Let me clear things up by assuring you that none of the quest bugs, graphical issues, gameplay glitches, or unexplained crashes I've encountered can change the fact that I played this amazing RPG for well over 100 hours in the past couple weeks and absolutely loved it.

The first multiplayer game to make me completely abandon "Battlefield." In fact I haven’t played a multiplayer shooter so much since "Quake" and "Tribes."

Complex combat, climbing the tech tree, and resource management (commonly found in RTS games) make Civ III a deep strategy game – far beyond a simple Simulation game.

It’s not too often anymore that you see an RPG with so much character depth, well-written spoken dialogue, and engaging story arcs on top of such brutally enjoyable combat.

Best of all, Vice City isn’t quite what we expect from a PC game today. It doesn’t fit neatly into any genre, so a freshness factor makes gunning down cops and knocking over banks seem even more innovative and new.

The writing is without peer and its execution brilliant, with the voice-over performances and details in visuals/animations rivaling anything Pixar has done on film. On top of all that, it's hilarious!

Human Revolution does exactly what it set out to do. That is, perfectly capture the spirit of Deus Ex and transplant it into a fresh, modern experience on all platforms, while staying true to its roots in the PC version.

It's more polished, refined and spit-shined than any game since "StarCraft"...The most remarkable thing about Half-Life 2 is that it manages to perfectly recapture that magical feeling from the original of being there.

The best thing about it is the presentation, though; only Blizzard can make an RTS feel like an epic adventure.

There’s certainly room for improvement, we could in fact stand to enjoy some randomly generated quests like in Daggerfall and a bigger game world, but Oblivion is as close to free-form RPG perfection as you can get nowadays.

Deus Ex has raised the standard for first person adventure games with its open ended design, and seamless integration of the story into the game play.

Game of the Year...Like "Deus Ex" two years ago, there is simply nothing on the same level.

Yes folks, we have played BioShock and we loved it. The minor flaws in the game's design didn't keep us from having an all night session to get to the end and we think that will be your conclusion as well.

Even though I’m sad to see the role-playing elements were neutered, there is no doubt this game is an improvement over the first in almost every way. That’s quite an achievement, considering ME1 is a great game in its own right.

For the casual gamer, Allegiance finally gives you a space shooter that's fun to play in multiplayer. It has a point, it has huge furballs with dozens of fighters flying around and it can be played at any time. Just fire up the computer, find a public or premium match, join in and fly.

A masterpiece of game design and development. Like its Black Isle-developed "Planescape" cousin, BG2 is a tour-de-force in computer roleplaying.

Diablo II isn't a perfect game - the save system and battle.net are the two major issues we had, though we are still baffled by the lackluster graphics. However, when it comes down to it, Diablo II is undeniably fun.

Fast, fun, and unapologetically crass, this is the best game I’ve played in a long time, and is truly deserving of the moniker “role-playing shooter.”

The new "Medal of Honor." Squad combat, iron sights, the incredible tactile feel of the game, the sound effects, the graphics, the intense levels - it’s done for first-person shooters in 2003 what "Medal of Honor" did two years ago.

It has a seamless blend of strategy and tactics, giving the player the power to choose whether he wants to enjoy one or the other, the 11 civilizations to play – and it does this all in a very refined fashion.

The gameplay of the Homeworld series is now cemented as revolutionary. Games in the future will either draw upon this series as influence, or out and out steal its ideas. Homeworld and its sequel, Cataclysm, have done more for RTS than all others save perhaps Herzog Zwei and the PC Classic "Dune 2000."

A stunning work of art, full of creativity and originality. It is faithful to the rules of both AD&D and Planescape yet bends them enough to make for a different experience for hardcore veterans without ruining the game.

A great game and a fresh, new experience. Just about every single problem from previous titles, especially the lackluster "Civ III," has been adjusted or outright replaced. Whether it’s the endless city spamming, the lack of good multiplayer, or the AI cheating in obnoxious ways, it’s been addressed in Civilization IV.

There are very few games I recommend outright to anyone without hesitation. So let me just qualify: if you have any interest in first-person shooters, go get Riddick. Now.

