the real world as well, as you smile along with De Blob 2 and its colourizing antics.

The concept of bringing joy into a lifeless world not only shows in the gameworld, but in the real world as well, as you smile along with De Blob 2 and its colourizing antics.

Phantom Brave: The Hermuda Triangle is a solid translation of a classic title, with some new characters thrown in for good measure. Still, the game unfortunately shows its age in several areas, making it a must purchase for series and/or Disgaea fans only.

Differentiating from your everyday shooter, Bulletstorm is more "action thrill-ride" with an emphasis on stylized killing, edgy dialog and extreme set pieces, a change of pace from the overly dramatized shooters that usually dominate the top of the charts.

Differentiating from your everyday shooter, Bulletstorm is more "action thrill-ride" with an emphasis on stylized killing, edgy dialog and extreme set pieces, a change of pace from the overly dramatized shooters that usually dominate the top of the charts.

Eden Games innovative spirit might have got the best of them as Test Drive Unlimited 2 stays true to its "unlimited" mindset, but wavers in its execution, which ends up feeling more like "semi-unlimited."

Eden Games innovative spirit might have got the best of them as Test Drive Unlimited 2 stays true to its "unlimited" mindset, but wavers in its execution, which ends up feeling more like "semi-unlimited."

While it might not be the ultimate game we wanted, Capcom has stepped it up and provided a well made, solid fighter with some of favourite heroes clashing in an epic battle.

While it might not be the ultimate game we wanted, Capcom has stepped it up and provided a well made, solid fighter with some of favourite heroes clashing in an epic battle.

Bionic Command: Rearmed 2 is definitely more frustrating than it is fun, and that never adds up to a winning formula.

Bionic Command: Rearmed 2 is definitely more frustrating than it is fun, and that never adds up to a winning formula.

While it doesn't break new ground, Legends of War: Patton's Campaign is a welcome addition to a genre and console sorely lacking quality turn-based strategy titles.

From all its frustrating jumps to news ways to create, LittleBigPlanet 2 is one of the must-have purchases for the PS3.

Breach does it's best to climb a hill already filled with solid online FPS titles, and even without being the king of the mountain, Breach has its moments that can match up with some of the bests.

Two Worlds II is for the die-hard RPG enthusiasts who loves their "middle earth" settings and a more PC centric experience. It's a deal in the bargain bin, but for now, I would hold off.

Dead Space 2 provides a tense hell ride into another Necromorph infestation. While Visceral plays it safe with basically more of the same, Dead Space 2 is still a top notch experience unlike no other game on the market.

Dead Space 2 provides a tense hell ride into another Necromorph infestation. While Visceral plays it safe with basically more of the same, Dead Space 2 is still a top notch experience unlike no other game on the market.

Case West will satisfy those who haven't sold their copy of Dead Rising 2, otherwise I would hold off until the next installment of zombie-bashing from Blue Castle.

The Holy Grail of true 1-to-1 motion finally arrives, and there remain cries for Wii Golf physics.

Prinny 2: Dawn of Operation Panties, Dood! may be the most frustrating PSP game you've ever played…but also one beautifully produced.

It was an odd decision to spend so much time fixing an already released game, but for those who saw a good game just below the surface of the water, you will be happy to know that this is the game Hydrophobia should have been from day one.

SBK-X Superbike World Championship is a solid racing package. Either in the arcade style races or the daunting particulars of hitting the track in the simulation mode, the racing never disappoints.

Battlefield: Bad Company 2: Vietnam is an outstanding add-on that will rejuvenate your love for carefully crafted multiplayer component of Bad Company 2. Making a purchasing decision is easy, if you still own and love Battlefield, this more Battlefield to fuel your addictive.

Battlefield: Bad Company 2: Vietnam is an outstanding add-on that will rejuvenate your love for carefully crafted multiplayer component of Bad Company 2. Making a purchasing decision is easy, if you still own and love Battlefield, this more Battlefield to fuel your addictive.

In concept there is nothing new here, but that doesn't stop it from being a short, yet frantic game with a few thrills. So if longevity isn't your thing, The Shoot is a satisfying romp for under $40.00.

Overall the Dead Money add-on might not be perfectly constructed, but it is an interesting curve for Fallout: New Vegas, one that is worth the caps. If you already jetted a fair share of hours into New Vegas, you will likely be satisfied with the content offered in Dead Money.

Retro's re-design of Donkey Kong Country is a major accomplishment to reignite your love for the big ape. Although before you run out a purchase Donkey Kong Country Returns keep in mind this game has an above-average difficulty level that could frustrate the little ones who might be lured in by its colourful cover art.

While the product might be a little slim on the "fun" factor, it does its job as a no-nonsense boot camp focused on the goal, getting you fit.

Marvel Pinball is – hands down – the best console version of pinball to date, a steal at its $10 price point.

God of War: Ghost of Sparta packs in an extremely satisfying creature killing experience without any loss of that EPIC 'God of War' feel.

Super Scribblenauts provides an extremely individualistic experience that can not be found in any other game series. While Super Scribblenauts has lost some of its gusto, it's still a solid puzzler for your DS.