The single best strategy game released since "Civilization II" (and perhaps even the original "Civilization.")

What's different about it is that Blizzard has made the game very accessible and really put together an amazing system of quests that aren't just part of the depth, but actually a tutorial. All this is done in a world rich in landmarks, characters, races and enemies.

We’re impressed with how simple the game has stayed while adding so much depth.

If you had fun playing SimCity years ago but don't know if Sim gaming is still for you, give Tropico a whirl. Heck, if you just like Latin Jazz/Mambo music, you should pick up Tropico.

A refreshing and at times thought-provoking human-scale simulation.

It runs well, it’s almost completely bug-free, the servers are good, the game scales mob spawn rates to keep up with demand, the quest log always has something for you to do and the instances are brief and enjoyable. There’s no clearing of crap before you get to the Dead Mines or Maraudon proper, you no longer need to get 40 people together for a raid... it’s not next-generation, but The Burning Crusade is as good as this generation of MMOs is going to get.

It’s balanced, it’s fun, and I can’t wait to get to level 140 again!

Yes, there are only four levels of co-op and we're tempted to tear into Ubi for not including more, but on the other hand the mere inclusion of co-op play is already a major achievement. If only the development team would be so nice as to release some level design tools.

The multiplayer in UO is revolutionary compared to CoD, and while we might wish Activision released this as a stand-alone for the sake of the community, we’re not about to punish an excellent expansion pack for adding so much to the original.

Those looking for a completely new gameplay experience will be disappointed, as will those hoping for more realism. However, if you're looking for a faster, cleaner and more polished Battlefield, this is it. Digital Illusions didn't roll any dice on this one (pardon the pun), they stuck to the formula but fleshed it out and polished it up.

From the Olympics and World Cup down to trying to avoid relegation from Poland’s 2nd League, you can lead your manager to compete anywhere.

It’s been a long time since a developer has taken such risks in development and it is deeply impressive that so many of these risks have paid off for the members of Ironclad.

Resident Evil 5 is a must-have game. It isn’t without minor flaws, but they do little to undermine everything that Capcom did so very right.

The best simulation we've played in years. It retains accessibility while offering remarkable levels of detail and realism... It is visually attractive, aurally satisfying and quite simply a breathtaking experience.

Though it bears similarities in style and setting to its predecessor, at heart is a new game with incredible depth that is accessible to any dedicated strategy gamer now, thanks to the completely overhauled interface.

Once you toss in the graphics, sound effects, quality core rules and the toolset, it’s easy to understand how we came up with 91.

[The single player game is c]ertainly not comparable to the evolutionary changes we expected Blizzard to put it through.

We loved everything about the game. We loved everything from the silly fez wearing guards right down to the random dissertations on the meaning of life.

We’d be tempted to give the game another editor’s choice award, actually, but what holds us back most is that the expanded timeline and the cataclysmic war between the Allies and Warsaw Pact is really only for those who love the burden of taking on such a massive conflict.

The best robot game, ever... The excellent singleplayer campaign is perfectly complemented by an equally competent multiplayer game.

Combining all the best features of a genre AND adding evolutionary improvement to them is in fact, revolutionary...The clean interface, astounding gameplay depth, and narcotic addictiveness of SMAC all prove that it deserves one of our highest ratings.

There is enough repetitive, standard fare about Max, coupled with its short play time, that makes it hard to flat-out recommend.

EMI's combination of great graphics, hilarious story and solid gameplay is a tough one to beat. If you like adventure games this one's a no-brainer.

New weapons, new vehicles, amazing graphics, stunning sound, and gameplay that really encourages teamwork... it's almost perfect!

AOK is as addictive as crack, but at the same time, as refined as a 30 year old cognac. Package all that into a drop dead gorgeous graphics engine and it's easy to see that Ensemble and Microsoft have a real winner on their hands; AOK is going to be around for a long time.

We loved this game! As far as 3-D RTS games go, this is the best one we have ever played. With very few flaws this game pleases in almost every aspect.

Left 4 Dead 2 is better than the original in virtually every way and every bit as replayable. I would say there is enough new stuff to justify it being released as a sequel, but on the other hand I agree with many that say this is what L4D should’ve been.

Probably the only thing keeping Thief from 5 stars is a better graphics engine...The incredible sound engine, innovative design and game play lift Thief above all others as a single player adventure.

A management nut’s dream. It doesn’t have quite all the depth options of Worldwide Soccer Manager 2006 (better known as "Football Manager 2006"), but the number of options and the veracity of the simulation are staggering compared to anything that EA or 2K Games have come out with.

Not just a fun adventure game on its own but also an impressive example of how the growing episodic game trend could evolve.

A gaming triumph...More astonishingly, they've created a system of classes and abilities that are so varied that there's a compelling reason to actually play through the game more than once.

Seriously Sweet.

The game is much more accessible and deeper at the same time, but doesn’t force too much simplicity or complexity on anyone. In those regards, it’s perfect.

The level design is fantastic with an eye not just on good looks, but good gameplay as well.

If Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare had a longer single player campaign our score would have been even higher. As it stands Infinity Ward's latest game still is worth the money to buy and experience for yourself.

Dead Space 2 is intense. The campaign lasts around 8 hours on Normal, and almost every minute of that is spent enduring this psychological stress that alternates between exhilaration and agitation.

Dawn of War II plays like the illegitimate love child of Company of Heroes and the original Dawn of War. The cover system is an excellent addition to the series, while the ability to destroy cover is even better. The RPG elements and open-ended campaign add a lot of depth to the single player game, while co-op works wonderfully to allow you to share your game experience with a friend over Live.

Above all, compared to almost any 4X game out there, it's the AI that stands out in Galactic Civilizations. It doesn't cheat, except at the highest difficulty levels, and it behaves in believable ways. It exploits weaknesses, it doesn't gang up on the player, and it uses sound strategies.

The thick atmosphere, the AI which uses (and forces you to use) Sun Tzu's principles, the great graphics and sound - it's an amazing work of art.

Zeno Clash is a welcome game from the veteran mod team of ACE. We honestly can’t wait to see what this team can accomplish in the future, especially with their focus on creativity in design and game play.

There is a lot to be said for the city-centric game design, the intricate unit balancing, the smart AI, and the catchy, quickie action, although there isn’t anything here to make the jaded sit up and shout.

It's certainly the best Batman game by far, probably the best action/adventure game this year. Accordingly, I hope that Rocksteady has a sequel in the works.

Crysis was our most anticipated PC game of 2007 and the final product does keep some of its promise in terms of its graphics and its multiplayer mode. However its high system requirements will also keep many players from fully enjoying it and a great first half of the single player campaign gets bogged down with its more mundane and ultimately unsatisfying second half.

Due to its price and overall incredible level of quality, detail, and care, EHM 2007 is one of the best values on the market. If you ever spend any significant amount of time tweaking your lines or simulating through seasons in either NHL 2K or EA’s NHL series, you will adore Eastside Hockey Manager.

Treyarch really stepped up this year by putting out their best Call of Duty game to date.

Felt tired in its singleplayer campaign – though it was still far better than "WarCraft III."

Easily the best 4X game right now and the best that we’ll see for years to come. The AI of this spectacular title alone will keep gamers talking long after its moment in the spotlight is over.

Most of the challenge may be in timing the super combos correctly, but there’s an elegant simplicity to the gameplay which endures throughout.

Even with its replayability and late-game problems, Silent Storm is really the best turn-based tactical game ever. Yes, it doesn’t have the strategic aspects of X-Com, but no game has such advanced combat.

Armadillo Run is more charming and a better puzzle game than "Pontifex," but it doesn't quite recapture that same magic. Even though it's a very different style, the same rules applied and the novelty of the physics has worn off a bit. Quite frankly however, when those are the biggest complaints you can lay at a title's feet, you know you're dealing with a special product.

If you think you'd like killing a LOT of zombies in huge and varied open-world environments, finding boat-loads of randomized loot, customizing your character and weapons RPG-style, or all of the above, you will love Dead Island. Bring some friends along for the ride and you virtually cannot go wrong. Just don't expect much in terms of story or quest depth, and be sure to mod the game just the way you like it.

Even a four-player free-for-all is an intense scramble - as action-packed as any RTS gets, with players being forced into an aggressive stance that leads to a panoply of crazy and fun situations.

It’s a tribute to the developers that Battlefield 1942 stands head and shoulders above most of its competition, after all these years of real-world shooters.

Manages to fix the balance problems that crept up in WarCraft III, but is unable to fix the fundamental problem. The game remains at an uncomfortable middle-ground between strategy and tactics, not giving enough of either or focusing explicitly on one.

The Third perfectly refines the franchise's style and attitude amongst a sea of other clones and AAA releases. It stands out in every way and, dare I say, can give GTA a run for its money.

The levels, the characters - everything about this game is beautiful. The levels are easily the prettiest and most creative I have ever seen, each one designed in its own unique style. You couldn't get a better result if you threw Tim Burton or Clive Barker into the mix.

Like "Quake," it’s not just a game that you get better at the more you play it – it's a game that gets better for you as you learn to understand the intricacies.

Compelling is barely adequate to describe the feeling as you’re gritting your teeth and trying to find a new way to assault that strongpoint at the highest difficulty levels – grenades gone, no squadmates in sight and an MG42 trained on you. The visuals, the sound, the yelling and screaming and the rain or dust storms just suck you right back in.

Looks outstanding, plays well, has authentic sounds, and is fully customizable to fit your flight sim needs. It's not perfect, but it's likely the best World War II era flight sim available.

We criticized "Shogun" for a few quirks in the interface, but generally it was very clean. Now, those same quirks have bit its sequel in the ass with a vengeance.

Fans of the series will love it, those that complain about linearity or other typical Half-Life traits will continue to be disappointed.

Batman: Arkham City suffers from a botched port job; it's unstable and the DRM offers an even greater incentive to pirate nowadays. The patch fixed most of my problems, but I cannot overlook the two weeks it took to get to that point so I could finally get around to this review. Once you get past these technical issues (or if you're lucky enough not to experience them), however, it really is an amazing action game that outdoes its predecessor in every way.

Metro 2033 is like the eastern European Half-Life – a must for fans of post-apocalyptic settings, narrative shooters, survival horror, or any combination thereof.

Though the game progression is linear, replayability exists in running through the game again just to see if you missed any of the subtle humor, and to finish the game as a different character, since each has its own ending.

Fallout: Tactics isn't just one of the better squad-combat games out there. It's also a decent action game, and has strong roleplaying aspects.

It’s probably the best game of the series despite its more modest score. It is more challenging, the battles are more interesting and balanced, and the graphics and sound are fantastic.

Orcs Must Die! is a blast, offering a fun, fresh twist on one of my favorite genres of all time. While its unique defensive structures will be appreciated by the more creative strategist, I'm sure this title would be especially enjoyed by those that might be bored by the more detached nature of traditional tower defense games.

It's that kind of freedom and pressure-free atmosphere that makes Pirates! as good as it is. Now, if only it would be so nice as to make dancing less important in courtship - or at least less difficult - we'd have a completely enjoyable game.

Quite simply, Combat Mission: Barbarossa to Berlin has smashed preconceived notions of what defines the wargame genre.

While I typically look upon design appropriation negatively, Divine Divinity’s conciseness and irreverence set put it an uncontested step ahead of the opposition.

To really make the game more than a 5 minute thrill ride, dedication and study and going to have to be a large part of the game for you. Fighting against opponents in Flanker is very challenging. Lowering the realism will help quite a bit until you feel ready to notch the realism up some.

Good God, if this game doesn’t immediately suck you in and render you worthless for hours on end, then I don’t know what’s wrong. I’ve, on occasion, sat down to play for a few minutes and then noticed that it’s been five hours.

Complete with in-game cinematics, amazing cut-scenes and great speech-conveyed plot (moments), this is as close to an interactive movie as the Roberts boys have ever been.

Raven has done a fantastic job honing in on the strengths of Jedi Outcast and eliminating its weaknesses. Shoddy, confusing, and dull level design has been dropped for a succession of catchy, focused missions that carry you along for hours.